Phasic Contractions Research Articles

Greater motor unit discharge rate during rapid contractions in chronically strength-trained individuals

Though similar motor unit (MU) discharge properties have been observed during slow sustained contractions between chronically strength-trained (ST) and untrained (UT) individuals, it is currently unknown if differences between these groups exist for when maximal in vivo MU discharge rate is assessed during rapid, maximal rate of force development (RFD) contractions. Therefore, we compared MU discharge characteristics and RFD during rapid contractions in chronic ST and UT individuals. The investigations were performed in two independent cohorts of chronically ST men, with trained elbow flexors ( Experiment 1, n=13, 6±4 years of training experience) or knee extensors ( Experiment 2, n=11, 9±4 years of experience), and compared with those of UT (n=12 and n=10, respectively). ST individuals had greater absolute elbow flexion and knee extension RFD throughout the first 150 ms of rapid contractions compared to UT, but this difference was absent for relative RFD. ST exhibited higher initial MU discharge rate in both biceps brachii (74 [68, 80] vs. 56 [50, 63] pps, p<0.0001) and vastus lateralis (102 [90, 115] vs. 76 [63, 90] pps, p=0.0025) and a greater average number of MU discharges per second in both trained muscles in the early phase of rapid contractions. We provide novel evidence for a higher maximal MU discharge rate in strength-trained individuals. Interestingly, despite the augmented output of the spinal cord, no differences in relative RFD were observed, which suggests either greater maximal force enhancement of ST compared to UT and/or slowing of the intrinsic contractile properties by prolonged strength training.

Normal ranges of left atrial phasic strains and strain rates by 2D speckle-tracking echocardiography in pediatrics: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Establishing normal values of left atrial (LA) phasic strains and strain rates is essential for distinguishing between normal and abnormal functions, determining the degree of abnormality, and understanding the clinical significance of reported values in pediatrics. This meta-analysis aimed to establish normal values of two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2DSTE)-derived LA phasic strains and strain rates in the pediatric population and identify the sources of inter-study heterogeneity for these values. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases was conducted using keywords such as “left atrial/left atrium,” “strain/speckle/deformation,” and “echocardiography” combined with pediatric age categories. Inclusion criteria comprised English-language human studies involving healthy subjects under 18 years of age. Subjects were categorized as neonates (up to 1 month), infants (1–12 months), and children (1–18 years). A random-effects model was applied to determine 2DSTE-derived LA strains and strain rates, and a meta-regression analysis was performed to investigate inter-study heterogeneity. Our analysis included 17 studies involving 1448 healthy subjects. For children, the mean values of LA strains during the reservoir, conduit, and contraction phases were 47.3% (95% CI 42.5–52.1%), 32.8% (95% CI 27.8–37.8%), and 12% (95% CI 10.0–14.1%), respectively. The mean values for LA strain rates were 2.4 s−1 (95% CI 1.1–3.8 s−1), 4.3 s−1 (95% CI 0.6–8.0 s−1), and 2.4 s−1 (95% CI 0.4–4.5 s−1), respectively. Inter-study heterogeneity for 2DSTE-derived LA phasic strains and strain rates was attributed to factors such as the number of study participants, publication year, software utilized, gating methods, the number of analyzed segments, the geographical region of the study, and heart rate. This study established the normal range of 2DSTE-derived LA phasic strains and strain rates. Additionally, inter-study heterogeneity was found to be influenced by various demographic, physiologic, and methodological factors.

Study of right atrial and right ventricular function in dual chamber pacemaker patients

Abstract Background Unlike left ventricular function, right ventricular (RV) function in pacemaker patients is less well studied with less studies comparing septal versus apical pacing effects on the RV function and almost none on the right atrial (RA) function. Purpose To assess the effect of RV pacing on the echocardiographic and clinical parameters of the RV and RA function and their correlation with the site of right ventricular lead implantation. Methods The study assessed 59 patients in need of permanent dual chamber pacemaker implantation using clinical and echocardiographic data of the RV and RA size and function using tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), S wave velocity of the tricuspid annulus and fractional area change (FAC), free wall strain (FWSL), global longitudinal strain (GLS) of the RV, RA strain including reservoir, conduit and contraction phases and 3D ejection fraction of the RV using Epiq 7 Ultrasound machine (Philips Healthcare) by the same echocardiographer before implantation and 6 months after. All programming parameters were recorded postoperative and 6 months later. Results 31 patients had the RV lead in the RV apex whereas 28 had it in the septum and all patients had their RA lead in the right atrial appendage, with no significant difference between both groups regarding baseline demographic, clinical nor echocardiographic data. At 6 months, there was a significant decline of the 3D RVEF from a mean of (58.57% ± 6.35%) to (56.41% ± 6.17%), TAPSE from (2.61 cm ± 0.51) to (2.35 cm ± 0.52) and S wave from (13.73 cm/sec ± 2.84) to (12.64 cm/sec ± 2.61) but none showed a significant difference between septal and apical pacing, on the other hand, the RV strain showed a significant decline 6 months after implantation in both the FWSL from (-31.75% ± 5.39) to (-27.82% ± 5.73) and the GLS from (-25.89% ± 5.17) to (-21.65% ± 4.51) with more decline in the septal group compared to the apical (-20.33% ± 4.70 versus -22.84% ± 4.04 regarding the GLS and -26.11% ± 6.41 versus -29.37% ± 4.62 in the FWSL, respectively). There was no difference in the FAC, tricuspid regurgitation severity, gradient nor the estimated pulmonary artery pressure at 6 months. The RA size showed a significant decline at 6 months but no difference in any of the strain parameters. No clinical RV failure symptoms nor signs were observed. Programming revealed a mean percentage of ventricular pacing of (97.92% ± 2.67%) with a minimum of 91% and atrial pacing of (10.41% ± 12.52%), and the thresholds, impedance and atrial high-rate episodes were comparable postoperatively and 6 months after, with no difference between the septal and apical groups. Conclusion At 6 months follow-up after pacemaker implantation, right ventricular function starts to show decline in both the septal and apical groups with only the right ventricular strain more affected in the septal group compared to the apical.3D right ventricular ejection fraction3D right ventricular strain

Structural evolution of the Handun salt diapir, Zagros fold and thrust belt, southern Iran

The Fars region, in the Zagros fold and thrust belt, hosts a wide range of diapirs piercing over 10 km of stratigraphic sequence. Comprising Precambrian to Early-Cambrian Hormuz Salt, these diapirs exhibit a prolonged history of evolution. Outcrop evidence for understanding the diapir deformation history is mostly limited to the Cenozoic contractive phase, and the seismic data lacks the necessary quality for an exhaustive understanding of the deepest structure's geometries. Through regional and field evidence we unravel the Handun salt structure evolution and propose a sequential restoration to describe the key deformational events. Our study presents a field-based novel regional balanced cross-section and a 3D-geological model, and addresses the role of structural inheritances and the position of the Handun diapir with respect to the decupled basement. The performed field studies describe folds and unconformities related to Cenozoic halokinetic sequences with exceptional clarity. It was possible to observe changes of the diapir activity along the structure and provide field evidence for the relative timing and kinematics of primary and secondary welding. Finally, our data suggest that the Handun diapir formed in the early Paleozoic above the shoulder of a basement extensional fault, and was partially translated above its southern hanging-wall during the shortening. In the Paleocene a sustained ratio of salt rise rate was enhanced by the Zagros/Oman contraction. In response to the Oligocene continental collision, the diapir was profusely supplied with salt, which flared upward to form overhangs. Since the middle Miocene the salt supply slowly depleted, with the diapiric walls remaining near the surface but tapering upward, probably due to primary welding or increased sedimentation. Secondary welding occurred post-Pliocene in the last stages of the diapir evolution with consequent development of a secondary minibasin.

Study of cosmic evolution admitting thermodynamic analysis

This article examines the cosmic evolution in the framework of symmetric teleparallel theory, characterized by the function of non-metricity scalar (Q)\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$(\\mathcal {Q})$$\\end{document}. We use the e-folding number and reconstruction method with a suitable parametrization of the scale factor to obtain the functional form of symmetric teleparallel theory. Using this reconstructed model, we examine the behavior of different cosmographic parameters to demonstrate the bouncing scenarios of the cosmos by considering the contraction and expansion phases of cosmos before and after the bouncing point, respectively. It is found that the null energy condition is violated which shows that the singularity issue can be resolved in this extended theoretical framework. Moreover, we observe that the acceleration occurs near the bouncing point and the reconstructed model aligns with the current cosmic expansion. Finally, we check the validity of second law of thermodynamics in the bouncing framework of our model.

The Mechanism Involved in the Inhibition of Resveratrol and Genistein on the Contractility of Isolated Rat Uterus Smooth Muscle

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the effects of the phytoestrogens resveratrol (RES) and genistein (GEN) on the contractility of isolated uterine smooth muscle from rats, focusing on both spontaneous and stimulated contractions, and to investigate the underlying mechanisms. Methods: Uterine strips were suspended vertically in perfusion chambers containing Kreb’s solution, various concentrations of RES and GEN were added to the ex vivo uterine strips, and contractions were measured before and after incubation with RES or GEN. Results: (1) Both RES and GEN inhibited K+-induced contractions in a dose-dependent manner; the β/β2-adrenoceptor antagonist propranolol (PRO), ICI118551, the ATP-dependent K+ channel blocker glibenclamide (HB-419) and the NO synthase inhibitor N-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) diminished the inhibitory effects of RES and GEN on K+-induced contractions. (2) RES and GEN also dose-dependently inhibited PGF2α-induced uterine contractions. (3) The inhibitory effects of RES and GEN were observed in spontaneous contractile activities as well; PRO, ICI118551, HB-419 and L-NNA attenuated the inhibitory effects of RES and GEN on the spontaneous contractions of isolated uterine muscle strips. (4) RES and GEN significantly decreased the cumulative concentration response of Ca2+ and shifted the Ca2+ cumulative concentration–response curves to the right in high-K+ Ca2+-free Kreb’s solution. (5) RES and GEN markedly reduced the first phasic contraction induced by oxytocin, acetylcholine, and prostaglandin F2α but did not alter the second phasic contraction caused by CaCl2 in Ca2+-free Kreb’s solution. Conclusions: RES and GEN can directly inhibit both spontaneous and activated contractions of isolated uterine smooth muscle. The mechanisms underlying the inhibitory effects of RES and GEN likely involve β adrenergic receptor activation, reduced Ca2+ influx and release, the activation of ATP-dependent K+ channels and increased NO production.

Non-Invasive Muscle Metabolism Assessment with Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Electrical Muscle Stimulation

Background: Muscle biopsy, the gold standard for assessing muscle aerobic capacity, is an invasive procedure. Noninvasive alternatives, such as 31-phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P-MRS) and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), provide valuable insights, with NIRS providing superior time resolution and ease of use compared with 31P-MRS. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate muscle metabolism using a 6 s muscle contraction phase with electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) and to assess the impact of EMS on exercise performance under hyperbaric conditions with elevated oxygen pressure. Methods: This study included nine male participants (21 ± 2 years) who underwent 5 min of EMS on the forearm flexor muscle group, with muscle oxygen dynamics assessed using NIRS. For statistical analysis, the mean values between groups were assessed using paired t-tests, and associations were evaluated using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Results: Spontaneous blood flow interruption during EMS-induced muscle activity indicated the potential for assessing muscle metabolism without disrupting external blood flow. A significant negative correlation was observed between oxygen consumption and changes in oxygenated hemoglobin levels during muscle activity under hyperbaric conditions. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that skeletal muscle metabolism can be measured using a brief 6 s quantitative EMS. Furthermore, hyperbaric exercise appears to enhance aerobic capacity by increasing the rate and availability of oxygen consumption during exercise.

Effects on Sleep Bruxism Activity of Three Different Oral Appliances: One Year Longitudinal Cohort Study.

Different oral appliances (OAs) have been proposed to control sleep bruxism (SB) detrimental effects on the stomatognathic system. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of different OAs on SB activity and masticatory muscle activity (sMMA) measured by EMG. This longitudinal cohort study was conducted on 51 patients (21 M, 30 F, mean age 26,5 ± 3,5) suffering from SB diagnosed with a validated portable EMG-ECG holter and wearing different OAs: occlusal splints, functional appliance with metallic bites and clear aligners followed after 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months from delivery. A control group of 16 non-treated SB patients (6 M, 10 F mean age 27,1 ± 1,4) was used as a reference. A multiple regression analysis was performed to estimate the differences between groups. The level of significance was set as P value <0,05. Occlusal splint reduced sleep bruxism index after 1 week, 3, 6 and 12 months from delivery while functional appliance only after 12 months. Occlusal splints reduced general phasic contractions only in the first week and sleep bruxism-related phasic contractions at 1 week, 3 and 6 months after delivery with no significant reductions after 12 months. Patients wearing clear aligners showed a reduction in general tonic contractions after 6 and 12 months. Resin and metal bites can reduce sleep bruxism index, while resin bites can reduce sleep bruxism-related phasic contractions. Clear aligners do not influence sleep bruxism index but can reduce tonic contractions.

Experimental and numerical study on bubble pulsation characteristics of underwater explosions with multiple charges

This study examines the processes of expansion, merging, and collapse of multiple underwater explosion bubbles through experimental and numerical methods. A small-scale underwater explosion experiment was conducted in a water tank. The behaviors of three and four bubbles during expansion, merging, and collapse were captured using high-speed photography, and the effects of the quantity and spacing of the explosive charge on the bubble dynamics were analyzed. The results indicate that the evolution of bubble behavior in multiple charge underwater explosions, including the bubble period and radius, is significantly influenced by the spacing between charges. With a decrease in the ratio of the charge spacing to the bubble radius, the period of the merged bubble increases progressively. Independent small bubbles do not interact when the distance between charges exceeds 1.3 times the bubble radius. Furthermore, when the ratio of the spacing to the initial bubble radius (L/rb) is between 1.0 and 1.3, multiple bubbles merge during the contraction phase. When the spacing is less than the maximum radius of the bubbles, multiple bubbles inevitably merge, with fusion occurring during the expansion phase.

Analysis of initial singularity admitting viable bounce models

This article examines the cosmic evolution in the framework of symmetric teleparallel theory, characterized by the function of non-metricity scalar (Q). We use the e-folding number and reconstruction method with a suitable parametrization of the scale factor to obtain the functional form of symmetric teleparallel theory. Using this reconstructed model, we examine the behavior of different cosmographic parameters to demonstrate the bouncing scenarios of the cosmos by considering the contraction and expansion phases of cosmos before and after the bouncing point, respectively. It is found that the null energy condition is violated which shows that the singularity issue can be resolved in this extended theoretical framework. Moreover, we observe that the acceleration occurs near the bouncing point and the reconstructed model aligns with the current cosmic expansion. Finally, we check the validity of second law of thermodynamics in the bouncing framework of our model.

Influence of COPD on the Diaphragm and Muscles of the Lower Limbs

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with numerous comorbidities, including muscle involvement which consists of changes in the structure and function of peripheral and respiratory muscles. Ultrasound can provide a non-invasive assessment of muscle damage. Ultrasound assessment of the quadriceps contractility index (Qci) is feasible, rapid, simple, and reliable. Numerous studies have demonstrated that Qci is linked to the severity of COPD, clinical symptoms, and respiratory muscle activity. Furthermore, ultrasound makes it possible to observe the dynamics of the diaphragm by measuring its amplitude, its contraction speed, and the duration of each contraction phase. Ultrasound examination of muscle damage in COPD could constitute a promising new tool to assess the severity of the disease.

Distinguishing bounce and inflation via quantum signatures from cosmic microwave background

Cosmological inflation is a popular paradigm for understanding Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation (CMBR); however, it faces many conceptual challenges. An alternative mechanism to inflation for generating an almost scale-invariant spectrum of perturbations is a bouncing cosmology with an initial matter-dominated contraction phase, during which the modes corresponding to currently observed scales exited the Hubble radius. Bouncing cosmology avoids the initial singularity but has fine-tuning problems. Taking an agnostic view of the two early-universe paradigms, we propose a quantum measure — Dynamical Fidelity Susceptibility (DFS) of CMBR — that distinguishes the two scenarios. Taking two simple models with the same power-spectrum, we explicitly show that DFS behaves differently for the two scenarios. We discuss the possibility of using DFS as a distinguisher in the upcoming space missions.

Theoretical model for predicting survival of quantity surveying firms in Nigeria

Firms are susceptible to environmental changes like national economic instability, which affects their survival. Consequently, firms need to ascertain their tendency to survive the challenges of the environment. Therefore, this study investigated the factors influencing the failure of quantity surveying consultancy firms and proposes a survival tendency model that allows decision-makers to assess their propensity to withstand economic downturns. Through observational research, QS firms were studied for 10 years (2010 to 2020) which typifies the economic contraction phase in Nigeria. Archival and qualitative data were obtained from 130 QS firms and Cox regression was adopted to analyse the data. The results revealed that 43% of QS firms failed during the economic downturn due to external loans obtained for their operations. Furthermore, purchasing new software/technologies and employing more staff increases the probability of failure while research and development, diversification, and maintaining the number of partners reduce likelihood of failure. A model was proposed for QS firms to ascertain their survival during economic downturns using the significant predictor (i.e. method of financing). This study, thus, recommends that managers of QS firms should finance their operations using savings from professional fees and profits. They should also decide on strategies that can be implemented to survive economic crises.

Evaluation of Left Ventricular Remodeling and Prognosis after PCI in Acute Myocardial Infarction Using Real-Time, Three-Dimensional Echocardiography Combined with Layer-Specific Strain Imaging

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate left atrial and left ventricular volumes, strains, and strain rates in patients with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) using real-time three-dimensional echocardiography and layer-specific strain techniques. The relationships between these parameters and left ventricular remodeling (LVR) and prognosis were also explored. Methods: The study included 217 patients with first-episode STEMI who underwent emergency PCI. Echocardiography and myocardial strain analyses were performed within 24 h post-PCI. Patients were categorized into early and non-early LVR groups based on the increase in left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV). The occurrence of major cardiovascular adverse events (MACE) was followed up for one-year post-PCI. Differences in clinical data and ultrasound parameters between the groups were compared, and the predictive value of myocardial strain indicators for late LVR was analyzed using a multivariate logistic regression model and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results: Early LVR occurred in 54.8% of patients and was characterized by decreased left ventricular systolic function, more segments with abnormal movement, and reduced absolute strain values in the three layers of the left ventricular wall myocardium, with a compensatory increase in left atrial strain rate during the contraction phase. The early LVR group showed a higher incidence of MACE at the one-year follow-up. At 6 months post-PCI, 29.9% of patients developed late LVR, which was not completely related to early LVR. Late LVR was associated with a higher incidence of MACE. The longitudinal strain value of each layer of left ventricular myocardium obtained from layer-specific strain imaging showed predictive value for advanced LVR. Conclusions: More than half of patients with STEMI develop early LVR post-PCI, with a higher incidence of MACE during one-year of follow-up, necessitating attention to early LVR in clinical practice. Late LVR, which develops in some patients after 6 months, is also linked to a higher incidence of MACE. Accurate monitoring of the myocardial deformation function using layer-specific strain imaging is expected to become a reference indicator for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Monitoring the structure and function of the left atrium and mitral valve alongside the LVR is important for prognostic assessment and for formulating diagnostic and treatment plans.

Muscle microvascular oxygen delivery limitations during the contraction phase of intermittent maximal effort contractions.

The end-test torque (ETT) during intermittent maximal effort contractions reflects the highest contraction intensity at which a muscle metabolic steady-state can be attained. This study determined if ETT is the highest intensity at which the contraction phase of intermittent exercise does not limit the matching of microvascular oxygen delivery to muscle oxygen demand. Microvascular oxygenation characteristics of the biceps brachii muscle were measured in sixteen young, healthy individuals (8M/8F, 22 ± 3years, 80.9 ± 20.3kg) by near-infrared spectroscopy during maximal effort elbow flexion under control conditions (CON) and with complete circulatory occlusion (OCC). Increases in total-[heme] were blunted during OCC compared to CON (225 ± 87 vs. 264 ± 88μM, p < 0.001) but OCC did not elicit a compensatory increase in deoxygenated-[heme] at any timepoint (108 ± 62 vs. 101 ± 61μM, p > 0.05). Deoxygenated-[heme] was significantly elevated during contraction, relative to relaxation, above ETT (107 ± 60 vs. 98.8 ± 60.5μM, p < 0.001), but not at ETT (91.7 ± 54.1 vs. 98.4 ± 62.2μM, p = 0.174). Total-[heme] was significantly reduced during contraction, relative to relaxation, at all contraction intensities during CON (p < 0.05) and OCC (p < 0.05). These data suggest that ETT may reflect the highest contraction intensity at which contraction-induced increases in intramuscular pressures do not limit muscle perfusion to a degree that requires further increases in fractional oxygen extraction (i.e., deoxygenated-[heme]) despite limited microvascular diffusive conductance (i.e., total-[heme]).

LDCNN: A new arrhythmia detection technique with ECG signals using a linear deep convolutional neural network.

The electrocardiogram (ECG) is a fundamental and widely used tool for diagnosing cardiovascular diseases. It involves recording cardiac electrical signals using electrodes, which illustrate the functioning of cardiac muscles during contraction and relaxation phases. ECG is instrumental in identifying abnormal cardiac activity, heart attacks, and various cardiac conditions. Arrhythmia detection, a critical aspect of ECG analysis, entails accurately classifying heartbeats. However, ECG signal analysis demands a high level of expertise, introducing the possibility of human errors in interpretation. Hence, there is a clear need for robust automated detection techniques. Recently, numerous methods have emerged for arrhythmia detection from ECG signals. In our research, we developed a novel one-dimensional deep neural network technique called linear deep convolutional neural network (LDCNN) to identify arrhythmias from ECG signals. We compare our suggested method with several state-of-the-art algorithms for arrhythmia detection. We evaluate our methodology using benchmark datasets, including the PTB Diagnostic ECG and MIT-BIH Arrhythmia databases. Our proposed method achieves high accuracy rates of 99.24% on the PTB Diagnostic ECG dataset and 99.38% on the MIT-BIH Arrhythmia dataset.

Conventional and 2-Dimensional Speckle Tracking Echocardiography in Fabry Disease

Abstract OBJECTIVE To analyze the myocardial involvement and explore the strain characteristics of the left atrium and the left ventricle in patients with Fabry disease (FD) using conventional echocardiography and 2-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE). METHODS A retrospective study was conducted. Sixty-nine patients with FD who were treated in the Department of Cardiology, Neurology and Nephrology of Peking University First Hospital from August 2014 to February 2023 and underwent echocardiography examination in the Cardiology Department were collected (FD group). During the same time, 69 age- and sex-matched individuals who had no cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, renal, metabolic, and autoimmune diseases, and had no obvious abnormalities on echocardiography were included in the control group. The clinical data and laboratory tests were collected, and routine echocardiography and 2D-STE were performed to analyze left atrial strain and left ventricular longitudinal strain. The differences in relevant parameters between groups were compared. RESULTS Compared with the control group, the patients in the FD group had smaller body mass index and body surface area, slower heart rate, poorer estimated glomerular filtration rate, and significantly increased brain natriuretic peptide and cardiac troponin I (all P &amp;lt; 0.05). E’med in the FD group was reduced (8.4 ± 3.4 vs. 9.9 ± 2.8, P = 0.006) and E peak, E peak deceleration time, pulmonary artery systolic pressure increased, interventricular septum and left ventricular posterior wall thickened, left ventricular mass index, and early diastolic transmitral inflow velocity/septal mitral annular velocity (E/Eʹ) increased (all P &amp;lt; 0.05). Compared with the control group, left atrial strains [including left atrial strain during reservoir phase (LASr), left atrial strain during contraction phase (LASct), left atrial strain during conduit phase (LAScd)] and left ventricular average global longitudinal strain (GLSavg) were reduced in the FD group. In the segmental longitudinal strain of the left ventricular, the strain was significantly reduced except for the strain of the basal and middle segment of the inferior wall (P &amp;lt; 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Patients with FD usually have multisystem involvement such as kidney and heart. Echocardiography usually shows varying degrees of myocardial hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction, while left ventricular ejection fraction is normal. Left atrial strain, left ventricular global, and segmental longitudinal strain are all decreased to varying degrees.

Effect of moxibustion on ATP-sensitive potassium channel (KATP) of bladder in detrusor overactivity rats.

To observe the effect of ginger-salt-partitioned moxibustion on ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel of bladder in detrusor overactivity (DO) rats. Female SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation, model, moxibustion and antagonist groups (n=9 in each group). Thorax (T) 10 spinal cord transection was performed by surgery. Ginger-salt partitioned moxibustion was applied to "Shenque" (CV8) for 3 cones, once daily for 14 consecutive days. Rats of the antagonist group were intraperitoneally injected with KATP channel specific antagonist glibenclamide (10 μg·kg-1·d-1) once daily for 14 consecutive days. Urodynamic tests were performed after treatment. The distribution and expression of KATP channel tetrameric subunit (SUR2B) in the bladder of rats was observed by immunofluorescence. The protein and mRNA expression levels of SUR2B in bladder tissue were detected by Western blot and qPCR respectively. Compared with the sham operation group, rats of the model group showed intensive and large phasic contractions of the detrusor during bladder filling, the frequency and amplitude of phasic contractions of the detrusor 5 min before leakage were significantly increased (P<0.001)；the voiding threshold pressure was significantly decreased (P<0.001)；the bladder perfusion volume was increased (P<0.001)；the SUR2B protein and mRNA expression in bladder tissue were significantly reduced (P<0.001). Compared with the model group and the antagonist group, the above-mentioned indicators in the moxibustion group were all reversed (P<0.01, P<0.001, P<0.05). Ginger-salt partitioned moxibustion can reduce the frequency and amplitude of detrusor phase contraction during bladder filling and prolong the time of first phase contraction in DO rats, which may be associated with up-regulating the expression level of KATP channel protein and mRNA, promoting the outflow of potassium ions, and inhibiting the inflow of calcium ions, thus improve the stability of detrusor during storage.

Study of the interaction between a cavitation bubble and nearby biomimetic gas-entrapping microtextured surfaces and the potential damage effects on the wall using the compressible multiphases volume of fluid model

In the study, a compressible multiphase volume of fluid considering the phase change and thermal effect is presented, the interaction between a cavitation bubble and nearby biomimetic gas-entrapping microtextured surfaces is investigated using this model, and the potential damage effects on the wall are carefully analyzed. Based on this interaction, the standoff distance is classified into three types. For γ > 2.0, the cavitation bubble remains spherical during the expansion phase because it is not influenced by the entrapped gas cavities. However, during the contraction phase, it generates a jet directed away from the wall. For 1.0 < γ < 2.0, the cavitation bubble is affected by the cavities, causing it to lose its spherical shape during the expansion phase. For 0 < γ < 1.0, the cavitation bubble is close to the gas cavities, mixing with the gas cavities during the expansion phase. Two processes are identified as the main reasons for the potential damage to the wall. Furthermore, compared to a flat wall surface, the peak of the pressure impulse on the wall with entrapping gas cavities decreases by 33%, and the peak of the heat transfer quantity decreases by 59%, significantly reducing the damage to the wall.

Utilizing Deep Neural Networks to Fill Gaps in Small Genomes.

With the widespread adoption of next-generation sequencing technologies, the speed and convenience of genome sequencing have significantly improved, and many biological genomes have been sequenced. However, during the assembly of small genomes, we still face a series of challenges, including repetitive fragments, inverted repeats, low sequencing coverage, and the limitations of sequencing technologies. These challenges lead to unknown gaps in small genomes, hindering complete genome assembly. Although there are many existing assembly software options, they do not fully utilize the potential of artificial intelligence technologies, resulting in limited improvement in gap filling. Here, we propose a novel method, DLGapCloser, based on deep learning, aimed at assisting traditional tools in further filling gaps in small genomes. Firstly, we created four datasets based on the original genomes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Neurospora crassa, and Micromonas pusilla. To further extract effective information from the gene sequences, we also added homologous genomes to enrich the datasets. Secondly, we proposed the DGCNet model, which effectively extracts features and learns context from sequences flanking gaps. Addressing issues with early pruning and high memory usage in the Beam Search algorithm, we developed a new prediction algorithm, Wave-Beam Search. This algorithm alternates between expansion and contraction phases, enhancing efficiency and accuracy. Experimental results showed that the Wave-Beam Search algorithm improved the gap-filling performance of assembly tools by 7.35%, 28.57%, 42.85%, and 8.33% on the original results. Finally, we established new gap-filling standards and created and implemented a novel evaluation method. Validation on the genomes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Neurospora crassa, and Micromonas pusilla showed that DLGapCloser increased the number of filled gaps by 8.05%, 15.3%, 1.4%, and 7% compared to traditional assembly tools.