Positive Conversion Research Articles

New progress of a 2.45 GHz ECR ion source for carbon positive ion mass spectrometry

Positive ion mass spectrometry (PIMS) is a trace element measurement technique based on positive and negative ion conversion, which is contrary to conventional accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS). To precisely measure 14C, interference of molecular isobars (such as 12CH2 and 13CH) need to be suppressed in the ion source by generating multi-charged carbon ions, such as C2+ or C3+. At present, a high-frequency (> 7 GHz) electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) ion source is commonly used to generate C2+ or C3+ ions through CO2 discharge. At Peking University (PKU), we developed a compact permanent magnet 2.45 GHz ECR ion source attempting to produce C2+ ions. In this work, systematical experiments are performed to further improve the performance of the ion source for the application in PIMS. The results show that it can deliver 1.0 emA C2+ ions with an alumina ceramic liner, and its C consumption is about 10∼20 ng/s. Meanwhile, it is also proved that a certain proportion of He and CO2 mixing can improve the production efficiency of C2+ ions, and the consumption of C can be lower. Furthermore, results confirm that this ECR ion source with alumina liner has a lower memory effect, and the influence of original CO2 discharge can be eliminated by Ar plasma cleaning for several minutes. The experimental results show that the 2.45 GHz ECR ion source has the potential to be used in the PIMS system.

Constraining the Lithospheric Discontinuity Structure Beneath Hawaiʻi Using Teleseismic Receiver Functions

AbstractThe Hawaiian Islands represent the youngest portion of the long‐lived Hawaiian‐Emperor Seamount chain sourced from hotspot volcanism on the northwesterly moving Pacific plate. Despite being one of the best studied hotspots on Earth, our understanding of the lithospheric discontinuity structure of Hawaiʻi is inhibited by a lack of a long‐term distributed broadband seismic network and lithospheric‐scale imaging of other oceanic hotspots. In this study, we analyze 3,530 teleseismic waveforms from 1,130 events recorded at 47 stations to compute P‐wave radial receiver functions. We then incorporate an elevation correction to adaptive common conversion point stacking to create a 3D discontinuity volume of the lithospheric structure associated with an ocean island hotspot. We find a positive amplitude conversion consistently at ∼12 km below sea level, likely representing the crust‐mantle transition below much of the island. However, this conversion occurs at only ∼6 km below Kīlauea, where local tomography images a zone of high P‐wave velocities (>7 km/s) within the crust and deformation of olivine phenocrysts within a magmatic reservoir is thought to occur. At this location, seismicity also extends vertically to 35 km depth before merging with an interpreted sill complex at ∼40 km. We interpret this anomalously shallow high amplitude discontinuity as an olivine‐dominated magmatic reservoir with an estimated maximum 5% melt over the resolution of our data at crustal depths. This represents the shallow seismic signature of a much more extensive magma system extending to depth. These images provide a better understanding of the magmatic structure associated with oceanic hotspot volcanoes.

Related Factors with BTA Positive Conversion on Sufferer Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease chronic Which caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Objective study: To analyze related factors _ with BTA positive conversion on Pulmonary TB sufferers at the Community Health Center Biau Regency Buol. The study was implemented in the Work Area Public Health Center Biau Regency Buol. Sample in study This is sufferers of Tuberculosis undergoing lung _ treatment. The study takes place with a selection of 45 people. Research This is analytical survey research with a design. Population is the whole object to be researched. Population in study This is all pulmonary TB sufferers undergoing treatment for more than 2 months; the sample study totaled 45 people using the total sampling technique. Results findings show A relationship between treatment adherence and BTA-positive conversion in tuberculosis sufferers with p-value = 0.044. There is a relationship between family support and BTA-positive conversion in tuberculosis sufferers with a p-value = 0.001. There is no relationship between support from health workers and BTA positive conversion in tuberculosis sufferers with p-value = 0.581, there is a relationship between knowledge and BTA Positive conversion in tuberculosis sufferers with p-value = 0.000, there is a relationship between access to health services and BTA positive conversion in tuberculosis sufferers with p-value = 0.035, there is no relationship between preventive behavior and positive BTA conversion in tuberculosis sufferers at Biau Community Health Center, Buol Regency with p-value = 0.561. This study concludes that family support has a risk of 66,442 times the incidence of BTA-positive conversion in pulmonary TB sufferers.

Tellurium with Reversible Six-Electron Transfer Chemistry for High-Performance Zinc Batteries.

Chalcogens, especially tellurium (Te), as conversion-type cathodes possess promising prospects for zinc batteries (ZBs) with potential rich valence supply and high energy density. However, the conversion reaction of Te is normally restricted to the Te2-/Te0 redox with a low voltage plateau at ∼0.59 V (vs Zn2+/Zn) rather than the expected positive valence conversion of Te0 to Ten+, inhibiting the development of Te-based batteries toward high output voltage and energy density. Herein, the desired reversible Te2-/Te0/Te2+/Te4+ redox behavior with up to six-electron transfer was successfully activated by employing a highly concentrated Cl--containing electrolyte (Cl- as strong nucleophile) for the first time. Three flat discharge plateaus located at 1.24, 0.77, and 0.51 V, respectively, are attained with a total capacity of 802.7 mAh g-1. Furthermore, to improve the stability of Ten+ products and enhance the cycling stability, a modified ionic liquid (IL)-based electrolyte was fabricated, leading to a high-performance Zn∥Te battery with high areal capacity (7.13 mAh cm-2), high energy density (542 Wh kgTe-1 or 227 Wh Lcathdoe+anode-1), excellent cycling performance, and a low self-discharge rate based on 400 mAh-level pouch cell. The results enhance the understanding of tellurium chemistry in batteries, substantially promising a remarkable route for advanced ZBs.

Evaluation of Dengue, Zika virus, and Chikungunya virus transmission by blood components in recipients of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Brazil has a high prevalence of arboviruses, especially Dengue (DENV), Zika (ZKV), and Chikungunya (CHKV). To study the risk of DENV, ZKV, and CHKV transmission by blood components in the haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) population. Prospective cohort of HSCT recipients and donors performed at the Hospital das Clinicas da FMUSP, São Paulo-Brazil. Patients were evaluated by serology and RT-PCR for DENV, ZKV, and CHKV pre-transplantation and once a week until neutrophil grafting. In positive cases (positive RT-PCR and/or serology conversion), an investigation was carried out on the blood components that the patient received to evaluate the possibility of it being transfusion transmitted. A total of 93 patients were included during the study period. The mean age was 52 years with a predominance of males (56.9%). We considered five (5.3%) DENV cases positive by seroconversion in our study. One patient had IgM seroconversion and the other four presented IgG seroconversion to DENV. In the investigation of the blood components, 145 individual samples were analysed. None of the investigated blood components showed a positive RT-PCR. We observed a low prevalence of DENV, ZKV, and CHKV in HSCT donors and recipients by serology and RT-PCR, and no case of blood transfusion transmission by RT-PCR.

Spontaneous prion disease in homozygous and heterozygous transgenic mouse models of T188K genetic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease

Genetic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease with T188K mutation (T188K gCJD) is the most frequent genetic prion disease in China. To explore the penetration of T188K mutation and the pathogenesis of T188K gCJD, we constructed 2 lines of transgenic mouse models: homozygous Tg188K+/+ mice containing T188K mutation in 2 alleles of human PRNP background and heterozygous Tg188K+/- mice containing 1 allele of T188K human PRNP and 1 allele of the wild-type mouse PRNP. Spontaneous neurological illnesses were identified in all Tg188K mice at their old ages (750–800 days old). About half of the Tg188K mice died prior to the final observation (930 days old). Extensive spongiosis, PrPSc deposit, and reactive gliosis of astrocytes and microglia are neuropathologically identified, showing time-dependent exacerbation. Proteinase K-resistant PrP was detected in the brain, muscle, and intestine tissues, and positive real-time quaking-induced conversion reactions were elicited by the brain and muscle tissues of Tg188K mice. Those data verify that the constructed Tg188K mice highly mimic the clinicopathology of human T188K gCJD, strongly indicating the pathogenicity of T188K mutated PrP.

Single-Center Experience of Control of Ventilator-Circuit-Transmitted Burkholderia cepacia Outbreak in an Intensive Care Unit.

Burkholderia cepacia is an emerging nosocomial pathogen frequently associated with outbreaks, but the exact transmission route of this pathogen can at times be elusive in spite of extensive environmental investigative cultures. Active surveillance for sputum cultures was performed for all patients from September 2008 to September 2009 in an intensive care unit (ICU) with B. cepacia outbreak. With evidence of persistent positive conversion of sputum cultures (colonization) and infections among patients, discontinuing re-usable ventilator circuits was introduced. A total of 689 patients were admitted to this unit for a mean duration of 8.7 ± 7.5 days. There were 489 patients (71.0%) with a stay for one to ten days; 161 (23.4%) patients for 11 to 20 days; and 39 (5.7%) with over 20 days. In the first group, 13.5% of patients had cultures converting from negative to positive, in contrast to 66.7% in the last group (p < 0.01). With intervention of using disposable ventilator circuits since June 2009, the incidence of isolated B. cepacia decreased gradually. The estimated 30-day isolation-free probabilities of the groups before, during, one month (August 2009) after, and two months (September 2009) after this intervention were 38.5%, 47.3%, 66.5%, and 96.0%, respectively (p < 0.01). Furthermore, the effect of discontinuing reusable ventilator circuit persisted in the following 6 years; both total isolates of B. cepacia and the infection caused by it were much lower compared to the outbreak period. In summary, this six-year outbreak in a medical ICU persisted until reusable ventilator circuits were discontinued in 2009. The effect of disposable circuits on the decreased incidence of B. cepacia infection maintained in the following years.

Initial and follow-up evaluations on cerebrospinal fluid involvement by hematologic malignancy.

Central nervous system (CNS) involvement is a serious complication in hematologic malignancy, and early detection and management of CNS involvement in these cases significantly impact the prognosis. Currently, there is no consensus on the use of multiparametric flow cytometry (MFC) and conventional cytology (CC) testing for initial and follow-up cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens to diagnose CNS involvement by hematologic malignancy. In our institution, after initial MFC and CC, two subsequent negative MFCs are required before discontinuing MFC. The aim of this study is to evaluate the outcome of this approach. CSF cytology and MFC reports were retrieved from Laboratory Information System, and data was reviewed. Between January 2020 and December 2021, 1789 CSF samples from 280 patients were submitted for CSF analysis. For those 517 CSF samples tested by both MFC and CC, 97 cases tested positive by both MFC and CC with 95% concordance. Eighteen cases were MFC + /CC - and 7 were MFC - /CC + . Thirty-six cases had initially positive MFCs followed by more than one MFC evaluation. Among those 36 cases, 22 cases (61.1%) converted to negative after the second follow-up sample, 9 cases (25%) were continuously positive for at least three samples, and 5 cases (13.9%) exhibited negative to positive conversion. Compared to negative CSF cases, positive CSFs had higher total nucleated cell count and higher total protein levels while red blood cells, glucose, and lactate dehydrogenase levels remained at comparable levels. The concordance between MFC and CC was excellent. The high incidence of positive MFCs on two or more follow-up samples and the high frequency of negative MFC to positive conversion indicate the necessity of repeated negative MFCs before discontinuing MFC. The fact that more than half of the positive cases converted to negative after the second CSF specimen and most follow-up positive cases can be detected by CC alone suggests it is adequate to use CC alone for follow-up CSF study after two consecutive negative MFCs.

Impact of the FilmArray Rapid Multiplex PCR Assay on Clinical Outcomes of Patients with Bacteremia.

Bacteremia is a serious disease with a reported mortality of 30%. Appropriate antibiotic use with a prompt blood culture can improve patient survival. However, when bacterial identification tests based on conventional biochemical properties are used, it takes 2 to 3 days from positive blood culture conversion to reporting the results, which makes early intervention difficult. Recently, FilmArray (FA) multiplex PCR panel for blood culture identification was introduced to the clinical setting. In this study, we investigated the clinical impact of the FA system on decision making for treating septic diseases and its association with patients' survival. Our hospital introduced the FA multiplex PCR panel in July 2018. In this study, blood-culture-positive cases submitted between January and October 2018 were unbiasedly included, and clinical outcomes before and after the introduction of FA were compared. The outcomes included (i) the duration of use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, (ii) the time until the start of anti-MRSA therapy to MRSA bacteremia, and (iii) sixty-day overall survival. In addition, multivariate analysis was used to identify prognostic factors. In the FA group, overall, 122 (87.8%) microorganisms were concordantly retrieved with the FA identification panel. The duration of ABPC/SBT use and the start-up time of anti-MRSA therapy to MRSA bacteremia were significantly shorter in the FA group. Sixty-day overall survival was significantly improved by utilizing FA compared with the control group. In addition, multivariate analysis identified Pitt score, Charlson score, and utilization of FA as prognostic factors. In conclusion, FA can lead to the prompt bacterial identification of bacteremia and its effective treatment, thus significantly improving survival in patients with bacteremia.

Thermodynamic study of the CO2 valorization in the combined steam-dry reforming of bio-oil into syngas

This work studies the thermodynamics of the combined steam-dry reforming (CSDR) (with H2O and CO2 as reactants) of bio-oil as an efficient route for the syngas production from biomass and CO2 valorization. The calculations are performed by Gibb's energy minimization with software AVEVA ProII, considering a mixture of 6 typical compounds in a raw bio-oil (acetic acid, hydroxyacetone, 2-methoxyphenol, furfural, ethanol, acetone), in the conditions: 300–900 ºC; CO2/carbon (CO2/C) ratio in the fed, 0.5–5; steam/carbon (S/C) ratio in the fed, 0.5–3. The syngas yield and composition (H2/CO ratio), CO2 conversion, and reduction of CO2 emissions compared to steam reforming (SR) have been calculated. The heat reaction study has allowed to determine the operating conditions in thermoneutral regime. The syngas yield > 99% of the stoichiometric value is achieved above 700 ºC for any feed composition, with positive CO2 conversion when suitable combinations of S/C and CO2/C ratios are used (the higher the S/C the higher the CO2/C ratio required). At 900 ºC with S/CO2/C= 0.5/0.5/1, 99.9% syngas yield is attained with 48% CO2 conversion and 49% reduction of CO2 emissions compared to SR, with the lowest energy requirement, but with low H2/CO ratio (0.84) in the syngas. H2/CO= 1 (interesting for the synthesis of fuels and chemicals) can be achieved with positive CO2 conversion (2.7–26% range depending on feed composition), but H2/CO= 2 leads to negative CO2 conversions due to the high S/C ratio required. The results indicate good prospects for the development of bio-oil CSDR technology, combining the objectives of sustainable syngas production and decarbonization.

Analysis of clinical characteristics of thyroid disorders in patients with chronic hepatitis B treated with pegylated-interferon alpha

BackgroundThyroid disorders (TD) is a common complication of pegylated-interferon alpha (Peg-IFNα) therapy. Few studies have investigated the relationship between TD and the efficacy of interferon therapy for chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Therefore, we analyzed the clinical characteristics of TD in patients with CHB treated with Peg-IFNα, and evaluated the correlation between TD and Peg-IFNα treatment efficacy.MethodsIn this retrospective study, the clinical data of 146 patients with CHB receiving Peg-IFNα therapy were collected and analyzed.ResultsDuring the course of Peg-IFNα therapy, positive conversion of thyroid autoantibodies and TD occurred in 7.3% (85/1158) and 8.8% (105/1187) patients, respectively, and was diagnosed more often in women. The most common thyroid disorder was hyperthyroidism (53.3%), followed by subclinical hypothyroidism (34.3%). We found that thyroid function returned to normal in 78.7% of patients with CHB, and thyroid antibody levels returned to the negative range in approximately 50% of patients after interferon treatment cessation. Only 25% of patients with clinical TD required treatment. Compared with patients with hypothyroidism/subclinical hypothyroidism, patients with hyperthyroidism/subclinical hyperthyroidism showed greater reduction and seroclearance of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) levels.ConclusionsTD are not an absolute contraindication for interferon therapy; however, patients should be monitored closely during interferon therapy. In pursuit of functional cure, a balance between efficacy and safety must be achieved.

Clinical Characteristics of Mild Patients with Breakthrough Infection of Omicron Variant in China after Relaxing the Dynamic Zero COVID-19 Policy.

For SARS-CoV-2 mutants, the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines is still controversial. In this study, we aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of Omicron-infected patients who completed primary immunization and booster immunization, respectively, during the rapid propagation of the Omicron variant in China. A total of 932 patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection from 18 December 2022 to 1 January 2023 were included in this survey by filling out questionnaires online. The enrolled patients were divided into the primary immunization group and the booster immunization group according to their vaccination status. During the whole course of disease, the most frequent symptoms were fever (90.6%), cough (84.3%), weakness (77.4%), headache and dizziness (76.1%), and myalgia (73.9%). Nearly 90% of the patients had symptoms lasting for less than 10 days, and 39.8% of the patients ended the course of the disease in 4-6 days. A total of 58.8% of these patients had a fever with a maximum body temperature of over 38.5 °C. Moreover, 61.4% of the patients had a fever that lasted less than 2 days. There were no obvious differences in initial symptoms, cardinal symptoms, symptom duration time, maximum body temperature, and fever duration time between the two groups of patients. In addition, no significant difference was found in the positive or negative conversion time of SARS-CoV-2 antigen/nucleic acid between the two groups of patients. For mild patients with Omicron breakthrough infection, enhanced immunization has no significant impact on the clinical performance and duration of viral infection compared with primary immunization. The reasons behind the different clinical manifestations of patients with mild symptoms after the breakthrough infection of the Omicron strain are still worth further research. Heterologous vaccination may be a better strategy for enhanced immunization, which can help improve the immune protection ability of the population. Further research should be carried out on vaccines against mutant strains and spectral anti-COVID-19 vaccines.

Early warning signs of thyroid autoantibodies seroconversion: A retrospective cohort study

BackgroundSerum anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody (anti-TPO) and anti-thyroglobulin antibody (anti-Tg) levels are key indicators for the diagnosis of autoimmune diseases, especially autoimmune thyroiditis. Before the thyroid autoantibodies turn from negative to positive, it is unknown whether any clinical indicators in the body play a warning role. PurposeTo establish an early prediction model of seroconversion to positive thyroid autoantibodies. MethodsThis retrospective cohort study collected information based on clinical laboratory data. A logistic regression model was used to analyse the risk factors associated with a change in thyroid autoantibodies to an abnormal status. A machine-learning approach was employed to establish an early warning model, and a nomogram was used for model performance assessment and visualisation. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration curves, and decision curve analyses were used for internal and external validation. ResultsLogistic regression analysis revealed that albumin to globulin ratio, triglyceride levels, and Glutamic acid levels among liver function and some metabolism-related indicators, high density lipoprotein C among metabolism-related indicators, and cystatin C among renal function indicators were all risk factors for thyroid antibody conversion (P < 0.05). In addition, several indicators in the blood count correlated with thyroid conversion (P < 0.05). Changes in the ratio of free thyroxine to free triiodothyronine were a risk factor for positive thyroid antibody conversion (ORfT4/fT3 = 1.763; 95% confidence interval 1.554–2.000). The area under the curve (AUC) of the early warning model based on the positive impact of clinical laboratory indicators, age, and sex was 0.85, which was validated by both internal (AUC 0.8515) and external (AUC 0.8378) validation. ConclusionsThe early warning model of anti-TPO and anti-Tg conversion combined with some clinical laboratory indicators in routine physical examination has a stable warning efficiency.

Epithelial-mesenchymal Transition Factor and Its Association With Mammographic Density and Breast Cancer Prognosis.

The tumor microenvironment influences tumor progression, invasion, and metastasis. This study determined the expression levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) factors according to zone and their correlation with mammographic breast density and investigated the prognostic value of EMT factors. The clinical and pathological data of invasive carcinoma and ductal carcinoma in situ were reviewed. Primary breast tissue samples were evaluated using immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining of the EMT-associated markers, including α-SMA, vimentin, MMP-9, and CD34. The expression levels were analyzed in three areas: the tumor center, interface, and distal zones. EMT factors were correlated with mammographic breast density and oncologic outcomes. An overall EMT phenotype conversion from positive to negative was seen in 55.7% of α-SMA- and 34.4% of MMP-9-positive cells between the tumor center and interface zones, which was significantly different (p<0.05). Most changes in EMT expression from the center to the distal zone were from positive to negative, but 23.0% of CD34-expressing cells showed negative to positive conversion. The proportion of α-SMA, vimentin, and MMP-9 expression was higher in the non-dense breast group compared to the dense breast group in the interface and distal zones (p<0.05). CD34 expression in the distal zone was an independent favorable prognostic factor for disease-free survival (p=0.039). The differential expression of EMT markers in each zone suggests heterogeneous cancer cell populations within each zone of breast cancer. EMT factor expression can also interplay between breast density stroma and geographical tumor zone.

Distinct Influences of Two Boreal Summer Intraseasonal Oscillation Modes on Synoptic-Scale Eddies over the Western North Pacific

Abstract The boreal summer intraseasonal oscillation (BSISO), which consists of a 10–30-day component and a 30–90-day component, is vigorous over the East Asian and the western North Pacific (WNP) monsoon regions where synoptic-scale eddies are also active. In this study, we systematically compare and diagnose the modulating effects of the 10–30- and 30–90-day BSISO modes on the development and maintenance of the WNP synoptic-scale eddies in terms of eddy energetics. During the developing phase of the synoptic eddies, the eddies tend to grow faster under the background conditions associated with the 10–30-day BSISO mode, compared with that associated with the 30–90-day mode, indicating the importance of the 10–30-day mode in eddy development. In contrast, the 30–90-day BSISO mode shows a larger contribution to the maintenance of the synoptic eddy intensity after the eddies reach their maximum amplitude. On the basis of the diagnoses of the eddy kinetic energy (EKE) budget equation, we find that the positive EKE advection induced by the 10–30-day flow is the leading process resulting in the increased EKE for eddy development. However, the 30–90-day circulation anomalies provide long-lasting favorable conditions (relative to those of the 10–30-day anomalies) to maintain the eddy intensity by generating a positive barotropic energy conversion from 30- to 90-day kinetic energy to EKE. These results not only advance our understanding of multiscale interactions over the WNP but also help toward better monitoring and prediction of synoptic-scale eddies, including tropical cyclones, using the background BSISO information. Significance Statement The western North Pacific is a region with active but complex multiscale interactions among synoptic-scale disturbances, intraseasonal oscillation, and low-frequency background monsoonal activity. The relative effects of 10–30- and 30–90-day intraseasonal variability on the synoptic-scale disturbances were quantitatively examined based on the eddy kinetic energy budget analysis. The results show that the 10–30-day (30–90-day) mode of intraseasonal oscillations plays a key role in the growth (maintenance) of synoptic-scale disturbances through the advection (barotropic energy conversion) process. The results suggest the implication of monitoring and predicting the activity of synoptic-scale disturbances using the information of two different intraseasonal modes.

Fat mass index and airway hyperresponsiveness in Korean adults

ABSTRACT Objective Airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) is associated with asthma and obesity, which is defined as a high body mass index. Body mass mainly comprises fat mass (FM) and muscle mass (MM), which are independent of each other. We investigated the effect of changes in FM over time on the development of asymptomatic AHR in adults. Methods This long-term longitudinal study included adults who were underwent health checkups at the Seoul National University Hospital Gangnam Center. The participants underwent two methacholine bronchial provocation tests with a follow-up period (between the first and second tests) of more than 3 years and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) at all visits. FM index (FMI; FM normalized for height) and MM index (MMI; MM normalized for height) were calculated using BIA. Results The study included 328 adult participants (61 women and 267 men). The mean number of BIA measurements was 6.96 and the follow-up duration was 6.69 years. In total, 13 participants showed a positive conversion of AHR. Multivariate analysis indicated that a high rate of change in FMI ([g/m2]/year), not MMI, was significantly associated with the risk of AHR development (P = 0.037) after adjustment for age, sex, smoking status, and FEV1 predicted. Conclusion A rapid gain of FM over time may be a risk factor for developing AHR in adults. Prospective studies are needed to confirm our results and evaluate the role of FM reduction in preventing AHR development in obese adults.

Metabolic Effects of Infection by the Stomach Worm Obeliscoides cuniculi in Rabbits Fed Diets Varying in Nutritive Quality

Rabbits parasitized by Obeliscoides cuniculi were used as models for stomach worm parasitism in ruminants. A 3 × 4 randomized complete block design containing three levels of infection (NI, no infection; LI and HI, infections produced by 1,800 and 30,000 larvae, respectively) and four levels of diet (PC, high protein and carbohydrate; pc, low protein and carbohydrate; Pc, high protein, and low carbohydrate; pC, low protein and high carbohydrate) was replicated four times. Mean weight gains for rabbits on diets pc or PC were not influenced by infection level, whereas LI rabbits on diets Pc and pC gained as well as the NI animals and more than the HI ones. Only HI rabbits exhibited anorexia. NI and LI rabbits had positive feed conversion efficiencies, whereas those of HI rabbits were negative. The apparent digestibilities of organic matter, protein, and ash in rabits with different infection levels varied with diet. Daily nitrogen balances were positive. The changes in concentrations of amino acids in the plasma typically associated with systemic, fever-producing infections or with starvation or protein-calorie malnutrition did not occur in infected rabbits. Only the high level infections produced adverse effects on productivity. These effects occurred on diets pc, Pc and pC and were mediated by anorexia.infection parasites rabbits metabolic effects

Multivariate joint models for the dynamic prediction of psychosis in individuals with clinical high risk

This study attempted to construct and validate dynamic prediction via multivariate joint models and compare the prognostic performance of these models to both static and univariate joint models. Individuals with clinical high risk(CHR)(n=289) were recruited and re-assessed for positive symptoms, general functions, and conversion to psychosis at 2-months, 1-year, and 2-years to develop the dynamic models. A multivariate joint model of positive psychotic symptoms was assessed using the Structured Interview for Prodromal Symptoms(SIPSp) and general function assessed by global assessment of functioning scores(GAFs) with time-to-conversion to psychosis. The area under the receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve(AUC) was used to test the accuracy of the models. Among 298 CHR individuals, 68 converted to psychosis within 2 years after the initial assessments. Multivariate joint models showed that declining GAFs and increasing SIPSp corresponded to significant and trending to significantly increased risk of psychosis onset and had much higher prognostic accuracy (cross-validated AUC=0.9) compared to the static model(AUC=0.6) and univariate joint models(cross-validated AUC=0.6-0.8). Our results showed that multivariate joint models could be highly efficient in forecasting psychosis onset for CHR individuals. Longitudinal assessments for psychopathology and general functions can be useful for dynamically predicting the prognosis of the pre-morbid phase of psychosis.

Characteristics of Barotropic Energy Conversion in Rapid Intensifying and Decaying Tropical Cyclones Over the Western North Pacific

AbstractThe prediction of the tropical cyclone (TC) intensity remains a difficult issue. This study analyzes local instantaneous barotropic kinetic energy conversion in the lower troposphere in rapid intensifying (RI) and rapid decaying (RD) TCs over the western North Pacific (WNP) during June through November from 1979 to 2017. The kinetic energy conversion to the synoptic eddies is separated for climatological mean, interannual and intraseasonal flows. It is found that the intraseasonal cyclonic flows display a northwest‐southeast orientation in the RI TCs, but a circular feature in the RD TCs. Intraseasonal and climatological mean zonal flows contribute together to the positive kinetic energy conversion in the northwest quadrant of the RI TCs. Intraseasonal meridional flows induce positive (negative) kinetic energy conversion in the northeast (south) part of the RD TCs. The kinetic energy conversion associated with interannual flows is small for both the RI and RD TCs.

Synthesis of pH-responsive polyzwitterions for activated cellular uptake and tumor accumulation of gold nanoparticles at tumorous acidity

The response sensitivity of surface material plays an important role in adjustable nano-bio interaction in vivo. In this present, a zwitterionic polymer (polyzwitterion) containing quaternary ammonium cation and sulfonamide anion poly(4-((4-(3-(methacryloyloxy)propoxy)phenyl) sulfonamido)-N, N, N-trimethyl-4-oxobutan-1-aminium chloride) (PMPTSA) was synthesized by Reversible Addition-Fragmentation Chain Transfer Polymerization (RAFT) polymerization to explore the pH responsive behavior in tumors. The PMPTSA-coated gold nanoparticles (PMPTSA-@-Au NPs) showed zwitterionic nature such as antifouling ability, low cellular uptake and prolonged circulation time similar with common hydrophilic polymers, including polyethylene glycol (PEG), poly(carboxybetaine methacrylate) and poly(sulfobetaine methacrylate) functional gold nanoparticles in physiological environment (pH 7.4). A high sensitivity and reversible positive charge conversion of P(MPTSA)-@-Au NPs at tumor slight acidic microenvironment (∼pH 6.8) leaded to an enhanced cellular internalization than that at pH 7.4 and increased tumor accumulation compared with PEG, polycarboxybetaines and polymer sulphobetaine (PSB) functional gold nanoparticles. The highly pH responsive PMPTSA will provide the promising application in cancer nanomedicine.