Recovery Trend Research Articles

The unaided recovery of marathon-induced serum metabolome alterations

Endurance athlete performance is greatly dependent on sufficient post-race system recovery, as endurance races have substantial physiological, immunological and metabolic effects on these athletes. To date, the effects of numerous recovery modalities have been investigated, however, very limited literature exists pertaining to metabolic recovery of athletes after endurance races without the utilisation of recovery modalities. As such, this investigation is aimed at identifying the metabolic recovery trend of athletes within 48 h after a marathon. Serum samples of 16 athletes collected 24 h before, immediately after, as well as 24 h and 48 h post-marathon were analysed using an untargeted two-dimensional gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry metabolomics approach. The metabolic profiles of these comparative time-points indicated a metabolic shift from the overall post-marathon perturbed state back to the pre-marathon metabolic state during the recovery period. Statistical analyses of the data identified 61 significantly altered metabolites including amino acids, fatty acids, tricarboxylic acid cycle, carbohydrates and associated intermediates. These intermediates recovered to pre-marathon related concentrations within 24 h post-marathon, except for xylose which only recovered within 48 h. Furthermore, fluctuations in cholesterol and pyrimidine intermediates indicated the activation of alternative recovery mechanisms. Metabolic recovery of the athletes was attained within 48 h post-marathon, most likely due to reduced need for fuel substrate catabolism. This may result in the activation of glycogenesis, uridine-dependent nucleotide synthesis, protein synthesis, and the inactivation of cellular autophagy. These results may be beneficial in identifying more efficient, targeted recovery approaches to improve athletic performance.

Investigation of Multiparameter Trends and Anthropometric Measurements for Cardiorespiratory Fitness Assessment Among UTM Staff

Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is known to reduce metabolic-related diseases like cardiovascular diseases (CVD), obesity, hypertension, and type II diabetes. On the other hand, the gold standard to measure CRF is by measuring maximal oxygen consumption, VO2 max over the years. This study is performed to identify parameters that influence CRF without solely relying on invasive features such as VO2 max. A number of 31 UTM staff aged between 30 and 40 years old have participated in this study with 17 female subjects and 14 male subjects. Anthropometric measurements are obtained by direct measurement and body composition analysis using a body composition monitor. Multiparameter trend measurements were obtained from vital sign monitors at rest. Single feature analysis was performed in terms of accuracy, specificity and sensitivity to identify which feature influences CRF the most. The features collected are body mass index (BMI), body fat (BF), muscle mass (MM), bone density (BD), waist circumference (WC), resting heart rate (RHR), resting systolic blood pressure (RSBP), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and recovery trend heart rate (RecHR). Next, all these features were validated using Naïve Bayes (NB) and Decision Tree (DT) classifiers. Finally, six features which are BF, BM, BD, RHR, RSBP and FEV1, with accuracy more than 70% were selected and identified as the features which influence CRF of UTM staff.

Experimental investigation into downstream field of a horizontal axis tidal stream turbine supported by a mono pile

A deep insight into wake of a tidal stream turbine can be essential to make tidal stream energy commercially viable. This study is to experimentally investigate downstream field of a horizontal axis tidal stream turbine supported by a mono pile. Two scenarios with and without a rotor are considered and compared with each other in this study. An advanced Acoustic Doppler Velocimeteris employed to measure the time-varying velocities up to eight rotor diameter downstream. Analyses of results show that the flow field within three rotor diameter downstream is strongly influenced by the supporting structures, which lead to asymmetric recovery trend for velocity, turbulence and Reynolds shear stress. Besides, flow characteristics within various lateral distances away from the rotating axis tend to recover in different rates. Both the rotor rotation and supporting structures result in highly anisotropic turbulence in the downstream field. Bed shear stress in the downstream field nearly doubles due to the rotating rotor, although its distribution pattern does not change.

Evidence of overfishing of geoduck clam Panopea globosa from a length-based stock assessment approach.

Stock assessment of the geoduck clam Panopea globosa in Mexico has been based on data-poor without consideration of the biological traits of the species, promoting a passive management strategy without biological reference points for its harvest and conservation, which results in limited advice regarding the sustainability of the fishery. The stock assessment was supported on an integrated catch-at-size assessment model. The model described the population changes, including recruitment, selectivity, fishing mortality, individual growth patterns and survival over time, providing management quantities for the geoduck clam fishery, such as biomass-at-length (total and vulnerable) and harvest rate-at-length. The results indicated overfishing of the geoduck clam population; the harvest rate exceeded the management tactics established for this fishery, even the individuals smaller than the minimum legal size (130 mm) were harvested. Thus, declines in the total biomass (from 3,262 to 1,130 t) and recruitment (representing an 86% decrease) were observed from 2010 to 2012. Although the results showed a recovery trend in recruitment and total biomass from 2014 to 2016, this trend may have been due to the spatial relocation of fishing mortality.

Intranasal administration of conditioned medium derived from mesenchymal stem cells-differentiated oligodendrocytes ameliorates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

In multiple sclerosis, myelin sheaths around the axons are degenerated due to uncontrolled inflammation in the central nervous system. Oligodendrocytes (OLs) are myelin-forming cells that secrete trophic factors necessary for myelin protection. Beneficial features of conditioned medium (CM) derived from different stem cells are nowadays under investigation in treating neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we used the differentiation capacity of Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJMSCs) to obtain OLs. Then, the study aimed to evaluate the status of inflammation and myelination in male experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mice after intranasal administration of CM derived from OLs (OL-CM). Inflammation was studied by evaluating gliosis, inflammatory cell infiltration and expression of inflammation indicators including NLRP3 inflammasome, interleukin-1β, interleukin-18, glial fibrillary acidic protein, and ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1. Remyelination was studied by luxol fast blue staining and evaluating the expression of myelin indicators including myelin basic protein and oligodendrocyte transcription factor. In addition, we followed the trend of body weight and functional recovery during the 28-day study. ELISA assay revealed that OL-CM contained brain-derived neurotrophic factor, glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor, and ciliary neurotrophic factor. Data showed that OL-CM moderated inflammation, augmented remyelination, and gained normal body weight. Notably, these anti-inflammatory and regenerative effects of OL-CM improved neurological functions in EAE mice. In conclusion, the current study offered a new choice for treating multiple sclerosis using noninvasive intranasal administration of CM harvested from easily achievable WJMSCs-differentiated OLs.

Thermal-fluid coupling analysis of oil shale pyrolysis and displacement by heat-carrying supercritical carbon dioxide

Supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) has advantages in solubility and diffusion. It is suitable for extracting organic matter in porous media as heat-carrying fluid. This paper investigates whether supercritical carbon dioxide can promote the pyrolysis of oil shale using both laboratory experiments and numerical simulations. The diffusion and velocity distribution of heat carrying supercritical carbon dioxide in oil shale are simulated by using COMSOL Multiphysics. The results show that at the pressure 7.8 mpa, while the injection temperature is 400 °C and the injection flow rate is 2.5–9 ml/s, both the axial displacement rate and the front pyrolysis rate increase with increasing injection flow rate and pyrolysis time. The pyrolysis front gradually transited from uniform pyrolysis along the whole section to the interface centralized pyrolysis along the axial displacement rate distribution. In addition, in an indoor experiment when the pressure is 7.8Mpa the temperature is 350–400 ℃, and the injection velocity is 9 ml/s of supercritical carbon dioxide, the effective recovery of shale oil increases from 36% to 97.4% with the increasing temperature and pyrolysis time. However, at the same temperature, the increasing trend of shale oil recovery decreases gradually for an extension of time. The analysis of a combined gas chromatography shows that the shale oil is secondary pyrolysis due to long-term retention in high temperature conditions and thus the increasing trend of oil recovery is gradually eased off.

Evaluation of the Corneal Thickness and Endothelial Changes Following Uncomplicated Phacoemulsification in Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Patients by Pentacam and Specular Microscopy

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is an important health problem that induces unrestful complications. It causes significant morbidity owing to specific microvascular complications such as diabetic retinopathy, diabetic cataract, diabetic keratopathy, and diabetic optic nerve diseases. Patients and Methods: This is a prospective, comparative case series study assessing the corneal endothelial status in 20 diabetics and 20 non diabetics before, after 1 day, 1 week and 1 month of uneventful phacoemulsification using phaco-chop technique. Central corneal thickness (CCT), as well as endothelial cell density (ECD), coefficient of variation (CV) and percentage of polymegathism or hexagonality were measured by specular microscopy. The corneal thickness at 0, 2 and 4 mm from center of the cornea and corneal volume at 3, 5 and 7 mm from the center of the cornea. Changes were compared between both groups using pentacam in the same follow up period. Results: Preoperative CCT was found to be significantly higher in diabetic than in non-diabetic group. ECD and CV were insignificantly higher in diabetics in contrast with the percentage of hexagonality, which was found to be insignificantly lower preoperatively. Diabetics showed insignificant higher loss in endothelial cell count as compared to non-diabetics. Furthermore, the diabetics showed a slower recovery trend in the endothelial healing response as evidenced by lower change in the CV%. Postoperative CCT measurements demonstrated no significant variations between groups evidenced by specular microscopy as well as changes in corneal thickness and volume evidenced by pentacam. Conclusion: The present study revealed no significant differences between preoperative and postoperative values neither in terms of mean ECD values, nor in corneal thickness and corneal volume between diabetic patients and nondiabetic patients undergoing phacoemulsification employing phaco-chop technique.

GRACE: Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment long-term trend investigation over the Nile River Basin: Spatial variability drivers

GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment) long-term terrestrial water storage anomaly (TWSA) is attributed to the complex interaction of climatic, physical and anthropogenic drivers. This paper, therefore, explores how different hydroclimatic and anthropogenic processes interact and combine over “space” to produce the mass variations that GRACE-TWSA detects. Using the Nile River Basin (NRB) as a case study, it explicitly analyzes nine hydroclimatic and anthropogenic processes, as well as their relationship to the TWSA in different climatic zones. The analytic method employed the long-term trends derived for both the dependent (TWSA) and independent (explanatory) variables via applying two geographically multiple regression (GMR) approaches: (i) an ordinary least square regression (OLS) model in which the contributions of all variables to TWSA variability are deemed equal at all locations; and (ii) a geographically weighted regression (GWR) which assigns a weight to each variable at different locations based on clustering occurrences. The models’ efficacy was investigated using standard goodness of fit diagnostics. The OLS explains that the basin at large TWSA spatial variability significantly attributed to five variables, i.e., precipitation, runoff, surface water storage, soil moisture storage, and population density, (p < 0.0001). The OLS model, however, produced an R2 value of 0.14 with skewed standardized residuals. In contrast, the GWR model retained varying explanatory variables by different climate zone. For instance, the results showed that all nine variables contribute significantly, with varying ranking, to the trend in TWSA in the tropical zone. The evapotranspiration (ET) and population density are the only significant variables in the semiarid zone; population density contributes significantly to TWSA variability in all zones. The GWR model yielded R2 values with a median of 0.71 and normally distributed standard residuals. To evaluate the robustness of the GWR approach, the basin-wide TWSA pattern was simulated using the GWR model outputs. Herein, the GWR highlights the importance of the spatial locations to attribute the spatial variability in GRACE TSWA long-term trends. This spatial information, therefore, is critical for developing robust statistical models for reconstructing time series of proxy GRACE anomalies that predate the launch of the GRACE and for gap-filling between GRACE and GRACE Follow-On (GRACE-FO) mission.

Effect of NPK in the management of Alternaria black spot disease severity, seed yield and oil content of mustard

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of NPK against the management of Alternaria black spot disease, productivity and oil content of mustard during 2015-16 and 2016-17 in the rabi seasons in the Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Katni (MP) with three doses of nitrogen, potassium and constant phosphorus. In the year 2015-16, each increased dose of nitrogen, there was a significantly increase in percent disease incidence on leaf from 26.66% to 47.41% and zero level of nitrogen shown less disease incidence (33.44% to 35.39%).Minimum incidence of disease (19.33%) in the year 2015-16 was recorded in the treatment applied 120kg nitrogen and 60kg potash. Increased dose of potash from 60kg to 80kg/ha with 120kg nitrogen increased the disease incidence (19.33% to 29%). Overall disease incidence on leaf increased with increase the nitrogen dose from 120kg to 160kg/ha with 80kg/ha potash. Highest disease incidence (47.41) was recorded in treatment given160kg N and 40kg K. Same trend of disease incidence on leaf was found in the year 2016-17. The highest seed yield (20.66q/ha)was achieved in 120kg N 60kg K along with 40kg P (Constant) applied plot followed by 140kg N and 60kg K (17.96q/ha and 120kg N plus 40kg K in the year 2015-16.There were no differences in seed yield among the treatment 1, treatment 3,treatment 4and treatment 6. Minimum seed yield (10.33q/ha) was obtained in control plot. In the year 2016-17, maximum yield (18.91q/ha) was recorded in plants receiving the 120kg N and 60kg K which was significantly higher than all the treatment plots. There was increased in yield with increase in K level from 40kg to 60kg/ha. Oil content was significantly decrease when plant were raised under higher doses of N and K. Significantly more oil percent (40.13%) was recorded in treatment applied 120kg N and 60 kg K followed by 120kg N and 40kg K (39.35) in comparison to control plot. Same trend of the oil recovery was also recorded in the year 2016-17.

Visual acuity recovery after vitrectomy of idiopathic macular hole and its influencing factors: a longitudinal study

Objective To observe the dynamic characteristics of visual acuity after vitrectomy in different sizes of idiopathic macular hole, and analyze the influencing factors. Methods A retrospective study. From August 2016 to June 2018, 302 patients (302 eyes) with monocular idiopathic macular hole who underwent 25G vitrectomy combined with the internal limiting membrane peeling in Tianjin Eye Hospital were included in the study. There were 130 males and 172 females, with the mean age of 63.36±6.91 years. There were 158 left eyes and 144 right eyes. The logMAR BCVA was 1.13±0.45. The minimum diameter (422.92±211.73 μm) and basal diameter (835.47±366.42 μm) of macular hole and choroid thickness under fovea (244.84±60.68 μm) were measured by OCT. According to the minimum diameter, the holes were divided into small hole group (≤ 250 μm), middle hole group (>250 μm and ≤400 μm) and large hole group (>400 μm). The logMAR BCVA at 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery in 3 groups were observed. Two-factor repeated measure ANOVA was used to compare the visual acuity of the 3 groups. The generalized estimation equation (GEE) was used to analyze the influencing factors of postoperative visual recovery. Results One month after surgery, all the holes were closed. One, 3 and 6 months after surgery, the logMAR BCVA were 0.33±0.25, 0.23±0.18, 0.16±0.17 in the small hole group; the logMAR BCVA were 0.46±0.25, 0.35±0.26, 0.27±0.28 in the middle hole group; the logMAR BCVA were 0.81±0.51, 0.61±0.48, 0.53±0.37 in the large hole group. Through repeated measurement variance analysis of two factors, it was found that there was an interaction between different groups and different time nodes (F=23.133, P 0.05). In the large hole group, among preoperative, 1 months after surgery, 3 months after surgery, the visual acuity difference was statistically significant (P 0.05). The results of GEE analysis showed that hole size (χ2=4.17, P=0.04), basal diameter (χ2=7.25, P=0.01), disease course (χ2=19.26, P=0.00), and choroid thickness (χ2=4.19, P=0.04) were the influencing factors of postoperative visual acuity. Conclusions After vitrectomy of macular holes of different sizes, the visual recovery trend is different. The visual recovery of small holes and middle holes is faster and basically restored at 1 month. The large holes requires a slow recovery process and stabilizes vision at 3 months. Hole size, basal diameter, course of disease and choroid thickness are the influencing factors of visual acuity recovery. Key words: Retinal perforations/surgery; Vitrectomy; Root cause analysis; Longitudinal study

Fish rubbings, 'gyotaku', as a source of historical biodiversity data.

Methods for obtaining historical biodiversity information are mostly limited to examining museum specimens or surveying past literature. Such materials are sometimes time limited due to degradation, discarding, or other loss. The Japanese cultural art of ‘gyotaku’, which means “fish impression” or “fish rubbing” in English, captures accurate images of fish specimens, and has been used by recreational fishermen and artists since the Edo Period (the oldest known ‘gyotaku’ was made in 1839). ‘Gyotaku’ images often include distributional information, i.e., locality and sampling date. To determine the extent and usefulness of these data, field and questionnaire surveys targeting leisure fishing and boating stores were conducted in the following regions where threatened or extinct fishing targets exist (four regions including the northernmost to the southernmost regions). As a result, 261 ‘gyotaku’ rubbings were digitally copied with their owners’ consents. From these, distributional data were extracted for 218 individuals, which roughly represented regional fish faunas and common fishing targets. The peak number of ‘gyotaku’ stocked at the surveyed shops was made in 2002, while ones made before 1985 were much fewer. The number of ‘gyotaku’ rubbings made in recent years shows a recovery trend after 2011–2012. The present study demonstrates the validity of examining ‘gyotaku’ for historical biodiversity information.

Visual Outcome after Oral versus Intravenous Methylpredisolone Therapy for Bilateral Optic Neuritis in Adults

AbstractIntroduction: Bilateral optic neuritis in adults is rarer then unilateral optic neuritis. The purpose of this study was to know the clinical profile and to know the visual outcome of bilateral optic neuritis in adult patients after oral versus intravenous methylprednisolone therapy.Methods: A retrospective review of patients with bilateral optic neuritis referred to dr.Sardjito General Hospital, Yogyakarta from 2011-2014. The data consisted of bilateral optic neuritis, unassociated with other pathologic processes. There are two groups of patients: Group A taking oral methylprednisolone 1mg/kgBB and Group B received intravenous methylprednisolone (as ONTT guideline). Visual acuity, visual field with Goldmann Perimetry, RAPD (Relative Afferent Puppilary Defect), Ishihara test and direct ophthalmoscopy evaluation were recorded and analysed in both group at baseline, 1 week, 1 month and 3 months follow up. Results: Nineteen women and 9 men, with age range of 18-54 years old, had bilateral optic neuritis. The majority of the patients suffered from retrobulbar neuritis (43%), papilitis (39%) and neuroretinitis (18%). The average visual acuity before treatment in Group A was 0.22 ± 0.29 and in Group B had poorer average visual acuity 0.03±0.04 (p&gt;0.05). But the trend of visual recovery in Group B with visual acuity at baseline worsen, the recovery of visual acuity was faster and better at one week. After one month the visual acuity was comparable in both groups (p&gt;0.05).Conclusions: Visual improvement in early period of adult bilateral optic neuritis was similar after oral and intravenous methylprednisolone therapy.Keywords: Bilateral optic neuritis, methylprednisolone therapy, visual outcome

P081 The structure of the proteomic profile and gut microbiota in patients with primary immunodeficiency, common variable immunodeficiency and inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract Background Infringement of intestinal microbiota in patients with primary immunodeficiency (PID), common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) and ulcerative colitis (UC) continues to be studied. The aim of the research is a comprehensive study of the structure of gut microbiota and mucosal protein profile (MPP) in patients with PID, CVID and UC in different phases of the disease course. Methods The research included 15 patients with PID, 22 CVID and 46 UC (28 with relapse and 18 with persistent remission of the disease), control group—20 healthy volunteers. Estimation of gut microbiota was performed by bacteriological seeding, hydrogen breath test (HBT) with lactulose. Content of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and microbial lipid markers (MLM) in faeces and colon mucosa was determined by gas–liquid chromatographic and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). MPP was based on isoelectric focusing techniques (SDS–PAGE, 2DGE). Mass spectrograms were obtained using MALDI-TOF-MS/MS (Bruker, USA). Results HBT showed a 4.5-, 8- and 11-fold increase in hydrogen production on a 150th-minute study. SCFA showed a 6-, 9- and 11-fold decrease in propionic and butyric acids, mainly in patients with PID and UC: 0.2 + 0.1, 0.14 + 0.03 and 0.04 + 0.02 mg/g, respectively. Microbiological analysis showed a decrease in titers of E. coli, bifido- and lactobacilli on average 4.6 + 0.8 Lg. The conditionally pathogenic microflora was represented by E. coli, lactose-negative strains (n = 51,105/g) and haemolytic strains (n = 34,104/g, Proteus spp. (n = 48,105/g), Staphylococcus spp. (n = 29,105–6/g), Candida (n = 51,104–6/g) and Clostridium spp. (n = 38,104/g) in stool culture. MLN GS-MS results showed a 5.5-, 3- and 6-fold increase in total bacterial load in patients with PID, CVID and UC, respectively, which was represented by resident anaerobic microflora: Streptococcus mutants, Clostridium difficile, Candida albicans. Results of MPP (detection rate of 75% or more) of the colon mucosa in patients with PID were detected: 1, 2, 4 okkludin, kininogen 1, interleukin-1B, interleukin 8, B2-glycoprotein, heat shock protein 27, in patients with CVID—translational elongation factor, apolipoprotein C-III. In patients with UC—NF-kB, alipoprotein C-III, TNF-α, interleukin-2 and 8 were presented. Conclusion In patients with PID, CVID and UC markers of colon excess growth and significant decrease in SCFA are recorded during the relapse period. MPP in patients with PID, CVID and UC was characterised by proteins characteristic of inflammation, apoptosis, proliferation and proteins reflecting the activity of the autoimmune process. Patients with UC in the remission have recovery trend of gut microbiota, production of SCFA, disappearance of specific components of altered MPP.

Remote Sensing Monitoring of Vegetation Dynamic Changes after Fire in the Greater Hinggan Mountain Area: The Algorithm and Application for Eliminating Phenological Impacts

Fires are frequent in boreal forests affecting forest areas. The detection of forest disturbances and the monitoring of forest restoration are critical for forest management. Vegetation phenology information in remote sensing images may interfere with the monitoring of vegetation restoration, but little research has been done on this issue. Remote sensing and the geographic information system (GIS) have emerged as important tools in providing valuable information about vegetation phenology. Based on the MODIS and Landsat time-series images acquired from 2000 to 2018, this study uses the spatio-temporal data fusion method to construct reflectance images of vegetation with a relatively consistent growth period to study the vegetation restoration after the Greater Hinggan Mountain forest fire in the year 1987. The influence of phenology on vegetation monitoring was analyzed through three aspects: band characteristics, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and disturbance index (DI) values. The comparison of the band characteristics shows that in the blue band and the red band, the average reflectance values of the study area after eliminating phenological influence is lower than that without eliminating the phenological influence in each year. In the infrared band, the average reflectance value after eliminating the influence of phenology is greater than the value with phenological influence in almost every year. In the second shortwave infrared band, the average reflectance value without phenological influence is lower than that with phenological influence in almost every year. The analysis results of NDVI and DI values in the study area of each year show that the NDVI and DI curves vary considerably without eliminating the phenological influence, and there is no obvious trend. After eliminating the phenological influence, the changing trend of the NDVI and DI values in each year is more stable and shows that the forest in the region was impacted by other factors in some years and also the recovery trend. The results show that the spatio-temporal data fusion approach used in this study can eliminate vegetation phenology effectively and the elimination of the phenology impact provides more reliable information about changes in vegetation regions affected by the forest fires. The results will be useful as a reference for future monitoring and management of forest resources.

КОНКУРЕНТОСПРОМОЖНІСТЬ БАНКІВСЬКОГО СЕКТОРУ УКРАЇНИ: СУТНІСТЬ ТА МЕХАНІЗМ ФОРМУВАННЯ

КОНКУРЕНТОСПРОМОЖНІСТЬ БАНКІВСЬКОГО СЕКТОРУ УКРАЇНИ: СУТНІСТЬ ТА МЕХАНІЗМ ФОРМУВАННЯ

Andrographis paniculata Improves Insulin Resistance in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice and TNFα-Treated 3T3-L1 Adipocytes.

Pro-inflammatory cytokines interfere with blood glucose homeostasis, which leads to hyperglycemia. Andrographis paniculata (AP) has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory activity and to reduce blood glucose levels in diabetes. The two major bioactive diterpenoids in AP, andrographolide (AND) and 14-deoxy-11,12-didehydroandrographolide (deAND), have potent anti-inflammatory activity. We studied whether APE (an ethanolic extract of AP), AND, and deAND could improve a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hyperglycemia in vivo and TNF[Formula: see text]-induced impairment of insulin signaling in vitro. Male C57BL/6JNarl mice were fed a normal diet (ND) or the HFD, and the fatty mice were treated with APE, deAND, or AND for 16 weeks. 3T3-L1 cells were used to study the underlying mechanisms by which APE, deAND, or AND attenuated TNF[Formula: see text]-induced insulin resistance. The HFD significantly induced obesity, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and inflammation, whereas APE and deAND significantly ameliorated HFD-induced obesity, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and TNF[Formula: see text] production. The HFD significantly impaired insulin signaling by decreasing the protein expression of p-IRS1 tyr632 and p-AKT ser473, as well as the membrane translocation of GLUT4 in response to insulin stimulation in epididymal adipose tissue. HFD-impaired the membrane translocation of GLUT4 was significantly reversed by deAND and APE. In addition, deAND and APE markedly reversed the detrimental effect of TNF[Formula: see text] on the insulin signaling pathway and glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 cells. Despite no significant positive effect on p-AS160, a trend for recovery by deAND and APE was observed. These results suggest that deAND and APE protect against HFD-induced insulin resistance by ameliorating inflammation-driven impairment of insulin sensitivity.

Safe range of shortening the middle thoracic spine, an experimental study in canine.

To determine the safe range of shortening the spinal column at middle thoracic spine and to observe the changes in blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB), microglia/macrophage activation and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity after shortening-induced spinal cord injury. Dogs were allocated to four groups. Group A (control) underwent laminectomy of T7 without shortening the spinal column. Groups B, C and D had 1/3, 1/2, and 2/3 of T7 resected, respectively, followed by spinal shortening. Somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) and hind-limb function were recorded periodically for 14days after operation. Spinal cord blood flow (SCBF) and BSCB were detected at the acute phase of shortening. Microglia/macrophage reactions and iNOS activity were observed by immunohistochemistry. Shortening of 1/3 of a vertebral height caused no significant changes in SSEP and hind-limb function after operation, whereas shortening of 1/2 of the height caused SSEP abnormality and paraparesis, and severe neurologic deficit of hind-limb was observed when the shortening reached 2/3 of the height. SCBF increased temporarily and showed a trend of recovery when the shortening was within 1/2 of a vertebral segment height. When it reached 1/2 or 2/3 of the height, SCBF at 6h post-operation was 86.33% or 74.95% of the baseline, and an increasing BSCB permeability was observed. In the subsequent 7days, obvious activation of macrophage and increased number of iNOS-positive cells were observed. It is safe to shorten the spinal cord within 1/3 of a vertebral height in middle thoracic spine under two-segment laminectomy in canine. The BSCB disruption, macrophage activation, and increased iNOS activity were observed in the acute phase of the injury. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.

Mass Infection Analysis of COVID-19 Using the SEIRD Model in Daegu-Gyeongbuk of Korea from April to May, 2020.

BackgroundThe novel coronavirus (coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19]) outbreak began in China in December last year, and confirmed cases began occurring in Korea in mid-February 2020. Since the end of February, the rate of infection has increased greatly due to mass (herd) infection within religious groups and nursing homes in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions. This mass infection has increased the number of infected people more rapidly than was initially expected; the epidemic model based on existing studies had predicted a much lower infection rate and faster recovery.MethodsThe present study evaluated rapid infection spread by mass infection in Korea and the high mortality rate for the elderly and those with underlying diseases through the Susceptible-Exposed-Infected-Recovered-Dead (SEIRD) model.ResultsThe present study demonstrated early infection peak occurrence (-6.3 days for Daegu and -5.3 days for Gyeongbuk) and slow recovery trend (= -1,486.6 persons for Daegu and -223.7 persons for Gyeongbuk) between the actual and the epidemic model for a mass infection region compared to a normal infection region.ConclusionThe analysis of the time difference between infection and recovery can help predict the epidemic peak due to mass (or normal) infection and can also be used as a time index to prepare medical resources.

Analysing Recovery From Pandemics by Learning Theory: The Case of CoVid-19.

We present a method for predicting the recovery time from infectious diseases outbreaks such as the recent CoVid-19 virus. The approach is based on the theory of learning from errors, specifically adapted to the control of the virus spread by reducing infection rates using countermeasures such as medical treatment, isolation, social distancing etc. When these are effective, the infection rate, after reaching a peak, declines following what we call the Universal Recovery Curve. We use presently available data from many countries to make actual predictions of the recovery trend and time needed for securing minimum infection rates in the future. We claim that the trend of decline is direct evidence of learning about risk reduction, also in this case of the pandemic.

Effects of Varying Acupuncture Manipulations at ST36 (Zusanli) on Gastric Electrical Frequency and Amplitude in Bradygastria Rabbits.

Objective To observe the effects of different manual acupuncture (MA) manipulation on gastric electrical amplitude and frequency for noradrenaline-induced bradygastria in rabbits. Methods A total of 60 rabbits were randomly allocated into six groups: four MA manipulation groups; reinforcing by twisting the manipulation group (FTG), reducing by twisting the manipulation group (RTG), reinforcing by lifting and thrusting the manipulation group (FLG), and reducing by lifting and thrusting the manipulation group (RLG), a control group (CG), and a model group (MG). The total treatment time length was 45 minutes. The bradygastria was induced via administration of noradrenaline via the marginal ear vein of the rabbits at 5 minutes from baseline, and the bradygastria model was established at 12 minutes from baseline. The rabbits in the four MA manipulation groups received different stimulation parameters at ST36 (Zusanli) for a duration of 3 minutes in accordance with their respective group allocation. The needles were then retained without further manipulation for a further 25 minutes. Gastric electrical amplitude and frequency were recorded using a data acquisition system (Biopac System MP150) at five different time points: baseline (for a duration of 5 minutes), after the bradygastria model was established at 12 minutes from baseline (for a duration of 5 minutes), during MA manipulation commencing at 17 minutes from baseline (for a duration of 3 minutes), 5 minutes after MA manipulation at 25 minutes from baseline (for a duration of 5 minutes), and at 20 minutes following MA manipulation at 40 minutes from baseline (for a duration of 5 minutes). Results After noradrenaline induction, gastric electrical frequency levels in MA and MG groups were significantly decreased compared to the CG group (P < 0.05). However, there were no significant changes to gastric electrical amplitude (P < 0.05). However, there were no significant changes to gastric electrical amplitude (P < 0.05). However, there were no significant changes to gastric electrical amplitude (P < 0.05). However, there were no significant changes to gastric electrical amplitude (P < 0.05). However, there were no significant changes to gastric electrical amplitude (P < 0.05). However, there were no significant changes to gastric electrical amplitude (Conclusion All four variations of MA manipulations have a recovery effect on the gastric electrical frequency of rabbits with bradygastria. In particular, results indicated that FTG, RTG, and FLG at ST36 may have a regular and significant recovery trend through the whole process of the acupuncture intervention.