Experimental study on the freezing process of water droplets for ice air jet technology.

Ice air jet technology is one non-destructive, residue-free and environmentally friendly machining process. It is an efficient method to form ice particles by atomizing water droplets in ultra-low temperature environment. The freezing characteristics of water droplets in cryogenic gas and liquid nitrogen environment are visually analyzed, and the effects of droplet volume, ambient temperature are also studied. The results show that when water droplets freeze in a cryogenic gas environment, four distinct stages are observed, namely pre-cooling stage, recalescence stage, solidification stage, and deep cooling stage. However, when water droplets freeze in liquid nitrogen, the recalescence stage cannot be observed. For a 5 µl water droplet, it takes 68 s for water droplets to freeze into ice particles at - 20.36 °C, while it takes only 1.7 s in liquid nitrogen. During the freezing process, the water droplets form an ice shell outside and freeze inwardly. Ice particles may break up due to differences in solubility and density. With the increase of volume the time spent on pre-cooling stage and freezing stage both increases. For the large latent heat of water phase transformation, the solidification stage time is greatly affected by the volume of water droplets. When the ambient temperature drops from - 10.67 °C to - 24.68 °C, the freezing time of 5 µl water droplets decreases by 45.5%, indicating that the ambient temperature has a great influence on the freezing time. The results of the study can significantly contribute to the development of ice air jet technology.

Associations of reading language preference with muscle strength and physical performance: Findings from the Integrated Women's Health Programme (IWHP).

BACKGROUND: The contribution of language preference and ethnicity to muscle strength and physical performance is unclear. We examined the associations of reading language preferences with muscle strength and performance in Chinese women and compared them to other ethnicities. METHODS: The Integrated Women's Health Programme (IWHP) cohort comprised community-dwelling, midlife Singaporean women aged 45-69. Ethnic Chinese women could choose between the English or Chinese versions of the questionnaire. Malay and Indian women were presented with the English version. Sociodemographic, reproductive, anthropometric characteristics were obtained. Hand grip strength and physical performance were objectively assessed. Visceral adiposity (VAT) was determined by Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine independent associations of language preference/ethnicity with muscle strength and physical performance. RESULTS: The cohort comprised 1164 women (mean age: 56.3±6.2 years); 84.1% Chinese, 5.6% Malay, and 10.3% Indian. 315 Chinese participants (32.2%) had a Chinese-language reading preference (CLP). CLP women tended to be parous, of a lower socioeconomic status (lower proportions received tertiary education, lower employment rates and lower household income), and engaged in less physical activity compared to Chinese women with an English-language preference (ELP). This translated to a weaker hand grip strength (aOR: 1.56; 95%CI: 1.07-2.27), slower repeated chair stand (1.55; 1.12-2.13), poorer balance on tandem stand (2.00; 1.16-3.47), and a slower gait speed (1.62; 1.06-2.47). Compared to ELP women, Malay women had higher odds of poor hand grip strength (1.81; 1.12-2.93) while Indians had a higher odd of poor balance on one-leg stand (2.12; 1.28-3.52) and slow gait speeds on usual (1.88; 1.09-3.25) and narrow walks (1.91; 1.15-3.17). CONCLUSIONS: Chinese language reading preference was associated with inferior muscle strength and physical performance. Such disparities were largest and most consistent in the CLP group, followed by Indian and Malay women compared to the ELP group. Further studies should determine if CLP-associated muscle weakness can predict adverse health outcomes.

Long Non-Coding RNA RMRP Contributes to Sepsis-Induced Acute Kidney Injury

Purpose@#This study aimed to explore the role of the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) RNA component of mitochondrial RNAase P (RMRP) in sepsis-induced acute kidney injury (AKI). @*Materials and Methods@#Venous blood was collected from septic patients and healthy people. C57BL/6 mice who underwent cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) were used as in vivo models of septic AKI. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced HK-2 cells were employed as in vitro models of AKI. Flow cytometry analysis was conducted to detect cell apoptosis. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot assays were used to detect levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. @*Results@#RMRP was upregulated in sera from patients with AKI and in LPS-induced cells. Knockdown of RMRP inhibited cell apoptosis and reduced production of inflammatory factors in LPS-induced cells, as well as alleviated AKI in CLP mice. RMRP facilitated inflammation by activating NACHT, LRR, and PYD domains-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. We found that microRNA 206 (miR-206) binds with and is negatively regulated by RMRP: miR-206 directly targets the 3’ untranslated region of DEAD-box helicase 5 (DDX5) and negatively regulates DDX5 expression. By binding with miR-206, RMRP upregulated DDX5 expression. Rescue assays revealed that overexpression of DDX5 counteracted the effect of RMRP inhibition on cell apoptosis and inflammatory response in LPS-induced cells. @*Conclusion@#The lncRNA RMRP contributes to sepsis-induced AKI through upregulation of DDX5 in a miR-206 dependent manner and through activation of NLRP3 inflammasome. This novel discovery may provide a potential strategy for treating AKI.

Projecting the second outbreaks for global COVID-19 pandemic

COVID-19 is now in an epidemic phase, with a second outbreak likely to appear at any time. The intensity and timing of a second outbreak is a common concern worldwide. In this study, we made scenario projections of the potential second outbreak of COVID-19 using a statistical-epidemiology model, which considers both the impact of seasonal changes in meteorological elements and human social behaviors such as protests and city unblocking. Recent street protests in the United States and other countries are identified as a hidden trigger and amplifier of the second outbreak. The scale and intensity of subsequent COVID-19 outbreaks in the U.S. cities where the epidemic is under initial control are projected to be much greater than those of the first outbreak. For countries without reported protests, lifting the COVID-19 related restrictions prematurely would accelerate the spread of the disease and place mounting pressure on the local medical system that is already overloaded. We anticipate these projections will support public health planning and policymaking by governments and international organizations.

Glucose membrane transport studies of blood cells in type 2 diabetes / 国际检验医学杂志

Objective To explore the transport capacity of glucose membrane with blood cells in type 2 diabetes .Methods The anticoagulated blood of T2DM (40 cases) ,Pre‐diabetes(34 cases) ,control group(40 cases) were added to the same volume of saline and ATP ,37 ℃ 3 h .The changes of glucose was observed ,he level and Rate of glucose decreased were calculated .Results The drop‐out value in the groups of ATP was higher than which of salt water(P<0 .05) .In salt groups ,the drop ratio in the T2DM , Pre‐diabetes ,control groups were increaseed in turn .the value of glucose in T2DM was lower than which in control group and in Pre‐diabetes(P<0 .05) .In the ATP groups ,the drop‐out value in T2DM was lower than which in control group(P< 0 .05) .To T2DM patients ,the drop‐out value was (2 .81 ± 0 .52)mmol/L in salt grops ,which was (4 .73 ± 0 .69)mmol/L ,respectively .Conclu‐sion The glucose membrane transporters for T2DM were obstacles ,the obstacles associated with progression of T2DM ,ATP can improve membrane transporter of glucose .

Effect of enteral nutrition by a polymeric formula in patients with severe acute pancreatitis / 中华胰腺病杂志

Objective To evaluate the effect of enteral nutrition by a polymeric formula in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).Methods Fifty-eight patients with SAP were randomly divided into polymeric group (29 cases) and semi-elemental group (29 cases),and the two groups of patients were treated in accordance with the conventional SAP management protocol,nasojejunal tube was endoscopically inserted for enteral nutrition.The polymeric group received enteral nutritional suspension (TPF),and the semi-elemental group received the same quantity of VIVONEX TEN.The gastrointestinal tolerance (VAS score),incidence of diarrhea,infection,28-day mortality rate,and length of hospital stay was evaluated.Nutritional parameters were evaluated by pre-albumin,albumin,alanine aminotransferase,C reactive protein at the time of admission and one week later.Results The two groups of patients were comparable in terms of VAS score,incidence of diarrhea,infection,28-day mortality rate,and length of hospital stay (P ＞0.05).And the levels of prealbumin,albumin,alanine aminotransferase,C reactive protein after admission were not statistically significant (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions Compared with the semi-dement formula,the price of polymeric formula is cheap,configuration is convenint,enteral nutrition is well tolerated,and it is suitable for early enteral nutrition in SAP.

Clinical diagnosis and therapy of 24 adult patients with tsutsugamushi disease in Nantong area / 中华传染病杂志

Objective To study the clinical characteristics and treatment of adult patients with tsutsugamushi disease in Nantong area,and to reduce the misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis.Methods Clinical data of 24 adult patients with tsutsugamushi disease who were admitted between 2010 and 2012 at Department of Emergency Medicine in Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University were reviewed retrospectively.The patients were 13 males and 11 females who were aged from 25 to 70 years old.Minocycline capsule was orally administrated as the mainstay of the therapy.Results All of the 24 cases of tsutsugamushi disease were presented with fever,predominantly with high fever.The body temperature of higher than 39 ℃ was recorded in 23 cases,and temperature of 38.0 ℃ to 38.9 ℃ was recorded in one case.Three cases complained with sore throat and cough,and 1 case with palpitation and chest distress.One eschar or ulcer was seen in 21 cases,2 eschars or ulcers only in 1 case.Twenty-one cases were presented with lymphadenopathy,11 cases with rash,3 cases with enlargement of the liver,and 4 cases with splenomegaly.The distribution of eschar or ulcer included inaxillary fossa,groin,external genitalia and crissum,waist,popliteal fossa,the lower edge of the female breast and skin folds of chest wall,the inside of the wrist,ankle,neck,retroauricular region,chest-back and the buttocks.The white blood cell count of (2.5-3.9) × 109/L in blood routine test was seen in 4 cases,(10.1-18.6) × 109/L in 3 cases.The blood platelet count was decreased in 1 case.Urinary protein was positive in 4 cases by urine routine examination.Blood biochemical examination revealed that elevated serum alanine aminotransferase was seen in 2 cases,elevated serum creatinine was in 1 case,mildly elevated cardiac troporin I was in 1 case,increased C-reactive protein was found in 19 cases.On Weil-Felix test,17 cases showed OXk titers of 1∶160-1∶320.Four cases showed an increase in overall lung markings,localized pulmonary infiltration shadow and even small pleural effusion on chest radiography.Electrocardiogram showed premature ventricular beats and slight ST segment changes in 2 patients.Oral minocycline showed obvious effect.Conclusions The clinical manifestations of tsutsugamushi disease can be variable.Multi organ dysfunction could be presented besides fever.The skin eschar and ulcer are the most pathognomonic for this disease and thus should be thoroughly examined for its presence to avoid misdiagnosis.

The expression of Nrf2 in the sepsis-affected rats′livers and the intervention effects of curcumin / 重庆医学

Objective To investigate the possible mechanism of Nrf2 in sepsis development and its effect in the septic acute liver injury ,and derive the effect of curcumin on Nrf2 expression ,which provide theoretical basis for clinical prevention and treatment of sepsis .Methods Divided putting 72 male Sprague-Dawley rats into 3 groups:control group ,experimental group and intervention group .After operation ,3 groups were further divided into subgroups 6 hours later ,12 hours later ,24 hours later and 48 hours later respectively .The septic rats model with acute liver injury was reproduced by method of cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) .The ex-perimental group and the intervention group took CLP .The rats in the intervention group were rejected with curcumin in the abdo-men at a dosage of 100 mg/kg an hour after operation .Detected the expression of Nrf2 in the livers of each group used Western blot and measure alanine aminotransferase(ALT ) in serum by drawing the rats′heart blood ;observed the pathological changes in the liver with HE coloration .Results ALT :the values of ALT in the experimental group was significantly increased compared with the control group(P<0 .05);while in the intervention group ,it was markedly improved compared with the experimental group (P<0 . 05) .The expression of Nrf2 :Nrf2 exists in control group rat′s hepatic tissue .In the experimental group ,it was progressively in-creased since the 6 h time point and decreased after the 12 h time point which shown significant decreased compared with the control group(P<0 .05) .In the intervention group ,it was gradually increased since the 6 h time point and decreased after the 24 h time point which was obviously higher than the experimental group(P<0 .05) .Pathological changes :There was no obvious abnormalities in the control group rats′liver structure ,while a lot of inflammatory cells gather and liver cells swell in the experimental group .It was obvious improved after curcumin intervention .Conclusion As Nrf2 is generally lower in the experimental group than in the comparative group ,it shows that Nrf2 directly participates in the occurrence and development of sepsis ,while severe infection blow damages the endogenou s protection system .Decreased activity of Nrf2 causes ignificantly inhibition of anti-oxidative stress and nat-ural immune response ,which may exacerbate acute liver injury by oxidative stress in sepsis .In case of sepsis ,curcumin may increase the level of Nrf2 and the antioxidant enzyme′s activity in the hepatic tissues ,enhancing the general antioxidant ability and alleviating the oxidative stress which points out that curcumin prevents the septic acute liver injury .

Hippocampal neuronal apoptosis and nuclear factor κB expression in rats with acute necrotizing pancreatitis with brain injury / 中华胰腺病杂志

Objective To investigate the relationship between expression of nuclear factor kappa B p65 ( NF-κB p65) and hippocampal neuronal apoptosis in acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP) rats with brain injury. Methods Sixty-four SD rats were randomized into normal saline group (NS) and ANP group. The ANP rat model was induced by retrograde injection of 4% sodium taurocholate into the pancreaticobiliary duct of SD rats. Nissle stain was used to detect the brain injury. Neuronal apoptosis was determined by TUNEL.NF-κB p65 expression was detected by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. Results Hippocampal neuron was absent, karyopyknosis, unclear nucleolus and decreased Nissl bodies were found, the injuries was aggravated with time. The apoptosis index at the 3, 6 and 12 h in ANP group was 10.63 ±0.24, 21.02±0.25, 17.12±0.36, respectively, while they were 0.33±0.19,0.71±0.67, 0.45 ± 0. 33 in NS group, and the difference was statistically significant ( P ＜ 0. 01 ). The expressions of NF-κB p65 mRNA were 0. 63 ± 0.05,1.05 ±0.06,0.92 ±0.05, which were significantly higher than those in the NS group (0.11 ±0.01,0.12±0.01,0.08±0.01,P＜0.05).The chatge of expression of NF±κB p65 protein was consistent with that of NF-κB p65 mRNA. Conclusions The brain injury of ANP rats was highly correlated with neuronal apoptosis at the early and middle phase of ANP, and its mechanism may be related with NF-κB p65 activation.

Relationship Between Syndrome Differentiation of Diabetic Retinopathy and Pattern of Visual Evoked Potential / 广州中医药大学学报

Objective To explore the relationship between syndrome differentiation of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and pattern of visual evoked potential (P-VEP).Methods One hundred and eighty-six eyes from 104 cases of DR were allocated to three groups according to TCM syndrome:qi-yin deficiency (Group A),qi stagnation and blood stasis (Group B) and yin-yang deficiency (Group C).P-VEP induced by various space frequency (0.388?Hz,1.55?Hz) and pictures of various colors (black/white,red/magenta,blue/green) was observed in the three groups and compared with that in the normal control group (Group D).Results One hundred and three eyes in Group A mainly manifested as simple DR,47 eyes in Group B and 36 eyes in Group C mainly manifested as proliferative DR.The latency of P 100 was prolonged and the amplitude was decreassed in all groups of DR,but the latency of P 100 was much prolonged in Group B,the amplitude was much decreased in Group C and the changes were less in Group A.Conclusion P-VEP varies in different TCM syndrome types of DR,and determination of P-VEP under various stimulating conditions may serve as an index of syndrome differentiation of DR.