Higher-order topological insulators(HOTIs)are recently discovered topological phases,possessing symmetry-protected corner states with fractional charges.An unexpected connection between these states and the seemingly ...Higher-order topological insulators(HOTIs)are recently discovered topological phases,possessing symmetry-protected corner states with fractional charges.An unexpected connection between these states and the seemingly unrelated phenomenon of bound states in the continuum(BICs)was recently unveiled.When nonlinearity is added to the HOTI system,a number of fundamentally important questions arise.For example,how does nonlinearity couple higher-order topological BICs with the rest of the system,including continuum states?In fact,thus far BICs in nonlinear HOTIs have remained unexplored.Here we unveil the interplay of nonlinearity,higher-order topology,and BICs in a photonic platform.We observe topological corner states that are also BICs in a laser-written second-order topological lattice and further demonstrate their nonlinear coupling with edge(but not bulk)modes under the proper action of both self-focusing and defocusing nonlinearities.Theoretically,we calculate the eigenvalue spectrum and analog of the Zak phase in the nonlinear regime,illustrating that a topological BIC can be actively tuned by nonlinearity in such a photonic HOTI.Our studies are applicable to other nonlinear HOTI systems,with promising applications in emerging topology-driven devices.展开更多
Immunotherapies boosting the immune system's ability to target cancer cells are promising for the treatment of various tumor types,yet clinical responses differ among patients and cancers.Recently,there has been i...Immunotherapies boosting the immune system's ability to target cancer cells are promising for the treatment of various tumor types,yet clinical responses differ among patients and cancers.Recently,there has been increasing interest in novel cancer immunotherapy practices aimed at triggering T cell-mediated anti-tumor responses.Antigen-directed cytotoxicity mediated by T lymphocytes has become a central focal point in the battle against cancer utilizing the immune system.The molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in the actions of T lymphocytes have directed new therapeutic approaches in cancer immunotherapy,including checkpoint blockade,adoptive and chimeric antigen receptor(CAR)T cell therapy,and cancer vaccinology.This review addresses all the strategies targeting tumor pathogenesis,including metabolic pathways,to evaluate the clinical significance of current and future immunotherapies for patients with cancer,which are further engaged in T cell activation,differentiation,and response against tumors.展开更多
In this paper,we propose a novel Local Macroscopic Conservative(LoMaC)low rank tensor method with discontinuous Galerkin(DG)discretization for the physical and phase spaces for simulating the Vlasov-Poisson(VP)system....In this paper,we propose a novel Local Macroscopic Conservative(LoMaC)low rank tensor method with discontinuous Galerkin(DG)discretization for the physical and phase spaces for simulating the Vlasov-Poisson(VP)system.The LoMaC property refers to the exact local conservation of macroscopic mass,momentum,and energy at the discrete level.The recently developed LoMaC low rank tensor algorithm(arXiv:2207.00518)simultaneously evolves the macroscopic conservation laws of mass,momentum,and energy using the kinetic flux vector splitting;then the LoMaC property is realized by projecting the low rank kinetic solution onto a subspace that shares the same macroscopic observables.This paper is a generalization of our previous work,but with DG discretization to take advantage of its compactness and flexibility in handling boundary conditions and its superior accuracy in the long term.The algorithm is developed in a similar fashion as that for a finite difference scheme,by observing that the DG method can be viewed equivalently in a nodal fashion.With the nodal DG method,assuming a tensorized computational grid,one will be able to(i)derive differentiation matrices for different nodal points based on a DG upwind discretization of transport terms,and(ii)define a weighted inner product space based on the nodal DG grid points.The algorithm can be extended to the high dimensional problems by hierarchical Tucker(HT)decomposition of solution tensors and a corresponding conservative projection algorithm.In a similar spirit,the algorithm can be extended to DG methods on nodal points of an unstructured mesh,or to other types of discretization,e.g.,the spectral method in velocity direction.Extensive numerical results are performed to showcase the efficacy of the method.展开更多
The characterization of African bonytongue Heterotis niloticus fish farming was conducted in the Bi-modal agro-ecological zone of Cameroon from January to May 2021, Thirty-two fish farmers were interviewed and SPSS 6....The characterization of African bonytongue Heterotis niloticus fish farming was conducted in the Bi-modal agro-ecological zone of Cameroon from January to May 2021, Thirty-two fish farmers were interviewed and SPSS 6.2 Version was used to analyse the data. The results showed that the majority of fish farmers (81%) are men above 51 years, all of whom are Christians with more than fifty percent of them married. About 43% of them have university level education, and more than 6% of them considered the farming of Heterotis niloticus as their main income-earning activity. The main objective of Heterotis niloticus farming is sales (50%) and the uses (56%) of waged labour. A majority of the farmers produced reared African bonytongue in a polyculture system and 65% of them raised Heterotis niloticus in derivation ponds.展开更多
Background: Simultaneous central nervous system infection by more than one pathogen is very uncommon, even in individuals with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Purpose and methods: We report a clinical case of an H...Background: Simultaneous central nervous system infection by more than one pathogen is very uncommon, even in individuals with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Purpose and methods: We report a clinical case of an HIV positive patient with simultaneous biopsy-confirmed neurotoxoplasmosis and neurocysticercosis. Results and conclusion: In this report, we present a rare occurrence of two simultaneous parasitic infections of the central nervous system in a patient with advanced immunosuppression due to HIV-1 infection. Despite the limited data available regarding the prevalence of such co-infections, this case underscores the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion and promptly identifying concurrent neurologic diseases to enable accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment in these patients.展开更多
The prevalence of pediatric obesity continues to increase worldwide,bringing with it various metabolic,functional,social,and psychological complications.1 Both the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity must be...The prevalence of pediatric obesity continues to increase worldwide,bringing with it various metabolic,functional,social,and psychological complications.1 Both the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity must be based on multidisciplinary approaches combining nutrition,physical activity(PA),and psychological support.2 As an essential element of these multicomponent strategies,regular physical activity has been acknowledged as having beneficial effects on children's and adolescents,body composition,physical fitness,and metabolic profile,as well as on their health-related quality of life,social and psychological health,and academic achievement.3,4 Given that only a relatively small proportion of children and adolescents meet the public health recommendations for PA,5 and given that weight loss exercise-based interventions suffer from a high attrition rate,there is a clear need for appropriate PAs.展开更多
We used eye-surface temperature and heart rate as simple, noninvasive physiological indices to evaluate dogs’ responses to an approaching person. Thirteen healthy pet dogs (49.62 ± 31.42 months;19.28 ± 11.4...We used eye-surface temperature and heart rate as simple, noninvasive physiological indices to evaluate dogs’ responses to an approaching person. Thirteen healthy pet dogs (49.62 ± 31.42 months;19.28 ± 11.46 kg) were recruited as subjects to investigate physiological responses to approach. We set up two types of approach (smiling and expressionless) by familiar or unfamiliar people of either sex, and all tests were recorded by video cameras. Eye temperature was measured with an infrared thermal camera image, and the dog was equipped with a heart-rate monitor during testing. There were temporal changes in heart rate, and response time differed between HR and eye temperature. Although it may be the one which has to control both a background of the dogs or observational environment, and the response time of each parameter needs to be considered, these two parameters should be useful for non-invasive monitoring of physiological states in dogs in various practical animal situations.展开更多
AIM To evaluate whether a high risk macroscopic appearance(Type Ⅳ and giant Type Ⅲ) is associated with a dismal prognosis after curative surgery, because its prognostic relevance remains elusive in pathological sta...AIM To evaluate whether a high risk macroscopic appearance(Type Ⅳ and giant Type Ⅲ) is associated with a dismal prognosis after curative surgery, because its prognostic relevance remains elusive in pathological stage Ⅱ/Ⅲ(p Stage Ⅱ/Ⅲ) gastric cancer.METHODS One hundred and seventy-two advanced gastric cancer(defined as pT2 or beyond) patients with p Stage Ⅱ/Ⅲ who underwent curative surgery plus adjuvant S1 chemotherapy were evaluated, and the prognostic relevance of a high-risk macroscopic appearance was examined. RESULTS Advanced gastric cancers with a high-risk macroscopic appearance were retrospectively identified by preoperative recorded images. A high-risk macroscopic appearance showed a significantly worse relapse free survival(RFS)(35.7%) and overall survival(OS)(34%) than an average risk appearance(P = 0.0003 and P < 0.0001, respectively). A high-risk macroscopic appearance was significantly associated with the 13^(th) Japanese Gastric Cancer Association(JGCA) pT(P = 0.01), but not with the 13^(th) JGCA pN. On univariate analysis for RFS and OS, prognostic factors included 13^(th) JGCA p Stage(P < 0.0001)and other clinicopathological factors including macroscopic appearance. A multivariate Cox proportional hazards model for univariate prognostic factors identified highrisk macroscopic appearance(P = 0.036, HR = 2.29 for RFS and P = 0.021, HR = 2.74 for OS) as an independent prognostic indicator. CONCLUSION A high-risk macroscopic appearance was associated with a poor prognosis, and it could be a prognostic factor independent of 13^(th) JGCA stage in p Stage Ⅱ/Ⅲ advanced gastric cancer.展开更多
Background Dialectical behaviour therapy(DBT)is an evidence-based treatment for adolescents targeting suicidal and non-suicidal self-injurious behaviours.Research supports DBT’s efficacy in inpatient settings,but imp...Background Dialectical behaviour therapy(DBT)is an evidence-based treatment for adolescents targeting suicidal and non-suicidal self-injurious behaviours.Research supports DBT’s efficacy in inpatient settings,but implementation and sustainability are understudied.Aims This study is a follow-up of a previous study by Tebbett-Mock et al and examines the efficacy and sustainability of an adolescent DBT inpatient unit within a psychiatric hospital in the Northeast.We hypothesised that adolescents who received DBT in our follow-up group(DBT Group 2)would not have statistical difference(ie,greater or fewer)of the following compared with the first group of patients who received DBT on the unit the year prior(DBT Group 1)and would have significantly fewer of the following compared with the treatment as usual(TAU)group:(1)constant observation hours for suicidal ideation,self-injury and aggression;(2)incidents of suicide attempts,self-injury and aggression;(3)restraints;(4)seclusions;(5)days hospitalised;(6)times readmitted to the unit within 30 days of discharge.Methods We conducted a retrospective chart review for adolescents receiving inpatient DBT(DBT Group 1,n=425;DBT Group 2,n=393)and a historical control group(TAU,n=376).The χ^(2) tests and one-way analysis of variance were conducted as preliminary analyses to examine group differences on diagnosis,gender and age.Kruskal-Wallis H tests were conducted to examine group differences on outcomes.Mann-Whitney U tests were used as post hoc analyses.Results Patients in DBT Group 2 were comparable to DBT Group 1 for the number of constant observation hours for self-injury(U=83432.50,p=0.901),restraints(U=82109,p=0.171)and days hospitalised(U=83438.5,p=0.956).Patients in DBT Group 2 had a significantly greater number of incidents of suicide attempts compared with DBT Group 1(U=82662.5,p=0.037)and of self-injury compared with patients in DBT Group 1(U=71724.5,p<0.001)and TAU(U=65649.0,p<0.001).Conclusions Results provide support for adolescent inpatient DBT compared with TA展开更多
Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) differs greatly among individuals, even when people of the same sex and age drink alcohol under the same drinking conditions. In this study, we investigated the main factors involved ...Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) differs greatly among individuals, even when people of the same sex and age drink alcohol under the same drinking conditions. In this study, we investigated the main factors involved in the internal reg-ulation of individual differences in BAC, focusing on the alcohol dehydrogenase 1B (ADH1B) genotype, blood acetal-dehyde concentration (BAcH), amount of habitual alcohol consumption, pharmacokinetic parameters of BAC, distribution volume of ethanol (Vd), and gastric emptying rate (GER) under the same drinking conditions. Twenty healthy Japanese males aged between 40 and 59 years old and having the aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) genotype of ALDH 2*1/*2 were recruited for this study. The subjects were given 0.32 g ethanol/kg body weight in the form of commercially available beer (5%, v/v). The results showed that BAC-max differed greatly among individuals with a more than two-fold variation. When the BAC-time curve was compared among ADH1B genotypes (ADH1B*1/*1, *1/*2, and *2/*2), there were no differences in BAC among the genotypes. Although BAcH, monthly alcohol consumption, elimination rate of blood ethanol (β value) and ethanol disappearance rate from the body (EDR) can affect BAC, all of them had no correlations with BAC-max. However, Vd (liter/kg), ΔPlasma glucose concentration (ΔPGC = PGC30 min ? PGC0 min) and the serum concentration of gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) did correlate with BAC-max. Model 2 in multiple linear regression analysis showed the optimal model for Vd and GIP with positive correlations with BAC-max. As GIP and ΔPGC are both reflected by gastric emptying rate (GER), we concluded that the individual differences in BAC after moderate drinking are mainly regulated by GER together with Vd. These findings demonstrate that together with body water content, the gastrointestinal tract plays an important role in the regulation of individual differences in BAC, involving first pass metabolism of ethanol.展开更多
In laser powder bed fusion(LPBF),it is common practice to select process parameters to achieve high density parts starting from simple geometries such as cubes or cylinders.However,additive manufacturing is usually ad...In laser powder bed fusion(LPBF),it is common practice to select process parameters to achieve high density parts starting from simple geometries such as cubes or cylinders.However,additive manufacturing is usually adopted to producevery complex geometries,where parameters should be tuned locally,depending on the local features to be processed.In fact,geometrical features,such as overhangs,acute corners,and thin walls may lead to over-or under-heating conditions,which may result in geometrical inaccuracy,high roughness,volumetric errors(i.e.,porosity)oreven job failure due to surfacecollapse.This work proposes a layer-wise control strategy to improve the geometrical precision of overhanging regions using a coaxial melt pool monitoring system.The meltpool images acquired at each layer are used in a controlloop toadapt theprocess parameters locally at the next layer in order to minimize surface defects.In particular,the laser duty cycle is used as a controllable parameterto correct the energy density.This work presents the main architecture of the proposed approach,the control strategy and the experimental procedure that need to be applied to design the control parameters.The layer-wise control strategy was tested on AISI 316L stainless steel using an open LPFB platform.The results showed that the proposed layer-wise control solution results in a constant melt pool observed via the laser heated area size starting from the second layer onward,leading to a significant improvement in the geometrical accuracy of 5 mm-long bridge geometries.展开更多
A total of seventeen caprine microsatellite markers were used on 169 goats to investigate genetic diversity of eight Cameroon native goat populations and to assess genetic differentiation with the East African small g...A total of seventeen caprine microsatellite markers were used on 169 goats to investigate genetic diversity of eight Cameroon native goat populations and to assess genetic differentiation with the East African small goat. All microsatellites showed a high polymorphic content （PIC） of more than 0.5 in almost all ecotypes. These microsatellite markers were useful for native goat ecotypes variability assessment. Expected heterozygosity of all ecotypes was above 0.5, varying from 0.2 to 0.7. Only goats from Eastern rainforest ecotype deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium test （P 〉 0.001）. Although geographic distribution was a good indication of differentiation, there appeared a tendency of genetic exchange between various ecotypes in Cameroon native goats.展开更多
Iron can contribute to the pathogenesis and progression of multiple sclerosis（MS） due to its accumulation in the human brain.We focus on the thalamus as an information transmitter between various subcortical and cor...Iron can contribute to the pathogenesis and progression of multiple sclerosis（MS） due to its accumulation in the human brain.We focus on the thalamus as an information transmitter between various subcortical and cortical areas.Thalamic iron seems to follow different rules than iron in other deep gray matter structures and its relation to the clinical outcomes of MS is still indistinct.In our study,we investigated a connection between thalamic iron and patients＇ disability and course of the disease.The presence of paramagnetic substances in the tissues was tracked by T2＊ quantification.Twenty-eight subjects with definite MS and 15 age-matched healthy controls underwent MRI examination with a focus on gradient echo sequence.We observed a non-monotonous course of T2＊ values with age in healthy controls.Furthermore,T2＊ distribution in MS patients was significantly wider than that of age matched healthy volunteers（P〈 0.001）.A strong significant correlation was demonstrated between T2＊ distribution spread and the expanded disability status scale（EDSS）（left thalamus：P〈0.00005;right thalamus：P〈0.005）,and multiple sclerosis severity scale（MSSS）（left thalamus：P〈0.05;right thalamus：P〈0.005）.The paramagnetic iron distribution in the thalamus in MS was not uniform and this inhomogeneity may be considered as an indicator of thalamic neurodegeneration in MS.展开更多
Sub-Saharan African cities are uniquely characterized by retail competition influencing outlet location.This work focused on revealing retail outlet location in Uyo and its relationship with distances from the Central...Sub-Saharan African cities are uniquely characterized by retail competition influencing outlet location.This work focused on revealing retail outlet location in Uyo and its relationship with distances from the Central Business Districts.Distance was measured along the six major arterial roads that link the city to the central business districts by the use of Google Map[5]Distance Calculator and itouch maps[7]technology.Six arteries were divided into four distinct spaces in kilometers namely 0-1km,1-2km,2-3km,3-4km.Retail Outlets were grouped into ten classes.Data was analysed using distance in kilometers from the Central Business District as variable Y1.The independent variables X1,X2,X3,X4,X5 and X6 were the six major arteries represented by the location of each specific retail outlet group.Utilising SPSS version 20 software the results reflected centre a 47.9 percent variation in retail outlets location with correlation coefficient(R)of 69.2%revealing a strong relationship between the distances from the Central Business Districts and the location of retail outlets located across the six major arteries.H1 was accepted which states a significant relationship in the location of retail outlets as distance increase from the city centre across the linkages.This confirms a strong intensity of location of retail outlets in the city centre with a gradual decline as distance increase from the centre.Although there was an increase in intensity of retail outlets in junctions away from the Central Business Districts according to multiple nuclei concept.It is recommended that urban expansion through growth poles.Aim:To access the relationship between retail outlets location and distance from central business district in a Uyo.Research Questions:This work provided answers to the following questions:1.Where are these retail outlets located in the city space?2.What is the relationship between Retail outlets and the distance from the City Centre?Objectives:1.To explain the distribution of location of retail outlets in city space展开更多
The COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 has resulted in millions of people being infected and thousands of deaths globally since November 2019.To date,no unique therapeutic agent has been developed to slow the progression o...The COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 has resulted in millions of people being infected and thousands of deaths globally since November 2019.To date,no unique therapeutic agent has been developed to slow the progression of this pandemic.Despite possessing antiviral traits the potential of bacteriocins to combat SARS-CoV-2 infection has not been fully investigated.This review summarizes the mechanisms by which bacteriocins can be manipulated and implemented as effective virus entry blockers with infection suppression potential properties to highly transmissible viruses through comprehensive immune modulations that are potentially effective against COVID-19.These antimicrobial peptides have been suggested as effective antiviral therapeutics and therapeutic supplements to prevent rapid virus transmission.This review also provides a new insight into the cellular and molecular alterations which have made SARS-CoV-2 self-modified with diversified infection patterns.In addition,the possible applications of antimicrobial peptides through both natural and induced mechanisms in infection prevention perspectives on changeable virulence cases are comprehensively analyzed.Specific attention is given to the antiviral mechanisms of the molecules along with their integrative use with synthetic biology and nanosensor technology for rapid detection.Novel bacteriocin based therapeutics with cutting-edge technologies might be potential substitutes for existing time-consuming and expensive approaches to fight this newly emerged global threat.展开更多
基金This research is supported by the National Key R&D Program of China under Grant No.2017YFA0303800the National Natural Science Foundation(11922408,91750204,11674180)+2 种基金PCSIRT,and the 111 Project(No.B07013)in ChinaD.B.acknowledges support from the 66 Postdoctoral Science Grant of ChinaD.J.and H.B.acknowledge support in part by the Croatian Science Foundation Grant No.IP-2016-06-5885 SynthMagIA and the QuantiXLie Center of Excellence,a project co-financed by the Croatian Government and European Union through the European Regional Development Fund-the Competitiveness and Cohesion Operational Programme(Grant KK.01.1.1.01.0004)。
文摘Higher-order topological insulators(HOTIs)are recently discovered topological phases,possessing symmetry-protected corner states with fractional charges.An unexpected connection between these states and the seemingly unrelated phenomenon of bound states in the continuum(BICs)was recently unveiled.When nonlinearity is added to the HOTI system,a number of fundamentally important questions arise.For example,how does nonlinearity couple higher-order topological BICs with the rest of the system,including continuum states?In fact,thus far BICs in nonlinear HOTIs have remained unexplored.Here we unveil the interplay of nonlinearity,higher-order topology,and BICs in a photonic platform.We observe topological corner states that are also BICs in a laser-written second-order topological lattice and further demonstrate their nonlinear coupling with edge(but not bulk)modes under the proper action of both self-focusing and defocusing nonlinearities.Theoretically,we calculate the eigenvalue spectrum and analog of the Zak phase in the nonlinear regime,illustrating that a topological BIC can be actively tuned by nonlinearity in such a photonic HOTI.Our studies are applicable to other nonlinear HOTI systems,with promising applications in emerging topology-driven devices.
文摘Immunotherapies boosting the immune system's ability to target cancer cells are promising for the treatment of various tumor types,yet clinical responses differ among patients and cancers.Recently,there has been increasing interest in novel cancer immunotherapy practices aimed at triggering T cell-mediated anti-tumor responses.Antigen-directed cytotoxicity mediated by T lymphocytes has become a central focal point in the battle against cancer utilizing the immune system.The molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in the actions of T lymphocytes have directed new therapeutic approaches in cancer immunotherapy,including checkpoint blockade,adoptive and chimeric antigen receptor(CAR)T cell therapy,and cancer vaccinology.This review addresses all the strategies targeting tumor pathogenesis,including metabolic pathways,to evaluate the clinical significance of current and future immunotherapies for patients with cancer,which are further engaged in T cell activation,differentiation,and response against tumors.
基金supported by the NSF(Grant Nos.the NSF-DMS-1818924 and 2111253)the Air Force Office of Scientific Research FA9550-22-1-0390 and Department of Energy DE-SC0023164+1 种基金supported by the NSF(Grant Nos.NSF-DMS-1830838 and NSF-DMS-2111383)the Air Force Office of Scientific Research FA9550-22-1-0390.
文摘In this paper,we propose a novel Local Macroscopic Conservative(LoMaC)low rank tensor method with discontinuous Galerkin(DG)discretization for the physical and phase spaces for simulating the Vlasov-Poisson(VP)system.The LoMaC property refers to the exact local conservation of macroscopic mass,momentum,and energy at the discrete level.The recently developed LoMaC low rank tensor algorithm(arXiv:2207.00518)simultaneously evolves the macroscopic conservation laws of mass,momentum,and energy using the kinetic flux vector splitting;then the LoMaC property is realized by projecting the low rank kinetic solution onto a subspace that shares the same macroscopic observables.This paper is a generalization of our previous work,but with DG discretization to take advantage of its compactness and flexibility in handling boundary conditions and its superior accuracy in the long term.The algorithm is developed in a similar fashion as that for a finite difference scheme,by observing that the DG method can be viewed equivalently in a nodal fashion.With the nodal DG method,assuming a tensorized computational grid,one will be able to(i)derive differentiation matrices for different nodal points based on a DG upwind discretization of transport terms,and(ii)define a weighted inner product space based on the nodal DG grid points.The algorithm can be extended to the high dimensional problems by hierarchical Tucker(HT)decomposition of solution tensors and a corresponding conservative projection algorithm.In a similar spirit,the algorithm can be extended to DG methods on nodal points of an unstructured mesh,or to other types of discretization,e.g.,the spectral method in velocity direction.Extensive numerical results are performed to showcase the efficacy of the method.
文摘The characterization of African bonytongue Heterotis niloticus fish farming was conducted in the Bi-modal agro-ecological zone of Cameroon from January to May 2021, Thirty-two fish farmers were interviewed and SPSS 6.2 Version was used to analyse the data. The results showed that the majority of fish farmers (81%) are men above 51 years, all of whom are Christians with more than fifty percent of them married. About 43% of them have university level education, and more than 6% of them considered the farming of Heterotis niloticus as their main income-earning activity. The main objective of Heterotis niloticus farming is sales (50%) and the uses (56%) of waged labour. A majority of the farmers produced reared African bonytongue in a polyculture system and 65% of them raised Heterotis niloticus in derivation ponds.
文摘Background: Simultaneous central nervous system infection by more than one pathogen is very uncommon, even in individuals with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Purpose and methods: We report a clinical case of an HIV positive patient with simultaneous biopsy-confirmed neurotoxoplasmosis and neurocysticercosis. Results and conclusion: In this report, we present a rare occurrence of two simultaneous parasitic infections of the central nervous system in a patient with advanced immunosuppression due to HIV-1 infection. Despite the limited data available regarding the prevalence of such co-infections, this case underscores the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion and promptly identifying concurrent neurologic diseases to enable accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment in these patients.
文摘The prevalence of pediatric obesity continues to increase worldwide,bringing with it various metabolic,functional,social,and psychological complications.1 Both the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity must be based on multidisciplinary approaches combining nutrition,physical activity(PA),and psychological support.2 As an essential element of these multicomponent strategies,regular physical activity has been acknowledged as having beneficial effects on children's and adolescents,body composition,physical fitness,and metabolic profile,as well as on their health-related quality of life,social and psychological health,and academic achievement.3,4 Given that only a relatively small proportion of children and adolescents meet the public health recommendations for PA,5 and given that weight loss exercise-based interventions suffer from a high attrition rate,there is a clear need for appropriate PAs.
文摘We used eye-surface temperature and heart rate as simple, noninvasive physiological indices to evaluate dogs’ responses to an approaching person. Thirteen healthy pet dogs (49.62 ± 31.42 months;19.28 ± 11.46 kg) were recruited as subjects to investigate physiological responses to approach. We set up two types of approach (smiling and expressionless) by familiar or unfamiliar people of either sex, and all tests were recorded by video cameras. Eye temperature was measured with an infrared thermal camera image, and the dog was equipped with a heart-rate monitor during testing. There were temporal changes in heart rate, and response time differed between HR and eye temperature. Although it may be the one which has to control both a background of the dogs or observational environment, and the response time of each parameter needs to be considered, these two parameters should be useful for non-invasive monitoring of physiological states in dogs in various practical animal situations.
文摘AIM To evaluate whether a high risk macroscopic appearance(Type Ⅳ and giant Type Ⅲ) is associated with a dismal prognosis after curative surgery, because its prognostic relevance remains elusive in pathological stage Ⅱ/Ⅲ(p Stage Ⅱ/Ⅲ) gastric cancer.METHODS One hundred and seventy-two advanced gastric cancer(defined as pT2 or beyond) patients with p Stage Ⅱ/Ⅲ who underwent curative surgery plus adjuvant S1 chemotherapy were evaluated, and the prognostic relevance of a high-risk macroscopic appearance was examined. RESULTS Advanced gastric cancers with a high-risk macroscopic appearance were retrospectively identified by preoperative recorded images. A high-risk macroscopic appearance showed a significantly worse relapse free survival(RFS)(35.7%) and overall survival(OS)(34%) than an average risk appearance(P = 0.0003 and P < 0.0001, respectively). A high-risk macroscopic appearance was significantly associated with the 13^(th) Japanese Gastric Cancer Association(JGCA) pT(P = 0.01), but not with the 13^(th) JGCA pN. On univariate analysis for RFS and OS, prognostic factors included 13^(th) JGCA p Stage(P < 0.0001)and other clinicopathological factors including macroscopic appearance. A multivariate Cox proportional hazards model for univariate prognostic factors identified highrisk macroscopic appearance(P = 0.036, HR = 2.29 for RFS and P = 0.021, HR = 2.74 for OS) as an independent prognostic indicator. CONCLUSION A high-risk macroscopic appearance was associated with a poor prognosis, and it could be a prognostic factor independent of 13^(th) JGCA stage in p Stage Ⅱ/Ⅲ advanced gastric cancer.
文摘Background Dialectical behaviour therapy(DBT)is an evidence-based treatment for adolescents targeting suicidal and non-suicidal self-injurious behaviours.Research supports DBT’s efficacy in inpatient settings,but implementation and sustainability are understudied.Aims This study is a follow-up of a previous study by Tebbett-Mock et al and examines the efficacy and sustainability of an adolescent DBT inpatient unit within a psychiatric hospital in the Northeast.We hypothesised that adolescents who received DBT in our follow-up group(DBT Group 2)would not have statistical difference(ie,greater or fewer)of the following compared with the first group of patients who received DBT on the unit the year prior(DBT Group 1)and would have significantly fewer of the following compared with the treatment as usual(TAU)group:(1)constant observation hours for suicidal ideation,self-injury and aggression;(2)incidents of suicide attempts,self-injury and aggression;(3)restraints;(4)seclusions;(5)days hospitalised;(6)times readmitted to the unit within 30 days of discharge.Methods We conducted a retrospective chart review for adolescents receiving inpatient DBT(DBT Group 1,n=425;DBT Group 2,n=393)and a historical control group(TAU,n=376).The χ^(2) tests and one-way analysis of variance were conducted as preliminary analyses to examine group differences on diagnosis,gender and age.Kruskal-Wallis H tests were conducted to examine group differences on outcomes.Mann-Whitney U tests were used as post hoc analyses.Results Patients in DBT Group 2 were comparable to DBT Group 1 for the number of constant observation hours for self-injury(U=83432.50,p=0.901),restraints(U=82109,p=0.171)and days hospitalised(U=83438.5,p=0.956).Patients in DBT Group 2 had a significantly greater number of incidents of suicide attempts compared with DBT Group 1(U=82662.5,p=0.037)and of self-injury compared with patients in DBT Group 1(U=71724.5,p<0.001)and TAU(U=65649.0,p<0.001).Conclusions Results provide support for adolescent inpatient DBT compared with TA
文摘Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) differs greatly among individuals, even when people of the same sex and age drink alcohol under the same drinking conditions. In this study, we investigated the main factors involved in the internal reg-ulation of individual differences in BAC, focusing on the alcohol dehydrogenase 1B (ADH1B) genotype, blood acetal-dehyde concentration (BAcH), amount of habitual alcohol consumption, pharmacokinetic parameters of BAC, distribution volume of ethanol (Vd), and gastric emptying rate (GER) under the same drinking conditions. Twenty healthy Japanese males aged between 40 and 59 years old and having the aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) genotype of ALDH 2*1/*2 were recruited for this study. The subjects were given 0.32 g ethanol/kg body weight in the form of commercially available beer (5%, v/v). The results showed that BAC-max differed greatly among individuals with a more than two-fold variation. When the BAC-time curve was compared among ADH1B genotypes (ADH1B*1/*1, *1/*2, and *2/*2), there were no differences in BAC among the genotypes. Although BAcH, monthly alcohol consumption, elimination rate of blood ethanol (β value) and ethanol disappearance rate from the body (EDR) can affect BAC, all of them had no correlations with BAC-max. However, Vd (liter/kg), ΔPlasma glucose concentration (ΔPGC = PGC30 min ? PGC0 min) and the serum concentration of gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) did correlate with BAC-max. Model 2 in multiple linear regression analysis showed the optimal model for Vd and GIP with positive correlations with BAC-max. As GIP and ΔPGC are both reflected by gastric emptying rate (GER), we concluded that the individual differences in BAC after moderate drinking are mainly regulated by GER together with Vd. These findings demonstrate that together with body water content, the gastrointestinal tract plays an important role in the regulation of individual differences in BAC, involving first pass metabolism of ethanol.
文摘In laser powder bed fusion(LPBF),it is common practice to select process parameters to achieve high density parts starting from simple geometries such as cubes or cylinders.However,additive manufacturing is usually adopted to producevery complex geometries,where parameters should be tuned locally,depending on the local features to be processed.In fact,geometrical features,such as overhangs,acute corners,and thin walls may lead to over-or under-heating conditions,which may result in geometrical inaccuracy,high roughness,volumetric errors(i.e.,porosity)oreven job failure due to surfacecollapse.This work proposes a layer-wise control strategy to improve the geometrical precision of overhanging regions using a coaxial melt pool monitoring system.The meltpool images acquired at each layer are used in a controlloop toadapt theprocess parameters locally at the next layer in order to minimize surface defects.In particular,the laser duty cycle is used as a controllable parameterto correct the energy density.This work presents the main architecture of the proposed approach,the control strategy and the experimental procedure that need to be applied to design the control parameters.The layer-wise control strategy was tested on AISI 316L stainless steel using an open LPFB platform.The results showed that the proposed layer-wise control solution results in a constant melt pool observed via the laser heated area size starting from the second layer onward,leading to a significant improvement in the geometrical accuracy of 5 mm-long bridge geometries.
文摘A total of seventeen caprine microsatellite markers were used on 169 goats to investigate genetic diversity of eight Cameroon native goat populations and to assess genetic differentiation with the East African small goat. All microsatellites showed a high polymorphic content （PIC） of more than 0.5 in almost all ecotypes. These microsatellite markers were useful for native goat ecotypes variability assessment. Expected heterozygosity of all ecotypes was above 0.5, varying from 0.2 to 0.7. Only goats from Eastern rainforest ecotype deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium test （P 〉 0.001）. Although geographic distribution was a good indication of differentiation, there appeared a tendency of genetic exchange between various ecotypes in Cameroon native goats.
基金supported in part by grants of The Slovak Research and Development Agency under the contract No.APVV-14-0088ITMS 26220220187 and VEGA 1/0287/16
文摘Iron can contribute to the pathogenesis and progression of multiple sclerosis（MS） due to its accumulation in the human brain.We focus on the thalamus as an information transmitter between various subcortical and cortical areas.Thalamic iron seems to follow different rules than iron in other deep gray matter structures and its relation to the clinical outcomes of MS is still indistinct.In our study,we investigated a connection between thalamic iron and patients＇ disability and course of the disease.The presence of paramagnetic substances in the tissues was tracked by T2＊ quantification.Twenty-eight subjects with definite MS and 15 age-matched healthy controls underwent MRI examination with a focus on gradient echo sequence.We observed a non-monotonous course of T2＊ values with age in healthy controls.Furthermore,T2＊ distribution in MS patients was significantly wider than that of age matched healthy volunteers（P〈 0.001）.A strong significant correlation was demonstrated between T2＊ distribution spread and the expanded disability status scale（EDSS）（left thalamus：P〈0.00005;right thalamus：P〈0.005）,and multiple sclerosis severity scale（MSSS）（left thalamus：P〈0.05;right thalamus：P〈0.005）.The paramagnetic iron distribution in the thalamus in MS was not uniform and this inhomogeneity may be considered as an indicator of thalamic neurodegeneration in MS.
文摘Sub-Saharan African cities are uniquely characterized by retail competition influencing outlet location.This work focused on revealing retail outlet location in Uyo and its relationship with distances from the Central Business Districts.Distance was measured along the six major arterial roads that link the city to the central business districts by the use of Google Map[5]Distance Calculator and itouch maps[7]technology.Six arteries were divided into four distinct spaces in kilometers namely 0-1km,1-2km,2-3km,3-4km.Retail Outlets were grouped into ten classes.Data was analysed using distance in kilometers from the Central Business District as variable Y1.The independent variables X1,X2,X3,X4,X5 and X6 were the six major arteries represented by the location of each specific retail outlet group.Utilising SPSS version 20 software the results reflected centre a 47.9 percent variation in retail outlets location with correlation coefficient(R)of 69.2%revealing a strong relationship between the distances from the Central Business Districts and the location of retail outlets located across the six major arteries.H1 was accepted which states a significant relationship in the location of retail outlets as distance increase from the city centre across the linkages.This confirms a strong intensity of location of retail outlets in the city centre with a gradual decline as distance increase from the centre.Although there was an increase in intensity of retail outlets in junctions away from the Central Business Districts according to multiple nuclei concept.It is recommended that urban expansion through growth poles.Aim:To access the relationship between retail outlets location and distance from central business district in a Uyo.Research Questions:This work provided answers to the following questions:1.Where are these retail outlets located in the city space?2.What is the relationship between Retail outlets and the distance from the City Centre?Objectives:1.To explain the distribution of location of retail outlets in city space
基金the authority of Research Publication Guardians(RPG,Government License No.05-060-06021)for providing logistic support and suggestions which were important to the successful completion of this review。
文摘The COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 has resulted in millions of people being infected and thousands of deaths globally since November 2019.To date,no unique therapeutic agent has been developed to slow the progression of this pandemic.Despite possessing antiviral traits the potential of bacteriocins to combat SARS-CoV-2 infection has not been fully investigated.This review summarizes the mechanisms by which bacteriocins can be manipulated and implemented as effective virus entry blockers with infection suppression potential properties to highly transmissible viruses through comprehensive immune modulations that are potentially effective against COVID-19.These antimicrobial peptides have been suggested as effective antiviral therapeutics and therapeutic supplements to prevent rapid virus transmission.This review also provides a new insight into the cellular and molecular alterations which have made SARS-CoV-2 self-modified with diversified infection patterns.In addition,the possible applications of antimicrobial peptides through both natural and induced mechanisms in infection prevention perspectives on changeable virulence cases are comprehensively analyzed.Specific attention is given to the antiviral mechanisms of the molecules along with their integrative use with synthetic biology and nanosensor technology for rapid detection.Novel bacteriocin based therapeutics with cutting-edge technologies might be potential substitutes for existing time-consuming and expensive approaches to fight this newly emerged global threat.
