Drop fragmentation at impact onto a bath of an immiscible liquid

The impact of a drop onto a deep bath of an immiscible liquid is studied with emphasis on the drop fragmentation into a collection of noncoalescing daughter drops. At impact the drop flattens and spreads at the surface of the crater it transiently opens in the bath and reaches a maximum deformation, which gets larger with increasing impact velocity, before surface tension drives its recession. This recession can promote the fragmentation by two different mechanisms: At moderate impact velocity, the drop recession converges to the axis of symmetry to form a jet which then fragments by a Plateau-Rayleigh mechanism. At higher velocity the edge of the receding drop destabilizes and shapes into radial ligaments which subsequently fragment. For this latter mechanism the number N∝We3 and the size distribution of the daughter drops p(d)∝d-4 as a function of the impact Weber number We are explained on the basis of the observed spreading of the drop. The universality of this model for the fragmentation of receding liquid sheets might be relevant for other configurations.

Segmentation of clustered nuclei based on concave curve expansion

Segmentation of nuclei from images of tissue sections is important for many biological and biomedical studies. Many existing image segmentation algorithms may lead to oversegmentation or undersegmentation for clustered nuclei images. In this paper, we proposed a new image segmentation algorithm based on concave curve expansion to correctly and accurately extract markers from the original images. Marker-controlled watershed is then used to segment the clustered nuclei. The algorithm was tested on both synthetic and real images and better results are achieved compared with some other state-of-the-art methods.

Differential expression of lipid metabolism genes in the liver and adipose tissue of mice treated with evodiamine

Evodiamine is the main active alkali of Wu Zhuyu, a widely distributed Chinese herb. It plays an important role in the regulation of body fat deposition. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of evodiamine administration on the expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism in the liver and adipose tissue. Fasted mice were subcutaneously injected with evodiamine (37 °C, 20 mg/kg), and the core body temperature change and expression levels of lipid metabolism-related genes were evaluated at baseline, 0.5, 1, and 2 h. We detected the mRNA expression of fatty acid synthesis enzyme (FAS), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ), sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c), triglyceride hydrolase (TGH), and hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) by real-time PCR and analyzed their correlation with core body temperature. Our results showed that the core body temperature was reduced greater than 1 °C with evodiamine treatment at 1 and 2 h (P < 0.01). In mouse livers, SREBP-1c, HSL, and TGH mRNA expression was significantly increased, and they reached the highest levels 1 h after injection (P < 0.01). However, PPAR-γ mRNA expression was decreased and reached a significant level at 0.5 h (P < 0.01) and FAS mRNA expression was not significantly different; FAS and SREBP-1c mRNA expression were reduced and reached significant levels at 1 h (P < 0.01). Of note, other genes demonstrated opposite changes in adipose tissue, and HSL mRNA expression was significantly reduced at 0.5 h (P < 0.01). The decreasing core temperature had a significant negative correlation with the expression of TGH, HSL, FAS, and SREBP- 1c mRNA in the liver (P < 0.01), but had significant positive correlation with levels of FAS and SREBP-1c mRNA in adipose tissue (P < 0.01). In light of these results, the main mechanism of the regulation of body fat deposition by evodiamine is raising energy consumption through reducing body temperature and promoting fat decomposition.

Construction of suppressor of cytokine signaling 2 (SOCS2) adenoviral overexpression vector and its impact on growth-hormone-induced lipolysis in swine primary adipocytes

We investigated the effect of overexpression suppressor of cytokine signaling 2 (SOCS2) on lipolysis in swine primary adipocytes (pAd) induced by growth hormone (GH). We constructed pAd-SOCS2 adenoviral overexpression vectors to infect HEK293 cells for virus packaging and propagation. Cultured swine primary adipocytes were infected with virus particles; after 48 h the infected adipocytes were treated with 500 ng GH/mL in the growth medium. Lipometabolism-related gene expressions were detected at 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 h, by measuring mRNA and protein levels. The pAd-SOCS2 overexpression vector was successfully constructed and the concentration of titrated virus was 1.2 x 10(9) PFU/mL. We found that virus infection significantly increased SOCS2 mRNA and protein levels in swine primary adipocytes. Overexpression of SOCS2 significantly inhibited the increase in fatty acid synthase, adipose triglyceride lipase mRNA, and protein expression at 0.5 h. However, after 0.5 h, this inhibition was not significant. We concluded that overexpression of SOCS2 inhibited the increase in lipolysis induced by GH in swine primary adipocytes; this could provide a basis for studies of lipometabolism.

Unambiguous identification of the second 2+ state in 12C and the structure of the Hoyle state

The second J(π)=2+ state of 12C, predicted over 50 years ago as an excitation of the Hoyle state, has been unambiguously identified using the 12C(γ,α0)(8)Be reaction. The alpha particles produced by the photodisintegration of 12C were detected using an optical time projection chamber. Data were collected at beam energies between 9.1 and 10.7 MeV using the intense nearly monoenergetic gamma-ray beams at the HIγS facility. The measured angular distributions determine the cross section and the E1-E2 relative phases as a function of energy leading to an unambiguous identification of the second 2+ state in 12C at 10.03(11) MeV, with a total width of 800(130) keV and a ground state gamma-decay width of 60(10) meV; B(E2:2(2)+→0(1)+)=0.73(13)e(2)  fm(4) [or 0.45(8) W.u.]. The Hoyle state and its rotational 2+ state that are more extended than the ground state of 12C presents a challenge and constraints for models attempting to reveal the nature of three alpha-particle states in 12C. Specifically, it challenges the ab initio lattice effective field theory calculations that predict similar rms radii for the ground state and the Hoyle state.

Tubular stomach or whole stomach for esophagectomy through cervico-thoraco-abdominal approach: a comparative clinical study on anastomotic leakage

BACKGROUND

Esophagectomy through cervico-thoraco-abdominal approach is a useful surgical technique in treating patients with esophageal cancer. However, the cervical reconstruction is also known to have a high rate of anastomotic leakage, as well as anastomotic stricture, intrathoracic stomach syndrome, reflux esophagitis and other complications, thereby influencing postoperative recovery and quality of life.

AIMS

The objective of this study was to investigate whether tubular stomach is superior to whole stomach in reducing anastomotic leakage for esophageal reconstruction through the cervico-thoraco-abdominal (3-field) approach.

METHODS

A total of 850 patients undergoing the 3-field esophagectomy were retrospectively included in this study and divided into a tubular stomach reconstruction group (Group A, n=453) and a whole stomach reconstruction group (Group B, n=397). All patients underwent esophagectomy through right thorax, left cervical part, abdominal triple incisions and done in esophageal reconstruction by hand-sewn two-layer anastomosis.

RESULTS

Results revealed that in comparison with whole stomach, esophageal reconstruction with tubular stomach had a lower incidence of anastomotic leakage (5.5 vs. 9.3%, P<0.05), less manifestation of intrathoracic syndrome (3.3 vs. 9.8%, P<0.001) and less occurence of reflux esophagitis (5.1 vs. 11.1%, P<0.01). However, for the incidence of anastomotic stricture, there was no significant difference between the two groups (9.3 vs. 9.8%).

CONCLUSIONS

This observation study suggests that for esophageal cancer patients undergoing the 3-field esophagectomy tubular stomach is better than whole stomach for esophageal reconstruction as reflected by a reduced postoperative anastomotic leakage, intrathoracic syndrome and reflux esophagitis.

The characteristics of Th1/Th2 cytokine receptors on monocytes in untreated patients of long term nonprogressor or chronic HIV infection

Monocytes/macrophages play crucial roles in immunity to microorganisms and are one of the important targets for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The phenotypes and function of monocytes in HIV-infected patients were poorly determined. We herein detected the expression of Th1/Th2 cytokine receptors on monocyte subsets in the untreated HIV-infected patients of either long term nonprogressor (LTNP) or chronic infection (CHI). CD14(+)CD16(-) monocytes were significantly increased and CD14(+)CD16(+) monocytes were reduced in patients of LTNP or CHI compared with healthy control. IL-6R expression on CD14(+)CD16(-) monocytes were decreased in patients of LTNP or CHI, whereas IL-4R and IL-10R expression on both CD14(+)CD16(-) and CD14(+)CD16(+) monocyte subsets were increased in patients with LTNP or CHI, as determined by flow cytometry and real time PCR assays. The decreased IL-6R expression and enhanced IL-4R and IL-10R expression were also observed on CD4(+) T cells of these patients, indicating that these changes in monocytes are not cell-specific. CD14(+)CD16(-) monocytes of HIV-infected patients produced less TNF-α and IL-1β but identical levels of IL-6, and IL-12 as the control after IFN-γ/LPS stimulation. However, in the presence of IL-4 or IL10, CD14(+)CD16(-) monocytes of HIV-infected patients produced more TNF-α, IL-6, IL-12 or Il-1β after IFN-γ/LPS stimulation than the healthy control, supporting the impaired IL-4R and IL-10R signal pathways in patients with LTNP and CHI. Therefore, our present study offered the basic information for the Th1/Th2 cytokine receptor expression and function on monocyte subsets in untreated HIV-infected individuals.

Pseudo-single-bunch with adjustable frequency: a new operation mode for synchrotron light sources

We present the concept and results of pseudo-single-bunch (PSB) operation--a new operational mode at the advanced light source--that can greatly expand the capabilities of synchrotron light sources to carry out dynamics and time-of-flight experiments. In PSB operation, a single electron bunch is displaced transversely from the other electron bunches using a short-pulse, high-repetition-rate kicker magnet. Experiments that require light emitted only from a single bunch can stop the light emitted from the other bunches using a collimator. Other beam lines will only see a small reduction in flux due to the displaced bunch. As a result, PSB eliminates the need to schedule multibunch and timing experiments during different running periods. Furthermore, the time spacing of PSB pulses can be adjusted from milliseconds to microseconds with a novel "kick-and-cancel" scheme, which can significantly alleviate complications of using high-power choppers and substantially reduce the rate of sample damage.

Activated glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase is associated with insulin resistance by upregulating pentose and pentosidine in diet-induced obesity of rats

Recent studies have shown that glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), the rate-limiting enzyme for the pentose phosphate pathway, was involved in insulin resistance via reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, while the roles of pentose were not examined. In the present study, the association of G6PD, pentose, and pentosidine with insulin resistance was investigated in diet-induced obesity of rats. Male Wistar rats were fed a high-fat diet for 6 weeks to generate obesity-prone (OP, n=14) and obesity-resistant (OR, n=14) rats. The levels of G6PD, pentose, and pentosidine, and oxidative stress were analyzed in serum and tissues. The OP rats, compared to the OR and control rats, had a significant increase in body weight (16.2% and 12.8%), serum triglyceride (43.4% and 12.3), and free fatty acids (49.5% and 23.6%), and developed marked insulin resistance. G6PD activities were increased in the pancreas and liver with upregulated pentose levels in serum, pancreas, and liver of OP rats. Pentosidine levels were increased only under the condition of high pentose levels and oxidative stress status in serum and pancreas of OP rats. G6PD activities in pancreas and liver, pentose levels in serum, pancreas, and liver, and pentosidine levels in serum and pancreas were positively correlated with homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance. Our results suggest that the upregulation of G6PD causes an increase in the accumulation of pentose and pentosidine, which might be associated with insulin resistance in the condition of obesity.

Assessing the potential of candidate DNA barcodes for identifying non-flowering seed plants

In plants, matK and rbcL have been selected as core barcodes by the Consortium for the Barcode of Life (CBOL) Plant Working Group (PWG), and ITS/ITS2 and psbA-trnH were suggested as supplementary loci. Yet, research on DNA barcoding of non-flowering seed plants has been less extensive, and the evaluation of DNA barcodes in this division has been limited thus far. Here, we evaluated seven markers (psbA-trnH, matK, rbcL, rpoB, rpoC1, ITS and ITS2) from non-flowering seed plants. The usefulness of each region was assessed using four criteria: the success rate of PCR amplification, the differential intra- and inter-specific divergences, the DNA barcoding gap and the ability to discriminate species. Among the seven loci tested, ITS2 produced the best results in the barcoding of non-flowering seed plants. In addition, we compared the abilities of the five most-recommended markers (psbA-trnH, matK, rbcL, ITS and ITS2) to identify additional species using a large database of gymnosperms from GenBank. ITS2 remained effective for species identification in a wide range of non-flowering seed plants: for the 1531 samples from 608 species of 80 diverse genera, ITS2 correctly authenticated 66% of them at the species level. In conclusion, the ITS2 region can serve as a useful barcode to discriminate non-flowering seed plants, and this study will contribute valuable information for the barcoding of plant species.

Polysaccharide-K (PSK) in cancer--old story, new possibilities?

Polysaccharide-K (PSK, Krestin) is one of the most commonly used medicinal mushroom extracts with a long history as an additive in cancer therapy in Asia, especially in Japan. PSK has a documented anti-tumor activity both in vitro and in vitro, in various types of cancers, including colorectal, gastric, breast, liver, pancreatic, and lung cancer. Despite PSK having been studied for about 40 years as an immune modulator and biological response modifier, the mechanisms of action by PSK have not yet been clearly and completely elucidated. This review aims to provide an up-to-date account for the effects of PSK in cancer with the hope of thereby providing an increased understanding of the molecular mechanisms of PSK and also its potential as an additive in modern cancer therapy.