An LES Turbulent Inflow Generator using A Recycling and Rescaling Method

The present paper describes a recycling and rescaling method for generating turbulent inflow conditions for Large Eddy Simulation. The method is first validated by simulating a turbulent boundary layer and a turbulent mixing layer. It is demonstrated that, with input specification of mean velocities and turbulence rms levels (normal stresses) only, it can produce realistic and self-consistent turbulence structures. Comparison of shear stress and integral length scale indicates the success of the method in generating turbulent 1-point and 2-point correlations not specified in the input data. With the turbulent inlet conditions generated by this method, the growth rate of the turbulent boundary/mixing layer is properly predicted. Furthermore, the method can be used for the more complex inlet boundary flow types commonly found in industrial applications, which is demonstrated by generating non-equilibrium turbulent inflow and spanwise inhomogeneous inflow. As a final illustration of the benefits brought by this approach, a droplet-laden mixing layer is simulated. The dispersion of droplets in the near-field immediately downstream of the splitter plate trailing edge where the turbulent mixing layer begins is accurately reproduced due to the realistic turbulent structures captured by the recycling/rescaling method.

HMGB1-TLR4 signaling participates in renal ischemia reperfusion injury and could be attenuated by dexamethasone-mediated inhibition of the ERK/NF-κB pathway

Studies have shown that the HMGB1-TLR4 (High-mobility group protein B1, toll-like receptor 4) pathway participates in renal ischemic reperfusion injury (IRI) and that dexamethasone (DEX) could protect the kidney against IRI. This study aims to examine the protective effects of DEX on renal IRI and further explore the possible mechanism of action. During mouse renal IRI, HMGB1-TLR4 signals changed markedly including HMGB1 translocation and TLR4 up-regulation, resulting in histological damage and an increase in MPO expression. Treatment with DEX markedly decreased the damage to renal function (serum Cr and BUN; kidney KIM-1 expression) and the histological pathology of the kidney after renal IRI. The activation of GR by DEX did not suppress p38 and JNK activity but inhibited ERK phosphorylation. Treatment with DEX also attenuated IκB-α phosphorylation and further reduced NF-κB expression in the nucleus by decreasing acetylation of the p65 subunit. Furthermore, the HMGB1-TLR4 inflammatory pathway was inhibited via the attenuated translocation of HMGB1 from the nucleus to the cytoplasm and the down-regulation of TLR4 expression through DEX treatment. The inhibition of HMGB1 translocation may interact with acetyltransferase and attenuate HMGB1 acetylation. As a result, the levels of cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β) were down-regulated and inflammatory cell infiltration after renal IRI was attenuated by treatment with DEX. This study demonstrated that the HMGB1-TLR4 pathway may play a critical role in renal IRI. DEX may attenuate renal IRI by suppressing ERK and NF-κB activation, followed by attenuating the HMGB1-TLR4 pathway through inhibiting acetyltransferases.

[Condylar morphological changes before and after orthodontic treatment for angle Class I malocclusion adult patients]

PURPOSE

To evaluate the condylar morphological changes in adult Angle Class I malocclusionpatients before and after orthodontic treatment using a cone-beam CT (CBCT).

METHODS

Images of 25 adult Angle Class I patients (5 males, 20 females) who had no temporomandibular joint disorder symptom were involved in this study, and Mimics 10.01 software was used to reconstruct the three-dimensional condyle and measure the height of condyle, the area and bone density of the largest cross sectional plane and sagittal plane, and the volume and bone density of the whole and upper three-dimensional condyle before and after orthodontic treatment. Paired t test was used for comparison between pre- and post-treatment condylar metric analysis with SPSS 19.0 software package.

RESULTS

After treatment, the area and bone density of the largest cross sectional plane and sagittal plane were reduced significantly(P<0.05). The volume and bone density of the whole three-dimensional condyle and bone density of the upper three-dimensional condyle were reduced significantly(P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Adaptive bone remodeling of the condyle may occur due to alternation of occlusion by orthodontic treatment in adult Angle Class I malocclusion patients.

[Association between OR2T3 gene and pulmonary arterial hypertension]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the pathogenic genes of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and validate the association between OR2T3 gene and PAH.

METHODS

Whole exome sequencing was performed in four patients and one healthy person as control in two pulmonary arterial hypertension pedigree; patient-specific variations were screened by bioinformatics methods and comparison between groups. To further analyze the association between these variations and PAH, Sanger sequencing was used to analyze the genotype of patient-specific variations of 30 patients with idiopathic PAH, 90 healthy people and 30 patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

RESULTS

The preliminary findings of whole exome sequencing were 57 variations may be associated with PAH; Among them, there were 6 AG heterozygotes due to OR2T3rs148748995 in the 30 idiopathic PAH patients, while no G allele carrier was found in other healthy people of two pulmonary arterial hypertension pedigree (AⅠ-1, AⅡ-3, BⅡ-1) and 90 normal control, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The variation also didn't exist in 30 chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension patients.

CONCLUSION

OR2T3 gene may be the pathogenic gene of PAH and OR2T3rs148748995 could have a role in the development of PAH.

Effects of Supplemental Chromium Source and Concentration on Growth Performance, Carcass Traits, and Meat Quality of Broilers Under Heat Stress Conditions

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary supplemental chromium (Cr) on growth performance, carcass traits, and meat quality of broilers reared under heat stress. A total of 252 1-d-old Cobb 500 commercial female broilers were randomly allotted by body weight (BW) to one of six replicate cages (six broilers per cage) for each of seven treatments in a completely randomized design involving a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments with three Cr sources (Cr propionate, CrPro; Cr picolinate, CrPic; Cr chloride, CrCl3) and two concentrations of added Cr (0.4, or 2.0 mg of Cr/kg) plus a Cr-unsupplemented control group. Feed and distilled-deionized water were available ad libitum for an experimental phase of 42 days. For induction of heat stress, the house temperature was set at 33 ± 2 °C from 15 to 42 days of age. Results showed that birds supplemented with Cr, regardless of Cr source, had increased ADG (P = 0.032) than controls. Birds fed 2.0 mg Cr/kg diet had greater ADG (P = 0.005) than birds fed 0.4 mg Cr/kg diet. Compared to controls, birds fed with Cr had greater dressing percentage (P = 0.021). Percentage of abdominal fat decreased (P = 0.013), whereas, breast intramuscular fat (IMF) remained unaffected (P = 0.147) in Cr supplemented vs control broilers. Broilers supplemented Cr had decreased b* values of meat color (P = 0.042) in breast muscle. B*values were also lesser (P = 0.049) in birds fed CrPro than birds supplemented with CrCl3 or CrPic. Regardless of Cr source, the percentage of cooking loss was decreased (P = 0.025) with Cr supplementation in breast muscle when compared to controls. Results from this study indicate that Cr supplementation, independent of its source, could promote growth and improve carcass traits and meat quality of broilers under heat stress conditions. Chromium propionate seems to have greater beneficial effects on meat color in comparison with CrPic and CrCl3.

Muon-spin relaxation study of the double perovskite insulators Sr2 BOsO6 (B = Fe, Y, ln)

We present the results of zero-field muon-spin relaxation measurements made on the double perovskite insulators Sr2 BOsO6 (B = Fe,Y, In). Spontaneous muon-spin precession indicative of quasistatic long range magnetic ordering is observed in Sr2FeOsO6 within the AF1 antiferromagnetic phase for temperatures below [Formula: see text] K. Upon cooling below T2≈67 K the oscillations cease to be resolvable owing to the coexistence of the AF1 and AF2 phases, which leads to a broader range of internal magnetic fields. Using density functional calculations we identify a candidate muon stopping site within the unit cell, which dipole field simulations show to be consistent with the proposed magnetic structure. The possibility of incommensurate magnetic ordering is discussed for temperatures below TN = 53 K and 25 K for Sr2YOsO6 and Sr2InOsO6, respectively.

Effects of Supplemental Chromium Source and Concentration on Growth, Carcass Characteristics, and Serum Lipid Parameters of Broilers Reared Under Normal Conditions

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary chromium (Cr) source and concentration on growth performance, carcass traits, and some serum lipid parameters of broilers under normal rearing conditions for 42 days. A total of 252 1-day-old Cobb 500 commercial female broilers were randomly allotted by body weight (BW) to one of six replicate cages (six broilers per cage) for each of seven treatments in a completely randomized design involved in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement of treatments with three Cr sources (Cr propionate (CrPro), Cr picolinate (CrPic), Cr chloride (CrCl3)) and two concentrations of added Cr (0.4 and 2.0 mg of Cr/kg) plus a Cr-unsupplemented control diet. The results showed that dietary Cr supplementation tended to increase the breast muscle percentage compared with the Cr-unsupplemented control group (P = 0.0784), while Cr from CrPic tended to have higher breast muscle percentage compared with Cr from CrCl3 (P = 0.0881). Chromium from CrPic also tended to increase the breast intramuscular fat (IMF) compared with Cr from CrCl3 (P = 0.0648). In addition, supplementation of 0.4 mg/kg Cr tended to decrease low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (P = 0.0614). Compared with the control group, broilers fed Cr-supplemented diets had higher triglyceride (TG) (P = 0.0129) regardless of Cr source and Cr concentration. Chromium from CrPro and CrPic had lower total cholesterol (TC) compared with Cr from CrCl3 (P = 0.0220). These results indicate that dietary supplementation of Cr has effects on carcass characteristics and serum lipid parameters of broilers under normal rearing conditions, while supplementation of organic Cr can improve carcass characteristics and reduce the cholesterol content in serum.

APT070 (mirococept), a membrane-localizing C3 convertase inhibitor, attenuates early human islet allograft damage in vitro and in vivo in a humanized mouse model

Background and Purpose

A major obstacle to islet cell transplantation is the early loss of transplanted islets resulting from the instant blood‐mediated inflammation reaction (IBMIR). The activation of complement pathways plays a central role in IBMIR. The aim of this study was to test the inhibitory effect of “painting” human islets with APT070, a membrane‐localizing C3 convertase inhibitor, on inflammation evoked by exposure to human serum in vitro and by transplantation in vivo in a humanized diabetic mouse model.

Experimental Approach

In vitro, human islets pre‐incubated with APT070 were exposed to allogeneic whole blood. In vivo, similarly treated islets were transplanted underneath the kidney capsule of streptozotocin‐induced diabetic NOD‐SCID IL2rγ^−/− mice that had been reconstituted with human CD34⁺ stem cells. Complement activation and islet hormone content were assayed using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays. Supernatants and sera were assayed for cytokines using cytometric beads array. Morphology of the islets incubated with human serum in vitro and in graft‐bearing kidney were evaluated using immunofluorescence staining.

Key Results

Pre‐incubation with APT070 decreased C‐peptide release and iC3b production in vitro, with diminished deposition of C4d and C5b‐9 in islets embedded in blood clots. In vivo, the APT070‐treated islets maintained intact structure and showed less infiltration of inflammatory cells than untreated islets. The pretreatments also significantly reduced pro‐inflammatory cytokines in supernatants and sera.

Conclusions and Implications

Pre‐treatment of islets with APT070 could reduce intra‐islet inflammation with accompanying preservation of insulin secretion by beta cells. APT070 could be as a potential therapeutic tool in islet transplantation.

Humanized Mice as Preclinical Models in Transplantation

Animal models have been instrumental in our understanding of the mechanisms of rejection and the testing of novel treatment options in the context of transplantation. We have now entered an exciting era with research on humanized mice driving advances in translational studies and in our understanding of the function of human cells in response to pathogens and cancer as well as the recognition of human allogeneic tissues in vivo. In this chapter we provide a historical overview of humanized mouse models of transplantation to date, outlining the distinct strains and share our experiences in the study of human transplantation immunology.

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ agonist pioglitazone prevents NF-κB activation in cisplatin nephrotoxicity through the reduction of p65 acetylation via the AMPK-SIRT1/p300 pathway

The thiazolidinedione pioglitazone, which is also a PPAR-γ agonist, now is widely used in patients with hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia. NF-κB is a ubiquitously expressed transcription factor controlling the expression of numerous genes involved in inflammation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the activation of PPAR-γ attenuates the cisplatin-induced NF-κB activation in cisplatin nephrotoxicity. The results showed that the PPAR-γ agonist pioglitazone decreased the expression of NF-κB p65 transcription target genes (e.g., IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α) and inhibited histological injury and inflammatory cells infiltration in cisplatin nephrotoxicity. The suppression of NF-κB activity following pioglitazone treatment inhibited the cisplatin-induced IκB-α degredation and NF-κB p65 subunit translocation. Translocation of the NF-κB p65 subunit depends on p65 acetylation, which primarily regulated by SIRT1 or p300. Notably, AMP kinase (AMPK) activation not only decreased the phosphorylation, activation and p65 interaction of p300 but also increased SIRT1 expression, activation and p65 binding, thus leading to a significant reduction in p65 acetylation. Interestingly, the reduction of IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β, the inhibition of histological injury and the inflammatory cells infiltration following pioglitazone treatment in cisplatin nephrotoxicity were attenuated after treatment with the PPAR-γ antagonist GW9662. These results suggest that the PPAR-γ agonist pioglitazone prevents NF-κB activation in cisplatin nephrotoxicity through a reduction in p65 acetylation via the AMPK-SIRT1/p300 pathway.

Expressions of Senescence-Associated β-Galactosidase and Senescence Marker Protein-30 are Associated with Lens Epithelial Cell Apoptosis

BACKGROUND To investigate associations of senescence marker protein-30 and senescence-associated β-galactosidase expression with lens epithelial cells apoptosis among Chinese age-related cataract patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 145 age-related cataract patients (69 cases with nuclear cataract in 91 eyes and 76 cases of cortical cataract with 102 eyes) were enrolled in our study. An annular tear of the central part of anterior lens capsules was performed for each patient. Immunohistochemical staining and real-time PCR were used to detect the protein and mRNA expression levels, and TUNEL was used to assess lens epithelial cells apoptosis. Comparisons of protein expression levels and lens epithelial cells apoptosis were made between the 2 groups. RESULTS The results showed a higher protein expression level of senescence marker protein-30 in surrounding parts of the anterior lens capsule compared with the central part of the anterior lens capsule; however, the positive rate of senescence-associated β-galactosidase was remarkably higher in the central part than in the surrounding part. Compared with cortical cataract patients, nuclear cataract patients had elevated senescence marker protein-30 protein and mRNA expression levels, but had a decreased positive rate of senescence-associated β-galactosidase. TUNEL results showed that the lens epithelial cell apoptosis rate was higher in the central part of the anterior lens capsule than in the surrounding part in both groups. Within either central or surrounding area of anterior lens capsule, cortical cataract patients exhibited a significantly higher lens epithelial cell apoptosis rate in contrast with nuclear cataract patients. CONCLUSIONS Our study results suggest that senescence marker protein-30 and senescence-associated β-galactosidase expressions in both nuclear cataract and cortical cataract patients were associated with lens epithelial cells apoptosis.

Low expression of circulating microRNA-328 is associated with poor prognosis in patients with acute myeloid leukemia

BACKGROUND

Dysregulation of circulating miR-328 has been identified in several tumors and is associated with prognosis of patients. However, the expression pattern of miR-328 and the impact on prognosis has not yet been studied in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The purpose of this study is to investigate the expression status of miR-328 and its clinical significance in AML patients.

METHODS

RNA was extracted from plasma of 176 patients with newly diagnosed AML and 70 healthy volunteers. The miR-328 expression was examined by Realtime quantitative PCR. The association of circulating miR-328 expression with clinicopathological factors and prognosis of AML patients was statistically analyzed.

RESULTS

The expression of miR-328 was significantly downregulated in AML patients (median value 22.99, range: 3.63-242.0) compared with those of healthy controls (median value 89.17, range: 12.05-397.7; P < 0.001), and miR-328 expression was markedly increased in patients after treatment than before (23.40 ± 1.76 vs. 46.61 ± 3.83, P < 0.001). Moreover, low levels of miR-328 were associated with a higher white blood cell count and BM blast count (P = 0.026 and P = 0.003, respectively), and lower hemoglobin and platelet count (P = 0.004 and P = 0.022, respectively). Patients with low miR-328 expression had a relatively poor overall survival (P = 0.022) and shorter relapse-free survival (P = 0.008) than those with high miR-328 expression. In addition, low miR-328 expression was an independent prognostic factors for both OS (P = 0.017) and RFS (P = 0.023).

CONCLUSIONS

Circulating miR-328 downregulation is a common event and is associated with poor clinical outcome in AML patients.