Process to generate a synthetic diagnostic for microwave imaging reflectometry with the full-wave code FWR2D

A synthetic microwave imaging reflectometer (MIR) diagnostic employing the full-wave reflectometer code (FWR2D) has been developed and is currently being used to guide the design of real systems, such as the one recently installed on DIII-D. The FWR2D code utilizes real plasma profiles as input, and it is combined with optical simulation tools for synthetic diagnostic signal generation. A detailed discussion of FWR2D and the process to generate the synthetic signal are presented in this paper. The synthetic signal is also compared to a prescribed density fluctuation spectrum to quantify the imaging quality. An example is presented with H-mode-like plasma profiles derived from a DIII-D discharge, where the MIR focal is located in the pedestal region. It is shown that MIR is suitable for diagnosing fluctuations with poloidal wavenumber up to 2.0 cm(-1) and fluctuation amplitudes less than 5%.

2D microwave imaging reflectometer electronics

A 2D microwave imaging reflectometer system has been developed to visualize electron density fluctuations on the DIII-D tokamak. Simultaneously illuminated at four probe frequencies, large aperture optics image reflections from four density-dependent cutoff surfaces in the plasma over an extended region of the DIII-D plasma. Localized density fluctuations in the vicinity of the plasma cutoff surfaces modulate the plasma reflections, yielding a 2D image of electron density fluctuations. Details are presented of the receiver down conversion electronics that generate the in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) reflectometer signals from which 2D density fluctuation data are obtained. Also presented are details on the control system and backplane used to manage the electronics as well as an introduction to the computer based control program.

Technical overview of the millimeter-wave imaging reflectometer on the DIII-D tokamak (invited)

The two-dimensional mm-wave imaging reflectometer (MIR) on DIII-D is a multi-faceted device for diagnosing electron density fluctuations in fusion plasmas. Its multi-channel, multi-frequency capabilities and high sensitivity permit visualization and quantitative diagnosis of density perturbations, including correlation length, wavenumber, mode propagation velocity, and dispersion. The two-dimensional capabilities of MIR are made possible with 12 vertically separated sightlines and four-frequency operation (corresponding to four radial channels). The 48-channel DIII-D MIR system has a tunable source that can be stepped in 500 μs increments over a range of 56 to 74 GHz. An innovative optical design keeps both on-axis and off-axis channels focused at the cutoff surface, permitting imaging over an extended poloidal region. The integrity of the MIR optical design is confirmed by comparing Gaussian beam calculations to laboratory measurements of the transmitter beam pattern and receiver antenna patterns. Measurements are presented during the density ramp of a plasma discharge to demonstrate unfocused and focused MIR signals.

Optics design for J-TEXT ECE imaging with field curvature adjustment lens

Significant progress has been made in the imaging and visualization of magnetohydrodynamic and microturbulence phenomena in magnetic fusion plasmas. Of particular importance has been microwave electron cyclotron emission imaging (ECEI) for imaging Te fluctuations. Key to the success of ECEI is a large Gaussian optics system constituting a major portion of the focusing of the microwave radiation from the plasma to the detector array. Both the spatial resolution and observation range are dependent upon the imaging optics system performance. In particular, it is critical that the field curvature on the image plane is reduced to decrease crosstalk between vertical channels. The receiver optics systems for two ECEI on the J-TEXT device have been designed to ameliorate these problems and provide good performance with additional field curvature adjustment lenses with a meniscus shape to correct the aberrations from several spherical surfaces.

Phase-locking of magnetic islands diagnosed by ECE-imaging

Millimeter-wave imaging diagnostics identify phase-locking and the satisfaction of 3-wave coupling selection criteria among multiple magnetic island chains by providing a localized, internal measurement of the 2D power spectral density, S(ω, kpol). In high-confinement tokamak discharges, these interactions impact both plasma rotation and tearing stability. Nonlinear coupling among neoclassical tearing modes of different n-number, with islands not satisfying the poloidal mode number selection criterion ⟨m, m('), m - m(')⟩, contributes to a reduction in core rotation and flow shear in the vicinity of the modes.

On the road to bioartificial organs

Biological organs are highly orchestrated systems with well-coordinated positioning, grouping, and interaction of different cell types within their specialized extracellular environment. Bioartificial organs are intended to be functional replacements of native organs generated through bioengineering techniques and hold the potential to alleviate donor organ shortage for transplantation. The development, production, and evaluation of such bioartificial organs require synergistic efforts of biology, material science, engineering, and medicine. In this review, we highlight the emerging platforms enabling structured assembly of multiple cell types into functional grafts and discuss recent advances and challenges in the development of bioartificial organs, including cell sources, in vitro organ culture, in vivo evaluation, and clinical considerations.

Effects of Parkinson's disease on optic flow perception for heading direction during navigation

Visuoperceptual disorders have been identified in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) and may affect the perception of optic flow for heading direction during navigation. Studies in healthy subjects have confirmed that heading direction can be determined by equalizing the optic flow speed (OS) between visual fields. The present study investigated the effects of PD on the use of optic flow for heading direction, walking parameters, and interlimb coordination during navigation, examining the contributions of OS and spatial frequency (dot density). Twelve individuals with PD without dementia, 18 age-matched normal control adults (NC), and 23 young control adults (YC) walked through a virtual hallway at about 0.8 m/s. The hallway was created by random dots on side walls. Three levels of OS (0.8, 1.2, and 1.8 m/s) and dot density (1, 2, and 3 dots/m(2)) were presented on one wall while on the other wall, OS and dot density were fixed at 0.8 m/s and 3 dots/m(2), respectively. Three-dimensional kinematic data were collected, and lateral drift, walking speed, stride frequency and length, and frequency, and phase relations between arms and legs were calculated. A significant linear effect was observed on lateral drift to the wall with lower OS for YC and NC, but not for PD. Compared to YC and NC, PD veered more to the left under OS and dot density conditions. The results suggest that healthy adults perceive optic flow for heading direction. Heading direction in PD may be more affected by the asymmetry of dopamine levels between the hemispheres and by motor lateralization as indexed by handedness.

Selective killing of lung cancer cells by miRNA-506 molecule through inhibiting NF-κB p65 to evoke reactive oxygen species generation and p53 activation

The tumor suppressor p53, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) have crucial roles in tumorigenesis, although the mechanisms of cross talk between these factors remain largely unknown. Here we report that miR-506 upregulation occurs in 83% of lung cancer patients (156 cases), and its expression highly correlates with ROS. Ectopic expression of miR-506 inhibits NF-κB p65 expression, induces ROS accumulation and then activates p53 to suppress lung cancer cell viability, but not in normal cells. Interestingly, p53 promotes miR-506 expression level, indicating that miR-506 mediates cross talk between p53, NF-κB p65 and ROS. Furthermore, we demonstrated that miR-506 mimics inhibited tumorigenesis in vivo, implicating that miR-506 might be a potential therapeutic molecule for selective killing of lung cancer cells.

Unprotected left main coronary artery disease after revascularization : effect of diabetes on patient outcomes

OBJECTIVE

It is unknown whether the effect of diabetes on patients with unprotected left main coronary artery (LMCA) disease differs according to the different revascularization strategies. This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of diabetes on patients with unprotected LMCA disease treated with either percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We prospectively enrolled 823 consecutive patients with unprotected LMCA disease who had drug-eluting stent (DES; n = 331) implantation or underwent CABG (n = 492) in the study. We compared the effects of diabetes on clinical outcomes according to different revascularization strategies.

RESULTS

Among 823 eligible patients enrolled, 226 had diabetes. In the DES population, no significant differences were observed in occurrences of death, cardiac death, repeat revascularization, stroke, and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events. However, the risks of the composite of death/myocardial infarction (MI)/stroke (21.5 % DM vs. 7.2 % non-DM; p = 0.001) and MI (15.4 % DM vs. 1.6 % non-DM; p = 0.000) were significantly higher in the diabetic patients than those without diabetes. In the CABG population, similar rates of all clinical endpoints were observed between the diabetic and nondiabetic group.

CONCLUSION

Diabetes was associated with worse outcome in patients undergoing DES implantation for the treatment of unprotected LMCA disease. However, its negative prognostic impact was not found among patients undergoing CABG.

3,22-Dioxa-11,14-diazapentacyclo[12.8.0.02,11.05,10.015,20]docosa-5(10),6,8,15(20),16,18-hexaene-4,21-dione

In the title compound, C₁₈H₁₄N₂O₄, the piperazine ring adopts a chair conformation and the dihedral angle between the aromatic rings is 13.09 (9)°. In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked along the c axis by C—H⋯π and N⋯π [H(N)–centroid distances = 2.8030 (2) and 3.376 (2) Å] inter­actions between neighbouring mol­ecules.

The effect of mesenchymal stem cells on dynamic changes of T cell subsets in experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are being explored extensively as a promising treatment for autoimmune diseases. We have recently reported that MSCs could ameliorate experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) in rats. In this study, we examined further the effects of MSCs on the dynamics of T cell subsets in both eye and spleen and their cytokine production during the course of EAU. We focused on when and where the MSCs had inhibitory effects on T helper type 1 (Th1) and Th17 cells and how long the inhibitory effect lasted, in order to provide more mechanistic evidence for MSCs on the treatment of uveitis. Compared to the control group, administration of MSCs decreased the production of Th1 and Th17 cytokines significantly, while the production of Th2 and regulatory T cell (T(reg)) cytokines [interleukin (IL)-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β] was elevated during the entire course of EAU. Correspondingly, the dynamic levels of IL-17 in the aqueous humour (AqH) were reduced in MSC-treated rats. Moreover, the ratio of Th17/T(reg) cells in both spleen and eye was decreased. These results provide powerful evidence that MSCs can regulate negatively both Th1 and Th17 responses and restore the balance of Th17/T(regs) in the whole course of EAU, which is important for the regression of the disease.

A novel clinical pharmacy management system in improving the rational drug use in department of general surgery

Hospital information system is widely used to improve work efficiency of hospitals in China. However, it is lack of the function providing pharmaceutical information service for clinical pharmacists. A novel clinical pharmacy management system developed by our hospital was introduced to improve the work efficiency of clinical pharmacists in our hospital and to carry out large sample statistical analyzes by providing pharmacy information services and promoting rational drug use. Clinical pharmacy management system was developed according to the actual situation. Taking prescription review in the department of general surgery as the example, work efficiency of clinical pharmacists, quality and qualified rates of prescriptions before and after utilizing clinical pharmacy management system were compared. Statistics of 48,562 outpatient and 5776 inpatient prescriptions of the general surgical department were analyzed. Qualified rates of both the inpatient and outpatient prescriptions of the general surgery department increased, and the use of antibiotics decreased. This system apparently improved work efficiency, standardized the level and accuracy of drug use, which will improve the rational drug use and pharmacy information service in our hospital. Meanwhile, utilization of prophylactic antibiotics for the aseptic operations also reduced.

Interaction of Sirt3 with OGG1 contributes to repair of mitochondrial DNA and protects from apoptotic cell death under oxidative stress

Sirtuin 3 (Sirt3), a major mitochondrial NAD(+)-dependent deacetylase, targets various mitochondrial proteins for lysine deacetylation and regulates important cellular functions such as energy metabolism, aging, and stress response. In this study, we identified the human 8-oxoguanine-DNA glycosylase 1 (OGG1), a DNA repair enzyme that excises 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG) from damaged genome, as a new target protein for Sirt3. We found that Sirt3 physically associated with OGG1 and deacetylated this DNA glycosylase and that deacetylation by Sirt3 prevented the degradation of the OGG1 protein and controlled its incision activity. We further showed that regulation of the acetylation and turnover of OGG1 by Sirt3 played a critical role in repairing mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage, protecting mitochondrial integrity, and preventing apoptotic cell death under oxidative stress. We observed that following ionizing radiation, human tumor cells with silencing of Sirt3 expression exhibited deteriorated oxidative damage of mtDNA, as measured by the accumulation of 8-oxoG and 4977 common deletion, and showed more severe mitochondrial dysfunction and underwent greater apoptosis in comparison with the cells without silencing of Sirt3 expression. The results reported here not only reveal a new function and mechanism for Sirt3 in defending the mitochondrial genome against oxidative damage and protecting from the genotoxic stress-induced apoptotic cell death but also provide evidence supporting a new mtDNA repair pathway.