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Background: The impact of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T mutation on the relationship between plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels and stroke has been extensively studied and documented in previous study. However, it remains unclear whether the MTHFR C677T mutation can affect the response to Hcy lowering treatment in stroke patients with hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy). Understanding the impact of genetic factors on treatment response can help optimize personalized treatment strategies for stroke patients with HHcy. We aimed to investigate the potential association between the MTHFR C677T gene polymorphisms and the effectiveness of Hcy lowering treatment using vitamin therapy in stroke patients with HHcy. Methods: The MTHFR C677T genotype polymorphisms were identified using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism, and the distribution of three genotypes in the MTHFR C677T gene locus was compared. The treatment effects of Hcy lowering agents were compared among patients with different genotypes. Results: Among the 320 stroke patients enrolled in the study, 258 (80.6%) were diagnosed with HHcy. Of these, 162 patients (Effective Group) responded well to the clinical Hcy lowering treatment, while 96 patients (Invalid Group) failed to achieve sufficient response even after taking combination supplements of folic acid, Vitamin B6, and methylcobalamin for one month. Significant differences were observed in terms of age (p < 0.001), hypertension (p = 0.034), dyslipidemia (p = 0.022), hyperuricemia (p = 0.013) and genotype distribution of MTHFR C677T gene polymorphism (p < 0.001) between the Invalid group and the Effective group. The multivariate regression analysis revealed that the T allele (odd rations [OR], 1.327; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.114–1.580; p = 0.0015) was independently associated with an insufficient Hcy lowering treatment effect. Additionally, the TT genotype was independently associated with insufficient response in both the codominant model (OR, 1.645; 95% CI, 1.093–2.476; p = 0.017) and the recessive model (TT versus CC + CT; OR, 1.529; 95% CI, 1.145–2.042; p = 0.004). However, no relationship was observed between CT + TT genotypes and poor treatment effect in the dominate model. Conclusions: Our findings suggested that the TT genotype and T allele of MTHFR C677T polymorphism were independently associated with an insufficient Hcy lowering treatment effect in stroke patients with HHcy.

BackgroundThe highly heterogeneous pathogenesis of depression and limited response to current antidepressants call for more objective evidence for depression subtypes. Reactive and endogenous depression are two etiologically distinct subtypes associated with different treatment responses. This study aims to explore the potential biomarkers that differentiate reactive and endogenous depressions.MethodsThe clinical manifestations and biological indicators of 64 unmedicated mild-to-moderate depression patients (32 reactive depression patients and 32 endogenous depression patients) and 21 healthy subjects were observed. The 24-item Hamilton rating scale for depression (HAMD-24) was used to evaluate the severity of depression. Serum levels of depression-related biological indicators were measured by using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsThe NLRP3 level of reactive depression was significantly lower than those of endogenous depression and healthy controls. There was a significant negative correlation between the BDNF level and the HAMD-24 total scores for patients with reactive depression.ConclusionOur findings suggested the serum NLRP3 and BDNF levels could be potential biomarkers for detecting and evaluating the severity of reactive depression.

Nonrelativistic energies and wave functions of the [1s.sup.2]2s2p [sup.3][P.sup.o] states of Be isoelectronic sequence (Z = 11-18) are calculated using the full core plus correlation method (FCPC). To obtain the accurate energy level, the relativistic corrections and mass polarization effect are included by using the first-order perturbation theory. The calculated excitation energies (relative to the [1s.sup.2][2s.sup.2] ground state) are compared with the experiment. Most of the calculated [sup.3][P.sup.o.sub.j] energies agree with the experiment to within a few inverse centimetres. The calculated hyperfine coupling constants are in good agreement with the latest theoretical data in the literature. Our results may provide valuable reference data for spectral analysis and identification in the future. Key words: Be-like ions, excitation energies, hyperfine structure, nonrelativistic energies, relativistic corrections. Resume : Nous utilisons le creur en entier plus la methode de correlations (FCPC) pour calculer les energies non relativistes et les fonctions d'onde des etats [1s.sup.2]2s2p [sup.3][P.sup.o] de la sequence (Z = 11-18) isoelectronique du Be. Afin d'obtenir des valeurs precises pour les niveaux d'energie, nous incluons les corrections relativistes et les effets de polarisation de masse au premier ordre de la theorie des perturbations. Les valeurs d'energie d'excitation calculees (relative au fondamental [1s.sup.2][2s.sup.2]) sont comparees aux valeurs experimentales et la plupart des energies [sup.3][P.sup.o.sub.j] calculees ne different des valeurs experimentales que de quelques [cm.sup.-1]. Les constantes de couplage hyperfin calculees sont en bon accord avec les plus recentes donnees theoriques dans la litterature. Nos resultats peuvent servir de reference interessante pour des analyses spectrales et des identifications dans le futur. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles: ions de type Be, energies d'excitation, structure hyperfine, energies non relativists, corrections relativists., 1. Introduction The low-lying excited states [1s.sup.2]2s2p [sup.3][P.sup.o] of Be-like ions, where two electrons are closed to the [1s.sup.2] core, is an ideal system for investigating hyperfine effects and testing [...]

The energies of the high-lying multi-excited states 1[s.sup.2]2s2pnl and 1[s.sup.2]2[p.sup.2]nl [sup.4][P.sup.e,o] (n [greater than or equal to] 2) for B-like [C.sup.+], [N.sup.2+], [F.sup.4+], and [Mg.sup.7+] ions are calculated using Rayleigh-Ritz variation method with multiconfiguration interaction, and the inclusion of mass polarization and relativistic corrections. The fine structure and hyperfine structure for these systems are investigated using first-order perturbation theory. The configuration structure of the high-lying multi-excited series is identified not only by energy, but also by its contribution to normalization of the angular spin components, and it is further tested by the addition of relativistic corrections and fine structure splittings. Transition wavelengths including the quantum electrodynamic effects and higher-order relativistic corrections are determined. Key words: B-like ions, transition wavelength, fine structure, QED corrections. Nous utilisons la methode variationnelle de Rayleigh-Ritz avec interaction multiconfigurationnelle, incluant la polarisation de masse et les corrections relativistes, pour calculer les energies elevees des etats multi-excites 1[s.sup.2]2s2pnl [sup.4][P.sup.e,o] (n > 2) pour les ions de type B, [C.sup.+], [N.sup.2+] et [Mg.sup.7+]. Nous etudions la structure fine et hyperfine de ces systemes a l'aide de la theorie des perturbations. La structure de configuration de ces etats eleves multi-excites est identifiee, non seulement par son energie, mais aussi par sa contribution a la normalisation des composantes de moment angulaire-spin et nous la testons par l'addition des corrections relativistes et les separations de structure fine. Nous determinons les longueurs d'onde de transition, incluant les effets d'electrodynamique quantique et les corrections relativistes d'ordre eleve. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles: ions de type B, longueur d'onde de transition, structure fine, corrections EDQ. PACS Nos.: 31.15.ac, 32.70.Cs, 31.15.aj, 31.30.jc., 1. Introduction The high-lying multi-excited states of B-like ions have high orbital, spin, and angular momentum quantum numbers and are therefore complex five-electron atomic systems. Studying these systems will help [...]

The energies, fine structure splittings, transition rates, and lifetimes of inner-shell excited sextet states 1s2s2[p.sup.2]nl, (n = 2-7; l = s, p, d) and 1s2[p.sup.3]3p of the boron isoelectronic sequence (Z = 8-13) are investigated using the multi-configuration Rayleigh-Ritz variation method. The mass polarization effect and relativistic corrections are included by first-order perturbation theory. Configuration structures of the high-n inner-shell excited sextet series [sup.6][S.sup.e,o](m) and [sup.6][P.sup.e,o](m) (m = 1-5) of boron-like [Na.sup.6+] ion are assigned. The wavelengths and transition rates of electric-dipole transitions between [sup.6][P.sup.e](m) and [sup.6][P.sup.o](m) (m = 1-5) states are calculated. The quantum electrodynamics (QED) effects and higher order relativistic corrections are also considered to obtain more accurate transition wavelengths. The predicted transition wavelengths agree well with the available theoretical and experimental data. The lifetimes for the inner-shell excited sextet states [sup.6][P.sup.e](m) (m = 1-5) are also reported and discussed with the increase of nuclear charge number, Z. These theoretical data are useful for the identification of spectral lines in experiments and the design of XUV and soft X-ray lasers. Key words: inner-shell excited state, energy level, lifetime, transition rate. Nous utilisons la methode variationnelle multi-configurations de Rayleigh-Ritz pour etudier les energies, les ecarts de structure fine, les taux de transition et les temps de vie des etats excites des sextets des couches internes 1s2s2[p.sup.2]nl, (n = 2-7 ; l = s, p, d) et 1s2[p.sup.3]3p de la sequence (Z = 8-13) iso-electronique du bore. L'effet de polarisation de masse et les corrections relativistes sont inclus dans un calcul de perturbation au premier ordre. Nous assignons les structures de configuration des series des sextets [sup.6][S.sup.e,o](m) et [sup.6][P.sup.e,o](m), (m = 1-5), des couches internes excitees de valeur elevee de n de l'ion [Na6.sup.+] de type bore. Nous calculons les longueurs d'onde et les taux des transitions dipolaires electriques entre les etats [sup.6][P.sup.e](m) et [sup.6][P.sup.o](m), (m = 1-5). Nous tenons compte des effets d'electrodynamique quantique (EDQ) et des corrections relativistes d'ordre eleve, afin d'obtenir des valeurs plus precises pour les longueurs d'onde de transition. Les longueurs d'onde ainsi predites sont en bon accord avec les donnees theoriques et experimentales disponibles. Nous presentons aussi les temps de vie des etats excites du sextet [sup.6][P.sup.e](m), (m = 1-5) et les analysons lorsqu'augmente la charge nucleaire Z. Ces donnees theoriques sont utiles pour l'identification de lignes spectrales dans les experiences et la conception de lasers XUV et X mous. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles: etat excite des couches internes, niveau d'energie, temps de vie, taux de transition. PACS Nos.: 31.15.A-, 31.15.ac, 31.10.+Z, 32.30.-r., 1. Introduction In recent years, inner-shell excited states have been of great interest because they are helpful to study the multi-electronic processes found in ion-atom interaction and also in multiple [...]

Codonopsis taxa, as a traditional Chinese medicinal and edible plant, has found expanding domestic and foreign applications in recent decades. However, the poor management in germplasm resources market has inevitably caused an unnecessary hybrid of the provenances. In order to clarify the hybrid characteristics of germplasm resources in the main production area, the Codonopsis cultivars collected from the provinces Gansu, Shannxi, Shanxi, and Hubei of China were researched, using internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence technology. The confirmation of additive nucleotides based on the ITS sequencing of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) mixture was optimized and used to study the hybrid of Codonopsis cultivars. The results showed that when the ratio of PCR mixture increased up to 15 percent, the presence of a double peak in the sequencing electrophoresis map could be confirmed, suggesting the existence of additive nucleotides. According to the method above, 46 samples of Codonopsis cultivars collected during 2016 and 2017 were studied and compared with the samples collected from the year 2009 to 2010. All of the samples collected during 2016 and 2017 were hybridized and no genetic pure lines were found. In addition, the sites of variable base reduced greatly, concentrating at positions 122 and/or 226. These phenomena suggested that the genetic diversity of Codonopsis cultivars declined and the germplasm resources gradually converged. More attention should be paid to the reasonable exploitation and genetic breeding of Codonopsis taxa.

Energies and Auger widths of high-lying doubly-excited states 1[s.sub.2]3lnl' (n = 3-6) for Be-like neon are calculated using a saddle-point variational method and saddle-point complex-rotation method. The relativistic corrections and mass polarization are obtained with first-order perturbation theory. The configuration structure of the high-lying doubly-excited series is checked by relativistic perturbation corrections. The oscillator strengths and radiative transition probabilities are also calculated. Our results of energies and Auger widths are compared with the available theoretical results in the literature. Auger channel energies are compared with those from high-resolution electron spectroscopy. Excellent agreement is obtained in each state. PACS Nos: 31.30jc, 32.80.Zb, 32.70.Cs, 31.10.+z Dans le cadre de la methode variationnelle du point selle et de la methode de rotation complexe du point selle, nous calculons les energies et largeurs Auger d'etats de haute energie doublement excites 1[s.sub.2]3lnl' (n = 3-6) des ions de neon de type Be. Nous calculons les corrections relativistes et la polarisation de masse a l'aide de la theorie des perturbations au premier ordre. Nous calculons aussi les forces d'oscillateur et les probabilites de transition radiative. Nos resultats sur les energies et les largeurs Auger sont compares aux donnees theoriques disponibles dans la litterature. Les energies des canaux Auger sont comparees avec les resultats de la spectroscopie electronique de haute precision. Nous observons un excellent accord pour chaque etat. [Traduit par la Redaction], 1. Introduction The high-lying doubly-excited states for Be-like ions, where two electrons are excited from the ground states and remain far away outside the closed 1[s.sub.2] core, are an ideal [...]

Energy levels, Auger branching ratios, and radiative rates of the core-excited states of B-like carbon are calculated by the saddle-point variation and saddle-point complex-rotation methods. Relativistic and mass polarization corrections are included using first-order perturbation theory. Calculated Auger channel energies and branching ratios are used to identify high-resolution Auger spectrum in the 300-keV C+ → CH4 collision experiment. It is found that Auger decay of these five-electron core-excited states gives significant contributions to Auger spectrum in the range of 238-280 eV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Byline: Zhe Luo, Fan Yu, Bing-Cong Chen In order to improve the crossing ability and the tractive performance of a vehicle operating on soft and wet terrain, the travelling mechanism must be properly designed and the adaptation ability to the changes of prevailing operation conditions is obviously needed. Based on the previous researches and developments of a wheeled air-cushion vehicle and a semi-walking wheeled air-cushion vehicle, a new hybrid vehicle that combines air-cushion technology with a travelling mechanism, i.e. a semi-tracked air-cushion (STAC) vehicle, has been developed. This paper proposed a new design principle for the semi-track air-cushion vehicle. A novel structure, i.e. a flexible joint mechanism as the prototype suspension system, is particularly described. Based on theoretical analysis, an optimisation model is established for minimising total power consumption. Experiments have been carried out to investigate the relationships among load distribution ratio, slip ratio, clearance height, vehicle speeds, resistances and power consumption in given terrain conditions. Experiment and simulation results showed that the developed vehicle can meet the demand of tractive and transport efficiency with its optimal state of using minimum total power consumption, and also satisfactory directional stability and ride comfort performances can be obtained.

By systematic Rayleigh–Ritz variation calculations, the energies are reported for the core-excited states 1s2s2p2 5P and 1s2p3 5So in the Be-like isoelectronic sequence (Z = 11–20). Energy corrections, including the restricted variational method, mass polarisation, and relativistic effect, are considered to improve the accuracy of energy. The oscillator strengths and transition wavelength between these states are also reported. Computational data on hyperfine structures presented in this paper are calculated for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary familial brain calcification (PFBC) is a rare neurodegenerative disorder with four causative genes (SLC20A2, PDGFRB, PDGFB, and XPR1) that have been identified. Here, we aim to describe the mutational spectrum of four causative genes in a series of 226 unrelated Chinese PFBC patients. Mutations in four causative genes were detected in 16.8% (38/226) of PFBC patients. SLC20A2 mutations accounted for 14.2% (32/226) of all patients. Mutations in the other three genes were relatively rare, accounting for 0.9% (2/226) of all patients, respectively. Clinically, 44.8% of genetically confirmed patients (probands and relatives) were considered symptomatic. The most frequent symptoms were chronic headache, followed by movement disorders and vertigo. Moreover, the total calcification score was significantly higher in the symptomatic group compared to the asymptomatic group. Functionally, we observed impaired phosphate transport induced by seven novel missense mutations in SLC20A2 and two novel mutations in XPR1. The mutation p.D164Y in XPR1 might result in low protein expression through an enhanced proteasome pathway. In conclusion, our study further confirms that mutations in SLC20A2 are the major cause of PFBC and provides additional evidence for the crucial roles of phosphate transport impairment in the pathogenies of PFBC. We made a genetic diagnosis in 16.8% of PFBC probands and identified 30 mutations; Mutations in SLC20A2 are the major cause of PFBC, while the other three genes are relatively rare; Our findings also strongly support crucial roles of phosphate transport impairment in the pathogenies of PFBC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the saddle-point variation and saddle-point complex-rotation methods, energies, radiative, and Auger rates are calculated for the doubly-excited states 1s23l4l′ of beryllium-like ions. The total wave function is expanded by the restricted variation method to saturate the functional space and improve the nonrelativistic energy. Relativistic corrections and mass polarization effects are taken into account by the first-order perturbation theory. The partial Auger rates for these states are studied. The calculated Auger electron energies are compared with the experimental results which are observed in high resolution electron spectroscopy. The total radiative rates and the total Auger rates for these doubly-excited states 1s23l4l′ in the beryllium-like ions are also analyzed along with the increase of atomic number Z. Calculated results show that the total Auger rates are several orders of magnitude larger than the total radiative rates for these low-Z systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The optimal photoacoustic probe design is the key to obtain highest imaging sensitivity in photoacoustic computed tomography. Two commonly used probe design types are dark- and bright-field designs. We proposed a design for photoacoustic probe called quasibright-field illumination and compared the performance of all three kinds of probes theoretically and experimentally. Our conclusion is that the proposed quasibright-field illumination photoacoustic probe is superior compared to the existing probe designs as demonstrated. However, each type of illumination should still have its own advantages under certain circumstances. The dark-field illumination is capable of minimizing surface interference signals and reducing their contributions to the background of deeper signals. Hence, it should perform better when imaging samples with high optical absorbance at the surface layer. The bright field may perform better under circumstance when phase distortion is less. We also designed and fabricated three kinds of probes using a single multimode optical fiber for laser energy delivery instead of fiber bundle. Single fiber probes are low cost, transmit laser energy efficiently, and are compact for easy handling. Thus, our study not only provides a method for probe design but also a guidance for cost-effective transducer array-based photoacoustic probe design and manufacturing in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Physics is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Physics is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Physics is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Coron et al applied batch technique to the fully homomorphic encryption scheme over the integers, which could ho-momorphicly process and encrypt a plaintext vector in a ciphertext and improved the efficiency of the original scheme. But it' s public-key size was Õ(λ8). In order to reduce the public-key size, combined with the quadratic forms of public key elements and the ciphertext compression technique, this paper presented a variant batch fully homomorphic encryption scheme over the integers, which the public-key size was Õ(λ8). The scheme had smaller public-key size. Finally, it proves that the scheme is semantically secure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energies for the multiexcited states 1s22s2pnl and 1s22p2nl 4 Pe,o ( n ≥ 2) of B-like oxygen are calculated using Rayleigh-Ritz variation method with configuration interaction. The mass polarization and relativistic corrections are obtained with first-order perturbation theory. Configuration structures of the high-lying multiexcited series are identified by energies and contribution to normalization of angular-spin components. These structures are further checked by calculations of relativistic corrections and fine structure splittings. Hyperfine parameters and hyperfine coupling constants are calculated for the first time. Wavelengths including quantum electrodynamic effect and higher-order relativistic corrections and lifetimes are also calculated. These results are compared with available results in the literature. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2012 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new hydraulic, water-lifting aerator was developed for ameliorating water quality. It aims at mixing lower and upper water bodies, controlling algae growth, increasing dissolved oxygen concentration in water and inhibiting the release of pollutants from sediments. This new device was applied to control the algae growth in surface water of the water source of Tianjin. It was found that the content of agrology chlorophyll-a was reduced by 13.96%, and the growth of algae was inhibited. In this paper, the theory and application conditions of this new device for controlling algae are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The variational method with mutilconfiguration interaction wave function is used to obtain the energies, fine structures, and hyperfine structures of high-lying core-excited quartet states 1s2lnl' 4Po(m) (m = 1–5) and 1s2pnp 4P(m) (m = 1–5) in Li-like N4+ and F6+ ions, including the mass polarization and relativistic corrections. Restricted variational method is carried out to extrapolate a better energy. The oscillator strengths, lifetime, wavelengths, fine structure, and hyperfine structure for this system are also investigated to compare with other theoretical and experimental data in the literature. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial effects on phosphorus release were studied for the sediments of Tianjin source water by controlling DO and pH. The results show that: (1) In sterilised water, phosphorus began to release when pH = 9.1 and the stable release rate was 9.51 mg/(d·m2). It indicates that microorganisms may utilise anaerobic iron respiration to release Fe-P. (2) With unsterilised water, phosphorus release rate is 2.14 mg/(d·m2) when pH = 6.5, 8.60 mg/(d·m2) when pH is uncontrolled, and gets to 8.51 mg/(d·m2) when pH = 9.1. This indicates that microorganisms can dissolve insoluble phosphates to accelerate the ion exchange of OH- and PO43-, which are derived from iron-bound ortho-P and aluminium-bound ortho-P. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Variational calculations are carried out with a multiconfiguration-interaction wave function to obtain the relativistic energies of the 1s2 2 ln l 1S(m)(n =2–6, m1–5) states for the beryllium isoelectronic sequence (Z =4–10). Relativistic corrections and the mass polarization effects are evaluated with the first-order perturbation theory. The identifications of the energy levels for 1s2 2 ln l 1S(m)(n =2–6, m1–5) states in the Be-like ions are reported. The oscillator strengths, transition rates and wavelengths are also calculated. The calculated results are compared with other theoretical and experimental data in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energies and fine-structure corrections for the doubly excited 3Pe and 3De states of the helium atom are calculated using the Rayleigh–Ritz variational method and the saddle-point variational method with a multiconfiguration-interaction function. The relativistic and mass polarization corrections are included. The oscillator strengths, transition rates, and wavelengths are also calculated. The doubly excited states are grouped into Rydberg series labeled by the quantum numbers K, T, and A to display the systematic regularity along the series. The results are compared with the theoretical and experimental data in the literature. PACS Nos.: 31.15.Pf, 31.25.Jf, 32.70.Cs [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we use numerical method to study the quantum effect of dynamical localization in a mesoscopic Josephson junction driven by a periodically external electromagnetic field. We find that the charge is localized effectively for the case when the ratio of the field magnitude and the field frequency is less than a certain value. In this case too the magnitude of the supercurrent remains a constant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A constant sound speed (i.e., 1540 m/s) is generally used in various ultrasound (US) and photoacoustic (PA) image reconstruction algorithms based on the assumption of a homogeneous sound speed in human tissue. However, the variation of the sound speed in human tissue can be as great as 10%, which can lead to low contrast, distortion, and blurring in reconstruction images. We proposed an automatic method of selecting the mean sound speed based on optimum focusing of received PA signals to enhance the quality of reconstructed PA images. Optimum focusing is quantified by calculating the minimum sum of the deviation of beamformed PA signals from their mean value for various sound speeds. The proposed method was demonstrated by homogeneous and heterogeneous sound speed simulation models, and also evaluated by experiments with agar and porcine tissue-mimicking phantoms. The central vertical and lateral profiles of reconstructed absorbers verified the improvement of contrast, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and spatial resolution by using the estimated mean sound speed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relativistic energies, fine structures, hyperfine structures, Auger rates and widths of the core-excited states for the Li isoelectronic sequence (Z = 10-20) are studied using the saddle-point variational method and the saddle-point complex-rotation method. The oscillator strengths, radiative rates, wavelengths and lifetimes are also reported. Properties such as fine-structure splitting, radiative and Auger rate regularly change along the Li isoelectronic sequence are discussed. The results are compared with other theoretical and experimental data in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper a relativistic many-body perturbation calculation is performed to calculate the hyperfine constants of the ground states for lithium-like isoelectronic sequence. Zeroth-order hyperfine constants are calculated with Dirac-Fock wavefunctions, and the finite basis sets of the Dirac-Fock equations are constructed by B splines. With the finite basis sets, the core polarization and the correlation effect are evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ischemic stroke (IS) is one of the main causes inducing death and disability in adults. Because of the high recurrence rate of IS, prevention of recurrence is of great significance to this population, for which the evidence-based and effective secondary prevention strategy is an important means, and acupuncture intervention has a positive effect on its risk factors. In the present article, we reviewed the progress of researches on the mechanisms of acupuncture underlying prevention of IS relapse from the perspective of its main risk factors, namely 1) hypertension (preventing and controlling the adverse effects caused by the imbalance of blood pressure level, vascular and other tissue structures, endocrine factors and central nervous system activities in patients with hypertension after IS), 2) hypercholesterolemia (lowering serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and raising high-density lipoprotein cholesterol), 3) diabetes (regulating the secretion function of adipose tissue, activating the insulin signal transduction pathway, protecting the function of pancreatic β cells, and regulating the central nervous system functions to participate in the secondary prevention of IS), 4) smoking (relieving the symptoms of smoking cessation and reducing the smoker's dependence on smoking by changing the internal environment, lowering the level of blood endorphin and regulating the excitability of central nervous system), 5) sleep apnea syndrome (regulating local muscle function and the excitability of the nervous system, but also affecting some organic changes as reducing tonsil swelling) and 6) obesity (lowering blood glucose and lipid, increasing the ratio of brown/white fat, reducing leptin resistance, and suppressing appetite to induce body weight loss, or directly regulate the changes of fat tissue, etc). Results shows that the acupuncture's regulatory mechanism for IS risk factors is closely related to the neuroendocrine system, and simultaneously involves multiple targets of multiple risk factors. Due to its good efficacy and safety, acupuncture therapy is of great value for clinical promotion as an important intervention for secondary prevention.

Background: The impact of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase ( MTHFR ) C677T mutation on the relationship between plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels and stroke has been extensively studied and documented in previous study. However, it remains unclear whether the MTHFR C677T mutation can affect the response to Hcy lowering treatment in stroke patients with hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy). Understanding the impact of genetic factors on treatment response can help optimize personalized treatment strategies for stroke patients with HHcy. We aimed to investigate the potential association between the MTHFR C677T gene polymorphisms and the effectiveness of Hcy lowering treatment using vitamin therapy in stroke patients with HHcy., Methods: The MTHFR C677T genotype polymorphisms were identified using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism, and the distribution of three genotypes in the MTHFR C677T gene locus was compared. The treatment effects of Hcy lowering agents were compared among patients with different genotypes., Results: Among the 320 stroke patients enrolled in the study, 258 (80.6%) were diagnosed with HHcy. Of these, 162 patients (Effective Group) responded well to the clinical Hcy lowering treatment, while 96 patients (Invalid Group) failed to achieve sufficient response even after taking combination supplements of folic acid, Vitamin B6, and methylcobalamin for one month. Significant differences were observed in terms of age ( p < 0.001), hypertension ( p = 0.034), dyslipidemia ( p = 0.022), hyperuricemia ( p = 0.013) and genotype distribution of MTHFR C677T gene polymorphism ( p < 0.001) between the Invalid group and the Effective group. The multivariate regression analysis revealed that the T allele (odd rations [OR], 1.327; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.114-1.580; p = 0.0015) was independently associated with an insufficient Hcy lowering treatment effect. Additionally, the TT genotype was independently associated with insufficient response in both the codominant model (OR, 1.645; 95% CI, 1.093-2.476; p = 0.017) and the recessive model ( TT versus CC + CT ; OR, 1.529; 95% CI, 1.145-2.042; p = 0.004). However, no relationship was observed between CT + TT genotypes and poor treatment effect in the dominate model., Conclusions: Our findings suggested that the TT genotype and T allele of MTHFR C677T polymorphism were independently associated with an insufficient Hcy lowering treatment effect in stroke patients with HHcy., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (© 2024 The Author(s). Published by IMR Press.)