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In this paper, by using critical point theory, we study the infinitely many solutions of partial discrete Kirchhoff type problems. Moreover, we acquire some sufficient conditions for the existence of positive solutions to the boundary value problems by using the strong maximum principle. As far as we know, this is the research of partial discrete Kirchhoff type problems for the first time. Finally, our major results are explained with four examples.

Abstract The 2022 European LeukemiaNet (ELN) updated the previous risk classification published in 2017 but the prognostic significance for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) remains unclear. We enrolled 600 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients who underwent allo-HSCT to validate ELN-2022 genetic risk system and compared it with ELN-2017. There were 214 (35.67%), 162 (27.0%), and 224 (37.33%) patients in ELN-2022 favorable-, intermediate-, and adverse-risk group respectively and 86 patients (14.33%) experienced a shift in risk stratification compared to ELN-2017. Median and maximum follow-up time were 2.89 (95% CI 2.67 to 3.03) years and 8.78 years. The median overall survival (OS) was 73.8% (95% CI 67.5% to 80.3%), 63.9% (95% CI 56.7% to 72.0%) and 57.6% (95% CI 50.4% to 65.9%) in ELN-2022 favorable-, intermediate-, and adverse-risk group (P

The focus of this article is the examination of Volterra Fredholm Hammerstein type impulsive integro-dynamic systems, along with their corresponding fractional order systems, within the framework of a time scale domain that incorporates delays. The Banach Contraction Principle is employed to establish the existence and uniqueness of solutions for both types of problems. In order to address controllability in our proposed scenarios, we employ control functions and the Picard operator. We also verified the Hyers–Ulam stability using Grönwall's inequality on time scale. To demonstrate our findings, we include several illustrative examples.

Abstract Herein, we fabricated a flexible semidry electrode with excellent mechanical performance, satisfactory self‐adhesiveness, and low‐contact impedance using physical/chemical crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol/polyacrylamide dual‐network hydrogels (PVA/PAM DNHs) as an efficient saline reservoir. The resultant PVA/PAM DNHs showed admirable adhesive and compliance to the hairy scalp, facilitating the establishment of a robust electrode/skin interface for biopotential signal transmission. Moreover, the PVA/PAM DNHs steadily released trace saline onto the scalp to achieve the minimized potential drift (1.47 ± 0.39 mV/min) and low electrode–scalp impedance (18.2 ± 8.9 kΩ @ 10 Hz). More importantly, the application feasibility of real‐world brain−computer interfaces (BCIs) was preliminarily validated by 10 participants using two classic BCI paradigms. The mean temporal cross‐correlation coefficients between the semidry and wet electrodes in the eyes open/closed and the N200 speller paradigms are 0.919 ± 0.054 and 0.912 ± 0.050, respectively. Both electrodes demonstrate anticipated neuroelectrophysiological responses with similar patterns. This semidry electrode could also effectively capture robust P‐QRS‐T peaks during electrocardiogram recording. Considering their outstanding advantages of fast setup, user‐friendliness, and robust signals, the proposed PVA/PAM DNH‐based electrode is a promising alternative to wet electrodes in biopotential signal acquisition.

T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL)/T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma (T-LBL) is an uncommon but highly aggressive hematological malignancy. It has high recurrence and mortality rates and is challenging to treat. This study conducted bioinformatics analyses, compared genetic expression profiles of healthy controls with patients having T-ALL/T-LBL, and verified the results through serological indicators. Data were acquired from the GSE48558 dataset from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). T-ALL patients and normal T cells-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were investigated using the online analysis tool GEO2R in GEO, identifying 78 upregulated and 130 downregulated genes. Gene Ontology (GO) and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analyses of the top 10 DEGs showed enrichment in pathways linked to abnormal mitotic cell cycles, chromosomal instability, dysfunction of inflammatory mediators, and functional defects in T-cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and immune checkpoints. The DEGs were then validated by examining blood indices in samples obtained from patients, comparing the T-ALL/T-LBL group with the control group. Significant differences were observed in the levels of various blood components between T-ALL and T-LBL patients. These components include neutrophils, lymphocyte percentage, hemoglobin (HGB), total protein, globulin, erythropoietin (EPO) levels, thrombin time (TT), D-dimer (DD), and C-reactive protein (CRP). Additionally, there were significant differences in peripheral blood leukocyte count, absolute lymphocyte count, creatinine, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, folate, and thrombin times. The genes and pathways associated with T-LBL/T-ALL were identified, and peripheral blood HGB, EPO, TT, DD, and CRP were key molecular markers. This will assist the diagnosis of T-ALL/T-LBL, with applications for differential diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.

Abstract Limited numbers of available hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) limit the widespread use of HSC-based therapies. Expansion systems for functional heterogenous HSCs remain to be optimized. Here, we present a convenient strategy for human HSC expansion based on a biomimetic Microniche. After demonstrating the expansion of HSC from different sources, we find that our Microniche-based system expands the therapeutically attractive megakaryocyte-biased HSC. We demonstrate scalable HSC expansion by applying this strategy in a stirred bioreactor. Moreover, we identify that the functional human megakaryocyte-biased HSCs are enriched in the CD34+CD38-CD45RA-CD90+CD49f lowCD62L-CD133+ subpopulation. Specifically, the expansion of megakaryocyte-biased HSCs is supported by a biomimetic niche-like microenvironment, which generates a suitable cytokine milieu and supplies the appropriate physical scaffolding. Thus, beyond clarifying the existence and immuno-phenotype of human megakaryocyte-biased HSC, our study demonstrates a flexible human HSC expansion strategy that could help realize the strong clinical promise of HSC-based therapies.

In this article, we proposed several methods to solve the nonlinear fuzzy fractional differential equation. The methods include the fuzzy Adomian decomposition method (fuzzy ADM), fuzzy homotopy perturbation method (fuzzy HPM), fuzzy homotopy analysis method (fuzzy HAM), and fuzzy Laplace decomposition method (fuzzy LDM). Moreover, the comparisons between these methods are presented. The fuzzy LDM is the combined form of the fuzzy Laplace transform method and the fuzzy ADM. The proposed scheme finds the solutions without any discretization or restrictive assumptions and therefore, reduces the numerical computations to a great extent. The results show that the solutions obtained by the fuzzy LDM have a close agreement with the series solutions obtained with the help of the fuzzy ADM. Finally, we apply the fuzzy ADM and HAM to obtain the solutions of fuzzy multi-term linear and nonlinear fractional diffusion-wave equations. The techniques are investigated based on fuzzy Caputo’s fractional derivative. Applying the obtained methods to the fuzzy fractional diffusion-wave equations, we obtained several new results. Some illustrative numerical examples are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methods. The results reveal that the methods are very effective, convenient, and quite accurate mathematical tools for solving fuzzy fractional differential equations.

Objectives: Sysmex® XN series hematopoietic progenitor cell (XN-HPC) is a sensitive, fast, and economic analytical method for predicting the yields of peripheral blood stem cell enumeration and products, and does not require a sophisticated or expensive workflow. However, various studies have shown that the characteristics of its diagnostic performance were non-uniform.Methods: We performed a systematic inquiry using PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library, to comprehensively search for studies published before November 21, 2021. The pooled specificity (SPE), sensitivity (SEN), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), positive likelihood ratio (PLR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were summarized to appraise the diagnostic merit of XN-HPC. A forest plot was used to research the sensitivities and specificities of XN-HPC performance. Subgroup analysis was performed to investigate heterogeneity where of importance.Results: Our research included four studies that assessed the diagnostic performance of XN-HPC in hematopoietic progenitor cell collection. The pooled accuracy was 95.4% (95% CI, 94.3–96.3), SPE was 0.81 (95% CI, 0.71–0.88), SEN was 0.95 (95% CI, 0.75-0.99), NLR was 0.06 (95% CI, 0.01–0.37), PLR was 5.0 (95% CI, 3.0–8.5), DOR was 78 (95% CI, 9–707) and the summary of the area under the ROC was 0.90 (95% CI, 0.87–0.92). Forest plot of sensitivities and specificities from XN-HPC test accuracy studies indicated the existence of high heterogeneity. We deduced that the patients were the source of heterogeneity via subgroup analysis.Conclusions: XN-HPC is an excellent diagnostic marker for quantitative detection of peripheral blood hematopoietic progenitor cells.

Polyphenols, also known as phenolic compounds, are chemical substances containing aromatic rings as well as at least two hydroxyl groups. Natural phenolic compounds exist widely in plants, which protect plants from ultraviolet radiation and other insults. Phenolic compounds have superior pharmacological and nutritional properties (antimicrobial, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-sclerosis, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities), which have been paid more and more attention by the scientific community. Phenols can protect key cellular components from reactive free radical damage, which is mainly due to their property to activate antioxidant enzymes and alleviate oxidative stress and inflammation. It can also inhibit or isolate reactive oxygen species and transfer electrons to free radicals, thereby avoiding cell damage. It has a regulatory role in glucose metabolism, which has a promising prospect in the prevention and intervention of diabetes. It also prevents cardiovascular disease by regulating blood pressure and blood lipids. Polyphenols can inhibit cell proliferation by affecting Erk1/2, CDK, and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways. Polyphenols can function as enhancers of intrinsic defense systems, including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX). Simultaneously, they can modulate multiple proteins and transcription factors, making them promising candidates in the investigation of anti-cancer medications. This review focuses on multiple aspects of phenolic substances, including their natural origins, production process, disinfection activity, oxidative and anti-inflammatory functions, and the effects of different phenolic substances on tumors.

In this paper, the existence of positive periodic solution of stage-structured predator-prey model with Crowley-Martin type functional response is investigated. The prey population fall into two categories: mature and immature prey. The predator population is dependent only on mature prey and is influenced by Crowley-Martin type functional response. Based on the Mawhin's coincidence degree theory and nontrivial estimation techniques for a priori bounds of unknown solutions to the operator equation Fz=μNz, we prove the existence of positive periodic solution. Finally, the effectiveness of our result is verified by an example and numerical simulation.

In this paper, we consider a discrete non-autonomous Lotka-Volterra model. Under some assumptions, we prove the existence of positive almost periodic solutions. Our analysis relies on the exponential dichotomy for the difference equations and the Banach fixed point theorem. Furthermore, by constructing a Lyapunov function, the exponential convergence is proved. Finally, a numerical example illustrates the effectiveness of the results.

Abstract CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells have been used to treat patients with refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). However, approximately 50% of patients do not respond to this therapy. To improve the clinical outcome of these patients, it is necessary to develop strategies with other optimal targets to enable secondary or combinational CAR-T cell therapy. By screening a panel of surface antigens, we found that CD32b (FcγRIIb) was homogeneously expressed at high site density on tumor cells from CLL patients. We then developed a second-generation CAR construct targeting CD32b, and T cells transduced with the CD32 CAR efficiently eliminated the CD32b+ Raji leukemic cell line in vitro and in a mouse xenograft model. Furthermore, CD32b CAR-T cells showed cytotoxicity against primary human CLL cells that were cultured in vitro or transplanted into immunodeficient mice. The efficacy of CD32b CAR T cells correlated with the CD32b density on CLL cells. CD32b is not significantly expressed by non-B hematopoietic cells. Our study thus identifies CD32b as a potential target of CAR-T cell therapy for CLL, although further modification of the CAR construct with a safety mechanism may be required to minimize off-target toxicity.

In this paper, we consider a delayed stage-structured predator-prey model incorporating prey refuge with Holling type II functional response. It is assumed that prey can live in two different regions. One is the prey refuge and the other is the predatory region. Moreover, in real world application, we should consider the stage-structured model. It is assumed that the prey in the predatory region can divided by two stages: Mature predators and immature predators, and the immature predators have no ability to attack prey. Based on Mawhin’s coincidence degree and novel estimation techniques for a priori bounds of unknown solutions to Lu = λNu, some sufficient conditions for the existence of periodic solution is obtained. Finally, an example demonstrate the validity of our main results.

This paper studies the bifurcations of the exact solutions for the time–space fractional complex Ginzburg–Landau equation with parabolic law nonlinearity. Interestingly, for different parameters, there are different kinds of first integrals for the corresponding traveling wave systems. Using the method of dynamical systems, which is different from the previous works, we obtain the phase portraits of the the corresponding traveling wave systems. In addition, we derive the exact parametric representations of solitary wave solutions, periodic wave solutions, kink and anti-kink wave solutions, peakon solutions, periodic peakon solutions and compacton solutions under different parameter conditions.

In this paper, we present a comparison of several important methods to solve fuzzy partial differential equations (PDEs). These methods include the fuzzy reduced differential transform method (RDTM), fuzzy Adomian decomposition method (ADM), fuzzy Homotopy perturbation method (HPM), and fuzzy Homotopy analysis method (HAM). A distinguishing practical feature of these techniques is administered without the need to use discretion or restricted assumptions. Moreover, we investigate the fuzzy (n+1)-dimensional fractional RDTM to obtain the solutions of fuzzy fractional PDEs. The much more distinctive element of this method is that it requires no predetermined assumptions, and reduces the computational effort. We apply the suggested techniques to a set of initial valued problems and get approximate numerical solutions for linear and nonlinear time-fractional PDEs. It is demonstrated that the fuzzy (n+1)-dimensional fractional RDTM is both accurate and simple to use. The methods are based on gH-differentiability and fuzzy fractional derivatives. Some illustrative numerical examples are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed methods. The results show that the methods are powerful mathematical tools for solving fuzzy partial differential equations.

Herein we present a facile synthesis of the graphene oxide-decorated binary transition metal oxides of Bi2O3 and MnO2 nanocomposites (Bi2O3/MnO2/GO) and their applications in the voltammetric detection of lead ions (Pb2+) in water samples. The surface morphologies, crystal structures, electroactive surface area, and charge transferred resistance of the Bi2O3/MnO2/GO nanocomposites were investigated through the scanning electron microscopy (SEM), power X-ray diffraction (XRD), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques, respectively. The Bi2O3/MnO2/GO nanocomposites were further decorated onto the surface of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE), and Pb2+ was quantitatively analyzed by using square-wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV). We explored the effect of the analytical parameters, including deposition potential, deposition time, and solution pH, on the stripping peak current of Pb2+. The Bi2O3/MnO2/GO nanocomposites enlarged the electroactive surface area and reduced the charge transferred resistance by significant amounts. Moreover, the synergistic enhancement effect of MnO2, Bi2O3 and GO endowed Bi2O3/MnO2/GO/GCE with extraordinary electrocatalytic activity toward Pb2+ stripping. Under optimal conditions, the Bi2O3/MnO2/GO/GCE showed a broad linear detection range (0.01–10 μM) toward Pb2+ detection, with a low limit of detection (LOD, 2.0 nM). The proposed Bi2O3/MnO2/GO/GCE electrode achieved an accurate detection of Pb2+ in water with good recoveries (95.5–105%).

Abstract This paper considers a non-autonomous modified Leslie–Gower model with Holling type IV functional response and nonlinear prey harvesting. The permanence of the model is obtained, and sufficient conditions for the existence of a periodic solution are presented. Two examples and their simulations show the validity of our results.

In this article, we present the fuzzy Adomian decomposition method (ADM) and fuzzy modified Laplace decomposition method (MLDM) to obtain the solutions of fuzzy fractional Navier–Stokes equations in a tube under fuzzy fractional derivatives. We have looked at the turbulent flow of a viscous fluid in a tube, where the velocity field is a function of only one spatial coordinate, in addition to time being one of the dependent variables. Furthermore, we investigate the fuzzy Elzaki transform, and the fuzzy Elzaki decomposition method (EDM) applied to solving fuzzy linear-nonlinear Schrodinger differential equations. The proposed method worked perfectly without any need for linearization or discretization. Finally, we compared the fuzzy reduced differential transform method (RDTM) and fuzzy homotopy perturbation method (HPM) to solving fuzzy heat-like and wave-like equations with variable coefficients. The RDTM and HPM solutions are simpler than other already existing methods. Several examples are provided to illustrate the methods that have been offered. The results obtained using the scheme presented here agree well with the analytical solutions and the numerical results presented elsewhere. These studies are important in the context of the development of the theory of fuzzy partial differential equations.

Abstract In this paper, studies on the synchronization of fractional-order Takagi–Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy neural networks are performed. By employing a linear matrix inequality and constructing a skillful Lyapunov function, sufficient conditions are derived to guarantee that the master system synchronizes the slave system. Finally, an example and its simulations are presented to demonstrate the feasibility of the synchronization scheme.

This paper concerns the synchronization problem for a class of stochastic memristive neural networks with inertial term, linear coupling, and time-varying delay. Based on the interval parametric uncertainty theory, the stochastic inertial memristor-based neural networks (IMNNs for short) with linear coupling are transformed to a stochastic interval parametric uncertain system. Furthermore, by applying the Lyapunov stability theorem, the stochastic analysis approach, and the Halanay inequality, some sufficient conditions are obtained to realize synchronization in mean square. The established criteria show that stochastic perturbation is designed to ensure that the coupled IMNNs can be synchronized better by changing the state coefficients of stochastic perturbation. Finally, an illustrative example is presented to demonstrate the efficiency of the theoretical results.

In this paper, based on the dynamical system method, we obtain the exact parametric expressions of the travelling wave solutions of the Wu–Zhang system. Our approach is much different from the existing literature studies on the Wu–Zhang system. Moreover, we also study the fractional derivative of the Wu–Zhang system. Finally, by comparison between the integer-order Wu–Zhang system and the fractional-order Wu–Zhang system, we see that the phase portrait, nonzero equilibrium points, and the corresponding exact travelling wave solutions all depend on the derivative order α. Phase portraits and simulations are given to show the validity of the obtained solutions.

We consider a delayed prey–predator model incorporating a refuge with a non-monotone functional response. It is supposed that prey can live in the predatory region and prey refuge, respectively. Based on Mawhin’s coincidence degree and nontrivial estimation techniques for a priori bounds of unknown solutions to the operator equation Lv=λNv, we prove the existence of multiple periodic solutions. Finally, an example demonstrates the feasibility of our main results.

Titania/electro-reduced graphene oxide nanohybrids (TiO2/ErGO) were synthesized by the hydrolysis of titanium sulfate in graphene oxide suspension and in situ electrochemical reduction. It provides a facile and efficient method to obtain nanohybrids with TiO2 nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) uniformly coated by graphene nanoflakes. TiO2/ErGO nanohybrids were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, cyclic voltammogram, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in detail. Compared with pure ErGO and TiO2 NPs, TiO2/ErGO nanohybrids greatly enhanced the electrocatalytic activity and voltammetric response of Allura Red. In the concentration range of 0.5−5.0 μM, the anodic peak currents of Allura Red were linearly correlated to their concentrations. However, the linear relationship was changed to the semi-logarithmic relationship at a higher concentration region (5.0−800 μM). The detection limit (LOD) was 0.05 μM at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. The superior sensing performances of the proposed sensor can be ascribed to the synergistic effect between TiO2 NPs and ErGO, which provides a favorable microenvironment for the electrochemical oxidation of Allura Red. The proposed TiO2/ErGO/GCE showed good reproducibility and stability both in determination and in storage, and it can accurately detect the concentration of Allura Red in milk drinks, providing an efficient platform for the sensitive determination of Allura Red with high reliability, simplicity, and rapidness.

Based on the graph theory and stability theory of dynamical system, this paper studies the stability of the trivial solution of a coupled fractional-order system. Some sufficient conditions are obtained to guarantee the global stability of the trivial solution. Finally, a comparison between fractional-order system and integer-order system ends the paper.

In this study, we reported facile synthesis of Fe3O4/C composite and its application for the cost-effective and sensitive determination of tryptophan (Trp) in human serum samples. Fe3O4/C composites were prepared by a simple one-pot hydrothermal method followed by a mild calcination procedure, using FeCl3∙6H2O as Fe3O4 precursor, and glucose as reducing agent and carbon source simultaneously. The Fe3O4/C composite modified glassy carbon electrode (Fe3O4/C/GCE) was prepared by drop-casting method. The microstructure and morphology of Fe3O4/C composite was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. Due to large specific surface area and synergistic effect from Fe3O4 nanoparticles and carbon coating, Fe3O4/C composite showed excellent electrocatalytic activity toward the oxidation of Trp. As a result, the proposed Fe3O4/C/GCE displayed superior analytical performances toward Trp determination, with two wide detection ranges (1.0−80 μM and 80−800 μM) and a low detection limit (0.26 μM, S/N = 3). Moreover, successful detection of Trp in human serum samples further validate the practicability of the proposed sensor.

This study reports facile synthesis of MnO2 nanoflowers/N-doped reduced graphene oxide (MnO2NFs/NrGO) composite and its application on the simultaneous determination of dopamine (DA) and uric acid (UA). The microstructures, morphologies, and electrochemical performances of MnO2NFs/NrGO were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), respectively. The electrochemical experiments showed that the MnO2NFs/NrGO composites have the largest effective electroactive area and lowest charge transfer resistance. MnO2NFs/NrGO nanocomposites displayed superior catalytic capacity toward the electro-oxidation of DA and UA due to the synergistic effect from MnO2NFs and NrGO. The anodic peak currents of DA and UA increase linearly with their concentrations varying from 0.2 μM to 6.0 μM. However, the anodic peak currents of DA and UA are highly correlated to the Napierian logarithm of their concentrations ranging from 6.0 μM to 100 μM. The detection limits are 0.036 μM and 0.029 μM for DA and UA, respectively. Furthermore, the DA and UA levels of human serum samples were accurately detected by the proposed sensor. Combining with prominent advantages such as facile preparation, good sensitivity, and high selectivity, the proposed MnO2NFs/NrGO nanocomposites have become the most promising candidates for the simultaneous determination of DA and UA from various actual samples.

Various morphologies of iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe2O3 NPs), including cubic, thorhombic and discal shapes were synthesized by a facile meta-ion mediated hydrothermal route. To further improve the electrochemical sensing properties, discal Fe2O3 NPs with the highest electrocatalytic activity were coupled with graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets. The surface morphology, microstructures and electrochemical properties of the obtained Fe2O3 NPs and Fe2O3/GO nanohybrids were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. As expected, the electrochemical performances were found to be highly related to morphology. The discal Fe2O3 NPs coupled with GO showed remarkable electrocatalytic activity toward the oxidation of dopamine (DA) and uric acid (UA), due to their excellent synergistic effect. The electrochemical responses of both DA and UA were linear to their concentrations in the ranges of 0.02−10 μM and 10−100 μM, with very low limits of detection (LOD) of 3.2 nM and 2.5 nM for DA and UA, respectively. Moreover, the d-Fe2O3/GO nanohybrids showed good selectivity and reproducibility. The proposed d-Fe2O3/GO/GCE realized the simultaneous detection of DA and UA in human serum and urine samples with satisfactory recoveries.

The paper proves a unified analysis for finite-time anti-synchronization of a class of integer-order and fractional-order chaotic systems. We establish an effective controller to ensure that the chaotic system with unknown parameters achieves anti-synchronization in finite time under our controller. Then, we apply our results to the integer-order and fractional-order Lorenz system, respectively. Finally, numerical simulations are presented to show the feasibility of the proposed control scheme. At the same time, through the numerical simulation results, it is show that for the Lorenz chaotic system, when the order is greater, the more quickly is anti-synchronization achieved.

OBJECTIVES: Familial steroid-sensitive idiopathic nephrotic syndrome is rare, and only approximately 3% of patients have affected siblings. METHODS: Herein, we report seven cases of patients with steroid-sensitive idiopathic nephrotic syndrome from three Chinese families. Mutational screening of the Nphs2 gene was performed in all the patients. RESULTS: All seven of the familial steroid-sensitive idiopathic nephrotic syndrome cases in our sample exhibited minimal change disease, and one case also presented with mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis, according to the renal pathology. No significant was associations were found between Nphs2 gene mutations and the onset of proteinuria and nephrotic syndrome in these familial cases. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of minimal change disease is important, but it is not an unusual finding in patients with familial steroid-sensitive idiopathic nephrotic syndrome, which appears to be clinically benign and genetically distinct from other types of nephrosis.

The main purpose of this paper is to study the periodicity and global asymptotic stability of a generalized Lotka-Volterra’s competition system with delays. Some sufficient conditions are established for the existence and stability of periodic solution of such nonlinear differential equations. The approaches are based on Mawhin’s coincidence degree theory, matrix spectral theory, and Lyapunov functional.

The purpose of this paper is to obtain some sufficient conditions for the global existence of multiple positive periodic solutions of a delayed stage-structured plant-hare model with a toxin-determined functional response. Some novel estimation techniques to construct two open subsets for a priori bounds are employed.

This paper presents a linearization theorem for the impulsive differential equations when the linear system has ordinary dichotomy. We prove that when the linear impulsive system has ordinary dichotomy, the nonlinear system x˙(t)=A(t)x(t)+f(t,x), t≠tk, Δx(tk)=A~(tk)x(tk)+f~(tk,x), k∈ℤ, is topologically conjugated to x˙(t)=A(t)x(t), t≠tk, Δx(tk)=A~(tk)x(tk), k∈ℤ, where Δx(tk)=x(tk+)-x(tk-), x(tk-)=x(tk), represents the jump of the solution x(t) at t=tk. Finally, two examples are given to show the feasibility of our results.

This paper gives a version of Hartman-Grobman theorem for the impulsive differential equations. We assume that the linear impulsive system has a nonuniform exponential dichotomy. Under some suitable conditions, we proved that the nonlinear impulsive system is topologically conjugated to its linear system. Indeed, we do construct the topologically equivalent function (the transformation). Moreover, the method to prove the topological conjugacy is quite different from those in previous works (e.g., see Barreira and Valls, 2006).

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to introduce a novel, simple and effective technique for creating a reliable rabbit model of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) via a combination of periaortic calcium chloride (CaCl2) and elastase incubation. METHODS: Forty-eight New Zealand white rabbits were divided into four groups. The AAA model was developed via a 20-minute periaortic incubation of CaCl2 (0.5 mol/L) and elastase (1 Unit/µL) in a 1.5-cm aortic segment (Group CE). A single incubation of CaCl2 (Group C) or elastase (Group E) and a sham operation group (Sham Group) were used for the controls. Diameter was measured by serial digital subtraction angiography imaging on days 5, 15 and 30. Animals were sacrificed on day 5 and day 30 for histopathological and immunohistochemical studies. RESULTS: All animals in Group CE developed aneurysm, with an average dilation ratio of 65.3% ± 8.9% on day 5, 86.5% ± 28.7% on day 15 and 203.6% ± 39.1% on day 30. No aneurysm was found in Group C, and only one aneurysm was seen on day 5 in Group E. Group CE exhibited less intima-media thickness, endothelial recovery, elastin and smooth muscle cell (SMC) content, but stronger expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2, matrix metalloproteinase-9 and RAM11 compared to the controls. CONCLUSIONS: The novel rabbit model of AAA created by using a combination of periaortic CaCl2 and elastase incubation is simple and effective to perform and is valuable for elucidating AAA mechanisms and therapeutic interventions in experimental studies.

Based on the notion of generalized exponential dichotomy, this paper considers the topological decoupling problem between two kinds of nonlinear differential equations. The topological equivalent function is given.

This paper studies the spatio-temporal dynamics of a diffusive plant-sulphide model with toxicity delay. More specifically, the effects of discrete delay and distributed delay on the dynamics are explored, respectively. The deep analysis of eigenvalues indicates that both diffusion and delay can induce Hopf bifurcations. The normal form theory is used to set up an exact formula that determines the properties of Hopf bifurcation in a diffusive plant-sulphide model. A sufficiently small discrete delay does not affect the stability and a sufficiently large discrete delay destabilizes the system. Nonetheless, a sufficiently small or large distributed delay does not affect the stability. Both delays cause instability by inducing Hopf bifurcation rather than Turing bifurcation.

In current practice of bolt reaming and anchoring of roadways in soft coal and rock mass, resin cartridges bend easily under the strong pushing and stirring of bolts, and the resin accumulates in the bolt-reamed area and does not participate in the stirring. As a result, bolts encounter high drilling resistance and cannot reach the bottom of drillholes. The effective anchorage length is far less than the actual anchorage length. Bolts are not centered, and the shear is misaligned at the joint surface in the reaming area, which leads to cracking of the whole anchoring solid and large shear deformation of bolts. This study systematically analyzes the characteristics of roadway bolt reaming and anchoring. The influences of resin stirring force, bolt pull-out force, and reaming–anchoring solid strength on reaming–anchoring performance were analyzed theoretically. The main purpose is to develop a device that enhances reaming and anchoring. The mechanism through which the device strengthens the reaming–anchoring solid was analyzed theoretically. Numerical simulation and experiments were carried out to verify the improved performance of the small-pore reaming and anchoring using the proposed technology. The results showed that the stirring migration rate of the resin cartridge is greatly improved by adding the device to bolts. The reaction rate of the anchoring mixture, stirring pressure, pull-out force of the reaming and anchoring system, bolt concentricity, and shear and compressive strengths of the anchoring solid are also enhanced in the reaming area. This ensures that the resin cartridge in the reaming area is completely stirred, which greatly improves the shear resistance of the reaming–anchoring solid. Meanwhile, the drilling performance, torsional force, and stirring efficiency of bolts are maximized and prevail over those of conventional bolts.