BACKGROUND Sarcoidosis is a rare multisystem disease characterized histologically by noncaseating granuloma formation in the affected organ.While cardiac sarcoidosis is found on autopsy in up to 25%of sarcoidosis case...BACKGROUND Sarcoidosis is a rare multisystem disease characterized histologically by noncaseating granuloma formation in the affected organ.While cardiac sarcoidosis is found on autopsy in up to 25%of sarcoidosis cases,it is still underdiagnosed and is associated with a poor prognosis.Although the etiology of sarcoidosis remains unclear,an antigen triggered exaggerated immune response has been hypothesized.Early detection and prompt management of cardiac sarcoidosis remains pivotal.CASE SUMMARY A 60-year-old female,with pulmonary sarcoidosis in remission,presented to the cardiology outpatient clinic for evaluation of weeks-long dyspnea on moderate exertion(New York Heart Association class II)that was relieved by rest.Submaximal exercise stress test showed multifocal ventricular extrasystoles,followed by a self-limiting torsades de pointes.Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging showed nondilated and normotrophic left ventricle with basoseptal and mid-septal dyskinesis.The magnetic resonance imaging-derived left ventricular ejection fraction was 45%.Delayed enhancement showed patchy transmural fibrosis of the septum and hyperenhancement of the papillary muscles,all in favor of extensive cardiac involvement of sarcoidosis.A double-chamber implantable cardiac defibrillator was implanted,and methylprednisolone(12 mg/d)and methotrexate(12.5 mg/wk)treatment was initiated.Follow-up and implantable cardiac defibrillator interrogation showed episodes of asymptomatic nonsustained ventricular tachycardia and an asymptomatic episode of nonsustained ventricular tachycardia ending by the first antitachycardia pacing run.CONCLUSION Along an extensive review of the literature,this unusual case report highlights the importance of early detection of cardiac involvement of sarcoidosis,in order to avoid potential complications and increase survival.展开更多
BACKGROUND QT interval prolongation can induce torsades de pointes(TdP),a potentially fatal ventricular arrhythmia.Recently,an increasing number of non-cardiac drugs have been found to cause QT prolongation and/or TdP...BACKGROUND QT interval prolongation can induce torsades de pointes(TdP),a potentially fatal ventricular arrhythmia.Recently,an increasing number of non-cardiac drugs have been found to cause QT prolongation and/or TdP onset.Moreover,recent findings have demonstrated the key roles of systemic inflammatory activation and fever in promoting long-QT syndrome(LQTS)and TdP development.CASE SUMMARY A 30-year-old woman was admitted with a moderate to high-grade episodic fever for two weeks.The patient was administered with multiple antibiotics after hospitalization but still had repeating fever and markedly elevated C-reactive protein.Once after a high fever,the patient suddenly lost consciousness,and electrocardiogram(ECG)showed transient TdP onset after frequent premature ventricular contraction.The patient recovered sinus rhythm and consciousness spontaneously,and post-TdP ECG revealed a prolonged QTc interval of 560 ms.The patient’s clinical manifestations and unresponsiveness to the antibiotics led to the final diagnosis of adult-onset Still’s disease(AOSD).There was no evidence of cardiac involvement.After the AOSD diagnosis,discontinuation of antibiotics and immediate initiation of intravenous dexamethasone administration resulted in the normal temperature and QTc interval.The genetic analysis identified that the patient and her father had heterozygous mutations in KCNH2(c.1370C>T)and AKAP9(c.7725A>C).During the 2-year follow-up period,the patient had no recurrence of any arrhythmia and maintained normal QTc interval.CONCLUSION This case study highlights the risk of systemic inflammatory activation and antibiotic-induced TdP/LQTS onset.Genetic analysis should be considered to identify individuals at high risk of developing TdP.展开更多
Abstract： Loperamide is a common, over-the-counter, antidiarrheal medication that has been implicated in cases of ventricular tachycardia. A 32 year-old female patient with a history of opioid abuse and no prior hist...Abstract： Loperamide is a common, over-the-counter, antidiarrheal medication that has been implicated in cases of ventricular tachycardia. A 32 year-old female patient with a history of opioid abuse and no prior history of cardiovascular disease experienced Torsades de pointes. An electrocardiogram at the time of hospital presentation revealed a prolonged QT interval at 636 msec. Diagnostic evaluation was unremarkable for any underlying cardiovascular pathology. Further investigation revealed the patient had been taking 30-40 loperamide 2 mg tablets oral daily for 2 weeks prior to the onset of Torsades de pointes. At high doses, loperamide may prolong the QT interval through antagonism of the human ether-a-go-go potassium current, thus increasing the risk of ventricular arrhythmias. Clinicians should be cautious with administration of high doses of loperamide to all patients, especially patients at high risk for QT interval prolongation.展开更多
Background Torsade de pointes (TdP) is a form of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia featuring prolonged QT intervals. Female gender is associated with an increased risk of TdP. However, the causes of the sex differe...Background Torsade de pointes (TdP) is a form of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia featuring prolonged QT intervals. Female gender is associated with an increased risk of TdP. However, the causes of the sex difference in risk are poorly understood. Recently, transmural dispersion of repolarization (TDR) has been implicated in the genesis of TdP. Consequently, we compared TdP incidence and TDR between male and female rabbit hearts in order to investigate the mechanism of sex difference in TdP risk in rabbits in vitro. Methods By means of monophasic action potential recording techniques, the monophasic action potential of the epicardium, midmyocardium, and endocardium were simultaneously recorded using specially designed plunge-needle electrodes placed across the left ventricular free wall of both female (n=8) and male (n=8) rabbit hearts purfused by the Langendorff method. TdP was induced by bradycardia, d-sotalol, and low-K +, Mg 2+ Tyrode solution. Results TDR measurements in all three myocardial layers of male and female rabbit hearts were (18±2) ms and (21±2) ms, respectively (n=8, P>0.05). After perfusion with d-sotalol, the 90% monophasic action potential duration was prolonged in both male and femlae rabbits. TDR in male and female rabbit hearts increased to (29±2) ms and (61±2) ms, respectively, a difference that is significant. Eight female rabbit hearts had early afterdepolarization and 7 of them developed TdP. Seven male rabbit hearts had early after depolarization, but only one of these hearts developed TdP.Conclusion Greater TDR may play an important role in the higher incidence of TdP in female rabbit hearts.展开更多
3D laser scanning technology is widely used in underground openings for high-precision,rapid,and nondestructive structural evaluations.Segmenting large 3D point cloud datasets,particularly in coal mine roadways with m...3D laser scanning technology is widely used in underground openings for high-precision,rapid,and nondestructive structural evaluations.Segmenting large 3D point cloud datasets,particularly in coal mine roadways with multi-scale targets,remains challenging.This paper proposes an enhanced segmentation method integrating improved PointNet++with a coverage-voted strategy.The coverage-voted strategy reduces data while preserving multi-scale target topology.The segmentation is achieved using an enhanced PointNet++algorithm with a normalization preprocessing head,resulting in a 94%accuracy for common supporting components.Ablation experiments show that the preprocessing head and coverage strategies increase segmentation accuracy by 20%and 2%,respectively,and improve Intersection over Union(IoU)for bearing plate segmentation by 58%and 20%.The accuracy of the current pretraining segmentation model may be affected by variations in surface support components,but it can be readily enhanced through re-optimization with additional labeled point cloud data.This proposed method,combined with a previously developed machine learning model that links rock bolt load and the deformation field of its bearing plate,provides a robust technique for simultaneously measuring the load of multiple rock bolts in a single laser scan.展开更多
This paper is concerned with a class of nonlinear fractional differential equations with a disturbance parameter in the integral boundary conditions on the infinite interval.By using Guo-Krasnoselskii fixed point theo...This paper is concerned with a class of nonlinear fractional differential equations with a disturbance parameter in the integral boundary conditions on the infinite interval.By using Guo-Krasnoselskii fixed point theorem,fixed point index theory and the analytic technique,we give the bifurcation point of the parameter which divides the range of parameter for the existence of at least two,one and no positive solutions for the problem.And,by using a fixed point theorem of generalized concave operator and cone theory,we establish the maximum parameter interval for the existence of the unique positive solution for the problem and show that such a positive solution continuously depends on the parameter.In the end,some examples are given to illustrate our main results.展开更多
This paper studies high order compact finite volume methods on non-uniform meshes for one-dimensional elliptic and parabolic differential equations with the Robin boundary conditions.An explicit scheme and an implicit...This paper studies high order compact finite volume methods on non-uniform meshes for one-dimensional elliptic and parabolic differential equations with the Robin boundary conditions.An explicit scheme and an implicit scheme are obtained by discretizing the equivalent integral form of the equation.For the explicit scheme with nodal values,the algebraic system can be solved by the Thomas method.For the implicit scheme with both nodal values and their derivatives,the system can be implemented by a prediction-correction procedure,where in the correction stage,an implicit formula for recovering the nodal derivatives is introduced.Taking two point boundary value problem as an example,we prove that both the explicit and implicit schemes are convergent with fourth order accuracy with respect to some standard discrete norms using the energy method.Two numerical examples demonstrate the correctness and effectiveness of the schemes,as well as the indispensability of using non-uniform meshes.展开更多
The correlation between the Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity(SMOS)L-band brightness temperature and thin sea ice thickness has been widely exploited using semi-empirical retrieval approaches based on a single-tie poin...The correlation between the Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity(SMOS)L-band brightness temperature and thin sea ice thickness has been widely exploited using semi-empirical retrieval approaches based on a single-tie point(STP).However,due to pronounced spatial heterogeneity in seawater and sea ice properties across the Arctic,the use of an STP often leads to regionally biased.To address this limitation,this study proposes a multi-tie point(MTP)sea ice thickness retrieval method based on SMOS brightness temperature and sea ice concentration time series.Multiple seawater and sea ice tie-point values are identified through point-by-point time series analysis,quality control,and statistical hypothesis testing,allowing spatial variability in radiometric properties to be explicitly considered.The MTP-based retrieval is applied to Arctic freeze-up conditions.Validation against independent SMOS thin sea ice thickness products shows that the MTP approach yields significantly reduced bias and root mean square error compared with the conventional STP method,with statistically significant improvements confirmed by paired t-tests.While retrieval accuracy stabilizes beyond a certain number of tie points,the preprocessing cost associated with tie-point selection increases substantially.Considering both accuracy and efficiency,the MTP framework provides a practical and robust approach for large-scale Arctic thin sea ice thickness retrieval and enables improved characterization of regional freezing processes and maximum ice thickness.展开更多
"Give me 10 youths,and I will shake the world,"declared Soekarno,Indonesia's founding president.The sentiment might have been idealistic,but not false.History has never been driven by comfort,nor shaped ..."Give me 10 youths,and I will shake the world,"declared Soekarno,Indonesia's founding president.The sentiment might have been idealistic,but not false.History has never been driven by comfort,nor shaped solely by inheritance.Its most significant turning points have emerged from those with youth,conviction,and courage ingrained in them.Progress starts when young people not only dream but also take action.Sometimes,the boldest move is not to run towards the glow of cities,but to turn back-to one's soil,roots,and forgotten homeand help them flourish.展开更多
Neuromodulation techniques effectively intervene in cognitive function,holding considerable scientific and practical value in fields such as aerospace,medicine,life sciences,and brain research.These techniques utilize...Neuromodulation techniques effectively intervene in cognitive function,holding considerable scientific and practical value in fields such as aerospace,medicine,life sciences,and brain research.These techniques utilize electrical stimulation to directly or indirectly target specific brain regions,modulating neural activity and influencing broader brain networks,thereby regulating cognitive function.Regulating cognitive function involves an understanding of aspects such as perception,learning and memory,attention,spatial cognition,and physical function.To enhance the application of cognitive regulation in the general population,this paper reviews recent publications from the Web of Science to assess the advancements and challenges of invasive and non-invasive stimulation methods in modulating cognitive functions.This review covers various neuromodulation techniques for cognitive intervention,including deep brain stimulation,vagus nerve stimulation,and invasive methods using microelectrode arrays.The non-invasive techniques discussed include transcranial magnetic stimulation,transcranial direct current stimulation,transcranial alternating current stimulation,transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation,and time interference stimulation for activating deep targets.Invasive stimulation methods,which are ideal for studying the pathogenesis of neurological diseases,tend to cause greater trauma and have been less researched in the context of cognitive function regulation.Non-invasive methods,particularly newer transcranial stimulation techniques,are gentler and more appropriate for regulating cognitive functions in the general population.These include transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation using acupoints and time interference methods for activating deep targets.This paper also discusses current technical challenges and potential future breakthroughs in neuromodulation technology.It is recommended that neuromodulation techniques be combined with neural detection methods to better assess their effects and improve the accuracy of non-invasive neuromodulation.Additionally,researching closed-loop feedback neuromodulation methods is identified as a promising direction for future development.展开更多
History has never been driven by comfort,nor shaped solely by inheritance.Its most significant turning points have emerged from those with youth,conviction and courage ingrained in them.Progress starts when young peop...History has never been driven by comfort,nor shaped solely by inheritance.Its most significant turning points have emerged from those with youth,conviction and courage ingrained in them.Progress starts when young people not only dream but also take action.Sometimes,the boldest move is not to run towards the glow of cities,but to turn back-to one’s soil,roots and forgotten home-and help it to flourish.展开更多
Objective To investigate whether Tuina alleviates fibrotic symptoms in myofascial trigger points(MTrPs)by regulating transforming growth factor(TGF)-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway,thereby deactivating these points.Method...Objective To investigate whether Tuina alleviates fibrotic symptoms in myofascial trigger points(MTrPs)by regulating transforming growth factor(TGF)-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway,thereby deactivating these points.Methods This study comprised two experimental phases.In phase 1,27 specific pathogenfree(SPF)grade female Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were randomized into three groups:control 1,model 1,and Tuina 1 groups.Model 1 and Tuina 1 groups underwent an 8-week MTrPs modeling protocol involving blunt impact and eccentric exercise.After successful modeling,rats in Tuina 1 group received manual pressing on nodules or cord-like taut bands on the medial aspect of the left hindlimb.Pain sensitivity and tissue stiffness were evaluated via pressure pain threshold(PPT)and soft tissue tension(STT).Muscle histopathology and fibrosis were observed using hematoxylin and eosin(HE)and Masson staining.Inflammatory factors in muscle were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),while immunofluorescence(IF)and Western blot(WB)were used to detect the expression levels ofα-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),collagenⅢ,and TGF-β1.In phase 2,45 SPF female SD rats were randomized into five groups:control 2,model 2,Tuina 2,TGF-β1 inhibitor(TI),and Tuina+TGF-β1 agonist(Tuina+TA)groups.All groups except control 2 underwent standardized MTrPs modeling.Rats in Tuina 2 group received consistent pressing manipulation.TI group received intraperitoneal injections of oxymatrine,while Tuina+TA group received intraperitoneal injections of SRI-011381 hydrochloride followed by the same pressing protocol as Tuina 2 group.WB was used to detect the expression of collagen I,collagen III,TGF-β1,and phosphorylated-Smad3(p-Smad3)/Smad3.Results In phase 1,Tuina significantly improved PPT and STT in MTrPs of rats(P<0.01),reversed pathological damages including disorganized muscle fiber arrangement,abnormal myocyte morphology,and exacerbated fibrosis.In addition,in MTrPs of rats in model 1 group,expression levels of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells(NF-κB),interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-6,tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α,and fibrosis markers(α-SMA,collagen I,and collagen III)were upregulated,and all exhibited a significant downward trend after Tuina intervention(P<0.05 or P<0.01).This indicates that the therapeutic effects of Tuina are directly associated with reduced local inflammation and fibrosis in MTrPs.In phase 2,compared with model 2 group,rats in TI and Tuina 2 groups had decreased expression levels of TGF-β1 and p-Smad3/Smad3 in MTrPs,alongside reduced levels of inflammatory factors(IL-1β,IL-6,NF-κB,and TNF-α)and fibrosis markers(α-SMA,collagen I,and collagen III)(P<0.05 or P<0.01).When co-administered with TGF-β1 agonist,the therapeutic effects of Tuina were significantly attenuated,with rebounded TGF-β1 expression and p-Smad3/Smad3 in local MTrPs,and fibrosis and inflammatory responses were re-exacerbated(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusion Tuina can effectively reduce inflammatory responses and fibrosis in MTrPs tissue,and its mechanism is closely related to the inhibition of the TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway,which plays a critical role in Tuina-mediated regulation of MTrPs fibrosis.展开更多
Local residents,international artists and entrepreneurs are converging on Haikou’s historical Qilou Street,writing a new chapter of openness in Hainan More than 100 years ago,the area along Qilou(Sotto Portico)Street...Local residents,international artists and entrepreneurs are converging on Haikou’s historical Qilou Street,writing a new chapter of openness in Hainan More than 100 years ago,the area along Qilou(Sotto Portico)Street in Haikou,the capital of Hainan Province,served as the embarkation point for Hainanese setting out on their maritime voyages to seek greener pastures.展开更多
This study proposed a deep learning-based nanoindentation simulation method to address the challenge of obtaining the mechanical parameters of rock-forming minerals and the complexity of regression analysis.This appro...This study proposed a deep learning-based nanoindentation simulation method to address the challenge of obtaining the mechanical parameters of rock-forming minerals and the complexity of regression analysis.This approach enables the accurate assessment of rock-forming minerals'mechanical parameters.A material database of nanoindentation load-depth(P-h)curves was generated using the material point method(MPM)to characterize the mechanical behavior of major rock-forming minerals(quartz,albite,and muscovite)in sandstone.We used Bayesian hyperparameter optimization to determine the optimal hyperparameters for training a deep neural network(DNN).The trained DNN model accurately predicted the material parameters of rock-forming minerals using experimental nanoindentation P-h data.Numerical simulations of the uniaxial compression of heterogeneous sandstones were conducted using the predicted parameters to assess the sandstones’macro-mechanical characteristics.The research findings provide new insights into the fundamental mechanical behavior of heterogeneous rock materials.展开更多
Background:The medicinal material known as Os Draconis(Longgu)originates from fossilized remains of ancient mammals and is widely used in treating emotional and mental conditions.However,fossil resources are nonrenewa...Background:The medicinal material known as Os Draconis(Longgu)originates from fossilized remains of ancient mammals and is widely used in treating emotional and mental conditions.However,fossil resources are nonrenewable,and clinical demand is increasingly difficult to meet,leading to a proliferation of counterfeit products.During prolonged geological burial,static pressure from the surrounding strata severely compromises the microstructural integrity of osteons in Os Draconis,but Os Draconis still largely retains the structural features of mammalian bone.Methods:Using verified authentic Os Draconis samples over 10,000 years old as a baseline,this study summarizes the ultrastructural characteristics of genuine Os Draconis.Employing electron probe microanalysis and optical polarized light microscopy,we examined 28 batches of authentic Os Draconis and 31 batches of counterfeits to identify their ultrastructural differences.Key points for ultrastructural identification of Os Draconis were compiled,and a new identification approach was proposed based on these differences.Results:Authentic Os Draconis exhibited distinct ultrastructural markers:irregularly shaped osteons with traversing fissures,deformed/displaced Haversian canals,and secondary mineral infill(predominantly calcium carbonate).Counterfeits showed regular osteon arrangements,absent traversal fissures,and homogeneous hydroxyapatite composition.Lab-simulated samples lacked structural degradation features.EPMA confirmed calcium carbonate infill in fossilized Haversian canals,while elemental profiles differentiated lacunae types(void vs.mineral-packed).Conclusion:The study established ultrastructural criteria for authentic Os Draconis identification:osteon deformation,geological fissures penetrating bone units,and heterogenous mineral deposition.These features,unattainable in counterfeits or modern processed bones,provide a cost-effective,accurate identification method.This approach bridges gaps in TCM material standardization and supports quality control for clinical applications.展开更多
The strong connection between braids and knots provides valuable insights into studying the topological state and phase classification of various physical systems.The phenomenon of non-Hermitian(NH)two-and three-band ...The strong connection between braids and knots provides valuable insights into studying the topological state and phase classification of various physical systems.The phenomenon of non-Hermitian(NH)two-and three-band braiding has received widespread attention.However,a systematic exploration and visualization of non-Abelian braiding and the associated knot transformations in four-band systems remains unexplored.Here,we propose a theoretical model of NH four-band braiding,provide its phase diagram,and establish its trivial,Abelian,and non-Abelian braiding rules.Additionally,we report on special knots,such as the Hopf and Solomon links in braided knots,and reveal that their transformations are accompanied by and mediated through exceptional points.Our work provides a detailed case for studying NH multiband braiding and knot structures in four-band systems,which could offer insights for topological photonics and analog information processing applications.展开更多
Computing electrostatic interaction on non-cooperative targets with unknown meshes is crucial for electrostatic-based space on-orbit services.Although meshes for electrostatic interaction computations can be reconstru...Computing electrostatic interaction on non-cooperative targets with unknown meshes is crucial for electrostatic-based space on-orbit services.Although meshes for electrostatic interaction computations can be reconstructed from point clouds,they are usually too dense,leading to high computational costs.This paper presents an optimization method for converting dense meshes into optimal meshes,enabling fast and accurate computation of the electrostatic interaction by point clouds.First,the dense mesh reconstructed from point clouds is simplified into a coarse mesh using local operators.Second,the simplified mesh is refined by an iterative strategy that integrates a lightweight method of moments and an impedance matrix inheritance technique,ultimately yielding an optimal mesh for computing the electrostatic interaction.Simulation results show that our method effectively optimizes dense meshes,making electrostatic interaction computations using point clouds approximately 63.4 times more efficient than the previous method.展开更多
Evaluating rock mass quality using three-dimensional(3D)point clouds is crucial for discontinuity extraction and is widely applied in various industrial sectors.However,the utilization of this method in geological sur...Evaluating rock mass quality using three-dimensional(3D)point clouds is crucial for discontinuity extraction and is widely applied in various industrial sectors.However,the utilization of this method in geological surveys remains limited.Notable limitations of current research include the scarcity of validation using simple geometric shapes for discontinuity extraction methods,and the lack of studies that target both planar and linear discontinuity.To address these gaps,this study proposes a workflow for identifying discontinuity planes and traces in rock outcrops from photogrammetric 3D modeling,employing the Compass and Facets plugins in the open-source CloudCompare software.Prior to field application,the efficacy of the extraction methods was first evaluated using experimental datasets of a cube and an isosceles triangular prism generated under laboratory-controlled conditions.This validation demonstrated exceptional accuracy,with the dip and dip direction(DDD)of extracted structures consistently within±2°of the actual values.Following this rigorous laboratory validation,this methodology was applied to a more complex natural rock outcrop(Miocene–Pliocene deposits in Japan),demonstrating its applicability in realistic geological settings for identifying structures.The results showed that the dip and dip direction trends of the extracted bedding planes and faults were consistent with field measurements,achieving a time reduction of approximately 40%compared to traditional methods.In conclusion,through strictly controlled initial verification and subsequent successful application to a complex natural setting,this study confirmed that the proposed workflow can effectively and efficiently extract discontinuous geological structures from point clouds.展开更多
文摘BACKGROUND Sarcoidosis is a rare multisystem disease characterized histologically by noncaseating granuloma formation in the affected organ.While cardiac sarcoidosis is found on autopsy in up to 25%of sarcoidosis cases,it is still underdiagnosed and is associated with a poor prognosis.Although the etiology of sarcoidosis remains unclear,an antigen triggered exaggerated immune response has been hypothesized.Early detection and prompt management of cardiac sarcoidosis remains pivotal.CASE SUMMARY A 60-year-old female,with pulmonary sarcoidosis in remission,presented to the cardiology outpatient clinic for evaluation of weeks-long dyspnea on moderate exertion(New York Heart Association class II)that was relieved by rest.Submaximal exercise stress test showed multifocal ventricular extrasystoles,followed by a self-limiting torsades de pointes.Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging showed nondilated and normotrophic left ventricle with basoseptal and mid-septal dyskinesis.The magnetic resonance imaging-derived left ventricular ejection fraction was 45%.Delayed enhancement showed patchy transmural fibrosis of the septum and hyperenhancement of the papillary muscles,all in favor of extensive cardiac involvement of sarcoidosis.A double-chamber implantable cardiac defibrillator was implanted,and methylprednisolone(12 mg/d)and methotrexate(12.5 mg/wk)treatment was initiated.Follow-up and implantable cardiac defibrillator interrogation showed episodes of asymptomatic nonsustained ventricular tachycardia and an asymptomatic episode of nonsustained ventricular tachycardia ending by the first antitachycardia pacing run.CONCLUSION Along an extensive review of the literature,this unusual case report highlights the importance of early detection of cardiac involvement of sarcoidosis,in order to avoid potential complications and increase survival.
基金the Beijing Key Clinical Subject Program and Beijing Municipal Administration of Hospitals Incubating Program,No.PX2018002.
文摘BACKGROUND QT interval prolongation can induce torsades de pointes(TdP),a potentially fatal ventricular arrhythmia.Recently,an increasing number of non-cardiac drugs have been found to cause QT prolongation and/or TdP onset.Moreover,recent findings have demonstrated the key roles of systemic inflammatory activation and fever in promoting long-QT syndrome(LQTS)and TdP development.CASE SUMMARY A 30-year-old woman was admitted with a moderate to high-grade episodic fever for two weeks.The patient was administered with multiple antibiotics after hospitalization but still had repeating fever and markedly elevated C-reactive protein.Once after a high fever,the patient suddenly lost consciousness,and electrocardiogram(ECG)showed transient TdP onset after frequent premature ventricular contraction.The patient recovered sinus rhythm and consciousness spontaneously,and post-TdP ECG revealed a prolonged QTc interval of 560 ms.The patient’s clinical manifestations and unresponsiveness to the antibiotics led to the final diagnosis of adult-onset Still’s disease(AOSD).There was no evidence of cardiac involvement.After the AOSD diagnosis,discontinuation of antibiotics and immediate initiation of intravenous dexamethasone administration resulted in the normal temperature and QTc interval.The genetic analysis identified that the patient and her father had heterozygous mutations in KCNH2(c.1370C>T)and AKAP9(c.7725A>C).During the 2-year follow-up period,the patient had no recurrence of any arrhythmia and maintained normal QTc interval.CONCLUSION This case study highlights the risk of systemic inflammatory activation and antibiotic-induced TdP/LQTS onset.Genetic analysis should be considered to identify individuals at high risk of developing TdP.
文摘Abstract： Loperamide is a common, over-the-counter, antidiarrheal medication that has been implicated in cases of ventricular tachycardia. A 32 year-old female patient with a history of opioid abuse and no prior history of cardiovascular disease experienced Torsades de pointes. An electrocardiogram at the time of hospital presentation revealed a prolonged QT interval at 636 msec. Diagnostic evaluation was unremarkable for any underlying cardiovascular pathology. Further investigation revealed the patient had been taking 30-40 loperamide 2 mg tablets oral daily for 2 weeks prior to the onset of Torsades de pointes. At high doses, loperamide may prolong the QT interval through antagonism of the human ether-a-go-go potassium current, thus increasing the risk of ventricular arrhythmias. Clinicians should be cautious with administration of high doses of loperamide to all patients, especially patients at high risk for QT interval prolongation.
文摘Background Torsade de pointes (TdP) is a form of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia featuring prolonged QT intervals. Female gender is associated with an increased risk of TdP. However, the causes of the sex difference in risk are poorly understood. Recently, transmural dispersion of repolarization (TDR) has been implicated in the genesis of TdP. Consequently, we compared TdP incidence and TDR between male and female rabbit hearts in order to investigate the mechanism of sex difference in TdP risk in rabbits in vitro. Methods By means of monophasic action potential recording techniques, the monophasic action potential of the epicardium, midmyocardium, and endocardium were simultaneously recorded using specially designed plunge-needle electrodes placed across the left ventricular free wall of both female (n=8) and male (n=8) rabbit hearts purfused by the Langendorff method. TdP was induced by bradycardia, d-sotalol, and low-K +, Mg 2+ Tyrode solution. Results TDR measurements in all three myocardial layers of male and female rabbit hearts were (18±2) ms and (21±2) ms, respectively (n=8, P>0.05). After perfusion with d-sotalol, the 90% monophasic action potential duration was prolonged in both male and femlae rabbits. TDR in male and female rabbit hearts increased to (29±2) ms and (61±2) ms, respectively, a difference that is significant. Eight female rabbit hearts had early afterdepolarization and 7 of them developed TdP. Seven male rabbit hearts had early after depolarization, but only one of these hearts developed TdP.Conclusion Greater TDR may play an important role in the higher incidence of TdP in female rabbit hearts.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.52304139,52325403)the CCTEG Coal Mining Research Institute funding(Grant No.KCYJY-2024-MS-10).
文摘3D laser scanning technology is widely used in underground openings for high-precision,rapid,and nondestructive structural evaluations.Segmenting large 3D point cloud datasets,particularly in coal mine roadways with multi-scale targets,remains challenging.This paper proposes an enhanced segmentation method integrating improved PointNet++with a coverage-voted strategy.The coverage-voted strategy reduces data while preserving multi-scale target topology.The segmentation is achieved using an enhanced PointNet++algorithm with a normalization preprocessing head,resulting in a 94%accuracy for common supporting components.Ablation experiments show that the preprocessing head and coverage strategies increase segmentation accuracy by 20%and 2%,respectively,and improve Intersection over Union(IoU)for bearing plate segmentation by 58%and 20%.The accuracy of the current pretraining segmentation model may be affected by variations in surface support components,but it can be readily enhanced through re-optimization with additional labeled point cloud data.This proposed method,combined with a previously developed machine learning model that links rock bolt load and the deformation field of its bearing plate,provides a robust technique for simultaneously measuring the load of multiple rock bolts in a single laser scan.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(11361047)Fundamental Research Program of Shanxi Province(20210302124529)。
文摘This paper is concerned with a class of nonlinear fractional differential equations with a disturbance parameter in the integral boundary conditions on the infinite interval.By using Guo-Krasnoselskii fixed point theorem,fixed point index theory and the analytic technique,we give the bifurcation point of the parameter which divides the range of parameter for the existence of at least two,one and no positive solutions for the problem.And,by using a fixed point theorem of generalized concave operator and cone theory,we establish the maximum parameter interval for the existence of the unique positive solution for the problem and show that such a positive solution continuously depends on the parameter.In the end,some examples are given to illustrate our main results.
文摘This paper studies high order compact finite volume methods on non-uniform meshes for one-dimensional elliptic and parabolic differential equations with the Robin boundary conditions.An explicit scheme and an implicit scheme are obtained by discretizing the equivalent integral form of the equation.For the explicit scheme with nodal values,the algebraic system can be solved by the Thomas method.For the implicit scheme with both nodal values and their derivatives,the system can be implemented by a prediction-correction procedure,where in the correction stage,an implicit formula for recovering the nodal derivatives is introduced.Taking two point boundary value problem as an example,we prove that both the explicit and implicit schemes are convergent with fourth order accuracy with respect to some standard discrete norms using the energy method.Two numerical examples demonstrate the correctness and effectiveness of the schemes,as well as the indispensability of using non-uniform meshes.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(Grant nos.2023YFC2809103,2024YFC2813505)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(Grant nos.2042025kf0083,2042025gf0014)the Antarctic Zhongshan Ice and Space Environment National Observation and Research Station(Grant no.ZSNORS-20252702).
文摘The correlation between the Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity(SMOS)L-band brightness temperature and thin sea ice thickness has been widely exploited using semi-empirical retrieval approaches based on a single-tie point(STP).However,due to pronounced spatial heterogeneity in seawater and sea ice properties across the Arctic,the use of an STP often leads to regionally biased.To address this limitation,this study proposes a multi-tie point(MTP)sea ice thickness retrieval method based on SMOS brightness temperature and sea ice concentration time series.Multiple seawater and sea ice tie-point values are identified through point-by-point time series analysis,quality control,and statistical hypothesis testing,allowing spatial variability in radiometric properties to be explicitly considered.The MTP-based retrieval is applied to Arctic freeze-up conditions.Validation against independent SMOS thin sea ice thickness products shows that the MTP approach yields significantly reduced bias and root mean square error compared with the conventional STP method,with statistically significant improvements confirmed by paired t-tests.While retrieval accuracy stabilizes beyond a certain number of tie points,the preprocessing cost associated with tie-point selection increases substantially.Considering both accuracy and efficiency,the MTP framework provides a practical and robust approach for large-scale Arctic thin sea ice thickness retrieval and enables improved characterization of regional freezing processes and maximum ice thickness.
文摘"Give me 10 youths,and I will shake the world,"declared Soekarno,Indonesia's founding president.The sentiment might have been idealistic,but not false.History has never been driven by comfort,nor shaped solely by inheritance.Its most significant turning points have emerged from those with youth,conviction,and courage ingrained in them.Progress starts when young people not only dream but also take action.Sometimes,the boldest move is not to run towards the glow of cities,but to turn back-to one's soil,roots,and forgotten homeand help them flourish.
基金supported by STI 2030-Major Projects,No.2021ZD0201603(to JL)the Joint Foundation Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences,No.8091A170201(to JL)+1 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China,Nos.T2293730(to XC),T2293731(to XC),T2293734(to XC),62471291(to YW),62121003(to XC),61960206012(to XC),62333020(to XC),and 62171434(to XC)the National Key Research and Development Program of China,Nos.2022YFC2402501(to XC),2022YFB3205602(to XC).
文摘Neuromodulation techniques effectively intervene in cognitive function,holding considerable scientific and practical value in fields such as aerospace,medicine,life sciences,and brain research.These techniques utilize electrical stimulation to directly or indirectly target specific brain regions,modulating neural activity and influencing broader brain networks,thereby regulating cognitive function.Regulating cognitive function involves an understanding of aspects such as perception,learning and memory,attention,spatial cognition,and physical function.To enhance the application of cognitive regulation in the general population,this paper reviews recent publications from the Web of Science to assess the advancements and challenges of invasive and non-invasive stimulation methods in modulating cognitive functions.This review covers various neuromodulation techniques for cognitive intervention,including deep brain stimulation,vagus nerve stimulation,and invasive methods using microelectrode arrays.The non-invasive techniques discussed include transcranial magnetic stimulation,transcranial direct current stimulation,transcranial alternating current stimulation,transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation,and time interference stimulation for activating deep targets.Invasive stimulation methods,which are ideal for studying the pathogenesis of neurological diseases,tend to cause greater trauma and have been less researched in the context of cognitive function regulation.Non-invasive methods,particularly newer transcranial stimulation techniques,are gentler and more appropriate for regulating cognitive functions in the general population.These include transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation using acupoints and time interference methods for activating deep targets.This paper also discusses current technical challenges and potential future breakthroughs in neuromodulation technology.It is recommended that neuromodulation techniques be combined with neural detection methods to better assess their effects and improve the accuracy of non-invasive neuromodulation.Additionally,researching closed-loop feedback neuromodulation methods is identified as a promising direction for future development.
文摘History has never been driven by comfort,nor shaped solely by inheritance.Its most significant turning points have emerged from those with youth,conviction and courage ingrained in them.Progress starts when young people not only dream but also take action.Sometimes,the boldest move is not to run towards the glow of cities,but to turn back-to one’s soil,roots and forgotten home-and help it to flourish.
基金Natural Science Foundation of China(82274676 and 82374613)Program of Hunan Provincial Natural Science(2023JJ30458).
文摘Objective To investigate whether Tuina alleviates fibrotic symptoms in myofascial trigger points(MTrPs)by regulating transforming growth factor(TGF)-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway,thereby deactivating these points.Methods This study comprised two experimental phases.In phase 1,27 specific pathogenfree(SPF)grade female Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were randomized into three groups:control 1,model 1,and Tuina 1 groups.Model 1 and Tuina 1 groups underwent an 8-week MTrPs modeling protocol involving blunt impact and eccentric exercise.After successful modeling,rats in Tuina 1 group received manual pressing on nodules or cord-like taut bands on the medial aspect of the left hindlimb.Pain sensitivity and tissue stiffness were evaluated via pressure pain threshold(PPT)and soft tissue tension(STT).Muscle histopathology and fibrosis were observed using hematoxylin and eosin(HE)and Masson staining.Inflammatory factors in muscle were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),while immunofluorescence(IF)and Western blot(WB)were used to detect the expression levels ofα-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),collagenⅢ,and TGF-β1.In phase 2,45 SPF female SD rats were randomized into five groups:control 2,model 2,Tuina 2,TGF-β1 inhibitor(TI),and Tuina+TGF-β1 agonist(Tuina+TA)groups.All groups except control 2 underwent standardized MTrPs modeling.Rats in Tuina 2 group received consistent pressing manipulation.TI group received intraperitoneal injections of oxymatrine,while Tuina+TA group received intraperitoneal injections of SRI-011381 hydrochloride followed by the same pressing protocol as Tuina 2 group.WB was used to detect the expression of collagen I,collagen III,TGF-β1,and phosphorylated-Smad3(p-Smad3)/Smad3.Results In phase 1,Tuina significantly improved PPT and STT in MTrPs of rats(P<0.01),reversed pathological damages including disorganized muscle fiber arrangement,abnormal myocyte morphology,and exacerbated fibrosis.In addition,in MTrPs of rats in model 1 group,expression levels of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells(NF-κB),interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-6,tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α,and fibrosis markers(α-SMA,collagen I,and collagen III)were upregulated,and all exhibited a significant downward trend after Tuina intervention(P<0.05 or P<0.01).This indicates that the therapeutic effects of Tuina are directly associated with reduced local inflammation and fibrosis in MTrPs.In phase 2,compared with model 2 group,rats in TI and Tuina 2 groups had decreased expression levels of TGF-β1 and p-Smad3/Smad3 in MTrPs,alongside reduced levels of inflammatory factors(IL-1β,IL-6,NF-κB,and TNF-α)and fibrosis markers(α-SMA,collagen I,and collagen III)(P<0.05 or P<0.01).When co-administered with TGF-β1 agonist,the therapeutic effects of Tuina were significantly attenuated,with rebounded TGF-β1 expression and p-Smad3/Smad3 in local MTrPs,and fibrosis and inflammatory responses were re-exacerbated(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusion Tuina can effectively reduce inflammatory responses and fibrosis in MTrPs tissue,and its mechanism is closely related to the inhibition of the TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway,which plays a critical role in Tuina-mediated regulation of MTrPs fibrosis.
文摘Local residents,international artists and entrepreneurs are converging on Haikou’s historical Qilou Street,writing a new chapter of openness in Hainan More than 100 years ago,the area along Qilou(Sotto Portico)Street in Haikou,the capital of Hainan Province,served as the embarkation point for Hainanese setting out on their maritime voyages to seek greener pastures.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(Grant no.2023YFC3009005)the Chongqing Technology Innovation and Application Development Special Key Project(Grant no.CSTB2022TIAD-KPX0135)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(Grant no.2023CDJKYJH068).
文摘This study proposed a deep learning-based nanoindentation simulation method to address the challenge of obtaining the mechanical parameters of rock-forming minerals and the complexity of regression analysis.This approach enables the accurate assessment of rock-forming minerals'mechanical parameters.A material database of nanoindentation load-depth(P-h)curves was generated using the material point method(MPM)to characterize the mechanical behavior of major rock-forming minerals(quartz,albite,and muscovite)in sandstone.We used Bayesian hyperparameter optimization to determine the optimal hyperparameters for training a deep neural network(DNN).The trained DNN model accurately predicted the material parameters of rock-forming minerals using experimental nanoindentation P-h data.Numerical simulations of the uniaxial compression of heterogeneous sandstones were conducted using the predicted parameters to assess the sandstones’macro-mechanical characteristics.The research findings provide new insights into the fundamental mechanical behavior of heterogeneous rock materials.
基金supported by the Scientific and Technological Innovation Project of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences(CI2021A04013)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(82204610)+1 种基金the Qihang Talent Program(L2022046)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Public Welfare Research Institutes(ZZ15-YQ-041 and L2021029).
文摘Background:The medicinal material known as Os Draconis(Longgu)originates from fossilized remains of ancient mammals and is widely used in treating emotional and mental conditions.However,fossil resources are nonrenewable,and clinical demand is increasingly difficult to meet,leading to a proliferation of counterfeit products.During prolonged geological burial,static pressure from the surrounding strata severely compromises the microstructural integrity of osteons in Os Draconis,but Os Draconis still largely retains the structural features of mammalian bone.Methods:Using verified authentic Os Draconis samples over 10,000 years old as a baseline,this study summarizes the ultrastructural characteristics of genuine Os Draconis.Employing electron probe microanalysis and optical polarized light microscopy,we examined 28 batches of authentic Os Draconis and 31 batches of counterfeits to identify their ultrastructural differences.Key points for ultrastructural identification of Os Draconis were compiled,and a new identification approach was proposed based on these differences.Results:Authentic Os Draconis exhibited distinct ultrastructural markers:irregularly shaped osteons with traversing fissures,deformed/displaced Haversian canals,and secondary mineral infill(predominantly calcium carbonate).Counterfeits showed regular osteon arrangements,absent traversal fissures,and homogeneous hydroxyapatite composition.Lab-simulated samples lacked structural degradation features.EPMA confirmed calcium carbonate infill in fossilized Haversian canals,while elemental profiles differentiated lacunae types(void vs.mineral-packed).Conclusion:The study established ultrastructural criteria for authentic Os Draconis identification:osteon deformation,geological fissures penetrating bone units,and heterogenous mineral deposition.These features,unattainable in counterfeits or modern processed bones,provide a cost-effective,accurate identification method.This approach bridges gaps in TCM material standardization and supports quality control for clinical applications.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.62575099,62075059,61405058)Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation(Grant No.2024A1515011353)+2 种基金Open Project of the State Key Laboratory of Advanced Optical Communication Systems and Networks of China(Grant No.2024GZKF20)the Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province(Grant Nos.2020JJ4161 and 2017JJ2048)Scientific Research Foundation of Hunan Provincial Education Department(Grant No.21A0013)。
文摘The strong connection between braids and knots provides valuable insights into studying the topological state and phase classification of various physical systems.The phenomenon of non-Hermitian(NH)two-and three-band braiding has received widespread attention.However,a systematic exploration and visualization of non-Abelian braiding and the associated knot transformations in four-band systems remains unexplored.Here,we propose a theoretical model of NH four-band braiding,provide its phase diagram,and establish its trivial,Abelian,and non-Abelian braiding rules.Additionally,we report on special knots,such as the Hopf and Solomon links in braided knots,and reveal that their transformations are accompanied by and mediated through exceptional points.Our work provides a detailed case for studying NH multiband braiding and knot structures in four-band systems,which could offer insights for topological photonics and analog information processing applications.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.62003269).
文摘Computing electrostatic interaction on non-cooperative targets with unknown meshes is crucial for electrostatic-based space on-orbit services.Although meshes for electrostatic interaction computations can be reconstructed from point clouds,they are usually too dense,leading to high computational costs.This paper presents an optimization method for converting dense meshes into optimal meshes,enabling fast and accurate computation of the electrostatic interaction by point clouds.First,the dense mesh reconstructed from point clouds is simplified into a coarse mesh using local operators.Second,the simplified mesh is refined by an iterative strategy that integrates a lightweight method of moments and an impedance matrix inheritance technique,ultimately yielding an optimal mesh for computing the electrostatic interaction.Simulation results show that our method effectively optimizes dense meshes,making electrostatic interaction computations using point clouds approximately 63.4 times more efficient than the previous method.
文摘Evaluating rock mass quality using three-dimensional(3D)point clouds is crucial for discontinuity extraction and is widely applied in various industrial sectors.However,the utilization of this method in geological surveys remains limited.Notable limitations of current research include the scarcity of validation using simple geometric shapes for discontinuity extraction methods,and the lack of studies that target both planar and linear discontinuity.To address these gaps,this study proposes a workflow for identifying discontinuity planes and traces in rock outcrops from photogrammetric 3D modeling,employing the Compass and Facets plugins in the open-source CloudCompare software.Prior to field application,the efficacy of the extraction methods was first evaluated using experimental datasets of a cube and an isosceles triangular prism generated under laboratory-controlled conditions.This validation demonstrated exceptional accuracy,with the dip and dip direction(DDD)of extracted structures consistently within±2°of the actual values.Following this rigorous laboratory validation,this methodology was applied to a more complex natural rock outcrop(Miocene–Pliocene deposits in Japan),demonstrating its applicability in realistic geological settings for identifying structures.The results showed that the dip and dip direction trends of the extracted bedding planes and faults were consistent with field measurements,achieving a time reduction of approximately 40%compared to traditional methods.In conclusion,through strictly controlled initial verification and subsequent successful application to a complex natural setting,this study confirmed that the proposed workflow can effectively and efficiently extract discontinuous geological structures from point clouds.
