Search

In the present study, the nonlinear bubble–plate interaction is investigated via boundary integral (BI) simulations with a particular focus on the effect of fluid–structure interaction (FSI). A series of experiments of electric discharge cavitation bubbles are also conducted to gain more physical insights. Good agreement between BI simulations and high-speed recordings is obtained. The effects of two geometrical parameters including the normalized stand-off distance γ and the plate-bubble size ratio θ (both scaled by the maximum bubble radius) are investigated systematically. We find four types of distinct bubble collapse patterns, namely, contacting jet that impacts the plate directly, non-contacting jet that impacts a layer of liquid, collision of two axial jets and no evident jet. A detailed phase diagram for the bubble collapse pattern is given in a large parameter space. Through the comparison of bubble dynamics near a movable and a fixed plate, the FSI effect is found to induce a significant increase in the jet impact velocity and the corresponding impact pressure. We also give a criterion condition for neglecting the FSI effect. Finally, we find two scaling laws for the plate motion with respect to γ , which can be explained using a semi-analytical model. • The transient fluid–structure interaction between a pulsating bubble and a movable plate is investigated. • Four types of distinct bubble collapse patterns are identified in a large parameter space. • The effect of FSI on the jet impact velocity and the structural pressure load is unveiled. • A criterion condition for neglecting FSI effect is given. • We find two scaling laws for the plate motion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Describes the new species of Batrachospermum from a mountain stream in Hubei Province, China. Varieties of the Chinese freshwater Rhodophyta; Details of the eleven taxa of the genus Batrachospermum; Characteristics of the species.

• Efficacy of glucocorticoid therapy in patients with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome depends on the severity of the disease. • Glucocorticoid treatment increased fatality in patients with mild disease. • Increased fatality was only observed in patients ≤65 years, male, and early admission. • Low-moderate glucocorticoids reduced fatality in critically ill patients. To determine whether glucocorticoids can improve clinical outcomes of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) patients, and how to identify patients who may benefit from the treatment. A retrospective study was performed to include patients with confirmed SFTS from designated hospitals. The effect of glucocorticoids in reducing case fatality rate (CFR) and improving clinical recovery was evaluated by multivariate logistic regression models. A total of 2478 eligible patients were analyzed, of whom 331 received glucocorticoids. An integrated parameter (L-index) based on Log 10 (lactate dehydrogenase*blood urea nitrogen/lymphocyte count) was constructed to discriminate disease severity. In patients with L-index >3.823 indicating severe SFTS, significantly reduced CFR was observed in patients receiving low-moderate glucocorticoid doses with ≤60 mg daily methylprednisolone or equivalent (odds ratio [OR] 0.46, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.23-0.88), but not in patients receiving high doses. In patients with L-index ≤3.823 indicating mild SFTS, glucocorticoid treatment was significantly associated with increased CFR (OR 3.34, 95% CI, 1.35-9.51), and mainly attributable to high-dose glucocorticoids (OR 2.83, 95% CI, 1.72-4.96). Disaggregated data analysis revealed a significant effect only in patients ≤65 years old, male, and early admission within 7 days after onset, but not in their counterparts. Glucocorticoids are not recommended for mild patients defined by L-index <3.823; however, patients with severe SFTS may benefit from low-moderate doses of glucocorticoids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peripheral painful neuropathy is one of the most common complications in diabetes and necessitates improved treatment. Fisetin, a naturally occurring flavonoid, has been reported to exert antidepressant-like effect in previous studies. As antidepressant drugs are employed clinically to treat neuropathic pain, this work aimed to investigate whether fisetin posses beneficial effect on diabetic neuropathic pain and explore the mechanism(s). We subjected mice to diabetes by a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of streptozotocin (200 mg/kg), and von Frey test or Hargreaves test was used to assess mechanical allodynia or thermal hyperalgesia, respectively. Chronic treatment of diabetic mice with fisetin not only ameliorated the established symptoms of thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia, but also arrested the development of neuropathic pain when given at low doses. Although chronic fisetin administration did not impact on the symptom of hyperglycemia in diabetic mice, it reduced exacerbated oxidative stress in tissues of spinal cord, dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and sciatic verve. Furthermore, the analgesic actions of fisetin were abolished by repetitive co-treatment with the reactive oxygen species (ROS) donor tert -butyl hydroperoxide ( t -BOOH), but potentiated by the ROS scavenger phenyl- N - tert -butylnitrone (PBN). Finally, acute blockade of spinal GABA A receptors by bicuculline totally counteracted such fisetin analgesia. These findings indicate that chronic fisetin treatment can delay or correct neuropathic hyperalgesia and allodynia in mice with type 1 diabetes. Mechanistically, the present fisetin analgesia may be associated with its antioxidant activity, and spinal GABA A receptors are likely rendered as downstream targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peripheral painful neuropathy is one of the most common complications in diabetes and necessitates improved treatment. Secoisolariciresinol diglycoside (SDG), a predominant lignan in flaxseed, has been shown in our previous studies to exert antidepressant-like effect. As antidepressant drugs are clinically used to treat chronic neuropathic pain, this work aimed to investigate the potential analgesic efficacy of SDG against diabetic neuropathic pain in a mouse model of type 1 diabetes. We subjected mice to diabetes by a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 200 mg/kg), and Hargreaves test or von Frey test was used to assess thermal hyperalgesia or mechanical allodynia, respectively. Chronic instead of acute SDG treatment (3, 10 or 30 mg/kg, p.o., twice per day for three weeks) ameliorated thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia in diabetic mice, and these analgesic actions persisted about three days when SDG treatment was terminated. Although chronic treatment of SDG to diabetic mice did not impact on the symptom of hyperglycemia, it greatly attenuated excessive oxidative stress in sciatic nerve and spinal cord tissues, and partially counteracted the condition of weight decrease. Furthermore, the analgesic actions of SDG were abolished by co-treatment with the reactive oxygen species donor tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BOOH), but potentiated by the reactive oxygen species scavenger phenyl-N-tert-butylnitrone (PBN). These findings indicate that chronic SDG treatment can correct neuropathic hyperalgesia and allodynia in mice with type 1 diabetes. Mechanistically, the analgesic actions of SDG in diabetic mice may be associated with its antioxidant activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]