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With introduction of the first-order strain-gradient of surface micro-beams into the energy density function, we developed a two-dimensional dynamic model for a compound quartz crystal resonator (QCR) system, consisting of a QCR and surface micro-beam arrays. The frequency shift that was induced by micro-beams with consideration of strain-gradients is discussed in detail and some useful results are obtained, which have important significance in resonator design and applications.

ObjectiveTo investigate the serum protein targets of Qianggu Decoction (强骨饮, QGD) on treating osteoporosis by the proteomics analysis using tandem mass tag (TMT) and liquid chromatographytandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).MethodsTwenty serum protein samples were recruited (10 patients with primary type I osteoporosis before and after QGD treatment) and the high abundance ratios protein was removed, two serum samples were extracted and labeled with TMT reagent. Then, mass spectrometric detection, identification of differentially expressed proteins and bioinformatics analysis of differentially expressed proteins were carried out.ResultsA total of 60 proteins were identified, within a 99% confidence interval, to be differentially regulated of which, 34 proteins were up-regulated and 26 proteins were down-regulated. Differentially expressed proteins analyzed by Gene Ontology (GO) annotation mainly get involved in 12 different biological processes, 7 types of cellular components, and 6 kinds of molecular functions. Angiotensinogen (AGT), stromelysin-1 (MMP3), heparanase (HPSE) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) were screened as candidate protein targets of QGD treatment, which were related to metabolic mechanism of bone remodeling and/or bone collagen of osteoporosis. By the utilization of the protein-protein interaction network analysis tool named STRING10.0, it showed that AGT, MMP3, HPSE and GAPDH were located in the key node of the protein-protein interactions network. Furthermore, AGT, MMP3, HPSE and GAPDH were found to be directly related to BMP, MAPK, Wnt, SMAD and tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 11 (TNFSF11) families.ConclusionsThe proteomics analysis by using TMT combined with LC-MS/MS was a feasible method for screening the potential therapeutic targets associated with QGD treatment. It suggests that AGT, MMP3, HPSE and GAPDH may be candidate protein targets of QGD treatment which can be used as therapeutic effect monitor and early diagnosis of primary type I osteoporosis.

The dynamic characteristics of a quartz crystal resonator (QCR) in thickness-shear modes (TSM) with the upper surface covered by an array of micro-beams immersed in liquid are studied. The liquid is assumed to be inviscid and incompressible for simplicity. Dynamic equations of the coupled system are established. The added mass effect of liquid on micro-beams is discussed in detail. Characteristics of frequency shift are clarified for different liquid depths. Modal analysis shows that a drag effect of liquid has resulted in the change of phase of interaction (surface shear force), thus changing the system resonant frequency. The obtained results are useful in resonator design and applications.

Herpes zoster （HZ） is an acute virus infectious disease mainly affecting middle-aged and elderly people. The morbidity rates of HZ in the age group of 50-59 years and 60-69 years are, respectively, 46 and 69 （per year, per 10,000 people）. The age groups of 70-79 years and 80-89 years have a much higher rate of 95 and 109 （per year, per 10,000 people）, respectively.

Based on the analysis of the design of USB peripheral driver program under embedded Linux and considering of the hardware characteristics of USB interface of the Portable WSNs Node Tester, the USB interface drive program for the Portable WSNs Node Tester based on the embedded Linux was designed by the way of kernel module. The WSNs Node connected the Tester through the USB interface, information transmission between the Tester and the WSNs Node was successfully realized.

The hypnotic agent propofol is effective for the induction and maintenance of anesthesia. However, recent studies have shown that propofol administration is related to arrhythmias. Propofol displays both pro- and anti-arrhythmic effects in a concentration-dependent manner. Data indicate that propofol can convert supraventricular tachycardia and ventricular tachycardia and may inhibit the conduction system of the heart. The mechanism of the cardiac effects remains poorly defined and may involve ion channels, the autonomic nervous system and cardiac gap junctions. Specifically, sodium, calcium and potassium currents in cardiac cells are suppressed by clinically relevant concentrations of propofol. Propofol shortens the action potential duration （APD） but lessens the ischemia-induced decrease in the APD. Furthermore, propofol suppresses both sympathetic and parasympathetic tone and preserves gap junctions during ischemia. All of these effects cumulatively contribute to the antiarrhythmic and proarrhythmic properties of propofol.

Mitochondrial dysfunction is involved in numerous diseases and the aging process. The integrated stress response (ISR) serves as a critical adaptation mechanism to a variety of stresses, including those originating from mitochondria. By utilizing mass spectrometry-based cellular thermal shift assay (MS-CETSA), we uncovered that phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein 1 (PEBP1), also known as Raf kinase inhibitory protein (RKIP), is thermally stabilized by stresses which induce mitochondrial ISR. Depletion of PEBP1 impaired mitochondrial ISR activation by reducing eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α (eIF2α) phosphorylation and subsequent ISR gene expression, which was independent of PEBP1’s role in inhibiting the RAF/MEK/ERK pathway. Consistently, overexpression of PEBP1 potentiated ISR activation by heme-regulated inhibitor (HRI) kinase, the principal eIF2α kinase in the mitochondrial ISR pathway. Real-time interaction analysis using luminescence complementation in live cells revealed an interaction between PEBP1 and eIF2α, which was disrupted by eIF2α S51 phosphorylation. These findings suggest a role for PEBP1 in amplifying mitochondrial stress signals, thereby facilitating an effective cellular response to mitochondrial dysfunction. Therefore, PEBP1 may be a potential therapeutic target for diseases associated with mitochondrial dysfunction.

Background Circulating thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels within the normal reference range can affect the cardiovascular system. The present study investigated the prognostic value of normal TSH levels in patients presenting with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods Between January 2013 and July 2019, 1240 patients with AMI and normal thyroid function were enrolled and classified according to TSH tertile. The trial endpoint was all-cause mortality. The integrated discrimination index (IDI) and the net reclassification index (NRI) were used to assess the combined predictive values of the TSH levels and the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) scores. Results After a median 44.25-month follow-up, 195 individuals died. Even after covariate adjustment by multivariate Cox regression (HR: 1.56; 95% CI 1.08–2.25; P = 0.017), the patients in the third TSH tertile were at the highest risk of all-cause mortality. A subgroup analysis revealed significant interactions between the TSH levels and the GRACE scores (high risk vs. low/medium risk) (P = 0.019). The addition of the TSH levels to the GRACE scores substantially improved the prediction of all-cause mortality, especially for high-risk patients (NRI = 0.239; IDI = 0.044; C-statistic value range 0.649–0.691; all significant). Conclusions The third TSH tertile is associated with a higher incidence of all-cause mortality than the first TSH tertile in high-risk patients presenting with AMI after PCI.

The issue of air pollution has recently come to light due to rapid urbanization and population growth globally. Due to its impact on human health, such as causing lung and heart diseases, air quality monitoring is one of the main concerns. Improved air pollution forecasting techniques and systems are needed to minimize the human health impact. Systems that fall under the Internet of Things (IoT) topology have been developed to assess and track numerous air quality metrics. This paper presents a review of IoT systems for air quality measurements, where the emphasis is placed on systems with LTE/4G and LoRa communication capabilities. Firstly, an overview of the IoT monitoring system is provided with recent technologies in the market. A critical review is provided of IoT systems regarding air quality using LTE/4G and LoRa communications systems. Lastly, this paper presents a market analysis of commercial IoT devices in terms of the costs, availability of the device, particulate matter each device can measure, etc. A comparative study of these devices is also presented on LTE/4G and possibly LoRa communications systems.

MAY we appeal to all councillors and district board members to heed the Chief Secretary's belated call for compassion for the...