Designing an optical frequency comb generator for visible light communication applications

<p>The optical frequency comb generator (OFCG) is an efficient optoelectronic device that is included in many important applications over a various field such as microwave and optical communication. A novel scheme of OFCG presented in this work for visible light communication application based on amplitude modulation, radio frequency (RF) signal, phase shift and two Mach-Zehnder modulators (MZMs), our design features are simple with more efficient power and premium flatness of comb lines, the number of generating frequencies lines was 64 with a power stronger than -2 dBm over a 340 GHz bandwidth from a single continuous laser diode. Different chirping factor (α) of MZMs are implemented (3, 5, 7), as the results the best results related to α=5 with extra flatness, the system was designed and simulated by VPI design suite 9.8.</p>

Human endothelial cells display a rapid and fluid flow dependent tensional stress increase in response to tumor necrosis factor-α

As endothelial cells form the inner layer of blood vessels they display the first barrier to interstitial tissues, which results in a crucial role for inflammation. On the global, systemic level an important element of the complex process controlling the inflammatory response is the release of the cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). While other pro-inflammatory agents like thrombin or histamine are known to induce acute but transient changes in endothelial cells which have been well studied biologically as well as mechanically, TNF-α is primarily known for its sustained effects on permeability and leukocyte recruitment. These functions are associated with transcriptional changes that take place on the timescale of hours and days. Here we show that already 4 minutes after the addition of TNF-α onto monolayers of human umbilical vein endothelial cells, a striking rise in mechanical substrate traction force and internal monolayer tension can be recorded. As expected, the traction forces act primarily at the boundary of the monolayer. While the traction forces increase monotonically during the initial cellular response, we find that the internal monolayer tension displays a rapid peak that can be abolished when applying a shear flow to the cells. The increased internal monolayer tension may provide a mechanical signal for the cells to prepare for the recruitment of leukocytes, additionally to the well studied biochemical response.

Protective Effects of Honey-Processed Astragalus on Liver Injury and Gut Microbiota in Mice Induced by Chronic Alcohol Intake

Honey-processed Astragalus (HPA) is a mixture of Astragalus and honey, which is a processed product of Chinese medicine. It has the active ingredients of Astragalus and the unique effects of honey. However, the mechanism of HPA for improving alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is not clear. The purpose of this study is to explore the ameliorating effect and mechanism of HPA (4 and 8 g/kg bw) on alcoholic liver injury. Two doses of HPA were orally administered to alcohol-treated mice for four weeks. The results showed that HPA could effectively reduce triglycerides (TG) by 59% and free fat acid (FFA) and total cholesterol (TC) in serum and hepatic were reduced by least 25.9%. HPA could cause a decrease in serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) from 0.145 mM to 0.117 mM, and the serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was increased. After alcohol-treated mice were supplemented with HPA, antioxidant markers (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), and Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px)), liver function index (alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP)), proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β)), and liver tissue were all significantly improved. This is related to the fact that HPA can promote the expression of oxidative stress-related genes and inhibit the expression of inflammation-related genes. In addition, HPA could also regulate the disturbance of the intestinal microflora. In general, HPA could significantly improve the accumulation of serum and liver lipids caused by alcohol and the imbalance of intestinal flora in mice. It could also improve liver function, oxidative stress, and inflammation.

Increased Circulating PD-1 hi CXCR5 – Peripheral T Helper Cells are Associated with Disease Activity of ANCA-Associated Vasculitis

Newly identified PD-1 hiCXCR5 –CD4 + T cells, termed as peripheral helper T cells (Tph), have been found elevated and playing pathogenic role in some autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatic arthritis (RA). However, the potential role of Tph cells in Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) remains unclear. Here, we explored the potential clinical significance of circulating Tph cells in the pathogenesis of AAV. Comparing 32 active AAV patients and 18 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs), we found that the frequency of circulating Tph cells was significantly expanded in active AAV patients. Besides, programmed death 1 (PD-1) expression on the surface of Tph cells was significantly up-regulated in active AAV patients. Importantly, the frequency of circulating Tph cells was greatly decreased in AAV patients after receiving treatment. Tph cells frequency was positively correlated with the Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS), C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and cellular crescent in active AAV patients, but negatively correlated with fibrosus crescent. Tph cells frequency was also positively correlated with naïve B cells, serum concentration of MPO-ANCAs, serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-4, IL-21 and IL-12. However, serum IL-10 exhibited negative correlation with circulating Tph cells in active AAV patients. These results demonstrated that circulating Tph cells are greatly expanded in active AAV patients and are positively associated with serum MPO-ANCAs and disease activity, thus contributing to the pathogenesis of AAV.

Low Levels of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α will Prevent Periodontitis Exacerbation in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Objectives Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major risk factor for periodontitis. Susceptibility to periodontitis increases approximately three times in people with DM. There is a clear relationship between the degree of hyperglycemia and the severity of periodontitis. This study aimed to analyze the reduction of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in diabetics who came for periodontitis examination to prevent exacerbations. Materials and Methods This was an analytic observational study using a cross-sectional approach at health centers in Surabaya, Indonesia. Measurement of periodontal status used the community periodontal index of treatment needs by measuring bleeding at probing and pocket depth. TNF-α was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and behavior and lifestyle using a questionnaire. Statistical Analysis The Kolmogorov–Smirnov test was performed to identify data normality (p < 0.05). A nonparametric test was used to measure the degree of association between different characteristics and the incidence of periodontitis in type 2 DM patients with and without periodontitis. Spearman's test was done to examine the correlation between TNF-α level and severity of periodontitis in diabetics. The significant level was at p <0.05. Results There was a correlation between age, predisposing factors, reinforcing factors, drug consumption, and TNF-α levels in patients with type 2 DM and the incidence of periodontitis. Conclusions Poor glycemic control can induce oxidative stress on the gingiva, thereby aggravating damage to periodontal tissue. An important factor in preventing periodontitis for type 2 DM patients is controlling blood sugar levels through regular consumption of drugs and regular maintenance of oral cavity health. Knowledge is a predisposing factor that affects adherence of people with type 2 DM to consuming drugs regularly, which can be strengthened by family support. These will ultimately play a role in reducing TNF-α levels.

Loss of the Protective Effect of Estrogen Contributes to Maternal Gestational Hypertension‐Induced Hypertensive Response Sensitization Elicited by Postweaning High‐Fat Diet in Female Offspring

Background A recent study conducted in male offspring demonstrated that maternal gestational hypertension (MHT) induces hypertensive response sensitization (HTRS) elicited by postweaning high‐fat diet (HFD). In this study, we investigated the sensitizing effect of MHT on postweaning HFD‐induced hypertensive response in female rat offspring and assessed the protective role of estrogen in HTRS. Methods and Results The results showed that MHT also induced a sensitized HFD‐elicited hypertensive response in intact female offspring. However, compared with male offspring, this MHT‐induced HTRS was sex specific in that intact female offspring exhibited an attenuated increase in blood pressure. Ovariectomy significantly enhanced the HFD‐induced increase in blood pressure and the pressor response to centrally administered angiotensin II or tumor necrosis factor‐α in offspring of normotensive dams, which was accompanied by elevated centrally driven sympathetic activity, upregulated mRNA expression of prohypertensive components, and downregulated expression of antihypertensive components in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus. However, when compared with HFD‐fed ovariectomized offspring of normotensive dams, the MHT‐induced HTRS and pressor responses to centrally administered angiotensin II or tumor necrosis factor‐α in HFD‐fed intact offspring of MHT dams were not potentiated by ovariectomy, but the blood pressure and elicited pressor responses as well as central sympathetic tone remained higher. Conclusions The results indicate that in adult female offspring MHT induced HTRS elicited by HFD. Estrogen normally plays a protective role in antagonizing HFD prohypertensive effects, and MHT compromises this normal protective action of estrogen by augmenting brain reactivity and centrally driven sympathetic activity.

Korelasi antara High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein dengan Kadar Glukosa Darah dan Profil Lipid pada Mahasiswa Obesitas Fakultas Farmasi Universitas Pancasila

Obesitas merupakan keadaan dimana terjadi ketidaknormalan atau kelebihan akumulasi lemak dalam tubuh yang disimpan dalam jaringan adiposa. Keadaan obesitas akan mempengaruhi sekresi adiponektin. C-reactive protein merupakan suatu globulin yang disintesis oleh hepatosit, produksi CRP ini diinduksi oleh interleukin-6, interleukin-1 dan tumor necrosis factor α, yang kemudian akan disekresi ke dalam darah. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui hubungan antara inflamasi dengan gangguan metabolisme karbohidrat dan metabolisme lipid serta mendapatkan data kadar High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein sebagai penanda inflamasi, Kadar glukosa darah untuk menilai gangguan metabolisme glukosa, sedangkan kolesterol, trigliserida, LDL untuk menilai gangguan metabolisme lipid dan mengetahui hubungan antara High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein dengan glukosa darah dan profil lipid (kolesterol total, trigliserida dan LDL) pada mahasiswa obesitas Fakultas Farmasi Universitas Pancasila. Penelitian ini dilakukan menggunakan metode observasional dengan rancangan penelitian cross sectional dengan pengambilan data secara consecutive sampling dimana peneliti melalukan pengukuran terhadap indikator obesitas (berat badan, tinggi badan, lingkar pinggang) kadar C-Reactive Protein (CRP) dan profil lipid. Uji statisitik yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah Kolmogorov smirnov, Leaven test dan Spearman. Karakteristik responden berdasarkan parameter indeks massa tubuh didapatkan sebesar 27.54 kg/m2. Distribusi frekuensi pada parameter jenis kelamin yang paling banyak dengan jenis kelamin perempuan sebanyak 74,1%. Rerata lingkar perut sebesar 91.97 cm. Diketahui rata-rata 48,1% mahasiswa obesitas fakultas farmasi mengalami hiperglikemia, 48,1% mengalami hiperkoleterolemia, 37% hipertrigliseridemia, 88,9% hiperbetalipoprotenemia dan 29,6% mahasiswa memiliki kadar hs-CRP > 3 mg/L. Terdapat hubungan bermakna antara hs-CRP dan indeks massa tubuh (r = 0.503 dan p = 0.007) serta didapatkan juga hubungan bermakna antara indeks massa tubuh dan tekanan darah diastolik (r= 0.506 dan p = 0.007). Dapat disimpulkan bahwa indeks massa tubuh (IMT) berkolerasi dengan hs-CRP dan tekanan darah diastolik.