Venom Peptide Toxins Targeting the Outer Pore Region of Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1 in Pain: Implications for Analgesic Drug Development

The transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) ion channel plays an important role in the peripheral nociceptive pathway. TRPV1 is a polymodal receptor that can be activated by multiple types of ligands and painful stimuli, such as noxious heat and protons, and contributes to various acute and chronic pain conditions. Therefore, TRPV1 is emerging as a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of various pain conditions. Notably, various peptides isolated from venomous animals potently and selectively control the activation and inhibition of TRPV1 by binding to its outer pore region. This review will focus on the mechanisms by which venom-derived peptides interact with this portion of TRPV1 to control receptor functions and how these mechanisms can drive the development of new types of analgesics.     

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) Treatment Reduces Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Septic Shock in Mice

Despite advances in medicine, mortality due to sepsis has not decreased. Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy is emerging as an alternative treatment in many inflammation-related diseases. However, there are few studies on the application of PEMF therapy to sepsis. In the current study, we examined the effect of PEMF therapy on a mouse model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced septic shock. Mice injected with LPS and treated with PEMF showed higher survival rates compared with the LPS group. The increased survival was correlated with decreased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine mRNA expression and lower serum nitric oxide levels and nitric oxide synthase 2 mRNA expression in the liver compared with the LPS group. In the PEMF + LPS group, there was less organ damage in the liver, lungs, spleen, and kidneys compared to the LPS group. To identify potential gene targets of PEMF treatment, microarray analysis was performed, and the results showed that 136 genes were up-regulated, and 267 genes were down-regulated in the PEMF + LPS group compared to the LPS group. These results suggest that PEMF treatment can dramatically decrease septic shock through the reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokine gene expression. In a clinical setting, PEMF may provide a beneficial effect for patients with bacteria-induced sepsis and reduce septic shock-induced mortality.     

A hierarchical test methodology for systems on chip

We present a hierarchical test methodology for testing a SOC with heterogeneous cores, including the 1149.1-wrapped, P1500-wrapped, and BIST memory cores. We propose an 1149.1-based hierarchical test manager that also provides P1500 test control signals. This scheme includes a memory BIST interface, providing both serial and parallel access ports for BIST circuits. Our approach offers low area and pin overhead, and high flexibility     

Convective instabilities and transport properties in horizontal fluid layers

This paper concerns the analysis of convective instabilities and fully developed transport properties in Bénard convection. The onset of convective instabilities driven by surface-tension variations and buoyancy forces is analyzed theoretically by using the propagation theory we have developed. Based on these stability criteria, the subsequent transport correlations of fully developed buoyancy-driven convection in horizontal fluid layers are suggested. It is found that the present predictions are compared favorably with existing experimental results.     

Determination of Uniformity of Filter Deposits

Certain measurement techniques (such as the asbestos method using phase contrast microscopy) require uniform deposits of the sample on a filter. The asbestos fiber analytical methods require such uniform deposition because the analysis only observes small, randomly chosen locations on the filter. In this study, a vibrating orifice monodisperse aerosol generator was used to generate methylene blue particles. The aerosols were dried by filtered compressed air and then neutralized by inducing a charge on the droplet stream that emerged from the vibrating orifice. An Aerodynamic Particle Sizer was used to measure the number concentration and size distribution of the generated aerosol particles. Meanwhile, the filter deposits were examined via image processing, combined with statistical methods for defining uniformity. In order to better define uniformity and make the indicator more universal, the uniformity was defined as the exponential of the negative CV (coefficient of variation) value which was a transformation for easily understanding the uniformity of the filter deposits. The experimental results demonstrated that, when aerosol counting was performed, the equal area approach was superior to the equivalent distance approach.     

Unbiased identification of continuous-time parametric models using a time-weighted integral transform

A time-weighted integral transform is presented to identify a continuous SISO or MIMO parametric model based on a single dynamic test under open-loop or closed-loop operation. Moving-horizon algorithms are proposed to obtain unbiased estimates of the model parameters. The off-line algorithm in a least-squares form and the on-line algorithm in a recursive form are provided. An effective technique based on pattern recognition is also developed to determine the system order and time delay from observed data in a simple manner. Furthermore, the proposed method can be easily applied as a model reduction technique that results in an ideal model with delay for any specified order.