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Objective: To evaluate the safety study of percutaneous gastroscopic gastrostomy in patients after ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of neurosurgical patients who underwent VPS and PEG at our hospital between January 2012 and November 2023. Patients were divided into 2 groups: VPS group and VPS followed by PEG gruop. Patients received routine antibiotic prophylaxis before the procedure, continued for 48 hours. Follow-up included monitoring immediate complications, particularly wound infection, intracranial infection, neurologic status deterioration, and shunt dysfunction. Routine follow-up visits were conducted post-discharge. Results: In the VPS group (n = 778), the incidence of intracranial infection was 3.08%. Among patients with PEG after VPS, the time interval between procedures ranged from 13 to 685 days. The mean follow-up period was 22 (1-77) months, with no deaths or further complications. Conclusion: Performing PEG more than 13 days after VPS does not significantly increase the risk of intracranial infections or PEG-associated infections, making it a relatively safe procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Representation learning is an important topic in machine learning, pattern recognition, and data mining research. Among many representation learning approaches, semi-nonnegative matrix factorization (SNMF) is a frequently-used one. However, a typical problem of SNMF is that usually there is no learning rate guidance during the optimization process, which often leads to a poor representation ability. To overcome this limitation, we propose a very general representation learning framework (DNSRF) that is based on a deep neural net. Essentially, the parameters of the deep net used to construct the DNSRF algorithms are obtained by matrix element update. In combination with different activation functions, DNSRF can be implemented in various ways. In our experiments, we tested nine instances of our DNSRF framework on six benchmark datasets. In comparison with other state-of-the-art methods, the results demonstrate the superior performance of our framework, which is thus shown to have a great representation ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intelligent mobile robots have been gradually used in various fields, including logistics, healthcare, service, and maintenance. Path planning is a crucial aspect of intelligent mobile robot research, which aims to empower robots to create optimal trajectories within complex and dynamic environments autonomously. This study introduces an improved A* algorithm to address the challenges faced by the preliminary A* pathfinding algorithm, which include limited efficiency, inadequate robustness, and excessive node traversal. Firstly, the node storage structure is optimized using a minimum heap to decrease node traversal time. In addition, the heuristic function is improved by adding an adaptive weight function and a turn penalty function. The original 8-neighbor is expanded to a 16-neighbor within the search strategy, followed by the elimination of invalid search neighbor to refine it into a new 8-neighbor according to the principle of symmetry, thereby enhancing the directionality of the A* algorithm and improving search efficiency. Furthermore, a bidirectional search mechanism is implemented to further reduce search time. Finally, trajectory optimization is performed on the planned paths using path node elimination and cubic Bezier curves, which aligns the optimized paths more closely with the kinematic constraints of the robot derivable trajectories. In simulation experiments on grid maps of different sizes, it was demonstrated that the proposed improved A* algorithm outperforms the preliminary A* Algorithm in various metrics, such as search efficiency, node traversal count, path length, and inflection points. The improved algorithm provides substantial value for practical applications by efficiently planning optimal paths in complex environments and ensuring robot drivability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Skin microorganisms co‐develop with the human body and age influences the skin microenvironment and thus the skin bacterial community. Objectives: To investigate the changes in the skin microbiota during male development. Methods: High‐throughput 16S ribosomal RNA pyrosequencing was utilized to analyze the differences in bacterial composition of the skin in healthy males aged 0–25 years. Results: There were significant differences in facial skin bacterial diversity (Shannon index) and richness (Chao index) among the 4 groups of subjects (p < 0.05). Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Cutibacterium are dominant in males during growth, and regular changes occur with age after birth. Further analysis of skin bacteria between the 4 groups showed that the bacterial abundance of Cutibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis tended to increase with age, and the bacterial abundance of Streptococcus, Rothia mucilaginosa, and Staphylococcus hominis tended to decrease with age. Conclusions: There are some changes in cheek skin bacterial diversity during male development, and there is a relationship between skin bacterial changes and skin development processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liver fibrosis is one of the histopathological characters during Echinococcus multilocularis infection. The activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is a key event in the development of liver fibrosis. However, the molecular mechanism of HSC activation in the E. multilocularis infection-induced liver fibrosis remains largely unclear. Here, we reported that mmu-miR-342-3p was most dominantly expressed in HSCs and was upregulated in the HSCs in response to E. multilocularis infection. We further showed that mmu-miR-342-3p was able to bind to the 3' UTR of the Zbtb7a gene and regulated its expression. Moreover, mmu-miR-342-3p expression was negatively correlated with its target gene Zbtb7a in HSCs during E. multilocularis infection. Knockdown of mmu-miR-342-3p promoted the expression of Gfap in the activated HSCs in vitro. In the E. multilocularis-infected mice, knockdown of mmu-miR-342-3p suppressed the expression of α-Sma, Col1α1, and TGF-β but promoted the expression of Gfap. Therefore, mmu-miR-342-3p is a key regulator for activation of HSCs, and inhibiting mmu-miR-342-3p to promote Zbtb7a-mediated TGF-β signaling in activated HSCs could be a novel strategy to treat liver fibrosis induced by E. multilocularis. Author summary: Liver fibrosis is one of the histopathological features during Echinococcus multilocularis infection. The activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is a key event in the development of liver fibrosis. However, the molecular mechanism of HSC activation in the liver fibrosis induced by E. multilocularis infection remains largely unknown. In recent years, there is increasing evidence indicate that the abnormal expression of miRNAs is closely related to the occurrence and development of liver fibrosis. The expression profile of miRNA in hepatic fibrosis induced by E. multilocularis infection has been widely characterized, but the roles of miRNAs in liver fibrosis are largely unexplored. Herein, we identified a set of differentially expressed miRNAs in the activated HSCs induced by E. multilocularis, mmu-miR-342-3p of which was dominantly expressed in HSCs. This study signifies the important role of mmu-miR-342-3p in the HSC activation, which will help us to better understand the mechanism of liver fibrosis induced by E. multilocularis infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-dimensional and sparse (HiDS) matrices generated by recommender systems contain rich knowledge regarding various desired patterns like users’ potential preferences and community tendency. Latent factor (LF) analysis proves to be highly efficient in extracting such knowledge from an HiDS matrix efficiently. Stochastic gradient descent (SGD) is a highly efficient algorithm for building an LF model. However, current LF models mostly adopt a standard SGD algorithm. Can SGD be extended from various aspects in order to improve the resultant models’ convergence rate and prediction accuracy for missing data? Are such SGD extensions compatible with an LF model? To answer them, this paper carefully investigates eight extended SGD algorithms to propose eight novel LF models. Experimental results on two HiDS matrices generated by real recommender systems show that compared with an LF model with a standard SGD algorithm, an LF model with extended ones can achieve: 1) higher prediction accuracy for missing data; 2) faster convergence rate; and 3) model diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work focused on the interaction of creep and fatigue and cyclic strain analysis in high-chromium ferritic P92 steel based on load-controlled creep-fatigue (CF) tests and conventional creep test at 873 K. Mechanical testing shows that the cyclic load inhibits the propagation of creep damage in the P92 steel and CF interaction becomes more severe with the decrease in the holding period duration and stress ratio. These results are also verified by the analysis of cyclic strain. The fatigue lifetime reduces with the increasing of the holding period duration and it does not reduce much with the increasing stress ratio especially under the conditions of long holding period duration. The cyclic strains (i.e., the strain range and creep strain) of CF tests consist of three stages, which is the same as those for the conventional creep behavior. The microscopic fracture surface observations illustrated that two different kinds of voids are observed at the fracture surfaces and Laves phase precipitates at the bottom of the voids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A number of azacalix[2]pyrimidine[2]triazines were synthesized in moderate to good yields from both a step-wise fragment coupling approach and a one-pot reaction strategy starting from 4,6-diaminopyrimidines and cyanuric chloride. Nucleophilic aromatic substitution reaction of resulting dichloro-substituted azacalix[2]pyrimidine[2]triazines with NH4Cl led to the formation of NH2-bearing azacalix[2]pyrimidine[2]triazine analogs. Azacalix[2]pyrimidine[2]triazines adopted symmetric 1,3-alternate conformations in solution while twisted 1,3-alternate conformations were observed in the solid state. In the presence of different additives during the growth of single crystals, azacalix[2]pyrimidine[2]triazines containing amino (-NH2) groups gave varied self-assembled structures due to the formation of different intermolecular hydrogen bond motifs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We herein report the synthesis and metal-directed coordination self-assembly behaviors of three new macrocyclic azacalix[4]aromatics that comprise various numbers of pyridine and pyrazine rings bridged by N-CH3 groups. Structural characterization of 1- 3 explored that their conformations are fluxional in solution and each adopts a 1,3-alternate configuration in crystalline solids. The macrocyclic skeletons in azacalixaromatic 1- 3 afford a good platform to designedly arrange coordination sites in a unique way relative to conventional multidentate ligands. Solid-state structures of three coordination self-assembled silver complexes ( 13- 15) of 1- 3 determined by X-ray crystallography suggest that the nitrogen atoms on procumbent aromatics have better coordination ability than those on perpendicular aromatics and dictate the whole coordination self-assemblies. Unique discrete and 1D chain-like structures were thus obtained. This system may afford a deeper insight into the coordination self-assembly studies of heteroatom-bridged calixaromatics, possibly extending potential application of this novel macrocyclic polydentate organic compounds in the synthesis of functional metal organic framework formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

LIV-1, a zinc transporter, is a mediator downstream of STAT3 both in zebrafish and mammalian cells, and is involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Despite LIV-1 participates in cancer growth and metastasis, little is known about the association of LIV-1 with human liver cancer development. Therefore, the expression of LIV-1 mRNA was analyzed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in 4 cultured cell lines (3 carcinoma and 1 normal liver cell lines), and the localization of LIV-1 protein was investigated by immunohistochemistry. Expression of LIV-1 protein was analyzed by Western blot both in 4 cultured cell lines and 120 liver tissues (100 carcinoma and 20 histologically normal tissues), and the relationship between its expression and clinicopathological finding was investigated in 100 hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) tissues. Then stable siRNA expressing Hep-G2 cells were generated to assess the function of LIV-1 in liver cancer cells. We found that LIV-1 mRNA was more highly expressed in liver cancer cell lines compared to normal liver cell line. Western blot showed the expression of LIV-1 was higher in 61% liver carcinoma tissues than that in normal liver tissues. Down-regulated LIV-1 cells showed significant inhibition of proliferation in vitro and reduction of tumor growth in vivo. Furthermore, E-cadherin expression increased in LIV-1 siRNA expressing Hep-G2. These findings indicated that LIV-1 may induce the EMT in HCC cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a chiral separation method based on an ODS column and chiral mobile phase additives (CMPA) for a new fluoroquinolones drug pazufloxacin mesilate [(−)-(S)-10-(1-amino-cyclopropyl)-9-fluoro-3-methyl-7-oxo-2,3-dihydro-7H-pyrido(1,2,3-de)-1,4-benzoxazine-6-carboxylic acid mesilate] and its R-(+)-enantiomer was developed. The chiral separation was performed on a Shimadzu CLC-ODS column (150 × 6.3 mm, 10 µm), methanol–phenylalanine solution (containing 8 mmol L−1 L-phenylalanine and 6.3 mmol L−1 copper sulfate, adjusted to pH = 3.5 with sodium hydroxide solution) (30:70) was used as the chiral mobile phase and detected at 332 nm. Under the above conditions, the two enantiomers could be baseline separated with a resolution 1.9 and the chiral purity was quantitatively determined. Calibration graphs were constructed in the range of 2.48–248 µg mL−1 for S-(−)- and 2.52–252 µg mL−1 for R-(+)-enantiomer, respectively. The linear correlation equations were: Y = 1.38 × 105X − 130.9 (r = 0.9998) for S-(−)- and Y = 1.26 × 105X − 60.6 (r = 0.9998) for R-(+) enantiomer, respectively. The detection limits were 1.2 ng for S-(−)- and 1.5 ng for R-(+)- enantiomer(obtained by S/N = 3), respectively. The RSD of the method was below 1.5% (n = 5). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-performance frontal analysis (HPFA) was used for protein binding study of perillyl alcohol (POH) enantiomers to human serum albumin (HSA). The analysis was performed on a Develosil 100-Diol-5 (10 cm × 4.6 mm I.D.) column. Sodium phosphate solution (pH 7.4, ionic strength 0.17) was used as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 1 mL/min. UV wavelength was set at 205 nm. An injection volume of 600 µL was chosen to ensure the drug to be eluted as a trapezoidal peak with a plateau. Experimental data were fitted by Scatchard analysis. The binding constant (K) and binding affinity (nK) of POH enantiomers to HSA were: K = 5.20 × 106 (1/mol), nK = 1.74 × 104 (1/mol) for (S)-POH and K = 3.71 × 106 (1/mol), nK = 1.51 × 104 (1/mol) for (R)-POH, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ACE method has been developed for separation and determination on the active anthraquinone components physcion, chrysophanol, aloe-emodin, emodin, and rhein of the Chinese herb Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. The five anthraquinone compounds were separated to baseline with the optimum running buffer (24 mm disodium hydrogen phosphate +30% ( v/v) acetonitrile) and the amounts of the compounds in prepared and crude herb were quantitatively analyzed within 20 min. The effects of buffer pH and organic modifier (acetonitrile) concentration on the separation of the solutes were also investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is rich in phenolic compounds with various bioactivities, which makes it a potential cosmeceutical ingredient. This study aimed to investigate the bioactivities of O. basilicum L. water extract (OBWE) for its application in anti-acne cosmeceutical. To improve the content of antioxidants, the extraction condition was optimized as follows: 1:20 g/mL of material-to-solvent, 1 h of extraction time at temperature of 90 ℃. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of OBWE identified 931 and 370 metabolites, including bioactive compounds like rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid, linalool and eugenol. The extract exhibited strong free radical scavenging activities. The inhibition zone of OBWE to Cutibacterium (C.) acnes was 18.71 mm diameter, which was significantly larger than 10.87 mm of 0.1 % salicylic acid. Moreover, treatment with OBWE significantly suppressed lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced accumulations of pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin 6, interleukin 1-β) in THP-1 macrophages. Thus, OBWE showed a two-fold benefit for acne treatment by inhibiting proliferation of C. acnes and suppressing the bacterial-induced inflammation. In summary, our results suggest OBWE as a natural product with potential anti-acne effects. • Extraction condition for Ocimum basilicum L. water extract (OBWE) was optimized. • The phytochemical composition of OBWE was evaluated by LC-MS and GC-MS. • OBWE displayed strong antibacterial activity towards Cutibacterium acnes. • OBWE treatment alleviates the LPS-induced accumulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines. • OBWE has great potential for the anti-acne cosmeceutical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stomata respond slowly to changes in light when compared with photosynthesis, undermining plant water-use efficiency (WUE). We know much about stomatal mechanics, yet efforts to accelerate stomatal responsiveness have been limited despite the breadth of potential targets for manipulation. Here, we use mechanistic modeling to establish a hierarchy of putative targets affecting stomatal kinetics. Counterintuitively, modeling predicted that overexpressing plasma membrane H + -ATPases could speed stomata and enhance WUE under fluctuating light, even though overexpressed H + -ATPases is known to promote stomatal opening and reduce WUE in the steady state. Experiments validated the prediction, implicating an unexpected role of the H + -ATPases in improving WUE under fluctuating light. It suggests that H + -ATPases have a dual function, acting as a facilitator of carbon assimilation and water use, depending on the light conditions. These findings highlight the importance of integrating in silico modeling with experiments in future efforts toward enhancing stomatal function.