Search

Perineural invasion (PNI), a particularly insidious form of tumor metastasis distinct from hematogenous or lymphatic spread, has the capacity to extend well beyond the primary tumor site, infiltrating distant regions devoid of lymphatic or vascular structures. PNI often heralds a decrease in patient survival rates and is recognized as an indicator of an unfavorable prognosis across a variety of cancers. Despite its clinical significance, the underlying molecular mechanisms of PNI remain elusive, complicating the development of specific and efficacious diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. In the realm of cancer research, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have attracted considerable attention due to their multifaceted roles and cancer-specific expression profiles, positioning them as promising candidates for applications in cancer diagnostics, prognostics, and treatment. Among the various types of ncRNAs, microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs) have emerged as influential players in PNI. Their involvement is increasingly recognized as a contributing factor to tumor progression and therapeutic resistance. Our study synthesizes and explores the diverse functions and mechanisms of ncRNAs in relation to PNI in cancer. This comprehensive review aims to shed light on cutting-edge perspectives that could pave the way for innovative diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to address the challenges posed by PNI in oncology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global land cover (GLC) information with fine spatial resolution is a fundamental data input for studies on biogeochemical cycles of the Earth system and global climate change. Although there are several public GLC products with 30 m resolution, considerable inconsistencies were found among them especially in fragmented regions and transition zones, which brings great uncertainties to various application tasks. In this paper, we developed an improved global land cover map in 2015 with 30 m resolution (GLC-2015) by fusing multiple existing land cover products based on the Dempster-Shafer theory of evidence (DSET). Firstly, we used more than 160,000 global point-based samples to locally evaluated the reliability of the input GLC products for each LC class within each 4°×4° geographical grid for the establishment of the basic probability assignment (BPA) function. Then, the Dempster's rule of combination was used for each 30 m pixel to derive the combined probability mass of each possible land cover class from all the candidate maps. Finally, each pixel was determined with a land cover class based on a decision rule. Through this fusing process, each pixel is expected to be assigned with the land cover class that contributes to achieve a higher accuracy. We assessed our product separately with 34,987 global point-based samples and 144 global patch-based samples. Results show that, the GLC-2015 map achieved the highest mapping performance globally, continentally, and eco-regionally compared with the existing 30 m GLC maps, with an overall accuracy of 76.0% (83.8%) and a kappa coefficient of 0.715 (0.548) against the point-based (patch-based) validation samples. Additionally, we found that the GLC-2015 map showed substantial outperformance in the areas of inconsistency, with an accuracy improvement of 17.6%-23.2% in areas of moderate inconsistency, and 21.0%-27 25.2% in areas of high inconsistency. Hopefully, this improved GLC-2015 product can be applied to reduce uncertainties in the research on global environmental changes, ecosystem service assessments, and hazard damage evaluations, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of team-based learning in radiology education. Data sources and selection criteria Databases were searched from inception up to August 2019 and included Pubmed, Medline, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Wanfang Database, and Chinese VIP. Randomized trials comparing teaching approaches for medical imaging of which provide the outcomes of theoretical scores and/or practical scores were included. Data were extracted independently by two authors and double-checked for accuracy. Outcomes included knowledge scores and practical scores. We pooled data using random-effects meta-analysis. Twelve trials involving 1,371 participants were included. Team-based learning teaching method had positive impacts on theoretical scores compared with the lecture-based learning or traditional teaching method (SMD = 1.07, 95% CI [0.50, 1.63]) and it positively improved skill scores (SMD = 0.68, 95% CI [0.19, 1.17]). Team-based learning could not only improve theoretical and skill scores in medical imaging courses but also encourage students to learn by themselves. Participants believed team-based learning raised their learning interest, team cooperation ability, and interpersonal communication skills. The heterogeneity of the included studies must be noticed and large well-designed and well-conducted trials are urgently needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) may have a simultaneous intake of pravastatin and evodiamine-containing herbs. Objective: The effect of evodiamine on the pharmacokinetics of pravastatin and its potential mechanisms were investigated in NASH rats. Materials and methods: The NASH model was conducted with feeding a methionine choline-deficient (MCD) diet for 8 weeks. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomised equally (n=6) into NASH group, evodiamine group (10mg/kg), pravastatin group (10mg/kg), and evodiamine (10mg/kg) þ pravastatin (10mg/kg) group. Normal control rats were fed a standard diet. Effects of evodiamine on the pharmacokinetics, distribution, and uptake of pravastatin were investigated. Results: Evodiamine decreased Cmax (159.43 ± 26.63 vs. 125.61 ± 22.17 lg/L), AUC0-t (18.17 ± 2.52 vs. 14.91 ± 2.03mg/min/L) and AUC0-1 (22.99 ± 2.62 vs. 19.50 ± 2.31 mg/min/L) of orally administered pravastatin in NASH rats, but had no significant effect in normal rats. Evodiamine enhanced the uptake (from 154.85 ± 23.17 to 198.48 ± 26.31pmol/mg protein) and distribution (from 736.61 ± 108.07 to 911.89 ± 124.64 ng/g tissue) of pravastatin in NASH rat liver. The expression of Oatp1a1, Oatp1a4, and Oatp1b2 was up-regulated 1.48-, 1.38-, and 1.51-fold by evodiamine. Evodiamine decreased the levels of IL-1b, IL-6, and TNF-a by 27.82%, 24.76%, and 29.72% in NASH rats, respectively. Discussion and conclusions: Evodiamine decreased the systemic exposure of pravastatin by up-regulating the expression of OATPs. These results provide a reference for further validation of this interaction in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper deals with the numerical solution of optimal control problems, where the state equations are given by the fourth order elliptic partial differential equations. An iterative algorithm for this class of problems is developed. This new proposal is obtained by combining the Conjugate Gradient Method (CGM) with the Boundary Element Method (BEM) and Multiple Reciprocity Method (MRM). The local error estimates based on the stability of this scheme in the norm, norm and norm are obtained. Finally, the numerical results on a test case show that this method is correct and feasible. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, a numerical method based on mixed finite element method for optimal boundary control problem governed by bi-harmonic equation is presented. The system of optimality equations consisting of state and costate function is derived. Based on the system, a gradient-type optimization method using a mixed finite approximation for solving the optimal boundary control is developed. In our algorithm, the trace of vortex function of costate equation on boundary plays a key role. Finally, a local error analysis at every iteration for this gradient-type optimization method is given. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In a previous study, using a primer set designed from Mycoplasma fermentans, we amplified a PCR fragment from Mycoplasma orale similar to the 206-bp DNA fragment amplified from M. fermentans insertion-sequence-like element (ISLE). The presence of this similar ISLE fragment has the potential to cause confusion in the PCR diagnosis of M. fermentans and M. orale, which have significantly different clinical scenarios. An ISLE from three different M. orale strains was amplified by using a primer set designed from sequence within the left and right terminal stem and loop (S&L) structures flanking the ISLE of M. fermentans. Sequence analysis showed that the M. orale ISLE is 93% identical to that of M. fermentans at the nucleotide level and codes for two open reading frames also found in the M. fermentans ISLE. This is the first finding that two different mycoplasma species harbor highly homologous IS elements. This finding has great significance in clinical diagnosis and suggests a possibility of horizontal transfer of an IS element between two different mycoplasma species. Correspondence to: S.E. Ditty at AFIP, Bldg. 54, Room 3112, Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases Pathology, 6825 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20306 USA; email: ditty@afip.osd.mil --> [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to solve being sensitive to the initial weights, slow convergence, being easy to fall into local minimum and other problems of the BP neural network, this paper introduces the Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm into the Artificial Neural Network training, and construct a BP neural network model optimized by the particle swarm optimization. This method can speed up the convergence and improve the prediction accuracy. Through the analysis of the main factors on the cost of transmission line project, dig out the path and lead factors, topography and meteorological factors, the tower and the tower base materials and other factors. Use the PSO-BP model for the cost forecasting of transmission line project based on historical project data. The result shows that the method can predict the cost effectively. Compared with the traditional BP neural network, the method can predict with higher accuracy, and can be generalized and applied in cost forecasting of actual projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a serious systemic illness of unknown cause. A recent study identified DNA from a xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus (XMRV) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 68 of 101 patients (67%) by nested PCR. as compared with 8 of 218 (3.7%) healthy controls. However. four subsequent reports failed to detect any murine leukemia virus (MLV)-related virus gene sequences in blood of CFS patients. We examined 41 PBMC-derived DNA samples from 37 patients meeting accepted diagnostic criteria for CFS and found MLV-like virus gag gene sequences in 32 of 37 (86.5%) compared with only 3 of 44 (6.8%) healthy volunteer blood donors. No evidence of mouse DNA contamination was detected in the PCR assay system or the clinical samples. Seven of 8 gag-positive patients tested again positive in a sample obtained nearly 15 y later. In contrast to the reported findings of near-genetic identity of all XMRVs, we identified a genetically diverse group of MLV-related viruses. The gag and env sequences from CFS patients were more closely related to those of polytropic mouse endogenous retroviruses than to those of XMRVs and were even less closely related to those of ecotropic MLVs. Further studies are needed to determine whether the same strong association with MLV-related viruses is found in other groups of patients with CFS, whether these viruses play a causative role in the development of CFS. and whether they represent a threat to the blood supply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The reasonable use of amino acids (AAs) in parenteral nutrition (PN) is very critical to the growth and development of premature infants. However, the appropriate dose of AAs has not been determined. Our study was designed to investigate the clinical effect of two different doses of AAs in PN for low birth weight premature infants. Materials and Methods: This randomized controlled study included 191 preterm infants who admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from June 2015 to December 2016 and they were randomly divided into Group 1 (n = 81) and Group 2 (n = 110). In Group 1, the starting dose of AAs dose was 1.0-1.5 g/kg/day, which was increased by 0.5 g/kg with the maximum dose at 3.5 g/kg/day. In Group 2, the starting dose of AAs was 1.8-2.5 g/kg/day and was increased by 1.0 g/kg with the maximum dose at 4.0-4.5 g/kg/day. We analyzed the clinical characteristics, body weight, body length, total calorie intake, nonprotein calorie intake, total protein intake, liver and kidney function, and complications of the two groups of preterm infants. Results: The start of enteral feeding and the recovery of birth weight in Group 2 were earlier than those in Group 1 (3.83 ± 3.15 day vs. 5.53 ± 5.63 day, P = 0.016 and 6.36 ± 4.88 day vs. 8.48 ± 9.27 day, P = 0.043, respectively). The duration of PN and the time before total enteral nutrition were shorter in Group 2 than in Group 1 (16.46 ± 10.33 day vs. 21.41 ± 18.00 day, P = 0.029 and 15.47 ± 10.54 day vs. 19.47 ± 14.57 day, P = 0.038; respectively). The duration of mechanical ventilation (1.12 ± 2.62 day vs. 3.31 ± 8.13 day, P = 0.028) in Group 2 was shorter than that in Group 1. Conclusion: High doses of AAs in the early PN for preterm infants facilitate the promotion of early growth and development, advance recovery of birth weight, reduce the duration of PN, and reduce respiratory support without increasing the incidence of complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are five hot springs named separately SHANGT, ZHONGT, WENT, XIAT and SHENT in Lushan County, Pingdingshan City, Henan Province. The archaeal diversity of the five hot springs was investigated and analyzed. 16S rDNA v4-5 genes of arehaea were sequenced by lllumina Hisiq2500 PE250 technolog). The numbers of sample sequences and OTUs were sorted by using Uparse, Mothur, SILVA, MUSCLE and Qiime software. Finally, the archaeal abundance and diversity in the five hot springs were analyzed. 87 993, 67 326, 44 400, 48 611 and 48 495 effective reads have been obtained from SHANCT, ZHONCT, WENT, XIAT and SHENT respectively, and 520, 280, 678,451 and 437 OTUs have been acquired. The analysis of archaeal classification showed that the arehaea from the five hot springs could be classified into 11 phyla, in which Thaumarchaeota accounted for 95. 25% and was the dominant arehaea. In the genera level, the dominant arehaea of the SHANGT, ZHONGT and WENT was Candidalus-Nilrosocaldus, and unidentified-Thaumarchaeota was the dominant arehaea in XIAT and SHENT. The results showed that the five hot springs in Lushan are rich in microbial resources. The research provided basic data for further research and utilization of the arehaea resources in the five hot springs of Lushan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Culture-based identification methods have been the gold standard for the diagnosis of fungal infection. Currently, molecular technologies such as real-time PCR assays with short turnaround time can provide desirable alternatives for the rapid detection of Candida microbes. However, most of the published PCR primer sets are not Candida specific and likely to amplify DNA from common environmental contaminants, such as Aspergillus microbes. In this study, we designed pan-Candida primer sets based on the ribosomal DNA-coding regions conserved within Candida but distinct from those of Aspergillus and Penicillium. We demonstrate that the final two selected pan-Candida primer sets would not amplify Aspergillus DNA and could be used to differentiate eight medically important Candida pathogens in real-time PCR assays based on their melting profiles, with a sensitivity of detection as low as 10 fg of Candida genomic DNA. Moreover, we further evaluated and selected species-specific primer sets covering Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida tropicalis, and Candida dubliniensis and show that they had high sensitivity and specificity. These real-time PCR primer sets could potentially be assembled into a single PCR array for the rapid detection of Candida species in various clinical settings, such as corneal transplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) responses are often accompanied by an increase in alanine aminotransferase levels in HCV-infected patients, indicating that inflammatory responses are compromised by the virus. Additionally, inflammation is associated with M1-polarizated macrophages, which secrete cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-a, interleukin-1, and interleukin-12, and present antigens through phagocytosis. HCV-encoded proteins are presented as specific viral antigens in particular infectious steps that influence the immune response. For instance, HCV antigens impact macrophage PD-1 and Tim-3 expression, and contribute to impaired viral clearance. Furthermore, circulatory HCV antigens from infected patients inhibit dendritic cell differentiation, which raises the possibility that HCV antigens may also interfere with macrophage polarization. Methods: In this study, the impact of HCV antigen stimulation on M1-polarized macrophages was investigated. The influence of HCV antigens was evaluated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Specific changes were investigated clinically by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence. Effects of NF-κB during the process were analyzed by western blot. Results: HCV infection dampened M1 macrophage polarization ex vivo and in vitro. After antigen stimulation, NF-κB signaling was suppressed by the up-regulation of A20 and A20-binding inhibitor of NF-κB binding protein, which likely leads to a variation of functional molecules such as tumor necrosis factor-α, CD163, matrix metalloproteinases, transferrin receptor-1, and CD100, reflecting an anti-inflammatory reaction against M1-polarization. Conclusion: HCV antigens stimulation up-regulates A20/A20-binding inhibitor of NF-κB binding protein expression, which consequently contributes to inefficient M1 macrophage polarization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background We conducted genomic sequencing to identify Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) genomes in 2 human peripheral blood B lymphocytes that underwent spontaneous immortalization promoted by mycoplasma infections in culture, using the high-throughput sequencing (HTS) Illumina MiSeq platform. The purpose of this study was to examine if rapid detection and characterization of a viral agent could be effectively achieved by HTS using a platform that has become readily available in general biology laboratories. Results Raw read sequences, averaging 175 bps in length, were mapped with DNA databases of human, bacteria, fungi and virus genomes using the CLC Genomics Workbench bioinformatics tool. Overall 37,757 out of 49,520,834 total reads in one lymphocyte line (# K4413-Mi) and 28,178 out of 45,335,960 reads in the other lymphocyte line (# K4123-Mi) were identified as EBV sequences. The two EBV genomes with estimated 35.22-fold and 31.06-fold sequence coverage respectively, designated K4413-Mi EBV and K4123-Mi EBV (GenBank accession number KC440852 and KC440851 respectively), are characteristic of type-1 EBV. Conclusions Sequence comparison and phylogenetic analysis among K4413-Mi EBV, K4123-Mi EBV and the EBV genomes previously reported to GenBank as well as the NA12878 EBV genome assembled from database of the 1000 Genome Project showed that these 2 EBVs are most closely related to B95-8, an EBV previously isolated from a patient with infectious mononucleosis and WT-EBV. They are less similar to EBVs associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) from Hong Kong and China as well as the Akata strain of a case of Burkitt's lymphoma from Japan. They are most different from type 2 EBV found in Western African Burkitt's lymphoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Real-time PCR array for rapid detection of multiple viral pathogens should be highly useful in cases where the sample volume and the time of testing are limited, i.e. in the eligibility testing of tissue and organ donors. Findings:We developed a real-time PCR array capable of simultaneously detecting eight human viral pathogens: human immunodeficiency virus types 1 and 2 (HIV-1 and -2), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), human T-cell leukemia virus-1 and -2 (HTLV-1 and -2), vaccinia virus (VACV) and West Nile virus (WNV). One hundred twenty (120) primers were designed using a combination of bioinformatics approaches, and, after experimental testing, 24 primer sets targeting eight viral pathogens were selected to set up the array with SYBR Green chemistry. The specificity and sensitivity of the virusspecific primer sets selected for the array were evaluated using analytical panels with known amounts of viruses spiked into human plasma. The array detected: 10 genome equivalents (geq)/ml of HIV-2 and HCV, 50 geq of HIV-1 (subtype B), HBV (genotype A) and WNV. It detected 100--1,000 geq/ml of plasma of HIV-1 subtypes (A -- G), group N and CRF (AE and AG) isolates. Further evaluation with a panel consisting of 28 HIV-1 and HIV-2 clinical isolates revealed no cross-reactivity of HIV- 1 or HIV-2 specific primers with another type of HIV. All 28 viral isolates were identified with specific primer sets targeting the most conserved genome areas. The PCR array correctly identified viral infections in a panel of 17 previously quantified clinical plasma samples positive for HIV-1, HCV or HBV at as low as several geq per PCR reaction. Conclusions:The viral array described here demonstrated adequate performance in the testing of donors' clinical samples. Further improvement in its sensitivity for the broad spectrum of HIV-1 subtypes is under development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the retraction for "Detection of MLV-related virus gene sequences in blood of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome and healthy blood donors,"by Shyn-Ching Lo and colleagues regarding their findings.

A facile hydrothermal method has been developed for synthesis of nickel sulfide micro/nanostructure using Ni(NO3)2ꔷ6H2O as nickel source, S=C(NH2)2 as sulfur source and 1,2-ethylenediamin/sodium dodecyl sulfate as surfactant. Different morphologies such as petal-, urchin- and sphere-like nickel sulfide structures have been synthesized by tuning the reaction time, reaction temperature, and the surfactant. The as-prepared products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Field-emission scanning electron microscope, and Photoluminescence spectra. The relationship of the fluorescence properties with their morphology and phase was studied, and the possible growth mechanism of nickel sulfide structure was proposed based on the morphology evolution of nickel sulfide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Burkholderia pseudomallei and Burkholderia mallei are two closely related gram-negative bacterial species classified by the CDC as category B biowarfare agents. To develop monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) that can recognize as many different strains and/or clinical isolates of these two pathogens as possible, we immunized mice with heat-killed bacterial whole cells and membrane preparations from multiple strains and/or clinical isolates of B. pseudomallei and B. mallei. More than 100 different hybridoma clones that produced MAbs strongly reacting to B. pseudomallei and/or B. mallei have been developed. These MAbs were categorized into eight different groups according to their reaction specificity against different species of Burkholderia bacteria as well as the different nature of target antigens (LPS, capsule polysaccharides, proteins, and glycoproteins) on the bacteria they recognized. Characterization of this large panel of MAbs has demonstrated an interesting pattern of various antigenic epitopes shared by the different species of Burkholderia bacteria. More importantly, this study has revealed a pathogenicity-linked antigen epitope(s) on capsule-like polysaccharides found only in the pathogenic species of Burkholderia bacteria and a Burkholderia-specific antigen epitope(s) that did not exist in other gram-negative bacterial species. Our MAbs should prove to be highly valuable in the development of detection, diagnosis, and therapeutic applications against B. mallei and B. pseudomallei infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]