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Wavelet theory has become popular in modeling echo state network. One of the most promising directions is usage of the wavelets as membership activation functions of its reservoir. However, only Symlets wavelet seems to be suitable for hybrid wavelet-sigmoid activation functions. To enhance a systematic study of the field, we concentrate on developing more wavelets towards the typical ESN representation, and ask: What are the more outstanding wavelets of reservoir structure for obtaining competitive models and what is the memory capacity of such reservoirs for obtaining competitive models? In the paper, three echo state wavelet-sigmoid networks (ESWNs) are proposed, considering Shannon wavelet, frequency B-spline wavelet and impulse response wavelet, respectively. The corresponding wavelet functions are instead of sigmoid one in part to construct wavelet-sigmoid reservoirs. On three widely used system nonlinear approximation tasks of different origin and characteristics, as well as by conducting a theoretical analysis we show that the proposed ESWNs are superior to the popular echo state network with build-in Symlets wavelet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Salt stress is one of the most representative abiotic stresses that severely affect plant growth and development. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are well known for their significant involvement in plant responses to abiotic stresses. Although miRNAs implicated in salt stress response have been widely reported in numerous plant species, their regulatory roles in the adaptive response to salt stress in radish (Raphanus sativus L.), an important root vegetable crop worldwide, remain largely unknown. Results: Solexa sequencing of two sRNA libraries from NaCl-free (CK) and NaCl-treated (Na200) radish roots were performed for systematical identification of salt-responsive miRNAs and their expression profiling in radish. Totally, 136 known miRNAs (representing 43 miRNA families) and 68 potential novel miRNAs (belonging to 51 miRNA families) were identified. Of these miRNAs, 49 known and 22 novel miRNAs were differentially expressed under salt stress. Target prediction and annotation indicated that these miRNAs exerted a role by regulating specific stress-responsive genes, such as squamosa promoter binding-like proteins (SPLs), auxin response factors (ARFs), nuclear transcription factor Y (NF-Y) and superoxide dismutase [Cu-Zn] (CSD1). Further functional analysis suggested that these target genes were mainly implicated in signal perception and transduction, regulation of ion homeostasis, basic metabolic processes, secondary stress responses, as well as modulation of attenuated plant growth and development under salt stress. Additionally, the expression patterns of ten miRNAs and five corresponding target genes were validated by reverse-transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Conclusions: With the sRNA sequencing, salt-responsive miRNAs and their target genes in radish were comprehensively identified. The results provide novel insight into complex miRNA-mediated regulatory network of salt stress response in radish, and facilitate further dissection of molecular mechanism underlying plant adaptive response to salt stress in root vegetable crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Salt stress is one of the most representative abiotic stresses that severely affect plant growth and development. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are well known for their significant involvement in plant responses to abiotic stresses. Although miRNAs implicated in salt stress response have been widely reported in numerous plant species, their regulatory roles in the adaptive response to salt stress in radish (Raphanus sativus L.), an important root vegetable crop worldwide, remain largely unknown. Results: Solexa sequencing of two sRNA libraries from NaCl-free (CK) and NaCl-treated (Na200) radish roots were performed for systematical identification of salt-responsive miRNAs and their expression profiling in radish. Totally, 136 known miRNAs (representing 43 miRNA families) and 68 potential novel miRNAs (belonging to 51 miRNA families) were identified. Of these miRNAs, 49 known and 22 novel miRNAs were differentially expressed under salt stress. Target prediction and annotation indicated that these miRNAs exerted a role by regulating specific stress-responsive genes, such as squamosa promoter binding-like proteins (SPLs), auxin response factors (ARFs), nuclear transcription factor Y (NF-Y) and superoxide dismutase [Cu-Zn] (CSD1). Further functional analysis suggested that these target genes were mainly implicated in signal perception and transduction, regulation of ion homeostasis, basic metabolic processes, secondary stress responses, as well as modulation of attenuated plant growth and development under salt stress. Additionally, the expression patterns of ten miRNAs and five corresponding target genes were validated by reverse-transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Conclusions: With the sRNA sequencing, salt-responsive miRNAs and their target genes in radish were comprehensively identified. The results provide novel insight into complex miRNA-mediated regulatory network of salt stress response in radish, and facilitate further dissection of molecular mechanism underlying plant adaptive response to salt stress in root vegetable crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the possible involvement of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) in early brain injury (EBI) of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in rats. MMP-9 activities in hippocampus were examined at 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h after SAH. Laminin was detected by immunohistochemistry. Apoptosis of neurons in hippocampus was observed by TUNEL. Brain water content was also examined. MMP-9 activity and the number of apoptotic neurons increased from 12 to 72 h with a peak at 24 h. Laminin was found to decrease at 12 h, reached minimum at 24 h and began to increase from 48 h, which had a negative correlation with apoptotic neurons. The changes of brain water content were found to be coincidence with that of neuronal apoptosis. Our findings suggest that MMP-9 is probably involved in the pathophysiological events of EBI after SAH, through degrading laminin which leads to neuronal anoikis of hippocampus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this work was to investigate the relationship between apolipoprotein E (APOE) promoters (G-219T, C-427T, A-491T) polymorphisms and the clinical deterioration in early stage of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a cohort of Chinese patients. In this study, we used the cohort of patients which has been reported previously. A total of 110 subjects with TBI (80 males and 30 females, with mean age of 43.87 years) were admitted from December 2003 to May 2004, and demographic and clinical data were collected. The clinical deterioration of patient's condition in acute stage ( 0.05). But logistic regression analyses, after adjusting patients' age, injury severity and injury mechanism etc, showed that -491AA (OR 11.681, p 0.009, 95, CI 1.824–74.790) and APOE 4 were all risk factors, with injury severity and alcohol-drinking as other risk factors. In Chinese population, as a significant but not independent risk factor, only APOE -491AA promoter in 4 carriers is apt to the clinical deterioration and may contribute to the poor outcome after TBI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our objective was to evaluate the clinical value of numerical simulation in diagnosing cerebral aneurysm based on the analysis of numerical simulation of hemodynamic model. The experimental method used was the numerical model of cerebral aneurysm hemodynamic, and the numerical value of blood flow at each point was analyzed. The results showed that, the wall shear stress (WSS) value on the top of CA1 was significantly lower than that of the top (P<0.05), the WSS value of each point on the CA2 tumor was significantly lower than that of tumor neck (P<0.05); the pressure value on the tumor top and tumor neck between CA1 and CA2 had no significant difference (P>0.05); the unsteady index of shear (UIS) value at the points of 20 had distinctly changed, the wave range was 0.6-1.5; the unsteady index of pressure value of every point was significantly lower than UIS value, the wave range was 0.25-0.40. In conclusion, the application of cerebral aneurysm hemodynamic research can help doctors to diagnose cerebral aneurysm more precisely and to grasp the opportunity of treatment during the formulating of the treatment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Huaiyin Institute of Technology is taken as the research object. The content of horticulture curriculum system under the background of new agricultural science is constructed and elaborated, including theoretical curriculum system of "three platforms and seven curriculum groups" and practice system of "two platforms, three levels and four modules". Moreover, the quality assurance strategy of the curriculum system is discussed from three angles of enhancing professional emotion, enhancing professional practice and strengthening innovation ability, to reach the training objective of outstanding applied horticultural talents under the background of new agricultural science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study analyzed gene expression arrays to identify differentially-expressed genes (DEGs) between mycophenolate mofetil (MMF)‑treated and placebo‑treated patients with symptomatic carotid artery stenosis (SCAS). In addition, the key genes involved in the pharmacology of MMF treatment in patients with SCAS were identified. The gene expression dataset was obtained from a Gene Expression Omnibus database, which included 9 MMF‑treated and 11 placebo‑treated samples. The DEGs were identified between MMF and placebo groups using R software. Furthermore, a protein‑protein interaction (PPI) network of the identified DEGS was constructed. The Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery was used to perform Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses of the 19 most significant DEGs. A total of 210 DEGs between the MMF and placebo groups were screened and their PPI was constructed. GO function analysis revealed that the 19 DEGs were predominantly involved in the tyrosine phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription‑5 protein, which is closely associated with the activation of T cells. The KEGG pathway analysis suggested that the main metabolic pathways of the 19 DEGs were associated with the pharmacological functioning of MMF in activated T cells. In conclusion, the present study identified numerous key DEGs associated with SCAS, and the results suggested that v‑kit Hardy‑Zuckerman 4 feline sarcoma viral oncogene homolog and apelin may serve important roles in the MMF treatment of SCAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human glioblastoma is one of the most malignant types of brain tumor in the world. In the present study, the functional mechanisms of microRNA-141 (miR-141) were assessed, and the potential role of miR-141 as a prognostic biomarker in glioblastoma was examined. The gene expression of miR-141 in glioblastoma cell lines and glioblastoma tumors was assessed by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Glioblastoma LN229 and U89 cell lines were transfected with synthetic miR-141 mimics to upregulate endogenous miR-141. The subsequent effect on glioblastoma proliferation was assessed by MTT assay. In human glioblastoma, miR-141 expression was compared between patients with tumors of different pathological grades. Statistical analyses were performed to assess the correlation between miR-141 and the clinicopathological properties and overall survival rates (OS) of the patients. In addition, a Cox regression model was used to examine whether miR-141 was a potential biomarker of glioblastoma. miR-141 was aberrantly downregulated in glioblastoma cell lines and human glioblastoma tumors. Forced miR-141 upregulation in glioblastoma LN229 and U89 cell lines suppressed cancer proliferation. In patients with glioblastoma, miR-141 downregulation was closely associated with an advanced disease stage, poor clinicopathological properties and a shorter OS time. The multivariate Cox regression model demonstrated that low miR-141 expression was an effective prognostic biomarker for patients with glioblastoma. Overall, the present study showed that miR-141 may be a functional cancer regulator and a prognostic biomarker for glioblastoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Early brain injury (EBI) is considered a major contributor to the high morbidity and mortality associated with subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). Both of sterile inflammation and apoptosis are considered the important causes of EBI. Recently, it was confirmed that thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) not only participates in inflammatory amplification but also stimulates the apoptosis signalling cascade pathway. However, whether the effects of TXNIP influence the pathogenesis of SAH remains unclear. Here, we hypothesize that TXNIP activity induced by endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress) may contribute to the pathogenesis of EBI through pro-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic mechanisms.Methods: A total of 299 male Sprague-Dawley rats were used to create SAH models. Resveratrol (RES, 60 mg/kg) and two TXNIP small interfering RNA (siRNA) were used to inhibit TXNIP expression. The specific inhibitors of ER stress sensors were used to disrupt the link between TXNIP and ER stress. SAH grade, neurological deficits, brain water content and blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability were evaluated simultaneously as prognostic indicators. Fluorescent double-labelling was employed to detect the location of TXNIP in cerebral cells. Western blot and TUNEL were performed to study the mechanisms of TXNIP and EBI.Results: We found that TXNIP expression significantly increased after SAH, peaking at 48 h (0.48 ± 0.04, up to 3.2-fold) and decreasing at 72 h after surgery. This process was accompanied by the generation of inflammation-associated factors. TXNIP was expressed in the cytoplasm of neurons and was widely co-localized with TUNEL-positive cells in both the hippocampus and the cortex of SAH rats. We discovered for the first time that TXNIP was co-localized in neural immunocytes (microglia and astrocytes). After administration of RES, TXNIP siRNA and ER stress inhibitors, TXNIP expression was significantly reduced and the crosstalk between TXNIP and ER stress was disrupted; this was accompanied by a reduction in inflammatory and apoptotic factors, as well as attenuation of the prognostic indices.Conclusions: These results may represent the critical evidence to support the pro-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic effects of TXNIP after SAH. Our data suggest that TXNIP participates in EBI after SAH by mediating inflammation and apoptosis; these pathways may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for SAH treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early brain injury (EBI) is considered to be the major factor associated with high morbidity and mortality after subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). Apoptosis is the major pathological mechanism of EBI, and its pathogenesis has not been fully clarified. Here, we report that thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP), which is induced by protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum (ER) kinase (PERK), participates in EBI by promoting apoptosis. By using adult male Sprague-Dawley rats to establish SAH models, as well as Terminal dexynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining, immunofluorescence, and western blot, we found that TXNIP expression significantly increased after SAH in comparison to the sham group and peaked at 48 h (up to 3.2-fold). Meanwhile, TXNIP was widely expressed in neurons and colocalized with TUNEL-positive cells in the hippocampus and cortex of SAH rats. After administration of TXNIP inhibitor-resveratrol (60 mg/kg), TXNIP small interfering RNA (siRNA) and the PERK inhibitor GSK2656157, TXNIP expression was significantly reduced, accompanied by an attenuation of apoptosis and prognostic indicators, including SAH grade, neurological deficits, brain water content, and blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability. Collectively, these results suggest that TXNIP may participate in EBI after SAH by mediating apoptosis. The blockage of TXNIP induced by PERK could be a potential therapeutic strategy for SAH treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major health and socioeconomic problem as it is associated with high rates of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) have been reported to reduce inflammatory response in several diseases, including myasthenia gravis, viral myocarditis and cerebral infarction. The present study investigated the role of Tregs in mediating neuro-protective effects in a mouse model of TBI. Initially, Treg levels were determined, and compared between the controlled cortical impact (CCI) model for moderate TBI and the sham group, by using flow cytometry and ELISA. Afterwards, the number of Tregs was upregulated (by injection) and downregulated (by depletion), respectively, to elucidate the effect of Tregs in the presence of an inflammatory reaction and a deficient neurological function and consequently, in the prognosis of TBI in the mouse. The expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6)] and anti-inflammatory cytokines [IL-10, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β] in blood and brain tissues was also measured in the five groups: Mice receiving a saline injection, mice experiencing Treg depletion, small-dose (SD Tregs, 1.25×105), and mice receiving different doses of Tregs: Moderate-dose (MD Tregs, 2.5×105) and large-dose (LD Tregs, 5×105), using ELISA and PCR. Co-cultures of Tregs and microglia were performed to evaluate the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and observe the interaction between the two types of cells. The regulation patterns in JNK-NF-κB pathway by Tregs were also evaluated by western blot analysis. Treg levels were significantly reduced in TBI mouse group on the 3rd day after TBI (P<0.05). In the mouse model of TBI, the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) was enhanced, while the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10, TGF-β) was reduced (P<0.05). Tregs exhibited a suppressive effect on inflammatory reactions. In the MD group, the activation of microglia cells was markedly inhibited, compared to the activation in SD and LD groups. The expression of ERK1/2, JNK1/2/3 and NK-κB was significantly downregulated in the MD group. The results indicated that Tregs exhibited significant neuro-protective effects, suppressing pro-inflammatory responses and promoting tissue repair after TBI injury in the mouse, specifically by deactivating the JNK-NF-κB pathway. The results of the study show that Tregs potentially participates in neuro-therapeutic approaches for TBI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reference-based representation scheme achieves significant reduced dimensionality and better discriminability compared to using original image features. More specifically, a greater degree of diversity among the reference-set increases the probability that the descriptor of different images will be unique and well-spread in the data space while maintaining low redundancy. To ensure good diversity of reference-set, we study and compare five different methods to automatically construct the reference-set, including max-variation scheme, max-mean scheme, max-correlation scheme, min-correlation scheme, and affinity propagation algorithm to the task of scene categorization on some benchmark datasets. Extensive experimental results demonstrate that the proposed reference-set selection methods improves reference-based scene categorization method and outperforms state-of-the-art methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The appropriate timing of bolting and flowering is pivotal for reproductive success in Brassicaceae crops including radish (Raphanus sativus L.). Although several flowering regulatory pathways had been described in some plant species, no study on genetic networks of bolting and flowering regulation was performed in radish. In this study, to generate dataset of radish unigene sequences for large-scale gene discovery and functional pathway identification, a cDNA library from mixed radish leaves at different developmental stages was subjected to high-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). Results: A total of 54.64 million clean reads and 111,167 contigs representing 53,642 unigenes were obtained from the radish leaf transcriptome. Among these, 50,385 unigenes were successfully annotated by BLAST searching against the public protein databases. Functional classification and annotation indicated that 42,903 and 15,382 unique sequences were assigned to 55 GO terms and 25 COG categories, respectively. KEGG pathway analysis revealed that 25,973 unigenes were classified into 128 functional pathways, among which 24 candidate genes related to plant circadian rhythm were identified. Moreover, 142 potential bolting and flowering-related genes involved in various flowering pathways were identified. In addition, seven critical bolting and flowering-related genes were isolated and profiled by T-A cloning and RT-qPCR analysis. Finally, a schematic network model of bolting and flowering regulation and pathways was put forward in radish. Conclusions: This study is the first report on systematic identification of bolting and flowering-related genes based on transcriptome sequencing and assembly in radish. These results could provide a foundation for further investigating bolting and flowering regulatory networks in radish, and facilitate dissecting molecular genetic mechanisms underlying bolting and flowering in Brassicaceae vegetable crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]