Search

Abstract Named Entity Recognition (NER) in cybersecurity is crucial for mining information during cybersecurity incidents. Current methods rely on pre-trained models for rich semantic text embeddings, but the challenge of anisotropy may affect subsequent encoding quality. Additionally, existing models may struggle with noise detection. To address these issues, we propose JCLB, a novel model that Joins Contrastive Learning and Belief rule base for NER in cybersecurity. JCLB utilizes contrastive learning to enhance similarity in the vector space between token sequence representations of entities in the same category. A Belief Rule Base (BRB) is developed using regexes to ensure accurate entity identification, particularly for fixed-format phrases lacking semantics. Moreover, a Distributed Constraint Covariance Matrix Adaptation Evolution Strategy (D-CMA-ES) algorithm is introduced for BRB parameter optimization. Experimental results demonstrate that JCLB, with the D-CMA-ES algorithm, significantly improves NER accuracy in cybersecurity.

Coix seed is a good product for both medicinal and food use, which is highly susceptible to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) contamination during field transport, storage, and processing. The aim of this study is to find microbial strains that can solve the problem of contamination of coix seed. In this study, the AFB1-degrading microorganism SX1-1 was isolated and identified as a Bacillus megaterium based on morphology, microscopy, and 16S rDNA sequencing. The optimum culture conditions for SX1-1 to degrade AFB1 were determined to be 12 h. The optimum degradation conditions were 72 h, 57°C, and an initial pH of 8.0. The highest degradation of AFB1 was observed in the fermentation supernatant of the SX1-1 strain, with a degradation rate of 97.45%. In addition, whole-genome sequencing analysis of this strain revealed the presence of a number of enzymes that could potentially degrade AFB1. Importantly, SX1-1 was able to degrade AFB1-contaminated coix seed in situ by 50.06% after co-culture. In conclusion, this strain had a high AFB1 degradation ability, and has great potential and great application as a biocontrol agent for AFB1 degradation of coix seed.

Background: Low temperature pose significant challenges to peach cultivation, causing severe damage to peach buds and restricting production and distribution. Ethylene, an important phytohormone, plays a critical role in enhancing plant cold resistance. Structural genes and transcription factors involved in ethylene biosynthesis and signal transduction pathways are associated with cold resistance. However, no research has specifically addressed their roles in peach cold resistance.Methods: In this study, we aimed for cold-resistance gene discovery in cold-sensitive peach cultivar “21Shiji” (21SJ) and cold-resistance cultivar “Shijizhixing” (SJZX) using RNA-seq and gas chromatography.Results: The findings revealed that under cold stress conditions, ethylene biosynthesis in “SJZX” was significantly induced. Subsequently, a structural gene, PpACO1-1, involved in ethylene biosynthesis in peach buds was significantly upregulated and showed a higher correlation with ethylene release rate. To identify potential transcription factors associated with PpACO1-1 expression and ethylene signal transduction, weighted gene co-expression network analysis was conducted using RNA-seq data. Four transcription factors: PpERF2, PpNAC078, PpWRKY65 and PpbHLH112, were identified.Conclusion: These findings provide valuable theoretical insights for investigating the regulatory mechanisms of peach cold resistance and guiding breeding strategies.

The identification of rock-breaking mode is a key basis to improve cutting ability, and the cutter cutting attitude has a significant influence on rock-breaking mode. In this study, the internal relationship between cutting attitude and rock-breaking mode was explored, and the optimal cutting attitude parameters of low energy consumption and high efficiency rock-breaking were inferred. Based on the massive collapse state of the wedge surface acting rock when disc cutter vibrates axially upward, the rock tensile-shear coupling failure condition was given according to the Mohr-Coulomb criterion on the basis of the nonlinear rock failure criterion, and the three-segment linear rock failure global criterion (tensile failure, tensile-shear coupling failure, shear failure, compression-shear coupling failure and compression failure) was obtained. The mathematical description of the cutter wedge surface compressive stress under different rock-breaking modes was got. Based on the principle of minimum energy of the wedge surface action, the identification method of rock-breaking mode was proposed, and the load model of cutting rock with disc cutter of oblique attitude was constructed. The correlation between load characteristics of the cutter, rock-crushing characteristics (rock fragmentation distribution and dust size distribution) and rock-breaking mode under different cutting attitude inclination angles was analyzed by numerical simulation and experiment. The results show that the characterization values of wedge surface energy consumption of disc cutter are proportional to the attitude inclination angle, and rock-breaking mode changes from tensile-shear coupling failure to compressive-shear coupling failure. The characterization values of wedge surface energy consumption of disc cutter in vibration cutting are obviously less than that in non-vibration cutting, and it is mainly caused by tensile-shear coupling failure, while the tension-shear and compression-shear coupling failure exists approximately in equal proportion in non-vibration cutting. When the wedge surface component of axial velocity is greater than that of feed velocity, the friction is transformed into rock-breaking assistance, and the energy consumption of the wedge surface is significantly reduced. The macroscopic morphology of disc cutter breaking rock is like the large crescent shape, and the microscopic morphology of the rock powder is like polyhedron and spheroid. The attitude inclination angle of the cutter is inversely proportional to the amount of the rock fragments, and is proportional to the amount of the rock powder (spherical-like dust decreases and polyhedron-like dust increases). It indicates that as the attitude inclination angle increases, the extrusion effect of the cutter teeth edge is weakened, and the energy consumption of dust generated by the wedge surface extrusion increases, which is consistent with the influence of the cutting attitude on the energy consumption of the wedge surface during the identification process of rock-breaking mode. The radial load and the attitude inclination angles of disc cutter are concave, the theory and simulation are consistent with the experimental radial load law, and the average errors are 8.46% and 9.55%, respectively. The rationality of the identification method of disc cutter rock-breaking mode, the load model of cutting rock with inclined attitude and the numerical simulation is verified.

Abstract Background Pancreatic cancer stem cells are crucial for tumorigenesis and cancer metastasis. Presently, long non-coding RNAs were found to be associated with Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma stemness characteristics but the underlying mechanism is largely known. Here, we aim to explore the function of LINC00909 in regulating pancreatic cancer stemness and cancer metastasis. Methods The expression level and clinical characteristics of LINC00909 were verified in 80-paired normal pancreas and Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma tissues from Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital cohort by in situ hybridization. RNA sequencing of PANC-1 cells with empty vector or vector encoding LINC00909 was experimented for subsequent bioinformatics analysis. The effect of LINC00909 in cancer stemness and metastasis was examined by in vitro and in vivo experiments. The interaction between LINC00909 with SMAD4 and the pluripotency factors were studied. Results LINC00909 was generally upregulated in pancreatic cancer tissues and was associated with inferior clinicopathologic features and outcome. Over-expression of LINC00909 enhanced the expression of pluripotency factors and cancer stem cells phenotype, while knock-down of LINC00909 decreased the expression of pluripotency factors and cancer stem cells phenotype. Moreover, LINC00909 inversely regulated SMAD4 expression, knock-down of SMAD4 rescued the effect of LINC00909-deletion inhibition on pluripotency factors and cancer stem cells phenotype. These indicated the effect of LINC00909 on pluripotency factors and CSC phenotype was dependent on SMAD4 and MAPK/JNK signaling pathway, another downstream pathway of SMAD4 was also activated by LINC00909. Specifically, LINC00909 was localized in the cytoplasm in pancreatic cancer cells and decreased the stability the SMAD4 mRNA. Finally, we found over-expression of LINC00909 not only accelerated tumor growth in subcutaneous mice models, but also facilitated tumorigenicity and spleen metastasis in orthotopic mice models. Conclusion We demonstrate LINC00909 inhibits SMAD4 expression at the post-transcriptional level, which up-regulates the expression of pluripotency factors and activates the MAPK/JNK signaling pathway, leading to enrichment of cancer stem cells and cancer metastasis in pancreatic cancer.

Spondylus aurantius, a member of the Mollusca phylum, Bivalvia class, Pterioida order, and Spondylidae family, is an important economic marine bivalve species that is widely distributed along the warm-water coastal region in Guangdong and Hainan Province in China, and the Philippines. As an important marine commercial bivalve, wild S. aurantius individuals are often captured by local fishermen for their large adductor muscle, which makes delicious seafood, and for their beautiful shells, which are used for displays.According to the China Fishery Statistical Yearbook for 2022, the annual production of cultured mollusks exceeded 15 million tons, with oysters, scallops, and clams accounting for 78.23% of the total aquaculture yield. In southeast coastal provinces, such as Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan, the most common cultured mollusks include Hong Kong oysters (Crassostrea hongkongensis), Suminoe oysters (Crassostrea ariakensis), pearl oysters (Pinctada fucata martensii), and noble scallops (Chlamys nobilis). Generally, Hong Kong and Suminoe oysters cannot tolerate high salinity conditions and are often cultured near estuaries; the P. f. martensii industry is rapidly declining because of high mortality rates and nucleus rejection after transplantation in the process of pearl production; and noble scallop rearing, which is primarily practiced in net cages, and a considerable amount of labor is required to clean attachments. Therefore, there is an urgent need to investigate the cultivation of new bivalve species that can adapt to coastal areas with high temperatures and high salinity.Though S. aurantius is traditionally regarded as an edible mollusk, few studies have reported the artificial breeding of this species. In this study, wild adult S. aurantius with shell length of (12.00±1.25) cm and wet body weight of (100.00±5.04) g were selected as the research subjects to artificially ripen mature individuals, observe and compare the development of the embryo and juveniles at different temperatures (28 ℃ and 32 ℃), and study the effects of different substrates and water depths on the adhesion efficiency of juveniles. Our results were as follows: (1) Under artificial conditions, adult S. aurantius gonads could continue to develop and mature, with testes and ovaries filled with milky spermatozoa and orange eggs, respectively; (2) The method of "dry in the shade + flowing water + high temperature" successfully induced spawning and fertilization of S. aurantius; (3) The diameters of fertilized eggs were (130.1±0.3) µm, and the first unequal cleavage was observed 95 min after fertilization. These eggs then developed into multicellular stages (cleavage occurred at approximately 30-min intervals), blastula (after 4–5 h of fertilization), trochophore (after 10–12 h of fertilization), D-shaped larvae (after 25–28 h of fertilization), umbo larvae (after 6–7 d of fertilization), pediveliger (after 14–15 d of fertilization), and juvenile (after 25–27 h of fertilization); (4) Fertilized eggs could develop into the juvenile stage at both 28 ℃ and 32 ℃; however, the survival rates of fertilized eggs under higher temperatures were lower than of those cultured at 28 ℃, although the speed of S. aurantius embryonic development at 32 ℃ was higher than that at lower temperatures; (5) The density of juvenile S. aurantius in deep water (1–1.5 m depth) was evidently higher than that in shallow water (0–0.5 m depth) in an indoor seedling pond (P < 0.05); (6) Furthermore, the densities of juvenile S. aurantius were highest on the surfaces of Pinctada margaritifera shells, followed by S. aurantius shells > oyster shells > concrete reels > black shading nets > green polyethylene mesh sheets under indoor conditions, while the densities and growth rate of juvenile S. aurantius attached itself and oyster shells were better after one month culture in the natural coastal area of Wuzhizhou Island, Sanya. In this study, embryonic development in S. aurantius was observed for the first time. Furthermore, the breeding technology of S. aurantius, including the induction of gonadal maturation and spawning, the incubation of fertilized eggs, and the selection of substrates, was established for the first time under artificial conditions, which could contribute to the future large-scale breeding and cultivation of this species.

In the present study, the effects of different levels of allicin supplementation (0.00 % as control, 0.30 %, 0.45 %, 0.60 %, 0.75 %, and 0.90 %) on the growth performance, biochemical composition and immune capacity of ivory shells (Babylonia areolata) were investigated. Allicin supplementation in the daily diet significantly enhanced growth performance, with the highest specific growth rates observed at concentrations ranging from 0.75 % to 0.90 % (2.18–2.20 %/d), and the lowest feed conversion ratio (1.39) recorded at 0.60 %. Correspondingly, mRNA expression levels of two appetite-related genes, Orexin and Neuropeptide Y (NPY), in the hepatopancreas significantly increased, while the expression of the appetite-suppressing gene Leptin significantly decreased with increasing allicin supplementation. The amounts of almost all detected fatty acids significantly increased when ivory shells were fed diets supplemented with allicin, while their profiles varied, showing increases in C20:1n9 and C22:6n3 (DHA), and decreases in C16:0, C18:2n6, and C20:4n6 (ARA). Lipase activities in both the intestine and hepatopancreas significantly increased in the allicin-supplemented groups, with peak values observed at 0.90 % and 0.75 % allicin supplementation, respectively (3.64 U/g prot in the intestine and 9.52 U/g prot in the hepatopancreas). Allicin supplementation improved the antioxidant and antimicrobial abilities of ivory shells, leading to increased activities of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and lysozyme in the hepatopancreas, and reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) contents. Similar trends were observed in mRNA levels of SOD, CAT and lysozyme genes. In conclusion, moderate allicin supplementation in artificial diets (approximately 0.75 %-0.90 %) can significantly enhance growth performance, increase muscle lipid content, and boost immune capabilities of ivory shells.

BackgroundAccurate detection of the histological grade of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) is important for patients’ prognoses and treatment. Here, we investigated the performance of radiological image-based artificial intelligence (AI) models in predicting histological grades using meta-analysis.MethodA systematic literature search was performed for studies published before September 2023. Study characteristics and diagnostic measures were extracted. Estimates were pooled using random-effects meta-analysis. Evaluation of risk of bias was performed by the QUADAS-2 tool.ResultsA total of 26 studies were included, 20 of which met the meta-analysis criteria. We found that the AI-based models had high area under the curve (AUC) values and showed moderate predictive value. The pooled distinguishing abilities between different grades of PNETs were 0.89 [0.84-0.90]. By performing subgroup analysis, we found that the radiomics feature-only models had a predictive value of 0.90 [0.87-0.92] with I2 = 89.91%, while the pooled AUC value of the combined group was 0.81 [0.77-0.84] with I2 = 41.54%. The validation group had a pooled AUC of 0.84 [0.81-0.87] without heterogenicity, whereas the validation-free group had high heterogenicity (I2 = 91.65%, P=0.000). The machine learning group had a pooled AUC of 0.83 [0.80-0.86] with I2 = 82.28%.ConclusionAI can be considered as a potential tool to detect histological PNETs grades. Sample diversity, lack of external validation, imaging modalities, inconsistent radiomics feature extraction across platforms, different modeling algorithms and software choices were sources of heterogeneity. Standardized imaging, transparent statistical methodologies for feature selection and model development are still needed in the future to achieve the transformation of radiomics results into clinical applications.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42022341852.

Abstract Different from object detection in natural images, aerial‐view object detection faces special challenges with large changes in object orientation and wide multi‐scale distribution. Many methods based on Oriented Bounding Boxes (OBB) can reach accurate results, yet may face the problem of parameter mutation and axis prediction deviation. To address these problems, a two‐stage detection framework is proposed for arbitrary‐oriented traffic participant detection and axis prediction, named Axis Prediction Network. First, a Deformable Convolution Fusion Module (DCF‐Module) is proposed to enhance the ability of FPN to extract multi‐scale semantic features, for dealing with the multi‐scale change of objects. Then, the axis heat‐map prediction head network is proposed to fit the long axis of oriented objects labeled with Gaussian model, which uses pixel‐by‐pixel prediction heatmap to calculate the long axis of the object, avoiding the angle mutation of an OBB. Last, the long and short side prediction head network is proposed to predict the shape of an oriented object, avoiding the mutation of the width and height of an OBB. The experiments are conducted on the new built Crossroad dataset and the public DOTA dataset. Experiment results show that the proposed method achieve good performance in arbitrary‐oriented traffic participant detection and axis prediction in aerial view.

The heat generation mechanism, wear behavior and quantitative relationship between cutting load and coal rock characteristics of the interaction between the cutting tool of mining machinery and coal rock mass, are the keys in solving the wear failure short life of the cutter, and realizing the safe and efficient heading. By comprehensively analyzing the impact of temperature on tool life, wear, and cutting efficiency, the temperature and wear distribution law of disc cutter in cutting coal rock are explored, and the heat generation mechanism and wear characteristics of disc cutter in cutting coal rock are revealed. Under the cutting conditions of non-vibration and axial excited vibration, the heat flux calculation formulas of the cutter wedge surface and the blade are established by friction work. Based on the semi-infinite heat transfer model under the condition of instantaneous point heat source and heat compensation principle, the heat transfer models of wedge irregular surface heat source and blade line heat source of disc cutter are given, and the temperature mathematical model of any point is established. Also, the influence of relevant parameters on the temperature field of cutter was solved and analyzed. Using the finite element ABAQUS, and discrete element EDEM software, the study simulates the temperature field and wear characteristics of disc cutter in cutting coal rock at different feed speeds, and sets up an experimental system for vibration cutting coal rock with disc cutter. Furthermore, the study tests the temperature characteristics of coal rock broken by disc cutter, and comprehensively investigates the distribution law of temperature and wear behavior characteristics of disc cutter in theory, simulation, and experiment. The results show that the characteristics of temperature variation of disc cutter are mainly concentrated on the blade, which decreases gradually from the blade to the wedge surface. The temperature distribution along the circumference of disc cutter is like a parabola, and the temperature decreases gradually from the middle blade to both sides. Under different feed speeds, the steady-state average maximum temperatures obtained by theoretical calculation (cutting time tends to infinity) of non-vibration and axial excited vibration are 374.76 ℃ and 245.72 ℃ respectively. The average maximum temperatures obtained by simulation (cutting time is about 3 s) are 80.13 ℃ and 73.60 ℃ respectively, and the average maximum temperature without vibration is 8.87% higher than that with vibration. And the experimental results (cutting time is about 3 s) are 72.56 ℃ and 66.99 ℃, and the average maximum temperature without vibration is 8.45% higher than that with vibration, the average error between simulation and experiment is 11.69%. In the experimental process of disc cutter in cutting coal rock, the circumferential spin phenomenon of the cutter is conducive to its evenly wear, and vibration cutting is more obvious than non-vibration. The temperature dissipation of the disc cutter blade presents a nonlinear downward trend, which is rapidly transferred from the blade to the wedge surface, its structural form can avoid aggravating the local wear of the cutter due to the accumulation and concentration of temperature. The disc cutter wear is concentrated at the blade, the relative wear along the circumference is a parabola distribution, the relative wear of the middle blade is larger, and the relative wear of the two side blades is gradually reduced. And the ABAQUS simulation combined the cutter wear model estimates the characteristic law of relative blade wear, which are the same as that obtained by EDEM simulation. The relative wear amount of disc cutter circumference is consistent with the temperature characteristic law, the correlation coefficients are higher than 0.90, cutting temperature can characterize the cutter wear. The internal connection between the temperature distribution characteristics of disc cutter in cutting coal rock and its wear law is obtained by comprehensive theory, simulation, and experiment, the three temperature variation laws are consistent, which verifies the accuracy and effectiveness of the cutter heat transfer model.

ABSTRACTLicorice is a product with the same origin as medicine and food and is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine and the food, cosmetics and tobacco industries. With the increasing demand for licorice in the herbal market, there is also increasing concern about complex varieties and quality deterioration. Considering the importance of the quality and safety of commercial licorice products, we used DNA barcoding, HPLC and colorimetry to distinguish and evaluate commercial licorice products. Here, 52 samples could be accurately identified into three kinds of licorice, Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. (Gu), Glycyrrhiza inflata Bat. (Gi) and Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (Gg), by internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and trnH-psbA sequences. Among them, the S27 sample was identified as Gi but had been incorrectly labeled as Gg. Based on HPLC combined with stoichiometric analysis, the contents of liquiritin, glycyrrhizic acid and isoliquiritin contents were significantly different between Gu and Gg, and Gi and Gg showed significant differences only in isoliquiritigenin content. The chemical components and color difference parameters showed that isoliquiritigenin had a significant correlation with the color parameter b*. The above results show that DNA barcoding can quickly and accurately distinguish species, but it cannot provide data on metabolites or other quality information beyond the plant raw materials. Techniques that combine of DNA barcoding, HPLC and colorimetry can more easily distinguish and evaluate the types and quality of commercial licorice products. This study provides good data support for the safety and quality of licorice in the Chinese market.

Groupers are valuable economic fish in the southern sea area of China, but the threat of disease is becoming more and more serious. Vibrio harveyi, V. parahaemolyticus, and Singapore grouper iridovirus (SGIV) are three important pathogens that cause disease in groupers, and infection with either a single one or a mix of these pathogens poses a serious threat to the healthy development of grouper culture. To enhance the rapid diagnosis and screening in the early stages, it is necessary to develop rapid detection methods of these pathogens. To simultaneously and rapidly detect the three pathogens, in this study, we utilized the TolC of V. harveyi, DNAJ of V. parahaemolyticus, and RAD2 of SGIV as the target genes and established a triple visual loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method. This LAMP method showed a detection time as fast as 30 min and a high sensitivity of 100 fg/μL. Moreover, this method exhibited strong specificity and no cross-reaction with seven types of Vibrio and Staphylococcus aureus, as well as five common viruses in aquatic animals. Then, the LAMP products were enzymically cut, and three characteristic strips were used to identify the pathogen species. The results of the clinical trials demonstrated that the method could accurately and specifically detect V. harveyi, V. parahaemolyticus, and SGIV in grouper tissues. In summary, this study successfully established a triple visual LAMP rapid detection method for V. harveyi, V. parahaemolyticus, and SGIV. The method offers several advantages including simple equipment, easy operation, rapid reaction, high specificity, high sensitivity, and visual results. It is suitable for the early and rapid diagnosis of groupers infected with V. harveyi, V. parahaemolyticus, and SGIV, thereby providing useful technical support for further application in the large-scale disease surveillance of aquaculture animals.

Background: Co-diabetes pancreatic adenocarcinoma has a poorer prognosis than pancreatic adenocarcinoma without diabetes. This study aimed to develop a reliable prognostic model for patients with co-diabetes pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Method: Overall, 169 patients with co-diabetes pancreatic adenocarcinoma were included in our study. First, the independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of patients with co-diabetes pancreatic adenocarcinoma were determined by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Based on these identified risk factors, we developed a nomogram and evaluated its predictive ability using the concordance index, receiver operating characteristic curve, calibration plot, decision curve, and net reclassification index. Results: In this study, prealbumin, transferrin, carcinoembryonic antigen, distant metastasis, tumor differentiation neutrophil count, lymphocyte count and fasting blood glucose were confirmed as significant prognostic factors. Based on these predictors, a new nomogram was developed. Compared with the American Joint Committee on Cancer 8 staging system and other models, the nomogram achieved a higher concordance index in the training (0.795) and validation (0.729) queues. The area under the nomogram's curve for predicting patient survival at 0.5, 1, and 1.5 years in the training queue was >0.8. Patients were risk-stratified using the nomogram, and Kaplan–Meier survival curves of subgroups were plotted. The Kaplan–Meier curve also showed better separation than the American Joint Committee on Cancer 8 staging system, indicating that our model has a better risk hierarchical ability. Conclusions: Compared to the American Joint Committee on Cancer 8 staging system and other predictive models, our model showed better predictive ability for patients with co-diabetes pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Our model will help in patients’ risk stratification and improves their prognosis.

We admitted a 41-year-old man with a chief complaint of multiple nodules found in the scrotum, accompanied by itching discomfort, occasionally some nodules discharged white secretions. Physical examination revealed extensive nodules of scrotal skin, approximately 2.0 cm in diameter in the largest, grayish white, textured hard, no pain, no breakdown of skin. Due to the wide distribution of scrotal nodules in this patient, there was a large deletion in the scrotal skin after intraoperative removal of all nodules; the skin was submitted to V and Z-sutures, and the scrotum was finally successfully reconstructed.

Abstract Background Bisphosphonates (BPs) are widely used in clinical practice to prevent and treat bone metabolism-related diseases. Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is one of the major sequelae of BPs use. Early prediction and intervention of MRONJ are of great significance. Methods Ninety-seven patients currently on treatment with BPs or with a history of BPs usage and 45 healthy volunteers undergoing dentoalveolar surgery were included in this study. Participants' serum Semaphorin 4D (Sema4D) levels were measured and analyzed before participants underwent surgery (T0) and after a 12-month follow-up (T1). Kruskal–Wallis test and ROC analysis were used to examine the predictive effect of Sema4D on MRONJ. Results Sema4D levels in serum of patients corresponding to confirmed MRONJ were significantly lower at both T0 and T1 time points compared to non-MRONJ and healthy controls. Sema4D has a statistically predictive effect on the occurrence and diagnosis of MRONJ. Serum Sema4D levels were significantly reduced in MRONJ class 3 patients. MRONJ patients who received intravenous BPs had significantly lower Sema4D levels than those who received oral BPs. Conclusion Serum Sema4D level has predictive value for the onset of MRONJ in BPs users within 12 weeks after dentoalveolar surgery.

Different from the true oyster (family Ostreidae), the molecular diversity of the gryphaeid oyster (family Gryphaeidae) has never been sufficiently investigated. In the present study, the complete mitochondrial (mt) genome of Hyotissa sinensis was sequenced and compared with those of other ostreoids. The total length of H. sinensis mtDNA is 30,385 bp, encoding 12 protein-coding-genes (PCGs), 26 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes and two ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. The nucleotide composition and codon usage preference of H. sinensis mtDNA is similar to that of H. hyotis within the same genus. On the other hand, the presence of three trnM and three trnL genes of H. sinensis was not detected neither in H. hyotis nor other ostroid species. Another unique character of H. sinensis mtDNA is that both rrnS and rrnL have a nearly identical duplication. The PCG order of H. sinensis is identical to H. hyotis and the two congener species also share an identical block of 12 tRNA genes. The tRNA rearrangements mostly happen in the region from Cox1 to Nad3, the same area where the duplicated genes are located. The rearrangements within Gryphaeidae could be explained by a "repeat-random loss model". Phylogenetic analyses revealed Gryphaeidae formed by H. sinensis + H. hyotis as sister to Ostreidae, whereas the phylogenetic relationship within the latter group remains unresolved. The present study indicated the mitogenomic diversity within Gryphaeidae and could also provide important data for future better understanding the gene order rearrangements within superfamily Ostreoidea.

In this study, the screening of lactic acid bacteria from traditional fermented food was carried out by enrichment culture, dilution separation, and agar plate diffusion experiments. Physiological and biochemical and 16S rDNA gene sequence homology analysis were used to identify the lactic acid bacteria. Then, the main antibacterial substances produced by the lactic acid bacteria were determined by acid excretion, hydrogen peroxide exclusion, and protease hydrolysis. Finally, the bacteriocin crude extract was obtained by alcohol precipitation and Sephadex LH-20 chromatography, and then was applied to the preserving the whole large yellow croaker. To evaluate the preservation effect of the bacteriocin crude extract on the large yellow croaker, sensory evaluation, pH determination, viable cell counts, TVB-N determination and texture profile analysis were systematically carried out every 3 days. The experimental results showed that the lactic acid bacteria isolated from shrimp paste was Lactobacillus plantarum and named MMB-11. Meanwhile, the bacteriocin produced by MMB-11 was sensitive to protease and had notable acid tolerance and thermal stability. With the application of the bacteriocin on the preservation of large yellow croaker, the viable cell counts in MMB-11 group, control group and Nisin-treated group after 12 d of storage were 3.50×104, 1.10×105 and 4.50×104 CFU/g, respectively. Furthermore, after 12 d of storage, the TVB-N treated with MMB-11 group, control group and Nisin group were 20.91±0.66、31.37±0.21 and 21.44±0.45 mg/100 g, respectively. Overall, the results showed that the crude bacteriocin extract of MMB-11 had a better preservation effect on large yellow croaker than the Nisin-treated group and control group. This study provides a fundamental knowledge for developing safe and harmless biological preservatives for large yellow croaker.

IntroductionScutellaria baicalensis is rich in bioactive flavonoid, which are widely used in clinical therapy. Many environmental factors, such as water and temperature, affect gene expression and secondary metabolites accumulation in plants.MethodsIn this study, to explore the effect of drought stress on the accumulation of flavonoids and gene expression in S. baicalensis seedlings, 4-week-old Scutellaria baicalensis seedlings were treated with different concentrations of PEG6000 to simulate drought stress. The contents of four root-specific flavones (baicalein, wogonin, baicalin, and wogonoside) in samples under different treatments were quantitatively analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The expression levels of flavonoid biosynthesis-related genes (PAL1, PAL2, CHS, and UBGAT) were determined by real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR). Also, a correlation analysis between flavonoid contents and gene expression levels was made.ResultsThe HPLC results revealed that 5 and 10% PEG6000 treatments significantly increased the content of four flavonoids, with 5% PEG 6000 treatment being the most beneficial to the flavonoids accumulation. The qRT-PCR results showed that PAL2 and CHS gene expressions differed significantly in different organs, while PAL1 and UBGAT had poor organ-specific. For genes in roots, the expression of PAL1 and UBGAT was the highest in 5% PEG6000 treatment, and PAL2 and CHS were the highest in 10% PEG6000 treatment. Compared with other concentrations of PEG6000, 5 and 10% PEG6000 were more advantageous for gene expression. Collectively, PEG6000 at a low concentration promoted the accumulation of flavonoids and the expression of related genes. Additionally, the correlation results demonstrated that PAL1, PAL2, CHS, and UBGAT genes in roots stimulated the formation and accumulation of the four flavonoids to varying degrees, while the exception of PAL2 gene expression in roots was negatively correlated with wogonin content.DiscussionThis study for the first time investigated the effect of drought stress on the downstream gene UBGAT in S.baicalensis seedlings as well as the correlation between gene expression and flavonoid content in S. baicalensis seedlings under drought stress, providing a new sight for studying the effects of drought stress on flavonoid accumulation and related gene expression in S. baicalensis.

The Tonnoidea Suter, 1913 (1825) is a moderately diverse group of large predatory gastropods, the systematics of which remain unclear. In the present study, the complete mitochondrial genomes of nine Tonnoidean species were sequenced. All newly sequenced mitogenomes contain 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes and two ribosomal RNA genes, showing similar patterns in genome size, gene order and nucleotide composition. The ratio of nonsynonymous to synonymous of PCGs indicated that NADH complex genes of Tonnoideans were experiencing a more relaxed purifying selection compared with the COX genes. The reconstructed phylogeny based on the combined amino acid sequences of 13 protein-coding genes and the nucleotide sequences of two rRNA genes supported that Ficidae Meek, 1864 (1840) is a sister to Tonnoidea. The monophylies of all Tonnoidean families were recovered and the internal phylogenetic relationships were consistent with the current classification. The phylogeny also revealed that Tutufa rebuta (Linnaeus, 1758) is composed of at least two different species, indicating that the species diversity within Bursidae Thiele, 1925 might be underestimated. The present study contributes to the understanding of the Tonnoidean systematics, and it could provide important information for the revision of Tonnoidean systematics in the future.

The complete mitogenomes of Pinctada albina and Pinctada margaritifera were sequenced in this study, with sizes of 23,841 bp and 15,556 bp, respectively. The mitochondrial genome analysis of eight Pterioidea species indicated the existence of gene rearrangements within the superfamily. The ATP8 gene was not detected in the two new mitogenomes, and rrnS was found to be duplicated in P. albina’s mitogenome. The reconstructed phylogeny based on mitogenomes strongly supported the monophyly of Pterioidea and provided robust statistical evidence of the phylogenetic relationships within Pteriomorphia. The analysis of the mitochondrial gene order revealed that of P. margaritifera to be the same as the ancestral order of Pterioidea. The gene orders of the Pterioidea species were mapped to the phylogenetic tree, and the gene rearrangement events were inferred. These results provide important insights that will support future research, such as studies extending the evolutionary patterns of the gene order from P. margaritifera to other species and determining the evolutionary status of Pterioidea within the infraclass Pteriomorphia.

Abstract In order to train an end‐to‐end model for better performance in distinguishing superclasses and make the model more sensitive to inter‐class differences, the authors propose a Feature Context Network (FCNet), a novel ensemble framework for image retrieval based on clustering (EFC) and metric learning. In the authors' approach, the EFC framework consists of one common feature extractor and multiple learning branches. This tree‐like structure not only promotes the stability of the training process but also keeps the diversity by using multiple branches. Each branch is learnt by an independent random re‐labelling operation that distributes original classes into superclasses. In such a way, the framework thus can accelerate the training process. To make the EFC framework focus on the different attributes across the classes, the authors utilize k‐means clustering to divide the training set into subsets and train the model sequentially with those subsets. Meanwhile, to reduce the impact of over‐fitting problems, the authors design a branch weight structure during training. Further, FCNet fusions different scales of the neighbourhood information and consequently makes the feature map learn richer information with the different receptive fields. Simultaneously, it can reduce the layer of the network and the number of model parameters. Extensive experiments demonstrate that this approach outperforms the tested representative methods on CARS‐196, CUB‐200‐2011 datasets.

Abstract Background Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the deadliest cancer due to its highly aggressive phenotype and lack of effective biomarkers or treatment strategies. ZMAT1 belongs to the C2H2 type zinc finger family, but its biological function is rarely investigated, as well as its role in cancer development. Methods Multiple bioinformatics analyses were used to evaluate ZMAT1 expression and potential role in PDAC. Intro and vivo studies were performed to assess the effects of ZMAT1 on PDAC cells growth. Furthermore, CHIP-seq and luciferase reporter assay was conducted to identify its specific regulatory mechanism in PDAC. Results The current study identified the down-regulation of ZMAT1 and its associations with unfavorable clinicopathological characteristics and poor survival of PDAC. Further, we found overexpression of ZMAT1 inhibited pancreatic cancer cell proliferation by inducing p21, leading to impaired S/G2 cell cycle progression. Besides, over-expression of ZMAT1 led to decreased pancreatic cancer cell apoptosis. Mechanistically, ZMAT1 up-regulated p53 expression and inhibition of p53 abrogated the effect of ZMAT1 over-expression on pancreatic cancer cell, indicating the role of ZMAT1 in PDAC was dependent on p53. By performing CHIP-seq assay, we found ZMAT1 did not bind to P53 but bound to the promoter region of SIRT3, an upstream regulator for p53. Luciferase reporter assay showed transfection of ZMAT1 induced SIRT3 transcription, suggesting ZMAT1 was a transcriptional activator for SIRT3. Conclusion Our findings indicated the role of ZMAT1-SIRT3-p53 signaling pathway during tumor growth, highlighting that ZMAT1 is a tumor suppressor and novel biomarker of PDAC.