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The existence of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is considered to be the key factor for metastasis and chemoresistance. Thus, novel therapeutic strategies for eradicating CSCs are urgently needed. Here we aimed to explore the role of KLF15 in stemness and the feasibility of using KLF15 to inhibit CSCs and improve chemotherapy sensitivity in PDAC. In this study, we report that KLF15 is negatively associated with poor survival and advanced pathological staging of PDAC. Moreover, tumorous KLF15 suppresses the stemness of PDAC by promoting the degradation of Nanog, and KLF15 directly interacts with Nanog, inhibiting interaction between Nanog with USP21. We also demonstrate that the KLF15/Nanog complex inhibit the stemness in vivo and in PDX cells. Tazemetostat suppresses stemness and sensitizes PDAC cells to gemcitabine by promoting KLF15 expression in PDAC. In summary, the findings of our study confirm the value of KLF15 level in diagnosis and prognosis of PDAC, it is the first time to explore the inhibition role of KLF15 in stemness of PDAC and the regulation mechanism of Nanog, contributing to provide a new therapeutic strategy that using Tazemetostat sensitizes PDAC cells to gemcitabine by promoting KLF15 expression for PDAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper considers the stabilization and optimal control of networked control systems possessing two controllers, in which the local controller and the remote controller transmit state information over multiple erasure channels. Multiple controllers are introduced for the first time in this multi-mode system. The coupling of the two controllers and the dependence of the adjacent-time jumping parameters make the control problem more difficult. For the finite horizon, the existence conditions and the explicit solutions to the optimal controllers are given in virtue of two coupled difference Riccati equations (CDREs). For the infinite horizon, the necessary and sufficient conditions of stabilizability are presented and the corresponding optimal controllers are derived with a new set of coupled algebraic Riccati equations (CAREs). Numerical examples are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we consider the Fourier spectral method and numerical investigation for a class of modified Zakharov system with high-order space fractional quantum correction. First, the numerical scheme of the system is developed with periodic boundary condition based on the Crank–Nicolson/leap-frog methods in time and the Fourier spectral method in space. Moreover, it is shown that the scheme preserves simultaneously mass and energy conservation laws. Second, we analyze stability and convergence of the numerical scheme. Last, the numerical experiments are given, and the results show the correctness of theoretical results and the efficiency of the conservative scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the forming problems of axisymmetric curved parts, it is generally believed that the flat-bottom region of the forming part is in an equibiaxial tensile stress state when an axisymmetric flat-bottom punch is used for bulging or drawing-bulging forming processes. However, this view lacked in-depth analysis and mathematical proof. In this research, under the assumptions of Kirchhoff's membrane theory, the proportional loading condition and transversely anisotropic material model, mathematical proof is provided based on parametric equations and finite element simulations and experiments are carried out to verify that the flat-bottom region of the forming part is in an equibiaxial tensile stress state when an axisymmetric flat-bottom punch is used. On this basis, the direct integral method is supplemented and improved. The strain distributions of the conical parts in the flange, die arc, side wall, punch arc and bottom regions are obtained by the improved integral method. The theoretical results are compared with and validated by those obtained by the finite element method and experiment. This research is helpful to the prediction of strain distribution in axisymmetric sheet forming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In overlapping spectrum sharing, due to the complexity of cognitive environment, it is a real challenge for a secondary user (SU) to correctly sense the usage of the spectrum in real time. To tackle this challenge, a social awareness-aided transmit power control policy for SUs is developed. First, a social network composed of a group of third-party sensing nodes that do not share the spectrum with the PU is established, which helps an SU collect the power information of the PU. Then, we design a Dueling Deep Q-Network (DQN) model to achieve efficient dynamic spectrum sharing between the PU and the SU with the power information collected in the social network. Experimental results show that the spectrum sharing success rate is higher and the comprehensive performance is improved with the sensing nodes selected by the social relationship. Moreover, compared with other deep reinforcement learning (DRL) algorithms, the performance of Dueling DQN is more stable on our targeted spectrum sharing problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Intestinal dysfunction is a common complication of acute pancreatitis. MiR155 may be involved in the occurrence and development of intestinal dysfunction mediated by acute pancreatitis, but the specific mechanism is not clear. Aims: To investigate the effect of miR155 on severe acute pancreatitis (SAP)-associated intestinal dysfunction and its possible mechanism in a mice model. Methods: In this study, SAP mice model was induced by intraperitoneal injection of caerulein and LPS in combination. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) was given by tail vein injection before the SAP model. The pancreatic and intestinal histopathology changes were analyzed. Cecal tissue was collected for 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing. Intestinal barrier proteins ZO-1 and E-cad were measured by Immunohistochemistry Staining and Western Blot, respectively. Intestinal tissue miR155 and inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 were detected by Q-PCR. The expression levels of protein associated with TNF-α and TLR4/MYD88 pathway in the intestinal were detected. Results: In miR155 overexpression SAP group, the levels of tissue inflammatory factor were significantly increased, intestinal barrier proteins were significantly decreased, and the injury of intestinal was aggravated. Bacterial 16S rRNA sequencing was performed, showing miR155 promotes gut microbiota dysbiosis. The levels of TNF-α, TLR4, and MYD88 in the intestinal were detected, suggesting that miR155 may regulate gut microbiota and activate the TLR4/MYD88 pathway, thereby affecting the release of inflammatory mediators and regulating SAP-related intestinal injury. After application of miR155-sponge, imbalance of intestinal flora and destruction of intestinal barrier-related proteins have been alleviated. The release of inflammatory mediators decreased, and the histopathology injury of intestinal was improved obviously. Conclusion: MiR155 may play an important role in SAP-associated intestinal dysfunction. MiR155 can significantly alter the intestinal microecology, aggravated intestinal inflammation through TLR4/MYD88 pathway, and disrupts the intestinal barrier in SAP mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fine-grained image classification method does not have a very good training effect when performing random weight training for neural networks. For the fine-grained classification under the condition of convolutional neural network, the main reason is that its upgrading method can better improve the stability of convolutional neural network. Fine-grained classification through bilinear convolutional neural networks is to effectively merge several convolutional neural networks, so as to obtain a high-resolution advantage to improve the method of fine-grained classification. With the development of society and the improvement of urban construction, the artificial reconstruction of rivers in the city will strengthen the connectivity and smoothness of the reconstructed river to a certain extent, but it will also affect the self-healing of the river. At present, the treatment of river pollution is a major aspect of the country's treatment of environmental pollution. Obtain the transformation and restoration of the ecological environment around the river in the city through data exchange and other methods. Establishing a scientific and complete plant community with a naturalized revetment system can reduce the impact of river water on the riverbank. At the same time, these naturalized revetment plants can also play a role in flood prevention and discharge, and to a certain extent, it can affect the polluted water quality and give purification. While carrying out the ecological environment protection of the river, it also pays attention to the design and planning of the river landscape, so that the river can withstand the impact of flowing water while having a beautiful landscape design, so as to realize the ecological civilization construction of the river landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we proposed two semi-quantum direct communication protocols based on Bell states. By pre-sharing two secret keys between two communicants, Alice with the advanced quantum ability can transmit secret messages to the classical Bob who can only perform the limited classical operations. At the same time, both sides of the communication can comfirm the legitimacy of each other's identity. Security and qubit efficency analysis have been given. The analysis results show that the two protocols can resistant to several well-known attacks and their qubit efficency is higher than some current protocols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The gut is implicated in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis (AP) and the infectious complications of AP are commonly associated with enteric bacteria, yet whether gut microbiota dysbiosis participants in AP severity remains largely unknown.Methods: We collected clinical information and fecal samples from 165 adult participants, including 41 with mild AP (MAP), 59 with moderately severe AP (MSAP), 30 with severe AP (SAP) and 35 healthy controls (HC). The serum inflammatory cytokines and gut barrier indexes were detected. Male C57BL/6 mice with AP were established and injuries of pancreas were evaluated in antibiotic-treated mice, germ-free mice as well as those transplanted with fecal microbiota. The gut microbiota was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing.Results: The structure of gut microbiota was significantly different between AP and HC, and the disturbed microbiota was closely correlated with systematic inflammation and gut barrier dysfunction. Notably, the microbial composition changed further with the worsening of AP and the abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Blautia was decreased in SAP compared with MAP and MSAP. The increased capacity for the inferred pathway, bacterial invasion of epithelial cells in AP, highly correlated with the abundance of Escherichia-Shigella. Furthermore, the antibiotic-treated mice and germ-free mice exhibited alleviated pancreatic injury after AP induction and subsequent fecal microbiota transplantation in turn exacerbated the disease.Conclusions: This study identifies the gut microbiota as an important mediator during AP and its dysbiosis is associated with AP severity, which suggests its role as potential therapeutic target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have established a new method for realizing a typical '2-color' collinear CARS (coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering) system. The system mainly consists of a laser source, a DO cell, and a spectrometer. The pump/probe beam and the Stokes beam are provided by SBS (stimulated Brillouin scattering) and BSRS (backward stimulated Raman scattering) of DO, respectively. The CARS system is statistically stable, and it is also a broadband and alignment-free system. Measurement of N signal in air with this system is demonstrated. Detection of N in 0.006 bar air is realized with this system. Time-resolved pulse shapes of SBS and BSRS are measured to confirm their generation. Transference of energy from the SBS pulse to the BSRS pulse is realized with a Rhodamine 101 dye cuvette and discussed. This results in a better energy distribution between the pump/probe and Stokes pulses for CARS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AMD3100 is a specific C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) antagonist which blocks the interaction between CXCR4 and CXCL12. Multiple lines of evidence suggest that AMD3100 has analgesic effects on many pathological pain states, including peripheral neuropathic pain. However, little is known about the underlying mechanisms. In the current study, we investigated the effect of different doses of AMD3100 on neuropathic pain in rats after L5 spinal nerve ligation. We used naloxone methiodide (NLXM) to further determine whether AMD3100-mediated analgesic effect was opioid-dependent. Behavioral study showed that early repeated administration of AMD3100 (2 and 5 mg/kg, i.p.) dose-dependently alleviates peripheral neuropathic pain. Flow cytometry, immunofluorescence and NLXM experiments showed that AMD3100 alleviates neuropathic pain partially by augmenting leukocyte-derived endogenous opioid secretion. Furthermore, we found that pro-inflammatory cytokines were down-regulated by AMD3100 using Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay. Our data indicate that AMD3100 dose-dependently alleviates neuropathic pain partially by augmenting leukocyte-derived endogenous opioid secretion. This finding suggests that AMD3100 may be a viable pharmacotherapeutic strategy for the treatment of neuropathic pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pelvic organ cross-sensitization, also termed as viscero-visceral referred hyperalgesia, is a major contributor to painful endometriosis. Its underlying mechanism is poorly understood. Clinical and basic studies have shown that gabapentin, a drug that binds to the αδ−1 subunit of voltage-dependent calcium channels (Caαδ−1), is effective in treating chronic visceral pain. Accordingly, we hypothesized that pelvic organ cross-sensitization in painful endometriosis is mediated by an upregulation of Caαδ−1 in the spinal cord. We examined if the dysregulation of spinal Caαδ−1 subunit may play an important role in the development of ectopic growths-to-colon cross-sensitization in a rat model of experimentally-induced endometriosis. Our findings suggest that there was an increased Caαδ−1 expression in the dorsal horn and an ectopic growths-to-colon cross-sensitization in female rats with established endometriosis. Intrathecal administration of gabapentin (300 μg) remarkably reduced the ectopic growths-to-colon cross-sensitization in rats with established endometriosis. Furthermore, intrathecal injection of Caαδ−1 antisense oligodeoxynucleotides reversed the ectopic growths-to-colon cross-sensitization and also normalized the upregulation of spinal Caαδ−1 expression in endometriosis rats. The current study suggests that the upregulation of Caαδ−1 in the spinal cord may contribute to pelvic organ cross-sensitization in painful endometriosis. Our study may provide a biological basis for selectively targeting this pathway to relieve viscero-visceral referred hyperalgesia in patients with painful endometriosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]