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Objective: To investigate multiphase computed tomography (CT) radiomics-based combined with clinical factors to predict overall survival (OS) in patients with bladder urothelial carcinoma (BLCA) who underwent transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT). Methods: Data were retrospectively collected from 114 patients with primary BLCA from February 2016 to February 2018. The regions of interest (ROIs) of the plain, arterial, and venous phase images were manually segmented. The Cox regression algorithm was used to establish 3 basic models for the plain phase (PP), arterial phase (AP), and venous phase (VP) and 2 combination models (AP + VP and PP + AP + VP). The highest-performing radiomics model was selected to calculate the radiomics score (Rad-score), and independent risk factors affecting patients' OS were analyzed using Cox regression. The Rad-score and clinical risk factors were combined to construct a joint model and draw a visualized nomogram. Results: The combined model of PP + AP + VP showed the best performance with the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) and Consistency Index (C-index) in the test group of 130.48 and 0.779, respectively. A combined model constructed with two independent risk factors (age and Ki-67 expression status) in combination with the Rad-score outperformed the radiomics model alone; AIC and C-index in the test group were 115.74 and 0.840, respectively. The calibration curves showed good agreement between the predicted probabilities of the joint model and the actual (p < 0.05). The decision curve showed that the joint model had good clinical application value within a large range of threshold probabilities. Conclusion: This new model can be used to predict the OS of patients with BLCA who underwent TURBT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the value of intratumoral and peritumoral radiomics based on contrast-enhanced computer tomography (CECT) to preoperatively predict microsatellite instability (MSI) status in gastric cancer (GC) patients. Methods: A total of 189 GC patients, including 63 patients with MSI-high (MSI-H) and 126 patients with MSI-low/stable (MSI-L/S), were randomly divided into the training cohort and validation cohort. Intratumoral and 5-mm peritumoral regions' radiomics features were extracted from CECT images. The features were standardized by Z-score, and the Inter- and intraclass correlation coefficient, univariate logistic regression analysis, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) were applied to select the optimal radiomics features. Radiomics scores (Rad-score) based on intratumoral regions, peritumoral regions, and intratumoral + 5-mm peritumoral regions were calculated by weighting the linear combination of the selected features with their respective coefficients to construct the intratumoral model, peritumoral model, and intratumoral + peritumoral model. Logistic regression was used to establish a combined model by combining clinical characteristics, CT semantic features, and Rad-score of intratumoral and peritumoral regions. Results: Eleven radiomics features were selected to establish a radiomics intratumoral + peritumoral model. CT-measured tumor length and tumor location were independent risk factors for MSI status. The established combined model obtained the highest area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) of 0.830 (95% CI, 0.727–0.906) in the validation cohort. The calibration curve and decision curve demonstrated its good model fitness and clinical application value. Conclusion: The combined model based on intratumoral and peritumoral CECT radiomics features and clinical factors can predict the MSI status of GS with moderate accuracy before surgery, which helps formulate personalized treatment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Online Judge (OJ) is an important aid for programming learning that can help students evaluate learning effects in real-time, while teachers can adjust practice tasks in time according to the records of the tool. With these advantages, OJ shows great value for promoting teaching and learning in programming. The existing OJ system usually only provides information such as problem status list and recent rank list. However, it is unable to provide teachers with more fine-grained analysis information, such as the distribution of students' incorrect responses and level of knowledge mastery. And it also cannot provide students with effective comparative information on their learning status. This research developed a visual learning analytics dashboard named VisOJ for the OJ system, which includes two types of user interfaces: teacher and student. The teacher interface presents students' learning status and ranking trends, which help teachers monitor and give feedback on their learning activities. The student interface provides views such as error type analysis and evaluation, which promote students' self-reflection and self-regulation. Preliminary case studies and expert interviews prove the usability of the dashboard. In the end, we summarize our main work and suggest future research directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dynamic multiobjective optimization problems (DMOPs) challenge multiobjective evolutionary algorithms (MOEAs) because of the varying Pareto-optimal sets (POS) over time. Research on DMOPs has attracted a great interest from academic, due to widespread applications of DMOPs. Recently, a few learning-based approaches have been proposed to predict new solutions in the following environments as an initial population for a multiobjective evolutionary algorithm. In this paper, we propose an alternative learning-based method for DMOPs, a deep multi-layer perceptron-based predictor to generate an initial population for the MOEA in the new environment. The historical optimal solutions are used to train a deep multi-layer perceptron which then predicts a new set of solutions as the initial population in the new environment. The deep multi-layer perceptron is incorporated with the multiobjective evolutionary algorithm based on decomposition to solve DMOPs. Empirical results demonstrate that our proposed algorithm is effective in tracking varying solutions over time and shows great superiority comparing with state-of-the-art methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work constructs a circuit model, forms a resonant frequency expression of the WPT system, and investigates a novel single side hybrid frequency adjusting strategy. Firstly, by the tracking strategy of minimizing the reflection coefficient, a novel hybrid frequency adjusting control strategy is exerted in the transmitting side by uniting the Bang-Bang control method and the fuzzy PID control technique. Secondly, the receiver is permitted to move to nearly any location within the system's working scope, and the system still reaches a near constant efficiency and a maximum load power. Finally, the simulation results verify that the proposed hybrid adjusting method can be adopted to track the resonant frequency more rapidly and more accurately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For a second-order battery circuit model, a modified multi-innovation adaptive extended Kalman filter (MMI-AEKF) algorithm is investigated to accurately estimate the state of charge (SOC). Firstly, a process/measure noise estimation based adaptive extended Kalman filter (EKF) algorithm is presented to adjust the statistical characteristics of noise online. Then, a multi-innovation extended Kalman filter (MI-AEKF) algorithm is studied by expanding the single innovation into an innovation vector containing present/past innovations to increase the input information. Furthermore, based on the exponential sequence principle, add the attenuation memory factors to weight all the present/past innovations to distinguish different influences. Finally, build the test bench to collect data of constant current experiment for parameter identification and data of the urban dynamometer driving schedule (UDDS) and Los Angeles 92 (LA-92) for algorithm validation. Simulation results show that the investigated algorithm has excellent accuracy and robustness in SOC estimation, and the RMSE is less than 0.1% under the reasonable parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a conjugate gradient optimized regularized extreme learning machine (CG-RELM) is investigated to estimate the state of charge (SOC) of lithium batteries. The CG algorithm naturally avoids calculation load of the inverse matrix in the least square algorithm in updating output weights of the RELM. In addition, the weights adjustment directions in the CG algorithm at different points are conjugate orthogonal to each other, guaranteeing the high convergence speed of the CG-RELM algorithm. The simulation results verify that the investigated algorithm can effectively estimate the battery SOC under the dynamic stress test (DST) data set. The CG-RELM shows faster convergence speed when compared with BP neural network, higher estimation accuracy when the number of hidden layer neurons increases, and high robustness when applied to the data set with noise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Although low-dose spiral computed tomography (LDCT) screening is used for the detection of lung cancer in a high-risk population, false-positive results of LDCT remain a clinical problem. Here, we developed a blood test of a novel panel of three established lung cancer methylation biomarkers for lung cancer detection. Short stature homeobox 2 gene (SHOX2), ras association domain family 1A gene (RASSF1A), and prostaglandin E receptor 4 gene (PTGER4) methylation was analyzed in a training cohort of 351 individuals (197 controls, 154 cases) and validated from an independent cohort of 149 subjects (89 controls, 60 cases). The novel panel biomarkers distinguished between malignant and benign lung disease at high sensitivity and specificity: 87.0% sensitivity [95% CI 80.2–91.5%], 98.0% specificity [95% CI 94.9–99.4%]. Sensitivity in adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, small cell lung cancer, and other lung cancer was 89.0%, 87.5%, 85.7%, and 77.8%, respectively. Notably, cancer patients in stage I and II showed high diagnostic sensitivity at 82.5% and 90.5%, respectively. Moreover, the diagnostic efficiency did not show bias toward age, gender, smoking, and the presence of other (nonlung) cancers. The performance of the panel in the validation cohort confirmed the diagnostic value. These findings clearly showed that this panel of DNA methylation biomarkers was effective in detecting lung cancer noninvasively and may provide clinical utility in stand-alone or in combination with current imaging techniques to improve the diagnosis of lung cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The memristor is a nonlinear device with a particular memory function and is widely used in various circuit researches. This work studies the peak current mode controlled (PCMC) buck converter with the memristive load at the continuous current mode (CCM). Firstly, a state equation for a buck converter with the memristive load is derived and a generic voltage-controlled memristor simulator is constructed by using a nonlinear function model; Secondly, facing the system chaos caused by changing bifurcation parameters, we introduce ramp compensation to stabilize the system at period-1. The chaos is effectively suppressed, this provides a guide for parameters choosing in buck converters with nonlinear loads in practical applications. The simulation is implemented by using MATLAB and PSIM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For a lithium battery, a second-order equivalent circuit model is adopted by studying the battery characteristic, and a state space equation with state of charge (SOC) being one state is constructed. To promote the SOC estimation precision of the extended Kalman filter (EKF) method for a lithium battery, this paper explores a multi-innovation extended Kalman filter (MI-EKF) algorithm to estimate the battery SOC by expanding a single innovation at current instant to multi-innovations containing information from current and previous instants. The aim is to increase the amount of information, and to get the more accurate estimated SOC. In addition, based on the battery difference equation, a stochastic gradient algorithm with a forgetting factor (FFSG) is used to identify the battery parameters. Finally, a lithium battery test bench is set up to sample charge-discharge data and to implement MATLAB simulation experiment; the experiment results confirm that the MI-EKF algorithm can accurately and effectively estimate the battery SOC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mutation or disruption of the SH3 and ankyrin repeat domains 3 (SHANK3) gene represents a highly penetrant, monogenic risk factor for autism spectrum disorder, and is a cause of Phelan–McDermid syndrome. Recent advances in gene editing have enabled the creation of genetically engineered non-human-primate models, which might better approximate the behavioural and neural phenotypes of autism spectrum disorder than do rodent models, and may lead to more effective treatments. Here we report CRISPR–Cas9-mediated generation of germline-transmissible mutations of SHANK3 in cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis) and their F1 offspring. Genotyping of somatic cells as well as brain biopsies confirmed mutations in the SHANK3 gene and reduced levels of SHANK3 protein in these macaques. Analysis of data from functional magnetic resonance imaging revealed altered local and global connectivity patterns that were indicative of circuit abnormalities. The founder mutants exhibited sleep disturbances, motor deficits and increased repetitive behaviours, as well as social and learning impairments. Together, these results parallel some aspects of the dysfunctions in the SHANK3 gene and circuits, as well as the behavioural phenotypes, that characterize autism spectrum disorder and Phelan–McDermid syndrome. The CRISPR–Cas9-mediated generation of germline-transmissible mutations of SHANK3 in cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis) forms the basis of a non-human-primate model of autism spectrum disorder and Phelan–McDermid syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Confinement effect of nanopores on phase transition of docosane (n-C22H46, C22) is studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and temperature-dependent powdered X-ray diffractions (XRD). The bulk C22 has a stable rotator phase RI and RII. In the pores of CPGs, SBA-15, C-SBA-15, KIT-6, and MCM-41, the transition temperatures of solid-solid (Ts) and solid-liquid (Tm) transitions of C22 are depressed. The depression of the transition points (ΔTs, ΔTm) has a linear relation with the reverse diameter. However, the ΔTm values seemingly show weak relation with the polarity of the pore walls but to vary with the pore dimensionality. According to XRD analysis, C22 confined in CPG (11.5 nm) and SBA-15 (14.4 nm) present low temperature phase and rotator phase as the bulk, but the lamellar packing of molecules is heavily disturbed in the small pores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the design of nuclear power plants, various natural circulation passive cooling systems are considered to remove residual heat from the reactor core in the event of a power loss and maintain the plant's safety. These passive systems rely on gravity differences of fluids, resulting from density differentials, rather than using an external power-driven system. Unfortunately, a major drawback of such systems is their weak driving force, which can negatively impact safety. In such systems, there is a temperature difference between the heat source and the heat sink, which potentially offers a natural platform for thermoelectric generator (TEG) applications. While a previous study designed and analyzed a TEG-based passive core cooling system, this paper considers TEG applications in other passive cooling systems of nuclear power plants, after which the concept of a TEG-based passive cooling system is proposed. In such a system, electricity is produced using the system's temperature differences through the TEG, and this electricity is used to further enhance the cooling process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reduction of hippocampal volume remains controversial in depression because of the variability among individuals in clinical studies. Here, a reliable experimental rat model of depression, established by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS), was used. Thirty rats were randomly divided into two groups (CUMS group and control group). Hippocampal volume was dynamically measured every 2 weeks in a 56-day chronic stress procedure using structural magnetic resonance imaging, and the correlation between the hippocampal volume and the learning and memory changes was investigated. Our results demonstrated that CUMS rats showed significantly smaller volumes of the bilateral hippocampus compared to that of the controls, changing dramatically with the development of CUMS procedure. The left hippocampal volume was reduced earlier and more markedly than the right one from the 2nd week to the 8th week of the CUMS procedure (on the 8th week: left: approximately 15.3 %; right: approximately 8.4 % reduction). Additionally, the hippocampal volume of CUMS rats was significantly negatively correlated with the learning and memory changes. Of note, it showed that the more obviously the hippocampal volume reduced, the more severely the learning and memory damaged. In conclusion, the hippocampal volume decreased gradually and dynamically and was correlated with the impairment of the learning and memory in depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate prediction of solute transport processes in surface water and its underlying bed is an important task not only for proper management of the surface water but also for pollution control in these water bodies. Key issue in this task is an estimation of parameters as diffusion coefficient and velocity for solute transport both in water body and in the underlying bed. This estimation would greatly help us to understand the deposition and release mechanism of solute across the water-bed interface. In this study, a column experiment was conducted in laboratory to estimate the velocity and diffusion coefficient of sodium chloride (NaCl) in water body and underlying sand layer (bed). The column used with a diameter of 30 cm and a height of 100 cm, was filled with sand at the lower half part and water at the upper half part. Total 64 stainless steel electrodes were installed on its surface around. The sodium chloride solution was injected from the top of the column, and electrical resistance between electrodes was monitored for 71 h. Then the dimensionless resistance breakthrough curve was fitted with one dimensional analytic solution for solute transport and the related diffusion coefficient and velocity parameters were estimated. The results show that the NaCl transport velocity was high in the water body but extremely low in the underlying sand layer (bed). The diffusion coefficient estimated in sand layer coincides with those reported well. This indicates that the electrical resistance based solute transport parameter estimation method is not only effective but also has an advantage of multipoints monitoring. This is useful both in mapping solute transport parameter for solute transport process analysis and in providing parameter input for solute transport numerical modeling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to assess the long-term effect of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) resulted from radiotherapy (RT) alone versus chemoradiotherapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients (NPC). Seventy-two patients initially diagnosed with NPC were enrolled from Shandong Tumor Hospital between March 2003 and May 2007. They were assigned into two groups: RT alone and chemoradiotherapy according to the different treatment regimens. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy was applied for both groups, concurrent and adjuvant cisplatin were administered for chemoradiotherapy group additionally. Hearing threshold test was performed at various time periods after completion of RT. Mean radiation dose to the cochlea in each ear was calculated to determine the correlation between cochlear dose and SNHL. We found that the hearing loss is more severe in the chemoradiotherapy group compared with RT group, from completion of RT up to the 5 years of follow-up period. This is especially obvious in the high frequency range. Hearing level is seriously damaged when cochlea dose exceeds 46 GY. We concluded that concurrent/adjuvant chemotherapy plus RT aggravates SNHL in NPC patients than RT alone and thus inner ear tissue tolerance should be redefined in those patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For a Hammerstein input nonlinear system with a subspace state space linear element, this paper transforms the system into a bilinear identification model by using the property of the shift operator to the state space model and presents a recursive and an iterative least squares algorithms to generate parameter estimates and state estimates by using the hierarchical identification principle and by replacing the unknown state variables with their estimates. The proposed approaches are computationally more efficient than the over-parameterization model based least squares method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess the predictability of dose-volume histogram (DVH) parameters for radiation pneumonitis (RP) using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Methods: One hundred and thirty-five cases of locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with three-dimensional radiotherapy and chemotherapy were analyzed retrospectively. The end point of follow-up was ≥2 grade RP defined according to the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 3.0. The ROC curve was used to explore the predictive sensitivity (SEN), specificity (SPE), positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) for potential DVH parameters associated with RP. Results: Relative volumes of total lungs receiving ≥5 Gy ( V), ≥10 Gy ( V), ≥13 Gy ( V), ≥20 Gy ( V), and mean lung dose (MLD), were all correlated to the development of RP ( p < 0.05), among which V and V were the most important factors ( p = 0.045 and 0.037; OR = 3.166 and 3.030). However, collinearity was found between V and V (Spearman's rho 0.771, p < 0.01). The area under the ROC curve was 0.643 and 0.648 for using V and V as predictors. If predictive cut-off values were established as follows: V = 0.8 and V = 0.3, the parameters could provide predictive SEN, SPE, PPV and NPV were 0.387 and 0.581, 0.882 and 0.701, 0.444 and 0.321, and 0.855 and 0.873, respectively. Conclusions: V and V could act as predictors for RP; however, single DVH metrics did not appear to have high predictive power for RP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glutathione S-transferases play a critical role in the detoxification and elimination of electrophilic carcinogens by conjugating them to glutathione. Homozygous deletions of GSTM1 and GSTT1 have been suggested as risk factors for some cancers, including colorectal, pancreatic, and esophageal cancers. Results of previous individual studies published to estimate the associations between GSTM1/ GSTT1 polymorphisms and nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) risk remained controversial. Thus, we carried out a meta-analysis by pooling the odds ratios (ORs) with corresponding 95 % confidence intervals (95 % CIs) of all currently available case-control studies to shed some light on the contradictory finding. A comprehensive search of the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases up to October 20, 2012 was performed to identify eligible studies. A total of 15 separate publications involving 2,226 NPC cases and 3,339 controls were finally included into this meta-analysis. The meta-analysis of total studies showed that the null genotypes of GSTM1 and GSTT1 were both significantly associated with increased risk of NPC (for GSTM1: OR = 1.54, 95 % CI 1.28-1.86, P < 0.001; for GSTT1: OR = 2.25, 95 % CI 1.50-3.36, P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis by ethnicity suggested that carriers of both GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes in Asians were more susceptible to NPC. Additionally, in the subgroup analysis based on the sample size, significant associations of the GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms with NPC susceptibility were identified among studies both with larger case sample size (number of cases ≥100) and smaller case sample size (number of cases <100). Sensitivity analysis confirmed the stability of our results. These results indicate that the GSTM1 and GSTT1 polymorphisms may play crucial roles in the development of NPC, especially in Asians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For a multivariable controlled autoregressive system with autoregressive noises, its corresponding identification model contains a parameter matrix and a parameter vector. This paper presents the hierarchical gradient-based iterative (HGI) algorithm to interactively estimate the parameter matrix and the parameter vector by using the hierarchical identification principle and the gradient search. The simulation results show that the HGI algorithm is effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To study the predictive value of functional and biologic metrics for predicting radiation pneumonitis (RP) in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (LANSCLC) patients treated with chemoradiotherapy. Methods: Between March 2006 and April 2010, 57 LANSCLC patients were enrolled in a prospective study. Fusion of SPECT and computed tomography scans provides perfusion-weighted functional dose-volume histogram (DVH) and associated functional dosimetric parameters. Blood for serum biomarkers-interleukin-6 (IL-6), transforming growth factor-beta1, and superoxide dismutase (SOD)-was drawn pre-RT and then 40 Gy/4 weeks during the treatment. The incidence of RP was related to the functional and biologic metrics. The predictability of predictors was calculated and compared based on the area under receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC). Results: Relative volumes of functional lung receiving more than a threshold dose of 5-50 Gy at increments of 5 Gy and elevated levels of serum SOD after delivery of 40 Gy/4 weeks were associated with RP ( p < 0.05). The best predictive efficacy of SOD was observed for a cutoff value of 56 U/ml, with a sensitivity of 0.80 (95 % CI 0.28-0.99) and a specificity of 0.67 (95 % CI 0.43-0.65) ( p = 0.040). Functional DVH provided better predictive outcome (AUC 0.76-0.98) than standard DVH (AUC 0.62-0.86) for patients with poor baseline lung function. Conclusion: Functional metrics were identified to be better predictors for RP in patients with poor baseline lung function. SOD seemed to be a potential predictor for RP; however, it will need to be further verified using a larger sample size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mesostructured aluminosilicates (MCM-41) with ordered 2-dimensional hexagonal structure were successfully synthesized via the alkali-treatment step and nanocrystal aluminosilicates assembly in the basic and hydrothermal synthesis conditions by sol-gel approach. Highly hydrothermally stable MCM-41 coupled with large surface area and pore volume is desirable. To find out the optimum conditions, An orthogonal experiment L(4) with three factors and four levels was adopted and the effects were also discussed. Various techniques including X-ray diffraction (XRD), N adsorption-desorption, temperature program desorption and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were used to monitor the physical-chemical properties of MCM-41. When the synthesis was operated under 80 °C lasting 1 h with C 0.5 mol/L and molar ratio of CTAB to ZSM-5 0.15, the synthesized MCM-41 possessed high specific surface area 1,150 m/g, large pore volume 1.23 cm/g with appropriate acid distribution as well as highly hydrothermal stability. In addition, the results reveal that the as-synthesized samples have a uniform phase without MFI structure. Samples have a 5-membered ring in the framework and have a better hydrothermal stability than the conventional Al-MCM-41. Performance evaluation was carried out on a 20 mL fixed-bed hydrorefining unit with the Daqing FCC diesel as feedstock. The sulfur and nitrogen removal is 99.3% and 99.6%, respectively, while the cetane number was increased by 5.4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A formidable challenge in neural repair in the adult central nervous system (CNS) is the long distances that regenerating axons often need to travel in order to reconnect with their targets. Thus, a sustained capacity for axon regeneration is critical for achieving functional restoration. Although deletion of either phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN), a negative regulator of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), or suppressor of cytokine signalling 3 (SOCS3), a negative regulator of Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway, in adult retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) individually promoted significant optic nerve regeneration, such regrowth tapered off around 2?weeks after the crush injury. Here we show that, remarkably, simultaneous deletion of both PTEN and SOCS3 enables robust and sustained axon regeneration. We further show that PTEN and SOCS3 regulate two independent pathways that act synergistically to promote enhanced axon regeneration. Gene expression analyses suggest that double deletion not only results in the induction of many growth-related genes, but also allows RGCs to maintain the expression of a repertoire of genes at the physiological level after injury. Our results reveal concurrent activation of mTOR and STAT3 pathways as key for sustaining long-distance axon regeneration in adult CNS, a crucial step towards functional recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe here a molecular genetic approach for imaging synaptic inhibition. The thy-1 promoter was used to express high levels of Clomeleon, a ratiometric fluorescent indicator for chloride ions, in discrete populations of neurons in the brains of transgenic mice. Clomeleon was functional after chronic expression and provided non-invasive readouts of intracellular chloride concentration ([Cl−]i) in brain slices, allowing us to quantify age-dependent declines in resting [Cl−]i during neuronal development. Activation of hippocampal interneurons caused [Cl−]i to rise transiently in individual postsynaptic pyramidal neurons. [Cl−]i increased in direct proportion to the amount of inhibitory transmission, with peak changes as large as 4 mM. Integrating responses over populations of pyramidal neurons allowed sensitive detection of synaptic inhibition. Thus, Clomeleon imaging permits non-invasive, spatiotemporally resolved recordings of [Cl−]i in a large variety of neurons, opening up new opportunities for imaging synaptic inhibition and other forms of chloride signaling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by dysfunction in social interactions, stereotypical behaviours and high co-morbidity with intellectual disability. A variety of syndromic and non-syndromic neurodevelopmental disorders have been connected to alterations in metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) signalling. These receptors contribute to synaptic plasticity, spine maturation and circuit development. Here, we investigate the physiological role of Gprasp2, a gene linked to neurodevelopmental disabilities and involved in the postendocytic sorting of G-protein-coupled receptors. We show that Gprasp2 deletion leads to ASD-like behaviour in mice and alterations in synaptic communication. Manipulating the levels of Gprasp2 bidirectionally modulates the surface availability of mGluR5 and produces alterations in dendritic complexity, spine density and synaptic maturation. Loss of Gprasp2 leads to enhanced hippocampal long-term depression, consistent with facilitated mGluR-dependent activation. These findings demonstrate a role for Gprasp2 in glutamatergic synapses and suggest a possible mechanism by which this gene is linked to neurodevelopmental diseases. GPRASP2 plays a role in trafficking of GPCRs and mutations in this gene have been linked to neurodevelopmental disorders. Here the authors study the role of Gprasp2 in the CNS and show that it regulates the surface availability of mGluR5 receptors and that knockout mice for this protein show autistic-like behavioural abnormalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypoxia-induced cancer stem cells have been known to be involved in tumour metastasis, resistance to chemo/radio therapy and tumour recurrence. Magnetic Resonance Imaging is a widely used imaging tool for cancers in clinics and research. To develop T1-positive and T2-negative dual mode MRI agents for more comprehensive and accurate diagnostic information under hypoxic conditions, a hypoxia-inducible factor-1α based aptamer and Mn(II)-modified nanoparticles D-Fe3O4@PMn were synthesized and characterized. In vitro and in vivo studies show that D-Fe3O4@PMn NPs are biocompatible and less cytotoxic and can produce significant contrast enhancement in T1- and T2-weighted MR imaging. Furthermore, the D-Fe3O4@PMn NPs enable targeted dual-contrast T1- and T2-weighted MR imaging of cancer cells expressing high levels of HIF-1α and cancer stem cell-related proteins under hypoxic condition. In conclusion, NPs with HIF-1α and Mn(II) are promising diagnostic agents for dual-mode T1 and T2 imaging by targeting cancer stem cells as they are non-toxic and biocompatible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Co-free and Ni-rich LiNi0.95Mn0.05O2 (NM95) cathodes are expected to be widely employed in power batteries due to their high charge storage capacity and cost-effectiveness. However, the loss of Co and increase in Ni contents result in highly active surfaces and unstable structures, compromising rate capability and cyclic stability. Herein, polyaniline-polyethylene glycol (PANI-PEG) coating layer, with excellent electronic and Li-ion conductivity, is introduced on NM95 surface to enhance charge transfer properties and cyclic stability. Several material and electrochemical characterization techniques, such as XRD, SEM, EDS, TEM, XPS, 4-point probe, CV and EIS, are utilized to unveil the positive influence of PANI-PEG on electrochemical performance. The results reveal that PANI-PEG layer can promote electron and Li+ conduction of NM95 due to the excellent electronic and Li+ conductivities. Besides, PANI-PEG acts as protective layer to hinder the corrosion of electrolyte and suppress side reactions. It is revealed that NM95 cathode coated with PANI-PEG with a mass ratio of 4/6, exhibits excellent initial capacity, as high as 219.4 and 163.1 mAh/g at 1 C and 5 C, respectively, and maintains capacity retention of 94.7% (1 C, 100th cycle) and 79.0% (5 C, 200th) under cut-off voltage of 4.3 V (vs. Li/Li+). Moreover, NM95 exhibits capacity retention of 70.7% after 100 charge/discharge cycles at 1 C within voltage range of 2.7 to 4.5 V (vs. Li/Li+). These results indicate that coating electronic/Li+ conductor is effective strategy to enhance rate performance and cyclic stability of Co-free and Ni-rich cathodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There were many treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT), in which targeted anti-angiogenic drug therapy is becoming a popular research topic. However, an objective and non-invasive method that can evaluate the treatment effects is still lacking., Methods: Eighteen New Zealand white rabbits implanted with VX2 tumor thrombus in portal vein were randomly assigned into 3 groups: Endostar, saline, or control, six in each group. Multi-slice CT (MSCT) perfusion scanning was performed to measure the differences in blood flow (TBF), tissue blood volume (TBV), and capillary permeability time the surface (PS) before and after Endostar treatment, between Endostar and saline treatment. Two weeks after treatment, both Endostar and saline groups underwent CT perfusion scan. The rabbits then were sacrificed by air embolism, and specimens of tumor thrombosis were collected. Immunohistochemistry assay was also performed to compare the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in PVTT after Endostar, saline and placebo treatment., Results: In Endostar group, PVTT CT perfusion parameters (TBF, TBV, PS) significantly decreased after the treatment (p <0.05). Post-treatment PVTT CT perfusion parameters (TBF, TBV, PS) were significantly lower in Endostar group than in Saline group (p <0.05). VEGF is mainly expressed in cytoplasma. After Endostar treatment, the expression of VEGF in PVTT was markedly reduced. There was also significant difference on post-treatment VEGF protein expression measured by Immunohistochemistry assay between Endostar group and control group (p <0.05). Post-treatment PVTT CT perfusion parameters (TBF, TBV, PS) were positively correlated with VEGF protein expression in all 3 groups (rs > 0, p <0.05)., Conclusions: Multi-slice CT perfusion imaging can evaluate the anti-angiogenic effects of Endostar for the VX2 tumor thrombus in portal vein, and provide quantitative functional information.