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Rongcui Sui,1– 3 Jie Li,4 Yunhan Shi,1– 3 Shizhen Yuan,1– 3 Huijun Wang,1– 3 Jianhong Liao,1– 3 Xiang Gao,1– 3 Demin Han,1– 3 Yanru Li,1– 3 Xingjun Wang4 1Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 2Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome Clinical Diagnosis and Therapy and Research Centre, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 3Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Ministry of Education, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Electronic Engineering, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Demin Han; Yanru Li, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, 1 Dongjiaominxiang, Dongcheng District, Beijing, People’s Republic of China, Email deminhan_ent@hotmail.com; liyanruru@aliyun.comPurpose: This study aimed to investigate the association between sleep spindle metrics and executive function in individuals with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Furthermore, we examined the association of age and education on executive function.Patients and Methods: A total of 230 (40.90 ± 8.83 years, F/M = 45/185) participants were enrolled. Overnight electroencephalogram (C3-M2) recording detected sleep spindles by a novel U-Net-type neural network that integrates temporal information with time-frequency images. Sleep spindle metrics, including frequency (Hz), overall density (events/min), fast density (events/min), slow density (events/min), duration (sec) and amplitude (μV), were measured. Executive function was assessed using standardized neuropsychological tests. Associations between sleep spindle metrics, executive function, and demographic factors were analyzed using multivariate linear regression.Results: In fully adjusted linear regression models, higher overall sleep spindle density (TMT-A, B=− 1.279, p=0.009; TMT-B, B=− 1.813, p=0.008), fast sleep spindle density (TMT-A, B=− 1.542, p=0.048; TMT-B, B=− 2.187, p=0.036) and slow sleep spindle density (TMT-A, B=− 1.731, p=0.037; TMT-B, B=− 2.449, p=0.034) were associated with better executive function. And the sleep spindle duration both during N2 sleep time (TMT-A, B=− 13.932, p=0.027; TMT-B, B=− 19.001, p=0.034) and N3 sleep time (TMT-B, B=− 29.916, p=0.009; Stroop-incongruous, B=− 21.303, p=0.035) was independently associated with better executive function in this population. Additionally, age and education were found to be highly associated with executive function.Conclusion: Specific sleep spindle metrics, higher overall density, fast density and slow density during N2 sleep time, and longer duration during N2 and N3 sleep time, are independent and sensitive indicators of better executive function in young adult and middle-aged patients with OSA. Further research is needed to explore the underlying mechanisms and clinical implications of these findings.Keywords: sleep spindle metrics, executive function, obstructive sleep apnea, young adults, middle-aged adults

Ling Zhang,1 Lei Zhang,2 Rubo Sui1 1Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, People’s Republic of China; 2College of Nursing, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Lei ZhangCollege of Nursing, Jinzhou Medical University, No. 40, Section 3, Songpo Road, Guta District, Jinzhou, 121001, Liaoning Province, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail zhanglei7812713@163.comBackground: Post-stroke depression (PSD) is a common complication after stroke. Ganoderic acid A (GAA), one of the main bioactive Ganoderma triterpenoids, exerts preventive and therapeutic effects in many diseases. However, the function of GAA in PSD has not been well studied.Methods: PSD model was established via stimulating rats with chronic unpredictable mild stress stimulations (CUMS) after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Rats were treated with GAA before CUMS. Depressive-like behaviors were investigated by body weight alteration, open field test (OFT), and sucrose preference test (SPT). Neuronal damage was evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and Western blotting. Inflammation was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Microglial polarization was analyzed via qRT-PCR and Western blotting. The extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB) pathway was analyzed by Western blotting, and inactivated by the inhibitor PD98059 (PD).Results: GAA attenuated PSD-induced depressive-like behaviors in rats. GAA mitigated PSD-induced neuronal damage and reduced BDNF and NGF levels in the cerebral hippocampus. GAA weakened PSD-induced inflammatory response in the cerebral hippocampus. GAA prevented pro-inflammatory (M1) polarization and promoted anti-inflammatory (M2) polarization, as indicated by decreased iNOS and CD86 levels and increased Arg-1 and CD206 levels. GAA restored the PSD-induced inactivation of the ERK/CREB pathway. GAA regulated M1/M2 microglial polarization by activating the ERK/CREB pathway.Conclusion: GAA alleviated the depressive-like behaviors and brain inflammation in PSD rats, indicating its potential for PSD therapy.Keywords: ganoderic acid A, post-stroke depression, neuronal damage, inflammation, microglial polarization, extracellular signal-regulated kinase

Lijun Deng,1 Rubo Sui,1 Lei Zhang2 1Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, People’s Republic of China; 2School of Nursing, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Rubo SuiDepartment of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +8613204525199Email 627079227@qq.comPurpose: To analyze the changes in white matter tracts in patients with post-stroke depression (PSD), and the correlation between these changes and the depressive state.Patients and Methods: The numbers of white matter tracts and corresponding fractional anisotropy (FA) in the acute phase (the onset time < 72 hours) were examined in each subject by diffusion tensor tractography (DTT). Diffusion tensor imaging (DTT), a new development of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), enables visualization of white matter fiber tracts, which are thought to be closely related to the occurrence of PSD, According to the scores of Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) recorded at the 2nd week, 1st month, 3rd month, 6th month, and 12th month, forty patients were randomly selected and were classified into PSD group (n=20), non-depression post-stroke group (N-PSD, n=20), and control normal group (NORM, n=20), respectively. Correlations between the number of bundles (lines) in the white matter tract and corresponding FA, and HAMD score were finally assessed.Results: 1) FAs of the ipsilesional crossed corticocerebellar tract, the corticospinal tract, and the anterior thalamic radiation in PSD group were significantly lower than those in N-PSD and NORM groups (P< 0.01); 2) Lines in the three areas in the PSD group were significantly lower than those in the N-PSD and NORM groups (P< 0.01); and 3) FA and lines in the three areas of PSD patients were negatively correlated to HAMD scores (correlation coefficient=− 0.586, − 0.793, − 0.626, − 0.533, − 0.642, and − 0.524, respectively, all P< 0.05).Conclusion: FA and lines of the ipsilesional crossed corticocerebellar tract, the corticospinal tract, and the anterior thalamic radiation in PSD patients are significantly correlated to the depressive state. The crossed corticocerebellar tract, the corticospinal tract and the anterior thalamic radiation are involved in the development of PSD.Keywords: post-stroke depression, white matter tracts, diffusion tensor imaging, diffusion tensor tractography

Jialu Qiao,1 Rubo Sui,1 Lei Zhang,2 Jiannan Wang1 1Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, People’s Republic of China; 2School of Nursing, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Rubo SuiDepartment of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +8618640605108Email 907052401@qq.comPurpose: This study aimed to develop a risk prediction model for post-stroke depression (PSD) based on magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy.Patients and Methods: Data of 61 patients hospitalized with stroke (November 2017–March 2019) were retrospectively analyzed. After 61 patients had been admitted to hospital for routine clinical information collection, when the patients were in stable condition, proton MR spectroscopy (1H-MRS) examinations were performed to measure the ratio of choline to creatine (Cho/Cr) and N-acetylaspartate to creatine (NAA/Cr) in brain regions related to emotion. From the second month to the sixth month after the onset, these 61 patients were assessed by the Hamilton Depression Scale once a month. Based on the scores, patients were divided into PSD and post-stroke non-depression (N-PSD) groups. Twenty-two characteristics were extracted from clinical data and the 1H-MRS imaging indexes. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression was used for optimal feature selection and the nomogram prediction model was established. The model’s predictive ability was validated by a calibration plot and the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic curve.Results: Two demographic characteristics (activities of daily living and initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores) and three 1H-MRS imaging characteristics (frontal-lobe Cho/Cr, temporal-lobe Cho/Cr, and anterior cingulated-cortex Cho/Cr) were screened out by LASSO regression. The consistency test through the calibration plot found that the predicted probability of the nomogram for PSD correlates well with the actual probability. The AUCs for internal validation and external validation were 0.8635 and 0.8851, respectively.Conclusion: The PSD risk model based on 1H-MRS may help guide early treatment of stroke and prevent progression to PSD.Keywords: PSD, 1H-MRS imaging, prediction model, nomogram

Rubo Sui, Lie Zang, Yanjuan BaiDepartment of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou 121001, Liaoning, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Rubo SuiDepartment of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, 2 Renmin Road, Jinzhou 121000, Liaoning, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail yaanddoy@sina.comBackground: Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury (I/R injury) is an important pathological process for nervous system. The I/R injury usually causes cerebral hypoxia, infarct or stroke. This study aimed to evaluate effects of troxerutin and cerebroprotein hydrolysate injection (TC) on I/R injury in rat models.Methods: Middle-cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) rat models were established. Rats were divided into normal control (NC), MCAO/R rat model (injecting saline) and MCAO/R rats administrating with TC group (injecting with TC at concentration of 2 mL/100 g body weight). Neurological scores were evaluated with Garcia scale. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was employed to observe infarct area, contralateral area and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values. Cerebral infarct size was examined and visualized by staining with 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC). Western blotting assay was used to determine caspase-1, caspase-3 and caspase-8 expression.Results: The infarct size of mice in MCAO/R+TC group was smaller significantly compared to that in MCAO/R group (p

Value engineering analysis is a methodical approach used to find and eliminate superfluous expenses within various domains such as projects, processes, and the construction industry, with the aim of improving both quality and performance. In order to achieve a harmonious equilibrium between time, money, and quality, the present circumstances and methodologies within the construction sector of Myanmar necessitate a substantial amount of dedication and exertion. Due to this rationale, value engineering (VE) is an established management approach that facilitates the enhancement of project value and the realization of cost savings in construction projects. The objective of this study was to identify alternative materials that are more cost-effective than the original design for the exterior of the hospital building, while ensuring that the chosen materials retain their inherent value. Based on the findings of the study, the implementation of value engineering techniques resulted in a cost reduction of up to 7.6 percent for the façade work. This research assesses the financial benefits derived from the use of Value Engineering (VE) in a six-story hospital located in Yangon. The study specifically focuses on the utilization of materials of intermediate grade for the facade construction. This research endeavor aims to contribute to the existing corpus of knowledge on value engineering by conducting a comprehensive analysis of a specific case study.

Blau syndrome is a rare genetic disorder characterized by the a mix of granulomatous arthritis, uveitis, and dermatitis. Patients typically manifest multisystem involvement, including ocular, skin, and skeletal abnormalities. Blau syndrome is extremely rare, with a global incidence of less than one in a million among children. In this multidisciplinary consultation, we present a case of a 21-year-old young female patient having multisystemic involvement since early childhood. She was presented with multiple joint swelling, skin lesions, increased eye discharge, and accompanied by hypertension and arterial abnormalities, and received a diagnosis of uveitis. The patient had been receiving steroid treatment since the age of 6 and has tried various medications, with some improvement in joint swelling and ocular symptoms. Through this rare disease multidisciplinary consultation, we aim to provide guidance in the molecular diagnosis of the patient, multisystem assessment, and the selection and formulation of treatment plans. Additionally, we hope that by reporting this case, clinical physicians can gain a better understanding of the diagnosis and comprehensive treatment strategies for Blau syndrome, thereby improving the management and treatment of rare diseases.

Use of variable-rate irrigation (VRI) technology has the potential to improve irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE). VRI hardware is commercially available and can be implemented in any center pivot or lateral move irrigation system. However, practical methods and algorithms for creating VRI prescriptions have become the bottleneck in accelerating the adoption of VRI. An Irrigation Scheduling Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (ISSCADA) system for VRI was evaluated for two years in a humid region in the Mississippi Delta. The ISSCADA system was used to manage irrigation of soybeans for two seasons. In field practice, the ISSCADA system scanned the field for canopy temperature and collected soil water data from time domain reflectometers and weather data from a nearby weather station. The ISSCADA system automatically generated VRI prescription maps. The maps were modified to include plots managed using soil electrical conductivity (EC) based VRI prescriptions. Test results indicated that there was no difference in crop yield between ECbased VRI and ISSCADA-based VRI management. However, ISSCADA-based VRI management reduced irrigation water use and increased irrigation water productivity in comparison with EC-based VRI. There is great potential for the use of ISSCADA for VRI in humid regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To detect the expression pattern of UCHL1 in glioma samples and its influence on the metastasis of glioma, as well as the underlying mechanism. PATIENTS AND METHODS: UCHL1 levels in 42 paired glioma tissues and paracancerous ones were detected. The relationship between UCHL1 level and pathological indexes in glioma patients was analyzed. After establishing UCHL1 knockdown model in U251 and T98-G cells, their migratory ability was assessed by transwell and wound healing assay. At last, Luciferase assay, Western blot and rescue experiments were conducted to explore the role of UCHL1 in aggravating the development of glioma through targeting GAS2. RESULTS: UCHL1 was upregulated in glioma samples than paracancerous ones. High level of UCHL1 indicated high rates of lymphatic metastasis and distant metastasis, as well as low rates of overall survival and progression-free survival in glioma. Knockdown of UCHL1 markedly inhibited migratory ability in glioma cells. GAS2 was the downstream gene of UCHL1. A positive correlation was found between expression levels of UCHL1 and GAS2 in glioma tissues. Overexpression of GAS2 could reverse the inhibitory effects of silenced UCHL1 on migratory ability in glioma cells. CONCLUSIONS: UCHL1 level is linked to lymphatic metastasis, distant metastasis and prognosis in glioma patients. It stimulates migratory ability in glioma by positively regulating GAS2 level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is increasing interest and demand for growers and researchers to use soil moisture sensors for water management and research in the state of Mississippi. Previous studies demonstrated great challenges in the selection and deployment of sensors for accurate monitoring of soil moisture due to the high variability of soil types and properties. In this study, we evaluated and calibrated three soil moisture sensors, TDR315 (Acclima), CS655 (Campbell Scientific), and GS1 (Meter Group), on-site in fields and in undisturbed soil samples in the laboratory. We selected six predominant soil types from across Mississippi, including four clayey soils (Sharkey clay loam, Brooksville silty clay, Tunica clay, and Dowling clay) and two loamy soils (Commerce sandy loam and Leeper sandy loam) for the tests. Results indicated that these three types of sensors with built-in factory calibration generally overestimated the volumetric water content ( θv) of the soils in both field and laboratory. The θv readings of these sensors were closer to the θv determined by gravimetric method in the sandy loam than in the clayey soils. The three types of sensors basically met their factory root mean squared error (RMSE) criteria in loamy soils, but they varied in their performance. The RMSE of TDR315 ranged from 0.03 to 0.17, while CS655 and GS1 had greater RMSE, ranging from 0.03 to 0.29 cm3 cm-3. Specific calibration of TDR315 and CS655 was conducted for each of the six soils using combinations of on-site field data and laboratory undisturbed soil data. Field validation on clay and sandy loam soils suggested that the accuracy of the soil water content measurements by CS655 and TDR315 was acceptable (R² > 0.6) with proper in situ and undisturbed soil-specific calibration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 15-year-old female was referred to the hospital with intermittent fever, where multiple systemic abnormalities were found, such as splenomegaly, secondary hypersplenism, retinitis pigmentosa, and ectodermal dysplasia. Medical history revealed that she had suffered recurrent respiratory infections, blurred vision at night, and dysplasia of teeth and nail beds since childhood. Then she was suspected to be experiencing ROSAH syndrome, a rare disease newly recognized in recent years, which was finally confirmed by gene sequencing results. During a course of treatment with tumor necrosis factor inhibitors, recurrent fever with elevated inflammatory markers reappeared, and the child developed headaches. To guide the comprehensive treatment and improve the patient's quality of life, the multidisciplinary team in Peking Union Medical College Hospital discussed together and directed the following treatment.

OBJECTIVE: Cervical cancer is one of the gynecologic tumors in the world. The main aim of this study was to elucidate the functional role of MFI2 in cervical cancer and provide novel insight into biomarkers and therapeutic strategies for cervical cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The relative expression level of MFI2 was examined by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was involved to determine the ability of cell proliferation. Flow cytometric analysis was performed to detect cell apoptosis. Transwell assay and Matrigel assay were involved to determine cell migration and invasion. Expressions of protein kinase B (AKT), phosphorylated-AKT (p-AKT), B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL2), and BCL2-Associated X (Bax) protein levels were detected in Western blotting. Transfected cells were used to perform tumor xenograft formation assay. RESULTS: Our research validated that MFI2 was up-regulated in cervical cancer by qRTPCR. Through CCK-8 assay, flow cytometric analysis, transwell assay, and Matrigel assay, we verified that MFI2 can promote cell proliferation, cell metastasis and inhibit cell apoptosis in cervical cancer. Subsequently, we used Western blotting assay to determine the alteration of protein expression of p-AKT, BCL2, and Bax. The results indicated that MFI2 may exert its function by regulating phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT signaling pathway. In tumor xenograft formation assay, up-regulated MFI2 accelerated tumor formation. CONCLUSIONS: Current research elucidated that MFI2 promoted cell proliferation, cell metastasis and inhibited cell apoptosis in cervical cancer by regulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Our results may provide a novel insight into finding new therapeutic targets and biomarkers for cervical cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the methods for irrigation scheduling is to use sensors to measure the soil moisture level in the plant root zone and apply water if there is a water shortage for the plants. The measurement accuracy and reliability of the soil moisture sensors are critical for sensor-based irrigation management. This study evaluated the measurement accuracy and repeatability of the EC-5 and 5TM soil volumetric water content (SVWC) sensors, the MPS-2 and 200SS soil water potential (SWP) sensors, and the 200TS soil temperature sensor. Six 183 cm × 183 cm × 71 cm wooden compartments were built inside a greenhouse, and each compartment was filled with one type of soil from the Mississippi Delta. A total of 66 sensors with 18 data loggers were installed in the soil compartments to measure SVWC, SWP, and soil temperature. Soil samples were periodically collected from the compartments to determine SVWC using the gravimetric method. SVWC measured by the sensors was compared with that determined by the gravimetric method. The SVWC readings from the sensors had a linear regression relationship with the gravimetric SVWC (r2 = 0.82). This relationship was used to calibrate the sensor readings. The SVWC and SWP sensors could detect the general trend of soil moisture changes. However, their measurements varied significantly among the sensors. To obtain accurate absolute soil moisture measurements, the sensors require individual and soil-specific calibration. The 5TM, MPS-2, and 200TS sensors performed well in soil temperature measurement tests. Individual temperature readings from these sensors were very close to the mean of all sensor readings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Easy-to-use data acquisition methods are required for variable-rate irrigation (VRI) decision support systems. Plant canopy temperature is related to plant water stress. Plant height is useful as an indicator of plant health conditions and can be used to estimate yield potential. Therefore, measurements of plant canopy temperature and plant height coupled with spatial information in the field can be used for determining VRI water application depths. A center-pivot-mounted wireless data acquisition (WDAQ) system was developed to collect plant canopy temperature and plant height data in the field. Each WDAQ unit consisted of a GPS receiver, programmable data logger, infrared temperature sensor, ultrasonic distance sensor, solar power supply, and wireless data transmitter/receiver. The system included two WDAQ units installed on a four-span center-pivot VRI system. One unit was mounted at the middle of the third span, and the other was mounted at the middle of the fourth span from the pivot. The infrared temperature sensors were used to detect the canopy temperature, while the ultrasonic distance sensors were used to measure plant height. The WDAQ system was designed to continuously and simultaneously measure plant canopy temperature and plant height and record the spatial coordinates at each measurement location as the center pivot moved around the field. Data collected were wirelessly transferred to a receiver for data processing. This WDAQ system has been tested and evaluated in the field for two years. Test results indicated that the WDAQ system was able to record approximately 3,200 measurements from each sensor in one pivot circle (360°). The measurement error of the ultrasonic distance sensor was 0.2 to 3 cm in a measurement range of 14 to 209 cm, and the sensor-measured plant heights were strongly correlated with manually tape-measured plant heights in soybean and cotton crops (r2 = 0.97). Combined with the spatial information, measurements of plant height and crop canopy temperature were used to generate plant height and crop canopy temperature maps. Spatial variabilities of plant height and canopy temperature across the field could be identified from the maps and used in irrigation research. The WDAQ system has great potential for automatic creation of VRI prescription maps and plant-based irrigation scheduling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectiveTo report a Chinese family affected with both ectopia lentis and varicose great saphenous vein.DesignObservational pedigree report.ParticipantsThe family with a total of 53 members in five generations. In the kindred there were 16 affected adults (including 6 deceased), of which 7 were male and 9 were female.Main outcome measuresPatients in this family showed an autosomal dominant trait of ectopia lentis and varicose great saphenous vein, occurring in four successive generations. The onset ages for lens dislocation were between 38 and 52 years. No cardiovascular abnormality was observed. Four patients underwent intracapsular lens extraction surgery.ConclusionsThe phenotype of this family showed similarities with Marfan-related disorders. This is a unique phenotype of ectopia lentis with varicose great saphenous vein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reflectance spectra of cotton fiber samples having different fiber quality levels were measured with a high-resolution spectrophotometer, processed with waveband averaging and wavelet analysis, and then related to micronaire with multiple linear regression. Regression models indicated that micronaire had a close relationship (R² = 0.89) with reflectance at seven 100 nm wavebands (1120, 1296, 1550, 1664, 1852, 2020, and 2340 nm). In the wavelet-based analysis, six wavelet-coefficient regressors were identified and entered into a regression model. This model also indicated a very close relationship between micronaire and reflectance spectra (R² = 0.97). A prototype cotton fiber quality sensor was developed based on the characteristics of the cotton fiber reflectance spectrum and the wavelet-based multiple-regression analyses. The sensor consists of a VisGaAs camera, optical bandpass filters, a halogen light source, and an image collection and processing system. Images of lint samples at three near-infrared (NIR) wavebands (1450, 1550, and 1600 nm) were acquired and analyzed with two methods to determine the relationship between image pixel values and cotton fiber micronaire. One method involved ROI (region-of-interest) pixel-value data, while the other involved histogram-based pixel-value data. Results showed that the sensor was capable of accurately estimating the fiber micronaire (R² = 0.99 for ROI data, and R2 = 0.99 for histogram-based data). This sensor could potentially be used for measuring cotton fiber quality along with spatial data from a GPS receiver as the cotton is harvested in the field, making it possible to generate cotton fiber quality maps. The sensor also has the potential to be used for segregating cotton at harvest based on fiber quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A ground-based sensing system was developed for determination of nitrogen (N) status in cotton plants. The system consists of a multi-spectral optical sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, and a data-acquisition and processing unit. The optical sensor's light source provides modulated panchromatic illumination of a plant canopy with light-emitting diodes. The sensor measures plant reflectance at four spectral wavebands (400 to 500 nm, 520 to 570 nm, 610 to 710 nm, and 750 to 1100 nm). The ultrasonic sensor is used to determine plant height. The data-acquisition and processing unit is based on a single-board computer that collects data from the multi-spectral optical sensor and the ultrasonic sensor, and spatial information from a Global Positioning System receiver. Field tests of the system over two years involved measuring spectral reflectance and plant height simultaneously in real time in situ. An artificial neural network was developed to predict N status in cotton plants based on data from the sensing system. The network was trained with actual leaf N concentration data that corresponded to sensor spectral data and plant height. Results showed that the spectral information and plant height measured by the sensing system had significant correlation with leaf N concentration of the cotton plants. Trained neural networks were able to predict N status of the cotton plants at 90% accuracy when N status was divided into two categories: deficiency and non-deficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The endothelial cell dysfunction observed in preeclampsia (PE) may be induced by CD40/CD40L signaling. This study investigated the role of CD40/CD40L in the pathogenesis of PE by comparing the effect of maternal serum obtained from healthy pregnant women and PE patients on HUVEC cell growth, apoptosis and CD40/CD40L expression. Methods Maternal serum was obtained from 20 patients with PE (PE group) as well as 20 healthy pregnant women (control group). The human umbilical endothelial cell line, CRL1730, was cultured in the presence of maternal serum for 24, 48, and 72 h after which cell growth and apoptosis were assessed by MTT and flow cytometry analysis, respectively. CD40/CD40L expression was determined using flow cytometry and RT-PCR analyses. Results As compared to CRL1730 cells treated with control sera, those treated with PE sera had altered morphology, decreased cell growth, increased apoptosis and greater CD40/CD40L protein and mRNA expression. Stimulation of CD40/CD40L protein and mRNA expression by PE sera was greatest at 24 h. Conclusions PE sera may induce endothelial cell damage possibly through increased CD40/CD40L expression in early-onset PE. Further studies are necessary to determine the factor(s) in PE sera responsible for the observed changes in endothelial cell viability.

Abstract Background Mutations in the gene encoding human myocilin (MYOC) have been shown to cause juvenile- and adult-onset glaucoma. In addition, myocilin has been associated with glucocorticoid-induced ocular hypertension and steroid-induced glaucoma. To better understand the role myocilin plays in steroid-induced glaucoma and open-angle glaucoma, we examined rabbit myocilin for use in the rabbit animal model of steroid-induced glaucoma. Results We have cloned the rabbit ortholog of human MYOC. Rabbit MYOC consists of three exons and an open reading frame encoding a 490 amino acid, 54,882-Da protein, which is 14 amino acids shorter at the N-terminus than human myocilin but 84% identical overall. Rabbit myocilin migrates as a single electrophoretic band, vs. double-banded human myocilin, by SDS-PAGE/immunoblot analysis. We determined that the differential migration exhibited is due to an N-glycosylation site that is present in human (Asn57), monkey and mouse myocilin but absent in rabbit (Ser43), rat and bovine myocilin. Rabbit myocilin is secreted in vitro in trabecular meshwork cell culture and in vivo in aqueous humor. Secretion of human myocilin is shown to be dependent on the signal peptide and independent of the extra 14 amino acids not found in rabbit myocilin. Many of the amino acids in myocilin that are mutated in glaucoma patients are conserved across species. Conclusion We have cloned the rabbit MYOC cDNA and determined that rabbit myocilin is secreted but not N-linked glycosylated. Knowledge of the rabbit MYOC cDNA sequence will facilitate future studies in the rabbit animal model examining the role of myocilin in steroid-induced glaucoma and the gain-of-function hypothesis in open-angle glaucoma.

Abstract: Choroideremia (CHM) is a chorioretinal degeneration with an X-linked pattern of inheritance. Affected males experience progressive atrophy of the choroid, retinal pigment epithelium and retina leading to eventual blindness. The CHM gene encodes Rab escort protein 1 (REP-1). REP-1 is involved in trafficking of Rab proteins in the cell. To date, the majority of reported mutations in the CHM gene cause a complete loss of REP-1 function. Here we report pathogenic mutations: a novel missense mutation, L550P; a truncation c.1542T>A, STOP; and two deletions (c.525_526delAG and c.1646delC) in the CHM gene and their phenotypic effect. To analyze the effect of mutations, the 3D structure of human REP-1 and the proteins associated with REP-1 function were modeled using sequence homology with rat proteins. In silico analysis of the missense mutation L550P suggests that the proline residue at position 550 destabilizes the β-structural elements, and the REP-1 tertiary structure. Truncation and deletion mutants are associated with a partial or total loss of the REP-1 essential activity and protein–protein interactions as predicted by the analysis of the structure and stability of these protein products. The presumptive loss of protein was confirmed by Western Blot analysis of protein from mononuclear cells and fibroblasts (FB) from CHM patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The purpose of this study was to examine the operation of a commercially manufactured research-scale downdraft gasifier, the Renewable Fuel Gas Generator, Community Power Corporation, Littleton, Colorado. An experimental study of hardwood chip gasification was run under various operating conditions to determine the effects on the syn-gas (synthesis gas) produced in the process. The resulting syn-gas had an average LHV (low heating value) of 5.79 ± 0.52 MJ Nm-3 (Nm³ stands for normal cubic meter, i.e., volume of a gas measured at standard temperature and pressure), tar concentration of 14.06 ± 8.54 mg Nm-3 and particulate concentration of 3.05 ± 1.79 mg Nm-3 Syn-gas at this level of quality is acceptable for use as a fuel for internal combustion engines and also for other purposes. The process was also very efficient, with a hardwood conversion rate of 2.37 ± 0.24 Nm³ kg-1 and a carbon conversion rate of 98.01% ± 0.53%. The gasifier's grate temperature had no evident effects on syn-gas quality and conversion rate within a range of 740°C to 817°C. The particulate contents in pre-filter syn-gas significantly increased when the gas flow rate changed from 36 to 56 Nm³ h-1, but no other syn-gas attributes were significantly affected by gas flow rate. When the moisture content of hardwood drips increased, tar content of post-filter syn-gas significantly increased and CO content significantly decreased, but no other attributes were affected. Overall the system, which has extensive electronic controls based on temperatures and pressures at numerous locations, produced a remarkably consistent high-quality syn-gas regardless of input parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]