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This article mitigates the challenges of previously reported literature by reducing the operating cost and improving the performance of network. A genetic algorithm-based tabu search methodology is proposed to solve the link capacity and traffic allocation (CFA) problem in a computer communication network. An efficient modern super-heuristic search method is used to influence the fixed cost, delay cost, and variable cost of a link on the total operating cost in the computer communication network are discussed. The article analyses a large number of computer simulation results to verify the effectiveness of the tabu search algorithm for CFA problems and also improves the quality of solutions significantly compared with traditional Lagrange relaxation and subgradient optimization algorithms. The experimental results show that with the increase of the weighted coefficient of variable cost, the proportion of variable cost in the total cost increases from 10 to 35%. The growth is relatively slow, and the fixed cost is still the main component. In addition, due to the increase in the variable cost, the tabu search algorithm will also choose the link with large luxury to reduce the variable cost, which makes the fixed cost slightly increase, while the network delay cost and average delay slightly decrease. The proposed method, when compared with the genetic algorithm, has more advantages for large-scale or heavy-load networks.

Objective To investigate the perioperative rate of allogeneic red blood cell (RBC) transfusion in adolescent scoliosis(AS) that underwent posterior correction surgeries, and to identify its risk factors. Methods This study was a retrospective cohort study. Anesthetic data of adolescent scoliosis patients who underwent posterior correction surgeries from January 2015 to May 2017 in Peking Union Medical College Hospital were collected and analyzed. The clinical variables were subsequently compared between patients who received allogeneic RBC transfusion(transfusion group) and those who did not (non-transfusion group). Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors in perioperative allogeneic RBC transfusion in these patients. Results The study enrolled 469 patients. The perioperative rate of allogeneic RBC transfusion was 30.5% and the independent risk factors leading to it included corrected body mass index (BMI) (OR=0.887, 95% CI: 0.815-0.966, P＜0.01),other type of scoliosis (OR=3.847, 95% CI: 1.660-8.917, P＜0.01) (compared with idiopathic scoliosis), preoperative anemia (OR=6.322, 95% CI: 2.053-19.473, P＜0.01), the number of fused levels more than 12.5 (OR=3.554, 95% CI: 2.174-5.885, P＜0.001), preoperative Cobb angle larger than 64.5° (OR=2.381, 95% CI: 1.356-4.178, P＜0.01) and osteotomy (OR=7.551, 95% CI: 3.258-17.503,P＜0.001). The postoperative transfer rate to intensive care unit(ICU)(P＜0.001) in transfusion group was higher, with longer hospital stay length(P＜0.001) and higher cost(P＜0.001), than that in the non-transfusion group. Conclusions The risk factors for perioperative allogeneic RBC transfusion in AS include corrected BMI, other type of scoliosis, preoperative anemia, the number of fused levels more than 12.5, preoperative Cobb angle larger than 64.5° and osteotomy.

Objective To investigate the expression of X-ray-repaired cross complementary protein 6 (Ku70/XRCC6) in epithelial ovarian cancer(EOC) and its effects on the proliferation, apoptosis and migration of ovarian cancer cells. Methods Western blot was used to detect the expression of Ku70 in 9 ovarian cancer tissues of different grades and 3 normal ovarian tissues. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of Ku70 in 119 ovarian cancer tissues, and the relationship between Ku70 expression and clinicopathological parameters was analyzed. Kaplan-meier survival curve was used to analyze the relationship between Ku70 expression and 5-year survival. Colony formation and CCK-8 assay were used to analyze the effect of Ku70 expression on proliferation of ovarian cancer cells, and flow cytometry was used to detect the effect of Ku70 expression on apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells. The effect of Ku70 expression on ovarian cancer cell migration was analyzed by scratch test and Transwell chamber method. Results The expression of Ku70 in ovarian cancer tissues was higher than that in normal ovarian tissues. The expression of Ku70 was closely correlated with pathological features (P＜0.05). The survival rate of ovarian cancer patients with high Ku70 expression was lower than that of patients with low Ku70 expression(P＜0.05). Inhibiting the expression of Ku70 decreased poliferation and migration, and increased apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells (P＜0.05). Conclusions The abnormal expression of Ku70 is closely related to the occurrence of ovarian cancer and so Ku70 is a potential therapeutic target for ovarian cancer treatment.

Objective To evaluate clinical significance and application outcomes of using the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte count ratio (NLR) and C-reactive protein to albumin ratio (CRP/ALB) in the aged patients hospitalized with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(AECOPD). Methods 172 aged patients with AECOPD who were hospitalized in the Department of Geriatrics and Department of Respiratory Medicine of the Second People's Hospital of Hefei from January 2016 to January 2020 were recruited. According to clinical outcomes, they were divided into survival group (n=155) and death group (n=17). Survival group was divided into groups according to hospitalization days of more or less than ten days. Parameters were got through contrast of clinical and laboratory test indexes of patients in each group. Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) were used to analyze the risk factors and their correlation with in-hospital mortality. Results Among 172 aged AECOPD in-patients, 17 patients died during hospitalization with mortality as 9.88%. There were differences between the death group and the survival group in NLR, CRP, CRP/ALB, red blood cell distribution width (RDW), cigarette consumption, community acquired pneumonia (CAP) and various comorbidities. Parameters above mentioned in the death group was higher than the survival group(P＜0.01). At the same time, 155 aged patients with AECOPD who survived and discharged were divided into two subgroups according to the hospitalization ≥10 days and ＜10 days. It was found that NLR, CRP, CRP/ALB, RDW, smoking and CAP in group with hospitalization longer than ten days were significantly more common than those in group of less than ten days hospitalization(P＜0.01). The Logistic regression analysis of NLR, CRP, CRP/ALB and RDW showed that NLR and CRP/ALB might be independent risk factors for in-hospital death. From the analysis of the ROC, the cut-off value of NLR was 11.04, the area under the curve was 77%, and the cut-off value of CRP/ALB was 1.12, and the area under the curve was 65%. Conclusions NLR and CRP/ALB may be the risk factors for in-hospital death of aged patients with AECOPD, which are associated with poor prognosis.

Methyl vinyl silicone rubber (MVQ)/thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) blend thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) was prepared by dynamic vulcanization. The effects of type and amount of compatibilizers on mechanical properties and rheological properties of TPV were investigated. The results showed that the mechanical properties of TPV increased firstly and then decreased with the increase of compatibilizer amount. The mechanical properties of TPV were better when polyolefin elastomer grafted maleic anhydride (POE-g-MAH) was used as compatibilizer compared to ethylene acrylic copolymer and ethylene and vinyl acetate block copolymer. And all three kinds of compatibilizers could improve the compatibility of MVQ phase with TPU phase in TPV. When the amount of POE-g-MAH was 6 phr, the glass transition temperature of MVQ phase and TPU phase in TPV was the closest, the interface between the two phases was blurred and the capacitance effect was the best.

BackgroundAssociations between trace elements and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) have been speculated but not thoroughly examined.MethodsThis study registered a total of 225 newly diagnosed patients with NPC and 225 healthy controls matched by sex and age from three municipal hospitals in Guangdong Province, southern China between 2011 and 2015. Information was collected by questionnaire on the demographic characteristics and other possibly confounding lifestyle factors. Eight trace elements and the level of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) antibody were measured in casual (spot) serum specimens by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. Restricted cubic splines and conditional logistic regression were applied to assess the relationship between trace elements and NPC risk through single-and multiple-elements models.ResultsSerum levels of chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), arsenic (As), strontium (Sr) and molybdenum (Mo) were not associated with NPC risk. Manganese (Mn) and cadmium (Cd) were positively associated with NPC risk in both single-and multiple-element models, with ORs of the highest tertile compared with the reference categories 3.90 (95% CI, 1.27 to 7.34) for Mn and 2.30 (95% CI, 1.26 to 3.38) for Cd. Restricted cubic splines showed that there was a linear increasing trend between Mn and NPC risk, while for Cd there was a J-type correlation.ConclusionSerum levels of Cd and Mn was positively related with NPC risk. Prospective researches on the associations of the two trace elements with NPC ought to be taken into account within the future.

Background and Objectives: Fluid restriction commonly causes dry mouth in patients on hemodialysis (HD). The observed effects of chewing gum on the amount of saliva, interdialytic weight gain (IDWG), and degree of thirst in patients on HD have been inconsistent. We investigated whether chewing gum can modulate these three parameters in patients on HD. Materials and Methods: We used purposive sampling to enroll 37 patients on HD who were then randomly divided into the chewing gum group (n = 19) and the control (non–chewing gum) group (n = 18). The degree of thirst was assessed using a self-rated visual analog scale (VAS) and a summated xerostomia inventory (SXI), respectively. Results: The degree of thirst after dialysis was significantly lower in the chewing gum group than in the control group. The amount of saliva was higher in the chewing gum group than in the control group before dialysis, but the saliva amount was comparable between the groups after dialysis. Furthermore, the amount of saliva was not associated with IDWG in patients on HD before or after dialysis. Conclusions: Chewing gum may alleviate the feeling of thirst but may not affect the amount of saliva and IDWG in patients on HD. Therefore, we suggest that chewing gum may be a useful approach to improve dry mouth and thirst in patients on HD.

Zinc methacrylate （ZDMA） or poly （zinc methacrylate） oligomer （PM） were introduced into natural rubber or blended with carbon black/silica and natural rubber to prepare a flexible fatigue resistant rubber with self-healing property. The results showed that ZDMA had better self-hea-ling than PM because of the reversible supramolecular network. When the amount of ZDMA was 40 phr, the self-healing efficiency of vulcanizate was the highest, close to 100%. Unsaturated carboxylate （ZDMA/PM） was combined with traditional fillers （carbon black/silica）, PM could effectively inhibit crack propagation only in the early stage, and ZDMA could significantly improve the flexure resistance of the material. The vulcanizate had the best flexural fatigue resistance when m（ZDMA）/m（carbon black）was 20/40.

Ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer/terpolymer nylon thermoplastic vulcanizates (EVM/tPA TPV) and ethylene vinyl acetate-glycidyl methacrylate copolymer/terpolymer nylon thermoplastic vulcanizates (EVM-GMA/tPA TPV) were prepared via dynamic vulcanization process using a Banbury mixer, and the effects of rotor rotational speed on the mechanical properties, and heat and oil resistance of the two thermoplastic vulcanizates were investigated. The experimental results showed that the mechanical properties of the thermoplastic vulcanizates increased when the rotor rotational speed was increased within a certain range, and the comprehensive mechanical properties of the two thermoplastic vulcanizates were the best when the rotor rotational speed was 80 r/min, and the two thermoplastic vulcanizates had good heat-oil resistance when the rotor rotational speed reaches 60 r/min or more. The elasticity of the two thermoplastic vulcanizates improved as the rotor rotational speed increased. Under the same rotor rotational speed conditions, EVM-GMA/tPA TPV had better mechanical properties, elasticity and heat-oil resistance than EVM/tPA TPV.

Abstract Many methods are used to locate preoperative small pulmonary nodules. However, deficiencies of complications and success rates exist. We introduce a novel magnetic gel for small pulmonary nodules localization in rabbit model, and furtherly evaluate its safety and feasibility. Rabbits were used as the experimental objects. A magnetic gel was used as a tracer magnet, mixed as sodium alginate-Fe3O4 magnetic fluid and calcium gluconate solution. In short-term localization, a coaxial double-cavity puncture needle was applied to inject the gel into the lung after thoracotomy, and a pursuit magnet made of Nd-Fe-B permanent magnetic materials was used to attract the gel representing location of the nodule. In long-term localization, the gel was injected under X-ray guidance. Imaging changes to the lung were observed under X-ray daily. Thoracotomy was performed to excise tissue containing the gel, and hematoxylin–eosin staining was used to observe the tissue on postoperative days 1, 3, 5, and 7. Observe tissues morphology of heart, liver, spleen, and kidney in the same way. The gel was formed after injection and drew lung tissue to form a protrusion from the lung surface under the applied magnetic field. No complication was observed. The shape and position of the gel had not changed when viewed under X-ray. Pathological analysis showed the gel had a clear boundary without diffusion of magnetic fluid. All tissues retained good histologic morphology and no magnetic fluid was observed. Our study preliminarily suggested that the technique using sodium alginate-Fe3O4 magnetic gel to locate small pulmonary nodules with guidance of X-ray, and to search for them under an applied magnetic field during the operation is safe and feasible.

The topology optimization of computer communication network is studied based on improved genetic algorithm (GA), a network optimization design model based on the establishment of network reliability maximization under given cost constraints, and the corresponding improved GA is proposed. In this method, the corresponding computer communication network cost model and computer communication network reliability model are established through a specific project, and the genetic intelligence algorithm is used to solve the cost model and computer communication network reliability model, respectively. It has been proved that GA can solve the complex problems of computer working environment better, which is 80% higher than the general algorithm, and can select the optimal scheme pertinently.

Leptospira interrogans is the major causative agent of leptospirosis, an emerging, globally spreading zoonotic infectious disease. The pathogen induces macrophage apoptosis, but the molecular basis and mechanism remain unknown. In the present study, we found that L. interrogans caused apoptosis of phagocytosis-inhibited macrophages, and the product of the L. interrogans LB047 gene (Lep-OMP047) was the unique protein captured by mouse and human Fas proteins. The recombinant expressed Lep-OMP047 (rLep-OMP047) strongly bound mouse and human Fas proteins with equilibrium association constant (KD) values of 5.20 × 10-6 to 2.84 × 10-9 M according to surface plasmon resonance measurement and isothermal titration calorimetry. Flow-cytometric examination showed that 5 μg rLep-OMP047 or 1 μg lipopolysaccharide of L. interrogans (Lep-LPS) caused 43.70% or 21.90% early apoptosis in mouse J774A.1 macrophages and 28.41% or 15.80% for PMA-differentiated human THP-1 macrophages, respectively, but the apoptosis was blocked by Fas-antagonizing IgGs, Fas siRNAs, and caspase-8/-3 inhibitors. Moreover, Lep-OMP047 was significantly upregulated during infection of macrophages. Lep-LPS promoted the expression and cytomembrane translocation of Fas and FasL in macrophages. The JNK and p38 MAPK but not ERK signaling pathways, as well as the transcription factors c-Jun and ATF2 but not CHOP, mediated Lep-LPS-induced Fas/FasL expression and translocation. TLR2 but not TLR4 mediated Lep-LPS-induced JNK/p38 MAPK activation. Therefore, we demonstrated that a novel Fas-binding OMP and LPS of L. interrogans induce macrophage apoptosis through the Fas/FasL-caspase-8/-3 pathway.

Osteons are composed of concentric lamellar structure, the concentric lamellae are composed of periodic thin and thick sub-lamellae, and every 5 sub-lamellae is a cycle, the periodic helix angle of mineralized collagen fibers in two adjacent sub-lamellae is 30°. Four biomimetic models with different fiber helix angles were established and fabricated according to the micro-nano structure of osteon. The effects of the fiber periodic helical structure on impact characteristic and energy dissipation of multi-layer biomimetic composite were investigated. The calculation results indicated that the stress distribution, contact characteristics and fiber failur during impact, and energy dissipation of the composite are affected by the fiber helix angle. The stress concentration of composite materials under external impact can be effectively improved by adjusting the fiber helix angle when the material composition and material performance parameters are same. Compared with the sample30, the maximum stress of sample60 and sample90 increases by 38.1% and 69.8%, respectively. And the fiber failure analysis results shown that the model with a fiber helix angle of 30° has a better resist impact damage. The drop-weight test results shown that the impact damage area of the specimen with 30° helix angle is smallest among the four types of biomimetic specimens. The periodic helical structure of mineralized collagen fibers in osteon can effectively improve the impact resistance of cortical bone. The research results can provide useful guidance for the design and manufacture of high-performance, impact-resistant biomimetic composite materials.

Biomineralization is a universal phenomenon in the ocean that plays an important role in marine geochemical circulation. The genus Alteromonas is an indigenous taxon with a wide distribution and various ecological roles in the ocean, but biomineralization by this genus has not been reported. In this study, five Alteromonas spp. were found to induce mineral crystal formation of different shapes and sizes in agar media. Further studies on deep-sea strains A. alteriprofundi HHU 13199T and A. alterisediminis N102T showed that they could produce mineral crystals with similar morphology when grown in agar or broth media with different concentrations of sea salts (i.e., 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8%), and that their growth was dependent on Ca2+ and/or Mg2+ ion concentrations. Genomic analysis showed that the genus Alteromonas universally possessed the ammonification metabolism pathway and that, during the culture of these bacteria, the production of mineral crystals was accompanied by an increase in ammonia concentration and pH value and a decrease in nitrate nitrogen concentration. The addition of ammonia to broth media (≈ 572.7 mg/L) simulated the ammonia content in media on days 5 and 6 of bacterial growth and also induced mineral crystals to form. Through the analysis using scanning electron microscope–energy-dispersive spectrometry (SEM-EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared microscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric (TG) analysis, and differential thermal gravity and differential scanning calorimetry (DTG–DSC), mineral crystals induced by bacterial strains and the non-strain (ammonia-added sample) were all identified as struvite mineral. In addition, the characteristics of the struvite mineral induced by bacterial strains were different from the characteristics of the struvite synthesized by non-strain and of a struvite mineral standard. Thus, this study deduces that Alteromonas spp. possess the ability to induce struvite formation. The mechanism mainly lies in the presence of an ammonification metabolism pathway to produce ammonia, which should be recognized as biologically induced mineralization (BIM). This study provides insight into a new ecological role of indigenous marine taxa of the genus Alteromonas.

Objective To investigate potential relationship between gene polymorphisms of ATP-binding cassette B1, C4 (ABCB1, ABCC4) and solute carrier organic anion transporter 1B1 gene(SLCO1B1) with methotrexate (MTX) blood drug concentration and high dose-MTX (HD-MTX)-related adverse events (AEs) in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Methods From January 2018 to December 2019, the blood samples were randomly collected from 275 hospitalized pediatric ALL patients in Beijing Children's Hospital of Capital Medical University. All patients were treated with HD-MTX. Chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA) was used to determine the MTX blood drug concentration at 45 h after infusion. Genotyping of ABCB1(rs1045642), ABCC4(rs7317112), and SLCO1B1(rs11045879 and rs10841753) were determined using MALDI-TOF MS based on MELPA technology. At the same time, chemotherapy-induced toxicity data including liver dysfunction, gastrointestinal disorder, mucositis, myelosuppression, and myocardial damage were recorded. The relationship of SNP polymorphism of these genes and MTX blood drug concentration with AEs were analyzed. Results All the genotypes analyzed were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium(P＞0.05). A statistically significant relationship between ABCC4 rs7317112 and SLCO1B1 rs11045879 genotype and 45 h MTX blood drug concentration was found(P＜0.05). The ABCC4 rs7317112 AA and AG genotypes and SLCO1B1 rs11045879 TT and TC genotypes may also be potential indicators for the excretion delay of MTX(P＜0.05). Conclusions ABCC4 rs7317112 and SLCO1B1 rs11045879 polymorphisms are potential genetic markers for individual MTX doses in the treatment of pediatric ALL patients.

Ferns and lycophytes have remarkably large genomes. However, little is known about how their genome size evolved in fern lineages. To explore the origins and evolution of chromosome numbers and genome size in ferns, we used flow cytometry to measure the genomes of 240 species (255 samples) of extant ferns and lycophytes comprising 27 families and 72 genera, of which 228 species (242 samples) represent new reports. We analyzed correlations among genome size, spore size, chromosomal features, phylogeny, and habitat type preference within a phylogenetic framework. We also applied ANOVA and multinomial logistic regression analysis to preference of habitat type and genome size. Using the phylogeny, we conducted ancestral character reconstruction for habitat types and tested whether genome size changes simultaneously with shifts in habitat preference. We found that 2C values had weak phylogenetic signal, whereas the base number of chromosomes (x) had a strong phylogenetic signal. Furthermore, our analyses revealed a positive correlation between genome size and chromosome traits, indicating that the base number of chromosomes (x), chromosome size, and polyploidization may be primary contributors to genome expansion in ferns and lycophytes. Genome sizes in different habitat types varied significantly and were significantly correlated with habitat types; specifically, multinomial logistic regression indicated that species with larger 2C values were more likely to be epiphytes. Terrestrial habitat is inferred to be ancestral for both extant ferns and lycophytes, whereas transitions to other habitat types occurred as the major clades emerged. Shifts in habitat types appear be followed by periods of genomic stability. Based on these results, we inferred that habitat type changes and multiple whole-genome duplications have contributed to the formation of large genomes of ferns and their allies during their evolutionary history.

Objective: Previously, we have successfully purified and synthesized viscolin, an agent derived from Viscum coloratum extract, which has shown significant potential in the treatment of stroke. Our study aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of viscolin. Methods: We first assessed the cytotoxicity of viscolin on primary neuronal cultures and determined its antioxidant and radical scavenging properties. Subsequently, we identified the optimal dose-response of viscolin in protecting against glutamate-induced neurotoxicity. Results: Our results demonstrated that viscolin at a concentration of 10 μM effectively reduced neuronal cell death up to 6 hours after glutamate-induced neurotoxicity. Additionally, we investigated the therapeutic window of opportunity and the potential of viscolin in preventing necrotic and apoptotic damage in cultured neurons exposed to oxygen glucose deprivation-induced neurotoxicity. Our findings showed that viscolin treatment significantly reduced DNA breakage, prevented the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to cytosol, increased the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, decreased the expression of pro-apoptotic protein Bax, and reduced the number of TUNEL-positive cells. Additionally, our in vivo investigation demonstrated a reduction in brain infarction following middle cerebral artery occlusion. Conclusion: Viscolin has potential utility as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pitaya is a widely cultivated crop in Southeast Asia with excellent performance against drought stress. The fruits are of great economic value, which draws increasing attention and promotes the plantation extension in China. Presently, a genome-wide identification of the TCP genes was conducted in pitaya. Their physiochemical properties, genome collinearity, phylogenetic relationship, biological functions, cis-acting elements and expression pattern were analyzed. The results showed that pitaya genome codes a total of 24 TCP transcription factors, among which 12 belong to Class I and 12 to Class II. Phylogenetic and collinearity analysis revealed that HpTCPs are phylogenetically close to those of Beta vulgaris; the expansion of pitaya TCPs may be attributed to the segmental and dispersed duplications occurred after the divergence of dicots and monocots. Moreover, the Ka/Ks ratio suggested that HpTCPs are under purifying selection. Gene ontology analysis and subcellular localization prediction indicated that most HpTCPs are located in nucleus involving in the transactivation of downstream genes, which was further verified through transient tobacco transformation experiments and modified yeast two-hybrid assays, performed on randomly selected genes, HpTCP10 and HpTCP24. Investigation of HpTCP promoters detected an abundance of phytohormone- and stress-responsive elements. Transcriptomic data indicated that HpTCPs, especially the Class II members, were predominantly expressed in floral buds and flowers, suggesting a significant association with flower development. Using RT-qPCR, the response to low-temperature and drought stresses was revealed for HpTCPs, among which HpTCP11 and HpTCP23 displayed the most robust up-regulation, indicating their positive involvement in the stress response of pitaya and therefore might be targets for genetic improvement of pitaya. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The efficacy of melatonin in reducing vasogenic and cytotoxic edema was investigated using a model of permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO). Methods: Rats underwent pMCAO, followed by intravenous administration of either melatonin (5 mg/kg) or a vehicle 10 min post-insult. Brain infarction and edema were assessed, and Western blot analyses were conducted to examine the expression levels of aquaporin-4 (AQP4), metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and the neurovascular tight-junction protein ZO-1 upon sacrifice. The permeability of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) was measured using spectrophotometric quantification of Evans blue dye leakage. Results: Compared to controls, melatonin-treated rats exhibited a significant reduction in infarct volume by 26.9% and showed improved neurobehavioral outcomes (p < 0.05 for both). Melatonin treatment also led to decreased Evans blue dye extravasation and brain edema (p < 0.05 for both), along with lower expression levels of AQP4 and MMP-9 proteins and better preservation of ZO-1 protein (p < 0.05 for all). Conclusions: Therefore, melatonin offers neuroprotection against brain swelling induced by ischemia, possibly through its modulation of AQP4 and MMP-9 activities in glial cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM) during the early phase of ischemic injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For a continuous $\mathbb {N}^d$ or $\mathbb {Z}^d$ action on a compact space, we introduce the notion of Bohr chaoticity, which is an invariant of topological conjugacy and which is proved stronger than having positive entropy. We prove that all principal algebraic $\mathbb {Z}$ actions of positive entropy are Bohr chaotic. The same is proved for principal algebraic actions of $\mathbb {Z}^d$ with positive entropy under the condition of existence of summable homoclinic points. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The arthroconidial yeast-like species currently classified in the asexual genera Geotrichum and Saprochaete and the sexual genera Dipodascus, Galactomyces and Magnusiomyces are frequently associated with dairy and cosmetics production, fruit rot and human infection. However, the taxonomic system of these fungi has not been updated to accommodate the new nomenclature code adopting the "one fungus, one name" principle. Here, we performed phylogenetic analyses of these yeast-like species based on the sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and the D1/D2 domain of the large subunit of the rRNA gene. Two monophyletic groups were recognised from these species. One group contained Dipodascus, Galactomyces, and Geotrichum species and the other Magnusiomyces and Saprochaete species. We thus assigned the species in each group into one genus and selected the genus name Geotrichum for the first group and Magnusiomyces for the second one based on the principle of priority of publication. Five new Geotrichum species were identified from arthroconidial yeast strains recently isolated from various sources in China. The new species are described as Ge. dehoogii sp. nov., Ge. fujianense sp. nov., Ge. maricola sp. nov., Ge. smithiae sp. nov., and Ge. sinensis sp. nov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]