Activation of autophagic flux maintains mitochondrial homeostasis during cardiac ischemia/reperfusion injury

Reperfusion injury after extended ischemia accounts for approximately 50% of myocardial infarct size, and there is no standard therapy. HDAC inhibition reduces infarct size and enhances cardiomyocyte autophagy and PGC1α-mediated mitochondrial biogenesis when administered at the time of reperfusion. Furthermore, a specific autophagy-inducing peptide, Tat-Beclin 1 (TB), reduces infarct size when administered at the time of reperfusion. However, since SAHA affects multiple pathways in addition to inducing autophagy, whether autophagic flux induced by TB maintains mitochondrial homeostasis during ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is unknown. We tested whether the augmentation of autophagic flux by TB has cardioprotection by preserving mitochondrial homeostasis both in vitro and in vivo. Wild-type mice were randomized into two groups: Tat-Scrambled (TS) peptide as the control and TB as the experimental group. Mice were subjected to I/R surgery (45 min coronary ligation, 24 h reperfusion). Autophagic flux, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), mitochondrial morphology, and mitochondrial dynamic genes were assayed. Cultured neonatal rat ventricular myocytes (NRVMs) were treated with a simulated I/R injury to verify cardiomyocyte specificity. The essential autophagy gene, ATG7, conditional cardiomyocyte-specific knockout (ATG7 cKO) mice, and isolated adult mouse ventricular myocytes (AMVMs) were used to evaluate the dependency of autophagy in adult cardiomyocytes. In NRVMs subjected to I/R, TB increased autophagic flux, mtDNA content, mitochondrial function, reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS), and mtDNA damage. Similarly, in the infarct border zone of the mouse heart, TB induced autophagy, increased mitochondrial size and mtDNA content, and promoted the expression of PGC1α and mitochondrial dynamic genes. Conversely, loss of ATG7 in AMVMs and in the myocardium of ATG7 cKO mice abolished the beneficial effects of TB on mitochondrial homeostasis. Thus, autophagic flux is a sufficient and essential process to mitigate myocardial reperfusion injury by maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis and partly by inducing PGC1α-mediated mitochondrial biogenesis

Share the Tensor Tea: How Databases can Leverage the Machine Learning Ecosystem

We demonstrate Tensor Query Processor (TQP): a query processor that automatically compiles relational operators into tensor programs. By leveraging tensor runtimes such as PyTorch, TQP is able to: (1) integrate with ML tools (e.g., Pandas for data ingestion, Tensorboard for visualization); (2) target different hardware (e.g., CPU, GPU) and software (e.g., browser) backends; and (3) end-to-end accelerate queries containing both relational and ML operators. TQP is generic enough to support the TPC-H benchmark, and it provides performance that is comparable to, and often better than, that of specialized CPU and GPU query processors

A deep learning–based method for improving reliability of multicenter diffusion kurtosis imaging with varied acquisition protocols

Multicenter magnetic resonance imaging is gaining more popularity in large-sample projects. Since both varying hardware and software across different centers cause unavoidable data heterogeneity across centers, its impact on reliability in study outcomes has also drawn much attention recently. One fundamental issue arises in how to derive model parameters reliably from image data of varying quality. This issue is even more challenging for advanced diffusion methods such as diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI). Recently, deep learning–based methods have been demonstrated with their potential for robust and efficient computation of diffusion-derived measures. Inspired by these approaches, the current study specifically designed a framework based on a three-dimensional hierarchical convolutional neural network, to jointly reconstruct and harmonize DKI measures from multicenter acquisition to reformulate these to a state-of-the-art hardware using data from traveling subjects. The results from the harmonized data acquired with different protocols show that: 1) the inter-scanner variation of DKI measures within white matter was reduced by 51.5% in mean kurtosis, 65.9% in axial kurtosis, 53.7% in radial kurtosis, and 61.5% in kurtosis fractional anisotropy, respectively; 2) data reliability of each single scanner was enhanced and brought to the level of the reference scanner; and 3) the harmonization network was able to reconstruct reliable DKI values from high data variability. Overall the results demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed deep learning–based method for DKI harmonization and help to simplify the protocol setup procedure for multicenter scanners with different hardware and software configurations

In the direction of a sustainable future: A Comprehensive Review of Evolution, Environmental Impacts, and Future Prospects of Bioenergy

As global focus sharpens on carbon emissions and environmental protection; the pursuit of sustainable development permeates every sector. Against the backdrop of increasing fossil fuel prices and relentless energy demand, the exploration of clean energy has become paramount. This paper presents a comprehensive review of bioenergy. It introduces the concept and underscores its importance, tracing the historical stages and accomplishments in its development. The paper explicates different types of bioenergy and their chemical operating principles. The integral system of bioenergy is also evaluated, focusing on crucial components: bioenergy feedstocks, processing technologies, transport process, storage, and grid integration. The paper concludes with an assessment of bioenergy's economic and environmental impacts, considering market dynamics and future prospects, and suggests potential mitigation measures against its environmental repercussions

Study on the influence of structure shape of semi armour piercing warhead on vertical armour piercing efficiency

In order to evaluate the impact of different warhead shapes on the damage efficiency of semi armour piercing warhead effectively, four common semi armour piercing warhead models are established based on Solidworks, and the deck model is established with reference to the deck data of an aircraft carrier. And then the material setting and grid division are carried out based on Ansys so as to construct the explicit dynamic simulation model. The credibility of the model is verified based on the residual velocity theory after the model being established. Finally, based on the established model, the simulation research on the influence of warhead shape on vertical armour piercing ability is carried out. The results show that under the same velocity, the armour piercing ability of sharp oval and conical warheads are better and their residual velocity are higher

Preparation of multifunctional chitosan derivative containing 10-undecenoyl and galloyl groups and its application in styrene-butadiene rubber/silica composites

The traditional small molecular rubber antioxidants have the shortcomings of single function, toxicity, and heavy dependence on non-renewable fossil resources, which limits their green, high-efficiency, and sustainable development in the rubber industry. To address this problem, in this work, we first developed a chitosan derivative containing 10-undecenoyl groups (COS-UC) and then combined it with the natural small molecular antioxidant gallic acid (GA) to prepare chitosan derivative containing 10-undecenoyl and galloyl groups (COS-UC-GA). The obtained COS-UC-GA was used as multifunctional modifier and applied in styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR)/silica composites. The effects of COS-UC-GA on the curing characteristics, crosslinking density, morphology, mechanical properties, and interfacial interaction of SBR/silica composites were explored in detail. The results indicated that the COS-UC-GA can effectively accelerate the vulcanization process of SBR/silica compounds, promote the uniform dispersion of silica, improve the mechanical properties of SBR/silica composites, and significantly enhance the interfacial interaction between the silica and rubber. This research provides a new perspective for developing green and eco-friendly multifunctional modifiers, which not only contributes to the comprehensive utilization of biomass resources, but also can promote the green development of the rubber industry

Improvements of TKC Technology Accelerate Isolation of Transgene-Free CRISPR/Cas9-Edited Rice Plants

Elimination of the CRISPR/Cas9 constructs in edited plants is a prerequisite for assessing genetic stability, conducting phenotypic characterization, and applying for commercialization of the plants. However, removal of the CRISPR/Cas9 transgenes by genetic segregation and by backcross is laborious and time consuming. We previously reported the development of the transgene killer CRISPR (TKC) technology that uses a pair of suicide genes to trigger self-elimination of the transgenes without compromising gene editing efficiency. The TKC technology enables isolation of transgene-free CRISPR-edited plants within a single generation, greatly accelerating crop improvements. Here, we presented two new TKC vectors that show great efficiency in both editing the target gene and in undergoing self-elimination of the transgenes. The new vectors replaced the CaMV35S promoter used in our previous TKC vector with two rice promoters to drive one of the suicide genes, providing advantages over our previous TKC vector under certain conditions. The vectors reported here offered more options and flexibility to conduct gene editing experiments in rice. Keywords: genome editing, suicide gene, transgene killer CRISPR, Cas9, transgene-fre

Factors That Affect the Sensitivity of Imaging Modalities in Primary Hyperparathyroidism

Background. Cervical ultrasound, 99mTc-sestamibi single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (99mTc-MIBI SPECT/CT), and cervical CT are routinely used in preoperative localization of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). However, false-negative imaging results are also frequently encountered in clinical practice. Exploring the factors that affect the sensitivity of these imaging modalities is important for the surgical management of PHPT patients. Methods. Clinical data of 352 PHPT patients hospitalized in our center from January 2011 to December 2015 were retrospectively collected to evaluate the sensitivity of 3 imaging modalities in the preoperative localization of parathyroid lesions. The ROC curve analysis was used to explore the clinical factors affecting the sensitivity of localization, and the cut-point(s) of related factors were determined. Results. 99mTc-MIBI SPECT/CT has the highest sensitivity among the localization modalities commonly used, reaching 91.1% (86.0%–94.8%). When the lengths of parathyroid lesions were ≤1.3 cm, the sensitivity of neck ultrasonography significantly decreased, while the sensitivity of 99mTc-MIBI SPECT/CT decreased with parathyroid lesions ≤1.3 cm or serum PTH≤252 pg/ml. 99mTc-MIBI SPECT/CT was less effective in localizing the hyperplasia lesions. Neck ultrasonography combined with 99mTc-MIBI SPECT/CT can effectively improve the accuracy of preoperative localization of parathyroid lesions to 96.2% (92.7%–98.1%). Conclusions. Small parathyroid lesion and mild elevation of serum PTH would reduce the accuracy of parathyroid localization in PHPT patients

Enhancement of Atmospheric Nucleation Precursors on Iodic Acid-Induced Nucleation: Predictive Model and Mechanism

Iodic acid (IA) has recently been recognized as a key driver for new particle formation (NPF) in marine atmospheres. However, the knowledge of which atmospheric vapors can enhance IA-induced NPF remains limited. The unique halogen bond (XB)-forming capacity of IA makes it difficult to evaluate the enhancing potential (EP) of target compounds on IA-induced NPF based on widely studied sulfuric acid systems. Herein, we employed a three-step procedure to evaluate the EP of potential atmospheric nucleation precursors on IA-induced NPF. First, we evaluated the EP of 63 precursors by simulating the formation free energies (ΔG) of the IA-containing dimer clusters. Among all dimer clusters, 44 contained XBs, demonstrating that XBs are frequently formed. Based on the calculated ΔG values, a quantitative structure–activity relationship model was developed for evaluating the EP of other precursors. Second, amines and O/S-atom-containing acids were found to have high EP, with diethylamine (DEA) yielding the highest potential to enhance IA-induced nucleation by combining both the calculated ΔG and atmospheric concentration of considered 63 precursors. Finally, by studying larger (IA)1–3(DEA)1–3 clusters, we found that the IA-DEA system with merely 0.1 ppt (2.5×106 cm–3) DEA yields comparable nucleation rates to that of the IA–iodous acid system