Global attractivity and permanence of a SVEIR epidemic model with pulse vaccination and time delay

AbstractIn this study, we propose a new SVEIR epidemic disease model with time delay, and analyze the dynamic behavior of the model under pulse vaccination. Pulse vaccination is an effective strategy for the elimination of infectious disease. Using the discrete dynamical system determined by the stroboscopic map, we obtain an ‘infection-free’ periodic solution. We also show that the ‘infection-free’ periodic solution is globally attractive when some parameters of the model under appropriate conditions. The permanence of the model is investigated analytically. Our results indicate that a large vaccination rate or a short pulse of vaccination or a long latent period is a sufficient condition for the extinction of the disease

Cooperative simultaneous inversion of satellite-based real-time PM2.5 and ozone levels using an improved deep learning model with attention mechanism

Ground-level fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ozone (O3) are air pollutants that can pose severe health risks. Surface PM2.5 and O3 concentrations can be monitored from satellites, but most retrieval methods retrieve PM2.5 or O3 separately and disregard the shared information between the two air pollutants, for example due to common emission sources. Using surface observations across China spanning 2014–2021, we found a strong relationship between PM2.5 and O3 with distinct spatiotemporal characteristics. Thus, in this study, we propose a new deep learning model called the Simultaneous Ozone and PM2.5 inversion deep neural Network (SOPiNet), which allows for daily real-time monitoring and full coverage of PM2.5 and O3 simultaneously at a spatial resolution of 5 km. SOPiNet employs the multi-head attention mechanism to better capture the temporal variations in PM2.5 and O3 based on previous days’ conditions. Applying SOPiNet to MODIS data over China in 2022, using 2019–2021 to construct the network, we found that simultaneous retrievals of PM2.5 and O3 improved the performance compared with retrieving them independently: the temporal R2 increased from 0.66 to 0.72 for PM2.5, and from 0.79 to 0.82 for O3. The results suggest that near-real time satellite-based air quality monitoring can be improved by simultaneous retrieval of different but related pollutants. The codes of SOPiNet and its user guide are freely available online at https://github.com/RegiusQuant/ESIDLM

Effects of lidocaine and ropivacaine on gastric cancer cells through down-regulation of ERK1/2 phosphorylation in vitro

Background: Lidocaine and ropivacaine have been widely used in gastric cancer surgery. In recent years, lidocaine and ropivacaine have attracted increasing attention in cancer research, whilst effects of lidocaine and ropivacaine on gastric cancer cells have not been investigated before. This study explored the effect of lidocaine and ropivacaine on AGS and HGC-27 gastric cancer cells. Materials and Methods: AGS and HGC-27 cells were incubated with lidocaine or ropivacaine at concentrations of 10, 100 and 1 mM. At 24, 48 and 72 h after treatment, proliferation and invasion were evaluated by crystal violet assay and transwell invasion assay. Electric cell-substrate impedance sensing was applied to measure the migration of cancer cells. Phosphorylation status of extracellular-regulated protein kinases (ERK1/2) was evaluated by western blot analysis. Results: Lidocaine (1 mM) and ropivacaine (1 mM) significantly inhibited the proliferation of AGS and HG-27 cells, but had no significant effects on invasion. Lidocaine (1 mM) and ropivacaine (1 mM) also inhibited the migration of AGS and HGC-27cells. After treatment with lidocaine (1 mM) or ropivacaine (1 mM) for 24 h, the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in AGS and HGC-27 cells was reduced. Conclusion: Lidocaine at a clinically relevant concentration (10 μM), and ropivacaine at 1 mM inhibited the proliferation of gastric cancer cell lines by down-regulation of p-ERK1/2. The migration of HGC-27 cells, rather than AGS cells was more obviously inhibited by lidocaine (1 mM) and ropivacaine (1 mM). This research is easy to implement, and lays a foundation for the future research of local anaesthetics in cancer

Increased concentrations of soluble B7-H3 and interleukin 36 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of Children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia

Supporting data. (XLS 58 kb

Strain prioritization and genome mining for enediyne natural products

The enediyne family of natural products has had a profound impact on modern chemistry, biology, and medicine, and yet only 11 enediynes have been structurally characterized to date. Here we report a genome survey of 3,400 actinomycetes, identifying 81 strains that harbor genes encoding the enediyne polyketide synthase cassettes that could be grouped into 28 distinct clades based on phylogenetic analysis. Genome sequencing of 31 representative strains confirmed that each clade harbors a distinct enediyne biosynthetic gene cluster. A genome neighborhood network allows prediction of new structural features and biosynthetic insights that could be exploited for enediyne discovery. We confirmed one clade as new C-1027 producers, with a significantly higher C-1027 titer than the original producer, and discovered a new family of enediyne natural products, the tiancimycins (TNMs), that exhibit potent cytotoxicity against a broad spectrum of cancer cell lines. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of rapid discovery of new enediynes from a large strain collection. IMPORTANCE Recent advances in microbial genomics clearly revealed that the biosynthetic potential of soil actinomycetes to produce enediynes is underappreciated. A great challenge is to develop innovative methods to discover new enediynes and produce them in sufficient quantities for chemical, biological, and clinical investigations. This work demonstrated the feasibility of rapid discovery of new enediynes from a large strain collection. The new C-1027 producers, with a significantly higher C-1027 titer than the original producer, will impact the practical supply of this important drug lead. The TNMs, with their extremely potent cytotoxicity against various cancer cells and their rapid and complete cancer cell killing characteristics, in comparison with the payloads used in FDA-approved antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), are poised to be exploited as payload candidates for the next generation of anticancer ADCs. Follow-up studies on the other identified hits promise the discovery of new enediynes, radically expanding the chemical space for the enediyne family

A novel image integration technology mapping system significantly reduces radiation exposure during ablation for a wide spectrum of tachyarrhythmias in children

ObjectiveRadiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) has evolved into an effective and safe technique for the treatment of tachyarrhythmia in children. Concerns about children and involved medical staff being exposed to radiation during the procedure should not be ignored. “Fluoroscopy integrated 3D mapping”, a new 3D non-fluoroscopic navigation system software (CARTO Univu Module) could reduce fluoroscopy during the procedure. However, there are few studies about the use of this new technology on children. In the present study, we analyzed the impact of the CARTO Univu on procedural safety and fluoroscopy in a wide spectrum of tachyarrhythmias as compared with CARTO3 alone.MethodsThe data of children with tachyarrhythmias who underwent RFCA from June 2018 to December 2021 were collected. The CARTO Univu was used for mapping and ablation in 200 cases (C3U group) [boys/girls (105/95), mean age (6.8 ± 3.7 years), mean body weight (29.4 ± 7.9 kg)], and the CARTO3 was used in 200 cases as the control group (C3 group) [male/female (103/97), mean age (7.2 ± 3.9 years), mean body weight (32.3 ± 19.0 kg)]. The arrhythmias were atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia (AVRT, n = 78), atrioventricular node reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT, n = 35), typical atrial flutter (AFL, n = 12), atrial tachycardia (AT, n = 20) and ventricular arrhythmias [VAs, premature ventricular complexes or ventricular tachycardia, n = 55].Results① There was no significant difference in the acute success rate, recurrence rate, and complication rate between the C3 and C3U groups [(94.5% vs. 95.0%); (6.3% vs. 5.3%); and (2.0% vs. 1.5%); P > 0.05]. ② The CARTO Univu reduced radiation exposure: fluoroscopy time: AVRT C3: 8.5 ± 7.2 min vs. C3U: 4.5 ± 2.9 min, P < 0.05; AVNRT C3: 10.7 ± 3.2 min vs. C3U: 4.3 ± 2.6 min, P < 0.05; AT C3: 15.7 ± 8.2 min vs. C3U: 4.5 ± 1.7 min, P < 0.05; AFL C3: 8.7 ± 3.2 min vs. C3U: 3.7 ± 2.7 min, P < 0.05; VAs C3: 7.7 ± 4.2 min vs. C3U: 3.9 ± 2.3 min, P < 0.05. Corresponding to the fluoroscopy time, the fluoroscopy dose was also reduced significantly. ③ In the C3U group, the fluoroscopy during VAs ablation was lower than that of other arrhythmias (P < 0.05).ConclusionThe usage of the “novel image integration technology” CARTO Univu might be safe and effective in RFCA for a wide spectrum of tachyarrhythmias in children, which could significantly reduce fluoroscopy and has a more prominent advantage for VAs ablation

Identification of Austwickia chelonae as cause of cutaneous granuloma in endangered crocodile lizards using metataxonomics

The crocodile lizard (Shinisaurus crocodilurus Ahl, 1930) is an endangered reptile species, and in recent years many have died from diseases, especially the rescued and breeding individuals. However, pathogens underlying these diseases are unclear. In this study, we report our effort in rapidly identifying and isolating the pathogen that causes high mortality in crocodile lizards from Guangdong Luokeng Shinisaurus crocodilurus National Nature Reserve. The typical symptom is cutaneous granuloma in the infected crocodile lizards. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) is a comprehensive approach for sequence-based identification of pathogenic microbes. In this study, 16S rDNA based mNGS was used for rapid identification of pathogens, and microscopy and microbe isolation were used to confirm the results. Austwickia chelonae was identified to be the dominant pathogen in the granuloma using 16S rDNA based mNGS. Chinese skinks were used as an animal model to verify the pathogenicity of A. chelonae to fulfill Koch’s postulates. As expected, subcutaneous inoculation of A. chelonae induced granulomas in the healthy Chinese skinks and the A. chelonae was re-isolated from the induced granulomas. Therefore, A. chelonae was the primary pathogen that caused this high mortality disease, cutaneous granuloma, in crocodile lizards from Guangdong Luokeng Shinisaurus crocodilurus National Nature Reserve. Antibiotics analysis demonstrated that A. chelonae was sensitive to cephalothin, minocycline and ampicillin, but not to kanamycin, gentamicin, streptomycin and clarithromycin, suggesting a possible treatment for the infected crocodile lizards. However, surgical resection of the nodules as early as possible was recommended. This study is the first report of pathogenic analysis in crocodile lizards and provides a reference for disease control and conservations of the endangered crocodile lizards and other reptiles. In addition, this study indicated that mNGS of lesions could be used to detect the pathogens in animals with benefits in speed and convenient

ShenLingLan influences the attachment and migration of ovarian cancer cells potentially through the GSK3 pathway

Background: Ovarian cancer presents a major clinical challenge in the UK. Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) has been linked to cancer. This study tested the impact of ShenLingLan (SLDM) on ovarian cancer cell behaviour and its links to GSK-3. Methods: Fresh ovarian tumours (n = 52) were collected and processed. Histopathologcial and clinical information were collected and analysed against GSK-3 transcript levels using quantitative PCR (qPCR). Immortalised ovarian cancer cells’ protein alterations in response to SLDM were identified using a Kinexus™ protein kinase array. The effects of SLDM and a combination of SLDM and TWS119 on ovarian cancer cells ability to attach and migrate were evaluated using electrical cell-substrate impedance sensing (ECIS). Results: Transcript expression of GSK-3β was significantly increased in ovarian tumours which were poorly differentiated, patients with recurrence and in patients who had died from ovarian cancer. Treating SKOV-3 ovarian cells with SLDM reduced GSK-3 expression and GSK-3α (Y279). Treatment with SLDM reduced ovarian cancer cells ability to attach and migrate, which was further reduced in the presence of TWS119. Conclusions: This study identified a potential mechanism by which SLDM may exert anti-metastatic effects. Further work is needed to investigate the in vivo effects SLDM has on ovarian tumours

Exploring the influence of transfer channels on fusion reactions: the case of 40Ca + 58, 64Ni

Fusion cross sections have been measured in the 40Ca + 58Ni and 40Ca + 64Ni systems at beam energies ranging from Elab = 104.75 MeV to 153.5 MeV using the Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro electrostatic deflector. Distributions of barriers have been extracted from the experimental data. Preliminary coupled channel calculations were performed and hints of effects of neutron transfers on the fusion below the barrier in the 40Ca+64Ni are discussed