A General Pluggable Type Inference Framework and its use for Data-flow Analysis

Java's pluggable type systems provide valuable compile-time guarantees, but annotating the program with pluggable types can be a significant burden on programmers. Checker Framework Inference, a framework that aims to provide a constraint-based type inference for pluggable types, can generate type constraints over the occurrence of type qualifier of expressions according to type rules. However, there is no efficient approach to solve type constraints generated by Checker Framework Inference. This thesis presents a system called Type Constraint Solver that can solve the type constraint by encoding the constraint as a Max-SAT problem and in the LogiQL language. The system takes advantage of existing Max-SAT solvers and LogicBlox to solve the corresponding forms, and gets the concrete pluggable type qualifiers for program expressions. Type Constraint Solver provides options to separate constraints into groups and solve them in parallel. It also has extendability that can be easily extended with custom encoding logic. We developed a pluggable type system called Dataflow Type System on top of Checker Framework Inference to verify the functionality of Type Constraint Solver. The type system and its inference can perform data-flow analysis by inferring all possible run-time Java types of return types, parameters, fields, and variables at compile time. We applied Checker Framework Inference to six real-world applications of up to 39kLOC with Dataflow Type System and OsTrusted Type system resulting approximately 58,000 type constraints. We used our tool to solve these type constraints and analyzed the experimentation statistics. We manually examined the inference result and found that Type Constraint Solver is able to automatically infer the expected type qualifiers for benchmarks. Inferring the largest application with fastest inference options took about 10 seconds on average, and approximately 23,000 type qualifiers were inferred. These results suggest that our system can efficiently give correct solution for type constraints

Application of the shear wave elastography in the assessment of carotid body tumors: A preliminary study

ObjectivesTo evaluate the elasticity of carotid body tumors (CBTs) by two-dimensional shear wave elastography (SWE).Methods22 pathologically or clinically confirmed CBTs in 16 patients were scanned by SWE. The maximum elasticity value (Emax) and its standard deviation (SDmax) in kPa and m/s for CBTs were obtained by placing a round ROI (2-3 mm) on the stiffest region of the CBTs. Elasticity value was compared between hard and soft groups at manual palpation, benign and malignant groups and among three Shamblin types. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) analysis was performed to evaluate the performance of SWE in the malignancy prediction of CBTs. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were calculated. The cut-off value was obtained by using the Youden index.ResultsThere were 19 benign CBTs and 3 malignant CBTs. Emax (kPa and m/s) and SDmax (kPa) were significantly higher in the hard group than in the soft group at manual palpation (P<0.05); The distribution of Emax in kPa and m/s and SDmax in kPa were different in the three Shamblin types (P<0.05), Emax (kPa and m/s)increased from shambling I to Shambling II and Shambling III; Emax (kPa and m/s) were significantly higher in the malignant CBTs than in the benign ones (P<0.05). Emax in kPa and m/s had the similar AUC value (AUC=0.947, P=1.0000) for the prediction of malignant CBTs. Emax in kPa with the cut-off 124.9kPa showed a sensitivity of 100.0%, specificity of 94.7%, and an accuracy of 95.5% (Z=8.500, P<0.0001); Emax in m/s with the cut-off 5.9m/s showed a sensitivity of 100.0%, specificity of 89.5% and an accuracy of 90.9% for the prediction of malignant CBTs (Z=9.143, P<0.0001).ConclusionsQuantitative analysis of SWE obtained the good performance in the elasticity assessment of CBTs

Dynamics of photosynthesis in Eichhornia crassipes Solms of Jiangsu of China and their influencing factors

With LI-6400 portable photosynthesis system, the photosynthetic characteristics of artificially cultured Eichhornia crassipes in Jiangsu, China, were monitored from June 1 to November 14, 2009. Both the net photosynthetic rate (Pn) in different positions and light and temperature-response curves of the top fourth leaf were measured in an open-circuit gas channel system in June, July, and August, respectively. The top third to sixth leaves matured with a high Pn in August, 2009. The values of the maximum net photosynthesis (Pmax), light component point (LCP) and apparent quantum efficiency (AQE) of the top fourth leaf of E. crassipes were 34.5±0.72 and 20.25±3.6 μmol m-2s-1 as well as 0.0532±0.0014, respectively, significantly higher than those in rice and maize. The light-saturation point (LSP) of leaves of E. crassipes was 2358±69 μmol m-2s-1, significantly higher than that in rice and much close to that in maize. The natural light intensity and temperatures in Jiangsu are suitable for E. crassipes to rapidly grow but not good enough for it to show the maximum internal photosynthetic capacity from the perspective of photosynthetic physiology, thus resulting in its low biomass in this region.Key words: Eichhornia crassipes, photosynthetic characteristics, environmental influencing factors

Auxin efflux controls orderly nucellar degeneration and expansion of the female gametophyte in Arabidopsis

The nucellus tissue in flowering plants provides nutrition for the development of the female gametophyte (FG) and young embryo. The nucellus degenerates as the FG develops, but the mechanism controlling the coupled process of nucellar degeneration and FG expansion remains largely unknown. The degeneration process of the nucellus and spatiotemporal auxin distribution in the developing ovule before fertilization were investigated in Arabidopsis thaliana. Nucellar degeneration before fertilization occurs through vacuolar cell death and in an ordered degeneration fashion. This sequential nucellar degeneration is controlled by the signalling molecule auxin. Auxin efflux plays the core role in precisely controlling the spatiotemporal pattern of auxin distribution in the nucellus surrounding the FG. The auxin efflux carrier PIN1 transports maternal auxin into the nucellus while PIN3/PIN4/PIN7 further delivers auxin to degenerating nucellar cells and concurrently controls FG central vacuole expansion. Notably, auxin concentration and auxin efflux are controlled by the maternal tissues, acting as a key communication from maternal to filial tissue

How to Survive between "Standardized Resident Training " and "Professional Master" -On the Difficulties Encountered in Undergraduate Clinical Practice

To review on the difficulties encountered by medical bachelor students for their career development after graduation, and to explore potential solutions to their current situation, thus provide them possibilities of making good use of professional training and skills acquired in campus

Hepatoma Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Promote Liver Cancer Metastasis by Inducing the Differentiation of Bone Marrow Stem Cells Through microRNA-181d-5p and the FAK/Src Pathway

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) are beneficial to repair the damaged liver. Tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (EV) are notorious in tumor metastasis. But the mechanism underlying hepatoma cell-derived EVs in BMSCs and liver cancer remains unclear. We hypothesize that hepatoma cell-derived EVs compromise the effects of BMSCs on the metastasis of liver cancer. The differentially expressed microRNAs (miRNAs) were screened. HepG2 cells were transfected with miR-181d-5p mimic or inhibitor, and the EVs were isolated and incubated with BMSCs to evaluate the differentiation of BMSCs into fibroblasts. Hepatoma cells were cultured with BMSCs conditioned medium (CM) treated with HepG2-EVs to assess the malignant behaviors of hepatoma cells. The downstream genes and pathways of miR-181d-5p were analyzed and their involvement in the effect of EVs on BMSC differentiation was verified through functional rescue experiments. The nude mice were transplanted with BMSCs-CM or BMSCs-CM treated with HepG2-EVs, and then tumor growth and metastasis in vivo were assessed. HepG2-EVs promoted fibroblastic differentiation of BMSCs, and elevated levels of α-SMA, vimentin, and collagen in BMSCs. BMSCs-CM treated with HepG2-EVs stimulated the proliferation, migration, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal-transition (EMT) of hepatoma cells. miR-181d-5p was the most upregulated in HepG2-EVs-treated BMSCs. miR-181d-5p targeted SOCS3 to activate the FAK/Src pathway and SOCS3 overexpression inactivated the FAK/Src pathway. Reduction of miR-181d-5p in HepG2-EVs or SOCS3 overexpression reduced the differentiation of BMSCs into fibroblasts, and compromised the promoting effect of HepG2-EVs-treated BMSCs-CM on hepatoma cells. In vivo, HepG2-EVs-treated BMSCs facilitated liver cancer growth and metastasis. In conclusion, HepG2-EVs promote the differentiation of BMSCs, and promote liver cancer metastasis through the delivery of miR-181d-5p and the SOCS3/FAK/Src pathway

Inhibitory Effect of Baicalin and Baicalein on Ovarian Cancer Cells

Ovarian cancer is one of the primary causes of death for women all through the Western world. Baicalin and baicalein are naturally occurring flavonoids that are found in the roots and leaves of some Chinese medicinal plants and are thought to have antioxidant activity and possible anti-angiogenic, anti-cancer, anxiolytic, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective activities. Two kinds of ovarian cancer (OVCAR-3 and CP-70) cell lines and a normal ovarian cell line (IOSE-364) were selected to be investigated in the inhibitory effect of baicalin and baicalein on cancer cells. Largely, baicalin and baicalein inhibited ovarian cancer cell viability in both ovarian cancer cell lines with LD50 values in the range of 45–55 µM for baicalin and 25–40 µM for baicalein. On the other hand, both compounds had fewer inhibitory effects on normal ovarian cells viability with LD50 values of 177 µM for baicalin and 68 µM for baicalein. Baicalin decreased expression of VEGF (20 µM), cMyc (80 µM), and NFkB (20 µM); baicalein decreased expression of VEGF (10 µM), HIF-1α (20 µM), cMyc (20 µM), and NFkB (40 µM). Therefore baicalein is more effective in inhibiting cancer cell viability and expression of VEGF, HIF-1α, cMyc, and NFκB in both ovarian cancer cell lines. It seems that baicalein inhibited cancer cell viability through the inhibition of cancer promoting genes expression including VEGF, HIF-1α, cMyc, and NFκB. Overall, this study showed that baicalein and baicalin significantly inhibited the viability of ovarian cancer cells, while generally exerting less of an effect on normal cells. They have potential for chemoprevention and treatment of ovarian cancers

Prediction of multiglandular parathyroid disease in primary hyperparathyroidism using ultrasound and clinical features

BackgroundIdentification of multigland disease (MGD) in primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) patients is essential for minimally invasive surgical decision-making.ObjectiveTo develop a nomogram based on US findings and clinical factors to predict MGD in PHPT patients.Materials and MethodsPatients with PHPT who underwent surgery between March 2021 and January 2022 were consecutively enrolled. Biochemical and clinicopathologic data were recorded. US images were analyzed to extract US features. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify the risk factors for MGD. The nomogram was constructed based on the factors. Nomogram performance was evaluated by area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), calibration curve, the Hosmer–Lemeshow test, and decision curve analysis.ResultsA total of 102 PHPT patients were included. 82 (80.4%) had the single-gland disease (SGD) and 20 (19.6%) had MGD. Using multivariate analysis, the MGD was positively correlated with age (OR = 1.033, 96%CI = 0.985-1.092), PTH level (OR = 1.001, 95% CI = 1.000–1.002), MEN-1 (OR = 29.730, 95% CI = 3.089-836.785), US size (OR = 1.198, 95% CI = 0.647–2.088) and US texture (cystic-solid) (OR = 5.357, 95% CI = 0.499–62.912). And negatively correlated with gender (OR = 0.985, 95% CI = 0.190–4.047), calcium level (OR = 0.453, 95% CI = 0.070–2.448), and symptoms(yes) (OR = 0.935, 95%CI = 0.257–3.365). The nomogram showed good discrimination with an AUC of 0.77 (0.68-0.85) and good agreement for predicting MGD in PHPT patients. And 65 points was recommended as a cut-off value with a specificity of 0.94 and a sensitivity of 0.50.ConclusionUS provided useful features for evaluating MGD. Combining the US and clinical features in a nomogram showed good diagnostic performance for predicting MGD

Fungal diversity notes 929–1035: taxonomic and phylogenetic contributions on genera and species of fungi

This article is the ninth in the series of Fungal Diversity Notes, where 107 taxa distributed in three phyla, nine classes, 31 orders and 57 families are described and illustrated. Taxa described in the present study include 12 new genera, 74 new species, three new combinations, two reference specimens, a re-circumscription of the epitype, and 15 records of sexualasexual morph connections, new hosts and new geographical distributions. Twelve new genera comprise Brunneofusispora, Brunneomurispora, Liua, Lonicericola, Neoeutypella, Paratrimmatostroma, Parazalerion, Proliferophorum, Pseudoastrosphaeriellopsis, Septomelanconiella, Velebitea and Vicosamyces. Seventy-four new species are Agaricus memnonius, A. langensis, Aleurodiscus patagonicus, Amanita flavoalba, A. subtropicana, Amphisphaeria mangrovei, Baorangia major, Bartalinia kunmingensis, Brunneofusispora sinensis, Brunneomurispora lonicerae, Capronia camelliaeyunnanensis, Clavulina thindii, Coniochaeta simbalensis, Conlarium thailandense, Coprinus trigonosporus, Liua muriformis, Cyphellophora filicis, Cytospora ulmicola, Dacrymyces invisibilis, Dictyocheirospora metroxylonis, Distoseptispora thysanolaenae, Emericellopsis koreana, Galiicola baoshanensis, Hygrocybe lucida, Hypoxylon teeravasati, Hyweljonesia indica, Keissleriella caraganae, Lactarius olivaceopallidus, Lactifluus midnapurensis, Lembosia brigadeirensis, Leptosphaeria urticae, Lonicericola hyaloseptispora, Lophiotrema mucilaginosis, Marasmiellus bicoloripes, Marasmius indojasminodorus, Micropeltis phetchaburiensis, Mucor orantomantidis, Murilentithecium lonicerae, Neobambusicola brunnea, Neoeutypella baoshanensis, Neoroussoella heveae, Neosetophoma lonicerae, Ophiobolus malleolus, Parabambusicola thysanolaenae, Paratrimmatostroma kunmingensis, Parazalerion indica, Penicillium dokdoense, Peroneutypa mangrovei, Phaeosphaeria cycadis, Phanerochaete australosanguinea, Plectosphaerella kunmingensis, Plenodomus artemisiae, P. lijiangensis, Proliferophorum thailandicum, Pseudoastrosphaeriellopsis kaveriana, Pseudohelicomyces menglunicus, Pseudoplagiostoma mangiferae, Robillarda mangiferae, Roussoella elaeicola, Russula choptae, R. uttarakhandia, Septomelanconiella thailandica, Spencermartinsia acericola, Sphaerellopsis isthmospora, Thozetella lithocarpi, Trechispora echinospora, Tremellochaete atlantica, Trichoderma koreanum, T. pinicola, T. rugulosum, Velebitea chrysotexta, Vicosamyces venturisporus, Wojnowiciella kunmingensis and Zopfiella indica. Three new combinations are Baorangia rufomaculata, Lanmaoa pallidorosea and Wojnowiciella rosicola. The reference specimens of Canalisporium kenyense and Tamsiniella labiosa are designated. The epitype of Sarcopeziza sicula is re-circumscribed based on cyto- and histochemical analyses. The sexual-asexual morph connection of Plenodomus sinensis is reported from ferns and Cirsium for the first time. In addition, the new host records and country records are Amanita altipes, A. melleialba, Amarenomyces dactylidis, Chaetosphaeria panamensis, Coniella vitis, Coprinopsis kubickae, Dothiorella sarmentorum, Leptobacillium leptobactrum var. calidus, Muyocopron lithocarpi, Neoroussoella solani, Periconia cortaderiae, Phragmocamarosporium hederae, Sphaerellopsis paraphysata and Sphaeropsis eucalypticola