Dynamic residual deep learning with photoelectrically regulated neurons for immunological classification

Dynamic deep learning is considered to simulate the nonlinear memory process of the human brain during long-term potentiation and long-term depression. Here, we propose a photoelectrically modulated synaptic transistor based on MXenes that adjusts the nonlinearity and asymmetry by mixing controllable pulses. According to the advantage of residual deep learning, the rule of dynamic learning is thus elaborately developed to improve the accuracy of a highly homologous database (colorimetric enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [c-ELISA]) from 80.9% to 87.2% and realize the fast convergence. Besides, mixed stimulation also remarkably shortens the iterative update time to 11.6 s as a result of the photoelectric effect accelerating the relaxation of ion migration. Finally, we extend the dynamic learning strategy to long short-term memory (LSTM) and standard datasets (Cifar10 and Cifar100), which well proves the strong robustness of dynamic learning. This work paves the way toward potential synaptic bionic retina for computer-aided detection in immunology

Synaptic transistor with multiple biological functions based on metal-organic frameworks combined with the LIF model of a spiking neural network to recognize temporal information

Spiking neural networks (SNNs) have immense potential due to their utilization of synaptic plasticity and ability to take advantage of temporal correlation and low power consumption. The leaky integration and firing (LIF) model and spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) are the fundamental components of SNNs. Here, a neural device is first demonstrated by zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) as an essential part of the synaptic transistor to simulate SNNs. Significantly, three kinds of typical functions between neurons, the memory function achieved through the hippocampus, synaptic weight regulation and membrane potential triggered by ion migration, are effectively described through short-term memory/long-term memory (STM/LTM), long-term depression/long-term potentiation (LTD/LTP) and LIF, respectively. Furthermore, the update rule of iteration weight in the backpropagation based on the time interval between presynaptic and postsynaptic pulses is extracted and fitted from the STDP. In addition, the postsynaptic currents of the channel directly connect to the very large scale integration (VLSI) implementation of the LIF mode that can convert high-frequency information into spare pulses based on the threshold of membrane potential. The leaky integrator block, firing/detector block and frequency adaptation block instantaneously release the accumulated voltage to form pulses. Finally, we recode the steady-state visual evoked potentials (SSVEPs) belonging to the electroencephalogram (EEG) with filter characteristics of LIF. SNNs deeply fused by synaptic transistors are designed to recognize the 40 different frequencies of EEG and improve accuracy to 95.1%. This work represents an advanced contribution to brain-like chips and promotes the systematization and diversification of artificial intelligence

Effect of interferon-β1α therapy on multiple sclerosis based on gadolinium-enhancing or active T2 magnetic resonance imaging outcomes: a meta-analysis

<p><b>Objectives:</b> Interferon-beta1alpha (IFN-β1α) is widely used to modify the course of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. However, many patients have relapses. The purpose of this study was to evaluate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a predictor of IFN-β1α treatment efficacy in patients with MS.</p> <p><b>Methods:</b> PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched to identify eligible studies. Manual searches were also conducted. All eligible trials included MS patients who received IFN-β1α based on gadolinium-enhancing or active T2 MRI lesions for determination of relapse rates.</p> <p><b>Results:</b> Of 499 identified studies, we included 10 trials reporting data on 6,037 MS patients. IFN-β1α therapy significantly reduced the risk of relapse (RR: 0.87; 95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.76–0.99; <i>p</i> = 0.032). Furthermore, baseline median T2 lesion volume was found to be related to IFN-β1α therapy and relapse (<i>p</i> = 0.018). Subgroup analysis suggested that IFN-β1α therapy was associated with reduced risk of relapse (RR: 0.82; 95%CI: 0.71–0.94; <i>p</i> = 0.005 versus placebo). However, there was no significant difference in the risk of relapse compared to treatment with low dose IFN-β1α (RR: 0.93; 95%CI: 0.80–1.08; <i>p</i> = 0.337) or glatiramer acetate (RR: 0.93; 95%CI: 0.77–1.14; <i>p</i> = 0.506). Finally, IFN-β1α therapy significantly increased the risk of injection-site disorders, influenza-like syndrome, and alanine transferase elevation.</p> <p><b>Discussion:</b> Effects of IFN-β1α therapy are associated with a statistically significant impact on baseline median T2 lesion volume. However, the safety outcomes are significantly worse in patients who receive IFN-β1α therapy.</p

Preparation of Microstructure Laser Ablation and Multiple Acid-Etching Composites on the Surfaces of Medical Titanium Alloy TC4 by Laser Ablation and Multiple Acid-Etching, and Study of Frictional Properties of the Processed Surfaces

In this paper, four array patterns were first designed by observing the structural features of the surface microstructures of pig bones and tree frog paws on the titanium alloy surface bionically. Then, the optimal parameters for laser processing were determined experimentally, and the optimized processing parameters were used to prepare micron-scale bumps on the titanium alloy surface and to investigate the relationship between the weaving height and the processing times. Finally, multiple acid etching was used to prepare nanoscale holes on the surface of the titanium alloy. It was found that the multiple acid etching could not only prepare nanoscale holes on the surface of the titanium alloy, but could also well eliminate the slag left on the surface of titanium alloy by laser ablation. Based on the above study, this paper also analyzed the effect of micro-nano structure on the friction properties of the titanium alloy surface from three aspects&mdash;theory, hardness test and friction coefficient test&mdash;and experimentally analyzed the effect of single-factor and multi-factor coupling of structural features on the friction properties of the titanium alloy surface. It was found that the optimal mean friction coefficient was 0.0902, corresponding to the characteristic values of 0.66 for the shape, 200 &mu;m for the edge length and 60 &mu;m for the height

CircRNA Expression Profile in Early-Stage Lung Adenocarcinoma Patients

Background/Aims: Lung adenocarcinoma, a form of non-small cell lung cancer with high lethality at an advanced stage, is becoming more common in women, non- or never-smokers, and even young adults. At present, there are still no effective early diagnosis methods for patients to be cured in a timely manner. Circular RNAs (circRNAs), which are stable and conserved non-coding RNA in mammalian cells, have been reported to be widely involved in the processes of cancer disease. However, it is still a puzzle as to which specific circRNAs are involved in the development of early-stage lung adenocarcinoma. Methods: Tumor samples and paired adjacent normal tissues from 4 patients with early-stage lung adenocarcinoma were selected to investigate the expression profile of circRNAs by using a high-throughput circRNA microarray. Bioinformatic analyses were conducted to screen those differentially expressed circRNAs. qRT-PCR and sequencing were performed to assure the microarray data. Results: A total of 357 circRNAs were dysregulated in the tumor samples, which suggests potential roles in lung cancer. qRT-PCR detection showed that five selected circRNAs were identical to the microarray data, and the potential circRNA-miRNA interactions were predicted. Conclusion: This work illustrates that clusters of circRNAs are aberrantly expressed in early-stage lung adenocarcinoma, which might offer potential targets for the early diagnosis of this disease and new genetic insights into lung cancer

Radiological and pathological analysis of LDCT screen detected and surgically resected sub-centimetre lung nodules in 44 asymptomatic patients

Purpose: Once lung cancer is detected due to clinical symptoms or by being visible on chest X-ray, it is usually high stage and non-operable. In order to improve mortality rates in lung cancer, low-dose CT (LDCT) screening of “high risk” individuals is gaining popularity. However, the rate of malignancy in LDCT detected sub-centimetre lung nodules is not clear. We aimed to analyze surgically resected specimens in this patient group to explore cost effectiveness and recommendations for clinical management of these nodules. Material & methods: Our hospital pathology database was searched for sub-centimeter lung nodules detected by LDCT screening which were resected. The patient demographics were collected and the radiologic and pathologic characteristics of those nodules were analyzed. Results: From the records, 44 patients with 46 resected subcentimetre nodules were identified. Patients were selected for surgery based on an irregular shape, growth in size during follow up, family history of lung cancer or personal history of cancer of other sites, previous lung disease, smoking and personal anxiety. Of the 44 patients, 33 were women and the ages ranged from 43 to 76 years (56.75 ± 8.44). All nodules were equal to, or less than 10 mm with a mean diameter of 7.81 ± 1.80 mm (SD). Out of 46 nodules, the pathological diagnoses were: invasive adenocarcinoma (ACa) in 4 (8.7%); adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) or atypical adenomatous hyperplasia (AAH) in 29 (63%); benign fibrosis/fibrotic scar with inflammation or calcification in 12 (26.1%); an intrapulmonary benign lymph node in 1 (2.2%). Of the ACa, AIS and AAH groups (a total of 31 patients), 77% were women (24 vs. 7). The cancer or pre-cancer nodules (ACa, AIS and AAH) tended to be larger than benign fibrotic scars (P = 0.039). Amongst all characteristics, significant statistical differences were found when the following radiological features were considered: reconstructed nodule shape (P = 0.011), margin (P = 0.003) and ground glass pattern (P = 0.000). The patient’s age, the axial morphology of the lesion, relationship to major vessels or visceral pleura and location within the lung parenchyma were not predictive of the pathologic diagnosis. Only one of the 31 patients with a cancer or pre-cancer nodule was a smoker. Conclusion: ACa, AIS and AAH nodules detected on LDCT included more women (77%) than men in our cohort. Smoking as inclusive criteria for LDCT screening of lung cancer needs to be further evaluated in the Chinese population. The reconstructed nodule shape, density and margin may help radiologists to identify small cancer and pre-cancer nodules from benign conditions. Keywords: LDCT, Lung cancer screen, Lung nodul

Ectopic Expression of Executor Gene Xa23 Enhances Resistance to Both Bacterial and Fungal Diseases in Rice

Bacterial blight (BB) and bacterial leaf streak (BLS), caused by phytopathogenic bacteria Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) and Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola (Xoc), respectively, are the most serious bacterial diseases of rice, while blast, caused by Magnaporthe oryzae (M. oryzae), is the most devastating fungal disease in rice. Generating broad-spectrum resistance to these diseases is one of the key approaches for the sustainable production of rice. Executor (E) genes are a unique type of plant resistance (R) genes, which can specifically trap transcription activator-like effectors (TALEs) of pathogens and trigger an intense defense reaction characterized by a hypersensitive response in the host. This strong resistance is a result of programed cell death induced by the E gene expression that is only activated upon the binding of a TALE to the effector-binding element (EBE) located in the E gene promoter during the pathogen infection. Our previous studies revealed that the E gene Xa23 has the broadest and highest resistance to BB. To investigate whether the Xa23-mediated resistance is efficient against Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola (Xoc), the causal agent of BLS, we generated a new version of Xa23, designated as Xa23p1.0, to specifically trap the conserved TALEs from multiple Xoc strains. The results showed that the Xa23p1.0 confers broad resistance against both BB and BLS in rice. Moreover, our further experiment on the Xa23p1.0 transgenic plants firstly demonstrated that the E-gene-mediated defensive reaction is also effective against M. oryzae, the causal agent of the most devastating fungal disease in rice. Our current work provides a new strategy to exploit the full potential of the E-gene-mediated disease resistance in rice