A method of brain computer cooperative navigation combined with simultaneous localization and mapping

Introducing human brain intelligence into robot system is an effective means to improve robot's cognition and decision-making ability. Aiming at the problems of human brain fatigue and the need of multi lead information in brain robot control, a brain computer cooperative navigation method combining synchronous localization and mapping (SLAM) is proposed in this paper. Through the steady-state visual evoked potential based on three leads, the image of the target area of interest of human brain is selected, and the brain computer cooperative navigation task is completed by combining SLAM and artificial potential field. The test results show that the average accuracy of the target area image selection method based on steady-state visual evoked potential is 94.17%, which proves that the three leads are effective. On this basis, the brain computer cooperative navigation method combined with SLAM is tested. The results show that the completion rate of navigation task is as high as 92.5%. This method alleviates the fatigue of human brain and reduces the hardware requirements of EEG acquisition

COVID-19 vaccine uptake and vaccine hesitancy in rural-to-urban migrant workers at the first round of COVID-19 vaccination in China

Abstract Background Migration can be linked to the transmission of COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccine uptake and hesitancy among rural-to-urban migrant workers in China, the largest group of internal migrants in the world, has not been characterized. Objective To investigate COVID-19 vaccine uptake and identify vaccine hesitancy-associated factors among rural-to-urban migrant workers in the first round of COVID-19 vaccination in China. Methods A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted, including 14,917 participants. Socio-demographics, COVID-19 vaccine uptake, vaccine hesitancy and its associated factors based on Vaccine Hesitancy Determinants Matrix (VHDM) were applied for the survey. Data were principally analyzed by logistic regression analysis. Results The COVID-19 vaccine uptake and vaccine hesitancy rates were 7.1% and 57.7%, respectively. Vaccine hesitancy was strongly associated with VHDM, including individual factors (female, higher annual income and fewer medical knowledge), group factors (less family support, friend support and public opinion support), COVID-19 epidemic factors (lower fatality, infection and emotional distress) and vaccine factors (less vaccine necessity, vaccine safety, vaccine efficacy, vaccine importance and vaccine reliability). Conclusion The VHDM model has the potential utility in efforts to reduce COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Greater efforts should be put into addressing positive predictors associated with vaccine hesitancy

Identification of snoRNA SNORA71A as a Novel Biomarker in Prognosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background. Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) have been proved to play important roles in various cellular physiological process. Recently, dysregulation of snoRNA SNORA71A has been found involved in tumorigenesis of various malignant cancers. However, the emerging effects of SNORA71A in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain largely unclear. In this study, we aimed to explore the SNORA71A expression and its underlying significance in HCC. Methods. Expression of SNORA71A in cell lines and clinical specimens was measured by quantitative real-time PCR. Then, all enrolled HCC patients were divided into low and high SNORA71A expression subgroups and then they were compared in the aspects of clinical features as well as survival outcome by respective statistical analysis methods. Results. SNORA71A was significantly downexpressed in SK-HEP-1 (P=0.001), Huh-7 (P<0.001), Hep3B (P<0.001), and clinical HCC specimens (P=0.006). Comparing the clinical features between SNORA71A expression subgroups, it showed that low SNORA71A expression was significantly associated with large tumor diameter, multiple lesions, capsular invasion, bad tumor differentiation, and TNM stage (P<0.05). Furthermore, it was found that HCC patients with lower SNORA71A expression had higher risk in postoperative tumor relapse (median time: 9.5 vs. 35.2 months; low vs. high; P<0.001) and poor overall survival (median time: 36.8 vs. 52.9 months; low vs. high; P<0.001). Besides, SNORA71A expression served as independent risk factors for tumor-free (HR=0.450; 95% CI [0.263-0.770]; P=0.004) and long-term survival (HR=0.289; 95% CI [0.127-0.657]; P=0.003). Conclusions. Our study for the first time demonstrated that downregulation of SNORA71A could serve as a novel biomarker for clinical assessment and prognostic prediction of HCC patients

The Interaction Between POMC rs2071345 Polymorphism and Alcohol Dependence in Anxiety Symptoms Among Chinese Male Problem Drinkers

Objective: Alcohol dependence can increase the level of anxiety. A growing body of research has identified a link between anxiety symptoms of problem drinkers and their genetic or environment factors, respectively. However, to date few studies have directly examined gene-environment (G × E) interaction on their anxiety symptoms during the acute alcohol withdrawal. The present study aims to examine the interaction between the proopiomelanocortin (POMC) rs2071345 polymorphism and alcohol dependence on anxiety symptoms of male problem drinkers, and further test the exact form of interaction on two competing models: the diathesis-stress model vs. the differential susceptibility model. Methods: A total of 440 male problem drinkers (Mage = 44.5 years, SD = 9.45) were recruited from nine main psychiatric hospitals of northern China during acute alcohol withdrawal. Blood samples were collected for genotyping, self-reported anxiety symptoms, and levels of alcohol dependence were assessed. Results: Results indicated that the POMC rs2071345 polymorphism significantly moderated anxiety symptoms associated with alcohol dependence. A region of significance (RoS) test showed that male problem drinkers with T allele were more likely to experience more anxiety symptoms than those with CC homozygote when the standardized score of concurrent alcohol dependence was above 0.31. Confirmatory model evaluation indicated that the interaction effect involving POMC gene polymorphism conformed to the diathesis-stress model rather than differential-susceptibility model of person × environment interaction. Conclusions: This study suggested that the SNP in POMC rs2071345 was associated with alcohol dependence in anxiety symptoms of male problem drinkers and further provided evidence in support of the diathesis-stress hypothesis of alcohol dependence in terms of anxiety symptoms

Downregulation of snoRNA SNORA52 and Its Clinical Significance in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common and aggressive tumors in the world while the accuracy of the present tests for detecting HCC is poor. A novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for HCC is urgently needed. Overwhelming evidence has demonstrated the regulatory roles of small nucleolar RNA (snoRNA) in carcinogenesis. This study is aimed at analyzing the expression of a snoRNA, SNORA52, in HCC and exploring the correlation between its expression and various clinical characteristics of HCC patients. By using quantitative real-time PCR, we found that SNORA52 was downregulated in HCC cell lines (P<0.05) and HCC tissues (P<0.001). Correlation analysis showed that the expression of SNORA52 was obviously associated with tumor size (P=0.011), lesion number (P=0.007), capsular invasion (P=0.011), tumor differentiation degree (P=0.046), and TNM stage (P=0.004). The disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) analysis showed that patients with lower SNORA52 expression had a worse prognosis (P<0.001). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that SNORA52 expression was a completely independent prognostic factor to predict DFS (P=0.009) and OS (P=0.012) of HCC patients. Overall, our findings showed SNORA52 expression levels were downregulated in HCC tissues and correlated with multiple clinical variables, and SNORA52 was an independent prognostic factor for HCC patients, which suggested that SNORA52 could function as a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for HCC patients

The neuropeptide Y single-nucleotide polymorphism rs16147:T\u3eC moderates the effect of alcohol dependence on depression in male Chinese Han population

Background: Previous studies suggest that alcohol dependence is associated with depression, however, the effect of alcohol dependence varies from individual to individual, which may be due to different genetic backgrounds. The interactions between alcohol dependence and different gene polymorphisms may finally shape the onset of depression. Neuropeptide Y (NPY), which can maintain homeostasis from high-stress stimulation, may protect individuals from the onset of depression. Here, we explored whether the NPY rs16147:T\u3eC has an association with depression in individuals with alcohol dependence during the period of alcohol dependence withdrawal. Methods: A total of 455 males with alcohol dependence were recruited. The scale of Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST) and Self-Depression Scale (SDS) were respectively used to analyze the condition of alcohol dependence and depression. Genomic DNA was extracted from each blood sample and NPY polymorphisms were genotyped. The interaction between NPY rs16147:T\u3eC and alcohol dependence on depression was first analyzed. Then, region of significance analysis was used to confirm which model provided the best fit for the interaction (diathesis-stress or differential susceptibility). Finally, by using internal replication analyses, the accuracy and robustness of the interaction results were improved. Results: Alcohol dependence was positively correlated with depression. CC homozygotes of NPY rs16147:T\u3eC exhibited less depression when exposed to low alcohol dependence, but more depression when exposed to high alcohol dependence. Individuals with the T allele showed the opposite result. Conclusion: NPY rs16147:T\u3eC might be correlated with susceptibility for depression in males during alcohol dependence withdrawal. The findings support the differential susceptibility model

Data_Sheet_1_The neuropeptide Y single-nucleotide polymorphism rs16147:T>C moderates the effect of alcohol dependence on depression in male Chinese Han population.docx

BackgroundPrevious studies suggest that alcohol dependence is associated with depression, however, the effect of alcohol dependence varies from individual to individual, which may be due to different genetic backgrounds. The interactions between alcohol dependence and different gene polymorphisms may finally shape the onset of depression. Neuropeptide Y (NPY), which can maintain homeostasis from high-stress stimulation, may protect individuals from the onset of depression. Here, we explored whether the NPY rs16147:T>C has an association with depression in individuals with alcohol dependence during the period of alcohol dependence withdrawal.MethodsA total of 455 males with alcohol dependence were recruited. The scale of Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST) and Self-Depression Scale (SDS) were respectively used to analyze the condition of alcohol dependence and depression. Genomic DNA was extracted from each blood sample and NPY polymorphisms were genotyped. The interaction between NPY rs16147:T>C and alcohol dependence on depression was first analyzed. Then, region of significance analysis was used to confirm which model provided the best fit for the interaction (diathesis-stress or differential susceptibility). Finally, by using internal replication analyses, the accuracy and robustness of the interaction results were improved.ResultsAlcohol dependence was positively correlated with depression. CC homozygotes of NPY rs16147:T>C exhibited less depression when exposed to low alcohol dependence, but more depression when exposed to high alcohol dependence. Individuals with the T allele showed the opposite result.ConclusionNPY rs16147:T>C might be correlated with susceptibility for depression in males during alcohol dependence withdrawal. The findings support the differential susceptibility model.</p