263 research outputs found
Tibetan Microblog Emotional Analysis Based on Sequential Model in Online Social Platforms
With the development of microblogs, selling and buying appear in online social platforms such as Sina Weibo and Wechat. Besides Mandarin, Tibetan language is also used to describe products and customers’ opinions. In this paper, we are interested in analyzing the emotions of Tibetan microblogs, which are helpful to understand opinions and product reviews for Tibetan customers. It is challenging since existing studies paid little attention to Tibetan language. Our key idea is to express Tibetan microblogs as vectors and then classify them. To express microblogs more fully, we select two kinds of features, which are sequential features and semantic features. In addition, our experimental results on the Sina Weibo dataset clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of feature selection and the efficiency of our classification method
Effect of rs1344706 in the ZNF804A gene on the brain network.
ZNF804A rs1344706 (A/C) was the first SNP that reached genome-wide significance for schizophrenia. Recent studies have linked rs1344706 to functional connectivity among specific brain regions. However, no study thus far has examined the role of this SNP in the entire functional connectome. In this study, we used degree centrality to test the role of rs1344706 in the whole-brain voxel-wise functional connectome during the resting state. 52 schizophrenia patients and 128 healthy controls were included in the final analysis. In our whole-brain analysis, we found a significant interaction effect of genotype × diagnosis at the precuneus (PCU) (cluster size = 52 voxels, peak voxel MNI coordinates: x = 9, y = - 69, z = 63, F = 32.57, FWE corrected P < 0.001). When we subdivided the degree centrality network according to anatomical distance, the whole-brain analysis also found a significant interaction effect of genotype × diagnosis at the PCU with the same peak in the short-range degree centrality network (cluster size = 72 voxels, F = 37.29, FWE corrected P < 0.001). No significant result was found in the long-range degree centrality network. Our results elucidated the contribution of rs1344706 to functional connectivity within the brain network, and may have important implications for our understanding of this risk gene's role in functional dysconnectivity in schizophrenia
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Evidence for the contribution of COMT gene Val158/108Met polymorphism (rs4680) to working memory training-related prefrontal plasticity.
BackgroundGenetic factors have been suggested to affect the efficacy of working memory training. However, few studies have attempted to identify the relevant genes.MethodsIn this study, we first performed a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to identify brain regions that were specifically affected by working memory training. Sixty undergraduate students were randomly assigned to either the adaptive training group (N = 30) or the active control group (N = 30). Both groups were trained for 20 sessions during 4 weeks and received fMRI scans before and after the training. Afterward, we combined the data from the 30 participants in the RCT study who received adaptive training with data from 71 additional participants who also received the same adaptive training but were not part of the RCT study (total N = 101) to test the contribution of the COMT Val158/108Met polymorphism to the interindividual difference in the training effect within the identified brain regions.ResultsIn the RCT study, we found that the adaptive training significantly decreased brain activation in the left prefrontal cortex (TFCE-FWE corrected p = .030). In the genetic study, we found that compared with the Val allele homozygotes, the Met allele carriers' brain activation decreased more after the training at the left prefrontal cortex (TFCE-FWE corrected p = .025).ConclusionsThis study provided evidence for the neural effect of a visual-spatial span training and suggested that genetic factors such as the COMT Val158/108Met polymorphism may have to be considered in future studies of such training
Identification of chromosome ploidy and analysis of breeding system of different Rosa odorata
Abstract [Objective] Rosa odorata is an important germplasm resource of Rosa, which has high value of
appreciation and utilization. In order to promote the development and utilization of the germplasm resources,
the chromosome ploidy, floral synthesis, and characteristics of breeding systems of different R.
odorata were studied. [Methods] The chromosome ploidy, pollen vitality, stigma vitality, and flower
characteristics of 9 R. odorata were observed and determined by flow cytometer and outcrossing analysis.
We also analyzed the breeding systems. [Results] (1) 9 R. odorata were identified as diploid, and their
flowers were bisexual with bright colors and mostly double or semi-double petals. Male and female flowers
of 5 varieties were matured at different time. (2) 9 R. odorata pollen vitalities were low, with the highest
vitality of 35.47%. The outcrossing index (OCI) of all varieties was ≥4, and pollen volume-ovule ratio
(P/O) values ranged from 6 709 to 75 521. [Conclusion] The breeding system of 9 R. odorata is mainly
outcrossing, and the breeding system is affected by many factors, such as the number of pollen grains and
petals
The peptidoglycan-associated lipoprotein gene mutant elicits robust immunological defense in mice against Salmonella enteritidis
BackgroundSalmonella enteritidis (S. enteritidis), a zoonotic pathogen with a broad host range, presents a substantial threat to global public health safety. Vaccination stands as an effective strategy for the prevention and control of S. enteritidis infection, highlighting an immediate clinical need for the creation of safe and efficient attenuated live vaccines.MethodsIn this study, a S. enteritidis peptidoglycan-associated lipoprotein (pal) gene deletion strain (Δpal), was constructed. To assess its virulence, we conducted experiments on biofilm formation capability, motility, as well as cell and mouse infection. Subsequently, we evaluated the immune-protective effect of Δpal.ResultsIt was discovered that deletion of the pal gene reduced the biofilm formation capability and motility of S. enteritidis. Cell infection experiments revealed that the Δpal strain exhibited significantly decreased abilities in invasion, adhesion, and intracellular survival, with downregulation of virulence gene expression, including mgtC, invH, spvB, sipA, sipB, ssaV, csgA, and pipB. Mouse infection experiments showed that the LD50 of Δpal increased by 104 times, and its colonization ability in mouse tissue organs was significantly reduced. The results indicated that the pal gene severely affected the virulence of S. enteritidis. Further, immunogenicity evaluation of Δpal showed a significant enhancement in the lymphocyte transformation proliferation capability of immunized mice, producing high titers of specific IgG and IgA, suggesting that Δpal possesses good immunogenicity. Challenge protection tests demonstrated that the strain could provide 100% immune protection against wild-type strains in mice.DiscussionThis study proves that the pal gene influences the virulence of S. enteritidis, and Δpal could serve as a candidate strain for attenuated live vaccines, laying the foundation for the development of attenuated live vaccines against Salmonella
Experimental and Numerical Research on Seismic Performance of Earthquake-Damaged RC Frame Strengthened with CFRP Sheets
In order to assess the seismic performance of damaged reinforced concrete (RC) frame strengthened with carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP) sheets, two experimental specimens with identical reinforcement ratio and geometric dimensions were designed following Chinese code for seismic design of buildings. Experimental specimens consist of a reference (undamaged) RC frame, namely, KJ-1, and an earthquake-damaged RC frame strengthened with CFRP sheets, namely, KJ-2. A pseudostatic test was conducted on the two specimens to simulate moderate earthquake damage. The strengthening effects of CFRP sheets on damaged RC frame were discussed in terms of hysteretic curve, skeleton curve, stiffness degradation, and ductility. In addition, numerical method based on fiber model method was utilized to analyze the seismic performance of KJ-1 and KJ-2 and it is compared with the experimental result. Both the results confirm that the method of exterior bonding CFRP sheets on the damaged RC frame has restored the seismic performance such as bearing capacity, stiffness, and ductility to its original undamaged level, and some of the seismic performance of the damaged RC frame strengthened with CFRP sheets is even better than the undamaged one, which proves that the method has significant effect in strengthening postearthquake-damaged RC frames
Epigenetic modification and inheritance in sexual reversal of fish
Environmental sex determination (ESD) occurs in divergent, phylogenetically unrelated taxa, and in some species, co-occurs with genetic sex determination (GSD) mechanisms. Although epigenetic regulation in response to environmental effects has long been proposed to be associated with ESD, a systemic analysis on epigenetic regulation of ESD is still lacking. Using half-smooth tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis) as a model—a marine fish that has both ZW chromosomal GSD and temperature-dependent ESD—we investigated the role of DNA methylation in transition from GSD to ESD. Comparative analysis of the gonadal DNA methylomes of pseudomale, female, and normal male fish revealed that genes in the sex determination pathways are the major targets of substantial methylation modification during sexual reversal. Methylation modification in pseudomales is globally inherited in their ZW offspring, which can naturally develop into pseudomales without temperature incubation. Transcriptome analysis revealed that dosage compensation occurs in a restricted, methylated cytosine enriched Z chromosomal region in pseudomale testes, achieving equal expression level in normal male testes. In contrast, female-specific W chromosomal genes are suppressed in pseudomales by methylation regulation. We conclude that epigenetic regulation plays multiple crucial roles in sexual reversal of tongue sole fish. We also offer the first clues on the mechanisms behind gene dosage balancing in an organism that undergoes sexual reversal. Finally, we suggest a causal link between the bias sex chromosome assortment in the offspring of a pseudomale family and the transgenerational epigenetic inheritance of sexual reversal in tongue sole fish
Polymorphism in schizophrenia risk gene MIR137 is associated with the posterior cingulate Cortex's activation and functional and structural connectivity in healthy controls
MIR137 gene has been repeatedly reported as a schizophrenia risk gene in genome-wide association studies (GWAS). A polymorphism (rs1625579) at the MIR137 gene has been associated with both neural activation and behavioral performance during a working memory task. This study examined MIR137's associations with task-related (N-back working memory) fMRI, resting state fMRI, and diffusion tensor images (DTI) data in 177 healthy adults. We found less deactivation of the PCC in risk allele homozygotes (TT) as compared to the GT heterozygotes (cluster size = 630 voxels, cluster level PFWE < 0.001) during the N-back task, which replicated previous findings. Using the identified cluster within the PCC as the seed, we further found decreased functional connectivity between the PCC and the anterior cingulate cortex and its adjacent medial prefrontal cortex (ACC/MPFC) in risk allele homozygotes during both resting state (cluster size = 427 voxels, cluster level PFWE = 0.001) and the N-back task (cluster size = 73 voxels, cluster level PFWE = 0.05). Finally, an analysis of our DTI data showed decreased white matter integrity of the posterior cingulum in risk allele homozygotes (cluster size = 214 voxels, cluster level PFWE = 0.03). Taken together, rs1625579 seems to play an important role in both functional and structural connectivity between the PCC and the ACC/MPFC, which may serve as the brain mechanisms for the link between rs1625579 and schizophrenia
Evidence of economic development revealed in centennial scale sedimentary records of organic pollutants in Huguangyan Marr Lake
Sedimentary records of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and phthalates could reflect energy consumption and industrial production adjustment. However, there is limited knowledge about their effects on variations of PAH and phthalate compositions in the sediment core. The PAH and phthalate sedimentary records in Huguangyan Maar Lake in Guangdong, China were constructed, and random forest models were adopted to quantify the associated impact factors. Sums of sixteen PAH (∑16 PAH) and seven phthalate (∑7 PAE) concentrations in the sediment ranged from 28.8 to 1110 and 246–4290 μg/kg dry weight in 1900–2020. Proportions of 5–6 ring PAHs to the ∑16 PAHs increased from 32.0 %–40.7 % in 1900–2020 with increased coal and petroleum consumption, especially after 1980. However, those of 2–3 ring PAHs decreased from 30.7 % to 23.6 % due to the biomass substitution with natural gas. The proportions of bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate to the ∑7 PAEs decreased from 52.3 %–29.1 % in 1900–2020, while those of di-isobutyl phthalate increased (13.7 % to 42.3 %). The shift from traditional plasticizers to non-phthalates drove this transformation, though the primary plastic production is increasing. Our findings underscore the effectiveness of optimizing energy structures and updating chemical products in reducing organic pollution in aquatic environments
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