TANet: Robust 3D Object Detection from Point Clouds with Triple Attention

In this paper, we focus on exploring the robustness of the 3D object detection in point clouds, which has been rarely discussed in existing approaches. We observe two crucial phenomena: 1) the detection accuracy of the hard objects, e.g., Pedestrians, is unsatisfactory, 2) when adding additional noise points, the performance of existing approaches decreases rapidly. To alleviate these problems, a novel TANet is introduced in this paper, which mainly contains a Triple Attention (TA) module, and a Coarse-to-Fine Regression (CFR) module. By considering the channel-wise, point-wise and voxel-wise attention jointly, the TA module enhances the crucial information of the target while suppresses the unstable cloud points. Besides, the novel stacked TA further exploits the multi-level feature attention. In addition, the CFR module boosts the accuracy of localization without excessive computation cost. Experimental results on the validation set of KITTI dataset demonstrate that, in the challenging noisy cases, i.e., adding additional random noisy points around each object,the presented approach goes far beyond state-of-the-art approaches. Furthermore, for the 3D object detection task of the KITTI benchmark, our approach ranks the first place on Pedestrian class, by using the point clouds as the only input. The running speed is around 29 frames per second.Comment: AAAI 2020(Oral

Detecting somatisation disorder via speech: introducing the Shenzhen Somatisation Speech Corpus

Objective Speech recognition technology is widely used as a mature technical approach in many fields. In the study of depression recognition, speech signals are commonly used due to their convenience and ease of acquisition. Though speech recognition is popular in the research field of depression recognition, it has been little studied in somatisation disorder recognition. The reason for this is the lack of a publicly accessible database of relevant speech and benchmark studies. To this end, we introduce our somatisation disorder speech database and give benchmark results. Methods By collecting speech samples of somatisation disorder patients, in cooperation with the Shenzhen University General Hospital, we introduce our somatisation disorder speech database, the Shenzhen Somatisation Speech Corpus (SSSC). Moreover, a benchmark for SSSC using classic acoustic features and a machine learning model is proposed in our work. Results To obtain a more scientific benchmark, we have compared and analysed the performance of different acoustic features, i. e., the full ComParE feature set, or only MFCCs, fundamental frequency (F0), and frequency and bandwidth of the formants (F1-F3). By comparison. the best result of our benchmark is the 76.0 % unweighted average recall achieved by a support vector machine with formants F1–F3. Conclusion The proposal of SSSC bridges a research gap in somatisation disorder, providing researchers with a publicly accessible speech database. In addition, the results of the benchmark show the scientific validity and feasibility of computer audition for speech recognition in somatization disorders

Case report: Clinical complete response in advanced ALK-positive lung squamous cell carcinoma: a case study of successful anti-PD-1 immunotherapy post ALK-TKIs failure

In patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma (LADC) harboring the echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4 (EML4) -anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangement, targeted therapy typically demonstrates superior efficacy as an initial treatment compared to chemotherapy. Following resistance to ALK-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), regimens incorporating platinum-based dual agents or combined with bevacizumab often show effectiveness. However, therapeutic alternatives become constrained after resistance develops to both TKIs and platinum-based therapies. Given that the majority of ALK-positive non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC) are LADC, the benefits of TKIs for patients with ALK-positive lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) and the optimal treatment strategy for these patients remain a subject of debate. In this case study, we report on a patient with advanced LSCC, in whom the EML4-ALK rearrangement was identified via ARMS-PCR (Amplification Refractory Mutation System-Polymerase Chain Reaction). The patient underwent oral treatment with crizotinib and alectinib, showing effectiveness in both first-line and second-line ALK-TKI therapies, albeit with limited progression-free survival (PFS). Subsequent resistance to second-generation TKI was followed by the detection of tumors in the left neck region via computed tomography (CT). Biopsy pathology revealed non-squamous cell carcinoma, and subsequent treatment with platinum-based double-drug therapy proved ineffective. Further analysis through next-generation sequencing (NGS) indicated ALK negativity but a high expression of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1). Immunotherapy was then initiated, resulting in a PFS of over 29 months and clinical complete remission (cCR). This case underscores the potential benefit of ALK-TKIs in patients with ALK-positive LSCC. Resistance to second-generation TKIs may lead to ALK negativity and histological transformation, highlighting the necessity of repeated biopsies post-TKI resistance for informed treatment decision-making. As of November 2023, imaging studies continue to indicate cCR in the patient, with a survival time exceeding 47 months

Pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution, and antitumor activity of a novel compound, NY-2, in non-small cell lung cancer

Introduction: ZLDI-8, which has a relatively strong antitumor activity, is an inhibitor of ADAM-17 and acts on the Notch signaling pathway. To further optimize its structure and improve its activity, a series of derivatives of ZLDI-8 was synthesized. NY-2 was the most effective derivative based on preliminary activity screening in vitro, with no obvious toxicity after administration in vivo.Method: The study aimed to determine the pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution, hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and antitumor activity of compound NY-2 on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in vitro and in vivo.Results: The in vivo pharmacokinetics parameters of NY-2 were better than those of ZLDI-8. The tissue distribution analysis showed that tail vein injection of 6 mg/kg of NY-2 in rats resulted in the highest concentration in the lung, so we hypothesized that NY-2 might be effective in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. In vitro assays showed that NY-2 significantly inhibited tumor colony formation, invasion, and migration and increased LDH activity and apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner in non-small cell lung cancer cells. NY-2 also inhibited the formation of lung metastases without significant toxicity to major organs in nude mice.Conclusion: Compared with the parent compound, ZLDI-8, the activity and safety of NY-2 were higher. NY-2 acts on ADAM17 and simultaneously affects the downstream Notch1 and integrinβ1 signaling pathways resulting in antitumor activity. Thus, NY-2 could be a potential antitumor agent, inhibiting the organization and development of non-small cell lung cancer

Comparative genomics and DNA methylation analysis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolate PA3 by single-molecule real-time sequencing reveals new targets for antimicrobials

IntroductionPseudomonas aeruginosa (P.aeruginosa) is an important opportunistic pathogen with broad environmental adaptability and complex drug resistance. Single-molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing technique has longer read-length sequences, more accuracy, and the ability to identify epigenetic DNA alterations.MethodsThis study applied SMRT technology to sequence a clinical strain P. aeruginosa PA3 to obtain its genome sequence and methylation modification information. Genomic, comparative, pan-genomic, and epigenetic analyses of PA3 were conducted.ResultsGeneral genome annotations of PA3 were discovered, as well as information about virulence factors, regulatory proteins (RPs), secreted proteins, type II toxin-antitoxin (TA) pairs, and genomic islands. A genome-wide comparison revealed that PA3 was comparable to other P. aeruginosa strains in terms of identity, but varied in areas of horizontal gene transfer (HGT). Phylogenetic analysis showed that PA3 was closely related to P. aeruginosa 60503 and P. aeruginosa 8380. P. aeruginosa's pan-genome consists of a core genome of roughly 4,300 genes and an accessory genome of at least 5,500 genes. The results of the epigenetic analysis identified one main methylation sites, N6-methyladenosine (m6A) and 1 motif (CATNNNNNNNTCCT/AGGANNNNNNNATG). 16 meaningful methylated sites were picked. Among these, purH, phaZ, and lexA are of great significance playing an important role in the drug resistance and biological environment adaptability of PA3, and the targeting of these genes may benefit further antibacterial studies.DisucssionThis study provided a detailed visualization and DNA methylation information of the PA3 genome and set a foundation for subsequent research into the molecular mechanism of DNA methyltransferase-controlled P. aeruginosa pathogenicity

Efficacy of Chuanxiong Ding Tong Herbal Formula Granule in the Treatment and Prophylactic of Migraine Patients: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Multicenter, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Objective. To evaluate the efficacy of traditional Chinese herbal ChuanXiong Ding Tong herbal formula granule (CXDT-HFG) for migraine patients with “the Syndrome of Liver Wind and Blood Stasis.” Methods. 150 migraine patients were recruited and assigned randomly in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study to receive CXDT-HFG (n=99) plus necessary analgesics, or placebo (n=51) plus necessary analgesics for 16 weeks (12 weeks’ intervention and 4 weeks’ follow up). Outcome measures included migraine days, frequency of migraine attacks, analgesics consumption for acute treatment, and the proportion of responders as well as the visual analogue scale (VAS) scores and intensity for pain. Results. Compared with the placebo group, the CXDT-HFG group showed significant reduction in migraine days and attacks frequency at week 12 and follow-up period (P0.05). Conclusion. CXDT-HFG was more effective than placebo in decreasing days of migraine attacks, frequency, VAS scores, and relieving pain intensity for migraine patients

Evaluation of genipin-crosslinked chitosan hydrogels as a potential carrier for silver sulfadiazine nanocrystals

This paper was accepted for publication in the journal Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces and the definitive published version is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfb.2016.06.016In the present study genipin crosslinked chitosan (CHI) hydrogels, which had been constructed and reported in our previous studies (Lei Gao, et al. Colloids Surf. B Biointerfaces. 2014, 117: 398), were further evaluated for their advantage as a carrier for silver sulfadiazine (AgSD) nanocrystal systems. Firstly, AgSD nanocrystals with a mean particle size of 289 nm were prepared by wet milling method and encapsulated into genipin crosslinked CHI hydrogels. AgSD nanocrystals displayed a uniform distribution and very good physical stability in the hydrogel network. Swelling-dependent release pattern was found for AgSD nanocrystals from hydrogels and the release profile could be well fitted with Peppas equation. When AgSD nanocrystals were encapsulated in hydrogels their fibroblast cytotoxicity decreased markedly, and their antibacterial effects against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were still comparable to unencapsulated AgSD nanocrystals. In vivo evaluation in excision and burn cutaneous wound models in mice showed that AgSD nanocrystal hydrogels markedly decreased the expression of inflammatory cytokine IL-6, but increased the levels of growth factors VEGF-A and TGF-β1. Histopathologically, the wounds treated by hydrogels containing AgSD nanocrystals showed the best healing state compared with commercial AgSD cream, hydrogels containing AgSD bulk powders and blank hydrogels. The wounds treated by AgSD nanocrystal hydrogels were dominated by marked fibroblast proliferation, new blood vessels and thick regenerated epithelial layer. Sirius Red staining assay indicated that AgSD nanocrystal hydrogels resulted in more collagen deposition characterized by a large proportion of type I fibers. Our study suggested that genipin-crosslinked CHI hydrogel was a potential carrier for local antibacterial nanomedicines

A morphometric approach to the comparative morphology of aedeagi shapes in net-winged beetles: A case study on the Macrolycus dotatus species group (Coleoptera: Lycidae)

Insect male genitalia show an evolutionarily variable morphology that is valuable for both species identification and phylogenetic analyses. However, we often encounter some difficulties when conducting relevant studies due to only quantitative variations exhibited in male genitalia. In this study, based on the taxonomy of the Macrolycus dotatus species group (a total of seven species, including three new species described here), we analyzed the male genitalia shapes by GM and then constructed the phenotypic relationships by UPGMA, NJ and MP analyses. The results demonstrated that the species could be well delineated by the shape of male genitalia, and the produced phenograms frequently recovered phenotypic similarity between the coupled species, including M. atronotatimimus sp. nov. + M. huoditangensis sp. nov. and M. aemulus + M. dotatus, which is useful for making comparisons in species descriptions. Meanwhile, the MP analysis of male genitalia shape using two landmark configurations is considered reliable in inferring the phylogenetic relationship among species in terms of the consistency between its topologies and the molecular phylogeny. This study sheds new light on improving the morphological taxonomy of insects in lower grades while fully utilizing the taxonomic value of male genitalia in a phylogenetic context

A morphometric approach to the comparative morphology of aedeagi shapes in net-winged beetles: A case study on the Macrolycus dotatus species group (Coleoptera: Lycidae)

Insect male genitalia show an evolutionarily variable morphology that is valuable for both species identification and phylogenetic analyses. However, we often encounter some difficulties when conducting relevant studies due to only quantitative variations exhibited in male genitalia. In this study, based on the taxonomy of the Macrolycus dotatus species group (a total of seven species, including three new species described here), we analyzed the male genitalia shapes by GM and then constructed the phenotypic relationships by UPGMA, NJ and MP analyses. The results demonstrated that the species could be well delineated by the shape of male genitalia, and the produced phenograms frequently recovered phenotypic similarity between the coupled species, including M. atronotatimimus sp. nov. + M. huoditangensis sp. nov. and M. aemulus + M. dotatus, which is useful for making comparisons in species descriptions. Meanwhile, the MP analysis of male genitalia shape using two landmark configurations is considered reliable in inferring the phylogenetic relationship among species in terms of the consistency between its topologies and the molecular phylogeny. This study sheds new light on improving the morphological taxonomy of insects in lower grades while fully utilizing the taxonomic value of male genitalia in a phylogenetic context