An Adaptive AQM Algorithm Based on a Novel Information Compression Model

Because the bufferbloat phenomenon has significantly degraded the quality of service of interactive applications, there is pressing need for effective active queue management (AQM) strategies to be deployed at both intermediate devices and consumer edges. Existing models and AQM design methods usually lack sufficient consideration of heterogenous round-trip times, uncertain endpoint mechanisms, and time-varying network conditions. This paper proposes an innovative information compression model purely from routers' perspective by evaluating the average effect an accepted/dropped packet has on the aggregated packet arriving rate. The proposed model is independent of round-trip time heterogeneity and specific endpoint protocols. A customized parameter identification algorithm and corresponding control strategy are developed to scale the regulating sensitivity of dropping probability adaptively. Simulation results demonstrate the performance improvements of the proposed algorithm in providing a good tradeoff between reducing the latency and maximizing the goodput, especially in large delay environments

Endovascular treatment of thoracic aortic pseudoaneurysm due to brucellosis: a rare case report

Abstract Background Arterial damage is a known complication of brucellosis, but the occurrence of a thoracic aortic pseudoaneurysm secondary to brucellosis has not been previously reported. Case presentation A 65-year-old Chinese man presented with a pseudoaneurysm in the descending segment of the thoracic aorta that caused symptoms of chest pain and intermittent fever. He was diagnosed with a thoracic aortic pseudoaneurysm secondary to brucellosis based on a positive brucella serology test (standard-tube agglutination test) and imaging examination (computed tomography angiography). Anti-brucellosis treatment and covered stent graft implantation were attempted to eliminate the brucellosis and pseudoaneurysm, respectively, and were ultimately successful, with no symptoms after 6 months of follow-up. Conclusion Endovascular repair may be effective and safe for treating a thoracic aortic pseudoaneurysm resulting from brucellosis

Double-layered N-S1 protein nanoparticle immunization elicits robust cellular immune and broad antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic is a persistent global threat to public health. As for the emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2, it is necessary to develop vaccines that can induce broader immune responses, particularly vaccines with weak cellular immunity. Methods In this study, we generated a double-layered N-S1 protein nanoparticle (N-S1 PNp) that was formed by desolvating N protein into a protein nanoparticle as the core and crosslinking S1 protein onto the core surface against SARS-CoV-2. Results Vaccination with N-S1 PNp elicited robust humoral and vigorous cellular immune responses specific to SARS-CoV-2 in mice. Compared to soluble protein groups, the N-S1 PNp induced a higher level of humoral response, as evidenced by the ability of S1-specific antibodies to block hACE2 receptor binding and neutralize pseudovirus. Critically, N-S1 PNp induced Th1-biased, long-lasting, and cross-neutralizing antibodies, which neutralized the variants of SARS-CoV-2 with minimal loss of activity. N-S1 PNp induced strong responses of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, mDCs, Tfh cells, and GCs B cells in spleens. Conclusions These results demonstrate that N-S1 PNp vaccination is a practical approach for promoting protection, which has the potential to counteract the waning immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 variants and confer broad efficacy against future new variants. This study provides a new idea for the design of next-generation SARS-CoV-2 vaccines based on the B and T cells response coordination. Graphical Abstract Steps involved in the preparation of double-layered N-S1 protein nanoparticle vaccines and experimental design performed in combating virus infection. After intramuscular immunization of mice, the double-layered N-S1 protein nanovaccine could effectively promote the maturation of antigen-presenting and mature dendritic cells, robust broad-spectrum neutralizing antibody production, cytokines secretion, robust mDC, Tfh cell, and GCs B cell responses induction, T-cell memory formation and durable antibody responses, and unique global transcriptome characteristics, thus achieving a robust cellular immunity and broad antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2 based on the B and T cells response coordinatio

Supplementary materials from Molecular subtypes and risk prediction model based on malignant cell differentiation trajectories in breast cancer: differential prognosis and responses

The complex differentiation hierarchy and cellular heterogeneity of various cell populations in breast cancer (BRCA) were important factors affecting bone metastasis and response to therapy. Nevertheless, there is still lack of a more precise classification system for current therapeutic strategies. UMAP analysis identified nine clusters and three spot types (immune spots, stromal spots and malignant spots), with 11 differentiation states further recapitulated from 2493 malignant spots. We constructed a novel BRCA stratification system (subtype Ⅰ, subtype Ⅱ, subtype Ⅲ and subtype Ⅳ) with prognosis getting worse in order, biological plausibility and clinical significance. Regulation networks were constructed along different development trajectories based on key cell fate-related genes, metastasis-related pathways, transcription factor, immune gene sets, immune cells and RPPA, investigating the relationships between primary and bone metastasis BRCA. Finally, we identified the most significant inhibitors (puromycin, MS-275, megestrol and esculetin) for bone-metastatic BRCA via targeting cell fate-related genes. Validation of large clinical cohort samples confirmed that our molecular/cell-based stratification system had strong translational medical value. In all, we revealed the complex cellular heterogeneity and a differentiated hierarchy of cell subpopulations underlying BRCA bone metastasis. We constructed a novel precise BRCA molecular/cell-based stratification system with potential diagnostic and prognostic cell fate-related markers