Study of Catalytic Dephosphorylation using Cerium Dioxide Nano-Crystal

Cerium oxides emerge as a competitive candidate for wastewater treatment due to its exceptional ability to cleave P-O ester bond. In this paper, we want to validate its universal catalysis ability on wider range of organic phosphates; furthermore, we want to probe what factor(s) inhibits and/or promotes the reaction, and what pathway this dephosphorylation reactions take. Understanding the reaction mechanism helps commercialize cerium oxide nano-particles

Improved Extreme Learning Machine and Its Application in Image Quality Assessment

Extreme learning machine (ELM) is a new class of single-hidden layer feedforward neural network (SLFN), which is simple in theory and fast in implementation. Zong et al. propose a weighted extreme learning machine for learning data with imbalanced class distribution, which maintains the advantages from original ELM. However, the current reported ELM and its improved version are only based on the empirical risk minimization principle, which may suffer from overfitting. To solve the overfitting troubles, in this paper, we incorporate the structural risk minimization principle into the (weighted) ELM, and propose a modified (weighted) extreme learning machine (M-ELM and M-WELM). Experimental results show that our proposed M-WELM outperforms the current reported extreme learning machine algorithm in image quality assessment

Expanding theory of tourists' destination loyalty: The role of sensory impressions

What shapes tourist's attitudes towards destinations most, abstract destination image or concrete sensory impressions? This exploratory research investigates the unique role played by sensory impressions in understanding destination loyalty through a multi-level validation process utilizing three progressive studies. Study 1, based on online reviews found that positive sensory impressions have a positive effect on loyalty while negative sensory impressions have a negative effect. A field study then revealed that sensory impressions can be distinguished from destination image and provides incremental explanatory power on loyalty. Through a survey of actual tourists, Study 3 verified the robustness of the conclusions of the first two studies and provides evidence that sensory impressions are related to other outcome concepts (perceived quality, value and satisfaction). This research illustrates the mechanisms behind the influence of this emerging construct on destination loyalty, and more importantly, verifies its importance and necessity through a more rigorous multi-level validation

The impact of COVID-19 on the cascade of care of HCV in the US and China

COVID-19 pandemic; Direct-acting antivirals; TelemedicinePandemia de COVID-19; Antivirales de acción directa; TelemedicinaPandèmia del Covid-19; Antivirals d'acció directa; TelemedicinaAbstract Background and objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic imperiled the global health system. We aimed to determine the impact of COVID-19 on the care continuum of HCV-infected patients. Material and Methods: Two hundred and fifty-six patients who were prescribed a course of DAA therapy at three tertiary medical centers in the US and China between January 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020 were included. We assessed the proportions of patients who completed DAA therapy and had HCV RNA testing during and after the end of therapy. We also assessed the impact of utilization of telemedicine. Results: The proportion of patients undergoing HCV RNA testing during DAA treatment decreased from >81.7% before pandemic to 67.8% during the pandemic (P=0.006), with a more prominent decrease in the US. There were significant decreases in HCV RNA testing >12 (P20 weeks (P<0.001) post-treatment during COVID-19 era. Compared to pre-COVID period, post-treatment clinic encounters during COVID-19 era decreased significantly in China (Xi'an: 13.6% to 7.4%; Nanjing: 16.7% to 12.5%) but increased in the US (12.5% to 16.7%), mainly due to the use of telemedicine. There was a 4-fold increase in utilization of telemedicine in the US. Conclusions: COVID-19 pandemic carried profound impact on care for HCV patients in both the US and China. HCV cure rate assessment decreased by half during COVID era but the proportion of patients finishing DAA therapy was not significantly affected. Increased utilization of telemedicine led to increased compliance with DAA therapy but did not encourage patients to have their laboratory assessment for HCV cure.None

HNCDB: An Integrated Gene and Drug Database for Head and Neck Cancer

Head and neck cancer (HNC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide. Over the last decade, an enormous amount of well-annotated gene and drug data has accumulated for HNC. However, a comprehensive repository is not yet available. Here, we constructed the Head and Neck Cancer Database (HNCDB: http://hncdb.cancerbio.info) using text mining followed by manual curation of the literature to collect reliable information on the HNC-related genes and drugs. The high-throughput gene expression data for HNC were also integrated into HNCDB. HNCDB includes the following three separate but closely related components: “HNC GENE,” “Connectivity Map,” and “ANALYSIS.” The “HNC GENE” component contains comprehensive information for the 1,173 HNC-related genes manually curated from 2,564 publications. The “Connectivity Map” includes information on the potential connections between the 176 drugs manually curated from 2,032 publications and the 1,173 HNC-related genes. The “ANALYSIS” component allows users to conduct correlation, differential expression, and survival analyses in the 2,403 samples from 78 HNC gene expression datasets. Taken together, we believe that HNCDB will be of significant benefit for the HNC community and promote further advances for precision medicine research on HNC

Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals cellular dynamics and therapeutic effects of astragaloside IV in slow transit constipation

The cellular characteristics of intestinal cells involved in the therapeutic effects of astragaloside IV (AS-IV) for treating slow transit constipation (STC) remain unclear. This study aimed to determine the dynamics of colon tissue cells in the STC model and investigate the effects of AS-IV treatment by single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). STC mouse models were developed using loperamide, with subsequent treatment using AS-IV. Colon tissues and feces were collected for scRNA-seq and targeted short-chain fatty acid quantification. We integrated scRNA-seq data with network pharmacology to analyze the effect of AS-IV on constipation. AS-IV showed improvement in defecation for STC mice induced by loperamide. Notably, in STC mice, epithelial cells, T cells, B cells, and fibroblasts demonstrated alterations in cell proportions and aberrant functions, which AS-IV partially rectified. AS-IV has the potential to modulate the metabolic pathway of epithelial cells through its interaction with peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ). AS-IV reinstated fecal butyrate levels and improved energy metabolism in epithelial cells. The proportion of naïve CD4+T cells is elevated in STC, and the differentiation of these cells into regulatory T cells (Treg) is regulated by B cells and fibroblasts through the interaction of ligand-receptor pairs. AS-IV treatment can partially alleviate this trend. The status of fibroblasts in STC undergoes alterations, and the FB_C4_Adamdec1 subset, associated with angiogenesis and the Wingless-related integration (Wnt) pathway, emerges. Our comprehensive analysis identifies perturbations of epithelial cells and tissue microenvironment cells in STC and elucidates mechanisms underlying the therapeutic efficacy of AS-IV

Astragaloside IV improves slow transit constipation by regulating gut microbiota and enterochromaffin cells

Purpose: Slow transit constipation (STC) is a common gastrointestinal disorder characterized by altered gut microbiota and reduced number of enterochromaffin cells (ECs). Astragaloside IV (AS-IV), a low drug permeability saponin, has showed beneficial effects on patients with STC. However, the specific mechanism by which AS-IV regulates STC remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of AS-IV on STC and its associated mechanisms involving gut microbiota.Methods: The effect of AS-IV on STC was evaluated on STC mice induced with loperamide. We measured defecation frequency, intestinal mobility, ECs loss, and colonic lesions in STC mice treated with AS-IV. We also analyzed the changes in gut microbiota and metabolites after AS-IV treatment. Moreover, we investigated the relationship between specific gut microbes and altered fecal metabolites, such as 3-bromotyrosine (3-BrY). We also conducted in vitro experiments to investigate the effect of 3-BrY on caspase-dependent apoptosis of ECs and the activation of the p38 MAPK and ERK signaling pathways induced by loperamide.Results: AS-IV treatment promoted defecation, improved intestinal mobility, suppressed ECs loss, and alleviated colonic lesions in STC mice. AS-IV treatment also affected gut microbiota and metabolites, with a significant correlation between specific gut microbes and altered fecal metabolites such as 3-BrY. Furthermore, 3-BrY may potentially reduce caspase-dependent apoptosis of ECs and protect cell survival by inhibiting the activation of the p38 MAPK and ERK signaling pathways induced by loperamide.Conclusion: Our findings suggest that changes in gut microbiota and ECs mediated the therapeutic effect of STC by AS-IV. These results provide a basis for the use of AS-IV as a prebiotic agent for treating STC. The specific mechanism by which AS-IV regulates gut microbiota and ECs warrants further investigation

Expression of the phosphorylated MEK5 protein is associated with TNM staging of colorectal cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Activation of MEK5 in many cancers is associated with carcinogenesis through aberrant cell proliferation. In this study, we determined the level of phosphorylated MEK5 (pMEK5) expression in human colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues and correlated it with clinicopathologic data.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>pMEK5 expression was examined by immunohistochemistry in a tissue microarray (TMA) containing 335 clinicopathologic characterized CRC cases and 80 cases of nontumor colorectal tissues. pMEK5 expression of 19 cases of primary CRC lesions and paired with normal mucosa was examined by Western blotting. The relationship between pMEK5 expression in CRC and clinicopathologic parameters, and the association of pMEK5 expression with CRC survival were analyzed respectively.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>pMEK5 expression was significantly higher in CRC tissues (185 out of 335, 55.2%) than in normal tissues (6 out of 80, 7.5%; <it>P </it>< 0.001). Western blotting demonstrated that pMEK5 expression was upregulated in 12 of 19 CRC tissues (62.1%) compared to the corresponding adjacent nontumor colorectal tissues. Overexpression of pMEK5 in CRC tissues was significantly correlated to the depth of invasion (<it>P </it>= 0.001), lymph node metastasis (<it>P </it>< 0.001), distant metastasis (<it>P </it>< 0.001) and high preoperative CEA level (<it>P </it>< 0.001). Consistently, the pMEK5 level in CRC tissues was increased following stage progression of the disease (<it>P </it>< 0.001). Analysis of the survival curves showed a significantly worse 5-year disease-free (<it>P </it>= 0.002) and 5-year overall survival rate (<it>P </it>< 0.001) for patients whose tumors overexpressed pMEK5. However, in multivariate analysis, pMEK5 was not an independent prognostic factor for CRC (DFS: <it>P </it>= 0.139; OS: <it>P </it>= 0.071).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>pMEK5 expression is correlated with the staging of CRC and its expression might be helpful to the TNM staging system of CRC.</p

Study of Catalytic Dephosphorylation using Cerium Dioxide Nano-Crystal

Cerium oxides emerge as a competitive candidate for wastewater treatment due to its exceptional ability to cleave P-O ester bond. In this paper, we want to validate its universal catalysis ability on wider range of organic phosphates; furthermore, we want to probe what factor(s) inhibits and/or promotes the reaction, and what pathway this dephosphorylation reactions take. Understanding the reaction mechanism helps commercialize cerium oxide nano-particles