FedDCSR: Federated Cross-domain Sequential Recommendation via Disentangled Representation Learning

Cross-domain Sequential Recommendation (CSR) which leverages user sequence data from multiple domains has received extensive attention in recent years. However, the existing CSR methods require sharing origin user data across domains, which violates the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Thus, it is necessary to combine federated learning (FL) and CSR to fully utilize knowledge from different domains while preserving data privacy. Nonetheless, the sequence feature heterogeneity across different domains significantly impacts the overall performance of FL. In this paper, we propose FedDCSR, a novel federated cross-domain sequential recommendation framework via disentangled representation learning. Specifically, to address the sequence feature heterogeneity across domains, we introduce an approach called inter-intra domain sequence representation disentanglement (SRD) to disentangle the user sequence features into domain-shared and domain-exclusive features. In addition, we design an intra domain contrastive infomax (CIM) strategy to learn richer domain-exclusive features of users by performing data augmentation on user sequences. Extensive experiments on three real-world scenarios demonstrate that FedDCSR achieves significant improvements over existing baselines

Geometry of the Wiman Pencil, I: Algebro-Geometric Aspects

In 1981 W.L. Edge discovered and studied a pencil $\mathcal{C}$ of highly symmetric genus $6$ projective curves with remarkable properties. Edge's work was based on an 1895 paper of A. Wiman. Both papers were written in the satisfying style of 19th century algebraic geometry. In this paper and its sequel [FL], we consider $\mathcal{C}$ from a more modern, conceptual perspective, whereby explicit equations are reincarnated as geometric objects.Comment: Minor revisions. Now 49 pages, 4 figures. To appear in European Journal of Mathematics, special issue in memory of W.L. Edg

NH3-Sensing Mechanism Using Surface Acoustic Wave Sensor with AlO(OH) Film

In this study, AlO(OH) (boehmite) film was deposited onto a surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonator using a combined sol-gel and spin-coating technology, and prepared and used as a sensitive layer for a high-performance ammonia sensor. The prepared AlO(OH) film has a mesoporous structure and a good affinity to NH3 (ammonia gas) molecules, and thus can selectively adsorb and react with NH3. When exposed to ammonia gases, the SAW sensor shows an initial positive response of the frequency shift, and then a slight decrease of the frequency responses. The sensing mechanism of the NH3 sensor is based on the competition between mass-loading and elastic-loading effects. The sensor operated at room temperature shows a positive response of 1540 Hz to 10 ppm NH3, with excellent sensitivity, selectivity and stability

NLRP6 Serves as a Negative Regulator of Neutrophil Recruitment and Function During Streptococcus pneumoniae Infection

Streptococcus pneumoniae is an invasive pathogen with high morbidity and mortality in the immunocompromised children and elderly. NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 6 (NLRP6) plays an important role in the host innate immune response against pathogen infections. Our previous studies have shown that NLRP6 plays a negative regulatory role in host defense against S. pneumoniae, but the underlying mechanism is still unclear. The further negative regulatory role of NLRP6 in the host was investigated in this study. Our results showed that NLRP6(-/-) mice in the lung had lower bacterial burdens after S. pneumoniae infection and expressed higher level of tight junction (TJ) protein occludin compared to WT mice, indicating the detrimental role of NLRP6 in the host defense against S. pneumoniae infection. Transcriptome analysis showed that genes related to leukocytes migration and recruitment were differentially expressed between wild-type (WT) and NLRP6 knockout (NLRP6(-/-)) mice during S. pneumoniae infection. Also, NLRP6(-/-) mice showed higher expression of chemokines including C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 1 (CXCL1) and 2 (CXCL2) and lower gene expression of complement C3a receptor 1 (C3aR1) and P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) which are the factors that inhibit the recruitment of neutrophils. Furthermore, NLRP6(-/-) neutrophils showed increased intracellular bactericidal ability and the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) during S. pneumoniae infection. Taken together, our study suggests that NLRP6 is a negative regulator of neutrophil recruitment and function during S. pneumoniae infection. Our study provides a new insight to develop novel strategies to treat invasive pneumococcal infection

A comprehensive review of Tripterygium wilfordii hook. f. in the treatment of rheumatic and autoimmune diseases: Bioactive compounds, mechanisms of action, and future directions

Rheumatic and autoimmune diseases are a group of immune system-related disorders wherein the immune system mistakenly attacks and damages the body’s tissues and organs. This excessive immune response leads to inflammation, tissue damage, and functional impairment. Therapeutic approaches typically involve medications that regulate immune responses, reduce inflammation, alleviate symptoms, and target specific damaged organs. Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f., a traditional Chinese medicinal plant, has been widely studied in recent years for its application in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and multiple sclerosis. Numerous studies have shown that preparations of Tripterygium wilfordii have anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and immunosuppressive effects, which effectively improve the symptoms and quality of life of patients with autoimmune diseases, whereas the active metabolites of T. wilfordii have been demonstrated to inhibit immune cell activation, regulate the production of inflammatory factors, and modulate the immune system. However, although these effects contribute to reductions in inflammatory responses and the suppression of autoimmune reactions, as well as minimize tissue and organ damage, the underlying mechanisms of action require further investigation. Moreover, despite the efficacy of T. wilfordii in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, its toxicity and side effects, including its potential hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity, warrant a thorough assessment. Furthermore, to maximize the therapeutic benefits of this plant in the treatment of autoimmune diseases and enable more patients to utilize these benefits, efforts should be made to strengthen the regulation and standardized use of T. wilfordii

Circulating methylation level of HTR2A is associated with inflammation and disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis

ObjectivesHTR2A is previously identified as a susceptibility gene for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study, we performed the association analysis between DNA methylation of HTR2A with RA within peripheral blood samples.MethodsWe enrolled peripheral blood samples from 235 patients with RA, 30 osteoarthritis (OA) patients, and 30 healthy controls. The DNA methylation levels of about 218 bp from chr13: 46898190 to chr13: 46897973 (GRCh38/hg38) around HTR2A cg15692052 from patients were analyzed by targeted methylation sequencing.ResultsWe measured methylation status for 7 CpGs in the promoter region of HTR2A and obseved overall methylation status are signficantly increased in RA compared with normal inviduals (FDR= 9.05 x 10-5). The average cg15692052 methylation levels (methylation score) showed a positive correlation with CRP (r=0.15, P=0.023). Compared with the OA group or HC group, the proportion of haplotypes CCCCCCC (FDR=0.02 and 2.81 x 10-6) is signficantly increased while TTTTTCC (FDR =0.01) and TTTTTTT(FDR =6.92 x 10-3) are significantly decreased in RA. We find methylation haplotypes combining with RF and CCP could signficantly enhance the performance of the diagnosing RA and its comorbidities (hypertension, interstitial lung disease, and osteoporosis), especially in interstitial lung disease.ConclusionsIn our study, we found signficant hypermethylation of promoter region of HTR2A which indicates the potential clinical diagnostic role in rheumatoid arthritis

Identification and genomic analyses of a novel endophytic actinobacterium Streptomyces endophytica sp. nov. with potential for biocontrol of yam anthracnose

Anthracnose disease caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides is one of the devastating diseases of yams (Dioscorea sp.) worldwide. In this study, we aimed to isolate endophytic actinobacteria from yam plants and to evaluate their potential for the control of yam anthracnose based on bioassays and genomic analyses. A total of 116 endophytic actinomycete strains were isolated from the surface-sterilized yam tissues from a yam orchard in Hainan Province, China. In total, 23 isolates showed antagonistic activity against C. gloeosporioides. An endophytic actinomycete, designated HNM0140T, which exhibited strong antifungal activities, multiple biocontrol, and plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits was subsequently selected to colonize in the tissue-cultured seedlings of yam and was tested for its in vivo biocontrol potential on yam anthracnose. The results showed that treatment with strain HNM0140T markedly reduced the severity and incidence of yam anthracnose under greenhouse conditions. Morphological and chemotaxonomic analyses showed that strain HNM0140T was assigned to the genus Streptomyces. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain HNM0140T formed a separate cluster together with Streptomyces lydicus ATCC 25470T (99.45%), Streptomyces chattanoogensis NRRL ISP-5002T (99.45%), and Streptomyces kronopolitis NEAU-ML8T (98.97%). The phylogenomic tree also showed that strain HNM0140T stably clustered with Streptomyces lydicus ATCC 25470T. The ANI and dDDH between strain HNM0140T and its closest related-type species were well below the recommended thresholds for species demarcation. Hence, based on the phylogenetic, genomic, and phenotypic analyses, strain HNM0140T should represent a new streptomycete species named Streptomyces endophytica sp. nov. Genomic analysis revealed that strain HNM0140T harbored 18 putative BGCs for secondary metabolites, some PGP-related genes, and several genes coding for antifungal enzymes. The presented results indicated that strain HNM0140T was a promising biocontrol agent for yam anthracnose

SMC 5/6 acts jointly with Fanconi anemia factors to support DNA repair and genome stability

SMC5/6 function in genome integrity remains elusive. Here, we show that SMC5 dysfunction in avian DT40 B cells causes mitotic delay and hypersensitivity toward DNA intra- and inter-strand crosslinkers (ICLs), with smc5 mutants being epistatic to FANCC and FANCM mutations affecting the Fanconi anemia (FA) pathway. Mutations in the checkpoint clamp loader RAD17 and the DNA helicase DDX11, acting in an FA-like pathway, do not aggravate the damage sensitivity caused by SMC5 dysfunction in DT40 cells. SMC5/6 knockdown in HeLa cells causes MMC sensitivity, increases nuclear bridges, micronuclei, and mitotic catastrophes in a manner similar and non-additive to FANCD2 knockdown. In both DT40 and HeLa systems, SMC5/6 deficiency does not affect FANCD2 ubiquitylation and, unlike FANCD2 depletion, RAD51 focus formation. SMC5/6 components further physically interact with FANCD2-I in human cells. Altogether, our data suggest that SMC5/6 functions jointly with the FA pathway to support genome integrity and DNA repair and may be implicated in FA or FA-related human disorders

RNA topoisomerase is prevalent in all domains of life and associates with polyribosomes in animals

DNA Topoisomerases are essential to resolve topological problems during DNA metabolism in all species. However, the prevalence and function of RNA topoisomerases remain uncertain. Here, we show that RNA topoisomerase activity is prevalent in Type IA topoisomerases from bacteria, archaea, and eukarya. Moreover, this activity always requires the conserved Type IA core domains and the same catalytic residue used in DNA topoisomerase reaction; however, it does not absolutely require the non-conserved carboxyl-terminal domain (CTD), which is necessary for relaxation reactions of supercoiled DNA. The RNA topoisomerase activity of human Top3β differs from that of Escherichia coli topoisomerase I in that the former but not the latter requires the CTD, indicating that topoisomerases have developed distinct mechanisms during evolution to catalyze RNA topoisomerase reactions. Notably, Top3β proteins from several animals associate with polyribosomes, which are units of mRNA translation, whereas the Top3 homologs from E. coli and yeast lack the association. The Top3β-polyribosome association requires TDRD3, which directly interacts with Top3β and is present in animals but not bacteria or yeast. We propose that RNA topoisomerases arose in the early RNA world, and that they are retained through all domains of DNA-based life, where they mediate mRNA translation as part of polyribosomes in animals