Probabilistic activity driven model of temporal simplicial networks and its application on higher-order dynamics

Network modeling characterizes the underlying principles of structural properties and is of vital significance for simulating dynamical processes in real world. However, bridging structure and dynamics is always challenging due to the multiple complexities in real systems. Here, through introducing the individual's activity rate and the possibility of group interaction, we propose a probabilistic activity driven (PAD) model that could generate temporal higher-order networks with both power-law and high-clustering characteristics, which successfully links the two most critical structural features and a basic dynamical pattern in extensive complex systems. Surprisingly, the power-law exponents and the clustering coefficients of the aggregated PAD network could be tuned in a wide range by altering a set of model parameters. We further provide an approximation algorithm to select the proper parameters that can generate networks with given structural properties, the effectiveness of which is verified by fitting various real-world networks. Lastly, we explore the co-evolution of PAD model and higher-order contagion dynamics, and analytically derive the critical conditions for phase transition and bistable phenomenon. Our model provides a basic tool to reproduce complex structural properties and to study the widespread higher-order dynamics, which has great potential for applications across fields

Screening of rice cultivars for Cr-stress response by using the parameters of seed germination, morpho-physiological and antioxidant analysis

Rice is the most important crop for the majority of population across the world with sensitive behavior toward heavy metals such as chromium (Cr) in polluted regions. Although, there is no information on the Cr resistance phenotyping in rice. Herein, two different groups of rice cultivars (normal, and hybrid) were used, each group with 14 different rice cultivars. Firstly, seed germination analysis was conducted by evaluating various seed germination indices to identify the rice cultivars with greatest seed germination vigor. Furthermore, exposure of chromium (Cr) toxicity to 28 different rice varieties (NV1-NV14, HV1-HV14) caused noticeable plant biomass reduction. Subsequently, NV2, NV6, NV10, NV12, NV13 (normal type), HV1, HV4, HV8, and HV9 (hybrid types) were pragmatic as moderately sensitive varieties, while NV3, NV4, NV9, and NV14 (normal type), HV3, HV6, HV7, and HV13 were observed as moderately tolerant. Although, NV7, and HV10 were ranked most sensitive cultivars, and NV11, and HV14 were considered as most tolerant varieties as compared to the other rice (both groups) genotypes. Afterward, Cr induced reduction in chlorophyll pigments were significantly lesser in HV14 relative to NV11, NV7, and especially HV10, and as a result HV14 modulated the total soluble sugar level as well as reduced ROS accumulation, and MDA contents production by stimulating the antioxidant defense mechanism conspicuously which further reduced the electrolyte leakage as well. Our outcomes provide support to explore the Cr tolerance mechanism in cereal crops as well as knowledge about rice breeding with increased tolerance against Cr stress.This research was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 32072127), Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation (No. LY21C130006), Dabeinong Funds for Discipline Development and Talent Training in Zhejiang University, Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Crop Production co-sponsored by Province and Ministry (CIC-MCP) and Zhenjiang International-joint fund (No. GJ2020010). The authors would like to extend their sincere appreciation to the Researchers Supporting Project Number (RSP-2021/168), King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Nanosheets-in-nanotube Co3O4-carbon array design enables stable Li-ion storage

Carbon composite products with different structures have been developed and used as anode for lithium-ion batteries due to the superior elasticity of carbon, which can keep the morphology integrity of the electrode materials in the process of the multiple cycles. Herein, a novel structure of nanosheets-in-nanotube Co 3 O 4 /carbon arrays is fabricated by the method of modified chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The carbon nanotube (CNT) layer acting as an outside coater can efficiently prevent the electrode from fragmentation and consequently ensure its shape integrity. The specific structure shows the ultra-stable cycle life (850 mAh g −1 after 200 cycles at 0.5C) and high rate capability (694 mAh g −1 at 2C). The favorable electrochemical properties are contributed to the combination of the wrapped elastic carbon and the enclosed Co 3 O 4 nanosheets in the lithiation process, which is confirmed by an in situ transmission electron microscope

Co-infusion of haplo-identical CD19-chimeric antigen receptor T cells and stem cells achieved full donor engraftment in refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Abstract Background Elderly patients with relapsed and refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have poor prognosis. Autologous CD19 chimeric antigen receptor-modified T (CAR-T) cells have potentials to cure patients with B cell ALL; however, safety and efficacy of allogeneic CD19 CAR-T cells are still undetermined. Case presentation We treated a 71-year-old female with relapsed and refractory ALL who received co-infusion of haplo-identical donor-derived CD19-directed CAR-T cells and mobilized peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) following induction chemotherapy. Undetectable minimal residual disease by flow cytometry was achieved, and full donor cell engraftment was established. The transient release of cytokines and mild fever were detected. Significantly elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase, alanine transaminase, bilirubin and glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase were observed from days 14 to 18, all of which were reversible after immunosuppressive therapy. Conclusions Our preliminary results suggest that co-infusion of haplo-identical donor-derived CAR-T cells and mobilized PBSCs may induce full donor engraftment in relapsed and refractory ALL including elderly patients, but complications related to donor cell infusions should still be cautioned. Trial registration Allogeneic CART-19 for Elderly Relapsed/Refractory CD19+ ALL. NCT0279955

Deep muscularis propria tumor invasion without lymph node metastasis as a unique subclassification of stage IB gastric cancer: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND: The prognosis difference based on the depth of tumor muscularis propria invasion in gastric cancer (GC) was still debated, and therapy strategy for stage IB GC patient required further investigation. METHODS: A total of 380 patients with pT2 GC after radical surgery were retrospectively analyzed, including 185 in superficial muscularis propria (sMP) group and 195 in deep muscularis propria (dMP) group. RESULTS: The overall survival (OS) was significantly better for patients in sMP group than for patients in dMP group (P = 0.007). In multivariate analysis, depth of tumor invasion, pN stage, age, primary location, positive expression of p53, elevated maximal LDH, elevated initial CA19-9 and AFP level were independent prognostic factors for OS. The sMP group had a significantly better OS than dMP group (P = 0.014) in pN0 stage. After further stratification, the survival outcomes were not significantly different between deep muscularis propria tumor invasion without lymph node metastasis (dMPN0) group (stage IB) and superficial muscularis propria tumor invasion with stage 1-2 lymph node metastasis (sMPN1-2) group (stage II) (P = 0.100). Patients with adjuvant chemotherapy had a statistically better survival than those without in dMPN0 group (P = 0.045) and dMPN0 patients with adjuvant chemotherapy had better OS than sMPN1-2 patients (P = 0.015). In addition, greater postoperative survival could be observed in sMPN0 patients than dMPN0 patients in p53-positive group (P = 0.002), and similar OS could be seen between dMPN0 patients with p53-positive and T2N1-2 patients (P = 0.872). CONCLUSION: As a unique subclassification of stage IB GC, appropriate adjuvant chemotherapy should be considered for patients with dMPN0 stage. In addition, positive expression of p53, elevated LDH could be potential factors in identifying the different prognoses for stage IB GC patients

Genetically predicted high IGF-1 levels showed protective effects on COVID-19 susceptibility and hospitalization:a Mendelian randomisation study with data from 60 studies across 25 countries

Background: Epidemiological studies observed gender differences in COVID-19 outcomes, however, whether sex hormone plays a causal in COVID-19 risk remains unclear. This study aimed to examine associations of sex hormone, sex hormones-binding globulin (SHBG), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and COVID-19 risk. Methods: Two-sample Mendelian randomization (TSMR) study was performed to explore the causal associations between testosterone, estrogen, SHBG, IGF-1, and the risk of COVID-19 (susceptibility, hospitalization, and severity) using genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary level data from the COVID-19 Host Genetics Initiative (N=1,348,701). Random-effects inverse variance weighted (IVW) MR approach was used as the primary MR method and the weighted median, MR-Egger, and MR Pleiotropy RESidual Sum and Outlier (MR-PRESSO) test were conducted as sensitivity analyses. Results: Higher genetically predicted IGF-1 levels have nominally significant association with reduced risk of COVID-19 susceptibility and hospitalization. For one standard deviation increase in genetically predicted IGF-1 levels, the odds ratio was 0.77 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.61-0.97, p=0.027) for COVID-19 susceptibility, 0.62 (95% CI: 0.25-0.51, p=0.018) for COVID-19 hospitalization, and 0.85 (95% CI: 0.52-1.38, p=0.513) for COVID-19 severity. There was no evidence that testosterone, estrogen, and SHBG are associated with the risk of COVID-19 susceptibility, hospitalization, and severity in either overall or sex-stratified TSMR analysis. Conclusions: Our study indicated that genetically predicted high IGF-1 levels were associated with decrease the risk of COVID-19 susceptibility and hospitalization, but these associations did not survive the Bonferroni correction of multiple testing. Further studies are needed to validate the findings and explore whether IGF-1 could be a potential intervention target to reduce COVID-19 risk

Expression of the Inhibitory Receptor TIGIT Is Up-Regulated Specifically on NK Cells With CD226 Activating Receptor From HIV-Infected Individuals

Natural killer (NK) cells are important for maintenance of innate immune system stability and serve as a first line of defense against tumors and virus infections; they can act either directly or indirectly and are regulated via co-operation between inhibitory and stimulatory surface receptors. The recently reported inhibitory receptor, TIGIT, can be expressed on the NK cell surface; however, the expression level and function of TIGIT on NK cells during HIV infection is unknown. In this study, for the first time, we investigated the expression and function of TIGIT in NK cells from HIV-infected individuals. Our data demonstrate that the level of TIGIT is higher on NK cells from patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) compared with HIV-negative healthy controls. TIGIT expression is inversely correlated with CD4+ T cell counts and positively correlated with plasma viral loads. Additionally, levels of the TIGIT ligand, CD155, were higher on CD4+ T cells from HIV-infected individuals compared with those from healthy controls; however, there was no difference in the level of the activating receptor, CD226, which recognizes the same ligands as TIGIT. Furthermore, TIGIT was found to specifically up-regulated on CD226+ NK cells in HIV-infected individuals, and either rIL-10, or rIL-12 + rIL-15, could induce TIGIT expression on these cells. In addition, high TIGIT expression inhibited the production of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) by NK cells, while TIGIT inhibition restored IFN-γ production. Overall, these results highlight the important role of TIGIT in NK cell function and suggest a potential new avenue for the development of therapeutic strategies toward a functional cure for HIV