Naturalness of an Utterance Based on the Automatically Retrieved Commonsense

In this research we investigated user’s behavior while facing a system coping with common knowledge about keywords and compared it with not only classic word-spotting method but also with random text-mining. We show how even a simple implementation of our idea can enrich the conversation and increase the naturalness of computer’s utterances. Our results show that even very commonsensical utterances are more natural than classic approaches and also methods we developed to make a conversation more interesting. For arousing opinion exchange during the session, we will also briefly introduce our idea of combining latest NLP achievements into one holistic system where the main engine we want to base on commonsense processing and affective computing.

Combination of single-nucleus and bulk RNA-seq reveals the molecular mechanism of thalamus haemorrhage-induced central poststroke pain

Central poststroke pain (CPSP) induced by thalamic haemorrhage (TH) can be continuous or intermittent and is accompanied by paresthesia, which seriously affects patient quality of life. Advanced insights into CPSP mechanisms and therapeutic strategies require a deeper understanding of the molecular processes of the thalamus. Here, using single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq), we sequenced the transcriptomes of 32332 brain cells, which revealed a total of four major cell types within the four thalamic samples from mice. Compared with the control group, the experimental group possessed the higher sensitivity to mechanical, thermal, and cold stimuli, and increased microglia numbers and decreased neuron numbers. We analysed a collection of differentially expressed genes and neuronal marker genes obtained from bulk RNA sequencing (bulk RNA-seq) data and found that Apoe, Abca1, and Hexb were key genes verified by immunofluorescence (IF). Immune infiltration analysis found that these key genes were closely related to macrophages, T cells, related chemokines, immune stimulators and receptors. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis also showed that the key genes were enriched in biological processes such as protein export from nucleus and protein sumoylation. In summary, using large-scale snRNA-seq, we have defined the transcriptional and cellular diversity in the brain after TH. Our identification of discrete cell types and differentially expressed genes within the thalamus can facilitate the development of new CPSP therapeutics

The use of multiple datasets to identify autophagy-related molecular mechanisms in intracerebral hemorrhage

Background: Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a stroke syndrome with high mortality and disability rates, but autophagy’s mechanism in ICH is still unclear. We identified key autophagy genes in ICH by bioinformatics methods and explored their mechanisms.Methods: We downloaded ICH patient chip data from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Based on the GENE database, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) for autophagy were identified. We identified key genes through protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analysis and analyzed their associated pathways in Gene Ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). Gene-motif rankings, miRWalk and ENCORI databases were used to analyze the key gene transcription factor (TF) regulatory network and ceRNA network. Finally, relevant target pathways were obtained by gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA).Results: Eleven autophagy-related DEGs in ICH were obtained, and IL-1B, STAT3, NLRP3 and NOD2 were identified as key genes with clinical predictive value by PPI and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The candidate gene expression level was significantly correlated with the immune infiltration level, and most of the key genes were positively correlated with the immune cell infiltration level. The key genes are mainly related to cytokine and receptor interactions, immune responses and other pathways. The ceRNA network predicted 8,654 interaction pairs (24 miRNAs and 2,952 lncRNAs).Conclusion: We used multiple bioinformatics datasets to identify IL-1B, STAT3, NLRP3 and NOD2 as key genes that contribute to the development of ICH

Preformed Pt nanoparticles supported on nanoshaped CeO2 for total propane oxidation

Pt-based catalysts have been widely used for the removal of short-chain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as propane. In this study, we synthesized Pt nanoparticles with a size of ca. 2.4 nm and loaded them on various fine-shaped CeO2 with different facets to investigate the effect of CeO2 morphology on the complete oxidation of propane. The Pt/CeO2-o catalyst with {111} facets exhibited superior catalytic activity compared to the Pt/CeO2-r catalyst with {110} and {100} facets. Specifically, the turnover frequency (TOF) value of Pt/CeO2-o was 1.8 times higher than that of Pt/CeO2-r. Moreover, Pt/CeO2-o showed outstanding long-term stability during 50 h. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) revealed that the excellent performance of Pt/CeO2-o is due to the prevalence of metallic Pt species, which promotes C–C bond cleavage and facilitates the rapid removal of surface formate species. In contrast, a stronger metal–support interaction in Pt/CeO2-r leads to easier oxidation of Pt species and the accumulation of intermediates, which is detrimental to the catalytic activity. Our work provides insight into the oxidation of propane on different nanoshaped Pt/CeO2 catalysts.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Ultrasound assessment of gastric content in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy after preoperative oral carbohydrates: a prospective, randomized controlled, double-blind study

BackgroundTo evaluate the gastric volume and nature after drinking preoperative oral carbohydrates in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy via ultrasonography.MethodsOne hundred patients who had been scheduled for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were enrolled and randomized into the traditional fasting group (Control group, n = 50) and the carbohydrate group (CHO group, n = 50). Patients in the Control group fasted solids and drink from midnight, the day before surgery. Patients in the CHO group drank 800 ml and 400 ml of oral carbohydrates 11 and 3 h before surgery, respectively. At 2 h after oral carbohydrates (T1), all patients underwent an ultrasound examination of residual gastric contents; if the patients had a full stomach, the assessment was performed again 1 h later (T2). A stomach containing solid contents or >1.5 ml/kg of liquid was considered “full”. The primary outcome was full stomach incidences at the above time points. The secondary outcomes included gastric antral CSA in the right lateral decubitus (RLD) and semi-sitting positions, as well as gastric volume (GV), GV per weight (GV/kg), and Perla's grade at T1.ResultsCompared with the Control group, the incidence of entire stomach was significantly high in the CHO group 2 h after oral carbohydrates. At the T1 time point, 6 patients (13.3%) in the Control group and 14 patients (30.4%) in the CHO group presented with a full stomach [95% confidence interval (CI), (0.96–5.41), P = 0.049]. At T2, 3 patients (6.7%) in the Control group and 4 patients (8.7%) in the CHO group had a full stomach, with no marked differences between the two groups [95% CI, (0.31–5.50), P = 0.716]. Compared with the Control group, CSA in the semi-sitting and RLD positions, GV and GV/W were significantly high in the CHO group at T1 (P < 0.05). The median (interquartile range) of the Perlas grade was 1 (0–1) in the Control group and 1(1–1.25) in the CHO group (P = 0.004).ConclusionCholecystectomy patients experience a 2 h delay in gastric emptying after receiving preoperative carbohydrates. In LC patients, the fasting window for oral carbohydrates before surgery should be adequately prolonged.Clinical Trail registrationChinese Clinical Trail Registry, No: ChiCTR2200055245

Ultrastructural Changes, Nuclear Factor-κB Activation, and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Expression in Brain after Acute Normovolemic Hemodilution and Controlled Hypotension in Rats

Cilj Ispitati moždana oštećenja u štakora nakon različitih stupnjeva akutne normovolemične hemodilucije i kontrolirane hipotenzije s pomoću morfološke analize neurona i provjeriti aktivaciju jezgrenog faktora-κB (NF- κB) i izražaj čimbenika nekroze tumora-α (TNF-α). Postupci Četrdeset štakora nasumično je raspoređeno u one lažno operirane i one s normovolemičnom hemodilucijom i kontroliranom hipotenzijom (s hematokritom od 30%, 25%, 20%, and 15%). Normovolemična hemodilucija i kontrolirana hipotenzija izazvane su nakon što su osnovni fiziološki parametri praćeni 20 minuta. Kontrolirana hipotenzija izazvana je nakon 30 minuta s pomoću natrijeva nitroprusida, a srednji arterijski tlak održavao se sljedeći sat vremena na 50-60 mmHg. Tri i pol sata nakon operacije životinje su eutanazirane. Razina TNF-α i aktivnost NF-κB određene su u temporalnoj moždanoj kori. Ultrastrukturna oštećenja ocijenjena su u području CA1 u hipokampusu. Promjene mitohondrija ocijenjene su polukvantitativno. Rezultati U skupinama s hematokritom od 20% i 15% nađena su izražena ultrastrukturna oštećenja, poput denaturacije mitohondrija i izobličenja jezgara. Izražaj TNF-α i aktivnost NF-κB bila je značajno povišena u svim skupinama s normovolemičnom hemodilucijom i kontroliranom hipotenzijom, a najviše su bile u skupini s hematokritom od 25%. Zaključak Izražena normovolemična hemodilucija i kontrolirana hipotenzija s hematokritom ≤20% mogu izazvati moždana oštećenja pa ih treba izbjegavati. U stanju ishemije, aktivacija NF-κB i izražaj TNF-α mogu predstavljati funkcionalne korelate. Bolje upoznavanje uloge NF-κB i TNF-α u mozgu može otvoriti nove pristupe prevenciji i liječenju neuroloških bolesti.Aim To examine brain damage following different degrees of acute normovolemic hemodilution combined with controlled hypotension (ANH-CH) by neuronal morphological analysis and investigate the expression of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activity and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in the rat. Methods Forty rats were randomly assigned to receive a sham operation or ANH-CH (with hematocrit 30%, 25%, 20%, and 15%). ANH was performed after baseline physiological parameters had been monitored for 20 minutes. CH was induced 30 minutes later using sodium nitroprusside and mean arterial pressure was maintained at 50-60 mm Hg for 1 hour. Rats were euthanatized 3 and a half hours after operation. TNF-α levels and NF-κB activities in cerebral temporal cortex were measured. Ultrastructural alterations in the CA1 region of the rat hippocampi were observed. Changes in mitochondria were evaluated semiquantitatively. Results Marked ultrastructural alterations, such as mitochondrial denaturalization and nucleus distortion, were observed in the CA1 region of the hippocampus in the ANH-CH hematocrit 20% group and ANH-CH hematocrit 15% group. TNF-α expression and NF-κB activity in the cerebral temporal cortex significantly increased in all ANHCH groups and peaked in the ANH-CH hematocrit 25% group. Conclusion Severe ANH-CH with hematocrit ≤20% may induce cerebral damage and should be avoided. NF-κB activation and TNF-α expression may play a functional role under the ischemic condition. A better understanding of the role of NF-κB and TNF-α in the brain may lead to a novel approach for preventing and treating various neurological disorders

A Rotating Disc Electrochemical Reactor to Produce Iron Powder for the Co2-Free Iron Fuel Cycle

Iron (Fe) is a promising candidate for energy carriers due to its high energy density, abundance, and transportability. Energy is released during the combustion of iron powder. Iron oxide particles are the product of combustion, which can be easily collected and reduced back to metallic iron, thus enforcing an iron fuel cycle. Electrochemical reduction of iron oxide in alkaline media is a promising approach for the reduction process as it is CO2-free and requires low temperature/energy. In the context of the iron fuel cycle, we promote electroreduction with dendrite-rich structures rather than compact deposit layers for easy harvesting and conversion of deposits to iron powder. This study presents the design and performance of an electrochemical reactor with a rotating disc system, designed for the continuous production of electrolytic iron powder. The reactor facilitates an integrated and automated process of electroreduction of iron oxide (from electroreduction to cleaning, drying, and dendrite/powder harvesting). Our proof of concept experiments show that iron deposits with dendritic structures can be produced in various conditions (anode configurations and rotating speeds), and are mainly located on the disc edge. The growth of dendrites at the edge of the disc favour harvesting and conversion to iron powder. Current efficiencies of more than 85-90 % are achieved in this study. Insights from the present study open new perspectives for the circularity of the iron fuel cycle. Furthermore, this technique provides a novel contribution to powder production in sustainable iron/steel-making technologies

HOXA9 Reprograms the Enhancer Landscape to Promote Leukemogenesis

Aberrant expression of HOXA9 is a prominent feature of acute leukemia driven by diverse oncogenes. Here we show that HOXA9 overexpression in myeloid and B progenitor cells leads to significant enhancer reorganizations with prominent emergence of leukemia-specific de novo enhancers. Alterations in the enhancer landscape lead to activation of an ectopic embryonic gene program. We show that HOXA9 functions as a pioneer factor at de novo enhancers and recruits CEBPα and the MLL3/MLL4 complex. Genetic deletion of MLL3/MLL4 blocks histone H3K4 methylation at de novo enhancers and inhibits HOXA9/MEIS1-mediated leukemogenesis in vivo. These results suggest that therapeutic targeting of HOXA9-dependent enhancer reorganization can be an effective therapeutic strategy in acute leukemia with HOXA9 overexpressio

KDM6A Regulates Cell Plasticity and Pancreatic Cancer Progression by Non-Canonical Activin Pathway

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Inactivating mutations of KDM6A, a histone demethylase, were frequently found in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). We investigated the role of KDM6A in PDAC development. METHODS: We performed a pancreatic tissue microarray analysis of KDM6A protein levels. We used human PDAC cell lines for KDM6A knockout and knockdown experiments. We performed Bru-seq analysis to elucidate the effects of KDM6A loss on global transcription. We performed studies with Ptf1a(Cre); LSL-Kras(G12D); Trp53(R172H/+); Kdm6a(fl/fl or fl/Y), Ptf1a(Cre); Kdm6a(fl/fl or fl/Y), and orthotopic xenograft mice to investigate the impacts of Kdm6a deficiency on pancreatic tumorigenesis and pancreatitis. RESULTS: Loss of KDM6A was associated with metastasis in PDAC patients. Bru-seq analysis revealed upregulation of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition pathway in PDAC cells deficient of KDM6A. Loss of KDM6A promoted mesenchymal morphology, migration, and invasion in PDAC cells in vitro. Mechanistically, activin A and subsequent p38 activation likely mediated the role of KDM6A loss. Inhibiting either activin A or p38 reversed the effect. Pancreas-specific Kdm6a-knockout mice pancreata demonstrated accelerated PDAC progression, developed a more aggressive undifferentiated type PDAC, and increased metastases in the background of Kras and p53 mutations. Kdm6a-deficient pancreata in a pancreatitis model had a delayed recovery with increased PDAC precursor lesions compared to wild-type pancreata. CONCLUSIONS: Loss of KDM6A accelerates PDAC progression and metastasis, most likely by a non-canonical p38-dependant activin A pathway. KDM6A also promotes pancreatic tissue recovery from pancreatitis. Activin A might be utilized as a therapeutic target for KDM6A-deficient PDACs

Genomic characteristics of cattle copy number variations

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Copy number variation (CNV) represents another important source of genetic variation complementary to single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). High-density SNP array data have been routinely used to detect human CNVs, many of which have significant functional effects on gene expression and human diseases. In the dairy industry, a large quantity of SNP genotyping results are becoming available and can be used for CNV discovery to understand and accelerate genetic improvement for complex traits.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We performed a systematic analysis of CNV using the Bovine HapMap SNP genotyping data, including 539 animals of 21 modern cattle breeds and 6 outgroups. After correcting genomic waves and considering the pedigree information, we identified 682 candidate CNV regions, which represent 139.8 megabases (~4.60%) of the genome. Selected CNVs were further experimentally validated and we found that copy number "gain" CNVs were predominantly clustered in tandem rather than existing as interspersed duplications. Many CNV regions (~56%) overlap with cattle genes (1,263), which are significantly enriched for immunity, lactation, reproduction and rumination. The overlap of this new dataset and other published CNV studies was less than 40%; however, our discovery of large, high frequency (> 5% of animals surveyed) CNV regions showed 90% agreement with other studies. These results highlight the differences and commonalities between technical platforms.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We present a comprehensive genomic analysis of cattle CNVs derived from SNP data which will be a valuable genomic variation resource. Combined with SNP detection assays, gene-containing CNV regions may help identify genes undergoing artificial selection in domesticated animals.</p