Improved Backtracking Search Algorithm Based on Population Control Factor and Optimal Learning Strategy

Backtracking search algorithm (BSA) is a relatively new evolutionary algorithm, which has a good optimization performance just like other population-based algorithms. However, there is also an insufficiency in BSA regarding its convergence speed and convergence precision. For solving the problem shown in BSA, this article proposes an improved BSA named COBSA. Enlightened by particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm, population control factor is added to the variation equation aiming to improve the convergence speed of BSA, so as to make algorithm have a better ability of escaping the local optimum. In addition, enlightened by differential evolution (DE) algorithm, this article proposes a novel evolutionary equation based on the fact that the disadvantaged group will search just around the best individual chosen from previous iteration to enhance the ability of local search. Simulation experiments based on a set of 18 benchmark functions show that, in general, COBSA displays obvious superiority in convergence speed and convergence precision when compared with BSA and the comparison algorithms

Identify optimal HAP series scores for unresectable HCC patients undergoing TACE plus sorafenib: A Chinese multicenter observational study

BackgroundHepatoma arterial-embolization prognostic (HAP) series scores have been proposed for prognostic prediction in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC) undergoing transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). However, their prognostic value in TACE plus sorafenib (TACE-S) remains unknown. Here, we aim to evaluate their prognostic performance in such conditions and identify the best model for this combination therapy.MethodsBetween January 2012 and December 2018, consecutive patients with uHCC receiving TACE-S were recruited from 15 tertiary hospitals in China. Cox regression analyses were used to investigate the prognostic values of baseline factors and every scoring system. Their prognostic performance and discriminatory performance were evaluated and confirmed in subgroup analyses.ResultsA total of 404 patients were enrolled. In the whole cohort, the median follow-up period was 44.2 (interquartile range (IQR), 33.2–60.7) months, the median overall survival (OS) time was 13.2 months, and 336 (83.2%) patients died at the end of the follow-up period. According to multivariate analyses, HAP series scores were independent prognostic indicators of OS. In addition, the C-index, Akaike information criterion (AIC) values, and time-dependent area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) indicated that modified HAP (mHAP)-III had the best predictive performance. Furthermore, the results remained consistent in most subsets of patients.ConclusionHAP series scores exhibited good predictive ability in uHCC patients accepting TACE-S, and the mHAP-III score was found to be superior to the other HAP series scores in predicting OS. Future prospective high-quality studies should be conducted to confirm our results and help with treatment decision-making

Potential candidates for liver resection in liver-confined advanced HCC: a Chinese multicenter observational study

BackgroundAdvanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is characterized as symptomatic tumors [performance status (PS) score of 1-2], vascular invasion and extrahepatic spread, but patients with PS1 alone may be eliminated from this stage. Although liver resection is used for liver-confined HCC, its role in patients with PS1 alone remains controversial. Therefore, we aimed to explore its application in such patients and identify potential candidates.MethodsEligible liver-confined HCC patients undergoing liver resection were retrospectively screened in 15 Chinese tertiary hospitals, with limited tumor burden, liver function and PS scores. Cox-regression survival analysis was used to investigate the prognostic factors and develop a risk-scoring system, according to which patients were substratified using fitting curves and the predictive values of PS were explored in each stratification.ResultsFrom January 2010 to October 2021, 1535 consecutive patients were selected. In the whole cohort, PS, AFP, tumor size and albumin were correlated with survival (adjusted P<0.05), based on which risk scores of every patient were calculated and ranged from 0 to 18. Fitting curve analysis demonstrated that the prognostic abilities of PS varied with risk scores and that the patients should be divided into three risk stratifications. Importantly, in the low-risk stratification, PS lost its prognostic value, and patients with PS1 alone achieved a satisfactory 5-year survival rate of 78.0%, which was comparable with that PS0 patients (84.6%).ConclusionSelected patients with PS1 alone and an ideal baseline condition may benefit from liver resection and may migrate forward to BCLC stage A

Complete chloroplast genome of a cultivated oil camellia species, Camellia gigantocarpa

Camellia gigantocarpa Hu et T. C. Huang, belonging to the Theaceae family, is an excellent landscape tree species with high ornamental value. It is also an important woody oil-bearing plant with high economic value. This study reports the first complete chloroplast genome sequence of C. gigantocarpa (GenBank accession number: MZ054232). Its whole chloroplast genome is 156,953 bp long with an overall GC content of 37.31%, which is composed of a large single copy region (86,631 bp), a small single copy region (18,402 bp), and a pair of inverted repeat regions (25,960 bp each). A total of 135 genes were predicted in this genome, namely eight ribosomal RNA genes, 37 transfer RNA genes, and 90 protein-coding genes. Based on maximum likelihood analysis results, we found that the Camellia species are clustered into a distinct branch, and the phylogenetic relationships among C. gigantocarpa, C. crapnelliana, and C. kissii were the closest

The complete chloroplast genome of Camellia osmantha, an edible oil Camellia

Camellia osmantha is a new species of the Camellia genus discovered in Nanning, Guangxi, China, in 2012. It can be used as an excellent woody oil crop. There is little related research on this species in China and abroad, and its genome information is still lacking. In this study, the complete chloroplast genome sequence of C. osmantha was first reported (GenBank number: MZ128138). The whole chloroplast genome is 156,981 bp in length with a GC content of 37.28%, and it is composed of a large single copy (LSC) region of 86,647 bp, a small single copy (SSC) region of 18,284 bp, and a pair of inverted repeat (IR) regions of 26,025 bp each. The genome contains a total of 135 functional genes, including 37 transfer RNA genes, 90 protein-coding genes, and 8 ribosomal RNA genes. The maximum likelihood analysis based on 21 chloroplast genomes showed that C. osmantha and C. oleifera (MF541730.2) were the most closely related

Complete Chloroplast Genome Sequence of the Long Blooming Cultivar <i>Camellia</i> ‘Xiari Qixin’: Genome Features, Comparative and Phylogenetic Analysis

The camellia flower is a famous woody plant with a long-cultivated history and high ornamental value. It is extensively planted and utilized around the world and owns a massive germplasm resource. Camellia ‘Xiari Qixin’ belongs to one of the typical cultivars in the four seasons camellia hybrids series. Due to its long flowering period, this kind of cultivar is identified as a precious resource of camellia flowers. In this study, the complete chloroplast genome sequence of C. ‘Xiari Qixin’ was first reported. Its whole chloroplast genome is 157,039 bp in length with an overall GC content of 37.30%, composed of a large single copy region (LSC, 86,674 bp), a small single copy region (SSC, 18,281 bp), and a pair of inverted repeat regions (IRs, 26,042 bp each). A total of 134 genes were predicted in this genome, including 8 ribosomal RNA genes, 37 transfer RNA genes, and 89 protein-coding genes. In addition, 50 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and 36 long repeat sequences were detected. By comparing C. ‘Xiari Qixin’ and seven Camellia species on the chloroplast genome, seven mutation hotspot regions were identified, including psbK, trnS (GCU)-trnG(GCC), trnG(GCC), petN-psbM, trnF(GAA)-ndhJ, trnP(UGG)-psaJ, and ycf1. Phylogenetic analysis of 30 chloroplast genomes showed that the genetic relationship between C. ‘Xiari Qixin’ and Camellia azalea is quite close in evolution. These results could not only provide a valuable database for determining the maternal origin of Camellia cultivars, but also contribute to the exploration of the phylogenetic relationship and utilization of germplasm resources for Camellia

Comparative identification and differential expression pattern of amino acid permease genes in Elaeis guineensis

Elaeis guineensis is a tropical crop with high oil content, and the nutritional value of oil is very high. Amino acids not only affect the growth and development of plants but also act as intermediate metabolites of oils, which determine the final quality of oils. In this study, eleven amino acid permease genes (EgAAPs) in E. guineensis were identified from the amino acid transporter family. Real-time PCR results showed that seven EgAAPs (EgAAP1, EgAAP2, EgAAP3, EgAAP4, EgAAP6 EgAAP9, and EgAAP10) played an important role in vegetative growth because of their higher expression levels in roots and leaves, but EgAAP5, EgAAP7, EgAAP8 and EgAAP11 were also important for their higher expression levels in flowers or fruits. E. guineensis seedlings were treated with 20% PEG-6000 and 4 °C to induce drought stress and cold stress, respectively. The expression of six EgAAPs (EgAAP1, EgAAP2, EgAAP4, EgAAP6, EgAAP8 and EgAAP11) was decreased in both roots and leaves during cold treatment, and only the expression of EgAAP5 was increased in both roots and leaves after 6 h of cold treatment. The expression of six EgAAPs (EgAAP2, EgAAP4, EgAAP7, EgAAP8, EgAAP10 and EgAAP11) was decreased in roots but increased in leaves under PEG treatment, indicating an opposite pattern of expression levels of these EgAAPs in roots and leaves. However, only EgAAP5 had a similar pattern of expression levels between roots and leaves under PEG treatment. The findings provide information on how EgAAPs in E. guineensis are regulated during growth and development, and under various environmental stresses

Schwann cell promotes macrophage recruitment through IL-17B/IL-17RB pathway in injured peripheral nerves

Summary: Macrophage recruitment to the injured nerve initiates a cascade of events, including myelin debris clearance and nerve trophic factor secretion, which contribute to proper nerve tissue repair. However, the mechanism of macrophage recruitment is still unclear. Here, by comparing wild-type with Mlkl−/− and Sarm1−/− mice, two mouse strains with impaired myelin debris clearance after peripheral nerve injury, we identify interleukin-17B (IL-17B) as a key regulator of macrophage recruitment. Schwann-cell-secreted IL-17B acts in an autocrine manner and binds to IL-17 receptor B to promote macrophage recruitment, and global or Schwann-cell-specific IL-17B deletion reduces macrophage infiltration, myelin clearance, and axon regeneration. We also show that the IL-17B signaling pathway is defective in the injured central nerves. These results reveal an important role for Schwann cell autocrine signaling during Wallerian degeneration and point to potential mechanistic targets for accelerating myelin clearance and improving demyelinating disease

A Review on the Functional Properties, Extraction and Microencapsulation of Almond Oil

Almond oil is a kind of functional edible oil with rich nutrition and high medicinal value. This paper reviews the various functional properties of almond oil such as antioxidation, hypoglycemic effect and cardiovascular disease prevention, as well as the extraction and microencapsulation technology at home and abroad. The benefits and drawbacks of all these technical methods are made clear by comparing various extraction techniques, such as mechanical expression, solvent extraction, and water extraction of almond oil, as well as microencapsulation techniques, such as spray drying, complex coacervation, extrusion, and freeze-drying. The study provides a feasible, quick, effective, and secure technology for the industrial production and preparation of almond oil and might serve as a theoretical reference for its stable preparation and rational utilization