26 research outputs found
Empowering Low-Light Image Enhancer through Customized Learnable Priors
Deep neural networks have achieved remarkable progress in enhancing low-light
images by improving their brightness and eliminating noise. However, most
existing methods construct end-to-end mapping networks heuristically,
neglecting the intrinsic prior of image enhancement task and lacking
transparency and interpretability. Although some unfolding solutions have been
proposed to relieve these issues, they rely on proximal operator networks that
deliver ambiguous and implicit priors. In this work, we propose a paradigm for
low-light image enhancement that explores the potential of customized learnable
priors to improve the transparency of the deep unfolding paradigm. Motivated by
the powerful feature representation capability of Masked Autoencoder (MAE), we
customize MAE-based illumination and noise priors and redevelop them from two
perspectives: 1) \textbf{structure flow}: we train the MAE from a normal-light
image to its illumination properties and then embed it into the proximal
operator design of the unfolding architecture; and m2) \textbf{optimization
flow}: we train MAE from a normal-light image to its gradient representation
and then employ it as a regularization term to constrain noise in the model
output. These designs improve the interpretability and representation
capability of the model.Extensive experiments on multiple low-light image
enhancement datasets demonstrate the superiority of our proposed paradigm over
state-of-the-art methods. Code is available at
https://github.com/zheng980629/CUE.Comment: Accepted by ICCV 202
ï»żFirst record of the genus Catatemnus Beier, 1932 from China, with the description of six new species (Pseudoscorpiones, Atemnidae)
The genus Catatemnus Beier, 1932 is reported for the first time from China and includes six new species: C. huae sp. nov. from Hainan Island, C. laminosus sp. nov., C. ramus sp. nov., C. scaber sp. nov., and C. tengchongensis sp. nov. all from Yunnan Province, and C. tibetanus sp. nov. from Xizang Autonomous Region. Descriptions and illustrations of all the new species are provided
Anti-apoptotic Effect of Grape Seed Proanthocyanidin Extract on Cisplatin-induced Apoptosis in Rat Testis
Five new species of the genus Paratemnoides Harvey, 1991 (Pseudoscorpiones, Atemnidae) from China
Paratemnoides Harvey, 1991 is currently represented by 28 species and two subspecies, which are widespread in the world, except for Europe and Antarctica. Paratemnoides sinensis (Beier, 1932) represents the only species of this genus currently recorded from China.Five new Paratemnoides species collected from China are described, including detailed diagnoses and illustrations: P. guangdongensis sp. nov. from Guangdong, P. parvus sp. nov., P. politus sp. nov. and P. yunnanensis sp. nov. from Yunnan and P. trisulcus sp. nov. from Guangxi. An identification key to all known Paratemnoides species from China and a distribution map are also provided
Coâtargeting FAK and Gli1 inhibits the tumorâassociated macrophagesâreleased CCL22âmediated esophageal squamous cell carcinoma malignancy
Abstract Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a frequently seen esophageal tumor type in China. Activation of signaling proteins and relevant molecular mechanisms in ESCC are partially explored, impairing the antitumor efficiency of targeted therapy in ESCC treatment. Tumorâassociated macrophages (TAMs)âreleased CâC motif chemokine 22 (CCL22) can activate intratumoral focal adhesion kinase (FAK), thus promoting the progression of ESCC. Here, we demonstrated that highly secreted CCL22 by TAMs (CCL22âpositive TAMs) induced ESCC cell stemness and invasion through facilitating transcriptional activity of intratumoral gliomaâassociated oncogene 1 (Gli1), a downstream effector for Hedgehog (HH) pathway. Mechanistically, FAKâactivated protein kinase B (AKT) mediated Gli1 phosphorylation at its Ser112/Thr115/Ser116 sites and released Gli1 from suppressor of fused homolog, the endogenous inhibitor of Gli1 to activate downstream stemnessâassociated factors, such as SRYâbox transcription factor 2 (SOX2), Nanog homeobox (Nanog), or POU class 5 homeobox (OCT4). Furthermore, inhibition of FAK activity by VSâ4718, the FAK inhibitor, enhanced antitumor effect of GDCâ0449, the HH inhibitor, both in xenografted models and in vitro assays. Clinically, CCL22/Gli1 axis is used to evaluate ESCC prognosis. Overall, our study establishes the communication of FAK with HH pathway and offers the novel mechanism related to Gli1 activation independent of Smoothened as well as the rationale for the antiâESCC combination treatment
Improving the Electrochemical Performance of LiNi0.80Co0.15Al0.05O2 in Lithium Ion Batteries by LiAlO2 Surface Modification
LiNi0.80Co0.15Al0.05O2 (NCA) as a lithium ion battery cathode material has received attention for its highly specific capacity and excellent low temperature performance. However, the disadvantages of its high surface lithium compound residues and high pH value have influenced its processing performance and limited its application. This paper uses a facile method to modify NCA through LiAlO2 coating. The results showed that when the molar ratio of Al(NO3)3·9H2O and lithium compound residues at the surface of NCA cathode material was 0.25:1, the pH of the cathode material decreased from 12.70 to 11.80 and the surface lithium compound residues decreased from 3.99% to 1.48%. The NCA cell was charged and discharged for 100 cycles at 1 C in the voltage range of 3.0â4.3 V, to test the capacity retention of NCA. It was found to be as high as 94.67%, which was 5.36% higher than the control NCA cell. The discharge capacity of NCA-0.25-500 °C was 139.8 mAh/g even at 8 C rate, which was 15% higher than the raw NCA. Further research indicated that Al(NO3)3·9H2O reacted with the surface lithium compound residues of NCA and generated LiAlO2, which improved the NCA electrochemical performance
AKT2S128/CCTαS315/319/323-positive cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) mediate focal adhesion kinase (FAK) inhibitors resistance via secreting phosphatidylcholines (PCs)
Abstract Abnormal metabolism is regarded as an oncogenic hallmark related to tumor progression and therapeutic resistance. Present study employed multi-omics, including phosphoproteomics, untargeted metabolomics and lipidomics, to demonstrate that the pAKT2 Ser128 and pCCTα Ser315/319/323-positive cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) substantially release phosphatidylcholines (PCs), contributing to the resistance of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) inhibitors in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) treatment. Additionally, we observed extremely low levels of FAK Tyr397 expression in CAFs, potentially offering no available target for FAK inhibitors playing their anti-growth role in CAFs. Consequently, FAK inhibitor increased the intracellular concentration of Ca2+ in CAFs, promoting the formation of AKT2/CCTα complex, leading to phosphorylation of CCTα Ser315/319/323 sites and eventually enhancing stromal PC production. This activation could stimulate the intratumoral Janus kinase 2 (JAK2)/Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway, triggering resistance to FAK inhibition. Analysis of clinical samples demonstrated that stromal pAKT2 Ser128 and pCCTα Ser315/319/323 are related to the tumor malignancy and reduced patient survival. Pseudo-targeted lipidomics and further validation cohort quantitatively showed that plasma PCs enable to distinguish the malignant extent of ESCC patients. In conclusion, inhibition of stroma-derived PCs and related pathway could be possible therapeutic strategies for tumor therapy
An evaluation of Astragali Radix with different growth patterns and years, based on a new multidimensional comparison method
IntroductionWith the depletion of wild Astragali Radix (WA) resources, imitated-wild Astragali Radix (IWA) and cultivated Astragali Radix (CA) have become the main products of Astragali Radix. However, the quality differences of three growth patterns (WA, IWA, CA) and different growth years of Astragali Radix have not been fully characterized, leading to a lack of necessary scientific evidence for their use as substitutes for WA.MethodsWe innovatively proposed a multidimensional evaluation method that encompassed traits, microstructure, cell wall components, saccharides, and pharmacodynamic compounds, to comprehensively explain the quality variances among different growth patterns and years of Astragali Radix.Results and discussionOur study showed that the quality of IWA and WA was comparatively similar, including evaluation indicators such as apparent color, sectional structure and odor, thickness of phellem, diameter and number of vessels, morphology of phloem and xylem, and the levels and ratios of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, sucrose, starch, water-soluble polysaccharides, total-saponins. However, the content of sucrose, starch and sorbose in CA was significantly higher than WA, and the diameter and number of vessels, total-flavonoids content were lower than WA, indicating significant quality differences between CA and WA. Hence, we suggest that IWA should be used as a substitute for WA instead of CA. As for the planting years of IWA, our results indicated that IWA aged 1-32 years could be divided into three stages according to their quality change: rapid growth period (1-5 years), stable growth period (6-20 years), and elderly growth period (25-32 years). Among these, 6-20 years old IWA exhibited consistent multidimensional comparative results, showcasing elevated levels of key active components such as water-soluble polysaccharides, flavonoids, and saponins. Considering both the quality and cultivation expenses of IWA, we recommend a cultivation duration of 6-8 years for growers. In conclusion, we established a novel multidimensional evaluation method to systematically characterize the quality of Astragali Radix, and provided a new scientific perspective for the artificial cultivation and quality assurance of Astragali Radix