An Element-Wise Weights Aggregation Method for Federated Learning

Federated learning (FL) is a powerful Machine Learning (ML) paradigm that enables distributed clients to collaboratively learn a shared global model while keeping the data on the original device, thereby preserving privacy. A central challenge in FL is the effective aggregation of local model weights from disparate and potentially unbalanced participating clients. Existing methods often treat each client indiscriminately, applying a single proportion to the entire local model. However, it is empirically advantageous for each weight to be assigned a specific proportion. This paper introduces an innovative Element-Wise Weights Aggregation Method for Federated Learning (EWWA-FL) aimed at optimizing learning performance and accelerating convergence speed. Unlike traditional FL approaches, EWWA-FL aggregates local weights to the global model at the level of individual elements, thereby allowing each participating client to make element-wise contributions to the learning process. By taking into account the unique dataset characteristics of each client, EWWA-FL enhances the robustness of the global model to different datasets while also achieving rapid convergence. The method is flexible enough to employ various weighting strategies. Through comprehensive experiments, we demonstrate the advanced capabilities of EWWA-FL, showing significant improvements in both accuracy and convergence speed across a range of backbones and benchmarks

Slc39a7/zip7 Plays a Critical Role in Development and Zinc Homeostasis in Zebrafish

Background: Slc39a7/Zip7, also known as Ke4, is a member of solute carrier family 39 (Slc39a) and plays a critical role in regulating cell growth and death. Because the function of Zip7 in vivo was unclear, the present study investigated the function of zip7 in vertebrate development and zinc metabolism using zebrafish as a model organism. Principal Finding: Using real-time PCR to determine the gene expression pattern of zip7 during zebrafish development, we found that zip7 mRNA is expressed throughout embryonic development and into maturity. Interestingly, whole mount in situ hybridization revealed that while zip7 mRNA is ubiquitously expressed until 12 hours post-fertilization (hpf); at 24 hpf and beyond, zip7 mRNA was specifically detected only in eyes. Morpholino-antisense (MO) gene knockdown assay revealed that downregulation of zip7 expression resulted in several morphological defects in zebrafish including decreased head size, smaller eyes, shorter palates, and shorter and curved spinal cords. Analysis by synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence (SR-XRF) showed reduced concentrations of zinc in brain, eyes, and gills of zip7-MO-injected embryos. Furthermore, incubation of the zip7 knockdown embryos in a zinc-supplemented solution was able to rescue the MO-induced morphological defects. Significance: Our data suggest that zip7 is required for eye, brain, and skeleton formation during early embryonic development in zebrafish. Moreover, zinc supplementation can partially rescue defects resulting from zip7 gene knockdown. Taken together, our data provide critical insight into a novel function of zip7 in development and zinc homeostasis in vivo in zebrafish

Celastrol nanoparticles inhibit corneal neovascularization induced by suturing in rats

Zhanrong Li1, Lin Yao1, Jingguo Li2, Wenxin Zhang1, Xianghua Wu1, Yi Liu1, Miaoli Lin1, Wenru Su1, Yongping Li1, Dan Liang11State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, 2School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of ChinaPurpose: Celastrol, a traditional Chinese medicine, is widely used in anti-inflammation and anti-angiogenesis research. However, the poor water solubility of celastrol restricts its further application. This paper aims to study the effect of celastrol nanoparticles (CNPs) on corneal neovascularization (CNV) and determine the possible mechanism.Methods: To improve the hydrophilicity of celastrol, celastrol-loaded poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(ε-caprolactone) nanopolymeric micelles were developed. The characterization of CNPs was measured by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy analysis. Celastrol loading content and release were assessed by ultraviolet-visible analysis and high performance liquid chromatography, respectively. In vitro, human umbilical vein endothelial cell proliferation and capillary-like tube formation were assayed. In vivo, suture-induced CNV was chosen to evaluate the effect of CNPs on CNV in rats. Immunohistochemistry for CD68 assessed the macrophage infiltration of the cornea on day 6 after surgery. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to evaluate the messenger ribonucleic acid and protein levels, respectively, of vascular endothelial growth factor, matrix metalloproteinase 9, and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 in the cornea.Results: The mean diameter of CNPs with spherical shape was 48 nm. The celastrol loading content was 7.36%. The release behavior of CNPs in buffered solution (pH 7.4) showed a typical two-phase release profile. CNPs inhibited the proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells in a dose-independent manner and suppressed the capillary structure formation. After treatment with CNPs, the length and area of CNV reduced from 1.16 ± 0.18 mm to 0.49 ± 0.12 mm and from 7.71 ± 0.94 mm2 to 2.29 ± 0.61 mm2, respectively. Macrophage infiltration decreased significantly in the CNP-treated corneas. CNPs reduced the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, matrix metalloproteinase 9, and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 in the cornea on day 6 after suturing.Conclusion: CNPs significantly inhibited suture-induced CNV by suppressing macrophage infiltration and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and matrix metalloproteinase 9 in the rat cornea.Keywords: celastrol, PEG-b-PCL nanopolymeric micelles, corneal neovascularization, macrophages, VEGF, MMP-

Correlation of 3'-phosphoadenosine-5'-phosphosulfate synthase 1 (PAPSS1) expression with clinical parameters and prognosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Background. In recent years, 3'- phosphoadenosine-5'-phosphosulfate synthase 1 (PAPSS1) has been found to be highly expressed in some cancers and significantly associated with prognosis. Nevertheless, the role of PAPSS1 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is poorly understood. Methods. In this study, PAPSS1 expression in ESCC samples was researched through real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), immunohistochemistry (IHC), and western blot (WB) techniques. siRNA technology was then used to inhibit PAPSS1 expression in ESCC cells, and cytologic tests were conducted to research gene affection on cell apoptosis, proliferation, and migration. Then, the expression of Bcl2, Ki67, and Snail was detected using qPCR and WB tests. These experimental data were analyzed by GraphPad software, where the P-value <0.05 was statistically significant. Results. The results showed that PAPSS1 expression level in ESCC tissues was higher than in the adjacent tissues. The data also showed that PAPSS1 was significantly correlated with N stage, and that the patients with high expressions had longer survival time. After transfection for 48 hours, the cell apoptosis rate of siRNA-PAPSS1 transfected groups decreased significantly, whereas the cell proliferation rate and migration ability increased relative to the control. At the same time, the expression levels of Bcl2, Ki67 and Snail were all upregulated by siRNA-PAPSS1. PAPSS1, however, was suppressed. Conclusions. PAPSS1 may be an ESCC suppressor gene, and its specific molecular mechanism in ESCC needs to be further studied

A study on the treatment effects of Crataegus pinnatifida polysaccharide on non-alcoholic fatty liver in mice by modulating gut microbiota

The objective of this study was to investigate the protective effect of Crataegus pinnatifida polysaccharide (CPP) on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) in mice. The findings demonstrated that CPP improved free fatty acid (FFA)-induced lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells and effectively reduced liver steatosis and epididymal fat weight in NAFLD mice, as well as decreased serum levels of TG, TC, AST, ALT, and LDL-C. Furthermore, CPP exhibited inhibitory effects on the expression of fatty acid synthesis genes FASN and ACC while activating the expression of fatty acid oxidation genes CPT1A and PPARα. Additionally, CPP reversed disturbances in intestinal microbiota composition caused by HFD consumption. CPP decreased the firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, increased Akkermansia abundance, and elevated levels of total short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) content specifically butyric acid and acetic acid. Our results concluded that CPP may intervene in the development of NAFLD by regulating of intes-tinal microbiota imbalance and SCFAs production. Our study highlights that CPP has a potential to modulate lipid-related pathways via alterations to gut microbiome composition thereby ex-erting inhibitory effects on obesity and NAFLD development

Use of Praziquantel as an Adjuvant Enhances Protection and Tc-17 Responses to Killed H5N1 Virus Vaccine in Mice

BACKGROUND: H5N1 is a highly pathogenic influenza A virus, which can cause severe illness or even death in humans. Although the widely used killed vaccines are able to provide some protection against infection via neutralizing antibodies, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responses that are thought to eradicate viral infections are lacking. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Aiming to promote cytotoxic responses against H5N1 infection, we extended our previous finding that praziquantel (PZQ) can act as an adjuvant to induce IL-17-producing CD8(+) T cells (Tc17). We found that a single immunization of 57BL/6 mice with killed viral vaccine plus PZQ induced antigen-specific Tc17 cells, some of which also secreted IFN-γ. The induced Tc17 had cytolytic activities. Induction of these cells was impaired in CD8 knockout (KO) or IFN-γ KO mice, and was even lower in IL-17 KO mice. Importantly, the inoculation of killed vaccine with PZQ significantly reduced virus loads in the lung tissues and prolonged survival. Protection against H5N1 virus infection was obtained by adoptively transferring PZQ-primed wild type CD8(+) T cells and this was more effective than transfer of activated IFN-γ KO or IL-17 KO CD8(+) T cells. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Our results demonstrated that adding PZQ to killed H5N1 vaccine could promote broad Tc17-mediated cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity, resulting in improved control of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus infection

The International Multidisciplinary Classification of Lung Adenocarcinoma from IASLC/ATS/ERS and Problems in Clinical Practice

The international multidisciplinary classification of lung adenocarcinoma sponsored by International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer/American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society in 2011, addresses the classification which is appropriate for resection specimens, small biopsies and cytology, respectively for the first time. For resection specimens, new concepts are introduced such as adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) and minimally invasive adenocarcinoma (MIA); Invasive adenocarcinomas are recommended to be classified by comprehensive histologic pattern. During the clinical practice, pathologists and clinicians have some confusions in understanding and application of to the new guideline to some extent. This paper will interpret this new guideline, discuss and analyze the issues that need to be noticed in clinical application

A spatial evaluation method for earthquake disaster using optimized BP neural network model

AbstractRapid spatial evaluation of seismic disaster after earthquake occurrence is required in disaster emergency rescue management, because of its importance in decreasing casualties and property losses. Among many categories of seismic disaster, evaluation of earthquake-affected population is of great significance to clarify the severity of earthquake disaster. For simple classic regression model, it is difficult to describe the strong nonlinear relationship between multiple influencing factors and earthquake disasters. In present study, an optimized BP neural network model considering spatial characteristic of influencing factors is proposed to evaluate the population distribution affected by earthquake. The correlation between earthquake-affected population and influencing factors is analysed using data of 2013 Ms7.0 Lushan earthquake. Ten influencing factors including elevation, slope angle, population density, per capita GDP, distance to fault, distance to river, NDVI, PGA, PGV, and distance to the epicentre, were classified into environmental and seismic factors. Correlation analysis revealed that per capita GDP and PGA factor had a stronger correlation with the earthquake-affected population. The earthquake-affected population was evaluated using a BP neural network by optimizing training samples considering spatial characteristics of per capita GDP and PGA factors. Different numbers of sample points, instead of a random distribution of sample points, were generated in areas with different value intervals of the influencing factors. The optimized samples improved the convergence speed and generalization capability of neuron network compared to random samples. The trained network was applied to the 2017 Ms7.0 Jiuzhaigou earthquake to verify its prediction accuracy. The MAE of the estimated earthquake-affected populations of different counties under Jiuzhaigou earthquake were 1.276 people/km2 using network model from optimized samples, smaller than the results of network model from random samples and linear regression model. The results indicate that BP neural network, which considers correlation characteristics of factors, has capability to evaluate spatial earthquake disaster