Multi-quasi-synchronization of coupled fractional-order neural networks with delays via pinning impulsive control

Abstract We investigate the collective dynamics of multi-quasi-synchronization of coupled fractional-order neural networks with delays. Using the pinning impulsive strategy, we design a novel controller to pin the coupled networks to realize the multi-quasi-synchronization. Based on the comparison principle and mathematical analysis, we derive some novel criteria of the multi-quasi-synchronization. Moreover, we discuss the effects of coupling strength and pinning control matrix. Finally, some simulation examples show the effectiveness of the presented results

A fast and efficient procedure to produce scFvs specific for large macromolecular complexes

We have expanded the application of antibody phage display to a new type of antigen: ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes. We describe a simple and efficient method for screening antibodies specific for large intact RNPs and individual components. We also describe a fast and easy method to overcome the abundance of amber stop codons in the positive phage clones. The resulting antibodies have been used in ELISA and Western blot analysis

Study on Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Regimens among Men Who Have Sex with Men: A Prospective Cohort Study

Background: There are limited studies on the medication regimen of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China. This study compared the effectiveness of and adherence to two prophylactic HIV medication regimens, which provided evidence and guidance for the application and promotion of the PrEP strategy in the MSM population in China. Methods: We conducted an open, non-randomized, multicenter, parallel, controlled clinical intervention study in western China. Subjects were recruited by convenience sampling at research centers in Chongqing, Guangxi, Xinjiang and Sichuan, China from April 2013 to March 2015, and they were categorized into the daily PrEP, event-driven and blank control groups. Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF; 300 mg/dose) was administered to subjects in the daily PrEP and event-driven groups, and all subjects were followed up every 12 weeks for 96 weeks. Demographic, behavioral, psychological characteristics and AIDS-related attitudes were assessed using self-completed questionnaires. TDF serum concentrations in subjects in Chongqing and Sichuan were quantified after systematic sampling. Results: Of the 2422 enrolled MSM, 856 were eligible for statistical analysis (PrEP group: 385 and event-driven group: 471); 30 and 32 subjects in daily PrEP and event-driven groups, respectively, were HIV-positive; the incidence of HIV infection was as follows: daily PrEP group, 6.60 cases/100 person-years and event-driven group, 5.57 cases/100 person-years (relative risk (RR) 95% confidence interval (CI) was 0.844 (0.492–1.449)); HIV incidence did not differ significantly when stratified by medication adherence or sites. When the medication adherence rate was ≥80%, the median TDF serum concentrations were 0.458 mg/L, and 0.429 mg/L in the daily PrEP, and event-driven groups, respectively (not significant; p > 0.05); Subjects who were in the event-driven PrEP group (OR = 2.152, 95% CI: 1.566–2.957), had fewer male sexual partners in the last two weeks (OR = 0.685, 95% CI: 0.563–0.834), were one year older on average (OR = 1.022, 95% CI: 1.002–1.043), considered that medication kept them safe, were less worried about others knowing they took medicine and were more likely to have high adherence. Conclusions: The efficacies of daily TDF and event-driven TDF use were not significantly different in preventing new infections among HIV-negative MSM. Event-driven TDF use is economical and effective and is worth popularizing. Our results provide evidence for the application and promotion of the PrEP strategy in the MSM population in China

Hsa-miR-331-3p inhibits VHL expression by directly targeting its mRNA 3'-UTR in HCC cell lines

Dysregulation of miRNA is widely involved in human cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Array data for miRNAs indicated that miR-331-3p might be one of the disorderly expressed miRNAs in HCC cell lines, but the function of miR-331-3p in HCC remains unclear. In this study, quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) results indicated that miR-331-3p was up-regulated in HepG2.2.15 cells, Ad-HBV-HepG2 cells and pCH9/3091transfected SMMC7721 cells compared with their control group, respectively. miRNA target prediction software was used, and VHL was found to be one of the target genes of miR-331-3p. qRT-PCR and western blot analysis indicated VHL expression was decreased when miR-331-3p was over-expressed and increased when miR-331-3p was inhibited in SMMC7721 cells. The luciferase reporter activity was inhibited in SMMC7721 cells when co-transfected with miR-331-3p expression vector and VHL 3'-UTR wild type vector and increased in HepG2.2.15 transfected with miR-331-3p inhibitor compared to its control group respectively. When co-transfected with miR-331-3p expression vector and VHL 3'-UTR mutated type vector in SMMC7721 cells the luciferase reporter activity was recovered. All of these results show that HBV up-regulated miR-331-3p expression in HCC cell lines and miR-331-3p could inhibit VHL expression by directly targeting its 3'-UTR. This provided useful information in exploring the mechanism of HCC induced by HBV infection