CARLA-Loc: Synthetic SLAM Dataset with Full-stack Sensor Setup in Challenging Weather and Dynamic Environments

The robustness of SLAM algorithms in challenging environmental conditions is crucial for autonomous driving, but the impact of these conditions are unknown while given the difficulty of arbitrarily changing the relevant environmental parameters of the same environment in the real world. Therefore, we propose CARLA-Loc, a synthetic dataset of challenging and dynamic environments built on CARLA simulator. We integrate multiple sensors into the dataset with strict calibration, synchronization and precise timestamping. 7 maps and 42 sequences are posed in our dataset with different dynamic levels and weather conditions. Objects in both stereo images and point clouds are well-segmented with their class labels. We evaluate 5 visual-based and 4 LiDAR-based approaches on varies sequences and analyze the effect of challenging environmental factors on the localization accuracy, showing the applicability of proposed dataset for validating SLAM algorithms

Investigation of Glycated Shrimp Tropomyosin as a Hypoallergen for Potential Immunotherapy

Tropomyosin (TM) is the most important allergen in shrimps that could cause food allergy. Glycation is reported to be effective in reducing TM allergenicity and produce hypoallergen; however, up to now, there are very few reports on the potential of hypoallergenic glycated TM (GTM) as allergen immunotherapy for shrimp TM-induced food allergy. This study investigated the glycation of TM-produced hypoallergen and the immunotherapeutic efficacy of GTM + Al(OH)3 as potential allergen immunotherapy. Compared to TM, the TM glycated by glucose (TM-G), maltotriose (TM-MTS), maltopentaose (TM-MPS) and maltoheptaose (TM-MHS) had weaker allergy activation on mast cells and mouse model as a hypoallergen. However, the TM glycated by maltose (TM-M) insignificantly affected the allergenicity. In addition, the GTM absorbed into Al(OH)3 could be efficacious as potential allergen immunotherapy, particularly for the TM glycated by the saccharides having larger molecular size (e.g., TM-MHS), which could provide preclinical data to develop GTM + Al(OH)3 as a candidate immunotherapy for shrimp allergic patients

Insight Into the Conformational and Allergenicity Alterations of Shrimp Tropomyosin Induced by Sargassum Fusiforme Polyphenol

Tropomyosin (TM) is the main allergen in shrimp food. Algae polyphenol reportedly could affect the structures and allergenicity of shrimp TM. In this study, the alterations of conformational structures and allergenicity of TM induced by Sargassum fusiforme polyphenol (SFP) were investigated. Compared to TM, the conjugation of SFP to TM induced conformational structure instability, the IgG-binding capacity and IgE-binding capacity of TM gradually decreased with more conjugation of SFP to TM, and the conjugation of SFP to TM could significantly reduce degranulation, histamine secretion and release of IL-4 and IL-13 from RBL-2H3 mast cells. Therefore, the conjugation of SFP to TM led to conformational instability, significantly decreased the IgG-binding capacity and IgE-binding capacity, weakened the allergic responses of TM-stimulated mast cell, and performed in vivo anti-allergic properties in BALB/c mouse model. Therefore, SFP could serve as candidate natural anti-allergic substances to reduce shrimp TM-induced food allergy

Seafood Allergy: Allergen, Epitope Mapping and Immunotherapy Strategy

Seafoods are fashionable delicacies with high nutritional values and culinary properties, while seafood belongs to worldwide common food allergens. In recent years, many seafood allergens have been identified, while the diversity of various seafood species give a great challenge in identifying and characterizing seafood allergens, mapping IgE-binding epitopes and allergen immunotherapy development, which are critical for allergy diagnostics and immunotherapy treatments. This paper reviewed the recent progress on seafood (fish, crustacean, and mollusk) allergens, IgE-binding epitopes and allergen immunotherapy for seafood allergy. In recent years, many newly identified seafood allergens were reported, this work concluded the current situation of seafood allergen identification and designation by the World Health Organization (WHO)/International Union of Immunological Societies (IUIS) Allergen Nomenclature Sub-Committee. Moreover, this review represented the recent advances in identifying the IgE-binding epitopes of seafood allergens, which were helpful to the diagnosis, prevention and treatment for seafood allergy. Furthermore, the allergen immunotherapy could alleviate seafood allergy and provide promising approaches for seafood allergy treatment. This review represents the recent advances and future outlook on seafood allergen identification, IgE-binding epitope mapping and allergen immunotherapy strategies for seafood allergy prevention and treatment

<i>Bacillus licheniformis</i> FA6 Affects Zebrafish Lipid Metabolism through Promoting Acetyl-CoA Synthesis and Inhibiting β-Oxidation

The intestinal microbiota contributes to energy metabolism, but the molecular mechanisms involved remain less clear. Bacteria of the genus Bacillus regulate lipid metabolism in the host and are thus commonly used as beneficial probiotic supplements. In the present study, Bacillus licheniformis FA6 was selected to assess its role in modulating lipid metabolism of zebrafish (Danio rerio). Combining 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing, micro-CT scan, metabolic parameters measurement, and gene expression analysis, we demonstrated that B. licheniformis FA6 changed the gut microbiota composition of zebrafish and increased both the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and lipid accumulation. In terms of metabolites, B. licheniformis FA6 appeared to promote acetate production, which increased acetyl-CoA levels and promoted lipid synthesis in the liver. In contrast, addition of B. licheniformis lowered carnitine levels, which in turn reduced fatty acid oxidation in the liver. At a molecular level, B. licheniformis FA6 upregulated key genes regulating de novo fatty acid synthesis and downregulated genes encoding key rate-limiting enzymes of fatty acid β-oxidation, thereby promoting lipid synthesis and reducing fatty acid oxidation. Generally, our results reveal that B. licheniformis FA6 promotes lipid accumulation in zebrafish through improving lipid synthesis and reducing β-oxidation

Structure-Dependent Activity of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers and Their Hydroxylated Metabolites on Estrogen Related Receptor γ: in Vitro and in Silico Study

Estrogen-related receptor γ (ERRγ) is an orphan nuclear receptor having functional cross-talk with classical estrogen receptors. Here, we investigated whether ERRγ is a potential target of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and their hydroxylated metabolites (OH-PBDEs). By using a fluorescence competitive binding method established in our laboratory, the binding potencies of 30 PBDEs/OH-PBDEs with ERRγ were determined for the first time. All of the tested OH-PBDEs and some PBDEs bound to ERRγ with <i>K</i>_d values ranging from 0.13–13.61 μM. The OH-PBDEs showed much higher binding potency than their parent PBDEs. A quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) model was developed to analyze the chemical binding potencies in relation to their structural and chemical characteristics. The QSAR model indicated that the molecular size, relative ratios of aromatic atoms, and hydrogen bond donors and acceptors were crucial factors for PBDEs/OH-PBDEs binding. By using a reporter gene assay, we found that most of the low-brominated PBDEs/OH-PBDEs exerted agonistic activity toward ERRγ, while high-brominated PBDEs/OH-PBDEs had no effect on the basal ERRγ activity. The docking results showed that the low-brominated PBDEs/OH-PBDEs tended to take an agonistic binding mode while the high-brominated ones tended to take an antagonistic binding mode. Overall, our results suggest ERRγ to be a potential novel target for PBDEs/OH-PBDEs

Impact of climate factors and climate-gene interaction on systemic lupus erythematosus patients' response to glucocorticoids therapy

Background: Glucocorticoids (GCs) were the essential drugs for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, different patients differ substantially in their response to GCs treatment. Our current study aims at investigating whether climate variability and climate-gene interaction influence SLE patients' response to the therapy of GCs. Methods: In total, 778 SLE patients received therapy of GCs for a study of 12-week follow-up. The efficacy of GCs treatment was evaluated using the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index. The climatic data were provided by China Meteorological Data Service Center. Additive and multiplicative interactions were examined. Results: Compared with patients with autumn onset, the efficacy of GCs in patients with winter onset is relatively poor (ORadj = 1.805, 95%CIadj: 1.181–3.014, padj = 0.020). High mean relative humidity during treatment decreased the efficacy of GCs (ORadj = 1.033, 95%CIadj: 1.008–1.058, padj = 0.011), especially in female (ORadj = 1.039, 95%CIadj: 1.012–1.067, padj = 0.004). There was a significant interaction between sunshine during treatment and TRAP1 gene rs12597773 on GCs efficacy (Recessive model: AP = 0.770). No evidence of significant interaction was found between climate factors and the GR gene polymorphism on the improved GCs efficacy in the additive model. Multiplicative interaction was found between humidity in the month prior to treatment and GR gene rs4912905 on GCs efficacy (Dominant model: OR = 0.470, 95%CI: 0.244–0.905, p = 0.024). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that climate variability influences SLE patients' response to the therapy of GCs. Interactions between climate and TRAP1/GR gene polymorphisms were related to GCs efficacy. The results guide the individualized treatment of SLE patients.</p

CoMPARA : Collaborative Modeling Project for Androgen Receptor Activity

BACKGROUND: Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are xenobiotics that mimic the interaction of natural hormones and alter synthesis, transport, or metabolic pathways. The prospect of EDCs causing adverse health effects in humans and wildlife has led to the development of scientific and regulatory approaches for evaluating bioactivity. This need is being addressed using high-throughput screening (HTS) in vitro approaches and computational modeling. OBJECTIVES: In support of the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) led two worldwide consortiums to virtually screen chemicals for their potential estrogenic and androgenic activities. Here, we describe the Collaborative Modeling Project for Androgen Receptor Activity (CoMPARA) efforts, which follows the steps of the Collaborative Estrogen Receptor Activity Prediction Project (CERAPP). METHODS: The CoMPARA list of screened chemicals built on CERAPP's list of 32,464 chemicals to include additional chemicals of interest, as well as simulated ToxCast (TM) metabolites, totaling 55,450 chemical structures. Computational toxicology scientists from 25 international groups contributed 91 predictive models for binding, agonist, and antagonist activity predictions. Models were underpinned by a common training set of 1,746 chemicals compiled from a combined data set of 11 ToxCast (TM)/Tox21 HTS in vitro assays. RESULTS: The resulting models were evaluated using curated literature data extracted from different sources. To overcome the limitations of single-model approaches, CoMPARA predictions were combined into consensus models that provided averaged predictive accuracy of approximately 80% for the evaluation set. DISCUSSION: The strengths and limitations of the consensus predictions were discussed with example chemicals; then, the models were implemented into the free and open-source OPERA application to enable screening of new chemicals with a defined applicability domain and accuracy assessment. This implementation was used to screen the entire EPA DSSTox database of similar to 875,000 chemicals, and their predicted AR activities have been made available on the EPA CompTox Chemicals dashboard and National Toxicology Program's Integrated Chemical Environment