TOPIC: A Parallel Association Paradigm for Multi-Object Tracking under Complex Motions and Diverse Scenes

Video data and algorithms have been driving advances in multi-object tracking (MOT). While existing MOT datasets focus on occlusion and appearance similarity, complex motion patterns are widespread yet overlooked. To address this issue, we introduce a new dataset called BEE23 to highlight complex motions. Identity association algorithms have long been the focus of MOT research. Existing trackers can be categorized into two association paradigms: single-feature paradigm (based on either motion or appearance feature) and serial paradigm (one feature serves as secondary while the other is primary). However, these paradigms are incapable of fully utilizing different features. In this paper, we propose a parallel paradigm and present the Two rOund Parallel matchIng meChanism (TOPIC) to implement it. The TOPIC leverages both motion and appearance features and can adaptively select the preferable one as the assignment metric based on motion level. Moreover, we provide an Attention-based Appearance Reconstruct Module (AARM) to reconstruct appearance feature embeddings, thus enhancing the representation of appearance features. Comprehensive experiments show that our approach achieves state-of-the-art performance on four public datasets and BEE23. Notably, our proposed parallel paradigm surpasses the performance of existing association paradigms by a large margin, e.g., reducing false negatives by 12% to 51% compared to the single-feature association paradigm. The introduced dataset and association paradigm in this work offers a fresh perspective for advancing the MOT field. The source code and dataset are available at https://github.com/holmescao/TOPICTrack

Exosomes serve as tumour markers for personalized diagnostics owing to their important role in cancer metastasis

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License CC BY-NC 4.0 ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ ), permitting all non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.Exosomes, membrane vesicles of 40-100 nm in diameter, are derived from endosomes in various cells. The bioactive molecules specifically packed into exosomes can be horizontally transferred into recipient cells changing their biological properties, by which tumour cells continuously modify their surrounding microenvironment and distant target cells favouring cancer metastasis. It has been suspected for a long time that exosomes participate in the whole process of tumour metastasis. Although there is much unknown and many controversies in the role of cancer exosome, the major contribution of tumour-associated exosomes to different steps of cancer metastasis are demonstrated in this review. Mainly because these exosomes are easily accessible and capable of representing their parental cells, exosomes draw much attention as a promising biomarker for tumour screening, diagnosis and prognosis. Currently, researchers have found numerous biomarkers in exosomes with great potential to be utilized in personalized medicine. In this article, we summarize the roles of biomarkers, which are validated by clinical samples. Even though many conundrums remain, such as exosome extraction, large multicentre validation of biomarkers and data interpretation, exosomes are certain to be used in clinical practice in the near future as the field rapidly expands.Peer reviewedFinal Published versio

The molecular mechanism for inhibiting the growth of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells using polymethoxyflavonoids purified from pericarp of Citrus reticulata ‘Chachi’ via HSCCC

Polymethoxyflavonoids (PMFs), the main bioactive compounds naturally occurring in the pericarp of Citrus reticulata ‘Chachi’ (CRCP), possess significant antitumor action. However, the action of PMFs in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is currently unknown. The present research study was conducted to investigate the inhibitory mechanisms of PMFs from CRCP on NPC growth in vivo and in vitro. In our research, we used high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) to separate four PMFs (nobiletin (NOB), 3,5,6,7,8,3′,4′-heptamethoxyflavone (HMF), tangeretin (TGN), and 5-hydroxy-6,7,8,3′,4′-pentamethoxyflavone (5-HPMF)) from CRCP. CCK-8 assay was used to preliminarily screen cell viability following exposure to the four PMFs. Colony formation, Hoechst-33258 staining, transwell, and wound scratch assays were performed to assess the anti-proliferation, invasion, migration, and apoptosis-inducing effects of HMF on NPC cells. NPC tumors in xenograft tumor transplantation experiments were also established to explore the effect of HMF (100 and 150 mg/kg/day) on NPC. The histopathological changes in the treated rats were observed by H&E staining and Ki-67 detection by immunohistochemical techniques. The expressions of P70S6K, p-P70S6K, S6, p-S6, COX-2, p53, and p-p53 were measured by Western blot. The four PMFs were obtained with high purity (>95.0%). The results of the preliminary screening by CCK-8 assay suggested that HMF had the strongest inhibitory effect on NPC cell growth. The results of the colony formation, Hoechst-33258 staining, transwell, and wound scratch assays indicated that HMF had significant anti-proliferation, invasion, migration, and apoptosis-inducing ability in NPC cells. Moreover, HMF suppressed NPC tumor growth in xenograft tumor transplantation experiments. Further investigation suggested that HMF regulated NPC cells proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion by activating AMPK-dependent signaling pathways. In conclusion, HMF-induced AMPK activation inhibited NPC cell growth, invasion, and metastatic potency by downregulating the activation of the mTOR signaling pathway and COX-2 protein levels, as well as enhancing the p53 phosphorylation level. Our study provides a crucial experimental basis for the clinical treatment of NPC, as well as the development and utilization of PMFs from CRCP

Assessment of radiation exposure and public health before and after the operation of Sanmen nuclear power plant

IntroductionSanmen nuclear power plant (SNPP) operates the first advanced passive (AP1000) nuclear power unit in China.MethodsTo assess the radiological impacts of SNPP operation on the surrounding environment and the public health, annual effective dose (AED) and excess risk (ER) were estimated based on continuous radioactivity monitoring in drinking water and ambient dose before and after its operation during 2014–2021. In addition, the residents' cancer incidence was further analyzed through authorized health data collection.ResultsThe results showed that the gross α and gross β radioactivity in all types of drinking water were ranged from 0.008 to 0.017 Bq/L and 0.032 to 0.112 Bq/L, respectively. The cumulative ambient dose in Sanmen county ranged from 0.254 to 0.460 mSv/y, with an average of 0.354 ± 0.075 mSv/y. There is no statistical difference in drinking water radioactivity and ambient dose before and after the operation of SNPP according to Mann–Whitney U test. The Mann-Kendall test also indicates there is neither increasing nor decreasing trend during the period from 2014 to 2021. The age-dependent annual effective doses due to the ingestion of drinking water or exposure to the outdoor ambient environment are lower than the recommended threshold of 0.1 mSv/y. The incidence of cancer (include leukemia and thyroid cancer) in the population around SNPP is slightly higher than that in other areas, while it is still in a stable state characterized by annual percentage changes.DiscussionThe current comprehensive results show that the operation of SNPP has so far no evident radiological impact on the surrounding environment and public health, but continued monitoring is still needed in the future

Relationships of APOE genotypes with small RNA and protein cargo of brain tissue extracellular vesicles from patients with late-stage AD

Background and Objectives Variants of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene are the greatest known risk factors for sporadic Alzheimer disease (AD). Three major APOE isoform alleles, ϵ2, ϵ3, and ϵ4, encode and produce proteins that differ by only 1-2 amino acids but have different binding partner interactions. Whereas APOE ϵ2 is protective against AD relative to ϵ3, ϵ4 is associated with an increased risk for AD development. However, the role of APOE in gene regulation in AD pathogenesis has remained largely undetermined. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipid bilayer-delimited particles released by cells to dispose of unwanted materials and mediate intercellular communication, and they are implicated in AD pathophysiology. Brain-derived EVs (bdEVs) could act locally in the tissue and reflect cellular changes. To reveal whether APOE genotype affects EV components in AD brains, bdEVs were separated from patients with AD with different APOE genotypes for parallel small RNA and protein profile. Methods bdEVs from late-stage AD brains (BRAAK stages 5-6) from patients with APOE genotypes ϵ2/3 (n = 5), ϵ3/3 (n = 5), ϵ3/4 (n = 6), and ϵ4/4 (n = 6) were separated using our published protocol into a 10,000g pelleted extracellular fraction (10K) and a further purified EV fraction. Counting, sizing, and multiomic characterization by small RNA sequencing and proteomic analysis were performed for 10K, EVs, and source tissue. Results Comparing APOE genotypes, no significant differences in bdEV total particle concentration or morphology were observed. Overall small RNA and protein profiles of 10K, EVs, and source tissue also did not differ substantially between different APOE genotypes. However, several differences in individual RNAs (including miRNAs and tRNAs) and proteins in 10K and EVs were observed when comparing the highest and lowest risk groups (ϵ4/4 and ϵ2/3). Bioinformatic analysis and previous publications indicate a potential regulatory role of these molecules in AD. Discussion For patients with late-stage AD in this study, only a few moderate differences were observed for small RNA and protein profiles between APOE genotypes. Among these, several newly identified 10K and EV-associated molecules may play roles in AD progression. Possibly, larger genotype-related differences exist and are more apparent in or before earlier disease stages

Minimal information for studies of extracellular vesicles 2018 (MISEV2018):a position statement of the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles and update of the MISEV2014 guidelines

The last decade has seen a sharp increase in the number of scientific publications describing physiological and pathological functions of extracellular vesicles (EVs), a collective term covering various subtypes of cell-released, membranous structures, called exosomes, microvesicles, microparticles, ectosomes, oncosomes, apoptotic bodies, and many other names. However, specific issues arise when working with these entities, whose size and amount often make them difficult to obtain as relatively pure preparations, and to characterize properly. The International Society for Extracellular Vesicles (ISEV) proposed Minimal Information for Studies of Extracellular Vesicles (“MISEV”) guidelines for the field in 2014. We now update these “MISEV2014” guidelines based on evolution of the collective knowledge in the last four years. An important point to consider is that ascribing a specific function to EVs in general, or to subtypes of EVs, requires reporting of specific information beyond mere description of function in a crude, potentially contaminated, and heterogeneous preparation. For example, claims that exosomes are endowed with exquisite and specific activities remain difficult to support experimentally, given our still limited knowledge of their specific molecular machineries of biogenesis and release, as compared with other biophysically similar EVs. The MISEV2018 guidelines include tables and outlines of suggested protocols and steps to follow to document specific EV-associated functional activities. Finally, a checklist is provided with summaries of key points

Properties of the Long-Term Oscillations in the Middle Atmosphere Based on Observations from TIMED/SABER Instrument and FPI over Kelan

The properties of the long-term oscillations in the middle atmosphere have been investigated using the Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry (SABER) temperature data and Fabry–Perot interferometer (FPI) data. Results for SABER temperature show that the semiannual oscillation (SAO) has three amplitude maxima at altitudes of 45, 75, and 85 km, respectively, and shows prominent seasonal asymmetries there. The SAOs in the upper mesosphere (75 km) are out of phase with those in the mesopause (85 km) in the tropical regions, which can generate an enhancement of 11 K on average at each equinox, contributing to the lower mesospheric inversion layer (MIL). It is shown that stronger enhancement can be found at the spring equinox than at the autumn equinox. The triennial oscillation (TO) is significant in the tropical region. The spectral peak of the TO is probably a sub-peak of the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) and is due to modulation of QBO. In addition, there may be potential interaction of the TO with SAO at 85 km at the equator. The relation between ENSO and TO has also been discussed. The ENSO signal may modulate the amplitude of the TO, mainly in the lower stratosphere. The annual oscillation (AO) and SAO are analyzed over Kelan by FPI data. Generally, the amplitudes of FPI wind are smaller than those of the Horizontal Wind Model (HWM07). The comparison between FPI and TIMED Doppler Interferometer (TIDI) winds shows relatively large discrepancy. This may be due to the tidal aliasing in the nighttime results derived from the FPI data. Results also show that the algorithm to derive FPI temperature needs improvements

Cone-beam computed tomography evaluation of the maxillofacial features of patients with unilateral temporomandibular joint ankylosis undergoing condylar reconstruction with an autogenous coronoid process graft.

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the changes in the jaws and the upper airways of unilateral temporomandibular joint ankylosis patients who underwent condylar reconstruction via autogenous coronoid process grafts using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). STUDY DESIGN:The 27 included patients underwent CBCT examinations at three stages: T0 (within two weeks before surgery), T1 (two weeks after surgery), and T2 (an average of 13 months after surgery). Forty items related to the maxillofacial hard tissues and the upper airway collected at the three times and the coronoid process graft volumes after surgery were compared. RESULTS:Some integral items related to the mandibular hard tissues exhibited statistical difference shortly after surgery. Some integral items related to maxillofacial hard tissues changing obviously long period after surgery may result from graft remodeling. Asymmetry-related item regarding local neo-condyle and some airway items were significantly different between T0 and T1. Due to variations in graft remodeling, some related local asymmetry items and airway items differed significantly between T0 and T2. CONCLUSIONS:Anteriorly and inferiorly located neo-condyles and a trend toward the pronation of the mandible were observed and the narrowness of the upper airway was improved shortly after surgery. The grafts remodeled differently and some integral and asymmetry items related to neo-condyle changed. The improvements in the upper airway were slightly reduced

Transcriptomic analysis of B cells suggests that CD70 and LY9 may be novel features in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Dysfunction of B-cell subsets is critical in the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). There is a great diversity of B-lineage cells, and their features and functions in SLE need to be clarified. In this study, we analyzed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and bulk transcriptomic data of isolated B-cell subsets from patients with SLE and healthy controls (HCs). We preformed scRNA-seq analysis focused on the diversity of B-cell subsets and identified a subset of antigen-presenting B cells in SLE patients that highly expressed ITGAX. A list of marker genes of each B-cell subset in patients with SLE was also identified. Comparison of bulk transcriptomic data of isolated B-cell subpopulations between SLE patients and HCs revealed the upregulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) for each B-cell subpopulation in SLE. Common genes identified using these two methods were considered to be upregulated marker genes of B cells in SLE. The scRNA-seq data of SLE patients and HCs revealed that CD70 and LY9 were overexpressed in B cells vs. other cell types from SLE patients, and this pattern was validated by RT‒qPCR. Because CD70 is the cellular ligand of CD27, previous studies on CD70 have focused mainly on T cells from SLE patients. LY9 appears to have different functions in mice and humans: its expression is decreased in lupus-prone mice but is increased in T cells and some B-cell subpopulations in SLE patients. Here, we describe the overexpression of two costimulatory molecules, CD70 and LY9, which may be a novel feature of B cells in SLE patients