Lnclocator-imb: An Imbalance-tolerant Ensemble Deep Learning Framework for Predicting Long Non-coding RNA Subcellular Localization.

Recent studies have highlighted the critical roles of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in various biological processes, including but not limited to dosage compensation, epigenetic regulation, cell cycle regulation, and cell differentiation regulation. Consequently, lncRNAs have emerged as a central focus in genetic studies. The identification of the subcellular localization of lncRNAs is essential for gaining insights into crucial information about lncRNA interaction partners, post- or co-transcriptional regulatory modifications, and external stimuli that directly impact the function of lncRNA. Computational methods have emerged as a promising avenue for predicting the subcellular localization of lncRNAs. However, there is a need for additional enhancement in the performance of current methods when dealing with unbalanced data sets. To address this challenge, we propose a novel ensemble deep learning framework, termed lncLocator-imb, for predicting the subcellular localization of lncRNAs. To fully exploit lncRNA sequence information, lncLocator-imb integrates two base classifiers, including convolutional neural networks (CNN) and gated recurrent units (GRU). Additionally, it incorporates two distinct types of features, including the physicochemical pattern feature and the distributed representation of nucleic acids feature. To address the problem of poor performance exhibited by models when confronted with unbalanced data sets, we utilize the label-distribution-aware margin (LDAM) loss function during the training process. Compared with traditional machine learning models and currently available predictors, lncLocator-imb demonstrates more robust category imbalance tolerance. Our study proposes an ensemble deep learning framework for predicting the subcellular localization of lncRNAs. Additionally, a novel approach is presented for the management of different features and the resolution of unbalanced data sets. The proposed framework exhibits the potential to serve as a significant resource for various sequence-based prediction tasks, providing a versatile tool that can be utilized by professionals in the fields of bioinformatics and genetics.

Ultrasound Findings to Predict Risk of Recurrence in Pediatric Intussusception After Air Enema Reduction.

OBJECTIVES: Intussusception is one of the most common abdominal emergencies in early children. Intussusception recurs in 8-20% of children after successful nonoperative reduction. The aim of this study was to explore the ultrasound findings to predict risk of recurrence in pediatric intussusception after air enema reduction. METHODS: A total of 336 intussusception children were followed up for 1 year after received successful air enema reduction. They were divided into the recurrent group and the non-recurrent group. The differences of clinical characteristics, ultrasonic features, and laboratory tests were analyzed by univariate analyses and the Cox proportional hazard model. RESULTS: Sixty-five children with recurrent intussusception were identified. There were statistically significances in the diameter of the mass, in the presence or absence of enlarged lymph nodes out of the sleeve, and in the sleeve between recurrent and non-recurrent groups (P < .05). Other ultrasonic features, clinical characteristics, and blood parameters had no differences (P > .05). Multivariate Cox proportional hazard model showed that the diameter of the mass and abdominal lymph nodes may be the risk factors of intussusception recurrence (HR = 1.395, 95% CI: 1.045~1.863 and HR = 2.078, 95% CI: 1.118~3.865, P < .05). The cut-off value of mass diameter was 2.55 cm, above which recurrence is more likely. CONCLUSIONS: Intussusception recurrence was prone with greater mass diameter (>2.55 cm) and enlarged abdominal lymph nodes. Although these ultrasound findings for recurrence do not necessarily reduce the rate of recurrence, it can predict the recurrent possibility, and help the emergency physicians to be more vigilant in these children and better counsel parents upon discharge.

Surgical outcomes of bladder augmentation: A comparison of three different augmentation procedures.

BACKGROUND: Augmentation cystoplasty is indispensable in many pediatric diseases, especially neurogenic bladder. Various methods and materials are used to augment the bladder, and these methods are associated with different shortcomings and complications. AIM: The present study reported the mid-term outcomes of patients undergoing various bladder augmentation procedures in a single institution, and assessed whether seromuscular cystoplasty lined with urothelium (SCLU) provided better urodynamic results than auto-augmentation (AA). METHODS: A retrospective review of 96 patients undergoing various augmentation methods between 2003 and 2018 was performed. The patients were divided into three groups according to the type of augmentation, and their outcomes were compared. All patients developed neurogenic bladder due to myelomeningocele or sacrococcygeal teratoma. The clinical data of all patients were collected. RESULTS: The mean ages at surgery in the three groups (standard cystoplasty [SC], SCLU, AA) were 10.8, 7.5, and 4.8 years, respectively, with mean follow-ups of 36, 61, and 36 mo, respectively. The mean preoperative and postoperative bladder capacities of the SC, SCLU, and AA groups were 174 ± 11.7 vs. 387 ± 13.7 (P < 0.0001), 165 ± 12.2 vs. 240 ± 14.7 (P = 0.0002), and 138 ± 16.7 vs. 181 ± 9.9 (P = 0.0360), respectively. Compared with the AA group, the SCLU procedure did not have better postoperative urodynamic parameters. Incontinence was reduced in most patients. The mean times of clean intermittent catheterization per day in the SC, SCLU, and AA groups were 5.6, 7.8, and 8.2, respectively. The main complications of the SC group were recurrent urinary tract infections (8%) and bladder calculi (6%). Re-augmentation was done in patients in the SCLU (8) and AA (3) groups. CONCLUSION: SC provided sufficient bladder capacity and improved compliance with acceptable complications. After AA and SCLU, the patients acquired limited increases in bladder capacity and compliance with a high rate of re-augmentation. Compared with AA, SCLU did not yield better postoperative urodynamic parameters.

Expression of Bax/Bcl-2, TGF-ß1, and Type III Collagen Fiber in Congenital Muscular Torticollis.

BACKGROUND This study investigated the expression of Bax/Bcl-2, TGF-ß1 and type III collagen fiber in sternocleidomastoid of congenital muscular torticollis (CMT), and explored the possible mechanisms of fibrosis in sternocleidomastoid of CMT. MATERIAL AND METHODS The localization and expression of Bax, Bcl-2, TGF-ß1, and type III collagen were detected in the control group and experimental group by using immunohistochemical staining method. The RT-PCR assay was used to measure the expression of TGF-ß1 in the control group and experimental group. RESULTS HE staining results showed that the collagen fiber in the experimental group had more abundant hyperplasia compared to the control group (p<0.05). Immunohistochemical staining results showed that the expression of Bax, Bax/Bcl-2, TGF-ß1, and type III collagen in the experimental group was significantly increased compared to the control group (p<0.01). There were positive correlations between expression of Bax/Bcl-2 and TGF-b1, and between expression of TGF-ß1 and type III collagen fiber (p<0.05, r=0.32 and 0.83, respectively). The RT-PCR results showed that the expression of TGF-ß1 mRNA was also significantly elevated in the experimental group compared to the control group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Increased muscular apoptosis may aggravate the formation of muscular fibrosis, which may be involved in the pathogenesis of sternocleidomastoid of CMT.

Anthropometric growth study of the ear in a Chinese population.

BACKGROUND: A large number of anthropometric studies of the auricle have been reported in different nations, but little data were available in the Chinese population. The aim of this study was to analyze growth changes in the ear by measuring the width and length of ears in a Chinese population. METHODS: A total of 480 participants were enrolled and classified into 1-, 3-, 5-, 7-, 9-, 12-, 14-, and 18-year groups (half were boys and half were girls in each group). Ear length, ear width, body weight, and body length were measured and recorded; ear index was calculated according to ear length and ear width. The growth of auricle and differences between genders were analyzed. Growth of ear in relation to body height and weight and the degree of emphasis on the length and width of the auricle were also analyzed. RESULTS: Ear length and width increased with age. Ear length achieved its mature size in both 14-year-old males and females. Ear width reached its mature size in males at 7 years and in females at 5 years. Different trends of ear index were shown between males and females. People in this population paid more attention to the length than the width of the auricle. CONCLUSIONS: The data indicated that ear development followed increase in age. There were gender and ethnic difference in the development of ear. These results may have potential implications for the diagnosis of congenital malformations, syndromes, and planning of ear reconstruction surgery.

miR-506 suppresses neuroblastoma metastasis by targeting ROCK1.

Neuroblastoma is a complex form of cancer with highly heterogeneous clinical behavior that arises during childhood from precursor cells of the sympathetic nervous system. In patients with neuroblastoma, mortality often occurs as a result of metastasis. The disease predominantly spreads to bone marrow, with a survival rate of ~40%. The current study demonstrates that microRNA (miR)-506 directly targets and downregulates Rho-associated, coiled-coil containing protein kinase 1 (ROCK1) in transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß non-canonical pathways. It may be concluded that ROCK1 contributes to the invasion and migration of neuroblastoma cells by directly downregulating miR-506; thus, leading to the upregulation of ROCK1, which promotes cell invasion and migration. The present results provide a novel understanding of how miR-506 directly regulates TGF-ß non-canonical signaling.

[Evaluation of sphincter damage degree with anal endosonography for children with fecal incontinence].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the application of anal endosonography in the morphology of internal anal sphincter (IAS), external anal sphincter (EAS) and puborectalis (PR) in order to provide necessary information for analysis of the etiology of fecal incontinence and formulation of the therapeutic schedule. METHODS: From December 2010 to November 2012, 18 children of anorectal malformation (n=14) or Hirschsprung's disease(n=4) with fecal incontinence received anal endosonography. The morphology of IAS, EAS and PR was observed. The damage of anal sphincter was classified according to Starck criteria. Anorectal mamometry and anal clinical score were measured simultaneously. Spearman analysis was performed to examine the correlation of anal sphincter damage with anorectal mamometric score and anal clinical score. RESULTS: According to Starck criteria, anal sphincter damage was small in 11 children, moderate in 6, and severe in 1. PR damage was found in 4 cases. Starck score was positively correlated with manometric score(P<0.05), while not correlated with anal clinical score(P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Anal endosonography can clearly display the morphology of IAS, EAS and PR, and their integrity and damage degree. It is a very valuable technique to evaluate the anal sphincter of the children with fecal incontinence, which however can not reflect the function of anal sphincter and anal continence thoroughly.

[Magnetic resonance imaging of children with fecal incontinence after anoplasty for anorectal malformation and its clinical significance].

OBJECTIVE: To study the development of pelvic floor muscle, morphology and location of rectum and anal canal as well as morphology of spinal cord and sacrum based on pelvic magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) of children with fecal incontinence after anoplasty for anorectal malformation and to provide information on management of fecal incontinence. METHODS: Clinical and MRI data of 34 children with fecal incontinence after anoplasty for anorectal malformation in the Second Hospital of Shangdong University from September 2009 to December 2011 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 21 males and 13 females with the age of 3 to 14 years old. All the children underwent MRI detection. The morphology of external anal sphincter, puborectalis, ani levator, rectum and anal canal as well as the development of spinal cord and sacrum were observed using 1.5T MR scanner, including routine axial view, coronal view and sagittal view. RESULTS: MRI revealed that dysplasia of external anal sphincter, puborectalis and anilavatory were found in 18, 23 and 27 children, respectively. MRI also showed ectopia of rectum(n=6), dilation of rectum(n=12), increased anorectal angle(n=11), fat tissue around the anal canal(n=5), tethered cord syndrome(n=2), Currarino syndrome(n=2), sacrum dysplasia(n=11); and rectourethral fistula(n=2). The above MRI findings were confirmed by operation and clinical practice. CONCLUSIONS: MRI can provide clear morphology of external anal sphincter, puborectalis and ani lavatory, and location of rectum and anal canal as well as the development of spinal cord and sacrum. MRI is a valuable method to evaluate the children with fecal incontinence after anoplasty.

Efficacy of pelvic floor muscle training for the treatment of fecal incontinence after Soave procedure for Hirschsprung disease.

OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of pelvic floor muscle exercise for the treatment of fecal incontinence after Soave procedure for Hirschsprung disease (HD). METHODS: A case series study was performed in 24 incontinent children after Soave pull-through surgery for HD. Out of the 24 patients, 16 patients (training group) received pelvic floor muscle training while the other 8 patients (control group) did not receive further treatment. For children who received pelvic floor muscle training, biofeedback treatment was given for 2 weeks in hospital and they were then instructed to carry out pelvic floor muscle exercise at home. At the baseline and after 1 year of training, anorectal manometry was performed to measure resting anal canal pressure, squeeze pressure, and rectal sensation. Efficacy of pelvic floor muscle exercise for the treatment of postoperative fecal incontinence was evaluated by the difference between baseline and 1-year follow-up values. At the baseline, the characteristics of the incontinent children were also compared with 18 children who were performed Soave operation for HD and had normal anal function. RESULTS: Lower resting anal canal pressure distinguished the incontinent children from the continent ones. Resting pressure of the incontinent children was significantly improved by pelvic floor muscle exercise: the baseline and 1-year follow-up values of the treatment group were 18.6 ± 6.2 and 35.4 ± 8.7 mm Hg, respectively. Squeeze pressure and clinical outcomes were also improved after the pelvic floor muscle training: only 3 out of the 16 patients had occasional soiling after the training. No significant changes in clinical outcome and manometry measurements were observed in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The damage of internal anal sphincter might be one of the causes of fecal incontinence after Soave procedure. The damage of internal anal sphincter could be caused by lower level of dissection, vigorous anal dilation, and excessive anal canal traction during operation. Pelvic floor muscle training is one procedure of choice to treat this complaint.

Changes of lipid peroxidation in carbon disulfide-treated rat nerve tissues and serum.

To further elucidate the mechanism and determine the biomarker of neuropathy induced by carbon disulfide (CS(2)), we performed a longitudinal observational study of reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total antioxidative capacity (T-AOC) in rat cerebral cortex, hippocampus, spinal cord and serum after 0, 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks of CS(2) administration. CS(2) exposure was found to markedly increase ROS and MDA levels in cerebral cortex, hippocampus, spinal cord and serum of rats in both time and symptom-dependent manners. Although SOD activities slightly increased, there was a decrease in the GSH contents and GSH-Px, CAT activities in cerebral cortex, hippocampus, spinal cord and serum after 2, 4, 8 or 12 weeks' CS(2) intoxication and at gait score of 2, 3, or 4. The activities of T-AOC also decreased in all three nerve tissues and serum as time went on and symptom developed. Furthermore, significant correlations between LPO and gait abnormality were observed as symptom developed. Oxidation stress also resulted in Ca(2+) concentrations and calmodulin (CaM) levels increases in cerebral cortex, hippocampus and spinal cord. Thus, CS(2) intoxication was associated with elevation of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and reduction of antioxidant status, and the time and symptom-dependent changes of these indexes in rats' nerve tissues and serum suggested that ROS and concomitant LPO, at least in part, were involved in CS(2)-induced neuropathy.