Efficient synchronous retrieval of OAM modes and AT strength using multi-task neural networks.

Encoding information using OAM beams as carriers greatly alleviates the capacity crisis in communication systems. When transmitted through the atmospheric channel, OAM beams are influenced by the random fluctuations in the refractive index caused by atmospheric turbulence, resulting in phase distortion and intensity dispersion of the beams, leading to severe signal interference. Due to the high randomness of atmospheric turbulence, it is essential for OAM mode recognition methods to have good stability to ensure communication quality. We establish an equivalence relationship between the continuous dynamics system and the network unit RUEM, ensuring its stability through theoretical derivation and numerical experiments. We propose a multitask neural network model, OATNN, embedded with RUEM to achieve efficient simultaneous recognition of turbulence intensity in atmospheric turbulence environments and OAM modes in free-space optical communication systems. Numerical experimental results show that under four turbulence intensity levels, the network achieves a recognition accuracy of 99.37%, and for ten modes, the recognition accuracy is 99.05%. Additionally, we explore the performance of this network in a 2000m channel transmission scenario.

Data-driven assessment of immune evasion and dynamic Zero-COVID policy on fast-spreading Omicron in Changchun.

Due to its immune evasion capability, the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant was declared a variant of concern by the World Health Organization. The spread of Omicron in Changchun (i.e., the capital of Jilin province in northeast of China) during the spring of 2022 was successfully curbed under the strategy of a dynamic Zero-COVID policy. To evaluate the impact of immune evasion on vaccination and other measures, and to understand how the dynamic Zero-COVID measure stopped the epidemics in Changchun, we establish a compartmental model over different stages and parameterized the model with actual reported data. The model simulation firstly shows a reasonably good fit between our model prediction and the data. Second, we estimate the testing rate in the early stage of the outbreak to reveal the real infection size. Third, numerical simulations show that the coverage of vaccine immunization in Changchun and the regular nucleic acid testing could not stop the epidemic, while the 'non-pharmaceutical' intervention measures utilized in the dynamic Zero-COVID policy could play significant roles in the containment of Omicron. Based on the parameterized model, numerical analysis demonstrates that if one wants to achieve epidemic control by fully utilizing the effect of 'dynamic Zero-COVID' measures, therefore social activities are restricted to the minimum level, and then the economic development may come to a halt. The insight analysis in this work could provide reference for infectious disease prevention and control measures in the future.

Flanking N- and C-terminal domains of PrsA in Streptococcus suis type 2 are crucial for inducing cell death independent of TLR2 recognition.

Streptococcus suis type 2 (SS2), a major emerging/re-emerging zoonotic pathogen found in humans and pigs, can cause severe clinical infections, and pose public health issues. Our previous studies recognized peptidyl-prolyl isomerase (PrsA) as a critical virulence factor promoting SS2 pathogenicity. PrsA contributed to cell death and operated as a pro-inflammatory effector. However, the molecular pathways through which PrsA contributes to cell death are poorly understood. Here in this study, we prepared the recombinant PrsA protein and found that pyroptosis and necroptosis were involved in cell death stimulated by PrsA. Specific pyroptosis and necroptosis signalling inhibitors could significantly alleviate the fatal effect. Cleaved caspase-1 and IL-1ß in pyroptosis with phosphorylated MLKL proteins in necroptosis pathways, respectively, were activated after PrsA stimulation. Truncated protein fragments of enzymatic PPIase domain (PPI), N-terminal (NP), and C-terminal (PC) domains fused with PPIase, were expressed and purified. PrsA flanking N- or C-terminal but not enzymatic PPIase domain was found to be critical for PrsA function in inducing cell death and inflammation. Additionally, PrsA protein could be anchored on the cell surface to interact with host cells. However, Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) was not implicated in cell death and recognition of PrsA. PAMPs of PrsA could not promote TLR2 activation, and no rescued phenotypes of death were shown in cells blocking of TLR2 receptor or signal-transducing adaptor of MyD88. Overall, these data, for the first time, advanced our perspective on PrsA function and elucidated that PrsA-induced cell death requires its flanking N- or C-terminal domain but is dispensable for recognizing TLR2. Further efforts are still needed to explore the precise molecular mechanisms of PrsA-inducing cell death and, therefore, contribution to SS2 pathogenicity.

Recursive Zero-COVID model and quantitation of control efforts of the Omicron epidemic in Jilin province.

Since the beginning of March 2022, the epidemic due to the Omicron variant has developed rapidly in Jilin Province. To figure out the key controlling factors and validate the model to show the success of the Zero-COVID policy in the province, we constructed a Recursive Zero-COVID Model quantifying the strength of the control measures, and defined the control reproduction number as an index for describing the intensity of interventions. Parameter estimation and sensitivity analysis were employed to estimate and validate the impact of changes in the strength of different measures on the intensity of public health preventions qualitatively and quantitatively. The recursive Zero-COVID model predicted that the dates of elimination of cases at the community level of Changchun and Jilin Cities to be on April 8 and April 17, respectively, which are consistent with the real situation. Our results showed that the strict implementation of control measures and adherence of the public are crucial for controlling the epidemic. It is also essential to strengthen the control intensity even at the final stage to avoid the rebound of the epidemic. In addition, the control reproduction number we defined in the paper is a novel index to measure the intensity of the prevention and control measures of public health.

Cholesterol efflux regulator ABCA1 exerts protective role against high shear stress-induced injury of HBMECs via regulating PI3K/Akt/eNOS signaling.

BACKGROUND: In brain, microvascular endothelial cells are exposed to various forces, including shear stress (SS). However, little is known about the effects of high shear stress (HSS) on human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs) and the underlying mechanism. The cholesterol efflux regulator ATP-binding cassette subfamily A member 1 (ABCA1) has been demonstrated to exert protective effect on HBMECs. However, whether ABCA1 is involved in the mechanism underneath the effect of HSS on HBMECs remains obscure. In the present study, a series of experiments were performed to better understand the effect of HSS on cellular processes of HBMECs and the possible involvement of ABCA1 and PI3K/Akt/eNOS in the underlying mechanisms. RESULTS: HBMECs were subjected to physiological SS (PSS) or high SS (HSS). Cell migration was evaluated using Transwell assay. Apoptotic HBMECs were detected by flow cytometry or caspase3/7 activity. IL-1ß, IL-6, MCP-1 and TNF-α levels were measured by ELISA. RT-qPCR and western blotting were used for mRNA and protein expression detection, respectively. ROS and NO levels were detected using specific detection kits. Compared to PSS, HBMECs exhibited decreased cell viability and migration and increased cell apoptosis, increased levels of inflammatory cytokines, and improved ROS and NO productions after HSS treatment. Moreover, HSS downregulated ABCA1 but upregulated the cholesterol efflux-related proteins MMP9, AQP4, and CYP46 and activated PI3K/Akt/eNOS pathway. Overexpression of ABCA1 in HBMECS inhibited PI3K/Akt/eNOS pathway and counteracted the deleterious effects of HSS. Contrary effects were observed by ABCA1 silencing. Inhibiting PI3K/Akt/eNOS pathway mimicked ABCA1 effects, suggesting that ABCA1 protects HBMECs from HSS via PI3K/Akt/eNOS signaling. CONCLUSION: These results advanced our understanding on the mechanisms of HSS on HBMECs and potentiated ABCA1/PI3K/Akt/eNOS pathway as therapeutic target for cerebrovascular diseases.

Epidemiology of childhood trauma and its association with insomnia and psychotic-like experiences in Chinese Zhuang adolescents.

Background: Adolescents who have experienced childhood trauma are more likely to have insomnia and psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) than adolescents from other ethnic groups. However, little is known about the youth of ethnic minorities. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiology of childhood trauma and its relationship with insomnia and PLEs in Chinese Zhuang adolescents, focusing on the role of a specific type of trauma and accumulation. Methods: A questionnaire of Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form (CTQ-SF), Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), and Chinese Version Community assessment psychic experiences-8 (CCAPE- 8) were all completed by 1,493 Chinese Zhuang adolescents. Chi-square and multivariate logistic regression analyses examined the association between childhood trauma and insomnia/PLEs. Results: The incidences of emotional abuse (EA), physical abuse (PA), sexual abuse (SA), emotional neglect (EN), and physical neglect (PN) occurred at rates of 5.63, 5.02, 6.56, 23.98, and 33.15%, respectively. EA, SA, EN, and PN were all positively related to insomnia (OR: 1.314-7.720, all p < 0.05). EA and SA were positively associated with PLEs (OR: 2.131-3.202, all p < 0.001). Adolescents who had experienced three or more types of traumas were more likely to have insomnia (OR = 6.961, p < 0.001) and PLEs (OR = 3.558, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The most common type of childhood trauma is PN. Childhood trauma has the primary effect on insomnia/PLE. A significant dose-response relationship was found between Childhood trauma and insomnia/ PLEs. This association varied depending on the type and accumulation of exposure.

The relationship between childhood trauma and depressive symptom among Zhuang adolescents: Mediating and moderating effects of cognitive emotion regulation strategies.

Background: Not all adolescents who have endured childhood trauma will develop depressive symptom, nor will they all experience the same level of depressive symptom. According to previous research, cognitive emotion regulation strategies may explain a portion of the variance. Observe the connection between childhood trauma and depressive symptom and investigate whether cognitive emotion regulation strategies mediate or moderate this association. Methods: In October 2019, a cross-sectional study measuring childhood trauma, cognitive emotion regulation strategies, and depressive symptom among Zhuang adolescents was done in one senior high school and two junior highs in Chongzuo, Guangxi, China, using a self-report questionnaire. To examine the hypothesis of mediating and moderating effects, SPSS PROCESS was utilized. Results: In this study, there was a positive relationship between childhood trauma and depressive symptom, whereas there were positive correlations between expressive suppression and childhood trauma and depressive symptom (r = 0.380, 0.246, and 0.089, respectively, p < 0.01). The 5,000-sample bootstrap procedure revealed that the indirect relationship between the independent variable (childhood trauma or emotional abuse) and the dependent variable (depressive symptom) was statistically significant (ß = 0.0154 95% CI: 0.0019, 0.0165, ß = 0.0442 95% CI: 0.0008, 0.0117). The statistical significance of the interaction effect enhanced the R-square value of the moderating effect when the independent variable was the total childhood trauma score (ΔR2 = 0.0044, 0.0089). Conclusions: Our findings corroborated the conclusion of prior research that cognitive emotion regulation strategies mediate and moderate the development of depressive symptom. Although we demonstrate that cognitive emotion regulation strategies play a mediating and moderating role in the relationships between childhood trauma and depressive symptom, the mediating effects on the relationships between the other types of childhood traumas, including physical abuse and neglect, sexual abuse, emotional neglect, and depressive symptom, did not emerge.

Effects of Ganoderic Acid A on Gastrointestinal Motility and Brain-Gut Peptide in Rats with Functional Dyspepsia.

Objective: The therapeutic effect of drugs for functional dyspepsia (FD) is still limited. Ganoderic acid A (GAA) has anti-inflammatory and cellular protective activities. The aim of this study is to explore the therapeutic effect of GAA on FD. Methods: The FD rat model was established via tail damping and forced exercise fatigue. The gastric emptying rate and intestinal propulsion rate of the rats in each group were then detected, and the pathological damage of gastric antrum and duodenum tissues was observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was conducted to determine the levels of motilin (MTL), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), leptin, gastrin (GAS), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and somatostatin (SS) in plasma, and Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of occludin, zonula occluden-1 (ZO-1), and junctional adhesion molecule-1 (JAM-1) in the duodenal tissue. Results: Treatment with GAA significantly raised the gastric emptying rate and intestinal propulsion rate of FD rats and histologically alleviated the gastric and duodenal damage. Meanwhile, GAA positively regulated the secretion of brain-gut proteins, such as upregulation of MTL, GAS, and SS and downregulation of VIP, leptin, and CGRP. In addition, GAA treatment increased the protein expression levels of occludin, ZO-1, and JAM-1 in the duodenal tissue of the FD rats. Conclusion: GAA may exhibit protective effects on FD by regulating the secretion of brain-gut peptide, protecting the intestinal barrier and improving gastrointestinal motility.

[Geniposide inhibits hepatic fibrosis and hepatic stellate cell activation through blocking the TGF-ß1/Smad signaling pathway].

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Geniposide on hepatic fibrosis and activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and to explore possible underlying mechanism. Human HSCs (LX-2) were treated with 5 ng/mL transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1), followed by co-culture with Geniposide at various concentrations (0, 1, 2.5, 5, 10, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100 µmol/L). Cell viability was determined by MTT assay. Then, LX-2 cells were divided into control, TGF-ß1 (5 ng/mL) and TGF-ß1 + Geniposide (20 µmol/L) groups, and the gene and protein expression of collagen I, fibronectin, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), p-Smad2 and p-Smad3 was detected by qPCR and Western blot, respectively. BALB/c mice were treated with CCl4 (25%, 1 mL/kg) to generate a model of hepatic fibrosis (CCl4 group), and the control group and CCl4 + Geniposide group were administered with olive oil and CCl4 + 40 mg/kg Geniposide, respectively. After 4 weeks of treatment, the liver function and serum hepatic fibrosis indexes of mice were detected, histological observation was performed by HE and Masson staining, and α-SMA expression in the tissue was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Western blot was utilized for the determination of the protein expression of α-SMA, TGF-ß1, p-Smad2 and p-Smad3. The results showed that Geniposide inhibited LX-2 cell proliferation. In addition, Geniposide significantly downregulated the gene and protein expression of collagen I, fibronectin and α-SMA and the expression of TGF-ß1/Smad signaling-related proteins induced by TGF-ß1 in vitro. Histological observations showed that Geniposide significantly inhibited CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis, HSC activation and expression of TGF-ß1/Smad signaling-related proteins in mice. In summary, Geniposide prevents the hepatic fibrosis and HSC activation possibly through the inhibition of the TGF-ß1/Smad signaling pathway.

Modeling and Evaluation of the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism for Curbing COVID-19 in Wuhan.

The spread of COVID-19 in Wuhan was successfully curbed under the strategy of "Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism." To understand how this measure stopped the epidemics in Wuhan, we establish a compartmental model with time-varying parameters over different stages. In the early stage of the epidemic, due to resource limitations, the number of daily reported cases may lower than the actual number. We employ a dynamic-based approach to calibrate the accumulated clinically diagnosed data with a sudden jump on February 12 and 13. The model simulation shows reasonably good match with the adjusted data which allows the prediction of the cumulative confirmed cases. Numerical results reveal that the "Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism" played a significant role on the containment of COVID-19. The spread of COVID-19 cannot be inhibited if any of the measures was not effectively implemented. Our analysis also illustrates that the Fangcang Shelter Hospitals are very helpful when the beds in the designated hospitals are insufficient. Comprised with Fangcang Shelter Hospitals, the designated hospitals can contain the transmission of COVID-19 more effectively. Our findings suggest that the combined multiple measures are essential to curb an ongoing epidemic if the prevention and control measures can be fully implemented.

Experimental study of fat derived pellets promoting wound healing in rats.

To observe the effect of fat-derived pellets (FDP) on wound healing in rats, the inguinal fat of rats was obtained, and the FDP were obtained after centrifugation. The cell activity and growth factor secretion of FDP were measured. The wounds in rats were created, and FDP was used to treat the wounds of rats. The phenotype of macrophages and the expression of angiogenic factors expression in wounds were measured. The cell viability in FDP remains in high level after centrifugation and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor (bFGF) from FDP was observed in vitro. The FDP significantly promoted the wound healing of rats compared with that in control groups. Moreover, the expression of M2 macrophages and VEGF in FDP group were significantly higher than that in the control group. FDP is a kind of stem cell product, which can be obtained from adipose tissue by physical centrifugation. The cytotherapeutic effect of FDP makes it a promising product for wound healing in clinics.

miR-25-5p regulates endothelial progenitor cell differentiation in response to shear stress through targeting ABCA1.

The importance of flow shear stress (SS) on the differentiation of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) has been demonstrated in various studies. Cholesterol retention and microRNA regulation have been also proposed as relevant factors involved in this process, though evidence regarding their regulatory roles in the differentiation of EPCs is currently lacking. In the present study on high shear stress (HSS)-induced differentiation of EPCs, we investigated the importance of ATP-binding cassette transporter 1 (ABCA1), an important regulator in cholesterol efflux, and miR-25-5p, a potential regulator of endothelial reconstruction. We first revealed an inverse correlation between miR-25-5p and ABCA1 expression levels in EPCs under HSS treatment; their direct interaction was subsequently validated by a dual-luciferase reporter assay. Further studies using flow cytometry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction demonstrated that both miR-25-5p overexpression and ABCA1 inhibition led to elevated levels of specific markers of endothelial cells, with concomitant downregulation of smooth muscle cell markers. Finally, knockdown of ABCA1 in EPCs significantly promoted tube formation, which confirmed our conjecture. Our current results suggest that miR-25-5p might regulate the differentiation of EPCs partially through targeting ABCA1, and such a mechanism might account for HSS-induced differentiation of EPCs.

Injectable gelatin microspheres loaded with platelet rich plasma improve wound healing by regulating early inflammation.

We investigated the potential of gelatin microspheres (GMs) loaded with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to enhance their wound healing effect. Platelets from the PRP were immobilized onto GMs to form biomimetic bioreactor GM+PRP. The therapeutic effect of this agent was further investigated in vivo on a wound-healing model in rats. Wounds were locally injected with phosphate buffered saline (PBS), GM, PRP, and GM+PRP. Wound healing rate, vessel density, and inflammation level were measured histologically, by RT-PCR, and by Western blotting at days 3, 7, 14, and 21. Platelets on GM caused a continuous high release in both interleukin-10 and metalloproteinase-3 compared with PRP alone. Both GM+PRP and PRP successfully accelerated the wound healing process, while GM alone did not improve the wound healing process compared with the untreated control. Wounds treated with GM+PRP resulted in shorter healing period and improved dermal structure. GM+PRP improved angiogenesis in the wound by increasing expression of angiogenic factors. GM+PRP prolonged and enhanced the cytokine release profile compared with PRP. By promoting the inflammatory and angiogenic responses, GM+PRP has the potential to improve wound healing. Our findings demonstrate that GMs are an injectable carrier that enhanced the therapeutic effects of PRP.

Effects of All-Trans Retinoic Acid on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Synovial Explant.

The present study was conducted to assess the effect of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) on synovial explants from rats with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) induced by lipopolysaccharides (LPS). In our study, synovial membranes were excised from the knees of healthy adult Wistar female rats under sterile conditions. We first investigated the synoviums incubated in a control medium or in a medium containing 10 µg/mL LPS, each for 24, 48, and 72 h (LPS-experiment). The changes in inflammatory response from the synoviums were observed at different culture times. Then, we assessed the synoviums exposed to different ATRA concentrations for 24 h (ATRA-experiment). The controls (blank, model group, and solvent groups) were set up. The effects of ATRA on synovitis were evaluated by measuring the production of cytokines, and nitric oxide (NO) and the expression of cartilage damage related proteases. In the LPS-experiment, LPS contributed to the release of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in synovial explants. Importantly, LPS did not cause a significant pathological damage. The inflammatory response observed in this model was significant for 24 h, suggesting that LPS-induced synovial explants were successfully established. In the ATRA-experiment, ATRA suppressed the expression of IL-6, TNF-α, NO, a disintegrin and metalloprotease with thrombospondin motifs-4 (ADAMTS-4), MMP-3, and MMP-9. Taken together, ATRA exhibited inhibitory effects on LPS-induced synovial immune inflammatory response stimulated by the regulation of inflammatory mediators and cartilage damage related proteases in synovial explants, demonstrating a potential protective effect on synovitis and joint destruction in the patients with RA.

Global dynamics of a discrete age-structured SIR epidemic model with applications to measles vaccination strategies.

We investigate an SIR epidemic model with discrete age groups to understand the transmission dynamics of an infectious disease in a host population with an age structure. We derive the basic reproduction number R0 and show that it is a sharp threshold parameter. If R0≤1, the disease-free equilibrium E0 is globally stable. If R0>1,E0 is unstable, the model is uniformly persistent, and an endemic equilibrium exists. The global stability of the endemic equilibrium when R0>1 is established under a sufficient condition. The model is then used to analyze the measles data in India and evaluate the effectiveness of several vaccination strategies for the control of measles epidemics in India.

The EpCAM overexpression is associated with clinicopathological significance and prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of most common causes for cancer-related death around the world. Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) is established as a vital prognostic factor for the human malignant tumors. However, the potential role of EpCAM in HCC has largely remained elusive. Herein we aimed to gain insight into the clinicopathological and prognostic role of EpCAM in HCC. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE and SCOPUS databases were systematically searched from their inception up to 5 December 4, 2017. The hazard ratio (HR) and odds ratio (OR) were respectively used as the effect size to explore the associations between EpCAM expression and the prognosis and clinicopathological features in HCC patients. RESULTS: Sixteen studies recruiting 2488 HCC patients were included in the meta-analysis, of which the publication year ranging from 2011 to 2017. As a result, the pooled HR of 1.634 indicated that higher EpCAM expression was significantly associated with the shorter overall survival (OS) periods (95%CIs: 1.151-2.320; Z = 2.740, P = 0.006). Next, a meta-analysis of disease-free survival (DFS) was performed for the ten studies. Consequently, for the p-value less than 0.05 for the combined HR, the overexpression of EpCAM was significantly correlated with poorer DFS. Next, the results derived from our study suggest that the overexpression of EpCAM is associated with the clinicopathological features of HCC, including poorer tumor differentiation and high alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels. CONCLUSION: The results derived from our study suggest that the overexpression of EpCAM is associated with the clinicopathological features of HCC, including poorer differentiation and high AFP levels. More importantly, overexpression of EpCAM was confirmed as the unfavorable predictor for the shorter OS and DFS for HCC patients.

[The Thyroid Hormone Receptor Mediated Luciferase Reporter Gene Assays Screening for EDCs].

OBJECTIVE: This study in order to use report gene assay based on the thyroid hormone receptor (TR) α/ß from human origin for screening endocrine disruptors chemicals (EDCs), evaluating the thyroid hormone activity of Bisphenol (BPA), 1-Naphthaleny methyl carbamate and 1-naphthol (1-NAP). METHODS: Using Rhesus monkey kidney cells (LLC-MK2) as transfection cell to establish the gene report assay system based on pGL-3-promega and pGL4.27 of TRα/ß through the method of transient transfection. Using T3 and T4 as positive subjects to evaluation the effectiveness of two detection systems and detect the thyroid hormone activity of BPA, 1-Naphthaleny methyl carbamate, 1-NAP. RESULTS: The TRß LLC-MK2 report gene assay based on pGL3-promega, the minimum detectable limit of T3 is 1.216×10-11 mol/L, the largest induction multiple was shown at 7.482×10-6 mol/L, the expression multiple of induced Lucifrerase was 5.98-fold that of the vehicle control, the EC50 was 3.327×10-8 mol/L; The minimum detectable limit of T4 was 1.622×10-8 mol/L, the largest induction Luc expression was 3.4-fold of vehicle control, the EC50 was 2.213×10-7 mol/L. The TRß LLC-MK2 report gene assay based on pGL4.27, the minimum detectable limit of T3 was 9.863×10-12 mol/L, the largest induction Luc expression as shown at 1.671×10-6 mol/L, resulting in 8.57-fold of vehicle control, the EC50 is 3.327×10-8 mol/L. The minimum detectable limit of T4 was 1.349×10-9 mol/L, the largest induction Luc expression was 4.6-fold of vehicle control, the EC50 is 4.074×10-7 mol/L. There was no thyroid hormone activity by using TRß report gene assay to evaluate BPA, 1-Naphthaleny methyl carbamate or 1-NAP, but 1-Naphthaleny methyl carbamate and 1-NAP have some degree receptor antagonism. CONCLUSIONS: The TRß LLC-MK2 report gene assay based on pGL3- promega and pGL4.27 show highly sensitive (pGL4.27 relatively higher), can be used to screen for EDCS and test chemical thyroid hormone activity effectively.

Prognostic significance of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is reported to be a prognostic factor in multiple malignancies. However, its prognostic value in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) remains controversial. This study aims to evaluate the prognostic value of preoperative NLR in GISTs. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and, Cochrane databases were searched until February 2017. Eligible articles were defined as studies assessing the prognostic role of preoperative NLR in GISTs. The end points were overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and clinicopathological parameters. Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) or odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using fixed-effects/random-effects models. RESULTS: A total of eight studies comprising 1676 patients with GISTs were included. Elevated NLR had an association with decreased DFS/RFS (HR: 2.18, 95% CI: 1.30-3.67, P=0.003), but not OS (HR: 1.74, 95% CI: 0.63-4.84, P=0.29). The findings from most subgroup analyses were consistent with those from the overall analysis. Moreover, high NLR was significantly correlated with male, stomach lesion, tumor size (>5cm), tumor rupture (+), tumor recurrence (+), mitotic index (>5/50HPF), and NIH risk category (high/intermediate). CONCLUSIONS: Elevated preoperative NLR may be an unfavorable prognostic biomarker in patients with GISTs.

Transmission dynamics and optimal control of brucellosis in Inner Mongolia of China.

A multigroup model is developed to characterize brucellosis transmission, to explore potential effects of key factors, and to prioritize control measures. The global threshold dynamics are completely characterized by theory of asymptotic autonomous systems and Lyapunov direct method. We then formulate a multi-objective optimization problem and, by the weighted sum method, transform it into a scalar optimization problem on minimizing the total cost for control. The existence of optimal control and its characterization are well established by Pontryagin's Maximum Principle. We further parameterize the model and compute optimal control strategy for Inner Mongolia in China. In particular, we expound the effects of sheep recruitment, vaccination of sheep, culling of infected sheep, and health education of human on the dynamics and control of brucellosis. This study indicates that current control measures in Inner Mongolia are not working well and Brucellosis will continue to increase. The main finding here supports opposing unregulated sheep breeding and suggests vaccination and health education as the preferred necessary emergency intervention control. The policymakers must take a new look at the current control strategy, and, in order to control brucellosis better in Inner Mongolia, the governments have to preemptively press ahead with more effective measures.

Platelet to lymphocyte ratio in biliary tract cancer: Review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) has been found to predict clinical outcomes in multiple malignancies. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic value of pretreatment PLR in biliary tract cancer (BTC). METHODS: We searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases to identify studies evaluating the prognostic significance of pretreatment PLR in BTC. The end points were overall survival (OS), recurrence-free survival (RFS). Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) or odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using fixed-effects/random-effects models. RESULTS: A total of eleven studies comprising 2392 patients were included in the study. Pooled results showed that elevated PLR was significantly associated with decreased overall survival (HR: 1.59, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.42-1.78, p<0.001) and recurrence-free survival (HR: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.16-2.00, p=0.002). Subgroup analyses suggested that a high PLR predicted decreased OS in patient with BTC, regardless of sample size (<200 or ≥200), treatment methods (surgery, mixed, or chemotherapy), tumor stage (mixed or metastatic), analysis methods (univariate or multivariate), cut-off values (<150 or ≥150), and NOS score (<7 or ≥7). CONCLUSIONS: Elevated pretreatment PLR may be an unfavorable prognostic factor for clinical outcomes in patients with biliary tract cancer.