Research on Unsupervised Low-Light Railway Fastener Image Enhancement Method Based on Contrastive Learning GAN.

The railway fastener, as a crucial component of railway tracks, directly influences the safety and stability of a railway system. However, in practical operation, fasteners are often in low-light conditions, such as at nighttime or within tunnels, posing significant challenges to defect detection equipment and limiting its effectiveness in real-world scenarios. To address this issue, this study proposes an unsupervised low-light image enhancement algorithm, CES-GAN, which achieves the model's generalization and adaptability under different environmental conditions. The CES-GAN network architecture adopts a U-Net model with five layers of downsampling and upsampling structures as the generator, incorporating both global and local discriminators to help the generator to preserve image details and textures during the reconstruction process, thus enhancing the realism and intricacy of the enhanced images. The combination of the feature-consistency loss, contrastive learning loss, and illumination loss functions in the generator structure, along with the discriminator loss function in the discriminator structure, collectively promotes the clarity, realism, and illumination consistency of the images, thereby improving the quality and usability of low-light images. Through the CES-GAN algorithm, this study provides reliable visual support for railway construction sites and ensures the stable operation and accurate operation of fastener identification equipment in complex environments.

Designing Ultratough Single-Network Hydrogels with Centimeter-Scale Fractocohesive Lengths via Inelastic Crack Blunting.

Fractocohesive length, defined as the ratio of fracture toughness to work of fracture, measures the sensitivity of materials to fracture in the presence of flaws. The larger the fractocohesive length, the more flaw-tolerant and crack-resistant the hydrogel. For synthetic soft materials, the fractocohesive length is short, often on the scale of 1 mm. Here, highly flaw-insensitive (HFI) single-network hydrogels containing an entangled inhomogeneous polymer network of widely distributed chain lengths are designed. The HFI hydrogels demonstrate a centimeter-scale fractocohesive length of 2.21 cm, which is the highest ever recorded for synthetic hydrogels, and an unprecedented fracture toughness of ≈13 300 J m-2. The uncommon flaw insensitivity results from the inelastic crack blunting inherent to the highly inhomogeneous network. When the HFI hydrogel is stretched, a large number of short chains break while coiled long chains can disentangle, unwind, and straighten, producing large inelastic deformation that substantially blunts the crack tip in a plastic manner, thereby deconcentrating crack-tip stresses and blocking crack extension. The flaw-insensitive design strategy is applicable to various hydrogels such as polyacrylamide and poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide) hydrogels and enables the development of HFI soft composites.

Dual-specificity phosphatase 1 inhibits Singapore grouper iridovirus replication via regulating apoptosis in Epinephelus coioides.

The dual-specificity phosphatase (DUSP) family plays key roles in the maintenance of cellular homeostasis and apoptosis etc. In this study, the DUSP member DUSP1 of Epinephelus coioides was characterized: the length was 2371 bp including 281 bp 5' UTR, 911 bp 3' UTR, and a 1125 bp open reading frame encoding 374 amino acids. E. coioides DUSP1 has two conserved domains, a ROHD and DSPc along with a p38 MAPK phosphorylation site, localized at Ser308. E. coioides DUSP1 mRNA can be detected in all of the tissues examined, and the subcellular localization showed that DUSP1 was mainly distributed in the nucleus. Singapore grouper iridovirus (SGIV) infection could induce the differential expression of E. coioides DUSP1. Overexpression of DUSP1 could inhibit SGIV-induced cytopathic effect (CPE), the expressions of SGIV key genes, and the viral titers. Overexpression of DUSP1 could also regulate SGIV-induced apoptosis, and the expression of apoptosis-related factor caspase 3. The results would be helpful to further study the role of DUSP1 in viral infection.

C3d Immunohistochemical Staining on Paraffin-Embedded Tissue for Diagnosis of Pemphigus.

CONTEXT.­: Pemphigus is an autoimmune blister disease that causes blisters on the skin and mucosal surfaces. Direct immunofluorescence (DIF) testing is critical for the clinical diagnosis of pemphigus. However, it is limited to fresh tissue specimens and fluorescence microscopy. OBJECTIVE.­: To assess the value of C3d immunohistochemistry (IHC) on paraffin-embedded skin tissue for the diagnosis of pemphigus by comparing C3d-IHC results to DIF and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay testing in pemphigus and other blister-related skin diseases. DESIGN.­: C3d-IHC assays were retrospectively performed on paraffin-embedded skin tissue sections from 115 patients (63 with pemphigus and 52 controls). Both the case group and the control group underwent the same protocol, and cases with C3d position in the peripheral spinous layer were considered as positive samples. RESULTS.­: C3d-IHC and DIF testing had similar performance for pemphigus diagnosis, with a sensitivity of 71.0% (95% CI, 51.8%-85.1%) and 77.4% (95% CI, 58.5%-89.7%), specificity of 96.4% (95% CI, 79.8%-99.8%) and 100% (95% CI, 85.0%-100%), positive predictive value of 95.7% (95% CI, 76.0%-99.8%) and 100% (95% CI, 82.8%-100%), and a negative predictive value of 75.0% (95% CI, 57.5%-87.3%) and 80.0% (95% CI, 62.5%-90.9%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS.­: Our study indicated that C3d-IHC results for paraffin-fixed tissues were not significantly different from DIF results for the diagnosis of pemphigus. The C3d-IHC assay has the potential for routine diagnosis of pemphigus, especially in the absence of fresh-frozen tissue.

Identification of circRNAs and circRNA-mRNA network of Epinephelus coioides during Singapore grouper iridovirus infection.

Circular RNA (circRNA), one of the important non-coding RNA molecules with a closed-loop structure, plays a key regulatory role in cell processing. In this study, circRNAs of Epinephelus coioides, an important marine cultured fish in China, were isolated and characterized, and the network of circRNAs and mRNA was explored during Singapore grouper iridovirus (SGIV) infection, one of the most important double stranded DNA virus pathogens of marine fish. 10 g of raw data was obtained by high-throughput sequencing, and 2599 circRNAs were classified. During SGIV infection, 123 and 37 circRNAs occurred differential expression in spleen and spleen cells, indicating that circRNAs would be involved in the viral infection. GO annotation and KEGG demonstrated that circRNAs could target E. coioides genes to regulate cell activity and the activation of immune factors. The results provide some insights into the circRNAs mediated immune regulatory network during bony fish virus infection.

The Role of Epinephelus coioides DUSP5 in Regulating Singapore Grouper Iridovirus Infection.

The dual-specificity phosphatase (DUSP) family plays an important role in response to adverse external factors. In this study, the DUSP5 from Epinephelus coioides, an important marine fish in Southeast Asia and China, was isolated and characterized. As expected, E. coioides DUSP5 contained four conserved domains: a rhodanese homology domain (RHOD); a dual-specificity phosphatase catalytic domain (DSPc); and two regions of low compositional complexity, indicating that E. coioides DUSP5 belongs to the DUSP family. E. coioides DUSP5 mRNA could be detected in all of the examined tissues, and was mainly distributed in the nucleus. Infection with Singapore grouper iridovirus (SGIV), one of the most important pathogens of marine fish, could inhibit the expression of E. coioides DUSP5. The overexpression of DUSP5 could significantly downregulate the expression of the key SGIV genes (MCP, ICP18, VP19, and LITAF), viral titers, the activity of NF-κB and AP-I, and the expression of pro-inflammatory factors (IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α) of E. coioides, but could upregulate the expressions of caspase3 and p53, as well as SGIV-induced apoptosis. The results demonstrate that E. coioides DUSP5 could inhibit SGIV infection by regulating E. coioides immune-related factors, indicating that DUSP5 might be involved in viral infection.

Intrafollicular Retinoic Acid Signaling Is Important for Luteinizing Hormone-Induced Oocyte Meiotic Resumption.

It has been clear that retinoic acid (RA), the most active vitamin A (VA) derivative, plays a central role in governing oocyte meiosis initiation. However, it has not been functionally determined if RA participates in luteinizing hormone (LH)-induced resumption from long-lasting oocyte meiotic arrest, which is essential for haploid oocyte formation. In the present study, using well-established in vivo and in vitro models, we identified that intrafollicular RA signaling is important for normal oocyte meiotic resumption. A mechanistic study indicated that mural granulosa cells (MGCs) are the indispensable follicular compartment for RA-prompted meiotic resumption. Moreover, retinoic acid receptor (RAR) is essential for mediating RA signaling to regulate meiotic resumption. Furthermore, we found zinc finger protein 36 (ZFP36) is the transcriptional target of RAR. Both RA signaling and epidermal growth factor (EGF) signaling were activated in MGCs in response to LH surge, and two intrafollicular signalings cooperate to induce rapid Zfp36 upregulation and Nppc mRNA decrease, which is critical to LH-induced meiotic resumption. These findings extend our understanding of the role of RA in oocyte meiosis: RA not only governs meiotic initiation but also regulates LH-induced meiotic resumption. We also emphasize the importance of LH-induced metabolic changes in MGCs in this process.

Molecular characterization, expression and function analysis of Epinephelus coioides PKC-ɑ response to Singapore grouper iridovirus (SGIV) infection.

Protein kinase C (PKC) constitutes the main signal transduction pathway, and participates in the signal pathway of cell proliferation and movement in mammals. In this study, PKC-ɑ was obtained from Epinephelus coioides, an important marine fish cultivated in the coastal areas of southern China and Southeast Asia. The full length cDNA of PKC-ɑ was 3362 bp in length containing a 23 bp 5'UTR, a 1719 bp 3'UTR, and a 1620 bp open reading frame encoding 539 amino acids. It contains three conservative domains including protein kinase C conserved region 2 (C2), Serine/Threonine protein kinases, catalytic domain (S_TKc) and ser/thr-type protein kinases (S_TK_X). Its mRNA can be detected in all 11 tissues examined of E. coioides, and the expression was significantly upregulated response to Singapore grouper iridovirus (SGIV) infection, one of the important pathogens of marine fish. Upregulated E. coioides PKC-ɑ significantly inhibited the activation of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) and activator protein-1 (AP-1), and SGIV-induced cell apoptosis. The results indicated that the PKC-ɑ may play an important role in pathogenic stimulation.

Epinephelus coioides PCSK9 affect the infection of SGIV by regulating the innate immune response.

Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 (PCSK9) in mammals is a multifunctional protein. In this study, PCSK9 of marine fish Epinephelus coioides was characterized. The full-length cDNA of E. coioides PCSK9 was 2458 bp in length containing 185 bp 5' UTR, 263 bp 3' UTR and 2010 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding 669 amino acids with the predicted molecular weight of 71 kDa and the theoretical PI of 6.6. Similar to other members of PCSK9 family, E. coioides PCSK9 has three conserved domains: Inhibitor_ I9 super family, Peptidases_ S8_ PCSK9_ Proteinase K_ like, and PCSK9_ C-CRD super family. E. coioides PCSK9 mRNA could be detected in all the tissues examined by real-time quantitative PCR, with the highest expression in the brain, followed by skin, trunk kidney, head kidney, intestine, blood, liver, spleen, gill, muscle and heart. E. coioides PCSK9 was distributed in both the cytoplasm and nucleus. The expression of E. coioides PCSK9 was significantly upregulated during Singapore grouper iridovirus (SGIV) infection. Upregulated PCSK9 could significantly affect the activities of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB) promoter, SGIV-induced apoptosis, and the expressions of the key SGIV genes (ICP18, LITAT, MCP, and VP19) and the E. coioides proinflammatory factors (IL-6, IL-1ß, IL-8, and TNF-α). The results illustrated that E. coioides PCSK9 might be involved in the pathogen infection by regulating the innate immune response.

Molecular cloning, inducible expression and function analysis of Epinephelus coioides Sec6 response to SGIV infection.

Exocyst complex component 3 Sec6 of mammals, one of the components of the exocyst complex, participates in numerous cellular functions, such as promoting cell migration and inhibiting apoptosis. In this study, the Sec6 was obtained from Epinephelus coioides, an economically important cultured fish. The full length of E. coioides Sec6 was 2655 bp including a 245 bp 5' UTR, a 154 bp 3' UTR, and a 2256 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding 751 amino acids, with a molecular mass of 86.76 kDa and a theoretical pI of 5.57. Sec6 mRNA was detected in all the tissues examined, but the expression level is different in these tissues. Using fluorescence microscopy, Sec6 were distributed in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm. After SGIV infection, the expression of E. coioides Sec6 was significantly up-regulated in both trunk kidney and spleen response to Singapore grouper iridovirus (SGIV), an important pathogens of E. coioides. Sec6 could increase the SGIV-induced cytopathic effects (CPE), the expression of the SGIV genes VP19, LITAF, MCP, ICP18 and MCP, and the viral titers. Besides, E. coioides Sec6 significantly downregulated the promoter of NF-κB and AP-1, and inhibited the SGIV-induced apoptosis. The results demonstrated that E. coioides Sec6 might play important roles in SGIV infection.

Epinephelus coioides Hsp27 negatively regulates innate immune response and apoptosis induced by Singapore grouper iridovirus (SGIV) infection.

Heat shock proteins (Hsps) are important for maintaining protein homeostasis and cell survival. In this study, Hsp27 of Epinephelus coioides, an economically important marine fish in China and Southeast Asian countries, was characterized. E. coioides Hsp27 contains the consered ACD_HspB1_like domain and three p38 MAPK phosphorylation sites, located at Thr-13, Thr-60 and Ser-167. E. coioides Hsp27 was distributed in both the cytoplasm and nucleus, its mRNA was detected in all 14 tissues examined, and its expression was up-regulated after challenge with Singapore grouper iridovirus (SGIV), an important E. coioides pathogen. Over-expression of E. coioides Hsp27 significantly upregulated the expressions of the key SGIV genes (VP19, LITAF, MCP, and ICP18), downgraded the expressions of the E. coioides immune factors (IRF3, IRF7, ISG15, and TRAF6) and proinflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-8), downgraded the activation of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) and activator protein-1 (AP-1), and substantially inhibited the cell apoptosis induced by SGIV infection. These data illustrated that E. coioides Hsp27 might be involved in SGIV infection by negatively regulating the innate immune response.

The effect of marital status on the survival of patients with colorectal neuroendocrine neoplasms: an analysis of the SEER database

BACKGROUND: increasing evidence suggests that marital status is associated with tumor prognosis. The prognostic impact of marital status on colorectal neuroendocrine neoplasms has not been studied adequately. This study explored the relationship between marital status and prognosis of colorectal neuroendocrine neoplasms. METHODS: during 2004-2012, 7,180 colorectal neuroendocrine neoplasm patients were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database. A primary comparison (married vs unmarried) was performed with a 1:1 propensity matching score. Secondary comparisons were performed individually between three unmarried subgroups (single, divorced/separated, widowed) and the married group. The effect of marital status according to sex and extension of disease was explored. RESULTS: married patients had better survival (overall survival) (p < 0.001) and colorectal neuroendocrine neoplasm cause-specific survival (p = 0.001) rates compared to unmarried patients. Multivariate analysis indicated that marital status was an independent prognostic factor and married patients had a better overall survival (HR = 1.673; 95% CI: 1.446-1.936; p < 0.001) and colorectal neuroendocrine neoplasm cause-specific survival (HR = 1.365; 95% CI: 1.141-1.632; p = 0.001). Subgroup analysis showed that married patients had the best prognosis of cause-specific survival/overall survival and widowed patients had the worst prognosis (log-rank test p < 0.05). Marital status plays a more important role in colorectal neuroendocrine neoplasms patients with localized disease than in those with regional or distant disease. CONCLUSIONS: marital status is an independent prognostic factor for survival in colorectal neuroendocrine neoplasms patients. Married patients have a better prognosis with early stage disease. Single, widowed and male patients are regarded as a high-risk population

No dipsonible

The effect of marital status on the survival of patients with colorectal neuroendocrine neoplasms: an analysis of the SEER database.

BACKGROUND: increasing evidence suggests that marital status is associated with tumor prognosis. The prognostic impact of marital status on colorectal neuroendocrine neoplasms has not been studied adequately. This study explored the relationship between marital status and prognosis of colorectal neuroendocrine neoplasms. METHODS: during 2004-2012, 7,180 colorectal neuroendocrine neoplasm patients were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database. A primary comparison (married vs unmarried) was performed with a 1:1 propensity matching score. Secondary comparisons were performed individually between three unmarried subgroups (single, divorced/separated, widowed) and the married group. The effect of marital status according to sex and extension of disease was explored. RESULTS: married patients had better survival (overall survival) (p < 0.001) and colorectal neuroendocrine neoplasm cause-specific survival (p = 0.001) rates compared to unmarried patients. Multivariate analysis indicated that marital status was an independent prognostic factor and married patients had a better overall survival (HR = 1.673; 95% CI: 1.446-1.936; p < 0.001) and colorectal neuroendocrine neoplasm cause-specific survival (HR = 1.365; 95% CI: 1.141-1.632; p = 0.001). Subgroup analysis showed that married patients had the best prognosis of cause-specific survival/overall survival and widowed patients had the worst prognosis (log-rank test p < 0.05). Marital status plays a more important role in colorectal neuroendocrine neoplasms patients with localized disease than in those with regional or distant disease. CONCLUSIONS: marital status is an independent prognostic factor for survival in colorectal neuroendocrine neoplasms patients. Married patients have a better prognosis with early stage disease. Single, widowed and male patients are regarded as a high-risk population.

Identification of Key Aroma Compounds in Type I Sourdough-Based Chinese Steamed Bread: Application of Untargeted Metabolomics Analysisp.

Untargeted metabolomics is a valuable tool to analyze metabolite profiles or aroma fingerprints of different food products. However, less attention has been paid to determining the aroma characteristics of Chinese steamed breads (CSBs) by using this approach. The aim of this work was to evaluate the key aroma compounds and their potential generation pathway in Chinese steamed bread produced with type I sourdough by a metabolomics approach. Based on the aroma characteristics analysis, CSBs produced with type I sourdough and baker's yeast were clearly distinguishable by principal component analysis (PCA) scores plot. A total of 13 compounds in sourdough-based steamed breads were given the status of discriminant markers through the untargeted metabolomics analysis. According to the odor activity values (OAVs) of discriminant aroma markers, ethyl acetate (fruity), ethyl lactate (caramel-like), hexyl acetate (fruity), (E)-2-nonenal (fatty) and 2-pentylfuran (fruity) were validated as the key volatile compounds in the breads produced with type I sourdough as compared to the baker's yeast leavened steamed bread. The metabolite analysis in proofed dough indicated that esters are mainly generated by the reaction between acid and alcohol during steaming, and aldehydes are derived from the oxidation of palmitoleic acid and linoleic acid during proofing and steaming.