iM-Seeker: a webserver for DNA i-motifs prediction and scoring via automated machine learning.

DNA, beyond its canonical B-form double helix, adopts various alternative conformations, among which the i-motif, emerging in cytosine-rich sequences under acidic conditions, holds significant biological implications in transcription modulation and telomere biology. Despite recognizing the crucial role of i-motifs, predictive software for i-motif forming sequences has been limited. Addressing this gap, we introduce 'iM-Seeker', an innovative computational platform designed for the prediction and evaluation of i-motifs.

Long-term effects of mobile exoneuromusculoskeleton (ENMS)-assisted self-help telerehabilitation after stroke.

Investigation on long-term effects of robot-assisted poststroke rehabilitation is challenging because of the difficulties in administration and follow-up of individuals throughout the process. A mobile hybrid neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES)-robot, i.e.

Prediction of DNA i-motifs via machine learning.

i-Motifs (iMs), are secondary structures formed in cytosine-rich DNA sequences and are involved in multiple functions in the genome. Although putative iM forming sequences are widely distributed in the human genome, the folding status and strength of putative iMs vary dramatically. Much previous research on iM has focused on assessing the iM folding properties using biophysical experiments.

Personalized robots for long-term telerehabilitation after stroke: a perspective on technological readiness and clinical translation.

Stroke rehabilitation, which demands consistent, intensive, and adaptable intervention in the long term, faced significant challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, telerehabilitation emerged as a noteworthy complement to traditional rehabilitation services, offering the convenience of at-home care delivery and overcoming geographical and resource limitations. Self-help rehabilitation robots deliver repetitive and intensive physical assistance, thereby alleviating the labor burden.

The Translation of Mobile-Exoneuromusculoskeleton-Assisted Wrist-Hand Poststroke Telerehabilitation from Laboratory to Clinical Service.

Rehabilitation robots are helpful in poststroke telerehabilitation; however, their feasibility and rehabilitation effectiveness in clinical settings have not been sufficiently investigated. A non-randomized controlled trial was conducted to investigate the feasibility of translating a telerehabilitation program assisted by a mobile wrist/hand exoneuromusculoskeleton (WH-ENMS) into routine clinical services and to compare the rehabilitative effects achieved in the hospital-service-based group ( = 12, clinic group) with the laboratory-research-based group ( = 12, lab group). Both groups showed significant improvements ( ≤ 0.

G4Atlas: a comprehensive transcriptome-wide G-quadruplex database.

RNA G-quadruplex (rG4) is a vital RNA tertiary structure motif that involves the base pairs on both Hoogsteen and Watson-Crick faces of guanines. rG4 is of great importance in the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. Experimental technologies have advanced to identify in vitro and in vivo rG4s across diverse transcriptomes.

A Data-Driven Investigation on Surface Electromyography Based Clinical Assessment in Chronic Stroke.

Surface electromyography (sEMG) based robot-assisted rehabilitation systems have been adopted for chronic stroke survivors to regain upper limb motor function. However, the evaluation of rehabilitation effects during robot-assisted intervention relies on traditional manual assessments. This study aimed to develop a novel sEMG data-driven model for automated assessment.

Plastome and phylogenetic relationship of the woody buckwheat in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

The phylogenetic position of the monotypic woody (Polygonaceae) remains controversial. has been thought to be closely related to the woody genera of the tribe Atraphaxideae, although some evidence indicates that it nests within the herbal buckwheat genus of tribe Polygoneae. In this study, we used plastome data to determine the phylogenetic position of () .

The complete plastome of , an extremely endangered species in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

is an extremely endangered species in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Based on the second-generation high-throughput genome sequencing, we assembled the plastome of this species. The length of the total plastome is 152,324 bp with a typical quadripartite structure including a large single-copy region of 83,708 bp, a small single-copy region of 29,882 bp and two reverse repeat regions of 19,367 bp respectively.

Synchronization control of pulsatile ventricular assist devices by combination usage of different physiological signals.

Three different types of synchronous control methods based on physiological parameters, electrocardiogram (ECG) and fixed systole, ECG and aortic pressure, and ECG and phonocardiogram (PCG) were used to trigger a proposed intra-ventricular assist device (iVAD). The ECG, aortic pressure, and PCG were processed, respectively, and featured characteristics were extracted to trigger the iVAD-experimented circulation system in the laboratory. The data showed that all three types of synchronous control methods produced trigger pulses synchronously and that the iVAD synchronously beat with the native heart.

In vitro testing of an intra-ventricular assist device.

A novel pulsatile assist device, intra-ventricular assist device, was proposed to address various disadvantages existing in conventional pulsatile assist device, such as the large size, accessories and reduced pulsatility. The assist device was designed, fabricated and implanted into the sac from left ventricular apex in a home-designed mock circulatory system. In vitro test was carried out and results demonstrated that the response time did not vary with the heart rate, and co-pulsatiled synchronously with native heart by electrocardiograph.

Effects of an intra-ventricular assist device on the stroke volume of failing ventricle: Analysis of a mock circulatory system.

Background: A novel intra-ventricular assist device (iVAD) was established as a new pulsatile assist device to address various disadvantages, such as bulky configuration and reduced arterial pulsatility, observed in conventional ventricular assist devices.

Objective: Analyzed the native left ventricular stroke volume (SV) after iVAD support in vitro.

Methods: The SV of iVAD was examined in a home-designed mock circulatory system (MCS) at different heart rates and drive pressures and the SV of a failure ventricle was examined with iVAD at 75, 90, 120 bpm and 120-180 mmHg drive pressure after iVAD support.

Improved identification of the electrocardio-signal for pulsatile ventricular assist devices.

We introduce and investigate a method to identify the feature point of an electrocardiogram (ECG) to provide real-time and accurate trigger signals for pulsatile ventricular assist devices (PVADs). An important part of this method is an improved data processing algorithm, in which a differential calculator and another a low-pass filtering were added to avoid drift in the original signal and systematically delay caused by physical devices. The method was systematically illustrated in this article and a test-setup was built based on the LabVIEW program development environment.

Improving hemodynamics of cardiovascular system under a novel intraventricular assist device support via modeling and simulations.

Ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are increasingly recognized for supporting blood circulation in heart failure patients who are non-transplant eligible. Because of its volume, the traditional pulsatile device is not easy to implant intracorporeally. Continuous flow LVADs (CF-LVADs) reduce arterial pulsatility and only offer continuous flow, which is different from physiological flow, and may cause long-term complications in the cardiovascular system.

Exon 47 skipping of fibrillin-1 leads preferentially to cardiovascular defects in patients with thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections.

Excessive activation of the transforming growth factor beta signaling pathway and disorganized cellular skeleton caused by genetic mutations are known to be responsible for the inherited thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections (TAAD), a life-threatening vascular disease. To investigate the genotype-phenotype correlation, we screened genetic mutations of fibrillin-1 (FBN1), transforming growth factor-β receptor-1 (TGFBR1) and transforming growth factor-β receptor-2 (TGFBR2) for TAAD in 7 affected families and 22 sporadic patients. Of 19 potential mutations identified in FBN1, 11 appeared novel while the others were recurrent.

[Hemodynamic characteristics of chronic congestive heart failure model in awake Beagle dogs].

Objective: To characterize the hemodynamic changes of chronic congestive heart failure(CHF) model induced by rapid right ventricular pacing after myocardial infarction in awake Beagle dogs.

Methods: Five healthy adult male Beagle dogs were prepared for surgery. After the probes for measurement and the pacing leads were implanted, the left anterior descending artery was ligated during the surgery to induce myocardial infarction in the anterior wall of the left ventricle close to the apex.

[Analysis of the risk factors of acute renal insufficiency following coronary artery bypass grafting].

Objective: To study the risk factors of acute renal insufficiency (ARI) following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Methods: The clinic data of 2242 patients undertaking CABG between July 1997 and July 2006 were retrospectively analyzed, and ARI following CABG was included.

Results: ARI occurred in 219 patients, with an incidence of 9.

Development of a local vasodilator delivery system using fibrin glue to prevent arterial graft from spasm.

The clinical benefits of coronary artery bypass graft operations can be compromised by postoperative vasospasm. Traditionally, local papaverine (PPV) has been employed during the procedure to prevent and counteract vasospasm. But the relatively short action period limited its application.

[Coronary artery bypass graft for patients with ascending aorta atherosclerosis].

Objective: The increasing number of aged patients with severe ascending aorta atherosclerosis who are undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) present high risk for ascending aortic cannulation, cross-clamping or partial occluding and proximal anastomosis. We reviewed the surgical experience in 22 patients of CABG with ascending aorta atherosclerosis and tried to find the way to minimize the complications.

Methods: Twenty-two patients with severe atherosclerotic and calcified ascending aorta underwent CABG in our hospital.