Effect of MSX1 on the cellular function of cardiomyocytes.

MSX1 (Muscle Segment Homeobox 1) has pleiotropic effects in various tissues, including cardiomyocytes, while the effect of MSX1 on cardiomyocyte cellular function was not well known. In this study, we used AC16 cell culture, real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qPCR), protein blotting (Western blot), flow cytometry apoptosis assay and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbnent Assay) to investigate the effect of the MSX1 gene on cardiomyocyte function. The results showed that MSX1 plays a protective role against hypoxia of cardiomyocytes.

Deep learning approaches to the phylogenetic placement of extinct pollen morphotypes.

The phylogenetic interpretation of pollen morphology is limited by our inability to recognize the evolutionary history embedded in pollen features. Deep learning offers tools for connecting morphology to phylogeny. Using neural networks, we developed an explicitly phylogenetic toolkit for analyzing the overall shape, internal structure, and texture of a pollen grain.

Label-Free Detection of CA19-9 Using a BSA/Graphene-Based Antifouling Electrochemical Immunosensor.

Evaluating the levels of the biomarker carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) is crucial in early cancer diagnosis and prognosis assessment. In this study, an antifouling electrochemical immunosensor was developed for the label-free detection of CA19-9, in which bovine serum albumin (BSA) and graphene were cross-linked with the aid of glutaraldehyde to form a 3D conductive porous network on the surface of an electrode. The electrochemical immunosensor was characterized through the use of transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscope (AFM), UV spectroscopy, and electrochemical methods.

OpenGAN: Open-Set Recognition Via Open Data Generation.

Real-world machine learning systems need to analyze test data that may differ from training data. In K-way classification, this is crisply formulated as open-set recognition, core to which is the ability to discriminate open-set data outside the K closed-set classes. Two conceptually elegant ideas for open-set discrimination are: 1) discriminatively learning an open-vs-closed binary discriminator by exploiting some outlier data as the open-set, and 2) unsupervised learning the closed-set data distribution with a GAN, using its discriminator as the open-set likelihood function.

Complex Chromosomal Rearrangement Causes Male Azoospermia: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Male carriers of complex chromosomal rearrangements (CCRs) may have decreased fertility and usually present with azoospermia, oligospermia or teratospermia. High-resolution karyotype analysis using G-banding on peripheral blood lymphocytes was performed in an azoospermic male. Copy number variations (CNVs) were detected by chromosomal microarray analysis, and genetic variations were determined by long-read nanopore sequencing with Sanger sequencing for breakpoint confirmation.

Successful En Bloc Resection of Complicated Giant Stomach Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor in an Elderly Patient.

BACKGROUND Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract and mostly affect the stomach. The size of the tumors vary, ranging from 0.6 cm to 25.

Antimony tin oxide/lead selenide composite as efficient counter electrode material for quantum dot-sensitized solar cells.

Antimony tin oxide (ATO)/lead selenide (PbSe) composite was rationally designed and fabricated on fluorine doped tin oxide glass (FTO) for using as counter electrode (CE) of quantum dot sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs). The electrocatalytic activity of the CE is deeply investigated in the polysulfide electrolyte by employing the Tafel, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) of the symmetrical cells. The results confirm that the ATO/PbSe CE has better electrocatalytic activity and stability than that of PbSe CE obtained by pulse voltage electrodeposition (PVD).

A Rare Case of Hb H Disease and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Anemia is common in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The association between thalassemia and SLE is rare. In this study, we report the first patient who was found to have a severe hemolytic anemia caused by combination of SLE and Hb H disease.

[Evolvement of a five-way translocation t(5;9;22;6;17) from a four-way Philadelphia translocation t(5;9;22;6) in a rare case of chronic myeloid leukemia].

Objective: To trace a rare case of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) with a four-way Philadelphia chromosome variant by cytogenetic analysis in order to provide a basis for the selection of treatment.

Methods: Bone marrow morphology, chromosomal karyotyping, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and real-time quantitative PCR (RQ-PCR) were used for the diagnosis and staging of the disease. Point mutations in the tyrosine kinase domain of ABL1 gene were detected by Sanger sequencing.

Voltage-assisted SILAR deposition of CdSe quantum dots to construct a high performance of ZnS/CdSe/ZnS quantum dot-sensitized solar cells.

The charge recombination on the interfaces of TiO/quantum dots (QDs)/electrolyte is a key factor limiting the efficiency of quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs). Construction of double-layer barrier structure of ZnS/QDs/ZnS is a vital strategy to suppress the interfacial charge recombination. However, a large lattice mismatch (12%) at CdSe/ZnS interfaces causes CdSe to grow slowly on TiO/ZnS mesoporous film, weakening the interaction between QDs and mesoporous film, which reducing the efficiency of CdSe QDSSCs with double ZnS barrier layers.

Improving the taxonomy of fossil pollen using convolutional neural networks and superresolution microscopy.

Taxonomic resolution is a major challenge in palynology, largely limiting the ecological and evolutionary interpretations possible with deep-time fossil pollen data. We present an approach for fossil pollen analysis that uses optical superresolution microscopy and machine learning to create a quantitative and higher throughput workflow for producing palynological identifications and hypotheses of biological affinity. We developed three convolutional neural network (CNN) classification models: maximum projection (MPM), multislice (MSM), and fused (FM).

Different culture method changing CD105 expression in amniotic fluid MSCs without affecting differentiation ability or immune function.

MSCs are kind of cultured cells that reside in different tissues as inducers or regulators of physiological and pathological processes. Here, we derived MSCs from amniotic fluid and compared their differentiation ability and immunosuppression effect on PHA-activated PBMC with those of MSCs isolated from umbilical cords. Amniotic fluid MSCs were isolated and cultured on commercial AFC medium and classic MSC medium, and the number and size of colonies were used to evaluate differences in primary and passaged culture.

Comparison of different zinc precursors for the construction of zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 artificial shells on living cells.

The robust cell-in-shell structure is highly desirable for endowing living cells with an artificial exoskeleton to defend them from many environmental factors such as osmotic pressure, shear force, heat, UV radiation, and enzymes. Cell encapsulation has shown potential applications in many fields and attracted increasing interest. However, the influences of the precursors on the cell viability during the shell formation process are not clear and seldom investigated.

Molecular epidemiology and clinical characteristics of norovirus gastroenteritis with seizures in children in Taiwan, 2006-2015.

This study examined the characteristics of norovirus (NoV) gastroenteritis associated with convulsions in children and its molecular epidemiology. From July 2006 through December 2015, NoV infection was confirmed by the genome detection using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Viral genotyping with strain validation was achieved using sequence analyses with Basic Local Alignment Search Tool genome identification.

A bioelectronic taste sensor based on bioengineered Escherichia coli cells combined with ITO-constructed electrochemical sensors.

In this study, we developed a novel bioelectronic taste sensor for the detection of specific bitter substances. A human bitter taste receptor, hT2R4, was efficiently expressed in Escherichia coli (E. coli), which was used as the primary recognition element.

Enhanced fluorescent effect of graphitic CN@ZIF-8 nanocomposite contribute to its improved sensing capabilities.

A novel graphitic carbon nitride (g-CN)@ZIF-8 nanocomposite was synthesized by a facile approach and applied as a fluorescent sensor. The fluorescent quenching and enhancing effect of g-CN@ZIF-8 nanocomposite was explored for potential applications in sensing metal ions and solvents based on photoluminescence (PL) measurements. Compared with g-CN nanosheets alone, the combined g-CN@ZIF-8 nanostructure greatly improved the sensitivity for the detection of metal ions due to the special fluorescent quenching effect.

Variants in the gene was associated with coronary artery disease susceptibility in Chinese Han population.

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the most serious diseases all around the world. Previous studies have shown the function of in the process of atherosclerosis. The aim of this research is to examine whether variants of contribute to CAD.

Novel laparoscopic training system with continuously perfused ex-vivo porcine liver for hepatobiliary surgery.

Objective: To introduce a novel laparoscopic training system with a continuously perfused ex-vivo porcine liver for hepatobiliary surgery.

Background: Existing models for laparoscopic training, such as box trainers and virtual reality simulators, often fail to provide holistic training and real haptic feedback. We have formulated a new training system that addresses these problems.

Cytogenic and molecular studies of male infertility in cases of Y chromosome balanced reciprocal translocation.

Y-autosomal translocation has been previously reported in association with male infertility; however, the mechanisms of Y-autosomal translocation and non‑obstructive azoospermia or severe oligospermia remain unclear. G‑banding and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) were performed to analyze the translocation of chromosomes, and a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping assay was used to test mutations. The present study describes three new cases with a de novo balanced translocation t(Y;13), t(Y;9) and t(Y;6).

[Application of CD138 Immunomagnetic Sorting Myeloma Cells Combined with Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization for Detecting Cytogenetic Abnormalities of Multiple Myeloma].

Objective: To investigate the efficiency of direct fluorescence in situ hybridization (D-FISH) versus FISH on CD138 immunomagnetic sorting myeloma cells (MACS-FISH) to detect the cytogenetic abnormalities of multiple myeloma.

Methods: Thirty-one patients with multiple myeloma (MM) were detected by D-FISH and MACS-FISH, using 5 probes, including 1q21, D13S319, RB1, IgH, P53. The IgH rearrangement positive patients were further examined by 3 IgH rearrangement subtype FISH probes including IgH/FGFR3, IgH/MAF and IgH/CCND1.

Psychomotor retardation with a 1q42.11-q42.12 deletion.

A 1q42 deletion is a rare structure variation that commonly harbours various deletion breakpoints along with diversified phenotypes. In our study, we found a 1q42 deletion in a boy who did not have a cleft palate or a congenital diaphragmatic hernia but presented with psychomotor retardation. A 1.

FGFR3 gene mutation plus GRB10 gene duplication in a patient with achondroplasia plus growth delay with prenatal onset.

Background: Achondroplasia is a well-defined and common bone dysplasia. Genotype- and phenotype-level correlations have been found between the clinical symptoms of achondroplasia and achondroplasia-specific FGFR3 mutations.

Result: A 2-year-old boy with clinical features consistent with achondroplasia and Silver-Russell syndrome-like symptoms was found to carry a mutation in the fibroblast growth factor receptor-3 (FGFR3) gene at c.

Effects of high extracellular K⁺ in atrium on pacemaker activity of sinoatrial node.

Sinoatrial node (SAN) plays a significant role in rhythmic firing in hearts. Little is known about the pacemaker activity of SAN when the extracellular K⁺ concentration [K⁺]o is accumulated in the atrium at the tissue level. In this paper, a gradient model of the intact SAN and its surrounding atrial muscle was developed by considering details of the SAN heterogeneous electrophysiology.

Maintenance of patency of central venous access devices by registered nurses in an acute ambulatory setting: an evidence utilisation project.

Aim: The aim of the project was to implement the best practice for the maintenance of patency for central venous access devices by registered nurses in an acute ambulatory setting.

Method: This project utilised the Joanna Briggs Institute Practical Application of Clinical Evidence System and Getting Research into Practice programs to facilitate a process of change using an audit, feedback and re-audit cycle as a strategy to improve clinical practice. The team conducted the project in three phases over a 5-month period (July to November 2011).