EPOC: A 28-nm 5.3 pJ/SOP Event-driven Parallel Neuromorphic Hardware with Neuromodulation-based Online Learning.

Bio-inspired neuromorphic hardware with learning ability is highly promising to achieve human-like intelligence, particularly in terms of high energy efficiency and strong environmental adaptability. Though many customized prototypes have demonstrated learning ability, learning on neuromorphic hardware still lacks a bio-plausible and unified learning framework, and inherent spike-based sparsity and parallelism have not been fully exploited, which fundamentally limits their computational efficiency and scale. Therefore, we develop a unified, event-driven, and massively parallel multi-core neuromorphic online learning processor, namely EPOC.

, a butyrate-producing bacterium capable of metabolizing 5-fluorouracil.

Unlabelled: () is a dominant species in the human gut microbiota and considered a beneficial bacterium for producing probiotic butyrate. However, recent studies have suggested that may negatively affect the host through synthesizing fatty acid and metabolizing the anticancer drug 5-fluorouracil, indicating that the impact of is complex and unclear. Therefore, comprehensive genomic studies on need to be performed.

Gut commensal Christensenella minuta modulates host metabolism via acylated secondary bile acids.

A strong correlation between gut microbes and host health has been observed in numerous gut metagenomic cohort studies. However, the underlying mechanisms governing host-microbe interactions in the gut remain largely unknown. Here we report that the gut commensal Christensenella minuta modulates host metabolism by generating a previously undescribed class of secondary bile acids with 3-O-acylation substitution that inhibit the intestinal farnesoid X receptor.

EdgeMap: An Optimized Mapping Toolchain for Spiking Neural Network in Edge Computing.

Spiking neural networks (SNNs) have attracted considerable attention as third-generation artificial neural networks, known for their powerful, intelligent features and energy-efficiency advantages. These characteristics render them ideally suited for edge computing scenarios. Nevertheless, the current mapping schemes for deploying SNNs onto neuromorphic hardware face limitations such as extended execution times, low throughput, and insufficient consideration of energy consumption and connectivity, which undermine their suitability for edge computing applications.

Glucocorticoids protect HEI-OC1 cells from tunicamycin-induced cell damage via inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Background: To analyze mechanisms of action of glucocorticoid treatment for endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) in sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), we aimed to evaluate the expression and activation status of the protein kinase RNA-like ER kinase (PERK)-C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) pathway, which is the major pathway in the ERS.

Methods: In the present study, we established an ERS model using tunicamycin-treated hair-cell-like HEI-OC1 cells. The effect of dexamethasone on proliferation inhibition, apoptosis, and ATF4-CHOP pathway in HEI-OC1 cells was examined by CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry, western blotting, and reverse transcription PCR, respectively.

Theophylline alleviates gentamicin-induced cytotoxicity to sensory hair cells by maintaining HDAC2 expression.

Sensorineural hearing loss is a health problem with global prevalence. Aminoglycoside antibiotics, for instance gentamicin, may cause ototoxicity in mammals as a result of apoptosis and elevated oxidative stress in cochlear hair cells. Our study aimed to examine the potential effects of theophylline, an HDAC2 agonist, on gentamicin-induced cytotoxicity to sensory hair cells.

Elucidation of the Hdac2/Sp1// axis as a modulator of cochlear apoptosis via / models of acute hearing loss.

We previously reported that dysregulation of histone deacetylase 2 (Hdac2) was associated with the prognosis of sudden sensorineural hearing loss. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. In the present study, we developed an acute hearing loss animal model in guinea pigs by infusing lipopolysaccharides (LPS) into the cochlea and measured the expression of Hdac2 in the sensory epithelium.

Sex hormones and genetic variants in hormone metabolic pathways associated with the risk of colorectal cancer.

Objective: The different incidence of colorectal cancer between the sexes suggests that sex hormones may be involved in the susceptibility to colorectal cancer. The association between sex hormones and genetic variants in hormone metabolic pathways and the colorectal cancer risk remains unclear.

Methods: We detected sex hormone levels in plasma from colorectal cancer patients and controls in males by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS).

Genetic variants in RPA1 associated with the response to oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy in colorectal cancer.

Background: Oxaliplatin (L-OHP) is a commonly used first-line chemotherapy for colorectal cancer. Genetic variants in nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway genes may alter genomic integrity and the efficacy of oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy in colorectal cancer.

Methods: We investigated the association between genetic variants in 19 NER pathway genes and the disease control rate (DCR) and progression-free survival (PFS) among 166 colorectal cancer patients who received oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy.

Genetic variant in miR-21 binding sites is associated with colorectal cancer risk.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within binding sites of microRNAs (miRNAs) could modify cancer susceptibility by changing the binding affinity of miRNAs on their target mRNA 3'-untranslated regions (UTRs). MicroRNA-21 (miR-21) is involved in the development of colorectal cancer. However, the relationship between SNPs within the binding sites of miR-21 and colorectal cancer risk has not been widely investigated.

Association study of genetic variants in estrogen metabolic pathway genes and colorectal cancer risk and survival.

Although studies have investigated the association of genetic variants and the abnormal expression of estrogen-related genes with colorectal cancer risk, the evidence remains inconsistent. We clarified the relationship of genetic variants in estrogen metabolic pathway genes with colorectal cancer risk and survival. A case-control study was performed to assess the association of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ten candidate genes with colorectal cancer risk in a Chinese population.

Quality of life and influencing factors of coal miners in Xuzhou, China.

Background: Coal industry is one of the national pillar industries in China. A large number of coal miners are exposed to various occupational hazards, which might cause occupational disease. The aim of the study was to assess the quality of life (QOL) of coal miners in Xuzhou, China and explore influencing factors to QOL of coal miners.

Related factors of outcomes of pharyngeal foreign bodies in children.

Objective: This study aimed to identify factors related to outcomes of the pharyngeal foreign bodies in children and to improve the management protocol of this disease.

Methods: The medical records of 131 children with pharyngeal foreign bodies hospitalized in the hospital were retrospectively reviewed.

Results: Significant differences were observed between the two groups (dislodgement and removal group) with respect to location of pharyngeal foreign bodies and age, while sex, time of pharyngeal foreign bodies, and nature of pharyngeal foreign bodies had no significant differences.

Plasma Mesothelin as a Novel Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarker in Colorectal Cancer.

Mesothelin is a cell surface protein and overexpressed in many cancers. However, the potential value of mesothelin as plasma biomarker in colorectal cancer has not been explored. The purpose of this study was to identify whether plasma mesothelin is a suitable diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for colorectal cancer.

Guar gum as a novel binder for sulfur composite cathodes in rechargeable lithium batteries.

Due to their high theoretical energy densities, lithium sulfur (Li-S) batteries are currently some of the most extensively investigated electrochemical power sources. As a sustainable and environmentally friendly biopolymer, guar gum (GG) is chosen as a binder for use in Li-S batteries for the first time. The results show that GG is a promising binder for sulfur composite cathode materials, and exhibits excellent cycling performance and a favorable high rate capability.

[Efficacy of the dust mites drops sublingual immunotherapy in pediatric allergic rhinitis].

Objective: To observe the role of the dust mites drops sublingual immunotherapy(SLIT) in pediatric allergic rhiriitis caused by dust mites and compare its efficacy between monosensitized and polysensitized children.

Method: A total of 77 pediatric allergic rhinitis patients received Dermatophagoides farina extracts sublingual immunotherapy for 2 years were enrolled as desensitization group and were allocated into monosensitized group (41 cases) and polysensitized group (36 cases) according to the number of coexisting allergens. Meanwhile another 33 allergic rhinitis children treated by pharmacotherapy during the period were collected as control group.

Risk factors for granuloma formation in children induced by tracheobronchial foreign bodies.

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the risk factors for granuloma formation caused by plant-based tracheobronchial foreign bodies in children, and investigate the underlying pathogenesis.

Method: In this retrospective analysis of 153 cases with tracheobronchial foreign bodies (peanuts and watermelon seeds), 35 cases of granuloma formation as granulation group (G), and 118 cases of no granuloma formation as non-granulation group (NG) were studied. Clinical data pertaining to sex (S), age (A), foreign body surface smoothness (SF), foreign body shape (SH), foreign body oil release state (O), the location of foreign bodies (L), and foreign body retention time (T) were collected for statistical analysis.

Histone Deacetylase 2 in Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss Patients in Response to Intratympanic Methylprednisolone Perfusion.

Objective: To evaluate the expression of histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) who were refractory to systemic glucocorticoid treatment and to identify the relationship between the level of HDAC2 and glucocorticoid insensitivity.

Study Design: Prospective clinical study.

Setting: This study was conducted in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School.