Brain-inspired wiring economics for artificial neural networks.

Wiring patterns of brain networks embody a trade-off between information transmission, geometric constraints, and metabolic cost, all of which must be balanced to meet functional needs. Geometry and wiring economy are crucial in the development of brains, but their impact on artificial neural networks (ANNs) remains little understood. Here, we adopt a wiring cost-controlled training framework that simultaneously optimizes wiring efficiency and task performance during structural evolution of sparse ANNs whose nodes are located at arbitrary but fixed positions.

Learning interpretable dynamics of stochastic complex systems from experimental data.

Complex systems with many interacting nodes are inherently stochastic and best described by stochastic differential equations. Despite increasing observation data, inferring these equations from empirical data remains challenging. Here, we propose the Langevin graph network approach to learn the hidden stochastic differential equations of complex networked systems, outperforming five state-of-the-art methods.

Stability and Digestive Properties of a Dual-Protein Emulsion System Based on Soy Protein Isolate and Whey Protein Isolate.

The stability and digestive properties of a dual-protein emulsion consisting of soy protein isolate (SPI) and whey protein isolate (WPI) have been systematically studied. The results showed that the particle size and viscosity of the dual-protein emulsion system decreased continuously with the increase in WPI, and this might be related to the large amount of electric charge on the surface of the emulsion droplets. Dual-protein emulsions with ratios of 3:7 and 5:5 showed the highest emulsion activity, while emulsion stability increased with the increase in WPI.

The therapeutic effects of human embryonic stem cells-derived immunity-and-matrix regulatory cells on membranous nephropathy.

Background: Primary membranous nephropathy (MN) is a kidney-specific autoimmune disease. Human embryonic stem cells-derived immunity-and-matrix regulatory cells (hESC-IMRCs) have immunoregulatory functions. We hypothesized that hESC-IMRCs might have therapeutic effects on MN and be a potential treatment in clinical practice.

Predicting first session working alliances using deep learning algorithms: A proof-of-concept study for personalized psychotherapy.

Objective: The aim of this proof-of-concept study is to develop a predictive model based on deep learning algorithms to predict working alliances after the first therapeutic session and to provide a basis for clinical decisions.

Methods: Using a sample of 325 patients and 32 psychotherapists from three university counseling centers, a deep learning algorithm known as fully connected neural networks (FCNNs) was adopted to construct data-driven predictive models. The performance differences between the model including only patient indicators and the model including both patient and therapist indicators were compared.

Response of bacterial community structure to different ecological niches and their functions in Korean pine forests.

A healthy plant microbiome is diverse, taxonomically-structured, and gives its plant host moderate advantages in growth, development, stress tolerance, and disease resistance. The plant microbiome varies with ecological niches and is influenced by variables that are complex and difficult to separate from each other, such as the plant species, soil, and environmental factors. To explore the composition, diversity, and functions of the bacterial community of Korean pine forests, we used high-throughput sequencing to study five areas with different forest ages from June to October 2017 in northeast China.

Autonomous inference of complex network dynamics from incomplete and noisy data.

The availability of empirical data that capture the structure and behaviour of complex networked systems has been greatly increased in recent years; however, a versatile computational toolbox for unveiling a complex system's nodal and interaction dynamics from data remains elusive. Here we develop a two-phase approach for the autonomous inference of complex network dynamics, and its effectiveness is demonstrated by the tests of inferring neuronal, genetic, social and coupled oscillator dynamics on various synthetic and real networks. Importantly, the approach is robust to incompleteness and noises, including low resolution, observational and dynamical noises, missing and spurious links, and dynamical heterogeneity.

PTEN Lipid Phosphatase Activity Enhances Dengue Virus Production through Akt/FoxO1/Maf1 Signaling.

Dengue virus (DENV) is an arthropod-borne viral pathogen and a global health burden. Knowledge of the DENV-host interactions that mediate virus pathogenicity remains limited. Host lipid metabolism is hijacked by DENV for virus replication in which lipid droplets (LDs) play a key role during the virus lifecycle.

Imipramine exerts antidepressant-like effects in chronic stress models of depression by promoting CRTC1 expression in the mPFC.

Recent studies have suggested that CREB-regulated transcription coactivator 1 (CRTC1) plays a role in the pathophysiology of depression. Although imipramine is thought to prevent the reuptake of synaptic serotonin and norepinephrine, its antidepressant-like mechanisms remain elusive. In this study, the effects of imipramine on CRTC1 were studied in several models of depression, including the chronic restraint stress (CRS), chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) and chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) models.

Venlafaxine protects against chronic stress-related behaviors in mice by activating the mTORC1 signaling cascade.

Background: Recent studies have suggested the role of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) in the pathophysiology of depression. Although venlafaxine was thought to be a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), its pharmacological mechanism remain elusive. In this study, the effects of venlafaxine on the mTORC1 system were studied in both chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) and chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) models.

LIMK1/2 in the mPFC Plays a Role in Chronic Stress-Induced Depressive-Like Effects in Mice.

Background: Depression is one of the most common forms of mental illness and also a leading cause of disability worldwide. Developing novel antidepressant targets beyond the monoaminergic systems is now popular and necessary. LIM kinases, including LIM domain kinase 1 and 2 (LIMK1/2), play a key role in actin and microtubule dynamics through phosphorylating cofilin.

Gephyromycin C, a novel small-molecule inhibitor of heat shock protein Hsp90, induces G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in PC3 cells in vitro.

Gephyromycin C (GC), a natural compound isolated from a marine-derived actinomycete Streptomyces sp. SS13I, which exerts anti-proliferative effect on PC3 cells. However, its underlying mechanism of the anti-cancer effect remains unknown.

Hippocampal overexpression of chordin protects against the chronic social defeat stress-induced depressive-like effects in mice.

Depression is a serious and worldwide neuropsychiatric disesase, and developing novel antidepressant targets beyond the monoaminergic systems is now popular and necessary. Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signals modulate numerous developmental, physiological, and homeostatic processes. The functions of BMPs are also regulated by secreted extracellular antagonists such as chordin and noggin.

Upregulation of sphingosine kinase 1 contributes to ventilator-associated lung injury in a two-hit model.

Ventilator‑associated lung injury (VALI) remains a significant medical problem in intensive care units. The present study aimed to investigate the role of sphingosine kinase 1 (SPHK1) in VALI using a two‑hit model and explore the potential underlying molecular mechanism. Mice were divided into five groups: i) Non‑ventilated group; ii) non‑ventilated + lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group; iii) ventilated group; iv) ventilated + LPS group; and v) ventilated + LPS + SPHK1 inhibitor group.

Progestin-primed ovarian stimulation improves the outcomes of IVF/ICSI cycles in infertile women with diminished ovarian reserve.

Background: Ovarian stimulation with clomiphene (CC) or progestin has been applied for patients with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR). However, it remains unclear which treatment confers greater benefits. This study aimed to compare the outcomes of progestin-primed ovarian stimulation (PPOS) protocol vs CC-primed ovarian stimulation (CPOS) in infertile women with DOR.

Andrographolide Exerts Significant Antidepressant-Like Effects Involving the Hippocampal BDNF System in Mice.

Background: Major depressive disorder is a worldwide neuropsychiatric disorder associated with various symptoms, but current antidepressants used in clinical practice have various side effects and high failure rates. Andrographolide is the main bioactive ingredient of Andrographis paniculata and exhibits numerous pharmacological actions. This study aimed to evaluate the antidepressant-like effects of andrographolide in male C57BL/6J mice.

Hippocampal Salt-Inducible Kinase 2 Plays a Role in Depression via the CREB-Regulated Transcription Coactivator 1-cAMP Response Element Binding-Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Pathway.

Background: Developing novel pharmacological targets beyond monoaminergic systems is now a popular strategy for finding new ways to treat depression. Salt-inducible kinase (SIK) is a kinase that regulates the nuclear translocation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein (CREB)-regulated transcription coactivator (CRTC) by phosphorylation. Here, we hypothesize that dysfunction of the central SIK-CRTC system may contribute to the pathogenesis of depression.

Strawberry Notch 1 (SBNO1) promotes proliferation of spermatogonial stem cells via the noncanonical Wnt pathway in mice.

While it is known that spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) initiate the production of male germ cells, the mechanisms of SSC self-renewal, proliferation, and differentiation remain poorly understood. We have previously identified Strawberry Notch 1 (SBNO1), a vertebrate strawberry notch family protein, in the proteome profile for mouse SSC maturation and differentiation, revealing SBNO1 is associated with neonatal testicular development. To explore further the location and function of SBNO1 in the testes, we performed Sbno1 gene knockdown in mice to study the effects of SBNO1 on neonatal testicular and SSC development.

[Optimization and Validation of the Analytical Method to Detect New Psychoactive Substances in Wastewater].

New psychoactive substances (NPS) are emerging continuously, as the crackdown against traditional drugs becomes stricter. Metabolites of NPSs and the unchanged drugs enter wastewater through urine and are collected and treated by wastewater treatment plants before being discharged into the aquatic environment. Based on previous research, solid phase extraction (SPE) and ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) were used and the detection method of 11 NPSs was optimized.

[Association between autism spectrum disorder and epilepsy in children].

Objective: To examine the association between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and epilepsy in children.

Methods: A total of 190 children with ASD were enrolled. A self-designed questionnaire, Childhood Autism Rating Scale, and Autism Behavior Checklist were used to determine the association between ASD and epilepsy.

[Optimization and Validation of the Analytical Method to Detect Common Illicit Drugs in Wastewater].

Illicit drugs have been recognized as a group of emerging pollutants.Based on previous research,procedures to pre-treat wastewater including SPE column,pH of water samples,and processes of washing,acidifying and re-dissolving were compared.It was found that the best recovery was achieved when wastewater was adjusted to pH=2 and Oasis MCX column was used.

Piezoelectric and Dielectric Properties of Multilayered BaTiO3/(Ba,Ca)TiO3/CaTiO3 Thin Films.

Highly oriented multilayered BaTiO3-(Ba,Ca)TiO3-CaTiO3 thin films were fabricated on Nb-doped (001) SrTiO3 (Nb:STO) substrates by pulsed laser deposition. The configurations of multilayered BaTiO3-(Ba,Ca)TiO3-CaTiO3 thin films are designed with the thickness ratio of 1:1:1 and 2:1:1 and total thickness ∼300 nm. Microstructural characterization by X-ray diffraction indicates that the as-deposited thin films are highly c-axis oriented and large in-plane strain is determined in BaTiO3 and CaTiO3 layers.

Clinical features and in vivo confocal microscopy assessment in 12 patients with ocular cicatricial pemphigoid.

Aim: To describe the clinical features and microstructural characteristics assessed by in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) in patients with ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP).

Methods: A descriptive, uncontrolled case series study. Patients diagnosed with OCP were examined by clinical history, slit-lamp biomicroscopy features and IVCM images.