Sample-Based Continuous Approximate Method for Constructing Interval Neural Network.

In safety-critical engineering applications, such as robust prediction against adversarial noise, it is necessary to quantify neural networks' uncertainty. Interval neural networks (INNs) are effective models for uncertainty quantification, giving an interval of predictions instead of a single value for a corresponding input. This article formulates the problem of training an INN as a chance-constrained optimization problem.

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell exosome-derived lncRNA TUC339 influences the progression of osteoarthritis by regulating synovial macrophage polarization and chondrocyte apoptosis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is an extremely common type of chronic progressive disease in clinical practice. lncRNA TUC339 has a close association with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) and an important impact on organismal inflammation. However, the mechanism of BMSC-derived lncRNA TUC339 on OA was poorly understood.

Efficacy and long-term results of endovascular embolization and surgical clipping for posterior communicating artery unruptured aneurysms complicated with oculomotor nerve palsy.

to investigate the efficacy and long-term outcomes of endovascular embolization and surgical clipping for patients with posterior communicating artery unruptured aneurysms (PcomAs) concomitant with oculomotor nerve palsy (ONP). No significant (P > .05) difference existed in the age, gender, proportion of complete ONP, and size of eye fissure and pupil before treatment between 2 groups.

A plasmonic ELISA for multi-colorimetric sensing of C-reactive protein by using shell dependent etching of Ag coated Au nanobipyramids.

The etching of gold nanorods/nanobipyramid, or silver-coated nanorods/nanobipyramid inducing plasmon changes represents an efficient strategy to improve the performance of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). However, the effect of shape on the sensitivity was negligible, especially the thickness of coated silver shell. Here, we propose a plasmonic ELISA for multi-colorimetric detection of CRP based on the etching of Ag-coated Au nanobipyramid (Au NBP@Ag).

Extracellular vesicles derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells alleviate osteoarthritis of the knee in mice model by interacting with METTL3 to reduce m6A of NLRP3 in macrophage.

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent degenerative joint disease that not only significantly impairs the quality of life of middle-aged and elderly individuals but also imposes a significant financial burden on patients and society. Due to their significant biological properties, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have steadily received great attention in OA treatment. This study aimed to investigate the influence of EVs on chondrocyte proliferation, migration, and apoptosis and their protective efficacy against OA in mice.

Sample-Based Neural Approximation Approach for Probabilistic Constrained Programs.

This article introduces a neural approximation-based method for solving continuous optimization problems with probabilistic constraints. After reformulating the probabilistic constraints as the quantile function, a sample-based neural network model is used to approximate the quantile function. The statistical guarantees of the neural approximation are discussed by showing the convergence and feasibility analysis.

Statistical models of near-accident event and pedestrian behavior at non-signalized intersections.

This paper proposes an innovative framework of modeling the statistical properties of the near-accident event and pedestrian behavior at non-signalized intersections based on Poisson process and logistic regression. The first contribution of this study is that the predictive intensity model of the near-accident event is established by regarding the near-accident event as a Poisson process on space of the vehicle velocity, distance to the intersection and lateral distance to the pedestrian at the time when pedestrian appears. Besides, logistic regression is used to build the model which can predict the probability of pedestrian behavior.

Controllable Synthesis of One-Dimensional MoO /MoS Hybrid Composites with their Enhanced Efficient Electromagnetic Wave Absorption Properties.

One-dimensional MoO /MoS hybrid composites were synthesized by hydrothermal synthesis, and flexible MoO /MoS /PVDF nanocomposites could be prepared in a controlled fashion by combining the MoO /MoS composites with polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) matrix. The MoO /MoS /PVDF hybrids with a low filler content (20 wt %) exhibited distinct microwave absorption properties in the range of 2-18 GHz. The minimum reflection loss can reach -38.

Tunable High-Performance Microwave Absorption and Shielding by Three Constituent Phases Between rGO and FeO@SiO Nanochains.

With the aim of achieving high microwave absorption and electromagnetic shielding performance, reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and FeO@SiO nanochains are successfully combined at various mass ratios. By selecting the right mass ratio, an rGO/FeO@SiO composite with excellent microwave absorption properties is obtained, and, due to the addition of highly conductive rGO, the desired shielding effectiveness is also achieved. The reflection loss (RL) value of the composite can reach -48.

Prognosis of patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma treated with molecularly targeted drugs combined with radiotherapy vs temozolomide monotherapy: A meta-analysis.

Background: Glioblastoma (GB) is one of the most common malignancies with limited standard therapies such as surgery, radiotherapy (RT) plus temozolomide (TMZ). Molecularly targeted drugs have been investigated among various clinical trials and are expected to develop in the field of tumor therapy, while the efficacy remains uncertain due to limited previous results. Thus, we focus on the evaluation of molecularly targeted drugs to clarify its overall effectiveness in terms of treating newly diagnosed GB.

Live Cell Membranome cDNA Screen: A Novel Homogenous Live Cell Binding Assay to Study Membrane Protein-Ligand Interaction.

Interactions between transmembrane receptors and their ligands play important roles in normal biological processes and pathological conditions. However, the binding partners for many transmembrane-like proteins remain elusive. To identify potential ligands of these orphan receptors, we developed a screening platform using a homogenous nonwash binding assay in live cells.

Excellent microwave absorption properties based on a composite of one dimensional MoC@C nanorods and a PVDF matrix.

MoO nanowires were synthesized by a wet chemical process and then coated by glucose, and finally successfully turned into MoC@C nanorods by carbonation reaction. An excellent absorption strength of -39.0 dB and absorption bandwidth of 12.

MMC controlled-release membranes attenuate epidural scar formation in rat models after laminectomy.

Epidural scar formation after laminectomy impede surgical outcomes of decompression. Mitomycin C (MMC) has been demonstrated to have significant inhibitory effects on epidural scar. This study was undertaken to develop an effective MMC controlled‑release membrane and to investigate its effects on epidural scar in rat models of laminectomy.

Risk of rupture and risks of endovascular management of unruptured brain arteriovenous malformations.

This study reports the natural history of unruptured brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) and the risks involved in their endovascular management. A total of 242 patients at our center were enrolled in the study, which had retrospective and prospective components. We retrospectively assessed the morbidity and mortality related to endovascular management in 125 patients with unruptured AVMs.

Multiple intracranial aneurysms: endovascular treatment and complications.

This study evaluated the results of endovascular embolization of multiple intracranial aneurysms. A retrospective hospital chart and radiograph review were made of all patients with multiple intracranial aneurysms seen between March 2010 and January 2011. Ten patients presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage, four with mass effect, two with brain ischemia and twenty were incidental.

Heterocyclic core analogs of a direct thrombin inhibitor.

Thrombin is a serine protease that plays a key role in blood clotting. Pyrrolidine 1 is a potent thrombin inhibitor discovered at Merck several years ago. Seven analogs (2-8) of 1 in which the pyrrolidine core was replaced with various heterocycles were prepared and evaluated for activity against thrombin, clotting factors VIIa, IXa, Xa, and XIIa, and trypsin.

Effects of small interfering RNA-mediated hepatic glucagon receptor inhibition on lipid metabolism in db/db mice.

Hepatic glucose overproduction is a major characteristic of type 2 diabetes. Because glucagon is a key regulator for glucose homeostasis, antagonizing the glucagon receptor (GCGR) is a possible therapeutic strategy for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. To study the effect of hepatic GCGR inhibition on the regulation of lipid metabolism, we generated siRNA-mediated GCGR knockdown (si-GCGR) in the db/db mouse.

Identification of genes affecting apolipoprotein B secretion following siRNA-mediated gene knockdown in primary human hepatocytes.

Objective: Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are useful in studying the complex pathways underlying diseases such as atherosclerosis; however, additional testing is often necessary to identify the disease causal genes linked to GWAS loci. We used siRNA-mediated gene knockdown in primary human hepatocytes (PHuH) to identify potential GWAS causal genes affecting the hepatic secretion of apolipoprotein B (ApoB), ApoA1, and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9.

Materials And Methods: Candidate causal genes within GWAS loci affecting human plasma levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides were identified from the literature; 191 genes were selected from 74 loci.

An anti-PCSK9 antibody reduces LDL-cholesterol on top of a statin and suppresses hepatocyte SREBP-regulated genes.

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a promising therapeutic target for treating coronary heart disease. We report a novel antibody 1B20 that binds to PCSK9 with sub-nanomolar affinity and antagonizes PCSK9 function in-vitro. In CETP/LDLR-hemi mice two successive doses of 1B20, administered 14 days apart at 3 or 10 mpk, induced dose dependent reductions in LDL-cholesterol (≥ 25% for 7-14 days) that correlated well with the extent of PCSK9 occupancy by the antibody.

A PCSK9-binding antibody that structurally mimics the EGF(A) domain of LDL-receptor reduces LDL cholesterol in vivo.

Proprotein convertase subtilisin-like/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) regulates LDL cholesterol levels by inhibiting LDL receptor (LDLr)-mediated cellular LDL uptake. We have identified a fragment antigen-binding (Fab) 1D05 which binds PCSK9 with nanomolar affinity. The fully human antibody 1D05-IgG2 completely blocks the inhibitory effects of wild-type PCSK9 and two gain-of-function human PCSK9 mutants, S127R and D374Y.

Redox regulation of actin by thioredoxin-1 is mediated by the interaction of the proteins via cysteine 62.

Actin is a highly conserved protein in eukaryotic cells, and has been identified as one of the main redox targets by redox proteomics under oxidative stress. However, little is known about the mechanisms of regulation of the redox state of actin. In this study, we investigated how thioredoxin-1 (Trx1) affected the redox state of actin and its polymerization under oxidative stress in SH-SY5Y cells.