Structural characteristics, immune-activating mechanisms in vitro, and immunomodulatory effects in vivo of the exopolysaccharide EPS53 from Streptococcus thermophilus XJ53.

Our previous investigations have successfully identified the repeating structural units of EPS53, an exopolysaccharide derived from Streptococcus thermophilus XJ53 fermented milk, and substantiated its potential immunomodulatory properties. The present study further elucidated the structural characteristics of EPS53 and investigated the underlying mechanisms governing its in vitro immunoreactivity as well as its in vivo immunoreactivity. The results obtained from multi-detector high performance gel filtration chromatography revealed that EPS53 adopted a rigid rod conformation in aqueous solution, with the weight-average molecular weight of 1464 kDa, the number-average molecular weight of 694 kDa, and the polydispersity index of 2.

Fatigue at the wheel: A non-visual approach to truck driver fatigue detection by multi-feature fusion.

Background: Monitoring of long-haul truck driver fatigue state has attracted considerable interest. Conventional fatigue driving detection methods based on the physiological and visual features are scarcely applicable, due to the intrusiveness, reliability, and cost-effectiveness concerns.

Methods: We elaborately developed a fatigue driving detection method by fusion of non-visual features derived from the customized wristbands, vehicle-mounted equipment, and trip logs.

Self-paced graph memory for learner GPA prediction and it's application in learner multiple evaluation.

A scientific and rational evaluation of teaching is essential for personalized learning. In the current teaching assessment model that solely relies on Grade Point Average (GPA), learners with different learning abilities may be classified as the same type of student. It is challenging to uncover the underlying logic behind different learning patterns when GPA scores are the same.

Application study of DTI combined with ASL in the crossed cerebellar diaschisis after subacute cerebral hemorrhage.

Purpose: To study the value of 3.0T magnetic resonance imaging with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and 3D-arterial spin labeling (ASL) perfusion imaging in the diagnosis of the crossed cerebellar diaschisis (CCD) after the unilateral supratentorial subacute cerebral hemorrhage.

Methods: Fifty-eight patients with the unilateral supratentorial subacute cerebral hemorrhage who underwent diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), 3D-arterial spin labeling (ASL), and conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning were enrolled.

Enhanced Mechanical and Corrosion Properties via Annealing Treatment on the Hot-Rolled Ti-Zr-Mo Alloy.

In this work, the Ti-20Zr-15Mo alloy in its hot-rolled state was annealed in different phase zones, and the effects of the annealing treatment on the phase composition, organization, mechanical and corrosion resistance properties of the alloy were systematically investigated. The results showed that the original β grains of the alloy had all recrystallized to form the β equiaxial grains when annealed at 800 °C, and the grains had been significantly refined. This allowed the alloy to reach a tensile strength of 1000 MPa, a maximum of 28% after stretching, and a significant increase in plasticity.

Purification, structure identification and immune activity of a neutral polysaccharide from Cynanchum Auriculatum.

The crude polysaccharides CAPS and CAP of Cynanchum Auriculatum, which were prepared by degrading starch by single-enzymatic method (α-amylase) and double-enzymatic method (α-amylase and glucoamylase) respectively, were compared. CAP had good water solubility and higher non-starch polysaccharide content. A homogeneous neutral polysaccharide CAP-W, with the degree of acetylation about 17 %, was obtained from CAP by anion exchange column chromatography.

Luteoloside Prevents Sevoflurane-induced Cognitive Dysfunction in Aged Rats via Maintaining Mitochondrial Function and Dynamics in Hippocampal Neurons.

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is characterized by impaired cognitive function, such as decreased learning and memory after anesthesia and surgery. This study aimed to explore the effect of luteoloside, a flavonoid extracted from natural herbs, on sevoflurane-induced cognitive dysfunction. Aged Sprague-Dawley male rats (20 months old) were treated with luteoloside for 7 days prior to sevoflurane exposure.

Clinical and imaging features of diabetic striatopathy: report of 6 cases and literature review.

Objective: To explore the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, and pathogenesis of diabetic striatopathy (DS) to improve the understanding of the disease and avoid misdiagnosis or underdiagnosis.

Methods: The clinical, laboratory, and imaging data of 6 patients (5 Asian females and 1 Asian male) with diabetic striatum were analyzed retrospectively, and the related literature was reviewed.

Results: All 6 patients showed hyperglycemia, 5 patients presented with involuntary movement of unilateral limbs, and 1 with unilateral limb numbness.

International Students' Motivation to Study Abroad: An Empirical Study Based on Expectancy-Value Theory and Self-Determination Theory.

Push-pull theory, consumer decision-making models and rational choice theory are commonly used to explain international student mobility (ISM). Despite their merits, the individual's motivation to study abroad is ignored. Based on two motivation theories-expectancy-value theory (EVT) and self-determination theory (SDT), this study examines whether students' intention to study abroad originates from the students themselves or compromises social pressure and how the external factors defined in push-pull theory work with these motivations to affect their decision-making.

Evaluation of T2-FLAIR combined with ASL on the collateral circulation of acute ischemic stroke.

Purpose: Using magnetic resonance fluid-attenuated inversion recovery sequence (FLAIR) combined with three-dimensional arterial spin labeling (3D-ASL) cerebral perfusion imaging to explore the effect of collateral circulation on acute ischemic stroke (AIS).

Methods: Eighty patients with AIS who had severe stenosis or occlusion at the end of the unilateral middle cerebral artery (MCA) were collected for the study on admission. Arterial transit artifact (ATA) was observed and graded for hyperintense vessel sign (HVS).

Corrigendum: Educational Data Mining Techniques for Student Performance Prediction: Method Review and Comparison Analysis.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.

Glycopyrrolate versus atropine for preventing bradycardia induced by neostigmine injection after general anesthesia surgery: a randomized open, parallel-controlled multicenter clinical trial.

Objective: With atropine as a positive control, randomized controlled clinical trials were conducted to verify the efficacy of glycopyrrolate injection in preventing bradycardia caused by neostigmine.

Method: Patients undergoing elective general anesthesia and non-cardiac surgery were randomly divided into an experimental group (129 cases) and control group (127 cases) (ChiCTR2100046022, http://www.chictr.

Educational Data Mining Techniques for Student Performance Prediction: Method Review and Comparison Analysis.

Student performance prediction (SPP) aims to evaluate the grade that a student will reach before enrolling in a course or taking an exam. This prediction problem is a kernel task toward personalized education and has attracted increasing attention in the field of artificial intelligence and educational data mining (EDM). This paper provides a systematic review of the SPP study from the perspective of machine learning and data mining.

High resolution estimates of relative gene abundance with quantitative ratiometric regression PCR (qRR-PCR).

Quantification of the relative abundance of genetic traits has broad applications for biomarker discovery, diagnostics, and assessing gene expression in biological research. Relative quantification of genes is traditionally done with the 2 method using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) data, which is often limited in resolution beyond orders of magnitude difference. The latest techniques for quantification of nucleic acids employ digital PCR or microarrays which involve lengthy sample preparation and complex instrumentation.

The impact of proactive personality and clinical learning environment on nursing college students' perceived employability.

Objectives: To examine the relationships between proactive personality, clinical learning environment, career adaptability and self-perceived employability in nursing college students based on the career construction model.

Design: The study employed a cross-sectional research design.

Participants And Methods: A purposive and convenience sampling of 405 final year nursing college students were invited to finish online survey.

ED50 for intravenous midazolam-induced amnesia and its duration in surgical patients.

Background: Intraoperative awareness is a serious adverse event under general anesthesia. Midazolam has a good anterograde amnesia-inducing effect, can prevent and reduce the occurrence of intraoperative awareness. However, if the dosage of midazolam is improperly controlled, it may not produce forgetting effect, or bring obvious adverse side effects, such as respiratory depression, and delay of recovery.

Effects of hydroxyethyl starch and gelatin on the risk of acute kidney injury following orthotopic liver transplantation: A multicenter retrospective comparative clinical study.

Objectives: This multicenter retrospective study aimed to compare the effects of HES and gelatin (GEL) on the risk of post-OLT AKI.

Method: A total of 1,672 patients undergoing OLT were enrolled from major transplant centers in China between 2005 and 2013. These patients were divided into three groups: GEL, hydroxyethyl starch (HES), and GEL + HES group.

Knockdown of MicroRNA160a/b by STTM leads to root architecture changes via auxin signaling in Solanum tuberosum.

The root phenotype is an important aspect of plant architecture and plays a critical role in plant facilitation of the extraction of water and nutrition from the soil. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are classes of small RNAs with important roles in regulating endogenous gene expression at the post-transcriptional level that function in a range of plant development processes and in the response to abiotic stresses. However, little is known concerning the molecular mechanism of miRNAs in regulating the generation and development of plant root architecture.

Osthole improves pulmonary artery hypertension by inducing apoptosis in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to explore the effect of Osthole (Ost) on apoptosis in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) and investigate the potential mechanism of this effect.

Methods: Rats were injected subcutaneously with monocrotaline (MCT) to establish a PAH model, and Ost were intragastrically administrated from day 1 to day 35. After 35 days administration, the mean pulmonary artery pressure and lung weight index were measured.

Interferon-α may help prevent molecular relapse of chronic myeloid leukemia after the discontinuation of tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

Background: Currently, the goal of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) treatment is normal survival and good quality of life without life-long treatment, namely, "treatment-free remission" (TFR). At present, approximately only 50% of patients with CML with a deep molecular response are able to discontinue tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) without experiencing molecular relapse [MR; loss of major molecular response (MMR)]. In addition, prior interferon (IFN) treatment is associated with a higher rate of TFR.

Complete mitochondrial genome sequence of .

The complete mitochondrial genome of was sequenced. The circular molecule is a total length of 46,314 bp, and the base composition of the mitogenome is as follows: A (33.6%), T (33.

Advancing Biosensors with Machine Learning.

Chemometrics play a critical role in biosensors-based detection, analysis, and diagnosis. Nowadays, as a branch of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) have achieved impressive advances. However, novel advanced ML methods, especially deep learning, which is famous for image analysis, facial recognition, and speech recognition, has remained relatively elusive to the biosensor community.

Perioperative Ulinastatin helps preserve endothelial glycocalyx layer in periampullary carcinoma patients undergoing Traditional Whipple Procedure.

Background: Damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) generated by major surgery can induce global inflammation response and may degrade the vascular endothelial glycocalyx layer (EGL); in turn, the resulting EGL fragments can act as DAMPs, in a destructive positive feedback loop, to promote exacerbation of inflammation. Ulinastatin (UTI) may attenuate EGL shedding by inhibiting serine proteases and hyaluronidase.

Objective: This trail evaluates whether EGL shedding elicited by Traditional Whipple Procedure (TWP) could be decreased by using UTI.

Desflurane and Surgery Exposure During Pregnancy Decrease Synaptic Integrity and Induce Functional Deficits in Juvenile Offspring Mice.

Anesthesia in pregnant women may cause adverse effects in the hippocampus of unborn babies and fetal brain development. The mechanisms underlying pathological changes resulting from anesthetics are unclear. This study tested the hypothesis that exposure to desflurane during pregnancy may impair cognition and memory functions of juvenile offspring.