RGBD Salient Object Detection via Deep Fusion.

Numerous efforts have been made to design various low-level saliency cues for RGBD saliency detection, such as color and depth contrast features as well as background and color compactness priors. However, how these low-level saliency cues interact with each other and how they can be effectively incorporated to generate a master saliency map remain challenging problems. In this paper, we design a new convolutional neural network (CNN) to automatically learn the interaction mechanism for RGBD salient object detection.

[Protective effect of quercetin against immunological liver injury through activating Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway].

Objective To observe the protective effect of quercetin against immunological liver injury induced by triptolide, and investigate the involvement of Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway in the protection. Methods Fifty C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into five groups: control group, model group, (20, 50, 80) mg/kg quercetin pre-treatment groups. Each group included 10 mice.

Fe-, pH-, Thermoresponsive Supramolecular Hydrogel with Multishape Memory Effect.

Poor, nontunable mechanical properties as well as finite shape memory performance pose a barrier to shape memory hydrogels to realize practical applications. Here, a new shape memory hydrogel with tunable mechanical properties and multishape memory effect was presented. Three programmable reversible systems including PBA-diol ester bonds, AAc-Fe, and coil-helix transition of agar were applied to memorize temporary shapes and endow the hydrogel with outstanding multishape memory functionalities.

Supramolecular shape memory hydrogels: a new bridge between stimuli-responsive polymers and supramolecular chemistry.

Supramolecular shape memory hydrogels (SSMHs) refer to shape memory polymers, in which temporary shapes are stabilized by reversible crosslinks such as supramolecular interactions and dynamic covalent bonds. Following a brief introduction of the conventional shape memory polymers (SMPs), this tutorial review is focused to summarize the recent advancement in various reversible crosslinks employed to construct SSMHs (supramolecular interactions and dynamic covalent bonds) and different shape memory behaviors (dual and triple shape memory effects). In addition, current challenges and future perspectives in this field are also discussed to suggest a new developing direction.

Radiosynthesis and pharmacokinetics of [F]fluoroethyl bufalin in hepatocellular carcinoma-bearing mice.

Purpose: Bufalin, the main component of a Chinese traditional medicine chansu, shows convincing anticancer effects in a lot of tumor cell lines. However, its in vivo behavior is still unclear. This research aimed to evaluate how bufalin was dynamically absorbed after intravenous injection in animal models.

Functionalization of Biodegradable PLA Nonwoven Fabric as Superoleophilic and Superhydrophobic Material for Efficient Oil Absorption and Oil/Water Separation.

Although the construction of superwettability materials for oil/water separation has been developed rapidly, the postprocess of the used separation materials themselves is still a thorny problem due to their nondegradation in the natural environment. In this work, we reported the functionalization of polylactic acid (PLA) nonwoven fabric as superoleophilic and superhydrophobic material for efficient treatment of oily wastewater with eco-friendly post-treatment due to the well-known biodegradable nature of PLA matrix.

Hollow Au-Ag Nanoparticles Labeled Immunochromatography Strip for Highly Sensitive Detection of Clenbuterol.

The probe materials play a significant role in improving the detection efficiency and sensitivity of lateral-flow immunochromatographic test strip (ICTS). Unlike conventional ICTS assay usually uses single-component, solid gold nanoparticles as labeled probes, in our present study, a bimetallic, hollow Au-Ag nanoparticles (NPs) labeled ICTS was successfully developed for the detection of clenbuterol (CLE). The hollow Au-Ag NPs with different Au/Ag mole ratio and tunable size were synthesized by varying the volume ratio of [HAuCl4]:[Ag NPs] via the galvanic replacement reaction.

Direct supramolecular interacted graphene oxide assembly on graphene as an active and defect-free functional platform.

Graphene oxide (GO), which is structurally analogous to graphene, was used as the ink to precisely tune the surface activity of graphene, without diminishing the outstanding properties of the 2D sp network, via microcontact printing-induced multiple π-π stacking interactions. The GO/graphene hybrids, thus, provide a robust platform for chemical/photo-active GO for further chemical modification with multifunctionality.

Discovery of high-performance low-cost n-type MgSb-based thermoelectric materials with multi-valley conduction bands.

Widespread application of thermoelectric devices for waste heat recovery requires low-cost high-performance materials. The currently available n-type thermoelectric materials are limited either by their low efficiencies or by being based on expensive, scarce or toxic elements. Here we report a low-cost n-type material, Te-doped MgSbBi, that exhibits a very high figure of merit zT ranging from 0.

Epidemiological characteristics and gender-specific differences of obstructive sleep apnea in a Chinese hypertensive population: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with an increase in the prevalence and incidence of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. Data about epidemiological characteristics of OSA in Chinese hypertensive populations is limited.

Methods: Hypertensive subjects without a prior diagnosis of OSA were recruited, and the apnea-hyponea index (AHI) was assessed by polysomnography.

Phosphorylated Mammalian Target of Rapamycin p-mTOR Is a Favorable Prognostic Factor than mTOR in Gastric Cancer.

Aims: The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and phosphorylated mTOR (p-mTOR) occurring downstream in the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, are regarded as potential prognostic markers for gastric cancer (GC). However, the prognostic value of mTOR/p-mTOR expression remains controversial. In this study, we determined the expression of mTOR, p-mTOR, p70S6k, and p-p70S6K in GC, and investigated the correlation between their overexpression, clinicopathological parameters, and overall survival (OS).

Acoustic-actuated optical coherence angiography.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography requires high sensitivity and image penetration for detailed microvascular monitoring. Unfortunately, no effective contrast-medium-enhanced scheme is currently available for imaging improvement. We here propose the simultaneous use of gas-filled microbubbles (MBs) and acoustic actuation to enhance the imaging contrast of OCT angiography.

Mineralocorticoid Receptor Deficiency in Macrophages Inhibits Atherosclerosis by Affecting Foam Cell Formation and Efferocytosis.

Mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) has been considered as a potential target for treating atherosclerosis. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms are not completely understood. We aim to explore the functions and mechanisms of macrophage MR in atherosclerosis.

A multi-responsive hydrogel with a triple shape memory effect based on reversible switches.

A novel multi-responsive shape memory hydrogel is described. The hydrogel shows multi-responsive shape memory performance and a programmable triple shape memory effect based on dual multi-responsive reversible switches, which will inspire the design and fabrication of novel shape memory systems.

A highly selective electrochemical sensor for chloramphenicol based on three-dimensional reduced graphene oxide architectures.

Chloramphenicol (CAP), as a broad-spectrum antibiotic, has been worldwide banned for using in the food producing animals due to its overuse may cause severe threats to public health. It is therefore highly desirable to develop facile, selective and sensitive biosensor for CAP detection and monitoring in drug and foodstuff samples. In this work, three-dimensional reduced graphene oxide (3DRGO) architectures were prepared through a green and template-free approach and used as active electrode materials to develop a highly selective electrochemical sensor for CAP detection.

Effect of lamotrigine on epilepsy-induced cognitive impairment and hippocampal neuronal apoptosis in pentylenetetrazole-kindled animal model.

Purpose: Lamotrigine (LTG) is a broad-spectrum antiepileptic drug that is widely used in clinic. However, the effect of LTG on cognition and neurodegeneration during epilepsy treatment remains controversial. In this study, we compared the cognitive effects of LTG and sodium valproate in pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-kindled animal model, and the dose dependency was tested for LTG.

Engineering Gold Nanoparticles in Compass Shape with Broadly Tunable Plasmon Resonances and High-Performance SERS.

We present the uniform and high-yield synthesis of a novel gold nanostructure of compass shape composed of a Au sphere at the central and two gradually thinning conical tips at the opposed poles. The Au compass shapes were synthesized through a seed-mediated growth approach employing a binary mixture of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and sodium oleate (NaOL) as the structure-directing agents. Under the condition of single surfactant (CTAB), the spherical seeds tend to grow into larger spherical Au nanoparticles (NPs); while the spherical seeds favor the formation of Au compass shaped NPs using two mixed surfactants (CTAB/NaOL).

Association of obstructive sleep apnea plus hypertension and prevalent cardiovascular diseases: A cross-sectional study.

Current study sought to evaluate the associations of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) plus hypertension (HTN) and prevalent cardiovascular diseases (CVD).This was a cross-sectional study and a total of 1889 subjects were enrolled. The apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was measured by polysomnography and OSA degree was classified as mild (AHI 5-14.

Controlled Ring-Opening Polymerization of O-Carboxyanhydrides Using a β-Diiminate Zinc Catalyst.

Recently O-carboxyanhydrides (OCAs) have emerged as a class of viable monomers which can undergo ring-opening polymerization (ROP) to prepare poly(α-hydroxyalkanoic acid) with functional groups that are typically difficult to achieve by ROP of lactones. Organocatalysts for the ROP of OCAs, such as dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP), may induce undesired epimerization of the α-carbon atom in polyesters resulting in the loss of isotacticity. Herein, we report the use of (BDI-IE)Zn(OCH(CH )COOCH ) ((BDI)Zn-1, (BDI-IE)=2-((2,6-diethylphenyl)amino)-4-((2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino)-2-pentene), for the controlled ROP of various OCAs without epimerization.

A Community-Based Study of the Correlation of Hemorrhagic Stroke Occurrence with Meteorologic Factors.

Background: Meteorologic variations may affect hemorrhagic stroke. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore the correlation of daily meteorologic factors with increased incidence of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in a community-based study.

Methods: In a span of 2 years, 735 patients suffering from hypertensive ICH or SAH were enrolled in the study in Fularji District, Heilongjiang Province, China.

Pd-on-Au Supra-nanostructures Decorated Graphene Oxide: An Advanced Electrocatalyst for Fuel Cell Application.

We report a very easy and effective approach for synthesizing unique palladium-on-gold supra-nanostructure (Au@Pd-SprNS)-decorated graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets. The SprNSs comprising Au nanorods as core and a unique close-packed assembly of tiny anisotropic Pd nanoparticles (NPs) as shell were homogeneously distributed on the GO surface via electrostatic self-assembly. Compared with the traditional one-pot method for synthesis of metal NPs on GO sheets, the size and shape of core-shell Au@Pd SprNSs can be finely controlled and uniformly distributed on the GO carrier.

Reaction-Driven Self-Assembled Micellar Nanoprobes for Ratiometric Fluorescence Detection of CS2 with High Selectivity and Sensitivity.

The detection of highly toxic CS2, which is known as a notorious occupational hazard in various industrial processes, is important from both environmental and public safety perspectives. We describe here a robust type of chemical-reaction-based supramolecular fluorescent nanoprobes for ratiometric determination of CS2 with high selectivity and sensitivity in water medium. The micellar nanoprobes self-assemble from amphiphilic pyrene-modified hyperbranched polyethylenimine (Py-HPEI) polymers with intense pyrene excimer emission.

Transcriptome sequencing uncovers a three-long noncoding RNA signature in predicting breast cancer survival.

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a crucial role in tumorigenesis. The aim of this study is to identify lncRNA signature that can predict breast cancer patient survival. RNA expression data from 1064 patients were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas project.

Prognostic significance of FoxM1 expression in non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: Various studies examined the relationship between FoxM1 overexpression with the clinical outcome in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but yielded conflicting results.

Methods: Electronic databases updated to Jan 01, 2015 were searched to find relevant studies. A meta-analysis was conducted with eligible studies which quantitatively evaluated the relationship between FoxM1 overexpression and survival of patients with NSCLC Survival data were aggregated and quantitatively analyzed.

Effect of electroacupuncture on gastric interstitial cells of Cajal in a rat model of diabetic gastroparesis.

The aim of the present study was to observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the gastric interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) in a rat model of diabetic gastroparesis (DGP). The gastric tissues were collected from 75 rats, which had been divided into three equal groups (n=25/group): Blank, model and EA. Hematoxylin and eosin and immunohistochemical staining were used to observe the cellular morphology and distribution of c-kit-positive gastric ICCs; light microscopy was used to count the number of ICCs; and electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructure of the rat ICCs.