Action Recognition Based on Multi-Level Topological Channel Attention of Human Skeleton.

In action recognition, obtaining skeleton data from human poses is valuable. This process can help eliminate negative effects of environmental noise, including changes in background and lighting conditions. Although GCN can learn unique action features, it fails to fully utilize the prior knowledge of human body structure and the coordination relations between limbs. To address these issues, this paper proposes a Multi-level Topological Channel Attention Network algorithm: Firstly, the Multi-level Topology and Channel Attention Module incorporates prior knowledge of human body structure using a coarse-to-fine approach, effectively extracting action features. Secondly, the Coordination Module utilizes contralateral and ipsilateral coordinated movements in human kinematics. Lastly, the Multi-scale Global Spatio-temporal Attention Module captures spatiotemporal features of different granularities and incorporates a causal convolution block and masked temporal attention to prevent non-causal relationships. This method achieved accuracy rates of 91.9% (Xsub), 96.3% (Xview), 88.5% (Xsub), and 90.3% (Xset) on NTU-RGB+D 60 and NTU-RGB+D 120, respectively.

Multiple Attention Mechanism Graph Convolution HAR Model Based on Coordination Theory.

Human action recognition (HAR) is the foundation of human behavior comprehension. It is of great significance and can be used in many real-world applications. From the point of view of human kinematics, the coordination of limbs is an important intrinsic factor of motion and contains a great deal of information. In addition, for different movements, the HAR algorithm provides important, multifaceted attention to each joint. Based on the above analysis, this paper proposes a HAR algorithm, which adopts two attention modules that work together to extract the coordination characteristics in the process of motion, and strengthens the attention of the model to the more important joints in the process of moving. Experimental data shows these two modules can improve the recognition accuracy of the model on the public HAR dataset (NTU-RGB + D, Kinetics-Skeleton).

Isolation and Identification of Postharvest Rot Pathogens in Citrus × tangelo and Their Potential Inhibition with Acidic Electrolyzed Water.

This study focused on the identification of rot-causing fungi in Citrus × tangelo (tangelo) with a particular emphasis on investigating the inhibitory effects of acidic electrolyzed water on the identified pathogens. The dominant strains responsible for postharvest decay were isolated from infected tangelo fruits and characterized through morphological observation, molecular identification, and pathogenicity detection. Two strains were isolated from postharvest diseased tangelo fruits, cultured and morphologically characterized, and had their gene fragments amplified using primers ITS1 and ITS4. The results revealed the rDNA-ITS sequence of two dominant pathogens were 100% homologous with those of Penicillium citrinum and Aspergillus sydowii. These isolated fungi were confirmed to induce tangelo disease, and subsequent re-isolation validated their consistency with the inoculum. Antifungal tests demonstrated that acidic electrolyzed water (AEW) exhibited a potent inhibitory effect on P. citrinum and A. sydowii, with EC50 values of 85.4 µg/mL and 60.12 µg/mL, respectively. The inhibition zones of 150 µg/mL AEW to 2 kinds of pathogenic fungi were over 75 mm in diameter. Furthermore, treatment with AEW resulted in morphological changes such as bending and shrinking of the fungal hyphae surface. In addition, extracellular pH, conductivity, and absorbance at 260 nm of the fungi hypha significantly increased post-treatment with AEW. Pathogenic morphology and IST sequencing analysis confirmed P. citrinum and A. sydowii as the primary pathogenic fungi, with their growth effectively inhibited by AEW.

Integrated transcriptome and metabolome revealed the drought responsive metabolic pathways in Oriental Lily (Lilium L.).

Objective: Lily is an essential ornamental flowering species worldwide. Drought stress is a major constraint affecting the morphology and physiology and lily leaves and flowers. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanism underlying lily response to drought stress is important. Method: Transcriptome and metabolome analysis were performed on Oriental Lily subjected to drought stress. Result: Most transcription factors and metabolites yielded by the conjoint analysis displayed a downregulated expression pattern. Differential genes and metabolites mainly co-enriched in glycolic pathways related to sugars, such as galactose, and sucrose, glycolysis and gluconeogenesis, indicating that drought stress reduced the sugar metabolism level of Oriental Lily. Combined with transcriptome and metabolome data, nine pairs of differentially expressed metabolites and the genes (p < 0.05) were obtained. Interestingly, a gene named TRINITY_DN2608 (encoding a type of alpha-D-glucose) cloned and its overexpression lines in Arabidopsis thaliana was generated. Overexpression of TRINITY_DN2608 gene elevated the susceptibility to drought stress possibly by suppressing the glucose level. Conclusion: The enrichment of sugar-related pathways advocates the potential role of glucose metabolism in drought stress. Our study provides theoretical information related to the glucose-mediated drought response and would be fruitful in future lily breeding programs.

Mechanical force-promoted osteoclastic differentiation via periodontal ligament stem cell exosomal protein ANXA3.

Exosomes play a critical role in intracellular communication. The biogenesis and function of exosomes are regulated by multiple biochemical factors. In the present study, we find that mechanical force promotes the biogenesis of exosomes derived from periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) and alters the exosomal proteome profile to induce osteoclastic differentiation. Mechanistically, mechanical force increases the level of exosomal proteins, especially annexin A3 (ANXA3), which facilitates exosome internalization to activate extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), thus inducing osteoclast differentiation. Moreover, the infusion of exosomes derived from PDLSCs into mice promotes mechanical force-induced tooth movement and increases osteoclasts in the periodontal ligament. Collectively, this study demonstrates that mechanical force treatment promotes the biogenesis of exosomes from PDLSCs and increases exosomal protein ANXA3 to facilitate exosome internalization, which activates ERK phosphorylation, thus inducing osteoclast differentiation. Our findings shed light on new mechanisms for how mechanical force regulates the biology of exosomes and bone metabolism.

IFN-γ promoted exosomes from mesenchymal stem cells to attenuate colitis via miR-125a and miR-125b.

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have demonstrated therapeutic effects for colitis through immunomodulation and anti-inflammation. However, whether MSC-derived exosomes possessed the similar function remains unclear. In present study, exosomes were isolated from control and IFN-γ-primed MSCs and was verified by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and immunofluorescence staining. Administration of exosomes to mice significantly improved the disease activity index and histological score of colitis, and decreased the ratio of Th17 cells with elevated Treg cells ratio in mice colitis model. Exosomes from IFN-γ-primed MSCs showed superior therapeutic effects to colitis. Exosomes treatment inhibited Th17 differentiation in vitro, and exosomes from IFN-γ-primed MSCs showed higher inhibition efficacy. Mechanistically, exosomes treatment significantly decreased the expression of Stat3 and p-Stat3 to inhibit Th17 cells differentiation. IFN-γ pretreatment increased the level of miR-125a and miR-125b of exosomes, which directly targeted on Stat3, to repress Th17 cell differentiation. Moreover, combination of miR-125a and miR-125b agmior infusion also showed therapeutic effects for colitis, accompanied by decreased Th17 cell ratio. Collectively, this study demonstrates that IFN-γ treatment promoted exosomes from MSCs to attenuate colitis through increasing the level of miR-125a and miR-125b, which binding on 3'-UTR of Stat3 to repress Th17 cell differentiation. This study provides a new approach of exocytosis on the treatment of colitis.

Stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth ameliorate concanavalin A-induced autoimmune hepatitis by protecting hepatocytes from apoptosis.

BACKGROUND: Autoimmune hepatitis is a serious autoimmune liver disease that threatens human health worldwide, which emphasizes the urgent need to identify novel treatments. Stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED), which are easy to obtain in a non-invasive manner, show pronounced proliferative and immunomodulatory capacities. AIM: To investigate the protective effects of SHED on concanavalin A (ConA)-induced hepatitis in mice, and to elucidate the associated regulatory mechanisms. METHODS: We used a ConA-induced acute hepatitis mouse model and an in vitro co-culture system to study the protective effects of SHED on ConA-induced autoimmune hepatitis, as well as the associated underlying mechanisms. RESULTS: SHED infusion could prevent aberrant histopathological liver architecture caused by ConA-induced infiltration of CD3+, CD4+, tumor necrosis-alpha+, and interferon-gamma+ inflammatory cells. Alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase were significantly elevated in hepatitis mice. SHED infusion could therefore block ConA-induced alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase elevations. Mechanistically, ConA upregulated tumor necrosis-alpha and interferon-gamma expression, which was activated by the nuclear factor-kappa B pathway to induce hepatocyte apoptosis, resulting in acute liver injury. SHED administration protected hepatocytes from ConA-induced apoptosis. CONCLUSION: SHED alleviates ConA-induced acute liver injury via inhibition of hepatocyte apoptosis mediated by the nuclear factor-kappa B pathway. Our findings could provide a potential treatment strategy for hepatitis.

Diosgenin inhibits the epithelial-mesenchymal transition initiation in osteosarcoma cells via the p38MAPK signaling pathway.

Diosgenin is an important basic raw material for the production of steroid hormone drugs. It can be isolated and purified from a variety of traditional Chinese medicines or plants. Modern molecular biological studies have shown that diosgenin inhibits various tumor cells migration and invasion ability to varying degrees in vitro and in vivo. The aim of the present study was to observe the inhibitory effects of diosgenin on the invasive and metastatic capabilities of osteosarcoma cells and to determine the association between the effects of diosgenin on the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Wound healing and Transwell assays were used to observe the inhibitory effects of diosgenin on the invasion and migration of two osteosarcoma cell lines. Immunofluorescence was used to observe changes in transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF-ß1) protein expression levels in the osteosarcoma cells following drug administration. EMT-associated proteins, including TGFß1, E-cadherin and vimentin were detected by western blotting, which demonstrated that the drug may inhibit the initiation of EMT in osteosarcoma cells. Western blot analysis of the expression of all the proteins in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway demonstrated that the drug inhibited the MAPK signaling pathway. The primary mechanism of action of diosgenin was the inhibition of the phosphorylated p38 (pP38) protein. Through a combination of inhibitors of the p38MAPK signaling pathway and detection of the downstream EMT marker protein E-cadherin by quantitative PCR, pP38 was confirmed to be a target of diosgenin in the inhibition of EMT in the osteosarcoma cells via the MAPK molecular signaling pathway. Diosgenin may exhibit utility as an auxiliary drug for the clinical reduction of metastasis in patients with osteosarcoma.

Astragaloside IV inhibits the invasion and metastasis of SiHa cervical cancer cells via the TGF­ß1­mediated PI3K and MAPK pathways.

Astragaloside IV is the main ingredient of the medicinal herb Radix astragali, which has reported to have antitumor activity in vitro and in vivo. To determine whether the inhibitory effect of astragaloside IV on the invasion and metastasis of the cervical cancer cells is associated with epithelial­mesenchymal transition (EMT), wound healing and Transwell assays were performed using SiHa cervical cancer cells and demonstrated that astragaloside IV inhibited invasion and migration of human SiHa cervical cancer cells in vitro. Immunocytochemical and western blot analyses indicated that astragaloside IV inhibited EMT by affecting the expression of transforming growth factor­ß1 (TGF­ß1) and E­cadherin in the cancer cells. Two Smad­independent pathways mediated by TGF­ß1 were identified to be associated with the effects of astragaloside IV, namely, mitogen­activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K) signaling pathways. The data indicated that astragaloside IV has inhibitory effects on phosphorylation of P38 MAPK, PI3K, AKT and mTOR of SiHa cells of cervical cancer. Furthermore, MAPK and PI3K pathway inhibitors were administered to the cancer cells and the expression of E­cadherin, a marker of EMT, was determined by reverse transcription­quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The results demonstrated that MAPK and PI3K pathways were involved in the inhibitory effect of astragaloside IV on EMT. In vivo small animal imaging techniques was performed and demonstrated that astragaloside IV inhibited the metastasis of cervical cancer cells. Taken together, the findings demonstrated that astragaloside IV inhibits the invasion and migration of cervical cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.

catena-Poly[[bis-(nitrato-κO,O')copper(II)]-µ-2,2'-(ethane-1,2-diyldithio)di-1,3,4-thia-diazole-κN:N].

In the title compound, [Cu(NO(3))(2)(C(6)H(6)N(4)S(4))](n), the Cu(II) atom, occupying a crystallographic inversion centre, is six-coordinated by two N atoms of two 2,2'-[1,2-ethane-diyl-bis-(thio)]bis-[1,3,4-thia-diazole] ligands in trans positions, and four O atoms from two symmetry-related opposite nitrate anions, which are asymmetrically bonded, resulting in a strong distorted octa-hedral geometry of the central atom. The ethane group is equally disordered over two sites via another inversion centre. The bridging bidentate 2,2'-[1,2-ethanediylbis(thio)]bis-[1,3,4-thia-diazole] ligands link the Cu(II) centres into a one-dimensional chain. The chains are inter-connected via inter-molecular S⋯O inter-actions [3.044 (4) and 3.084 (5) Å] and weak C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, generating a three-dimensional supra-molecular structure.

Diammonium aqua-(ethyl-ene-diamine-tetra-acetato)iron(II) trihydrate.

In the title compound, (NH(4))(2)[Fe(C(10)H(12)N(2)O(8))(H(2)O)]·3H(2)O, the Fe(II) center is in a distorted penta-gonal-bipyramidal geometry. Two carboxyl-ate O and two N atoms from the ethyl-enediaminetetra-acetate (EDTA) ion and one O atom from coordinated water comprise the equatorial plane. Two other carboxyl-ate O atoms from the EDTA ion occupy the apical sites. Both ammonium cations and all water mol-ecules function as hydrogen-bond donors, and ten N-H⋯O and nine O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds form a three-dimensional network between the complex anions, cations and the water mol-ecules.

Mechanobiology of Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells in Orthodontic Tooth Movement.

Periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) possess self-renewal, multilineage differentiation, and immunomodulatory properties. They play a crucial role in maintaining periodontal homeostasis and also participated in orthodontic tooth movement (OTM). Various studies have applied controlled mechanical stimulation to PDLSCs and investigated the effects of orthodontic force on PDLSCs. Physical stimuli can regulate the proliferation and differentiation of PDLSCs. During the past decade, a variety of studies has demonstrated that applied forces can activate different signaling pathways in PDLSCs, including MAPK, TGF-ß/Smad, and Wnt/ß-catenin pathways. Besides, recent advances have highlighted the critical role of orthodontic force in PDLSC fate through mediators, such as IL-11, CTHRC1, miR-21, and H2S. This perspective review critically discusses the PDLSC fate to physical force in vitro and orthodontic force in vivo, as well as the underlying molecular mechanism involved in OTM.

Photoinduced ground-state singlet biradical--novel insight into the photochromic compounds of biindenylidenediones.

The biindenylidenedione derivative (A) developed a biradical accompanied by the simultaneous photocolor development on UV or sunlight irradiation; the former of which showed antiferromagnetic behavior on account of the singlet ground state and a thermally accessible triplet state.

[Expression of mucin regulated by recombinant human interleukin-6 in HT-29 cell of colon cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To study the regulation of the mucin protein in colon cancer cell line HT-29 by recombinant human interleukin-6(rIL-6) and to further elucidate the development of colon cancer. METHODS: The HT-29 cells were treated with different concentrations of rIL-6(1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 µg/L), then flow cytometry and RT-PCR were used to detect the expression of mucin1 and mucin2. Transwell invasion assay was used to observe the effect of invasion capability of rIL-6 to HT-29 cells. RESULTS: In colon cancer, the expression of mucin 1 could be promoted by rIL-6 with concentration above 2 µg/L, the expression rates were(12.5±1.6)%, (26.6±2.7)%, (33.9±2.8)% and (58.9±2.5)%, respectively, higher than (8.0±0.8)% in the negative controls (P<0.01), meanwhile, the expression of mucin 2 decreased by rIL-6 with concentration above 2 µg/L, the expression rates were(30.5±2.6)%, (17.0±2.7)%, (11.0±2.0)% and (5.3±1.8)%, respectively, lower than (41.6±3.6)% in negative control(P<0.01). With the increase in rIL-6 concentration, the invasion of HT-29 cells was enhanced. CONCLUSIONS: In colon cancer, the expression of mucin1 can be promoted by rIL-6, while the expression of mucin2 can be inhibited. IL-6 is a promoting effect factor in colon cancer invasion and metastasis.

Asymmetric [3,3]- and [1,3]-sigmatropic rearrangements of gamma-allyloxy vinylogous urethanes.

Vinylogous urethanes derived from condensation of prolinol or prolinol tert-butyldimethylsilyl ether with 4-allyloxyketoester were found to undergo a thermal [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement, providing compounds with N-substituted quaternary carbon centers. Cyclizations (subsequently or in situ) of the rearranged products generated hexahydro-3,4-dioxa-8a-aza-as-indacen-2-ones. Various terminally substituted allyloxy ketoesters and arylmethoxy ketoesters were found to generate tricyclic compounds via [1,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement. Finally, tricyclic lactones were transformed successfully into lactams.