A Novel Experiment Setting for Cross-subject Emotion Recognition.

Recently, cross-subject emotion recognition attracts widespread attention. The current emotional experiments mainly use video clips of different emotions as stimulus materials, but the videos watched by different subjects are the same, which may introduce the same noise pattern in the collected data. However, the traditional experiment settings for cross-subject emotion recognition models couldn't eliminate the impact of same video clips on recognition results, which may lead to a bias on classification. In this paper, we propose a novel experiment setting for cross-subject emotion recognition. We evaluate different experiment settings on four public emotion datasets, DEAP, SEED, SEED-IV and SEED-V. The experimental results demonstrate the deficiencies of the traditional experiment settings and the advantages of our proposed experiment setting.

Sex Difference in Emotion Recognition under Sleep Deprivation: Evidence from EEG and Eye-tracking.

Many psychiatric disorders are accompanied with sleep abnormalities, having significant influence on emotions which might worsen the disorder conditions. Previous studies discovered that the emotion recognition task with objective physiological signals, such as electroencephalography (EEG) and eye movements, provides a reliable way to figure out the complicated relationship between emotion and sleep. However, both of the emotion and EEG signals are affected by sex. This study aims to investigate how sex differences influence emotion recognition under three different sleep conditions. We firstly developed a four-class emotion recognition task based on various sleep conditions to augment the existing dataset. Then we improved the current state-of-the-art deep-learning model with the attention mechanism. It outperforms the best model with higher accuracy about 91.3% and more stabilization. After that, we compared the results of the male and the female group given by this model. The classification accuracy of happy emotion obviously decreases under sleep deprivation for both males and females, which indicates that sleep deprivation impairs the stimulation of happy emotion. Sleep deprivation also notably weakens the discrimination ability of sad emotion for males while females maintain the same as under common sleep. Our study is instructively beneficial to the real application of emotion recognition in disorder diagnosis.

Repair function of essential oil from Crocodylus Siamensis (Schneider, 1801) on the burn wound healing via up-regulated growth factor expression and anti-inflammatory effect.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Crocodile oil has been used by traditional physicians around the world to treat wound healing and inflammation. However, the scientific rationale and mechanism behind its use in vivo has not been fully researched. AIMS OF THE STUDY: We mainly investigated the mechanism during crocodile oil treatment of up-regulated growth factor expression and anti-inflammatory on burn wound healing in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The moisture and nitric oxide (NO) levels in the skin of rats were analyzed in the first 14 days after burn and the changes of the structure of the skin tissues in the wound healing were studied by hematoxylin-eosin (H.E.) staining within 21 days after scald. The inflammatory factor on burn wound healing in rats was dected by ELISA kits and Q-PCR. the expression of a variety of growth factors (TGF-ß1, VEGE-α, EGF) and PCNA in the skin tissue after burns was evaluated using immunohistochemistry. The down-regulated phosphorylation of p38 MAPK in the wound healing was confirmed by Western-blot analysis. In addition, TEM was used to observe the ultrastructure of scalded skin. RESULTS: This study showed that crocodile oil could significantly reduce the protein and mRNA levels of TNF-α, IL-1ß and IL-6. And it was found that the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK was down-regulated in the wound healing (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, crocodile oil can promote the expression of a variety of growth factors (TGF-ß1, VEGE-α, EGF) and PCNA in the skin tissue after burns, and promote the repair of collagen fibers in the dermis, preventing the production of melanin and maintain the appearance of repaired skin.

Alterations of brain local functional connectivity in amnestic mild cognitive impairment.

BACKGROUND: Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging studies using a regional homogeneity (ReHo) method have reported that amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) was associated with abnormalities in local functional connectivity. However, their results were not conclusive. METHODS: Seed-based d Mapping was used to conduct a coordinate-based meta-analysis to identify consistent ReHo alterations in aMCI. RESULTS: We identified 10 studies with 11 datasets suitable for inclusion, including 378 patients with aMCI and 435 healthy controls. This meta-analysis identified significant ReHo alterations in patients with aMCI relative to healthy controls, mainly within the default mode network (DMN) (bilateral posterior cingulate cortex [PCC], right angular gyrus, bilateral middle temporal gyri, and left parahippocampal gyrus/hippocampus), executive control network (right superior parietal lobule and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex), visual network (right lingual gyrus and left middle occipital gyrus), and sensorimotor network (right paracentral lobule/supplementary motor area, right postcentral gyrus and left posterior insula). Significant heterogeneity of ReHo alterations in the bilateral PCC, left parahippocampal gyrus/hippocampus, and right superior parietal lobule/angular gyrus was observed. Exploratory meta-regression analyses indicated that general cognitive function, gender distribution, age, and education level partially contributed to this heterogeneity. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides provisional evidence that aMCI is associated with abnormal ReHo within the DMN, executive control network, visual network, and sensorimotor network. These local functional connectivity alterations suggest coexistence of functional deficits and compensation in these networks. These findings contribute to the modeling of brain functional connectomes and to a better understanding of the neural substrates of aMCI. Confounding factors merit much attention and warrant future investigations.

Correction to: Alterations of brain local functional connectivity in amnestic mild cognitive impairment.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s40035-018-0134-8.].

EVALUATION OF EFFECTIVENESS IN A NOVEL WOUND HEALING OINTMENT-CROCODILE OIL BURN OINTMENT.

BACKGROUND: Crocodile oil and its products are used as ointments for burns and scalds in traditional medicines. A new ointment formulation - crocodile oil burn ointment (COBO) was developed to provide more efficient wound healing activity. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the burn healing efficacy of this new formulation by employing deep second-degree burns in a Wistar rat model. The analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of COBO were also studied to provide some evidences for its further use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The wound healing potential of this formulation was evaluated by employing a deep second-degree burn rat model and the efficiency was comparatively assessed against a reference ointment - (1% wt/wt) silver sulfadiazine (SSD). After 28 days, the animals were euthanized and the wounds were removed for transversal and longitudinal histological studies. Acetic acid-induced writhing in mice was used to evaluate the analgesic activity and its anti-inflammatory activity was observed in xylene -induced edema in mice. RESULTS: COBO enhanced the burn wound healing (20.5±1.3 d) as indicated by significant decrease in wound closure time compared with the burn control (25.0±2.16 d) (P<0.01). Hair follicles played an importance role in the physiological functions of the skin, and their growth in the wound could be revealed for the skin regeneration situation. Histological results showed that the hair follicles were well-distributed in the post-burn skin of COBO treatment group, and the amounts of total, active, primary and secondary hair follicles in post-burn 28-day skin of COBO treatment groups were more than those in burn control and SSD groups. On the other hand, the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of COBO were much better than those of control group, while they were very close to those of moist exposed burn ointment (MEBO). CONCLUSIONS: COBO accelerated wound closure, reduced inflammation, and had analgesic effects compared with SSD in deep second degree rat burn model. These findings suggest that COBO would be a potential therapy for treating human burns. Abbreviations: COBO, crocodile oil burn ointment; SSD, silver sulfadiazine; MEBO, moist exposed burn ointment; TCM, traditional Chinese medicine; CHM, Chinese herbal medicine; GC-MS, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Crocodile choline from Crocodylus siamensis induces apoptosis of human gastric cancer.

Crocodile choline, an active compound isolated from Crocodylus siamensis, was found to exert potent anti-cancer activities against human gastric cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Our study revealed that crocodile choline led to cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase through attenuating the expressions of cyclins, Cyclin B1, and CDK-1. Furthermore, crocodile choline accelerated apoptosis through the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway with the decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential, the increase in reactive oxygen species production and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, and the activation of caspase-3 along with the release of cytochrome c. In addition, this study, for the first time, shows that Notch pathway is remarkably deregulated by crocodile choline. The combination of crocodile choline and Notch1 short interfering RNA led to dramatically increased cytotoxicity than observed with either agent alone. Notch1 short interfering RNA sensitized and potentiated the capability of crocodile choline to suppress the cell progression and invasion of gastric cancer. Taken together, these data suggested that crocodile choline was a potent progression inhibitor of gastric cancer cells, which was correlated with mitochondrial apoptotic pathway and Notch pathway. Combining Notch1 inhibitors with crocodile choline might represent a novel approach for gastric cancer.

Siamese crocodile bile induces apoptosis in NCI-H1299 human non-small cell lung cancer cells via a mitochondria-mediated intrinsic pathway and inhibits tumorigenesis.

Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a widespread and particularly aggressive form of cancer. Patients with NSCLC and early metastases typically have poor prognosis, highlighting the critical need for additional drugs to improve disease outcome following surgical resection. The present study aimed to determine if Siamese crocodile bile (SCB) had an anti­cancer effect on NCI­H1299 human NSCLC cells. The inhibitory mechanism of SCB was examined in cell culture and nude mice. In vitro experimental results revealed that SCB inhibited the proliferation and colony­forming ability of NCI­H1299 cells by arresting cell cycle and inducing apoptosis. The loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential and the release of cytochrome c indicated that SCB treatment may lead to mitochondrial dysfunction in NCI­H1299 cells. At the molecular level, SCB altered the ratio of protein expression of Bax/Bcl­2 and activated associated caspases, suggesting that intrinsic pathway involvement in the SCB­induced apoptosis of NCI­H1299 cells. In the in vivo experiments, intraperitoneal injection of SCB for 4 weeks inhibited xenograft tumor growth by 46.8% without observable toxicity in nude mice. Immunohistochemistry analysis of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and vascular endothelial growth factor also revealed that SCB inhibited cell proliferation and metastasis in NSCLC xenograft tumors. Overall, SCB exerted an anti-cancer effect on NCI­H1299 human NSCLC cells in vitro and in vivo and may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of human NSCLC.

ESC-3 induces apoptosis of human ovarian carcinomas through Wnt/ß-catenin and Notch signaling in vitro and in vivo.

Apoptosis, programmed cell death under physiological or pathological conditions, plays a critical role in the tissue homeostasis of eukaryotes. It is desirable to prevent the occurrence and metastasis of cancer through inducing apoptosis. Our previous study demonstrated that apoptosis could be induced by extract from crocodile in human cholangiocarcinoma. ESC-3, a novel cytotoxic compound isolated from the extract induced apoptosis in Mz-ChA-1 cells via the mitochondria-dependent pathway in a dose-dependent manner. In this study, ESC-3 significantly inhibited the proliferation of A2780 cells and arrested the cells at G2/M phase. After exposure to ESC-3, A2780 cells displayed typical morphological changes and the ability of colony-forming was remarkably inhibited. ESC-3 could significantly upregulate the expression of Bax proteins while Bcl-2 protein remained unchanged, resulting in the elevation of Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, which usually could induce apoptosis. The critical protein of Wnt signaling (ß-catenin) was significantly downregulated, whereas Hes1, the downstream protein of Notch signaling, was remarkably attenuated through upregulating the expression of P53. In addition, xenograft models demonstrated that ESC-3 effectively suppressed the growth of OvCa tumors (T/C=42%). Western blot analysis of PCNA and VEGF confirmed that ESC-3 could inhibit the growth and metastasis of OvCa tumors. In conclusion, apoptosis could be induced by ESC-3 through Wnt/ß-catenin and Notch signaling in vitro and in vivo, and might have therapeutic potential for the treatment of human OvCa.

A cross-sectional study on oxidative stress in workers exposed to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields.

PURPOSE: To investigate whether extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) exposure could induce oxidative stress in workers performing tour-inspection near transformers and distribution power lines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Occupational short-term 'spot' measurements were performed. In total, 310 inspection workers exposed to ELF-EMF were selected as the exposure group and 300 logistical staff as the control group. Plasma total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity were tested by the colorimetric method. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was tested using the xanthine oxidase method. Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration was determined with a thiobarbituric acid assay. The micronucleus cell frequency (MCF) and Micronuclei frequency (MN) were also tested for genotoxic assessment. RESULTS: No significant changes of enzyme activities or MDA concentration were found. Neither the frequency of micronucleus lymphocytes nor micronuclei frequency changes were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Continual ELF-EMF exposure might not induce oxidative stress in workers from a power supply bureau.

No effects of power line frequency extremely low frequency electromagnetic field exposure on selected neurobehavior tests of workers inspecting transformers and distribution line stations versus controls.

We aimed to evaluate the interference of 50 Hz extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) occupational exposure on the neurobehavior tests of workers performing tour-inspection close to transformers and distribution power lines. Occupational short-term "spot" measurements were carried out. 310 inspection workers and 300 logistics staff were selected as exposure and control. The neurobehavior tests were performed through computer-based neurobehavior evaluation system, including mental arithmetic, curve coincide, simple visual reaction time, visual retention, auditory digit span and pursuit aiming. In 500 kV areas electric field intensity at 71.98% of total measured 590 spots were above 5 kV/m (national occupational standard), while in 220 kV areas electric field intensity at 15.69% of total 701 spots were above 5 kV/m. Magnetic field flux density at all the spots was below 1,000 µT (ICNIRP occupational standard). The neurobehavior score changes showed no statistical significance. Results of neurobehavior tests among different age, seniority groups showed no significant changes. Neurobehavior changes caused by daily repeated ELF-EMF exposure were not observed in the current study.

Gray matter atrophy in progressive supranuclear palsy: meta-analysis of voxel-based morphometry studies.

Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) studies have provided cumulative evidence of gray matter (GM) atrophy in patients with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) relative to healthy controls (HC). However, not all findings have been entirely concordant. Herein, we performed a quantitative meta-analysis study in order to consistently quantify GM anomalies in PSP. We conducted a systematic search for VBM studies of PSP patients and HC using PubMed and Embase databases from January 2000 to May 2012. Meta-analysis of these VBM studies was performed using a newly improved voxel-based meta-analytic technique, effect-size signed differential mapping. A total of 9 cross-sectional VBM studies that involved 143 PSP patients and 216 HC subjects met the inclusion criteria. Considerable regional GM volume decrease was detected in the thalamus, basal ganglia, midbrain, insular cortex, and frontal cortex. These findings remained largely unchanged following jackknife sensitivity analyses. The present meta-analysis provided evidence of PSP-specific GM atrophy. This finding might help contribute to our understanding of the neurobiological basis underlying PSP.

Application of magnetic enhanced bio-effect on nitrification: a comparative study of magnetic and non-magnetic carriers.

A novel magnetic carrier with surface magnetic field of 4 mT was developed for studying the magnetic enhanced bio-effect on nitrification. The bio-effect on nitrificaton induced by the magnetic carrier was studied by comparing the performance of sequencing batch biofilm reactors filled with magnetic (MC) and non-magnetic (NMC) carriers. The result showed that the bioreactor with MC had better performance for nitrification than bioreactor with NMC. During the biofilm culturing period, the time required for nitrification formation in biofilm of the MC reactor was 25% less than that for the NMC reactor. The results also showed that the ammonium oxidation rate of the MC reactor was 1.6-fold faster than that in the NMC reactor at high influent NH4-N concentration, while nitrite oxidation rate was always accelerated regardless of influent NH4-N concentration. The specific oxygen uptake rate analysis revealed that ammonia and nitrite oxidation activities in biofilm of the MC reactor were 1.65 and 1.98 times greater than those of the NMC reactor, respectively.

Gray matter atrophy in Parkinson's disease with dementia: evidence from meta-analysis of voxel-based morphometry studies.

Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) studies have provided cumulative evidence of gray matter (GM) atrophy in patients with Parkinson's disease with dementia (PDD) relative to healthy controls (HC). However, not all the studies reported entirely consistent findings. A systematic search for VBM studies of PDD patients and HC subjects published in PubMed and Embase databases from January 2000 to June 2012 was conducted. Meta-analysis was performed by using a newly improved voxel-based meta-analytic technique, effect size signed differential mapping, to quantitatively explore the GM abnormalities between PDD patients and HC subjects. A total of 6 cross-sectional VBM studies involving 105 PDD patients and 131 HC subjects met the inclusion criteria. Considerable regional GM decrease was detected in the medial temporal lobe (MTL) and basal ganglia. The findings of the present study remained largely unchanged in the entire brain jackknife sensitivity analyses. Meta-regression showed dementia severity correlated with the left MTL. The present meta-analysis provided evidence of PDD-related GM atrophy, which suggested MTL and basal ganglia were implicated in PDD. This finding could give us further insight about the pathophysiological basis revealed by structure abnormalities in PDD.

[Wind-attenuation effect of Sonneratia apetala and Kandelia obovata plantations].

A field monitoring was conducted to examine the wind-attenuation effect of mangrove plantations at the Sanjiang Bay of Dongzhai Harbor, Hainan Province of South China. The wind speed and wind direction were measured at a site 50 m away from the offshore forest fringes of Sonneratia apetala and Kandelia obovata plantations and 2 m above the ground. Both the S. apetala and the K. obovata plantations had obvious effect in attenuating the speed of the wind from northerly to the shore, with the mean wind speed decreased by > 85% and the better effect of K. obovata plantation. With the increase of the wind speed, the wind-attenuation effect of the plantations presented a trend of decreasing first and remained stable then. At 50 m away from the offshore forest fringe of S. apetala plantation, the wind-attenuation rate was higher than 89.8% when the mean wind speed was lower than 5 m x s(-1), tended to be stable when the mean wind speed was 10 m x s(-1), and turned to be 58.9%-63.6% when the mean wind speed was higher than 15 m x s(-1). The S. apetala plantation had better wind attenuation effect in warmer season than in colder season. Under the extremely adverse weather like typhoon, the mean wind speed and extreme wind speed at 50 m away from the offshore forest fringe of S. apetala plantation were decreased by 59.4% and 53.2%, respectively.

Crocodile oil enhances cutaneous burn wound healing and reduces scar formation in rats.

OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to evaluate the burn wound-healing efficacy of crocodile oil from Crocodylus siamensis by employing deep second-degree burns in a Wistar rat model. METHODS: Twenty-four rats were assigned equally into four groups using a random-number table, and two burns were created on the dorsum of each animal except for the sham group. The three treatment groups received with saline solution (12 burns, served as negative control), silver sulfadiazine (12 burns, served as positive control), or crocodile oil (12 burns). Silver sulfadiazine cream was used as standard care, and the treatments were repeated twice daily for 28 days. After day 28 the animals were euthanized and the wounds were removed for quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, histologic, and immunohistochemical study. RESULTS: Crocodile oil accelerated the wound-healing process as indicated by a significant decrease in wound closure time in comparison to the burn control and silver sulfadiazine treatment groups. Histologic results showed well-organized and distributed skin structure and collagen deposition in the animals treated with crocodile oil. Transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1), a key cytokine promoting scarring, was also observed to play a role in the burn wound healing. Immunohistochemical staining results showed the negative expression of TGF-ß1 and Smad3 in the 28-days-postburn skin of crocodile oil group versus positive in the epidermis of burn controls. Compared to the burn control group, expressions of TGF-ß1 and Smad3 mRNA decreased significantly (p < 0.01) in the 28-days-postburn skin of the crocodile oil group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that crocodile oil could enhance cutaneous burn wound healing and reduce scar formation in rats, which might be related to TGF-ß1/Smad3 signaling.

[Study on the electro-generation of H2O2 using an activated carbon fiber].

The comparative study on the electro-generation of H2O2 using an activated carbon fiber cathode and graphite cathode was investigated. The effect of the operating parameters on the H2O2 generation concentration and current efficiency, such as the initial pH, current density and electrolyte concentration, was also evaluated. The results revealed that the activated carbon fiber cathode was more effective compared to the graphite cathode. The maximum value of H2O2 concentration could be achieved with pH 3.00, current density 8.89 mA/cm2 and electrolyte concentration 0.05 mol/L. However, due to the formation of competitive electrode reactions, the current efficiency of this electrolysis system is lower than other electrolysis system. In addition, a new kinetic model was established to well describe the electro-generation of H2O2. The experimental data were fitted well using the kinetic model.

Synthesis and antityrosinase activities of alkyl 3,4-dihydroxybenzoates.

In insects, tyrosinase plays important roles in normal developmental processes, such as cuticular tanning, scleration, wound healing, production of opsonins, encapsulation and nodule formation for defense against foreign pathogens. Thus, tyrosinase may be regarded as a potential candidate for novel bioinsecticide development. A family of alkyl 3,4-dihydroxybenzoates (C6-C9), new tyrosinsase inhibitors, were synthesized. Their inhibitory effects on the activity of tyrosinase have been investigated. The results showed all of them could inhibit the activity of tyrosianse effectively. The order of potency was nonyl 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate (C9DB) > octyl 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate(C8DB) > heptyl 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate(C7DB) > hexyl 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate (C6DB). The kinetic analysis of these four compounds on tyrosinase was taken to expound their inhibitory mechanism. The research of the control of insects in agriculture was taken as C6DB for example. C6DB could inhibit the development and molting of Plutella xylostella effectively. To clarify its insecticidal mechanism, we researched the expression of tyrosinase in the P. xylostella treated with C6DB by real-time quantitative PCR. The results showed C6DB could inhibit the expression of tyrosinase in the P. xylostella as expected.

Antiproliferation and apoptosis induced by tamoxifen in human bile duct carcinoma QBC939 cells via upregulated p53 expression.

Tamoxifen (TAM) is a nonsteroidal antiestrogen that has been used in the treatment of breast cancer for over 30years. Recently, it was shown that TAM also has efficacy on gastrointestinal neoplasms such as hepatocarcinoma and pancreatic carcinoma, and that the chemopreventive activities of TAM might be due to its abilities to inhibit cell growth and induce apoptosis. In the present study, we investigated the effects of tamoxifen on growth and apoptosis in the human bile duct carcinoma (BDC) cell line QBC939 using MTT assay, inverted microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, classic DNA fragmentation agarose gel electrophoresis assay, PI single- and FITC/PI double-staining flow cytometry, and Western blotting. Our data revealed that TAM could significantly inhibit growth and induce apoptosis in QBC939 cells. Increased expression of p53 was observed in TAM-treated cells, indicating that p53 might play an important role in TAM-induced apoptosis in QBC939 cells. These results provide significant insight into the anticarcinogenic action of TAM on BDC.

Production of a novel bioflocculant by Bacillus licheniformis X14 and its application to low temperature drinking water treatment.

A novel bioflocculant ZS-7 produced by Bacillus licheniformis X14 was investigated with regard to its synthesis and application to low temperature drinking water treatment. The effects of culture conditions including pH, carbon source, nitrogen source, temperature, inoculum size and shaking speed on ZS-7 production were studied. The purified bioflocculant was identified as a glycoprotein consisting of polysaccharide (91.5%, w/w) and protein (8.4%, w/w), with an approximate molecular weight of 6.89 x 10(4)Da. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) indicated the presence of amino, amide, carboxyl, methoxyl and hydroxyl groups. This bioflocculant showed good flocculating performance and industrial potential for treatment of low temperature drinking water, and the maximum removal efficiencies of COD(Mn) and turbidity were 61.2% and 95.6%, respectively, which were better than conventional chemical flocculants. Charge neutralization and bridging were proposed as the reasons for the enhanced performance based upon the experimental observations.