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Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a clinical syndrome characterized by persistent renal function decline. Renal fibrosis is the main pathological process in CKD, but an effective treatment does not exist. Stratifin (SFN) is a highly-conserved, multi-function soluble acidic protein. Therefore, this study explored the effects of SFN on renal fibrosis. First, we found that SFN was highly expressed in patients with CKD, as well as in renal fibrosis animal and cell models. Next, transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-ß1) induced injury and fibrosis in human renal tubule epithelial cells, and SFN knockdown reversed these effects. Furthermore, SFN knockdown mitigated unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO)-induced renal tubular dilatation and renal interstitial fibrosis in mice. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), and immunofluorescence co-localization assays demonstrated that SFN bound the non-muscle myosin-encoding gene, myosin heavy chain 9 (MYH9), in the cytoplasm of renal tubular epithelial cells. MYH9 knockdown also reduced Col-1 and α-SMA expression, which are fibrosis markers. Finally, silencing SFN decreased MYH9 expression, alleviating renal fibrosis. These results suggest that SFN promotes renal fibrosis in CKD by interacting with MYH9. This study may provide potential strategies for the treatment of CKD.
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Diversity, a hallmark of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling, partly stems from alternative splicing of a single gene generating more than one isoform for a receptor. Additionally, receptor responses to ligands can be attenuated by desensitization upon prolonged or repeated ligand exposure. Both phenomena have been demonstrated and exemplified by the deuterostome tachykinin signaling system, although the role of phosphorylation in desensitization remains a subject of debate. Here, we describe the signaling system for tachykinin-related peptides (TKRPs) in a protostome, mollusk Aplysia. We cloned the Aplysia TKRP precursor, which encodes three TKRPs (apTKRP-1, apTKRP-2a, and apTKRP-2b) containing the FXGXR-amide motif. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry showed predominant expression of TKRP mRNA and peptide in the cerebral ganglia. TKRPs and their posttranslational modifications were observed in extracts of central nervous system ganglia using mass spectrometry. We identified two Aplysia TKRP receptors (apTKRPRs), named apTKRPR-A and apTKRPR-B. These receptors are two isoforms generated through alternative splicing of the same gene and differ only in their intracellular C termini. Structure-activity relationship analysis of apTKRP-2b revealed that both C-terminal amidation and conserved residues of the ligand are critical for receptor activation. C-terminal truncates and mutants of apTKRPRs suggested that there is a C-terminal phosphorylation-independent desensitization for both receptors. Moreover, apTKRPR-B also exhibits phosphorylation-dependent desensitization through the phosphorylation of C-terminal Ser/Thr residues. This comprehensive characterization of the Aplysia TKRP signaling system underscores the evolutionary conservation of the TKRP and TK signaling systems, while highlighting the intricacies of receptor regulation through alternative splicing and differential desensitization mechanisms.
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Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) was introduced as an ergogenic aid for sport performance in healthy individuals is still controversial. The main aim of this study is to assess the potential enhancements in muscle endurance and recovery from muscle strength and injuries mediated by PBMT among individuals exhibiting diverse activity levels. Randomized controlled trials (RCT) of PBMT interventions for healthy people (both trained and untrained individuals) exercising were searched (up to January 16, 2024) in four electronic databases: Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus and Embase. Primary outcome measures included muscle endurance, muscle strength and creatine kinase (CK) levels; secondary outcome measure included Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels. Subgroup analyses based on physical activity levels were conducted for each outcome measure. Thirty-four RCTs were included based on the article inclusion and exclusion criteria. Statistical results showed that PBMT significantly improved muscle endurance (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.31, 95%CI 0.11, 0.51, p < 0.01), indicating a moderate effect size. It also facilitated the recovery of muscle strength (SMD = 0.24, 95%CI 0.10, 0.39, p < 0.01) and CK (mean difference [MD] = -77.56, 95%CI -112.67, -42.44, p < 0.01), indicating moderate and large effect sizes, respectively. Furthermore, pre-application of PBMT significantly improved muscle endurance, recovery of muscle strength and injuries in physically inactive individuals and athletes (p < 0.05), while there was no significant benefit for physically active individuals. Pre-application of PBMT improves muscle endurance and promotes recovery from muscle strength and injury (includes CK and LDH) in athletes and sedentary populations, indicating moderate to large effect sizes, but is ineffective in physically active populations. This may be due to the fact that physically active people engage in more resistance training, which leads to a decrease in the proportion of red muscle fibres, thus affecting photobiomodulation.
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Terapia por Luz de Baja Intensidad , Fuerza Muscular , Resistencia Física , Ensayos Clínicos Controlados Aleatorios como Asunto , Humanos , Terapia por Luz de Baja Intensidad/métodos , Fuerza Muscular/efectos de la radiación , Fuerza Muscular/fisiología , Resistencia Física/efectos de la radiación , Resistencia Física/fisiología , Ejercicio Físico/fisiología , Creatina Quinasa/sangre , Músculo Esquelético/efectos de la radiación , Músculo Esquelético/fisiologíaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To explore clinical effect of the fifth metatarsal head excision and non-excision in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) forefoot deformity reconstruction. METHODS: Retrospective analysis was performed on 50 patients (76 feet) with moderate to severe forefoot deformity caused by RA treated from May 2015 to January 2019. According to degeneration of the fifth metatarsophalangeal joint,the fifth metatarsal head was retained or excised by wind-like forefoot reconstruction,and divided into the fifth metatarsal head preservation group (preservation group) and the fifth metatarsal head resection group (resection group). Twenty-four female patients in preservation group,aged from 47 to 81 years old with an average of (60.37±8.60) years old;the course of disease ranged from 13 to 22 years with an average of (19.00±3.06) years;body mass index (BMI) ranged from 21 to 28 kg·m-2 with an average of (23.53±2.47) kg·m-2;six patients (6 feet) with moderate hallux valgus deformity and 18 patients (30 feet) with severe hallux valgus deformity;treated with the first metatarsophalangeal joint fusion combined with the second th the fourth metatarsophalangeal joint arthroplasty and the fifth metatarsophalangeal joint cleanup. Twenty-six female patients in resection group were female,aged from 30 to 80 years old with an average of (58.53±13.70) years old;the course of disease ranged from 8 to 25 years with an average of (17.94±3.92) years;BMI raged from 20 to 28 kg·m-2 with an average of (24.60±2.03) kg·m-2;4 patients (4 feet) with moderate bunion valgus deformity and 22 patients (36 feet) with severe bunion valgus deformity;treated by the first metatarsophalangeal joint fusion combined with the second th the fifth metatarsophalangeal joint resection of the metatarsophalangeal head. Operation time and postoperative complications between two groups were observed,hallux valgus angle (HVA),intermetatarsal angles between the first and the second metatarsals (IMAFS),intermetatarsal angles between the first and fifth metatarsals (IMAFF),Japanese Society for Surgery of Foot (JSSF) score before surgery and at the latest follow-up were compared. RESULTS: Fifty patients were followed-up from 14 to 46(25.30±8.83) months in resection group and 12 to 48 with an average of (24.30±11.12) months in preservation group,while no significant difference between two groups (P>0.05). There were no significant difference in operation time and postoperative complications between two groups (P>0.05). JSSF scores,HVA,IMAFS and IMAFF in fesection group were improved from (45.09±3.35) points,(38.90±13.67) °,(12.88±1.72) °,(32.50±2.99) ° before operation to (81.60±3.27) points,(15.40±0.90),(9.06±2.27) °,(22.20±1.98) ° at the latest follow-up (P<0.05);preservation group were improved from (47.09±3.96) points,(43.30±12.65) °,(13.99±3.13) °,(33.20±6.14) ° to (83.10±3.66) points,(15.20±1.54) °,(8.99±1.02) °,(24.70±1.88) °,respectively. There were no significant difference in JSSF score,HVA,IMAFS and IMAFF between two groups before operation and the latest follow-up (P>0.05). At the latest follow-up,there were statistically significant differences in pain and deformity in JSSF scores between two groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Both rheumatoid anterior foot reconstruction and anterior foot reconstruction fifth metatarsophalangeal joint debridement showed significant improvement in clinical efficacy and imaging results. Compared with rheumatoid prefoot reconstruction,the fifth metatarsophalangeal joint reconstruction for the treatment of moderate and severe deformity of rheumatoid prefoot showed better improvement in pain,but worse improvement in deformity. For the moderate to severe deformity of the forefoot caused by rheumatoid disease,patients with mild to moderate degenerative deformity of the articular surface of the fifth metatarsal phalanges may be considered for use.
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Artritis Reumatoide , Juanete , Hallux Valgus , Huesos Metatarsianos , Articulación Metatarsofalángica , Humanos , Femenino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Adulto , Masculino , Huesos Metatarsianos/cirugía , Hallux Valgus/cirugía , Estudios Retrospectivos , Resultado del Tratamiento , Artrodesis , Complicaciones Posoperatorias , Artritis Reumatoide/cirugía , Artritis Reumatoide/complicaciones , Juanete/complicaciones , Articulación Metatarsofalángica/cirugía , Dolor/complicacionesRESUMEN
Neuropeptides are ubiquitous intercellular signaling molecules in the CNS and play diverse roles in modulating physiological functions by acting on specific G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). Among them, the elevenin signaling system is now believed to be present primarily in protostomes. Although elevenin was first identified from the L11 neuron of the abdominal ganglion in mollusc Aplysia californica, no receptors have been described in Aplysia, nor in any other molluscs. Here, using two elevenin receptors in annelid Platynereis dumerilii, we found three putative elevenin GPCRs in Aplysia. We cloned the three receptors and tentatively named them apElevR1, apElevR2, and apElevR3. Using an inositol monophosphate (IP1) accumulation assay, we demonstrated that Aplysia elevenin with the disulfide bond activated the three putative receptors with low EC50 values (ranging from 1.2 to 25 nM), supporting that they are true receptors for elevenin. In contrast, elevenin without the disulfide bond could not activate the receptors, indicating that the disulfide bond is required for receptor activity. Using alanine substitution of individual conserved residues other than the two cysteines, we showed that these residues appear to be critical to receptor activity, and the three different receptors had different sensitivities to the single residue substitution. Finally, we examined the roles of those residues outside the disulfide bond ring by removing these residues and found that they also appeared to be important to receptor activity. Thus, our study provides an important basis for further study of the functions of elevenin and its receptors in Aplysia and other molluscs.
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Aplysia , Neuropéptidos , Animales , Secuencia de Aminoácidos , Aplysia/genética , Neuropéptidos/química , Receptores Acoplados a Proteínas G/química , DisulfurosRESUMEN
Tensile tests were carried on the electroplated Cu films with various densities of twin grain boundary. With TEM images and a selected area diffraction pattern, nano-twinned structure can be observed and defined in the electroplated Cu films. The density of the nano-twin grain structure can be manipulated with the concentration of gelatin in the Cu-sulfate electrolyte solution. We found that the strength of the Cu films is highly related to the twin-boundary density. The Cu film with a greater twin-boundary density has a larger fracture strength than the Cu film with a lesser twin-boundary density. After tensile tests, necking phenomenon (about 20 µm) occurred in the fractured Cu films. Moreover, by focused ion beam (FIB) cross-sectional analysis, the de-twinning can be observed in the region where necking begins. Thus, we believe that the de-twinning of the nano-twinned structure initiates the plastic deformation of the nano-twinned Cu films. Furthermore, with the analysis of the TEM images on the nano-twinned structure in the necking region of the fractured Cu films, the de-twinning mechanism attributes to two processes: (1) the ledge formation by the engagement of the dislocations with the twin boundaries and (2) the collapse of the ledges with the opposite twin-boundaries. In conclusion, the plastic deformation of nano-twinned Cu films is governed by the de-twinning of the nano-twinned structure. Moreover, the fracture strength of the nano-twinned Cu films is proportional to the twin-boundaries density.
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Objective: The efficacy and safety of adjunctive magnetic seizure therapy (MST) for patients with schizophrenia are unclear. This systematic review was conducted to examine the efficacy and safety of adjunctive MST for schizophrenia. Methods: Chinese (WanFang and Chinese Journal Net) and English (PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Library) databases were systematically searched. Results: Two open-label self-controlled studies (n = 16) were included and analyzed in this review. In these studies, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total scores and Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) total scores significantly decreased from baseline to post-MST (all Ps < 0.05), without serious adverse neurocognitive effects. Mixed findings on the neurocognitive effects of adjunctive MST for schizophrenia were reported in the two studies. A discontinuation rate of treatment of up to 50% (4/8) was reported in both studies. The rate of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) was evaluated in only one study, where the most common ADRs were found to be dizziness (25%, 2/8) and subjective memory loss (12.5%, 1/8). Conclusion: There is inconsistent evidence for MST-related adverse neurocognitive effects and preliminary evidence for the alleviation of psychotic symptoms in schizophrenia.
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Phlebopus roseus is described as new based on collections from southwest China. Phylogenetic analyses of nuclear rDNA internal transcribed spacer region ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 (ITS) and portions of nuclear 28S rDNA (28S), translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1), and the largest and second largest subunits of RNA polymerase II (rpb1, rpb2) support P. roseus as a novel species in the genus Phlebopus (Boletinellaceae, Boletales). The new species resembles P. portentosus but differs from it in that mature basidiomata have a bright rose-red-colored stipe and a radiate tubular hymenophore with nested pores. Despite extensive searching, P. roseus has only been found at four sites within a 24-hectare orchard dominated by Eriobotrya japonica, which is agriculturally important given its fruit production (loquats). Therefore, this species appears to be endemic and geographically restricted. The ecology of this bolete is also unique. In line with the trophic behavior of other species in the Boletinellaceae, our observations indicate that P. roseus forms a symbiotic association with the scale insect Coccus hesperidum, identified through sequence analysis of its mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) region, to form fungus-insect galls that develop on roots of E. japonica trees. Phlebopus roseus is an edible mushroom species and is collected from the type location by farmers and sold commercially in limited quantities at local markets alongside P. portentosus and other fungi.
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Basidiomycota , Agaricales/clasificación , Agaricales/genética , Agaricales/aislamiento & purificación , Animales , Basidiomycota/clasificación , Basidiomycota/genética , Basidiomycota/aislamiento & purificación , China , Clasificación , ADN de Hongos/genética , Eriobotrya/microbiología , Hemípteros , Factor 1 de Elongación Peptídica/genética , Raíces de Plantas/microbiología , Tumores de Planta/microbiología , ARN Polimerasa II/genética , ARN Ribosómico 28S/genética , SimbiosisRESUMEN
In this work, we demonstrate a novel high-power vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) array with highly single-mode (SM) and single-polarized output performance without significantly increasing the intra-cavity loss and threshold current (Ith). By combining a low-loss zinc-diffusion aperture with an electroplated copper substrate, we can obtain a highly SM output (side mode suppression ratio >50dB) with a very narrow divergence angle (1/e2:â¼10∘) under high output power (3.1 W; 1% duty cycle) and sustain a single polarization state, with a polarization suppression ratio of around 9 dB, under the full range of bias currents. Compared to the reference device without the copper substrate, the demonstrated array can not only switch the output optical spectra from quasi-SM to highly SM but also maintain a close threshold current value (Ith: 0.8 versus 0.7 mA per unit device) and slope efficiency. The enhancement in fundamental mode selectivity of our VCSEL structure can be attributed to the single-polarized lasing mode induced by tensile strain, which is caused by the electroplated copper substrate, as verified by the double-crystal x-ray measurement results.
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BACKGROUND: To study the outcome and experience of using metallic stents in treating patients with malignant ureteral obstruction (MUO). METHODS: Seventy-six patients with MUO were assigned to the metallic stent group (MSG) or the ordinary polymer stent group (OPSG) according to the different materials. The success rate of the operation, duration of operation, patency rate serum creatinine values ,postoperative complications and QOL scores were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: In the OPSG and MSG, the success rates of the operation were 95.5% and 96.9%, respectively, and the durations of the operation were 20.6 ± 2.2 min and 50.9 ± 10.3 min (P < 0.01), respectively. There was no significant difference between the groups in serum creatinine values at 3 days after the operation (P > 0.05); however, the creatinine values at 3 days after the operation decreased significantly compared with those before the operation (P < 0.01). In the OPSG, there was no significant difference in creatinine values between 3 days and 6 months after operation, while the creatinine values 1 year after operation were increased significantly compared to those at 3 days after the operation (P < 0.05). In the MSG, there was no significant difference among creatinine values at different intervals (P > 0.05). The total rate of post-procedural complication was lower in the MSG than that in the OPSG(P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the QOL score between the two groups before the operation (P > 0.05); however, the QOL scores at 6 months and 1 year after the operation were higher in the MSG than that in the OPSG(P < 0.05). In the MSG, there was no significant difference in the QOL score between preoperation and 6 months after surgery. Similarly, there was also no difference in the QOL score between 6 months after surgery and 1 year after surgery(P > 0.05). On the contrary, the differences of QOL score in the OPSG group were much significant between disparate time intervals (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: For patients with MUO who require long-term retention of the stent, metallic stents with longer indwelling time are superior to ordinary polymeric stents.
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Metales/química , Neoplasias/complicaciones , Polímeros/química , Stents/estadística & datos numéricos , Obstrucción Ureteral/cirugía , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Femenino , Estudios de Seguimiento , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Pronóstico , Estudios Retrospectivos , Tasa de Supervivencia , Obstrucción Ureteral/etiologíaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Data on susceptibility to ceftobiprole and colistin, and the complete evolutionary trends of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of important carbapenem agents among important pathogens collected in intensive care units (ICUs) in Taiwan are lacking. METHODS: We surveyed the MIC distribution patterns of ceftobiprole and colistin and susceptibility profiles of some important pathogens collected from patients hospitalized in intensive care units (ICUs) of major teaching hospitals throughout Taiwan in 2007. We also investigated the rates of nonsusceptibility to powerful carbapenems (imipenem, meropenem) among four important species of Enterobacteriaceae (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae, and Proteus mirabilis) collected during the same period. MIC breakpoints recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute in 2014 were applied. RESULTS: Colistin showed excellent in vitro activity (susceptibility rate, 96%) against Acinetobacter baumannii isolates but moderate (73-77% susceptibility rate) activity against isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and E. cloacae. The ceftobiprole MIC90 value was 4 µg/mL for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and 16 µg/mL for P. aeruginosa. The phenotype of methicillin resistance did not markedly increase the MIC value of ceftobiprole among S. aureus isolates. Interestingly, the proportion of isolates that displayed nonsusceptibility to imipenem was significantly higher among P. mirabilis isolates than among isolates of the other three Enterobacteriaceae species, regardless of the production of extended-spectrum ß-lactamase. CONCLUSION: Continuous monitoring of susceptibility profiles of ICU pathogens to important antibiotics is warranted to provide appropriate antimicrobial regimens against infections in the ICU.
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Acinetobacter baumannii/efectos de los fármacos , Antibacterianos/farmacología , Carbapenémicos/farmacología , Cefalosporinas/farmacología , Colistina/farmacología , Enterobacteriaceae/efectos de los fármacos , Pseudomonas aeruginosa/efectos de los fármacos , Acinetobacter baumannii/aislamiento & purificación , Farmacorresistencia Bacteriana Múltiple , Enterobacteriaceae/aislamiento & purificación , Humanos , Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos , Pruebas de Sensibilidad Microbiana , Pseudomonas aeruginosa/aislamiento & purificación , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Taiwán/epidemiologíaRESUMEN
Topographical and pedological factors at 9 sites of Tuber indicum in Yunnan, Sichuan and Tibet were studied by using principal component analysis in order to determine the connection between truffle-growth with topographic factors and soil factors. Results showed that: 1) The 5 principal components selected from 15 topographical and pedological factors had a great cumulative contribution, up to 87.5%. Among the topographical factors, the slope position was the most important ecological factor affecting truffles growth. The higher the slope position was, the less conducive to truffles growth. In the middle and lower parts of the slope, T. indicum grew best. 2) As for the pedological factors, the bulk density, silt content, pH, total nitrogen content, exchangeable calcium and magnesium contents were the important factors restricting T. indicum growth. Under the condition of bulk density 0.65-0.82 g · cm(-3), silt content 30.0% and sand content about 55.0%, T. indicum grew well. Too high bulk density or clay content was not conducive to its growth. The soil with pH 6.40 or so, total nitrogen content of 2.29-3.70 g · kg(-1), exchangeable calcium content of 22.91-37.17 cmol · kg(-1) and exchangeable magnesium content of 1.85-2.59 cmol · kg(-1) were favorable for growth of T. indicum. 3) The comprehensive evaluation showed that the site at Shaoshang Village in Kunming, Yunnan and Jiangsegang Village in Linzhi Prefecture, Tibet had higher scores, which meant these two sites had the most favorable conditions for truffles growth. However, the site at Ershijiu-liangzi Village in Panzhihua, Sichuan and the Mt. Wuding in Chuxiong Prefecture, Yunnan had lower scores, which meant these two sites were not fit for truffles growth regarding the topographical and soil conditions.
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Ascomicetos/crecimiento & desarrollo , Suelo/química , TibetRESUMEN
To investigate the evolutionary trends in non-susceptibility of carbapenems against the isolates of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Enterobacter cloacae from patients hospitalized in intensive care units (ICUs) of major teaching hospitals throughout Taiwan during 2005-2009, we applied the breakpoints of MICs recommended by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute and European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing in 2013. Escalations in imipenem MIC levels for overall E. coli and E. cloacae isolates and extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL)-producing K. pneumoniae isolates were noted during this period. The overall MIC levels against imipenem and meropenem for subgroups of ESBL producers of 3 Enterobacteriaceae species were significantly higher than those of respective overall groups in 2007 and 2009. Compared with meropenem, we found that significant evidence of imipenem MIC creep and evidence of extraordinarily high rates of non-susceptibility to ertapenem among isolates of 3 species in 2009 existed. The prominent rises in rates of ertapenem non-susceptibility for ESBL-producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae during 2005-2009 and rate of ESBL positivity for E. cloacae between 4 years were notably found. Based on our findings, ertapenem should be used cautiously in management of the ICU infections caused by these potentially ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae isolates in Taiwan.
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Antibacterianos/farmacología , Carbapenémicos/farmacología , Enterobacter cloacae/efectos de los fármacos , Infecciones por Enterobacteriaceae/microbiología , Escherichia coli/efectos de los fármacos , Klebsiella pneumoniae/efectos de los fármacos , Enterobacter cloacae/aislamiento & purificación , Enterobacteriaceae , Ertapenem , Escherichia coli/aislamiento & purificación , Hospitales de Enseñanza , Humanos , Imipenem/farmacología , Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos , Klebsiella pneumoniae/aislamiento & purificación , Meropenem , Pruebas de Sensibilidad Microbiana , Taiwán , Tienamicinas/farmacología , beta-Lactamas/farmacologíaRESUMEN
PURPOSE: Modafinil is a wake-promoting agent that has been proposed to improve cognitive performance at the preclinical and clinical levels. Since there is insufficient evidence for modafinil to be regarded as a cognitive enhancer, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of chronic modafinil administration on behavioral learning in healthy adult rats. METHODS: Y-maze training was used to assess learning performance, and the whole-cell patch clamp technique was used to assess synaptic transmission in pyramidal neurons of the hippocampal CA1 region of rats. RESULTS: Intraperitoneal administration of modafinil at 200 mg/kg or 300 mg/kg significantly improved learning performance. Furthermore, perfusion with 1mM modafinil enhanced the frequency and amplitude of spontaneous postsynaptic currents and spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents in CA1 pyramidal neurons in hippocampal slices. However, the frequency and amplitude of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents in CA1 pyramidal neurons were inhibited by treatment with 1mM modafinil. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that modafinil improves learning and memory in rats possibly by enhancing glutamatergic excitatory synaptic transmission and inhibiting GABAergic (gamma-aminobutyric acid-ergic) inhibitory synaptic transmission.
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BACKGROUND: The data on susceptibility of important cephalosporins against four Enterobacteriaceae members producing potential extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL) collected from Taiwanese intensive care units are lacking. METHODS: Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of cefotaxime, ceftazidime, and cefepime were determined using agar dilution method, against Escherichia coli (n = 344), Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 359), Enterobacter cloacae (n = 103), and Proteus mirabilis (n = 78). Susceptibilities of these isolates to three cephalosporins were assessed according to MIC breakpoints recommended by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) and the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) in 2013. The double-disk synergy test using disks containing cefepime (30 µg) with or without clavulanate (10 µg) was applied to confirm production of ESBL for isolates with cephalosporin MIC ≥ 2 µg/mL. RESULTS: A total of 175 isolates were verified as ESBL producers. The rates of cefepime susceptibility among the ESBL-producing isolates, according to CLSI (EUCAST) criteria, were 56.7% (22.4%) for E. coli, 61.3% (12.0%) for K. pneumoniae, 57.9% (31.6%) for E. cloacae, and 71.4% (7.1%) for P. mirabilis. Using different cefepime MIC breakpoints (MICs ≥ 16 µg/mL recommended by CLSI criteria and ≥ 2 µg/mL by EUCAST criteria) to define nonsusceptibility, we found that both criteria were poorer at predicting ESBL producers among K. pneumoniae and E. cloacae than among the other two species. In addition, we also found that the cefepime MIC level of 1.0 µg/mL best distinguished non-ESBL- from ESBL-producing K. pneumoniae and E. cloacae. CONCLUSION: To detect ESBLs, CLSI should revise the cefepime MIC breakpoint against Enterobacteriaceae.
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Antibacterianos/farmacología , Resistencia a las Cefalosporinas , Cefalosporinas/farmacología , Infecciones por Enterobacteriaceae/microbiología , Enterobacteriaceae/efectos de los fármacos , Enterobacteriaceae/enzimología , beta-Lactamasas/metabolismo , Cefepima , Cefotaxima/farmacología , Ceftazidima/farmacología , Enterobacteriaceae/aislamiento & purificación , Monitoreo Epidemiológico , Humanos , Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos , Pruebas de Sensibilidad Microbiana , Taiwán , beta-Lactamasas/clasificaciónRESUMEN
Automatically segmenting anatomical structures from 3D brain MRI images is an important task in neuroimaging. One major challenge is to design and learn effective image models accounting for the large variability in anatomy and data acquisition protocols. A deformable template is a type of generative model that attempts to explicitly match an input image with a template (atlas), and thus, they are robust against global intensity changes. On the other hand, discriminative models combine local image features to capture complex image patterns. In this paper, we propose a robust brain image segmentation algorithm that fuses together deformable templates and informative features. It takes advantage of the adaptation capability of the generative model and the classification power of the discriminative models. The proposed algorithm achieves both robustness and efficiency, and can be used to segment brain MRI images with large anatomical variations. We perform an extensive experimental study on four datasets of T1-weighted brain MRI data from different sources (1,082 MRI scans in total) and observe consistent improvement over the state-of-the-art systems.
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Encéfalo/anatomía & histología , Imagenología Tridimensional/métodos , Imagen por Resonancia Magnética , Algoritmos , Animales , Simulación por Computador , HumanosRESUMEN
In this paper, a novel single-hidden-layer feed-forward quantum neural network model is proposed based on some concepts and principles in the quantum theory. By combining the quantum mechanism with the feed-forward neural network, we defined quantum hidden neurons and connected quantum weights, and used them as the fundamental information processing unit in a single-hidden-layer feed-forward neural network. The quantum neurons make a wide range of nonlinear functions serve as the activation functions in the hidden layer of the network, and the Grover searching algorithm outstands the optimal parameter setting iteratively and thus makes very efficient neural network learning possible. The quantum neuron and weights, along with a Grover searching algorithm based learning, result in a novel and efficient neural network characteristic of reduced network, high efficient training and prospect application in future. Some simulations are taken to investigate the performance of the proposed quantum network and the result show that it can achieve accurate learning.
Asunto(s)
Algoritmos , Aprendizaje/fisiología , Redes Neurales de la Computación , Neuronas/fisiología , Animales , Inteligencia Artificial , Humanos , Reconocimiento de Normas Patrones Automatizadas , Teoría CuánticaRESUMEN
To investigate the in vitro susceptibilities to various carbapenems amongst clinical Gram-negative bacteria isolated from patients in intensive care units of ten major teaching hospitals in Taiwan in 2009, a survey was conducted to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of ertapenem, imipenem, meropenem and doripenem against isolates of Enterobacteriaceae (n = 594), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 185), Acinetobacter baumannii (n = 192) and Burkholderia cepacia (n = 23) using the agar dilution method. Susceptibilities were determined according to 2009, 2011 and 2012 MIC breakpoints recommended by the CLSI as well as 2012 MIC breakpoints recommended by EUCAST. Based on CLSI 2012 criteria, the ertapenem susceptible rate was 93%, 81%, 68% and 92% for Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae and Serratia marcescens, respectively. All Proteus mirabilis and Morganella morganii isolates were susceptible to ertapenem; however, 64% of P. mirabilis and all M. morganii isolates were non-susceptible to imipenem. Meropenem and doripenem had better activities than imipenem against ertapenem-non-susceptible Enterobacteriaceae isolates. E. coli, K. pneumoniae and E. cloacae with ertapenem MICs≥4 mg/L were synchronously not susceptible to imipenem, meropenem and doripenem. Imipenem susceptibility was 65% and 29% for P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii, respectively. Additionally, P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii isolates with imipenem MICs≥8 mg/L were also not susceptible to meropenem and doripenem. These data provide a better understanding of choosing appropriate carbapenem agents to treat infections caused by ertapenem-non-susceptible Enterobacteriaceae as well as P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii isolates with imipenem MICs≥4 mg/L.