Data-Driven Power Prediction for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Reactor Systems.

Enhancing high-performance proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) technology is crucial for the widespread adoption of hydrogen energy, a leading renewable resource. In this research, we introduce an innovative and cost-effective data-driven approach using the BP-AdaBoost algorithm to accurately predict the power output of hydrogen fuel cell stacks. The algorithm's effectiveness was validated with experimental data obtained from an advanced fuel cell testing platform, where the predicted power outputs closely matched the actual results. Our findings demonstrate that the BP-AdaBoost algorithm achieved lower RMSE and MAE, along with higher R2, compared to other models, such as Partial Least Squares Regression (PLS), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and back propagation (BP) neural networks, when predicting power output for electric stacks of the same type. However, the algorithm's performance decreased when applied to electric stacks with varying material compositions, highlighting the need for more sophisticated models to handle such diversity. These results underscore the potential of the BP-AdaBoost algorithm to improve PEMFC efficiency while also emphasizing the necessity for further research to develop models capable of accurately predicting power output across different types of PEMFC stacks.

Neglected Spleen Transcriptional Profile Reveals Inflammatory Disorder Conferred by Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus 2 Infection.

Rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD) is an acute fatal disease caused by the rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV). Since the first outbreaks of type 2 RHDV (RHDV2) in April 2020 in China, the persistence of this virus in the rabbit population has caused substantial economic losses in rabbit husbandry. Previous failures in preventing RHDV2 prompted us to further investigate the immune mechanisms underlying the virus's pathogenicity, particularly concerning the spleen, a vital component of the mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS). For this, a previous RHDV2 isolate, CHN/SC2020, was utilized to challenge naive adult rabbits. Then, the splenic transcriptome was determined by RNA-Seq. This study showed that the infected adult rabbits had 3148 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), which were associated with disease, signal transduction, cellular processes, and cytokine signaling categories. Of these, 100 upregulated DEGs were involved in inflammatory factors such as IL1α, IL-6, and IL-8. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis showed that these DEGs were significantly enriched in the cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction signaling pathway, which may play a vital role in CHN/SC2020 infection. At the same time, proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines were significantly increased in the spleen at the late stages of infection. These findings suggested that RHDV2 (CHN/SC2020) might induce dysregulation of the cytokine network and compromise splenic immunity against viral infection, which expanded our understanding of RHDV2 pathogenicity.

OsNAC5 orchestrates OsABI5 to fine-tune cold tolerance in rice.

Due to its tropical origins, rice (Oryza sativa) is susceptible to cold stress, which poses severe threats to production. OsNAC5, a NAC-type transcription factor, participates in the cold stress response of rice, but the detailed mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that OsNAC5 positively regulates cold tolerance at germination and in seedlings by directly activating the expression of ABSCISIC ACID INSENSITIVE 5 (OsABI5). Haplotype analysis indicated that single nucleotide polymorphisms in a NAC-binding site in the OsABI5 promoter are strongly associated with cold tolerance. OsNAC5 also enhanced OsABI5 stability, thus regulating the expression of cold-responsive (COR) genes, enabling fine-tuned control of OsABI5 action for rapid, precise plant responses to cold stress. DNA affinity purification sequencing coupled with transcriptome deep sequencing identified several OsABI5 target genes involved in COR expression, including DEHYDRATION-RESPONSIVE ELEMENT BINDING FACTOR 1A (OsDREB1A), OsMYB20, and PEROXIDASE 70 (OsPRX70). In vivo and in vitro analyses suggested that OsABI5 positively regulates COR gene transcription, with marked COR upregulation in OsNAC5-overexpressing lines and downregulation in osnac5 and/or osabi5 knockout mutants. This study extends our understanding of cold tolerance regulation via OsNAC5 through the OsABI5-CORs transcription module, which may be used to ameliorate cold tolerance in rice via advanced breeding.

Immunogenicity and protective efficacy of recombinant adenovirus expressing a novel genotype G2b PEDV spike protein in protecting newborn piglets against PEDV.

IMPORTANCE: Porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) is a highly infectious and economically significant gastrointestinal disorder that affects pigs of all ages. Preventing and controlling PED is achieved by immunizing sows with vaccines, enabling passive piglet immunization via colostrum. The prevalence of G2b porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) continues in China despite the use of commercial vaccines, raising questions regarding current vaccine efficacy and the need for novel vaccine development. Adenovirus serotype 5 (Ad5) has several advantages, including high transduction efficiency, a wide range of host cells, and the ability to infect cells at various stages. In this study, we expressed the immunogenic proteins of spike (S) using an Ad5 vector and generated a PED vaccine candidate by inducing significant humoral immunity. The rAd5-PEDV-S prevented PED-induced weight loss, diarrhea, and intestinal damage in piglets. This novel vaccine candidate strain possesses the potential for use in the pig breeding industry.

Immune modulation of Th1/Th2/Treg/Th17/Th9/Th21 cells in rabbits infected with Eimeria stiedai.

Introduction: Despite long-term integrated control programs for Eimeria stiedai infection in China, hepatic coccidiosis in rabbits persists. Th1, Th2, Th17, Treg, Th9, and Th21 cells are involved in immune responses during pathogen infection. It is unclear whether Th cell subsets are also involved in E. stiedai infection. Their roles in the immunopathology of this infection remain unknown. Therefore, monitoring these T-cell subsets' immune responses during primary infection of E. stiedai at both transcriptional (mRNA) and protein (cytokines) levels is essential. Methods: In experimentally infected New Zealand white rabbits, mRNA expression levels of their transcript-TBX2 (Th1), GATA3 (Th2), RORC (Th17), Foxp3 (Treg), SPI1 (Th9), and BCL6 (Th21)-were evaluated using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), whereas Th1 (IFN-g and TNF-a), Th2 (IL4), Th17 (IL17A and IL6), Treg (IL10 and TGF-b1), Th9 (IL9), and Th21 (IL21) cytokines were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). Results: We found that levels of TBX2, GATA3, RORC, SPI1, and BCL6 in the livers of infected rabbits were elevated on days 5 and 15 post-infection (PI). The concentrations of their distinctive cytokines IFN-g and TNF-a for Th1, IL4 for Th2, IL17A for Th17, IL9 for Th9, IL21 for Th21, and IL10 for Treg IL10 were also significantly increased on days 5 and 15 PI, respectively (p < 0.05). On day 23 PI, GATA3 with its cytokine IL4, RORC with IL17A, Foxp3 with IL10 and TGF-b1, and SPI1 with IL9 were significantly decreased, but TBX2 with IFN-g and IL6 remained elevated. Discussion: Our findings are the first evidence of Th1/Th2/Treg/Th17/Th9/Th21 changes in E. stiedai-infected rabbits and provide insights into immune regulation mechanisms and possible vaccine development.

Application of the Method of Melanin Bleaching After Immunohistochemical Staining of Melanin-containing Tissues.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this research was to investigate the method of melanin bleaching in immunohistochemical staining of melanin-containing tissues. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty melanin-containing tissue samples were selected, including 30 with malignant melanoma and 10 with blue naevi. The samples were divided into the following 3 groups: the prestaining bleaching group, nonbleaching group, and poststaining bleaching group. Each group was subjected to HMB45 and MelanA immunohistochemical staining. The detection system used was Roche ventana ultraview universal alkaline phosphatase red kit. RESULTS: In the prestaining bleaching group, melanin pigment was mostly removed. However, antigen expression was also affected, which resulted in significantly weaker positive staining and even represented false-negative expression. In the nonbleaching group, positive staining resulted in a red color that could easily be distinguished from the brown granules of melanin pigment. However, some melanin granules covered the tissue, impacting our observation of tissue structure. In the poststaining bleaching group, the results of positive staining were comparable to those in the nonbleaching group. The melanin pigment in these sections was almost completely removed, resulting in clearer staining and easier observation of tissue and cell structure. CONCLUSION: The method of melanin bleaching after immunohistochemical staining of melanin-containing tissue can almost completely bleach the melanin pigment and do not impact the expression of antigen. In our work, poststaining bleaching allowed for clearer immunohistochemical staining results and more obvious observation of tissue structure. This method also has the advantages of requiring simple reagents, utilizing simple operation procedures, and producing practical staining results, which makes it worthy of promotion!

Identification of proteins associated with treatment response of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in rectal mucinous adenocarcinoma by co-expression network analysis based on proteomic analysis.

For rectal mucinous adenocarcinoma (MAC), identifying biomarkers of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT) response has become imperative. This study applied label-free mass spectrometry and weighted gene co-expression network analysis to identify hub proteins in association with the NCRT response in 20 rectal MAC patients. We identified 131 differentially abundant proteins and 7 candidate proteins associated with the NCRT response. The immunostaining expressions of six proteins (ENOA, ILEU, MDHM, RM11, PTGDS, and RL3) were significantly associated with the NCRT response. Logistic regression analysis revealed that ENOA (OR = 6.275, P = 0.006) was independent risk hub protein for the NCRT response. Tow hub proteins (ENOA and PTGDS) were identified as significant risk factors by Cox regression analysis. A prognostic risk score system was constructed: risk score = (0.910 × EXPENOA) + (-1.519 × EXPPTGDS), and found to be an independent predictor of DFS in rectal MAC patients (HR = 10.308, P < 0.001). Our study suggested that ENOA may be a novel biomarker for the NCRT response and prognosis in rectal MAC patients. A two-hub-protein-based risk score system might be used for predicting tumor recurrence in rectal MAC patients. SIGNIFICANCE: NCRT resistance is a major problem in the treatment of rectal MAC patients. Identifying robust predictive biomarkers for NCRT resistance is beneficial to the stratified treatment of rectal MAC patients. In this study, label-free mass spectrometry and weighted gene co-expression network analysis identified ENOA as a potential novel biomarker for the NCRT response and prognosis. ENOA may be involved in the process of the NCRT resistance and tumor recurrence through the carbon metabolism pathway.

Combination of Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and Red Cell Distribution Width With Serum Tumor Markers for the Differential Diagnosis of Breast Cancer and its Association With Pathological Features and Molecular Types.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), red cell distribution width (RDW) and serum tumor markers as differential diagnostic markers of breast cancer (BC) and breast fibroadenoma (FA) and their associations with histopathological indicators and molecular typing in BC patients. METHODS: We collected pathological and routine clinical test data [NLR, RDW, serum tumor markers (CEA, CA15-3, CA125, CA19-9)] of 653 patients with BC and 100 patients with FA. After identifying indicators with significant inter-group differences, we used ROC curves to determine clinically significant cutoff values. Binary logistic regression analyses and ROC curves were used to analyze combined models for the differential diagnosis of BC and FA. Ordinal multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to explore correlations between routine clinical test indicators and pathological BC features. RESULTS: The BC and FA groups had significantly different CEA, NLR, and CA19-9 levels (P < .05), with respective areas under the curve (AUC) of 0.799, 0.747, and 0.711 for differentiating BC from FA and respective optimal cutoff values of 1.35 ng/mL, 1.58, and 8.55 U/mL. Binary logistic regression and ROC curve analysis showed that CEA was superior to the other 2 factors for the differential diagnosis of BC and FA. whereas the combined use of all three indicators was diagnostically most effective (AUC = 0.886; 95% confidence interval: 0.838-0.933, P = .000; sensitivity and/or specificity: 76.5%/88.9%). Ordered multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that NLR, CEA, and CA15-3 correlated positively with BC TNM staging; RDW was negatively correlated with BC histological grade; RDW, CA15-3 and CA125 were obviously associated with BC molecular typing. CONCLUSION: The combination of CEA, NLR, and CA19-9 may be used to screen and diagnose BC. NLR, CEA and CA15-3 are related to the TNM staging of BC. RDW is related to BC histological grading. RDW, CA15-3 and CA125 are related to BC molecular typing.

Primary central nervous system Hodgkin's lymphoma: a case report.

Primary central nervous system Hodgkin's lymphoma (CNS-HL) is extremely rare. This current case report describes a 60-year-old male patient that presented with numbness of the left lower extremity and worsening headache. After a full range of investigations and a partial resection of the right cerebellum, external ventricular drainage reservoir placement and cranioplasty, he was diagnosed with primary CNS-HL. The patient was treated with 3 g/m2 methotrexate (intravenous [i.v.], once a day, day 1) and 1 g/m2 cytarabine (i.v., every 12 h, days 2 + 3), followed by anti-programmed cell death protein 1 antibodies (200 mg sintilimab, i.v., once a day, day 1, every 3 weeks). After six courses of treatment with intrathecal injections of 50 mg cytarabine (once a day, day 1) and 5 mg dexamethasone (once a day, day 1), there was no residual lesion on cranial magnetic resonance imaging. No significant drug-related adverse events were observed. The patient has been followed up every 3 months and no relapse has occurred.

Lymph Node Regression to Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy in Patients with Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer: Prognostic Implication and a Predictive Model.

AIM: Currently, few studies have focused on the prognostic impact of lymph node regression to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT) in rectal cancer. This study aimed to explore the prognostic impact of lymph node regression grade (LRG) in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) following NCRT and radical surgery and develop a predictive nomogram for disease-free survival (DFS). METHODS: LARC patients undergoing NCRT and radical surgery between 2013 and 2014 were enrolled and divided into LRG low (≤ 2), middle (3-9), and high (≥ 10) groups. Clinicopathological characteristics and survival outcomes were compared. Predictors for DFS were identified by Cox regression analysis, and a nomogram was constructed. RESULTS: A total of 257 LARC patients were eligible, including LRG low (n = 149), middle (n = 59), and high (n = 49) groups. Higher LRG score was associated with higher TRG, more advanced ypT and ypN stages, and poorer OS and DFS (all P < 0.001). Cox regression analysis demonstrated that tumor differentiation (poor and anaplastic, HR = 2.048, P = 0.048), ypTNM stage (HR = 2.389, P = 0.015), and LRG-sum (HR = 1.020, P = 0.029) were independent prognostic determinants for DFS after NCRT. A nomogram for DFS was developed with a C-index of 0.68 (95%CI 0.64-0.72). CONCLUSION: LRG is an important prognostic indicator for DFS in LARC patients after NCRT. A predictive nomogram based on LRG was developed to guide more tailored adjuvant treatment and surveillance.