Application of a semivariogram based on a deep neural network to Ordinary Kriging interpolation of elevation data.

The Ordinary Kriging method is a common spatial interpolation algorithm in geostatistics. Because the semivariogram required for kriging interpolation greatly influences this process, optimal fitting of the semivariogram is of major significance for improving the theoretical accuracy of spatial interpolation. A deep neural network is a machine learning algorithm that can, in principle, be applied to any function, including a semivariogram. Accordingly, a novel spatial interpolation method based on a deep neural network and Ordinary Kriging was proposed in this research, and elevation data were used as a case study. Compared with the semivariogram fitted by the traditional exponential model, spherical model, and Gaussian model, the kriging variance in the proposed method is smaller, which means that the interpolation results are closer to the theoretical results of Ordinary Kriging interpolation. At the same time, this research can simplify processes for a variety of semivariogram analyses.

Role of Th17-cell related cytokines in geriatric asthma.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the pathogenesis of geriatric asthma through immunoglobulin E (IgE), interleukin-17A (IL-17A), IL-17F, and glucocorticoid receptor-ß (GR-ß) expression. METHODS: We studied 51 geriatric male patients with asthma and 50 young male patients with asthma. We also included 21 normal geriatric males and 21 normal young males. All geriatric and young patients were divided into groups according to pulmonary function. Levels of cytokines, such as IgE, IL-17A, IL-17F, and GR-ß, were measured. Pulmonary function was assessed. The results from patients were compared with those from the 42 healthy subjects. RESULTS: Serum IgE, IL-17A, IL-17F, and GR-ß levels in geriatric patients with moderate or severe asthma were significantly higher than those in young patients with moderate asthma and in the normal population. Geriatric patients with asthma had higher asthma control test scores than did young patients with asthma. CONCLUSION: Hormone resistance in geriatric male patients with asthma is more serious than that in young male patients with asthma. Airway inflammation and airway remodeling in geriatric male patients with asthma may be more serious than those in young male patients with asthma, even when there is similar pulmonary function.

Construction, expression and characterization of a dual cancer-specific fusion protein targeting carcinoembryonic antigen in intestinal carcinomas.

The abundantly expressed carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) on several cancer types is an attractive target for antibody-directed therapy. However, CEA is also present in some normal tissues. Here, we produced a dual functioning protein, designated as CAtin that exhibits both specific binding and killing functions, by fusing a tumor-specific apoptosis-inducing molecular Apoptin to C-terminus of an anti-CEA single-chain disulfide-stabilized Fv antibody (scdsFv). The CAtin proteins were expressed in Escherichia coli (E. coli), refolded and purified on an immobilized Ni2+ affinity chromatography column. SDS-PAGE and Western blotting revealed that the recombinant protein was well-expressed and the yield was approximately 250mg/L. We demonstrated by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence assays that CAtin could bind specifically to human colon carcinoma cells (LoVo), but almost not to human uterine cervix (Hela). The results suggest that CAtin is active and specific toward CEA-positive cells and may potentially be used in CEA-targeted cancer therapy.