Multistability of Almost Periodic Solutions for Fuzzy Competitive NNs With Time-Varying Delays.

In this article, the multistability problem of almost periodic solutions of fuzzy competitive neural networks (FCNNs) with time-varying delays is investigated. Considering more general activation functions, which are nonmonotonic and nonlinear, and incorporating the almost periodic property of the parameters in FCNNs, sufficient conditions for the multistability of almost periodic solutions are given. ∏r=1n(Lr+1) stable almost periodic solutions are obtained, where Lr depends on the geometric features of the activation functions, which enriches and extends the research on multistability in fuzzy systems. Furthermore, the extended domain of attraction based on the original state space is presented. Finally, numerical simulations are provided to verify the conclusions of this article.

Cannabidiol finds dihydrocannabidiol as its twin in anti-inflammatory activities and the mechanism.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The hemp (cataloged at the "Medicinal Plant Names Services" as Cannabis sativa L.) extracts, cannabinoids have been used for centuries in Southeast Asia as folk medicines and now authorized by about 50 countries for application in medicine, health care products and cosmetics. As the most consumed cannabinoid, cannabidiol (CBD) has been recognized due to its various bioactivities, including anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. AIMS OF THE STUDY: The utilization of CBD is limited due to its potential conversion to psychoactive Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol in strong acidic environment, demanding to excavate safer alternatives with clarified bioactivities. Yet the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties of CBD still remain unknown, in both of the performances and the corresponding mechanisms. Previously, a synthetic CBD analogue, H2CBD (Dihydrocannabidiol) was found to be effective as CBD does towards some antioxidantive activities and mouse seizure mitigation. Therefore, it is wondering if H2CBD also acted similarly as CBD does in the aspect of anti-inflammatory performance and mechanism, and the safety. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The anti-inflammatory properties of CBD and H2CBD were revealed with enzymatic assays, proteins denaturation and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated RAW264.7 cells model, with epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) as the positive control. Their anti-inflammatory mechanism was revealed with ELISA and Western blot assay. The antibacterial properties of CBD and H2CBD were also investigated towards E. faecalis and B. cereus along with their synergistic effect with commercial antibiotics. RESULTS: CBD and H2CBD exhibited almost same (P > 0.05) performance in all the assayed anti-inflammatory properties, yet their anti-inflammatory efficiencies positively correlated to their antioxidantive activity. Moreover, both of CBD and H2CBD presented anti-inflammation to LPS stimulated RAW264.7 cells through NF-κB and AKT pathway. Furthermore, CBD and H2CBD also supplied strong and very similar (P > 0.05) antibacterial activities, comparable to tetracycline in same dose and strength. The erythrocyte hemolytic assay indicates CBD and H2CBD possessing the same safety. All the combinations of H2CBD with other cannabinoids or antibiotics present no antagonism against the bacteria, but nice synergistic or additive effect in some cases. CONCLUSION: CBD and H2CBD presented very similarly in all the assayed anti-inflammatory performances, undergoing same inflammatory mechanism with NF-κB and AKT pathway; they also expressed similar antibacterial activity, like twins. These findings will supply CBD a sustainable, safer and economic alternative with same excellent performances.

Enhancing glass-ionomer cements with flake-shaped glass: A new frontier in dental restoration.

This study aims to investigate whether the combined use of thin sheet glass (FSG) and polyurethane acrylate (PUA) can enhance the mechanical properties and biocompatibility of glass ionomer cements (GICs) to improve the overall performance of commercial GICs. In this study, an innovative approach was employed by incorporating diluents and photoinitiators into PUA to develop a novel light-curable PUA material. The PUA was then used to modify the GIC to obtain PUA-modified GIC. Subsequently, physical and chemical methods were employed to corrode and chemically modify the glass fiber surface to acquire dried thin sheet glass (FSG). Different proportions of FSG (10%, 20%, and 30% by mass) were mixed with PUA-GIC to obtain FSG-PUA modified GIC. Mechanical and biocompatibility tests were conducted on regular GIC, PUA-GIC, resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC), and various proportions of FSG-PUA-GIC materials, including flexural strength, surface hardness, water absorption rate, solubility, shear strength, compressive strength (CS), in vitro cytotoxicity, as well as short-term oral toxicity and subcutaneous implantation trials. A novel FSG-PUA modified GIC was successfully prepared, which not only retained the excellent biocompatibility and fluoride ion release capacity of the original GIC but also significantly enhanced its mechanical strength and durability. The application of this innovative method provides a new direction for the development of dental restorative materials, particularly in addressing the shortcomings of GICs in terms of mechanical performance. The addition of FSG notably increased the flexural strength and surface hardness of GICs, especially at a 20% additive level, demonstrating superior performance compared with standard Fuji IX (F9) and slightly better than RMGIC. Water absorption rate and solubility initially decreased and then increased with an increase in FSG content, and significantly outperformed F9 and RMGIC at 10% and 20% additive levels. Shear strength and CS decreased with an increase in FSG content but remained superior to commercial groups. Material incubation with cells in vitro for 24-48 h showed no significant impact on cell viability, with cell viability exceeding 90%. Short-term oral toxicity tests demonstrated good biocompatibility of the material, and subcutaneous implant trials did not observe any significant inflammation or pathological changes within 12 weeks of observation. The use of FSG-PUA materials effectively enhances the mechanical properties of GIC materials, demonstrating excellent biocompatibility and significant potential as dental restorative materials. Among them, the 20% FSG-PUA modified GICs exhibited significantly superior flexural strength, surface hardness, shear strength, water absorption, and solubility compared with F9 and slightly surpassing RMGIC, showcasing the best mechanical performance.

Neural Network Adaptive Iterative Learning Control for Strict-Feedback Unknown Delay Systems Against Input Saturation.

Neural network adaptive iterative learning control (ILC) is developed in this article to treat strict-feedback nonlinear systems with unknown state delays and input saturation. These delays are treated by constructing the Lyapunov-Krasovskii (L-K) functions for each subsystem. A command filter is employed to avoid the derivative explosion caused by continuous differentiation of the virtual controller. Corresponding auxiliary systems are designed and integrated into the backstepping procedure to compensate input saturation and the unimplemented part of the filter. Hyperbolic tangent functions and radial basis function neural networks (RBF NNs) are employed to treat singularity and related unknown terms, respectively. The convergence of the resultant strict-feedback systems is ensured in the framework of composite energy function (CEF). Finally, a simulation example is adopted to substantiate the validity of the proposed algorithm.

Deciphering the code: the pivotal role of lncRNAs in advancing TNBC therapy.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) represents the most formidable subtype of breast cancer, characterized by a notable dearth in targeted therapeutic options. Deciphering the underlying molecular mechanisms of TNBC is pivotal for improving patient outcomes. Recent scientific advancements have spotlighted long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) as key players in the genesis, progression, and metastasis of cancers. This review delineates the significant influence of lncRNAs on the advancement, detection, and neoadjuvant chemotherapy efficacy in TNBC, detailing the diverse expression patterns of aberrant lncRNAs. The paper explores the specific mechanisms by which lncRNAs regulate gene expression in both the nucleus and cytoplasm, with a special focus on their involvement in TNBC's post-transcriptional landscape. Thorough investigations into TNBC-associated lncRNAs not only forge new avenues for early diagnosis and potent treatment strategies but also highlight these molecules as promising therapeutic targets, heralding an era of personalized and precision medicine in TNBC management.

Compressible Hollow Microlasers in Organoids for High-Throughput and Real-Time Mechanical Screening.

Mechanical stress within organoids is a pivotal indicator in disease modeling and pharmacokinetics, yet current tools lack the ability to rapidly and dynamically screen these mechanics. Here, we introduce biocompatible and compressible hollow microlasers that realize all-optical assessment of cellular stress within organoids. The laser spectroscopy yields identification of cellular deformation at the nanometer scale, corresponding to tens of pascals stress sensitivity. The compressibility enables the investigation of the isotropic component, which is the fundamental mechanics of multicellular models. By integrating with a microwell array, we demonstrate the high-throughput screening of mechanical cues in tumoroids, establishing a platform for mechano-responsive drug screening. Furthermore, we showcase the monitoring and mapping of dynamic contractile stress within human embryonic stem cell-derived cardiac organoids, revealing the internal mechanical inhomogeneity within a single organoid. This method eliminates time-consuming scanning and sample damage, providing insights into organoid mechanobiology.

Assessing the impact of different Urushiol primer solvents on dentin remineralization and bond strength.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate urushiol's potential as a dentin cross-linking agent, promoting remineralization of etched dentin and preventing activation of endogenous proteases causing collagen degradation within the hybrid layer. The goal is to improve bond strength and durability at the resin-dentin interface. METHODS: Urushiol primers with varying concentrations were prepared using ethanol and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as solvents. Dentin from healthy molars underwent grinding and acid etching for 15 s, followed by a 1min application of urushiol primer. After 14 and 28 days of remineralization incubation and remineralization were used to assess by Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), Micro-Raman spectroscopy, X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Vickers Hardness, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Energy X-ray dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The overall performance of urushiol primers as dentin adhesives was observed by microtensile bond strength (µTBS) testing and nanoleakage assessment. Investigated the inhibitory properties of the urushiol primers on endogenous metalloproteinases (MMPs) utilizing in situ zymography, and the cytotoxicity of the primers was tested. RESULTS: Based on ATR-FTIR, Raman, XRD, EM-EDS and Vickers hardness analyses, the 0.7%-Ethanol group significantly enhanced dentin mineral content and improved mechanical properties the most. Pretreatment notably increased the µTBS of restorations, promoted the stability of the mixed layer, and reduced nanoleakage and MMPs activity after 28 days. SIGNIFICANCE: The urushiol primer facilitates remineralization in demineralized dentin, enhancing remineralization in etched dentin, effectively improving the bonding interface stability, with optimal performance observed at a 0.7 wt% concentration of the urushiol primer.

Photocatalytic deuterocarboxylation of alkynes with oxalate.

Herein, a catalytic photoredox-neutral strategy for alkyne deuterocarboxylation with tetrabutylammonium oxalate as the carbonyl source and D2O as the deuteration agent was described. For the first time, the oxalic salt acted as both the reductant and carbonyl source through single electron transfer and subsequential homolysis of the C-C bond. The strongly reductive CO2 radical anion species in situ generated from oxalate played significant roles in realizing the global deuterocarboxylation of terminal and internal alkynes to access various tetra- and tri-deuterated aryl propionic acids with high yields and deuteration ratios.

Evaluation of the activity and mechanisms of oregano essential oil against PRV in vivo and in vitro.

BACKGROUND: The Pseudorabies Virus (PRV) leading to pseudorabies and causes huge economic losses in pig industry. The development of novel PRV variations has diminished the efficacy of traditional vaccinations, and there is yet no medication that can stop the spread of PRV infection. Therefore, PRV eradication is challenging. Oregano essential oil, the plant-based ingredient for medication feed have been shown to has strong anti-herpesvirus activity, but no anti-PRV function has been reported. RESULTS: The current study assessed the anti-pseudorabies virus (PRV) activity of oregano essential oil and explored its mechanisms and most effective components against PRV. Our in vivo findings demonstrated that oregano essential oil could decrease the PRV load in tissues, mitigate tissue lesions, and enhance the survival rate of mice. The potential antiviral mechanism involves augmenting humoral and cellular immune responses in PRV-infected mice. To further investigate the most effective components of oregano essential oil against PRV, an in vitro study was conducted, revealing that oregano essential oil and its main constituents, carvacrol and thymol, all diminished PRV intracellular proliferation in vitro. Carvacrol exhibited the most potent anti-PRV effect, serving as the primary contributor to oregano essential oil's anti-PRV activity. The mechanisms underlying carvacrol's anti-PRV properties include the upregulation of cytokines TNF-α, IFN-ß, IFN-γ, IL-12, and the inhibition of PRV-induced apoptosis in BHK-21 cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides an effective drug for the prevention and control of PRV infection.

Unified analysis on multistablity of fraction-order multidimensional-valued memristive neural networks.

This article provides a unified analysis of the multistability of fraction-order multidimensional-valued memristive neural networks (FOMVMNNs) with unbounded time-varying delays. Firstly, based on the knowledge of fractional differentiation and memristors, a unified model is established. This model is a unified form of real-valued, complex-valued, and quaternion-valued systems. Then, based on a unified method, the number of equilibrium points for FOMVMNNs is discussed. The sufficient conditions for determining the number of equilibrium points have been obtained. By using 1-norm to construct Lyapunov functions, the unified criteria for multistability of FOMVMNNs are obtained, these criteria are less conservative and easier to verify. Moreover, the attraction basins of the stable equilibrium points are estimated. Finally, two numerical simulation examples are provided to verify the correctness of the results.

Effect of dentin conditioners on dentin bond strength: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Although composite resin restorations have been widely used for dental restorations, the durability of the bond affects the rate of restoration failure. However, how multiple strategies for enhancing the resin-dentin bond affect durability is unclear. PURPOSE: The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the impact of dentin conditioners on resin-dentin bond strength with different pretreatments before the application of adhesives. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases were searched from 2013 to July 2023 for in vitro studies that evaluated the impact of dentin conditioners on resin-dentin bond strength. The meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effects model with pooled effect as standardized mean differences (α=.05). RESULTS: A total of 23 studies met the inclusion criteria for qualitative analysis, of which 15 were used for quantitative analysis. The results demonstrated that, under dry bonding conditions, selective extrafibrillar demineralization dentin conditioners significantly enhanced the immediate bond strength (P<.001). The long-term bond strength was limited by the sample size of the subgroup, but a significant effect was found after using selective extrafibrillar demineralization dentin conditioners (P<.001). However, metal salt-based dentin conditioners improved the immediate bond strength only under wet bonding conditions (P=.010). Notably, acid-based dentin conditioners significantly improved the long-term bond strength under both dry and wet bonding conditions (P<.001 and P=.006). CONCLUSIONS: The application of acid-based dentin conditioners significantly improved resin-dentin bond durability under both wet and dry bonding conditions. Furthermore, selective extrafibrillar demineralization dentin conditioners demonstrated remarkable effectiveness in improving resin-dentin bond durability under dry bonding conditions; however, more data are needed to support their use.

Selenium-enriched yeast, a selenium supplement, improves the rheological properties and processability of dough: From the view of yeast metabolism and gluten alteration.

This study investigated the effect mechanism of selenium (Se)-enriched yeast on the rheological properties of dough from the perspective of yeast metabolism and gluten alteration. As the yeast Se content increased, the gas production rate of Se-enriched yeast slowed down, and dough viscoelasticity decreased. The maximum creep of Se-enriched dough increased by 29%, while the final creep increased by 54%, resulting in a softer dough. Non-targeted metabolomics analyses showed that Se inhibited yeast energy metabolism and promoted the synthesis of stress-resistance related components. Glutathione, glycerol, and linoleic acid contributed to the rheological property changes of the dough. The fractions and molecular weight distribution of protein demonstrated that the increase in yeast Se content resulted in the depolymerization of gluten. The intermolecular interactions, fluorescence spectrum and disulfide bond analysis showed that the disruption of intermolecular disulfide bond induced by Se-enriched yeast metabolites played an important role in the depolymerization of gluten.

Emulsion-Templated Gelatin/Amino Acids/Chitosan Macroporous Hydrogels with Adjustable Internal Dimensions for Three-Dimensional Stem Cell Culture.

The demand for macroporous hydrogel scaffolds with interconnected porous and open-pore structures is crucial for advancing research and development in cell culture and tissue regeneration. Existing techniques for creating 3D porous materials and controlling their porosity are currently constrained. This study introduces a novel approach for producing highly interconnected aspartic acid-gelatin macroporous hydrogels (MHs) with precisely defined open pore structures using a one-step emulsification polymerization method with surface-modified silica nanoparticles as Pickering stabilizers. Macroporous hydrogels offer adjustable pore size and pore throat size within the ranges of 50 to 130 µm and 15 to 27 µm, respectively, achieved through variations in oil-in-water ratio and solid content. The pore wall thickness of the macroporous hydrogel can be as thin as 3.37 µm and as thick as 6.7 µm. In addition, the storage modulus of the macroporous hydrogels can be as high as 7250 Pa, and it maintains an intact rate of more than 92% after being soaked in PBS for 60 days, which is also good performance for use as a biomedical scaffold material. These hydrogels supported the proliferation of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) over a 30 day incubation period, stretching the cell morphology and demonstrating excellent biocompatibility and cell adhesion. The combination of these desirable attributes makes them highly promising for applications in stem cell culture and tissue regeneration, underscoring their potential significance in advancing these fields.

Input-to-state stability of delayed memristor-based inertial neural networks via non-reduced order method.

This paper is concerned with the input-to-state stability (ISS) for a kind of delayed memristor-based inertial neural networks (DMINNs). Based on the nonsmooth analysis and stability theory, novel delay-dependent and delay-independent criteria on the ISS of DMINNs are obtained by constructing different Lyapunov functions. Moreover, compared with the reduced order approach used in the previous works, this paper consider the ISS of DMINNs via non-reduced order approach. Directly analysis the model of DMINNs can better maintain its physical backgrounds, which reduces the complexity of calculations and is more rigorous in practical application. Additionally, the novel proposed results on the ISS of DMINNs here incorporate and complement the existing studies on memristive neural network dynamical systems. Lastly, a numerical example is provided to show that the obtained criteria are reliable.

Light-curable urushiol enhanced bisphenol A glycidyl dimethacrylate dentin bonding agent.

OBJECTIVES: The low durability of composite resin restorations can be attributed to the degradation of the resin dentin bonding interface. Owing to the presence of hydrophilic components in the adhesive, the integrity of the resin dentin bonding interface is easily compromised, which, in turn, leads to a reduction in bond strength. The hydrophilic nature of the adhesive leads to water sorption, phase separation, and leaching of the resin component. Therefore, hydrophobic adhesives could effectively be used to stabilize the integrity and durability of the resin dentin bonding interface. METHODS: We synthesized a novel hydrophobic dentin adhesive by partially replacing bisphenol A glycidyl dimethacrylate (Bis-GMA) with a light-curable urushiol monomer. The properties of the produced adhesive, including the degree of conversion, viscosity, contact angle, water sorption/solubility, and mechanical strength, were comprehensively examined and compared to those of the commercially adhesive Adper Single Bond2 as a positive control. The adhesive properties were determined using microtensile bond strength measurements, laser confocal microscopy, scanning electron microscopy observations, and nanoleakage tests. Finally, the novel adhesive was subjected to biocompatibility testing to determine its potential cytotoxicity. RESULTS: At a light-curable urushiol content of 20 %, the synthesized adhesive exhibited high degrees of conversion and hydrophobicity, low cytotoxicity, good mechanical properties, and outstanding adhesive strength. CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of the light-curable urushiol into dentin adhesives can significantly enhance their hydrophobic, mechanical, and bonding properties, demonstrating potential to significantly improve restoration longevity. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The integration of light-curable urushiol has endowed the experimental adhesives with several enhanced functionalities. These notable benefits underscore the suitability of this monomer for expanded applications in clinical practice.

Finite-Time Stabilization of Inertial Memristive Neural Networks via Nonreduced Order Method.

This article investigates the finite-time stabilization problem of inertial memristive neural networks (IMNNs) with bounded and unbounded time-varying delays, respectively. To simplify the theoretical derivation, the nonreduced order method is utilized for constructing appropriate comparison functions and designing a discontinuous state feedback controller. Then, based on the controller, the state of IMNNs can directly converge to 0 in finite time. Several criteria for finite-time stabilization of IMNNs are obtained and the setting time is estimated. Compared with previous studies, the requirement of differentiability of time delay is eliminated. Finally, numerical examples illustrate the usefulness of the analysis results in this article.

The Performance and Evolutionary Mechanism of Ganoderma lucidum in Enhancing Selenite Tolerance and Bioaccumulation.

BACKGROUND: Selenium (Se) pollution poses serious threats to terrestrial ecosystems. Mushrooms are important sources of Se with the potential for bioremediation. Pre-eminent Se resources must possess the ability to tolerate high levels of Se. To obtain Se-accumulating fungi, we isolated selenite-tolerance-enhanced Ganoderma lucidum JNUSE-200 through adaptive evolution. METHODS: The molecular mechanism responsible for selenite tolerance and accumulation was explored in G. lucidum JNUSE-200 by comparing it with the original strain, G. lucidum CGMCC 5.26, using a combination of physiological and transcriptomic approaches. RESULTS: G. lucidum JNUSE-200 demonstrated tolerance to 200 mg/kg selenite in liquid culture and exhibited normal growth, whereas G. lucidum CGMCC 5.26 experienced reduced growth, red coloration, and an unpleasant odor as a result of exposure to selenite at the same concentration. In this study, G. lucidum JNUSE-200 developed a triple defense mechanism against high-level selenite toxicity, and the key genes responsible for improved selenite tolerance were identified. CONCLUSIONS: The present study offers novel insights into the molecular responses of fungi towards selenite, providing theoretical guidance for the breeding and cultivation of Se-accumulating varieties. Moreover, it significantly enhances the capacity of the bio-manufacturing industry and contributes to the development of beneficial applications in environmental biotechnology through fungal selenite transformation bioprocesses.

Ion exchange-assisted surface passivation toward highly stable red-emitting fluoride phosphors for light-emitting diodes.

A facile and environmentally friendly ion exchange-assisted surface passivation (IASP) strategy is presented for synthesizing red emitting Mn4+-activated fluoride phosphors. A substantial, pristine Mn4+-free shell layer, applied as a coating to Mn4+ doped potassium fluorosilicate K2SiF6:Mn4+ (KSFM) phosphors, enhances both water resistance and luminescence efficiency. The stability test of fluoride in water at ambient temperature and boiling water demonstrates that IASP-treated KSFM phosphors are highly water resistant. Furthermore, both the negative thermal temperature (NTQ) fitting results and the photoluminescence (PL) decay confirm that the IASP process effectively passivates surface defects, leading to enhanced luminescence performance. The maximum internal quantum yield (QYi) of the IASP-KSFM phosphor is 94.24%. A white LED realized a high color rendering index (CRI) of 93.09 and luminous efficiency (LE) of 149.48 lm/W. This work presented a novel technique for the development of stable fluoride phosphors and has the potential to increase the use of KSFM phosphors in plant supplementary lighting systems and white light-emitting diodes.