Hard c-mean transition network method for analysis of time series.

Transition network is a powerful tool to analyze nonlinear dynamic characteristics of complex systems, which characterizes the temporal transition property. Few, if any, existing approaches map different time series into transition networks with the same size so that temporal information of time series can be captured more effectively by network measures including typical average node degree, average path length, and so on. To construct a fixed size transition network, the proposed approach uses the embedding dimension method to reconstruct phase space from time series and divides state vectors into different nodes based on the hard c-mean clustering algorithm. The links are determined by the temporal succession of nodes. Our novel method is illustrated by three case studies: distinction of different dynamic behaviors, detection of parameter perturbation of dynamical system, and identification of seismic airgun based on sound data recorded in central Atlantic Ocean. The results show that our proposed method shows good performance in capturing the underlying nonlinear and nonstationary dynamics from short and noisy time series.

Redox-Responsive Transcription Factor 1 (RRFT1) Is Involved in Extracellular ATP-Regulated Arabidopsis thaliana Seedling Growth.

Extracellular adenosine triphosphate (eATP) is an apoplastic signaling molecule that plays an essential role in the growth and development of plants. Arabidopsis seedlings have been reported to respond to eATP; however, the downstream signaling components are still not well understood. In this study, we report that an ethylene-responsive factor, Redox-Responsive Transcription Factor 1 (RRTF1), is involved in eATP-regulated Arabidopsis thaliana seedling growth. Exogenous adenosine triphosphate inhibited green seedling root growth and induced hypocotyl bending of etiolated seedlings. RRTF1 loss-of-function mutant (rrtf1) seedlings showed decreased responses to eATP, while its complementation or overexpression led to recovered or increased eATP responsiveness. RRTF1 was expressed rapidly after eATP stimulation and then migrated into the nuclei of root tip cells. eATP-induced auxin accumulation in root tip or hypocotyl cells was impaired in rrtf1. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and high-throughput sequencing results indicated that eATP induced some genes related to cell growth and development in wild type but not in rrtf1 cells. These results suggest that RRTF1 may be involved in eATP signaling by regulating functional gene expression and cell metabolism in Arabidopsis seedlings.

ATANN3 Is Involved in Extracellular ATP-Regulated Auxin Distribution in Arabidopsis thaliana Seedlings.

Extracellular ATP (eATP) plays multiple roles in plant growth and development, and stress responses. It has been revealed that eATP suppresses growth and alters the growth orientation of the root and hypocotyl of Arabidopsis thaliana by affecting auxin transport and localization in these organs. However, the mechanism of the eATP-stimulated auxin distribution remains elusive. Annexins are involved in multiple aspects of plant cellular metabolism, while their role in response to apoplastic signals remains unclear. Here, by using the loss-of-function mutations, we investigated the role of AtANN3 in the eATP-regulated root and hypocotyl growth. Firstly, the inhibitory effects of eATP on root and hypocotyl elongation were weakened or impaired in the AtANN3 null mutants (atann3-1 and atann3-2). Meanwhile, the distribution of DR5-GUS and DR5-GFP indicated that the eATP-induced asymmetric distribution of auxin in the root tips or hypocotyl cells occurred in wild-type control plants, while in atann3-1 mutant seedlings, it was not observed. Further, the eATP-induced asymmetric distribution of PIN2-GFP in root-tip cells or that of PIN3-GFP in hypocotyl cells was reduced in atann3-1 seedlings. Finally, the eATP-induced asymmetric distribution of cytoplasmic vesicles in root-tip cells was impaired in atann3-1 seedlings. Based on these results, we suggest that AtANN3 may be involved in eATP-regulated seedling growth by regulating the distribution of auxin and auxin transporters in vegetative organs.

ALK-negative urachal inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor in an elderly female: A case report.

RATIONALE: Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a rare soft tissue lesion, originally reported in the lungs. Occurrence of the IMT was also documented in the digestive system, but rare in the urinary system, especially in the urachus, and little is presently known about IMT. PATIENT CONCERNS: This study reported a very rare case of urachal IMT in an elderly female patient at the age of 77 who was diagnosed with a lower abdominal mass 2 months ago. DIAGNOSIS: The preoperative diagnosis was urachal carcinoma, which was confirmed to be anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) negative urachal IMT by postoperative histopathology and immunohistochemistry tests. INTERVENTIONS: Laparoscopic radical urachal carcinoma resection and partial bladder resection was performed under general anesthesia, and the tumor was completely removed. OUTCOMES: There was no recurrence and metastasis over 22 months of follow-up. LESSONS: The urachal IMT occurs mainly in males and nonelderly people with ALK positive while in females with ALK negative. The most common clinical manifestations of urachal IMT are lower abdominal masses; it is very important to distinguish whether the tumor originates from the bladder or the urachus, because the surgical treatment options are completely different. Currently the complete surgical removal of the tumor is the best treatment option for urachal IMT. No other adjuvant therapy is required after operation. All urachal IMT after follow-up showed no recurrence and metastasis, suggesting a good prognosis. However, IMT has malignant potential and it requires a long-term close follow-up check.

Heterotrimeric G Protein-Regulated Ca2+ Influx and PIN2 Asymmetric Distribution Are Involved in Arabidopsis thaliana Roots' Avoidance Response to Extracellular ATP.

Extracellular ATP (eATP) has been reported to be involved in plant growth as a primary messenger in the apoplast. Here, roots of Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings growing in jointed medium bent upon contact with ATP-containing medium to keep away from eATP, showing a marked avoidance response. Roots responded similarly to ADP and bz-ATP but did not respond to AMP and GTP. The eATP avoidance response was reduced in loss-of-function mutants of heterotrimeric G protein α subunit (Gα) (gpa1-1 and gpa1-2) and enhanced in Gα-over-expression (OE) lines (wGα and cGα). Ethylenebis(oxyethylenenitrilo) tetraacetic acid (EGTA) and Gd3+ remarkably suppressed eATP-induced root bending. ATP-stimulated Ca2+ influx was impaired in Gα null mutants and increased in its OE lines. DR5-GFP and PIN2 were asymmetrically distributed in ATP-stimulated root tips, this effect was strongly suppressed by EGTA and diminished in Gα null mutants. In addition, some eATP-induced genes' expression was also impaired in Gα null mutants. Based on these results, we propose that heterotrimeric Gα-regulated Ca2+ influx and PIN2 distribution may be key signaling events in eATP sensing and avoidance response in Arabidopsis thaliana roots.

Applications for radio-frequency identification technology in the perioperative setting.

We implemented a two-year project to develop a security-gated management system for the perioperative setting using radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology to enhance the management efficiency of the OR. We installed RFID readers beside the entrances to the OR and changing areas to receive and process signals from the RFID tags that we sewed into surgical scrub attire and shoes. The system also required integrating automatic access control panels, computerized lockers, light-emitting diode (LED) information screens, wireless networks, and an information system. By doing this, we are able to control the flow of personnel and materials more effectively, reduce OR costs, optimize the registration and attire-changing process for personnel, and improve management efficiency. We also anticipate this system will improve patient safety by reducing the risk of surgical site infection. Application of security-gated management systems is an important and effective way to help ensure a clean, convenient, and safe management process to manage costs in the perioperative area and promote patient safety.