EEG power spectra parameterization and adaptive channel selection towards semi-supervised seizure prediction.

BACKGROUND: The seizure prediction algorithms have demonstrated their potential in mitigating epilepsy risks by detecting the pre-ictal state using ongoing electroencephalogram (EEG) signals. However, most of them require high-density EEG, which is burdensome to the patients for daily monitoring. Moreover, prevailing seizure models require extensive training with significant labeled data which is very time-consuming and demanding for the epileptologists. METHOD: To address these challenges, here we propose an adaptive channel selection strategy and a semi-supervised deep learning model respectively to reduce the number of EEG channels and to limit the amount of labeled data required for accurate seizure prediction. Our channel selection module is centered on features from EEG power spectra parameterization that precisely characterize the epileptic activities to identify the seizure-associated channels for each patient. The semi-supervised model integrates generative adversarial networks and bidirectional long short-term memory networks to enhance seizure prediction. RESULTS: Our approach is evaluated on the CHB-MIT and Siena epilepsy datasets. With utilizing only 4 channels, the method demonstrates outstanding performance with an AUC of 93.15% on the CHB-MIT dataset and an AUC of 88.98% on the Siena dataset. Experimental results also demonstrate that our selection approach reduces the model parameters and training time. CONCLUSIONS: Adaptive channel selection coupled with semi-supervised learning can offer the possible bases for a light weight and computationally efficient seizure prediction system, making the daily monitoring practical to improve patients' quality of life.

Fabrication of multifunctional ethyl cellulose/gelatin-based composite nanofilm for the pork preservation and freshness monitoring.

In this study, an active and intelligent nanofilm for monitoring and maintaining the freshness of pork was developed using ethyl cellulose/gelatin matrix through electrospinning, with the addition of natural purple sweet potato anthocyanin. The nanofilm exhibited discernible color variations in response to pH changes, and it demonstrated a higher sensitivity towards volatile ammonia compared with casting film. Notably, the experimental findings regarding the wettability and pH response performance indicated that the water contact angle between 70° and 85° was more favorable for the smart response of pH sensitivity. Furthermore, the film exhibited desirable antioxidant activities, water vapor barrier properties and also good antimicrobial activities with the incorporation of ε-polylysine, suggesting the potential as a food packaging film. Furthermore, the application preservation outcomes revealed that the pork packed with the nanofilm can prolong shelf life to 6 days, more importantly, a distinct color change aligned closely with the points indicating the deterioration of the pork was observed, changing from light pink (indicating freshness) to light brown (indicating secondary freshness) and then to brownish green (indicating spoilage). Hence, the application of this multifunctional film in intelligent packaging holds great potential for both real-time indication and efficient preservation of the freshness of animal-derived food items.

Parameterized aperiodic and periodic components of single-channel EEG enables reliable seizure detection.

Although it is clinically important, a reliable and economical solution to automatic seizure detection for patients at home is yet to be developed. Traditional algorithms rely on multi-channel EEG signals and features of canonical EEG power description. This study is aimed to propose an effective single-channel EEG seizure detection method centered on novel EEG power parameterization and channel selection algorithms. We employed the publicly available multi-channel CHB-MIT Scalp EEG database to gauge the effectiveness of our approach. We first adapted a power spectra parameterization algorithm to characterize the aperiodic and periodic components of the ictal and inter-ictal EEGs. We selected four features based on their statistical significance and interpretability, and developed a ranking approach to channel selection for each patient. We then tested the effectiveness of our approaches to channel and feature selection for automatic seizure detection using support vector machine (SVM) as the classifier. The performance of our algorithm was evaluated using five-fold cross-validation and compared to those methods of comparable complexity (using one or two channels of EEG), in terms of accuracy, specificity, sensitivity, precision and F1 score. Some channels of EEG signals show strikingly different distributions of PSD features between the ictal and inter-ictal states. Four features including the offset and exponent parameters for the aperiodic component and the first and second highest total power (TPW1 and TPW2) form the basis of channel selection and the input of SVM classifier. The selected channel is found to be patient-specific. Our approach has achieved a mean sensitivity of 95.6%, specificity of 99.2%, accuracy of 98.6%, precision of 95.5%, and F1 score of 95.5%. Compared with algorithms in previous studies that used one or two channels of EEG signals, ours outperforms in specificity and accuracy with comparable sensitivity. EEG power spectra parameterization to feature extraction and feature ranking-based channel selection are found to enable efficient and effective automatic seizure detection based on single-channel EEG signal.

Integrated Rayleigh wave streaming-enhanced sensitivity of shear horizontal surface acoustic wave biosensors.

Shear horizontal surface acoustic wave (SH-SAW) sensors are regarded as a promising alternative for label-free, sensitive, real time and low-cost detection. Nevertheless, achieving high sensitivity with SH-SAW has approached its limit imposed by the mass transport and probe-target affinity. We present here an SH-SAW biosensor accompanied by a unique Rayleigh wave-based actuator. The platform assembled on an ST-quartz substrate consists of dual-channel SH-SAW delay lines fabricated along a 90°-rotated direction, whilst another interdigital electrode (IDT) is orthogonally placed to generate Rayleigh waves so as to induce favourable streaming in the bio-chamber, enhancing the binding efficiency of the bio-target. Theoretical foundation and simulation have shown that Rayleigh acoustic streaming generates a level of agitation that accelerates the mass transport of the biomolecules to the surface. A fourfold improvement in sensitivity is achieved compared with conventional SH-SAW biosensors by means of complementary DNA hybridization with the aid of the Rayleigh wave device, giving a sensitivity level up to 6.15 Hz/(ng/mL) and a limit of detection of 0.617 ng/mL. This suggests that the proposed scheme could improve the sensitivity of SAW biosensors in real-time detection.

Effects of Glutamine on Rumen Digestive Enzymes and the Barrier Function of the Ruminal Epithelium in Hu Lambs Fed a High-Concentrate Finishing Diet.

The present experiment aimed to research the effects of glutamine (Gln) on the digestive and barrier function of the ruminal epithelium in Hu lambs fed a high-concentrate finishing diet containing some soybean meal and cottonseed meal. Thirty healthy 3-month-old male Hu lambs were randomly divided into three treatments. Lambs were fed a high-concentrate diet and supplemented with 0, 0.5, and 1% Gln on diet for 60 days. The experimental results show that the Gln treatment group had lower pepsin and cellulase enzyme activity, propionate acid concentration, and IL-6, TNF-α, claudin-1, and ZO-1 mRNA expression in the ruminal epithelium (p < 0.05); as well as increases in lipase enzyme activity, the ratio of propionic acid to acetic acid, the IL-10 content in the plasma, and the mRNA expression of IL-2 and IL-10 in the ruminal epithelium, in contrast to the CON (control group) treatment (p < 0.05). Taken together, the findings of this present study support the addition of Gln to improve digestive enzyme activity, the ruminal epithelium's barrier, and fermentation and immune function by supplying energy to the mononuclear cells, improving the ruminal epithelium's morphology and integrity, and mediating the mRNA expression of tight junction proteins (TJs) and cytokines.

Effects of Dietary Supplementation with Glutamine on the Immunity and Intestinal Barrier Gene Expression in Broiler Chickens Infected with Salmonella Enteritidis.

The effects of glutamine (Gln) on immunity and intestinal barrier gene expression levels in broilers challenged with Salmonella Enteritidis were evaluated. A total of 400 1-day-old broilers were randomly assigned to four groups, 10 repetition treatments per group with 10 broiler chickens for a 21-day feeding trial. The groups were the normal control group (CON, no infected group, fed with a basal diet); the S. Enteritidis-infected control group (SCC, infected with 2.0 × 104 CFU/mL of S. Enteritidis, fed a basal diet); and the Gln 1 and 2 groups, who were challenged with S. Enteritidis and fed a basal diet plus Gln at 0.5% and 1.0%, respectively. The results show that S. Enteritidis had adverse effects on the average daily feed intake, average daily gain, and the feed conversion ratio of infected broilers compared with those of CON broilers on d 7 (p < 0.05); decreased serum immunoglobulin A (IgA), immunoglobulin M (IgM), and immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations, and intestinal mucosa Bcl-2 mRNA expression levels (p < 0.05); increased the Lysozyme (LZM, only serum), NO, inducible NO synthase (iNOS) (except at 4 d), and total nitric oxide synthase (TNOS) (except at 4 d) activities in serum and the intestinal mucosa; and increased intestinal mucosa polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR) (except at 21 d), Avian beta-defensin 5 (AvBD5), AvBD14, Bax, and Bak mRNA expression levels during the experimental period (p < 0.05). Supplementation with Gln improved growth performance; increased serum IgA, IgG, and IgM concentrations and intestinal mucosa Bcl-2 mRNA expression levels (p < 0.05); decreased the LZM (only serum), NO, iNOS (except at 4 d), and TNOS (except at 4 d) activities in serum and the intestinal mucosa; and decreased intestinal mucosa pIgR (except at 21 d), AvBD5, AvBD14, Bax, and Bak mRNA expression levels during the experimental period (p < 0.05). These results suggest that Gln might lessen the inflammatory reaction of the small intestine and enlarge the small bowel mucosa immune and barrier function in broiler chickens challenged with S. Enteritidis.

Artificial Intelligence in Coronary CT Angiography: Current Status and Future Prospects.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of mortality in the world. Early detection and treatment of CHD are crucial. Currently, coronary CT angiography (CCTA) has been the prior choice for CHD screening and diagnosis, but it cannot meet the clinical needs in terms of examination quality, the accuracy of reporting, and the accuracy of prognosis analysis. In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has developed rapidly in the field of medicine; it played a key role in auxiliary diagnosis, disease mechanism analysis, and prognosis assessment, including a series of studies related to CHD. In this article, the application and research status of AI in CCTA were summarized and the prospects of this field were also described.

Environmental Cadmium Exposure Promotes the Development, Progression and Chemoradioresistance of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Cadmium (Cd) exposure has been implicated in the etiology of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), albeit with inconsistent results from epidemiologic studies and without causal evidence. In this study, we explore the relationship of Cd exposure and the development, progression and therapeutic resistance of ESCC. A total of 150 ESCC patients and 177 matched controls from a coastal region with a high incidence of ESCC in China were included in the study. It was found that the median blood Cd level (BCL) was significantly higher in ESCC patients than that in the controls. Odds ratios for ESCC risk were 3.12 (95% CI 1.54-6.30) and 3.71 (95% CI 1.84-7.48) in the third and fourth quartiles of Cd distribution, respectively. Notably, BCL above 4.71 µg/L was strongly associated with shorter progression-free survival time compared to that below 1.60 µg/L (p < 0.001). The chronic Cd-treated ESCC cells (CCT-ESCC) CCT-EC109 and CCT-EC9706 exhibited increased cell proliferation and tumorigenesis, enhanced migration and invasion, and upregulated EMT biomarkers following 12 weeks of exposure to 5 µM cadmium chloride. Furthermore, Cd treatment attenuated the efficacy of 5-fluorouracil, cisplatin and irradiation treatment in CCT-ESCC cells both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, we revealed that Cd stimulated the cancer cell stemness and Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway in the CCT-ESCC cells. Additionally, 5-aza-2-deoxy-cytidine treatment resulted in suppression of the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway and rescue of the Cd-induced cell radioresistance. These results offer new insights into the role of environmental Cd exposure in the development, progression and chemoradioresistance of ESCC.

IFT20 Mediates the Transport of Cell Migration Regulators From the Trans-Golgi Network to the Plasma Membrane in Breast Cancer Cells.

IFT20 is a subunit of the intraflagellar transport (IFT) system essential for the formation and function of cilia. Besides predominant research in the cilia field, some IFT subunits perform extraciliary roles in non-ciliated cancer cells. However, the specific roles of IFT subunits in tumorigenesis remain unknown. Here, we found that knockout of IFT20 in mouse breast cancer cells lacking primary cilia promoted epithelial mesenchymal transitions (EMTs), active lamellipodia formation, and cell migration. IFT20 localized at the trans-Golgi and trans-Golgi network (TGN), and displayed vesicular co-distributions with Rab8a, the marker of TGN-to-plasma membrane vesicular trafficking. Proximity-dependent biotin identification (BioID) and colocalization analyzes showed that Numb and Ctnnal1, whose depletion promoted cell migration, co-localized with IFT20 at the trans-Golgi/TGN or intracellular transport vesicles. Furthermore, Strep-Tactin pulldown assays revealed an interaction between IFT20 and Ctnnal1 or Numb. Loss of IFT20 lowered the expression of actin-associated Tagln2, whose knockdown promoted cell migration. Thus, the extraciliary function of ITF20 in breast cancer cell was associated with the negative regulation of migration.

Growth, physiological function, and antioxidant defense system responses of Lemna minor L. to decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) induced phytotoxicity.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), represent one of the new types of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that are currently found in ambient aquatic ecosystems. Lemna minor L. is a floating freshwater plant, which is widely employed for phytotoxicity studies of xenobiotic substances. For this study, we investigated the growth, physiological functions, and antioxidant capacities of L. minor, which were exposed to 0-20 mg L-1 decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209) for 14 days. A logistic model was suitable for describing the growth of L. minor when the BDE-209 concentration was in the range of from 0 to 15 mg L-1. When exposed to 5 and 10 mg L-1 BDE-209, the growth of L. minor was significantly increased, where the intrinsic rate (r) and the maximum capacity of the environment (K) of L. minor were significantly higher than those of the control. In this case, the chlorophyll content and soluble proteins were also markedly increased. Moreover, the photosynthetic function (Fv/Fm, PI) was enhanced. However, for 15 mg L-1 BDE-29 treated group, the growth of L. minor was significantly inhibited, with decreases in chlorophyll and the soluble protein content, until the L. minor yellowed and expired under a concentration of 20 mg L-1. Photosynthetic functions were also negatively correlated with increasing increments of BDE-209 (15 and 20 mg L-1). The malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide anion radical (O2̄·) content, and permeability of the plasma membranes increased with higher BDE-209 concentrations (0-20 mg L-1). The superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) activities of L. minor increased when the BDE-209 concentration ranged from 0 to 10 mg L-1; however, the activities of SOD and POD were decreased. Only the CAT activity remained higher in contrast to the control group under 15-20 mg L-1 BDE-209. These results demonstrated that 15 mg L-1 BDE-209 imparted high toxicity to L. minor, which was a consequence of the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which conveyed oxidative damage to plant cells. This study provided a theoretical understanding of BDE-209 induced toxicity as relates to the physiology and biochemistry of higher hydrophytes.

Exploring optimal supplement strategy of medicinal herbs and tea extracts for bioelectricity generation in microbial fuel cells.

This first-attempt study used extracts of appropriate antioxidant abundant Camellia and non-Camellia tea and medicinal herbs as model ESs to stably intensify bioelectricity generation performance in microbial fuel cells (MFCs). As electron shuttles (ESs) could stimulate electron transport phenomena by significant reduction of electron transfer resistance, the efficiency of power generation for energy extraction in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) could be appreciably augmented. Using environmentally friendly natural bioresource as green bioresource of ESs is the most promising to sustainable practicability. As comparison of power-density profiles indicated, supplement of Camellia tea extracts would be the most appropriate, then followed non-Camellia Chrysanthemum tea and medicinal herbs. Antioxidant activities, total phenolic contents and power stimulating activities were all electrochemically associated. In particular, the extract of unfermented Camellia tea (i.e., green tea) was the most promising ESs to augment bioenergy extraction compared to other refreshing medicinal herb extracts.

Peptide-mediated selective adhesion of smooth muscle and endothelial cells in microfluidic shear flow.

Microfluidic devices have recently emerged as effective tools for cell separation compared to traditional techniques. These devices offer the advantages of small sample volumes, low cost, and high purity. Adhesion-based separation of cells from heterogeneous suspensions can be achieved by taking advantage of specific ligand-receptor interactions. The peptide sequences Arg-Glu-Asp-Val (REDV) and Val-Ala-Pro-Gly (VAPG) are known to bind preferentially to endothelial cells (ECs) and smooth muscle cells (SMCs), respectively. This article examines the roles of REDV and VAPG and fluid shear stress in achieving selective capture of ECs and SMCs in microfluidic devices. The adhesion of ECs in REDV-coated devices and SMCs in VAPG-coated devices increases significantly compared to that of the nontargeted cells with decreasing shear stress. Furthermore, the adhesion of these cells is shown to be independent of whether these cells flow through the devices as suspensions of only one cell type or as a heterogeneous suspension containing ECs, SMCs, and fibroblasts. Whereas the overall adhesion of cells in the devices is determined mainly by shear stress, the selectivity of adhesion depends on the type of peptide and on the device surface as well as on the shear stress.