A novel multi-dimensional coal and gangue X-ray sorting algorithm based on CdZnTe photon counting detectors.

BACKGROUND: The gangue content in coal seriously affects the calorific value produced by its combustion. In practical applications, gangue in coal needs to be completely separated. The pseudo-dual-energy X-ray method does not have high sorting accuracy. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to propose a novel multi-dimensional coal and gangue X-ray sorting algorithm based on CdZnTe photon counting detectors to solve the problem of coal and gangue sorting by X-ray. METHODS: This complete algorithm includes five steps: (1) Preferred energy bins, (2) transmittance sorting, (3) one-dimensional R-value sorting, (4) two-dimensional R-value sorting, and (5) three-dimensional R-value sorting. The output range of each step is determined by prior information from 65 groups of coal and gangue. An additional 110 groups of coal and gangue are employed experimentally to validate the algorithm's accuracy. RESULTS: Compared with the 60% sorting accuracy of the Pseudo-dual-energy method, the new algorithm reached a sorting accuracy of 99%. CONCLUSIONS: Study results demonstrate the superiority of this novel algorithm and its feasibility in practical applications. This novel algorithm can guide other two-substance X-ray sorting applications based on photon counting detectors.

A novel multi-view X-ray digital imaging stitching algorithm.

BACKGROUND: In fan beam X-ray imaging applications, several X-ray images sometimes need to be stitched together into a panoramic image because of the size limitations of the detector. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to propose a novel multi-view X-ray digital imaging stitching algorithm (MVS) based on the CdZnTe photon counting linear array detectors to solve the problem of fan beam X-ray stitching deformation. METHODS: The panoramic image is generated in four steps including (1) multi-view projection data acquisition, (2) overlapping positioning, (3) weighted fusion and (4) projected pixel value calculation. Images of a globe and foot are scanned by fan beam X-rays and a CdZnTe detector. The proposed method is applied to stitch together the scanned images of the globe. Three other methods are also used for comparison. Finally, this MVS algorithm is also used in the stitching of scanned images of the foot. RESULTS: Compared with the 50% stitching accuracy of other methods, the new MVS algorithm reached a stitching accuracy of 94.4%. Image distortion on the globe and feet is also eliminated and thus image quality is significantly improved. CONCLUSIONS: This study proposes a new multi-view X-ray digital imaging stitching algorithm. Study results demonstrate the superiority of this new algorithm and its feasibility in practical applications.

Isolation and Molecular Characterization of the Transformer Gene From Bactrocera cucurbitae (Diptera: Tephritidae).

transformer (tra) is a switch gene of sex determination in many insects, particularly in Dipterans. However, the sex determination pathway in Bactrocera cucurbitae (Coquillett), a very destructive pest on earth, remains largely uncharacterized. In this study, we have isolated and characterized one female-specific and two male-specific transcripts of the tra gene (Bcutra) of B. cucurbitae. The genomic structure of Bcutra has been determined and the presence of multiple conserved Transformer (TRA)/TRA-2 binding sites in Bcutra has been found. BcuTRA is highly conservative with its homologues in other tephritid fruit flies. Gene expression analysis of Bcutra at different developmental stages demonstrates that the female transcript of Bcutra appears earlier than the male counterparts, indicating that the maternal TRA is inherited in eggs and might play a role in the regulation of TRA expression. The conservation of protein sequence and sex-specific splicing of Bcutra and its expression patterns during development suggest that Bcutra is probably the master gene of sex determination of B. cucurbitae. Isolation of Bcutra will facilitate the development of a genetic sexing strain for its biological control.

3-N-butylphthalide attenuates neuroinflammation in rotenone-induced Parkinson's disease models via the cGAS-STING pathway.

Neuroinflammation is crucial in the onset and progression of dopaminergic neuron loss in Parkinson's disease (PD). We aimed to determine whether 3-N-Butylphthalide (NBP) can protect against PD by inhibiting the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway and the inflammatory response of microglia. MitoSOX/MitoTracker/Hoechst staining was used to detect the levels of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) in BV2 cells. Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction was used to measure the levels of free cytoplasmic mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in BV2 cells and mouse brain tissues. Behavioral impairments were assessed using rotarod, T-maze, and balance beam tests. Dopaminergic neurons and microglia were observed using immunohistochemical staining. Expression levels of cGAS, STING, nuclear factor kappa-B (NfκB), phospho- NfκB (p-NfκB), inhibitor of NfκBα (IκBα), and phospho-IκBα (p-IκBα) proteins in the substantia nigra and striatum were detected using Western Blot. NBP decreased mitochondrial ROS levels in rotenone-treated BV2 cells. NBP alleviated behavioral impairments and protected against rotenone-induced microgliosis and damage to dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and striatum of rotenone-induced PD mice. NBP decreased rotenone-induced mtDNA leakage and mitigated neuroinflammation by inhibiting cGAS-STING pathway activation. NBP exhibited a protective effect in rotenone-induced PD models by significantly inhibiting the cGAS-STING pathway. Moreover, NBP can alleviate neuroinflammation, and is a potential therapeutic drug for alleviating clinical symptoms and delaying the progression of PD. This study provided insights for the potential role of NBP in PD therapy, potentially mitigating neurodegeneration, and consequently improving the quality of life and lifespan of patients with PD. The limitations are that we have not confirmed the exact mechanism by which NBP decreases mtDNA leakage, and this study was unable to observe the actual clinical therapeutic effect, so further cohort studies are required for validation.

Mediating effects of attitude on the relationship between knowledge and willingness to organ donation among nursing students.

Background: The current rate of organ donation in China falls significantly below the global average and the actual demand. Nursing students play a crucial role in supporting and promoting social and public welfare activities. This study primary aims to analyze the levels of knowledge, attitudes, willingness toward organ donation, and attitudes toward death among nursing students, and investigate the mediating role of attitude in the relationship between knowledge and willingness. The secondary aims to identify factors that may influence the willingness. Methods: A convenience sample of nursing students completed online-administered questionnaires measuring the level of knowledge, attitudes, and willingness toward organ donation before and after clinical internship. Spearman correlation and mediation analyses were used for data analyses. Results: Before the clinical internship, there were 435 nursing students who had not yet obtained their degrees and were completing their clinical internships. After the internship, this number decreased to 323. The mean score for knowledge before and after the clinical internship (7.17 before and 7.22 after, with no significant difference), the attitude (4.58 before and 4.36 after, with significant difference), the willingness (12.41% before and 8.67% after, with significant difference), the Death Attitude Profile-Revised (DAP-R) score (94.41 before and 92.56 after, with significant difference). The knowledge indirectly affected nursing students' willingness to organ donation through attitude. Knowledge had a direct and positive impact on attitudes (ß = 1.564). Additionally, nursing students' attitudes positively affected their willingness (ß = 0.023). Attitudes played a mediating role in the relationship between knowledge and willingness (ß = 0.035). Additionally, attitude toward death, fear of death, and acceptance of the concept of escape were found to be correlated with their willingness. Conclusion: Organ donation willingness was found to be low among nursing students. Positive attitudes were identified as a mediating factor between knowledge and willingness. Additionally, DAP-R was a related factor. Therefore, it is recommended to focus on improving knowledge and attitude, as well as providing death education to help nursing students establish a positive attitude toward death. These efforts can contribute to the promotion of organ donation.

SERPINA3: A novel inflammatory biomarker associated with cerebral small vessel disease burden in ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Inflammation has emerged as a prominent risk factor for cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). However, the specific association between various inflammatory biomarkers and the development of CSVD remains unclear. Serine proteinase inhibitor A3 (SERPINA3), Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), Tissue inhibitor metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 (MCP-1) are several inflammatory biomarkers that are potentially involved in the development of CSVD. In this present study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between candidate molecules and CSVD features. METHOD: The concentration of each biomarker was measured in 79 acute ischemic stroke patients admitted within 72 h after symptom onset. The associations between blood levels of inflammatory markers and CSVD score were investigated, as well as each CSVD feature, including white matter hyperintensities (WMH), lacunes, and enlarged perivascular spaces (EPVS). RESULTS: The mean age was 69.0 ± 11.8 years, and 65.8% of participants were male. Higher SERPINA3 level (>78.90 ng/mL) was significantly associated with larger WMH volume and higher scores on Fazekas's scale in all three models. Multiple regression analyses revealed the linear association between absolute WMH burden and SERPINA3 level, especially in model 3 (ß = 0.14; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.04-0.24 ; p = 0.008 ). Restricted cubic spline regression demonstrated a dose-response relationship between SERPINA3 level and larger WMH volume (p nonlineariy = 0.0366 and 0.0378 in model 2 and mode 3, respectively). Using a receiving operating characteristic (ROC) curve, plasma SERPINA3 level of 64.15 ng/mL distinguished WMH >7.8 mL with the highest sensitivity and specificity (75.92% and 60%, respectively, area under curve [AUC] = 0.668, p = 0.0102). No statistically significant relationship has been found between other candidate biomarkers and CSVD features. CONCLUSION: In summary, among four inflammatory biomarkers that we investigated, SERPINA3 level at baseline was associated with WMH severity, which revealed a novel biomarker for CSVD and validated its relationship with inflammation and endothelial dysfunction.

Age-related changes after intracerebral hemorrhage: a comparative proteomics analysis of perihematomal tissue.

The risk factors and causes of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and the degree of functional recovery after ICH are distinct between young and elderly patients. The increasing incidence of ICH in young adults has become a concern; however, research on the molecules and pathways involved ICH in subjects of different ages is lacking. In this study, tandem mass tag (TMT)-based proteomics was utilized to examine the protein expression profiles of perihematomal tissue from young and aged mice 24 h after collagenase-induced ICH. Among the 5,129 quantified proteins, ICH induced 108 and 143 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in young and aged mice, respectively; specifically, there were 54 common DEPs, 54 unique DEPs in young mice and 89 unique DEPs in aged mice. In contrast, aging altered the expression of 58 proteins in the brain, resulting in 39 upregulated DEPs and 19 downregulated DEPs. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that ICH activated different proteins in complement pathways, coagulation cascades, the acute phase response, and the iron homeostasis signaling pathway in mice of both age groups. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis and ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) demonstrated that the unique DEPs in the young and aged mice were related to lipid metabolism and carbohydrate metabolism, respectively. Deeper paired-comparison analysis demonstrated that apolipoprotein M exhibited the most significant change in expression as a result of both aging and ICH. These results help illustrate age-related protein expression changes in the acute phase of ICH.

Multi-time point metabolomics reveals key metabolic features from the ultra-early stage of intracerebral hemorrhage in mice.

Despite decades of intensive research, there are still very limited options for the effective treatment of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Recently, mounting evidence has indicated that the ultra-early stage (<3 h), serving as the primary phase of ICH, plays a pivotal role and may even surpass other stages in terms of its significance. Therefore, uncovering the metabolic alterations induced by ICH in the ultra-early stage is of crucial importance. To investigate this, the collagenase ICH mouse model was employed in this study. ICH or sham-operated mice were euthanized at the ultra-early stage of 3 h and the acute stage of 24 h and 72 h after the operation. Then, the metabolic changes in the perihematomal tissues were detected by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. In total, alterations in the levels of 465 metabolites were detected. A total of 136 metabolites were significantly changed at 3 h. At 24 h and 72 h, the amounts were 132 and 126, respectively. Additionally, the key corresponding metabolic pathways for these time points were analyzed through KEGG. To gather additional information, quantitative real-time transcription polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blots were performed to validate the metabolic changes. Overall, ICH significantly alters important physiological functions such as cysteine metabolism, purine metabolism, synaptic alterations, the synaptic vesicle cycle, and the ATP-binding cassette transporter system. These might be the key pathologic mechanisms of the ultra-early stage induced by ICH.

Characterization of SNCA Multiplication in Parkinson's Disease: 2 New Cases and Evaluation of the Literature.

Background: Alpha-synuclein (SNCA) copy number variations (CNV) have been certified as a causative mutation in patients with familial and sporadic Parkinson's disease (PD). Case: We report three SNCA duplication cases diagnosed as PD. Through whole-exome sequencing, we identified a de novo 4.56 Mb repeated region in one patient and a 2.50 Mb repeated region in familial PD with two patients. Literature review: In review of previous cases, we suggest that aggressive behavior is more remarkable in CNV4 patients. Meanwhile, frequency of cognition decline and dementia were slightly increased in CNV4 patients. We also illustrate a younger onset age in offspring than parent in familial SNCA multiplication PD cases. No difference was observed in disease duration between parent and offspring generation. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrated the clinical and genetic characteristics in PD with SNCA multiplication and provided strong evidence for genetic anticipation. These results may be instructive for future disease diagnosis and genetic counseling.

Growth Differentiation Factor 15 Protects SH-SY5Y Cells From Rotenone-Induced Toxicity by Suppressing Mitochondrial Apoptosis.

Objective: Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder worldwide. Mitochondrial dysfunction is suspected as one of the pathogenic mechanisms of PD. Growth/differentiation Factor-15 (GDF15) has been reported to affect mitochondrial function in PD. However, the relationship between mitochondrial function and GDF15 induction has not been explained well. Hence, we aimed to reveal the effect of GDF15 induction on SH-SY5Y cells with rotenone toxicity, a cell model of PD. Methods: SH-SY5Y cells were exposed to 1 µM rotenone as a PD model. Cells were transfected with a GDF15-overexpression plasmid and empty vector. We then analyzed the expression level of GDF15, BCL-2/BAX, P53, PGC1-α, α-syn, and TH in GDF15-overexpressing cells by western blotting, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The cytotoxicity of rotenone was measured by CCK-8 assays. Cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometric and TUNEL assays. The effect of GDF15 on oxidative stress and mitochondrial function was revealed using DCFH-DA, mito-SOX, and JC-10 assays and a Seahorse XF Cell Mito Stress Test. Results: GDF15 protected rotenone-treated SH-SY5Y cells from toxicity by preserving mitochondrial function and decreasing apoptosis, during which GDF15 might function by influencing PGC1α through the regulation of p53. In addition, GDF15 overexpression could improve Akt and mTOR phosphorylation, leading to PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway activation. However, these protective effects were eliminated when cells were treated with the PI3K/Akt specific inhibitor LY294002. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that GDF15 can protect mitochondrial function and inhibit apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cells after exposure to rotenone by upregulating PGC1α via p53. These properties might comprise its anti-apoptotic effects, mediated by the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.

Compound Heterozygous COX20 Variants Impair the Function of Mitochondrial Complex IV to Cause a Syndrome Involving Ophthalmoplegia and Visual Failure.

The cytochrome c oxidase 20 (COX20) gene encodes a protein with a crucial role in the assembly of mitochondrial complex IV (CIV). Mutations in this gene can result in ataxia and muscle hypotonia. However, ophthalmoplegia and visual failure associated with COX20 mutation have not been examined previously. Moreover, the mechanism causing the phenotype of patients with COX20 variants to differ from that of patients with mutations in other genes impairing CIV assembly is unclear. In this investigation, the aim was to assess the relation between COX20 variants and CIV assembly. We performed detailed clinical, physical, and biochemical investigations of affected individuals. Western blotting, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and blue native-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis were used to analyze the expression level of COX20 and oxidative phosphorylation. A Seahorse XF Cell Mito Stress Test and enzymatic activity analysis were performed to evaluate mitochondrial function. Whole-exome sequencing revealed the same compound heterozygous mutations (c.41A > G and c.222G > T, NM_198076) in COX20 in two siblings. This is the first description of ophthalmoplegia and visual failure associated with COX20 variants. In vitro analysis confirmed that the COX20 protein level was significantly decreased, impairing the assembly and activity of CIV in patients' fibroblast. Overexpression of COX20 using a transduced adenovirus partially restored the function of the patients' fibroblasts. Early-onset complex movement disorders may be closely related to COX20 variants. Our results broaden the clinical phenotypes of patients with COX20 variants showing ophthalmoplegia and visual failure. Additionally, dysfunction of COX20 protein can impair the assembly and activity of CIV.