RRBP1 is highly expressed in prostate cancer and correlates with prognosis.

Recently, ribosome binding protein 1 (RRBP1) is reported to be involved in tumorigenesis. However, the expression and clinical significance of RRBP1 in prostate cancer (PCa) remains unknown. This study is aimed to investigate the expression and clinical significance of RRBP1 in PCa.

Quantitative proteomic analysis of human corneal epithelial cells infected with HSV-1.

HSV-1 infection in corneal epithelium initiates the process of herpes simplex keratitis. We investigated the dynamic change of the host proteins in corneal epithelial cells infected with HSV-1 to understand the virus-host interaction. iTRAQ coupled with LC-MS/MS was applied to quantitatively analyze the protein profiles in HSV-1 infected corneal epithelial cells at 6 and 24 h post-infection (hpi), and the results were validated by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM).

Study on Controllable Assembly of Stearic Acid within Interlayer Spacing of Montmorillonite and Its Energy Storage Performance.

As an energy carrier, the phase change material can enhance the efficiency of an energy source and reduce its load. The present paper describes the assembly of the energy carrier molecule [stearic acid (SA)] into the interlayer spacing of montmorillonite (Mt). A novel inorganic/organic composite energy storage material was prepared, which effectively reduces the phase change temperature of the energy storage molecule.

Gene Saturation: An Approach to Assess Exploration Stage of Gene Interaction Networks.

The gene interaction network is one of the most important biological networks and has been studied by many researchers. The gene interaction network provides information about whether the genes in the network can cause or heal diseases. As gene-gene interaction relations are constantly explored, gene interaction networks are evolving.

Prediction of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) activity score (NAS) with multiparametric hepatic magnetic resonance imaging and elastography.

Objectives: To investigate the use of MR elastography (MRE)-derived mechanical properties (shear stiffness (|G*|) and loss modulus (G″)) and MRI-derived fat fraction (FF) to predict the nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) activity score (NAS) in a NAFLD mouse model.

Methods: Eighty-nine male mice were studied, including 64 training and 25 independent testing animals. An MRI/MRE exam and histologic evaluation were performed.

Amplitude modulation of anomalously reflected terahertz beams using all-optical active Pancharatnam-Berry coding metasurfaces.

Pancharatnam-Berry (P-B) metasurfaces introduce geometric phases to circularly polarized electromagnetic waves through geometric rotation of the unit cells, thereby converting spin angular momentum (SAM) to orbital angular momentum (OAM) of photons and achieving flexible modulation of spin-polarized waves. It is highly desirable for dynamically tunable P-B metasurfaces to be actively applied. Here, combining double split-ring resonators (DSRRs) with photosensitive semiconductor germanium (Ge), we propose three types of all-optical active Pancharatnam-Berry coding metasurface for dynamic amplitude modulation of spin waves and vortex beams in the terahertz band.

The new perspective of old antibiotic: In vitro antibacterial activity of TMP-SMZ against Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Background/purpose: Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) is broadly administered to treat multiple infections, and the paucity of effective treatment alternatives for infections caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae has led to a renewed interest in TMP-SMZ. The aim of this study is to evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of TMP-SMZ against K. pneumoniae.

Effect of FeCoNiCrCu High-entropy-alloy Substrate on Sn Grain Size in Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu Solder.

High-entropy alloys (HEAs) are well known for their excellent high-temperature stability, mechanical properties, and promising resistance against oxidation and corrosion. However, their low-temperature applications are rarely studied, particularly in electronic packaging. In this study, the interfacial reaction between a Sn-3.

Effects of home-based cardiac exercise rehabilitation with remote electrocardiogram monitoring in patients with chronic heart failure: a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: Patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) can benefit from exercise rehabilitation (ER) with significant improvements in exercise capacity, quality of life and reduction in hospitalisations. Despite its reported benefits, only a small number of patients with CHF attend ER due to poor adherence, and improper exercise may even lead to adverse events. Remote ECG monitoring system (REMS) has the potential to overcome these obstacles.

Chlorhexidine exposure of clinical Klebsiella pneumoniae strains leads to acquired resistance to this disinfectant and to colistin.

Chlorhexidine is widely used as a disinfectant in hospitals, which may impose a selective pressure on bacteria. This study aimed to determine whether continuous exposure to chlorhexidine could lead to adaptive resistance and cross-resistance as well as investigating potential resistance mechanisms. Three clinical Klebsiella pneumoniae strains susceptible to conventional antimicrobials were selected and were continuously cultured in broth with gradually increasing concentrations of chlorhexidine.

Effects of sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations of ciprofloxacin on biofilm formation and virulence factors of Escherichia coli.

Objective: To evaluate the influence of sub-minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of ciprofloxacin (CIP) on biofilm formation and virulence factors of Escherichia coli clinical isolates.

Methods: Sub-MICs of CIP were determined using growth curve experiments. The biofilm-forming capacity of E.

Metabolic syndrome increases operative mortality in patients with impaired left ventricular systolic function who undergo coronary artery bypass grafting: a retrospective observational study.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a prevalent risk factor for coronary artery disease progression. Past studies have shown that MetS and its components tends to increase mortality after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), but data on the impact of MetS on postoperative outcome in patients with a left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) < 50% are still lacking.

Methods: Out of 2300 patients who underwent CABG between 2008 and 2018 in our center, 190 patients were identified as having impaired LV systolic function (EF < 50%).

Characterization of the mechanism and impact of staphylokinase on the formation of Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus polymicrobial biofilms.

Purpose: Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus can be co-isolated in biofilm-associated infections. However, treatments have not been well established due to a lack of antibiofilm strategies. Hence, this study aims to characterize the mechanism and impact of Staphylokinase (Sak) on fungal-bacterial polymicrobial biofilms.

Regulation of macrophage iron homeostasis is associated with the localization of bacteria.

Iron not only plays an important role in the physiological function of organisms but also is an essential nutrient for the growth of pathogens. There is a competing relationship between organisms and pathogens for the use of iron in the case of infection. The macrophage, as the first immune cell found to participate in iron metabolism, has a precise regulation system to maintain iron homeostasis in response to pathogen infection.

The Role of Three-Dimensional Magnetic Resonance Elastography in the Diagnosis of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis in Obese Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery.

The lack of reliable, noninvasive methods to diagnose early nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a major unmet need. We aimed to determine the diagnostic accuracy of three-dimensional magnetic resonance elastography (3D-MRE), with shear stiffness measured at 60 Hz, damping ratio at 40 Hz, and magnetic resonance imaging proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF) in the detection of NASH in individuals undergoing bariatric surgery. Obese adults at risk for NASH were enrolled between 2015 and 2017 (prospective cohort, n = 88) and 2010 and 2013 (retrospective cohort, n = 87).

Efficient somatic and germline genome engineering of Bactrocera dorsalis by the CRISPR/Cas9 system.

Background: Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), a very destructive insect pest of many fruits and vegetables, is widespread in many Asian countries. To facilitate control of this pest, it is essential to investigate its genetics and gene function using targeted gene disruption.

Results: Here, we describe successful targeted mutagenesis of the white and transformer genes in B.

AtLHT1 Transporter Can Facilitate the Uptake and Translocation of a Glycinergic-Chlorantraniliprole Conjugate in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Understanding of the transporters involved in the uptake and translocation of agrochemicals in plants could provide an opportunity to guide pesticide to the site of insect feeding. The product of Arabidopsis thaliana gene AtLHT1 makes a major contribution to the uptake into the roots of free amino acids and some of their derivatives. Here, a chlorantraniliprole-glycine conjugate (CAP-Gly-1) was tested for its affinity to AtLHT1 both in planta and in vitro.

Bastion3: a two-layer ensemble predictor of type III secreted effectors.

Motivation: Type III secreted effectors (T3SEs) can be injected into host cell cytoplasm via type III secretion systems (T3SSs) to modulate interactions between Gram-negative bacterial pathogens and their hosts. Due to their relevance in pathogen-host interactions, significant computational efforts have been put toward identification of T3SEs and these in turn have stimulated new T3SE discoveries. However, as T3SEs with new characteristics are discovered, these existing computational tools reveal important limitations: (i) most of the trained machine learning models are based on the N-terminus (or incorporating also the C-terminus) instead of the proteins' complete sequences, and (ii) the underlying models (trained with classic algorithms) employed only few features, most of which were extracted based on sequence-information alone.

Early Left Ventricular Dysfunction Detected by Speckle Tracking in Long-Term Hemodialysis Patients with Valvular Calcification.

Purpose: Cardiac valve calcification (VC) is very common in patients on hemodialysis. However, the definite effect of VC on left ventricular (LV) geometry and function in this population is unknown, especially when LV ejection fraction (LVEF) is normal. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of VC on LV geometry and function in long-term hemodialysis patients by conventional echocardiography and two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE).

Electrical Stimulation in the Treatment of Hemiplegic Shoulder Pain: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the effect of electrical stimulation in the treatment of hemiplegic shoulder pain.

Design: Eight databases were systematically searched for randomized controlled trials with a treatment duration of at least 2 wks comparing electrical stimulation with sham stimulation or no stimulation for patients with hemiplegic shoulder pain. Shoulder pain on the hemiplegic side after stroke at baseline was required at study selection.

Protocol-based state estimation for delayed Markovian jumping neural networks.

This paper is concerned with the state estimation problem for a class of Markovian jumping neural networks (MJNNs) with sensor nonlinearities, mode-dependent time delays and stochastic disturbances subject to the Round-Robin (RR) scheduling mechanism. The system parameters experience switches among finite modes according to a Markov chain. As an equal allocation scheme, the RR communication protocol is introduced for efficient usage of limited bandwidth and energy saving.

Specific miRNA expression profile in the blood serum of cardiac myxoma patients.

The profile of differentially expressed microRNAs (miRNAs) in the serum of patients with cardiac myxoma (CM) (n=30) and healthy people (n=30) was studied using miRNA microarray analysis. The expression of the candidate miRNAs was validated by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) in the serum of 30 CM patients and 30 healthy control individuals. TargetScan, PicTar and miRanda were used to predict the possible target gene of miR-320a.