Visual and self-contained diagnosis of Salmonella using RPA-CRISPR on a centrifugal force driven microfluidic system.

Rapid and sensitive nucleic acid detection is very important for the detection of Salmonella in food. Convenient detection methods show great potential in food safety. CRISPR-Cas12a system has been widely used for nucleic acid detection.

Brain Functional Network Generation Using Distribution-Regularized Adversarial Graph Autoencoder with Transformer for Dementia Diagnosis.

The topological connectivity information derived from the brain functional network can bring new insights for diagnosing and analyzing dementia disorders. The brain functional network is suitable to bridge the correlation between abnormal connectivities and dementia disorders. However, it is challenging to access considerable amounts of brain functional network data, which hinders the widespread application of data-driven models in dementia diagnosis.

Lipoxygenase-derived oxylipins are enriched in anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA)-positive individuals at risk for developing rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is typically preceded by an extended preclinical period where circulating autoantibodies, particularly anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA), are detectable in the absence of clinical arthritis. Increased dietary intake of anti-inflammatory omega-3 (ω3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) has been shown to be associated with a lower the risk of developing incident RA in large epidemiological studies. It is currently not known how changes in fatty acid (FA) metabolism may impact on the progression towards RA in at-risk individuals.

Predictive Modeling of Tensile Strength in Aluminum Alloys via Machine Learning.

Aluminum alloys are widely used due to their exceptional properties, but the systematic relationship between their grain size and their tensile strength has not been thoroughly explored in the literature. This study aims to fill this gap by compiling a comprehensive dataset and utilizing machine learning models that consider both the alloy composition and the grain size. A pivotal enhancement to this study was the integration of hardness as a feature variable, providing a more robust predictor of the tensile strength.

Serum proteomic networks associate with pre-clinical rheumatoid arthritis autoantibodies and longitudinal outcomes.

Objectives: The development of autoantibody directed towards citrullinated proteins (ACPA) are predictive of RA in at-risk individuals. The biological events that underpin loss of immune tolerance and progression into inflammatory arthritis are not known. We sought to identify serum proteomic alterations that drive autoantibody formation, persistence and progression into inflammatory arthritis in a cohort of first-degree relatives (FDR) of RA patients.

Increased frequency of TIGIT+ CD4 T Cell subset in autoantibody-positive first-degree relatives of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: Despite immune cell dysregulation being an important event preceding the onset of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the phenotype of T and B cells in preclinical RA is less understood. The aim of this study was to characterize T and B cell populations in RA patients and their autoantibody (aAb) negative and positive first-degree relatives (FDR).

Methods: Cryopreserved peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) collected at scheduled visits from aAb-(n=25), and aAb+ FDR (n=10) and RA patients (n=13) were thawed and stained using optimized antibody cocktails as per a specific 13-color T or B cell panel.

Characteristics of Small-Molecule Migration of Silicone Rubber Insulator in Electrical Power Systems.

The migration of low-molecular-weight components of polysiloxane (small molecules) to the surface of high-temperature-vulcanizing silicone rubber (HTV-SR) ensures its hydrophobicity and tends to coat the surface of pollutants, which would otherwise lower hydrophobicity. The transferability of hydrophobicity will ensure the insulator maintains its higher hydrophobicity after being coated with surface pollutants, thus providing the insulator with higher pollution flashover voltage. This migration process takes a certain time, and in this paper, the time characteristics of hydrophobicity transfer from HTV-SR coated with ten different inert materials were investigated.

Streamer Propagation along the Insulator with the Different Curved Profiles of the Shed.

The flashover along the insulator endangers the reliable operation of the electrical power system. The reasonable curved profiles of the shed could improve the flashover voltage, which would reduce power system outages. The research on the influence of the curved profiles of the shed on the streamer propagation along the insulator made of polymer was presented in the paper.

Influence of Silicone Rubber Coating on the Characteristics of Surface Streamer Discharge.

A pollution flashover along an insulation surface-a catastrophic accident in electrical power system-threatens the safe and reliable operation of a power grid. Silicone rubber coatings are applied to the surfaces of other insulation materials in order to improve the pollution flashover voltage of the insulation structure. It is generally believed that the hydrophobicity of the silicone rubber coating is key to blocking the physical process of pollution flashover, which prevents the formation of continuously wet pollution areas.

Functional Disability to Evaluate the Risk of Arthritis in First-degree Relatives of Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Objective: The events that occur prior to the onset of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) continue to be delineated. We examined the relationship between self-reported joint symptoms, functional disability, and anticitrullinated protein antibody (ACPA) status in a cohort of first-degree relatives (FDR) of patients with RA who are at risk of future disease development.

Methods: We studied a cohort of 279 FDR of First Nations (FN) patients with RA who are at increased risk for future RA development, and analyzed data collected at their enrollment study visit.

Association of Hypertension with Severity and Mortality in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China: A Single-centered, Retrospective Study.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has spread worldwide.

Objective: To investigate the association between hypertension and severity/mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China.

Methods: A total of 337 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 at the Seventh Hospital of Wuhan City, from January 20 to February 25, 2020, were enrolled and analyzed in a retrospective, single-center case study.

Association of diabetes with severity and mortality in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China: a single-centered, retrospective study.

Objective: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has spread worldwide. The aim this study was to investigate the association of diabetes with severity and mortality among hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China.

Methods: This retrospective, single-center case study enrolled a total of 564 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 at the Seventh Hospital of Wuhan City, between January 20 and March 15, 2020.

Expansion of Alternative Autoantibodies Does Not Follow the Evolution of Anti-Citrullinated Protein Antibodies in Preclinical Rheumatoid Arthritis: An Analysis in At-Risk First Degree Relatives.

Objective: Co-occurrence of autoantibodies specific for ≥1 autoimmune disease is widely prevalent in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. To understand the prevalence of polyautoimmunity in preclinical RA, we performed a comprehensive autoantibody assessment in a First Nations cohort of at-risk first-degree relatives (FDR) of RA patients, a subset of whom subsequently developed RA (progressors).

Methods: Venous blood was collected from all study participants (n = 50 RA patients and 64 FDR) at scheduled visits, and serum was stored at -20°C.

Association of a Serum Protein Signature With Rheumatoid Arthritis Development.

Objective: The pathophysiologic events that precede the onset of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remain incompletely understood. This study was undertaken to identify changes in the serum proteome that precede the onset of RA, with the aim of providing new insights into the pathogenic mechanisms that lead to its development.

Methods: In a cohort of first-degree relatives of Indigenous North American RA patients, the SomaScan proteomics platform was used to determine the levels of 1,307 proteins in multiple longitudinal serum samples from 17 individuals who were followed up prospectively to the time of disease onset.

Circulating levels of free 25(OH)D increase at the onset of rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: Epidemiological studies suggest vitamin D deficiency as a potential risk factor for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) development, a chronic autoimmune disorder highly prevalent in indigenous North American (INA) population. We therefore profiled the circulating levels of 25-hydroxyvitaminD [25(OH)D], an active metabolite of vitamin D, in a cohort of at-risk first-degree relatives (FDR) of INA RA patients, a subset of whom subsequently developed RA (progressors).

Methods: 2007 onward, serum samples from INA RA patients and FDR were collected at the time of a structured baseline visit and stored at -20°C.

Human host defence peptide LL37 and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody in early inflammatory arthritis.

Objective: Antibodies to citrullinated peptides (anti-CCP) develop in individuals predisposed to rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Neutrophil extracellular traps are a major source of citrullinated antigens and the immunomodulatory host defence peptide LL-37. Vitamin D regulates LL-37 expression.

Effect of multi-pollutant state of ozone and sulfur dioxide on atmospheric corrosivity map of Guangdong Province.

Guangdong Province, which is located in southern China, has a tropical climate with high temperatures and humidity, making it extremely unfavourable for the corrosion resistance of various materials. Meanwhile, as a quickly developing region in China, Guangdong Province is also facing multi-pollutant conditions, which seriously affect the atmospheric degradation of the materials in this region. It is therefore necessary to identify the key air pollutants that affect the atmospheric corrosivity of Guangdong Province and to propose targets of air pollutant control.

N-Linked Glycans in the Variable Domain of IgG Anti-Citrullinated Protein Antibodies Predict the Development of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Objective: Anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs) are disease-specific biomarkers in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). More than 90% of IgG ACPAs harbor N-linked glycans in the antibody variable (V) domain. The corresponding N-glycosylation sites in ACPA V-region sequences result from somatic hypermutation, a T cell-dependent process.

A Prospective Study of the Development of Inflammatory Arthritis in the Family Members of Indigenous North American People With Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Objective: To determine the incidence of inflammatory arthritis and autoantibody prevalence in Indigenous North American people.

Methods: Unaffected relatives of Indigenous North Americans with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from central Canada and Alaska were systematically monitored from 2005 to 2017. Rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs) were tested at every visit, and a subset was tested for ACPA fine specificity using a custom multiplex assay.

Down-Regulation of miR-218-5p Promotes Apoptosis of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells Through Regulating High-Mobility Group Box-1 in Henoch-Schonlein Purpura.

Background: Apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) plays an important role in the progression of Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP). In the present study, we explored the function of miR-218-5p in HUVEC apoptosis and HSP development.

Materials And Methods: HSP rat model was established and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated.

Whole blood microRNA expression pattern differentiates patients with rheumatoid arthritis, their seropositive first-degree relatives, and healthy unrelated control subjects.

Background: Epigenetic mechanisms can integrate gene-environment interactions that mediate disease transition from preclinical to clinically overt rheumatoid arthritis (RA). To better understand their role, we evaluated microRNA (miRNA, miR) expression profile in indigenous North American patients with RA who were positive for anticitrullinated protein antibodies; their autoantibody-positive, asymptomatic first-degree relatives (FDRs); and disease-free healthy control subjects (HCs).

Methods: Total RNA was isolated from whole blood samples obtained from HC (n = 12), patients with RA (n = 18), and FDRs (n = 12).

Molecular basis for increased susceptibility of Indigenous North Americans to seropositive rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: The pathogenetic mechanisms by which alleles are associated with anticitrullinated peptide antibody (ACPA)-positive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are incompletely understood. RA high-risk alleles are known to share a common motif, the 'shared susceptibility epitope (SE)'. Here, the electropositive P4 pocket of HLA-DRB1 accommodates self-peptide residues containing citrulline but not arginine.

Characterization of Autoantigens Targeted by Anti-Citrullinated Protein Antibodies In Vivo: Prominent Role for Epitopes Derived from Histone 4 Proteins.

Anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) have become an integral part of the clinical definition of rheumatoid arthritis, and are hypothesized to be important in the immunopathogenesis of this autoimmune disease. Several citrullinated proteins have been demonstrated to serve as candidate autoantigens for the ACPA, based on in vitro immune reactions between citrullinated peptides/proteins and RA sera. Yet it remains unclear whether the autoantigens identified in vitro are indeed directly and specifically targeted by the ACPA in vivo.

Requirement of podocalyxin in TGF-beta induced epithelial mesenchymal transition.

Epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) is characterized by the development of mesenchymal properties such as a fibroblast-like morphology with altered cytoskeletal organization and enhanced migratory potential. We report that the expression of podocalyxin (PODXL), a member of the CD34 family, is markedly increased during TGF-β induced EMT. PODXL is enriched on the leading edges of migrating A549 cells.

Quantitative proteomic analyses of influenza virus-infected cultured human lung cells.

Because they are obligate intracellular parasites, all viruses are exclusively and intimately dependent upon host cells for replication. Viruses, in turn, induce profound changes within cells, including apoptosis, morphological changes, and activation of signaling pathways. Many of these alterations have been analyzed by gene arrays, which measure the cellular "transcriptome.