Pou4f3 Deficiency Obstructs the Subtype Differentiation of Vestibular Hair Cells.

Vestibular hair cells (HCs) in the inner ear, crucial for balance and spatial orientation, are classified into type I and type II subtypes, but the mechanisms regulating their differentiation remain unclear. In this study, we examined the role of Pou4f3, an important transcription factor, in vestibular HC differentiation using Pou4f3 (deficient) and Pou4f3 (knockout) mouse models. In Pou4f3-deficient mice, the HC number decreased, and immature HCs failed to develop type I characteristics, indicating a developmental arrest.

Protocol for automated N-glycan sequencing using mass spectrometry and computer-assisted intelligent fragmentation.

Biological functions of glycans are intimately linked to fine details in branches and linkages, which make structural identification extremely challenging. Here, we present a protocol for automated N-glycan sequencing using multi-stage mass spectrometry (MS). We describe steps for release/purification and derivation of glycans and procedures for MS scanning.

The proper timing of Atoh1 expression is pivotal for hair cell subtype differentiation and the establishment of inner ear function.

Atoh1 overexpression is essential for hair cell (HC) regeneration in the sensory epithelium of mammalian auditory and vestibular organs. However, Atoh1 overexpression alone cannot induce fully mature and functional HCs in the mammalian inner ear. In the current study, we investigated the effect of Atoh1 constitutive overexpression in native HCs by manipulating Atoh1 expression at different developmental stages.

The expression of p27 in the adult vestibular sensory organs and its possible roles.

Vestibular hair cells (HCs) located in the inner ear are the receptors of vestibular sensory, which facilitates the human sense of balance. The detailed differentiation pattern and maturation process of the vestibular HCs are unclear now. p27, a cyclin/CDK inhibitor, plays a critical role in regulating the exit of cell cycle.

A High-Precision Method for 100-Day-Old Classification of Chickens in Edge Computing Scenarios Based on Federated Computing.

Due to the booming development of computer vision technology and artificial intelligence algorithms, it has become more feasible to implement artificial rearing of animals in real production scenarios. Improving the accuracy of day-age detection of chickens is one of the examples and is of great importance for chicken rearing. This paper focuses on the problem of classifying the age of chickens within 100 days.

A High-Performance Day-Age Classification and Detection Model for Chick Based on Attention Encoder and Convolutional Neural Network.

Thanks to the boom of computer vision techniques and artificial intelligence algorithms, it is more available to achieve artificial rearing for animals in real production scenarios. Improving the accuracy of chicken day-age detection is one of the instances, which is of great importance for chicken rearing. To solve this problem, we proposed an attention encoder structure to extract chicken image features, trying to improve the detection accuracy.

Regeneration of Hair Cells in the Human Vestibular System.

The vestibular system is a critical part of the human balance system, malfunction of this system will lead to balance disorders, such as vertigo. Mammalian vestibular hair cells, the mechanical receptors for vestibular function, are sensitive to ototoxic drugs and virus infection, and have a limited restorative capacity after damage. Considering that no artificial device can be used to replace vestibular hair cells, promoting vestibular hair cell regeneration is an ideal way for vestibular function recovery.

Levels, sources and influence mechanisms of heavy metal contamination in topsoils in Mirror Peninsula, East Antarctica.

Heavy metal contaminants in Mirror Peninsula, East Antarctica, have rarely been studied and the source and influencing factors are poorly understood. We sampled a grid of 189 topsoil samples from Mirror Peninsula and analyzed the concentrations of Zn, Cu, U, Cr, Ga, Pb, Hg, Se and As; we also calculated the chemical index of alteration (CIA), a proxy of weathering. The results show that the distributions of Cr, Ga, Cu, and Zn are associated with weathering; the distributions of As and Pb are related to vehicle use and unloading activities at the wharfs, respectively; and the distribution of Hg is likely associated with both anthropogenic impacts and biological activity.