Impact of bariatric surgery on glucose and lipid metabolism and liver and kidney function in food-induced obese diabetic rats

BACKGROUND

Obesity usually causes diabetes mellitus (DM) and is a serious danger to human health. Type 2 DM (T2DM) mostly occurs along with obesity. Foodborne obesity-induced DM is caused by an excessive long-term diet and surplus energy. Bariatric surgery can improve the symptoms of T2DM in some obese patients. But different types of bariatric surgery may have different effects.

AIM

To investigate the effect of bariatric surgery on glucose and lipid metabolism and liver and kidney function in rats.

METHODS

Male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 6-8 wk underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (RYGB), sleeve gastrectomy (SG), or gastric banding (GB). Glucose and insulin tolerance tests, analyses of biochemical parameters, histological examination, western blot, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction were conducted.

RESULTS

In comparison to the sham operation group, the RYGB, SG, and GB groups had decreased body weight and food intake, reduced glucose intolerance and insulin insensitivity, downregulated biochemical parameters, alleviated morphological changes in the liver and kidneys, and decreased levels of protein kinase C β/ P66shc. The effect in the RYGB group was better than that in the SG and GB groups.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that RYGB, SG and GB may be helpful for the treatment of foodborne obesity-induced DM.

Deciphering the Hazardous Effects of AFB1 and T-2 Toxins: Unveiling Toxicity and Oxidative Stress Mechanisms in PK15 Cells and Mouse Kidneys

In China, animal feeds are frequently contaminated with a range of mycotoxins, with Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and T-2 toxin (T-2) being two highly toxic mycotoxins. This study investigates the combined nephrotoxicity of AFB1 and T-2 on PK15 cells and murine renal tissues and their related oxidative stress mechanisms. PK15 cells were treated with the respective toxin concentrations for 24 h, and oxidative stress-related indicators were assessed. The results showed that the combination of AFB1 and T-2 led to more severe cellular damage and oxidative stress compared to exposure to the individual toxins (p < 0.05). In the in vivo study, pathological examination revealed that the kidney tissue of mice exposed to the combined toxins showed signs of glomerular atrophy. The contents of oxidative stress-related indicators were significantly increased in the kidney tissue (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that the combined toxins cause significant oxidative damage to mouse kidneys. The study highlights the importance of considering the combined effects of mycotoxins in animal feed, particularly AFB1 and T-2, which can lead to severe nephrotoxicity and oxidative stress in PK15 cells and mouse kidneys. The findings have important implications for animal feed safety and regulatory policy.

Inhibition of hyaluronic acid degradation pathway suppresses glioma progression by inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest

BACKGROUND

Abnormal hyaluronic acid (HA) metabolism is a major factor in tumor progression, and the metabolic regulation of HA mainly includes HA biosynthesis and catabolism. In glioma, abnormal HA biosynthesis is intimately involved in glioma malignant biological properties and the formation of immunosuppressive microenvironment; however, the role of abnormal HA catabolism in glioma remains unclear.

METHODS

HA catabolism is dependent on hyaluronidase. In TCGA and GEPIA databases, we found that among the 6 human hyaluronidases (HYAL1, HYAL2, HYAL3, HYAL4, HYALP1, SPAM1), only HYAL2 expression was highest in glioma. Next, TCGA and CGGA database were further used to explore the correlation of HYAL2 expression with glioma prognosis. Then, the mRNA expression and protein level of HYAL2 was determined by qRT-PCR, Western blot and Immunohistochemical staining in glioma cells and glioma tissues, respectively. The MTT, EdU and Colony formation assay were used to measure the effect of HYAL2 knockdown on glioma. The GSEA enrichment analysis was performed to explore the potential pathway regulated by HYAL2 in glioma, in addition, the HYAL2-regulated signaling pathways were detected by flow cytometry and Western blot. Finally, small molecule compounds targeting HYAL2 in glioma were screened by Cmap analysis.

RESULTS

In the present study, we confirmed that Hyaluronidase 2 (HYAL2) is abnormally overexpressed in glioma. Moreover, we found that HYAL2 overexpression is associated with multiple glioma clinical traits and acts as a key indicator for glioma prognosis. Targeting HYAL2 could inhibit glioma progression by inducing glioma cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest.

CONCLUSION

Collectively, these observations suggest that HYAL2 overexpression could promote glioma progression. Thus, treatments that disrupt HA catabolism by altering HYAL2 expression may serve as effective strategies for glioma treatment.

Phosphorylated PTTG1 switches its subcellular distribution and promotes β-catenin stabilization and subsequent transcription activity

The Wnt/β-catenin signaling is usually abnormally activated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and pituitary tumor-transforming gene 1 (PTTG1) has been found to be highly expressed in HCC. However, the specific mechanism of PTTG1 pathogenesis remains poorly understood. Here, we found that PTTG1 is a bona fide β-catenin binding protein. PTTG1 positively regulates Wnt/β-catenin signaling by inhibiting the destruction complex assembly, promoting β-catenin stabilization and subsequent nuclear localization. Moreover, the subcellular distribution of PTTG1 was regulated by its phosphorylation status. Among them, PP2A induced PTTG1 dephosphorylation at Ser165/171 residues and prevented PTTG1 translocation into the nucleus, but these effects were effectively reversed by PP2A inhibitor okadaic acid (OA). Interestingly, we found that PTTG1 decreased Ser9 phosphorylation-inactivation of GSK3β by competitively binding to PP2A with GSK3β, indirectly leading to cytoplasmic β-catenin stabilization. Finally, PTTG1 was highly expressed in HCC and associated with poor patient prognosis. PTTG1 could promote the proliferative and metastasis of HCC cells. Overall, our results indicated that PTTG1 plays a crucial role in stabilizing β-catenin and facilitating its nuclear accumulation, leading to aberrant activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling and providing a feasible therapeutic target for human HCC.

A randomized, controlled trial to investigate cognitive behavioral therapy in prevention and treatment of acute oral mucositis in patients with locoregional advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma undergoing chemoradiotherapy

Purpose

Oral mucositis is a common side effect of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). This study aimed to determine whether cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) could help prevent oral mucositis during chemoradiation therapy for locoregional advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LA-NPC).

Methods and materials

Between July 15, 2020, and January 31, 2022, a randomized controlled phase II trial was conducted. Eligible patients (N=282, 18-70 years old) with pathologically diagnosed LA-NPC were randomly assigned to receive CBT or treatment as usual (TAU) during CCRT (computer-block randomization, 1:1). The primary endpoints were the incidence and latency of oral mucositis.

Results

The incidence of oral mucositis was significantly lower in the CBT group (84.8%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 78.7%-90.9%) than in the TAU group (98.6%; 95% CI, 96.6%-100%; P<0.001). The median latency period was 26 days and 15 days in the CBT and TAU groups, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.12-0.22; P<0.001). CBT significantly reduced ≥ grade 3 oral mucositis (71.9% vs. 22.5%, P<0.001), dry mouth (10.8% vs. 3.7%, P=0.021), dysphagia (18% vs. 5.1%, P=0.001), and oral pain (10% vs. 3.6%, P=0.034) compared with TAU. Patients receiving CBT and TAU during CCRT had similar short-term response rates.

Conclusions

CBT reduced the occurrence, latency, and severity of oral mucositis in patients with LA-NPC during CCRT.

Comparative dosimetric study of radiotherapy in high-grade gliomas based on the guidelines of EORTC and NRG-2019 target delineation

Purpose

Radiotherapy is one of the most important treatments for high-grade glioma (HGG), but the best way to delineate the target areas for radiotherapy remains controversial, so our aim was to compare the dosimetric differences in radiation treatment plans generated based on the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) and National Research Group (NRG) consensus to provide evidence for optimal target delineation for HGG.

Methods

We prospectively enrolled 13 patients with a confirmed HGG from our hospital and assessed dosimetric differences in radiotherapy treatment plans generated according to the EORTC and NRG-2019 guidelines. For each patient, two treatment plans were generated. Dosimetric parameters were compared by dose-volume histograms for each plan.

Results

The median volume for planning target volume (PTV) of EORTC plans, PTV1 of NRG-2019 plans, and PTV2 of NRG-2019 plans were 336.6 cm³ (range, 161.1-511.5 cm³), 365.3 cm³ (range, 123.4-535.0 cm³), and 263.2 cm³ (range, 116.8-497.7 cm³), respectively. Both treatment plans were found to have similar efficiency and evaluated as acceptable for patient treatment. Both treatment plans showed well conformal index and homogeneity index and were not statistically significantly different (P = 0.397 and P = 0.427, respectively). There was no significant difference in the volume percent of brain irradiated to 30, 46, and 60 Gy according to different target delineations (P = 0.397, P = 0.590, and P = 0.739, respectively). These two plans also showed no significant differences in the doses to the brain stem, optic chiasm, left and right optic nerves, left and right lens, left and right eyes, pituitary, and left and right temporal lobes (P = 0.858, P = 0.858, P = 0.701 and P = 0.794, P = 0.701 and P = 0.427, P = 0.489 and P = 0.898, P = 0.626, and P = 0.942 and P = 0.161, respectively).

Conclusion

The NRG-2019 project did not increase the dose of organs at risk (OARs) radiation. This is a significant finding that further lays the groundwork for the application of the NRG-2019 consensus in the treatment of patients with HGGs.

Clinical trial registration

The effect of radiotherapy target area and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) on the prognosis of high-grade glioma and its mechanism, number ChiCTR2100046667. Registered 26 May 2021.

Membrane Curvature: The Inseparable Companion of Autophagy

Autophagy is a highly conserved recycling process of eukaryotic cells that degrades protein aggregates or damaged organelles with the participation of autophagy-related proteins. Membrane bending is a key step in autophagosome membrane formation and nucleation. A variety of autophagy-related proteins (ATGs) are needed to sense and generate membrane curvature, which then complete the membrane remodeling process. The Atg1 complex, Atg2-Atg18 complex, Vps34 complex, Atg12-Atg5 conjugation system, Atg8-phosphatidylethanolamine conjugation system, and transmembrane protein Atg9 promote the production of autophagosomal membranes directly or indirectly through their specific structures to alter membrane curvature. There are three common mechanisms to explain the change in membrane curvature. For example, the BAR domain of Bif-1 senses and tethers Atg9 vesicles to change the membrane curvature of the isolation membrane (IM), and the Atg9 vesicles are reported as a source of the IM in the autophagy process. The amphiphilic helix of Bif-1 inserts directly into the phospholipid bilayer, causing membrane asymmetry, and thus changing the membrane curvature of the IM. Atg2 forms a pathway for lipid transport from the endoplasmic reticulum to the IM, and this pathway also contributes to the formation of the IM. In this review, we introduce the phenomena and causes of membrane curvature changes in the process of macroautophagy, and the mechanisms of ATGs in membrane curvature and autophagosome membrane formation.

The effects of chemotherapy, primary tumor location and histological subtype on the survival of stage III colon cancer patients

OBJECTIVE

Colon cancer (CC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide and has a poor prognosis. Surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy is the standard treatment strategy for stage III CC patients. Primary tumor location (PTL) is an important factor for the long-term survival of CC. However, the difference in the prognosis between the histological subtypes of mucinous adenocarcinoma (MAC) and nonspecific adenocarcinoma (AC) in stage III CC patients is unclear. The correlation of chemotherapy, PTL and histological subtype with the overall survival (OS) of stage III CC patients has not yet been explored.

METHODS

Patients diagnosed with stage III CC from 2010 to 2016 in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database were retrieved. The clinicopathological features and OS were analyzed according to the chemotherapy, PTL and histological subtype.

RESULTS

A total of 28,765 eligible stage III CC patients were enrolled in this study. The results showed that chemotherapy, left-sided CC (LCC) and AC were favorable prognostic factors for OS. Right-sided CC (RCC) had worse OS than LCC regardless of chemotherapy. MAC had worse OS than AC in the patients with chemotherapy, but the survival benefits disappeared in the patients without chemotherapy. Additionally, in LCC, MAC had worse OS than AC regardless of chemotherapy. However, in RCC, MAC had worse OS than AC in patients with chemotherapy but had similar OS to AC in patients without chemotherapy. In the AC group, RCC had worse OS than LCC regardless of chemotherapy. In the MAC group, RCC had comparable OS to LCC regardless of chemotherapy. Four subgroups, i.e., RCC/MAC, RCC/AC, LCC/MAC and LCC/AC, all showed benefits from chemotherapy. Among them, LCC/AC had the best OS, and RCC/MAC had the worst OS compared with the other three subgroups.

CONCLUSION

The prognosis of MAC is worse than that of AC in stage III CC. LCC/AC has the best OS, while RCC/MAC has the worst OS but still benefits from chemotherapy. The impact of chemotherapy on survival is greater than that of histological subtype, but the impact of histological subtype on survival is similar to that of PTL.

The role of N-glycosylation modification in the pathogenesis of liver cancer

N-glycosylation is one of the most common types of protein modifications and it plays a vital role in normal physiological processes. However, aberrant N-glycan modifications are closely associated with the pathogenesis of diverse diseases, including processes such as malignant transformation and tumor progression. It is known that the N-glycan conformation of the associated glycoproteins is altered during different stages of hepatocarcinogenesis. Characterizing the heterogeneity and biological functions of glycans in liver cancer patients will facilitate a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms of liver injury and hepatocarcinogenesis. In this article, we review the role of N-glycosylation in hepatocarcinogenesis, focusing on epithelial-mesenchymal transition, extracellular matrix changes, and tumor microenvironment formation. We highlight the role of N-glycosylation in the pathogenesis of liver cancer and its potential applications in the treatment or diagnosis of liver cancer.

Assessment of the urban waterlogging resilience and identification of its driving factors: A case study of Wuhan City, China

With rapid urbanization and extreme rainstorm events associated with climate change, urban waterlogging has become one of the most frequent and severe disasters globally. In this study, a multi-dimensional and multi-process index system based on the Pressure-State-Response (PSR) framework was developed to measure the level of urban waterlogging resilience (UWR). The spatial distribution of UWR on a block scale was explored based on the entropy weight method with the natural breakpoint method (EWM-NBM) in the central district of Wuhan City, China. In addition, the effects of the runoff control facilities and early warning measures on UWR were also quantified. Further, the Geodetector was used to investigate the main driving factors of UWR and their interactions. Results showed that the constructed index system for UWR based on the PSR framework performed reasonably, and the EWM-NBM was validated to be effective in the integrated assessment. In terms of the validation results, 82.72 % of the recorded waterlogging points belonged to high and very-high risk levels. The spatial heterogeneity of UWR was significant in the study area where the higher-level UWR mainly appears in the areas near the undeveloped suburban and water bodies (lakes and rivers), and the lower-level UWR was concentrated in central urban areas with more impervious surfaces. There was a clear increasing trend in UWR after the implementation of runoff control facilities and early warning measures, but its spatial distribution remained almost invariant. Among all the indexes, the impervious surface percentage had the strongest (69.58 %) explanatory ability for the UWR, and mean annual precipitation (15.51 %), GDP (14.03 %), and population density (11.98 %) also demanded attention. Most driving factors of UWR showed nonlinear interactions. This research could provide a benchmark for urban planning to enhance UWR to mitigate the waterlogging within the main urban area.

Association of pectoralis muscle area on computed tomography with airflow limitation severity and respiratory outcomes in COPD: A population-based prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have shown that patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) of severe or very severe airflow limitation have a reduced pectoralis muscle area (PMA), which is associated with mortality. However, whether patients with COPD of mild or moderate airflow limitation also have a reduced PMA remains unclear. Additionally, limited evidence is available regarding the associations between PMA and respiratory symptoms, lung function, computed tomography (CT) imaging, lung function decline, and exacerbations. Therefore, we conducted this study to evaluate the presence of PMA reduction in COPD and to clarify its associations with the referred variables.

METHODS

This study was based on the subjects enrolled from July 2019 to December 2020 in the Early Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (ECOPD) study. Data including questionnaire, lung function, and CT imaging were collected. The PMA was quantified on full-inspiratory CT at the aortic arch level using predefined -50 and 90 Hounsfield unit attenuation ranges. Multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to assess the association between the PMA and airflow limitation severity, respiratory symptoms, lung function, emphysema, air trapping, and the annual decline in lung function. Cox proportional hazards analysis and Poisson regression analysis were used to evaluate the PMA and exacerbations after adjustment.

RESULTS

We included 1352 subjects at baseline (667 with normal spirometry, 685 with spirometry-defined COPD). The PMA was monotonically lower with progressive airflow limitation severity of COPD after adjusting for confounders (vs. normal spirometry; Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease [GOLD] 1: β=-1.27, P=0.028; GOLD 2: β=-2.29, P<0.001; GOLD 3: β=-4.88, P<0.001; GOLD 4: β=-6.47, P=0.014). The PMA was negatively associated with the modified British Medical Research Council dyspnea scale (β=-0.005, P=0.026), COPD Assessment Test score (β=-0.06, P=0.001), emphysema (β=-0.07, P<0.001), and air trapping (β=-0.24, P<0.001) after adjustment. The PMA was positively associated with lung function (all P<0.05). Similar associations were discovered for the pectoralis major muscle area and pectoralis minor muscle area. After the 1-year follow-up, the PMA was associated with the annual decline in the post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 s percent of predicted value (β=0.022, P=0.002) but not with the annual rate of exacerbations or the time to first exacerbation.

CONCLUSION

Patients with mild or moderate airflow limitation exhibit a reduced PMA. The PMA is associated with airflow limitation severity, respiratory symptoms, lung function, emphysema, and air trapping, suggesting that PMA measurement can assist with COPD assessment.

[Fibroblasts overpressing WNT2b cause impairment of intestinal mucosal barrier]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the mechanism by which fibroblasts with high WNT2b expression causes intestinal mucosa barrier disruption and promote the progression of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

METHODS

Caco-2 cells were treated with 20% fibroblast conditioned medium or co-cultured with fibroblasts highly expressing WNT2b, with the cells without treatment with the conditioned medium and cells co-cultured with wild-type fibroblasts as the control groups. The changes in barrier permeability of Caco-2 cells were assessed by measuring transmembrane resistance and Lucifer Yellow permeability. In Caco-2 cells co-cultured with WNT2b-overexpressing or control intestinal fibroblasts, nuclear entry of β-catenin was detected with immunofluorescence assay, and the expressions of tight junction proteins ZO-1 and E-cadherin were detected with Western blotting. In a C57 mouse model of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced IBD-like enteritis, the therapeutic effect of intraperitoneal injection of salinomycin (5 mg/kg, an inhibitor of WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway) was evaluated by observing the changes in intestinal inflammation and detecting the expressions of tight junction proteins.

RESULTS

In the coculture system, WNT2b overexpression in the fibroblasts significantly promoted nuclear entry of β-catenin (P < 0.01) and decreased the expressions of tight junction proteins in Caco-2 cells; knockdown of FZD4 expression in Caco-2 cells obviously reversed this effect. In DSS-treated mice, salinomycin treatment significantly reduced intestinal inflammation and increased the expressions of tight junction proteins in the intestinal mucosa.

CONCLUSION

Intestinal fibroblasts overexpressing WNT2b causes impairment of intestinal mucosal barrier function and can be a potential target for treatment of IBD.

TRIM24 is critical for the cellular response to DNA double-strand breaks through regulating the recruitment of MRN complex

The MRE11-RAD50-NBS1 (MRN) complex plays a crucial role in DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) sensing and initiation of signaling cascades. However, the precise mechanisms by which the recruitment of MRN complex is regulated has yet to be elucidated. Here, we identified TRIpartite motif-containing protein 24 (TRIM24), a protein considered as an oncogene overexpressed in cancers, as a novel signaling molecule in response to DSBs. TRIM24 is essential for DSBs-induced recruitment of MRN complex and activation of downstream signaling. In the absence of TRIM24, MRN mediated DSBs repair is remarkably diminished. Mechanistically, TRIM24 is phosphorylated by ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) and then recruited to DSBs sites, facilitating the accumulation of the MRN components to chromatin. Depletion of TRIM24 sensitizes human hepatocellular carcinoma cells to cancer therapy agent-induced apoptosis and retards the tumor growth in a subcutaneous xenograft tumor mouse model. Together, our data reveal a novel function of TRIM24 in response to DSBs through regulating the MRN complex, which suggests that TRIM24 may be a potential therapeutic molecular target for tumor treatment.

Perturbed autophagy intervenes systemic lupus erythematosus by active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a common multisystem, multiorgan heterozygous autoimmune disease. The main pathological features of the disease are autoantibody production and immune complex deposition. Autophagy is an important mechanism to maintain cell homeostasis. Autophagy functional abnormalities lead to the accumulation of apoptosis and induce the autoantibodies that result in immune disorders. Therefore, improving autophagy may alleviate the development of SLE. For SLE, glucocorticoids or immunosuppressive agents are commonly used in clinical treatment, but long-term use of these drugs causes serious side effects in humans. Immunosuppressive agents are expensive. Traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) are widely used for immune diseases due to their low toxicity and few side effects. Many recent studies found that TCM and its active ingredients affected the pathological development of SLE by regulating autophagy. This article explains how autophagy interferes with immune system homeostasis and participates in the occurrence and development of SLE. It also summarizes several studies on TCM-regulated autophagy intervention in SLE to generate new ideas for basic research, the development of novel medications, and the clinical treatment of SLE.

A mechanism-based fate model of pesticide solutions on the plant surface under aerial application

Pesticide residues on plant surfaces are a primary source of pesticide bioaccumulation in crops. In this context, we propose a mechanism-based model for understanding the pesticide fate on the plant surface following aerial application, taking into account fate modelling of the pesticide spray solution on the plant surface. Using chlorothalonil as an example, the simulation results revealed that the spray solution dissipated rapidly after aerial application, resulting in the formation of a saturated pesticide solution, which facilitated the diffusion process of the pesticide residue from the plant surface into the peel tissue. The proposed model generated higher simulated residue concentrations in the peel or pulp than the current model, owing to the proposed model's assumption of rapid dissipation of the spray solution. This indicated that the proposed model specified the influence of the spray solution on the plant's exposure to residues via the surface deposition pathway, whereas the current modelling approach presented a generic estimate of the residue dissipation on the plant surface that linked to the residue's fate in the soil.

A Tiny Model for Fast and Precise Ship Detection via Feature Channel Pruning

It is of great significance to accurately detect ships on the ocean. To obtain higher detection performance, many researchers use deep learning to identify ships from images instead of traditional detection methods. Nevertheless, the marine environment is relatively complex, making it quite difficult to determine features of ship targets. In addition, many detection models contain a large amount of parameters, which is not suitable to deploy in devices with limited computing resources. The two problems restrict the application of ship detection. In this paper, firstly, an SAR ship detection dataset is built based on several databases, solving the problem of a small number of ship samples. Then, we integrate the SPP, ASFF, and DIOU-NMS module into original YOLOv3 to improve the ship detection performance. SPP and ASFF help enrich semantic information of ship targets. DIOU-NMS can lower the false alarm. The improved YOLOv3 has 93.37% mAP, 4.11% higher than YOLOv3 on the self-built dataset. Then, we use the MCP method to compress the improved YOLOv3. Under the pruning ratio of 80%, the obtained compressed model has only 6.7 M parameters. Experiments show that MCP outperforms NS and ThiNet. With the size of 26.8 MB, the compact model can run at 15 FPS on an NVIDIA TX2 embedded development board, 4.3 times faster than the baseline model. Our work will contribute to the development and application of ship detection on the sea.

Deep Reinforcement Learning for the Detection of Abnormal Data in Smart Meters

The rapidly growing power data in smart grids have created difficulties in security management. The processing of large-scale power data with the use of artificial intelligence methods has become a hotspot research topic. Considering the early warning detection problem of smart meters, this paper proposes an abnormal data detection network based on Deep Reinforcement Learning, which includes a main network and a target network composed of deep learning networks. This work uses the greedy policy algorithm to find the action of the maximum value of Q based on the Q-learning method to obtain the optimal calculation policy. It also uses the reward value and discount factor to optimize the target value. In particular, this study uses the fuzzy c-means method to predict the future state information value, which improves the computational accuracy of the Deep Reinforcement Learning model. The experimental results show that compared with the traditional smart meter data anomaly detection method, the proposed model improves the accuracy of meter data anomaly detection.

Development and validation of a prognostic nomogram for patients with stage II colon mucinous adenocarcinoma

PURPOSE

Mucinous histology is generally considered as a risk factor of prognosis in stage II colon cancer, but there is no appropriate model for prognostic evaluation and treatment decision in patients with stage II colon mucinous adenocarcinoma (C-MAC) Thus, it is urgent to develop a comprehensive, individualized evaluation tool to reflect the heterogeneity of stage II C-MAC.

METHODS

Patients with stage II C-MAC who underwent surgical treatment in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program were enrolled and randomly divided into training cohort (70%) and internal validation cohort (30%). Prognostic predictors which were determined by univariate and multivariate analysis in the training cohort were included in the nomogram. The calibration curves, decision curve analysis, X-tile analysis, and Kaplan-Meier curve of the nomogram were validated in the internal validation cohort.

RESULTS

Three thousand seven hundred sixty-two patients of stage II C-MAC were enrolled. The age, pathological T (pT) stage, tumor number, serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and perineural invasion (PNI) were independent predictors of overall survival (OS), which were used to establish a nomogram. Calibration curves of the nomogram indicated good consistency between nomogram prediction and actual survival for 1-, 3- and 5-year OS. Besides, patients with stage II C-MAC could be divided into high-, middle-, and low-risk subgroups by the nomogram. Further subgroup analysis indicated that patients in the high-risk group could have a survival benefit from chemotherapy after surgical treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

We established the first nomogram to accurately predict the survival of stage II C-MAC patients who underwent surgical treatment. In addition, the nomogram identified low-, middle-, and high-risk subgroups of patients and found chemotherapy might improve survival in the high-risk subgroup of stage II C-MAC patients.