Rapid isolation of non-aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus strains

In the present study, a method for screening non-aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus in soil samples collected from major peanut-growing regions of China was developed. The single colonies were picked and cultured on Aspergillus flavus and parasiticus agar (AFPA). If the reverse side of the colony on AFPA was orange-coloured, it was considered A. flavus or Aspergillus parasiticus. After the genomic DNA of each strain was extracted, 28S rRNA and calmodulin were amplified and sequenced to determine the species. The key gene, aflR, was amplified and digested via polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. The aflatoxigenic A. flavus and the non-aflatoxigenic A. flavus and A. parasiticus were distinguished by enzyme digestion of aflR. 156 strains of A. flavus were screened, which consisted of 135 aflatoxigenic and 21 non-aflatoxigenic strains. The aflatoxin producing ability of each strain was confirmed using solid-state fermentation experiments. Using the method developed in the present study, we confirmed that the non-aflatoxigenic A. flavus strains isolated lost their capacity to produce aflatoxins. Considering there could be some alterations in other functional genes, some non-aflatoxigenic strains could be identified inaccurately as aflatoxigenic strains, although that did not occur in the present study. The growth of non-aflatoxigenic A. flavus was observed, and the most rapidly growing non-aflatoxigenic strain was selected for plate confrontation assays and toxic mixed culture experiments. The inhibition rate of non-aflatoxigenic A. flavus against aflatoxigenic A. flavus was 55.4 and 72.6% in potato dextrose agar (PDA) plate and natural soybean medium, respectively. The screened non-aflatoxigenic A. flavus strains provide a microbial resource for biological control of aflatoxin contamination.

Flash nanoprecipitation of ultra-small semiconducting polymer dots with size tunability

Small-sized semiconducting polymer dots (Pdots) provide better tissue and subcellular penetration while minimizing unspecific interactions, and make the fast clearance of Pdots from human bodies possible by urinary excretion. We employ a powerful and scalable technology, flash nanoprecipitation, to prepare Pdots with small sizes (hydrodynamic diameters ∼10 nm).

[Short-term effectiveness of the first ray tri-plane osteotomy and other metatarsal basal osteotomy for hallux valgus with moderate and severe metatarsus adductus]

Objective

To evaluate the short-term effectiveness of the first ray tri-plane osteotomy and other metatarsal basal osteotomy in treatment of hallux valgus with moderate and severe metatarsus adductus.

Methods

Between February 2012 and September 2016, 10 patients (12 feet) of hallux valgus with moderate and severe metatarsus adductus were admitted and treated with the first ray tri-plane osteotomy and other metatarsal basal osteotomy and lateral soft tissue release. There were 1 male (2 feet) and 9 females (10 feet) with an average age of 34.5 years (range, 21-55 years). The disease duration ranged from 3 to 10 years (mean, 5.8 years). The degree of metatarsal adductus was moderate in 4 feet and severe in 8 feet according to modified Sgarlato measurement method. Preoperative American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was 46.4±9.3. The metatarsus adductus angle (MAA) was (25.41±3.66)°, hallux valgus angle (HVA) was (41.42±9.67)°, and the first-second intermetatarsal angle (1-2IMA) was (10.72±2.26)°.

Results

All incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 18-24 months, with an average of 21.4 months. One patient (1 foot) had metastatic metatarsalgia after operation, but the symptoms disappeared after symptomatic treatment. X-ray re-examination showed that all osteotomies healed, and the healing time was 2.4-3.2 months, with an average of 2.8 months. At last follow-up, MAA was (8.42±0.71)°, HVA was (13.29±1.03)°, 1-2IMA was (4.41±0.48)°, and AOFAS score was 89.8±5.9. There were significant differences in clinical and radiographic indexes between pre- and post-operation ( P<0.05).

Conclusion

The first ray tri-plane osteotomy combined with other metatarsal basal osteotomy has a significant short-term effectiveness in the treatment of hallux valgus with moderate and severe metatarsus adductus.

Sensing of Oxygen Partial Pressure in Air with ZnO Nanoparticles

The demand for sensors in response to oxygen partial pressure in air is increasingly high in recent years and small-size sensors on a micrometer scale and even a nanometer scale are particularly desirable. In this paper, the sensing of oxygen partial pressure in air was realized by a solution-processed ZnO nanoparticle (NP). Thin-film ZnO NP was prepared by spin-coating and a highly sensitive sensor was then fabricated. The oxygen sensing performance was characterized in air and compared with that in nitrogen, which showed an increase in electrical conductance by more than 100 times as a result of decreasing oxygen partial pressure from 10³ mBar to 10⁻⁵ mBar. Moreover, higher sensitivity was achieved by increasing the annealing temperature and the effect of thermal annealing was also investigated. Furthermore, ZnO NP lines with 7 μm in width were successfully patterned with low cost by a mould-guided drying technique from ZnO NP dispersion, which makes ZnO NP extremely promising for miniaturized and integrated sensing applications.

Theoretical insights into single-atom catalysts

Schematic diagram of theoretical models and applications of single atom catalysts. A review on the theoretical models, intrinsic properties, and the related application of SACs.

Intranasal MMI-0100 Attenuates Aβ1-42- and LPS-Induced Neuroinflammation and Memory Impairments via the MK2 Signaling Pathway

Background: Accumulating evidence suggests inhibiting neuroinflammation as a potential target in therapeutic or preventive strategies for Alzheimer's disease (AD). MAPK-activated protein kinase II (MK2), downstream kinase of p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) p38 MAPK, was unveiled as a promising option for the treatment of AD. Increasing evidence points at MK2 as involved in neuroinflammatory responses. MMI-0100, a cell-penetrating peptide inhibitor of MK2, exhibits anti-inflammatory effects and is in current clinical trials for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis. Therefore, it is important to understand the actions of MMI-0100 in neuroinflammation.

Methods: The mouse memory function was evaluated using novel object recognition (NOR) and object location recognition (OLR) tasks. Brain hippocampus tissue samples were analyzed by quantitative PCR, Western blotting, and immunostaining. Near-infrared fluorescent and confocal microscopy experiments were used to detect the brain uptake and distribution after intranasal MMI-0100 application.

Results: Central MMI-0100 was able to ameliorate the memory deficit induced by Aβ₁₋₄₂ or LPS in novel object and location memory tasks. MMI-0100 suppressed LPS-induced activation of astrocytes and microglia, and dramatically decreased a series of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, COX-2, and iNOS via inhibiting phosphorylation of MK2, but not ERK, JNK, and p38 in vivo and in vitro. Importantly, one of the reasons for the failure of macromolecular protein or peptide drugs in the treatment of AD is that they cannot cross the blood–brain barrier. Our data showed that intranasal administration of MMI-0100 significantly ameliorates the memory deficit induced by Aβ₁₋₄₂ or LPS. Near-infrared fluorescent and confocal microscopy experiment results showed that a strong fluorescent signal, coming from mouse brains, was observed at 2 h after nasal applications of Cy7.5-MMI-0100. However, brains from control mice treated with saline or Cy7.5 alone displayed no significant signal.

Conclusions: MMI-0100 attenuates Aβ₁₋₄₂- and LPS-induced neuroinflammation and memory impairments via the MK2 signaling pathway. Meanwhile, these data suggest that the MMI-0100/MK2 system may provide a new potential target for treatment of AD.

Study on the damage characteristics of gas-bearing shale under different unloading stress paths

In order to understand the influence of unloading on the mechanical properties of shale rock, triaxial unloading tests under different stress paths were conducted. In this paper, three types of tests are completed, including: 1) Conventional triaxial compression test;2) Pre-peak constant maximum principal stress-unloading confining pressure test with different initial confining pressures and rates;3) Increasing axial stress-unloading confining pressure test. The deformation and rupture modes characteristics of shale sample under different unloading stress paths were obtained. Research results show that: 1) The confining pressure effect is obvious and the peak strength increases with the increase of initial confining pressure, under conventional triaxial compression test, the samples show obvious elastic-plastic characteristics; Under unloading confining pressure test, it shows obvious elastic brittleness characteristics.2) Compared with conventional triaxial compression test, unloading confining pressure is more prone to deformation and rupture, and the damage is more serious. Under same initial stress level, the brittle characteristics in unloading confining pressure are more obvious and the expansion is more intense. 3) Under same unloading stress path, the higher the initial confining pressure is, the more severe the sample failure is. With the increase of unloading rate, the rupture degree of the sample becomes more complex.4) The brittle rupture characteristic increases with the increase of unloading rate and initial confining pressure. Increasing axial stress-unloading confining pressure, various types of tensile and shear fractures with different mechanisms are well developed. These conclusions reveal loading and unloading mechanical properties of gas-bearing shale under different stress paths; it provides theoretical basis for horizontal drilling, fracturing design and long-term fracturing effect analysis of shale gas reservoirs.

Biosynthesis and characterization of zinc oxide nanoparticles from Artemisia annua and investigate their effect on proliferation, osteogenic differentiation and mineralization in human osteoblast-like MG-63 Cells

The Biocompatibility and stability of nanoparticles using plants have been widely investigated due to its applications in the biomedical industry. Currently, there is a growing interest in nanoparticles in bone remodelling. Artemisia annua is an herbal plant commonly used in the treatment of various ailments. This study investigated the zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using the green synthesis technique from A. annua and the effects of A. annua ZnO-NPs on osteoblast differentiation and inhibition of osteoclast formation. The formulated ZnO-NPs from A. annua were characterized by using various spectroscopic and microscopic methods Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and UV-Visible spectroscopy. The disc diffusion method was adopted to test the antimicrobial efficacy of ZnO-NPs. The viability of MG-63 cells were assayed by MTT test and Osteogenic-related assays like Real-time PCR and Mineralization assay were adopted to determine the effects of A. annua ZnO-NPs on the multiplication and differentiation of human osteoblast-like MG-63 cells. The characterization of A. annua ZnO-NPs revealed the crystalline nature with high zinc content and the presence of bioactive compounds from A. annua extract. The synthesized A. annua ZnO-NPs indicate significant antimicrobial potential. Besides, A. annua ZnO-NPs enhanced the proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization without causing significant cytotoxic impact on MG-63 cells. These effects indicate that A. annua ZnO-NPs can both stimulate bone formation via the differentiation of MG-63 cells. Hence, it was concluded that A. annua ZnO-NPs can be a promising agent for the treatment of bone deformities and bone-related diseases, however further research also required to explore the clear mechanism of A. annua ZnO-NPs in the formation and differentiation of MG-63 cells.

Prognostic value of non-invasive serum Cytokeratin 18 detection in gastrointestinal cancer: a meta-analysis

Background: Gastrointestinal cancer is one of the most common neoplasms. Cytokeratin 18(CK18) is widely expressed in many different organs and cancers. Emerging data suggested conflicting results about the role of CK18 during carcinogenesis. The aim of this study is to systematically review the prognostic value of circulating CK18 (M65) and caspase-Cleaved CK18 (M30) in digestive cancers.

Materials and Methods: We searched major database for manuscripts reporting the effect of pretreatment CK18 on survival of digestive cancer patients. Revman5.3 and R were the software used for analysis. Pooled multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HR) for overall survival (OS) were calculated in all patients and many different subgroup analyses by stratifying on tumor type, metastasis stage, and ethnicity.

Results: 11 original studies were included for analysis. A low level of M30 and M65 were shown to be a protective factor for all cancer patients (HR 0.49, 95%CI 0.33-0.73, P=0.0003; HR 0.48, 95% CI 0.32-0.70, P =0.0001, respectively). The low M30 remained to be a protective factor for metastasized cancer patients while M65 had no statistically significant correlation with prognosis.

Conclusions: Non-invasive total and cleaved CK18 level detection by ELISA could be potentially a useful predictor of prognosis of digestive cancer patients. Further studies are warranted to investigate the molecular mechanisms of CK18.

Angioedema and Hemorrhage After 4.5-Hour tPA (Tissue-Type Plasminogen Activator) Thrombolysis Ameliorated by T541 via Restoring Brain Microvascular Integrity

Background and Purpose- tPA (tissue-type plasminogen activator) is the only recommended intravenous thrombolytic agent for ischemic stroke. However, its application is limited because of increased risk of hemorrhagic transformation beyond the time window. T541 is a Chinese compound medicine with potential to attenuate ischemia and reperfusion injury. This study was to explore whether T541-benefited subjects underwent tPA thrombolysis extending the time window. Methods- Male C57BL/6 N mice were subjected to carotid artery thrombosis by stimulation with 10% FeCl₃ followed by 10 mg/kg tPA with/without 20 mg/kg T541 intervention at 4.5 hours. Thrombolysis and cerebral blood flow were observed dynamically until 24 hours after drug treatment. Neurological deficit scores, brain edema and hemorrhage, cerebral microvascular junctions and basement membrane proteins, and energy metabolism in cortex were assessed then. An in vitro hypoxia/reoxygenation model using human cerebral microvascular endothelial cells was used to evaluate effect of T541 on tight junctions and F-actin in the presence of tPA. Results- tPA administered at 4.5 hours after carotid thrombosis resulted in a decrease in thrombus area and survival rate, whereas no benefit on cerebral blood flow. Study at 24 hours after tPA administration revealed a significant angioedema and hemorrhage in the ischemia hemisphere, a decreased expression of junction proteins claudin-5, zonula occludens-1, occludin, junctional adhesion molecule-1 and vascular endothelial cadherin, and collagen IV and laminin. Meanwhile, ADP/ATP, AMP/ATP, and ATP5D (ATP synthase subunit) expression and activities of mitochondria complex I, II, and IV declined, whereas malondialdehyde and 8-Oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine increased and F-actin arrangement disordered. All the insults after tPA treatment were attenuated by addition of T541 dose dependently. Conclusions- The results suggest T541 as a potential remedy to attenuate delayed tPA-related angioedema and hemorrhage and extend time window for tPA treatment. The potential of T541 to upregulate energy metabolism and protect blood-brain barrier is likely attributable to its effects observed.

Intestinal autophagy links psychosocial stress with gut microbiota to promote inflammatory bowel disease

Psychosocial stress is a critical inducing factor of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), while autophagy is a novel central issue of IBD development. The present study investigated the potential role of autophagy in stress-related IBD in patients and animal model. The correlation between psychosocial stress and intestinal autophagy was determined in 23 patients with IBD. Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), a well-established inducer of psychosocial stress, was administrated in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced IBD mice and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM). In IBD patients, the autophagy markers beclin-1, LC3-II/I ratio, Atg16L1, and Atg4B were significantly enhanced. The psychosocial stress score was positively associated with the levels of beclin-1 and the LC3II/I ratio in intestinal biopsy specimens. In IBD mouse model, CRH significantly aggravated intestinal inflammation, increased Paneth cell metaplasia, and enhanced intestinal autophagy (beclin-1, Atg16L1, PIK3R4, and Atg4B upregulation; GAA, CTSD, and PPKAA1 downregulation). Additionally, the CRH-induced gut microbial dysbiosis was evidenced by a marked increase in the number of detrimental bacteria. In LPS-stimulated BMDM, CRH substantially increased M1/M2 polarization and thus promoted inflammation. In both IBD mice and LPS-treated BMDM, blockade of autophagy by chloroquine abrogated the unbeneficial effects of CRH, whereas autophagy inducer rapamycin resulted in a pronounced protective effect against IBD lesion. Our data demonstrate that psychosocial stress may link the enhanced intestinal autophagy by modulating gut microbiota and inflammation to aggravate IBD. These data indicate autophagy as a promising therapeutic target for psychosocial stress-related IBD.

Downregulation of kynureninase restrains cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma proliferation and represses the PI3K/AKT pathway

BACKGROUND

The protein kynureninase (KYNU) has recently been reported to participate in the pathological processes of various diseases.

AIM

To explore the expression and the biological function of KYNU in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC).

METHODS

Expression of KYNU in cSCC cell lines and tissues was firstly evaluated based on the Gene Expression Omnibus and the Oncomine databases. Quantitative reverse transcription-PCR was performed to determine the mRNA expression of KYNU in cSCC cell lines. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) was used for silencing KYNU. The effect of KYNU on the growth and motility of cSCC cells was determined by cell counting kit-8, wound-healing and Transwell assays, and western blotting was used to determine the protein expression of KYNU, AKT, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), phosphorylated (p)-AKT and p-PI3K.

RESULTS

KYNU was significantly upregulated in cSCC tissues and cell lines. Knockdown of KYNU using siRNA noticeably suppressed the proliferation, migration and invasion ability of SCL-1 cells (P < 0.01). Western blotting revealed that phosphorylation of AKT and PI3K was markedly inhibited after silencing KYNU. The ratios of p-AKT/AKT and p-PI3K/PI3K were significantly decreased in the si-KYNU group compared with the control group.

CONCLUSION

Depletion of KYNU could inhibit the growth of cSCC cells, possibly through modulating PI3K/AKT pathway. These data indicate that KYNU takes a key part in the malignant progression of cSCC, and could be considered as a promising therapeutic target for cSCC treatment.

Porosity controls the catalytic activity of platinum nanoparticles

Dendritic/mesoporous nanoparticle structures arise naturally and result from aggregation based growth mechanisms. The resulting porous particles exhibit high total surface areas (internal and external) but determining the magnitude of the interface remains challenging. Furthermore, assessing the chemical accessibility of the catalytic interface presents an additional difficulty. Taking three structurally related but different sized platinum nanoparticle samples (30-70 nm), we demonstrate how the catalytic rate of two archetypal surface limited reactions scale not with the square of the particle radius but with a power law of 2.6-2.9. This power law directly reflects the mesoporosity of the nanoparticles; the internal surface of the nanoparticles is both chemically accessible and contributes to the catalytic activity. For the 70 nm particles, up to 60% of the catalytic surface is contained in the internal structure of the particle.

Cardiotonic Pills Plus Recombinant Human Prourokinase Ameliorates Atherosclerotic Lesions in LDLR-/- Mice

Aim

This study was to explore the protective effects of cardiotonic pills (CP) or/and recombinant human prourokinase (proUK)on the atherosclerosis and the potential underlying mechanism.

Methods and Results

Atherosclerosis was induced in LDLR^–/^– mice by high fat diet contained 20% lard and 0.5% cholesterol. Daily oral administration of CP (130 mg/kg) or/and intravenous injection of proUK (2.5 mg/kg, twice a week) began at 8 weeks after feeding with high fat diet and continued for 4 weeks. CP alone treatment markedly decreased plasma triglyceride, but did not ameliorate atherosclerosis plaque. No effect was observed for proUK alone on any endpoints tested. CP plus proUK induced a significantly reduction in the atherosclerotic lesions, along with decreased levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride in the plasma. CP plus proUK inhibited the elevated hepatic total cholesterol and triglyceride in high fat diet-fed LDLR^–/– mice, up-regulating the expressions of ATP-binding cassette gene 5 and 8, and adipose triglyceride lipase. In the aorta, CP plus proUK inhibited the expression of scavenger receptor A and CD36 in LDLR^–/– mice. In addition, we observed that systemic inflammation was inhibited, manifested downregulation of plasma macrophage inflammatory protein-1α and intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1.

Conclusion

CP plus proUK effectively attenuated atherosclerosis plaque in LDLR^–/– mice, which is associated with normalizing the lipid metabolism in the liver and aorta, reducing phagocytosis of receptor-mediated modified-LDL uptake and inhibiting systemic inflammation.

Multi-pathway integrated adjustment mechanism of licorice flavonoids presenting anti-inflammatory activity

Glycyrrhiza, commonly known as licorice, is a herbal medicine that has been used for thousands of years. Licorice contains multiple flavonoids, which possess a variety of biological activities. On the basis of the anti-inflammatory effects of licorice flavonoids, the potential mechanism of action was investigated via a plasma metabolomics approach. A total of 9 differential endogenous metabolites associated with the therapeutic effect of licorice flavonoids were identified, including linoleic acid, sphingosine, tryptophanamide, corticosterone and leukotriene B4. Besides classical arachidonic acid metabolism, metabolism of sphingolipids, tryptophan and fatty acids, phospholipids synthesis, and other pathways were also involved. The multi-pathway integrated adjustment mechanism of licorice flavonoid action may reduce side effects in patients, along with any anti-inflammatory functions, which provides a foundation for identifying and developing novel, high-potential natural drugs with fewer side effects for clinical application.

MMI-0100 Ameliorates Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis in Mice through Targeting MK2 Pathway

Backgrounds: This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of MMI-0100, a cell-penetrating peptide inhibitor of MAPK-activated protein kinase II (MK2), on acute colitis induced by dextran sodium sulfate (DSS). Mice were injected intraperitoneally with different doses of MMI-0100 (0.5 and 1 mg/kg per day, six days). The physiological indexes, the parameters for colonic pathological injury and the intensity of inflammatory responses were evaluated by histological staining, quantitative PCR, western blotting, and immunostaining. MMI-0100 attenuated DSS-induced body weight loss, colon length shortening, and colonic pathological injury, including decreased myeloperoxidase (MPO) and inhibited inflammatory cell infiltration. MMI-0100 suppressed DSS-induced activation of CD11b⁺ and F4/80 positive cell, and dramatically decreased the expression of a series of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, TGF- β, IFN-γ, IL-17A, COX-2 and iNOS. A TUNEL assay showed that MMI-0100 protected against DSS-induced apoptosis. This is consistent with the results of Western blotting assay in apoptosis-related proteins including Bcl-2, BAX, caspase-3. The anti-inflammatory effects of MMI-0100 on DSS-induced colitis were achieved by down-regulating the phosphorylation level of MK2, IκBα and p65 protein. The current study clearly demonstrates a protective role for MMI-0100 in experimental IBD.

Endocut Versus Conventional Blended Electrosurgical Current for Endoscopic Biliary Sphincterotomy: A Meta-Analysis of Complications

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Endoscopic biliary sphincterotomy (EST) is commonly performed during therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), but is an independent risk factor for post-ERCP pancreatitis, bleeding and duodenal perforation. These are partly ascribed to the electrosurgical current mode used for EST, and currently the optimal current model for EST remains controversial. In this study, we aimed to compare the rate of complications undergoing EST using the Endocut versus the blended current.

METHODS

A systematic search of databases was performed for relevant published and prospective studies including randomized clinical trials (RCTs) to compare Endocut with blended current modes for EST. Data were collected from inception until 1 July 2018, using post-ERCP pancreatitis, bleeding and perforation as primary outcomes.

RESULTS

Three RCTs including a total of 594 patients met the inclusion criteria. Our meta-analysis results showed the rate of post-ERCP pancreatitis, primarily mild to moderate pancreatitis, was no different between Endocut versus blended current modes [risk ratio (RR) 0.61, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.25-1.52, P = 0.29]. However, the risk of endoscopically bleeding events, primarily mild bleeding, was lower in studies using Endocut versus blended current (RR 0.54, 95% CI 0.31-0.95, P = 0.03). Notably, none of the patients experienced perforation in these three trials.

CONCLUSIONS

The rate of post-ERCP pancreatitis was not significantly different when using the Endocut versus blended current during EST. Nevertheless, compared with the blended current, Endocut reduced the incidence of endoscopically evident bleeding; however, the available data were insufficient to assess the perforation risk.

Bioinformatics analysis suggests that COL4A1 may play an important role in gastric carcinoma recurrence

OBJECTIVE

Cancer recurrence is a complicated problem for clinicians that contributes to poor prognosis. This study aimed to use advanced gastric carcinoma genes profiles to predict increased risk of cancer recurrence in order to identify patients in need of adjuvant therapy for prognosis improvement.

METHODS

Differentially expressed genes were identified for advanced gastric carcinoma by analyzing the GSE2685 from the Gene Expression Omnibus database (GEO) using R package. The candidate genes were then obtained by gene ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway, protein-protein interaction analysis and survival analysis. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the relationship between candidate genes and the recurrence of gastric carcinoma.

RESULTS

Collagen type IV alpha 1 (COL4A1) was overexpressed in gastric carcinoma tissue by analyzing the GSE2685 gene expression profiles from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. COL4A1 was also overexpressed in gastric carcinoma tissue from the Cancer Genome Atlas dataset and further determined that higher COL4A1 expression led to poorer overall survival. A univariate analysis suggested that COL4A1 was strongly correlated with T stage and gastric carcinoma recurrence (P = 0.014 and 0.041, respectively). Moreover, a multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that COL4A1 was significantly associated with gastric carcinoma recurrence (hazard ratio 1.605, 95% confidence interval 1.063-2.677, P = 0.008).

CONCLUSIONS

COL4A1 may promote gastric carcinoma recurrence and could be used as a therapeutic target for gastric carcinoma recurrence.

Evaluation of cooperative systems on driver behavior in heavy fog condition based on a driving simulator

This paper studies the effectiveness of fog warning systems on driving performance and traffic safety in heavy fog condition. A comparison study was conducted for four scenarios in heavy fog condition. First, a series of indexes corresponding to driving speed adjustments and surrogate measures of safety was obtained to explore the impacts that fog warning systems have on driving behavior and traffic safety when approaching a fog area. This study divided the analyzed road into three different zones (clear zone, transition zone, and fog zone) according to visibility levels. Then, multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was conducted, and the effects of drivers' individual characteristics on driving behavior were also investigated. Moreover, the linear mixed model with random effects was estimated to consider the contributing factors of the drivers' speed adjustment behaviors. In addition, the standard deviation of speed, TET (time exposed time-to-collision), and TIT (time integrated time-to-collision) were selected to evaluate the longitudinal safety. To obtain the driving data, an empirical driving simulator platform was established based on a real-world road in Beijing. Thirty-five drivers were recruited to participate in the driving experiment. The results showed that the cooperative vehicle-infrastructure warning systems could be beneficial to better driving behavior and safer traffic operations. The results revealed that the warning systems could be beneficial to speed reduction before entering a fog area. In addition, the On-Board Unit (OBU) had a significant impact on individual speed adjustment. Moreover, the results showed that scenarios with fog warning systems improve safety significantly over the no warning system scenario. The study results could also facilitate the selection of a proper information release format in the context of connected vehicles.