A system-on-chip development of a neuro-fuzzy embedded agent for ambient-intelligence environments

This paper presents the development of a neuro-fuzzy agent for ambient-intelligence environments. The agent has been implemented as a system-on-chip (SoC) on a reconfigurable device, i.e., a field-programmable gate array. It is a hardware/software (HW/SW) architecture developed around a MicroBlaze processor (SW partition) and a set of parallel intellectual property cores for neuro-fuzzy modeling (HW partition). The SoC is an autonomous electronic device able to perform real-time control of the environment in a personalized and adaptive way, anticipating the desires and needs of its inhabitants. The scheme used to model the intelligent agent is a particular class of an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system with piecewise multilinear behavior. The main characteristics of our model are computational efficiency, scalability, and universal approximation capability. Several online experiments have been performed with data obtained in a real ubiquitous computing environment test bed. Results obtained show that the SoC is able to provide high-performance control and adaptation in a life-long mode while retaining the modeling capabilities of similar agent-based approaches implemented on larger computing machines.     

Electrospun fibers based on porcine plasma: a rheological and morphological study

Iranian Polymer Journal - The present work focuses on the assessment of the ability of porcine plasma protein (PPP) to be electrospun satisfactorily to form fibre mats, and their rheological and...     

Molecular Aspects and Prognostic Significance of Microcalcifications in Human Pathology: A Narrative Review

The presence of calcium deposits in human lesions is largely used as imaging biomarkers of human diseases such as breast cancer. Indeed, the presence of micro- or macrocalcifications is frequently associated with the development of both benign and malignant lesions. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanisms involved in the formation of these calcium deposits, as well as the prognostic significance of their presence in human tissues, have not been completely elucidated. Therefore, a better characterization of the biological process related to the formation of calcifications in different tissues and organs, as well as the understanding of the prognostic significance of the presence of these calcium deposits into human tissues could significantly improve the management of patients characterized by microcalcifications associated lesions. Starting from these considerations, this narrative review highlights the most recent histopathological and molecular data concerning the formation of calcifications in breast, thyroid, lung, and ovarian diseases. Evidence reported here could deeply change the current point of view concerning the role of ectopic calcifications in the progression of human diseases and also in the patients’ management. In fact, the presence of calcifications can suggest an unfavorable prognosis due to dysregulation of normal tissues homeostasis.     

Human Milk Antibodies against S1 and S2 Subunits from SARS-CoV-2, HCoV-OC43, and HCoV-229E in Mothers with a Confirmed COVID-19 PCR,Viral SYMPTOMS,and Unexposed Mothers

Background: Preexisting immunity to SARS-CoV-2 could be related to cross-reactive antibodies to common human-coronaviruses (HCoVs). This study aimed to evaluate whether human milk antibodies against to S1 and S2 subunits SARS-CoV-2 are cross-reactive to S1 and S2 subunits HCoV-OC43 and HCoV-229E in mothers with a confirmed COVID-19 PCR test, in mothers with previous viral symptoms during COVID-19 pandemic, and in unexposed mothers; Methods: The levels of secretory IgA (SIgA)/IgA, secretory IgM (SIgM)/IgM, and IgG specific to S1 and S2 SARS-CoV-2, and reactive to S1 + S2 HCoV-OC43, and HCoV-229E were measured in milk from 7 mothers with a confirmed COVID-19 PCR test, 20 mothers with viral symptoms, and unexposed mothers (6 Ctl1-2018 and 16 Ctl2-2018) using ELISA; Results: The S2 SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels were higher in the COVID-19 PCR (p = 0.014) and viral symptom (p = 0.040) groups than in the Ctl1-2018 group. We detected a higher number of positive correlations between the antigens and secretory antibodies in the COVID-19 PCR group than in the viral symptom and Ctl-2018 groups. S1 + S2 HCoV-OC43-reactive IgG was higher in the COVID-19 group than in the control group (p = 0.002) but did not differ for the other antibodies; Conclusions: Mothers with a confirmed COVID-19 PCR and mothers with previous viral symptoms had preexisting human milk antibodies against S2 subunit SARS-CoV-2. Human milk IgG were more specific to S2 subunit SARS-CoV-2 than other antibodies, whereas SIgA and SIgM were polyreactive and cross-reactive to S1 or S2 subunit SARS-CoV-2.     

Subcellular Localization of Acyl-CoA: Lysophosphatidylethanolamine Acyltransferases (LPEATs) and the Effects of Knocking-Out and Overexpression of Their Genes on Autophagy Markers Level and Life Span of A. thaliana

Arabidopsis thaliana possesses two acyl-CoA:lysophosphatidylethanolamine acyltransferases, LPEAT1 and LPEAT2, which are encoded by At1g80950 and At2g45670 genes, respectively. Both single lpeat2 mutant and double lpeat1 lpeat2 mutant plants exhibit a variety of conspicuous phenotypes, including dwarfed growth. Confocal microscopic analysis of tobacco suspension-cultured cells transiently transformed with green fluorescent protein-tagged versions of LPEAT1 or LPEAT2 revealed that LPEAT1 is localized to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), whereas LPEAT2 is localized to both Golgi and late endosomes. Considering that the primary product of the reaction catalyzed by LPEATs is phosphatidylethanolamine, which is known to be covalently conjugated with autophagy-related protein ATG8 during a key step of the formation of autophagosomes, we investigated the requirements for LPEATs to engage in autophagic activity in Arabidopsis. Knocking out of either or both LPEAT genes led to enhanced accumulation of the autophagic adaptor protein NBR1 and decreased levels of both ATG8a mRNA and total ATG8 protein. Moreover, we detected significantly fewer membrane objects in the vacuoles of lpeat1 lpeat2 double mutant mesophyll cells than in vacuoles of control plants. However, contrary to what has been reported on autophagy deficient plants, the lpeat mutants displayed a prolonged life span compared to wild type, including delayed senescence.     

P16 and HPV Genotype Significance in HPV-Associated Cervical Cancer—A Large Cohort of Two Tertiary Referral Centers

The expression of p16 is a good surrogate of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in HPV-associated cancers. The significance of p16 expression, HPV genotype and genera in the outcome of patients with HPV-associated cervical cancer (CC) is unclear. Our aim is to ascertain the prognostic significance of these factors. Data from 348 patients (median age: 47.5 years old) with CC, diagnosed in two referral centers, were retrospectively collected. Advanced disease (FIGO2018 IB2-IV) was present in 68% of patients. A single HPV genotype was identified in 82.8% of patients. The most common HPVs were HPV16 (69%) and HPV18 (14%). HPV genera reflected this distribution. HPV16 tumors presented at an earlier stage. P16 was negative in 18 cases (5.2%), 83.3% of which were squamous cell carcinomas. These cases occurred in older patients who tended to have advanced disease. In the univariate analysis, HPV16 (HR: 0.58; p = 0.0198), α-9 genera (HR: 0.37; p = 0.0106) and p16 overexpression (HR: 0.54; p = 0.032) were associated with better survival. HPV16 (HR: 0.63; p = 0.0174) and α-9 genera (HR: 0.57; p = 0.0286) were associated with less relapse. In the multivariate analysis, only the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage retained an independent prognostic value. HPV16, α-9 genera and p16 overexpression were associated with better survival, although not as independent prognostic factors. Patients with p16-negative HPV-associated CC were older, presented with advanced disease and had worse prognosis.     

Methamphetamine Blocks Adenosine A2A Receptor Activation via Sigma 1 and Cannabinoid CB1 Receptors

Methamphetamine is, worldwide, one of the most consumed drugs of abuse. One important side effect is neurodegeneration leading to a decrease in life expectancy. The aim of this paper was to check whether the drug affects one of the receptors involved in neurodegeneration/neuroprotection events, namely the adenosine A_2A receptor (A_2AR). First, we noticed that methamphetamine does not affect A_2A functionality if the receptor is expressed in a heterologous system. However, A_2AR becomes sensitive to the drug upon complexes formation with the cannabinoid CB₁ receptor (CB₁R) and the sigma 1 receptor (σ₁R). Signaling via both adenosine A_2AR and cannabinoid CB₁R was affected by methamphetamine in cells co-expressing the two receptors. In striatal primary cultures, the A_2AR–CB₁R heteromer complex was detected and methamphetamine not only altered its expression but completely blocked the A_2AR- and the CB₁R-mediated activation of the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. In conclusion, methamphetamine, with the participation of σ₁R, alters the expression and function of two interacting receptors, A_2AR, which is a therapeutic target for neuroprotection, and CB₁R, which is the most abundant G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) in the brain.     

The dynamic evolution of aggregated lithium dendrites in lithium metal batteries

Lithium (Li) metal anodes promise an ultrahigh theoretical energy density and low redox potential,thus being the critical energy material for next-generation batteries.Unfortunately,the formation of Li den-drites in Li metal anodes remarkably hinders the practical applications of Li metal anodes.Herein,the dynamic evolution of discrete Li dendrites and aggregated Li dendrites with increasing current densities is visualized by in-situ optical microscopy in conjunction with ex-situ scanning electron microscopy.As revealed by the phase field simulations,the formation of aggregated Li dendrites under high current den-sity is attributed to the locally concentrated electric field rather than the depletion of Li ions.More specif-ically,the locally concentrated electric field stems from the spatial inhomogeneity on the Li metal surface and will be further enhanced with increasing current densities.Adjusting the above two factors with the help of the constructed phase field model is able to regulate the electrodeposited morphology from aggregated Li dendrites to discrete Li dendrites,and ultimately columnar Li morphology.The methodol-ogy and mechanistic understanding established herein give a significant step toward the practical appli-cations of Li metal anodes.     

Contrasting Rootstock-Mediated Growth and Yield Responses in Salinized Pepper Plants (Capsicum annuum L.) Are Associated with Changes in the Hormonal Balance

Salinity provokes an imbalance of vegetative to generative growth, thus impairing crop productivity. Unlike breeding strategies, grafting is a direct and quick alternative to improve salinity tolerance in horticultural crops, through rebalancing plant development. Providing that hormones play a key role in plant growth and development and stress responses, we hypothesized that rootstock-mediated reallocation of vegetative growth and yield under salinity was associated with changes in the hormonal balance. To test this hypothesis, the hybrid pepper variety (Capsicum annuum L. “Gacela F1”) was either non-grafted or grafted onto three commercial rootstocks (Creonte, Atlante, and Terrano) and plants were grown in a greenhouse under control (0 mM NaCl) and moderate salinity (35 mM NaCl) conditions. Differential vegetative growth versus fruit yield responses were induced by rootstock and salinity. Atlante strongly increased shoot and root fresh weight with respect to the non-grafted Gacela plants associated with improved photosynthetic rate and K⁺ homeostasis under salinity. The invigorating effect of Atlante can be explained by an efficient balance between cytokinins (CKs) and abscisic acid (ABA). Creonte improved fruit yield and maintained the reproductive to vegetative ratio under salinity as a consequence of its capacity to induce biomass reallocation and to avoid Na⁺ accumulation in the shoot. The physiological responses associated with yield stability in Creonte were mediated by the inverse regulation of CKs and the ethylene precursor 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid. Finally, Terrano limited the accumulation of gibberellins in the shoot thus reducing plant height. Despite scion compactness induced by Terrano, both vegetative and reproductive biomass were maintained under salinity through ABA-mediated control of water relations and K⁺ homeostasis. Our data demonstrate that the contrasting developmental and physiological responses induced by the rootstock genotype in salinized pepper plants were critically mediated by hormones. This will be particularly important for rootstock breeding programs to improve salinity tolerance by focusing on hormonal traits.     

Hemi- and Homozygous Loss-of-Function Mutations in DSG2 (Desmoglein-2) Cause Recessive Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy with an Early Onset

About 50% of patients with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) carry a pathogenic or likely pathogenic mutation in the desmosomal genes. However, there is a significant number of patients without positive familial anamnesis. Therefore, the molecular reasons for ACM in these patients are frequently unknown and a genetic contribution might be underestimated. Here, we used a next-generation sequencing (NGS) approach and in addition single nucleotide polymor-phism (SNP) arrays for the genetic analysis of two independent index patients without familial medical history. Of note, this genetic strategy revealed a homozygous splice site mutation (DSG2–c.378+1G>T) in the first patient and a nonsense mutation (DSG2–p.L772X) in combination with a large deletion in DSG2 in the second one. In conclusion, a recessive inheritance pattern is likely for both cases, which might contribute to the hidden medical history in both families. This is the first report about these novel loss-of-function mutations in DSG2 that have not been previously identi-fied. Therefore, we suggest performing deep genetic analyses using NGS in combination with SNP arrays also for ACM index patients without obvious familial medical history. In the future, this finding might has relevance for the genetic counseling of similar cases.