Genetic LGALS1 Variants Are Associated with Heterogeneity in Galectin-1 Serum Levels in Patients with Early Arthritis

Galectin 1 (Gal1) exerts immunomodulatory effects leading to therapeutic effects in autoimmune animal models. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis have been reported to show higher Gal1 serum levels than the healthy population. Our study aimed to find genetic variants on the Gal1 gene (LGALS1) modulating its expression and/or clinical features in patients with early arthritis (EA). LGALS1 was sequenced in 53 EA patients to characterize all genetic variants. Then, we genotyped rs9622682, rs929039, and rs4820293, which covered the main genetic variation in LGALS1, in 532 EA patients. Gal1 and IL-6 serum levels were measured by ELISA and Gal1 also by western blot (WB) in lymphocytes from patients with specific genotypes. Once disease activity improved with treatment, patients with at least one copy of the minor allele in rs9622682 and rs929039 or those with GG genotype in rs4820293 showed significantly higher Gal1 serum levels (p < 0.05). These genotypic combinations were also associated with higher Gal1 expression in lymphocytes by WB and lower IL-6 serum levels in EA patients. In summary, our study suggests that genetic variants studied in LGALS1 can explain heterogeneity in Gal1 serum levels showing that patients with higher Gal1 levels have lower serum IL-6 levels.     

Pituitary Tumor-Transforming Gene 1/Delta like Non-Canonical Notch Ligand 1 Signaling in Chronic Liver Diseases

The management of chronic liver diseases (CLDs) remains a challenge, and identifying effective treatments is a major unmet medical need. In the current review we focus on the pituitary tumor transforming gene (PTTG1)/delta like non-canonical notch ligand 1 (DLK1) axis as a potential therapeutic target to attenuate the progression of these pathological conditions. PTTG1 is a proto-oncogene involved in proliferation and metabolism. PTTG1 expression has been related to inflammation, angiogenesis, and fibrogenesis in cancer and experimental fibrosis. On the other hand, DLK1 has been identified as one of the most abundantly expressed PTTG1 targets in adipose tissue and has shown to contribute to hepatic fibrosis by promoting the activation of hepatic stellate cells. Here, we extensively analyze the increasing amount of information pointing to the PTTG1/DLK1 signaling pathway as an important player in the regulation of these disturbances. These data prompted us to hypothesize that activation of the PTTG1/DLK1 axis is a key factor upregulating the tissue remodeling mechanisms characteristic of CLDs. Therefore, disruption of this signaling pathway could be useful in the therapeutic management of CLDs.     

Assessing the Morphological and Behavioral Toxicity of Catechol Using Larval Zebrafish

Catechol is a ubiquitous chemical used in the manufacturing of fragrances, pharmaceuticals and flavorants. Environmental exposure occurs in a variety of ways through industrial processes, during pyrolysis and in effluent, yet despite its prevalence, there is limited information regarding its toxicity. While the genotoxicity and gastric carcinogenicity of catechol have been described in depth, toxicological studies have potentially overlooked a number of other effects relevant to humans. Here, we have made use of a general and behavioral larval zebrafish toxicity assay to describe previously unknown catechol-based toxicological phenomena. Behavioral testing revealed catechol-induced hypoactivity at concentrations an order of magnitude lower than observable endpoints. Catechol exposure also resulted in punctate melanocytes with concomitant decreases in the expression of pigment production and regulation markers mitfa, mc1r and tyr. Because catechol is converted into a number of toxic metabolites by tyrosinase, an enzyme found almost exclusively in melanocytes, an evaluation of the effects of catechol on these cells is critical to evaluating the safety of this chemical. This work provides insights into the toxic nature of catechol and highlights the benefits of the zebrafish larval testing platform in being able to dissect multiple aspects of toxicity with one model.     

中国大陆Internet物理特征的测量与分析

结合网络测量技术和复杂网络理论对中国大陆地区Internet物理特征展开测量与分析。首先阐述了Internet网络测量的研究现状,然后形式化地定义了Internet物理特征的3个重要表征量：Internet直径、聚类系数、度分布。其次,研究人员经过18个月的测量与分析中国大陆地区Internet物理特征,计算出未加权Internet直径是14.9跳,聚类系数为0.32,度值为5.68。最后,对Internet直径进行了加权处理,计算出加权的Internet直径为15.6±3.1跳,加权后的Internet直径分布特征能更加精确地反映Internet特性。     

Bandwidth Allocation with Minimum Rate Constraints in Cluster-based Femtocell Networks

 Inter-femtocell interference becomes serious when femtocells are densely deployed. To mitigate the inter-femtocell interference, this paper proposes a cluster-based bandwidth allocation algorithm. We create femtocell clusters by constructing a weighted interference graph and allocate bandwidth to each cluster based on a Nash bargaining solution (NBS). Simulation results show that the cluster-based bandwidth allocation algorithm can reduce the inter-femtocell interference and meet the minimum rate constraint of each cluster.     

地图自动输入系统中快速输入等值线群的算法

研究地图中等值线群的快速输入问题,给出了自动跟踪提取等值线群的有效算法。该算法在跟踪提取各圈等值线的过程中顺以脱离人工干预,能自动识别并处理相邻等值线的碰撞问题,自动弥合等值线上的缺口。     

基于神经网络的支持向量机学习方法研究

针对支持向量机（Support Vector Machine,SVM）对大规模样本分类效率低下的问题,提出了基于自适应共振理论（Adaptive Resonance Theory,ART）神经网络与自组织特征映射（Self-Organizing feature Map,SOM）神经网络的SVM训练算法,分别称为ART-SVM算法与SOM-SVM算法。这两种算法通过聚类压缩数据集,使SVM训练的速度大大提高,同时可获得令人满意的泛化能力。     

一种新算法在基因表达谱聚类中的应用

聚类分析是从基因表达数据中提取生物医学信息的主要方法。针对基本粒子群优化算法易陷入局部极值和对可调参数敏感的问题,提出了一种新型粒子对算法来解决基因聚类问题。算法初始化四个粒子,随机分成两对,将K-均值快速聚类的结果作为每个粒子对中一个粒子的初始位置。在每次迭代中,粒子仅依靠自身速度和粒子对的最佳位置来完成自身更新。每个粒子对产生的精英粒子,组成一个新的粒子对,继续搜索,新粒子对的最优位置即为聚类算法的最优解。实验结果表明算法具有良好的同质性和差异性,且在计算时间和收敛速度方面具有相当的优势。     

旋流器组粒度分级原理及粒度控制技术

探索选矿厂的磨矿－ 分级过程的工作机理。并重点探讨旋流器组的粒度分级原理及粒度控制技术的实施方法。把旋流器组作为１ 个集工艺操作、过程检测控制及机电设备启停为一体的综合自动化控制系统。提出集散系统为基础的旋流器组控制系统的设计原理及系统构成。