Global smartphone penetration has led to unprecedented addictive behaviors. The aims of this study are to develop diagnostic criteria of smartphone addiction and to examine the discriminative ability ...and the validity of the diagnostic criteria.
We developed twelve candidate criteria for characteristic symptoms of smartphone addiction and four criteria for functional impairment caused by excessive smartphone use. The participants consisted of 281 college students. Each participant was systematically assessed for smartphone-using behaviors by psychiatrist's structured diagnostic interview. The sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of the candidate symptom criteria were analyzed with reference to the psychiatrists' clinical global impression. The optimal model selection with its cutoff point of the diagnostic criteria differentiating the smartphone addicted subjects from non-addicted subjects was then determined by the best diagnostic accuracy.
Six symptom criteria model with optimal cutoff point were determined based on the maximal diagnostic accuracy. The proposed smartphone addiction diagnostic criteria consisted of (1) six symptom criteria, (2) four functional impairment criteria and (3) exclusion criteria. Setting three symptom criteria as the cutoff point resulted in the highest diagnostic accuracy (84.3%), while the sensitivity and specificity were 79.4% and 87.5%, respectively. We suggested determining the functional impairment by two or more of the four domains considering the high accessibility and penetration of smartphone use.
The diagnostic criteria of smartphone addiction demonstrated the core symptoms "impaired control" paralleled with substance related and addictive disorders. The functional impairment involved multiple domains provide a strict standard for clinical assessment.
Animal behavior is governed by the activity of interconnected brain circuits. Comprehensive brain wiring maps are thus needed in order to formulate hypotheses about information flow and also to guide ...genetic manipulations aimed at understanding how genes and circuits orchestrate complex behaviors.
To assemble this map, we deconstructed the adult Drosophila brain into approximately 16,000 single neurons and reconstructed them into a common standardized framework to produce a virtual fly brain. We have constructed a mesoscopic map and found that it consists of 41 local processing units (LPUs), six hubs, and 58 tracts covering the whole Drosophila brain. Despite individual local variation, the architecture of the Drosophila brain shows invariance for both the aggregation of local neurons (LNs) within specific LPUs and for the connectivity of projection neurons (PNs) between the same set of LPUs. An open-access image database, named FlyCircuit, has been constructed for online data archiving, mining, analysis, and three-dimensional visualization of all single neurons, brain-wide LPUs, their wiring diagrams, and neural tracts.
We found that the Drosophila brain is assembled from families of multiple LPUs and their interconnections. This provides an essential first step in the analysis of information processing within and between neurons in a complete brain.
► Standard model brains are generated for assembling a brain from single neurons ► The Drosophila brain consists of families of local processing units ► Processing units consist of aggregates of local neurons linked by tracts ► A mesoscopic map of wiring networks is constructed for predicting information flow
Abstract
Copper electrocatalysts have been shown to selectively reduce carbon dioxide to hydrocarbons. Nevertheless, the absence of a systematic study based on time-resolved spectroscopy renders the ...functional agent—either metallic or oxidative Copper—for the selectivity still undecidable. Herein, we develop an operando seconds-resolved X-ray absorption spectroscopy to uncover the chemical state evolution of working catalysts. An oxide-derived Copper electrocatalyst is employed as a model catalyst to offer scientific insights into the roles metal states serve in carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO
2
RR). Using a potential switching approach, the model catalyst can achieve a steady chemical state of half-Cu(0)-and-half-Cu(I) and selectively produce asymmetric C
2
products - C
2
H
5
OH. Furthermore, a theoretical analysis reveals that a surface composed of Cu-Cu(I) ensembles can have dual carbon monoxide molecules coupled asymmetrically, which potentially enhances the catalyst’s CO
2
RR product selectivity toward C
2
products. Our results offer understandings of the fundamental chemical states and insights to the establishment of selective CO
2
RR.
The efficacy of treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection has decreased steadily because of increasing resistance to clarithromycin, metronidazole, and levofloxacin. Resistance to amoxicillin is ...generally low, and high intragastric pH increases the efficacy of amoxicillin, so we investigated whether a combination of a high-dose proton pump inhibitor and amoxicillin (dual therapy) was more effective than standard first-line or rescue therapies in eradicating H pylori.
We performed a large-scale multihospital trial to compare the efficacy of a high-dose dual therapy (HDDT) with that of standard therapies in treatment-naive (n = 450) or treatment-experienced (n = 168) patients with H pylori infection. Treatment-naive patients were randomly assigned to groups given HDDT (rabeprazole 20 mg and amoxicillin 750 mg, 4 times/day for 14 days, group A1), sequential therapy for 10 days (group B1), or clarithromycin-containing triple therapy for 7 days (group C1). Treatment-experienced patients were randomly assigned to groups given HDDT for 14 days (group A2), sequential therapy for 10 days (B2), or levofloxacin-containing triple therapy for 7 days (C2). H pylori infection was detected by using the (13)C-urea breath test. We evaluated factors associated with treatment outcomes.
In the intention-to-treat analysis, H pylori was eradicated in 95.3% of patients in group A1 (95% confidence interval CI, 91.9%-98.8%), 85.3% in B1 (95% CI, 79.6%-91.1%), and 80.7% in group C1 (95% CI, 74.3%-87.1%). Infection was eradicated in 89.3% of patients in group A2 (95% CI, 80.9%-97.6%), 51.8% in group B2 (95% CI, 38.3%-65.3%), and 78.6% (95% CI, 67.5%-89.7%) in group C2. The efficacy of HDDT was significantly higher than that of currently recommended regimens, irrespective of CYP2C19 genotype. Bacterial resistance to drugs was associated with treatment failure. There were no significant differences between groups in adverse events or patient adherence.
HDDT is superior to standard regimens as empirical first-line or rescue therapy for H pylori infection, with similar safety profiles and tolerability. ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT01163435.
Background and Purpose
Increasing evidence suggests systemic inflammation‐caused skeletal muscle atrophy as a major clinical feature of cachexia. Triptolide obtained from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook ...F possesses potent anti‐inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects. The present study aims to evaluate the protective effects and molecular mechanisms of triptolide on inflammation‐induced skeletal muscle atrophy.
Experimental Approach
The effects of triptolide on skeletal muscle atrophy were investigated in LPS‐treated C2C12 myotubes and C57BL/6 mice. Protein expressions and mRNA levels were analysed by western blot and qPCR, respectively. Skeletal muscle mass, volume and strength were measured by histological analysis, micro‐CT and grip strength, respectively. Locomotor activity was measured using the open field test.
KEY RESULTS
Triptolide (10–100 fM) up‐regulated protein synthesis signals (IGF‐1/p‐IGF‐1R/IRS‐1/p‐Akt/p‐mTOR) and down‐regulated protein degradation signal atrogin‐1 in C2C12 myotubes. In LPS (100 ng·ml−1)‐treated C2C12 myotubes, triptolide up‐regulated MyHC, IGF‐1, p‐IGF‐1R, IRS‐1 and p‐Akt. Triptolide also down‐regulated ubiquitin‐proteasome molecules (n‐FoxO3a/atrogin‐1/MuRF1), proteasome activity, autophagy‐lysosomal molecules (LC3‐II/LC3‐I and Bnip3) and inflammatory mediators (NF‐κB, Cox‐2, NLRP3, IL‐1β and TNF‐α). However, AG1024, an IGF‐1R inhibitor, suppressed triptolide‐mediated effects on MyHC, myotube diameter, MuRF1 and p62 in LPS‐treated C2C12 myotubes. In LPS (1 mg·kg−1, i.p.)‐challenged mice, triptolide (5 and 20 μg·kg−1·day−1, i.p.) decreased plasma TNF‐α levels and it increased skeletal muscle volume, cross‐sectional area of myofibers, weights of the gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscles, forelimb grip strength and locomotion.
Conclusions and Implications
These findings reveal that triptolide prevented LPS‐induced inflammation and skeletal muscle atrophy and have implications for the discovery of novel agents for preventing muscle wasting.
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the gradual loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc), resulting in reduced dopamine ...levels in the striatum and eventual onset of motor symptoms. Linalool (3,7-dimethyl-1,6-octadien-3-ol) is a monoterpene in aromatic plants exhibiting antioxidant, antidepressant, and anti-anxiety properties. The objective of this study is to evaluate the neuroprotective impacts of linalool on dopaminergic SH-SY5Y cells, primary mesencephalic and cortical neurons treated with 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP
), as well as in PD-like mice induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). Cell viability, α-tubulin staining, western blotting, immunohistochemistry and behavioral experiments were performed. In MPP
-treated SH-SY5Y cells, linalool increased cell viability, reduced neurite retraction, enhanced antioxidant defense by downregulation of apoptosis signaling (B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), cleaved caspase-3 and poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP)) and phagocyte NADPH oxidase (gp91
), as well as upregulation of neurotrophic signaling (brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF)) and nuclear factor-erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) pathway. In MPP
-treated primary mesencephalic neurons, linalool enhanced the expressions of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), Sirtuin 1 (SirT1), and parkin. In MPP
-treated primary cortical neurons, linalool upregulated protein expression of SirT1, γ-Aminobutyric acid type A-α1 (GABA
-α1), and γ-Aminobutyric acid type B (GABA
). In PD-like mice, linalool attenuated the loss of dopamine neurons in SNpc. Linalool improved the motor and nonmotor behavioral deficits and muscle strength of PD-like mice. These findings suggest that linalool potentially protects dopaminergic neurons and improves the impairment symptoms of PD.
Some oral probiotics have been shown to prevent necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and decrease mortality effectively in preterm very low birth weight (PVLBW) infants. However, it is unclear whether a ...single probiotic or a mixture of probiotics is most effective for the prevention of NEC.
A meta-analysis was conducted by reviewing the most up to date literature to investigate whether multiple strains probiotics are more effective than a single strain in reducing NEC and death in PVLBW infants.
Relevant studies were identified by searches of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane CENTRAL databases, from 2001 to 2016.
The inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trials of any enteral probiotic supplementation that was initiated within the first 7 days and continued for at least 14 days in preterm infants (≤ 34 weeks' gestation) and/or those of a birth weight ≤1500 g.
A total of 25 trials (n = 7345 infants) were eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis using a fixed-effects model. Multiple strains probiotics were associated with a marked reduction in the incidence of NEC, with a pooled OR of 0.36 (95% CI, 0.24-0.53; P < .00001). Single strain probiotic using Lactobacillus species had a borderline effect in reducing NEC (OR of 0.60; 95% CI 0.36-1.0; P = .05), but not mortality. Multiple strains probiotics had a greater effectiveness in reducing mortality and were associated with a pooled OR of 0.58 (95% CI, 0.43-0.79; P = .0006). Trials using single strain of Bifidobacterium species and Saccharomyces boulardii did not reveal any beneficial effects in terms of reducing NEC or mortality.
This updated report found that multiple strains probiotics appear to be the most feasible and effective strategy for the prevention of NEC and reduction of mortality in PVLBW neonates. Further clinical trials should focus on which probiotic combinations are most effective.
LIBSVM Chang, Chih-Chung; Lin, Chih-Jen
ACM transactions on intelligent systems and technology,
04/2011, Letnik:
2, Številka:
3
Journal Article
Recenzirano
LIBSVM is a library for Support Vector Machines (SVMs). We have been actively developing this package since the year 2000. The goal is to help users to easily apply SVM to their applications. LIBSVM ...has gained wide popularity in machine learning and many other areas. In this article, we present all implementation details of LIBSVM. Issues such as solving SVM optimization problems theoretical convergence multiclass classification probability estimates and parameter selection are discussed in detail.
Toss the F: A new series of IrIII complexes functionalized with pyridyltriazolate chromophores and a tripodal dicyclometalated phosphite achieved highly efficient blue phosphorescence without ...employing any fluorine substituents. OLEDs with dopant Ir(P C2)(bptz)(PMe2Ph) (see structure; bptz=3‐tert‐butyl‐5‐(2‐pyridyl)‐1,2,4‐triazolate; P C2=dicyclometalated phosphite tripod) show outstanding performance.
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