Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a ubiquitous γ-herpesvirus with latent and lytic cycles. EBV replicates in the stratified epithelium but the nasopharynx is also composed of pseudostratified epithelium ...with distinct cell types. Latent infection is associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Here, we show with nasopharyngeal conditionally reprogrammed cells cultured at the air-liquid interface that pseudostratified epithelial cells are susceptible to EBV infection. Donors varied in susceptibility to de novo EBV infection, but susceptible cultures also displayed differences with respect to pathogenesis. The cultures from one donor yielded lytic infection but cells from two other donors were positive for EBV-encoded EBERs and negative for other lytic infection markers. All cultures stained positive for the pseudostratified markers CK7, MUC5AC, α-tubulin in cilia, and the EBV epithelial cell receptor Ephrin receptor A2. To define EBV transcriptional programs by cell type and to elucidate latent/lytic infection-differential changes, we performed single cell RNA-sequencing on one EBV-infected culture that resulted in alignment with many EBV transcripts. EBV transcripts represented a small portion of the total transcriptome (~0.17%). All cell types in the pseudostratified epithelium had detectable EBV transcripts with suprabasal cells showing the highest number of reads aligning to many EBV genes. Several restriction factors (IRF1, MX1, STAT1, C18orf25) known to limit lytic infection were expressed at lower levels in the lytic subcluster. A third of the differentially-expressed genes in NPC tumors compared to an uninfected pseudostratified ALI culture overlapped with the differentially-expressed genes in the latent subcluster. A third of these commonly perturbed genes were specific to EBV infection and changed in the same direction. Collectively, these findings suggest that the pseudostratified epithelium could harbor EBV infection and that the pseudostratified infection model mirrors many of the transcriptional changes imposed by EBV infection in NPC.
Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2019, people counting in confined spaces has become essential for controlling the flow of people and reducing viral spread. Many people-counting systems use a ...fisheye lens to achieve a wide viewing range. However, the images captured with a fisheye lens can have different sizes and deformations due to different camera heights, which consequently affects the accuracy of people counting. In this study, a Raspberry Pi 4 development board attached to a fisheye lens was used to construct an edge computing platform for people counting by using artificial intelligence. A modified You Only Look Once (YOLO) model, which has three output layers and a spatial pyramid pooling module, is proposed to recognize people in images captured at various heights. For efficiently running this deep learning model on the proposed edge computing platform, a TensorFlow Lite framework was used to reduce the model size. The final experimental results indicated that the mean average error and mean squared error of the modified tiny version of the YOLO v4 model were 0.249 and 0.292, respectively, and the detection speed of the platform was 2 frames per second. The results indicate that the proposed edge computing platform can efficiently and accurately count the number of people. Because the proposed system uses edge computing, it can effectively solve personal privacy and transmission bandwidth problems.
Objective:
Stroke in young adults is uncommon, and the etiologies and risk factors of stroke in young adults differ from those in older populations. Smoker's paradox is an unexpected favorable ...outcome, and age difference is used to explain the association between smoking and the favorable functional outcome. This study aimed to investigate the existence of this phenomenon in young stroke patients.
Methods:
We analyzed a total of 9,087 young stroke cases registered in the nationwide stroke registry system of Taiwan between 2006 and 2016. Smoking criteria included having a current history of smoking more than one cigarette per day for more than 6 months. After matching for sex and age, a Cox model was used to compare mortality and function outcomes between smokers and non-smokers.
Results:
Compared with the non-smoker group, smoking was associated with older age, higher comorbidities, and higher alcohol consumption. Patients who report smoking with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores of 11–15 had a worse functional outcome (adjusted odds ratio, 0.81; 95% confidence interval, 0.76 – 0.87).
Conclusion:
Smokers had a higher risk of unfavorable functional outcomes at 3 months after stroke, and therefore, we continue to strongly advocate the importance of smoking cessation.
In this work, the nonvolatile memory constructed on the tunnel thin-film transistors (tunnel-TFTs) using polycrystalline-silicon channel featuring ferroelectric HfZrO<inline-formula> <tex-math ...notation="LaTeX">_{\textit{x}}</tex-math> </inline-formula> layer is demonstrated for the first time. When the pulse voltages of program (PG) and erase (ER) are, respectively, 3.5 and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">-</tex-math> </inline-formula>2 V with the pulsewidth of 1 <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">\mu </tex-math> </inline-formula>s, the threshold voltage modulation amount of the ferroelectric tunnel-TFT can reach <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">-</tex-math> </inline-formula>0.524 and 0.496 V, respectively. In addition, the endurance behaviors of the ferroelectric tunnel-TFT exhibit a strong PG/ER pulsewidth dependence. The wake-up effect of the ferroelectric layer becomes more pronounced as increasing the PG/ER pulsewidth. Moreover, the increase of the PG/ER pulsewidth also causes the ferroelectric tunnel-TFT to be subjected to the electrical dynamic stress effect, leading to the degradation of the subthreshold swing (SS) and the electron trapping effect. When the pulsewidth is 100 ns, the endurance is mainly dominated by the fatigue effect of the ferroelectric layer and the degradation of the SS. When the pulsewidth increases to 1 <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">\mu </tex-math> </inline-formula>s, the endurance is mainly dominated by the electron trapping effect of the ferroelectric layer in addition to the fatigue effect. The retention of the ferroelectric tunnel-TFT exhibits stable behavior at 50 <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">^{\circ}</tex-math> </inline-formula>C. Consequently, the ferroelectric tunnel-TFT exhibits sufficient electrical performance and can be integrated with display panels and various sensor systems on smart wearable devices for edge computing applications.
Uraemic patients undergoing haemodialysis are at high risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. We aimed to evaluate the evolutionary seroprevalence of viral hepatitis ...and the gap in HCV care cascades in this special population by a large‐scale surveillance study in Taiwan. Uraemic patients on maintenance haemodialysis from 22 sites (FORMOSA‐LIKE group) in 2012 (n = 1,680) and 2019 (n = 2,326) were recruited for this study. The distributions and sequential changes of viral hepatitis markers were analysed. The prevalence of anti‐HCV antibody and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seropositivity was 13.6% (316/2326) and 11.5% (267/2326), respectively, in 2019 compared with 17.3% (290/1680, P = .002) and 13.6% (229/1680, P = .046), respectively, in 2012. The HCV‐viremic rate among anti‐HCV‐seropositive patients was significantly lower in 2019 than in 2012 (56.3% 178/316 vs. 73.8% 214/290, P < .001). The HCV treatment rate increased from 2.3% (5/217) in 2012 to 21.7% (49/226) in 2019 (P < .001). In the sequential analysis of the 490 patients who participated in both screens, 17 of the 55 HCV‐viremic patients became HCV RNA seronegative, including 13 by antivirals and four spontaneously. By contrast, one anti‐HCV‐seropositive but nonviremic patient became viremic, and six anti‐HCV‐seronegative patients became anti‐HCV‐seropositive in 2019. The annual incidence of new HCV was 0.2%/year. Seven HBsAg‐seropositive patients experienced HBsAg loss (1.25%/year). Two patients had new anti‐HBc seropositivity (new HBV exposure: 0.57%/year). The seroprevalence of viral hepatitis decreased in an 8‐year follow‐up but remained prevalent, and the treatment of HCV infection was underutilized in uraemic patients. Additional efforts are needed to enhance the HCV treatment uptake of uraemic patients.
Clinical Trial IDs: NCT03803410, NCT01766895.
Activated chemokine receptor initiates inside-out signaling to transiently trigger activation of integrins, a process involving multiple components that have not been fully characterized. Here we ...report that GM-CSF/IL-3/IL-5 receptor common beta-chain-associated protein (CBAP) is required to optimize this inside-out signaling and activation of integrins. First, knockdown of CBAP expression in human Jurkat T cells caused attenuated CXC chemokine ligand-12 (CXCL12)-induced cell migration and integrin α4β1- and αLβ2-mediated cell adhesion in vitro, which could be rescued sufficiently upon expression of murine CBAP proteins. Freshly isolated CBAP-deficient primary T cells also exhibited diminution of chemotaxis toward CC chemokine ligand-21 (CCL21) and CXCL12, and these chemokines-induced T-cell adhesions in vitro. Adoptive transfer of isolated naive T cells demonstrated that CBAP deficiency significantly reduced lymph node homing ability in vivo. Finally, migration of T cell-receptor-activated T cells induced by inflammatory chemokines was also attenuated in CBAP-deficient cells. Further analyses revealed that CBAP constitutively associated with both integrin β1 and ZAP70 and that CBAP is required for chemokine-induced initial binding of the talin-Vav1 complex to integrin β1 and to facilitate subsequent ZAP70-mediated dissociation of the talin-Vav1 complex and Vav1 phosphorylation. Within such an integrin signaling complex, CBAP likely functions as an adaptor and ultimately leads to activation of both integrin α4β1 and Rac1. Taken together, our data suggest that CBAP indeed can function as a novel signaling component within the ZAP70/Vav1/talin complex and plays an important role in regulating chemokine-promoted T-cell trafficking.
•Chitosan-citric acid coating reduces pericarp browning and weight loss of lychee.•Pomelo extract enhances the protective effect of chitosan-citric acid coating.•Chitosan-pomelo extract coating ...retards disease development in lychee.•Chitosan-pomelo extract coating improves sensory quality of cold-stored lychee.•Chitosan-pomelo extract coating extends shelf life of cold-stored lychee.
Lychee (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) is a subtropical fruit of high market value. It is characterized by bright red pericarp and strong exotic aroma and taste. However, harvested lychee fruits have only a few days of shelf life due to rapid pericarp browning and fruit rot. While edible coatings have been employed to improve storability of lychee, whether essential oil further enhances the function of coatings is less understood. Here, we investigated the effect of 1% and 2% pomelo extract (PE) applied in combination with 0.5% and 1% chitosan-citric acid coating on cold-stored lychee. Application of 1% chitosan plus 2% PE coating significantly reduced browning, weight loss, and disease severity by 16.5%, 28.0%, and 65.7%, respectively as compared to the control fruits after storage at 5 °C for 14 d followed by 20 °C for 3 d The treatment extended fruit shelf life by at least 2 d, in which 73.3% of the fruits retained marketability and exhibited superior sensory quality. In conclusion, we developed an efficient coating formula that used PE as a sustainable fungicide to inhibit fungal decay and improve storability of perishable fruit.
Abstract
We present observations of polarized dust emission at 850
μ
m from the L43 molecular cloud, which sits in the Ophiuchus cloud complex. The data were taken using SCUBA-2/POL-2 on the James ...Clerk Maxwell Telescope as a part of the BISTRO large program. L43 is a dense (
N
H
2
∼
10
22
–10
23
cm
−2
) complex molecular cloud with a submillimeter-bright starless core and two protostellar sources. There appears to be an evolutionary gradient along the isolated filament that L43 is embedded within, with the most evolved source closest to the Sco OB2 association. One of the protostars drives a CO outflow that has created a cavity to the southeast. We see a magnetic field that appears to be aligned with the cavity walls of the outflow, suggesting interaction with the outflow. We also find a magnetic field strength of up to ∼160 ± 30
μ
G in the main starless core and up to ∼90 ± 40
μ
G in the more diffuse, extended region. These field strengths give magnetically super- and subcritical values, respectively, and both are found to be roughly trans-Alfvénic. We also present a new method of data reduction for these denser but fainter objects like starless cores.
Although systemic treatment is the mainstay for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), numerous studies have highlighted the added value of local treatment. This study aimed to investigate the ...clinical efficacy of liver-directed combined radiotherapy (LD combined RT) compared with that of sorafenib, a recommended treatment until recently for locally advanced HCC presenting portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT), using a multinational patient cohort.
We identified patients with HCC presenting PVTT treated with either sorafenib or LD combined RT in 10 tertiary hospitals in Asia from 2005 to 2014. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to minimize the imbalance between the two groups. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS), and the secondary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) and treatment-related toxicity.
A total of 1035 patients (675 in the LD combined RT group and 360 in the sorafenib group) were included in this study. After PSM, 305 patients from each group were included in the analysis. At a median follow-up of 22.5 months, the median OS was 10.6 and 4.2 months for the LD combined RT and sorafenib groups, respectively (
< 0.001). The conversion rate to curative surgery was significantly higher (8.5% vs. 1.0%,
< 0.001), while grade ≥ 3 toxicity was fewer (9.2% vs. 16.1%,
< 0.001) in the LD combined RT group.
LD combined RT improved survival outcomes with a higher conversion rate to curative surgery in patients with locally advanced HCC presenting PVTT. Although further prospective studies are warranted, active multimodal local treatment involving radiotherapy is suggested for locally advanced HCC presenting PVTT.
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a major cause of vision loss in diabetic patients. Hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress and the accumulation of inflammatory factors result in blood-retinal barrier ...dysfunction and the pathogenesis of DR.
L. extract (SDE), a traditional Chinese medicine, has been recently recognized for its various pharmacological effects, including anti-diabetic, anti-hyperlipidemia, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidative activities. However, there is no relevant research on the protective effect of SDE in DR. In this study, we treated high glucose (50 mM) in human retinal epithelial cells (ARPE-19) with different concentrations of SDE and analyzed cell viability, apoptosis, and ROS production. Moreover, we analyzed the expression of Akt, Nrf2, catalase, and HO-1, which showed that SDE dose-dependently reduced ROS production and attenuated ARPE-19 cell apoptosis in a high-glucose environment. Briefly, we demonstrated that SDE exhibited an anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory ability in protecting retinal cells from high-glucose (HG) treatment. Moreover, we also investigated the involvement of the Akt/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway in SDE-mediated protective effects. The results suggest SDE as a nutritional supplement that could benefit patients with DR.
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