Pulse rate estimation based on facial videos:an evaluation and optimization of the classical methods using both self-constructed and public datasets

Pulse rate is one of the important characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine pulse diagnosis,and it is of great significance for determining the nature of cold and heat in diseases.The prediction of pulse rate based on facial video is an exciting research field for getting palpation information by observation diagnosis.However,most studies focus on optimizing the algorithm based on a small sample of participants without systematically investigating multiple influencing factors.A total of 209 participants and 2,435 facial videos,based on our self-constructed Multi-Scene Sign Dataset and the public datasets,were used to perform a multi-level and multi-factor comprehensive comparison.The effects of different datasets,blood volume pulse signal extraction algorithms,region of interests,time windows,color spaces,pulse rate calculation methods,and video recording scenes were analyzed.Furthermore,we proposed a blood volume pulse signal quality optimization strategy based on the inverse Fourier transform and an improvement strategy for pulse rate estimation based on signal-to-noise ratio threshold sliding.We found that the effects of video estimation of pulse rate in the Multi-Scene Sign Dataset and Pulse Rate Detection Dataset were better than in other datasets.Compared with Fast independent component analysis and Single Channel algorithms,chrominance-based method and plane-orthogonal-to-skin algorithms have a more vital anti-interference ability and higher robustness.The performances of the five-organs fusion area and the full-face area were better than that of single sub-regions,and the fewer motion artifacts and better lighting can improve the precision of pulse rate estimation.

Assessing pathological features of breast cancer via the multimodal information of multiphoton and Raman imaging

For unveiling the pathological evolution of breast cancer, nonlinear multiphoton microscopic(MPM) and confocal Raman microspectral imaging(CRMI) techniques were both utilized to address the structural and constitutional characteristics of healthy(H), ductal carcinoma in situ(DCIS), and invasive ductal carcinoma(IDC) tissues. MPM-based techniques,including two-photon excited fluorescence(TPEF) and second harmonic generation(SHG), visualized label-free and the fine structure of breast tissue. Meanwhile, CRMI not only presented the chemical images of investigated samples with the K-mean cluster analysis method(KCA), but also pictured the distribution of components in the scanned area through univariate imaging. MPM images illustrated that the cancer cells first arranged around the basement membrane of the duct,then proliferated to fill the lumens of the duct, and finally broke through the basement membrane to infiltrate into the stroma.Although the Raman imaging failed to visualize the cell structure with high resolution, it explained spectroscopically the gradual increase of nucleic acid and protein components inside the ducts as cancer cells proliferated, and displayed the distribution pattern of each biological component during the evolution of breast cancer. Thus, the combination of MPM and CRMI provided new insights into the on-site pathological diagnosis of malignant breast cancer, also ensured technical support for the development of multimodal optical imaging techniques for precise histopathological analysis.

Chinese Hα Solar Explorer(CHASE)——a complementary space mission to the ASO-S

The Chinese HαSolar Explorer(CHASE)is designed to test a newly developed satellite platform and conduct solar observations.The scientific payload of the satellite is an Hαimaging spectrograph(HIS),which can,for the first time,acquire full-disk spectroscopic solar observations in the Hαwaveband.This paper briefly introduces CHASE/HIS including its scientific objectives,technical parameters,scientific application system,etc.The CHASE mission is scheduled to launch in 2021.It will complement the observations by on-orbit solar spacecraft(such as SDO,IRIS,STEREO and PSP),as well as future solar missions of the Solar Orbiter and Advanced Space-based Solar Observatory(ASO-S).

Multiphoton microscopy for tumor regression grading after neoadjuvant treatment for colorectal carcinoma

AIM: To evaluate the feasibility of using multiphoton microscopy(MPM) to assess a tumor regression grading(TRG) system.METHODS: Fresh specimens from seven patients with colorectal carcinoma undergoing neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy at the Fujian Medical University Union Hospital were obtained immediately after proctectomy.Specimens were serially sectioned(10 μm thickness) and used for MPM or stained with hematoxylin and eosin for comparison.Sections were imaged by MPM using 810 nm excitation, and images were collected in two wavelength channels corresponding to second-harmonic generation(SHG) and two-photon excited fluorescence(TPEF) signals.The ratio of these signal intensities was used to distinguish fibrosis from normal mucosal and serosal tissues.RESULTS: TRG of specimens assessed by MPMwere in complete agreement with histologic grading performed by a consulting pathologist.SHG and TPEF images clearly revealed collagen fibers and fragmented elastic fibers in the muscularis propria specimens following neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy.Additionally, blood vessel hyperplasia was observed as thickening and fibrosis of the intima and media, which was accompanied by minimal inflammatory cell infiltration.Furthermore, the SHG/TPEF ratio in stromal fibrosis(4.15 ± 0.58) was significantly higher than those in the normal submucosal(2.31 ± 0.52) and serosal(1.47 ± 0.10) tissues(P < 0.001 for both).Analysis of emission spectra from cancerous tumor cells revealed two peaks corresponding to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide hydrogen and flavin adenine dinucleotide signals; the ratio of these values was 1.19 ± 0.02, which is close to a normal metabolic state.CONCLUSION: MPM can be used to perform realtime diagnosis of tumor response after neoadjuvant treatment, and can be applied to evaluate TRG.

THE EIGENVALUE PERTURBATION BOUND FOR ARBITRARY MATRICES

In this paper we present some new absolute and relative perturbation bounds for the eigenvalue for arbitrary matrices, which improves some recent results. The eigenvalue inclusion region is also discussed.

Features and therapeutic potential of T-cell receptors in high-grade glioma

Background: Previous studies have shown that endogenous T cells play an important role in the prolonged survival time of highgrade glioma (HGG) patients. Our objectives were to investigate the features of T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoires in HGG patients and to elucidate any potential therapeutic value. Methods: During November 2011 and December 2018, tumor tissues and blood samples of 35 patients with HGG who underwent surgery at Beijing Tiantan Hospital or Beijing Shijitan Hospital were selected after surgery. After isolating DNA from samples, multiple rounds of PCR were performed to establish a DNA immune repertoire (IR). Then, the sequences and frequencies of the complementarity-determining 3 (CDR3) region in TCR beta chain (TRB) were identified by high-throughput sequencing and IR analysis. A survival follow-up was conducted monthly thereafter until December 2018. Finally, the t test and Mann-Whitney test were used to compare statistical differences between two sets of data. Results: The Shannon diversity index (SHDI) of TRB sequences of HGG patients was significantly lower than that of healthy individuals (7.34 vs. 8.45, P = 0.001). The SHDI of TRB sequences of glioblastoma (GBM) patients with more than 16 months survival time was much higher than that of GBM patients with shorter survival times in both tumor tissues (3.48 ± 0.31 vs. 6.21 ± 0.33, t =-5.49, P = 0.002) and blood cells (6.02 ± 0.66 vs. 7.44 ± 0.32, t =-2.20, P = 0.036). In addition, patients achieved a distinctly higher proportion compared to that of healthy individuals in the proportion of TRBV9 and TRBV5 functional regions (9.83% vs. 6.83%, P = 0.001). Surgical tissue from patients who survived more than 16 months yielded a much higher proportion of TRBV4 and TRBV9 regions (7.14% vs. 3.28%, t = 3.18, P = 0.019). In surgical tissues from two GBM patients who survived for longer than 46 months, we found a potentially therapeutic TCR sequence. Conclusions: HGG patients have less species diversity of TCR repertoires compared with that of healthy individuals. TRBV9 regions in TCRs may be protective factors for long-term survival of GBM patients.

Study on the Mechanism of Qingre Huoxue Prescription in the Intervention and Treatment of Acute Myocardial Infarction Based on Network Pharmacology

Objective:The objective is to study the mechanism of Qingre Huoxue prescription in the intervention and treatment of acute myocardial infarction(AMI)based on the method of network pharmacology.Materials and Methods:Five databases were used to screen the chemical compounds and targets of Ligusticum wallichii(chuanxiong),Radix Paeoniae Rubra(chishao),Lignum acronychiae(jiangxiang),Safflower(honghua),Salvia miltiorrhiza(danshen),Scutellaria baicalensis(huangqin),and Ilex pubescens(mao dong qing)in Qingre Huoxue prescription.Furthermore,Cytoscape-V3.2.1 software was used to construct the drug-component-target network.Functional protein association networks'database and the Database for Annotation,Visualization,and Integrated Discovery(DAVID)were used to visualize the protein interaction,pathway enrichment,and analysis.Results:A total of 44 active ingredients were screened out in Qingre Huoxue prescription.Among them,178 targets and 41 compounds related to Qingre Huoxue prescription's function in treating AMI were obtained.After the analysis of the drug-component-action target network on Qingre Huoxue prescription,14 key compounds and nine key targets with three scores above average were obtained.In addition,pathway enrichment and biological processes were conducted with the aid of the DAVID;and 8 related pathways and 10 biological processes were associated with AMI and related diseases;the PI3 K-AKT signaling pathway,MAPK signaling pathway,and HIF-1 signaling pathway are the main pathways of Qingre Huoxue prescription for the treatment of AMI and related diseases.Conclusion:Qingre Huoxue prescription could treat AMI by multiple components,targets,and pathways.This study provides ideas and theoretical basis for further clinical studies on Qingre Huoxue prescription in treating AMI.

Study on the Biological Basis of Hypertension and Syndrome with Liver-Fire Hyperactivity Based on Data Mining Technology

Objective: To construct gene co-occurrence network of hypertension and liver-fire hyperactivity syndrome, to investigate the biological basis of hypertension and liver-fire hyperactivity syndrome and the characteristics of the molecular network from gene level.Materials and Methods: Applying Gen CLip 2.0 online platform to retrieve the up-to-date literature referred to essential hypertension from PubMed database, cluster the abnormal expression of essential hypertension-related genes and analyze their function, combining Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes-pathway analysis to investigate the closely related genes and the signaling molecules.Based on the genes closely related to hypertension, standard diagnostic symptoms of liver-fire hyperactivity were used as keywords to conduct hypertension liver-fire hyperactivity-related gene cluster analysis.Results: The top 1000 genes of essential hypertension were retrieved from GenCLip 2.0 online platform, which mainly clustered in the regulation of ambulatory blood pressure, regulation of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system(RAAS), and sympathetic nervous system activity, as well as endothelial dysfunction; the closely related genes of hypertension with liver-fire hyperactivity are related to RAAS, gene REN, angiotensin converting enzyme, angiotensinogen, and cytochrome P450 family CYP2D6.Conclusion: A combination of literature mining and data mining can construct the gene network of hypertension and the syndrome-related genes, which provides a new method for the study of the biological basis of hypertension from the genetic level.

Molecular Docking-Based Research on the Potential Anti-Encephalopathy Effect of Gentianine

Objective:Encephalopathy is increasingly threatening human health.It is correspondingly one of the concerns of society and medical community.As a natural source,traditional Chinese medicine has tremendous beneficial outcomes in various diseases including encephalopathy.Gentianine,a Chinese herbal compound,shows effectiveness in many diseases exclusively in inflammation.Therefore,this in vitro research was carried out to find its effectiveness in encephalopathy.Methodology:Ligand and proteins were searched and downloaded from ChemDraw and protein database,respectively.Sybyl-X2.0 docking software and its various functions were used to prepare ligand and proteins.Finally,gentianine was docked with proteins using Sybyl-X2.0 docking software.Results:Gentianine was docked with 20 protein targets.Compounds with C-score of 5 were selected.A total of three kinds of protein docked with gentianine(ABCC1,C-reactive protein[CRP],and NKX5-2)were selected.ABCC1 was expressed in the brain and was related to seizures and stroke.CRP was an inflammatory biomarker and related to seizures,epilepsy,stroke,and Parkinson’s disease.NKX2–5 was also known as cardiac transcription and related to cerebral palsy,Alzheimer’s disease,and stroke.All these targets were related to encephalopathy.Conclusion:Molecular docking findings in this study lead to the suggestion that gentianine might be helpful in treating encephalopathy.This study is expected to provide a solution to find potential anti-encephalopathy compounds.