A reliability-oriented genetic algorithm-levenberg marquardt model for leak risk assessment based on time-frequency features

Since leaks in high-pressure pipelines transporting crude oil can cause severe economic losses,a reliable leak risk assessment can assist in developing an effective pipeline maintenance plan and avoiding unexpected incidents.The fast and accurate leak detection methods are essential for maintaining pipeline safety in pipeline reliability engineering.Current oil pipeline leakage signals are insufficient for feature extraction,while the training time for traditional leakage prediction models is too long.A new leak detection method is proposed based on time-frequency features and the Genetic Algorithm-Levenberg Marquardt(GA-LM)classification model for predicting the leakage status of oil pipelines.The signal that has been processed is transformed to the time and frequency domain,allowing full expression of the original signal.The traditional Back Propagation(BP)neural network is optimized by the Genetic Algorithm(GA)and Levenberg Marquardt(LM)algorithms.The results show that the recognition effect of a combined feature parameter is superior to that of a single feature parameter.The Accuracy,Precision,Recall,and F1score of the GA-LM model is 95%,93.5%,96.7%,and 95.1%,respectively,which proves that the GA-LM model has a good predictive effect and excellent stability for positive and negative samples.The proposed GA-LM model can obviously reduce training time and improve recognition efficiency.In addition,considering that a large number of samples are required for model training,a wavelet threshold method is proposed to generate sample data with higher reliability.The research results can provide an effective theoretical and technical reference for the leakage risk assessment of the actual oil pipelines.

Short-term Celecoxib intervention is a safe and effective chemopreventive for gastric carcinogenesis based on a Mongolian gerbil model

AIM： To evaluate the optimal intervention point of a selective cyclooxygenase-2 （COX-2） inhibitor, Celecoxib, for inhibiting Helicobacter pylori （H pylori-associated gastric carcinogenesis in Mongolian gerbils （MGs）.METHODS： One hundred and twelve MGs were divided into six groups （A-F）. One hundred gerbils were inoculated with H pylor/（groups A-E）. Twelve gerbils were inoculated with vehicle broth only （group F）. After 4 wk, they were given N＇-methyl-N＇ -nitro-N-nitroso-guanidine （MNNG） （50 μg/mL） in the drinking water for 20 wk. in groups B-E, the animals were given the stock Celecoxib （10 mg/kg per day） diet from the 21st, 31st, 21st and 41st week respectively. The periods of administering Celecoxib were 30, 20, 20, and 15 wk respectively. On the 51st week, the animals were sacrificed for histological examination. Local PCNA expression was examined by the immunohistochemistry method. The expression of COX-2 protein was assessed by Western Blot. Analysis used the 2 test. The difference was regarded as significant when P value was less than 0.05. RESULTS： Seventeen percent （17/100） of H pyloriinfected MGs developed gastric cancer. All of these lesions were well-differentiated adenocarcinoma. The incidence rates of adenocarcinoma in groups A-F were 40%, 0%, 0%, 20%, 25%, and 0% respectively. The inflammatory scores were higher in group B than in other groups. There was no inflammatory response noted in group F. Celecoxib treatment resulted in a significant reduction in the proliferation of H pyloriinfected mucosal cells （groups B, C and D） （P 〈 0.01）. The expression of COX-2 protein was significantly attenuated in the groups which were Celecoxib-treated for more than 20 wk （groups B, C, D）. The groups treated with Celecoxib had a significantly lower rate of advanced gastric cancer （34% vs 75%, P 〈 0.001） There were no sudden deaths in any of the groups. CONCLUSION： Short-term treatment with Celecoxib has an anti-carcinogenic effect, and resulted in less severe inflammation and inhibited the invasive degree of gastric cancer.

Superior mesenteric artery syndrome in a diabetic patient with acute weight loss

Superior mesenteric artery(SMA)syndrome is an un- common disease resulting compression of the third portion of the duodenum from the superior mesenteric artery.This disease shares many common manifestations with diabetic gastroparesis,including postprandial fullness,nausea,vomiting,and bloating.Therefore,it is often overlooked in diabetic patients.Here,we report a 41-year-old man with poorly controlled diabetic mellitus who developed SMA syndrome due to rapid weight loss. The diagnosis was confirmed by computed tomography and an upper gastrointestinal series.His condition improved after parenteral nutrient,strict sugar control, and gradual weight gain.

Evaluation of urine ELISA test for detecting Helicobacter pylori infection in Taiwan: A prospective study

AIM： To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and clinical utility of a new ELISA （URINELISA） test for detecting Helicobacter pylori （H pylorl） antibody in the urine of Taiwan Residents population. METHODS： In this prospective study, 317 consecutive dyspeptic patients （171 men, 146 women; mean age, 51.0 years） were included. They underwent gastroendoscopy for evaluation. Invasive tests, including culture, histology, and rapid urease test （RUT）, and non-invasive ^13C-urea breath test were preformed. At the same time, urine specimens were collected for URINELISA. The status of H pylori infection was considered as positive when either culture was positive, or when two of the other, RUT, histology or 13C-UBT, were positive. RESULTS： The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of URINELISA are 91.7% （211/230）, 90.8% （79/87）, 96.3% （211/219）, and 80.6% （79/98） respectively. CONCLUSION： This URINELISA test is reliable, inexpensive and easy-to-use. The high diagnostic accuracy warrants the use of URINELISA as a first-line screening tool for diagnosis of Hpyloriinfection in untreated patients.

The best method of detecting prior Helicobacter pylorimfection

AIM： Prior Helicobacterpylori （Hpylori infection has often been underestimated. These underestimations have misled physicians attempting to determine the significance between Hpyloriand certain gastrointestinal lesions such as intestinal metaplasia, atrophic gastritis, and gastric cancer. Our study endeavored to debit past Hppylorinfections accurately, easily, and rapidly with the newly developed irnmunoblot kit, Helico Blot 2.1. METHODS： Thirty-three patients, including 25 H pylori infected and 8 uninfected cases, were enrolled in our study. All patients received consecutive gastroendoscopic examinations and ^3C-urea breath test （UBT） tests at 6- or 12-mo intervals for up to 4 years. Serum samples were obtained from each patient at the same time. Intragastric H pylori infection was confirmed in accordance with the gold standard. Twenty-five H pylori-infected patients received triple therapies after initial bacterial confirmation, and were successful in eradicating their infections. Serially obtained sera were tested by means of Helico Blot 2.1. RESULTS： Current infection marker detected by Helico Blot 2.1 was unreliable for representing ongoing Hpylori infection. Only 35 and 37 ku antibodies of H pylorihad significant seroconversion rates 1 year after having been cured. The seroposiUve rates of 116 ku （cytotoxin-associated antigen [CagA]） and Helico Blot 2.1 were nearly 100% during 4-year follow-up period. Both CagA antigen and Helico blot 2.1 could serve as indicators of long-term H pylori infection. CONCLUSION： Helico Blot 2.1 can detect past H pylori infections for up to 4 years, and is the best method to date for detecting previous long-term H pylori infection. 2005 The WJG Press and Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Detection of genotypic clarithromycin-resistant Helicobacter pylori by string tests

AIM: To evaluate the utility of the string test to detect genotypic clarithromycin-resistant Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism.

Life and death:the destiny of Phytophthora sojae determined by a receptor-like kinase

Leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinases(LRR-RLKs)are well known to act in plant growth,development,and defense responses.Plant LRR-RLKs locate on cell surface to sense and initiate responsive signals to a variety of extracellular stimuli,such as microbe-associated molecular patterns(MAMPs)released from microorganisms.LRR-RLKs are also present in microbes and function in microbial growth and development,but their roles in communicating with hosts are largely unknown.A recent study published in Nature Communications uncovered that a microbial LRR-RLK,PsRLK6,is required for oospore development in the sexual reproduction of Phytophthora sojae,an oomycete pathogen that causes root and stem rot in soybean.Meanwhile,PsRLK6 is recognized as a novel type of MAMP by an unknown plant LRR receptor-like protein and triggers immune responses in soybean,tomato,and Nicotiana benthamiana.The findings reveal dual roles of a pathogen LRR-RLK in determining both life through sexual reproduction and death through triggering plant immunity.

Hydroxychloroquine-lnduced Psoriasis-form Erythroderma in a Patient with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

To the Editor： Hydroxychloroquine （HCQ） is commonly used in systemic lupus erythematosus （SLE）, rheumatoid arthritis, and other autoimmune disorders. We report a case of psoriasis-form erythroderma induced by HCQ in an SLE patient. Thus, rheumatologists and dermatologists should be aware of the possibility of HCQ-induced psoriasis-form lesions.

Infection of Ustilaginoidea virens intercepts rice seed formation but activates grain-filling-related genes

Rice false smut has become an increasingly serious disease in rice （Oryza sativa L.） production worldwide. The typical feature of this disease is that the fungal pathogen Ustilaginoidea virens （Uv） specifical y infects rice flower and forms false smut bal , the ustiloxin-containing bal-like fungal colony, of which the size is usual y several times larger than that of a mature rice seed. However, the underlying mechanisms of Uv-rice interac-tion are poorly understood. Here, we applied time-course microscopic and transcriptional approaches to investigate rice responses to Uv infection. The results demonstrated that the flower-opening process and expression of associated transcription factors, including ARF6 and ARF8, were inhibited in Uv-infected spikelets. The ovaries in infected spikelets were interrupted in fertilization and thus were unable to set seeds. However, a number of grain-fil ing-related genes, including seed storage protein genes, starch anabolism genes and endosperm-specific transcription factors （RISBZ1 and RPBF）, were highly transcribed as if the ovaries were fertilized. In addition, critical defense-related genes like NPR1 and PR1 were downregulated by;Uv infection. Our data imply that Uv may hijack host nutrient reservoir by activation of the grain-fil ing network because of growth and formation of false smut bal s.

omocysteine： A Potential Common Route for Cardiovascular Risk and DNA Methylation in Psoriasis

Objective： Homocysteine is a sulfur-containing amino acid with potential clinical significance. Abnormal homocysteine levels have been found in patients with psoriasis. This review summarizes the possible correlations among homocysteine, cardiovascular risk, and DNA methylation in psoriasis. Data Sources： We retrieved the articles published in English from the PubMed database up to January 2017, using the keywords including ＂psoriasis,＂ ＂homocysteine,＂ ＂cardiovascular risk,＂ ＂DNA methylation,＂ ＂methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase,＂ ＂MTHFR,＂ and ＂MTHFR C677T.＂ Study Selection： Articles about the roles of homocysteine in the cardiovascular risk and DNA methylation in psoriasis were obtained and reviewed. Results： Observational studies consistently reported that elevated homocysteine is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Several studies also consistently reported an association between psoriasis and increased cardiovascular risk. A substantial body of evidence also suggested that an elevated homocysteine level is related to the demethylation of DNA. Data from clinical trials also demonstrated that MTHFR C677T polymorphisms as well as DNA methylation aberrations are associated with psoriasis. Conclusions： This review highlighted the relationships among homocysteine, cardiovascular risk, and DNA methylation, suggesting that homocysteine may be a biological link between cardiovascular risk and DNA methylation in psoriasis.

PAPP2C Interacts with the Atypical Disease Resistance Protein RPW8.2 and Negatively Regulates Salicylic Acid-Dependent Defense Responses in Arabidopsis

Many fungal and oomycete pathogens differentiate a feeding structure named the haustorium to extract nutrition from the plant epidermal cell. The atypical resistance （R） protein RPW8.2 activates salicylic acid （SA）-dependent, haustorium-targeted defenses against Golovinomyces spp., the causal agents of powdery mildew diseases on multiple plant species. How RPW8.2 activates defense remains uncharacterized. Here, we report that RPWS.2 interacts with the phytochrome-associated protein phosphatase type 2C （PAPP2C） in yeast and in planta as evidenced by co- immunoprecipitation and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays. Down-regulation of PAPP2C by RNA interfer- ence （RNAi） in Col-0 plants lacking RPWS.2 leads to leaf spontaneous cell death and enhanced disease resistance to powdery mildew via the SA-dependent signaling pathway. Moreover, down-regulation of PAPP2C by RNAi in the RPW8.2 background results in strong HR-like cell death, which correlates with elevated RPWS.2 expression. We further demonstrate that hemagglutinin （HA）-tagged PAPP2C prepared from tobacco leaf cells transiently transformed with HA-PAPP2C possesses phosphatase activity. In addition, silencing a rice gene （Os04g0452000） homologous to PAPP2C also results in spontaneous cell death in rice. Combined, our results suggest that RPW8.2 is functionally connected with PAPP2C and that PAPP2C negatively regulates SA-dependent basal defense against powdery mildew in Arabidopsis.

Overproduction of OsRACK1A,an effector-targeted scaffold protein promoting OsRBOHB-mediated ROS production,confers rice floral resistance to false smut disease without yield penalty

Grain formation is fundamental for crop yield but is vulnerable to abiotic and biotic stresses.Rice grain production is threatened by the false smut fungus Ustilaginoidea virens,which specifically infects rice floral organs,disrupting fertilization and seed formation.However,little is known about the molecular mechanisms of the U.virens-rice interaction and the genetic basis of floral resistance.Here,we report that U.virens secretes a cytoplasmic effector,UvCBP1,to facilitate infection of rice flowers.Mechanistically,UvCBP1 interacts with the rice scaffold protein OsRACK1A and competes its interaction with the reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase OsRBOHB,leading to inhibition of reactive oxygen species(ROS)production.Although the analysis of natural variation revealed no OsRACK1A variants that could avoid being targeted by UvCBP1,expression levels of OsRACK1A are correlated with field resistance against U.virens in rice germplasm.Overproduction of OsRACK1A restores the OsRACK1A-OsRBOHB association and promotes OsRBOHB phosphorylation to enhance ROS production,conferring rice floral resistance to U.virens without yield penalty.Taken together,our findings reveal a new pathogenic mechanism mediated by an essential effector from a flower-specific pathogen and provide a valuable genetic resource for balancing disease resistance and crop yield.

Osa-miR1873 fine-tunes rice immunity against Magnaporthe oryzae and yield traits

MicroRNAs(miRNAs)are known to fine-tune growth,development,and stress-induced responses.Osa-miR1873 is a rice-specific miRNA targeting LOC_Os05g01790.Here,we show that Osa-miR1873 fine-tunes rice immunity against Magnaporthe oryzae and yield traits via LOC_Os05g01790.Osa-miR1873 was significantly upregulated in a susceptible accession but downregulated in a resistance accession at 24 h post-inoculation(hpi)of M.oryzae.Overexpressing Osa-miR1873 enhanced susceptibility to M.oryzae and compromised induction of defense responses.In contrast,blocking Osa-miR1873 through target mimicry compromised susceptibility to M.oryzae and enhanced induction of defense responses.Altered expression of Osa-miR1873 also resulted in some defects in yield traits,including grain numbers and seed setting rate.Moreover,overexpression of the target gene LOC_Os05g01790 increased rice blast disease resistance but severely penalized growth and yield.Taken together,we demonstrate that Osa-miR1873 fine-tunes the rice immunity-growth trade-off via LOC_Os05g01790,and blocking Osa-miR1873 could improve blast disease resistance without significant yield penalty.Thus,the Osa-miR1873-LOC_Os05g01790 regulatory module is valuable in balancing yield traits and blast resistance.

Effects of a controlled-release fertilizer on yield, nutrient uptake, and fertilizer usage efficiency in early ripening rapeseed(Brassica napus L.)

Background： Nitrogen（N）, phosphorous（P）, and potassium（K） are critical nutrient elements necessary for crop plant growth and development. However, excessive inputs will lead to inefficient usage and cause excessive nutrient losses in the field environment, and also adversely affect the soil, water and air quality, human health, and biodiversity. Methods： Field experiments were conducted to study the effects of controlled-release fertilizer（CRF） on seed yield, plant growth, nutrient uptake, and fertilizer usage efficiency for early ripening rapeseed（Xiangzayou 1613） in the red-yellow soil of southern China during 2011–2013. It was grown using a soluble fertilizer（SF） and the same amounts of CRF, such as SF1/CRF1（3750 kg/hm^2）, SF2/CRF2（3000 kg/hm^2）, SF3/CRF3（2250 kg/hm^2）, SF4/CRF4（1500 kg/hm^2）, SF5/CRF5（750 kg/hm^2）, and also using no fertilizer（CK）. Results： CRF gave higher seed yields than SF in both seasons by 14.51%. CRF4 and SF3 in each group achieved maximum seed yield（2066.97 and 1844.50 kg/hm^2, respectively）, followed by CRF3（1929.97 kg/hm^2） and SF4（1839.40 kg/hm^2）. There were no significant differences in seed yield among CK, SF1, and CRF1（P0.05）. CRF4 had the highest profit（7126.4 CNY/hm2） and showed an increase of 12.37% in seed yield, and it decreased by 11.01% in unit fertilizer rate compared with SF4. The branch number, pod number, and dry matter weight compared with SF increased significantly under the fertilization of CRF（P0.05）. The pod number per plant was the major contributor to seed yield. On the other hand, the N, P, and K uptakes increased at first and then decreased with increasing the fertilizer rate at maturity, and the N, P, and K usage efficiency decreased with increasing the fertilizer rate. The N, P, and K uptakes and usage efficiencies of the CRF were significantly higher than those of SF（P0.05）. The N accumulation and N usage efficiency of CRF increased by an average of 13.66% and 9.74 percentage points, respectively, compared to SF. In conclusion, CRF significantly promoted the growth of rapeseed with using total N as the base fertilizer, by providing sufficient N in the later growth stages, and last by reducing the residual N in the soil and increasing the N accumulation and N usage efficiency.

Osa-miR167d facilitates infection of Magnaporthe oryzae in rice

MicroRNAs(miRNAs)play important roles in rice response to Magnaporthe oryzae,the causative agent of rice blast disease.Studying the roles of rice miRNAs is of great significance for the disease control.Osa-miR167d belongs to a conserved miRNA family targeting auxin responsive factor(ARF)genes that act in developmental and stress-induced responses.Here,we show that OsamiR167d plays a negative role in rice immunity against M.oryzae by suppressing its target gene.The expression of Osa-miR167d was significantly suppressed in a resistant accession at and after 24 h post inoculation(hpi),however,its expression was significantly increased at 24 hpi in the susceptible accession upon M.oryzae infection.Transgenic rice lines over-expressing Osa-miR167d were highly susceptible to multiple blast fungal strains.By contrast,transgenic lines expressing a target mimicry to block OsamiR167d enhanced resistance to rice blast disease.In addition,knocking out the target gene ARF12 led to hypersusceptibility to multiple blast fungal strains.Taken together,our results indicate that Osa-miR167d negatively regulate rice immunity to facilitate the infection of M.oryzae by downregulating ARF12.Thus,Osa-miR167d-ARF12 regulatory module could be valuable in improvement of blast-disease resistance.

Skin Microbiome： An Actor in the Pathogenesis of Psoriasis

INTRODUCTION Psoriasis is characterized by raised, scaly, well-demarcated, erythematous oval plaques. Although studies have revealed that disruption of immune tolerance and excessive production of inflammatory factors play important roles in the pathogenesis of psoriasis, the exact mechanism is still not clear Previous studies have shown that the concordance rate of monozygotic twins with psoriasis is greater than that of dizygotic twins, with genetic thctors underpinning 66-90% of the variation in risk of developing psoriasis.

ANNEXIN 8 negatively regulates RPW8.1-mediated cell death and disease resistance in Arabidopsis

Study on the regulation of broad-spectrum resistance is an active area in plant biology. RESISTANCE TO POWDERY MILDEW 8.1(RPW8.1)is one of a few broad-spectrum resistance genes triggering the hypersensitive response(HR) to restrict multiple pathogenic infections. To address the question how RPW8.1 signaling is regulated,we performed a genetic screen and tried to identify mutations enhancing RPW8.1-mediated HR.Here, we provided evidence to connect an annexin protein with RPW8.1-mediated resistance in Arabidopsis against powdery mildew. We isolated and characterized Arabidopsis b7-6 mutant.A point mutation in b7-6 at the At5 g12380 locus resulted in an amino acid substitution in ANNEXIN8(AtANN8). Loss-of-function or RNA-silencing of AtANN8 led to enhanced expression of RPW8.1,RPW8.1-dependent necrotic lesions in leaves, and defense against powdery mildew. Conversely,over-expression of AtANN8 compromised RPW8.1-mediated disease resistance and cell death. Interestingly, the mutation in AtANN8 enhanced RPW8.1-triggered H2O2. In addition, mutation in AtANN8 led to hypersensitivity to salt stress. Together, our data indicate that AtANN8 is involved in multiple stress signaling pathways and negatively regulates RPW8.1-mediated resistance against powdery mildew and cell death, thus linking ANNEXIN’s function with plant immunity.

Protein trafficking during plant innate immunity

Plants have evolved a sophisticated immune system to fight against pathogenic microbes. Upon detection of pathogen invasion by immune receptors, the immune system is turned on, resulting in production of antimicrobial molecules including pathogenesis-related（PR） proteins.Conceivably, an efficient immune response depends on the capacity of the plant cell＇s protein/membrane trafficking network to deploy the right defense-associated molecules in the right place at the right time. Recent research in this area shows that while the abundance of cell surface immune receptors is regulated by endocytosis, many intracellular immune receptors, when activated, are partitioned between the cytoplasm and the nucleus for induction of defense genes and activation of programmed cell death, respectively. Vesicle transport is an essential process for secretion of PR proteins to the apoplastic space and targeting of defense-related proteins to the plasma membrane or other endomembrane compartments. In this review, we discuss the various aspects of protein trafficking during plant immunity, with a focus on the immunity proteins on the move and the major components of the trafficking machineries engaged.

Recurrent generalized pustular psoriasis possibly triggered by apremilast

To the Editor:Generalized pustular psoriasis(GPP)is a rare,life-threatening skin disease characterized by recurrent episodes of pustulation.Apremilast,a phosphodiesterase 4(PDE4)inhibitor,is a relatively new drug for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.Herein,we reported a patient of recurrent GPP possibly triggered by apremilast.