Optimal Scheme of Retinal Image Enhancement using Curvelet Transform and Quantum Genetic Algorithm

( Zhixiao Wang ),( Xuebin Xu ),( Wenyao Yan ),( Wei Wei ),( Junhuai Li ),( Deyun Zhang ) 한국인터넷정보학회 2013 KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Syst Vol.7 No.11

A new optimal scheme based on curvelet transform is proposed for retinal image enhancement (RIE) using real-coded quantum genetic algorithm. Curvelet transform has better performance in representing edges than classical wavelet transform for its anisotropy and directional decomposition capabilities. For more precise reconstruction and better visualization, curvelet coefficients in corresponding subbands are modified by using a nonlinear enhancement mapping function. An automatic method is presented for selecting optimal parameter settings of the nonlinear mapping function via quantum genetic search strategy. The performance measures used in this paper provide some quantitative comparison among different RIE methods. The proposed method is tested on the DRIVE and STARE retinal databases and compared with some popular image enhancement methods. The experimental results demonstrate that proposed method can provide superior enhanced retinal image in terms of several image quantitative evaluation indexes.

Soluble Axl Is a Novel Diagnostic Biomarker of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Chinese Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection

Xiaoting Song,Ailu Wu,Zhixiao Ding,Shixiong Liang,Chunyan Zhang 대한암학회 2020 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.52 No.3

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of soluble Axl (sAxl) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in comparison with serum "-fetoprotein (AFP). Materials and Methods Eighty HCC patients, 80 liver cirrhosis patients (LC), 80 patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, and 80 healthy controls (HC) were enrolled. sAxl levels were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, serum AFP levels were measured by an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate diagnostic performances. Results The results show that levels of sAxl were high expression in patients with HCC (p < 0.05), varied with disease state as follows: HCC > LC > HC > HBV. Logistic regression and ROC curve analysis identified the optimal cut-off for sAxl in differentiating all HCC and non-HCC patients was 1,202 pg/mL (area under the receiver operating characteristic [AUC], 0.888; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.852 to 0.924) with sensitivity 95.0%, specificity 73.3%. Furthermore, differential diagnosis of early HCC with non-HCC patients for sAxl showed the optimal cut-off was 1,202 pg/mL (AUC, 0.881; 95% CI, 0.831 to 0.931; sensitivity, 94.1%; specificity, 73.3%). Among AFP-negative HCC patients with non-HCC patients, the cut-off was 1,301 pg/mL (AUC, 0.898; 95% CI, 0.854 to 0.942) with a sensitivity of 84.6%, a specificity of 76.3%. The optimal cut-off for sAxl in differentiating all HCC and chronic liver disease patients was 1,243 pg/mL (AUC, 0.840; 95% CI, 0.791 to 0.888) with sensitivity 93.8%, specificity 61.9%. The combination of AFP and sAxl increased diagnostic value for HCC. Conclusion sAxl outperforms AFP in detecting HCC, especially in early HCC and in AFP-negative HCC. Combination sAxl with AFP improved the specificity for early HCC diagnosis. In summary, sAxl is a candidate serum marker for diagnosing HCC.

Preparation of Nano-Convex and Nano-Concave-Patterned Polyimide Surfaces and their Nano-Tribological Behavior

Chunxia Wu,XIAOLIANG ZHANG,HONGWEI CHE,JINGBO MU,Guangshuo Wang,Zhixiao Zhang,Guohua Cui 성균관대학교(자연과학캠퍼스) 성균나노과학기술원 2017 NANO Vol.12 No.4

In this work, nano-convex-patterned polyimide surface (notated as 1-sample) and nano-concavepatterned polyimide surface (notated as 2-sample) were prepared by self-assembly and etching. Atomic force microscope (AFM) with a colloidal probe was used to examine the adhesion and nano-tribological behavior of the 1-sample and 2-sample. Results suggest that the 1-sample and 2-sample can decrease the surface friction and adhesive forces because of the decreased contact area between the contacting pairs. The friction forces of the 1-sample and 2-sample increased with the increase in sliding velocity and applied load. Moreover, the nano-concave pattern is more effective in reducing the adhesive force than the nano-convex pattern because of its higher surface roughness. However, the nano-convex patterning is more effective in reducing the friction force than the nano-concave patterning because of the smaller area of contact between the 2-sample and the colloidal probe.

Human Face Recognition using Multi-Class Projection Extreme Learning Machine

Xu, Xuebin,Wang, Zhixiao,Zhang, Xinman,Yan, Wenyao,Deng, Wanyu,Lu, Longbin The Institute of Electronics and Information Engin 2013 IEIE Transactions on Smart Processing & Computing Vol.2 No.6

An extreme learning machine (ELM) is an efficient learning algorithm that is based on the generalized single, hidden-layer feed-forward networks (SLFNs), which perform well in classification applications. Many studies have demonstrated its superiority over the existing classical algorithms: support vector machine (SVM) and BP neural network. This paper presents a novel face recognition approach based on a multi-class project extreme learning machine (MPELM) classifier and 2D Gabor transform. First, all face image features were extracted using 2D Gabor filters, and the MPELM classifier was used to determine the final face classification. Two well-known face databases (CMU-PIE and ORL) were used to evaluate the performance. The experimental results showed that the MPELM-based method outperformed the ELM-based method as well as other methods.

An Indoor Hybrid Localization Approach Based on Signal Propagation Model and Fingerprinting

Junhuai Li,Bo Zhang,Hailing Liu,Lei Yu,Zhixiao Wang 보안공학연구지원센터 2013 International Journal of Smart Home Vol.7 No.6

An Advanced RFID Localization Algorithm Based on Region Division and Error Compensation

( Junhuai Li ),( Guomou Zhang ),( Lei Yu ),( Zhixiao Wang ),( Jing Zhang ) 한국인터넷정보학회 2013 KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Syst Vol.7 No.4

In RSSI-based RFID(Radio Frequency IDentification) indoor localization system, the signal path loss model of each sub-region is different from others in the whole localization area due to the influence of the multi-path phenomenon and other environmental factors. Therefore, this paper divides the localization area into many sub-regions and constructs separately the signal path loss model of each sub-region. Then an improved LANDMARC method is proposed. Firstly, the deployment principle of RFID readers and tags is presented for constructing localization sub-region. Secondly, the virtual reference tags are introduced to create a virtual signal strength space with RFID readers and real reference tags in every sub-region. Lastly, k nearest neighbor (KNN) algorithm is used to locate the target object and an error compensating algorithm is proposed for correcting localization result. The results in real application show that the new method enhances the positioning accuracy to 18.2% and reduces the time cost to 30% of the original LANDMARC method without additional tags and readers

MiR-1165-3p Suppresses Th2 Differentiation via Targeting IL-13 and PPM1A in a Mouse Model of Allergic Airway Inflammation

Zhengxia Wang,Ningfei Ji,Zhongqi Chen,Zhixiao Sun,Chaojie Wu,Wenqing Yu,Fan Hu,Mao Huang,Mingshun Zhang 대한천식알레르기학회 2020 Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research Vol.12 No.5

Purpose: CD4+T cells are essential in the pathogenesis of allergic asthma. We have previously demonstrated that microRNA-1165-3p (miR-1165-3p) was significantly reduced in T-helper type (Th) 2 cells and that miR-1165-3p was a surrogate marker for atopic asthma. Little is known about the mechanisms of miR-1165-3p in the regulation of Th2-dominated allergic inflammation. We aimed to investigate the associations between Th2 differentiation and miR-1165b-3p in asthma as well as the possible mechanisms. Methods: CD4+ naïve T cells were differentiated into Th1 or Th2 cells in vitro. MiR-1165-3p was up-regulated or down-regulated using lentiviral systems during Th1/Th2 differentiation. In vivo, the lentiviral particles with the miR-1165-3p enhancer were administered by tail vein injection on the first day of a house dust mite -induced allergic airway inflammation model. Allergic inflammation and Th1/Th2 differentiation were routinely monitored. To investigate the potential targets of miR-1165-3p, biotin-microRNA pull-down products were sequenced, and the candidates were further verified with a dual-luciferase reporter assay. The roles of a target protein phosphatase, Mg2+/Mn2+-dependent 1A (PPM1A), in Th2 cell differentiation and allergic asthma were further explored. Plasma PPM1A was determined by ELISA in 18 subjects with asthma and 20 controls. Results: The lentivirus encoding miR-1165-3p suppressed Th2-cell differentiation in vitro. In contrast, miR-1165-3p silencing promoted Th2-cell development. In the HDM-induced model of allergic airway inflammation, miR-1165-3p up-regulation was accompanied by reduced airway hyper-responsiveness, serum immunoglobulin E, airway inflammation and Th2-cell polarization. IL-13 and PPM1A were the direct targets of miR-1165-3p. The expression of IL-13 or PPM1A was inversely correlated with that of miR-1165-3p. PPM1A regulated the signal transducer and activator of transcription and AKT signaling pathways during Th2 differentiation. Moreover, plasma PPM1A was significantly increased in asthmatic patients. Conclusions: MiR-1165-3p negatively may regulate Th2-cell differentiation by targeting IL-13 and PPM1A in allergic airway inflammation.

LincR-PPP2R5C Promotes Th2 Cell Differentiation Through PPP2R5C/PP2A by Forming an RNA–DNA Triplex in Allergic Asthma

Ji Ningfei,Chen Zhongqi,Wang Zhengxia,Sun Wei,Yuan Qi,Zhang Xijie,Jia Xinyu,Wu Jingjing,Jiang Jingxian,Song Meijuan,Xu Tingting,Liu Yanan,Ma Qiyun,Sun Zhixiao,Bao Yanmin,Zhang Mingshun,Huang Mao 대한천식알레르기학회 2024 Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research Vol.16 No.1

Purpose: The roles and mechanisms of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in T helper 2 (Th2) differentiation from allergic asthma are poorly understood. We aimed to explore a novel lncRNA, LincR-protein phosphatase 2 regulatory subunit B' gamma (PPP2R5C), in Th2 differentiation in a mouse model of asthma. Methods: LincR-PPP2R5C from RNA-seq data of CD4+ T cells of asthma-like mice were validated and confirmed by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, northern blotting, nuclear and cytoplasmic separation, and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Lentiviruses encoding LincR-PPP2R5C or shRNA were used to overexpress or silence LincR-PPP2R5C in CD4+ T cells. The interactions between LincR-PPP2R5C and PPP2R5C were explored with western blotting, chromatin isolation by RNA purification assay, and fluorescence resonance energy transfer. An ovalbumin-induced acute asthma model in knockout (KO) mice (LincR-PPP2R5C KO, CD4 conditional LincR-PPP2R5C KO) was established to explore the roles of LincR-PPP2R5C in Th2 differentiation. Results: LncR-PPP2R5C was significantly higher in CD4+ T cells from asthmatic mice ex vivo and Th2 cells in vitro. The lentivirus encoding LincR-PPP2R5C suppressed Th1 differentiation; in contrast, the short hairpin RNA (shRNA) lentivirus decreased LincR-PPP2R5C and Th2 differentiation. Mechanistically, LincR-PPP2R5C deficiency suppressed the phosphatase activity of the protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) holocomplex, resulting in a decline in Th2 differentiation. The formation of an RNA-DNA triplex between LincR-PPP2R5C and the PPP2R5C promoter enhanced PPP2R5C expression and activated PP2A. LincR-PPP2R5C KO and CD4 conditional KO decreased Th2 differentiation, airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammatory responses. Conclusions: LincR-PPP2R5C regulated PPP2R5C expression and PP2A activity by forming an RNA-DNA triplex with the PPP2R5C promoter, leading to Th2 polarization in a mouse model of acute asthma. Our data presented the first definitive evidence of lncRNAs in the regulation of Th2 cells in asthma.

Characterization and expression analysis of glutathione S-transferase genes from an aquatic predator Protohermes costalis (Megaloptera: Corydalidae) on exposure to cadmium

Yang-Jie Zhao,Huang Xingrui,Wen Fasheng,Huang Xinglong,Liu Zhixiao,Zhang Youxiang 한국응용곤충학회 2023 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.26 No.2

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are multifunctional detoxification enzymes which play important roles in protecting the organisms from environmental stress and are widely used as biomarkers for environmental bio monitoring studies. In this study, We investigated the GST activity in Protohermes costalis larvae, aquatic insects mainly found in oligotrophic fresh water environments, in response to cadmium (Cd) exposure. Eight GST genes in the larvae were identified and their expression patterns under Cd stress were determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The GST activity in the whole body was up-regulated by CdCl 2 in a dose-dependent manner and the midgut and malpighian tubules may be the main sites involved in GST activity regulation. The identified PcGSTs are members of cytosolic GST family containing the conserved glutathione-binding domain and substrate-binding domain. Six of them are highly enriched in malpighian tu bules, midgut or/and fat body. The expression level of PcGSTe1 was significantly up-regulated by 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, and 1 mM CdCl 2 treatments when compared with no Cd control. PcGSTs1 expression was significantly higher in 0.05 mM CdCl 2 and lower in 1 mM CdCl 2 compared with no Cd control. Other PcGSTs were up-regulated by different concentrations of CdCl 2 . Our results suggested that P. costalis midgut and malpighian tubules may be the main sites for GST activity regulation that induced by Cd in aqueous phase and increasing expression levels of different PcGST genes may be responsible for the GST activity up-regulation. Moreover, GST activity and gene expression in this insect may be used as biomarkers for future aquatic biomonitoring studies.