ABSTRACT To address the problem of the low accuracy and poor robustness of modeling methods for imbalanced data sets of pig behavior identification and classification, the three commonly used re-sampling methods of under-sampling, SMOTE and Borderline-SMOTE are compared, and an adaptive boundary data augmentation algorithm AD-BL-SMOTE is proposed. The activity of the pigs was measured using triaxial accelerometers, which were fixed on the backs of the pigs. A multilayer feed-forward neural network was trained and validated with 21 input features to classify four pig activities: lying, standing, walking, and exploring. The results showed that re-sampling methods are an effective way to improve the performance of pig behavior identification and classification. Moreover, AD-BL-SMOTE could yield greater improvements in classification performance than the other three methods for balancing the training data set. The overall major mean accuracy of lying, standing, walking, and exploring by pigs A, B and C was significantly improved by using AD-BL-SMOTE, reaching 91.8%, 93.0% and 96.0%, respectively.

The development and clinical application of 2-methoxyestradiol (2-ME) as a new type of antitumor drug are limited due to its poor solubility, rapid metabolism in vivo, and large oral dosage. 2-ME-loaded pH-sensitive liposomes (2-ME-PSLs) was prepared containing the lipids, Lipoid E-80 (E-80), cholesteryl hemisuccinate (CHEMS), and cholesterol (CHOL) via thin-film ultrasonic dispersion. First, preparation conditions of 2-ME-PSLs were optimized by orthogonal test. Then 2-ME-PSL was characterized, and the release behavior and stability of 2-ME-PSL in vitro were evaluated. The optimal preparation conditions for 2-ME-PSLs were as follows: 2-ME : E-80+CHEMS 1:15; CHOL : E-80+CHEMS 1:5; ultrasonication time 20 minutes. The mean particle size, PDI, zeta potential, and entrapment efficiency (EE) of 2-ME-PSLs were 116 ± 9 nm, 0.161 ± 0.025, −22.4 ± 1.7 mV, and 98.6 ± 0.5%, respectively. As viewed under a transmission electron microscope, 2-ME-PSLs were well dispersed and almost spherical. They exhibited significant pH-sensitive properties and were fairly stable when diluted with a physiological solution. In conclusion, 2-ME-PSLs were successfully prepared and possessed a favorable pH sensitivity and good dissolution stability with a normal solution.

Abstract Local administration of toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9), agonist cytidine-phosphate-guanosine oligodeoxynucleotide (CpG ODNs), and CD40 ligand (CD40L) can decrease ligature-induced periodontal inflammation and bone loss in wild type (WT) mouse. Objective: This study aimed to explore whether such effect is dependent on TLR9 signaling. Material and Methods: Purified spleen B cells isolated from WT C57BL/6J mice and TLR9 knockout (KO) mice were cultured for 48 hours under the following conditions: CD40L, CpG+CD40L, CpG at low, medium and high doses. We determined B cell numbers using a hemocytometer at 24 h and 48 h. Percentages of CD1dhiCD5+ B cells were detected by flow cytometry. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) mRNA expression and protein secretion were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and by ELISA, respectively. The silk ligature was tied around the maxillary second molars for 14 days, during which the CpG+CD40L mixture or PBS was injected into palatal gingiva on days 3, 6, and 9. Results: For both WT and TLR9 KO mice, CpG significantly induced B cell proliferation, increased IL-10 mRNA expression and protein secretion of IL-10 but reduced CD1dhiCD5+ B cells population; local injection of CpG+CD40L mixture significantly decreased alveolar bone loss and the number of TRAP-positive cells adjacent to the alveolar bone surface, and significantly increased the gingival mRNA expression of IL-10 and decreased RANKL and IFN-γ mRNA expression. Conclusions: These results indicated that CpG plus CD40L decreased periodontal inflammation and alveolar bone loss in a TLR9-independent manner in ligature-induced experimental periodontitis.

ABSTRACT PURPOSE: To investigate the role of bradykinin in a rat lung transplantation (LTx) model and preliminarily discuss the relationship between bradykinin and CD26/DPP-4. METHODS: Rats were randomly divided into four groups: Control (CON), Sham, low potassium dextranglucose (LPD), and AB192 (n=15/group). Orthotopic single LTx was performed in the LPD and AB192 groups. The donor lungs were flush-perfused and preserved with low potassium dextranglucose (LPD) or LPD+CD26/DPP-4 catalytic inhibitor (AB192). LTx was performed after 18 h cold ischemia time and harvested two days post-LTx. Blood gas analysis (PO2), wet/dry weight ratio (W/D), myeloperoxidase activity (MPO), and lipid peroxidation (MDA) were analyzed at 48 hr after transplantation. Immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis was performed in the same sample and validated by Western-Blot. RESULTS: Compared to the LPD group, the AB192 group showed higher PO2, lower W/D ratio, and decreased MPO and MDA. IHC studies showed strong bradykinin β2 receptor (B2R) staining in the LPD group, especially in inflammatory cells, alveolar macrophages, and respiratory epithelial cells. Expression of B2R by Western-Blot was significantly different between the AB192 and LPD groups. CONCLUSION: Bradykinin may be a competitive substrate of DPP-4, and decreased bradykinin levels may enhance protective effects against ischemia/reperfusion injury during LTx.