Modified beluga whale optimization with multi-strategies for solving engineering problems

Jia Heming,Wen Qixian,Wu Di,Wang Zhuo,WANG YUHAO,Wen Changsheng,Abualigah Laith 한국CDE학회 2023 Journal of computational design and engineering Vol.10 No.6

The beluga whale optimization (BWO) algorithm is a recently proposed metaheuristic optimization algorithm that simulates three behaviors: beluga whales interacting in pairs to perform mirror swimming, population sharing information to cooperate in predation, and whale fall. However, the optimization performance of the BWO algorithm still needs to be improved to enhance its practicality. This paper proposes a modified beluga whale optimization (MBWO) with a multi-strategy. It was inspired by beluga whales’ two behaviors: group gathering for foraging and searching for new habitats in long-distance migration. This paper proposes a group aggregation strategy (GAs) and a migration strategy (Ms). The GAs can improve the local development ability of the algorithm and accelerate the overall rate of convergence through the group aggregation fine search; the Ms randomly moves towards the periphery of the population, enhancing the ability to jump out of local optima. In order to verify the optimization ability of MBWO, this article conducted comprehensive testing on MBWO using 23 benchmark functions, IEEE CEC2014, and IEEE CEC2021. The experimental results indicate that MBWO has a strong optimization ability. This paper also tests MBWO’s ability to solve practical engineering optimization problems through five practical engineering problems. The final results prove the effectiveness of MBWO in solving practical engineering optimization problems.

Combined fine-needle aspiration with core needle biopsy for assessing thyroid nodules: a more valuable diagnostic method?

Zhe Chen,Jia-jia Wang,Dong-ming Guo,Yu-xia Zhai,Zhuo-zhi Dai,Hong-hui Su 대한초음파의학회 2023 ULTRASONOGRAPHY Vol.42 No.2

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of combined fine-needle aspiration (FNA) with core needle biopsy (CNB) in thyroid nodules. Methods: FNA and CNB were performed simultaneously on 703 nodules. We compared the proportions of inconclusive results and the diagnostic performance for malignancy among FNA, CNB, and combined FNA/CNB for different nodule sizes. Results: Combined FNA/CNB showed lower proportions of inconclusive results than CNB for all nodules (2.8% vs. 5.7%, P<0.001), nodules ≤1.0 cm (4.9% vs. 7.3%, P=0.063), nodules >1.0 cm (2.0% vs. 5.0 %, P<0.001), nodules ≤1.5 cm (3.8% vs. 7.9 %, P<0.001), and nodules >1.5 cm (2.1% vs. 3.9 %, P=0.016). The sensitivity of combined FNA/CNB in predicting malignancy was significantly higher than that of CNB (89.0% vs. 80.0%, P<0.001) and FNA (89.0% vs. 58.1%, P<0.001) for all nodules. Within American College of Radiology Thyroid and Imaging Reporting and Data System grades 4-5, in the subgroup of nodules ≤1.5 cm, combined FNA/ CNB showed the best sensitivity in predicting malignancy (91.4%), significantly higher than that of CNB (81.0%, P<0.001) and FNA (57.8%, P<0.001). However, in the subgroup of nodules >1.5 cm, the difference between combined FNA/CNB and CNB was not significant (84.2% vs. 78.9%, P=0.500). Conclusion: Regardless of nodule size, combined FNA/CNB tended to yield lower proportions of inconclusive results than CNB or FNA alone and exhibited higher performance in diagnosing malignancy. The combined FNA/CNB technique may be a more valuable diagnostic method for nodules ≤1.5 cm and nodules with a risk of malignancy than CNB and FNA alone.

Prognostic Values of Various Clinical Factors and Genetic Subtypes for Diffuse Large B-cell lymphoma Patients: A Retrospective Analysis of 227 Cases

Zhou, De,Xie, Wan-Zhuo,Hu, Ke-Yue,Huang, Wei-Jia,Wei, Guo-Qing,He, Jing-Song,Shi, Ji-Min,Luo, Yi,Li, Li,Zhu, Jing-Jing,Zhang, Jie,Lin, Mao-Fang,Ye, Xiu-Jin,Cai, Zhen,Huang, He Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.2

Aim: To analyze the significance of different clinical factors for prognostic prediction in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients. Methods: Two hundred and twenty-seven DLBCL patients were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were managed with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP) regimen or rituximab plus the CHOP (RCHOP) regimen. Results: Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), ${\beta}2$-microglobulin (${\beta}2$-M), B symptoms, Ann Arbor stage and genetic subtypes were statistically relevant in predicting the prognosis of the overall survival (OS). In the CHOP group, the OS in patients with germinal center B-cell-like (GCB)(76.2%) was significantly higher than that of the non-GCB group (51.9%, P=0.032). With RCHOP management, there was no statistical difference in OS between the GCB (88.4%) and non-GCB groups (81.9%, P=0.288). Conclusion: Elevated LDH and ${\beta}2$-M levels, positive B symptoms, Ann Arbor stage III/IV, and primary nodal lymphoma indicate an unfavorable prognosis of DLBCL patients. Patients with GCB-like DLBCL have a better prognosis than those with non-GCB when treated with the CHOP regimen. The RCHOP treatment with the addition of rituximab can improve the prognosis of patients with DLBCL.

Evidence for a role of CaMKIV in the development of opioid analgesic tolerance

Ko, Shanelle W.,Jia, Yongheng,Xu, Hui,Yim, Se-Jeong,Jang, Dong-Hyuk,Lee, Yong-Seok,Zhao, Ming-Gao,Toyoda, Hiroki,Wu, Long-Jun,Chatila, Talal,Kaang, Bong-Kiun,Zhuo, Min Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2006 The European journal of neuroscience Vol.23 No.8

<P>Abstract</P><P>cAMP response-element binding protein (CREB), a transcription factor involved in learning, memory and drug addiction, is phosphorylated by calcium–calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IV (CaMKIV). Here, we show that CaMKIV-knockout (KO) mice developed less analgesic tolerance after chronic morphine administration with no alteration in physical dependence or acute morphine-induced analgesia. The increase in phosphorylated CREB expression observed in wild-type mice after chronic morphine was absent in CaMKIV-KO mice, while there was no difference in the expression or phosphorylation of the µ-opioid receptor between groups. Morphine-treated CaMKIV-KO mice showed less G-protein uncoupling from the µ-opioid receptor than did wild-type mice, while uncoupling was similar in control wild-type and KO mice. In addition, morphine reduced inhibitory transmission to a greater degree in CaMKIV-KO mice than in controls after chronic morphine exposure. Our results provide novel evidence for the role of CaMKIV in the development of opioid analgesic tolerance but not physical dependence.</P>

Anti-proliferative Effects of Atractylis lancea (Thunb.) DC. via Down-regulation of the c-myc/hTERT/Telomerase Pathway in Hep-G2 Cells

Guo, Wei-Qiang,Li, Liang-Zhi,He, Zhuo-Yang,Zhang, Qi,Liu, Jia,Hu, Cui-Ying,Qin, Fen-Ju,Wang, Tao-Yun Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.11

Atractylis lancea (Thunb.) DC. (AL), an important medicinal herb in Asia, has been shown to have anti-tumor effects on cancer cells, but the involved mechanisms are poorly understood. This study focused on potential effects and molecular mechanisms of AL on the proliferation of the Hep-G2 liver cancer cell line in vitro. Cell viability was assessed by MTT test in Hep-G2 cells incubated with an ethanol extract of AL. Then, the effects of AL on apoptosis and cell cycle progression were determined by flow cytometry. Telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) assays was performed to investigate telomerase activity. The mRNA and protein expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) and c-myc were determined by real-time RT-PCR and Western blotting. Our results show that AL effectively inhibits proliferation in Hep-G2 cells in a concentrationand time-dependent manner. When Hep-G2 cells were treated with AL after 48h,the $IC_{50}$ was about 72.1 ${\mu}g/mL$. Apoptosis was induced by AL via arresting the cells in the G1 phase. Furthermore, AL effectively reduced telomerase activity through inhibition of mRNA and protein expression of hTERT and c-myc. Hence, these data demonstrate that AL exerts anti-proliferative effects in Hep-G2 cells via down-regulation of the c-myc/hTERT/telomerase pathway.

Cyclooxygenase-2 Polymorphisms and Susceptibility to Colorectal Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

Jun Wang,Xufeng Guo,Jixiang Zhang,Jia Song,Mengyao Ji,Shijie Yu,Jing Wang,Zhuo Cao,Weiguo Dong 연세대학교의과대학 2013 Yonsei medical journal Vol.54 No.6

Purpose: Four polymorphisms, -765G>C, -1195G>A, 8473T>C, and Val511Ala, in the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene were identified to be associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) risk. However, the results are inconsistent. The objective of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the association between these four polymorphisms and the risk of CRC. Materials and Methods: All eligible case-control studies published up to December 2012 on the association between the four polymorphisms of COX-2 and CRC risk were identified by searching PubMed and Web of Science. The CRC risk associated with the four polymorphisms of the COX-2 gene was estimated for each study by odds ratio (OR) together with its 95% confidence interval (CI), respectively. Results: A total of 15 case-control studies were included. Overall, no evidence has indicated that the -1195A allele, -765C allele, 8473C allele, and 511Ala allele are associated with susceptibility to CRC (-1195G>A: OR=1.11, 95% CI: 0.82-1.51, p=0.78; -765G>C: OR=1.08, 95% CI: 0.96-1.21, p=0.07; 8473T>C: OR=1.03, 95% CI: 0.89-1.18, p=0.91; Val511Ala:OR=0.71, 95% CI: 0.46-1.09, p=0.94). However, stratified analysis with ethnicity indicated that individuals with -765GC or GC/CC genotypes had an increased risk of CRC among Asian populations (GC vs. GG: OR=1.05, 95% CI: 0.87-1.28, p=0.03; GC+CC vs. GG: OR=1.08, 95% CI: 0.96-1.21, p=0.07). Conclusion: This meta-analysis indicated that -765G>C polymorphism was significantly associated with susceptibility to CRC in Asian populations.

Modelling of Acoustic Waves Propagating in Nesting Fibonacci Super-Lattice Phononic Crystal

Min Zhao,Hai-Feng Qi,Jia-Hui Xu,Ya-Zhuo Xie,Xing-Gan Zhang,Jian Gao 대한금속·재료학회 2014 METALS AND MATERIALS International Vol.20 No.4

Herein, we report construction of one kind of nesting-Fibonacci-super-lattice phononic crystal, in whichthe super-lattice cell is a well-defined Fibonacci generation sequence. We present a comparative study onband-gap structures of acoustic waves propagating in one-dimensional, nesting Fibonacci-periodic structureand simple-periodic structure. We find that there are more band gaps in nesting Fibonacci super-latticemodels, and that they present behavior different from the split-up of band gaps with different generationnumbers. With the increase of generation number, more band gaps split and occur. Additionally, whengeneration number becomes larger, Bragg scattering becomes more significant: the characteristic curvesbecome flatter and band gaps become wider. Furthermore, we study the effect of various parameters suchas density, thickness and defects on band-gap structures. Our work is significant both for understandingthe intrinsic physical properties of nesting Fibonacci sequences and for providing flexible choices to meetreal engineering requirements.

Frequency-Dependent Effects on Bladder Reflex by Saphenous Nerve Stimulation and a Possible Action Mechanism of Tibial Nerve Stimulation in Cats

Xing Li,Xiaoping Wan,Zhaoxia Wang,Yanan Liang,Zhuo Jia,Xu Zhang,Limin Liao 대한배뇨장애요실금학회 2021 International Neurourology Journal Vol.25 No.2

Purpose: The present study determined the effects of saphenous nerve stimulation (SNS) at different stimulation frequencies on bladder reflex and explored a possible action mechanism of tibial nerve stimulation (TNS) on bladder activity in cats. Methods: Two bipolar nerve cuff electrodes were implanted on the saphenous nerve and the contralateral tibial nerve in 13 cats, respectively. Multiple cystometrograms were obtained to determine the effects of single SNS at different frequencies and that of combined SNS and TNS on the micturition reflex by infusing normal saline. Results: SNS at 1 Hz significantly reduced the bladder capacity (BC) to 59.8%±7.7% and 59.3%±5.8% of the control level at the intensity threshold (T) and 2T, respectively (P<0.05), while that at 20 Hz significantly increased the BC to 130.6%±4.2% of the control level at 6T (P<0.05). The TNS and SNS at 20 Hz did not significantly change the BCs at 1T (P>0.05), while combined stimulation at 1T significantly increased the BC to 122.7%±1.9% of the control level and induced an inhibitory effect which was similar to that TNS at 2T. Conclusions: The current study revealed that SNS reduced and increased BC depending on different stimulation frequencies. The combined SNS and TNS maximized the clinical efficacy at a low intensity. Also, SNS may be a potential therapeutic mechanism of TNS.

Endothelial Aquaporin-1 (AQP1) Expression Is Regulated by Transcription Factor Mef2c

Jiang, Yong,Liu, He,Liu, Wen-jing,Tong, Hai-bin,Chen, Chang-jun,Lin, Fu-gui,Zhuo, Yan-hang,Qian, Xiao-zhen,Wang, Zeng-bin,Wang, Yu,Zhang, Peng,Jia, Hong-liang Korean Society for Molecular and Cellular Biology 2016 Molecules and cells Vol.39 No.4

Aquaporin 1 (AQP1) is expressed in most microvasculature endothelial cells and forms water channels that play major roles in a variety of physiologic processes. This study aimed to delineate the transcriptional regulation of AQP1 by Mef2c in endothelial cells. Mef2c cooperated with Sp1 to activate human AQP1 transcription by binding to its proximal promoter in human umbilical cord vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Over-expression of Mef2c, Sp1, or Mef2c/Sp1 increased HUVEC migration and tube-forming ability, which can be abolished AQP1 knockdown. These data indicate that AQP1 is a direct target of Mef2c in regulating angiogenesis and vasculogenesis of endothelial cells.

Roles of NMDA NR2B Subtype Receptor in Prefrontal Long-Term Potentiation and Contextual Fear Memory

Zhao, Ming-Gao,Toyoda, Hiroki,Lee, Yong-Seok,Wu, Long-Jun,Ko, Shanelle W.,Zhang, Xue-Han,Jia, Yongheng,Shum, Fanny,Xu, Hui,Li, Bao-Ming,Kaang, Bong-Kiun,Zhuo, Min Elsevier 2005 Neuron Vol.47 No.6

<P><B>Summary</B></P><P>Cortical plasticity is thought to be important for the establishment, consolidation, and retrieval of permanent memory. Hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP), a cellular mechanism of learning and memory, requires the activation of glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. In particular, it has been suggested that NR2A-containing NMDA receptors are involved in LTP induction, whereas NR2B-containing receptors are involved in LTD induction in the hippocampus. However, LTP in the prefrontal cortex is less well characterized than in the hippocampus. Here we report that the activation of the NR2B and NR2A subunits of the NMDA receptor is critical for the induction of cingulate LTP, regardless of the induction protocol. Furthermore, pharmacological or genetic blockade of the NR2B subunit in the cingulate cortex impaired the formation of early contextual fear memory. Our results demonstrate that the NR2B subunit of the NMDA receptor in the prefrontal cortex is critically involved in both LTP and contextual memory.</P>