Biology subjects

Zhang, X.-Y.

Publications and source records attributed to Zhang, X.-Y..

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

SRC Knockdown Impairs Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion While Promoting Apoptosis in HTR8/SVneo Trophoblast Cells via Activation of the PI3K/Akt/Bcl-2 Signaling Pathway

SRC knockdown inhibits trophoblast cell proliferation, migration, and invasion while inducing apoptosis via activation of the PI3K/Akt/Bcl-2 signaling pathway. Trophoblast dysfunction is central to pregnancy disorders such as preeclampsia and miscarriage, yet the role of SRC, a non-receptor tyrosine kinase, in these cells remains poorly understood. This study aimed to elucidate the functional impact of SRC on trophoblast behavior and its underlying mechanism. Using siRNA-mediated knockdown in HTR8/SVneo cells, we confirmed efficient reduction of SRC mRNA and protein expression via RT-qPCR and Western blot. Functional assays demonstrated that SRC silencing significantly suppressed cell proliferation (CCK-8), migration (wound healing), and invasion (Transwell), while promoting apoptosis, evidenced by increased Annexin V-FITC/PI staining and upregulated Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 protein levels. Mechanistically, Western blot analysis revealed that SRC knockdown upregulated PI3K, Akt1, and Bcl-2 protein expression without altering IRS1 levels, indicating activation of the PI3K/Akt/Bcl-2 pro-survival pathway. This paradoxical activation appears to be a compensatory feedback insufficient to overcome SRC loss-induced dysfunction. Our findings identify SRC as a critical positive regulator of trophoblast proliferation, motility, and survival, acting through a non-canonical, IRS1-independent negative regulation of PI3K/Akt signaling. This study provides novel insights into trophoblast biology and suggests SRC as a potential therapeutic target for pregnancy complications; future in vivo studies are warranted to validate these mechanisms.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2026

miR-6818-5p Drives Ovarian Granulosa Cell Dysfunction in PCOS via Targeting HSD17B2 and Modulating PI3K/Caspase-9 Axis

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine disorder characterized by hyperandrogenism, ovulatory dysfunction, and polycystic ovaries, with granulosa cell dysfunction being a key pathological feature. This study aimed to investigate the role of microRNA-6818-5p in PCOS pathogenesis. Quantitative PCR revealed a significant upregulation of circulating miR-6818-5p in PCOS patients compared to healthy controls. In vitro, functional assays in the human granulosa cell line KGN demonstrated that miR-6818-5p overexpression markedly inhibited cell proliferation (assessed by CCK-8 assay) and promoted apoptosis (measured by Annexin V/PI flow cytometry). Mechanistically, dual-luciferase reporter assay and Western blotting identified HSD17B2 as a direct target of miR-6818-5p, with miR-6818-5p mimics significantly suppressing HSD17B2 protein expression. In conclusion, our findings reveal that elevated miR-6818-5p in PCOS may contribute to follicular development dysfunction by targeting HSD17B2 to disrupt granulosa cell proliferation and apoptosis balance, offering novel insights into PCOS pathology and highlighting miR-6818-5p as a potential diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2026

Real-Time Cell Analysis Reveals Distinct Roles of S100A4 in Regulating Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion of JAR Choriocarcinoma Cells

S100A4, a metastasis promoting calcium binding protein, drives tumor progression through pleiotropic mechanisms, yet its context dependent functions in gestational malignancies remain elusive. To dynamically decode its role in choriocarcinoma pathogenesis, we leveraged label free real time cell analysis (RTCA) to profile malignant phenotypes in JAR cells following siRNA mediated S100A4 silencing, complemented by apoptosis assessment and targeted signaling profiling. Efficient knockdown (verified by qPCR/Western blotting) significantly attenuated cellular proliferation (96 hr cell index slope decreased vs. scramble control; p<0.01) and suppressed migration capacity (p<0.01). Critically, S100A4 depletion did not induce apoptosis (flow cytometry and cleaved caspase 3/9 blotting confirmed no significant change), and invasion through Matrigel coated membranes remained statistically unaltered despite comparable experimental rigor. Mechanistically, S100A4 silencing triggered adaptive signaling rewiring: IRS1 and PI3K expression were elevated, Akt1 was suppressed, while MEK1/2 remained unchanged suggesting compensatory pathway activation.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Augment rice ANNEXIN expression to counter planthopper NlAnnexin-like5 as an anti-virulence strategy against a major crop pest

The brown planthopper (BPH) is the most devastating insect pest in rice, posing a serious threat to global rice production. One attractive control strategy would be based on the understanding of the virulence mechanisms of BPH at the molecular level and then designing targeted methods to neutralize such mechanisms. Salivary proteins of BPH are important players in mediating rice-BPH interactions. Here, we describe a pivotal role of a watery saliva protein, NlAnnexin-like5 (NlANX5), in the rice-BPH interaction. RNA interference (RNAi) of NlANX5 greatly compromised BPH feeding performance and survival rate on rice plants. NlANX5-RNAi BPH triggered a rapid calcium ion influx in rice cells. The feeding and survival defects of NlANX5-RNAi BPH can be restored in NlANX5-expressing transgenic rice plants. NlANX5 targets rice annexin (OsANN) proteins, including OsANN2 and OsANN8. Further analysis with NlANX5 and OsANN2 as well as OsANN8 showed that NlANX5 displaces OsANN2 and OsANN8 from the rice cell membrane. The osann2 osann8 mutant rice plants are hypersusceptible to BPH infestation. In contrast, enhanced expression of OsANN2 and OsANN8 gene resulted in robust rice resistance against BPH. This study highlights a successful example of identifying and augmenting the expression of the host targets of a major BPH virulence effector as a promising anti-virulence strategy against an important crop pest. Significance StatementInsect pests pose a serious biotic threat to crop production worldwide. Understanding how insect pests attack plants could inspire innovative pest control measures to enhance global food security. The brown planthopper (BPH; Nilaparvata lugens St[a]l) is the most devastative insect pest in rice. In this study, we discovered that BPH secretes a salivary protein, NlAnnexin-like5 (NlANX5), to target rice host annexins that are associated with calcium fluxes and activation of multiple rice defense pathways. This knowledge led to employing enhanced expression of rice annexin-encoding genes to successfully defeat the virulence function of NlANX5. Results have significant implications in the development of anti-virulence breeding strategies against BPH.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2025

X-ray irradiation hinders flight ability of Cydia pomonella male moths by energy metabolism dysfunction

Flight in insects is essential for behaviors such as courtship, foraging, and migration, with energy metabolism serving as its primary energy source. Previous study indicates that X-ray irradiation, even at optimized doses, compromises the flight capacity of male Cydia pomonella moths utilized in sterile insect technique (SIT) programs. However, the underlying mechanisms of this phenomenon have not been fully understood. In this study, we report that the disruption of energy metabolism processes contributing to the diminished flight capabilities observed in X-ray irradiated sterile C. pomonella moths. Compared to the non-irradiated group, irradiated moths exhibited significantly decreased adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels. Furthermore, a reduction in the enzymatic activity of key components within carbon metabolism pathways was observed, including citrate synthase (CS) in the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA), and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) in glycolysis, and 3-Hydroxyl-CoA dehydrogenase (HOAD) in fatty acid metabolism. Transcriptional analysis revealed downregulation of expression of genes associated with energy metabolism in the primary locomotor tissues post-irradiation, specifically those encoding CS (CS2), GAPDH (Gapdh2), GPDH (GPD2), and HOAD (HADHA, HADH1, B0272, HADH2) enzymes. Additionally, exogenous supplementation with decanoic acid and citric acid, the agonist and product of CS respectively, enhanced the TCA cycle, increased energy production, and restored flight capacity in sterile moths. These findings not only confirm that X-ray irradiation disrupts energy metabolism leading to impaired flight, but also offer a potential strategy to overcome this limitation before releasing sterile moths as component of integrated pest management programme using the SIT. O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=84 SRC="FIGDIR/small/644052v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (22K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@c05e61org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@17461d9org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1c41b70org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1e58b48_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG Graphic Abstract C_FIG

zoology↗

bioRxiv2025

NOD1 ligand FK565 promotes atherogenesis and accumulation of NOD1high smooth muscle cells in atherosclerotic lesions

AimsNucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein (NOD)1 is an intracellular pattern recognition receptor that initiates immune responses upon ligation of molecules such as bacterial peptidoglycan containing a D-glutamyl-meso-diaminopimelic acid (iE-DAP) moiety. NOD1 ligation has been shown to promote vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis. In this study, we investigate the functional role of NOD1 in atherosclerotic plaques and characterize the vascular cells responsible for NOD1 expression and function. Methods and resultsNOD1 was mainly expressed in a subtype of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) in human atherosclerotic lesions. In ex vivo cultures, human endarterectomy specimens reacted to NOD1 ligand by activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, leading to cytokine expression. Levels of NOD1 mRNA were higher in carotid endarterectomy specimens obtained from symptomatic patients compared to asymptomatic ones. NOD1high SMC were also found in arteries of atherosclerosis-prone Ldlr-/- mice. Challenging these mice with a NOD1 agonist resulted in transmural vascular inflammation, severe arterial damage, accelerated atherogenesis throughout the aorta, and evidence of occlusive coronary artery disease. In rats, mechanic injury to carotid arteries promoted NOD1high SMC expansion and neointima formation. In vitro, neointima derived NOD1high SMCs responded to NOD1 ligand exposure by enhanced migration, increased iNOS+ cells and amplified CCL5 production. ConclusionOur findings show that NOD1 promotes vascular inflammation, vascular injury responses and atherosclerosis by acting on a NOD1high subtype of SMC.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2025

Unprecedented Number of Recurrent Mutations Drive the Rapid Evolution of Pesticide Resistance in a Notorious Pest

The genetic basis of pesticide resistance has been widely studied, but the exact nature of this evolutionary process in the field is often unclear, particularly when a limited number of populations is considered and when there is a lag between the evolutionary event and its investigation. We showed that an unprecedented number of recurrently evolved mutations in an arthropod pest, the two-spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae, drive the rapid evolution of resistance to a recently commercialized acaricide, cyetpyrafen. We first observed high levels of resistance that appeared and became widespread within three years. Genome scans revealed genetic heterogeneity of resistance among populations and identified 15 target mutations, including six mutations on five amino acid residues of subunit sdhB, and nine mutations on three amino acid residues of subunit sdhD of the pesticide target succinate dehydrogenase, with as many as five substitutions on one residue. No mutations were present in 2666 screened historical specimens, suggesting that mutations arose rapidly through de novo substitutions or from very rare segregating mutations. Identical mutations recurrently appeared in different genetic backgrounds, increasing the likelihood of resistance evolution. The high number of mutational options available for the evolution of target site resistance in this pest challenges resistance management practices.

evolutionary biology↗

bioRxiv2024

Telomere-to-telomere, gap-free genome of mung beans (Vigna radiata) provides insights into domestication under structural variation

Mung bean (Vigna radiata), an essential annual legume, holds substantial value in global agriculture due to its short growth cycle, low input requirements, and nutritional benefits. Despite extensive domestication, the genetic mechanisms underlying its morphological and physiological evolution remain incompletely understood. In this study, we present a gap-free, telomere-to-telomere genome assembly of the mung bean cultivar Weilv-9, achieved through the integration of PacBio HiFi, Oxford Nanopore, and Hi-C sequencing technologies. The 500 Mb assembly, encompassing 11 chromosomes and containing 28,740 protein-coding genes, reveals that 49.17% of the genome comprises repetitive sequences. Within the genome, we found the recent amplification of transposable elements significantly impacts the expression of nearby genes. Furthermore, integrating structural variation and SNP data from resequencing, we identified that the fatty acid synthesis, suberin biosynthetic, and phenylpropanoid metabolic processes have undergone strong selection during domestication. These findings provide valuable insights into the genetic mechanisms driving domestication and offer a foundation for future genetic enhancement and breeding programs in mung beans and related species.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2024

First-male sperm precedence in polyandrous Spodoptera frugiperda allows sterile males induce population suppression

Males respond to intense sperm competition by adapting reproductive strategies to promote fertilization success, which is critical for population reproduction. Thus, investigating the patterns and mechanisms of sperm competition is crucial for the development and application of pest population management techniques. In this study, we analyzed the sperm precedence pattern of a major pest, the fall armyworm, and used this pattern to manage the pest population. First, we found that females had a post-mating response and did not gain direct benefit through multiple mating. Next, in a double mating experiment, we used a molecular marker created by CRISPR/Cas9 to determine that most females use only the sperm of the first male to produce offspring. To further explore the role of fertilizing sperm in sperm competition, we constructed a sterile male line with eupyrene sperm defect by knocking out the B2t gene. Interestingly, two round mating assays showed that first mating with B2t-null males inhibited sperm fertilization from a second wild-type male. In other words, prior mating with B2t-null males significantly reduced the fertility and fecundity of females. Based on this finding, we continued to explore whether sperm-deficient sterile males could be used in the management of FAW populations. Cage experiments and mathematical modeling analyses showed that the release of excess B2t-null males induced population suppression. Our study expands our knowledge of sperm competition patterns in lepidopteran. In addition, our study provides a paradigm to develop and apply genetic control methods based on sperm competition outcome in polyandrous pests. SignificanceSperm competition is essential for maintaining population reproduction. Understanding patterns and mechanisms of sperm competition facilitates the development of appropriate pest genetic control methods. Here, we describe that a globally major pest, the fall armyworm displays the first-male sperm precedence pattern. Interestingly, first mating with B2t-null males, which produces non-functional eupyrene sperm, significantly reduces the fertility and fecundity of females. That means that the ejaculate of the first male, even if its eupyrene sperm are defective, can inhibit sperm fertilization from a second wild-type male. Based on this, the release of excess B2t-null males significantly suppresses FAW populations. These results suggest that future development of genetic control techniques based on targeting nucleated sperm can effectively control FAW populations.

zoology↗

bioRxiv2024

Decoding region-level visual functions from invasive EEG monkey data

Decoding vision is an ambitious task as it aims to transform scalar brain activity into dynamic images with refined shapes, colors and movements. In familiar environments, the brain may trigger activity that resembles specific pattern, thereby facilitating decoding. Can an artificial neural network (ANN) decipher such latent patterns? Here, we explore this question using invasive electroencephalography data from monkeys. By decoding multiregion brain activity, ANN effectively captures individual regions functional roles as a consequence of minimizing visual errors. For example, ANN recognizes that regions V4 and LIP are involved in visual color and shape processing while MT predominantly handles visual motion, aligning with regional visual functions evident in the brain. ANN likely reconstructs vision by seizing hidden spike patterns, representing stimuli distinctly in a two-dimensional plane. Furthermore, during the encoding process of transforming visual stimuli into neuronal activity, optimal performance is achieved in regions closely associated with vision processing.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2024

Relaxed selection and horizontal gene transfer fuel underwater adaptation in a water spider

Spiders have primarily adapted to terrestrial life, yet a number of species have made evolutionary transitions to marine and freshwater environments. While its physiological and behavioral adaptations have been characterized, the genetic basis of semi-aquatic and aquatic adaptation in spiders remains poorly understood. Here, we provide a high-quality, chromosome-level genome assembly for the aquatic spider Argyroneta aquatica, alongside a reference transcriptome for the semi-aquatic spider Desis martensi. We performed comparative genomes analyses of 22 spider species, including a unique aquatic spider, two semi-aquatic spiders and 19 terrestrial spider species, with a focus on those in the marronoid clade. By integrating morphological, phylogenomic, comparative genomic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic analyses, we explored the genomic adaptations of aquatic and semi-aquatic spiders. Phylogenomic analysis suggests that aquatic and semi-aquatic spiders have independently evolved from their terrestrial ancestors and represent divergent evolutionary routes We found hundreds of genes tend to experience relaxed selection, positive selection, and evidence of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) associated with the transition to aquatic and semi-aquatic life in spiders. These genes are associated with respiratory, osmoregulatory, fat metabolism and digestion, hypoxia, and thermal functions, putatively facilitate the adaptations to diverse underwater life. Altogether, our findings highlight the divergent evolutionary mechanisms enabling spiders to thrive in diverse aquatic environments, providing insights into the genomic basis of adaptations to semi-aquatic and aquatic habitats.

genomics↗

bioRxiv2023

Adaptive stretching of representations across brain regions and deep learning model layers

Prefrontal cortex (PFC) is known to modulate the visual system to favor goal-relevant information by accentuating task-relevant stimulus dimensions. Does the brain broadly re-configures itself to optimize performance by stretching visual representations along task-relevant dimensions? We considered a task that required monkeys to selectively attend on a trial-by-trial basis to one of two dimensions (color or motion direction) to make a decision. Except for V4 (color bound) and MT (motion bound), the brain radically re-configured itself to stretch representations along task-relevant dimensions in lateral PFC, frontal eye fields (FEF), lateral intraparietal cortex (LIP), and inferotemporal cortex (IT). Spike timing was crucial to this code. A deep learning model was trained on the same visual input and rewards as the monkeys. Despite lacking an explicit selective attention or other control mechanism, the model displayed task-relevant stretching as a consequence of error minimization, indicating that stretching is an adaptive strategy.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2023

A neural signature for the subjective experience of threat anticipation under uncertainty

Uncertainty about potential future threats and the associated anxious anticipation represents a key feature of anxiety. However, the neural systems that underlie the subjective experience of threat anticipation under uncertainty remain unclear. Combining a novel uncertain shock anticipation paradigm that allows precise modulation of the level of momentary anxious arousal during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) with multivariate predictive modeling, we trained a brain model that accurately predicted the intensity of subjective experience of anxious arousal on the population and individual level. In a series of analyses utilizing available fMRI datasets, we further demonstrate that the signature specifically predicted anxious anticipation and was not sensitive in predicting pain, general anticipation or unspecific arousal. The signature was functionally and spatially distinguishable from representations of subjective fear or negative affect. We developed a sensitive, generalizable, and specific neuromarker for subjective anxious arousal experienced during uncertain threat anticipation that can facilitate model development and clinical translation.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2023

Rapid intracellular acidification is a novel plant defense response countered by the brown planthopper

The brown planthopper (BPH) is the most destructive insect pest in rice. Through a stylet, BPH secrets a plethora of salivary proteins into rice phloem cells as a crucial step of infestation. However, how various salivary proteins function in rice cells to promote insect infestation is poorly understood. Among them, one of the salivary proteins is predicted to be a carbonic anhydrase (NlCA). The survival rate of the NlCA-RNA interference (RNAi) BPH insects was extremely low on rice, indicating a vital role of this salivary protein in BPH infestation. We generated NICA transgenic rice plants and found that NlCA expressed in rice plants could restore the ability of NlCA-RNAi BPH to survive on rice. Next, we produced rice plants expressing the ratiometric pH sensor pHusion and found that NlCA-RNAi BPH induced rapid intracellular acidification of rice cells during feeding. Further analysis revealed that both NlCA-RNAi BPH feeding and artificial of lowering intracellular pH activated plant defense responses, and that NICA-mediated intracellular pH stabilization is linked to diminished defense responses, including reduced callose deposition at the phloem sieve plates and suppressed defense gene expression. Given the importance of pH homeostasis across the kingdoms of life, discovery of NICA-mediated intracellular pH modulation uncovered a new dimension in the interaction between plants and piecing/sucking insect pests. The crucial role of NICA for BPH infestation of rice suggests that NICA is a promising target for chemical or trans-kingdom RNAi-based inactivation for BPH control strategies in plants. HighlightsO_LIRapid intracellular acidification is a novel plant defense response. C_LIO_LIBrown planthopper delivers into rice tissues a major virulence protein, carbonic anhydrase (NlCA), critical for survival. C_LIO_LINlCA counters intracellular acidification to suppress plant defense. C_LIO_LIResults implicate existence of pH-responsive regulators of defense responses in the rice-brown planthopper interaction. C_LI In briefThe brown planthopper (BPH) is the most devasting insect pest in rice. Jiang et al. discovered that BPH secretes a salivary carbonic anhydrase (NICA) to regulate the intracellular pH of the rice cell to facilitate its feeding and survival on rice plants and that NICA-counters host intracellular pH acidification to diminished defense responses. These findings uncovered that intracellular pH homeostasis is a previously uncharacterized battleground in plant-insect interactions, but also open a door to future discovery of pH-responsive intracellular regulators of defense responses, which could add a new research dimension in the study of plant-biotic interactions.

plant biology↗

bioRxiv2022

A systematically optimized awake mouse fMRI paradigm

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has been increasingly utilized in mice. Due to the non-negligible effects of anesthetics on mouse fMRI, it is becoming more common to perform fMRI in the awake mice. However, high stress level and head motion in awake mouse fMRI remain to be fully addressed, which limits its practical applications. Therefore, here we presented a systematically optimized awake mouse fMRI paradigm as a practical and open-source solution. First, we designed a soundproof habituation chamber in which multiple mice can be habituated simultaneously and independently. Then, combining corticosterone, body weight and behavioral measurements, we systematically evaluated the potential factors that may contribute to animals stress level for awake imaging. Among many factors, we found that the restraining setup allowing forelimbs freely moving and head tilted at 30-degree was optimal for minimizing stress level. Importantly, we implemented multiband simultaneous multi-slice imaging to enable ultrafast fMRI acquisition in awake mice. Compared to conventional single-band EPI, faster acquisition enabled by multiband imaging were more robust to head motion and yielded higher statistical power. Thus, more robust resting-state functional connectivity was detected using multiband acquisition in awake mouse fMRI, compared to conventional single-band acquisition. In conclusion, we presented an awake mouse fMRI paradigm that is highly optimized in both awake mice habituation and fMRI acquisition, and such paradigm minimized animals stress level and provided more resistance to head motion and higher statistical power.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2022

Running System of Flipped Teaching Based on Video Conference

ObjectiveI aimed to provide a basis for the standardized operation of Flipped Teaching based on Video Conference for reference by other institutions or organizations. MethodsThe teaching and research materials of Flipped Teaching with Video Conference as carrier carried out in April and June 2022 were collected. Based on the "Structure-Process-Outcome" theory, the induction method and SWOT analysis method were used for systematic analysis. ResultsA total of 43 residents participated in the teaching project, and 40 of them passed the examination, accounting for 93.0%. And the teaching project had been analyzed and reported in 3 literature. For the successful operation of this project, the following five dimensions were summarized. First, the preparatory dimension of teaching: clear teaching form, objectives, content, reference materials and assignments; Second, the carrier of teaching implementation: the selection, function and debugging of teaching equipment; Third, the teaching management dimension: the management mode, management team, lecturers team, trainees management and emergency response; Fourth, the teaching evaluation dimension: trainees systematic evaluation of the teaching; Fifth, the teaching assessment dimension: attendance rate, assignments completion rate and exam pass rate. ConclusionThe core of the running system is to carry out Flipped Teaching with Video Conference as carrier to realize the standardized training for residents, and ensure the smooth progress and the quality of teaching through teaching management, evaluation and assessment.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2022

Correlation Analysis of Demographic Characteristics of Internal Medicine Residents on the Training Effect of Flipped Teaching Based on Video Conference

ObjectiveI aimed to clarify whether the demographic characteristics of internal medicine residents are related to the training effect of Flipped Teaching based on Video Conference, so as to further improve the teaching management and quality control. MethodsA total of 43 residents who participated in the Flipped Teaching based on Video Conference in April and June were included as the research objects. Online examination was conducted for these residents, and the demographic characteristics of these residents and their examination score were quantitatively analyzed, so as to clarify the correlation between the demographic characteristics of these residents and their examination score. ResultsThe average score of 43 residents in the online examination was 72.0(64.0-79.0). 40 residents passed the exam, accounting for 93.0%. The bivariate correlations analysis showed that the age, gender, educational background, training batch and training phase of residents were not correlated with the examination score; all P > 0.05. The age, gender, educational background, training batch and training phase of these residents were not correlated with the examination score by single linear regression and multiple linear regression analysis; all P > 0.05. ConclusionAge, gender, educational background, training batches and training phases of internal medicine residents are not related to the examination score after Flipped Teaching based on Video Conference. Demographic characteristics may not be related to the training effect of residents through preliminary study.

scientific communication and education↗

bioRxiv2022

BEN: a generalizable Brain Extraction Net for multimodal MRI data from rodents, nonhuman primates, and humans

Accurate brain tissue extraction on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data is crucial for analyzing brain structure and function. While several conventional tools have been optimized to handle human brain data, there have been no generalizable methods to extract brain tissues for multimodal MRI data from rodents, nonhuman primates, and humans. Therefore, developing a flexible and generalizable method for extracting whole brain tissue across species would allow researchers to analyze and compare experiment results more efficiently. Here, we propose a domain-adaptive and semi-supervised deep neural network, named the Brain Extraction Net (BEN), to extract brain tissues across species, MRI modalities, and MR scanners. We have evaluated BEN on 18 independent datasets, including 783 rodent MRI scans, 246 nonhuman primate MRI scans, and 4,601 human MRI scans, covering five species, four modalities, and six MR scanners with various magnetic field strengths. Compared to conventional toolboxes, the superiority of BEN is illustrated by its robustness, accuracy, and generalizability. Our proposed method not only provides a generalized solution for extracting brain tissue across species but also significantly improves the accuracy of atlas registration, thereby benefiting the downstream processing tasks. As a novel fully automated deep-learning method, BEN is designed as an open-source software to enable high-throughput processing of neuroimaging data across species in preclinical and clinical applications.

neuroscience↗