Single Posttranslational Modifications in the Central Repeat Domains of Tau4 Impact its Aggregation and Tubulin Binding

A variety of methods have been employed to study the impact of posttranslational modifications on Tau protein function. Here, a semisynthesis strategy is described that enables selective modification within the central repeat domain of Tau4 (residues 291‐321), comprising a major interaction motive with tubulin as well as one of the key hexapeptides involved in Tau aggregation. This strategy has led to the preparation of four semisynthetic Tau variants with phosphoserine residues in different positions and one with a so far largely ignored carboxymethyllysine modification that results from a non‐enzymatic posttranslational modification (nPTM). The latter modification inhibits tubulin polymerization but exhibits an aggregation behavior very similar to unmodified Tau. In contrast, phosphorylated Tau variants exhibit similar binding to tubulin as unmodified Tau4 but show lower tendencies to aggregate.     

Deep Learning and Entropy-Based Texture Features for Color Image Classification

In the domain of computer vision, entropy—defined as a measure of irregularity—has been proposed as an effective method for analyzing the texture of images. Several studies have shown that, with specific parameter tuning, entropy-based approaches achieve high accuracy in terms of classification results for texture images, when associated with machine learning classifiers. However, few entropy measures have been extended to studying color images. Moreover, the literature is missing comparative analyses of entropy-based and modern deep learning-based classification methods for RGB color images. In order to address this matter, we first propose a new entropy-based measure for RGB images based on a multivariate approach. This multivariate approach is a bi-dimensional extension of the methods that have been successfully applied to multivariate signals (unidimensional data). Then, we compare the classification results of this new approach with those obtained from several deep learning methods. The entropy-based method for RGB image classification that we propose leads to promising results. In future studies, the measure could be extended to study other color spaces as well.     

Deep Learning Combined with Hyperspectral Imaging Technology for Variety Discrimination of Fritillaria thunbergii

Traditional Chinese herbal medicine (TCHM) plays an essential role in the international pharmaceutical industry due to its rich resources and unique curative properties. The flowers, stems, and leaves of Fritillaria contain a wide range of phytochemical compounds, including flavonoids, essential oils, saponins, and alkaloids, which may be useful for medicinal purposes. Fritillaria thunbergii Miq. Bulbs are commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine as expectorants and antitussives. In this paper, a feasibility study is presented that examines the use of hyperspectral imaging integrated with convolutional neural networks (CNN) to distinguish twelve (12) Fritillaria varieties (n = 360). The performance of support vector machines (SVM) and partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was compared with that of convolutional neural network (CNN). Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to assess the presence of cluster trends in the spectral data. To optimize the performance of the models, cross-validation was used. Among all the discriminant models, CNN was the most accurate with 98.88%, 88.89% in training and test sets, followed by PLS-DA and SVM with 92.59%, 81.94% and 99.65%, 79.17%, respectively. The results obtained in the present study revealed that application of HSI in conjunction with the deep learning technique can be used for classification of Fritillaria thunbergii varieties rapidly and non-destructively.     

Radio frequency field intensity mapping using a composite spin-echo sequence

A novel radio frequency (RF) field intensity mapping or imaging method using a composite NMR spin-echo sequence is proposed. A composite spin-echo RF pulse with 90 degrees y-180 degrees x-90 degrees y sequence makes phase change in the final image depending on the RF field intensity on the object. The resultant phase change or phase map can be used to obtain the actual RF flip-angle map for a given condition which includes the status of tuning and RF inhomogeneity, etc. Bloch equation has been solved numerically to obtain the effects of the RF field intensity as well as the main magnetic field inhomogeneity and the results are used for the mapping (imaging) of the RF field intensity. Phantom studies have been performed using a 1.5 Tesla whole body MRI system and the results are presented.     

An optimized multislice acquisition sequence for the inversion-recovery MR imaging

An optimized multislice data acquisition scheme for inversion-recovery MR imaging is proposed and experimental results are presented. In this new scheme, instead of forming a set of multislice inversion-recovery sequences in series for a given phase encoding step, 180° inversion pulses corresponding to different slices are interwoven with the spin echo data acquisition sequence in an optimal way depending on the desired inversion-recovery time. For example, between the 180° inversion RF pulse and the spin-echo imaging sequence, a number of imaging and inversion sequences are inserted with different slice combinations, i.e., long inversion-recovery time is effectively utilized for the other slice pre-inversion and data acquisition. With the optimized sequence, imaging time has been reduced by as much as a factor of four compared with the existing methods.     

Simultaneous quantification of six phenylethanoid glycosides in some Turkish Scutellaria species by a new HPLC-DAD method

A new HPLC-DAD method was developed and validated for simultaneous determination of six main phenylethanoid glycosides (calceolarioside D, neocalceolarioside D, verbascoside, isoverbascoside, leucoseptoside A and martynoside) in the aerial parts of four Scutellaria L. taxa from flora of Turkey. All standard compounds showed a good linearity (R ² > 0.999) in a relatively wide concentration range (1–120 μg/mL). The LOD of the compounds was in the range of 0.104–1.295 μg/mL and the LOQ was in the range of 0.450–2.536 μg/mL. The recoveries of the selected compounds were calculated in the range of 97.46–117.85%. The amounts of the phenylethanoid glycosides showed variation in the extracts. The developed method was found to be accurate, precise and reproducible, and successfully applied to identify and quantify the phenylethanoid glycoside composition of Scutellaria species.     

β-Hydroxydihydrochalcone and flavonoid glycosides along with triterpene saponin and sesquiterpene from the herbs of Pimpinella rhodantha Boiss.

A new β-hydroxydihydrochalcone glycoside named ziganin (1) and a new acylated flavonol glycoside named isorhamnetin-3-O-α-L-(2″,3″-di-O-trans-coumaroyl)-rhamnopyranoside) (2), along with two known flavonoid glycosides, a β-hydroxydihydrochalcone glycoside, a hydroxybenzoic acid derivative, a trinorguaiane type sesquiterpenoid, a triterpenic saponin and a polyol were isolated from the herbs of Pimpinella rhodantha Boiss. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses including 1D-and 2D-NMR, UV, IR, CD, ESI-MS, APCI-MS, HR-ESI-MS techniques. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their antioxidant capacity through the DPPH free-radical scavenging assay and ferrous ion-chelating power test.     

Leaves of Citrus aurantifolia exhibit a different sensibility to solar UV-B radiation according to development stage in relation to photosynthetic pigments and UV-B absorbing compounds production

Plants of Citrus aurantifolia grown in a greenhouse without solar UV radiation (UVR) were transferred outdoors to evaluate the effect of solar UV-B radiation (UVBR, 280–315 nm) in prior-developed leaves, constituted by apical bud and those fully expanded before being taken outdoors, and post-developed leaves, formed by those expanded outdoors. Results demonstrated that over a 40 d outdoor period leaf chlorophyll content and distribution pattern were different with and without solar UVBR. Chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll contents in both treatments were higher in prior-developed leaves than in post-developed ones. However, highest values were observed in prior-developed leaves under solar UVBR, whereas in post-developed leaves an opposite trend was observed. Carotenoids content in prior-developed leaves was higher with solar UVBR, whereas in post-developed leaves there were no significant differences in both with and without solar UVBR. In addition, prior-developed leaves under solar UVBR accumulated flavonoids, but not anthocyanins. Growth parameters (e.g. DW, DW/FW ratio, LMA, plant height, length and width of foliar lamina) did not show significant differences between plants grown with and without solar UVBR. Thus, our results demonstrated that C. aurantifolia leaves exhibited a different sensibility to solar UVBR according to development stage in relation to photosynthetic pigments and UV-B absorbing compounds production. In addition, the solar UVBR was not necessary as inductor of photosynthetic protection mechanisms in a short-time growth period. On the other hand, our results also demonstrated that solar UVBR acted as an effective feeding deterrent against citrus leafminer.     

Molecular orbital treatment of phenylfurans and bifurans

The molecule-in-molecule method of computation has been applied in a SCF study of the electronic absorption spectra of 2- and 3-phenylfurans and 2,2′- and 3,3′-bifurans. The computed values for the transition energies and band intensities differ for the different isomers and help one to assign the preferred conformer of the studied molecules. Computations were performed on planar as well as nonplanar conformers. The calculated parameters as well as the interaction energy suggest all-planar configuration for the studied molecules. A model potential for the sigma framework for the ortho-hydrogens is considered. The calculated steric repulsion energy is negligible compared to the π delocalization. The height of the rotational barrier was larger for 2-phenylfuran than for 3-phenylfuran, and larger for 2,2′-bifuran than for 3,3′-bifuran. This result is in accord with predictions based on the extent of “π” conjugation in these molecules.