Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Parameter-adaptive nighttime image enhancement with multi-scale decomposition

As a challenging problem, image enhancement plays an important role in computer vision applications and has been widely studied. As one of the most difficult issues of image enhancement, outdoor nighttime image enhancement suffers from noise amplification easily. To solve this problem, this study proposes a parameter-adaptive nighttime image enhancement method with multi-scale decomposition. The main contributions of this work are threefold. First, the authors find out that noises in different scales are various, and their method decomposes an input image into three high-frequency layers and a background layer accordingly. Second, the authors’ method enhances each high-frequency layer using adaptive parameters based on the characteristics of noises. Third, the proposed method maps the background layer to make it suitable to present details. Experiment results demonstrate that the proposed method can suppress noises as well as improve details effectively.
Preoperative Virtual Reduction Planning Algorithm of Fractured Pelvis Based on Adaptive Templates

Objective: The minimally invasive treatment of pelvic fractures is one of the most challenging trauma orthopedics surgeries, where preoperative planning is crucial for the performance and outcome of the surgery. However, planning the ideal position of fragments currently relies heavily on the experience of the surgeon. Methods: A pelvic fracture virtual reduction algorithm for target position is provided based on statistical shape models (SSM). First, according to sexual dimorphism, pelvic SSM based on point cloud curvature down-sampling are constructed as adaptive templates. Then, an optimization algorithm is designed to iteratively adjust the target pose of the fragments and the adaptive matching of the templates. Finally, the feasibility of the method is verified by simulating fractures and clinical data. Results: The pelvis has complex shape characteristics, which can be analyzed by SSM to clearly understand the pattern of change. Experiments showed that the SSM-based pelvic fracture reduction method had translation and rotation errors of 2.20±1.09 mm and 3.16±1.26° in simulated cases, and 2.78±0.95 mm and 3.10±0.53° in clinical cases, which has higher accuracy than methods based on mean shape models, and wider applicability than methods based on pelvic symmetry. Conclusion: The pelvic digital model created by SSM has good generalization properties, and the SSM-based virtual reduction algorithm can effectively reconstruct the target position of the fractured pelvis in preoperative planning. Significance: The proposed reduction method has the characteristics of high precision and wide application range, which provides a powerful tool for the surgeon's virtual preoperative planning.
Association between pre-pregnancy weight status and dietary patterns during pregnancy: results from the Japan Environment and Children’s Study

Abstract Objective: Pre-pregnancy weight status is related to offspring health and may influence dietary patterns during pregnancy. We aimed to evaluate the link between pre-pregnancy weight status and dietary patterns during pregnancy. Design: Dietary data were collected using a FFQ during middle or late pregnancy. Dietary patterns were identified using principal component analysis. Anthropometric data were extracted from medical charts. Multiple linear regression was used to assess associations between pre-pregnancy weight status (severely or moderately underweight, mildly underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese) and dietary patterns during pregnancy after adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics. Setting: Nationwide Japan. Participants: Pregnant Japanese women enrolled in the Japan Environment and Children’s Study, a prospective birth cohort study (n 90 765). Results: We identified three dietary patterns. Compared with women with pre-pregnancy normal weight, those with pre-pregnancy obesity were less likely to habitually consume ‘fruits and vegetables’ pattern (coefficient, –0·18; 95 % CI, –0·21, –0·14) and ‘confectionery’ pattern (coefficient, –0·18; 95 % CI, –0·21, –0·14) and more likely to consume ‘white rice and soy products’ pattern (coefficient, 0·08; 95 % CI, 0·04, 0·11), and those with severely or moderately pre-pregnancy underweight were more likely to consume ‘confectionery’ pattern (coefficient, 0·06; 95 % CI, 0·03, 0·09) during pregnancy, after adjusting for confounders. Conclusion: We found that moderately and severely pre-pregnancy underweight women and those with obesity had unhealthy dietary patterns compared to those with pre-pregnancy normal weight. Our findings suggest that prenatal dietary advice is important and should be based on the pre-pregnancy weight status.
Different applications of temperature responsive nanogels as a new drug delivery system mini review

Abstract Temperature-sensitive drug delivery systems (TSDDS) are one of the systems that have received more attention in medical science these days due to their advantages. As these systems are sensitive to temperature, drug delivery to the target becomes more specific. Temperature-sensitive nanogels have many applications, including microbial infections, cancer therapy, transdermal use, and tissue repair. These systems are characterized by minimal toxicity, improved therapeutic efficacy, and reduced exposure to normal cells. This mini-review is prepared with different types of temperature-sensitive nanogel formation, release mechanisms, and their different applications. Various systems reported under these categories for targeted and controlled delivery of different classes of drugs, such as anti-cancer and antibiotic drugs with special emphasis on anti-cancer drugs and tissue healing, are discussed in this mini-review.
Topical tacrolimus in high-risk corneal transplants

Purpose The purpose of this study was to assess the use of topical tacrolimus ointment in preventing rejection in high-risk corneal grafts, when added to the standard immunosuppressive regimen. Methods We conducted an observational, retrospective study using clinical data of high-risk patients subjected to penetrating keratoplasty, who were treated with topical tacrolimus ointment 0.2 mg/g twice a day plus topical dexamethasone 0.1 mg/ml 6 id and compared it with a similar control group treated with topical dexamethasone 0.1 mg/ml 6 id alone. High-risk status was attributed to patients with previous ipsilateral corneal graft failure, two or more quadrants with corneal neovascularization or an infectious or inflammatory corneal disease. Results We analysed 53 patients in the trial group versus 53 patients in the control group, with similar age, baseline diagnosis and risk factors, and median follow-up times of 30 and and 24 months, respectively. Survival analysis showed a higher graft survival rate at all follow-up periods for patients treated with topical tacrolimus (p < 0.01). No adverse reactions were reported. Discussion This study shows that topical tacrolimus ointment increases the survival rate of the graft if added to the previous topical steroid regimen in high-risk patients. Conclusion Topical tacrolimus is safe and effective in prolonging graft survival in high-risk patients.
Generalized Poisson–Kac Processes: Basic Properties and Implications in Extended Thermodynamics and Transport

Abstract We introduce a new class of stochastic processes in Rn,$${{\rm{\mathbb R}}^n}, $$ referred to as generalized Poisson–Kac (GPK) processes, that generalizes the Poisson–Kac telegrapher’s random motion in higher dimensions. These stochastic processes possess finite propagation velocity, almost everywhere smooth trajectories, and converge in the Kac limit to Brownian motion. GPK processes are defined by coupling the selection of a bounded velocity vector from a family of N distinct ones with a Markovian dynamics controlling probabilistically this selection. This model can be used as a probabilistic tool for a stochastically consistent formulation of extended thermodynamic theories far from equilibrium.
Binding Site Detection Remastered: Enabling Fast, Robust, and Reliable Binding Site Detection and Descriptor Calculation with DoGSite3

Binding site prediction on protein structures is a crucial step in early phase drug discovery whenever experimental or predicted structure models are involved. DoGSite belongs to the widely used tools for this task. It is a grid-based method that uses a Difference-of-Gaussian filter to detect cavities on the protein surface. We recently reimplemented the first version of this method, released in 2010, focusing on improved binding site detection in the presence of ligands and optimized parameters for more robust, reliable, and fast predictions and binding site descriptor calculations. Here, we introduce the new version, DoGSite3, compare it to its predecessor, and re-evaluate DoGSite on published data sets for a large-scale comparative performance evaluation.
Sustained response off treatment in eltrombopag for children with persistent/chronic primary immune thrombocytopenia: A multicentre observational retrospective study in China

Eltrombopag (ELT) is effective and safe in adult persistent/chronic immune thrombocytopenia (p/cITP); a proportion could achieve a sustained response off treatment (SRoT); however, data on children are lacking. We attempted to analyse SRoT of ELT in children with p/cITP in this study. A multicentre retrospective observational study was performed in November 2022 for children with p/cITP who used ELT alone for >2 months between January 2017 and November 2021. Clinical data of pre‐, during and post‐ELT were collected. SRoT was defined as maintaining a platelet count of ≥30 × 109/L without rescue therapy for at least 6 months off ELT. There were 143 patients enrolled; 69.2% (99/143) achieved an overall response of 43.3% and 25.9% achieved complete response (CR) and response (R). Among the 35 patients analysed from whom ELT was withdrawn, 71.4% (25/35) showed SRoT after discontinuing ELT without additional ITP therapy, with a median follow‐up of 0.94 (range, 0.53–3.8) years, equal to 17.5% (25/143) in all patients treated with ELT. Compared with the patients with relapse (n = 10), the SRoT patients (n = 25) had a higher rate of CR (80% [20/25] vs. 40% [4/10]), shorter interval time from initiation to taper (6.4 months vs. 9.4 months), longer time from taper to withdrawal (1.1 years vs. 0.3 years) and a longer duration of ELT treatment (1.6 years vs. 0.5 years) with p < 0.05. Patients who achieved CR could attain SRoT more easily (p = 0.02). ELT had a response in 69.2% of children with p/cITP and 17.5% of them attained SRoT with good tolerance. The patients who achieved CR and began ELT treatment as early as possible, with a longer treatment duration and slower tapering, had a higher probability of SRoT.
Whole-exome sequencing for screening noise-induced hearing loss susceptibility genes

Abstract Background High-throughput sequencing of genes indicating susceptibility to noise-induced hearing loss has not previously been reported. Aims/Objectives To identify and analyze genes associated with susceptibility to noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) and characterize differences in susceptibility to hearing loss by genotype. Material and methods Pure tone audiometry tests were performed on 113 workers exposed to high-intensity noise. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was conducted and NIHL susceptibility genes screened for training unsupervised and supervised machine learning models. Immunofluorescence staining of mouse cochlea was used to observe patterns of NIHL susceptibility gene expression. Results Participants were divided into a NIHL and a control group, according to the results of audiometry tests. Seventy-three possible NIHL susceptibility genes were input into the machine learning model. Two subgroups of NIHL could be distinguished by unsupervised machine learning and the classification was evaluated by the supervised machine learning algorithm. The VWF gene had the highest mutation frequency in the NIHL group and was expressed mainly in the spiral ligament. Conclusions and significance NIHL susceptibility genes were screened and NIHL subgroups could be distinguished. VWF may be a novel NIHL susceptibility gene.
Single-cell dissection of the immune response after acute myocardial infarction

Background: The role of the immune system in the context of acute myocardial infarction (MI), and its response to such event are poorly characterized, but is thought to be an important driver of myocardial remodeling, thromboinflammation, and exacerbation of atherosclerosis - triggering recurrent cardiovascular events. So far, anti-inflammatory approaches drugs have shown promising effects on the prevention of recurrent cardiovascular events or myocardial salvage after myocardial infarction. However, they broadly impair the immune system and some are associated with increased infectious side effects. Therefore, a more detailed understanding of the immune response to myocardial infarction is needed to tailor anti-inflammatory therapeutic approaches in MI patients. Methods: To gain such detailed longitudinal understanding of the immune response in ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients, we compared peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMCs) single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) expression and plasma protein profiles over time and in comparison to age- and sex-balanced controls in 38 STEMI patients at hospital admission, 24 hours (acute phase) and 6-8 weeks (chronic phase) after STEMI. Results: In total, 95,995 diseased and 33,878 control PBMCs were analyzed. Compared to controls, we observed a relative increase in the number of classical monocytes and a decrease in the number of CD56dim natural killer cells in STEMI patients at admission, and these differences persisted until 24 hours after STEMI. The monocytes also showed the largest gene expression changes in STEMI patients compared to controls, and in STEMI patients over time. These were associated with changes in the activity of toll-like receptors, IFN and IL-1 signaling. Subsequent differential cell-cell communication analysis suggested that these monocytes are mainly involved in the outgoing differential communication in the first 24h after a STEMI, whereas in the next 6-8 weeks they become mostly involved in the incoming differential communication. Finally, a targeted protein cardiovascular biomarker panel revealed 33 out of 92 plasma proteins to be changed during the acute and/or chronic phase after STEMI. Interestingly, the plasma levels of three of these proteins were found to be affected by genetic variation, disease status and time after STEMI. Indicating the importance of taking all these aspects into consideration when defining potential future therapies. Conclusions: Altogether, our analyses have revealed the immunological pathways that are disturbed upon MI, and in which cell type and during which stage of the disease. Additionally, we also provide insights in which patients are expected to benefit most from anti-inflammatory treatments, by identifying the genetic variants and disease stage at which these variants affect the outcome of these (drug-targeted) pathways. These findings advance our knowledge of the immune response after MI and provide further guidance for future therapeutic studies.
No Laughing White Matter: Cortical Cholinergic Pathways and Cognitive Decline in Parkinson’s Disease

Background: Approximately one third of recently diagnosed Parkinson's disease (PD) patients experience cognitive decline. The nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM) degenerates early in PD and is crucial for cognitive function. The two main NBM white matter pathways include a lateral and medial trajectory. However, research is needed to determine which pathway, if any, are associated with PD-related cognitive decline. Methods: Thirty-seven PD patients with no mild cognitive impairment (MCI) were included in this study. Participants either developed MCI at 1-year follow up (PD MCI-Converters; n=16) or did not (PD no-MCI; n=21). Mean diffusivity (MD) of the medial and lateral NBM tracts were extracted using probabilistic tractography. Between-group differences in MD for each tract was compared using ANCOVA, controlling for age, sex, and disease duration. Control comparisons of the internal capsule MD were also performed. Associations between baseline MD and cognitive outcomes (working memory, psychomotor speed, delayed recall, and visuospatial function) were assessed using linear mixed models. Results: PD MCI-Converters had significantly greater MD of both NBM tracts compared to PD no-MCI (p<.001). No difference was found in the control region (p=.06). Trends were identified between: 1) lateral tract MD, poorer visuospatial performance (p=.05) and working memory decline (p=.04); and 2) medial tract MD and reduced psychomotor speed (p=.03). Conclusions: Reduced integrity of the NBM tracts is evident in PD patients up to one year prior to the development of MCI. Thus, deterioration of the NBM tracts in PD may be an early marker of those at risk of cognitive decline.
Radiogenomic profiling of prostate tumors prior to external beam radiotherapy converges on a transcriptomic signature of TGF-β activity driving tumor recurrence

Background: Patients with localized prostate cancer have historically been assigned to clinical risk groups based on local disease extent, serum prostate specific antigen (PSA), and tumor grade. Clinical risk grouping is used to determine the intensity of treatment with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), yet a substantial proportion of patients with intermediate and high risk localized prostate cancer will develop biochemical recurrence (BCR) and require salvage therapy. Prospective identification of patients destined to experience BCR would allow treatment intensification or selection of alternative therapeutic strategies. Methods: Twenty-nine individuals with intermediate or high risk prostate cancer were prospectively recruited to a clinical trial designed to profile the molecular and imaging features of prostate cancer in patients undergoing EBRT and ADT. Whole transcriptome cDNA microarray and whole exome sequencing was performed on pretreatment targeted biopsy of prostate tumors (n=60). All patients underwent pretreatment and 6-month post EBRT multiparametric MRI (mpMRI), and were followed with serial PSA to assess presence or absence of BCR. Genes differentially expressed in the tumor of patients with and without BCR were investigated using pathways analysis tools and were similarly explored in alternative datasets. Differential gene expression and predicted pathway activation were evaluated in relation to tumor response on mpMRI and tumor genomic profile. A novel TGF-{beta} gene signature was developed in the discovery dataset and applied to a validation dataset. Findings: Baseline MRI lesion volume and PTEN/TP53 status in prostate tumor biopsies correlated with the activation state of TGF-{beta} signaling measured using pathway analysis. All three measures correlated with the risk of BCR after definitive RT. A prostate cancer-specific TGF-{beta} signature discriminated between patients that experienced BCR vs. those that did not. The signature retained prognostic utility in an independent cohort. Interpretation: TGF-{beta} activity is a dominant feature of intermediate-to-unfavorable risk prostate tumors prone to biochemical failure after EBRT with ADT. TGF-{beta} activity may serve as a prognostic biomarker independent of existing risk factors and clinical decision-making criteria. Funding: This research was supported by the Prostate Cancer Foundation, the Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program, National Cancer Institute, and the Intramural Research Program of the NIH, National Cancer Institute, Center for Cancer Research.
Treatment failure and associated factors among people living with HIV on highly active antiretroviral therapy in mainland China: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective Reducing the prevalence of treatment failure among people living with HIV (PLHIV) on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is crucial for improving individual health and reducing disease burden. This study aimed to assess existing evidence on treatment failure and its associated factors among PLHIV in mainland China. Methods We conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, WanFang, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and SinoMed databases. Relevant studies on treatment failure among PLHIV in mainland China until September 2022 were searched, including cross-sectional, case-control, and cohort studies. The primary outcome was treatment failure, and secondary outcomes were the potential influencing factors of treatment failure. We performed a meta-analysis to pool each outcome of interest, including meta-regression, subgroup, publication bias, and sensitivity analyses. Results A total of 81 studies were deemed eligible and included in the final meta-analysis. The pooled treatment failure prevalence among PLHIV in mainland China was 14.40% (95% confidence interval [CI]:12.30–16.63), of which the virological and immunological failure prevalence was 10.53% (95%CI:8.51–12.74) and 18.75% (95%CI:15.44–22.06), respectively. The treatment failure prevalence before and after 2016 was 18.96% (95%CI:13.84–24.67) and 13.19% (95%CI:10.91–15.64). Factors associated with treatment failure included good treatment adherence (odds ratio [OR] = 0.36, 95%CI:0.26–0.51), baseline CD4 counts>200 cells/μL (OR = 0.39, 95%CI:0.21–0.75), HAART regimens containing Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate (TDF) (OR = 0.70, 95%CI:0.54–0.92), WHO clinical stage III/IV (OR = 2.02, 95%CI:1.14–3.59) and age≥40 years (OR = 1.56, 95%CI:1.23–1.97). Conclusion The prevalence of treatment failure among PLHIV receiving HAART in mainland China was low and tended to decline. Poor adherence, low baseline CD4 count, HAART regimens without TDF, advanced clinical stage, and old age were contributing factors for treatment failure. Relevant intervention programs are needed with increasing treatment adherence through behavioral intervention or precise intervention targeting older adults.
The effect of traditional diet on glucose homoeostasis in carriers and non-carriers of a common TBC1D4 variant in Greenlandic Inuit: a randomised crossover study

Abstract Consumption of traditional foods is decreasing amid a lifestyle transition in Greenland as incidence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) increases. In homozygous carriers of a TBC1D4 variant, conferring postprandial insulin resistance, the risk of T2D is markedly higher. We investigated the effects of traditional marine diets on glucose homoeostasis and cardio-metabolic health in Greenlandic Inuit carriers and non-carriers of the variant in a randomised crossover study consisting of two 4-week dietary interventions: Traditional (marine-based, low-carbohydrate) and Western (high in imported meats and carbohydrates). Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT, 2-h), 14-d continuous glucose and cardio-metabolic markers were assessed to investigate the effect of diet and genotype. Compared with the Western diet, the Traditional diet reduced mean and maximum daily blood glucose by 0·17 mmol/l (95 % CI 0·05, 0·29; P = 0·006) and 0·26 mmol/l (95 % CI 0·06, 0·46; P = 0·010), respectively, with dose-dependency. Furthermore, it gave rise to a weight loss of 0·5 kg (95 % CI; 0·09, 0·90; P = 0·016) relative to the Western diet and 4 % (95 % CI 1, 9; P = 0·018) lower LDL:HDL-cholesterol, which after adjustment for weight loss appeared to be driven by HDL elevation (0·09 mmol/l (0·03, 0·15), P = 0·006). A diet–gene interaction was indicated on insulin sensitivity in the OGTT (p = 0·093), which reflected a non-significant increase of 1·4 (–0·6, 3·5) mmol/l in carrier 2-h glucose. A Traditional diet marginally improved daily glycaemic control and plasma lipid profile compared with a Westernised diet in Greenlandic Inuit. Possible adverse effects on glucose tolerance in carriers of the TBC1D4 variant warrant further studies.