bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
BS-LSTM: An Ensemble Recurrent Approach to Forecasting Soil Movements in the Real World
Authors: Kumar Praveen , Sihag Priyanka , Chaturvedi Pratik , Uday K.V. , Dutt Varun
Published: August 2021

Machine learning (ML) proposes an extensive range of techniques, which could be applied to forecasting soil movements using historical soil movements and other variables. For example, researchers have proposed recurrent ML techniques like the long short-term memory (LSTM) models for forecasting time series variables. However, the application of novel LSTM models for forecasting time series involving soil movements is yet to be fully explored. The primary objective of this research is to develop and test a new ensemble LSTM technique (called “Bidirectional-Stacked-LSTM” or “BS-LSTM”). In the BS-LSTM model, forecasts of soil movements are derived from a bidirectional LSTM for a period. These forecasts are then fed into a stacked LSTM to derive the next period’s forecast. For developing the BS-LSTM model, datasets from two real-world landslide sites in India were used: Tangni (Chamoli district) and Kumarhatti (Solan district). The initial 80% of soil movements in both datasets were used for model training and the last 20% of soil movements in both datasets were used for model testing. The BS-LSTM model’s performance was compared to other LSTM variants, including a simple LSTM, a bidirectional LSTM, a stacked LSTM, a CNN-LSTM, and a Conv-LSTM, on both datasets. Results showed that the BS-LSTM model outperformed all other LSTM model variants during training and test in both the Tangni and Kumarhatti datasets. This research highlights the utility of developing recurrent ensemble models for forecasting soil movements ahead of time.
Modern Pollen Rain in the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Shen Caiming , Liu Kam-biu , Tang Lingyu , Overpeck Jonathan T.
Published: August 2021

The basis for the interpretation of fossil-pollen assemblages in terms of vegetation and climate is the present-day relationship of vegetation and climate to pollen rain. Detailed modern pollen spectra from the Tibetan Plateau are described here to explore the relationship between modern pollen rain and vegetation. Two hundred and thirty four (234) pollen surface samples were collected from moss polsters, top soil, and lake surface sediments from forests, shrublands, shrub meadows, meadows, steppes, and deserts in the Tibetan Plateau. Pollen assemblages from each vegetation type are detailed described using pollen percentage data, and compared descriptively and numerically using cluster analysis. Pollen spectra from forests are characterized by high percentages of tree pollen types including Pinus, Abies, Picea, Quercus, and Betula. Pollen spectra from shrublands have highest amounts of shrub pollen. The dominants of shrublands, such as Rhododendron, Juniperus, Salix, and shrub Quercus, are well-represented in most of these pollen spectra. Pollen spectra from shrub meadows have less shrub pollen than those from shrublands, but more than those from meadows, steppes and deserts. The most frequent shrub pollen in this vegetation type is Rosaceae. Most of pollen spectra from shrub meadows are dominated by Cyperaceae pollen. Pollen spectra from meadows are characterized by the very high percentages of Cyperaceae pollen. The highest amounts of Cyperaceae pollen occur in pollen spectra from alpine-marshy meadows. Pollen spectra from Stipa steppes are characterized by the highest percentages of Poaceae pollen, and high Cyperaceae pollen percentages, whereas pollen spectra from Artemisia steppes have the highest percentages of Artemisia pollen. Pollen spectra from arid deserts are dominated by Chenopodiaceae. Main vegetation types can be distinguished by their modern pollen rain, i.e., modern pollen spectra do reflect the modern vegetation at local and regional scale in the Tibetan Plateau. This modern pollen database can thus be used to explore the pollen/vegetation and pollen/climate relationships by a variety of numerical methods.
Lipid Accumulation Product Combined With Urine Glucose Excretion Improves the Efficiency of Diabetes Screening in Chinese Adults
Authors: Chen Juan , Sun Hong , Qiu Shanhu , Tao Hu , Yu Jiangyi , Sun Zilin
Published: August 2021

Background

To compare the efficacy of lipid accumulation product (LAP) and urine glucose excretion (UGE) in predicting diabetes and evaluate whether the combination of LAP and UGE would help to improve the efficacy of using LAP alone or UGE alone in identifying diabetes.

Methods

Data from 7485 individuals without prior history of diabetes who participated in a cross-sectional survey in Jiangsu, China, were analyzed. Each participant underwent an oral glucose-tolerance test. Operating characteristic curves (ROC) and logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the performance of LAP and UGE in identification of newly diagnosed diabetes (NDM) and prediabetes (PDM).

Results

For subjects with NDM, the area under the ROC curve was 0.72 for LAP and 0.85 for UGE, whereas for PDM, these values were 0.62 and 0.61, respectively. Furthermore, LAP exhibited a comparable sensitivity with UGE in detecting NDM (76.4% vs 76.2%, p = 0.31). In predicting PDM, LAP showed a higher sensitivity than UGE (66.4% vs 42.8%, p < 0.05). The combination of LAP and UGE demonstrated a significantly higher sensitivity than that of LAP alone and UGE alone for identification of NDM (93.6%) and PDM (80.1%). Moreover, individuals with both high LAP and high UGE had significantly increased risk of NDM and PDM than those with both low LAP and low UGE.

Conclusions

The combination of LAP and UGE substantially improved the efficacy of using LAP and using UGE alone in detecting diabetes, and may be a novel approach for mass screening in the general population.
Motilin Comparative Study: Structure, Distribution, Receptors, and Gastrointestinal Motility
Authors: Kitazawa Takio , Kaiya Hiroyuki
Published: August 2021

Motilin, produced in endocrine cells in the mucosa of the upper intestine, is an important regulator of gastrointestinal (GI) motility and mediates the phase III of interdigestive migrating motor complex (MMC) in the stomach of humans, dogs and house musk shrews through the specific motilin receptor (MLN-R). Motilin-induced MMC contributes to the maintenance of normal GI functions and transmits a hunger signal from the stomach to the brain. Motilin has been identified in various mammals, but the physiological roles of motilin in regulating GI motility in these mammals are well not understood due to inconsistencies between studies conducted on different species using a range of experimental conditions. Motilin orthologs have been identified in non-mammalian vertebrates, and the sequence of avian motilin is relatively close to that of mammals, but reptile, amphibian and fish motilins show distinctive different sequences. The MLN-R has also been identified in mammals and non-mammalian vertebrates, and can be divided into two main groups: mammal/bird/reptile/amphibian clade and fish clade. Almost 50 years have passed since discovery of motilin, here we reviewed the structure, distribution, receptor and the GI motility regulatory function of motilin in vertebrates from fish to mammals.
The Analysis of Gene Expression Data Incorporating Tumor Purity Information
Authors: Ahn Seungjun , Grimes Tyler , Datta Somnath
Published: August 2021

The tumor microenvironment is composed of tumor cells, stroma cells, immune cells, blood vessels, and other associated non-cancerous cells. Gene expression measurements on tumor samples are an average over cells in the microenvironment. However, research questions often seek answers about tumor cells rather than the surrounding non-tumor tissue. Previous studies have suggested that the tumor purity (TP)—the proportion of tumor cells in a solid tumor sample—has a confounding effect on differential expression (DE) analysis of high vs. low survival groups. We investigate three ways incorporating the TP information in the two statistical methods used for analyzing gene expression data, namely, differential network (DN) analysis and DE analysis. Analysis 1 ignores the TP information completely, Analysis 2 uses a truncated sample by removing the low TP samples, and Analysis 3 uses TP as a covariate in the underlying statistical models. We use three gene expression data sets related to three different cancers from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) for our investigation. The networks from Analysis 2 have greater amount of differential connectivity in the two networks than that from Analysis 1 in all three cancer datasets. Similarly, Analysis 1 identified more differentially expressed genes than Analysis 2. Results of DN and DE analyses using Analysis 3 were mostly consistent with those of Analysis 1 across three cancers. However, Analysis 3 identified additional cancer-related genes in both DN and DE analyses. Our findings suggest that using TP as a covariate in a linear model is appropriate for DE analysis, but a more robust model is needed for DN analysis. However, because true DN or DE patterns are not known for the empirical datasets, simulated datasets can be used to study the statistical properties of these methods in future studies.
A Prognostic Autophagy-Related Gene Pair Signature and Small-Molecule Drugs for Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Song ZeBing , Zhang GuoPei , Yu Yang , Li ShaoQiang
Published: August 2021

Dysregulation of autophagy-related genes (ARGs) is related to the prognosis of cancers. However, the aberrant expression of ARGs signature in the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unclear. Using The Cancer Genome Atlas and the International Cancer Genome Consortium database, 188 common autophagy-related gene pairs (ARGPs) were identified. Through univariate, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator analysis, and multivariate Cox regression analysis, a prognostic signature of the training set was constructed on the basis of 6 ARGPs. Further analysis revealed that the ARGP based signature performed more accurately in overall survival (OS) prediction compared to other published gene signatures. In addition, a high risk of HCC was closely related to CTLA4 upregulation, LC3 downregulation, low-response to axitinib, rapamycin, temsirolimus, docetaxel, metformin, and high-response to bleomycin. Univariate Cox and multivariate Cox analysis revealed that the risk score was an independent prognostic factor for HCC. These results were internally validated in the test and TCGA sets and externally validated in the ICGC set. A nomogram, consisting of the risk score and the TNM stage, performed well when compared to an ideal nomogram. In conclusion, a 6-ARGP-based prognostic signature was identified and validated as an effective predictor of OS of patients with HCC. Furthermore, we recognized six small-molecule drugs, which may be potentially effective in treating HCC.
A Novel Intercellular Communication-Associated Gene Signature for Prognostic Prediction and Clinical Value in Patients With Lung Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Zhao Qin-Yu , Liu Le-Ping , Lu Lu , Gui Rong , Luo Yan-Wei
Published: August 2021

Background

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death globally, with lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) being its most prevalent subtype. This study aimed to identify the key intercellular communication-associated genes (ICAGs) in LUAD.

Methods

Eight publicly available datasets were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases. The prognosis-related ICAGs were identified and a risk score was developed by using survival analysis. Machine learning models were trained to predict LUAD recurrence based on the selected ICAGs and clinical information. Comprehensive analyses on ICAGs and tumor microenvironment were performed. A single-cell RNA-sequencing dataset was assessed to further elucidate aberrant changes in intercellular communication.

Results

Eight ICAGs with prognostic potential were identified in the present study, and a risk score was derived accordingly. The best machine-learning model to predict relapse was developed based on clinical information and the expression levels of these eight ICAGs. This model achieved a remarkable area under receiver operator characteristic curves of 0.841. Patients were divided into high- and low-risk groups according to their risk scores. DNA replication and cell cycle were significantly enriched by the differentially expressed genes between the high- and the low-risk groups. Infiltrating immune cells, immune functions were significantly related to ICAGs expressions and risk scores. Additionally, the changes of intercellular communication were modeled by analyzing the single-cell sequencing dataset.

Conclusion

The present study identified eight key ICAGs in LUAD, which could contribute to patient stratification and act as novel therapeutic targets.
Planar Light Extinction Measurement of Soot Volume Fraction in Laminar Counterflow Diffusion Flames
Authors: Zhou Jiwei , Zhou Mengxiang , Ma Liuhao , Wang Yu
Published: August 2021

A cost-effective and straightforward light extinction method has been extensively used for measurement of soot volume fraction (SVF) in sooting flames. The traditional pointwise measurement with translation stage suffers from relatively time-consuming operation and low spatial resolution. In the current study, the planar light extinction method is processed by utilizing a CMOS camera to image the combustion field of counterflow diffusion flame (CDF) backlit with the lamp. Collimated and diffuse optical layouts were adopted to explore the feasibility. Investigations of beam-steering effects are presented and discussed through a combination of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and ray tracing simulations. Measured SVF are compared to the well-validated laser-induced incandescence (LII) measurements. Current measurements show that the diffuse optical layout is feasible and robust to provide accurate and more efficient measurement of the SVF in CDF with superior spatial resolution (21.65 μm).
Incidence and Risk Factors of Postpartum Hemorrhage in China: A Multicenter Retrospective Study
Authors: Li Sijian , Gao Jinsong , Liu Juntao , Hu Jing , Chen Xiaoxu , He Jing , Tang Yabing , Liu Xinghui , Cao Yinli , Liu Xiaowei , Wang Xietong
Published: August 2021

Background: Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide but the incidence and its risk factors in China is limited. The objective of this study is to investigate the incidence and the risk factors of PPH in Chinese women.

Methods: A multi-center retrospective study of pregnant women at ≥28 weeks of gestation was conducted. Logistic regression was used to identify potential risk factors of PPH and receiver operating characteristic curve was used to evaluate the predictive performance of the identified risk factors. Subgroup analysis focusing on the number of fetus and the mode of delivery was conducted.

Results: A total of 99,253 pregnant women were enrolled and 804 (0.81%) experienced PPH. The subgroup analysis revealed that the incidence of PPH was 0.75, 2.65, 1.40, and 0.31% in singletons, twin pregnancies, cesarean sections, and vaginal deliveries, respectively. Placenta previa and placenta accreta were the predominant risk factors of PPH in the overall population and all subgroups. A twin pregnancy was a risk factor for PPH regardless of the mode of delivery. Obesity, and multiparity were risk factors for PPH in both singletons and cesarean section cases, but the latter predicted a reduced probability of PPH in vaginal deliveries. Macrosomia was associated with increased risk of PPH in singletons or vaginal deliveries. In women who delivered vaginally, preeclampsia was associated with a higher risk of PPH. The areas under the curve for the overall cohort, singletons, twin pregnancies, cesarean section cases, and vaginal deliveries were 0.832 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.813–0.851), 0.824 (95% CI 0.803–0.845), 0.686 (95% CI 0.617–0.755), 0.854 (95% CI 0.834–0.874), and 0.690 (95% CI 0.646–0.735), respectively.

Conclusions: The risk factors of PPH varied slightly based on the number of fetuses and the mode of delivery, while placenta previa and placenta accreta were the two major risk factors. A combination of the identified risk factors yielded a satisfactory predictive performance in determining PPH in the overall cohort, singletons pregnancies, and women who delivered by cesarean section, whereas the performance was moderate in twin pregnancies and in women delivering vaginally.
Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitor (SGLT2i) as a Primary Preventative Agent in the Healthy Individual: A Need of a Future Randomised Clinical Trial?
Authors: Xu Dan , Chandler Owain , Wee Cleo , Ho Chau , Affandi Jacquita S. , Yang Daya , Liao Xinxue , Chen Wei , Li Yanbing , Reid Christopher , Xiao Haipeng
Published: August 2021

Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) are a relatively novel class of drug for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) that inhibits glucose reabsorption in the renal proximal tubule to promote glycosuria and reduce blood glucose levels. SGLT2i has been clinically indicated for treating T2DM, with numerous recent publications focussing on both primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular and renal events in Type 2 diabetic patients. The most recent clinical trials showed that SGLT2i have moderately significant beneficial effects on atherosclerotic major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with histories of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. In this review and analysis, SGLT2i have however demonstrated clinically significant benefits in reducing hospitalisation for heart failure and worsening of chronic kidney disease (CKD) irrespective of pre-existing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or previous heart failure history. A meta-analysis suggests that all SGLT2 inhibitors demonstrated the therapeutic benefit on all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, as shown in EMPAREG OUTCOME study with a significant decrease in myocardial infarction, without increased stroke risk. All the above clinical trial recruited type 2 diabetic patients. This article aims to postulate and review the possible primary prevention role of SGLT2i in healthy individuals by reviewing the current literature and provide a prospective overview. The emphasis will include primary prevention of Type 2 Diabetes, Heart Failure, CKD, Hypertension, Obesity and Dyslipidaemia in healthy individuals, whom are defined as healthy, low or intermediate risks patients.
Alterations of Ultra Long-Chain Fatty Acids in Hereditary Skin Diseases—Review Article
Authors: Zwara Agata , Wertheim-Tysarowska Katarzyna , Mika Adriana
Published: August 2021

The skin is a flexible organ that forms a barrier between the environment and the body's interior; it is involved in the immune response, in protection and regulation, and is a dynamic environment in which skin lipids play an important role in maintaining homeostasis. The different layers of the skin differ in both the composition and amount of lipids. The epidermis displays the best characteristics in this respect. The main lipids in this layer are cholesterol, fatty acids (FAs) and ceramides. FAs can occur in free form and as components of complex molecules. The most poorly characterized FAs are very long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) and ultra long-chain fatty acids (ULCFAs). VLCFAs and ULCFAs are among the main components of ceramides and are part of the free fatty acid (FFA) fraction. They are most abundant in the brain, liver, kidneys, and skin. VLCFAs and ULCFAs are responsible for the rigidity and impermeability of membranes, forming the mechanically and chemically strong outer layer of cell membranes. Any changes in the composition and length of the carbon chains of FAs result in a change in their melting point and therefore a change in membrane permeability. One of the factors causing a decrease in the amount of VLCFAs and ULCFAs is an improper diet. Another much more important factor is mutations in the genes which code proteins involved in the metabolism of VLCFAs and ULCFAs—regarding their elongation, their attachment to ceramides and their transformation. These mutations have their clinical consequences in the form of inborn errors in metabolism and neurodegenerative disorders, among others. Some of them are accompanied by skin symptoms such as ichthyosis and ichthyosiform erythroderma. In the following review, the structure of the skin is briefly characterized and the most important lipid components of the skin are presented. The focus is also on providing an overview of selected proteins involved in the metabolism of VLCFAs and ULCFAs in the skin.
ViralFP: A Web Application of Viral Fusion Proteins
Authors: Moreira Pedro , Sequeira Ana Marta , Pereira Sara , Rodrigues Rúben , Rocha Miguel , Lousa Diana
Published: August 2021

Viral fusion proteins are attached to the membrane of enveloped viruses (a group that includes Coronaviruses, Dengue, HIV and Influenza) and catalyze fusion between the viral and host membranes, enabling the virus to insert its genetic material into the host cell. Given the importance of these biomolecules, this work presents a centralized database containing the most relevant information on viral fusion proteins, available through a free-to-use web server accessible through the URL https://viralfp.bio.di.uminho.pt/. This web application contains several bioinformatic tools, such as Clustal sequence alignment and Weblogo, including as well a machine learning-based tool capable of predicting the location of fusion peptides (the component of fusion proteins that inserts into the host's cell membrane) within the fusion protein sequence. Given the crucial role of these proteins in viral infection, their importance as natural targets of our immune system and their potential as therapeutic targets, this web application aims to foster our ability to fight pathogenic viruses.
Prediction of Minimal Inhibitory Concentration of Meropenem Against Klebsiella pneumoniae Using Metagenomic Data
Authors: Tan Rundong , Yu Anqi , Liu Ziming , Liu Ziqi , Jiang Rongfeng , Wang Xiaoli , Liu Jialin , Gao Junhui , Wang Xinjun
Published: August 2021

Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) is defined as the lowest concentration of an antimicrobial agent that can inhibit the visible growth of a particular microorganism after overnight incubation. Clinically, antibiotic doses for specific infections are determined according to the fraction of MIC. Therefore, credible assessment of MICs will provide a physician valuable information on the choice of therapeutic strategy. Early and precise usage of antibiotics is the key to an infection therapy. Compared with the traditional culture-based method, the approach of whole genome sequencing to identify MICs can shorten the experimental time, thereby improving clinical efficacy. Klebsiella pneumoniae is one of the most significant members of the genus Klebsiella in the Enterobacteriaceae family and also a common non-social pathogen. Meropenem is a broad-spectrum antibacterial agent of the carbapenem family, which can produce antibacterial effects of most Gram-positive and -negative bacteria. In this study, we used single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) information and nucleotide k-mers count based on metagenomic data to predict MICs of meropenem against K. pneumoniae. Then, features of 110 sequenced K. pneumoniae genome data were combined and modeled with XGBoost algorithm and deep neural network (DNN) algorithm to predict MICs. We first use the XGBoost classification model and the XGBoost regression model. After five runs, the average accuracy of the test set was calculated. The accuracy of using nucleotide k-mers to predict MICs of the XGBoost classification model and XGBoost regression model was 84.5 and 89.1%. The accuracy of SNP in predicting MIC was 80 and 81.8%, respectively. The results show that XGBoost regression is better than XGBoost classification in both nucleotide k-mers and SNPs to predict MICs. We further selected 40 nucleotide k-mers and 40 SNPs with the highest correlation with MIC values as features to retrain the XGBoost regression model and DNN regression model. After 100 and 1,000 runs, the results show that the accuracy of the two models was improved. The accuracy of the XGBoost regression model for k-mers, SNPs, and k-mers & SNPs was 91.1, 85.2, and 91.3%, respectively. The accuracy of the DNN regression model was 91.9, 87.1, and 91.8%, respectively. Through external verification, some of the selected features were found to be related to drug resistance.
Efficacy of a Novel Exoskeletal Robot for Locomotor Rehabilitation in Stroke Patients: A Multi-center, Non-inferiority, Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Li Yongqiang , Fan Tao , Qi Qi , Wang Jun , Qiu Huaide , Zhang Lingye , Wu Xixi , Ye Jing , Chen Gong , Long Jianjun , Wang Yulong , Huang Guozhi , Li Jianan
Published: August 2021

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of a novel lower-limb exoskeletal robot, BEAR-H1 (Shenzhen Milebot Robot Technology), in the locomotor function of subacute stroke patients.

Methods: The present study was approved by the ethical committee of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (No. 2019-MD-43), and registration was recorded on the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry with a unique identifier: ChiCTR2100044475. A total of 130 patients within 6 months of stroke were randomly divided into two groups: the robot group and the control group. The control group received routine training for walking, while in the robot group, BEAR-H1 lower-limb exoskeletal robot was used for locomotor training. Both groups received two sessions daily, 5 days a week for 4 weeks consecutively. Each session lasted 30 min. Before treatment, after treatment for 2 weeks, and 4 weeks, the patients were assessed based on the 6-minute walking test (6MWT), functional ambulation scale (FAC), Fugl-Meyer assessment lower-limb subscale (FMA-LE), and Vicon gait analysis.

Results: After a 4-week intervention, the results of 6MWT, FMA-LE, FAC, cadence, and gait cycle in the two groups significantly improved (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). The ratio of stance phase to that of swing phase, swing phase symmetry ratio (SPSR), and step length symmetry ratio (SLSR) was not significantly improved after 4 weeks of training in both the groups. Further analyses revealed that the robot group exhibited potential benefits, as the point estimates of 6MWT and Δ6MWT (post-pre) at 4 weeks were higher than those in the control group. Additionally, within-group comparison showed that patients in the robot group had a significant improvement in 6MWT earlier than their counterparts in the control group.

Conclusions: The rehabilitation robot in this study could improve the locomotor function of stroke patients; however, its effect was no better than conventional locomotor training.
Sex Differences in the Blood Oxygen Level-Dependent Signal to Placebo Analgesia and Nocebo Hyperalgesia in Experimental Pain: A Functional MRI Study
Authors: Shi Yu , Zhan Hongrui , Zeng Yanyan , Huang Shimin , Cai Guiyuan , Yang Jianming , Wu Wen
Published: August 2021

Objective

Placebo as well as nocebo responses are widely found in scientific research and clinical practice. Growing evidence suggests sex differences in placebo as well as nocebo responses. However, data concerning this question are still insufficient. This study examined whether the BOLD signals of two responses, as measured with functional MRI (fMRI), differ by sex under conditions of equivalent experimental pain perception.

Method

Thirty-one healthy volunteers (14 female) underwent two fMRI scans, once during a placebo intervention and once during a nocebo intervention, pseudorandomly ordered, in an acute lower back pain (ALBP) model. We collected visual analog scale (VAS) data after each scanning. fMRI data from different sex groups were subjected to functional connectivity (FC) analysis and behavioral correlation analysis (BCA).

Results

The results showed statistical differences in VAS scores between male and female participants, in both placebo and nocebo responses. Both groups also showed reduced FC in the pain-associated network of the placebo response and elevated FC in the pain-related network of the nocebo response. However, in the placebo condition, male participants displayed increased FC in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, parahippocampal gyrus (PHP), and posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), while female participants showed increased FC in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, hippocampal gyrus (HP), and insular cortex (IC). In the nocebo condition, male participants showed decreased FC in the PCC and HP, while female participants displayed decreased FC in the mid-cingulate cortex, thalamus (THS), and HP. The BCA results of the two groups were also different.

Conclusion

We found that the endogenous opioid system and reward circuit play a key role in sex differences of placebo response and that anxiety and its secondary reactions may cause the sex differences of nocebo response.
Rinegan: A Scalable Image Processing Architecture for Large Scale Surveillance Applications
Authors: Luo Xi , Feng Lei , Xun Hao , Zhang Yuanfei , Li Yixin , Yin Lihua
Published: August 2021

Image processing is widely used in intelligent robots, significantly improving the surveillance capabilities of smart buildings, industrial parks, and border ports. However, relying on the camera installed in a single robot is not enough since it only provides a narrow field of view as well as limited processing performance. Specially, a target person such as the suspect may appear anywhere and tracking the suspect in such a large-scale scene requires cooperation between fixed cameras and patrol robots. This induces a significant surge in demand for data, computing resources, as well as networking infrastructures. In this work, we develop a scalable architecture to optimize image processing efficacy and response rate for visual ability. In this architecture, the lightweight pre-process and object detection functions are deployed on the gateway-side to minimize the bandwidth consumption. Cloud-side servers receive solely the recognized data rather than entire image or video streams to identify specific suspect. Then the cloud-side sends the information to the robot, and the robot completes the corresponding tracking task. All these functions are implemented and orchestrated based on micro-service architecture to improve the flexibility. We implement a prototype system, called Rinegan, and evaluate it in an in-lab testing environment. The result shows that Rinegan is able to improve the effectiveness and efficacy of image processing.
Effects of Prior Antiplatelet Therapy on Mortality, Functional Outcome, and Hematoma Expansion in Intracerebral Hemorrhage: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cohort Studies
Authors: Wu Yujie , Zhang Donghang , Chen Hongyang , Liu Bin , Zhou Cheng
Published: August 2021

Background and Objective: Antiplatelet therapy (APT) is widely used and believed to be associated with increased poor prognosis by promoting bleeding in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine whether prior APT is associated with mortality, functional outcome, and hematoma expansion in ICH patients.

Methods: The PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases were searched for relevant published studies up to December 11, 2020. Univariate and multivariable adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were pooled using a random effects model. Cochran's chi-squared test (Cochran's Q), the I2 statistic, and meta-regression analysis were used to evaluate the heterogeneity. Meta-regression models were developed to explore sources of heterogeneity. Funnel plots were used to detect publication bias. A trim-and-fill method was performed to identify possible asymmetry and assess the robustness of the conclusions.

Results: Thirty-one studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria and exhibited a moderate risk of bias. Prior APT users with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) had a slightly increased mortality in both univariate analyses [odds ratio (OR) 1.39, 95% CI 1.24–1.56] and multivariable adjusted analyses (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.21–1.64). The meta-regression indicated that for each additional day of assessment time, the adjusted OR for the mortality of APT patients decreased by 0.0089 (95% CI: −0.0164 to −0.0015; P = 0.0192) compared to that of non-APT patients. However, prior APT had no effects on poor function outcome (pooled univariate OR: 0.99, 95% CI 0.59–1.66; pooled multivariable adjusted OR: 0.93, 95% CI 0.87–1.07) or hematoma growth (pooled univariate OR: 1.23, 95% CI 0.40–3.74, pooled multivariable adjusted OR: 0.94, 95% CI 0.24–3.60).

Conclusions: Prior APT was not associated with hematoma expansion or functional outcomes, but there was modestly increased mortality in prior APT patients. Higher mortality of prior APT patients was related to the strong influence of prior APT use on early mortality.

Systematic Review Registration:PROSPERO Identifier [CRD42020215243].
Long-Term Efficacy Outcomes of Natalizumab vs. Fingolimod in Patients With Highly Active Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis: Real-World Data From a Multiple Sclerosis Reference Center
Authors: Boziki Marina , Bakirtzis Christos , Giantzi Virginia , Sintila Styliani-Aggeliki , Kallivoulos Stylianos , Afrantou Theodora , Nikolaidis Ioannis , Ioannidis Panagiotis , Karapanayiotides Theodoros , Koutroulou Ioanna , Parissis Dimitrios , Grigoriadis Nikolaos
Published: August 2021

Background: Natalizumab (NTZ) and fingolimod (FTY) are second-line disease modifying treatments (DMTs) approved for Relapsing – Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS). Few studies are available on a direct comparison between NTZ and FTY, based on post-marketing experience, with conflicting results and reporting relatively short follow-up period.

Aim: We hereby report real-world experience of a MS Center with respect to NTZ vs. FTY comparison in terms of efficacy and safety, referencing long-term follow-up.

Methods: We used retrospective data for all patients that received 2nd-line treatment NTZ (since May 2007) or FTY (since September 2011). Primary endpoints were, among others, annual EDSS score (mean change from baseline), time to disability worsening or improvement, Annualized Relapse Rate (ARR) after 12 and 24 months and upon total treatment duration, time to first relapse and time to radiological progression.

Results: A total of 138 unmatched patients, 84 treated with NTZ and 54 treated with FTY were included. Following Propensity Score (PS) matching, 31 patients in each group were retained. Mean follow-up period for NTZ- and FTY-treated patients was 4.43 ± 0.29 and 3.59 ± 0.32 years (p = 0.057), respectively. In the matched analysis, time to disability improvement and time to disability worsening was comparable between groups. A higher proportion of patients remained free of relapse under NTZ, compared to FTY (Log Rank test p = 0.021, HR: 0.25, 95% CI: 0.08–0.8), as well as free of MRI activity (Log Rank test p = 0.006, HR: 0.26, 95% CI: 0.08–0.6). Treatment discontinuation due to MRI activity was significantly higher for FTY-treated patients compared to NTZ (Log Rank test p = 0.019, HR: 0.12, 95% CI: 0.05–0.76).

Conclusion: Our results indicate toward NTZ superiority with respect to relapse and MRI activity outcomes. The fact that NTZ-treated patients may achieve long-standing clinical and radiological remission points toward the need for long follow-up data.
Gender Gap in Neurology Research Authorship (1946–2020)
Authors: Nguyen Anne X. , Yoffe Lilian , Li Anna , Trinh Xuan-Vi , Kurian Jerry , Moss Heather E. , Wu Albert Y.
Published: August 2021

Gender disparity in the field of neurology impedes scientific advancements and innovations. In 2018, 45.0% of neurology and neurological subspecialty residents were women. Despite a notable rise in the proportion of women neurologists over the past decades, inequalities regarding publication proportions between men and women persist in the field. This cohort study examines authorship trends in articles published in 155 international neurology journals, identified as those listed in the annual Journal Citation Reports' “Clinical Neurology” section. Authors' names, authorship positions and countries of affiliation were extracted from PubMed for indexed articles published from 1946 to 2020. Gender-API (a validated and highly accurate application program interface) assigned binary genders to authors. Author gender proportions were compared across subspecialties, authorship position and years. In 303,385 unique articles, 1,663,036 total authors were identified of which 34.1% were women. Neuroradiology demonstrated the lowest proportion of women authors (21.3%), while neurogenetics displayed the highest (44.5%). In articles with multiple authors, both men and women last authors were more likely to publish with a male first author, though this was significantly more pronounced for men last authors (1.86 vs. 1.08; p < 0.001). From 2002 to 2020, women remained in the minority of last (24.6%), first (36.2%), and middle author positions (35.8%). The authorship gender distribution in neurological journals neither reflects the gender proportion of neurologists in the field overall nor in any subspecialty examined. We also find a tendency for senior and junior authors of the same gender to publish together which perpetuates authorship inequity. Further work is needed to identify underlying causes so that interventions might be developed to improve authorship diversity.
Contribution of Tissue Inflammation and Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption to Brain Softening in a Mouse Model of Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Silva Rafaela Vieira , Morr Anna S. , Mueller Susanne , Koch Stefan Paul , Boehm-Sturm Philipp , Rodriguez-Sillke Yasmina , Kunkel Désirée , Tzschätzsch Heiko , Kühl Anja A. , Schnorr Jörg , Taupitz Matthias , Sack Ingolf , Infante-Duarte Carmen
Published: August 2021

Neuroinflammatory processes occurring during multiple sclerosis cause disseminated softening of brain tissue, as quantified by in vivo magnetic resonance elastography (MRE). However, inflammation-mediated tissue alterations underlying the mechanical integrity of the brain remain unclear. We previously showed that blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption visualized by MRI using gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA) does not correlate with tissue softening in active experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). However, it is unknown how confined BBB changes and other inflammatory processes may determine local elasticity changes. Therefore, we aim to elucidate which inflammatory hallmarks are determinant for local viscoelastic changes observed in EAE brains. Hence, novel multifrequency MRE was applied in combination with GBCA-based MRI or very small superparamagnetic iron oxide particles (VSOPs) in female SJL mice with induced adoptive transfer EAE (n = 21). VSOPs were doped with europium (Eu-VSOPs) to facilitate the post-mortem analysis. Accumulation of Eu-VSOPs, which was previously demonstrated to be sensitive to immune cell infiltration and ECM remodeling, was also found to be independent of GBCA enhancement. Following registration to a reference brain atlas, viscoelastic properties of the whole brain and areas visualized by either Gd or VSOP were quantified. MRE revealed marked disseminated softening across the whole brain in mice with established EAE (baseline: 3.1 ± 0.1 m/s vs. EAE: 2.9 ± 0.2 m/s, p < 0.0001). A similar degree of softening was observed in sites of GBCA enhancement i.e., mainly within cerebral cortex and brain stem (baseline: 3.3 ± 0.4 m/s vs. EAE: 3.0 ± 0.5 m/s, p = 0.018). However, locations in which only Eu-VSOP accumulated, mainly in fiber tracts (baseline: 3.0 ± 0.4 m/s vs. EAE: 2.6 ± 0.5 m/s, p = 0.023), softening was more pronounced when compared to non-hypointense areas (percent change of stiffness for Eu-VSOP accumulation: −16.81 ± 16.49% vs. for non-hypointense regions: −5.85 ± 3.81%, p = 0.048). Our findings suggest that multifrequency MRE is sensitive to differentiate between local inflammatory processes with a strong immune cell infiltrate that lead to VSOP accumulation, from disseminated inflammation and BBB leakage visualized by GBCA. These pathological events visualized by Eu-VSOP MRI and MRE may include gliosis, macrophage infiltration, alterations of endothelial matrix components, and/or extracellular matrix remodeling. MRE may therefore represent a promising imaging tool for non-invasive clinical assessment of different pathological aspects of neuroinflammation.
Neural Bases of Brand Reputation Effect on Extension Evaluation: An ERPs Study
Authors: Liu Chang , Song Zhijie , Shi Rui
Published: August 2021

Brand extension, as a marketing strategy, is frequently utilized by enterprises to produce new products. There exist several critical factors determining its success, such as brand reputation and perceived fit. The present study adopts the event-related potentials (ERPs) method to explore the underlying neural mechanism of the joint influence of the two factors on consumers’ evaluation of brand extension. Specifically, consumers were presented with a brand with corporate social responsibility (CSR) or corporate ability (CA) reputation, following attached to an extension product (high fit vs. low fit). And then, they were given a 5-point scale to report their acceptance intention (AI) toward the brand extension. Behavioral data showed a higher AI and a shorter reaction time for high fit in contrast to low fit conditions. For low fit conditions, consumers were more inclined to accept the extension product with a brand with CSR than CA reputation. Neurophysiologically, CSR reputation evoked a larger P2 amplitude and LPP amplitude than CA reputation. Moreover, the low fit conditions elicited a more positive LPP amplitude than the high fit conditions in the context of a brand with a CSR reputation. Yet, for a brand with a CA reputation, the effect of perceived fit was not found. These results may reflect early attention resources engagement and altruistic motivation at the late stage during brand extension evaluation. The findings provided neurological evidence for which of the two types of brand reputation (CSR vs. CA) have a more positive effect on brand extension.
Beneficial Effect of Immune-Enhanced Enteral Nutrition on Immune Function in Patients With Severe Neurological Diseases: A Single-Center Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Chao Ke , Wang Dong , Yang Hongfu , Ma Ning , Liu Qilong , Sun Xiaoge , Sun Rongqing
Published: August 2021

Background: Undernutrition is the main reason for the use of artificial nutrition in patients with severe neurological diseases. However, the clinical and immunological outcomes of enteral nutrition supplemented with immunomodulatory nutrients in these patients remain unclear.

Methods: In this single-center, randomized controlled study, 57 patients with severe neurological diseases were randomly divided into the following two groups according to the type of enteral nutrition they would receive: immune-enhancing (IE) (n = 27) and non-IE (NIE) (n = 30). The IE and NIE groups received enteral nutrition supplemented with immunomodulatory nutrients and standard enteral nutrition, respectively. We compared the nutritional status and the state of cellular immunity between the patients of the two groups. Clinical and immunological variables were evaluated following nutritional treatment.

Results: Feeding intolerance was lower in the IE than that in the NIE group (P = 0.04). However, there were no significant differences between the results of the two groups in terms of length of stay in the intensive care unit or hospital, extubation time, or body mass index (P > 0.05). The CD4+ T-lymphocyte count and CD4+/CD8+ ratio in the peripheral blood increased significantly in the IE group. The expression of CD28 activated cell surface markers was higher in the IE than in the NIE group. In addition, increased plasma interferon-γ levels were recorded in the IE group, whereas the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and IL-10 decreased.

Conclusions: Immune-enhanced enteral nutrition could improve the immune status and feeding tolerance in patients with severe neurological diseases.

Trial Registration:www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx, identifier: ChiCTR-IPR-17013909.
Changes in Intestinal Flora Structure and Metabolites Are Associated With Myocardial Fibrosis in Patients With Persistent Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Liu Langsha , Su Juan , Li Rui , Luo Fanyan
Published: August 2021

Background: The occurrence of atrial fibrillation is often accompanied by myocardial fibrosis. An increasing number of studies have shown that intestinal flora is involved in the occurrence and development of a variety of cardiovascular diseases. This study explores the relationship between changes in the structure and function of intestinal flora and the progression of myocardial fibrosis in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation.

Methods: Serum and stool samples were collected from 10 healthy people and 10 patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (PeAF), and statistical analyses were performed on the subjects' clinical baseline conditions. ELISA was used to measure the levels of carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX-I), propeptide of type I procollagen (PICP), procollagen III N-terminal propeptide (PIIINP), fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23), and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) in serum. Through 16S rRNA sequencing technology, the structural composition of the intestinal flora was detected and analyzed. In addition, metabolomics data were analyzed to determine the differences in the metabolites produced by the intestinal flora of the subjects.

Results: By comparing the baseline data of the subjects, it was found that compared with those of the control group, the levels of creatinine (CRE) and serum uric acid (SUA) in the serum of PeAF patients were significantly increased. In addition, we found that the levels of CTX-I, PICP, PIIINP, and TGF-β1 in the serum of PeAF patients were significantly higher than those of the control group subjects. Although the control and PeAF groups exhibited no significant differences in the α diversity index, there were significant differences in the β diversity indexes (Bray-Curtis, weighted UniFrac and Anosim). At the phylum, family and species levels, the community structure and composition of the intestinal flora of the control group and those of the PeAF group showed significant differences. In addition, the compositions of the intestinal metabolites in the two different groups of people were significantly different. They were correlated considerably with PIIINP and specific communities in the intestinal flora.

Conclusion: Pathologically, PeAF patients may have a higher risk of myocardial fibrosis. Systematically, abnormal changes in the structure and composition of the intestinal flora in PeAF patients may lead to differences in intestinal metabolites, which are involved in the process of myocardial fibrosis through metabolite pathways.