bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thiophene and diaminobenzo- (1,2,5-thiadiazol)- based DAD-type near-infrared fluorescent probe for nitric oxide: A theoretical research
Authors: Lin X. Y. , Sun S. H. , Liu Y. T. , Shi Q. Q. , Lv J. J. , Peng Y. J.
Published: January 2023

A near-infrared fluorescent probe (LS-NO) for the real-time detection of nitric oxide (NO) in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) was developed recently. The probe used oligoglycol morpholine-functionalized thiophene as strong electron donors and diaminobenzene (1,2,5-thiadiazole) as a weak electron acceptor and NO trapping group. It could detect exogenous and endogenous NO in the lysosomes of living cells with high sensitivity and specificity. To further understand the fluorescent mechanism and character of the probes LS-NO and LS-TZ (after the reaction of the probe LS-NO with NO), the electron transfer in the excitation and emitting process within the model molecules DAD-NO and DAD-TZ was analyzed in detail under the density functional theory. The calculation results indicated the transformation from diaminobenzene (1,2,5-thiadiazole) as a weak electron acceptor to triazolo-benzo-(1,2,5-thiadiazole) as a strong electron acceptor made LS-NO an effective “off–on” near-infrared NO fluorescent probe.
The role of atria in ventricular fibrillation after continuous-flow left ventricular assist device implantation in ovine model
Authors: Yu Xin-Yi , Shi Jian-Wei , Rong Yan-Sheng , Chen Yuan-Lu , Liu Tian-Wen , Zang Yi-Rui , Fu Ze-An , Zhang Jie-Min , Han Zhi-Fu , Liu Zhi-Gang
Published: January 2023

Objectives

This study attempted to explore the hemodynamics and potential mechanisms driving pulmonary circulation in status of ventricular fibrillation (VF) following continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (CF-LVAD) implantation.

Methods

An ovine CF-LVAD model was built in small-tailed Han sheep, with the pump speed set as 2,400 rpm. VF was induced following ventricular tachycardia using a temporary pacemaker probe to stimulate the right and left ventricular free walls. The central venous pressure (CVP), pump flow (PF), pulmonary artery flow (PAF) and other major indicators were observed and recorded after VF.

Results

Low-flow systemic and pulmonary circulation could be sustained for 60 min under VF with sinus atrial rhythm after CF-LVAD implantation. The CVP gradually increased. The mean PF declined from 1.80 to 1.20 L/min, and the mean PAF decreased from 1.62 L/min to 0.87 L/min. Under VF with atrial fibrillation, the systemic and pulmonary circulation couldn’t be sustained. The CVP jumped from the 5 mmHg baseline to 12 mmHg, the mean PF rapidly decreased from 3.45 L/min to 0.79 L/min, and the PAF declined from 3.94 L/min to 0.77 L/min.

Conclusion

The atrial rhythm and function might be essential for the circulation maintenance in patients with VF after CF-LVAD implantation.
Case report: Fatal systemic embolism caused by early prosthetic valve endocarditis after Bentall surgery
Authors: Wu Shaofeng , Wang Xin , Ren Weidong , Song Guang , Hou Yang , Hu Haidi , Yu Xiaona
Published: January 2023

Prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) is a rare but dangerous complication of Bentall surgery and Staphylococcus epidermidis PVE involving multiple valves simultaneously during the early postoperative period has not been reported. A 42 year old patient admitted to intensive care unit with fever 1 month after aortic valve replacement (Bentall procedure). Echocardiography was of great diagnosis value and suggested large, mobile vegetations on both the prosthetic aortic valve and native tricuspid valve. The presence of Staphylococcus epidermidis was revealed by multiple blood cultures. Surgery was not performed because of the history of aortic valve replacement 1 month ago. He developed acute right femoral artery thromboembolism, multiple cerebral infarction and splenic infarction during hospitalization and died of cerebral infarction after being discharged. This case underlines that patients with early PVE may have poor prognosis and fatal systemic embolism should be aware of in PVE patients with large vegetations present with dyskinesia, abdominal pain, and limb numbness. The timely echocardiography and vascular ultrasound are primary and reliable diagnostic methods in this scenario.
Natural history and mid-term prognosis of severe tricuspid regurgitation: A cohort study
Authors: Samim Daryoush , Praz Fabien , Cochard Baptiste , Brugger Nicolas , Ruberti Andrea , Bartkowiak Joanna , Corpataux Noé , Reineke David , Pilgrim Thomas , Windecker Stephan , Wenaweser Peter Martin , Wild Mirjam G.
Published: January 2023

Objectives

The objective of this study was to characterize a population of patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) evaluated at a tertiary care center, assess mid-term clinical outcomes, and identify prognostic factors.

Background

The impact of TR on morbidity and mortality is increasingly recognized. Clinical characteristics and long-term outcomes of patients suffering from TR remain unclear.

Methods

This is a retrospective observational single-center study from a tertiary care hospital including patients with echocardiographic diagnosis of severe TR between January 2017 and December 2018. We used the Kaplan–Meier method to estimate survival for up to 4 years. After excluding patients with tricuspid valve (TV) intervention and surgery during follow-up, a multivariate analysis was performed to assess predictors of 2-year mortality using the Cox regression model.

Results

A total of 278 patients (mean age 74.9 ± 13.7 years, 47.8% female) with severe TR were included in the study. The majority (83.1%; n = 231) had secondary TR. Comorbidities such as atrial fibrillation (AFib) (68.0%; n = 189), severe renal failure (44.2%; n = 123), pulmonary hypertension (PHT) (80.9%; n = 225), and right ventricular (RV) dysfunction (59.7%; n = 166) were highly prevalent. More than half of patients with a cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) (54.3%; n = 44) showed echocardiographic signs of lead-leaflet interaction causing or contributing to TR. The estimated 2- and 4-year all-cause mortality was 50 and 69%, respectively. Using multivariate analysis, age, severe renal failure, heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), and vena contracta width ≥14 mm were identified as predictors of 2-year mortality. Nine percent (n = 25) of the study cohort underwent transcatheter or surgical treatment for TR during follow-up.

Conclusion

Our study shows the high burden of morbidity and the dismal survival of patients with severe TR. It also highlights the extent of the therapeutic need, since the vast majority of patients were left untreated. Additionally, CIED RV lead-associated TR was prevalent suggesting a need for more attention in clinical routine and research.
Evaluation of the aorta in infants with simple or complex coarctation of the aorta using CT angiography
Authors: Xiao Hui-Jun , Zhan A-Lai , Huang Qing-Wen , Huang Rui-Gang , Lin Wei-Hua
Published: January 2023

Objective

To assess aortic dilatation and determine its related factors in infants with coarctation of the aorta (CoA) by using computed tomography angiography (CTA).

Methods

The clinical data of 55 infantile patients with CoA diagnosed by CTA were analyzed retrospectively. Aortic diameters were measured at six different levels and standardized as Z scores based on the square root of body surface area. The results of simple and complex CoA were compared. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze the effects of sex, age, hypertension, degree of coarctation, CoA type, bicuspid aortic valve (BAV), and other factors related to aortic dilatation.

Results

In total, 52 infant patients with CoA were analyzed, including 22 cases of simple CoA and 30 cases of complex CoA. The ascending aorta of the infants in the simple CoA group and the complex CoA group were dilated to different degrees, but the difference was not statistically significant (50.00% vs. 73.33%, P = 0.084, and 2.05 ± 0.40 vs. 2.22 ± 0.43 P = 0.143). The infants in the complex CoA group had more aortic arch hypoplasia than those in the simple CoA group (33.33% vs. 9.09%, P = 0.042). Compared to the ventricular septal defect (VSD) group, the Z score of the ascending aorta in the CoA group was significantly higher than that in the VSD group (P = 0.023 and P = 0.000). A logistic retrospective analysis found that an increased degree of coarctation (CDR value) was an independent predictor of ascending aortic dilatation (adjusted OR = 0.002; P = 0.034).

Conclusion

Infants with simple or complex CoA are at risk of ascending aortic dilatation, and the factors of ascending aortic dilatation depend on the degree of coarctation. The risk of aortic dilatation in infants with CoA can be identified by CTA.
Flood risk assessment for residences at the neighborhood scale by owner/occupant type and first-floor height
Authors: Al Assi Ayat , Mostafiz Rubayet Bin , Friedland Carol J. , Rahim Md Adilur , Rohli Robert V.
Published: January 2023

Evaluating flood risk is an essential component of understanding and increasing community resilience. A robust approach for quantifying flood risk in terms of average annual loss (AAL) in dollars across multiple homes is needed to provide valuable information for stakeholder decision-making. This research develops a computational framework to evaluate AAL at the neighborhood level by owner/occupant type (i.e., homeowner, landlord, and tenant) for increasing first-floor height (FFH). The AAL values were calculated here by numerically integrating loss-exceedance probability distributions to represent economic annual flood risk to the building, contents, and use. A simple case study for a census block in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, revealed that homeowners bear a mean AAL of $4,390 at the 100-year flood elevation (E100), compared with $2,960, and $1,590 for landlords and tenants, respectively, because the homeowner incurs losses to building, contents, and use, rather than only two of the three, as for the landlord and tenant. The results of this case study showed that increasing FFH reduces AAL proportionately for each owner/occupant type, and that two feet of additional elevation above E100 may provide the most economically advantageous benefit. The modeled results suggested that Hazus Multi-Hazard (Hazus-MH) output underestimates the AAL by 11% for building and 15% for contents. Application of this technique while partitioning the owner/occupant types will improve planning for improved resilience and assessment of impacts attributable to the costly flood hazard.
Research on fluid mobility in tight-sandstone with a NMR fractal theory pore classification method
Authors: Gao Yongli , Li Teng , Zhang Zhiguo , Yu Jian , Zhang Yingke , Li Xuan , Zhao Hui
Published: January 2023

The fluid mobility characteristics in the pores with various apertures for tight-sandstone would finally determine the fluid mobility and production of tight oil and gas reservoirs. In this study, the tight-sandstone core samples collected from Middle Jurassic Xishanyao Formation in Santanghu Basin were launched the fluid mobility measurements under various centrifugal speeds. With the NMR fractal theory pore classification method, the various types of pores in the tight-sandstone core samples were classified, and the fluid mobility in different types of pores were also investigated. The results show that the tights-sandstone core samples were significantly influenced by compaction, and the core samples are relatively dense, the mineral intergranular solution pores and colloidal intergranular pores are the main storage spaces. With a constant increase of the centrifugal speed, the fluid mobility increases continuously, and the fluid mobility for CTOS-19 features stronger than that of CTOS-7, which is related to the complexity of pore structure in tight-sandstone sample. Compared with the pore aperture in CTOS-19, the pore aperture in CTOS-7 is smaller, and the connectivity between the smaller and larger pores is poorer, leading to the poorer fluid mobility. Besides, the NMR fractal theory pore classification method also shows that the COTS-7 features more pore types than COTS-19, five and four types respectively. The type P2 and P3 pores are dominant in COTS-7 and CTOS-19 core samples, and the connectivity between type P2 and P3 pores contributes dominantly to the fluid mobility. With the NMR fractal theory pore classification method, the complexity of the distribution of fluid and fluid mobility in tight reservoirs could be studied quantitatively, and the results can efficiently guide the development of residual oil and gas in tight oil reservoirs.
Identifying Emeishan basalt by supervised learning with Landsat-5 and ASTER data
Authors: Zeng Ling , Li Tianbin , Huang Haitao , Zeng Peng , He Yuanxiao , Jing Linhai , Yang Yan , Jiao Shoutao
Published: January 2023

Multispectral-sensor images are advantageous in terms of discriminating major lithologies due to their high spatial resolution and intermediate spectral resolution, in addition to their low cost and high accessibility in comparison to hyperspectral images. In this study, Landsat-5 Thematic Mapper ™ and the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) data—which are the most widely used multispectral data for the discrimination of the mixed rock units—are utilized to identify basalts in our study area. Further, prior knowledge regarding basalt-distribution areas in our study region is obtained from the geological-survey results conducted by the Sichuan Geological Survey at 2005, which is used as the reference of correction to assess our identified results. Small portions of this prior area of basalt distribution were verified through field checks, which were then determined as sites for use as training data for remote-sensing imagery. Three supervised-classification algorithms within ENVI 5.3—k-nearest neighbors (KNN), maximum likelihood classification (MLC), and support vertical machine (SVM)—were utilized for model identification. As a result, six models were constructed, including the KNN prediction of basalts by ASTER images, SVM prediction by ASTER, MLC prediction by ASTER, KNN prediction by Landsat-5 images, SVM prediction by Landsat-5, and MLC prediction by Landsat-5. The performances of the six models, in terms of precision and accuracy, show that the optimum model is Landsat-5 by SVM, with a precision of 70.92% and accuracy of 99.97%, followed by the ASTER by SVM model, with a precision of 67.72% and accuracy of 99.89% and the Landsat-5 by KNN model, with a precision of 57.23% and accuracy of 99.85%.
Two-stage scheduling of integrated energy systems based on a two-step DCGAN-based scenario prediction approach
Authors: Xu Jinxing , Ji Zhenya , Liu Xiaofeng , Bao Yuqing , Zhang Shiwei , Wang Wei , Pang Zihao
Published: January 2023

Integrated energy systems (IESs) are developing rapidly as a supporting technology for achieving carbon reduction targets. Accurate IES predictions can facilitate better scheduling strategies. Recently, a newly developed unsupervised machine learning tool, known as Generative Adversarial Networks (GAN), has been used to predict renewable energy outputs and various types of loads for its advantage in that no prior assumptions about data distribution are required. However, the structure of the traditional GAN leads to the problem of uncontrollable generations, which can be improved in deep convolutional GAN (DCGAN). We propose a two-step prediction approach that takes DCGAN to achieve higher accuracy generation results and uses a K-means clustering algorithm to achieve scenario reduction. In terms of scheduling strategies, common two-stage scheduling is generally day-ahead and intraday stages, with rolling scheduling used for the intraday stage. To account for the impacts on the prediction accuracy of scheduling results, Conditional Value at Risk (CVaR) is added to the day-ahead stage. The intra-day prediction process has also been improved to ensure that the inputs for each prediction domain are updated in real-time. The simulations on a typical IES show that the proposed two-step scenario prediction approach can better describe the load-side demands and renewable energy outputs with significantly reduced computational complexity and that the proposed two-stage scheduling strategy can improve the accuracy and economy of the IES scheduling results.
Pin-resolved ultra-fine-group with correction method and its application to plate-type fuel reactor analysis
Authors: Rao Junjie , Peng Xingjie , Yu Yingrui , Li Qing , Wang Kan
Published: January 2023

In order to perform the resonance calculation efficiently and accurately, several pin-resolved ultra-fine-group methods combining the ultra-fine-group method and Dancoff factor have been developed recently. The ultra-fine-group method is used to consider the self-shielding effect accurately in the 1-D fuel model, and the Dancoff factor is used to consider the shadowing effect in a lattice system. The pin-resolved ultra-fine-group with correction method, combining the ultra-fine-group method and Dancoff factor, is implemented in a transport code using the method of characteristic. In order to expand the application range, the pin-resolved method is extended for the plate-type fuel. Numerical results show good accuracy for the plate-type fuel reactor analysis.
Condition monitoring and early fault warning of power plant auxiliary equipment using LSTM-SDAE model with an adaptive threshold
Authors: Li Yanping , Hong Feng , Tian Liang , Chen Jiyu , Du Hao , Liu Jizhen
Published: January 2023

With the increasing penetration of renewable energy in the power grid, which makes power plant equipment is always in changing operating conditions. The correlation between the main and auxiliary equipment of the unit is easy to lead a potential fault, therefore, the safety and reliability of the auxiliary equipment of thermal power units have become a more challenging issue in the case of large-scale renewable energy. Adaptive condition monitoring of the auxiliary equipment can reduce maintenance costs and improve reliability in the thermal power units. Most existing studies perform poorly at extracting features from distributed control systems data and make less use of time series data. A novel adaptive condition monitoring framework and early fault warning method based on long short-term memory and stack denoising auto-encoder network has been proposed for auxiliary equipment of power plant unit. The proposed framework has two main parts, which contain condition monitoring and adaptive early fault warning. The Mahalanobis distance of a reconstruction error is defined as the monitoring indicator to reflect the condition of the equipment. The Chebyshev inequality determines an adaptive threshold for early anomaly detection that applies to changeable working conditions. The effectiveness of the proposed method was verified by the actual case of the coal mill. The adaptive threshold method can obtain the advance time of 42s and 108s, respectively.
A new test method for simulating wear failure of hydraulic pump slipper pair under high-speed and high-pressure conditions
Authors: Liu Siyuan , Zhang Yongqiang , Ai Chao , Ge Yang , Li Ziang , Zhu Yong , Hao Ming
Published: January 2023

In practical engineering, it is very difficult to obtain data on the slipper wear of hydraulic pumps, especially under high-speed, high-pressure conditions, which limits the development of fault diagnosis technology for hydraulic pumps. At present, a test method that can accurately simulate the operating state of the slipper pair under high-speed and high-pressure conditions does not exist. The reliable load-bearing design of the slipper pair is difficult to carry out effectivetest verification, which limits the development of high-speed and high-pressure piston pumps. Therefore, an experimental design method was proposed to directly simulate the high-speed, high-pressure friction state of the slipper pair based on the change law of reprinting residual pressing force.
A review on techno managerial approaches to energy optimization in chemical process industries
Authors: Parekh Nishita , Kurian Jinu , Patil Rajesh , Gautam Richa
Published: January 2023

The chemical process industries, being energy intensive in nature, still struggle to strategically and sustainably consider energy management issues. Energy sustainability depends on a sustainable energy supply, consumption, and waste disposal. This paper analyses current energy management and optimization in industries and also attempts to identify the significance of incorporating energy management into the strategic perspectives of industry through an exhaustive literature review. To ensure the optimization of energy, the paper illustrates the importance of adopting a techno-managerial approach that integrates the technical aspects of energy conservation with relevant management tactics. This is also a preliminary study for proposing a framework for Indian chemical process SMEs to systematically overcome various challenges and seize the opportunity to ensure optimized energy utilization, thereby highlighting the framework’s long- and short-term benefits. The suggestions in the paper would help these industries and local- and national-level policymakers to improve their energy footprint and make the world more energy sustainable.
The other immuno-PET: Metabolic tracers in evaluation of immune responses to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy for solid tumors
Authors: Levi Jelena , Song Hong
Published: January 2023

Unique patterns of response to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy, discernable in the earliest clinical trials, demanded a reconsideration of the standard methods of radiological treatment assessment. Immunomonitoring, that characterizes immune responses, offers several significant advantages over the tumor-centric approach currently used in the clinical practice: 1) better understanding of the drugs’ mechanism of action and treatment resistance, 2) earlier assessment of response to therapy, 3) patient/therapy selection, 4) evaluation of toxicity and 5) more accurate end-point in clinical trials. PET imaging in combination with the right agent offers non-invasive tracking of immune processes on a whole-body level and thus represents a method uniquely well-suited for immunomonitoring. Small molecule metabolic tracers, largely neglected in the immuno-PET discourse, offer a way to monitor immune responses by assessing cellular metabolism known to be intricately linked with immune cell function. In this review, we highlight the use of small molecule metabolic tracers in imaging immune responses, provide a view of their value in the clinic and discuss the importance of image analysis in the context of tracking a moving target.
Genomic and transcriptomic analysis of MSI-H colorectal cancer patients with targetable alterations identifies clinical implications for immunotherapy
Authors: Hua Hanju , He Wenguang , Chen Nan , He Yinjun , Wu Guosheng , Ye Feng , Zhou Xile , Li Yandong , Ding Yongfeng , Zhong Weixiang , Teng Lisong , Jiang Weiqin , Sheng Qinsong
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Targetable alterations such as BRAFV600E mutation and NTRK fusion are enriched in microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) colorectal cancer (CRC). MSI-H with targetable alterations (MSI-H altered) might present unique opportunities for both targeted therapy and immunotherapy. We systematically evaluated the molecular characteristics and immune-related features of MSI-H altered and MSI-H without targetable alterations (MSI-H wt) CRC patients in our study.

Methods

Among 1938 continuously enrolled CRC patients, 126 patients with MSI-H status (6.50%) were included in this retrospective study. Genomic and transcriptomic data were investigated by next-generation sequencing (NGS) and gene expression profiling (GEP), respectively.

Results

BRAFV600E, NTRK1, and FGFR2 mutations were the most frequent targetable alterations in MSI-H CRC patients. The MSI-H altered phenotype was significantly associated with older age (p< 0.001), right side (p=0.024) and females (p= 0.036). No lynch syndrome (LS) patients were identified in MSI-H altered group. The tumor mutational burden (TMB), and tumor neoantigen burden (TNB) of MSI-H altered and wt subgroups were comparable (p<0.05). Subsequently, transcriptomic study analysis further revealed MSI-H altered CRC patients were linked to an immune-active tumor microenvironment with higher levels of Teff IFN-gamma, CYT, and MERCK 18 signatures, and lower levels of the IPRES gene signature, EMT and TGF Beta signatures. In addition, case study supported MSI-H CRC patient harboring targetable alterations might also achieved a long-term disease-free survival benefit from immunotherapy.

Discussion

Our study preliminary revealed MSI-H altered as a novel subtype of MSI-H CRC patients with unique molecular signatures and immune-active tumor microenvironment. Given the accessibility of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) treatment, our results might provide clinical evidence for immunotherapy in MSI-H CRC patients with targetable alterations.
The distribution and behaviour of Fe, Al, Si, Mn, Cu and Ni in ombrotrophic tropical peat draining blackwater estuaries on Borneo Island
Authors: Ukotije-Ikwut Peter R. , Steiner Zvi , Gledhill Martha , Müller Moritz , Oakes Joanne M. , Sukri Rahayu Sukmaria , Jiang Shan , Achterberg Eric P.
Published: January 2023

Tropical peat swamps are essential ecosystems, which provide numerous services, and also serve as a rich source of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), hydrogen ions and trace elements to peat draining rivers. However, not much is known about trace element export from tropical peat swamps. We investigated trace element dynamics in rivers and estuaries draining tropical peat swamps on Borneo, and examined the influence of estuarine processes as well as dissolved organic carbon (DOC) on the distribution and concentration of trace elements. Our results indicate acidic conditions (pH = 3.3) and high DOC concentration (3500 µmol L−1) at salinities<1. We observed an initial release of trace elements at low salinity (0.05<S< 0.5), followed by scavenging to particles at intermediate salinities (0.5<S<10) due to an increasing ionic strength and pH. Peak concentrations (µmol kg −1) of Al (24.9), Si (96.2), Mn (4.9), Cu (0.035) and Ni (0.047) were observed during the dry season (July), and Fe concentrations (43.2) were highest during the wet season (December). We used the NICA-Donnan model to investigate the combined impact of DOC and pH on the formation of solid iron hydroxide (Fe(OH)3(s)). The Maludam river was predicted to be supersaturated for Fe hydroxides and the results affirmed our model prediction. The output showed Fe and Cu had a strong affinity for DOC and to a lesser extent Al and Ni in the conditions prevailing at the study sites. Statistical analyses also indicated strong correlation between Cu and Ni (r2 = 0.97, 0.94 and 0.82) in Maludam, Sebuyau and Belait rivers and estuaries, respectively. The results obtained in this study are comparable to values published for southeast Asia and other continents for pristine peat draining rivers.
Cardiac arrest associated with non-toxigenic corynebacterium diphtheria strain: A case report
Authors: Alvarez George V. , Rupert Deborah D. , Sinclair Samantha , Miyara Santiago J. , Guevara Sara , Shih Peter , Hoey Cynthia
Published: January 2023

Here we document a rare, acute, infection caused by non-toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae and the resulting unique and severe clinical sequelae. Our patient was a young man with no known pre-existing conditions that presented in cardiopulmonary arrest. We contrast this case with prior instances of non-toxigenic C. diphtheriae strain infection in the United States and summarize the literature that suggests systemic infection can result in cardiogenic toxicity. We speculate on a possible missed, pre-existing condition that could have increased this patient’s susceptibility to poor clinical outcome.
Analysis of risk factors associated with secondary open-angle glaucoma in Posner-Schlossman syndrome: A retrospective case-control study
Authors: Li Jiajun , Ji Yuke , Yang Weihua , Yao Yujia , Wang Suyu , Zhang Ziran , Yao Jin , Li Keran
Published: January 2023

Background

Posner-Schlossman syndrome (PSS) is a relatively rare cause of chronic secondary open-angle glaucoma (OAG), but the exact cause is unknown. This study aimed to determine potential risk factors for OAG secondary to PSS and to provide a basis for early intervention in the development of PSS.

Methods

This was a retrospective case-control study. Nine cases diagnosed with PSS and seven cases diagnosed with OAG secondary to PSS were selected and their aqueous humor assays at the first occurrence of PSS were collected. Clinical characteristics including age, sex, disease duration, eye laterality, baseline visual acuity, maximum IOP, corneal endothelial cell density, visual field, retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, cup-to-disk ratio, keratic precipitates, anterior chamber inflammation, and aqueous humor cytokine assay results were compared between the two groups.

Results

The cytomegalovirus (CMV) positivity was 55.60% in patients with PSS and 100% in patients with OAG secondary to PSS. Corneal endothelial cell density was lower in patients with CMV-positive PSS (p = 0.0116). Concentrations of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), interleukin (IL)-6, and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM) in patients with PSS and IL-8, IL-6, and VCAM in patients with OAG secondary to PSS were higher than standard reference values; and IL-8 concentration was significantly higher in patients with OAG secondary to PSS (p = 0.0229). There were significant positive correlations between IL-8 and IL-6, IL-6 and VCAM (p = 0.0304, p = 0.0172) and a significant negative correlation between bFGF and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) (p = 0.0497). Simultaneous increase of IL-8 and IL-6 concentration levels could be used as a cytokine indicator to predict secondary OAG in patients with PSS (p = 0.0095).

Conclusion

Simultaneous increase of IL-8 and IL-6 concentrations may be an important cause of accelerated secondary OAG in patients with PSS, with IL-8 playing a more critical role. IL-8 and IL-6 may be more reliable cytokine markers for predicting secondary OAG in PSS, However, the high possibility of secondary OAG in patients with CMV-positive PSS should not be ignored. Regulation of IL-8 and IL-6 levels may be a new strategy of preventing OAG secondary to PSS.
High-titer anti-interferon-γ neutralizing autoantibodies linked to opportunistic infections in patients with adult-onset still's disease
Authors: Chen Po-Ku , Liao Tsai-Ling , Chang Shih-Hsin , Yeo Kai-Jieh , Chou Chia-Hui , Chen Der-Yuan
Published: January 2023

Objective

Neutralizing anti-interferon (IFN)-γ autoantibodies are linked to opportunistic infections (OIs). To explore the association between anti-IFN-γ autoantibodies and OIs in patients with adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD), we aimed to examine the ability of these autoantibodies to blockade signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT1)-phosphorylation and chemokines production.

Methods

Serum titers of anti-IFN-γ autoantibodies were quantified using ELISA in 29 AOSD and 22 healthy controls (HC). The detectable autoantibodies were verified with immunoblotting assay, and their neutralizing capacity against IFN-γ-signaling was evaluated with flow-cytometry analysis and immunoblotting. IFN-γ-mediated production of supernatant chemokines, including monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and IFN-γ inducible protein-10 (IP-10), were measured by ELISA.

Results

Among 29 AOSD patients, high titers of anti-IFN-γ neutralizing autoantibodies were detectable in two patients with OIs. Immunoblotting assay revealed more effective inhibition of STAT1-phosphorylation in THP-1 cells treated with sera from autoantibody-positive AOSD patients (56.7 ± 34.79%) compared with those from HC (104.3 ±29.51%), which was also demonstrated in flow-cytometry analysis (47.13 ± 40.99 vs. 97.92 ± 9.48%, p < 0.05). Depleted serum IgG from anti-IFN-γ autoAbs-positive AOSD patients with OIs restored phosphorylated STAT-1 upon IFN-γ treatment. Sera from autoantibody-positive AOSD patients more effectively inhibited IFN-γ-mediated production of MCP-1 (45.65 pg/ml) and IP-10 (22.44 pg/ml) than sera from HC (263.1 pg/ml and 104.0 pg/ml, both p < 0.05). Serum samples showing the strongest inhibition of IFN-γ-signaling were from two patients with high-titer autoantibodies and OIs.

Conclusion

AOSD patients have a high positive rate and titers of anti-IFN-γ autoantibodies. The remarkable blockade effect of high-titer autoantibodies on IFN-γ-mediated STAT1-phosphorylation and chemokines could make these patients susceptible to OIs.
Machine learning-based warning model for chronic kidney disease in individuals over 40 years old in underprivileged areas, Shanxi Province
Authors: Song Wenzhu , Liu Yanfeng , Qiu Lixia , Qing Jianbo , Li Aizhong , Zhao Yan , Li Yafeng , Li Rongshan , Zhou Xiaoshuang
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive disease with high incidence but early imperceptible symptoms. Since China’s rural areas are subject to inadequate medical check-ups and single disease screening programme, it could easily translate into end-stage renal failure. This study aimed to construct an early warning model for CKD tailored to impoverished areas by employing machine learning (ML) algorithms with easily accessible parameters from ten rural areas in Shanxi Province, thereby, promoting a forward shift of treatment time and improving patients’ quality of life.

Methods

From April to November 2019, CKD opportunistic screening was carried out in 10 rural areas in Shanxi Province. First, general information, physical examination data, blood and urine specimens were collected from 13,550 subjects. Afterward, feature selection of explanatory variables was performed using LASSO regression, and target datasets were balanced using the SMOTE (synthetic minority over-sampling technique) algorithm, i.e., albuminuria-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) and α1-microglobulin-to-creatinine ratio (MCR). Next, Bagging, Random Forest (RF) and eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) were employed for classification of ACR outcomes and MCR outcomes, respectively.

Results

12,330 rural residents were included in this study, with 20 explanatory variables. The cases with increased ACR and increased MCR represented 1,587 (12.8%) and 1,456 (11.8%), respectively. After conducting LASSO, 14 and 15 explanatory variables remained in these two datasets, respectively. Bagging, RF, and XGBoost performed well in classification, with the AUC reaching 0.74, 0.87, 0.87, 0.89 for ACR outcomes and 0.75, 0.88, 0.89, 0.90 for MCR outcomes. The five variables contributing most to the classification of ACR outcomes and MCR outcomes constituted SBP, TG, TC, and Hcy, DBP and age, TG, SBP, Hcy and FPG, respectively. Overall, the machine learning algorithms could emerge as a warning model for CKD.

Conclusion

ML algorithms in conjunction with rural accessible indexes boast good performance in classification, which allows for an early warning model for CKD. This model could help achieve large-scale population screening for CKD in poverty-stricken areas and should be promoted to improve the quality of life and reduce the mortality rate.
Modeling nonsegmented negative-strand RNA virus (NNSV) transcription with ejective polymerase collisions and biased diffusion
Authors: Piedra Felipe-Andrés , Henke David , Rajan Anubama , Muzny Donna M. , Doddapaneni Harsha , Menon Vipin K. , Hoffman Kristi L. , Ross Matthew C. , Javornik Cregeen Sara J. , Metcalf Ginger , Gibbs Richard A. , Petrosino Joseph F. , Avadhanula Vasanthi , Piedra Pedro A.
Published: January 2023

Infections by non-segmented negative-strand RNA viruses (NNSV) are widely thought to entail gradient gene expression from the well-established existence of a single promoter at the 3’ end of the viral genome and the assumption of constant transcriptional attenuation between genes. But multiple recent studies show viral mRNA levels in infections by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a major human pathogen and member of NNSV, that are inconsistent with a simple gradient. Here we integrate known and newly predicted phenomena into a biophysically reasonable model of NNSV transcription. Our model succeeds in capturing published observations of respiratory syncytial virus and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) mRNA levels. We therefore propose a novel understanding of NNSV transcription based on the possibility of ejective polymerase-polymerase collisions and, in the case of RSV, biased polymerase diffusion.
Structural insights into 3Fe–4S ferredoxins diversity in M. tuberculosis highlighted by a first redox complex with P450
Authors: Gilep Andrei , Varaksa Tatsiana , Bukhdruker Sergey , Kavaleuski Anton , Ryzhykau Yury , Smolskaya Sviatlana , Sushko Tatsiana , Tsumoto Kouhei , Grabovec Irina , Kapranov Ivan , Okhrimenko Ivan , Marin Egor , Shevtsov Mikhail , Mishin Alexey , Kovalev Kirill , Kuklin Alexander , Gordeliy Valentin , Kaluzhskiy Leonid , Gnedenko Oksana , Yablokov Evgeniy , Ivanov Alexis , Borshchevskiy Valentin , Strushkevich Natallia
Published: January 2023

Ferredoxins are small iron–sulfur proteins and key players in essential metabolic pathways. Among all types, 3Fe–4S ferredoxins are less studied mostly due to anaerobic requirements. Their complexes with cytochrome P450 redox partners have not been structurally characterized. In the present work, we solved the structures of both 3Fe–4S ferredoxins from M. tuberculosis—Fdx alone and the fusion FdxE–CYP143. Our SPR analysis demonstrated a high-affinity binding of FdxE to CYP143. According to SAXS data, the same complex is present in solution. The structure reveals extended multipoint interactions and the shape/charge complementarity of redox partners. Furthermore, FdxE binding induced conformational changes in CYP143 as evident from the solved CYP143 structure alone. The comparison of FdxE–CYP143 and modeled Fdx–CYP51 complexes further revealed the specificity of ferredoxins. Our results illuminate the diversity of electron transfer complexes for the production of different secondary metabolites.
Novelty selectively permits learning-associated plasticity in ventral tegmental-hippocampal-prefrontal circuitry
Authors: Park Alan Jung
Published: January 2023

Modifying established behavior in novel situations is essential, and patients with neuropsychiatric disorders often lack this flexibility. Understanding how novelty affects behavioral flexibility therefore has therapeutic potential. Here, novelty differentially impacts connectivity within the ventral tegmental-hippocampal-medial prefrontal (VTA-HPC-mPFC) circuit, thereby enhancing the ability of mice to overcome established behavioral bias and adapt to new rules. Circuit connectivity was measured by local field potential (LFP) coherence. As mice exposed to novelty learned to overcome previously established spatial bias, the ventral HPC (vHPC) strengthens its coherence with the VTA and mPFC in theta frequency (4–8 Hz). Novelty or learning did not affect circuits involving the dorsal HPC (dHPC). Without novelty, however, mice continued following established spatial bias and connectivity strength remained stable in the VTA-HPC-mPFC circuit. Pharmacologically blocking dopamine D1-receptors (D1Rs) in the vHPC abolished the behavioral and physiological impacts of novelty. Thus, novelty promotes behavioral adaptation by permitting learning-associated plasticity in the vHPC-mPFC and VTA-vHPC circuit, a process mediated by D1Rs in the vHPC.
Dual-flow network with attention for autonomous driving
Authors: Yang Lei , Lei Weimin , Zhang Wei , Ye Tianbing
Published: January 2023

We present a dual-flow network for autonomous driving using an attention mechanism. The model works as follows: (i) The perception network extracts red, blue, and green (RGB) images from the video at low speed as input and performs feature extraction of the images; (ii) The motion network obtains grayscale images from the video at high speed as the input and completes the extraction of object motion features; (iii) The perception and motion networks are fused using an attention mechanism at each feature layer to perform the waypoint prediction. The model was trained and tested using the CARLA simulator and enabled autonomous driving in complex urban environments, achieving a success rate of 74%, especially in the case of multiple dynamic objects.
Electrophysiologically distinct bed nucleus of the stria terminalis projections to the ventral tegmental area in mice
Authors: Miura Yuka , Shanley Mary Regis , Urbaez Ashley , Friedman Allyson K.
Published: January 2023

The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) is a highly heterogeneous limbic forebrain structure that serves as a relay connecting autonomic, neuroendocrine and behavioral function. It can be divided into over 16 individual subregions with distinct neuronal subpopulations based on receptors, transmitters, and neuropeptides. Specifically, the BNST projection to the ventral tegmental area (VTA), the dopamine hub of the brain, has been shown to have a crucial role in the stress response. However, in mice there is a lack of unbiased data on the functional diversity of this sub-population which serves as an upstream input to the VTA. The dopaminergic neurons in the VTA modify their ion channel activity and intrinsic membrane properties to adapt to stress in part from inputs from BNST projections. Therefore, we aimed to perform a multi-component characterization of the functional diversity of the BNST-VTA pathway. We studied the passive and active electrophysiological properties of virally identified population of BNST neurons that project to the VTA. We used a comprehensive series of in vitro recordings of electrophysiological variables and performed hierarchical clustering to determine the functional diversity of the projection neurons in the BNST-VTA pathway. Our study revealed four subpopulations in the BNST-VTA pathway, all of which differ in their activation profiles and likely have distinct inputs and function in the VTA. Our results will help resolve the discord in interpretation of the various roles of this electrophysiologically diverse projection and builds a foundation for understanding how the different neuronal types integrate signals.
Accelerating Inference of Convolutional Neural Networks Using In-memory Computing
Authors: Dazzi Martino , Sebastian Abu , Benini Luca , Eleftheriou Evangelos
Published: January 2023

In-memory computing (IMC) is a non-von Neumann paradigm that has recently established itself as a promising approach for energy-efficient, high throughput hardware for deep learning applications. One prominent application of IMC is that of performing matrix-vector multiplication in O(1) time complexity by mapping the synaptic weights of a neural-network layer to the devices of an IMC core. However, because of the significantly different pattern of execution compared to previous computational paradigms, IMC requires a rethinking of the architectural design choices made when designing deep-learning hardware. In this work, we focus on application-specific, IMC hardware for inference of Convolution Neural Networks (CNNs), and provide methodologies for implementing the various architectural components of the IMC core. Specifically, we present methods for mapping synaptic weights and activations on the memory structures and give evidence of the various trade-offs therein, such as the one between on-chip memory requirements and execution latency. Lastly, we show how to employ these methods to implement a pipelined dataflow that offers throughput and latency beyond state-of-the-art for image classification tasks.
Multisystem compensations and consequences in spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy children
Authors: Wahyuni Luh Karunia
Published: January 2023

Spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy (CP) is a permanent neuromuscular disorder causing limitation on all four limbs following a lesion on the developing brain. Most children with spastic quadriplegic CP are identified to be Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level V, thus they have more comorbidities compared to other types at lower levels. Spastic quadriplegic CP is characterized by weak and inactive postural muscles of the neck and trunk, hence, they will undergo a total body extension as a compensatory mechanism leading to an atypical movement pattern, that give rise to multisystem consequences that reduce their quality of life. The relationship between atypical movement patterns, compensatory strategies, and multisystem consequences have not yet been explored. In fact, these multisystem consequences aggravate their condition and make movement much more atypical, forming a vicious cycle. This review aimed to provide a summary and highlight the mechanism of atypical movement pattern, multisystem compensations, and consequences in spastic quadriplegic CP children. It is true that central nervous system (CNS) lesion in CP is non-progressive, however the multisystem consequences may impair overall function over time. An understanding of how compensatory strategy and multisystem consequences in spastic quadriplegic CP offers the opportunity to intervene as early as possible to improve their quality of life.
Association of baseline core volume and early midline shift in acute stroke patients with a large ischaemic core
Authors: Yi Ting-yu , Wu Yan-min , Lin Ding-lai , Lang Feng-long , Yang Yu-yan , Pan Zhi-nan , Zheng Xiu-fen , Hong Gan-ji , Wu Mei-hua , Lin Xiao-hui , Chen Rong-cheng , Zeng Lisan , Chen Wen-huo , Sui Yi
Published: January 2023

Background

Midline shift (MLS) is troublesome problem that may occur in patients with a large infarct core (LIC) and may be related to the baseline infarct core volume. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between baseline infarct core volume and early MLS presence.

Materials and methods

Patients with acute intracranial large artery occlusion and a pretreatment relative cerebral blood flow (rCBF) <30% volume ≥50 ml on CT perfusion (CTP) were included, clinical outcomes following endovascular treatment (EVT) were retrospectively analyzed. The primary endpoint was MLS within 48 h (early MLS presence). The association between baseline ICV and early MLS presence was evaluated with multivariable regression.

Results

Ultimately, 95 patients were included, and 29.5% (28/95) of the patients had early MLS. The number of patients with a baseline rCBF < 15% volume (median [interquartile range], 46 [32–60] vs. 29 [19–40]; P < 0.001) was significantly larger in the early severe MLS presence group. A baseline rCBF < 15% volume showed significantly better predictive accuracy for early MLS presence than an rCBF < 30% volume (area under the curve, 0.74 vs. 0.64, P = 0.0023). In addition, an rCBF < 15% volume ≥40 ml (odds ratio, 4.34 [95% CI, 1.571–11.996]) was associated with early MLS presence after adjustment for sex, age, baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, onset-to-recanalization time.

Conclusion

In patients with an acute LIC following EVT, a pretreatment infarct core volume > 40 ml based on an rCBF < 15% showed good predictive value for early MLS occurrence.