bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Perfusion parameters of triphasic computed tomography hold preoperative prediction value for microvascular invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Li , Pang Guodong , Zhang Jing , Yuan Zhenguo
Published: May 2023

The purpose of this study was to evaluate perfusion parameters of triphasic computed tomography (CT) scans in predicting microvascular invasion (MVI) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). All patients were pathologically diagnosed as HCC and underwent triple-phase enhanced CT imaging, which was used to calculate the blood perfusion parameters of hepatic arterial supply perfusion (HAP), portal vein blood supply perfusion (PVP), hepatic artery perfusion Index (HPI), and arterial enhancement fraction (AEF). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the performance. The mean values of PVP(Min), AEF(Min), the difference in PVP, HPI and AEF related parameters, the relative PVP(Min) and AEF(Min) in MVI negative group were significantly higher than those in MVI positive group, while for the difference in HPI(Max), the relative HPI(Max) and AEF(Max), the value of MVI positive group significantly higher than that of negative group. The combination of PVP, HPI and AEF had the highest diagnostic efficacy. The two parameters related to HPI had the highest sensitivity, while the combination of PVP related parameters had higher specificity. A combination of perfusion parameters in patients with HCC derived from traditional triphasic CT scans can be used as a preoperative biomarker for predicting MVI.
Increased wintertime European atmospheric blocking frequencies in General Circulation Models with an eddy-permitting ocean
Authors: Michel Simon L. L. , von der Heydt Anna S. , van Westen René M. , Baatsen Michiel L. J. , Dijkstra Henk A.
Published: May 2023

Midlatitude atmospheric blocking events are important drivers of long-lasting extreme weather conditions at regional to continental scales. However, modern climate models consistently underestimate their frequency of occurrence compared to observations, casting doubt on future projections of climate extremes. Using the prominent and largely underestimated winter blocking events in Europe as a test case, this study first introduces a spatio-temporal approach to study blocking activity based on a clustering technique, allowing to assess models’ ability to simulate both realistic frequencies and locations of blocking events. A sensitivity analysis from an ensemble of 49 simulations from 24 coupled climate models shows that the presence of a mesoscale eddy-permitting ocean model increases the realism of simulated blocking events for almost all types of patterns clustered from observations. This finding is further explained and supported by concomitant reductions in well-documented biases in Gulf Stream and North Atlantic Current positions, as well as in the midlatitude jet stream variability.
Influence of monsoon low pressure systems on South Asian disasters and implications for disaster prediction
Authors: Suhas D. L. , Ramesh Nandini , Kripa Ram M. , Boos William R.
Published: May 2023

Transient atmospheric vortices called monsoon low pressure systems (LPS) generate a large fraction of total rainfall over South Asia and often produce extreme precipitation. Here, we assess the influence of these storms on the occurrence of disasters, using information from the Emergency Events Database (EM-DAT) that we geocoded and then associated with LPS tracks. We show that more than half of hydro-meteorological disasters over South Asia during summer are associated with these LPS events. Weaker LPS (which are called monsoon lows) occur more frequently than stronger LPS (called monsoon depressions), but the stronger LPS produce a larger number of disasters. Furthermore, although many prior studies have shown that the peak rainfall in LPS falls southwest of the vortex centre, the disasters are concentrated on the northern edge of the LPS tracks, along the Himalayas and upper basins of the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers. Observations show a sharp peak in rainfall on the day of disasters, confirming the physical link between LPS and these hydro-meteorological disasters. A similar peak in rainfall is found in weather forecasts made up to five days before the disaster, suggesting that short-term precipitation forecasts can be useful in disaster preparation.
Generating synthetic mixed-type longitudinal electronic health records for artificial intelligent applications
Authors: Li Jin , Cairns Benjamin J. , Li Jingsong , Zhu Tingting
Published: May 2023

The recent availability of electronic health records (EHRs) have provided enormous opportunities to develop artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms. However, patient privacy has become a major concern that limits data sharing across hospital settings and subsequently hinders the advances in AI. Synthetic data, which benefits from the development and proliferation of generative models, has served as a promising substitute for real patient EHR data. However, the current generative models are limited as they only generate singletype of clinical data for a synthetic patient, i.e., either continuous-valued or discrete-valued. To mimic the nature of clinical decision-making which encompasses various data types/sources, in this study, we propose a generative adversarial network (GAN) entitled EHR-M-GAN that simultaneously synthesizes mixed-type timeseries EHR data. EHR-M-GAN is capable of capturing the multidimensional, heterogeneous, and correlated temporal dynamics in patient trajectories. We have validated EHR-M-GAN on three publicly-available intensive care unit databases with records from a total of 141,488 unique patients, and performed privacy risk evaluation of the proposed model. EHR-M-GAN has demonstrated its superiority over state-of-the-art benchmarks for synthesizing clinical timeseries with high fidelity, while addressing the limitations regarding data types and dimensionality in the current generative models. Notably, prediction models for outcomes of intensive care performed significantly better when training data was augmented with the addition of EHR-M-GAN-generated timeseries. EHR-M-GAN may have use in developing AI algorithms in resource-limited settings, lowering the barrier for data acquisition while preserving patient privacy.
JAZF1 safeguards human endometrial stromal cells survival and decidualization by repressing the transcription of G0S2
Authors: Liang Yingyu , Lai Siying , Huang Lijun , Li Yulian , Zeng Shanshan , Zhang Shuang , Chen Jingsi , Deng Wenbo , Liu Yu , Liang Jingying , Xu Pei , Liu Mingxing , Xiong Zhongtang , Chen Dunjin , Tu Zhaowei , Du Lili
Published: May 2023

Decidualization of human endometrial stromal cells (hESCs) is essential for the maintenance of pregnancy, which depends on the fine-tuned regulation of hESCs survival, and its perturbation contributes to pregnancy loss. However, the underlying mechanisms responsible for functional deficits in decidua from recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) patients have not been elucidated. Here, we observed that JAZF1 was significantly downregulated in stromal cells from RSA decidua. JAZF1 depletion in hESCs resulted in defective decidualization and cell death through apoptosis. Further experiments uncovered G0S2 as a important driver of hESCs apoptosis and decidualization, whose transcription was repressed by JAZF1 via interaction with G0S2 activator Purβ. Moreover, the pattern of low JAZF1, high G0S2 and excessive apoptosis in decidua were consistently observed in RSA patients. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that JAZF1 governs hESCs survival and decidualization by repressing G0S2 transcription via restricting the activity of Purβ, and highlight the clinical implications of these mechanisms in the pathology of RSA.
Experimental observation of chimera states in spiking neural networks based on degenerate optical parametric oscillators
Authors: Makinwa Tumi , Inaba Kensuke , Inagaki Takahiro , Yamada Yasuhiro , Leleu Timothée , Honjo Toshimori , Ikuta Takuya , Enbutsu Koji , Umeki Takeshi , Kasahara Ryoichi , Aihara Kazuyuki , Takesue Hiroki
Published: May 2023

The phenomenon of partial synchronization has attracted significant interest in the field of nonlinear dynamics, largely due to observations of related phenomena in real-world situations. In particular, the coexistence of synchronized and desynchronized phases, known as a chimera state, has been the subject of intense study. In this work, we experimentally demonstrate that networks of identical photonic spiking neurons based on coupled degenerate optical parametric oscillators can exhibit various chimera states in which, depending on their local synchronization and desynchronization, different kinds of spiking dynamics can develop in a self-organized manner. Even when only a static interaction is implemented, the spiking mode of photonic neurons can be spontaneously and adaptively changed between the Class-I and Class-II modes classified by A. L. Hodgkin. This spontaneous spiking-mode shift induces a significant change in the spiking frequency despite all neurons having the same natural spiking frequency, which encourages the generation of chimera states.
Additive manufacturing of a high-performance aluminum alloy from cold mechanically derived non-spherical powder
Authors: Martin J. Hunter , Barnes John E. , Rogers Kirk A. , Hundley Jacob , LaPlant Darby L. , Ghanbari Siavash , Tsai Jung-Ting , Bahr David F.
Published: May 2023

Metal additive manufacturing provides a path to optimized component design with significant realized advantages in the medical and aerospace industries. Limitations to expansion to other industries, e.g. automotive, and to enabling supply chain relief is the limited number of materials available and the ability to produce material on demand. Current additive manufacturing powder feedstock is produced at large, remote atomization facilities with long lead times. Here we identify a new “on-demand” powder production technology, cold mechanically derived, able to produce non-spherical powder for additive manufacturing, with high efficiency, and wrought equivalent material properties. We analyze the powder flow characteristics and mechanical properties comparing typical gas atomized with the new process demonstrating wrought property equivalence despite power sourcing. This research will enable expansion of additional alloy systems as well as encourage the processing of non-spherical powders to expand the available supply base of new alloys for additive manufacturing.
Rapid quantitative detection of luteolin using an electrochemical sensor based on electrospinning of carbon nanofibers doped with single-walled carbon nanoangles
Authors: Zhang Liwen , Qin Danfeng , Feng Jun , Tang Tingfan , Cheng Hao
Published: May 2023

In this study, single-walled carbon nanoangles/carbon nanofibers (SWCNHs/CNFs) were synthesized by electrospinning, followed by annealing in a N2 atmosphere.
Photothermal-responsive Prussian blue nanocages loaded with thrombin for tumor starvation therapy and photothermal therapy
Authors: Liu Yang , Yue Bingjie , Wang Ranran , Cong Hailin , Hu Hao , Yu Bing , Shen Youqing
Published: May 2023

The goal of inhibiting tumor growth can be achieved by cutting off the supply of nutrients in the blood vessels of a tumor site, but finding ways to effectively, accurately and safely deliver drugs that can induce vascular embolism remains a challenge.
Highly efficient sulfur cathode built from biomass of hierarchical porous carbon for aqueous Cu–S batteries
Authors: Han Xue , Xu Jiaxi , Yu Haoxiang , Zhang Junwei , Liu Yiwen , Wang Junyi , Wu Zhouxiang , Shu Zhongjie , Yan Lei , Zhang Liyuan , Shu Jie
Published: May 2023

Biomass hierarchical porous carbon shows advantages as a robust host for a sulfur cathode in an aqueous Cu–S battery.
Formal allylic C(sp3)–H alkylation of α-alkylstyrenes by rearrangement of intermediate alkenyl sulfonium salts
Authors: Shao Zeyu , Zhou Junqi , Wang Ziyu , Liu Biao , Zou Liang-Hua , Wang Cheng , Wen Jian
Published: May 2023

Allylic C(sp3)–H alkylation of α-alkylstyryl sulfonium salts based on [2,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement strategies has been developed. This protocol could allow facile access to allylated carbon quaternary centers in moderate to good yields.
Isostructural bridging diferrous chalcogenide cores [FeII(μ-E)FeII] (E = O, S, Se, Te) with decreasing antiferromagnetic coupling down the chalcogenide series
Authors: Zars Ethan , Gravogl Lisa , Gau Michael R. , Carroll Patrick J. , Meyer Karsten , Mindiola Daniel J.
Published: May 2023

Ferrous bridging mono-chalcogenide ate complexes K2[(tBupyrpyrr2)Fe2(μ-E)] (2-E) (E = O, S, Se, and Te) are prepared and show a Fe–E–Fe bridge from linear (E = O) to acute for E = Te, with lesser antiferromagnetic coupling going down the series.
Chemical complexity for targeted function in heterometallic titanium–organic frameworks
Authors: Castells-Gil Javier , Almora-Barrios Neyvis , Lerma-Berlanga Belén , Padial Natalia M. , Martí-Gastaldo Carlos
Published: May 2023

Heterometallic cluster chemistry to control the function of titanium–organic frameworks.
Glycolipids from the gut symbiont Bacteroides fragilis are agonists for natural killer T cells and induce their regulatory differentiation
Authors: Cameron Garth , Nguyen Tram , Ciula Marcin , Williams Spencer J. , Godfrey Dale I.
Published: May 2023

Total synthesis of a glycolipid antigen and structural analogues from the human gut commensal Bacteroides fragilis enables demonstration of its antigenic properties and immunoregulatory activity.
N-doped Mo2C particles as a cathode catalyst of asymmetric neutral-alkaline microbial electrolysis cells for hydrogen production
Authors: Rao Chaoming , Zhao Zhifeng , Wen Zhenhai , Xu Qiuhua , Chen Kai , Chen Haiyan , Ci Suqin
Published: May 2023

Hybrid neutral-alkaline microbial fuel cells with a newly fabricated Mo2C based cathode catalyst can release a current density of 14.0 A m−2 at an applied voltage of 0.8 V.
Sensing of the charge transfer process in ZnO/MAPbI3 heterojunctions of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) by surface-enhanced Raman scattering
Authors: Yan Luzhi , Zhang Xiaolei , Lv Dongjun , Liu Zhongmin , Yang Fan , Gao Yijun , Wang Xiaoli , Jiang Yaolian , Zhao Bing
Published: May 2023

SERS works as a nondestructive tool to rapidly sense the microscopic charge transfer process in ZnO/MAPbI3 heterojunctions, which suggests the high compatibility between SERS and PSCs and provides new research support to optimize the design of PSCs.
Turning waste into wealth: Person identification by emotion‐disturbed electrocardiogram
Authors: Li Wei , Fang Cheng , Zhu Zhihao , Chen Chuyi , Song Aiguo
Published: May 2023

The issue of electrocardiogram (ECG)‐based person identification has attracted intense research interests nowadays. Different than existing related researches that advocate accentuating useful information and attenuating noisy artefacts in sensor data processing, A novel strategy of ‘turning waste into wealth’ is proposed to exploit the new discriminative information from the relationship between noise disturbance and signal data for this issue. Specifically, the authors design a new and simple method, the Set‐Group Distance Measure, based on the suitable fusion of multiple minority‐based distance measurements, whose power has initially been discovered for the issue. This method takes advantage of the collaborative variation information from the relative relationship, which is named as ‘relative information’, between different types of emotional noise disturbances and ECG signal data, to tackle the problem of large intra‐class variation but small inter‐class difference during identification. Experimental results have demonstrated the reasonability, effectiveness, robustness, efficiency and practicability of the proposed method upon public benchmark databases. This proposal not only provides technological inspirations for the further study in ECG‐based person identification, but also shows a fresh feasible way to handle the noise‐signal relationship for more general topics of sensor data classification.
3D reconstruction and defect pattern recognition of bonding wire based on stereo vision
Authors: Yu Naigong , Li Hongzheng , Xu Qiao , Sie Ouattara , Firdaous Essaf
Published: May 2023

Non‐destructive detection of wire bonding defects in integrated circuits (IC) is critical for ensuring product quality after packaging. Image‐processing‐based methods do not provide a detailed evaluation of the three‐dimensional defects of the bonding wire. Therefore, a method of 3D reconstruction and pattern recognition of wire defects based on stereo vision, which can achieve non‐destructive detection of bonding wire defects is proposed. The contour features of bonding wires and other electronic components in the depth image is analysed to complete the 3D reconstruction of the bonding wires. Especially to filter the noisy point cloud and obtain an accurate point cloud of the bonding wire surface, a point cloud segmentation method based on spatial surface feature detection (SFD) was proposed. SFD can extract more distinct features from the bonding wire surface during the point cloud segmentation process. Furthermore, in the defect detection process, a directional discretisation descriptor with multiple local normal vectors is designed for defect pattern recognition of bonding wires. The descriptor combines local and global features of wire and can describe the spatial variation trends and structural features of wires. The experimental results show that the method can complete the 3D reconstruction and defect pattern recognition of bonding wires, and the average accuracy of defect recognition is 96.47%, which meets the production requirements of bonding wire defect detection.
A three‐stage switching MMC topology for capacitor voltage ripple reduction in HVDC applications
Authors: Fan Qiang , Xu Jianzhong , Liang Tian , Dinavahi Venkata , Zhao Chengyong
Published: May 2023

Modular multi‐level converters (MMCs) are a mainstay in many HVDC transmission projects worldwide. Half‐bridge MMC (HB‐MMC) is mostly used in the current project. The large capacitor of sub modules (SMs) is often required in MMC to ensure the low voltage ripple. Here, the three‐stage switching MMC (TSS‐MMC) topology is proposed, which can greatly reduce the capacitor voltage ripple of SMs by dynamically adjusting the position of inductance on the upper and down bridge arms. The principle of reducing capacitor voltage ripple based on equal capacitance theory is introduced. The selection of the inductance value of each part in TSS‐MMC is introduced. The start‐up process strategy, capacitor voltage ripple reduction strategy in steady‐state operation, and DC fault ride‐through strategy of TSS‐MMC are proposed. The effectiveness and engineering practicability of the proposed TSS‐MMC is verified by transient simulation program built on PSCAD/EMTDC. The simulation results show that compared with MMC with circulating current suppressing controller (CCSC), it can effectively reduce the capacitor voltage ripple by over 50%. Furthermore, the total used inductance of TSS‐MMC can also be reduced. A comprehensive assessment of TSS‐MMC is also carried out.
Stochastic multi‐stage joint expansion planning of transmission system and energy hubs in the presence of correlated uncertainties
Authors: Allahvirdizadeh Yousef , Galvani Sadjad , Shayanfar Heidarali
Published: May 2023

Deployment of Energy Hubs (EHs) across the power grid can alleviate the Transmission System (TS) capacity and substitute the conventional fossil fuel‐based thermal units. Therefore, this paper presents a tri‐level multi‐stage Joint Expansion Planning of the Transmission system and EHs (JEPT&EHs). In this approach, the Cholesky decomposition technique combined with the Nataf transformation is applied to make the uncertain input parameters correlated. Then, the k‐means data‐clustering method is employed to reduce the initial correlated samples. In the first level, the Transmission System Operator (TSO) optimizes the planning and scheduling strategies associated with the TS capacity requirements and operation costs of the conventional generators. In the second level, the financers specify the expansion of the EHs based on the Locational Marginal Prices (LMPs). In the third level, the Direct Current Optimal Power Flow (DCOPF) is determined to update the LMPs by the Independent System Operator (ISO). The optimization problem is an Equilibrium Problem with Equilibrium Constraints (EPEC) since there are multiple financers across the TS. The proposed model is implemented on the IEEE standard 30 bus TS to present the effectiveness of the EHs' deployment and the impact of the correlations in the total costs of the TSO and financers.
Bilingual competency in U.S. occupations: resetting expectations about language in American society
Authors: López Omar S.
Published: May 2023

The current study significantly underscores the need for resetting expectations about language in American society, especially at a time when immigration, economic growth, and public education are major issues in American civic discourse. That learning a foreign language leads to higher wages in U.S. occupations is prevalent in American society. Yet, there is no empirical evidence to support this notion. Using a standardized nationwide data collection of employer ratings indicating English and foreign language importance and level required in the workplace, the current study suggests underlying causes for this lack of empirical evidence. Among the contributions to the literature, the findings indicate that in US occupations, the average English language level required is near the ability to edit a feature article in a local newspaper, while the average foreign language level required is just below the ability to say “please” and “thank you” in a foreign language.
Dumping oversize rock fragments in orepasses: The impact on the production cycle of a sublevel caving operation
Authors: Manzoor Sohail , Gustafson Anna , Schunnesson Håkan
Published: May 2023

Oversize rock fragments are highly undesired in a sublevel caving (SLC) operation as they affect the production cycle, equipment, and infrastructure. In this study, a field test was carried out in Malmberget mine to analyse the impact of oversize fragments on the production cycle and the costs of different procedures for handling such fragments. The tests involved monitoring of dumping oversize fragments in two orepasses, one with a grizzly and the other one without a grizzly, using cameras. The cycle times of load-haul-dump (LHD) machines were determined for both orepasses. The results indicate that the grizzly increased the availability and productivity of the orepass despite increasing the cycle time of the LHD machines. Moreover, installation of a boulder breaker system along with the grizzly can further increase the productivity and the cost of such a system will be paid off in a shorter time in terms of enhanced productivity.
Stark Tuning of Telecom Single-Photon Emitters Based on a Single Er3+
Authors: Huang Jian-Yin , Liang Peng-Jun , Zheng Liang , Li Pei-Yun , Ma You-Zhi , Liu Duan-Chen , Xie Jing-Hui , Zhou Zong-Quan , Li Chuan-Feng , Guo Guang-Can
Published: May 2023

The implementation of scalable quantum networks requires photons at the telecom band and long-lived spin coherence. The single Er3+ in solid-state hosts is an important candidate that fulfills these critical requirements simultaneously. However, to entangle distant Er3+ ions through photonic connections, the emission frequency of individual Er3+ in solid-state matrix must be the same, which is challenging because the emission frequency of Er3+ depends on its local environment. Herein, we propose and experimentally demonstrate the Stark tuning of the emission frequency of a single Er3+ in a Y2SiO5 crystal by employing electrodes interfaced with a silicon photonic crystal cavity. We obtain a Stark shift of 182.9±0.8 MHz, which is approximately 27 times of the optical emission linewidth, demonstrating promising applications in tuning the emission frequency of independent Er3+ into the same spectral channels. Our results provide a useful solution for construction of scalable quantum networks based on single Er3+ and a universal tool for tuning emission of individual rare-earth ions.
Design of new resonant magnetic perturbation coils on the J-TEXT tokamak
Authors: HUANG Zhuo , ZHOU Song , FAN Jinrong , LI Da , RAO Bo , WANG Nengchao , DING Yonghua , MAO Feiyue , HUANG Mingxiang , TIAN Wei , CHEN Zhongyong , CHEN Zhipeng , LIANG Yunfeng
Published: May 2023

The resonant magnetic perturbation (RMP) system is a powerful auxiliary system on tokamaks. On the J-TEXT tokamak, a set of new in-vessel coils is designed to enhance the amplitude of the RMP. The new coils are designed to be two-turn saddle coils. These two-turn saddle coils have been optimized in terms of their structure, support, and protection components to overcome the limitations of the narrow in-vessel space, resulting in a compact coil module that can be accommodated in the vessel. To verify the feasibility of this design, an electromagnetic simulation is performed to investigate the electrical parameters and the generated field of the coils. A multi-field coupled simulation is performed to investigate the capacity of heat dissipation. As a result of these efforts, the new RMP coils have been successfully installed on the J-TEXT tokamak. It has significantly enhanced the RMP amplitude and been widely applied in experiments.
Targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome reduces inflammation in hidradenitis suppurativa skin
Authors: Moran Barry , Smith Conor M , Zaborowski Alexandra , Ryan Mark , Karman Jozsef , Dunstan Robert W , Smith Kathleen M , Hambly Roisin , Musilova Jana , Petrasca Andreea  , Fabre Aurelie , O’Donnell Margaret , Hokamp Karsten , Mills Kingston H G , Housley William J   , Winter Desmond C , Kirby Brian , Fletcher Jean M
Published: May 2023

Background

Treatment for the debilitating disease hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is inadequate in many patients. Despite an incidence of approximately 1%, HS is often under-recognized and underdiagnosed, and is associated with a high morbidity and poor quality of life.

Objectives

To gain a better understanding of the pathogenesis of HS, in order to design new therapeutic strategies.

Methods

We employed single-cell RNA sequencing to analyse gene expression in immune cells isolated from involved HS skin vs. healthy skin. Flow cytometry was used to quantify the absolute numbers of the main immune populations. The secretion of inflammatory mediators from skin explant cultures was measured using multiplex and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.

Results

Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis identified a significant enrichment in the frequency of plasma cells, T helper (Th) 17 cells and dendritic cell subsets in HS skin, and the immune transcriptome was distinct and more heterogeneous than healthy skin. Flow cytometry revealed significantly increased numbers of T cells, B cells, neutrophils, dermal macrophages and dendritic cells in HS skin. Genes and pathways associated with Th17 cells, interleukin (IL)-17, IL-1β and the NLRP3 inflammasome were enhanced in HS skin, particularly in samples with a high inflammatory load. Inflammasome constituent genes principally mapped to Langerhans cells and a subpopulation of dendritic cells. The secretome of HS skin explants contained significantly increased concentrations of inflammatory mediators, including IL-1β and IL-17A, and culture with an NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor significantly reduced the secretion of these, as well as other, key mediators of inflammation.

Conclusions

These data provide a rationale for targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome in HS using small-molecule inhibitors that are currently being tested for other indications.
Functional network reorganization precedes apathy in Parkinson’s disease: a neural marker of risk?
Authors: Mosley Philip E , Robinson Gail A
Published: May 2023

This scientific commentary refers to ‘Altered nucleus accumbens functional connectivity precedes apathy in Parkinson's disease’ by Morris et al. (https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awad113).
Improvement in mucosal discoid lupus erythematosus with anifrolumab
Authors: Shaw Katharina , Taylor Dustin , Sanchez-Melendez Stephanie , Barker Julia , Lonowski Sarah , Shahriari Neda , Porter Hannah J , Morley Keith , LaChance Avery , Vleugels Ruth Ann
Published: May 2023

Anifrolumab is a fully humanized monoclonal antibody targeting the type I interferon receptor and recently approved for the treatment of moderate-to-severe systemic lupus erythematosus. In addition to ameliorating systemic lupus activity, anifrolumab has emerged as a promising therapeutic option for patients with refractory cutaneous discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE), but its effect on mucosal DLE has yet to be investigated. In a prospective study of seven patients with severe mucosal DLE treated with anifrolumab, we observed substantial improvement in mucosal disease activity within 1 month of anifrolumab initiation, suggesting that the impressive benefit of anifrolumab previously reported in cutaneous DLE extends to mucosal involvement.
Anti-TPO-mediated specific features of the placenta immunohistochemical profile and possible mechanisms for fetal loss
Authors: Borodina Elena , Gzgzyan Alexander M , Dzhemlikhanova Liailia Kh , Niauri Dariko A , Tolibova Gulrukhsor Kh , Tral Tatiana G , Kogan Igor Y , Safarian Galina Kh , Ostrinski Yuri , Churilov Leonid P , Amital Howard , Blank Miri , Shoenfeld Yehuda
Published: May 2023

Passive transfer of antithyroid antibodies in mice leads to reproductive disorders. The purpose was to assess the placental tissue of experimental animals under the influence of the circulating thyroperoxidase antibodies. We performed an immunohistochemical examination of murine placentae after a passive transfer of thyroperoxidase antibodies. Placentae of mice that passively transferred IgG from healthy donors were used as control samples. For histological examination, 30 placental samples were selected from mice from the anti-TPO group and 40 placental samples were taken from mice from the IgG group. Immunostaining for VEGFR1, THBS 1, Laminin, CD31, CD34, FGF-β, CD56, CD14, TNF-α, kisspeptin, MCL 1, and Annexin V was performed. There is a significant decrease in the relative area of the expression of VEGFR1 (23.42 ± 0.85 vs. 33.44 ± 0.35, P < 0.01), thrombospondin 1 (31.29 ± 0.83 vs. 34.51 ± 0.75, P < 0.01), CD14 (25.80 ± 0.57 vs. 32.07 ± 0.36, P < .01), CD56 (30.08 ± 0.90 vs. 34.92 ± 0.15, P < 0.01), kisspeptin (25.94 ± 0.47 vs. 31.27 ± 0.57, P < 0.01), MCL 1 (29.24 ± 1.06 vs. 38.57 ± 0.79, P < 0.01) in the labyrinth zone of the placentae of mice from the anti-TPO group compared with control group. A significant increase in the relative expression of laminin and FGF-β was noted in the group of mice to which antibodies to thyroperoxidase were transferred, compared with the control group (36.73 ± 1.38 vs. 29.83 ± 0.94, P < 0.01 and 23.26 ± 0.61 vs. 16.38 ± 1.01, P < 0.01respectively). Our study exposed an imbalance of pro- and anti-angiogenic factors, decreased representation of placental macrophages and NK cells, abnormal trophoblast invasion processes, and insufficient expression of antiapoptotic factors in the placentae of mice in which anti-TPO antibodies were passively transferred.
Epidemiology and outcomes of post-AKI proteinuria
Authors: Su Licong , Li Yanqin , Chen Ruixuan , Zhang Xiaodong , Cao Yue , Luo Fan , Pi Mingjing , Xu Ruqi , Gao Qi , Zhou Shiyu , Hu Ying , Li Hua , Yang Qiongqiong , Wan Qijun , Liu Bicheng , Xu Hong , Li Guisen , Weng Jianping , Xu Gang , Chen Chunbo , Liu Huafeng , Shi Yongjun , Zha Yan , Kong Yaozhong , Su Guobin , Tang Ying , Zhou Yilun , Gong Mengchun , Xu Xin , Nie Sheng
Published: May 2023

Background

Acute kidney injury (AKI) has been associated with increased risks of new-onset and worsening proteinuria. However, epidemiologic data for post-AKI proteinuria was still lacking. This study aimed to determine the incidence, risk factors and clinical correlations of post-AKI proteinuria among hospitalized patients.

Methods

This study was conducted in a multicenter cohort including patients aged 18–100 years with hospital-acquired AKI (HA-AKI) hospitalized at 19 medical centers throughout China. The primary outcome was the incidence of post-AKI proteinuria. Secondary outcomes included AKI recovery and kidney disease progression. The results of both quantitative and qualitative urinary protein tests were used to define post-AKI proteinuria. Cox proportional hazard model with stepwise regression was used to determine the risk factors for post-AKI proteinuria.

Results

Of 6206 HA-AKI patients without proteinuria at baseline, 2102 (33.9%) had new-onset proteinuria, whereas of 5137 HA-AKI with baseline proteinuria, 894 (17.4%) had worsening proteinuria after AKI. Higher AKI stage and preexisting CKD diagnosis were risk factors for new-onset proteinuria and worsening proteinuria, whereas treatment with renin–angiotensin system inhibitors was associated with an 11% lower risk of incident proteinuria. About 60% and 75% of patients with post-AKI new-onset and worsening proteinuria, respectively, recovered within 3 months. Worsening proteinuria was associated with a lower incidence of AKI recovery and a higher risk of kidney disease progression.

Conclusions

Post-AKI proteinuria is common and usually transient among hospitalized patients. The risk profiles for new-onset and worsening post-AKI proteinuria differed markedly. Worsening proteinuria after AKI was associated with adverse kidney outcomes, which emphasized the need for close monitoring of proteinuria after AKI.
Performance of radiomics-based artificial intelligence systems in the diagnosis and prediction of treatment response and survival in esophageal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic accuracy
Authors: Menon Nainika , Guidozzi Nadia , Chidambaram Swathikan , Markar Sheraz Rehan
Published: May 2023

Radiomics can interpret radiological images with more detail and in less time compared to the human eye. Some challenges in managing esophageal cancer can be addressed by incorporating radiomics into image interpretation, treatment planning, and predicting response and survival. This systematic review and meta-analysis provides a summary of the evidence of radiomics in esophageal cancer. The systematic review was carried out using Pubmed, MEDLINE, and Ovid EMBASE databases—articles describing radiomics in esophageal cancer were included. A meta-analysis was also performed; 50 studies were included. For the assessment of treatment response using 18F-FDG PET/computed tomography (CT) scans, seven studies (443 patients) were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled sensitivity and specificity were 86.5% (81.1–90.6) and 87.1% (78.0–92.8). For the assessment of treatment response using CT scans, five studies (625 patients) were included in the meta-analysis, with a pooled sensitivity and specificity of 86.7% (81.4–90.7) and 76.1% (69.9–81.4). The remaining 37 studies formed the qualitative review, discussing radiomics in diagnosis, radiotherapy planning, and survival prediction. This review explores the wide-ranging possibilities of radiomics in esophageal cancer management. The sensitivities of 18F-FDG PET/CT scans and CT scans are comparable, but 18F-FDG PET/CT scans have improved specificity for AI-based prediction of treatment response. Models integrating clinical and radiomic features facilitate diagnosis and survival prediction. More research is required into comparing models and conducting large-scale studies to build a robust evidence base.
Evaluation of an electronic clinical decision support system (DeSSBack) to improve low back pain management: a pilot cluster randomized controlled trial
Authors: Tun Firzara Abdul Malik , Teo Chin Hai , Teh Shu Yi , Su Je Yu , Mohd Zaini Hana Salwani , Suhaimi Anwar , Ng Wei Leik , Danaee Mahmoud , Stevenson Kay , Mallen Christian David , Ng Chirk Jenn
Published: May 2023

Background

Low back pain (LBP) is a common reason for primary care consultation; yet doctors often find managing it challenging. An electronic decision support system for LBP (DeSSBack) was developed based on an evidence-based risk stratification tool to improve the management of patients with LBP in a Malaysian primary care setting. This pilot study aimed to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of DeSSBack for the conduct of a future definitive trial.

Methods

A pilot cluster randomized controlled trial (cRCT) with qualitative interviews was conducted. Each primary care doctor was considered a cluster and randomized to either the control (usual practice) or intervention (DeSSBack) group. Patient outcomes including Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and a 10-point pain rating scale were measured at baseline and 2-month postintervention. The doctors in the intervention group were interviewed to explore feasibility and acceptability of using DeSSBack.

Results

Thirty-six patients with nonspecific LBP participated in this study (intervention n = 23; control n = 13). Fidelity was poor among patients but good among doctors. The RMDQ and anxiety score had medium effect sizes of 0.718 and 0.480, respectively. The effect sizes for pain score (0.070) and depression score were small (0.087). There was appreciable acceptability and satisfaction with use of DeSSBack, as it was helpful in facilitating thorough and standardized management, providing appropriate treatment plans based on risk stratification, improving consultation time, empowering patient-centred care, and easy to use.

Conclusions

A future cRCT to evaluate the effectiveness of DeSSBack is feasible to be conducted in a primary care setting with minor modifications. DeSSBack was found useful by doctors and can be improved to enhance efficiency.

Trial registration

The protocol of the cluster randomized controlled trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04959669).
Pragmatic Delphi study aimed at determining practical components for a tool designed to assist Dutch primary care-givers in opioid deprescribing for non-cancer pain
Authors: Jansen-Groot Koerkamp Elsemiek A W , de Kleijn Loes , Fakhry Romina , Chiarotto Alessandro , Heringa Mette , Rijkels-Otters Hanneke J B M , Blom Jeanet W , Numans Mattijs E , Koes Bart W , Bouvy Marcel L
Published: May 2023

Background

Over the past decades, opioid prescriptions have increased in the Netherlands. The Dutch general practitioners’ guideline on pain was recently updated and now aims to reduce opioid prescriptions and high-risk opioid use for non-cancer pain. The guideline, however, lacks practical measures for implementation.

Objective

This study aims to determine practical components for a tool that should assist Dutch primary care prescribers and implements the recently updated guideline to reduce opioid prescriptions and high-risk use.

Methods

A modified Delphi approach was used. The practical components for the tool were identified based on systematic reviews, qualitative studies, and Dutch primary care guidelines. Suggested components were divided into Part A, containing components designed to reduce opioid initiation and stimulate short-term use, and Part B, containing components designed to reduce opioid use among patients on long-term opioid treatment. During three rounds, a multidisciplinary panel of 21 experts assessed the content, usability, and feasibility of these components by adding, deleting, and adapting components until consensus was reached on the outlines of an opioid reduction tool.

Results

The resulting Part A consisted of six components, namely education, opioid decision tree, risk assessment, agreements on dosage and duration of use, guidance and follow-up, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The resulting Part B consisted of five components, namely education, patient identification, risk assessment, motivation, and tapering.

Conclusions

In this pragmatic Delphi study, components for an opioid reduction tool for Dutch primary care-givers are identified. These components need further development, and the final tool should be tested in an implementation study.
Endogenous Amyloid-formed Ca2+-permeable Channels in Aged 3xTg AD Mice
Authors: Li Shuangtao , Ji Xiaoyu , Gao Ming , Huang Bing , Peng Shuang , Wu Jie
Published: May 2023

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the leading cause of dementia, is characterized by the accumulation of beta-amyloid peptides (Aβ). However, whether Aβ itself is a key toxic agent in AD pathogenesis and the precise mechanism of Aβ-elicited neurotoxicity are still debated. Emerging evidence demonstrates that the Aβ channel/pore hypothesis could explain Aβ toxicity, because Aβ oligomers are able to disrupt membranes and cause edge-conductivity pores that may disrupt cell Ca2+ homeostasis and drive neurotoxicity in AD. However, all available data to support this hypothesis have been collected from “in vitro” experiments using high concentrations of exogenous Aβ. It is still unknown whether Aβ channels can be formed by endogenous Aβ in AD animal models. Here, we report an unexpected finding of the spontaneous Ca2+ oscillations in aged 3xTg AD mice but not in age-matched wild-type mice. These spontaneous Ca2+ oscillations are sensitive to extracellular Ca2+, ZnCl2, and the Aβ channel blocker Anle138b, suggesting that these spontaneous Ca2+ oscillations in aged 3xTg AD mice are mediated by endogenous Aβ-formed channels.
“Correcting” Gene Trees to be More Like Species Trees Frequently Increases Topological Error
Authors: Yan Zhi , Ogilvie Huw A , Nakhleh Luay
Published: May 2023

The evolutionary histories of individual loci in a genome can be estimated independently, but this approach is error-prone due to the limited amount of sequence data available for each gene, which has led to the development of a diverse array of gene tree error correction methods which reduce the distance to the species tree. We investigate the performance of two representatives of these methods: TRACTION and TreeFix. We found that gene tree error correction frequently increases the level of error in gene tree topologies by “correcting” them to be closer to the species tree, even when the true gene and species trees are discordant. We confirm that full Bayesian inference of the gene trees under the multispecies coalescent model is more accurate than independent inference. Future gene tree correction approaches and methods should incorporate an adequately realistic model of evolution instead of relying on oversimplified heuristics.
Worker Reproduction and Caste Polymorphism Impact Genome Evolution and Social Genes Across the Ants
Authors: Barkdull Megan , Moreau Corrie S
Published: May 2023

Eusocial insects are characterized by several traits, including reproductive division of labor and caste polymorphisms, which likely modulate genome evolution. Concomitantly, evolution may act on specific genes and pathways underlying these novel, sociality-associated phenotypes. Reproductive division of labor should increase the magnitude of genetic drift and reduce the efficacy of selection by reducing effective population size. Caste polymorphism has been associated with relaxed selection and may facilitate directional selection on caste-specific genes. Here, we use comparative analyses of 22 ant genomes to test how reproductive division of labor and worker polymorphism influence positive selection and selection intensity across the genome. Our results demonstrate that worker reproductive capacity is associated with a reduction in the degree of relaxed selection but is not associated with any significant change to positive selection. We find decreases in positive selection in species with polymorphic workers, but no increase in the degree of relaxed selection. Finally, we explore evolutionary patterns in specific candidate genes associated with our focal traits in eusocial insects. Two oocyte patterning genes previously implicated in worker sterility evolve under intensified selection in species with reproductive workers. Behavioral caste genes generally experience relaxed selection associated with worker polymorphism, whereas vestigial and spalt, both associated with soldier development in Pheidole ants, experience intensified selection in worker polymorphic species. These findings expand our understanding of the genetic mechanisms underlying elaborations of sociality. The impacts of reproductive division of labor and caste polymorphisms on specific genes illuminate those genes’ roles in generating complex eusocial phenotypes.
Multiview child motor development dataset for AI-driven assessment of child development
Authors: Kim Hye Hyeon , Kim Jin Yong , Jang Bong Kyung , Lee Joo Hyun , Kim Jong Hyun , Lee Dong Hoon , Yang Hee Min , Choi Young Jo , Sung Myung Jun , Kang Tae Jun , Kim Eunah , Oh Yang Seong , Lim Jaehyun , Hong Soon-Beom , Ahn Kiok , Park Chan Lim , Kwon Soon Myeong , Park Yu Rang
Published: May 2023

Background

Children's motor development is a crucial tool for assessing developmental levels, identifying developmental disorders early, and taking appropriate action. Although the Korean Developmental Screening Test for Infants and Children (K-DST) can accurately assess childhood development, its dependence on parental surveys rather than reliable, professional observation limits it. This study constructed a dataset based on a skeleton of recordings of K-DST behaviors in children aged between 20 and 71 months, with and without developmental disorders. The dataset was validated using a child behavior artificial intelligence (AI) learning model to highlight its possibilities.

Results

The 339 participating children were divided into 3 groups by age. We collected videos of 4 behaviors by age group from 3 different angles and extracted skeletons from them. The raw data were used to annotate labels for each image, denoting whether each child performed the behavior properly. Behaviors were selected from the K-DST's gross motor section. The number of images collected differed by age group. The original dataset underwent additional processing to improve its quality. Finally, we confirmed that our dataset can be used in the AI model with 93.94%, 87.50%, and 96.31% test accuracy for the 3 age groups in an action recognition model. Additionally, the models trained with data including multiple views showed the best performance.

Conclusion

Ours is the first publicly available dataset that constitutes skeleton-based action recognition in young children according to the standardized criteria (K-DST). This dataset will enable the development of various models for developmental tests and screenings.
Covid-19 corruption in the public health sector—emerging evidence from Bangladesh
Authors: Hossain Md Moazzem , Rahaman Md Mustafizur , Rahman Md Jahidur
Published: May 2023

This paper explores Covid-19-related corruption in Bangladesh. Specifically, we analyse the issue of Covid-19-related corruption in the health sector of Bangladesh. We also explore how denial strategies adapted by government officials have worsened the problem. Using Cohen’s notion of denial strategies (Cohen 2001. States of Denial. Cambridge: Polity), we analyse media reports during the pandemic that highlighted Covid-19-related corruption occurring in the Bangladeshi health sector. Our analyses reveal that the Covid-19 pandemic has given rise to a new wave of corruption, particularly in the procurement of testing kits and personal protective equipment (PPE), as well as the issuance of false Covid-19 certificates. We call for an in-depth investigation of Covid-19-related corruption in Bangladesh and other developing countries that follows similar social, contextual and cultural values via interviews with policymakers and health professionals. Our paper extends the ongoing debate on Covid-19-related corruption and its impacts on public health sectors.