bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationship Between Maxillary Fungal Sinusitis and Odontogenic Infection, Dental Implant
Authors: Ahn Hyeon woo , Baek Moo Jin , Kim Mi Ra , Lee Seok Hwan , Kim Bo Soo , An Tae Lim , Kim Sang Hoon , Kim Yong Wan
Published: August 2023

Background and Objectives One of the common causes of chronic bacterial sinusitis is odontogenic infection, which has recently attracted attention and many studies are being conducted. However, studies on the relationship between chronic fungal sinusitis and odontogenic infection, which are commonly encountered in clinical practice, are still lacking. In this study, we investigated the association between chronic fungal sinusitis, odontogenic infection and dental implant.Subjects and Method We retrospectively reviewed medical records and paranasal sinus (PNS) CT scans of 198 patients who were treated in our institution for maxillary fungal sinusitis between March 2010 and October 2020.Results We defined two groups of maxillary sinuses (MS) according to the presence of fungal ball (fungal group; n=204 vs. normal group; n=192). Fungal sinusitis was diagnosed in all 204 cases of the fungal group. In the normal group, the mean MS volume was 17.0±6.2 mL, and in the fungal group, the mean MS volume was 13.8±5.2 mL. The volumes of MS were statistically small in the fungal group (p<0.001). In 141 (69.1%) of 204 sinuses in the fungal group, findings suggestive of odontogenic infection were confirmed on the PNS CT scans and were statistically significant (p<0.001, odds ratio=2.537). Of 204 sinuses in the fungal group, 26 (12.7%) had dental implants and were not statistically significant (p=0.107, odds ratio=1.724).Conclusion This study suggests odontogenic infection to be a risk factor for developing fungal sinusitis in the ipsilateral maxillary sinus.
Transfer Learning untuk Klasifikasi Penyakit dan Hama Padi Menggunakan MobileNetV2
Authors: Putra Oddy Virgantara , Mustaqim Muhammad Zaim , Muriatmoko Dihin
Published: August 2023

Tanaman padi memegang peranan penting untuk ketersediaan pangan di indonesia. Namun, banyak faktor yang dapat mempengaruhi panen pada tanaman padi, salah satunya adalah penyakit dan hama pada tanaman padi. Keterlambatan penanganan pada penyakit dan hama tanaman padi bisanya terjadi karena keterlambatan diagnosis penyakit dan hama tanaman padi, apalagi pada daerah terpencil yang memiliki keterbatasan akses internet dan komputasi. Oleh karena itu proses klasifikasi penyakit dan hama pada tanaman padi secara otomatis yang dapat di implementasikan pada perangkat dengan daya sumber yang terbatas, seperti perangkat seluler sangat dibutuhkan. Penelitian ini membandingkan lima arsitektur Transfer Learning yaitu MobileNet V2, NasNet Mobile, EfficientNet B7, Inception V3, VGG 16 dan model dengan simple CNN. Penelitian ini menggunakan dataset Rahman yang berisikan 5 penyakit, 3 hama dan 1 tanaman padi sehat. Setiap data akan melewati tahap preprocessing dan augmentasi. MobileNet V2 memiliki jumlah parameter dan performa yang cukup baik dalam mengklasifikasi penyakit tanaman padi dengan jumlah parameter yaitu 2.269.513, accuracy sebesar 96%, precision sebesar96%, recall sebesar96%, specificity sebesar 99%, dan f1-score sebesar 96%.
Rancang Bangun Sistem Pencatatan Data Identifikasi Suhu Tubuh Non Kontak Berbasis Internet of Things
Authors: Suryo Yoedo Ageng
Published: August 2023

Sistem pencatatan data dibutuhkan sebagai tindak lanjut aktifitas monitoring yang seringkali hanya menampilkan nilai-nilai pembacaan sensor hasil pengolahan mikrokontroler. Terdapat beberapa pilihan yang bisa digunakan, yaitu penyimpanan data secara langsung atau melalui platform Internet of things. Penelitian ini bertujuan merancang pencatatan data sensor suhu non kontak MLX90614 berdasarkan kartu identitas personal dengan memanfaatkan modul MFRC522 RFID. Prototipe ini menggunakan media kotak berukuran 20 x 10 x 5 cm yang diletakkan di dinding. Peletakan kedua modul diatur supaya pengguna dapat menjalankan kedua fungsi sekaligus, yaitu pemindaian suhu tubuh secara non kontak dan identifikasi kartu. Pengolahan data kedua masukan modul dijalankan oleh mikrokontroler ESP32 yang sekaligus juga dapat menjalankan pencatatan data secara online melalui platform Google sheet. Pencatatan data secara online dilakukan setiap kali ada pengguna yang melakukan pemindaian. Keluaran pengolahan sistem dibandingkan dengan thermo gun menghasilkan selisih error pembacaan antara 0,2 – 0,3 oC.
Design of a lightweight universal talus implant using topology optimization
Authors: Hafez Ahmed H. , El-Rich Marwan , Liu Tao , Jomha Nadr , Schiffer Andreas
Published: August 2023

Total talus replacement is a promising alternative treatment for talus fractures complicated by avascular necrosis and collapse. This surgical option replaces the human talus bone with a customized talus implant and can maintain ankle joint functionality compared to traditional treatment (e.g., ankle fusion). However, the customized implant is costly and time-consuming due to its customized nature. To circumvent these drawbacks, universal talus implants were proposed. While they showed clinically satisfactory results, existing talus implants are heavier than biological talus bones as they are solid inside. This can lead to unequal weight between the implant and biological talus bone, and therefore leading to other complications. The reduction of the implants’ weight without compromising its performance and congruency with surrounding bones is a potential solution. Therefore, this study aims to design a lightweight universal talus implant using topology optimization. This is done through establishing the loading and boundary conditions for three common foot postures: neutral, dorsi- and plantar-flexion. The optimized implant performance in terms of mass, contact characteristics with surrounding joint cartilage and stress distributions is studied using a 3D Finite Element (FE) model of the ankle joint. The mass of the optimized implant is reduced by approximately 66.6% and its maximum stresses do not exceed 70 MPa, resulting in a safety factor of 15.7. Moreover, the optimized and solid implants show similar contact characteristics. Both implants produced peak contact pressures that were approximately 19.0%–196% higher than those produced by the biological talus. While further mechanical testing under in-vivo loading conditions is required to determine clinical feasibility, preliminarily, the use of a lightweight universal implant is expected to provide the patient with a more natural feel, and a reduced waiting period until surgery.
A 3D-printed patient-specific modular implants for pelvic reconstruction of bone tumors involving the sacroiliac joint
Authors: Lv Zhaorui , Li Zhenfeng , Yang Qiang , Li Jianmin
Published: August 2023

Background: Current reconstruction methods of the pelvic ring after extensive resection of tumors involving the sacroiliac joint have a high incidence of failure. We aimed to study the effect of 3D-printed patient-specific implant reconstruction to show that this method is stable and has a low risk of failure.

Methods: Between February 2017 and November 2021, six patients with bone tumors involving the sacroiliac joint (Enneking I + IV) who received 3D-printed patient-specific implants for pelvic reconstructive surgery were retrospectively analyzed. Two female and four male patients with a mean age of 41.83 years (range 25–65 years) were included. Two were osteosarcomas, two chondrosarcomas, one malignant fibrous histiocytoma, and one giant cell tumor of bone. For each patient, preoperative osteotomy guides were designed to ensure accurate tumor resection and individualized prostheses were designed to ensure a perfect fit of the bone defect. General, oncologic, and functional outcomes, implant status, and complications were retrospectively analyzed. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used to assess pain and the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score was used to assess hip function. Osseointegration was assessed by CT.

Results: According to the preoperative design, complete resection of the entire tumor and reconstruction with a custom 3D-printed sacroiliac joint implant was completed without perioperative severe complications or deaths. Relatively satisfactory surgical margins were achieved. The mean operative time and intraoperative blood loss were 495 min (420–600 min) and 2533.33 mL (range, 1,200–3,500 mL), respectively. The mean follow-up was 49.83 months (range, 18–75 months). At the last follow-up, all four patients were disease-free, and the two patients who developed lung metastases were alive with tumors. All patients could walk unassisted. The mean VAS was 1.33 (range, 0–2). The mean MSTS score was 25.33 (range, 24–27). CT showed complete osseointegration of the implant to the ilium and sacrum.

Conclusion: The 3D-printed custom prosthesis can effectively reconstruct pelvic stability after total sacroiliac joint resection with satisfactory clinical results.
Molecular subtyping of acute myeloid leukemia through ferroptosis signatures predicts prognosis and deciphers the immune microenvironment
Authors: Fu Denggang , Zhang Biyu , Wu Shiyong , Feng Jueping , Jiang Hua
Published: August 2023

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is one of the most aggressive hematological malignancies with a low 5-year survival rate and high rate of relapse. Developing more efficient therapies is an urgent need for AML treatment. Accumulating evidence showed that ferroptosis, an iron-dependent form of programmed cell death, is closely correlated with cancer initiation and clinical outcome through reshaping the tumor microenvironment. However, understanding of AML heterogeneity based on extensive profiling of ferroptosis signatures remains to be investigated yet. Herein, five independent AML transcriptomic datasets (TCGA-AML, GSE37642, GSE12417, GSE10358, and GSE106291) were obtained from the GEO and TCGA databases. Then, we identified two ferroptosis-related molecular subtypes (C1 and C2) with distinct prognosis and tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) by consensus clustering. Patients in the C1 subtype were associated with favorable clinical outcomes and increased cytotoxic immune cell infiltration, including CD8+/central memory T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and non-regulatory CD4+ T cells while showing decreased suppressive immune subsets such as M2 macrophages, neutrophils, and monocytes. Functional enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) implied that cell activation involved in immune response, leukocyte cell–cell adhesion and migration, and cytokine production were the main biological processes. Phagosome, antigen processing and presentation, cytokine–cytokine receptor interaction, B-cell receptor, and chemokine were identified as the major pathways. To seize the distinct landscape in C1 vs. C2 subtypes, a 5-gene prognostic signature (LSP1, IL1R2, MPO, CRIP1, and SLC24A3) was developed using LASSO Cox stepwise regression analysis and further validated in independent AML cohorts. Patients were divided into high- and low-risk groups, and decreased survival rates were observed in high- vs. low-risk groups. The TIME between high- and low-risk groups has a similar scenery in C1 vs. C2 subtypes. Single-cell-level analysis verified that LSP1 and CRIP1 were upregulated in AML and exhausted CD8+ T cells. Dual targeting of these two markers might present a promising immunotherapeutic for AML. In addition, potential effective chemical drugs for AML were predicted. Thus, we concluded that molecular subtyping using ferroptosis signatures could characterize the TIME and provide implications for monitoring clinical outcomes and predicting novel therapies.
The role of innovative modeling and imaging techniques in improving outcomes in patients with LVAD
Authors: Wilson Shannon I. , Ingram Katelyn E. , Oh Albert , Moreno Michael R. , Kassi Mahwash
Published: August 2023

Heart failure remains a significant cause of mortality in the United States and around the world. While organ transplantation is acknowledged as the gold standard treatment for end stage heart failure, supply is limited, and many patients are treated with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). LVADs extend and improve patients' lives, but they are not without their own complications, particularly the hemocompatibility related adverse events (HRAE) including stroke, bleeding and pump thrombosis. Mainstream imaging techniques currently in use to assess appropriate device function and troubleshoot complications, such as echocardiography and cardiac computed tomography, provide some insight but do not provide a holistic understanding of pump induced flow alterations that leads to HRAEs. In contrast, there are technologies restricted to the benchtop—such as computational fluid dynamics and mock circulatory loops paired with methods like particle image velocimetry—that can assess flow metrics but have not been optimized for clinical care. In this review, we outline the potential role and current limitations of converging available technologies to produce novel imaging techniques, and the potential utility in evaluating hemodynamic flow to determine whether LVAD patients may be at higher risk of HRAEs. This addition to diagnostic and monitoring capabilities could improve prevention and treatment of LVAD-induced complications in heart failure patients.
A systematic evaluation and meta-analysis of early prediction of post-thrombotic syndrome
Authors: Yu Tong , Song Jialin , Yu LingKe , Deng Wanlin
Published: August 2023

Objective

Post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) is the most common long-term complication in patients with deep venous thrombosis, and the prevention of PTS remains a major challenge in clinical practice. Some studies have explored early predictors and constructed corresponding prediction models, whereas their specific application and predictive value are controversial. Therefore, we conducted this systematic evaluation and meta-analysis to investigate the incidence of PTS and the feasibility of early prediction.

Methods

We systematically searched databases of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane and Web of Science up to April 7, 2023. Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to evaluate the quality of the included articles, and the OR values of the predictors in multi-factor logistic regression were pooled to assess whether they could be used as effective independent predictors.

Results

We systematically included 20 articles involving 8,512 subjects, with a predominant onset of PTS between 6 and 72 months, with a 2-year incidence of 37.5% (95% CI: 27.8–47.7%). The results for the early predictors were as follows: old age OR = 1.840 (95% CI: 1.410–2.402), obesity or overweight OR = 1.721 (95% CI: 1.245–2.378), proximal deep vein thrombosis OR = 2.335 (95% CI: 1.855–2.938), history of venous thromboembolism OR = 3.593 (95% CI: 1.738–7.240), history of smoking OR = 2.051 (95% CI: 1.305–3.224), varicose veins OR = 2.405 (95% CI: 1.344–4.304), and baseline Villalta score OR = 1.095(95% CI: 1.056–1.135). Meanwhile, gender, unprovoked DVT and insufficient anticoagulation were not independent predictors. Seven studies constructed risk prediction models. In the training set, the c-index of the prediction models was 0.77 (95% CI: 0.74–0.80) with a sensitivity of 0.75 (95% CI: 0.68–0.81) and specificity of 0.69 (95% CI: 0.60–0.77). In the validation set, the c-index, sensitivity and specificity of the prediction models were 0.74(95% CI: 0.69–0.79), 0.71(95% CI: 0.64–0.78) and 0.72(95% CI: 0.67–0.76), respectively.

Conclusions

With a high incidence after venous thrombosis, PTS is a complication that cannot be ignored in patients with venous thrombosis. Risk prediction scoring based on early model construction is a feasible option, which helps to identify the patient's condition and develop an individualized prevention program to reduce the risk of PTS.
Do you hear the people sing? Comparison of synchronized URL and narrative themes in 2020 and 2023 French protests
Authors: Ng Lynnette Hui Xian , Carley Kathleen M.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

France has seen two key protests within the term of President Emmanuel Macron: one in 2020 against Islamophobia, and another in 2023 against the pension reform. During these protests, there is much chatter on online social media platforms like Twitter.

Methods

In this study, we aim to analyze the differences between the online chatter of the 2 years through a network-centric view, and in particular the synchrony of users. This study begins by identifying groups of accounts that work together through two methods: temporal synchronicity and narrative similarity. We also apply a bot detection algorithm to identify bots within these networks and analyze the extent of inorganic synchronization within the discourse of these events.

Results

Overall, our findings suggest that the synchrony of users in 2020 on Twitter is much higher than that of 2023, and there are more bot activity in 2020 compared to 2023.
Effect of dry-wet cycles on the strength and deformation of the red-bed rockfill material in western Yunnan
Authors: Du Jun , Shen Xinggang , Li Chenchen , Zhu Weiwei , Feng Guojian
Published: August 2023

Introduction: The shear strength deterioration of red-bed rockfill under the dry-wet cycle is the key factor affecting the slope stability of accumulation body. Studying the strength deterioration law and deterioration mechanism of red-bed rockfill can provide theoretical support for slope stability control.

Methods: Through the disintegration resistance test of argillaceous siltstone rockfill in Lanping lead-zinc Mine, the disintegration characteristics of red-bed soft rock were studied. The effects of the number of dry-wet cycles on the cohesion, internal friction angle, shear dilation rate and shear modulus of the red-bed rockfill were investigated by using a dry-wet cycle shear tester to conduct shear tests on the reduced scale graded soil material, and the strength deterioration mechanism of the soils was revealed from the perspective of meso-structure.

Results: The results showed that argillaceous siltstone was rich in clay minerals and produces strong disintegration when exposed to water. The disintegration process could be divided into three stages: massive disintegration stage, transitional stage and stabilization stage. With the accumulation of dry-wet cycles, the shear dilation rate and shear modulus of the argillaceous siltstone rockfill gradually decrease, and the shear failure developed gradually from strain hardening to shear plastic flow, and the characteristic of weak stress softening occurred. After eight dry-wet cycles, the cohesion and internal friction angle of argillaceous siltstone rockfill materials decreased by 89.87% and 18.94%, respectively, indicating a higher effect on the cohesion than on the internal friction angle.

Discussion: The thickening of the bound water between the fine particles on the shear surface, the weakening of the coarse particle attachment, and the increase in the number of directionally arranged fine particles were the main reasons for the continuous deterioration of the soil strength.
Comparison of mechanical characteristics of different types of shales in the Ordos Basin
Authors: Dou Liangbin , Chen Jingyang , Zuo Xiongdi , Liu Yonghui , Sun Lin , Fang Yong , Cheng Xuebin , Wang Ting
Published: August 2023

Shale gas is a very important unconventional energy. The mechanical properties of the three types of shale (laminated shale, sandwich shale and foliated shale) are different, and the difference in fracturing effectiveness is very significant. In this paper, the mineral composition, mechanical properties and conductivity of these three different types of shale were studied and compared by X-ray diffraction, triaxial mechanical experiments, and fracture conduction experiments. The study found that the foliated shale has the lowest content of rigid minerals (47.5%), lower elastic modulus and tensile strength (26.98 Gpa and 168.29 MPa, respectively), higher Poisson’s ratio (0.25), the smallest brittleness index (0.48), and larger fracture toughness (0.42). The laminated shale has a higher content of rigid minerals (68.50%), the lowest elastic modulus and tensile strength (25.77 Gpa and 122.46 MPa, respectively), the highest Poisson’s ratio (0.26), the highest brittleness index (0.56), and the lowest fracture toughness (0.18). The sandwich shale has the highest rigid mineral content (78.16%), the highest elastic modulus and tensile strength (35.31 Gpa and 197.37 MPa, respectively), the lowest Poisson’s ratio (0.24), a larger brittleness index (0.52), and larger fracture toughness (0.415). Furthermore, with the increase in the coring angle, the elastic modulus of all three shales increases. In addition, with the increase in closing pressure and the decrease in the sand laying concentration, the proppant embedding depth gradually increases and the conductivity decreases. This means that from the perspective of forming complex fracture networks, the fracturing effect of the foliated shale is unsatisfactory, while the fracturing effect of the laminated and sandwich shales is better. Moreover, it is recommended to prefer directional injection along vertical laminae or at high angles, which is conducive to the formation of complex fracture networks. For laminated shale with low strength, the sand laying concentration should be increased to ensure the conductivity of the fractured fracture. This study provides some technical guidance for the identification of different types of shale fracturing desserts and fracturing processes.
Metabolic syndrome and risk of ovarian cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Chen Ziyu , Liu Zesi , Yang Hongxia , Liu Chaosheng , Kong Fandou
Published: August 2023

Background

MetS is associated with greater morbidity and mortality in relation to a number of malignancies, but its association with ovarian cancer remains contested. The present study was a systematic review and meta-analysis of case-control and cohort studies examining the association between MetS and ovarian cancer risk.

Methods

The study was registered on the PROSPERO platform in January 2023 (CRD42023391830). Up until February 13, 2023, a complete search was undertaken in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials. On the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria, eligible studies for meta-analysis were screened to determine the association between MetS and ovarian cancer risk.

Results

Five studies were included in total, including three cohort studies and two case-control studies. Meta-analysis showed no significant correlation between metabolic syndrome and ovarian cancer (OR=1.29, 95% CI: 0.90-1.84). Significant heterogeneity (I2 = 92.6, P<0.05) existed between the included studies. We performed a subgroup analysis of the risk of bias and showed that only unadjusted stratification of risk of bias for smoking (OR= 3.19, 95% CI: 2.14-4.76) and hysterectomy (OR= 3.19, 95% CI: 2.14-4.76) demonstrated a relationship between metabolic syndrome and ovarian cancer risk. The meta-regression analysis revealed that smoking and hysterectomy excision were substantially linked with heterogeneity (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Our research revealed no statistically significant association between MetS and ovarian cancer risk. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome has highlighted the need of enhancing and controlling women’s metabolic health. However, the evaluation of metabolic syndrome as a cancer risk factor may be deceptive and etiologically uninformative.
ANGPTL2+cancer-associated fibroblasts and SPP1+macrophages are metastasis accelerators of colorectal cancer
Authors: Liu Xiangxiang , Qin Jian , Nie Junjie , Gao Rui , Hu Shangshang , Sun Huiling , Wang Shukui , Pan Yuqin
Published: August 2023

Background

Liver metastasis (LM) is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in CRC patients, whereas the associated mechanisms have not yet been fully elucidated. Therefore, it is urgently needed to deeply explore novel metastasis accelerators and therapeutic targets of LM-CRC.

Methods

The bulk RNA sequencing data and clinicopathological information of CRC patients were enrolled from the TCGA and GEO databases. The single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) datasets of CRC were collected from and analyzed in the Tumor Immune Single-cell Hub (TISCH) database. The infiltration levels of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and macrophages in CRC tissues were estimated by multiple immune deconvolution algorithms. The prognostic values of genes were identified by the Kaplan-Meier curve with a log-rank test. GSEA analysis was carried out to annotate the significantly enriched gene sets. The biological functions of cells were experimentally verified.

Results

In the present study, hundreds of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were selected in LM-CRC compared to primary CRC, and these DEGs were significantly associated with the regulation of endopeptidase activity, blood coagulation, and metabolic processes. Then, SPP1, CAV1, ANGPTL2, and COLEC11 were identified as the characteristic DEGs of LM-CRC, and higher expression levels of SPP1 and ANGPTL2 were significantly associated with worse clinical outcomes of CRC patients. In addition, ANGPTL2 and SPP1 mainly distributed in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of CRC tissues. Subsequent scRNA-seq analysis demonstrated that ANGPTL2 and SPP1 were markedly enriched in the CAFs and macrophages of CRC tissues, respectively. Moreover, we identified the significantly enriched gene sets in LM-CRC, especially those in the SPP1+macrophages and ANGPTL2+CAFs, such as the HALLMARK_EPITHELIAL_MESENCHYMAL_TRANSITION and the HALLMARK_COMPLEMENT. Finally, our in vitro experiments proved that ANGPTL2+CAFs and SPP1+macrophages promote the metastasis of CRC cells.

Conclusion

Our study selected four characteristic genes of LM-CRC and identified ANGPTL2+CAFs and SPP1+macrophages subtypes as metastasis accelerators of CRC which provided a potential therapeutic target for LM-CRC.
A predictive model of immune infiltration and prognosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma based on cell adhesion-related genes: including molecular biological validation
Authors: Liu Yuchen , Wu Zhechen , Fu Ziyue , Han Yanxun , Wang Jianpeng , Zhang Yanqiang , Liang Bingyu , Tao Ye , Zhang Yuchen , Shen Chuanlu , Xu Yidan , Yin Siyue , Chen Bangjie , Liu Yehai , Pan Haifeng , Liang Zhang , Wu Kaile
Published: August 2023

Background

Focal adhesion serves as a bridge between tumour cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM) and has multiple roles in tumour invasion, migration, and therapeutic resistance. However, studies on focal adhesion-related genes (FARGs) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are limited.

Methods

Data on HNSCC samples were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas and GSE41613 datasets, and 199 FARGs were obtained from the Molecular Signatures database. The integrated datasets’ dimensions were reduced by the use of cluster analysis, which was also used to classify patients with HNSCC into subclusters. A FARG signature model was developed and utilized to calculate each patient’s risk score using least extreme shrinkage and selection operator regression analysis. The risk score was done to quantify the subgroups of all patients. We evaluated the model’s value for prognostic prediction, immune infiltration status, and therapeutic response in HNSCC. Preliminary molecular and biological experiments were performed to verify these results.

Results

Two different HNSCC molecular subtypes were identified according to FARGs, and patients with C2 had a shorter overall survival (OS) than those with C1. We constructed an FARG signature comprising nine genes. We constructed a FARG signature consisting of nine genes. Patients with higher risk scores calculated from the FARG signature had a lower OS, and the FARG signature was considered an independent prognostic factor for HNSCC in univariate and multivariate analyses. FARGs are associated with immune cell invasion, gene mutation status, and chemosensitivity. Finally, we observed an abnormal overexpression of MAPK9 in HNSCC tissues, and MAPK9 knockdown greatly impeded the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HNSCC cells.

Conclusion

The FARG signature can provide reliable prognostic prediction for patients with HNSCC. Apart from that, the genes in this model were related to immune invasion, gene mutation status, and chemosensitivity, which may provide new ideas for targeted therapies for HNSCC.
The causal relationship between multiple autoimmune diseases and nasal polyps
Authors: Chen Siyuan , Tan Lu , Qin Danxue , Lv Hao , Liu Kunyu , Xu Yingying , Wu Xiaomin , Huang Jingyu , Xu Yu
Published: August 2023

Background

Although previous sporadic studies have reported the associations between a few autoimmune diseases and nasal polyps, these studies have limitations such as conflicting results, small sample sizes, and low levels of evidence.

Methods

Several autoimmune diseases were selected as exposures while the nasal polyps were selected as outcomes. Bidirectional univariable Mendelian randomization and multivariable Mendelian randomization analyses were performed after rigorous screening of instrumental variables. Then mediation analyses were conducted to further investigate the underlying mechanisms.

Results

For the first time, we investigated the causal relationships between nine autoimmune diseases and nasal polyps in different genders and found: (1) there was a causal association between adult-onset Still's disease and nasal polyps; (2) sarcoidosis, ulcerative colitis, type 1 diabetes, and Crohn’s disease had no significant associations with nasal polyps; (3) celiac disease showed a suggestive positive association with female nasal polyps, whereas juvenile arthritis and multiple sclerosis showed suggestive positive associations with male nasal polyps. By contrast, arthropathic psoriasis showed a suggestive negative association with nasal polyps. In addition to these nine diseases, previous controversial issues were further investigated: (1) there was a causal relationship between rheumatoid arthritis and nasal polyps, which was partially mediated by “BAFF-R for IgD+ B cells”; (2) ankylosing spondylitis showed suggestive positive associations with the female but not the male nasal polyps. Besides, we validated that there was no causal effect of autoimmune hyperthyroidism on nasal polyps.

Conclusion

Specific conclusions regarding the causal effects of multiple autoimmune diseases on nasal polyps are the same as above. By comparing results between different genders, we have initially observed the sex bimodality in the causal effects between autoimmune diseases and nasal polyps, with those on male nasal polyps being stronger than those on female nasal polyps. Our study lays a solid foundation for further research in the future, not only helping identify individuals susceptible to nasal polyps early but also improving our understanding of the immunopathogenesis of these heterogeneous diseases.
The role of the symbiotic microecosystem in cancer: gut microbiota, metabolome, and host immunome
Authors: Xue Xiaoyu , Li Rui , Chen Zhenni , Li Guiyu , Liu Bisheng , Guo Shanshan , Yue Qianhua , Yang Siye , Xie Linlin , Zhang Yiguan , Zhao Junning , Tan Ruirong
Published: August 2023

The gut microbiota is not just a simple nutritional symbiosis that parasitizes the host; it is a complex and dynamic ecosystem that coevolves actively with the host and is involved in a variety of biological activities such as circadian rhythm regulation, energy metabolism, and immune response. The development of the immune system and immunological functions are significantly influenced by the interaction between the host and the microbiota. The interactions between gut microbiota and cancer are of a complex nature. The critical role that the gut microbiota plays in tumor occurrence, progression, and treatment is not clear despite the already done research. The development of precision medicine and cancer immunotherapy further emphasizes the importance and significance of the question of how the microbiota takes part in cancer development, progression, and treatment. This review summarizes recent literature on the relationship between the gut microbiome and cancer immunology. The findings suggest the existence of a “symbiotic microecosystem” formed by gut microbiota, metabolome, and host immunome that is fundamental for the pathogenesis analysis and the development of therapeutic strategies for cancer.
Longitudinal clinical phenotyping of post COVID condition in Mexican adults recovering from severe COVID-19: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Núñez Isaac , Gillard Joshua , Fragoso-Saavedra Sergio , Feyaerts Dorien , Islas-Weinstein León , Gallegos-Guzmán Angel A. , Valente-García Uriel , Meyerowitz Justin , Kelly J. Daniel , Chen Han , Ganio Edward , Benkendorff Alexander , Flores-Gouyonnet Jaime , Dammann-Beltrán Pedro , Heredia-González José Francisco , Rangel-Gutiérrez Gabriela A. , Blish Catherine A. , Nadeau Kari C. , Nolan Garry , Crispín Jose C. , McIlwain David R. , Gaudillière Brice , Valdés-Ferrer Sergio I.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Few studies have evaluated the presence of Post COVID-19 conditions (PCC) in people from Latin America, a region that has been heavily afflicted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, we describe the frequency, co-occurrence, predictors, and duration of 23 symptoms in a cohort of Mexican patients with PCC.

Methods

We prospectively enrolled and followed adult patients hospitalized for severe COVID-19 at a tertiary care centre in Mexico City. The incidence of PCC symptoms was determined using questionnaires. Unsupervised clustering of PCC symptom co-occurrence and Kaplan–Meier analyses of symptom persistence were performed. The effect of baseline clinical characteristics was evaluated using Cox regression models and reported with hazard ratios (HR).

Results

We found that amongst 192 patients with PCC, respiratory problems were the most prevalent and commonly co-occurred with functional activity impairment. 56% had ≥5 persistent symptoms. Symptom persistence probability at 360 days 0.78. Prior SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and infection during the Delta variant wave were associated with a shorter duration of PCC. Male sex was associated with a shorter duration of functional activity impairment and respiratory symptoms. Hypertension and diabetes were associated with a longer duration of functional impairment. Previous vaccination accelerated PCC recovery.

Discussion

In our cohort, PCC symptoms were frequent (particularly respiratory and neurocognitive ones) and persistent. Importantly, prior SARS-CoV-2 vaccination resulted in a shorter duration of PCC.
Unraveling the multifaceted resilience of arsenic resistant bacterium Deinococcus indicus
Authors: Gouveia André G. , Salgueiro Bruno A. , Ranmar Dean O. , Antunes Wilson D. T. , Kirchweger Peter , Golani Ofra , Wolf Sharon G. , Elbaum Michael , Matias Pedro M. , Romão Célia V.
Published: August 2023

Arsenic (As) is a toxic heavy metal widely found in the environment that severely undermines the integrity of water resources. Bioremediation of toxic compounds is an appellative sustainable technology with a balanced cost-effective setup. To pave the way for the potential use of Deinococcus indicus, an arsenic resistant bacterium, as a platform for arsenic bioremediation, an extensive characterization of its resistance to cellular insults is paramount. A comparative analysis of D. indicus cells grown in two rich nutrient media conditions (M53 and TGY) revealed distinct resistance patterns when cells are subjected to stress via UV-C and methyl viologen (MV). Cells grown in M53 demonstrated higher resistance to both UV-C and MV. Moreover, cells grow to higher density upon exposure to 25 mM As(V) in M53 in comparison with TGY. This analysis is pivotal for the culture of microbial species in batch culture bioreactors for bioremediation purposes. We also demonstrate for the first time the presence of polyphosphate granules in D. indicus which are also found in a few Deinococcus species. To extend our analysis, we also characterized DiArsC2 (arsenate reductase) involved in arsenic detoxification and structurally determined different states, revealing the structural evidence for a catalytic cysteine triple redox system. These results contribute for our understanding into the D. indicus resistance mechanism against stress conditions.
Endophytic Streptomyces sp. NEAU-ZSY13 from the leaf of Perilla frutescens, as a promising broad-spectrum biocontrol agent against soil-borne diseases
Authors: Wang Zhiyan , Gao Congting , Yang Jingquan , Du Rui , Zeng Fanli , Bing Hui , Xia Banghua , Shen Yue , Liu Chongxi
Published: August 2023

Soil-borne diseases cause significant economic losses in global agricultural production. These diseases are challenging to control due to the invasion of multiple pathogens into host plants, and traditional chemical control methods often yield unsatisfactory results. In this study, we isolated and identified an endophytic Streptomyces, designated as NEAU-ZSY13, from the leaf of Perilla frutescens. This isolate exhibited broad-spectrum antifungal activity against 17 soil-borne phytopathogenic fungi, with Bipolaris sorokiniana being the most prominent. Additionally, it displayed strong antibacterial activity against the soil-borne phytopathogenic bacterium Ralstonia solanacearum. To assess its biocontrol potential, the isolate was utilized to produce a biofertilizer through solid-state fermentation. The fermentation conditions were optimized using response surface methodology to maximize the spore production. The results revealed that more abundant spores were produced with a 1:2 ratio of vermicompost to wheat bran, 60% water content, 20% inoculation amount and 28°C. Subsequent pot experiments demonstrated that the application of the biofertilizer with a spore concentration of 108 CFU/g soil effectively suppressed the occurrence of tomato bacterial wilt caused by R. solanacearum and wheat root rot caused by B. sorokiniana, with biocontrol efficacies of 72.2 and 78.3%, respectively. Chemical analysis of NEAU-ZSY13 extracts, using nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry and mass analysis, identified niphimycin C and niphimycin A as the primary active constituents. These compounds exhibited high activity against R. solanacearum (EC50 of 3.6 and 2.4 μg mL−1) and B. sorokiniana (EC50 of 3.9 and 3.4 μg mL−1). In conclusion, this study demonstrates the potential of Streptomyces sp. NEAU-ZSY13 as a biofertilizer for the control of soil-borne diseases.
Germicidal effect of intense pulsed light on Pseudomonas aeruginosa in food processing
Authors: Liang Jinglong , Huang Teng Yi , Li Xuejie , Gao Yan
Published: August 2023

Background

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) can cause serious infections in many parts of the body and is also an underestimated foodborne pathogen. Intense pulsed light sterilization is recognized for its high sterilization efficiency, flexible and safe operation and ease of installation on production lines, which makes up for the shortcomings of several other physical sterilization technologies.

Methods

This experiment studied the killing efficiency of different capacitances (650 μF, 470 μF, and 220 μF) of intense pulsed light on foodborne pathogenic microorganisms P. aeruginosa in the models of liquid food models, 96-well cell plates, and polycarbonate membrane models at room temperature (25°C) and refrigerated (4°C) environments to provide data to support the application of IPL sterilization devices in food processing.

Results

The IPL was very effective in killing P. aeruginosa in the planktonic state as well as in the early and mature biofilm states, meeting target kill rates of 100%, 99.99%, and 94.33% for a given number of exposures. The biofilms formed in the polycarbonate membrane model and the 96-well plate model were more resistant to killing compared to the planktonic state. To achieve the same bactericidal effect, the number of flashes increased with decreasing capacitance.

Conclusion

The bactericidal effect of IPL on P. aeruginosa was significantly influenced by the state of the bacterium. The larger the capacitance the higher the number of pulses and the better the sterilization effect on P. aeruginosa.
Exploring spiking neural networks: a comprehensive analysis of mathematical models and applications
Authors: Sanaullah  , Koravuna Shamini , Rückert Ulrich , Jungeblut Thorsten
Published: August 2023

This article presents a comprehensive analysis of spiking neural networks (SNNs) and their mathematical models for simulating the behavior of neurons through the generation of spikes. The study explores various models, includingLIFandNLIF, for constructing SNNs and investigates their potential applications in different domains. However, implementation poses several challenges, including identifying the most appropriate model for classification tasks that demand high accuracy and low-performance loss. To address this issue, this research study compares the performance, behavior, and spike generation of multiple SNN models using consistent inputs and neurons. The findings of the study provide valuable insights into the benefits and challenges of SNNs and their models, emphasizing the significance of comparing multiple models to identify the most effective one. Moreover, the study quantifies the number of spiking operations required by each model to process the same inputs and produce equivalent outputs, enabling a thorough assessment of computational efficiency. The findings provide valuable insights into the benefits and limitations of SNNs and their models. The research underscores the significance of comparing different models to make informed decisions in practical applications. Additionally, the results reveal essential variations in biological plausibility and computational efficiency among the models, further emphasizing the importance of selecting the most suitable model for a given task. Overall, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of SNNs and offers practical guidelines for using their potential in real-world scenarios.
Cognitive phenotypes in late-onset epilepsy: results from the atherosclerosis risk in communities study
Authors: Reyes Anny , Schneider Andrea L. C. , Kucharska-Newton Anna M. , Gottesman Rebecca F. , Johnson Emily L. , McDonald Carrie R.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Cognitive phenotyping is a widely used approach to characterize the heterogeneity of deficits in patients with a range of neurological disorders but has only recently been applied to patients with epilepsy. In this study, we identify cognitive phenotypes in older adults with late-onset epilepsy (LOE) and examine their demographic, clinical, and vascular profiles. Further, we examine whether specific phenotypes pose an increased risk for progressive cognitive decline.

Methods

Participants were part of the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study (ARIC), a prospective longitudinal community-based cohort study of 15,792 individuals initially enrolled in 1987–1989. LOE was identified from linked Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services claims data. Ninety-one participants with LOE completed comprehensive testing either prior to or after seizure onset as part of a larger cohort in the ARIC Neurocognitive Study in either 2011–2013 or 2016–2017 (follow-up mean = 4.9 years). Cognitive phenotypes in individuals with LOE were derived by calculating test-level impairments for each participant (i.e., ≤1 SD below cognitively normal participants on measures of language, memory, and executive function/processing speed); and then assigning participants to phenotypes if they were impaired on at least two tests within a domain. The total number of impaired domains was used to determine the cognitive phenotypes (i.e., Minimal/No Impairment, Single Domain, or Multidomain).

Results

At our baseline (Visit 5), 36.3% met criteria for Minimal/No Impairment, 35% for Single Domain Impairment (with executive functioning/ processing speed impaired in 53.6%), and 28.7% for Multidomain Impairment. The Minimal/No Impairment group had higher education and occupational complexity. There were no differences in clinical or vascular risk factors across phenotypes. Of those participants with longitudinal data (Visit 6; n = 24), 62.5% declined (i.e., progressed to a more impaired phenotype) and 37.5% remained stable. Those who remained stable were more highly educated compared to those that declined.

Discussion

Our results demonstrate the presence of identifiable cognitive phenotypes in older adults with LOE. These results also highlight the high prevalence of cognitive impairments across domains, with deficits in executive function/processing speed the most common isolated impairment. We also demonstrate that higher education was associated with a Minimal/No Impairment phenotype and lower risk for cognitive decline over time.
Clinical correlates of “pure” essential tremor: the TITAN study
Authors: Erro Roberto , Lazzeri Giulia , Gigante Angelo Fabio , Pilotto Andrea , Magistrelli Luca , Bologna Matteo , Terranova Carmen , Olivola Enrica , Dallocchio Carlo , Moschella Vincenzo , Valentino Francesca , Di Biasio Francesca , Nicoletti Alessandra , De Micco Rosa , Brusa Livia , Sorrentino Cristiano , Matinella Angela , Bertino Salvatore , Paparella Giulia , Modugno Nicola , Contaldi Elena , Padovani Alessandro , Di Fonzo Alessio , Restaino Marialuisa , Barone Paolo ,   TITAN study group
Published: August 2023

Background

To date, there are no large studies delineating the clinical correlates of “pure” essential tremor (ET) according to its new definition.

Methods

From the ITAlian tremor Network (TITAN) database, we extracted data from patients with a diagnosis of “pure” ET and excluded those with other tremor classifications, including ET-plus, focal, and task-specific tremor, which were formerly considered parts of the ET spectrum.

Results

Out of 653 subjects recruited in the TITAN study by January 2022, the data of 208 (31.8%) “pure” ET patients (86M/122F) were analyzed. The distribution of age at onset was found to be bimodal. The proportion of familial cases by the age-at-onset class of 20 years showed significant differences, with sporadic cases representing the large majority of the class with an age at onset above 60 years. Patients with a positive family history of tremor had a younger onset and were more likely to have leg involvement than sporadic patients despite a similar disease duration. Early-onset and late-onset cases were different in terms of tremor distribution at onset and tremor severity, likely as a function of longer disease duration, yet without differences in terms of quality of life, which suggests a relatively benign progression. Treatment patterns and outcomes revealed that up to 40% of the sample was unsatisfied with the current pharmacological options.

Discussion

The findings reported in the study provide new insights, especially with regard to a possible inversed sex distribution, and to the genetic backgrounds of “pure” ET, given that familial cases were evenly distributed across age-at-onset classes of 20 years. Deep clinical profiling of “pure” ET, for instance, according to age at onset, might increase the clinical value of this syndrome in identifying pathogenetic hypotheses and therapeutic strategies.
Genome-wide studies in prostate cancer poised liquid biopsy as a molecular discovery tool
Authors: Lo Nicholas , He Housheng Hansen , Chen Sujun
Published: August 2023

Liquid biopsy is emerging as an intriguing tool in clinical disease detection and monitoring. Compared to a standard tissue biopsy, performing a liquid biopsy incurs minimal invasiveness, captures comprehensive disease representation, and can be more sensitive at an early stage. Recent genome-wide liquid biopsy studies in prostate cancer analyzing plasma samples have provided insights into the genome and epigenome dynamics during disease progression. In-depth genomic sequencing can offer a comprehensive understanding of cancer evolution, enabling more accurate clinical decision-making. Furthermore, exploring beyond the DNA sequence itself provides opportunities to investigate the regulatory mechanisms underlying various disease phenotypes. Here, we summarize these advances and offer prospects for their future application.