bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantification of muscle tone by using shear wave velocity during an anaesthetic induction: a prospective observational study
Authors: Saito Hidehisa , Sugino Shigekazu , Moteki Shoichiro , Kanaya Akihiro , Yamauchi Masanori
Published: June 2023

Objectives
Shear wave elastography is non-invasive ultrasound method and provides quantitative information on the elasticity of soft tissue. However, the universal velocity scale for quantification has not been developed. The aim of the study is to determine the shear wave velocities of abdominal muscle during anesthetic induction for future development on the universal scale.
Methods
We enrolled 75 adult patients undergoing elective surgery with ASA-PS I – III in the period between December 2018 and March 2021. We measured and calculated the shear wave velocity (SWV) before and after opioid administration (i.e., the baseline at rest and opioid-induced rigidity condition), and after muscle relaxant administration (i.e., zero reference condition). The SWV value was adjusted for the subcutaneous fat thickness by our proposed corrections. The SWVs after the adjustment were compared among the values in baseline, rigidity, and relaxation using one-way repeated-measures ANOVA and post hoc Tukey-Kramer test. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. UMIN Clinical Trials Registry identifier UMIN000034692, registered on October 30th, 2018.
Results
The SWVs in the baseline, opioid-induced rigidity, and muscle relaxation conditions after the adjustment were 2.08 ± 0.48, 2.41 ± 0.60, and 1.79 ± 0.30 m/s, respectively (p < 0.001 at all comparisons).
Conclusion
The present study suggested that the SWV as reference was 1.79 m/s and that the SWVs at rest and opioid-induced rigidity were ~ 10% and ~ 30% increase from the reference, respectively. The SWV adjusted for the subcutaneous fat thickness may be scale points for the assessment of muscle tone.
The sociodemographic factors associated with suicidal ideation and attempts, and care use and unmet need among suicide-ideators in a Belgian population study
Authors: Rens Eva , Portzky Gwendolyn , Morrens Manuel , Dom Geert , Broeck Kris Van den , Gijzen Mandy
Published: June 2023

Background
Suicidal ideation, or thinking about death and suicide, is common across all layers of society. The aim of this paper is to add to the understanding of suicidal ideation in the general population, as well as help-seeking behaviors and perceived unmet mental health needs among those who report suicidal thoughts.
Methods
The research is part of a representative population-based survey study of mental wellbeing in Antwerp (Flanders, Belgium) carried out in 2021. A total of 1202 participants between 15 and 80 years old answered the Ask Suicide-Screening Questions (ASQ), and an additional question about suicide plans. Participation was by invitation only and possible online or via a postal paper questionnaire. Univariate logistic regression analyses examined the association between both current suicidal ideation and self-reported lifetime suicide attempt, and the sociodemographic factors age, gender, educational level, origin and financial distress. Moreover, formal care use for mental health was examined among those experiencing suicidal ideation, and logistic regression analyses were used to assess sociodemographic risk factors. Finally, perceived unmet mental health needs were assessed among suicide ideators.
Results
The point-prevalence of suicidal ideation was 8.6% and was higher among younger age groups and individuals reporting financial distress. The lifetime-prevalence of suicide attempts is 6.5% and was lower in the oldest age group and individuals with a secondary or higher education and without financial distress. About half (45.6%) of those with suicidal ideation consulted a professional for mental health problems in the past twelve months. Men and individuals with a primary educational level were less likely to seek help. Half of suicide ideators without care use perceived some need for mental health care, and a third of suicide ideators who used care perceived the obtained help as insufficient, resulting in a population prevalence of 3.6% suicide ideators with a fully or partially perceived unmet need.
Conclusions
The prevalence of suicide attempts, suicidal ideation and unmet needs among suicide-ideators is high in this Belgian sample. Mental health care need perception in suicide ideators needs further investigation.
Hybrid light-matter chiral polariton state and the electromagnetic enantiomers
Authors: Kumar rahul , Trodden Ben , Klimash Anastasiia , Bousquet Manon , Fairbairn Nicola J. , Karimullah Affar , Gadegaard Nikolaj , Skabara Peter , Movsesyan Artur , Govorov Alexander , Hashiyada Shun , Hedley Gordon , kadodwala malcolm
Published: June 2023

Chiral electronic states of molecules, so-called enantiomers, have an intrinsic sense of handedness, or twist, and are the active component in energy efficient display technologies and in new photosynthetic routes to produce pharmaceuticals. Creating chiral states is achieved by manipulating the “twistiness” of the geometric molecular structure. This is a demanding problem in chemistry adding complexity due to the need to precisely control molecular geometry. Here we demonstrate a novel concept which decouples chirality from molecular geometry. Instead, it exploits the hybridisation of a non-chiral molecule with a chiral electromagnetic field, producing a hybrid light matter chiral polariton state. This is achieved by a symmetry-controlled strong chiral-light–matter interaction between an electromagnetic mode of a chiral nanocavity and an achiral molecule, a concept referred to as the electromagnetic-enantiomer. This electromagnetic mechanism simplifies the creation of chiral electronic states since it is far less demanding in terms of molecular design. We have illustrated the concept using an exemplar system relevant to display technology, producing efficient circularly polarised emission from a non-chiral emitter molecule.
Profiling antibody epitopes induced by mRNA-1273 vaccination and boosters
Authors: Girard Bethany , Baum-Jones Elisabeth , Best Rebecca , Campbell Thomas , Coupart Jack , Dangerfield Kyla , Dhal Abhilash , Jhatro Michael , Martinez Brian , Reifert Jack , Shon John , Zhang Minlu , Waitz Rebecca , Chalkias Spyros , Edwards Darin , Maglinao Maha , Paris Robert , Pajon Rolando
Published: June 2023

Characterizing the antibody epitope profiles of messenger RNA (mRNA)-based vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 can aid in elucidating the mechanisms underlying the antibody-mediated immune responses elicited by these vaccines. This study investigated the distinct antibody epitopes toward the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein targeted after a 2-dose primary series of mRNA-1273 followed by a booster dose of mRNA-1273 or a variant-updated vaccine among serum samples from clinical trial adult participants. Multiple S-specific epitopes were targeted after primary vaccination; while signal decreased over time, a booster dose after >6 months largely revived waning antibody signals. Epitope identity also changed after booster vaccination in some subjects, with 4 new S-specific epitopes detected with stronger signals after boosting than with primary vaccination. Notably, the strength of antibody responses after booster vaccination differed by the exact vaccine formulation, with variant-updated mRNA-1273.211 and mRNA-1273.617.2 booster formulations inducing significantly stronger S-specific signals than a mRNA-1273 booster.
Movement Synchrony and Alliance in Problem-Focused and Solution-Focused Counseling
Authors: Hoffmann Christian , Gürtler Magdalene , Fendel Johannes , Lahmann Claas , Schmidt Stefan
Published: June 2023

The present study investigated the differences in movement synchrony and therapeutic alliance between solution-focused and problem-focused counseling. Thirty-four participants each attended two counseling sessions with different counselors, one with a solution-focus and one with a problem-focus, in randomized order. The sessions consisted of three consecutive parts: problem description, standardized intervention and free intervention. Movement synchrony, including leading and pacing synchrony, was measured using Motion Energy Analysis (MEA) and windowed cross-lagged correlation (WCLC) based on video recordings of the sessions. The Helping Alliance Questionnaire (HAQ) was used to assess therapeutic alliance. Results showed that movement synchrony was higher in solution-focused than in problem-focused counseling (p = .04), driven by differences in the problem description part. This difference may be attributed to allegiance, as we observed more leading synchrony during the problem description part in solution-focused sessions. There was no significant difference in therapeutic alliance between the two conditions. This study expands the understanding of counseling approaches in the field of behavioral synchrony and contributes valuable insights for practitioners and researchers alike.
Breeding corals for heat tolerance
Authors: Humanes Adriana , Lachs Liam , Beauchamp Elizabeth , Bukurou Leah , Buzzoni Daisy , Bythell John , Craggs Jamie , Torre Ruben de la , Edwards Alasdair , Golbuu Yimnang , Martinez Helios , Palmowski Pawel , Steeg Eveline van der , Sweet Michael , Ward Alex , Wilson Alastair , Guest James
Published: June 2023

Marine heatwaves are becoming more frequent, widespread and severe1, leading to mass coral bleaching and mortality. Yet it remains unknown whether natural coral adaptation can keep pace with climate warming2. As a result, selective breeding has been proposed to enhance coral heat tolerance3. The viability of this management solution hinges on the extent of heritability of coral heat tolerance. We show that selecting parent colonies for heat tolerance results in higher tolerance of adult offspring. This result held true for the response to both a 1-week and a 1-month simulated marine heatwave. In each case, narrow-sense heritability (h2) estimates are between 0.2 and 0.3, demonstrating a substantial genetic component to variation in heat tolerance. Given the variability in this population4, selective breeding could enhance heat tolerance by up to 1 °C-week within one generation. Contrary to expectations, we found no genetic correlation between short- and long-term heat stress tolerance. Selective breeding for short-stress tolerance did not enhance the ability of offspring to survive the long heat stress exposure, demonstrating that these traits are subject to independent genetic control. We demonstrate that selective breeding to enhance coral heat tolerance is feasible and a potential solution to help corals face ocean warming.
High prevalence group testing in epidemiology with geometrically inspired algorithms
Authors: Schenk Hannes , Caf Yasemin , Knabl Ludwig , Mayerhofer Christoph , Rauch Wolfgang
Published: June 2023

Demand for mass surveillance during peak times of the SARS‑CoV‑2 pandemic caused high workload for clinical laboratories. Efficient and cost conserving testing designs by means of group testing can substantially reduce resources during possible future emergency situations. The novel hypercube algorithm proposed by Mutesa et al. 2021 published in Nature provides methodological proof of concept and points out the applicability to epidemiological testing. In this work, the algorithm is explored and expanded for settings with high group prevalence. Numerical studies investigate the limits of the adapted hypercube methodology, allowing to optimize pooling designs for specific requirements (i.e. number of samples and group prevalence). Empirical validation was performed by elaborately pooling SARS‑CoV‑2 samples according to numerically optimized pooling designs. Laboratory experiments with SARS‑CoV‑2 sample groups, ranging from 50 to 200 items, characterized by group prevalence up to 10%, are successfully processed and analysed. Test‑reductions from 50% to 72.5% were achieved in the experimental setups when compared to individual testing. Higher theoretical test‑reduction is possible, depending on the number of samples and the group prevalence, indicated by simulation results.
Reef Structure of the Florida Reef Tract 2005-2020
Authors: Fisher William S.
Published: June 2023

Shallow-water coral reefs of the Florida Reef Tract comprise the third largest reef in the world, but during the last several decades scleractinian (stony) corals have suffered unprecedented declines from global and local stressors. A program to evaluate the effects of high-temperature bleaching events was initiated by The Nature Conservancy’s Florida Reef Resilience Program in 2005 and surveys have been completed across at least some portion of the entire region every year since. The program adopted a demographic (colony-based) assessment approach, which records colony species, size (height and maximum diameter) and estimated partial mortality (percent barren skeleton). Because reef structure is critical to ecosystem functioning and services, data from 2005–2020 were analyzed to describe the abundance, size and morphological complexity of stony coral colonies forming the biogenic reef. Colony height, footprint, surface area and volume summed for each of 6,016 transects were used to describe reef structure and averages were used to characterize the components that contributed to the structure. Nearly 150,000 colonies representing 49 species were reported during this period and results demonstrated both spatial and temporal changes for the region and for geographic subregions. Some subregions showed increasing colony density, especially for three small, hemispheric species, and declining average colony size. Colony dimensions allowed quantitative estimation of some ecosystem goods and services, such as fish habitat and carbon storage.
Development and Validation of the ADHD Symptom and Side Effect Tracking - Baseline Scale (ASSET-BS): A Novel Short Screening Measure for ADHD in Clinical Populations
Authors: Young Joel L. , Powell Richard N. , Zabel Celeste , Saal Jaime , Welling Lisa L. M. , Fortain Jillian , Ceresnie Ashley
Published: June 2023

Objective The aim was to develop and test a novel screen of adult ADHD, with a focus on clinical use. We designed a series of three studies to accomplish this aim.
Method Study One (n = 155) and Study Two (n = 591) collected data via surveys to conduct exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses respectively. Study Three analyzed the scale's psychometrics in a clinical sample (n = 151).
Results Study One and Study Two identified a 10-item scale with a two-factor structure. Study Three found good discriminant validity, sensitivity = 80.0%, specificity = 80.2%, and convergent validity with the Brown Executive Function/Attention Scales, r (131) = .76, p < .001, and the Conner’s Adult ADHD Rating Scales r (131) = .71, p < .001. Conclusion The scale demonstrated effectiveness in screening for ADHD in a psychiatric outpatient population. Its results may be used to identify patients that may benefit from thorough ADHD diagnostic procedures. Keywords: adult ADHD, assessment, decision making
Extraction of a metallic susceptor after accidental ingestion of the heated tobacco product TEREA™: a case report
Authors: Higashi Koki , Koike Yuhki , Sato Yuki , Yamashita Shinji , Nagano Yuka , Shimura Tadanobu , Kitajima Takihito , Matsushita Kohei , Yokota Kazuki , Amano Keishiro , Okugawa Yoshinaga , Toiyama Yuji
Published: June 2023

Background: Tobacco ingestion is widely known to cause nicotine toxicity, which may result in severe symptoms. Two heated tobacco products, called TEREA™ and SENTIA™, were launched in 2021 by Philip Morris International (New York, NY, USA), and their ingestion is associated with a risk of bowel injury because they contain a partially pointed metallic susceptor. However, this risk is not well known to the general public or healthcare providers. To increase awareness of this risk, we herein report a case involving extraction of a metallic susceptor after ingestion of the heated tobacco product TEREA™.
Case presentation: A 7-month-old girl presented to the emergency department of a nearby hospital because she was suspected to have accidentally swallowed heated tobacco. Although she presented with no symptoms related to nicotine poisoning, abdominal X-ray examination revealed a metal object in her stomach. According to a statement released by the Japan Poison Information Center, the TEREA™ heated tobacco product contains a metallic susceptor with a rectangular shape and sharp corners. The patient was transferred to our department because of the risk of bowel injury, and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed. No cigarettes were found by endoscopic observation; however, a metallic susceptor was located in the second part of the duodenum. We grasped it with biopsy forceps and carefully removed it using an endoscope with a cap attached to the tip. The postoperative course was uneventful.
Conclusions: Some patients who ingest heated tobacco might be exposed not only to the effects of nicotine but also to physical damage caused by a metallic susceptor. Clinicians should pay attention to this risk in the clinical setting.
Sorcin regulate pyroptosis by interacting with NLRP3 inflammasomes to facilitate the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: li zhenfen , yang Ziyue , Zhu Yuanyuan , Fu Chunmeng , Li Ning , peng Fang
Published: June 2023

A high recurrence rate and easy metastasis are two prominent clinical features of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which is also the most common cause of cancer-related death. However, the molecular pathogenesis of HCC remains unclear. Soluble resistance-related calcium-binding protein (Sorcin) is highly expressed in a variety of tumor cell lines and multidrug-resistant cell lines and participates in the malignant progression of tumors by regulating apoptosis. Pyroptosis is also a form of programmed cell death that plays a crucial role in exerting tumor suppression function and evoking anti-tumor immune responses. However, there is no consensus that Sorcin promotes HCC progression by regulating pyroptosis. Our study manifested that Sorcin was considerably upregulated, whereas pyroptosis-associated proteins were significantly decreased in HCC tissues and cells. Sorcin silencing attenuated the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HCC cells. Knockdown of Sorcin activates pyroptosis, and overexpression of Sorcin inhibits pyroptosis, yet has no significant effect on apoptosis, ferroptosis, and autophagy in HCC cells. Furthermore, coimmunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence assays revealed that Sorcin interacted with NLRP3 inflammasomes to regulate pyroptosis in HCC cells. Then, the NLRP3 inhibitor MCC950 inhibited the activation of Sorcin knockdown-induced pyroptosis and reversed the effect of Sorcin silencing-induced weakening of malignant biological behavior in HCC. Similarly, suppression of Caspase-1 reversed the inhibitory effect of Sorcin knockdown on the malignant progression of HCC via knockdown of Caspase-1 or the inhibitor VX765. Consistent with the in vitro results, the nude mouse experiment showed that Sorcin knockdown inhibited the growth of HCC by activating pyroptosis, while Caspase-1 knockdown partially restored the growth inhibition caused by Sorcin-knockdown. Collectively, high Sorcin expression in HCC negatively regulates pyroptosis by interacting with the NLRP3 inflammasome to promote HCC proliferation, migration, and invasion. The results of this study provide a scientific basis for Sorcin as a new biomarker and potential therapeutic target for HCC.
Cryptic diversity in sympatric Migonemyia migonei (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae), eventual meaning for leishmaniasis transmission
Authors: Moya Sofía Lorián , Pech-May Angélica , Quintana María Gabriela , Salomón Oscar Daniel
Published: June 2023

Migonemyia migonei (Franҫa 1920) is a Phlebotominae of epidemiological importance due to its role as a vector in leishmaniasis transmission cycles and its broad geographic distribution in South America. A few morphometric and genetic studies have demonstrated the existence of variability between geographically distant populations in Brazil. The aim of the study was the estimation of the genetic distance in the morphospecies Mg. migonei through the analysis of Cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences of specimens captured in Argentina and those available in online databases. COI sequences from specimens collected in different localities of Argentina and sequences available in online databases were used. Genetic distances were analyzed and a median-joining haplotype network constructed. Finally, a phylogenetic reconstruction was done according to Bayesian inference. The analyses allowed the identification of at least two haplogroups: haplogroup I with sequences of specimens from Colombia, Brazil and Argentina and haplogroup II with sequences of specimens from Argentina. Interestingly, specimens from Argentina whose haplotypes corresponded to both haplogroups were collected in sympatry. The results suggest that Mg. migonei could be a species complex with at least two distinct members. This hypothesis would explain the known characteristics of adaptability and vector permissiveness of the species, as the putative cryptic species of the complex could differ in traits of epidemiological importance.
CNTN4/APP axis of cancer cells and T-cells
Authors: Jeon Bu-Nam , Kim Sujeong , Kim Yunjae , Yu Hyunkyung , Kim Hyunuk , Ha Youngeun , Kim Yun Yeon , Park Changho , Kim Gihyeon , Cha Miyoung , Palucka Karolina , Lee Charles , Park Hansoo
Published: June 2023

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have significantly advanced tumor treatment, but their limited benefits and strong responses in only a subset of patients persist as challenges. CNTN4, a neuronal membrane protein involved in cell adhesion and synapse signaling, has unclear immunomodulatory functions. In this study, we reveal the immune checkpoint role of CNTN4 in T-cell proliferation and activation both in vitro and in vivo. We found that CNTN4, highly expressed in numerous tumor tissues, impedes T-cell proliferation, cytotoxicity, and the secretion of cytotoxic cytokines in vitro. On T cells, CNTN4 binds to two APP isoforms, APP770 and APP751, which results in attenuated TCR signaling and diminished cell adhesion capacity. To target this interaction, we developed GENA-104A16 against CNTN4 and an anti-APP antibody (5A7) that blocks the binding between CNTN4 and APP. Administering these two antibodies demonstrated anti-tumor effects in a syngeneic tumor mouse model and increased tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes within tumor tissues in vivo. Furthermore, elevated CNTN4 levels are associated with poor prognosis and negatively correlated with various cytotoxic immune-related markers. In conclusion, CNTN4 serves as a bona fide immune checkpoint protein and represents a promising therapeutic target for developing immunotherapeutic drugs.
Combined with dynamic serum proteomics and clinical follow-up to screen the serum proteins to promote the healing of diabetic foot ulcer
Authors: Zhao Fengying , Xie Liangxiao , Weng Zhiyan , Huang Yihong , Zheng Lifeng , Yan Sunjie , Shen Ximei
Published: June 2023

ObjectiveNon-healing diabetic foot ulcers are a leading cause of disability and death in diabetic patients, which often results in lower limb amputation. This study aimed to investigate the impact of biomarkers on the healing of diabetic foot ulcers by utilizing dynamic serum proteomics and skin proteomic analysis, combined with clinical case follow-up studies.MethodsTo analyze dynamic serum proteomic changes in four groups, age-matched normal subjects, diabetic patients, pre-treatment diabetic foot ulcer patients, and healed diabetic foot ulcer patients were selected. The differential proteins were screened in conjunction with normal and diabetic foot ulcer skin proteomics. In this study, a total of 80 patients with diabetic foot ulcers were enrolled and monitored for 3–6 months during treatment. To verify the significance of the differential proteins, age-matched diabetic patients (240 patients) and healthy controls (160 patients) were included as controls.ResultsDynamic serum proteomics trend showed that the level of negative regulatory proteins related to endothelial cell migration, angiogenesis, and vascular development was significantly decreased after treatment of diabetic foot ulcer. This study also found that there is an opposite trend of differential protein biological processes, which is mainly enriched in protein activation cascade, immunoglobulin production, and complement activation. The researchers identified the core proteins APOA1, LPA, and APOA2 through a convergence of serum and skin proteomics screening. Clinical cases further validated that APOA1 levels are decreased in diabetic foot ulcer patients and are correlated with disease severity.ConclusionsBased on our dynamic proteomics and clinical case studies, our bioinformatic analysis suggests that APOA1 plays a critical role in linking coagulation, inflammation, angiogenesis, and wound repair, making it a key protein that promotes the healing of diabetic foot ulcers.
Palaeoatmosphere facilitates a gliding transition to powered flight in Eocene bats
Authors: Cannell Alan , Amador Lucila , Simmons Nancy , GIANNINI NORBERTO
Published: June 2023

Bats are the only flying mammals but their transition to flight remains poorly understood and controversial. We applied aerodynamic modeling to reconstruct flight in the oldest complete fossil bat, the archaic Onychonycteris finneyi from the early Eocene of North America, under paleo-atmospheric conditions. Results indicate that Onychonycteris was capable of both gliding and powered flight either in a standard normodense aerial medium or in a hyperdense atmosphere estimated for the Eocene from two independent paleogeochemical proxies. Aerodynamic continuity across a morphological gradient is demonstrated by modeled intermediate forms with increasing aspect ratio (AR) produced by gradual digital elongation, such as indicated by chiropteran developmental data. Here a performance gradient emerged of decreasing sink rate with increasing AR that eventually allowed available muscle power to achieve level flight using flapping, a process greatly facilitated under elevated atmospheric densities. This gradient strongly supports a gliding (trees-down) transition to powered flight in bats.
Regulation of Med1 protein by overexpression of BAP1 in breast cancer cells
Authors: Kim Hyunju
Published: June 2023

Med1, a subunit of the TRAP/mediator complex acts as a transcriptional regulatory mediator, binds to a nuclear receptor and regulated transcription. It is known that elevated Med1 protein expression promotes cancer growth in hormone-dependent breast and prostate cancer, whereas low expression of Med1 protein in melanoma and lung cancer increases cancer metastasis. In this study, Med1 protein expression by deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) overexpression was investigated in breast and lung cancer cell lines. Overexpression of BAP1 protein did not affect Med1 mRNA expression in breast cancer and lung cancer cell. However, Med1 protein expression decreased in breast cancer cells while increased in lung cancer cell lines. In addition, Med1 protein expression by overexpression of BAP1 mutant (C91A) in breast and lung cancer cells was not affected. Increased BAP1 expression increased cell growth and metastatic capacity in lung cancer cells. And overexpression of BAP1 in breast cancer cell lines increased the transcriptional regulation of estrogen receptor (ER). In addition, the binding between the Med1 and the BAP1 protein was observed. Therefore, these data suggested that BAP1 was involved in cancer cell growth and metastasis by binding to Med1 protein and regulating Med1 protein expression depending on the cancer cell types.
Artificial Intelligence in Estimating Fractional Flow Reserve: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Arefinia Farhad , Rabiei Reza , Hosseini Azamossadat , Ghaemian Ali , Roshanpoor Arash , Aria Mehrad , Khorrami Zahra
Published: June 2023

Background
Fractional Flow Reserve (FFR) is the gold standard for the functional evaluation of coronary arteries, which is effective in selecting patients for revascularization, avoiding unnecessary procedures, and reducing treatment costs. However, its use is limited due to invasiveness, high cost, and complexity. Therefore, the non-invasive estimation of FFR using artificial intelligence (AI) methods is crucial.
Objective
This study aimed to identify the AI techniques used for FFR estimation and to explore the features of the studies that applied AI techniques in FFR estimation.
Methods
The present systematic review was conducted by searching five databases, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, IEEE, and Science Direct, based on the search strategy of each database.
Results
Five hundred seventy-three articles were extracted, and by applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, twenty-five were finally selected for review. The findings revealed that AI methods, including Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL), have been used to estimate the FFR.
Conclusion
This study shows that AI methods can be used non-invasively to estimate FFR, which can help physicians diagnose and treat coronary artery occlusion and provide significant clinical performance for patients.
Noninvasive deep brain stimulation via temporal interference electric fields enhanced motor performance of mice and its neuroplasticity mechanisms
Authors: Liu Xiaodong , Qi Shuo , Hou Lijuan , Liu Yu , Wang Xiaohui
Published: June 2023

A noninvasive deep brain stimulation via temporal interference (TI) electric fields is a novel neuromodulation technology, but few advances about TI stimulation effectiveness and mechanisms have been reported. In the present study, TI stimulation was proved to stimulating noninvasively primary motor cortex (M1) of mice, and 7 days TI stimulation with an envelope frequency of 20 Hz (∆f = 20 Hz), instead of an envelope frequency of 10 Hz (∆f = 10 Hz), could obviously improve mice motor performance. The mechanism of action may be related to enhancing the strength of synaptic connections, improving synaptic transmission efficiency, increasing dendritic spine density, promoting neurotransmitter release, and increasing the expression and activity of synapse-related proteins, such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), postsynaptic density protein-95 (PSD-95), and glutamate receptor protein. Furthermore, the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway and its upstream BDNF play an important role in the enhancement of locomotor performance in mice by TI stimulation. To our knowledge, it is the first report about TI stimulation promoting multiple motor performances and describing its mechanisms. TI stimulation might serve as a novel promising approach to enhance motor performance and treat dysfunction in deep brain regions.
Deep learning models predicting hormone receptor status in breast cancer trained on females do not generalize to males: further evidence of sex-based disparity in breast cancer
Authors: Chatterji Subarnarekha , Niehues Jan , Treeck Marko van , Loeffler Chiara , Saldanha Oliver , Veldhuizen Gregory , Cifci Didem , Carrero Zunamys , Abu-Eid Rasha , Kather Jakob , Speirs Valerie
Published: June 2023

Breast cancer prognosis and management for both men and women are reliant upon estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and progesterone receptor (PR) expression to inform therapy. Previous studies have shown that there are sex-specific binding characteristics of ERα and PR in breast cancer and, counterintuitively, ERα expression is more common in male than female breast cancer. We hypothesized that these differences could have morphological manifestations that are undetectable to human observers but could be elucidated computationally. To investigate this, we trained attention-based multiple instance learning prediction models for ERα and PR using H&E-stained images of female breast cancer from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) (n = 1085), and deployed them on external female (n = 192) and male breast cancer images (n = 245). Both targets were predicted in the internal (AUROC for ERα prediction: 0.86 ± 0.02, p < 0.001; AUROC for PR prediction = 0.76 ± 0.03, p < 0.001) and external female cohorts (AUROC for ERα prediction: 0.78 ± 0.03, p < 0.001; AUROC for PR prediction = 0.80 ± 0.04, p < 0.001) but not the male cohort (AUROC for ERα prediction: 0.66 ± 0.14, p = 0.43; AUROC for PR prediction = 0.63 ± 0.04, p = 0.05). This suggests that subtle morphological differences invisible upon visual inspection may exist between the sexes, supporting previous immunohistochemical, genomic, and transcriptomic analyses.
Translation, adaptation and psychometric evaluation of the Quality of Life in a Child’s Chronic Disease Questionnaire for the Swedish context
Authors: Blomberg Karin , Farnik Małgorzata , Eriksson Mats
Published: June 2023

Background
It is well known that a child’s illness influences the health and wellbeing of the child’s parents, who play a central role in coping with the disease in the family’s everyday life. It is crucial to develop and test interventions supporting the family during these circumstances. However, there is a lack of instruments to evaluate the effects of such interventions on family and psychosocial aspects of parental functioning. The aim of this study was therefore to translate, adapt and psychometrically evaluate the Quality of Life in a Child’s Chronic Disease Questionnaire (QLCCDQ) for the Swedish context.
Methods
The QLCCDQ was translated into Swedish and adapted to the Swedish context. Data for psychometric testing were obtained through a survey of parents of children and adolescents (n = 627) with chronic diseases: asthma and type 1 diabetes mellitus, with a total of 173 responses (27.6%). Face and content validity of the instrument was assessed, and floor and ceiling effects were measured. Internal consistency was measured with Cronbach’s alpha and an explanatory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted.
Results
The EFA gave a two-factor solution with an eigenvalue > 1 explaining 73.9% of total variance for the Swedish version.
Conclusion
The study concludes that the Swedish version of the QLCCDQ is a reliable and valid questionnaire.
Run-up velocity and pedaling power of male elite gymnasts on vault in China
Authors: yingjun nie , Zhenke Tan , Yao Xiaozhi , Ma Yuanyan , Bi Ye , Gao Yijia
Published: June 2023

A high run-up speed and a big pedaling power are crucial to perform difficult movements and improving the quality of movement performance in the competition vault. We aimed to investigate the interrelations between different run-up speeds and pedaling power to explore the different requirements of performing different vault styles as well as difficult movements on run-up speed and pedaling power. The data of 30 male elite gymnasts were included in the analysis. Binary logistic regression analysis were used for statistical analysis. We found that the special requirement for run-up speed and pedaling power may vary as the difficult vault. There was no significant difference in the pedaling run-up speed between the Front handspring types and Cartwheel types (p > 0.05), but the run-up speeds were significantly associated with D-score in some vault types (p < 0.05). The comparison between interval run-up speeds revealed that the last 5m run-up speeds were faster during the 25m run-up distance, and 30m sprint speed was strongly associated with the 25m vaulting run-up speed of Handspring and Cartwheel (r = 0.81, p < 0.01). Pedaling power was significantly associated with vault types (p < 0.05) as well as D-score (p < 0.01) and obviously increased when the D-score was above 4.6. Pedaling power was strongly correlated with 25m run-up speed (r = 0.715, p < 0.01), last 5m run-up speed ( r = 0.718, p < 0.01), and 30m sprint speed (r = 0.704, p < 0.01) respectively, but not significantly associated with last 10-5m run-up speed as well as before the last 10m run-up speed (p > 0.05).
The effect of caponization on bone homeostasis of crossbred roosters. I. Analysis of tibia bone mineralization, densitometric, osteometric, geometric and biomechanical properties
Authors: Wojciechowska-Puchałka J. , Calik J. , Krawczyk J. , Obrzut J. , Tomaszewska E. , Muszyński S. , Wojtysiak D.
Published: June 2023

The presented study focuses on assessing the effect of caponization on the densitometric, osteometric, geometric and biomechanical parameters of tibial bones in crossbred chickens. The study was carried out on 96 hybrids between Yellowleg Partridge hens (Ż-33) and Rhode Island Red cockerels (R-11) aged 16 weeks, 20 weeks and 24 weeks. Birds were randomly assigned to 2 groups – the control group (n = 48; which consisted of intact roosters) and the experimental group (n = 48, which consisted of individuals subjected to caponization at the age of 8 weeks). The caponization had no effect on the densitometric, osteometric and geometric parameters (except the horizontal internal diameter of 16-week-old individuals) of tibia bone, as well as the content of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) and the Ca/P ratio in the bone mineral fraction in all analyzed age groups of animals. However, it contributes to a lower percentage of ash in the bones of capons at 20 and 24 weeks of age compared to cockerels. On the contrary, some mechanical and material parameters show the negative effect of caponization. Ultimate load and bending moment decreased in capons in all of the analyzed age groups of animals and yield load, stiffness and ultimate stress also decreased but only in the group of 20-week-old and 24-week-old individuals. This can contribute to the weakening of the capon bones, and in the perspective of prolonged maintenance to their deformation and even fracture.
Body surface area is a predictor of maturity status in school children and adolescents
Authors: Vasquez Fernando Alvear , Vidal-Espinoza Rubén , Gómez-Campos Rossana , de Campos Luis Felipe Castelli Correia , Lazari Evandro , Luján Jose Francisco Guzmán , Pablos Ana , Cossio-Bolaños Marco
Published: June 2023

Background
Generally, Body surface area (BSA) changes significantly during growth and maturation. These increases portend a possible relationship between body size as determined by BSA with maturational status in children and adolescents.
Objective
To determine the relationship between maturity status (MS) obtained by non-invasive anthropometric methods and body surface area (BSA) in children and adolescents of both sexes in a regional population of Chile. Additionally, we sought to verify the type of linear or nonlinear relationship between MS and BSA in both sexes.
Methods
A descriptive (cross-sectional) study was designed in 950 children and adolescents of both sexes (539 males and 411 females). The age range ranged from 6.0 to 17.9 years. Anthropometric measurements were evaluated: body weight, standing height, sitting height. MS was assessed by means of two non-invasive anthropometric techniques. Both techniques predict peak years of growth velocity (APHV) through a regression equation for each sex. BSA (m2) was estimated by means of the Haycock equation.
Results
The R2 in the linear model is relatively lower (R2 = 0.80 to 0.89 in males and 0.74 to 0.66 in females) in relation to the nonlinear quadratic model (R2 = 0.81 in males and 0.76 to 0.69). The quadratic nonlinear quadratic model reflected an adequate fit (RMSE) for the data set, being in men (RMSE = 1.080 and 1.125), while in women (RMSE = 1.779 and 1.479).
Conclusion
BSA is positively associated with MS determined by two non-invasive methods in Chilean children and adolescents: The nonlinear quadratic model was a better fit to the data distribution. The results suggest the use of BSA as a possible predictor of maturity status in Chilean youth.
Evaluation of diets with fresh fruit for reproduction of Drosophila suzukii (Diptera: Drosophilidae) under laboratory conditions
Authors: Tadeo Eduardo , Lima Itzel , Martinez María de Jesús , Ruiz-Montiel Cesar
Published: June 2023

The main challenge for the establishment of colonies of Drosophila suzukii is the provision of a suitable diet that facilitates their reproduction and maintenance in the laboratory. The use of a standard diet, developed for the reproduction of D. melanogaster and commonly used for the establishment and maintenance of D. suzukii colonies, has brought considerable problems. This study evaluated a series of diets based on fresh fruit and others based on maize flour with the addition of regional fruit and berry juice aimed at counteracting the low effectiveness of the standard diet based on maize flour. Our results show the clear superiority of the diet based on fresh fruit (strawberry and banana) over those based on maize flour, in terms of the reproduction y establishment of D. suzukii colonies under laboratory conditions.
Pharmacoeconomic evaluation of isavuconazole, posaconazole and voriconazole in the treatment of invasive fungal infection: initial therapy prior to pathogen differential diagnosis in China
Authors: Han Guangxin , Xu Qing , Lv Qianzhou , Li Xiaoyu , Shi Xiaoping
Published: June 2023

BackgroundInvasive fungal infections (IFIs) is associated with high mortality and a substantial economic burden. For high-risk patients, fever drive or diagnostic drive therapy is usually initiated prior to the differential diagnosis of the pathogen. This study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of isavuconazole, posaconazole, versus voriconazole in the treatment of invasive fungal infections from the perspective of the Chinese healthcare system, informing healthcare decision-making and resource allocation.MethodsA decision analytic model was constructed using TreeAge Pro 2011 software to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the entire disease course. We assumed that the prevalence of mucormycosis in the patients entering the model was 7.8%. Efficacy, cost, adverse events, and other data included in the model were mainly derived from clinical studies, published literature, and publicly available databases. The primary outcomes of the model output were total cost, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), life years (Lys), and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). The willing-to-pay (WTP) threshold was defined as one to three times China’s GDP per capita in 2022. One-way sensitivity analysis and probability sensitivity analysis were used to determine the robustness of the model. At the same time, the cost-effectiveness of three triazole antifungal agents under a broader range of mucormycosis prevalence, when voriconazole was covered by medical insurance reimbursement, and after the price reduction of posaconazole was discussed.ResultsBase-case analysis showed that isavuconazole had greater efficacy (+ 0.38 LYs and + 0.31 QALYs) than voriconazole; ICER was $15,702.46 /QALY, well below the WTP threshold ($38,223 /QALY). However, posaconazole did not provide a significant economic advantage over voriconazole (ICER $64,466.57 /QALY). One-way sensitivity analysis found that ICER was highly sensitive to the mortality of patients with invasive aspergillus infection. In the probabilistic sensitivity analysis, when the WTP threshold was $38223 /QALY, the probability of isavuconazole being cost-effective was 72.9%. The scenario analysis results indicated that posaconazole would become cost-effective when the price was reduced by 15% or the prevalence of mucormycosis was 14%.ConclusionsIsavuconazole represents a cost-effective initial option for treating IFIs in high-risk patients prior to the differential diagnosis of pathogens. It will also be economical when a 15% reduction in posaconazole cost is achieved.
Asymmetric quantum decision-making
Authors: Shiratori Honoka , Shinkawa Hiroaki , Röhm André , Chauvet Nicolas , Segawa Etsuo , Laurent Jonathan , Bachelier Guillaume , Yamagami Tomoki , Horisaki Ryoichi , Naruse Makoto
Published: June 2023

Collective decision-making is crucial to information and communication systems. Decision conflicts among agents hinder the maximization of potential utilities of the entire system.Quantum processes can realize conflict-free joint decisions among two agents using the entanglement of photons or quantum interference of orbital angular momentum (OAM). However, previous studies have always presented symmetric resultant joint decisions. Although this property helps maintain and preserve equality, it cannot resolve disparities. Global challenges, such as ethics and equity, are recognized in the field of responsible artificial intelligence as responsible research and innovation paradigm. Thus, decision-making systems must not only preserve existing equality but also tackle disparities. This study theoretically and numerically investigates asymmetric collective decision-making using quantum interference of photons carrying OAM or entangled photons. Although asymmetry is successfully realized, a photon loss is inevitable in the proposed models. The available range of asymmetry and method for obtaining the desired degree of asymmetry are analytically formulated.
Exploring the tradeoff between data privacy and utility with a clinical data analysis use case: a case report
Authors: Im Eunyoung , Kim Hyeoneui , Lee Hyungbok , Jiang Xiaoqian , Kim Ju Han
Published: June 2023

Securing adequate data privacy is critical for the productive utilization of data. De-identification, involving masking or replacing specific values in a dataset, could damage the dataset’s utility. However, finding a reasonable balance between data privacy and utility is not straightforward. Nonetheless, few studies investigated how data de-identification efforts affect data analysis results. This study aimed to demonstrate the effect of different de-identification methods on a dataset’s utility with a clinical analytic use case and assess the feasibility of finding a workable tradeoff between data privacy and utility. Predictive modeling of emergency department length of stay was used as a data analysis use case. A logistic regression model was developed with 1155 patient cases extracted from a clinical data warehouse of an academic medical center located in Seoul, South Korea. Nineteen de-identified datasets were generated based on various de-identification configurations using ARX. The variable distributions and prediction results were compared between the de-identified datasets and the original dataset to observe the association between data privacy and utility, and to determine whether it is feasible to identify a viable tradeoff between the two. The findings of this study demonstrated that securing data privacy resulted in some loss of data utility. Due to the complexity of the process of ensuring data privacy while maintaining utility understanding the purpose of data use may be required. Including the data user in the data de-identification process may be helpful in the effort to find an acceptable tradeoff between data privacy and utility.