bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deep CNN ResNet-18 based model with attention and transfer learning for Alzheimer's disease detection
Authors: Francis Sofia Biju , Prakash Verma Jai
Published: January 2025

Introduction

The prevalence of age-related brain issues has risen in developed countries because of changes in lifestyle. Alzheimer's disease leads to a rapid and irreversible decline in cognitive abilities by damaging memory cells.

Methods

A ResNet-18-based system is proposed, integrating Depth Convolution with a Squeeze and Excitation (SE) block to minimize tuning parameters. This design is based on analyses of existing deep learning architectures and feature extraction techniques. Additionally, pre-trained ResNet-18 models were created with and without the SE block to compare ROC and accuracy values across different hyperparameters.

Results

The proposed model achieved ROC values of 95% for Alzheimer's Disease (AD), 95% for Cognitively Normal (CN), and 93% for Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), with a maximum test accuracy of 88.51%. However, the pre-trained model with SE had 93.26% accuracy and ROC values of 98%, 99%, and 98%, while the model without SE had 94%, 97%, and 94% ROC values and 92.41% accuracy.

Discussion

Collecting medical data can be expensive and raises ethical concerns. Small data sets are also prone to local minima issues in the cost function. A scratch model that experiences extensive hyperparameter tuning may end up being either overfitted or underfitted. Class imbalance also reduces performance. Transfer learning is most effective with small, imbalanced datasets, and pre-trained models with SE blocks perform better than others. The proposed model introduced a method to reduce training parameters and prevent overfitting from imbalanced medical data. Overall performance findings show that the suggested approach performs better than the state-of-the-art techniques.
Dopaminergic modulation of propofol-induced activation in VLPO neurons: the role of D1 receptors in sleep-promoting neural circuits
Authors: Qian Kun , Zhang Yu , Liu Yang , Wu Sisi , Duan Zikun , Liao Jianhao , Luo Wei , Zhou Mo , Dou Xuejiao , Liu Xingkui , Yu Tian
Published: January 2025

Background

The ventrolateral preoptic nucleus (VLPO) is a crucial regulator of sleep, and its neurons are implicated in both sleep-wake regulation and anesthesia-induced loss of consciousness. Propofol (PRO), a widely used intravenous anesthetic, modulates the activity of VLPO neurons, but the underlying mechanisms, particularly the role of dopaminergic receptors, remain unclear.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the effects of PRO on NA (−) neurons in the VLPO and to determine the involvement of D1 and D2 dopaminergic receptors in mediating these effects.

Methods

Using in vitro patch-clamp techniques, we identified and characterized NA (−) and NA (+) neurons in the VLPO based on their morphological, pharmacological, and electrophysiological properties. We assessed the effects of PRO on spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs) and inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs) in NA (−) neurons, both in the presence and absence of dopaminergic receptor modulators.

Results

PRO significantly increased the firing frequency of NA (−) neurons while decreasing the firing frequency of NA (+) neurons. This activation of NA (−) neurons was mediated through GABA_A receptors, as evidenced by the increased frequency of sEPSCs and altered sIPSCs dynamics. Dopamine (DA) attenuated the PRO-induced increase in sEPSCs frequency and suppression of sIPSCs frequency in NA (−) neurons via D1 receptors, but not D2 receptors. Blocking D1 receptors with SCH23390 reversed the effects of DA on PRO-induced changes, while D2 receptor antagonist sulpiride had minimal impact.

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrate that PRO excites sleep-promoting NA (−) neurons in the VLPO, primarily through GABA_A receptors, with dopaminergic modulation occurring via D1 receptors. These results provide new insights into the neural mechanisms underlying general anesthesia and highlight the potential role of dopaminergic signaling in modulating anesthetic effects on sleep-related neural circuits.
Efferent compared to afferent neural substrates of the vergence eye movement system evoked via fMRI
Authors: Sangoi Ayushi , Hajebrahimi Farzin , Gohel Suril , Scheiman Mitchell , Alvarez Tara L.
Published: January 2025

Introduction

The vergence neural system was stimulated to dissect the afferent and efferent components of symmetrical vergence eye movement step responses. The hypothesis tested was whether the afferent regions of interest would differ from the efferent regions to serve as comparative data for future clinical patient population studies.

Methods

Thirty binocularly normal participants participated in an oculomotor symmetrical vergence step block task within a functional MRI experiment compared to a similar sensory task where the participants did not elicit vergence eye movements.

Results

For the oculomotor vergence task, functional activation was observed within the parietal eye field, supplemental eye field, frontal eye field, and cerebellar vermis, and activation in these regions was significantly diminished during the sensory task. Differences between the afferent sensory and efferent oculomotor experiments were also observed within the visual cortex.

Discussion

Differences between the vergence oculomotor and sensory tasks provide a protocol to delineate the afferent and efferent portion of the vergence neural circuit. Implications with clinical populations and future therapeutic intervention studies are discussed.
Effects of sex, mating status, and genetic background on circadian behavior in Drosophila
Authors: Akpoghiran Oghenerukevwe , Strich Alexandra K. , Koh Kyunghee
Published: January 2025

Circadian rhythms play a crucial role in regulating behavior, physiology, and health. Sexual dimorphism, a widespread phenomenon across species, influences circadian behaviors. Additionally, post-mating physiological changes in females are known to modulate various behaviors, yet their effects on circadian rhythms remain underexplored. Here, using Drosophila melanogaster, a powerful model for studying circadian mechanisms, we systematically assessed the impact of sex and mating status on circadian behavior. We measured circadian period length and rhythm strength in virgin and mated males and females, including females mated to males lacking Sex Peptide (SP), a key mediator of post-mating changes. Across four wild-type and control strains, we found that males consistently exhibited shorter circadian periods than females, regardless of mating status, suggesting that circadian period length is a robust sexually dimorphic trait. In contrast, rhythm strength was influenced by the interaction between sex and mating status, with female mating generally reducing rhythm strength in the presence of SP signaling. Notably, genetic background significantly modulated these effects on rhythm strength. Our findings demonstrate that while circadian period length is a stable sex-specific trait, rhythm strength is shaped by a complex interplay between sex, mating status, and genetic background. This study advances our understanding of how sex and mating influence circadian rhythms in Drosophila and provides a foundation for future research into sexually dimorphic mechanisms underlying human diseases associated with circadian disruptions.
Changes in basic composition and in vitro digestive characteristics of pork induced by frozen storage
Authors: Wang Rui , Liu Yongqing , He Ying , Feng Caiping , Xia Xiufang
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Frozen pork can reduce the quality of the meat and alter the digestibility and bioavailability of meat proteins in the human body. In this study, we investigated the changes in the basic composition during frozen storage and their effects on the structural properties of digestion products after protein digestion.

Methods

The impacts of frozen storage at different temperatures (−8, −18, −25, and −40°C) and for different times (1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months) on the basic components and in vitro digestive characteristics of pork were evaluated.

Results

The moisture, crude fat, and protein contents decreased with extended storage and increased temperature, whereas muscle juice loss increased (p < 0.05). During in vitro digestion of samples frozen at −8°C for 12 months, trichloroacetic acid (TCA)-soluble peptides were decreased by 25.46% and 14.37% in the gastric and small intestinal phases, respectively, compared with fresh samples. Confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) showed that samples stored at −8°C had the largest particle size after digestion. Disruption of protein structure was confirmed by the decrease in α-helix, β-turn, and fluorescence intensity (all p < 0.05) and the increase in β-sheet, random coil, and maximum fluorescence wavelength of the digestion products of samples frozen at −8°C (all p < 0.05).

Discussion

Therefore, long-term high-temperature frozen storage brought about a significant decline in basic components of muscle and acceleration of loss of protein structural integrity after digestion.
A CT-based deep learning model for preoperative prediction of spread through air spaces in clinical stage I lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Ma Xiaoling , He Weiheng , Chen Chong , Tan Fengmei , Chen Jun , Yang Lili , Chen Dazhi , Xia Liming
Published: January 2025

Objective

To develop and validate a deep learning signature for noninvasive prediction of spread through air spaces (STAS) in clinical stage I lung adenocarcinoma and compare its predictive performance with conventional clinical-semantic model.

Methods

A total of 513 patients with pathologically-confirmed stage I lung adenocarcinoma were retrospectively enrolled and were divided into training cohort (n = 386) and independent validation cohort (n = 127) according to different center. Clinicopathological data were collected and CT semantic features were evaluated. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to construct a clinical-semantic model predictive of STAS. The Swin Transformer architecture was adopted to develop a deep learning signature predictive of STAS. Model performance was assessed using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value, and calibration curve. AUC comparisons were performed by the DeLong test.

Results

The proposed deep learning signature achieved an AUC of 0.869 (95% CI: 0.831, 0.901) in training cohort and 0.837 (95% CI: 0.831, 0.901) in validation cohort, surpassing clinical-semantic model both in training and validation cohort (all P<0.01). Calibration curves demonstrated good agreement between STAS predicted probabilities using deep learning signature and actual observed probabilities in both cohorts. The inclusion of all clinical-semantic risk predictors failed to show an incremental value with respect to deep learning signature.

Conclusions

The proposed deep learning signature based on Swin Transformer achieved a promising performance in predicting STAS in clinical stage I lung adenocarcinoma, thereby offering information in directing surgical strategy and facilitating adjuvant therapeutic scheduling.
Prevalence and genetic characterization of viral gastroenteritis in hospitalized children aged <5 years in Yunnan Province, China, 2020–2022
Authors: Li Nan , Qiao Enfa , Duan Zhaojun , Li Lili , Jiang Lili , Cun Jianping , Zhou Xiaofang , Wang Zhi Chao , Zhou Yongming , Cao Yihui
Published: January 2025

Background

Rotavirus (RV), norovirus (NoV), human enteric adenovirus (HAdV), human astrovirus (HAstV), and sapovirus (SaV) are important viral causes of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in children. However, limited information is available regarding AGE in Yunnan, Southwest China.

Methods

To investigate the prevalence of group A rotavirus (RVA), norovirus genogroups I (GI) and II (GII), and HAdV, HAstV, and SaV in children aged <5 years hospitalized with AGE between 2020 and 2022.

Results

Stool samples were collected from 612 children hospitalized with AGE. A total of 266 of the 612 children presented with AGE (43.46%; 266/612). RVA was detected in 28.76% (176 of 612) of the children. Rotavirus G9P[8] was the most frequent genotype in 2020 and 2021. In 2022, G8P[8] became the dominant genotype combination circulating in Yunnan Province. The norovirus positivity rate was present in 11.93% (73/612) of the 612 samples. Of the 45 GII successfully sequenced samples, GII.4 was the dominant genotype, accounting for 51.11% (23 of 45), followed by GII.3 [P12] (28.89%; 13 of 45). The positivity rates for SaV, HAstV, and HAdV were 2.94% (18/612), 3.43% (21/612), and 4.74% (29/612), respectively. HAdV-F41 was the predominant genotype and non-enteric HAdV-C2 and HAdV-A12 were also observed in Yunnan. Male children had a higher incidence of AGE than female children upon infection with RV, NoV, and HAdV. The highest incidence of AGE was observed among children aged between 12 and 23 months (62.50%; 120/192), followed by children aged between 24 and 35 months (52.44%; 43/82). The incidence rate of the infection peaked (78.62%; 125/159) in the first 3 months of the year, followed by the next 3 months (66.67%; 70/105).

Conclusions

RV and NoV remained the most important agents causing AGE. RV G8P[8] became the dominant circulating genotype instead of G9P[8] in Yunnan in 2022. The authors suggest that monitoring should be strengthened to prevent outbreaks caused by RV G8P[8]. New vaccines, such as the RV G8P[8] genotype, should be considered.
Kleinia (Asteraceae): comprehensive review of ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemical profiles, ethnopharmacological applications, and toxicological insights
Authors: Tegegne Bantayehu Addis , Begashaw Tesfa , Belay Wubetu Yihunie , Tariku Mengistie Kassahun , Zeleke Tirsit Ketsela , Jemal Mohammed , Getinet Mamaru , Alehegn Agumas Alemu , Dagne Abebe
Published: January 2025

Kleinia is a genus of over 50 species that are commonly used in primary care in several countries. This study seeks to inspire researchers to quickly discover and isolate the key active metabolites found in Kleinia taxa, thereby promoting the development of novel, safe, and effective therapies for a variety of illnesses. To this end, we performed a thorough search of English-language publications from PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and ResearchGate. Our search utilized keywords such as “ethnobotany,” “geographic distribution,” “ethnomedicinal use,” “phytochemistry,” “pharmacological or bioactivities,” and “toxicological activities” related to the genus Kleinia. Chemical structures were depicted using Chemdraw® software. Literature highlights numerous Kleinia taxa used in traditional medicine for conditions like intestinal parasites, measles, smallpox, diabetes, edema, nerve disorders, sexual dysfunction, gastrointestinal issues, cancer and more. Phytochemical analysis identifies 77 secondary metabolites, mainly alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, terpenes, and terpenoids and other miscellaneous metabolites. Among the Kleinia taxa, K. anteuphorbium, K. longiflora, K. grandiflora, K. odora, K. squarrosa, K. abyssinica, K. pendula, and K. azoides have been scientifically validated to exhibit various pharmacological activities. However, the existence of potentially harmful metabolites in Kleinia taxa, particularly pyrrolizidine alkaloids, emphasizes the significance of cautious application in traditional medicine and the need for rigorous toxicological assessments. In conclusion, this review highlights the promise of Kleinia taxa as significant medicinal resources and advocates for extensive bioprospecting. It encourages global pharmaceutical companies and academic institutions to conduct thorough investigations of the genus Kleinia to uncover new therapeutic possibilities.
Ginsenoside Rh2 regulates triple-negative breast cancer proliferation and apoptosis via the IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 pathway
Authors: Ding Rumeng , Kan Quancheng , Wang Ting , Xiao Ran , Song Yanan , Li Duolu
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most challenging subtype of breast cancer to treat. While previous studies have demonstrated that ginsenoside Rh2 induces apoptosis in TNBC cells, the specific molecular targets and underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms through which ginsenoside Rh2 regulates apoptosis and proliferation in TNBC, offering new insights into its therapeutic potential.

Methods

Network analysis and transcriptome sequencing were utilized to explore the potential mechanisms of ginsenoside Rh2 in treating TNBC. In vivo imaging and immunohistochemistry were employed to examine the effects of ginsenoside Rh2 in a TNBC mouse model. Functional assays were conducted to assess the impact of ginsenoside Rh2 on TNBC cell behavior. Additionally, ELISA, Western blot, and quantitative real-time PCR were used to further investigate the mechanisms of ginsenoside Rh2-induced apoptosis in TNBC cells.

Results

Through network analysis, 47 common targets were identified, and Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis suggested that ginsenoside Rh2 may exert therapeutic effects in TNBC by influencing apoptosis, cell proliferation, and protein kinase activity. Both transcriptomic analysis and network analysis revealed the JAK/STAT signaling pathway as a key mechanism. Ginsenoside Rh2 inhibited tumor growth in TNBC mice and reduced the expression of IL- 6, IL-6R, STAT3, Bcl-2, and Bcl-xL in tumor tissues. The ability of ginsenoside Rh2 to inhibit TNBC cell proliferation was further confirmed by attenuating the activation of the IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 apoptosis pathway and reducing the expression of protein kinases AMPK-α1 and PKA-Cα.

Conclusion

Based on network analysis and experimental validation, our findings demonstrate that ginsenoside Rh2 regulates TNBC proliferation and apoptosis through suppression of the IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 pathway, both in vitro and in vivo. This comprehensive approach represents a significant advancement in understanding the therapeutic potential of ginsenoside Rh2 in treating TNBC.
Preparation of oat galactolipid and anti-liver cancer effects of oat galactolipid–modified curcumin-loaded liver targeting vesicle
Authors: Ren Huiying , Chen Nuo , Liu Yanqing , Wu Meimei , Yan Jingsong , Chang Mingxiang , Li Hanmin
Published: January 2025

Introduction

The mortality rate for liver cancer is extremely high but clinical treatments have not made much progress, so it is necessary to develop anticancer agents with lower toxicities and more effective liver-targeting drug delivery systems (LTDDSs). At present, LTDDSs mediated by the asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR) show excellent effects at improving the liver-targeting and antitumor effects of drugs. However, the galactosyl ligands are typically prepared by chemical synthesis and have some shortcomings. The present work endeavors to explore the influences of plant galactolipids as natural galactosyl ligands for LTDDSs.

Methods

Plant galactolipids were extracted from oat bran, and their characteristics were tested. Then, oat-galactolipid-modified curcumin-loaded liver-targeting vesicles (GCLTVs) and curcumin-loaded vesicles were prepared, which were used in a comparative study of the liver-targeting and liver anticancer effects in vitro and in vivo.

Result

The experimental results show that the oat galactolipids and GCLTVs were prepared successfully. The hydrophilic–lipophilic balance, acid, ester, and saponification values of the oat galactolipids were 14.89, 47.22, 237.09, and 284.30, respectively. The morphology of the GCLTV was spherical, with an average particle size of 64.47 nm and average potential of −19.73 mV. The optimal proportion of galactolipids in the GCLTVs was selected as 30%. Compared with the curcumin-loaded vesicles, GCLTV uptakes were significantly higher at 1, 2, and 4 h; further, the galactolipid modification significantly improved the liver-targeting capability of the GCLTVs in vivo. The inhibitory effects of the GCLTVs on the proliferation of HepG2 cells were significantly higher than those of the curcumin-loaded vesicles after 24 and 48 h. The antitumor effects of GCLTVs in vivo based on H&E staining results on liver tissues were stronger than those of the curcumin-loaded vesicles, and the expressions of P53, Bcl-2, and Bax were correspondingly more significant.

Conclusion

The GCLTVs show excellent liver-targeting capabilities in vitro and in vivo. Compared to the curcumin-loaded vesicles, the cytotoxicity and anticancer effects of the GCLTVs were significantly higher in vitro and in vivo. Thus, oat galactolipids could be used as a type of natural ligand of the ASGPR and a membrane material that would be beneficial for liver-targeting nanopreparations.
Next-gen agriculture: integrating AI and XAI for precision crop yield predictions
Authors: Mohan R. N. V. Jagan , Rayanoothala Pravallika Sree , Sree R. Praneetha
Published: January 2025

Climate change poses significant challenges to global food security by altering precipitation patterns and increasing the frequency of extreme weather events such as droughts, heatwaves, and floods. These phenomena directly affect agricultural productivity, leading to lower crop yields and economic losses for farmers. This study leverages Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) techniques to predict crop yields and assess the impacts of climate change on agriculture, providing a novel approach to understanding complex interactions between climatic and agronomic factors. Using Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA), the study identifies temperature as the most critical factor influencing crop yields, with notable interactions observed between rainfall patterns and macronutrient levels. Advanced regression models, including Decision Tree Regressor, Random Forest Regressor, and LightGBM Regressor, achieved exceptional predictive performance, with R² scores reaching 0.92, mean squared errors as low as 0.02, and mean absolute errors of 0.015. Additionally, XAI techniques such as SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) and LIME (Local Interpretable Model-agnostic Explanations) enhanced the interpretability of the predictions, offering actionable insights into the relative importance of key features. These insights inform strategies for agricultural decision-making and climate adaptation. By integrating AI-driven predictions with XAI-based interpretability, this research presents a robust and transparent framework for mitigating the adverse effects of climate change on agriculture, emphasizing its potential for scalable application in precision farming and policy development.
Association between the Taq1A polymorphism and problematic media use in preadolescent children
Authors: Emond Jennifer A. , Renier Timothy J. , Yeum Dabin , Carlson Delaina D. , Ballarino Grace A. , Gilbert-Diamond Diane
Published: January 2025

Objective

Problematic media use (PMU) is addiction-like media use. No study has examined if genetic factors for addiction relate to PMU during childhood. This study tested the association between genetic risk factors for addiction and PMU among 9-to-12-year-olds.

Method

Data were from a cohort of 9-to-12-year-olds recruited from Northern New England, 2018–2022, for a study examining obesity risk among children. Two polymorphisms related to dopaminergic (ANNK1 rs1800497 [the Taq1A polymorphism] and COMT rs4680) and one related to nicotinic (CHRNA4 rs1044396) pathways that were previously associated with internet addiction or internet video game addiction in adolescents and young adults were genotyped. Parent-reported PMU for children was measured with a validated nine-item scale (range for final scores: 1 to 5); higher scores indicate more severe PMU.

Results

Among children (n = 180; 43.9% female; 90.0% white, non-Hispanic; 82.2% of parents were college graduates), the median PMU score was 2.22 (IQR: 1.78, 2.78). In a linear regression model adjusted for child age, sex, European ancestry, and parent education, there was an additive association between the number of Taq1A1 alleles and PMU among children. Specifically, geometric mean PMU scores were 8.6% greater for each additional copy of the Taq1A1 allele (p = 0.030; R2 = 5.2%). No other polymorphisms were statistically associated with PMU at the p < 0.05 level.

Conclusion

These preliminary findings suggest that a genetic predisposition to reduced dopamine sensitivity as indicated by the Taq1A polymorphism may relate to PMU in early adolescence. Findings need confirmation in larger samples.
Non-verbal communication questionnaire: a measure to assess effective interaction
Authors: Khan Maryam , Zeb Sana , Batool Rabia , Gasiorowska Agata
Published: January 2025

In five studies, we document the development and validation of the Non-verbal Communication Questionnaire (NVCQ). This eight-item measurement tool assesses how people perceive non-verbal cues across two dimensions of effective communication. These two dimensions, encouraging and discouraging non-verbal cues, are based on Khan and Zeb's (2021) version of the 10-part model of non-verbal communication. Study 1 reports the development of the NVCQ and provides initial support for the factorial structure of the measure in a Pakistani sample. Studies 2 and 3 confirmed the factorial structure and demonstrated the construct validity of the NVCQ. A preregistered Study 4 confirmed the factorial structure in a Polish sample, and provided additional support for the construct validity of the measure, while Study 5 demonstrated its adequate test–retest reliability. We conclude that the NVCQ is a psychometrically sound instrument for assessing effective communication that incorporates non-verbal aspects in every domain of life, from clinical to research settings.
Testing the relationships of hope and negotiable fate with sleep quality among university students in Hong Kong
Authors: Chan Hok I. , Feldman David B. , Shu Tse-Mei
Published: January 2025

For university students, who are often under significant stress to perform well, sleep is particularly important, playing roles in learning and academic performance. Research demonstrates a relationship between hope and sleep quality. However, most work concerns Western samples, and the hope construct has been criticized for a Western bias. No research investigates sleep quality’s relationship to “negotiable fate,” a construct more relevant to Asian cultures. Whereas hope involves the individualistic expectancy that goals are achievable through personal action, negotiable fate involves the more collectivist-informed belief that control can be exercised over goals within limits of fate (family, community, society, other external factors). We investigated the relationship of hope and negotiable fate with sleep quality in 160 university students in Hong Kong, administering measures of hope, negotiable fate, sleep quality, depression, anxiety, stress, and life satisfaction. Lower hope was associated with poorer self-reported sleep quality. In addition, consistent with past research, mental health variables (particularly stress) accounted for significant variance in this relationship. Negotiable fate, however, did not relate to sleep quality.
Network analysis of the symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder in patients undergoing chemotherapy for colorectal cancer
Authors: Zhou Yi , Teng Wen , Luo Liang , Zhou Ping , Fan Guidi , Liu Haiying
Published: January 2025

Objective

In this study, we examine the network structure of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including core symptoms and strong edges in patients undergoing chemotherapy for colorectal cancer in China, and lay the groundwork for targeted psychological interventions for these patients.

Methods

This study included 360 colorectal cancer patients receiving chemotherapy at a third-class hospital in Wuxi, China, from November 2023 to June 2024. The severity of each item of PTSD was assessed using the DSM-5 Checklist (PCL-5). A network analysis approach was conducted in R to pinpoint core symptoms and investigate notable edge connections within the network.

Results

The accuracy and stability of the PTSD network structure model were relatively good, and the results indicated that robust connections emerged between avoidance of thoughts and avoidance of reminders, hypervigilance and exaggerated startle response, and loss of interest and detachment. The most central node was emotional cue reactivity, which was more closely connected with other symptoms, while self-destructive/reckless behavior was the lowest central node.

Conclusion

Emotional cue reactivity was proved to be the most prominent symptom in the PTSD symptom network in colorectal cancer patients treated with chemotherapy, and targeting it in interventions could lead to substantial improvements.
Validity and reliability of local endemic language version of the SARI Sigma Scale questionnaire for assessing stigma in leprosy patients
Authors: Rahayu Tri , Friska Dewi , Sopamena Yoslien , Menaldi Sri Linuwih , Gibran Kahlil , Dadun  , Ruwaida Ida , Irawati Yunia
Published: January 2025

Introduction

The Stigma Assessment and Reduction of Impact (SARI) Stigma Scale is an instrument developed to evaluate stigma in Leprosy patients. Despite existing versions in Indonesian, the absence of an endemic area language version of a reliable assessment tool presents a barrier to effective interventions in regions like Ambon. This study aims to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Ambonese-Malay Language of SARI Stigma Scale questionnaire.

Methods

A cross-sectional study involved 50 participants with leprosy or a history of leprosy from Ambon City, Indonesia. They were tested with the SARI Stigma Scale questionnaire, consisting of 4 domains of questions, totalling 21 questions. Reliability and variability analysis was conducted from each domain’s questions. Cronbach’s α (CA) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) determined internal consistency of reliability tests. For validity assessment, coefficients of corrected item-total correlation ensured scale accuracy for measuring stigma.

Results

Reliability analysis revealed significant high internal consistency (α and ICC value >0.7) across all four domains, with CA values ranging from 0.71 to 0.94 and strong consistency among responses, with ICC ranging from 0.71 to 0.94 across domains. The total domain exhibited a CA of 0.855 and an average ICC of 0.855 (p < 0.001). Validity testing demonstrated significant moderate to strong correlations, ranging from 0.69 to 0.90 (p < 0.001), affirming scale validity in measuring stigma accurately.

Discussion

The Ambonese-Malay version of the SARI Stigma Scale exhibits validity and reliability as an assessment tool for scoring stigma in leprosy patients in Ambon. Stigma can emerge and be associated with leprosy. To understand the stigma in society due to this disease, a validated questionnaire in the local language and adjusted with the local cultures needed.
Association between ambient air pollution and outpatient visits of cardiovascular diseases in Zibo, China: a time series analysis
Authors: Wang Yamei , Qu Shaoning , Li Ting , Chen Liang , Yang Liping
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Facing Mount Tai in the south and the Yellow River in the north, Zibo District is an important petrochemical base in China. The effect of air pollution on cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in Zibo was unclear.

Methods

Daily outpatient visits of common CVDs including coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, and arrhythmia were obtained from 2019 to 2022 in Zibo. Air pollutants contained fine particulate matter (PM2.5), inhalable particulate matter (PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), ozone (O3), and carbon monoxide (CO). Distributed lag non-linear models (DLNM) including single-pollutant model in single-day (lag0-lag7) and cumulative-days (lag01-lag07), concentration-response curve, subgroup analysis, and double-pollutant model were utilized to examine the relationships of daily air pollutants on CHD, stroke, and arrhythmia. Meteorological factors were incorporated to control confounding.

Results

In single-pollutant model, NO2 was positively associated with CHD, stroke and arrhythmia, with the strongest excess risks (ERs) of 4.97% (lag07), 4.71% (lag07) and 2.16% (lag02), respectively. The highest ERs of PM2.5 on CHD, stroke and arrhythmia were 0.85% (lag01), 0.59% (lag0) and 0.84% (lag01), and for PM10, the ERs were 0.37% (lag01), 0.35% (lag0) and 0.39% (lag01). SO2 on CHD was 0.92% (lag6), O3 on stroke was 0.16% (lag6), and CO on CHD, stroke, and arrhythmia were 8.77% (lag07), 5.38% (lag01), 4.30% (lag0). No threshold was found between air pollutants and CVDs. The effects of ambient pollutants on CVDs (NO2&CVDs, PM2.5&stroke, PM10&stroke, CO&stroke, CO&arrhythmia) were greater in cold season than warm season. In double-pollutant model, NO2 was positively associated with CHD and stroke, and CO was also positively related with CHD.

Conclusion

Ambient pollutants, especially NO2 and CO were associated with CVDs in Zibo, China. And there were strong relationships between NO2, PM2.5, PM10, CO and CVDs in cold season.
Sustainable performance evaluation of pharmaceutical companies: sustainable balanced scorecard and hybrid MCDM approach
Authors: Deng Deqiang , Zhang Jiayang , Wang Jingyi , Zong Xiuran
Published: January 2025

Despite the increasing demand for sustainable development of pharmaceutical companies due to the rigorous pressure of environmental regulation, public health crisis and economic competition, there has been little research on relevant evaluation models. The COVID-19 experience has also prompted investors in pharmaceutical companies to re-examine the impact of environment and ethics on business development. Therefore, pharmaceutical companies need to focus on their performance, especially on the shift from a single financial performance to an integrated performance. This paper constructs a reticulated sustainable performance evaluation model for decision-makers based on the Sustainability Balanced Scorecard (SBSC) framework. The evaluation results are derived using Decision Making Experiment and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL), Analytical Network Process (ANP) and modified VlseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR). The model can help management gain a more comprehensive understanding of the company’s overall situation, promote management’s focus on the balance and synergies between the various dimensions and indicators of sustainability performance, clarify the relationships and the comment weights of evaluation dimensions and indicators, and provide sustainability improvement solutions, which have been neglected in previous research on the evaluation of sustainability performance of pharmaceutical companies. Based on questionnaires with experts, this paper finds that the Environment is the most important factor, followed by Internal Processes, Customers, Finance, Learning and Growth, as well as Society. The empirical results of a Chinese pharmaceutical company suggest that green transformation and customer relations are the priorities, in addition to the need for additional ways to improve the sustainability performance of pharmaceutical companies. The evaluation results provide a strategic reference for stakeholders, which helps the case company to find better strategies for sustainable development and priorities for improving their sustainability performance.
SPEMix: a lightweight method via superclass pseudo-label and efficient mixup for echocardiogram view classification
Authors: Ma Shizhou , Zhang Yifeng , Li Delong , Sun Yixin , Qiu Zhaowen , Wei Lei , Dong Suyu
Published: January 2025

Introduction

In clinical, the echocardiogram is the most widely used for diagnosing heart diseases. Different heart diseases are diagnosed based on different views of the echocardiogram images, so efficient echocardiogram view classification can help cardiologists diagnose heart disease rapidly. Echocardiogram view classification is mainly divided into supervised and semi-supervised methods. The supervised echocardiogram view classification methods have worse generalization performance due to the difficulty of labeling echocardiographic images, while the semi-supervised echocardiogram view classification can achieve acceptable results via a little labeled data. However, the current semi-supervised echocardiogram view classification faces challenges of declining accuracy due to out-of-distribution data and is constrained by complex model structures in clinical application.

Methods

To deal with the above challenges, we proposed a novel open-set semi-supervised method for echocardiogram view classification, SPEMix, which can improve performance and generalization by leveraging out-of-distribution unlabeled data. Our SPEMix consists of two core blocks, DAMix Block and SP Block. DAMix Block can generate a mixed mask that focuses on the valuable regions of echocardiograms at the pixel level to generate high-quality augmented echocardiograms for unlabeled data, improving classification accuracy. SP Block can generate a superclass pseudo-label of unlabeled data from the perspective of the superclass probability distribution, improving the classification generalization by leveraging the superclass pseudolabel.

Results

We also evaluate the generalization of our method on the Unity dataset and the CAMUS dataset. The lightweight model trained with SPEMix can achieve the best classification performance on the publicly available TMED2 dataset.

Discussion

For the first time, we applied the lightweight model to the echocardiogram view classification, which can solve the limits of the clinical application due to the complex model architecture and help cardiologists diagnose heart diseases more efficiently.
Semantic segmentation using synthetic images of underwater marine-growth
Authors: Mai Christian , Liniger Jesper , Pedersen Simon
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Subsea applications recently received increasing attention due to the global expansion of offshore energy, seabed infrastructure, and maritime activities; complex inspection, maintenance, and repair tasks in this domain are regularly solved with pilot-controlled, tethered remote-operated vehicles to reduce the use of human divers. However, collecting and precisely labeling submerged data is challenging due to uncontrollable and harsh environmental factors. As an alternative, synthetic environments offer cost-effective, controlled alternatives to real-world operations, with access to detailed ground-truth data. This study investigates the potential of synthetic underwater environments to offer cost-effective, controlled alternatives to real-world operations, by rendering detailed labeled datasets and their application to machine-learning.

Methods

Two synthetic datasets with over 1000 rendered images each were used to train DeepLabV3+ neural networks with an Xception backbone. The dataset includes environmental classes like seawater and seafloor, offshore structures components, ship hulls, and several marine growth classes. The machine-learning models were trained using transfer learning and data augmentation techniques.

Results

Testing showed high accuracy in segmenting synthetic images. In contrast, testing on real-world imagery yielded promising results for two out of three of the studied cases, though challenges in distinguishing some classes persist.

Discussion

This study demonstrates the efficiency of synthetic environments for training subsea machine learning models but also highlights some important limitations in certain cases. Improvements can be pursued by introducing layered species into synthetic environments and improving real-world optical information quality—better color representation, reduced compression artifacts, and minimized motion blur—are key focus areas. Future work involves more extensive validation with expert-labeled datasets to validate and enhance real-world application accuracy.
Obstructive sleep apnea, the NLRP3 inflammasome and the potential effects of incretin therapies
Authors: Wei Michelle , Teske Jennifer A. , Mashaqi Saif , Combs Daniel
Published: January 2025

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder associated with serious neurological and cardiovascular complications. Intermittent hypoxia and reoxygenation, a key feature of OSA, produces molecular signals that activate various inflammatory pathways, notably the inflammasome—a multiprotein complex that promotes the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-18 and IL-1β. This results in systemic inflammation, which contributes to the development of the neurological and cardiovascular complications seen in OSA. In this review, we will first examine the pathways through which intermittent hypoxia induces inflammasome activation. Then, we will connect the inflammasome to the downstream neurological and cardiovascular effects of OSA. Finally, we will explore potential interactions between the inflammasome and OSA treatments including Continuous Positive Airway Pressure therapy and glucagon like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs).
Diagnosis and management of de novo inflammatory bowel disease after solid organ transplantation in the era of biologic therapy: a case series
Authors: Johnson Willie Mohammed , Vaughn Byron P. , Lim Nicholas
Published: January 2025

Introduction

The clinical characteristics of de novo inflammatory bowel disease (dnIBD) diagnosed after solid organ transplant (SOT) are not well-described, particularly since the advent of biologic therapy for treatment of IBD.

Methods

We conducted a single-center, retrospective review of SOT recipients between 2010 and 2022 at the University of Minnesota Medical Center who were diagnosed with IBD after transplant.

Results

Of 89 patients at our center with IBD and a history of SOT, five (5.6%) patients were diagnosed with IBD post-transplant (three liver, one kidney, and one simultaneous liver and kidney): three patients were female and four were Caucasian. Mean age at transplant and IBD diagnosis were 46.7 and 49.4 years respectively. Indication for transplant were alcohol-related cirrhosis (n = 2), idiopathic fulminant hepatic failure (n = 1), metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (n = 1), and IgA nephropathy (n = 1). Four patients were diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (UC) and one with Crohn's disease (CD). Three patients (all with UC) required escalation to a biologic therapy. Four patients were in clinical remission from IBD at last follow-up, one patient required IBD surgery, while there was no rejection and no deaths following IBD diagnosis.

Conclusion

dnIBD post-SOT is uncommon, while newer IBD therapies may be safe and effective. Further study is required to better understand the natural history and IBD outcomes of this population relative to non-SOT patients.
Factors influencing sport development among women with disabilities: a case study of a visually impaired Spanish Paralympic woman
Authors: Barrera-Garcimartín Alejandro , Redondo-Fernández Áurea , Pérez-Tejero Javier
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Women with disabilities may experience particular difficulties in starting and developing in sport, also in the Paralympic context. Although a great deal of research has been conducted with high-performance athletes, relatively few studies have focused on athletes with disabilities, especially Paralympic women using person-first approaches. Thus, the main objective of this study is to understand, through the experience and opinion of a Paralympian female athlete, how these athletes reach their full potential, identifying the elements and initiatives that can influence (whether positively or negatively) their sporting trajectory and developmental milestones.

Methodology

This study analyzes the case of a quadruple Paralympic medalist in blind Judo, who has competed in Paralympic Games from Athens 2004 to Paris 2024. Information was gathered from a semi-structured interview, a book chapter she had written, and her participation in a forum.

Results

The athlete differentiated between two key stages in the sports career of people with disabilities: (1) the beginning of sports practice; and (2) development processes and the search for future Paralympic athletes. Women with disabilities face particular difficulties in accessing sport, with foundations for people with disabilities and coaches playing a fundamental role. It is crucial to give visibility and have sports references in these areas, highlighting initiatives such as Paralympic School Days and inclusive competitions. There are conditioning factors in the identification and development of talent, such as the rules and the nature of each Paralympic sport, and the level of inclusion that the athletes have experienced in their environment.

Conclusions

This case study presents the perceptions of a female athlete with regard to the beginnings and development of sport in the Paralympic framework, underlining the need to promote actions that help and encourage the development and participation of women with disabilities in sport.
“We need workable micronutrient data!”: a qualitative study assessing the need for integrated micronutrient data to support evidence-based decisions by Indian food system stakeholders
Authors: Sahota Rupinder , Khokhar Jaswant S. , Deep Aakash , Adams Katherine P. , Das Arindam , Ander E. Louise , Joy Edward J. M.
Published: January 2025

Stakeholders in decision-making roles require that data are available, accessible and useable to ensure evidence-informed design, implementation and evaluation of programs and policies to alleviate micronutrient deficiencies in India. This study determined the typical uses, data sources, priority and unmet needs, common challenges, and aspirations of key Indian food system stakeholders in relation to usage and interpretation of publicly available micronutrient data from health, nutrition, agriculture, and program domains. A qualitative, descriptive study was conducted, with purposive sampling of stakeholders from state and national-level government, development agencies, non-governmental organisations, research institutes, private organisations, and academia. Data were generated through focus group discussions and semi-structured key informant interviews. Themes and sub-themes were identified using framework analysis with a deductive approach. Stakeholders emphasized the pressing need for consolidated, harmonized district-level data from health, nutrition, and agriculture sources to better understand the causes and sources of variation in micronutrient deficiencies, and to inform decision-making on supplementation and fortification program planning, and policy evaluation. Biomarker data, nutrition dashboards and food consumption data were most used; data on food composition, program cost, and soil/crop micronutrient composition were not typically used, despite their relevance. A need for district-level data with further geographical and temporal (including seasonal) disaggregation, with improved accessibility was also identified. Current challenges include limited district-level data, outdated surveys, and data accessibility, while there is demand for customisable tools that integrate varied datasets, reflecting a shared vision for evidence-based decision-making and policy formulation.