bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Treatment Options for Distal Rectal Cancer in the Era of Organ Preservation
Authors: Wang Chen , Liu Xiaoliang , Wang Weiping , Miao Zheng , Li Xiaoyan , Liu Dingchao , Hu Ke
Published: March 2024

Opinion statement

The introduction of total mesorectal excision into the radical surgery of rectal cancer has significantly improved the oncological outcome with longer survival and lower local recurrence. Traditional treatment modalities of distal rectal cancer, relying on radical surgery, while effective, take their own set of risks, including surgical complications, potential damage to the anus, and surrounding structure owing to the pursuit of thorough resection. The progress of operating methods as well as the integration of systemic therapies and radiotherapy into the peri-operative period, particularly the exciting clinical complete response of patients after neoadjuvant treatment, have paved the way for organ preservation strategy. The non-inferiority oncological outcome of “watch and wait” compared with radical surgery underscores the potential of organ preservation not only to control local recurrence but also to reduce the need for treatments followed by structure destruction, hopefully improving the long-term quality of life. Radical radiotherapy provides another treatment option for patients unwilling or unable to undergo surgery. Organ preservation points out the direction of treatment for distal rectal cancer, while additional researches are needed to answer remaining questions about its optimal use.
Single-cell Profiling of Reprogrammed Human Neural Stem Cells Unveils High Similarity to Neural Progenitors in the Developing Central Nervous System
Authors: Spathopoulou Angeliki , Podlesnic Martina , De Gaetano Laura , Kirsch Elena Marie , Tisch Marcel , Finotello Francesca , Aigner Ludwig , Günther Katharina , Edenhofer Frank
Published: March 2024

Background

Similar to induced pluripotent cells (iPSCs), induced neural stem cells (iNSCs) can be directly converted from human somatic cells such as dermal fibroblasts and peripheral blood monocytes. While previous studies have demonstrated the resemblance of iNSCs to neural stem cells derived from primary sources and embryonic stem cells, respectively, a comprehensive analysis of the correlation between iNSCs and their physiological counterparts remained to be investigated.

Methods

Nowadays, single-cell sequencing technologies provide unique opportunities for in-depth cellular benchmarking of complex cell populations. Our study involves the comprehensive profiling of converted human iNSCs at a single-cell transcriptomic level, alongside conventional methods, like flow cytometry and immunofluorescence stainings.

Results

Our results show that the iNSC conversion yields a homogeneous cell population expressing bona fide neural stem cell markers. Extracting transcriptomic signatures from published single cell transcriptomic atlas data and comparison to the iNSC transcriptome reveals resemblance to embryonic neuroepithelial cells of early neurodevelopmental stages observed in vivo at 5 weeks of development.

Conclusion

Our data underscore the physiological relevance of directly converted iNSCs, making them a valuable in vitro system for modeling human central nervous system development and establishing translational applications in cell therapy and compound screening.

Graphical Abstract
Effect of Annexin A2 on prognosis and sensitivity to immune checkpoint plus tyrosine kinase inhibition in metastatic renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Wang Jiajun , Lin Jinglai , Wang Jiahao , Wang Ying , Zhu Yanjun , Xu Xianglai , Guo Jianming
Published: March 2024

Background

Immunotherapy (IO) plus tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy is the first-line recommendation for advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC), but no biomarker has been approved for it. Annexin A2 (ANXA2) can induce immune escape in tumors.

Methods

Two independent cohorts of advanced RCC treated by IO + TKI were utilized for survival analysis (ZS-MRCC, n = 45; Javelin-101, n = 726). ANXA2 expression was determined by RNA-sequencing. The impact of ANXA2 on the tumor microenvironment was assessed by RNA-sequencing, flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry in two localized RCC datasets (ZS-HRRCC, n = 40; TCGA-KIRC, n = 530).

Results

ANXA2 was upregulated in non-responders of IO + TKI therapy (p = 0.027). High-ANXA2 group showed poor progression-free survival (PFS) in both the ZS-MRCC cohort (HR, 2.348; 95% CI 1.084–5.085; P = 0.025) and the Javelin-101 cohort (HR, 1.472; 95% CI 1.043–2.077; P = 0.027). Multivariate Cox regression determined ANXA2 as an independent prognostic factor (HR, 2.619; 95% CI 1.194–5.746; P = 0.016). High-ANXA2 was correlated with decreased proportion of granzyme B+ CD8+ T cells (Spearman’s ρ = − 0.40, P = 0.01), and increased TIM-3+ (Spearman’s ρ = 0.43, P < 0.001) and CTLA4+ (Spearman’s ρ = 0.49, P < 0.001) tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. A random forest (RF) score was further build by integrating ANXA2 and immune genes, which stratified patients who would benefit from IO + TKI therapy (low-RF score, IO + TKI vs TKI, HR = 0.453, 95% CI 0.328–0.626; high-RF score, IO + TKI vs TKI, HR = 0.877, 95% CI 0.661–1.165; interaction P = 0.003).

Conclusions

Upregulated ANXA2 was associated with poor PFS and therapeutic resistance in RCC treated by IO + TKI therapy, and related with T cell exhaustion. The integrated RF score could stratify patients who would benefit from IO + TKI therapy.
On the convergence of the trajectories of the dynamical Moudafi’s viscosity approximation system
Authors: May Ramzi
Published: March 2024

We study the asymptotic behavior of trajectories of the continuous dynamical system(CDS) associated with the discrete viscosity approximation method for fixed point problem of nonexpansive mapping (DDS) which was introduced by Moudafi (J Math Anal Appl 241:46–55, 2000). We establish that the trajectories x(t) of the continuous dynamical system (CDS) has an asymptotic behavior similar to the behavior of the sequences $$(x_{n})$$

(

x
n

)

generated by the discrete viscosity approximation (DDS)
Modulation Instability and Convergence of the Random-Phase Approximation for Stochastic Sea States
Authors: Athanassoulis Agissilaos , Kyza Irene
Published: March 2024

The nonlinear Schrödinger equation is widely used as an approximate model for the evolution in time of the water wave envelope. In the context of simulating ocean waves, initial conditions are typically generated from a measured power spectrum using the random-phase approximation, and periodized on an interval of lengthL. It is known that most realistic ocean waves power spectra do not exhibit modulation instability, but the most severe ones do; it is thus a natural question to ask whether the periodized random-phase approximation has the correct stability properties. In this work, we specify a random-phase approximation scaling, so that, in the limit of$$L\rightarrow \infty ,$$L→∞,the stability properties of the periodized problem are identical to those of the continuous power spectrum on the infinite line. Moreover, it is seen through concrete examples that using a too short computational domain can completely suppress the modulation instability.
Effect of partial replacement of volcanic ashes by waste iron powder on the properties of phosphate inorganic polymers
Authors: Ebongue Louise Ndongo , Dickson Bernard Missota Priso , Nelle Frank Hervé Justin , DJimtibaye Raadmadje , Janiak Christoph , Manga Joseph Dika
Published: March 2024

This study focuses on the effect of partial replacement of volcanic ash (VA) by waste iron powder in the synthesis of phosphate inorganic polymers (PIPs) based of volcanic ashes. For this purpose, 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20% of the waste iron powder were substituted for those of two volcanic ash named MaJ and Mbo. Subsequently, all the powders were mixed with a solution of H3PO4 (6 M) with a liquid/solid mass ratio of 0.45. The raw materials were characterized by XRF, BET, XRD and FTIR. In addition to these characterization techniques, the obtained synthesis products were also characterized by Optical Microscopy. The properties of the 28-day old specimens were evaluated by determining the compressive strength, density, percentage water absorption and porosity. The results obtained show that the increase in iron powder waste leads to a decrease in compressive strength and density and, in parallel, an increase in porosity and water absorption. In combination with the BET analyses, the observation of the optical micrographs shows that for a partial replacement of 10% of the ash powder (Mbo) by the iron powder waste leads to an increase in the specific surface of the synthesis products and an increased presence of voids within the Mbo-based specimens. On the other hand, for the same content, we observe an occupation of the pores within the MaJ-based specimens. All these results show that iron powders wastes lead to an expansion of the pore volumes in our materials and make them more fragile. Therefore, iron powders can be used as a pore-forming agent in the synthesis of porous Mbo-based PIPs and as fillers for MaJ based PIPs.
Population genetics and demography of the endemic mouse species of Cyprus, Mus cypriacus
Authors: Hardouin Emilie A. , Riccioli Francesca , Andreou Demetra , Baltazar-Soares Miguel , Cvitanović Marin , Williams Nathan F. , Chevret Pascale , Renaud Sabrina , García-Rodriguez Oxala , Hadjisterkotis Eleftherios , Miltiadou Despoina , Macholán Miloš , Odenthal-Hesse Linda , Kuenzel Sven , Mitsainas George P.
Published: March 2024

Mus cypriacus is one of three small palaeoendemic mammals that have survived the Mediterranean islands’ anthropization. This species, endemic to Cyprus, was described in 2006 and stands out as one of the last mammal species to have been discovered in Europe. Despite scarce data on its genetics, ecology, and life-history traits, Mus cypriacus is assessed as Least Concern LC in the IUCN Red List, partly due to its morphological similarity with the sympatric house mouse that prevented earlier identification. Our study uses mitochondrial and microsatellite markers to investigate this small rodent's population genetic structure and diversity. Our analysis did not identify any population genetic structure and suggested a high genetic diversity across Cyprus. When inferring habitat preference using sample locations, it appeared that M. cypriacus utilizes a diverse variety of habitats, covering more than 80% of the island. Although these results are encouraging for the conservation status of the species, they still need to be cautiously applied as potential threats may arise due to increasing habitat destruction and changes in land use. Consequently, our encouraging results should be applied judiciously. Additional ecological data are urgently needed to gain a more comprehensive understanding of this inconspicuous endemic species.
The Linguistic Feature Relation Analysis of Premise and Hypothesis for Interpreting Nature Language Inference
Authors: Chen Xinyu , Li Lin , Zhang Mengjing , Zhang Rui
Published: March 2024

Natural language inference (NLI) is a fundamental task of natural language processing (NLP). Most recent NLI research has focused on explaining the model’s decisions in generating causal explanations (i.e., why did a premise/hypothesis pair as input lead to their inference relation as output?). As layer-based language models can learn language structure information, this paper conducts a sample-by-sample analysis of the linguistic feature relation between premise and hypothesis that is expected to guide NLI modeling and interpretation better. Our empirical study verifies that the linguistic feature relation of premise/hypothesis pairs can be seen in NLI inference models, which can be used to interpret inference samples. Meanwhile, experimental results show that these linguistic features relation interpretation can help the NLI model achieve comparable inference accuracy compared with state-of-the-art methods.
The impact of inclusive mentoring and identity work on self-efficacy in career advancement and career commitment among underrepresented early-career faculty and post-doctoral fellows
Authors: Thakar Maya S. , Rubio Doris M. , Murrell Audrey J. , Morone Natalia E. , Mitchell Miland Chantele , White Gretchen E.
Published: March 2024

Objective:

Researchers from underrepresented groups leave research positions at a disproportionate rate. We aim to identify factors associated with self-efficacy in career advancement and career commitment among underrepresented post-doctoral fellows and early-career faculty.

Methods:

Building Up is a cluster-randomized trial with 25 academic health institutions. In September-October 2020, 219 Building Up participants completed the pre-intervention assessment, which included questions on demographics, science identity, mentoring, self-efficacy in career advancement (i.e., advancement is open to me, confidence in career progression, confidence in overcoming professional barriers), and career commitment (i.e., intent to continue research training or studying in a field related to biomedical sciences). Using logistic and multinomial logistic regression, we identified characteristics independently associated with self-efficacy in career advancement and career commitment.

Results:

The cohort is 80% female, 33% non-Hispanic/Latinx Black, and 34% Hispanic/Latinx. Having mentors that address diversity was significantly associated with the belief that advancement is open to them (OR = 1.7). Higher science identity (OR = 4.0) and having mentors that foster independence (OR = 1.8) were significantly associated with confidence in career progression. Higher science identity was also significantly associated with confidence in overcoming professional barriers (OR = 2.3) and intent to continue studying in a field related to biomedical sciences (OR = 3.3). Higher age (OR = 2.3) and higher science identity (OR = 4.2) were significantly associated with intent to continue research training.

Discussion:

Science identity and mentoring play key roles in self-efficacy in career advancement and career commitment. These factors may contribute to retention of underrepresented early-career biomedical researchers.
Follow the money: Trucker pay incentives, working time, and safety
Authors: Ju Shengyang , Belzer Michael H.
Published: March 2024

Most truck drivers experience economic pressure in the form of low pay rates, no pay for non-driving work time, and long work hours. Unpaid working time, leading to low effective pay rates, encourages drivers to work excessive hours to pursue target earnings, which leads to fatigue and working time violations, and ultimately raises crash rates. This paper explores the complex relationship between regulatory violations, pay incentives, and crashes, to determine the effects of economic forces on carrier safety. We use data from 13,904 intrastate trucking companies in the United States, as well as median hourly truck driver wages from data published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. We find that controlling for observed regulatory violations (hours of service, unsafe driving, and substance abuse), at the mean, 1% higher driver wages are associated with 1.04% fewer crashes. Stated differently, a 10% wage increase would be 5 times as effective as a 10% reduction in ‘unsafe driving’ or 2.5 times as effective as a 10% reduction in ‘driver fitness’ violations. This unit elasticity between driver pay and crashes suggests that higher compensation will bring direct and commensurate worker and public safety benefits. Every unit in higher pay, at the mean, will lead to a corresponding unit improvement in safety. Our findings suggest that the most effective way for regulators to pursue their mission to reduce crashes, fatal or otherwise, would be to collect firm-level data on truck driver compensation and allow their methodology to follow sound science.
Use of otolith microchemical and morphological analyses for stock discrimination of Sarpa salpa on two Tunisian islands, Djerba and Kerkennah
Authors: Ben Ghorbel Meriam , Mejri Marwa , Adjibayo Houeto Madel Floriane , Chalh Abdellah , Quignard Jean-Pierre , Trabelsi Monia , Bouriga Nawzet
Published: March 2024

Otolith morphological and microchemical analyses are relatively new scientific research methods used in fish stock evaluation and management. However, in Tunisia, only morphological methods have been used. The objective of this study was the Sarpa salpa stock discrimination of Djerba and Kerkennah by the otoliths morphological and microchemical analysis, while carrying out a fluctuating asymmetry analysis and a stock comparison of males and females for each population. The results revealed significant differences between the Djerba and Kerkennah populations, significant differences between the stocks of males and females in each population, and a highly significant fluctuating asymmetry for both populations. The results of the otolith morphological analysis were similar to those of the microchemical analysis. This result proves that both morphological and microchemical analyses are powerful tools for fish stock discrimination.
Midwives’ oaths: everyday life and the law in seventeenth-century England
Authors: Fox Sarah , Brazier Margaret
Published: March 2024

This article explores historical and legal approaches to past society, asking what each has to offer the other. Using early modern midwives’ oaths as a case study, it examines the extent to which the law shapes everyday life and society, and vice versa allowing us to situate early modern midwives at the intersection of a number of important and competing seventeenth-century institutions including state, church, society, and profession. We argue that a historico-legal approach to the practices of seventeenth-century midwives demands a reconsideration of the historiography of medical ethics and of the professions more broadly. It situates midwives as holders of formal office, and agents of the emergent early modern state and encourages reflection on the nature of ethical practice, and professional regulation within their social, cultural, and political context.
Familiäre Bande und politische Mauern
Authors: Petereit-Zipfel Heike
Published: March 2024

In der facettenreichen Landschaft der menschlichen Beziehungen findet sich eine vielfältige Dimension der Verbundenheit zwischen Menschen mit psychischen Gesundheitsproblemen und ihren Familienmitgliedern und Nahestehenden. Vom Eltern-Kind-Verhältnis über Geschwisterbeziehungen bis hin zu Paaren hat jede Beziehung ihr einzigartiges Geflecht von Verbundenheit. Angehörige spielen oft eine wichtige, manchmal die wichtigste Rolle im Leben der Betroffenen.
Beziehungen zu einem System
Authors: Mayer Michael
Published: March 2024

Was ist zu diesem Thema bereits bekannt?

Sprachbasierte Systeme wie Alexa, Siri oder Google werden von vielen Menschen im Alltag selbstverständlich genutzt.

Wie wird eine neue Perspektive eingebracht?

Die neue emotionalisierte Künstliche Intelligenz bietet eine Form der Interaktion, die an menschliche Kommunikation erinnert. Sie sollen Beziehungspartner sein.

Was sind die Auswirkungen für die Praxis?

Emotionalisierte KI-Systeme könnten in Zukunft auch zur Stärkung der psychischen Gesundheit eingesetzt werden. Pflegefachpersonen sollten in der Lage sein, die Möglichkeiten und Grenzen solcher Systeme zu beurteilen.
Drought Spatial Extent and Dependence Increase During Drought Propagation From the Atmosphere to the Hydrosphere
Authors: Brunner Manuela I. , Chartier‐Rescan Corentin
Published: March 2024

As droughts propagate both in time and space, their impacts increase because of changes in drought properties. Because temporal and spatial drought propagation are mostly studied separately, it is yet unknown how drought spatial extent and connectedness change as droughts propagate though the hydrological cycle from precipitation to streamflow and groundwater. Here, we use a large‐sample dataset of 70 catchments in Central Europe to study the propagation of local and spatial drought characteristics. We show that drought propagation leads to longer, later, and fewer droughts with larger spatial extents. 75% of the precipitation droughts propagate to P‐ET, among these 20% propagate further to streamflow and 10% to groundwater. Of the streamflow droughts, 40% propagate to groundwater. Drought extent and dependence increase during drought propagation along the drought propagation pathway from precipitation to streamflow thanks to synchronizing effects of the land‐surface but decreases again for groundwater because of sub‐surface heterogeneity.
The Dipole Mode of Summer Wet‐Bulb Temperature Over Eastern China and the Possible Mechanisms
Authors: He Wenyue , Chen Huopo
Published: March 2024

One prominent mode of the variability in the summer wet‐bulb temperature (WBT) over eastern China exhibits a distinct north‒south dipole pattern. This pattern demonstrates a positive center in northern China (NC), while a negative center is observed in southern China (SC). Our results indicate that the dipole mode of WBT could be partially ascribed to the impact of spring snow anomalies in eastern Europe–western Siberia (EEWS). The reduction in the snow depth, coupled with dry soil conditions, enhances the surface heat flux and consequently leads to an increase in the near‐surface air temperature. The signal of soil moisture could persist from spring to summer, stimulating the generation of zonal Rossby waves. Consequently, the significant wave flux anomalies propagate from EEWS downstream and influence the atmospheric circulation over eastern China. These patterns play a role in the increase in the surface air temperature and moisture accumulation over NC, ultimately leading to the establishment of the dipole mode of WBT over eastern China in summer. Further analysis indicates that the atypical low sea surface temperature in the tropical Ocean, induced by the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation, establishes a climatic context favorable for the persistence of an anomalous cyclone in the Northwest Pacific (NWP) throughout the summer season. The strengthened convection over the NWP and SC induces a dipole pattern of atmospheric circulation by stimulating a meridional wave train. This pattern creates favorable temperature and moisture conditions, contributing to the development of the dipole mode of the summer WBT across eastern China.
Once-weekly versus twice-weekly bortezomib in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: a real-world analysis
Authors: Hoff Fieke W. , Banerjee Rahul , Khan Adeel M. , McCaughan Georgia , Wang Bo , Wang Xiaoliang , Roose James , Anderson Larry D. , Cowan Andrew J. , Rajkumar S. Vincent , Kaur Gurbakhash
Published: March 2024

Induction regimens for multiple myeloma (MM) commonly include bortezomib, which has typically been administered twice weekly despite studies demonstrating comparable efficacy and less peripheral neuropathy (PN) with once-weekly bortezomib. We aimed to analyze the real-world prevalence and efficacy of once-weekly versus twice-weekly bortezomib regimens in newly diagnosed MM. We analyzed 2497 US patients aged 18–70 years treated with commercial first-line bortezomib using nationwide Flatiron Health electronic health record-derived data, including 910 (36.4%) patients who received twice-weekly and 1522 (63.2%) who received once-weekly bortezomib. Once-weekly bortezomib use increased over time, from 57.7% in 2017 to 73.1% in 2022. Multivariate analysis identified worsened performance status and more recent year of diagnosis with higher odds of receiving once-weekly bortezomib. Real-world progression-free survival (median 37.2 months with once-weekly versus 39.6 months with twice-weekly, p = 0.906) and overall survival (medians not reached in either cohort, p = 0.800) were comparable. PN rates were higher in patients receiving twice-weekly bortezomib (34.7% versus 18.5%, p < 0.001). In conclusion, once-weekly bortezomib is clearly associated with similar efficacy and fewer toxicities compared to twice-weekly bortezomib. Our findings support once-weekly bortezomib as a standard-of-care regimen for newly diagnosed patients with MM.
Intrinsic and extrinsic actions of human neural progenitors with SUFU inhibition promote tissue repair and functional recovery from severe spinal cord injury
Authors: Chen Yong-Long , Feng Xiang-Lan , Tam Kin-Wai , Fan Chao-Yang , Cheung May Pui-Lai , Yang Yong-Ting , Wong Stanley , Shum Daisy Kwok-Yan , Chan Ying-Shing , Cheung Chi-Wai , Cheung Martin , Liu Jessica Aijia
Published: March 2024

Neural progenitor cells (NPCs) derived from human pluripotent stem cells(hPSCs) provide major cell sources for repairing damaged neural circuitry and enabling axonal regeneration after spinal cord injury (SCI). However, the injury niche and inadequate intrinsic factors in the adult spinal cord restrict the therapeutic potential of transplanted NPCs. The Sonic Hedgehog protein (Shh) has crucial roles in neurodevelopment by promoting the formation of motorneurons and oligodendrocytes as well as its recently described neuroprotective features in response to the injury, indicating its essential role in neural homeostasis and tissue repair. In this study, we demonstrate that elevated SHH signaling in hNPCs by inhibiting its negative regulator, SUFU, enhanced cell survival and promoted robust neuronal differentiation with extensive axonal outgrowth, counteracting the harmful effects of the injured niche. Importantly, SUFU inhibition in NPCs exert non-cell autonomous effects on promoting survival and neurogenesis of endogenous cells and modulating the microenvironment by reducing suppressive barriers around lesion sites. The combined beneficial effects of SUFU inhibition in hNPCs resulted in the effective reconstruction of neuronal connectivity with the host and corticospinal regeneration, significantly improving neurobehavioral recovery in recipient animals. These results demonstrate that SUFU inhibition confers hNPCs with potent therapeutic potential to overcome extrinsic and intrinsic barriers in transplantation treatments for SCI.
Measuring the similarity of charts in graphical statistics
Authors: Górnisiewicz Krzysztof , Palka Zbigniew , Ratajczak Waldemar
Published: March 2024

Figures used in statistics and other sciences play a vital role in understanding and analyzing the problems under study. Due to the complexity and diversity of these problems, figures such as cartograms, choropleth maps, or radar charts take various geometric forms. Their visual evaluation from the view of geometric similarity is essential but insufficient. This paper proposes and theoretically justifies new metrics based on graph theory. They make it possible to quickly determine the degree of similarity of the statistical figures used in the research procedure. The new metrics were used to 1. Determine the similarity of the domestic route networks of major U.S. airlines, 2. Determine the similarity of the distribution of votes cast in U.S. presidential election in each state in 2016 and 2020, 3. Compare radar charts of some countries, constructed based on the Global Competitiveness Index, 4. Analyze the similarity of neutrosophic double line graphs representing sets of approximate (neutrosophic) numbers. This improves analytical capabilities concerning various processes mapped with well-known types of statistical charts, such as choropleth maps, radar charts, etc.
Proteomic study of left ventricle and cortex in rats after myocardial infarction
Authors: Chang Mengli , Wang Huanhuan , Lei Yuxin , Yang Hongjun , Xu Jing , Tang Shihuan
Published: March 2024

Myocardial infarction (MI) induces neuroinflammation indirectly, chronic neuroinflammation may cause neurodegenerative diseases. Changes in the proteomics of heart and brain tissue after MI may shed new light on the mechanisms involved in neuroinflammation. This study explored brain and heart protein changes after MI with a data-independent acquisition (DIA) mode proteomics approach. Permanent ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) was performed in the heart of rats, and the immunofluorescence of microglia in the brain cortex was performed at 1d, 3d, 5d, and 7d after MI to detect the neuroinflammation. Then proteomics was accomplished to obtain the vital proteins in the heart and brain post-MI. The results show that the number of microglia was significantly increased in the Model-1d group, the Model-3d group, the Model-5d group, and the Model-7d group compared to the Sham group. Various proteins were obtained through DIA proteomics. Linking to key targets of brain disease, 14 proteins were obtained in the brain cortex. Among them, elongation of very long chain fatty acids protein 5 (ELOVL5) and ATP-binding cassette subfamily G member 4 (ABCG4) were verified through western blotting (WB). The results of WB were consistent with the proteomics results. Therefore, these proteins may be related to the pathogenesis of neuroinflammation after MI.
Influence and compensation of connection characteristics on shaking table control performance
Authors: Gao Chunhua , Li Cun , Yuan Zihan , Sima Yifei , Wang Mingyang
Published: March 2024

When testing earthquake simulation shaking tables, it is commonly assumed that the test load, table, and actuator are integrated, which differs significantly from the actual situation and negatively impacts the accuracy of system waveform reproduction. This paper simplifies the connection between the three as a spring-damping model for simulation modeling. The effects of different load mass, different connection intrinsic frequency, different connection damping ratios, and other factors on the control performance of the system are analyzed, and based on the results of the analysis, a method to improve the effects of the connection characteristics on the performance of the system, called flexible connection reaction force compensation algorithm, is proposed. Resonance peaks caused by flexible connections reduce the effective bandwidth. To broaden the bandwidth and enhance system stability, the paper introduces a flexible connection force compensation algorithm based on a multi-parameter control algorithm to compensate for the interaction force caused by the connection characteristics. This compensation strategy expands the effective bandwidth, eliminates resonance peaks, improves the waveform correlation coefficient (CC), and reduces the root-mean-square error (RMSE).
Development of hypertension models for lung cancer screening cohorts using clinical and thoracic aorta imaging factors
Authors: Yang Jinrong , Yu Jie , Wang Yaoling , Liao Man , Ji Yingying , Li Xiang , Wang Xuechun , Chen Jun , Qi Benling , Yang Fan
Published: March 2024

This study aims to develop and validate nomogram models utilizing clinical and thoracic aorta imaging factors to assess the risk of hypertension for lung cancer screening cohorts. We included 804 patients and collected baseline clinical data, biochemical indicators, coexisting conditions, and thoracic aorta factors. Patients were randomly divided into a training set (70%) and a validation set (30%). In the training set, variance, t-test/Mann–Whitney U-test and standard least absolute shrinkage and selection operator were used to select thoracic aorta imaging features for constructing the AIScore. Multivariate logistic backward stepwise regression was utilized to analyze the influencing factors of hypertension. Five prediction models (named AIMeasure model, BasicClinical model, TotalClinical model, AIBasicClinical model, AITotalClinical model) were constructed for practical clinical use, tailored to different data scenarios. Additionally, the performance of the models was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration curves and decision curve analyses (DCA). The areas under the ROC curve for the five models were 0.73, 0.77, 0.83, 0.78, 0.84 in the training set, and 0.77, 0.78, 0.81, 0.78, 0.82 in the validation set, respectively. Furthermore, the calibration curves and DCAs of both sets performed well on accuracy and clinical practicality. The nomogram models for hypertension risk prediction demonstrate good predictive capability and clinical utility. These models can serve as effective tools for assessing hypertension risk, enabling timely non-pharmacological interventions to preempt or delay the future onset of hypertension.
Development and validation of a novel risk classification tool for predicting long length of stay in NICU blood transfusion infants
Authors: Arkin Nurbiya , Zhao Ting , Yang Yanqing , Wang Le
Published: March 2024

Newborns are as the primary recipients of blood transfusions. There is a possibility of an association between blood transfusion and unfavorable outcomes. Such complications not only imperil the lives of newborns but also cause long hospitalization. Our objective is to explore the predictor variables that may lead to extended hospital stays in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) patients who have undergone blood transfusions and develop a predictive nomogram. A retrospective review of 539 neonates who underwent blood transfusion was conducted using median and interquartile ranges to describe their length of stay (LOS). Neonates with LOS above the 75th percentile (P75) were categorized as having a long LOS. The Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression method was employed to screen variables and construct a risk model for long LOS. A multiple logistic regression prediction model was then constructed using the selected variables from the LASSO regression model. The significance of the prediction model was evaluated by calculating the area under the ROC curve (AUC) and assessing the confidence interval around the AUC. The calibration curve is used to further validate the model’s calibration and predictability. The model’s clinical effectiveness was assessed through decision curve analysis. To evaluate the generalizability of the model, fivefold cross-validation was employed. Internal validation of the models was performed using bootstrap validation. Among the 539 infants who received blood transfusions, 398 infants (P75) had a length of stay (LOS) within the normal range of 34 days, according to the interquartile range. However, 141 infants (P75) experienced long LOS beyond the normal range. The predictive model included six variables: gestational age (GA) (< 28 weeks), birth weight (BW) (< 1000 g), type of respiratory support, umbilical venous catheter (UVC), sepsis, and resuscitation frequency. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) for the training set was 0.851 (95% CI 0.805–0.891), and for the validation set, it was 0.859 (95% CI 0.789–0.920). Fivefold cross-validation indicates that the model has good generalization ability. The calibration curve demonstrated a strong correlation between the predicted risk and the observed actual risk, indicating good consistency. When the intervention threshold was set at 2%, the decision curve analysis indicated that the model had greater clinical utility. The results of our study have led to the development of a novel nomogram that can assist clinicians in predicting the probability of long hospitalization in blood transfused infants with reasonable accuracy. Our findings indicate that GA (< 28 weeks), BW(< 1000 g), type of respiratory support, UVC, sepsis, and resuscitation frequency are associated with a higher likelihood of extended hospital stays among newborns who have received blood transfusions.
Enhanced chimp hierarchy optimization algorithm with adaptive lens imaging for feature selection in data classification
Authors: Zhang Li , Chen XiaoBo
Published: March 2024

Feature selection is a critical component of machine learning and data mining to remove redundant and irrelevant features from a dataset. The Chimp Optimization Algorithm (CHoA) is widely applicable to various optimization problems due to its low number of parameters and fast convergence rate. However, CHoA has a weak exploration capability and tends to fall into local optimal solutions in solving the feature selection process, leading to ineffective removal of irrelevant and redundant features. To solve this problem, this paper proposes the Enhanced Chimp Hierarchy Optimization Algorithm for adaptive lens imaging (ALI-CHoASH) for searching the optimal classification problems for the optimal subset of features. Specifically, to enhance the exploration and exploitation capability of CHoA, we designed a chimp social hierarchy. We employed a novel social class factor to label the class situation of each chimp, enabling effective modelling and optimization of the relationships among chimp individuals. Then, to parse chimps’ social and collaborative behaviours with different social classes, we introduce other attacking prey and autonomous search strategies to help chimp individuals approach the optimal solution faster. In addition, considering the poor diversity of chimp groups in the late iteration, we propose an adaptive lens imaging back-learning strategy to avoid the algorithm falling into a local optimum. Finally, we validate the improvement of ALI-CHoASH in exploration and exploitation capabilities using several high-dimensional datasets. We also compare ALI-CHoASH with eight state-of-the-art methods in classification accuracy, feature subset size, and computation time to demonstrate its superiority.
Interaction between Fokl polymorphism and vitamin D deficiency in the symptoms of mental disorders in adults: a population-based study
Authors: da Silva Sabião Thaís , Alves de Menezes-Júnior Luiz Antônio , Batista Aline Priscila , Silva de Moura Samara , Meireles Adriana Lúcia , Carvalho de Menezes Mariana , Lins Machado-Coelho George Luiz , Cardoso Carraro Júlia Cristina
Published: March 2024

Mental disorders are intricate and multifaceted and encompass social, economic, environmental, and biological factors. This study aimed to explore the potential association between vitamin D deficiency and anxiety and depression symptoms in adults, considering the role of the vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism FokI (rs2228570). This was a population-based cross-sectional study with stratified and cluster sampling, evaluating anxiety symptoms (AS) and depression symptoms (DS) in 1637 adults. Vitamin D levels were measured using electrochemiluminescence and were considered deficient when < 20 ng/mL in a healthy population or < 30 ng/mL in at-risk groups. Genotyping was performed using real-time polymerase chain reaction with TaqMan probes. The prevalence rates of AS, DS, and vitamin D deficiency were 23.5%, 15.8%, and 30.9%, respectively. No direct association was observed between vitamin D deficiency and AS or DS. However, interaction analysis revealed a combined effect of vitamin D deficiency and FokI for DS but not for AS. Individuals with vitamin deficiency and one or two copies of the altered allele of the FokI exhibited a higher prevalence of DS than individuals homozygous for the wild-type allele and vitamin D sufficiency. The interaction between vitamin D deficiency and the FokI polymorphism was associated with DS.
Fluorescent reporters give new insights into antibiotics-induced nonsense and frameshift mistranslation
Authors: Hinnu Mariliis , Putrinš Marta , Kogermann Karin , Kaldalu Niilo , Tenson Tanel
Published: March 2024

We developed a reporter system based on simultaneous expression of two fluorescent proteins: GFP as a reporter of the capacity of protein synthesis and mutated mScarlet-I as a reporter of translational errors. Because of the unique stop codons or frameshift mutations introduced into the mScarlet-I gene, red fluorescence was produced only after a mistranslation event. These reporters allowed us to estimate mistranslation at a single cell level using either flow cytometry or fluorescence microscopy. We found that laboratory strains of Escherichia coli are more prone to mistranslation compared to the clinical isolates. As relevant for uropathogenic E. coli, growth in human urine elevated translational frameshifting compared to standard laboratory media, whereas different standard media had a small effect on translational fidelity. Antibiotic-induced mistranslation was studied by using amikacin (aminoglycoside family) and azithromycin (macrolide family). Bactericidal amikacin induced preferably stop-codon readthrough at a moderate level. Bacteriostatic azithromycin on the other hand induced both frameshifting and stop-codon readthrough at much higher level. Single cell analysis revealed that fluorescent reporter-protein signal can be lost due to leakage from a fraction of bacteria in the presence of antibiotics, demonstrating the complexity of the antimicrobial activity.
Identification of potentially actionable genetic variants in epithelial ovarian cancer: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Fieuws Charlotte , Van der Meulen Joni , Proesmans Kristiaan , De Jaeghere Emiel A. , Loontiens Siebe , Van Dorpe Jo , Tummers Philippe , Denys Hannelore , Van de Vijver Koen , Claes Kathleen B. M.
Published: March 2024

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy, mainly due to late-stage diagnosis, frequent recurrences, and eventually therapy resistance. To identify potentially actionable genetic variants, sequencing data of 351 Belgian ovarian cancer patients were retrospectively captured from electronic health records. The cohort included 286 (81%) patients with high-grade serous ovarian cancer, 17 (5%) with low-grade serous ovarian cancer, and 48 (14%) with other histotypes. Firstly, an overview of the prevalence and spectrum of the BRCA1/2 variants highlighted germline variants in 4% (11/250) and somatic variants in 11% (37/348) of patients. Secondly, application of a multi-gene panel in 168 tumors revealed a total of 214 variants in 28 genes beyond BRCA1/2 with a median of 1 (IQR, 1–2) genetic variant per patient. The ten most often altered genes were (in descending order): TP53, BRCA1, PIK3CA, BRCA2, KRAS, ERBB2 (HER2), TERT promotor, RB1, PIK3R1 and PTEN. Of note, the genetic landscape vastly differed between the studied histotypes. Finally, using ESCAT the clinical evidence of utility for every genetic variant was scored. Only BRCA1/2 pathogenic variants were classified as tier-I. Nearly all patients (151/168; 90%) had an ESCAT tier-II variant, most frequently in TP53 (74%), PIK3CA (9%) and KRAS (7%). In conclusion, our findings imply that although only a small proportion of genetic variants currently have direct impact on ovarian cancer treatment decisions, other variants could help to identify novel (personalized) treatment options to address the poor prognosis of ovarian cancer, particularly in rare histotypes.
The pathway to net zero: a chemicals perspective
Authors: Royle Matthew , Chachuat Benoît , Xu Bing , Gibson Elizabeth A.
Published: March 2024

The global ambition is to reach a net zero waste and emissions society by 2050.
A mitochondria-targeting heptamethine cyanine-chlorambucil formulated polymeric nanoparticle to potentiate native tumor chemotherapeutic efficacy
Authors: Liu Jing , Zhang Jie , Zhang Yongteng , Wei Wei , Zhan Meixiao , Zhang Zhiren , Liu Bing , Hu Xianglong , He Weiling
Published: March 2024

Facile conjugation of chlorambucil with IR775 chloride can afford IR775-Cbl with mitochondria-targeting potency for tumor cells, exhibiting distinct “1 + 1 > 2” tumor inhibition.
Photocatalytic conversion of CO2 to CO by Ru(ii) and Os(ii) octahedral complexes: a DFT/TDDFT study
Authors: Tsipis Athanassios C. , Sarantou Antonia A.
Published: March 2024

DFT reveals that TEOA acts as a ligand, coordinating to the metal center of Ru(ii)/Os(ii) complexes used for photocatalytic CO2 to CO conversion. The photophysical properties of the Ru(ii) and Os(ii) complexes were scrutinized by TDDFT calculations.
Carltonine-derived compounds for targeted butyrylcholinesterase inhibition
Authors: Pidany Filip , Kroustkova Jana , Jenco Jaroslav , Breiterova Katerina Hradiska , Muckova Lubica , Novakova Lucie , Kunes Jiri , Fibigar Jakub , Kucera Tomas , Novak Martin , Sorf Ales , Hrabinova Martina , Pulkrabkova Lenka , Janousek Jiri , Soukup Ondrej , Jun Daniel , Korabecny Jan , Cahlikova Lucie
Published: March 2024

Innovative chemotype design provided 41 novel hBChE inhibitors. CNS availability was predicted using the BBB score. Potent derivatives showed favorable drug-like properties and acceptable safety profiles in SH-SY5Y and HepG2 cells.
The impact of analyte size on SERS enhancement location, enhancement factor, excitation wavelength, and spectrum
Authors: Yang Yanjun , Chen Xinyi , Ai Bin , Zhao Yiping
Published: March 2024

The study systematically explores the connection between analyte particle size and the hotspot in Au nanoparticle dimer systems, highlighting the need for different design strategies for optimal SERS substrates tailored to accommodate analyte size.
VulMPFF: A Vulnerability Detection Method for Fusing Code Features in Multiple Perspectives
Authors: Cao Xiansheng , Wang Junfeng , Wu Peng , Fang Zhiyang
Published: March 2024

Source code vulnerabilities are one of the significant threats to software security. Existing deep learning‐based detection methods have proven their effectiveness. However, most of them extract code information on a single intermediate representation of code (IRC), which often fails to extract multiple information hidden in the code fully, significantly limiting their performance. To address this problem, we propose VulMPFF, a vulnerability detection method that fuses code features under multiple perspectives. It extracts IRC from three perspectives: code sequence, lexical and syntactic relations, and graph structure to capture the vulnerability information in the code, which effectively realizes the complementary information of multiple IRCs and improves vulnerability detection performance. Specifically, VulMPFF extracts serialized abstract syntax tree as IRC from code sequence, lexical and syntactic relation perspective, and code property graph as IRC from graph structure perspective, and uses Bi‐LSTM model with attention mechanism and graph neural network with attention mechanism to learn the code features from multiple perspectives and fuse them to detect the vulnerabilities in the code, respectively. We design a dual‐attention mechanism to highlight critical code information for vulnerability triggering and better accomplish the vulnerability detection task. We evaluate our approach on three datasets. Experiments show that VulMPFF outperforms existing state‐of‐the‐art vulnerability detection methods (i.e., Rats, FlawFinder, VulDeePecker, SySeVR, Devign, and Reveal) in Acc and F1 score, with improvements ranging from 14.71% to 145.78% and 152.08% to 344.77%, respectively. Meanwhile, experiments in the open‐source project demonstrate that VulMPFF has the potential to detect vulnerabilities in real‐world environments.