bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of concurrent aerobic and resistance training on vascular health in type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Chen Shengju , Zhou Kaixiang , Shang Huayu , Du Mingyang , Wu Linfeng , Chen Yu
Published: September 2023

Objective

To determine the impacts of concurrent aerobic and resistance training on vascular structure (IMT) and function (PWV, FMD, NMD) in type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods

The electronic databases PubMed, Web of Science Core Collection, Cochrane Library, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL, and SPORTDiscus were systematically searched for articles on “type 2 diabetes” and “concurrent training” published from inception to August 2, 2022. We included randomized controlled trials that examined the effects of concurrent training versus passive controls on IMT, PWV, FMD and NMD in T2D.

Results

Ten studies were eligible, including a total of 361 participants. For IMT, concurrent training showed a slight decrease by 0.05 mm (95% CI −0.11 to 0.01, p > 0.05). concurrent training induced an overall significant improvement in FMD by 1.47% (95% CI 0.15 to 2.79, p < 0.05) and PWV by 0.66 m/s (95% CI −0.89 to −0.43, p < 0.01) in type 2 diabetics. However, concurrent training seemed to exaggerate the impaired NMD (WMD = −2.30%, 95% CI −4.02 to −0.58, p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Concurrent training is an effective method to improve endothelial function and artery stiffness in T2D. However, within 24 weeks concurrent training exacerbates vascular smooth muscle dysfunction. More research is needed to explore whether longer and/or higher-intensity concurrent training interventions could enhance the vascular structure and smooth muscle function in this population.

Systematic review registration

www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD42022350604.
Young women were associated with higher risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and cesarean section from hormone replaced cycles in frozen-thawed embryo transfer: a retrospective study of 5316 singleton deliveries
Authors: Hu Xinyao , Liao Zhiqi , Li Jie , Zhou Yueping , Guo Yaxin , Qian Kun
Published: September 2023

Background

The utilization of frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycles has been linked to heightened risks of adverse perinatal outcomes. However, the potential association between adverse perinatal outcomes and distinct endometrial preparation regimens remains unclear. Therefore, we aim to investigate the maternal and neonatal outcomes after hormone replacement treatment (HRT) cycles, natural cycles (NC) and HRT cycles with pretreatment using GnRHa (HRT + GnRHa) for ovulatory women undergoing FET cycles.

Methods

A large sample retrospective cohort study was carried out from 2016 to 2020. The data included a total of 5316 women who had singleton deliveries undergoing FET cycles and which were divided into three groups based on different endometrial preparation protocols: 4399 patients in HRT groups, 621 in GnRHa+HRT groups, 296 in NC groups. The outcomes consisted of maternal outcomes (cesarean section, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), placenta previa, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM));and neonatal outcomes (preterm birth, newborn birthweight, low birthweight, small for gestational age (SGA), macrosomia, large for gestational age (LGA), fetal malformation).

Results

After adjusting for a series of confounding variables, we found an increased risk of HDP (aOR=3.362; 95%CI, 1.059-10.675) and cesarean section (aOR=1.838; 95%CI, 1.333-2.535) in HRT cycles compared with NC, especially for ovulatory women under 35 years old. However, in all three groups, newborn birth weight was not significantly different. Meanwhile, perinatal outcomes did not differ significantly in terms of perinatal outcomes in HRT +GnRHa cycles compared with HRT cycles solely.

Conclusion

During FET cycles, singletons from HRT were related to higher risks of HDP and cesarean section, particularly for young women. GnRHa pretreatment didn’t bring any benefit to perinatal outcomes compared with HRT cycles alone. Therefore, the natural cycle may be a more appropriate and safer option for young ovulatory women.
Distributed energy storage participating in power trading mechanism for power system flexibility
Authors: Cui Dongjun , He Jinghan , Cheng Xiaochun , Liu Zhao
Published: September 2023

In the paper of the participation of multiple types of market members, such as photovoltaics, wind power, and distributed energy storage, in market-based trading, the development of new power systems hinges on strengthening the adaptability of power systems to accommodate various types of market participants and improving their flexibility. The establishment of a modern power system also faced major challenges. Such as how to achieving collaborative operation between the main grid, regional distribution networks, and distributed power generation and consumption devices, and how to improving the flexibility of grid operation, and how to increasing device utilization, and reducing operating costs. In view of above-mentioned issues, this study proposed employing the traceability and anti-tampering features of blockchain technology tackle the issue of establishing mutual trust among different types of market participants and, considering the high volatility of new energy output, studies the configuration of a flexible power system in response to output deviations resulting from day-ahead forecasting-intraday operation (DAF-IDO). A market-based trading mechanism involving multiple types of market participants has been established to smooth out the deviation in output from different types of participants, improving the economic benefits of system operation. This study has made innovative contributions as follows: First, this study employed blockchain technology to enable the participation of various types of market participants in trading activities together. Second, this study proposed a method for determining DAF-IDO energy storage action deviations to allow regional distribution networks based on distribution network operators to quantitatively calculate their energy storage supply and demand, providing crucial methodological support for their participation in market trading in the future. Third, the study developed a trading mechanism based on combinatorial auctions for multiple types of market participants, and incorporated an valley compensation mechanism into the pricing mechanism to encourage active and autonomous participation of users, while also considering the economic benefits of all parties involved. Ultimately, numerical simulations were conducted to verify the feasibility and rationality of the trading mechanism, taking into account the DAF-IDO energy storage action deviations while multiple regional networks are participating.
New energy grid connection power control method based on predictive tuning performance and embedded system
Authors: Lu Yonglin , Liu Zhigang , Zhang Mingming , Wang Xinfu , Chen Yongmei , Shang Jingrui
Published: September 2023

Nowadays, due to the cleanliness and high efficiency of grid-connected new energy, it has become more and more popular in the market. However, there are still some problems in grid-connected power control and cannot be well supervised. Therefore, this paper studies a new energy grid-connected power control method based on predictive regulation performance and embedded systems, aiming to control new energy grid-connected power through predictive regulation performance and embedded systems. In this paper, the predictive regulation performance and energy conversion rate of the embedded system new energy grid connection are tested. In the experiment, the energy conversion rate was between 60% and 70%, while the traditional new energy grid connection rate was between 40% and 60%. The maximum power generation efficiency of new energy grid-connected with predictive regulation performance and embedded systems was 83%, while the maximum power generation efficiency of traditional new energy grid-connected was 68%. It can be seen from these experimental results that predictive regulation performance and embedded systems have good effects on new energy grid-connected power control.
RA-UNet: an intelligent fish phenotype segmentation method based on ResNet50 and atrous spatial pyramid pooling
Authors: Li Jianyuan , Liu Chunna , Yang Zuobin , Lu Xiaochun , Wu Bilang
Published: September 2023

Introduction: Changes in fish phenotypes during aquaculture must be monitored to improve the quality of fishery resources. Therefore, a method for segmenting and measuring phenotypes rapidly and accurately without harming the fish is essential. This study proposes an intelligent fish phenotype segmentation method based on the residual network, ResNet50, and atrous spatial pyramid pooling (ASPP).

Methods: A sufficient number of fish phenotypic segmentation datasets rich in experimental research was constructed, and diverse semantic segmentation datasets were developed. ResNet50 was then built as the backbone feature extraction network to prevent the loss of fish phenotypic feature information and improve the precision of fish phenotypic segmentation. Finally, an ASPP module was designed to improve the phenotypic segmentation accuracy of different parts of fish.

Results: The test algorithm based on the collected fish phenotype segmentation datasets showed that the proposed algorithm (RA-UNet) yielded the best results among several advanced semantic segmentation models. The mean intersection over union (mIoU) and mean pixel accuracy (mPA) were 87.8% and 92.3%, respectively.

Discussion: Compared with the benchmark UNet algorithm, RA-UNet demonstrated improvements in the mIoU and mPA by 5.0 and 1.8 percentage points, respectively. Additionally, RA-UNet exhibited superior fish phenotype segmentation performance, with a low false detection rate and clear and complete edge segmentation. Conclusively, the RA-UNet proposed in this study has high accuracy and edge segmentation ability and can, therefore, directly improve the efficiency of phenotypic monitoring in fish farming.
Variability of airborne microbiome at different urban sites across seasons: a case study in Rome
Authors: Pollegioni Paola , Cardoni Simone , Mattioni Claudia , Piredda Roberta , Ristorini Martina , Occhiuto Donatella , Canepari Silvia , Korneykova Maria V. , Soshina Anastasia S. , Calfapietra Carlo , Gavrichkova Olga
Published: September 2023

Introduction: Biogenic fraction of airborne PM10 dominated by bacteria and fungi, has been recognized as serious environmental and human health issues in cities.

Methods: In the present study, we combined a high-throughput amplicon sequencing of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene and the fungal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, with elemental analysis of airborne particulate matter (PM10) to investigate the community compositions and structures of PM10-associated bacteria and fungi across four different seasons in three urban sites of Rome with differential pollution rate.

Results: In this study, а clear seasonal shift of bacterial and fungal community structure driven by PM10 mass concentrations and environmental factors, such as temperature and precipitations, has been identified. In addition, the seasonal impact of local sources and long-range transported air masses on the community structures of the microbes has been also postulated. Our data revealed that the lack of precipitation and the subsequent resuspension of dust produced by vehicular traffic might contribute to the maximum abundance of soil-associated microbes in winter and summer. However, the increase of PM10 concentrations favoured also by climatic conditions, domestic heating and dust advection event from African desert further shaped the community structure of winter. Across three seasons, the pollutant removal-hydrogen oxidation bacteria and the opportunist-human pathogenic fungi progressively increased with pollution levels, in the sequence from green to residential and/or polluted area close to the traffic roads, with highest fraction during winter.

Discussion: Hence, our results highlight a close interrelationship between pollution, climatic factors and abundance of certain bacterial and fungal predicted functional groups also with potential implications for human health.
Transition for adolescents with learning disabilities and an immunodeficiency
Authors: Alderson Eliška , Lally Sarah , Campbell Mari
Published: September 2023

Many adolescents with immunodeficiency are diagnosed with a comorbid learning disability. The process of transition from paediatric to adult healthcare for these individuals occurs with a range of additional challenges. Due to the lack research available on immunodeficiency specifically, this article addresses a number of recommendations from the research undertaken with individuals with other chronic health conditions and learning disability. The research suggests that for individuals with learning disabilities autonomy and independence needs to be acknowledged despite their perceived need for increased input from parents and medical professionals. Instead, medical professionals could prioritise their relationship with the adolescent patient by ensuring communication needs are met and that a sense of continuity between paediatric and adult services is maintained. Families can be supported through psychological interventions which provide skills to allow family members to empower their young adult with a learning disability. Specific tools to help the transition process run more smoothly are also recommended and have proven to be effective in other parts of the world.
The 1926 novel, “One, no one, one hundred thousand”, metaphorizes the potential danger when the immune system is exposed to a repetitive antigen stimulation
Authors: Ferrazzo Francesca , Leto Sara , Malara Natalia
Published: September 2023

In the worldwide scenario of infection prevention and control, the vaccine strategies are destined to increase rapidly. The availability of numerous vaccination options allows you to plan individually on how to boost your immune system. The immune system is a highly plastic cognitive dynamic network and performs its function by recognition of the uniqueness of the organism defined as self. The identification and attack of non-self antigens contribute to improving the strategies of self/non-self discrimination. However, repetitive antigen stimulation of the immune system may lead to several outcomes reassumed in three principal risks: (i) loss of the unique self codification (one), (ii) loss of own identifying (no one), and (iii) the increase of idiotype/anti-idiotype entities (one hundred thousand). Controlled production of idiotype/anti-idiotype antibodies protects against autoimmune diseases and immunodeficiency. The title of the famous novel by Nobel Prize for Literature winner Luigi Pirandello, “One, no one, one hundred thousand”, recaps the three risks and the protagonist’s journey exploring the complexities of personal identity, and warns to preserve the uniqueness of the organism. Taking inspiration from this metaphor, the authors propose to monitor antibody idiotype response for personalizing vaccine plans with the aim of preserving the uniqueness of the immune system and assuring safe protection.
Undifferentiated connective tissue disease with an incidental photo-provocation: a case report
Authors: Roofeh David , Kahlenberg J. Michelle
Published: September 2023

A female patient with undifferentiated connective tissue disease and no documented history of photosensitivity fastidiously adhered to the rheumatologist's recommendation to avoid UV light exposure. Due to unexpected UV exposure, she developed multiple erythematous/violaceous macules, concerning a cutaneous lupus erythematosus reaction with a chilblain-like appearance. This study highlighted the importance of screening for unintentional photo-provocation in those who are suspected of having or being at risk for developing systemic lupus erythematosus.
Harassment and obstruction of observers in U.S. fisheries
Authors: Dobson Jessica L. , Kahley Matthew R. , Birkenbach Anna M. , Oremus Kimberly L.
Published: September 2023

Fishery observers play a crucial role in the management and conservation of fish stocks, but the treatment they receive aboard fishing vessels can affect their ability to perform their duties. Using law enforcement data from the Northeast and Alaska regions, home to the most important commercial fisheries in the United States, we explore the extent of observer harassment, assault, interference, and obstruction (OHAIO). We find that 16% of 10,346 fishery violations reported in the Northeast and Alaska regions from 2014-2018 are observer-related, and over 80% of those involve OHAIO. We trace how OHAIO incidents are reported and processed and propose steps to mitigate the issue.
Application of clustering algorithms to void recognition by 3D ground penetrating radar
Authors: Zhou Nanjie , Tang Jiaming , Weixiong Li , Huang Zhiyong , Xiaoning Zhang
Published: September 2023

The manual interpretation of ground-penetrating radar images is characterised by long interpretation cycles and high staff requirements. The automated interpretation schemes based on support vector machines, digital images, convolutional neural networks and other techniques proposed in recent years mainly detect features from B-scan slices of 3D ground-penetrating radar data, without taking full advantage of the multi-channel acquisition of data from 3D ground-penetrating radar and joint discrimination. This paper proposes a void recognition algorithm based on cluster analysis algorithm, using VRADI algorithm to process 3D ground-penetrating radar B-Scan, using DBSCAN clustering algorithm to divide clusters and remove noise; proposes correlation weighting coefficient Wi,j to quantitatively evaluate the degree of correlation of different survey channels, proposes prime relative position coefficient Pd indicator to quantitatively evaluate the position similarity, and proposes weighted homocentric overlap coefficient Pr indicator to quantify signal similarity. This paper applies the algorithm to carry out physical engineering experiments and uses binary logistic regression analysis to develop a correlation model. The experimental results show that significance of Pd and Pr are less than 0.05, both of which are important influencing indicators for the determination of the presence or absence of void. With an optimal critical probability of 0.4, the recognition accuracy of VRADI algorithm increases from 71.7% to 92.2%. The VRADI algorithm combined with the cluster analysis algorithm outperforms manual recognition in terms of accuracy (92.2% > 83.9%) and recall (90.5% > 86.9%), and the algorithm has good engineering application value.
Risk relationship between leukocyte telomere length and constipation: a Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Chi Zhenfei , Bai Xuesong , Zhang Zhe
Published: September 2023

Objective

Some epidemiological studies have investigated the associations between aging and constipation, yet their outcomes are inconclusive, so we strive to ascertain whether aging is the cause of constipation.

Methods

We conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis using publicly accessible genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics. As a marker of cellular and biological aging, we employed 15 single-nucleotide polymorphisms as instrumental variables for leukocyte telomere length (LTL) as exposure and a GWAS for constipation in the Finnish database as an outcome. To select the instrumental variables strongly associated with the phenotype, we eliminated confounding factors and direct effects outcomes to determine the causal relationship of exposure factors on the outcome; the analysis was mainly performed using the random-effect inverse variance weighting method, MR-Egger, weighted median, and sensitivity analysis of the results.

Results

Random effect inverse variance weighted odds ratio = 1.035 (95% CI 0.907–1.180), but p = 0.612, which was not statistically significant. Other statistical methods, such as MR-Egger and weighted median, also yielded non-significant results.

Conclusion

LTL as a proxy for aging does not necessarily indicate an increased likelihood of constipation. Further research is needed to explore the specific mechanisms of constipation.
Potential for transmission of naturally mutated H10N1 avian influenza virus to mammalian hosts and causing severe pulmonary disease
Authors: Zanin Mark , Le Tran Bac , Na Woonsung , Kang Jung-Ah , Kwon Hyung-Jun , Hwang Jaehyun , Ga Eul Hae , Wong Sook-San , Cho Hae-Jin , Song Daesub , Kim Hye Kwon , Jeong Dae Gwin , Yoon Sun-Woo
Published: September 2023

Subtype H10 avian influenza viruses (AIV) are distributed worldwide in wild aquatic birds, and can infect humans and several other mammalian species. In the present study, we investigated the naturally mutated PB2 gene in A/aquatic bird/South Korea/SW1/2018 (A/SW1/18, H10N1), isolated from wild birds during the 2018–2019 winter season. This virus was originally found in South Korea, and is similar to isolates from mainland China and Mongolia. It had low pathogenicity, lacked a multi-basic cleavage site, and showed a binding preference for α2,3-linked sialic acids. However, it can infect mice, causing severe disease and lung pathology. SW1 was also transmitted by direct contact in ferrets, and replicated in the respiratory tract tissue, with no evidence of extrapulmonary spread. The pathogenicity and transmissibility of SW1 in mouse and ferret models were similar to those of the pandemic strain A/California/04/2009 (A/CA/04, H1N1). These factors suggest that subtype H10 AIVs have zoonotic potential and may transmit from human to human, thereby posing a potential threat to public health. Therefore, the study highlights the urgent need for closer monitoring of subtype H10 AIVs through continued surveillance of wild aquatic birds.
SVep1, a temperate phage of human oral commensal Streptococcus vestibularis
Authors: Wu Miaomiao , Zhu Yanpeng , Yang Yuhui , Gong Yali , Chen Zongyue , Liao Binyou , Xiong Yu , Zhou Xia , Li Yan
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Bacteriophages play a vital role in the human oral microbiome, yet their precise impact on bacterial physiology and microbial communities remains relatively understudied due to the limited isolation and characterization of oral phages. To address this gap, the current study aimed to isolate and characterize novel oral phages.

Methods

To achieve this, oral bacteria were isolated using a culture-omics method from 30 samples collected from healthy individuals. These bacteria were then cultured in three different types of media under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The samples were subsequently subjected to full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing for analysis. Subsequently, we performed the isolation of lytic and lysogenic phages targeting all these bacteria.

Results

In the initial step, a total of 75 bacterial strains were successfully isolated, representing 30 species and 9 genera. Among these strains, Streptococcus was found to have the highest number of species. Using a full-length 16S rRNA gene similarity threshold of 98.65%, 14 potential novel bacterial species were identified. In the subsequent phase, a temperate phage, which specifically targets the human oral commensal bacterium S. vestibularis strain SVE8, was isolated. The genome of S. vestibularis SVE8 consists of a 1.96-megabase chromosome, along with a 43,492-base pair prophage designated as SVep1. Annotation of SVep1 revealed the presence of 62 open reading frames (ORFs), with the majority of them associated with phage functions. However, it is worth noting that no plaque formation was observed in S. vestibularis SVE8 following lytic induction using mitomycin C. Phage particles were successfully isolated from the supernatant of mitomycin C-treated cultures of S. vestibularis SVE8, and examination using transmission electron microscopy confirmed that SVep1 is a siphovirus. Notably, phylogenetic analysis suggested a common ancestral origin between phage SVep1 and the cos-type phages found in S. thermophilus.

Discussion

The presence of SVep1 may confer immunity to S. vestibularis against infection by related phages and holds potential for being engineered as a genetic tool to regulate oral microbiome homeostasis and oral diseases.
Synaptic input and temperature influence sensory coding in a mechanoreceptor
Authors: Scherer Jens-Steffen , Sandbote Kevin , Schultze Bjarne L. , Kretzberg Jutta
Published: September 2023

Many neurons possess more than one spike initiation zone (SIZ), which adds to their computational power and functional flexibility. Integrating inputs from different origins is especially relevant for sensory neurons that rely on relative spike timing for encoding sensory information. Yet, it is poorly understood if and how the propagation of spikes generated at one SIZ in response to sensory stimulation is affected by synaptic inputs triggering activity of other SIZ, and by environmental factors like temperature. The mechanosensory Touch (T) cell in the medicinal leech is an ideal model system to study these potential interactions because it allows intracellular recording and stimulation of its soma while simultaneously touching the skin in a body-wall preparation. The T cell reliably elicits spikes in response to somatic depolarization, as well as to tactile skin stimulation. Latencies of spikes elicited in the skin vary across cells, depending on the touch location relative to the cell’s receptive field. However, repetitive stimulation reveals that tactilely elicited spikes are more precisely timed than spikes triggered by somatic current injection. When the soma is hyperpolarized to mimic inhibitory synaptic input, first spike latencies of tactilely induced spikes increase. If spikes from both SIZ follow shortly after each other, the arrival time of the second spike at the soma can be delayed. Although the latency of spikes increases by the same factor when the temperature decreases, the effect is considerably stronger for the longer absolute latencies of spikes propagating from the skin to the soma. We therefore conclude that the propagation time of spikes from the skin is modulated by internal factors like synaptic inputs, and by external factors like temperature. Moreover, fewer spikes are detected when spikes from both origins are expected to arrive at the soma in temporal proximity. Hence, the leech T cell might be a key for understanding how the interaction of multiple SIZ impacts temporal and rate coding of sensory information, and how cold-blooded animals can produce adequate behavioral responses to sensory stimuli based on temperature-dependent relative spike timing.
Compensatory saccade in the vestibular impaired monkey
Authors: Kojima Yoshiko , Ling Leo , Phillips James O.
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Loss of the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) affects visual acuity during head movements. Patients with unilateral and bilateral vestibular deficits often use saccadic eye movements to compensate for an inadequate VOR. Two types of compensatory saccades have been distinguished, covert saccades and overt saccades. Covert saccades occur during head rotation, whereas overt saccades occur after the head has stopped moving. The generation of covert saccades is part of a central vestibular compensation process that improves visual acuity and suppresses oscillopsia. Understanding the covert saccade mechanism may facilitate vestibular rehabilitation strategies that can improve the patient’s quality of life. To understand the brain mechanisms underlying covert saccades at the neural level, studies in an animal model are necessary. In this study, we employed non-human primates whose vestibular end organs are injured.

Methods

We examined eye movement during the head-impulse test, which is a clinical test to evaluate the vestibulo-ocular reflex. During this test, the monkeys are required to fixate on a target and the head is rapidly and unexpectedly rotated to stimulate the horizontal semi-circular canals.

Results

Similar to human subjects, monkeys made compensatory saccades. We compared these saccades with catch-up saccades following a moving target that simulates the visual conditions during the head impulse test. The shortest latency of the catch-up saccades was 250 ms, which indicates that it requires at least 250 ms to induce saccades by a visual signal. The latency of some compensatory saccades is shorter than 250 ms during the head impulse test, suggesting that such short latency compensatory saccades were not induced visually. The peak velocity of the short latency saccades was significantly lower than that of longer latency saccades. The peak velocity of these longer latency saccades was closer to that of visually guided saccades induced by a stepping target.

Conclusion

These results are consistent with studies in human patients. Thus, this study demonstrates, for the first time, compensatory covert saccades in vestibular impaired monkeys.
Personalised simulation of hemodynamics in cerebrovascular disease: lessons learned from a study of diagnostic accuracy
Authors: Behland Jonas , Madai Vince I. , Aydin Orhun U. , Akay Ela M. , Kossen Tabea , Hilbert Adam , Sobesky Jan , Vajkoczy Peter , Frey Dietmar
Published: September 2023

Intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) poses a significant risk of subsequent stroke but current prevention strategies are limited. Mechanistic simulations of brain hemodynamics offer an alternative precision medicine approach by utilising individual patient characteristics. For clinical use, however, current simulation frameworks have insufficient validation. In this study, we performed the first quantitative validation of a simulation-based precision medicine framework to assess cerebral hemodynamics in patients with ICAD against clinical standard perfusion imaging. In a retrospective analysis, we used a 0-dimensional simulation model to detect brain areas that are hemodynamically vulnerable to subsequent stroke. The main outcome measures were sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (ROC AUC) of the simulation to identify brain areas vulnerable to subsequent stroke as defined by quantitative measurements of relative mean transit time (relMTT) from dynamic susceptibility contrast MRI (DSC-MRI). In 68 subjects with unilateral stenosis >70% of the internal carotid artery (ICA) or middle cerebral artery (MCA), the sensitivity and specificity of the simulation were 0.65 and 0.67, respectively. The ROC AUC was 0.68. The low-to-moderate accuracy of the simulation may be attributed to assumptions of Newtonian blood flow, rigid vessel walls, and the use of time-of-flight MRI for geometric representation of subject vasculature. Future simulation approaches should focus on integrating additional patient data, increasing accessibility of precision medicine tools to clinicians, addressing disease burden disparities amongst different populations, and quantifying patient benefit. Our results underscore the need for further improvement of mechanistic simulations of brain hemodynamics to foster the translation of the technology to clinical practice.
Comparative analysis of three decades' experience in the management of pregnant women with epilepsy: a real-life scenario
Authors: Válóczy Réka , Fekete István , Horváth László , Mészáros Zsófia , Fekete Klára
Published: September 2023

Introduction

People with epilepsy have to face many challenges, including regular follow-ups, the need to take antiseizure medications (ASMs), and the fear of seizures. Pregnant women with epilepsy (PWWE) are a special group with even more challenges because they are responsible for the fetus. We aimed to evaluate the change in the frequency of pregnancies over the years and the possible role of newer types of ASMs concerning this change, the shift in medication use over three decades, and their possible impact on the outcome of the observed pregnancies.

Methods

Data were retrieved from the prospective Epilepsy Database of the Outpatient Clinic at our tertiary center between 1 January 1992 and 31 December 2020. Groups were formed for comparison in time and depending on whether regular care consultation was our task. Statistical analysis was carried out using Microsoft Office Excel 2021. Basic statistics and categorical variables were assessed using Pearson's χ2 test with Yates' correction. Differences were considered significant if the p-value was <0.05. The odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals were calculated wherever needed.

Results

Altogether, 181 pregnancies were studied, mostly after 2002. The regular follow-up group consisted of 101 patients, with 44.5% presenting in the first trimester. The majority of seizures were either generalized or focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizure types (85.6%). Pregnancies ended in live births in 91.7%, which gradually improved over time, while spontaneous abortion did not differ significantly in the time interval groups. Mostly, monotherapy was provided. PWWEs had higher chances for seizure freedom in the regular-care group I: OR = 2.9 (2.15–3.65) p < 0.0001. A shift toward newer-type ASMs was found as time passed. Levetiracetam and lamotrigine were more commonly used in the regular care group I than by those patients who were sent to consultation only and not treated at our center [OR = 3.18 (2.49–3.87)] p < 0.0001.

Conclusion

This is the first study in our region to evaluate experience in the treatment and outcome of PWWE. Having received reliable care and safer ASMs, the number of pregnancies among PWWEs grew. Data suggested that specialized centers' care offered cooperation with obstetricians is important. Moreover, professional care can also enable PWWEs to have uneventful pregnancies.
Temporal and spatial properties of vestibular signals for perception of self-motion
Authors: Liu Bingyu , Shan Jiayu , Gu Yong
Published: September 2023

It is well recognized that the vestibular system is involved in numerous important cognitive functions, including self-motion perception, spatial orientation, locomotion, and vector-based navigation, in addition to basic reflexes, such as oculomotor or body postural control. Consistent with this rationale, vestibular signals exist broadly in the brain, including several regions of the cerebral cortex, potentially allowing tight coordination with other sensory systems to improve the accuracy and precision of perception or action during self-motion. Recent neurophysiological studies in animal models based on single-cell resolution indicate that vestibular signals exhibit complex spatiotemporal dynamics, producing challenges in identifying their exact functions and how they are integrated with other modality signals. For example, vestibular and optic flow could provide congruent and incongruent signals regarding spatial tuning functions, reference frames, and temporal dynamics. Comprehensive studies, including behavioral tasks, neural recording across sensory and sensory-motor association areas, and causal link manipulations, have provided some insights into the neural mechanisms underlying multisensory self-motion perception.
Hyper-acute effects of sub-concussive soccer headers on brain function and hemodynamics
Authors: Grijalva Carissa , Hale Dallin , Wu Lyndia , Toosizadeh Nima , Laksari Kaveh
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Sub-concussive head impacts in soccer are drawing increasing research attention regarding their acute and long-term effects as players may experience thousands of headers in a single season. During these impacts, the head experiences rapid acceleration similar to what occurs during a concussion, but without the clinical implications. The physical mechanism and response to repetitive impacts are not completely understood. The objective of this work was to examine the immediate functional outcomes of sub-concussive level impacts from soccer heading in a natural, non-laboratory environment.

Methods

Twenty university level soccer athletes were instrumented with sensor-mounted bite bars to record impacts from 10 consecutive soccer headers. Pre- and post-header measurements were collected to determine hyper-acute changes, i.e., within minutes after exposure. This included measuring blood flow velocity using transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasound, oxyhemoglobin concentration using functional near infrared spectroscopy imaging (fNIRS), and upper extremity dual-task (UEF) neurocognitive testing.

Results

On average, the athletes experienced 30.7 ± 8.9 g peak linear acceleration and 7.2 ± 3.1 rad/s peak angular velocity, respectively. Results from fNIRS measurements showed an increase in the brain oxygenation for the left prefrontal cortex (PC) (p = 0.002), and the left motor cortex (MC) (p = 0.007) following the soccer headers. Additional analysis of the fNIRS time series demonstrates increased sample entropy of the signal after the headers in the right PC (p = 0.02), right MC (p = 0.004), and left MC (p = 0.04).

Discussion

These combined results reveal some variations in brain oxygenation immediately detected after repetitive headers. Significant changes in balance and neurocognitive function were not observed in this study, indicating a mild level of head impacts. This is the first study to observe hemodynamic changes immediately after sub-concussive impacts using non-invasive portable imaging technology. In combination with head kinematic measurements, this information can give new insights and a framework for immediate monitoring of sub-concussive impacts on the head.
A comparative review on neuroethical issues in neuroscientific and neuroethical journals
Authors: Ishida Shu , Nishitsutsumi Yu , Kashioka Hideki , Taguchi Takahisa , Shineha Ryuma
Published: September 2023

This study is a pilot literature review that compares the interest of neuroethicists and neuroscientists. It aims to determine whether there is a significant gap between the neuroethical issues addressed in philosophical neuroethics journals and neuroscience journals. We retrieved 614 articles from two specialist neuroethics journals (Neuroethics and AJOB Neuroscience) and 82 neuroethics-focused articles from three specialist neuroscience journals (Neuron, Nature Neuroscience, and Nature Reviews Neuroscience). We classified these articles in light of the neuroethical issue in question before we compared the neuroethical issues addressed in philosophical neuroethics with those addressed by neuroscientists. A notable result is a parallelism between them as a general tendency. Neuroscientific articles cover most neuroethical issues discussed by philosophical ethicists and vice versa. Subsequently, there are notable discrepancies between the two bodies of neuroethics literature. For instance, theoretical questions, such as the ethics of moral enhancement and the philosophical implications of neuroscientific findings on our conception of personhood, are more intensely discussed in philosophical-neuroethical articles. Conversely, neuroscientific articles tend to emphasize practical questions, such as how to successfully integrate ethical perspectives into scientific research projects and justifiable practices of animal-involving neuroscientific research. These observations will help us settle the common starting point of the attempt at “ethics integration” in emerging neuroscience, contributing to better governance design and neuroethical practice.
A new approach to ‘on-demand’ treatment of lifelong premature ejaculation by treatment with a combination of a 5-HT1A receptor antagonist and SSRI in rats
Authors: Olivier Jocelien D. A. , Janssen Josien A. , Esquivel-Franco Diana C. , de Prêtre Stephen , Olivier Berend
Published: September 2023

Lifelong premature ejaculation (PE) in men lacks an adequate on-demand pharmacological treatment. Although selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are used for PE they only work after chronic treatment, or if used on-demand, less adequately than chronic SSRI treatment. It has been shown that the addition of a behaviorally silent 5-HT1A–receptor antagonist to an SSRI can generate acute inhibitory effects on male rat sexual behavior. Atlas987 is a selective 5-HT1A-receptor antagonist with equal potency to displace agonist and antagonist binding to pre- and post-synaptic 5-HT1A receptors in rat and human brain. To investigate whether Atlas987 together with the SSRI paroxetine, a combination called Enduro, induces acute inhibitory effects on male rat sexual behavior, we tested Enduro in Wistar rats in a dose-dependent manner. We first tested the 5-HT1A receptor antagonist Atlas987 in 8-OH-DPAT induced serotonergic behavior in rats. Second, we tested Enduro in a dose-dependent manner in male sexual behavior. Third, we tested the effective time window of Enduro’s action, and lastly, we measured the plasma levels of Atlas987 and paroxetine over an 8-h period. Results showed that Enduro acutely and dose-dependently reduced the number of ejaculations and increased the ejaculation latencies. The behavioral pattern induced reflected a specific effect on sexual behavior excluding non-specific effects like sedation or sensoric-motoric disturbances. The time-window of activity of Enduro showed that this sexual inhibitory activity was at least found in a 1–4 h’ time window after administration. Plasma levels showed that in this time frame both Atlas987 and paroxetine are present. In conclusion, in rats, Enduro is successful in acutely inhibiting sexual behavior. These results may be therapeutically attractive as “on demand” treatment for life-long premature ejaculation in men.
Dietary fats and serum lipids in relation to the risk of ovarian cancer: a meta-analysis of observational studies
Authors: Zhang Xu , Ding Hong-Mei , Deng Li-Feng , Chen Guo-Chong , Li Jie , He Ze-Yin , Fu Li , Li Jia-Fu , Jiang Fei , Zhang Zeng-Li , Li Bing-Yan
Published: September 2023

Although numerous epidemiological studies investigated the association between dietary fat intakes or serum lipid levels and ovarian cancer risk, a consistent and explicit conclusion for specific dietary fats or serum lipids that increase the risk of ovarian cancer is not available. In this study, a systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to assess the key dietary fats and serum lipids that increased the risk of ovarian cancer. Databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE were searched for observational studies. A total of 41 studies met the inclusion criteria, including 18 cohort and 23 case–control studies (109,507 patients with ovarian cancer and 2,558,182 control/non-ovarian cancer participants). Higher dietary intakes of total fat (RR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.06–1.33, I2 = 60.3%), cholesterol (RR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.03–1.26, I2 = 19.4%), saturated fat (RR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.04–1.22, I2 = 13.4%), and animal fat (RR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.01–1.43, I2 = 70.5%) were significantly associated with a higher risk of ovarian cancer. A higher level of serum triglycerides was accompanied by a higher risk of ovarian cancer (RR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.02–1.72, I2 = 89.3%). This meta-analysis indicated that a higher daily intake of total fat, saturated fat, animal fat, and cholesterol and higher levels of serum triglycerides were significantly associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer.
The role of the oxytocin system in the resilience of patients with breast cancer
Authors: Liu Shaochun , Huang Runze , Li Anlong , Yu Sheng , Yao Senbang , Xu Jian , Tang Lingxue , Li Wen , Gan Chen , Cheng Huaidong
Published: September 2023

Breast cancer is a grave traumatic experience that can profoundly compromise patients’ psychological resilience, impacting their overall quality of life. The oxytocin system represents one of the essential neurobiological bases of psychological resilience and plays a critical role in regulating resilience in response to social or traumatic events during adulthood. Oxytocin, through its direct interaction with peripheral or central oxytocin receptors, has been found to have a significant impact on regulating social behavior. However, the precise mechanism by which the activation of peripheral oxytocin receptors leads to improved social is still not completely comprehended and requires additional research. Its activation can modulate psychological resilience by influencing estrogen and its receptors, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, thyroid function, 5-hydroxytryptamine metabolism levels, and arginine pressure release in breast cancer patients. Various interventions, including psychotherapy and behavioral measures, have been employed to improve the psychological resilience of breast cancer patients. The potential effectiveness of such interventions may be underpinned by their ability to modulate oxytocin release levels. This review provides an overview of the oxytocin system and resilience in breast cancer patients and identifies possible future research directions and interventions.
Genomic profiling and sites of metastasis in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Chan Kok Hoe , Sridhar Arthi , Lin Ji Zheng , Jafri Syed Hassan Raza
Published: September 2023

Background

We investigated the biological predisposition to site of metastasis in patients with NSCLC based on their molecular profiling and program death ligand PD-L1 status. We sought to identify any association between metastatic site and molecular profile in NSCLC patients.

Methods

This was a retrospective analysis of patients with stage IV NSCLC who were newly diagnosed from January 2014 to June 2022. Clinical characteristics, pathology, molecular reports, and imaging were retrieved and analyzed.

Results

A total of 143 patients were included in the study. Median age was 65 years, with an equal number of men (n=71) and women (n=72). The most common histology was adenocarcinoma (81.8%). At least one genetic mutation was discovered in 100 patients. Mutations with a targetable drug were found in 86 patients. The most common mutations were TP53 (25.2%), EGFR (24.5%), KRAS/NRAS (20.3%), and CDKN2A/2B (7.7%). Patients with any mutation were significantly more likely to have metastatic disease to the brain (57% vs. 37%, p=0.03), but there was no difference in metastatic disease to bone (34% vs. 26%, p=0.32). Patients without a discoverable mutation were significantly more likely to have metastatic disease to other sites (e.g., adrenal gland 91% vs. liver 66%, p=0.002). There was no difference in progression-free survival (PFS) or overall survival (OS) between those with versus without mutations. Median PFS and OS were significantly longer in patients with an EGFR mutation than those with KRAS/NRAS or TP53 mutations. Patients with PD-L1 >1% or TP53 were significantly more likely to have metastatic disease to organs other than bone or brain (p=0.047 and p=0.023, respectively). We identified four prognostic groups in metastatic NSCLC. Patients with PD-L1 <1% and no actionable mutations have the poorest prognosis, with median survival of around 20 months.

Conclusion

Patients with mutations discoverable on NGS are more likely to have metastatic disease to the brain. KRAS/NRAS in particular has a predilection to metastasize to the brain and bone. PD-L1 expression and a TP53 mutation, on the other hand, tend to lead to metastasis of NSCLC to organs other than brain or bone. These results need to be corroborated in larger prospective studies.