bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Egocentric Activity Recognition Using Two-Stage Decision Fusion
Authors: Arabacı Mehmet Ali , Surer Elif , Temizel Alptekin
Published: June 2023

The usage of wearable devices in daily life has grown rapidly with the advancements in sensor technologies. These devices primarily rely on optical sensors to capture videos from an egocentric perspective, known as First Person Vision (FPV). FPV videos possess distinct characteristics compared to third-person videos, such as significant ego-motions and frequent scene changes. Consequently, vision-based methods designed for third-person videos, where the camera is positioned away from events and actors, cannot be directly applied to egocentric videos. Thus, it is essential to propose new approaches capable of effectively analyzing egocentric videos and accurately integrating inputs from various sensors to address specific tasks. In this study, we propose an audio-visual decision fusion framework for egocentric activity recognition. Our framework leverages deep features and incorporates a two-stage decision fusion mechanism. In addition, we introduce a new publicly available dataset, Egocentric Outdoor Activity Dataset (EOAD), which comprises 30 different egocentric activities and 1392 video clips with audio. Experimental evaluations show that combining audio and visual information enhances activity recognition performance, yielding promising results compared to using a single modality or equally weighted decisions from multiple modalities.
Post-operative C-Reactive Protein trend may lead to early diagnosis of anastomotic leak after ileocolic resection in Crohn’s disease
Authors: Solé Michael , Albuisson Eliane , Chanty Hervé , Ayav Ahmet , Germain Adeline
Published: June 2023

Purpose: C-Reactive Protein is a useful biomarker commonly used during post-operative care for patients having undergone colorectal cancer surgery and aid clinicians in the early detection of anastomotic leak. We aim to analyse this marker’s trend among patients with Crohn’s disease having undergone an ileocolic resection with primary anastomosis to detect an anastomotic leak.
Methods: We included in this retrospective study all patients having undergone ileocolic resection with primary anastomosis. C-Reactive Protein was measured during the first 48 hours and repeated 48 hours thereafter. Variation between these two measurements was analysed. The main endpoint was the discovery or not of an anastomotic leak by Computed Tomography imaging in relation to the variation of the C-Reactive Protein between the two measurements. Secondary endpoint was the discovery of an anastomotic leak needing an immediate operative approach.
Results: 59 patients were included. Eight patients (13.5%) suffered from an anastomotic leak. Four (6.7%) patients needed urgent surgical care. The variation of the C-Reactive Protein between the two measurements with a cut-off of 1.37% allowed for a sensitivity of 87.5% and a specificity of 72.5%. Positive predictive value was 33.3% and negative predictive value was 97.4%.
With regards to the secondary endpoint, a cut-off of 9.08%, sensitivity was 71% and specificity 71%. Positive predictive value was 15.8% and negative predictive value was 97.5%.
Conclusion: Stagnation or positive increase of C-Reactive Protein level at 48 hours during postoperative care should encourage clinicians to consider further investigations regarding a possible anastomotic leak.
Risk Factors for Dural Tears in Spinal Surgery: A Prospective Multicenter Registry Study of 1,698 Cases
Authors: Hirahata Masahiro , Fujita Muneyoshi , Inui Takahiro , Ishii Keisuke , Takekawa Tatsuhisa , Iwai Hiroki , Murata Yasuaki , Yamada Kazuaki , Shiboi Ryutaro , Yonezawa Keisuke , Iwahori Tomoyuki , Iimuro Satoshi , Fujita Retsu , Kawano Hirotaka , Kitagawa Tomoaki
Published: June 2023

PurposeTo clarify the predictors of dural tear (DT) through a prospective cohort study with a low dropout rate.
Methods In this prospective multicenter cohort study in Japan, a registry was established to collect information about patients undergoing spinal surgery between July 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021 at 10 hospitals. Clinical features, laboratory data, and operative factors were collected from the database. Risk factors were analyzed by comparing DT and non-DT groups.
ResultsA total of 1,698 patients were enrolled. There were 74 cases with unintended DTs (4.4%; DT group) and 1624 cases without DTs (non-DT group). Multivariate analysis revealed that age, rheumatoid arthritis, non-attending surgeon as the operator, and creatinine kinase were significant risk factors for DTs.
Conclusions The incidence of DTs in spinal surgery was 4.4%, and identified risk factors were age, rheumatoid arthritis, non-attending surgeon as the operator, and creatinine kinase.
Two step hybrid methods for the integration of highly oscillatory systems of ODEs
Authors: Yakubu Gulibur Dauda , Chollom Joshau P. , Momoh Adelegan L. , Kumleng Geoffrey M.
Published: June 2023

\noindent The use of collocation process for constructing numerical methods for solving ordinary differential equations has been attractive for stiff and problems with highly oscillatory solutions. In this paper, a class of block hybrid collocation methods has been developed which can efficiently solve stiff and highly oscillatory differential equations in block solution form. The block hybrid collocation methods are derived based on collocation at the polynomial nodes which are very effective for solving highly oscillatory systems. The block solution methods arising from the continuous formulation are discussed for various examples with applications. The methods are self-starting and produce dense output within the integration interval. The convergence of the derived methods is determined theoretically and asymptotic error constants are calculated. Improved performance over some known standard methods is achieved for a broad class of problems with oscillating solutions. Preliminary numerical calculations using our new methods clearly show improved performance, efficiency and effectiveness compared to some methods with strong algebraic stability properties. Efficiency curves of the solutions plotted, show rapid convergence of the proposed second-derivative block hybrid collocation methods.
(2010) Mathematics Subject Classification:34M10,35B05,35B35,65L05
A novel chaperone flavin-containing monooxygenase 2 confers cardioprotection against ischemia through its disulfide-bond catalytic activity
Authors: Liu Qingnian , Huang Jiniu , Ding Hao , Tao Yue , Xiao Changchen , Wang Yingchao , Wu Rongrong , Ni Cheng , Zhong Zhiwei , Zhu Wei , Chen Jinghai , Zhang Chenyun , Hu Xinyang , Wang Jian’an
Published: June 2023

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Sequencing-based protein–protein interaction analysis provides an immune gene network for understanding white body immune response mechanisms against Poly I:C stimulation in Amphioctopus fangsiao
Authors: Chen Xipan , Lu Zhengcai , Wang Weijun , Sun Guohua , Feng Yanwei , Liu Xiumei , Xu Xiaohui , Li Zan , Yang Jianmin
Published: June 2023

Pathogen threats pose a significant limitation in the culture of marine organisms like cephalopods. Yet, there is a notable lack of immune information regarding cephalopods. Polyriboinosinic polyribocytidylic acid (Poly I:C), a synthetic virus-like molecule, can be recognized by the immune cells as pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), and this process is often used to simulate the invasion of viruses. The white body is an immune and hematopoietic organ, and its RNA-seq information obtained from Amphioctopus fangsiao stimulated by Poly I:C is essential for understanding the antiviral immune response in this species. In this research, we performed transcriptome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis of A. fangsiao white body tissue within 24h stimulated by Poly I:C. A large number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected in this study, including 2,613 and 8 DEGs at 6h and 24h, respectively. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were used for searching immune-related terms and genes. Afterwards, a protein–protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed to identify the relationship between immune genes. Finally, the 20 hub genes including RAC1, MAPK14, PIK3CA and other seventeen hub genes were identified based on the network and pathway analysis, and we validated the accuracy of 20 hub genes using qRT-PCR. These hub genes mainly participated in PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, Chemokine signaling pathway and other signaling pathways. These research results provided a valuable theoretical basis for researching A. fangsiao white body immunity and significantly improved our cognition about innate immunity of cephalopods.
From Voxels to Prognosis: AI-Driven Quantitative Chest CT Analysis Forecasts ICU Requirements in 81 COVID-19 Cases
Authors: Bumm Rudolf , Zaffino Paolo , Lasso Andras , Estépar Raúl San José , Pieper Steven , Wasserthal Jakob , Spadea Maria Francesca , Latshang Tsogyal , Kawel-Böhm Nadine , Wäckerlin Adrian , Werner Raphael , Hässig Gabriela , Furrer Markus , Kikinis Ron
Published: June 2023

Background: The current study aimed to investigate the distribution and extent of lung involvement in patients with COVID-19, assess the relationship between lung involvement and the need for intensive care unit (ICU) admission and compare the performance of computer analysis with the judgment of radiological experts.
Methods: A total of 81 patients from an open-source COVID database with confirmed COVID-19 infection were included in the study. Lung involvement was assessed using computed tomography (CT) scans, and the extent of infiltration and collapse was quantified across various lung lobes and regions. The associations between lung involvement and ICU admission were analyzed. Additionally, the computer analysis of COVID-19 involvement was compared against the expert rating provided by a radiological expert.
Results: The results showed a higher degree of infiltration and collapse in the left lower lobe compared to the upper lobe (p < 0.05) and a similar pattern in the right lower lobes (p < 0.05). No significant difference was detected in the COVID-19-related involvement of the left and right lower lobes. The right middle lobes demonstrated lower involvement compared to the right lower lobes (p < 0.05). When examining the regions, no significant difference in COVID-19 involvement was found when comparing the anterior and posterior lungs. The middle third displayed greater COVID-19 involvement than the upper and lower thirds. Patients requiring ICU admission during their inpatient treatment exhibited significantly higher COVID-19 involvement in their lung parenchyma according to computer analysis, compared to patients who remained in general wards. Patients with more than 40% COVID-19 involvement were almost exclusively treated in intensive care. A high correlation was observed between computer detection of COVID-19 affections and expert rating by a radiological expert.
Conclusion: The findings suggest that the extent of lung involvement, particularly in the lower lobes and middle third, may be associated with the need for ICU admission in patients with COVID-19. Computer analysis showed a high correlation with expert rating, highlighting its potential utility in clinical settings for assessing lung involvement. This information may help guide clinical decision-making and resource allocation during ongoing or future pandemics. Further studies with larger sample sizes are warranted to validate these findings.
MIM: A Multiple Integration Model for Intrusion Detection on Imbalanced Samples
Authors: Zhang Zhiqiang , Wang Le , Zhu Dong , Zhu Junyi , Gu Zhaoquan , Zhang Yanchun
Published: June 2023

The quantity of normal samples is commonly significantly greater than that of malicious samples, resulting in an imbalance in network security data. When dealing with imbalanced samples, the classification model requires careful sampling and attribute selection methods to cope with bias towards majority classes. Simple data sampling methods and incomplete feature selection techniques cannot improve the accuracy of intrusion detection models. In addition, a single intrusion detection model cannot accurately classify all attack types in the face of massive imbalanced security data. Nevertheless, the existing model integration methods based on stacking or voting technologies, suffer from high coupling that undermines their stability and reliability. To address these issues, we propose a Multiple Integration Model (MIM) to implement feature selection and attack classification. First, MIM uses random Oversampling, random Undersampling and Washing Methods (OUWM) to reconstruct the data. Then, a modified simulated annealing algorithm is employed to generate candidate features. Finally, an integrated model based on Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LightGBM), eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) and gradient Boosting with Categorical features support (CatBoost) is designed to achieve intrusion detection and attack classification. MIM leverages a Rule-based and Priority-based Ensemble Strategy (RPES) to combine the high accuracy of the former and the high effectiveness of the latter two, improving the stability and reliability of the integration model. We evaluate the effectiveness of our approach on two publicly available intrusion detection datasets, as well as a dataset created by researchers from the University of New Brunswick and another dataset collected by the Australian Center for Cyber Security. In our experiments, MIM significantly outperforms several existing intrusion detection models in terms of accuracy, such as quadratic discriminant analysis, k-nearest neighbor, and back propagation. Specifically, MIM achieves a higher accuracy compared to the two famous models, as well as a model combines deep neural network with deep auto-encoder and another model combines incremental extreme learning machine with an adaptive principal component, with improvements of 5.12% and 5.79%, respectively.
Comparison of three-dimensional reconstructed palatal morphology in skeletal Class III and skeletal Class I subjects with different vertical patterns
Authors: Huang Xiaoyi , Huang Wenbin , Pei Tao , Zhao Yijiao , Wang Yong , Gu Yan , Bai Xueqin
Published: June 2023

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the difference of palatal morphology between subjects with skeletal Class III and skeletal Class I in different vertical patterns using digital technology.
Materials and Methods: In this study, 89 subjects with skeletal Class III (49 females, 40 males; 25.45±3.81 years) and 85 subjects with skeletal Class I (45 females, 40 males; 23.95±4.45 years) were collected retrospectively and divided into hyperdivergent, normodivergent and hypodivergent groups. Dolphin software was used to reorient the CBCT images of these subjects. After using ProPlan software to segment three-dimensional (3D) object of maxilla from the 3D skull, Geomagic Studio software was used to reconstruct 3D palatal morphology. The differences of 3D palatal morphology between different groups were compare by deviation patterns on 3D colored map analysis.
Results: 3D colored map analysis showed the posterior part of male’s palate was higher and wider than that of female in skeletal Class III subjects. In skeletal Class III subjects, males with hyperdivergent had a higher and narrower palate compared with hypodivergent subjects, while females with hyperdivergent had a higher but no obvious narrower palate compared with hypodivergent subjects. In the similar vertical patterns, skeletal Class III subjects had a flatter but not narrower palate compared with skeletal Class I, along with a smaller palate volume.
Conclusions: In skeletal Class III subjects, as the vertical dimension increased, the palate tended to be higher and narrower.
Clinical Relevance: The influence of vertical patterns on the palatal morphology should be fully considered in the orthodontic and orthognathic treatment of skeletal Class III subjects.
Chronic health conditions after childhood Langerhans cell histiocytosis: Results from the Swiss Childhood Cancer Survivor Study
Authors: Sláma Tomáš , Mader Luzius , Žarković Maša , Malär Reta , Schifferli Alexandra , Weid Nicolas X von der , Kuehni Claudia E , Schindera Christina
Published: June 2023

Background: Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is characterized by dysregulated proliferation of LCH cells and subsequent organ infiltration. Clinical manifestations vary and range from a single system unifocal bone disease to multisystem LCH with risk organ involvement. The prognosis is in majority of cases favourable, but some LCH survivors experience chronic health conditions resulting from this disease. Since a comprehensive, population-based description of chronic health conditions among LCH survivors is lacking, we evaluated the spectrum and prevalence of chronic health conditions among LCH survivors compared with siblings of childhood cancer survivors and identified factors associated with chronic health conditions.
Results: In total, 123 LCH survivors participated (response rate 69%). Median time since diagnosis was 13 years (interquartile range 9–20) and median age at study was 20 years (interquartile range 15-26). LCH survivors were more often male (63%). We also included 866 siblings of childhood cancer survivors as a healthy comparison group.
Fifty-nine percent of LCH survivors had at least one chronic health condition while only 48% of siblings had one or more chronic health conditions (p=0.02). Cardiovascular (13% vs. 6%), endocrine (15% vs. 1%), musculoskeletal (22% vs. 12%), and digestive (15% vs. 8%) chronic health conditions were more common among LCH survivors than siblings. Among survivors of single system unifocal bone LCH, only musculoskeletal (23% vs. 12%) CHC were more prevalent compared with siblings. Among survivors of all other LCH forms, neurological (40% vs. 23%), endocrine (24% vs. 1%), musculoskeletal (21% vs. 12%), digestive (21% vs. 8%), and cardiovascular (18% vs. 6%) chronic health conditions were more prevalent compared with siblings (all p<0.05).
Factors most strongly associated with occurrence of chronic health conditions were multisystem LCH, multifocal bone involvement, and involvement of pituitary gland.
Conclusions: We showed more than half of long-term LCH survivors suffered from at least one chronic health condition and were affected considerably more than siblings. Clinicians in paediatric cancer survivorship programs should be vigilant regarding musculoskeletal, endocrine, digestive, and cardiovascular chronic health conditions in multisystem LCH, multifocal bone disease survivors, and those with pituitary gland involvement.
Successful ablation of the large conjunctival cyst (21.68 × 10.5 mm) using plasma-assisted noninvasive surgery (PANIS) with 1-year follow-up; a clinical case report
Authors: Nejat Farhad , Eghtedari Shima , Moradi Maryam
Published: June 2023

Background
Large conjunctival cysts are common benign lesions that can cause various visual and cosmetic problems. In this case report, we aim to report the successful removal of a large conjunctival cyst using the Plasma Assisted Non-Invasive Surgery (PANIS) method.
Methods
A 50-year-old female was diagnosed with a large conjunctival cyst. After topical anesthesia, with the use of PLEXR PLUS device, Plasma spots applied on the top of the cyst in order to sublimate and drain the cyst. visual parameters including refraction error, uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), and ocular surface disease index (OSDI) were measured before, six months, and one year after the procedure.
Results
Complete removal of the cyst occurred and no recurrence, any possible side effects or complications were seen in slit-lamp photos after six month and one year follow-up.
Conclusion
The PANIS method is a minimally invasive, office-based, and cost-effective technique for conjunctival cyst ablation.
Amyloid beta-specific T cell response is enhanced in individuals with mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Chiu Yen-Ling , Yan Sui-Hing , Fan Yang-Teng , Chang Chiung-Fang , Hung Ruo-Wei , Liu Yi-Chien , Yang Tienyu Owen , Chuang Yi-Fang
Published: June 2023

Background:
Neuroinflammation and deposition of amyloid plaques are key features of patients with Alzheimer’s dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI), but little is known about the role of amyloid-reactive immune response in cognitive decline. Using an amyloid b-specific T cell polyfunctionality assay, we tested samples from the Epidemiology of Mild Cognitive Impairment in Taiwan study (EMCIT) and the Taiwan Precision Medicine Initiative of Cognitive Impairment and dementia (TPMIC) study.
Results:
Both cohorts showed enhanced amyloid-reactive T-cell responses in individuals with MCI. In the EMCIT cohort, the individual’s amyloid peptide pool-reactive CD4+ and CD8+ total response frequencies were significantly larger in MCI patients (n=69; CD4+: 0.79%; CD8+: 0.67%) than in control individuals (n=69; CD4+: 0.27%; CD8: 0.4%; both p < 0.05). Notably, CD4+ T cell total response discriminated MCI versus control (AUROC, 0.72) with significantly higher accuracy than p-Tau181 (AUROC: 0.59, p < 0.01). In the TPMIC cohort, both amyloid peptide pool-reactive CD4+ and CD8+ total response frequencies were also higher in MCI individuals (n=41; CD4: 1.3%, CD8: 1.91%) than in control (n=79, CD4: 0.15%, CD8: 0.28%; both p < 0.001). Amyloid peptide pool-reactive total CD4+ and CD8+ T cell response frequencies outperformed p-Tau181 in their discriminative accuracy of MCI (CD4+ AUROC, 0.97; CD8+ AUROC, 0.96; p-Tau181 AUROC, 0.72; both p < 0.001). Other amyloid peptide formulations similarly induced an increase of T cell response in MCI individuals and demonstrated superior discriminative accuracy than p-Tau181.
Conclusion:
Our study indicates that T cell-specific, amyloid-associated T cell response increases in individuals with MCI. T cell response against amyloid is a novel biomarker of mild cognitive impairment. Further studies are needed to investigate the potential role of amyloid-T cell response as a risk factor for future cognitive decline.
SEM evaluation to optimize the condition for the production of uniform chitosan nanoparticles from shrimp shells working as an effective adsorbent to acid red 1
Authors: Jahura Fatema Tuj , Ferdousi Farhana Khanam , Ehsan Md. Qamrul , Hossain Mohammad Abul
Published: June 2023

Uniform chitosan nanoparticles have gained interest in recent years for their wide variety of applications. This study presents an optimum condition for preparation of uniform size of chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) from waste shrimp shells based on their evaluation by SEM study and other spectrometric methods were used to characterize their adsorptive property. Initially, chitosan was extracted from shrimp shells. Then CSNPs were produced from extracted chitosan by a self-modified ionotropic gelation method. The characteristic features of prepared chitosan and chitosan nanoparticles were investigated by determining molecular weight, degree of deacetylation, particle size, surface morphology, crystal structure, etc. using FTIR, XRD, and SEM-EDX analysis. Optimal conditions were selected based on the SEM observation of the uniform particles size (in a short range of 13–20 nm in diameter) of CSNPs. The adsorption efficiency of chitosan nanoparticles was investigated using acid red 1 (AR1) as a model adsorbate, and the effect of operational parameters such as contact time, dye concentration, temperature, and solution pH were investigated. Batch adsorption kinetics of AR1 on CSNPs follows pseudo second order kinetic equation. This implies the adsorption could be controlled by chemisorption, whereas the adsorption isotherms follow the Langmuir equation. The adsorption capacity of CSNPs, calculated from Langmuir equation, was found 243.9 mg⋅g− 1at 35°C which escalated with increase in temperature suggesting endothermic adsorption. Based on these results, the CSNPs prepared from shrimp shell waste can be used as high potential and efficient adsorbent to remove AR1 from waste water.
Reproductive Health Advances in Bangladesh: National Policies, Selected Outcomes, and Improved Equity
Authors: Ross John A. , Khuda Barkat
Published: June 2023

BACKGROUND
Reproductive Health now commands the attention of the international community; it has numerous components, including early marriage, and early births, unwanted births, pregnancy-related care, contraceptive use, and maternal mortality. The government has taken major steps to improve reproductive health, with major infrastructure improvements and encouragement of the private sector. Against that background it is important to identify the apparent effects and to trace changes in reproductive behavior to measure the extent of change in each indicator.
METHODS
Eight Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) in Bangladesh over a 24-year period to 2017-18 provide trends for all women and for various subgroups. These are nationally representative and are analyzed by cross-tabulations, with graphical displays of results.
RESULTS
During major efforts by the government to advance reproductive health, most indicators have moved favorably over the decades: there are fewer early marriages and births, fewer high-order and short-interval births, fewer unwanted births, more contraceptive use, and lower maternal and infant/child mortality. Especially, reproductive equity between the poor and the rich has improved.
CONCLUSIONS
These remarkable developments appear to reflect the series of national policies and programs undertaken by the Government, through both public and private sectors. Those should be augmented, and the revolution in reproductive behavior that has occurred should be repeatedly traced. This documentation of the changes in Bangladesh should gain the attention of other countries in the region. The latest survey, now in the field, will test the favorable trends so far against the impact of the Covid 19 pandemic.
Gastric and Sigmoid Colonic Metastases from Breast Cancer: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Huang Yi , Chen Kaibo , Jin Yongyan , Chen Jian , Ma Xiaojing , Wang Yanyan , Chen Jiaqi , Jin Xiaoli
Published: June 2023

Background
Breast cancer has become the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the world, but gastrointestinal metastasis from breast cancer is rare. It is extremely rare to have both gastric and sigmoid colonic metastases in one case. For patients considered gastric or colon carcinoma who have a history of breast cancer, it is difficult to identify the origin. Even so, clinicians still need to make accurate diagnosis due to great different treatment principles.
Case presentation:
We present a case that diagnosed as metachronous gastric and sigmoid colonic metastases from invasive lobular carcinoma of the breast. On June 7, 2021, A 65-year-old female patient came to our department complained recurrent abdominal discomfort for one week. Gastroscopy in our hospital suggested that there was a superficial depressed lesion (type IIC) in her gastric antrum, while pathology indicated poorly differentiated carcinoma. Combined with the patient's breast cancer history and immunohistochemical results, we accurately diagnosed her as gastric metastasis of breast cancer rather than primary gastric cancer. During systematic treatment progress, sigmoid colonic metastasis was detected with colonoscopy on September 19, 2022. Up to May 2023, the patient is still alive with an overall survival greater than 23 months.
Conclusions
Gastrointestinal metastasis of breast cancer is rare in clinical work, but the incidence of autopsy is up to 15–16%. This phenomenon suggests that some patients with advanced breast cancer have not been accurately diagnosed, which may lead them to receive inappropriate treatment. At present, estrogen/progesterone receptor (ER/PR), GATA binding protein-3 (GATA-3), cytokeratin 7/20 (CK7/20), gross cystic disease fluid protein-15 (GCDFP-15) and mammaglobin are the most diagnostic immunohistochemical markers.
Integrative bioinformatics approaches to identify novel molecular gene expression signatures and pathways of Cystic Fibrosis (CF)
Authors: Mia Mamun , Oany Arafat Rahman , Bhowmik Mousumi , Pervin Tahmina , Duza Syeda Sharmin
Published: June 2023

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is the most common lethal autosomal recessive disorder characterized by the defective function of the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. Worldwide, the incidence ratio of CF is approximately 1:3000 in live births per annum. Recently, the number of adult patients has been reported to outnumber the number of pediatric sufferers. Though the diagnosis and treatment are available for CF patients’ corrective treatment for non-specific mutations, patients with rare mutations, advances in personalized biomarkers, and whether other genes and signaling pathways are related to CF are being investigated and they are also in the early stage of development and validation. In the present study, we have employed systems biology approaches to retrieve the potential biomarkers and pathways from transcriptomic profiling. Initially, we identified 104 up-regulated and 107 down-regulated genes from a total of 54676 differentially expressed genes. The up-regulatory genes mainly concentrate on Glutamatergic synapses, and the down-regulatory genes are on Ubiquitin mediated proteolysis. The involved pathways associated with these genes were also assessed through pathway enrichment, and we mainly focused on different pathways related to bronchial epithelial cells. After the subsequent enrichment of these genes, we have identified 6 hub genes, WWP2; RNASEL; CUL1; CDC42; HDAC4, and UBA2, which play a crucial role in CF and are verified by expression profile analysis. Our study found that the WWP2 gene in CF, as reported here for the first time.
Accessory infraspinatus muscle in a male cadaver: a case report
Authors: Cobb Savannah E. , Palmer Stephanie M. , Cooke Siobhán B.
Published: June 2023

Purpose
The infraspinatus muscle is a component of the rotator cuff that has relatively few known variants. Understanding variation in this structure is critical for clinicians and may have implications for understanding human development.
Methods
One 83-year-old male cadaver was dissected as part of the graduate anatomy education curriculum at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in fall 2022. Dissections were guided using Grant’s Dissector, 17th edition as a reference.
Results
An accessory infraspinatus muscle as well as other muscular and neurological variations were discovered in the cadaver. The variant muscle is thin and flat with parallel fibers originating on the medial dorsal surface of the scapula, running under the scapular spine, and inserting on the greater tubercle of the humerus. The accessory infraspinatus muscle is separated from the infraspinatus muscle and deltoid muscle by fascial planes, and its muscle body extends past the tendinous portion of the underlying infraspinatus muscle; we suggest these as additional criteria for the identification of the accessory infraspinatus.
Conclusion
This is the second reported occurrence of an accessory infraspinatus muscle and the first known occurrence in a male. The co-occurrence of this rare variant with other variations in the limbs, back, and head suggests that variation in development may be affecting the entire body, ultimately being responsible for the presence of an accessory infraspinatus in this cadaver.
Improved wear resistance of 440C steel balls through mechanical alloying with Al 2 O 3 powders
Authors: Liu Zhihui , Zhang Zhijian , Zhang Jiahao , Wen Xue , Zhu Kejun , Chen Zhigang
Published: June 2023

This study investigates the effect of mechanical ball milling with Al2O3 powders on the wear resistance of 440C steel balls. A specially-designed grinding jar was employed for the mechanical ball milling process, allowing for the comparison of samples treated with Al2O3 powders and without Al2O3 powders, as well as the heat-treatment samples. The roughness, microhardness, residue stress, and wear resistance of treated samples were investigated and compared. The results reveal that the addition of Al2O3 powders leads to significant grain refinement, increased dislocation density, and the presence of nano-structured staking faults. The treated samples exhibit a strengthened layer exceeding 200 µm, with maximum microhardness reaching 753 HV and residual stress measuring − 237 MPa. Furthermore, the treated samples demonstrate reduced coefficient of friction, wear volume, and improved wear resistance compared to the other samples. These findings highlight the efficiency of mechanical ball milling with Al2O3 powders in enhancing the wear resistance of ball mechanical components, thereby offering potential benefits for industrial applications.
Another approach to treat large renal pelvis calculi: presetting a double J tube and ureteroscopic lithotripsy through ureteral access sheath
Authors: Yang Fan , Zhuifeng Guo , Hang Wang , Jiawen Wu , Xuwei Lu
Published: June 2023

Objective: To evaluate a new approach to treat renal pelvis calculi. Patients with large renal pelvis calculi who were deemed inappropriate to undergo percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) were treated by presetting a double J tube and ureteroscopic lithotripsy through ureteral access sheath (UAS).
Methods: We retrospectively reviewed clinical data from 130 cases where patients had 2-3cm renal pelvis calculi with mild hydronephrosis (separation of renal pelvis ≤20mm) from January 2017 to January 2022 and divided them into three groups. In group A, 36 patients were treated by presetting a double J tube as stage I surgery, rigid ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URL) and flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy (FURL) through ureteral access sheath as stage II surgery. In this group, URL was mainly used to break calculi and FURL was occasionally used to seek smaller calculi if required. In group B, 31 patients were treated URL alone. In group C, 63 patients were treated with single-tract mini-PCNL. The calculi clearance rate, operation time, hospitalization days, hospital costs and complications between the groups were compared.
Results: The calculi clearance rate in group A was 80.56%, group B 74.19% and group C 84.13%, and the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The operation time of group A was (93.94±14.22) min, group B (104.87±13.42) min and group C (82.63±18.39) min, and there were significant differences between group B and both group A and group C (P<0.05). The hospitalization days of group A were (2.63±0.58) d, group B (3.47±1.01) d, and group C (4.58±1.58) d, and there were significant differences between group A and both group B and group C (P< 0.05). In group C, there were 2 cases of bleeding which were remedied with conservative treatment.
Conclusion: For patients with 2-3cm renal pelvis calculi and mild hydronephrosis, the treatment of presetting a double J tube and ureteroscopic lithotripsy through ureteral access sheath has the advantages of less trauma, less hospitalization days and a lower complication rate. The new method has reliable calculi clearance rate, higher lithotripsy efficiency and lower economic cost than FURL alone.
FDX1 promotes elesclomol-induced PANoptosis in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma by activating IRF3/IFN-β signaling
Authors: Wang QI , Chen Weifeng , Liu Dandan , Feng Xiaoting , Chen Yiqiu , Zhang Lantian , Lu Di , Zeng Jun , Zhang Xiaoren , Jiang Yuhang
Published: June 2023

Background
The identification of cuproptosis, a newly defined form of copper-induced cell death, has provided innovative insights for cancer therapy. However, the function and regulatory mechanism of cuproptosis have not been elucidated in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), which remains a major clinical challenge and requires the development of new therapeutic approaches.
Methods
By utilizing databases we analyzed the correlation between FDX1 expression and overall survival of DLBCL patients. We performed cell viability assay, 7-AAD/EdU staining and subsequent flow cytometry to explore the role of FDX1 in DLBCL cell apoptosis, cell proliferation and elesclomol (ES)-induced cell death in vitro. Then in vivo FDX1 function was confirmed through animal models. To investigate the underlying mechanisms, RNA-seq, RT-qPCR, Westernblot and tissue microarray (TMA) assays were carried out.
Results
We found that loss of the mitochondrial matrix reductase FDX1 in DLBCL cells impairs the antitumor effect of elesclomol (ES), which performs its function by transporting excess copper into cells. Overexpressing (OE) FDX1 significantly sensitized DLBCL cells to ES-induced cell death in vitro and enhanced the anticancer activity of ES in vivo. Mechanistically, ES-induced PANoptosis in FDX1-OE cells is dependent on IFN-β. FDX1 promotes the induction of IFN-β by increasing IRF3 phosphorylation in DLBCL cells upon ES treatment. Consistent with this finding, patient cohort analysis revealed that FDX1 expression correlated positively with enhanced IRF3 phosphorylation.
Conclusions
Our findings are the first to identify the central role of FDX1 in synergizing with ES to activate IFN-β signaling and induce PANoptosis. This knowledge enables us to re-explore the clinical anticancer potential of ES as a novel therapeutic strategy for DLBCL.
A simple and efficient method for loess separation and composition analysis
Authors: Zhao Shenglan , Huang Peng , Zhou Meiling , Yang Hua , Wang Qianqian , Wang Rongmin , Wang Zeyuan , He Yufeng
Published: June 2023

Loess is a widely existing cheap natural inorganic material, due to its complex composition and insufficient understanding of its efficient utilization and repeated utilization, it has not been widely used. Therefore, in this article, a simple method with buoyancy and gravity sedimentation to separate loess into large, medium and small particles. Besides, the main components of different particle size loess particles were provided. The separated particles were characterized by Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Brunauer-EmmettTeller (BET), Thermal gravity (TG), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence spectrum (XRF), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). It was found that the mineral compositions in large, medium and small loess particles vary with particle size. The large loess particles contains more aluminosilicate, medium loess particles contains both aluminosilicate and clay. It can play different roles according to the content of different particle sizes of loess particles, and realize the efficient use of loess particles. The main component of small loess particles is clay. Clay particles have a wide range of applications and can be used for adsorption as well as catalytic degradation of pollutants as a catalyst carrier. Therefore, it is necessary to separate loess by a simple method to improve its utilization rate.
Itaconate enhances oncolytic virotherapy by multitarget inhibition of antiviral and inflammatory pathways
Authors: Kurmasheva Naziia , Said Aida , Wong Boaz , Kress Alena , Liu Zhenlong , Wang Chen , Carter-Timofte Madalina , Holm Emilia , Horst Demi van der , Hoang Huy-Dung , Twayana Krishna , Ottosen Rasmus , Svenningsen Esben , Begnini Fabio , Kiib Ander , Weiss Hauke , Carlo Daniele Di , Muscolini Michela , Higgins Maureen , Kinderman Priscilla , Heijden Mirte van der , Tong Tong , Ozsvar Attila , Hou Wen-Hsien , Schack Vivien , Holm Christian , Montfoort Nadine van , Zheng Yunan , Ruzek Melanie , Kalucka Joanna , Vega Laureano de la , Elgaher Walid , Korshoej Anders , Lin Rongtuan , Hiscott John , Poulsen Thomas , O'Neill Luke , Diallo Jean-Simon , Farin Henner , Alain Tommy , Olagnier David
Published: June 2023

Altered metabolism and defective innate immune responses are hallmarks of tumor cells, creating a niche that can be exploited by viruses with oncolytic properties. However, heterogeneity in responses to oncolytic virotherapy is a barrier to clinical effectiveness. Resistance to oncolytic virotherapy exists and occurs via inhibition of viral spread within the tumor that may result in treatment failures. Here we show that the Krebs cycle-derived metabolite itaconate and its chemical derivatives or natural isomers enhance oncolytic virotherapy with VSVΔ51M in various models including resistant cancer cell lines, murine tumor biopsies, three-dimensional (3D) patient-derived colon tumoroids and organotypic brain tumor slices. The strongest sensitizing effect to VSVΔ51M infection within the itaconate family is elucidated by 4-octyl itaconate (4-OI), a known activator of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2). Importantly, the sensitization to VSVΔ51M with 4-OI is not observed in non-cancer primary human cells, healthy mouse-derived tissues, and normal human colon organoids. Additionally, 4-OI improves the virus spread within a resistant mouse colon tumor model in vivo. Mechanistically, we found that the effect of 4-OI is not mediated by NRF2 or KEAP1. Instead, we show that 4-OI targets multiple pathways including the RIG-MAVS, the IKKβ-NF-κB and the JAK1-STAT1 pathways through the modification of cysteine residues in MAVS, IKKβ and JAK1, respectively. Here, we propose that the combination of a metabolite-derived drug with an oncolytic virus agent can greatly improve anticancer therapeutic outcomes by direct interference with the type I IFN and NF-κB-mediated antiviral responses.
Frictional mechanics of knots
Authors: Leuthäusser Ulrich
Published: June 2023

For some important knots closed-form solutions are presented for the holding forces which are needed to keep a knot in equilibrium for given pulling forces. If the holding forces become zero for finite pulling forces, the knot is self-locking and is called stable. This is only possible when first, the friction coefficient exceeds a critical value and second, when there is additional pressure on some knot segments sandwiched by surrounding knot segments. The number of these segments depends on the topology of the knot and is characteristic for it. The other important parameter is the total curvature of the knot. In this way, the complete frictional contact inside the knot is taken into account. The presented model can explain the available experiments.
High Dietary Inflammatory Index associates with inflammatory proteins in plasma
Authors: Mattavelli Elisa , Piperini Elisa , Asnicar Francesco , Redaelli Laura , Grigore Liliana , Pellegatta Fabio , Nabinejad Amir , Tamburini Sabrina , Segata Nicola , Catapano Alberico Luigi , Baragetti Andrea
Published: June 2023

Background and aim:
Unhealthy dietary habits and highly caloric foods induce metabolic alterations and promote the development of inflammatory consequences of obesity and insulin resistance, which are epidemic conditions leading to diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Describing an inflammatory effect of diet is difficult to pursue, owing to the lack of quali-quantitative dietary assessment standardization. The Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) has been proposed as an estimator of the pro- or anti-inflammatory effect of nutritional components. Higher DII values, which indicate an increased intake of nutrients with pro-inflammatory effects, relates to an increased risk of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases in epidemiological studies. Whether higher DII values reflect biologically relevant variations of inflammatory proteins in plasma, has been poorly described today.
Methods:
In this cross-sectional study, seven-days dietary records from 663 subjects in primary prevention for cardiovascular diseases were analyzed to derive the intake of nutrients, foods and to calculate DII. To associate DII with the Normalized Protein eXpression (NPX), an index of abundance, of a targeted panel of 368 inflammatory biomarkers (Olink™) measured in the plasma, we divided the population by the median value of DII (1.60 (0.83–2.30)).
Results:
332 subjects with estimated DII over the median value reported a higher intake of saturated fats but lower intakes of poly-unsaturated fats, including omega-3 and omega-6 fats, versus subjects with estimated dietary DII below the median value (N = 331). The NPX of 61 proteins was increased in the plasma of subjects with DII > median vs subjects with DII < median. By contrast, in the latter group, we underscored only 3 proteins with increased NPX. Only 23, out of these 64 proteins, accurately identified subjects with DII > median (Area Under the Curve = 0.601 (0.519–0.668), p = 0.035).
Conclusion:
This large-scale proteomic study supports that higher DII reflects changes in the plasmatic abundance of inflammatory proteins. Larger studies are warranted to validate.
Longitudinal and temporal variation in fish assemblage structure along lowland prairie Neotropical streams and their relationship with environmental variables
Authors: Puerto Juan Martín Paredes del , Colautti Darío Cesar , García Ignacio Daniel , Fanelli Silvia Laura , Paracampo Ariel Hernán
Published: June 2023

The structure of fish assemblages in lotic systems usually registers variations from the headwaters to the mouth related to geomorphological and physicochemical changes. We evaluated the main processes that structure the fish assemblages on the spatial, seasonal, and decadal (2009–2010; 2019–2020) scales and their relationship with environmental variables in two low-impacted Neotropical Pampean streams tributaries to the Río de la Plata river (RdlP). Environmental variables related to the longitudinal variation in the fish assemblage were depth, macrophyte coverage, and altitude, showing higher values in the upper stream sectors compared to the lower ones. Specific richness increased towards lower stream sectors due to the migration of riverine species from the RdlP. The beta diversity partitioning analysis registered that the greatest proportion of variability was explained by the turnover component in both the longitudinal and seasonal analyses. The upper sectors showed a more stable composition, consisting of species of the order Characiformes associated with aquatic macrophytes, while the lower sectors recorded greater instability due to the entry of migrant Siluriformes from the RdlP, highlighting the essential ecological function of Pampean streams for RldP fish assemblages. The decadal comparison showed a sampling site arrangement consistent with the longitudinal position and poorly related to the study period. Therefore, the consistent pattern of longitudinal variation in fish assemblages and its explicative variables have applicability in the conservation and biomonitoring of lowland streams, as well as a reference for recovery efforts.
Comparison of an Ultrasound guided Dynamic Needle Tip Positioning Technique and a Long axis In plane Technique for Radial Artery Cannulation in Elderly Patients: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study
Authors: Sung Jeong Min , Jun Young Eun , Jung Yun Do , Kim Kyu Nam
Published: June 2023

Purpose
Changes in thickening or hardening of blood vessel walls due to aging can hinder arterial catheter placement in elderly patients. We compared the dynamic needle tip positioning (DNTP) technique and the long-axis in-plane (LAIP) technique in elderly patients.
Methods
This study was conducted on elderly patients aged 75 years or older who underwent general anesthesia requiring placement of an arterial catheter. A total of 160 patients was randomly allocated to the DNTP group or LAIP group. The primary outcome was success rate of first attempt. Additionally, overall success rate, cannulation time, numbers of total redirections and attempts, and occurrence of complications were investigated.
Results
In the DNTP group, the success rate of the first attempt (85% vs. 48.8%, P < 0.001, relative risk = 1.74, 95% CI = 1.37–2.22) and the overall success rate (97.5% vs. 86.3%, P = 0.01, relative risk = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.03–1.24) were significantly higher than in the LAIP group. Fewer redirections (P < 0.001) and attempts (P < 0.001) and a decreased cannulation time (58.8 ± 22.4 seconds vs. 89.6 ± 37.9 seconds, P < 0.001) were detected in the DNTP group. A decreased occurrence of hematoma in the DNTP group was also detected (7.5% vs. 18.8%, P = 0.035, relative risk = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.16–0.98).
Conclusions
The DNTP technique has better efficiency and safety compared with the LAIP technique for radial artery catheterization in the elderly.