bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Restoration of functional endometrium in an intrauterine adhesion rat model with endometrial stromal cells transplantation
Authors: Zhou Zhengli , Wu Xiaomei , Cheng Tingwei , Zhang Bo , Li Wenxin , Zhou Min , Zhao Jinxue , Dong E , Li Tianqing
Published: January 2024

Background: Intrauterine adhesion (IUA) as a prevalent gynecological disease is developed from infection or trauma. However, therapeutic strategies to repair damaged endometrium are relatively limited. Emerging studies have shed light on the crucial role of endometrial stromal cells (EnSCs) in the process of uterine endometrial regeneration. EnSCs isolated from the uterine endometrium have similar characteristics to mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). However, it is still unknown whether EnSCs could be used as donor cells to treat IUA. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential efficacy of EnSCs in treating IUA.
Methods: Human EnSCs were isolated from the endometrial tissue of healthy female donors and subjected to extensive expansion and culture in vitro. Immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, cell proliferation assays, trilineage differentiation experiments, and decidualization assays were used to characterize the biological properties of EnSCs. We evaluated the immunoregulatory potential of EnSCs by analyzing their secreting cytokines and conducting bulk RNA sequencing after IFN-γ treatment. After EnSCs were transplanted into the uterine muscle layer in IUA rats, their therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms were analyzed using histological analysis, Q-PCR, fertility and pregnancy outcome assay, and transcriptome analysis.
Results: We successfully isolated EnSCsfrom the endometrium of human donors and largely expanded in vitro. EnSCs exhibited characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells and retained sex hormones responsiveness. Following IFN-γ stimulation, EnSCs upregulated the anti-inflammatory cytokines and activated immunosuppressive molecules. Xenogeneic transplantation of EnSCs successfully repaired injured endometrium and significantly restored the pregnancy rate in IUA rats. Mechanistically, the therapeutic effects of EnSCs on IUA endometrium functioned through anti-inflammation, anti-fibrosis and regeneration factor secretion.
Conclusions: Due to the large expansion ability, immunoregulatory properties, and great potential in treating IUA, EnSCs, as a valuable source of donor cells, could offer a potential treatment avenue for injury induced IUA.
Evaluation of the Protective Effect of Compound Kushen Injection Against Radiation- induced Pneumonitis in Mice
Authors: Xu Ting , Chakraborty Sharmistha , Wei Daoyan , Tran Megan , Rhea Robyn , Wei Bo , Nguyen Phuong , Gagea Mihai , Cohen Lorenzo , Liao Zhongxing , Yang Peiying
Published: January 2024

Background
Radiation-induced lung injury (RILI) via inflammation is a common adverse effect of thoracic radiation that negatively impacts patient quality of life and survival. Compound kushen injection (CKI), a botanical drug treatment, was examined for its ability to reduce RILI, and inflammatory responses and improve survival in mice exposed total lung irradiation (TLI). CKI’s specific mechanisms of action were also evaluated.
Methods
C3H mice underwent TLI and were treated with CKI (2, 4, or 8 mL/kg) intraperitoneally once a day for 8 weeks. The effects of CKI on survival were estimated by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and compared by log-rank test. RILI damage was evaluated by histopathology and micro-computed tomography (CT). Inflammatory cytokines and cyclooxygenase metabolites were examined by IHC staining, western blot, and ELISA.
Results
Pre-irradiation treatment with 4 or 8 mL/kg CKI starting 2 weeks before TLI or concurrent treatment with 8 mL/kg CKI were associated with a significantly longer survival compared with TLI vehicle-treated group (P < 0.05). Micro-CT images evaluations showed that concurrent treatment with 8 mL/kg CKI was associated with significantly lower incidence of RILI (P < 0.05). Histological evaluations revealed that concurrent TLI treatment of CKI (4 and 8 mL/kg) significantly reduced lung inflammation (p < 0.05). Mechanistic investigation showed that at 72 hours after radiation, TLI plus vehicle mice had significantly elevated serum IL6, IL17A, and TGF-β levels compared with non-irradiated, age-matched normal mice; in contrast, levels of these cytokines in mice that received TLI plus CKI treatment were lower than those in the TLI plus vehicle-treated mice (P < 0.05) and similar to the nonirradiated mice. IHC staining showed that the CKI treatment led to a reduction of TGF-β positive cells in the lung tissues of TLI mice (P < 0.01). The concurrent CKI with TLI treatment group had a significant reduction in COX-2 activity and COX-2 metabolites compared with the TLI vehicle-treated group (P < 0.05).
Conclusions
These data suggest that CKI treatment was associated with reduced radiation-induced inflammation in lung tissues, reduced RILI, and improved survival. Further investigation of CKI in human clinical trials as a potential radioprotector against RILI to improve patients’ quality of life and survival is warranted.
Causal association between cathepsins and bone mineral density : univariate and multivariate Mendelian randomization analyses
Authors: zhang yunhui , Yang Jing-Yan , Wu Jun-De , Wang Ying , Chen Shao-Jia , Mo Xing-Jing , Guo Hui , zhu Rui-Zheng , Chen Zhao-Jun
Published: January 2024

Background: Bone mineral density (BMD) is one of the criteria for assessing osteoporosis, and the mechanisms of its change are complex. However, cathepsins can intervene in the onset and progression of osteoporosis. Previous researchers have found an association between cathepsin K and BMD in middle-aged and older people. However, the association between the cathepsin family and other lifecycle BMD remains uncertain.
Method: We first performed univariateMendelian randomisation (MR) analysis to explore potential the association between eight cathepsins and five lifecycle BMD. Next, reverse MR was used to analyze the causality between five lifecycle BMD and each cathepsin. Finally, we used multivariate MR to analyze potential associationbetween multiple cathepsins and five lifecycle BMD. Analysis method uses inverse variance weighting (IVW) to assess causal associations. The weighted median method (WME) and MR-Egger regression were taken as the supplementary note. In addition, sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the reliability of this result.
Result: The results of IVW by univariate MR analysis showed that histone enzyme Z was a unfavourable protein for BMD in people aged 60 over years of age (IVW: OR=0.95, 95%Cl=0.92-0.99, P=0.03). In people aged 45-60 years, cathepsin H was a risk protein for BMD (IVW: OR =0.97, 95%Cl =0.94-0.99, P=0.04). The remaining cathepsins showed no associations associated with BMD at different life stages. The IVW results of multivariate MR analysis showed that after adjusting for other cathepsins, cathepsin Z was still negatively correlated with BMD in people aged 60 over years (IVW: OR=0.96, 95%Cl=0.92-1.00, P=0.01). Cathepsin H had no correlated with BMD in people aged 45-60 years (IVW: OR=0.97, 95%Cl=0.93-1.00, P=0.06). The results of IVW in the reverse MR analysis showed no association between cathepsins and BMD at different life stages. The results of the sensitivity analyses of the three analytical methods described above indicate the existence of a robust causal relationship.
Conclusions: High content of histone enzyme Z may increase the risk of osteoporosis and fractures in people over the age of 60. This finding may not only improve the accuracy of BMD and cathepsin K in predicting and screening for osteoporosis, but may also provide a potential new avenue for effective treatment of osteoporosis.
Macrophages recycle phagocytosed bacteria to fuel immunometabolic responses
Authors: garaude johan , Lesbats Juliette , Brillac Aurélia , Haines Julie , Mukherjee Parnika , Fernández-Monreal Mónica , Dupuy Jean-Wiliam , Tioli Gaia , Calle Celia De La , Pinson Benoit , Wendisch Daniel , ROUSSEAU Benoit , Efeyan Alejo , D'Alessandro Angelo , Sander Leif
Published: January 2024

Macrophages specialize in phagocytosis, a cellular process that eliminates extracellular matter, including microbes, through internalization and degradation. Despite the critical role of phagocytosis during bacterial infection, the fate of phagocytosed microbial cargo and its impact on host cell is poorly understood. Here, we reveal that ingested bacteria constitute an alternative nutrient source that skews immunometabolic host responses. Tracing stable isotope-labelled bacteria, we found that phagolysosomal degradation of bacteria provides carbon atoms and amino acids that are recycled into various metabolic pathways, including glutathione and itaconate biosynthesis, and satisfy macrophage bioenergetic needs. Metabolic recycling of microbially-derived nutrients is regulated by the nutrient sensing mTORC1 and intricately tied to microbial viability. Dead bacteria, as opposed to live ones, sustain the cellular adenosine monophosphate (AMP) pool and subsequently activate AMP protein kinase (AMPK) to inhibit mTORC1. Consequently, killed bacteria strongly fuel metabolic recycling, but elicit decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and a reduced IL-1β secretion compared to viable bacteria. These results reveal a novel insight into the fate of engulfed microbes and highlights a microbial viability-associated metabolite that triggers host metabolic and immune responses. Our findings hold promise for shaping immunometabolic intervention in various immune-related pathologies.
Falling Further Behind: Explaining the Contribution of Post-Secondary Education to the Growth of the Indigenous Income Gap
Authors: Mongeon Kevin , Dubois Janique
Published: January 2024

Over the past twenty-five years, Canadian federal discourse has increasingly recognized the importance of addressing socioeconomic disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. While the data reveal widespread improvements in Indigenous socioeconomic outcomes, these successes are overshadowed by the reality that Indigenous people continue to lag behind non-Indigenous Canadians on many socioeconomic metrics. Our study aims to better understand the factors that contribute to the ongoing growth of the Indigenous income gap and focuses specifically on the contribution of post-secondary education to the growth of this gap. Using the 2018 National Graduate Survey, we find that the income gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians continues to grow even when we account for equivalent levels of educational attainment. Our results have significant implications for policies, namely related to student loans, university education, and family composition. We ultimately conclude that assessing the effectiveness of policies in targeting the growth of the gap requires a more comprehensive and contextualized understanding of their impact in the everyday lives of Indigenous peoples.
Effects of fungicide treatments on mycorrhizal communities and carbon acquisition in mixotrophic plants, Pyrola japonica (Ericaceae)
Authors: Sakae Kohtaro , Kawai Shosei , Kitagami Yudai , Matsuo Naoko , Selosse Marc-André , Tanikawa Toko , Matsuda Yosuke
Published: January 2024

Pyrola japonica, an Ericaceae, is a mixotroph growing on forest floors, obtaining carbon (C) from both photosynthetic and root-associated mycorrhizal fungal pathways. The mycorrhizal community structures of the plant are well characterised and are dominated by Russulaceae fungi. However, the mechanism of its C acquisition is not well understood. The aim of this study was to identify mycorrhizal fungal communities that are directly involved in C acquisition. We repeatedly applied a fungicide (Benomyl) solution to soils around P. japonica plants in a broad-leaved forest in central Japan to disturb fungal associations near their roots. After fungicide treatment, P. japonica roots were collected and subjected to next-generation sequencing, focusing on the ITS2 region, to infer taxonomic identities. The leaves and seeds of the plants were analysed for C stable isotope ratios. The rate of mycorrhizal formations and α-diversity did not significantly change by the fungicide treatments. Irrespective of the treatments, more than 80% of the detected mycorrhizal taxa were assigned to Russulaceae. For δ13C values, leaves and seeds in the fungicide were significantly lower than those of the other treatments. Our results suggest that the fungicide did not affect mycorrhizal communities, but likely disturbed mycorrhizal fungal pathways via extraradical hyphae, which may result in a relative increase in its own photosynthetic pathways.
Nuclear-based labeling of cellular immunotherapies: a simple protocol for preclinical use
Authors: Volpe Alessia , Lyashchenko Serge K. , Ponomarev Vladimir
Published: January 2024

Labeling and tracking existing and emerging cell-based immunotherapies using nuclear imaging is widely used to guide the preclinical phases of development and testing of existing and new emerging off-the-shelf cell-based immunotherapies. In fact, advancing our knowledge about their mechanism of action and limitations could provide preclinical support and justification for moving towards clinical experimentation of newly generated products and expedite their approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Here we provide the reader with a ready to use protocol describing the labeling methodologies and practical procedures to render different candidate cell therapies in vivo traceable by nuclear-based imaging. The protocol includes sufficient practical details to aid researchers at all career stages and from different fields in familiarizing with the described concepts and incorporating them into their work.
Surgical Marker Navigation System in Breast Conserving Surgery and Excision of Non-palpable Lesions: First Spanish Single-Center Experience
Authors: Valenciano Ángela Santana , Fidalgo Sonia Rivas , Moreno Sara Corral , Medina Verónica Gamero , Blanco Carmen Martín , Izquierdo César Barsen Pérez , Mateos Antonio Mena , Montero Jacobo Cabañas , Cebrián José María Fernández
Published: January 2024

BACKGROUND
Due to the establishment of screening mammography for breast cancer detection, the number of non-palpable lesions has increased. Thus, an optimal localization system is mandatory for the excision of non-palpable breast tumors.
OBJECTIVE
the aim of the study is to report the feasibility Surgical Marker Navigation (SMN) system Sirius Pintuition® for the excision of non-palpable breast tumors and non-palpable axillary lymph nodes.
METHODS
A retrospective observational study of patients undergoing breast-conserving surgery and lymph node excision guided by SMN between December 2022 and May 2023 was performed.
RESULTS
A total of 84 patients underwent excision of non-palpable breast tumors (77; 91,7%) or non-palpable axillary lymph-nodes (7; 8,3%) using SMN. In total, 94 markers were placed, in 74 patients (88.1%) only one marker was placed, whereas in 10 patients (11.9%) two markers were placed to correctly localize the lesion in the operating room. Most markers were placed using ultrasonographic guidance (69; 82.1%). Seventy-seven patients underwent breast-conserving surgery (91.7%) and 7 (8.3%) lymph node excision. In 10 cases (11.9%), the marker was accidentally displaced during surgery due to the use of magnetized instruments, although the specimen could be removed. In sum, all the markers were removed from the patients, although the marker retrieval rate, as we defined it (percentage of patients in whom the initial excised specimen contained the marker divided by the total number of patients), was 88,1%.
CONCLUSION
The use of Sirius Pintuition® SMN for non-palpable breast tumors and non-palpable lymph nodes is feasible, with an excellent retrieval rate.
Nomogram for predicting fast-track in cardiac surgery in adult patients
Authors: Dou Dou , Yuan Su , Jia Yuan , Li Wei , Bie Dongyun , Yan Haoqi , Wang Hongbai , Wang Wanyue , Yan Fuxia
Published: January 2024

Background
Early extubation is a critical procedure for fast-track and enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) in cardiac surgery for adult patients. It might improve patients postoperative recovery. Many factors have been suggested and anesthetic management have improved, but early extubation remains a major challenge. This study aims to create a nomogram for prediction of early-extubation for cardiac surgery in adult patients.
Method
We reviewed medical records of 442 consecutive patients undergoing elective cardiac surgeries from April 2023 to July 2023. Factors for early extubation were identified by multivariate logistic regression analysis and used to create a nomogram. The performance of the nomogram was evaluated by the area under the curve (AUC) and calibration plots.
Result
We created nomogram of extubation within 6 hours and 8 hours. Age, pulmonary hypertension, rocuronium, operative time, and ejection fraction were identified as significantly associated factors that could be combined for accurate prediction of extubation within 6 hours. Age, pulmonary hypertension, preoperative aspartate aminotransferase (AST), rocuronium, dexmedetomidine, operative time, transfusions, and preoperative N terminal pro B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) were identified as significantly associated factors that could be combined for accurate prediction of extubation within 8 hours. We created nomogram for early extubation by using these factors. The AUC of extubation within 6 hours was 0.795 and that of extubation within 8 hours was 0.734.
Conclusion
The nomogram could help for prediction of early extubation in elective cardiac surgery in adult patients.
Management of Post-appendectomy Abscesses in a Tertiary-care Children’s Hospital: a Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Ermacora Simone Giovanni , Boscarelli Alessandro , Giangreco Manuela , Codrich Daniela , Scarpa Maria-Grazia , Pagliara Camilla , Guida Edoardo , Schleef Jurgen
Published: January 2024

Background
Appendectomy is the most common surgical emergency that occurs in childhood and is typically performed to treat appendicitis. Nonetheless, postoperative complications remain common and the development of an intra-abdominal abscess is not an uncommon complication.
Materials and Methods
In this retrospective study, patient records of individuals under 18 years of age treated at our Pediatric Surgery Department for acute appendicitis and developed a post-operative abscess were examined. Examined data included demographic information and outcomes with particular attention to time at diagnosis of abscess after surgery, symptoms progression, biomarkers changes, abscess’ size, hospital length of stay, and treatment.
Results
Overall, thirteen children developed an abdominal post-appendectomy abscess as post-operative complication. Most patients had large-sized or multiple abscesses. The treatment was primarily performed with antibiotic therapy in the majority of cases, even though four patients required secondary surgical intervention. The success rate of the antibiotic treatment was about 70%, while that of the secondary surgical interventions was 100%. Median length of stay for patients experiencing post-operative complications was 7 days.
Conclusions
To improve the treatment of post-appendectomy abscesses in pediatric patients, implementing recent protocols for small and medium-sized abscesses should be considered. In addition, according to our experience, non-operative management can be initially attempted for large abscesses, followed by surgical drainage if no improvement is noted within 24–48 hours.
WITHDRAWN: The association between short-term exposure to PM1 and daily hospital admission and related expenditures in Beijing
Authors: Xu Jingwen , Chen Yan , Fan Wenhong , Lu Feng , Dong Zhaomin
Published: January 2024

Ambient particulate matter (PM) pollution has been a leading environmental health threat throughout the world. PM with aerodynamic diameter ≤ 1.0 µm, also known as PM1, has been implicated in the morbidity and mortality of several cardiorespiratory and cerebrovascular diseases. However, previous studies have mostly focused on analysing fine PM (PM2.5) associated disease metrics including emergency department visits and mortality. Here, using air pollution and hospital admission (HA) data in Beijing from 2015 to 2017, we performed a time-series analysis and meta-analysis to evaluate the association between short-term PM1 exposure and HA of all-cause, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and respiratory infection (RI) diseases. It was found that as per 10 µg/m3 increase of PM1 concentration, all-cause disease HA increased by 0.07% (95% CI: [0, 0.14%]) in Beijing during 2015–2017, while COPD and RI-related HA was not significantly associated with short-term PM1 exposure. We then estimated the attributable number of HA and hospital expenditure related to all-cause diseases. An average of 6644 (95% CI: [351, 12917]) cases of HA were found to be attributable to ambient PM1, which was estimated to associate with 106 (95% CI: [5.6, 207]) million CNY increase in hospital expenditure every year, accounting for 0.32% (95% CI: [0.02, 0.62%]) of the annual total expense. The findings reported here highlights the underlying impact of ambient PM pollution on health risks and economic burden to the society, which also indicates the need for further policy actions on public health.
Association between Fundamental Movement Skills and Accelerometer-Measured Physical Activity in Orphan Children with Severe Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Zhang Lei , Wang Dandan , Wu Xueping
Published: January 2024

Background
To examine the association between fundamental movement skills (FMS) and objectively measured physical activity (PA) among orphan children with severe intellectual disabilities (ID) residing in welfare institutions.
Methods
An institution-based cross-sectional study was undertaken from January 2019 and October 2020. A total of 267 children (180 boys and 87 girls) with severe ID from 12 cities’ welfare institutions in China were included. FMS was assessed using the Test of Gross Motor Development-Second Edition (TGMD-2). PA was objectively measured by an Acti Graph GT3X + accelerometer. Multiple linear regression to examine associations between two FMS components (object control skills and locomotor skills) and PA (weekday and weekend day PA), separately.
Results
Children with severe ID living in welfare institutions displayed relatively low weekly PA, with mean moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA, > 4000 counts/min) of 33.29 (range: 16.43–59.86) minutes. Pearson correlation indicated that light PA (< 2,800 counts/min), MVPA, and total PA showed moderate but positive correlations with both locomotor skills (range: r = 0.359–0.433) and object control skills (range: r = 0.381–0.449). Regression analysis indicated that object control skills explained more of the total variance than locomotor skills for weekly light PA (β = 0.287 vs. β = 0.243, p < 0.05) and MVPA (β = 0.331 vs. β = .0292, p < 0.05).
Conclusions
FMS may predict participation in regular PA among children with severe ID, with object control skills more predictive than locomotor skills. Developing FMS in children with severe ID may be an important strategy for improving their PA levels.
Mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of ischemic stroke by intervening ferroptosis pathway based on molecular target prediction and bioinformatics
Authors: WANG Changzhong , SUN Zijin , Wei ZHOU
Published: January 2024

Objective
The study employed bioinformatics, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics techniques to identify genes and targets involved in ischemic stroke through the ferroptosis pathway.
Methods
Gene data from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and FerrDb platform were integrated and analyzed, resulting in 410 related genes. After differential analysis and RF algorithm sorting, nine key genes were identified, showing significant correlation with immune cells and inflammatory factors.
Results
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) components corresponding to these genes were screened using Symptom Mapping, yielding 445 TCMs and 1799 small molecule ligands. Molecular docking validated 10,850 active ingredient-target combinations, with ECH1-118705169 and ECH1-Kaempferol-3,7-O-bis-alpha-L-rhamnoside exhibiting stable binding in molecular dynamics simulations.
Conclusion
The study concluded a substantial correlation between ferroptosis and ischemic stroke, highlighting TCMs' role in regulating liver, lung, stomach, and spleen functions to interfere with ferroptosis. Notably, bitter and cold medicines, followed by sweet and warm products, play significant roles in heat clearing, detoxification, and inhibiting lipid peroxidation or inflammation. The stable binding of specific TCM components suggests further exploration of their molecular mechanisms. Overall, these findings serve as a valuable reference for developing curative strategies and advancing traditional Chinese medicine research.
Analysis of the Correlation between Percutaneous Balloon Compression Treatment Frequency and Facial Numbness in Trigeminal Neuralgia
Authors: Wang Jianye , Zhang Geng , Jiang Shiwei , Shou Jixin , Cheng Sen , Guan Haibo , Gao Haidong , Yang Peng , Zhao Tailiang , Wang Bingbing
Published: January 2024

Percutaneous balloon compression (PBC) offers substantial immediate relief from the severe pain associated with trigeminal neuralgia (TN). To investigate the effect of compression Frequency during balloon compression on facial numbness in patients with primary trigeminal neuralgia, we conducted a nested case–control study. A retrospective analysis was performed on clinical data from 150 TN patients treated with PBC from October 2017 to May 2022. Of these, 60 patients underwent a single PBC compression, while the remaining 90 underwent two compressions. The Barrow Neurological Institute Pain Intensity (BNI-P) score was employed to measure the severity of pain. The Barrow Neurological Institute facial numbness score (BNI-N) was used to assess the degree of postoperative pain relief and facial numbness. At time point T1, the BNI-P scores for the “two compressions” group were significantly lower than those for the “single compression” group (P < 0.05). From T2 to T5, no significant differences in BNI-P scores were observed between the groups. For the BNI-N score, there was no notable difference between the groups at T0, while from T1 to T4, the “double compressions” group exhibited significantly lower BNI-N scores than the “single compression” group (P < 0.05). At T5, no significant difference in BNI-N scores was observed between the groups. The application of two compressions in PBC is a safe and effective surgical method that not only maintains the efficacy of the procedure but also significantly reduces the degree and duration of postoperative facial numbness.
A method for determining the time-frequency characteristics of localized impulse components in continuous signals
Authors: Filimonova Natalia , Specovius-Neugebauer Maria , Friedmann Elfriede
Published: January 2024

Background: We propose a method for analyzing the dynamics of signals of different nature. The method aims to find the time-frequency characteristics of the local impulse components for continuous signals. Thereby, we separate the information about the impulse shape from the time of its appearance. The method is based on a mathematical model of invariant pattern recognition by a visual system combined with a wavelet analysis method. Here we use Krawtchouk functions to model the response of the receptive fields of the lateral geniculate nucleus and, in addition, as the mother wavelet.
Results: The inclusion of saccades in the model of the visual system allows us to extract invariant features of the signals. In addition, a parameter is included in the model that controls the front-to-back ratio of the basis functions. This means that the signal decomposition is not solely based on one particular set of basis functions, but on a family of basis functions parametrized by the shift transformation and an asymmetry parameter, which allows a better approximation of asymmetric impulse components.
Conclusion: Our method makes it possible to study both the time of emergence of the impulse components of continuous signals and their spectral characteristics, which in turn can be used for their identification. Applying the method to biological signals of various nature, we could identify and localize a blinking, a muscle response due to emotions and find times of changes in a driver’s stress state, etc. Potentially, other applications of nonstationary signals with impulse components can also be considered.
Negative conspecific plant-soil feedback on alien plants co-growing with natives is partly mitigated by another alien
Authors: Chen Duo , Kleunen Mark van
Published: January 2024

Background and Aims
Naturalized alien and native plants can impact each other directly when they grow next to each other, but also indirectly through their soil legacies. These alien-native interactions can also be modified by the presence of a third alien or native species. However, it is unknown how the performance of co-growing alien and native species is affected by their soil legacies and by the presence of an additional species.
Methods
In our two-phase plant-soil-feedback experiment, soils were first conditioned by growing four naturalized alien and four native species separately. We then grew all 16 pairwise alien-native species combinations on soil conditioned by the respective alien species, on soil conditioned by the respective native species, on a mixture of soils conditioned by both species or on control soil. We also grew the two test plants with an additional alien or native species or without additional species.
Results
Soil conditioning, and particularly conspecific soil conditioning, reduced growth of the alien and native test plants. The addition of another species also reduced growth of the test plants. However, the negative conspecific soil-legacy effect on alien test plants was partly alleviated when the additional species was also alien.
Conclusion
The negative conspecific plant-soil feedback for both alien and native plants in our study could promote their coexistence. However, as partial alleviation of negative conspecific effects on alien plants occurred with an additional alien species, the chances of coexistence of alien and native species might decrease when there are multiple alien species present.
Associations between per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) exposure and immune responses among women in the California Teachers Study: a cross-sectional evaluation
Authors: Cauble Emily L. , Reynolds Peggy , Epeldegui Marta , Andra Syam S. , Narasimhan Srinivasan , Pulivarthi Divya , Von Behren Julie , Goldberg Debbie , Spielfogel Emma S. , Lacey James V. , Wang Sophia S.
Published: January 2024

Background Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent environmental contaminants that have been shown to cause or are related to various health outcomes and diseases.Methods In this cross-sectional study nested in the California Teachers Study cohort, we measured PFAS exposure (9 analytes) in serum, and further evaluated the 4 PFAS analytes (PFHxS, PFNA, PFOA, PFOS) with detection levels of > 80%, in relation to 16 systemic inflammatory/immune markers in two multiplex serum-based assays from blood collected at one point in time. Study participants (n = 722) were female, completed a questionnaire regarding various health measures and behaviors, and donated a blood sample between 2013–2016. The association between PFAS analytes and immune markers (dichotomized by median) were evaluated by calculating odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), in both linear and logistic regression models, adjusted for age.Results The median age of our study population was 61 years (range = 40–95 years), of whom 99.7% had detectable levels of at least one PFAS analyte. The prevalence of PFAS analytes was strongly correlated with age, with those aged 40–49 years (youngest group) having the lowest PFAS burden and those aged 75 + years (oldest group) with the highest detectable levels. Statistically significant positive associations were observed between each ng/mL increase in PFHxS (OR = 1.34), PFOA (OR = 1.15), and PFOS (OR = 1.53) levels with BAFF levels above the median (compared to below the median). There was a 1.47-fold increase of elevated PFHxS with TNF-RII (above median) and a 1.38-fold increase with IL2Rα. We observed statistically significant inverse associations between PFOA and IL6 (OR = 0.79), and between PFNA with sCD14 (OR = 0.86) and CD27 (OR = 0.80). Risk estimates for logistic regression models were consistent. No significant positive associations were observed between PFNA exposure and any immune marker.Conclusions PFAS exposure was associated with altered levels of circulating inflammatory/immune markers. If validated, our results may suggest potential immune mechanisms underlying associations between the different PFAS analytes and adverse health outcomes.
Development and validation of a machine learning-based risk prediction model for post-stroke cognitive impairment
Authors: Zhong Xia , Li Jing , Lv Shunxin , Zhang Mengdi , Qu Ying , Wang Rui , Jiao Huachen
Published: January 2024

Background
Machine learning (ML) risk prediction models for post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) are still far from optimal. This study aims to generate a reliable predictive model for predicting PSCI in Chinese individuals using ML algorithms.
Methods
We collected data on 494 individuals who were diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and hospitalized for this condition from January 2022 to November 2023 at a Chinese medical institution. All of the observed samples were divided into a training set (70%) and a validation set (30%) at random. Logistic regression combined with the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression was utilized to efficiently screen the optimal predictive features of PSCI. We utilized seven different ML models (LR, XGBoost, LightGBM, AdaBoost, GNB, MLP, and SVM) and compared their performance for the resulting variables. We used five-fold cross-validation to measure the model's area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, F1 score and PR values. SHAP analysis provides a comprehensive and detailed explanation of our optimized model's performance.
Results
PSCI was identified in 58.50% of the 494 eligible AIS patients. The most predictive features of PSCI are HAMD-24, FBG, age, PSQI, and paraventricular lesion. The XGBoost model, among the 7 ML prediction models for PSCI developed based on the best predictive features, demonstrates superior performance, as indicated by its AUC (0.961), sensitivity (0.931), specificity (0.889), accuracy (0.911), F1 score (0.926), and AP value (0.967).
Conclusion
The XGBoost model developed on HAMD-24, FBG, age, PSQI, and paraventricular lesion performance is exceptional in predicting the risk of PSCI. It provide clinicians with a reliable tool for early screening of patients with cognitive impairment and effective treatment decisions in stroke patients.
Graves Ophthalmopathy a neglected comorbidity of Graves’ Disease; A Detailed investigation and management of Sixty Eight Patients in a tertiary healthcare center.
Authors: akkuş gamze , ulaş burak , binokay hülya , odabas fulya , soysal reyhan , öz altan , sert murat
Published: January 2024

Aim: To compare the measurements of macular thickness, intraocular pressure and retinal fiber nerve layer (RFNL) and hormone parameters before and after antithyroid therapy in patients with Graves’ Ophthalmopathy (GO).
Methods: A prospective observational study conducted at a tertiary care center. Patients with GO were included and scored (Clinical Activity Score, CAS) according to EUGOGO guideline. The participants underwent optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCT-A) of the peripapillary and macular areas. Baseline and follow-up hormone parameters including free T3, free T4, Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), Thyroid receptor autoantibodies and intravitreal measurements (RFNL, macular thickness, intraocular pressure) were performed and compared in the current study.
Results: During the 24 weeks, CAS was significantly decreased (0.5±0.8 vs 0.1±0.4, p=0.00). Although measurements of Intraocular pressure (14.9±2.8 vs 14.2±1.9), RFNL (100.2±9.05 vs 99.9±8.7) and macular thickness (274.7±42.9 vs 271.2±43.3) were between baseline and were similar after antithyroid therapy, baseline RFNL measurements were significantly correlated with serum TRAbs (p=0.008), fT3 (p=0.01), fT4 (p=0.003), negatively. Baseline intraocular pressure and macular thickness were also negatively correlated with serum TSH levels.
Conclusion: Serum fT3, fT4 and TRAbs levels were the main significant factor for the evaluation of intraocular structure, especially retinal nerve in patients with GO.
Quantization of Action for Elementary Particles and the Principle of Least Action
Authors: Wen Shuming
Published: January 2024

The uncertainty principle is a fundamental principle of quantum mechanics, but its exact mathematical expression cannot obtain correct results when used to solve theoretical problems such as the energy levels of hydrogen atoms, one-dimensional deep potential wells, one-dimensional harmonic oscillators, and double-slit experiments. Even after approximate treatment, the results obtained are not completely consistent with those obtained by solving Schrödinger’s equation. This indicates that further research on the uncertainty principle is necessary. Therefore, using the de Broglie matter wave hypothesis, we quantize the action of an elementary particle in natural coordinates and obtain the quantization condition and a new deterministic relation. Using this quantization condition, we obtain the energy level formulas of an elementary particle in different conditions in a classical way that is completely consistent with the results obtained by solving Schrödinger’s equation. A new physical interpretation is given for the particle eigenfunction independence of probability for an elementary particle: an elementary particle is in a particle state at the space-time point where the action is quantized, and in a wave state in the rest of the space-time region. The space-time points of particle nature and the wave regions of particle motion constitute the continuous trajectory of particle motion. When an elementary particle is in a particle state, it is localized, whereas in the wave state region, it is nonlocalized.
Weakly-supervised label distribution feature selection via label-specific features and label correlation
Authors: Shu Wenhao , Hu Jiayu , Qian Wenbin
Published: January 2024

Label Distribution Learning (LDL) stands out as an innovative method to address the challenges posed by label ambiguity. Current LDL algorithms are predominantly designed for datasets with comprehensive supervised information. However, in real-world scenarios, it’s common to encounter partial missing labels within the label space. This phenomenon disrupts the structure and correlation between labels, posing a challenge to the precise design of learning algorithms. Furthermore, in label distribution learning, it also faces the effect of high feature dimensionality. To tackle this, adopting pre-processing methods like feature selection becomes crucial, aiming to trim down the data dimensionality. Motivated by this, a weakly-supervised label distribution feature selection algorithm based on label correlation is proposed in this paper. First, to handle weakly-supervised label distribution data, a two-stage incomplete label distribution learning method (IncomLDLTS) to recover missing labels by exploiting label-independent prediction based on label-specific features is proposed. Second, a minimum correlation label feature selection algorithm (MCLFS) to enhance the performance for complete label distribution data is designed, which employs the interaction information metric to explore the label correlation to obtain a minimum correlation label, then features about each label based on label-specific features and feature redundancy are captured. Finally, based on six representative evaluation metrics, our experiments across 14 datasets affirm the effectiveness of our approach, not only in restoring missing labels but also in choosing essential features, leading to enhanced classification accuracy.
Combined assessment of Lysine and N-acetyl cadaverine levels assist as a potential biomarker of the smoker periodontitis
Authors: Rashid Md Haroon , Kumar Sandhya Pavan , kumar Y. Pavan , Lakshmi Brinda Goda , Mamillapalli Anitha
Published: January 2024

Periodontitis is an inflammatory condition of supporting structures of teeth leading to attachment and bone loss. Cigarette smoking is the single most important and modifiable risk factor with 5 to 20-fold susceptibility for periodontal diseases. Reverse smoking is a peculiar habit of smoking where the lit end is kept inside the mouth, which is predominant in the northern coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh. Polyamines are biologically active amines involved in tissue regeneration and modulation of inflammation. The study aimed to evaluate polyamines and check their utility as a marker in detection of periodontitis among different groups. Total Polyamine levels showed significant increase in reverse smokers with periodontitis when compared to the other groups. Qualitative analysis by thin layer chromatography showed three polyamine bands with varying intensity among the different groups. Mass spectrometric and NMR analyses of the three bands identified them as N1, N8- diacetyl spermidine, N-acetyl cadaverine and lysine. Most significantly elevated levels of lysine was observed in the smoker and reverese smoker periodontitis groups when compared to healthy and non-smoker periodontitis groups. The significanlty elevated levels of N-acetyl cadaverine could be responsible for the more destruction of periodontium in the reverse smoker group. Antioxidant potential decreased significantly in different smoker periodontitis groups. The present study suggests that the quantitative analysis of salivary polyamines, lysine and N-acetyl cadaverine can aid as an easy noninvasive diagnostic method for assessing the periodontal status, especially in smokers.
Construction method of multi-source Dougong point cloud dataset
Authors: Zhou Caochenyu , Dong Youqiang , Hou Miaole
Published: January 2024

Dougong, a distinctive component of ancient wooden architecture, holds significant importance for the preservation and restoration of such structures. In the realm of cultural heritage preservation, the application of deep learning has gradually expanded, demonstrating remarkable effectiveness. Point cloud serving as a crucial source for Dougong, encapsulates various information, enabling support for tasks like Dougong point cloud classification and completion. The quality of Dougong datasets directly impacts the outcomes of deep learning, as they serve as the foundational data support for these tasks. However, due to the inherent characteristics of Dougong, such as coplanarity and occlusion, acquiring point cloud data is challenging, resulting in poor data quality and organizational difficulties. To address this, our study employs three data acquisition methods—real scanning, photo-generated point clouds, and model-sampled point clouds—to substantially augment the Dougong point cloud dataset. Further, through data augmentation, we enhance the dataset's volume and generalize its characteristics. This effort culminates in the creation of the Dougong Point Cloud Dataset (DG Dataset), poised to support deep learning tasks related to Dougong scenarios.
Predictive value of coronary calcifications for future cardiac events in asymptomaticpatients with severe chronic kidney disease
Authors: Greif Martin , Lackermair Korbinian , Wessely Matthias , von Ziegler Franz , Becker Alexander
Published: January 2024

Background: Coronary calcification are a well established risk factor for cardiovascular events. The following retrospective study determined the predictive value of coronary calcification in a specific group of patients with chronic kidney disease.
Methods: We included 1094 asymptomatic patients (724 men, 370 women, age 62±9.3 years) referred for cardiological examination. Patents were divided into two groups depending on their renal function. Coronary calcification were determined with a multi-slice CT scanner. For quantification of coronary calcification the Agatston score was calculated. Over a mean follow up period of 6.2±1.3 years we observed the rate of cardiovascular events (185 events, 61 myocardial infarctions, 103 revascularisations, 21 cardiac deaths).
Results: The calcium score was significantly higher in patients with severe kidney disease (GFR ≤ 30 ml/min/1,72m²) compared with those with normal to moderate reduced renal function (GFR ≥ 30 ml/min/1,72m²) (207±190 vs.121±169 p≤0.001). The event rate in patients with severe impaired renal function was significantly higher compared to patients with normal to moderate reduced renal function. (20.6% vs 14.8% p=0.0001) The hazard ratio for cardiovascular events increased constantly with the calcium score in both groups .Still the hazard ratio in patients with severe kidney disease was significantly lower compared to patients in corresponding groups with regular to moderate reduced renal function.(7.3 vs 9.3 p=0.01). No cardiac events were observed in patients with a calcium score of 0.
Conclusions: We could demonstrate that risk prediction with the calcium score is possible in patients with severe chronic kidney disease even if the calcium score overestimates the risk for future cardiovascular events in compare to patients with normal to moderate reduced renal function.