bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PD-1 regulates ILC3-driven intestinal immunity and homeostasis
Authors: Seillet Cyril , Jacquelot Nicolas , Xiong Le , Cao Wang , Huang Qiutong , Sayad Azin , Yu Huiyang , Ohashi Pamela , Nutt Stephen , Belz Gabrielle
Published: September 2023

Interleukin-(IL) 22 production by intestinal group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3) is critical to maintain gut homeostasis. However, IL-22 needs to be tightly controlled; reduced IL-22 expression is associated with intestinal epithelial barrier defect while its overexpression promotes tumor development. Here, using a single cell RNAseq approach, we identified a core set of genes associated with increased IL-22 production by ILC3. Among these genes, Programmed cell death 1 (PD-1), extensively studied in the context of cancer and chronic infection, was constitutively expressed on a subset of ILC3. These cells, found in the crypt of the small intestine and colon, displayed superior capacity to produce IL-22. PD-1 expression on ILC3 was dependent on the microbiota and was induced during inflammation in response to IL-23 but, conversely, was reduced in the presence of Notch ligand. PD-1+ ILC3 exhibited distinct metabolic activity with increased glycolytic, lipid and polyamine synthesis associated with augmented proliferation compared with their PD-1- counterparts. Further, PD-1+ ILC3 showed increased expression of mitochondrial antioxidant proteins which enable the cells to maintain their levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Loss of PD-1 signaling in ILC3 led to reduced IL-22 production in a cell intrinsic manner. During inflammation, PD-1 expression was increased on NCR- ILC3 while deficiency in PD-1 expression resulted in increased susceptibility to experimental colitis and failure to maintain gut barrier integrity. Collectively, our findings uncover a new function of the PD-1/PD-L1 axis and highlight the role of PD-1 signaling in the maintenance of gut homeostasis mediated by ILC3.
Predicting MACE from [82Rb] PET: Can AI outperformmore traditional quantitative assessment of themyocardial perfusion ?
Authors: Bors Sacha , Abler Daniel , Matthieu Dietz , Andrearczyk Vincent , Fageot Julien , Nicod-Lalonde Marie , Schaefer Niklaus , DeKemp Robert , Kamani Christel H. , Prior John O. , Depeursinge Adrien
Published: September 2023

Assessing the individual risk of Major Adverse Cardiac Events (MACE) is of major importance as cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death worldwide. Quantitative Myocardial Perfusion Imaging (MPI) parameters such as stress Myocardial Blood Flow (sMBF) or Myocardial Flow Reserve (MFR) constitutes the gold standard for prognosis assessment. We propose a systematic investigation of the value of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to leverage [82Rb] Silicon PhotoMultiplier (SiPM) PET MPI for MACE prediction. We establish a general pipeline for AI model validation to assess and compare the performance of global (i.e. average of the entire MPI signal), regional (17 segments), radiomics and Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) models leveraging various MPI signals on a dataset of 234 patients. Results showed that all regional AI models significantly outperformed the global model (p < 0.001), where the best AUC of 73.9% (CI: 72.5-75.3) was obtained with a CNN model. A regional AI model based on MBF averages from 17 segments fed to a Logistic Regression (LR) constituted an excellent trade-off between model simplicity and performance, achieving an AUC of 73.4% (CI: 72.3-74.7). A radiomics model based on intensity features revealed that the global average was the least important feature when compared to other aggregations of the MPI signal over the myocardium. We conclude that AI models can allow better personalized prognosis assessment for MACE.
Optimization of Biogenic Supplementary Cementitious Materials in Concrete prepared from East-Indian Lemon Grass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) and Poultry Litter using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Bora Neelam , Daimary Niran , Athparia Mondita , Loganathan M. K. , Kataki Rupam
Published: September 2023

Developing high-quality construction materials from agricultural waste as a substitute of conventional cement is receiving immense global interest in recent times, due to issues like greenhouse gas emissions and extensive energy consumption during cement production. This study aims to investigate the compressive, flexural and split tensile strengths of concrete through the utilization of bio-based products prepared from East-Indian lemon grass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) and poultry litter as supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs). The optimization process involves Central Composite Design (CCD) based Response Surface Methodology (RSM) for modelling and statistical analyses using experimental data from the study. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed the model’s significance, with coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.9956. The individual and synergistic effects of the considered factors on compressive strength were analyzed using three-dimensional response surface plot. Based on RSM analysis, concrete prepared by substituting 17.57% of Ordinary Portland cement with SCM (which was cured for 25.82 days with a water-cement ratio of 0.54), yielded the optimum compressive, flexural and split tensile strengths of 33.94 ± 0.12, 8.78 ± 0.02 and 3.06 ± 0.02 N/mm² respectively. Furthermore, the SCM-mixed concrete exhibited enhanced durability properties of the concrete structure. The findings also demonstrate the robustness of RSM as a significant tool for optimization of concrete performance. Moreover, the characterization results of pyrolytic lemon grass bio-oil (LG-BO) confirms its bioenergy potential thereby suggesting its diverse utilization in various applications.
Production of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural from chitosan using choline chloride-based deep eutectic solvents as catalyst
Authors: Zheng Xiao-Ping , Tian Xin-Yu , Chai Yu , Du Ya-Peng , Zhang Yu-Cang , Zheng Yan-Zhen
Published: September 2023

This study explores an efficient catalytic system for the conversion of chitosan into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) under hydrothermal conditions. The catalysts used are deep eutectic solvents (DESs) comprising choline chloride (ChCl) as the hydrogen bond acceptor (HBA) and various organic acids as the hydrogen bond donor (HBD). Among the DESs tested, the ChCl: oxalic acid (OA) combination exhibits the highest catalytic activity, resulting in a yield of 27.5% 5-HMF employed the optimized conditions. To elucidate the interaction between ChCl and OA, various analytical techniques were employed, including quantum chemical calculations, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). These investigations confirmed the formation of strong hydrogen-bonds between ChCl and OA. Furthermore, the solid residues obtained during the conversion process were characterized using FTIR, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). These analyses provide insights into the chemical structures and morphologies of the residues, revealing the gradual conversion of chitosan, along with the formation of humin byproducts.
Adaptive rewiring of purine metabolism promotes treatment resistance in H3K27M-mutant diffuse midline glioma
Authors: Peterson Erik R. , Sajjakulnukit Peter , Scott Andrew J. , Heaslip Caleb , Andren Anthony , Wilder-Romans Kari , Zhou Weihua , Palavalasa Sravya , Korimerla Navyateja , Lin Angelica , Obrien Alexandra , Kothari Ayesha , Zhao Zitong , Zhang Li , Morgan Meredith A. , Venneti Sriram , Koschmann Carl , Jabado Nada , Lyssiotis Costas A. , Castro Maria G. , Wahl Daniel R.
Published: September 2023

Background: Diffuse midline gliomas (DMG), including diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPGs), are a fatal form of brain cancer. These tumors often carry a driver mutation on histone H3 converting lysine 27 to methionine (H3K27M). DMG-H3K27M are characterized by altered metabolism and resistance to standard of care radiation (RT), but how the H3K27M mediates the metabolic response to radiation and consequent treatment resistance is uncertain.
Methods: We performed metabolomics on irradiated and untreated H3K27M isogenic DMG cell lines and observed an H3K27M-specific enrichment for purine synthesis pathways. We profiled the expression of purine synthesis enzymes in publicly available patient data and in our models, quantified purine synthetic flux using stable isotope tracing, and characterized the in vitro and in vivo response to de novo and salvage purine synthesis inhibition in combination with RT.
Results: DMG-H3K27M cells activate purine metabolism in an H3K27M-specific fashion. In the absence of genotoxic treatment, H3K27M-expressing cells have higher relative activity of de novosynthesis and lower activity of purine salvage due to decreased expression of the purine salvage enzymes. Inhibition of de novo synthesis radiosensitized DMG-H3K27M cells in vitro and in vivo. Irradiated H3K27M cells adaptively upregulate purine salvage enzyme expression and pathway activity. Silencing the rate limiting enzyme in purine salvage, hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HGPRT) when combined with radiation markedly suppressed DMG-H3K27M tumor growth in vivo.
Conclusions: H3K27M expressing cells rely on de novo purine synthesis but adaptively upregulate purine salvage in response to RT. Inhibiting purine salvage may help overcome treatment resistance in DMG-H3K27M tumors.
Fibrosarcomatous Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans of the Head
Authors: Gal Renato Jr , Opinaldo Paul Vincent
Published: September 2023

Objective. This paper highlights the case of a 37-year-old male who presented with a recurrent, exponentially enlarging head mass, emphasizing on the diagnostic and
therapeutic challenges associated with a very rare type of tumor, fibrosarcomatous dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) of the head.
Case Report. Our patient presented with rapidly growing head mass, initially diagnosed as spindle cell tumor and was managed with surgical excision and skin flap grafting. Follow-up revealed relapse and interval development of hemiparesis and hemisensory loss. MRI revealed tumor recurrence, with compression of the right parietal lobe and superior sagittal sinus. Histopathology revealed stroma with fascicles of spindle cells with homogenous to fibrillar cytoplasm, with oval vesicular nuclei. Immunohistochemical staining showed positivity for CD34and SMA. Oral chemotherapy with imatinib 800 mg/day was started. Follow-up imaging showed marked reduction in the size of the tumor, and resolution of the compression of the underlying brain parenchyma with cystic degeneration and decreased contrast enhancement. Future plans include possible surgical tumor debulking and/or radiation therapy.
Conclusion. Although extremely rare, awareness of this tumor, with multi-disciplinary approach to management of the case, are vital to maximize treatment outcomes.
Exploring the psychological experience of novice nurses in stomatological hospitals in China: a phenomenological study
Authors: Liu Jian , Lu Tiantian , Li Yan , Dai Hongyuan , Li Li
Published: September 2023

Background
At the onset of their professional journey, novice nurses often undergo a multifaceted psychological experience as they transition from theoretical knowledge to clinical practice, potentially impacting their development of professional identity. However, limited research has been conducted on the psychological aspects pertaining to newly graduated nurses in our country.
Methods
Objective sampling method was used to recruit 21 novice nurses, conduct semi-structured virtual interviews with them, and analyze the data using Colaizzi's seven-step analysis method.
Results
Seven themes emerged from the analysis: i) Interest and relaxation; ii) Nurse-patient conflict is reduced; iii) Decreased enthusiasm for work; iv) Insecurity and self-doubt; v) Decreased career accomplishment; vi) Make up for weaknesses; vii) Focus on knowledge transfer.
Conclusion
The novice nurses experience a range of complex negative and positive emotions during the initial stages of their employment. Further research and appropriate psychological counseling can enhance their professional engagement in oral outpatient nursing.
Factors contributing to decision-making dilemmas faced by parents of children with severe asthma in PICU during the development of discharge care plans: a phenomenological study
Authors: Fan Guimei , Yi Mo , Qiu Xiangmin , Zhao Jinfang
Published: September 2023

Purpose: This study aims to explore the complex decision-making dilemma and challenges confronted by parents of children suffering from severe asthma within the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) when participating in the development of their children's discharge care plans.
Methods: Employing a phenomenological approach, 18 parents, purposively selected, were subjected to in-depth semi-structured interviews between October 2022 and February 2023. The transcripts of these interviews were transcribed into textual data, which was then subjected to Colaizzi's seven-step analysis for meticulous coding and comprehensive thematic elucidation.
Results: The comprehensive analysis of the factors contributing to the intricate decision-making dilemmas faced by parents of children with severe asthma during the process of crafting discharge care plans in the PICU revealed five themes and eight sub-themes: 1) Complexity of asthma-related information; 2) Insufficient provision of comprehensive decision-making support; 3) Encountering negative emotions and wavering parental confidence; 4) Navigating realistic constraints impacting both parents and healthcare providers; 5) Balancing the advantages and disadvantages of various plans.
Conclusion: Parents of children with severe asthma in the PICU encounter intricate and multifaceted decision-making dilemmas while engaging in the formulation of discharge care plans. These complexities significantly dampen their decision-making enthusiasm and introduce potential risks to the children's prognosis and recovery. In the future, it is imperative to leverage the guidance provided by healthcare professionals (HCPs) in the decision-making process, develop tailored decision support tools specifically designed for the formulation of discharge care plans for children with severe asthma in the PICU.
A Novel PDPN Antagonist Peptide CY12-RP2 inhibits melanoma growth via Wnt/β-catenin and modulates the immune cells
Authors: Feng Chunyan , Yu Albert , Wang Kun , Chen Jiawei , Wu Yaojiong , Deng Ting , Chen Huangqing , Hou Yibo , Dai Xiaoyong , Huang Laiqiang
Published: September 2023

Background
Podoplanin(PDPN) is a highly conserved, mucin-type protein specific to the lymphatic system. Overexpression of PDPN is associated with the progression of various solid tumors, and plays an important rolesin the tumor microenviroment by regulating the immune system. However, the role of PDPN-mediated signal activation in the progression of melanoma is still unknown.
Methods
PDPN expression was first analyzed in 112 human melanoma tissue microarrays and melanoma cell lines. Functional experiments including proliferation, clone formation, migration, and metastasis were utilized to identify the suppressive effects of PDPN. we used a Ph.D.TM-12 Phage Display Peptide Library to screen for a PDPN antagonist peptide, named CY12-RP2, and performed immunofluorescence, SPR assay, and flow cytometry to identify the binding specificity of CY12-RP2 with PDPN in melanoma cells. Functional and mechanistic assays in vivo and in vitro were used for discriminating the antitumor and immunosuppressive effects of CY12-RP2.
Results
PDPN was overexpressed in melanoma, and inhibited melanoma cell proliferation, migration, and metastasis by blocking the EMT and Wnt/β-catenin pathway. PDPN antagonistic peptide, CY12-RP2, could specifically bind with PDPN, suppressing melanoma various functions inducing apoptosis in both melanoma cells and 3D spheroids. CY12-RP2 also enhanced the anti-tumor capacity of PBMC, and inhibited melanoma cells growth both in xenografts and allogeneic mice model. Moreover, CY12-RP2 could inhibit melanoma lung metastasis, and abrogated the immunosuppressive effects of PDPN by increasing the proportion of CD3+CD4+ T cells, CD3+CD8+ T cells, CD49b+Granzyme B+ NK cells, and CD11b+CD86+M1-like macrophages and the levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IFN-γ.
Conclusions
This study has demonstrated the important role of PDPN in the progression of melanoma and formation of immunosuppressive environment, and provided a potential approach of treating melanoma using the novel CY12-RP2 peptide.
Hybrid Algorithm of Grey Wolf Optimizer and Harris Hawks Optimization for Improving Convergence Performance
Authors: Tu Binbin , Wang Fei , Huo Yan , Wang Xiaotian
Published: September 2023

The grey wolf optimizer is an efficient metaheuristic algorithm that has received considerable attention in recent years. However, it also suffers from the problems of insufficient population diversity, susceptibility to local optima and an unsatisfactory rate of convergence. Therefore, a hybrid algorithm is proposed utilising a population initialization strategy through Latin hypercube sampling, a nonlinear adaptive convergence factor, and exploitation strategies of the harris hawks optimization, referred to as HGWO. It makes the grey wolf flight capable in position update and balances out the algorithm's exploration and exploitation process. In this paper, HGWO and other popular metaheuristic algorithms as well as other improved schemes of the grey wolf optimizer are evaluated by 23 famous benchmark test functions and 4 real-word engineering problems. The experiment results demonstrate that the HGWO showcases competitiveness by effectively exploring globally, exploiting locally, and achieving both rapidity and accuracy in convergence. Furthermore, the HGWO demonstrates evident advantages in resolving engineering problems, thereby validating its effectiveness and practicality.
Fusion Features of Monocomponent Parts in Janus-Like Nanoscale Clusters Under Impacts of Low− and Ultra−Low−Energy Ar13 and Ar Projectiles
Authors: Shyrokorad D. V. , Kornich G. V. , Goncharov O. A. , Kolinko I. S.
Published: September 2023

Molecular dynamics simulation of metastable Janus-like Ni-Al, Cu-Bi and Cu-Au clusters with 195 atoms of each component is performed for 200 ps after impacts of Ar13 and Ar ions with different cases of initial energies from 25 to 300 eV. The boiling state of the components is achieved either at a high negative heat of mixing (Al, Ni-Al) or at a low boiling point of at least one of the components (Bi, Cu-Bi), provided that the Ar13 projectiles have the initial energy from 200 eV. In other cases, the Ni-Al cluster is also in a molten state, while the Cu-Bi cluster, as well as the Cu-Au cluster in all impact cases, may be in a molten state or have an atomic structure of varying degrees of regularity of one/both component(s). The molten clusters form spatial core-shell distributions of the components, while in other cases different degrees and forms of their overlapping and eccentricity are possible during the time of simulation.
Asymmetric 2032 coin cell Supercapbattery Device Applications of rGO/Co3O4/Polypyrrole and rGO/Copper oxide Nanocomposites
Authors: Ates Murat , Yoruk Ozan , Bayrak Yuksel , Gul Efkan , Nacak Fatih
Published: September 2023

Supercapacitors and batteries are used as energy storage devices. A new designed electrode materials including hybrid nanocomposites, such as cobalt (II, III) oxide (Co3O4), copper (II) oxide (CuO), polypyrrole (PPy) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO). In this study, rGO, Co3O4 and PPy were constructed in one side of electrode. Then rGO and CuO have been obtained for another side of electrode for 2032 coin cell for asymmetric supercapbattery device. The characterization of rGO/Co3O4/PPy nanocomposite was presented for our previous studies. In this work, the characterization of rGO/CuO nanocomposite was given as FTIR-ATR, BET, TGA-DTA and SEM-EDX analysis. The asymmetric rGO/Co3O4/PPy//rGO/CuO supercapbattery resulted a good energy and power density of E = 3.01 Wh×kg− 1 for [rGO]o/[Co3O4]o/[PPy]o= 1:5:10 and P = 146.49 W×kg− 1 for [rGO]o/[Co3O4]o/[PPy]o= 1:5:1. The highest capacitance retention was obtained as 89.12% for [rGO]o/[Co3O4]o/[PPy]o= 1:5:10 after 1000 times charge-discharge cycles by CV method using 2032 coin cell. The porous structure of GO and addition of conductive carbon black with other components supplied a positive electrochemical performance of supercapbattery. Asymmetric supercapbattery design of rGO/Co3O4/PPy and rGO/CuO may give a good opportunity for energy storage devices.
Bibliometric Indices as Indicators of Research Output: Analyzing Anesthesiologists as a Paradigm for Surgical Disciplines
Authors: Esmaeeli Shooka , Binda Dhanesh D. , Rendon Luis F. , Logan Connor M. , Leung Jacob L. , Nguyen Hannah M. , Michael Cara E. , Baker Maxwell , Xu Lan , Nozari Ala
Published: September 2023

Background Anesthesiology is one of the increasingly competitive surgical specialties with a growing emphasis on scholarly activity. A metric of productivity and citation influence, the Hirsch index (h-index) can help identify mentors capable of guiding postgraduate trainees towards successful academic achievements. This study sought to determine associations between h-indices or m-quotients and manuscript publication in anesthesiology. Methods Using the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) website, accepted abstracts from the ASA Annual Meetings from 2019 to 2021 were screened (n = 2146). First author (FAHi) and senior author (SAHi) h-indices as well as first author (FAMq) and senior author (SAMq) m-quotients were collected for each abstract using the Scopus database. Whether an accepted abstract was subsequently published as a manuscript in a peer-reviewed journal was also noted along with the number of days between ASA presentation and publication date. Linear and logistic regression models were used for statistical analyses. Results In total, 348 (34.4%) of the 1012 eligible abstracts were published as manuscripts. Mean FAHi, SAHi, FAMq, and SAMq were significantly higher for accepted ASA abstracts that were later published in peer reviewed journals compared to accepted abstracts that were not published (p < 0.001). FAHi, SAHi, FAMq, and SAMq had significant positive associations with odds of publication (p = 0.002;p < 0.001;p = 0.006;p < 0.001, respectively). There was no statistical significance between FAHi, SAHi, FAMq, or SAMq and the number of days between ASA presentation and publication. Conclusion Our study uniquely demonstrates the positive, direct association between h-indices and m-quotients with the probability of publication in anesthesiology. We propose that bibliometric indices are adapted to provide a refined perspective of a physician-scientist's capabilities. Postgraduate trainees can utilize these indices to discern research mentors primed for fostering academic excellence.
Dimensions of Women Empowerment and its association with Utilization of Pregnancy Related Care Services in Selected Rural Area
Authors: Habiba Habiba , Rahman Zerin Shabnam , Ibrahim Fouzia , Fatema Tasnia , Noor Irfan Nowroze
Published: September 2023

Pregnancy-related care utilization is a fundamental urgency but family and community interference results in unattainability, though influence of different dimensions of women empowerment upon it is mostly unidentified. The study aims to identify the association between women empowerment dimensions and pregnancy-related care utilization. A cross-sectional study was conducted among conveniently selected 90 women attending purposively selected Chowgacha Upazila Health Complex, Jessore, for institutional normal vaginal delivery, between January and December, 2022. Maintaining human ethics protocol, an exit interview was done through a pretested semi-structured questionnaire. Women empowerment was assessed by a 3-point Likert scale under six dimensions (socio-cultural, educational, health-related, economic, technological, and life course) developed by country contextual modification of women empowerment index. Each dimension was recoded into two categories based on mean score. In multi-variate analysis, the health-related dimension was associated with iron-supplementation (OR=0.18; 95% CI 0.056-0.577), calcium-supplementation (OR=0.17; 95% CI 0.05-0.54), taking nutritious food (OR=0.07; 95% CI 0.02-0.29). The socio-cultural dimension was associated with nutritional supplementation (OR=0.17; 95% CI 0.04-0.7). The technological dimension was associated with ANC visits (OR=2.97; 95% CI 1.23-7.15). The economic dimension was associated with planned savings (OR=0.16; 95%CI 0.05-0.49). In bivariate analysis, the socio-cultural dimension was associated with frequency of meals (OR=11.1; 95%CI 1.4-89.1) and birth companionship (OR=3.3; 95%CI 1.4-8). The economic dimension was associated with frequency of meals (OR=7.22; 95% CI 1.4-33.6) and birth companionship (OR=2.7; 95% CI 1.1-6.4). The technological dimension was associated with frequency of meals (OR=4.9; 95%CI 1-23.3) and birth companionship (OR=2.7; 95% CI 1.1-6.5). The health-related dimension was found to be mostly associated with pregnancy-related care utilization. Hence, promotion of health-related dimension to enhance women empowerment could bring a successful pregnancy-related care utilization towards achieving SDG-5.
Immobilization of Microbial Cells in a Sol-Gel Matrix Using a Precursor with Two Non-Hydrolyzed Bonds
Authors: Lantsova Elizaveta A. , Kamanina Olga A. , Rybochkin Pavel V. , Arlyapov Vyacheslav A. , Saverina Evgeniya A. , Vereshchagin Anatoly N.
Published: September 2023

In this work, the yeast cells of Ogataea polymorpha BKM Y-2559 were immobilized in a organosilicon sol-gel membrane. It was shown that yeasts immobilized in a matrix containing 85 vol.% diethoxydimethylsilane (DMDES) and 15 vol.% tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) have the highest activity. Long-term storage of the resulting biohybrid material at a temperature of − 18 ºС demonstrated that the low temperature does not lead to a drop in the catalytic activity of the immobilized yeast. Maintaining the activity of the yeast encapsulated in the sol-gel matrix is important in the production and storage of commercial biocomposite samples. The study of the structure of the obtained material showed that the yeast cells of Ogataea polymorpha are located in the sol-gel matrix and are not able to be washed out, while the substrates and metabolites can diffuse to the cells without restrictions through the pores in the material.
Detection of quadratic phase coupling by cross-bicoherence and spectral Granger causality in bifrequencies interactions
Authors: Abe Takeshi , Asai Yoshiyuki , Lintas Alessandra , Villa Alessandro E.P.
Published: September 2023

Quadratic Phase Coupling (QPC) is a crucial statistical tool for assessing nonlinear synchronization within multivariate time series data, particularly within signal processing and neuroscience. This study delves into the accuracy of QPC detection by employing numerical estimates through cross-bicoherence and bivariate Granger causality within a simple yet noisy instantaneous multiplier model. The investigation extends to evaluating the influence of incidental statistically significant bifrequency interactions, introducing key metrics such as the ratio of bispectral quadratic phase coupling and the ratio of bivariate Granger causality quadratic phase coupling, with values close to 1 indicating high level of accuracy in QPC detection. The model is tested using 334 electroencephalographic recordings, encompassing diverse carrier frequencies to explore an extensive array of scenarios. The coupling strength between interacting channels emerges as a pivotal factor introducing nonlinearities that affect the signal-to-noise ratio in the output channel. The bispectral approach outperformed bivariate Granger causality, particularly at weak coupling strengths and with noise biases. Especially noteworthy is cross-bicoherence’s effectiveness in detecting QPC in cases of very weak couplings, making it a reliable method for unveiling subtle nonlinear interactions in noisy signals, a common scenario in brain activity recordings.
Leveraging physics-informed neural computing for real-world optimization tasks: From swinging up a pendulum to swingby of a spacecraft
Authors: Seo Jaemin
Published: September 2023

Optimization tasks are essential in modern engineering fields such as chip design, spacecraft trajectory determination, and reactor scenario development. Recently, machine learning applications, including deep reinforcement learning (RL) and genetic algorithms (GA), have emerged in these real-world optimization tasks. We introduce a new machine learning-based optimization scheme that incorporates physics with the operational objectives. This physics-informed neural network (PINN) could find the optimal path in well-defined systems with less exploration and also was capable of obtaining narrow and unstable solutions that have been challenging with shooting approaches like RL or GA. Through an objective function that integrates governing laws, constraints, and goals, PINN enables top-down searches for optimal solutions. In this study, we showcase the PINN applications to various optimization tasks, ranging from inverting a pendulum, determining the shortest-time path, to finding the swingby trajectory. Through this, we discuss how PINN can be applied in the tasks with different characteristics.
Machine Learning-Based Disulfidptosis-Related lncRNA Signature Predicts Prognosis, Immune Infiltration and Drug Sensitivity in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Pu Lei , Sun Yan , Pu Cheng , Zhang Xiaoyan , Wang Dong , Liu Xingning , Guo Pin , Wang Bing , Xue Liang , Sun Peng
Published: September 2023

Disulfidptosis plays a crucial role in the development and progression of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC). However, the significance of disulfidptosis-related Long non-coding RNAs (DRLs) in the prognosis and immunotherapy of HCC remains unclear. Based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, we used Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) and Cox regression model to construct DRL Prognostic Signature (DRLPS)-based risk scores. Survival analysis was then performed and a nomogram was constructed. Moreover, we performed functional enrichment annotation, immune infiltration analyses and drug sensitivity analyses. Five DRLs, including AL590705.3, AC072054.1, AC069307.1, AC107959.3 and ZNF232-AS1, were identified to construct prognostic signature. DRLPS-based risk scores exhibited a better predictive efficacy of survival than conventional clinical features. The nomogram showed a high degree of congruence between the predicted survival and observed survival. Gene set were mainly enriched in cell proliferation, differentiation and growth function related pathways. Immune cell infiltration in the low-risk group was significantly higher than that in the high-risk group. Additionally, the high-risk group exhibited higher sensitivity to Afatinib, Fulvestrant, Gefitinib, Osimertinib, Sapitinib, and Taselisib. In conclusion, our study highlighted the potential utility of the constructed DRLPS in the prognosis prediction of HCC patients, which demonstrated promising clinical application value.
Trends in Antiosteoporosis Use in Nine Major Areas In China younger than 50 years old From 2016 to 2019
Authors: Bo Chen , Chen Liying , Li Liu-Cheng , Yu Zhenwei , Sun Yanting , Wang Yuzhen , Chen Wang , Wang Siqi , Hu Yan , Kan Lian-Di
Published: September 2023

Purpose
This study aimed to assess the national trends in osteoporosis prescriptions among Chinese adult outpatients aged less than 50 years with osteoporosis from 2016 to 2019.
Patients and methods:
Prescriptions for adult outpatients with osteoporosis from hospitals in nine major areas were extracted from the database of the Hospitals Prescription Analysis Cooperative Project. Trends in the annual prescriptions and expenditures for osteoporosis were analyzed.
Results
The number of osteoporosis hospital visits showed an increasing trend year by year from 18412 in 2016 to 23447 in 2019 (P = 0.029), and the corresponding cost increased from 2083872.94 Chinese Yuan (CNY) to 2643508.59 CNY in 2019 (P = 0.032). The results showed that the share of newer osteoporotic use of medicines increased continuously, accounting for 34.3% of prescriptions and 26.8% of expenditures in 2019. The study found that in osteoporosis hospital visits under 50 years of age, the use of medicine increased year by year. However, bone resorption inhibitors and bone formation promoters in this group did not change significantly, accounting for only a small proportion.
Conclusion
The development of osteoporosis prescriptions in this study reflected the current situation of research in China. Meanwhile, in this study, we also investigated the epidemiology of osteoporosis in China in patients under 50 years of age, for whom the incidence of osteoporosis showed an increasing trend, which reminded us to accelerate the prevention of osteoporosis.
Results of N=1 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over discontinuation trials embedded in clinical practice after longer term methylphenidate use: A pilot study
Authors: Rosenau Paul T. , Dietrich Andrea , Hoofdakker Barbara J. van den , Hoekstra Pieter J.
Published: September 2023

Background
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity (ADHD) guidelines recommend that the need for continued stimulant medication treatment of children and adolescents needs to be reviewed at least annually. We aimed to assess the outcomes in clinical practice of placebo-controlled discontinuation trials after long-term methylphenidate treatment.
Method
We asked clinicians to implement N=1 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over discontinuation trials after at least one year of methylphenidate treatment of children and adolescents (n = 26, 6 – 15 years of age). We analyzed the effectiveness of ongoing methylphenidate treatment compared to placebo on symptoms of ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder, and conduct disorder according to both parents and teachers, and the global improvement or deterioration according to the clinicians. We also assessed the proportion of individuals who continued using methylphenidate after the discontinuation trial.
Results
Teacher-rated hyperactivity and impulsivity symptoms were significantly lower during methylphenidate treatment compared to placebo (β = 3.80, SD = 1.69, t = 2.25, p = .04). No other significant differences were found between methylphenidate and placebo. Almost two-thirds (n = 16, 61.5%) of individuals continued using methylphenidate after the discontinuation trials, of which 7 did not deteriorate during placebo according to their clinician.
Discussion
Our findings support the need for regular evaluations of methylphenidate treatment effectiveness and emphasize the importance of including the school setting when evaluating treatments. Better guidance for clinicians when to continue or cease methylphenidate treatment is urgently needed.
Plasmodium falciparum remains the dominant parasite affecting children despite decades of implementing vector control in two villages in Humbo district of Wolita zone, southwest Ethiopia
Authors: Elias Shimels , Massebo Fekadu
Published: September 2023

Background
Malaria is still a significant public health concern, and its prevention and control measures have different impacts depending on the location. This study assesses the prevalence of malaria and the effectiveness of routine malaria control programmes such as indoor residual spray (IRS) in two Ethiopian villages.
Methods
The villages were purposefully selected based on their malaria prevalence rates. A parasitological survey was carried out in Fango-Gelchecha before and after the implementation of IRS. In Shochora-Abela, the survey was conducted only after the implementation of IRS. IRS was part of the standard malaria control programme, and 300 households in each village were selected systematically by selecting every fourth house from the village registration list. A total of 3075 individuals were counted and enrolled for malaria testing using microscopy.
Results
After three to four months of IRS application, there were 59 confirmed malaria cases with an overall prevalence of 1.9% (95% CI: 1.5–2.5). Of the positive cases, 18 cases (0.59%: 95% CI: 1.3–1.8) were from Shochora-Abela village, and 41 cases (1.33%: 95% CI: 1.1–1.3) were from Fango-Gelchecha. About age categories, the prevalence of malaria was 10.1% (95% CI: 5.9–15.9) among children under five, 4.7% (95% CI: 3.3–6.4) in children aged 5–14, and only 0.32% (95% CI: 0.13–0.67) in the age group 15 and above. Overall, P. falciparum was the dominant malaria parasite, accounting for 69.5% (95% CI: 56.1–80.8), while P. vivax malaria accounted for 30.5% (95% CI: 19.2–43.8). The malaria prevalence in Fango-Gelchecha village was 3.1% (95% CI: 2.3-4.0) before IRS and 2.6% (95% CI: 1.8–3.5) after IRS application. In the village of Shochora-Abela, the prevalence of IRS was 1.2% (95% CI: 0.7–1.9), but the prevalence prior to IRS was not evaluated.
Conclusions
Plasmodium falciparum is the predominant parasite in the villages, which mainly affects children under five years of age. Therefore, protecting young children should be the priority of concerned organizations to reduce the infection burden.
Teosinte and modern maize use different C allocation strategies in response to organic N amendment
Authors: Hwang Siwook , Machmuller Megan B. , Gaudin Amélie C. M. , Fonte Steven J.
Published: September 2023

Background and Aim
With a growing focus on soil health, modern agroecosystems have begun to emphasize greater reliance on organic nitrogen (N) sources to meet crop N demands. Teosinte (Zea mays subsp. parviglumis), a wild relative of modern maize (Zea mays subsp. mays), is believed to modulate its belowground carbon (C) allocation based on the type of N in the soil, thus allowing for greater organic N uptake. However, linkages between belowground allocation and N acquisition from organic vs. inorganic N sources remain poorly understood.
Methods
We designed a 13C/15N dual label experiment in which we compared the C allocation patterns of modern maize and teosinte in response to inorganic (urea) and organic (cover crop residue) forms of N.
Results
Teosinte responded to organic N by increasing its biomass root-to-shoot (R:S) ratio by 50% compared to inorganic N, while modern maize maintained the same biomass R:S ratios in both N treatments. Recent photosynthate R:S ratio was greater in organic N than in inorganic N for both modern maize and teosinte (91% and 37%; respectively). Label-derived dissolved organic C, representing recent rhizodeposits, was 2.5 times greater in the organic N treatments for both genotypes.
Conclusion
Modern maize took up a similar amount of organic N as teosinte using different C allocation strategies. Our findings suggest that intensive breeding under high N input conditions has not affected modern maize’s access to organic N while improving its ability to take up inorganic N.
Recruitment of Hippocampal and Thalamic Pathways to the Central Amygdala in the Control of Feeding Behavior Under Novelty
Authors: Greiner Eliza M. , Petrovich Gorica
Published: September 2023

It is adaptive to restrict eating under uncertainty, such as during habituation to novel foods and unfamiliar environments. However, sustained restrictive eating is a core symptom of eating disorders and has serious long-term health consequences. Current therapeutic efforts are limited, because the neural substrates of restrictive eating are poorly understood. Using a model of feeding avoidance under novelty, our recent study identified forebrain activation patterns and found evidence that the central nucleus of the amygdala (CEA) is a core integrating node. The current study analyzed the activity of CEA inputs in male and female rats to determine if specific pathways are recruited during feeding under novelty. Recruitment of direct inputs from the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT), the infralimbic cortex (ILA), the agranular insular cortex (AI), the hippocampal ventral field CA1, and the bed nucleus of the stria terminals (BST) was assessed with combined retrograde tract tracing and Fos induction analysis. The study found that during consumption of a novel food in a novel environment, larger number of neurons within the PVTp and the CA1 that send monosynaptic inputs to the CEA were recruited compared to controls that consumed familiar food in a familiar environment. The ILA, AI, and BST inputs to the CEA were similarly recruited across conditions. There were no sex differences in activation of any of the pathways analyzed. These results suggest that the PVTp-CEA and CA1-CEA pathways underlie feeding inhibition during novelty and could be potential sites of malfunction in excessive food avoidance.
Another Derived Modification of the Geometric Weighted Weibull Distribution
Authors: Muddey Donne Komla , Sarpong Solomon , Katara Salifu , Akuamoah Saviour Worlanyo
Published: September 2023

The aim of this generalization is to introduce a new modified weighted Weibull distribution called geometric weighted Weibull that was derived from the concept of the weighted distribution to provide better flexibility extension and tractability of the mathematical concepts of the weighted Weibull distribution. The major statistical and mathematical concepts the researchers adopted were parameter estimation, goodness-of-fit test, hazard function, quantile, survival function, entropy, and order statistics. The method of maximum likelihood estimation was adopted to estimate the unknown four parameters of the Geometric weighted Weibull distribution. The Monte Carlo simulation method is discussed using the quantile function to examine the performance of the parameters. The processes were performed using R-Software. A new modification of the Geometric weighted Weibull distribution is derived, and its probability characteristics are obtained. The shapes of the probability density function and hazard rate functions are investigated. The geometric weighted Weibull model assumes superior performance among the compared distributions, as evidenced by the Kolmogorov-Smirnov statistics and Akaike Information Criteria values.
Association of MYOC Gln368Ter mutation and glaucoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Das# Soumik , Sharma# Poonam , Prakki# Vasantica , Prakki# Viswadica , V Devi Rajeswari , Ramanathan Gnanasambandan
Published: September 2023

Background
Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve. Elevated eye pressure is frequently associated with optic nerve damage, which may result in lifelong blindness. Glaucoma and the Myocilin (Gln368Ter) mutation have been linked in several populations, and this relationship may serve as a biomarker.
Methods
To investigate the connection between glaucoma and the Gln368Ter mutation of the myocilin gene, a meta-analysis was done from eight published genetic-associated case-control studies. RevMan 5.4.1, a meta-analysis software, was used to analyze heterogeneity across separate studies and summarise their effects.
Results
Glaucoma and Myocilin (Gln368Ter) mutation showed a summed odds ratio of 4.11 (95% CI, 0.09-185.43). The study groups showed significant heterogeneity (p < 0.00001 and I2 = 100%). However, glaucoma and myocilin (Gln368Ter) mutation were not significantly correlated (p = 0.64).
Conclusion
There was no association was observed between MYOC (Gln368Ter) mutation and Glaucoma across the studies. However, the increased risk was observed from our metanalysis.
Identification and Validation of Cuproptosis-Related Genes in Prognosis and immune microenvironment in colon cancer patients
Authors: Jinghui Zhang , Wenhao Man , Yuru Zhang
Published: September 2023

Recently, the copper-induced regulated cell death form that depends on mitochondrial respiration was identified as cuproptosis. However, the potential roles of cuproptosis-related genes(CRGs) with tumor prognosis and tumor microenvironment(TME) in colon cancer(CC) patients remain unclear. From four independent databases, we characterized the set of CRGs in 1124 CC samples from the fields of genetic and transcriptional, then evaluated their expression patterns. We identified two CRGclusters, and found distinguishing clinicopathological features, prognosis, and TME cell infiltrating characteristics correlated with CRGs expression. Moreover, a predictable risk score for overall-survival (OS) was established and its predictive capability in CC patients was validated. Subsequently, the nomogram was constructed to improve the risk score's clinical features applicability. The high-risk level, characterized by an increased proportion of mutation burden, microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H), and immune cell infiltration, indicates the potential for immunotherapy response. Our analysis of CRGs in CC demonstrated their potential roles in the tumor-immune-stromal microenvironment, clinicopathological features, and prognosis. These findings may improve our understanding of CRGs in CC and pave a new path for the assessment of prognosis and the development of more effective immunotherapy strategies.
Curvature bounds on length-minimizing discs
Authors: Lytchak Alexander , Wagner Sophia
Published: September 2023

We show that a length-minimizing disk inherites the upper curvature bound of the target. As a consequence we prove that harmonic discs and ruled discs inherit the upper curvature bound from the ambient space.
The feasibility of physical activity interventions for older adults living with and beyond carcinomas: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Dulai-Piper Anne E , Devonport Tracey J , Fenton Sally A M , Shanley Hazel A , Mawn Ryan G , Thorp Sara L , Metsios George S , Morrissey Hana , Blake Marcia , Lahart Ian M
Published: September 2023

Background
Older adults are increasingly being diagnosed with and surviving cancers, which can profoundly impact quality of life (QoL). Evidence suggests physical activity interventions can help manage the side effects of cancer and its treatment, and therefore improve QoL. However, older adults are often poorly represented within physical activity and cancer-related research, being excluded because of secondary cancers, comorbidities, and frailty. Therefore, the feasibility of such interventions still requires further investigation. The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the feasibility of physical activity interventions specifically designed for older adults living with and beyond carcinoma cancers.
Methods
This systematic review included feasibility and pilot studies investigating physical activity interventions for older adults (aged ≥ 65 years) living with or beyond any carcinoma, and at any stage of cancer and treatment. Feasibility outcomes were categorised under four metrics (process, resource, management, scientific) and Synthesised Without Meta-analysis according to published guidelines (SWiM). A meta-analysis was performed on four studies with physical activity outcome. The reporting quality of studies was reviewed using the consolidated standards of reporting trials extension for randomised pilot and feasibility studies.
Results
This current review included 19 studies and 571 participants and revealed that physical activity interventions are feasible for older adults living with or beyond carcinomas, based on adherence, participant-reported acceptability, retention, and safety. It was, however, identified that recruitment was a challenge, with a median of 73% (range 11–100%) eligible for recruitment whilst a median of 58% (range 3-100%) were recruited. It was further found that several feasibility outcomes had limited to no reporting (e.g., intervention fidelity), especially concerning resource and management metrics. Finally, only 8 studies included pre-specified criteria of success which is a key element in assessing if a study was feasible or not based on the criteria set.
Conclusions
Physical activity interventions are feasible for older adults living with or beyond carcinoma cancers. However, the reporting of feasibility outcomes could be improved to inform future research methodologies, and ultimately improve certainty in study feasibility.
Registration: This current systematic review was pre-registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022343724). The full protocol is on the open science framework https://osf.io/qpagz/.