bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Association of SLC2A9 variant rs7442295 with Uric Acid at Baseline and in Interaction with Iloperidone
Authors: Smieszek Sandra P. , Chadwick Sean R. , Czeisler Emily L. , Torres Rosarelis , Bai Haimeng , Xiao Changfu , Polymeropoulos Christos , Birznieks Gunther , Polymeropoulos Mihael
Published: March 2024

Uric acid concentrations are routinely measured during clinical laboratory evaluations, given serum urate levels correlate with blood pressure, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, gout, and cardiovascular disease. Circulating levels of uric acid are influenced by a complex mix of intrinsic and environmental factors, including genetics, diet, and drugs. We analyzed levels of uric acid in a recent phase 3 clinical trial of patients with bipolar mania treated with 24mg/day (12mg twice daily) of the antipsychotic iloperidone or placebo. Initial results revealed iloperidone treatment was associated with increases in uric acid from baseline, consistent with a similar, previous phase 3 study of iloperidone treatment of schizophrenia in adults. Pharmacogenetic analysis examining the urate transporter SLC2A9 revealed iloperidone associated increases were linked to a genetic variant (rs7442295), correlating with both urate levels at baseline and in interaction with iloperidone vs placebo. Further investigation suggested potentially clinically relevant sex differences associated with this variant, with male GG genotype patients exhibiting more frequent shifts from above the upper limit of normal for iloperidone-treated patients in comparison to female, AG/AA, and placebo groups. A pronounced increase of 35.91 µmol/L (0.674 mg/dL) was seen in iloperidone-treated patients homozygous for the for the rs7442295 (G) allele at the SLC2A9 gene, compared to a decrease of -16.5 µmol/L in the corresponding GG placebo group. Overall, the mechanism of this iloperidone-induced increase in serum urate levels is likely due to decrease in clearance of urate through interaction with the SLC2A9 urate transporter protein.
Multi-channel portable odor delivery device for self-administered and rapid smell testing
Authors: Hopper Richard , Popa Daniel , Maggioni Emanuela , Patel Devarsh , Obrist Marianna , Landis Basile , Hsieh Julien , Udrea Florin
Published: March 2024

To improve our understanding of the perception of odors, researchers are often required to undertake experimental procedures with users exposed to multiple odors in a variety of settings, including to diagnose smell loss in clinics and care homes. Existing smell tests are typically administered using multiple sniffing pens manually presented to patients by a highly specialized nurse using a time-consuming and complex testing paradigm. Automated odor delivery devices, such as olfactometer systems, exist but are expensive, bulky and typically lab based, making them difficult to use for “on the ground” odor delivery.
We have developed a portable, affordable, odor delivery device that can deliver 24 odors through individual channels with high temporal precision and without cross-contamination. The device allows for the fast, flexible sequencing of odors via digital control using a mobile application and has been experimentally validated in the lab, as well as tested on patients. The novel design provides several unique advantages for investigating olfactory perception and offers the possibility that users can one day self-administer smell tests in a range of settings, including at home, allowing smell healthcare services to evolve and become part of a routine practice and self-care culture.
Selective Activation of PPARα Mitigates Peritoneal Inflammation and Fibrosis through NLRP3 Inflammasome Suppression and Inflammation Modulation
Authors: Shinkai Yutaka , Sasaki Kensuke , Tamura Ryo , Ike Takeshi , Takahashi Akira , Osaki Yosuke , Ishiuchi Naoki , Maeoka Yujiro , Nakashima Ayumu , Masaki Takao
Published: March 2024

Peritoneal inflammation and fibrosis remain major challenges to the long-term maintenance of peritoneal dialysis. Pemafibrate, a selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) modulator, has been implicated in the management of fibrosis-related disorders. We investigated whether pemafibrate ameliorates peritoneal inflammation and fibrosis and explored the underlying mechanisms in mice with methylglyoxal (MGO)-induced peritoneal fibrosis (MGO mice). MGO mice exhibited peritoneal fibrosis with increased expression of mesenchymal markers, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), and substantial deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. Additionally, MGO mice exhibited peritoneal inflammation as indicated by elevated tumor necrosis factor-α expression and macrophage infiltration in peritoneal tissue. These effects were mitigated by pemafibrate treatment, which also restored peritoneal membrane function. Furthermore, pemafibrate promoted anti-inflammatory macrophage polarization in both mice and THP-1 cells. In human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMCs), pemafibrate effectively inhibited interferon-γ-induced production of TGF-β1 and ECM while suppressing the proinflammatory cytokines nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and activator protein 1. The NF-κB inhibitory effect of pemafibrate involved stabilization of the NF-κB inhibitory protein IkBα. Notably, pemafibrate hindered activation of the NLR family pyrin domain containing 3/caspase-1 axis in interferon-γ-stimulated HPMCs. These findings suggest that pemafibrate ameliorates peritoneal inflammation and fibrosis, making it a promising candidate for peritoneal fibrosis therapy.
The Influence of Contrast Media on Calcium-based Imaging of the Spine in Dual-layer CT
Authors: Rahn Stefanie , Skornitzke Stephan , Melzig Claudius , Reiner Tobias , Stiller Wolfram , Heussel Claus P , Kauczor Hans-Ulrich , Weber Tim F , Do Thuy D
Published: March 2024

Objectives
To evaluate the impact of contrast media application on a novel calcium-only imaging technique (VCa) using dual-layer spectral detector CT (DLCT) and to expand the applicability of VCa within CT-based opportunistic osteoporosis screening.
Methods
True non-contrast (TNC) and venous phase images (VP) of n = 97 patients were acquired with a DLCT scanner. CT attenuation of the first lumbar vertebra (L1) was measured in TNC-VCa, venous phase (VP-VCa), and in virtual non-contrast images (VNC). The difference in L1 CT attenuation between TNC-VCa and VP-VCa was determined. A statistical model for the prediction of TNC-VCa L1 CT attenuation values was established and the capacity of VP-VCa L1 CT attenuation to detect osteoporosis was examined.
Results
CT attenuation was significantly higher in VP-VCa than in TNC-VCa (p < 0.001). Regression analyses revealed a strong linear association between TNC-VCa and VP-VCa CT attenuation values (R²=0.84). The final statistical model for the prediction of TNC-VCa CT attenuation (TNC-VCa[HU]=-6.81 + 0.87*VP-VCa[HU]-0.55*body weight[kg]) yielded good agreement between observed and predicted values. A L1 CT attenuation threshold of 293 HU in VP-VCa showed a sensitivity of 90% and a specificity of 96% for detecting osteoporosis.
Conclusion
The application of contrast media leads to an overestimation of L1 CT attenuation in VCa. However, CT attenuation values from VP-VCa can be used to reliably predict TNC-VCa CT attenuation. VCa can be used in the context of contrast-enhanced CT acquisitions and might help to improve the precision of CT-based opportunistic osteoporosis screening in clinical routine.
Revolutionizing Soil Stabilization: Unleashing the Power of Glass Powder
Authors: POLOJU KIRAN KUMAR , Jardani GHADEER SAIF Al , Ponduri Samatha , Rao Mallikarjuna
Published: March 2024

The glass was processed into a powder that could be blended with clay soil at 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% to stabilize the soil, measured through four tests: liquid limit, plastic limit, soil compaction, and direct shear resistance. It is evident from the results that the ideal liquid limit test ratio is 15% because it makes the soil more efficient in deforming, improves its structure, reduces the water content needed to reach the liquid limit, and makes it more stable and harder. While, in the plastic limit test, 10% glass powder increased soil strength and decreased plasticity by decreasing the water content from which the soil moved from the plastic to the semi-solid state, lowering the plastic limit to 29.79. The addition of glass powder increased the maximum dry density from 5–10%, then dropped to 15% when the dry density reached 676.87 kg/m3. This is due to glass powder lowering soil porosity and permeability. Finally, in the direct shear strength test, 10% glass powder reduced vertical and horizontal deviation to 10.619 mm 2.251 mm. It can endure 0.274 kN before failing. By adding 10% glass powder, the soil becomes more durable and resistant, reducing horizontal and vertical compacting.
The assessment of children with autism based on computer vision
Authors: Ran Ruisheng , Liang Wei , Deng Shan , Fan Xin , Shi Kai , Wang Ting , Dong Shuhong , Hu Qianwei , Liu Chenyi
Published: March 2024

This paper presents a computer vision-based method for assessing and predicting autism spectrum disorders (ASDs).Traditional diagnostic methods for ASD have disadvantages such as high cost, strong subjectivity, and long time, but thismethod is convenient, low cost, and avoids some defects of traditional diagnostic methods. The research team designed asocial interaction scenario and collected an autistic child Face dataset (ACFD), then used computer vision methods to extractinformation about the children’s faces. On this basis, multiple features of children were obtained from four aspects: facialappearance time, eye concentration analysis, response time to name calls, and emotional expression ability, which were usedto assess and compare children with autism and typical development (TD). Finally, multiple features were linked together andmachine learning methods were used to classify children. The experimental results show that multiple features can reflect thetypical symptoms of children, and the classification accuracy of the prediction model is up to 92.16%, which proves that theautomatic recognition method can provide auxiliary diagnosis and data support for doctors. This method provides a new ideaand direction for early diagnosis and intervention of ASD, which is of great significance for improving the quality of life andtreatment effect of children with ASD.
Potentially functional genetic polymorphisms of USP45 and PRFP19 in the NER pathway genes predict HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma survival
Authors: Wei Junjie , Qiu Moqin , Cao Ji , Zhou Zihan , Zhan Shicheng , Jiang Binbin , Qin Liming , Lin Qiuling , Jiang Yanji , Liang Xiumei , Chen Peiqin , Wei Yuying , Wen Qiuping , Wei Xiaoxia , Guo Qian , Li Jianxu , Yu Hongping , Liu Yingchun
Published: March 2024

Nucleotide excision repair (NER) is an important DNA damage repair pathway involved in prognosis of cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between genetic variants in NER pathway genes and overall survival (OS) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. Cox proportional hazards regression analyses was performed to investigate the associations between single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) in candidate genes and OS of 866 patients with operable hepatitis B virus (HBV) related HCC. The relationship between SNPs and corresponding genes was estimated by GTEx database and 1000 Genomes project. Online biological information databases were used for functional annotation of SNPs. Gene expression was calculated using data obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Kaplan-Meier plotter was used to evaluate the relationship between gene expression and OS in HBV-HCC patients. cBioPortal database was applied to observe the mutation rate of genes in HCC tumor tissues. We identified two independent functional SNPs were significantly associated with OS of HBV-HCC patients [USP45 rs4840048 T > C: Hazard ratio (HR) = 0.64, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.48–0.86, P = 0.003) and PRPF19 rs7116665 C > A: HR = 1.31, 95%CI = 1.13–1.53, P < 0.001). Besides, rs4840048 T allele was significantly correlated with higher USP45 mRNA expression levels (P = 0.010), while rs7116665 A allele was significantly correlated with decreased PRPF19 mRNA expression levels (P = 0.003). In the TCGA database, high expression of USP45 and PRPF19 was associated with poorer survival in HCC patients (P = 0.026 and P < 0.001, respectively). Our finding indicated that the two SNPs in NER pathway genes may be novel biomarkers of the survival in HBV-HCC patients.
Bio-Inspired Auto-Adaptive Framework for Optimized Movement of Passive Knee Prosthesis
Authors: Asif Muhammad , Tiwana Mohsin Islam , Qureshi Waqar Shahid , Hussain Syed Tayyab , Khan Umar Shahbaz , Naseer Noman
Published: March 2024

This research addresses the challenges faced by amputees who struggle with performing daily activities due to missing limbs. The objective is to create a bio-inspired framework that intelligently adapts to compensate for lost mobility for amputees wearing passive knee prostheses. The framework incorporates a comprehensive study of human movement plans, utilizing a mathematical model of a damping control mechanism of the prosthesis, sensors (IMUs, goniometer, EMG, and tactile), and empirical analysis of the functional role of the human brain (HBN) Vs machine brain (MBN) in daily life activities. In real-world testing, the framework successfully controlled the knee flexion angle for amputees within the normal range of motion (64° ± 6). Our deep learning architecture achieved a high classification accuracy of 94.44% for gait phase events, with an 81% testing accuracy for amputees. Empirical analysis revealed a functional distribution of 70% HBN involvement and 30% for the MBN (prosthetic control unit) contribution to biomechanical activities. The proposed framework demonstrated optimized movement, reducing hip hikes and fatigue, maintaining normal knee flexion, and achieving a 95% balance and fall prevention rate. This research presents a promising solution for enhancing the functionality of passive knee prostheses, significantly improving the quality of life for amputees.
Emotion Dysregulation in Adolescents Is Normalized by ADHD Pharmacological Treatment
Authors: Kondi Krisztina , Takács Mária , Kovács-Posta Evelyn , Szajli Claudia , Sebők-Welker Tünde , Réthelyi János M. , Bunford Nóra
Published: March 2024

Background.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with emotion dysregulation (ED) and in ADHD, beyond ADHD and comorbidity severity, ED confers increased risk for negative outcomes. First- and second-line ADHD pharmacotherapy is effective at ameliorating core symptoms and improving cognitive functioning and accumulating evidence indicates primairly in children and adults, active ADHD pharmacotherapy has beneficial effects on emotional symptoms. Gaps in knowledge remain about whether in adolescents, ADHD pharmacotherapy has beneficial effects on ED or about the extent to which effects are apparent for discontinued/ past ADHD pharmacotherapy.
Methods.
Examined, in N = 297 adolescents (Mage=15.77 years, SD = 1.06; 39.06% girls; n = 86 classified as with ADHD), whether accounting for depression and oppositional symptoms, concurrent and 18-month prospective measures of parent- and self-reported ED (1) differ across adolescents without ADHD, medication-naïve adolescents with ADHD, and ever-medicated (currently or previously) adolescents with ADHD.
Results.
For parent-reported ED, ever medicated adolescents with ADHD exhibited a decline in ED over time whereas adolescents without ADHD and never medicated adolescents with ADHD exhibited no changes in ED over time. For self-reported ED, ever-medicated adolescents with ADHD exhibited lower ED than never medicated adolescents with ADHD who exhibited greater ED than adolescents without ADHD. Currently and previously (but not currently) medicated adolescents did not differ in ED. Across parent- and self-reported findings, observed pattern of results held when analyses focused on adolescents who did not change medication status between baseline and follow-up.
Conclusions.
ADHD pharmacotherapy may have a boosting effect on longitudinal changes in parent-reported ED and a normalizing effect on concurrent measures of self-reported ED in adolescents.
Adverse renal outcomes associated with hematuria and its associated factors: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Li YingXiang , FANG Yi , Li Yang , XUE Ning , BAO Si-yu , Xun Zixuan
Published: March 2024

Background
Longitudinal evidence of the prognostic value of hematuria and associated factors predicting the risk of renal outcome vary.
Objective
This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the association of hematuria and adverse kidney events and summarized the associated factors.
Methods
A comprehensive search of PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Cochrane was conducted from January 1, 2010, to December 20, 2022. Longitudinal studies focusing on the prognostic value of hematuria on renal outcome were included in the analysis (PROSPERO registration CRD42023387845).
Results
The search generated 34 studies, of which 20 studies involving 1,047,171 participants were included in the systematic review. Baseline hematuria showed a 64% increased risk of adverse kidney outcome (risk ratio (RR) 1.77, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.43 − 2.19). Hematuria remission showed a 63% decreased risk of adverse kidney outcomes (RR 0.37, 95% CI 0.24 − 0.55).
Conclusions
Hematuria increases the risk of adverse kidney events. Hematuria remission has a favorable effect on renal outcome.
Social isolation recruits amygdala-cortical circuitry to escalate alcohol drinking
Authors: Tye Kay , Patel Reesha , Patarino Makenzie , Kim Kelly , Pamintuan Rachelle , Taschbach Felix , Li Hao , Lee Christopher , Hoek Aniek , Castro Rogelio , Cazares Christian , Miranda Raymundo , Jia Caroline , Delahanty Jeremy , Batra Kanha , Keyes Laurel , Libster Avraham , Wichmann Romy , Pereira Talmo , Benna Marcus
Published: March 2024

How do social factors impact the brain and contribute to increased alcohol drinking? We found that social rank predicts alcohol drinking, where subordinates drink more than dominants. Furthermore, social isolation escalates alcohol drinking, particularly impacting subordinates who display a greater increase in alcohol drinking compared to dominants. Using cellular resolution calcium imaging, we show that the basolateral amygdala-medial prefrontal cortex (BLA-mPFC) circuit predicts alcohol drinking in a rank-dependent manner, unlike non-specific BLA activity. The BLA-mPFC circuit becomes hyperexcitable during social isolation, detecting social isolation states. Mimicking the observed increases in BLA-mPFC activity using optogenetics was sufficient to increase alcohol drinking, suggesting the BLA-mPFC circuit may be a neural substrate for the negative impact of social isolation. To test the hypothesis that the BLA-mPFC circuit conveys a signal induced by social isolation to motivate alcohol consumption, we first determined if this circuit detects social information. Leveraging optogenetics in combination with calcium imaging and computer vision pose tracking, we found that BLA-mPFC circuitry governs social behavior and neural representation of social contact. We further show that BLA-mPFC stimulation mimics social isolation-induced mPFC encoding of sucrose and alcohol, and inhibition of the BLA-mPFC circuit decreases alcohol drinking following social isolation. Collectively, these data suggest the amygdala-cortical circuit mirrors a neural encoding state similar to social isolation and underlies social isolation-associated alcohol drinking.
Perceptions of Disrespect in the Hospital Workforce During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Analysis and Implications for the Future
Authors: Edelstein Lauren , Zhuang Chu
Published: March 2024

Background
The COVID-19 pandemic brought disruption and uncertainties to hospital settings. The objective of the study is to expand our understanding of how the intensity and stressors of the pandemic impacted perceptions of disrespect among the United States (US) hospital workforce. This investigation focuses on three core dimensions. First, the study seeks to shed light on how perceptions of disrespect during the pandemic varied by job category, including physicians, nurses, clinical specialists, supervisors, and non-clinical support staff. Second, this analysis looks at the effect of having direct patient interaction on the likelihood that hospital workers perceived disrespect. And, lastly, this research compares worker perceptions of disrespect during the early versus later pandemic timeframes.
Methods
This study uses logistic regression and bivariate comparative analysis of publicly available data from the US Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s (AHRQ) 2021 and 2022 Hospital Surveys on Patient Safety Culture 2.0, spanning survey years of 2020–2022.
Results
Perceptions of workplace disrespect during the COVID-19 pandemic varied across job categories. Nurses and support staff are found to perceive the most disrespect, and physicians are much less likely than nurses to perceive disrespect (-.53 OR, p < 0.01). For both nursing and support workers, direct patient interaction did not play a role in the likelihood of perceiving disrespect. By contrast, for physicians, clinical specialists, and supervisors, directly interacting with patients is found to significantly impact the likelihood of perceiving disrespect. Physicians are also the job category with the greatest percentage shift (20–25%) in increased perceptions of disrespect from early to later stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Conclusions
Removing blind spots to experiences of disrespect within the workforce is essential to reducing it. Equipping workers with multiple pathways to safely report perceived disrespect without fear of retribution is the first step that can enable healthcare institutions to address it. Heightened accountability at all levels of an organization, conflict management and communication training, and team and individual interventions such as one-on-one coaching and peer support programs may all be useful strategies for improving cultures of respect.
Comparative analysis of the effect of 6-Benzylaminopurin versus meta-Topolin on in vitro regeneration, Chlorophyll and protein contents in winter cherry Withania somnifera
Authors: Kumar Saurabh , Singh Shweta , Banerjee Madhuparna
Published: March 2024

The use of meta-Topolin (mT) in tissue culture has been conducted on several plant species and showed very effective results. The present study was carried out using MS media supplemented with different concentrations of BAP + AdSO4 and meta-Topolin alone to standardize a viable protocol for micropropagation and to compare the effect of different phytohormones for fast and efficient multiplication, total chlorophyll content and protein estimation of W. somnifera through tissue culture by using shoot tip and nodes as explants. For rooting, IBA was used to get a healthy and advantageous root system. Comparatively, in all contexts, 2.5 mg/l mT showed better result with bud breaking percentage of 88.9 ± 0.42%, rate of shoot multiplication of 22.4 ± 4.16 shootlets per explant, Total chlorophyll content of 0.887 ± 0.004 mg/g and protein content 25.67 ± 0.25%. IBA (2.0 mg/l) resulted in a healthy advantageous root system to the shootlets. Upon transfer, overall 80% of plants survived during hardening which was initially treated with mT. Treatment with MS media supplemented with 1.0 mg/l BAP + 50 mg/l AdSO4 resulted in bud breaking percentage 61.1 ± 0.09%, rate of shoot multiplication 15.8 ± 7.81 shootlets per explant, total chlorophyll contents 0.7194 ± 0.0055 mg/g and protein contents 23.33 ± 0.25%. Upon hardening, 78% of plantlets survived during hardening which was initially treated with BAP + AdSO4. Therefore, mT may be used as an alternative source of cytokinin for obtaining a higher rate of plant regeneration in W. somnifera.
Cerebral Doppler identifies very small fetuses that are less likely to experience intrapartum acidosis
Authors: Morales-Roselló José , Martínez-Varea Alicia , Khalil Asma
Published: March 2024

Purpose
To evaluate whether, in late pregnancy, the cerebral Doppler can identify very small fetuses that are less likely to experience intrapartum acidosis (IA).
Methods
This was a retrospective study of 282 singleton pregnancies that underwent an ultrasound scan at 32+ 0- 40+ 6 weeks and were delivered after induction, or spontaneous onset of labor. Very small fetuses were defined as fetuses with estimated weight less than the 3rd centile. IA was diagnosed in case of abnormal intrapartum fetal heart rate or intrapartum fetal scalp pH < 7.20, requiring urgent cesarean section, neonatal pH below 7.10 and Apgar score at 5 minutes < 7. The ability of the cerebral Doppler, middle cerebral artery pulsatility index, and cerebroplacental ratio, expressed in multiples of the median (MCA PI MoM and CPR MoM), to rule out the risk of IA was evaluated alone and combined with other sonographic and clinical parameters by means of logistic regression and ROC curve analyses.
Results
The only significant parameters determining IA were parity, MCA PI, and CPR MoM. [AUC 0.62 (95% CI 0.54–0.71, P = 0.012), 0.62 (95% CI 0.53–0.71, P = 0.008), 0.60 (95% CI 0.51–0.69, P = 0.020), respectively], while the best prediction was obtained combining parity with MCA PI or CPR [AUC 0.68 (95% CI 0.60–0.76), 0.67 (95% CI 0.60–0.75), P < 0.0001 for both]. Moreover, 90% of IA cases had MCA PI and CPR values below 1.1 MoM, while 100% had MCA and CPR values below 1.5 and 1.3 MoM. Finally, the negative predictive value was 82% for any combination of parameters that included either the MCA MoM or CPR MoM.
Conclusion
The cerebral Doppler can select very small fetuses that are less likely to experience IA. These fetuses might be to some extent constitutionally small and might be candidates for a more conservative management.
Study on aqueous film-forming foam extinguishing agent based on the compound system of nonionic fluorocarbon and cationic hydrocarbon surfactants
Authors: Zhang Ding , Peng Mengyuan , Sha Min , Wang Xiaopeng , Jiang Biao
Published: March 2024

Halon fire extinguishing agent has the advantages of high fire extinguishing efficiency and no pollution to fire-fighting target, but it is gradually being phased out as ozone depleting substance. Therefore, as a substitute for Halon, the research of aqueous film forming foam extinguishing agent (AFFF) is in the ascendant. In this paper, three kinds of environmentally friendly aqueous film-forming foam extinguishing agent formula (F-1, F-2, F-3) were designed with the perfluorinated branched short-chain fluorocarbon nonionic surfactant (PBNS), N-octyl trimethyl ammonium bromide(OTAB) and dodecyl betaine(BS-12) compounded system as the foaming agent, and multiple foam performance experiments showed that F-1 had superior foam performance. The initial foam height h0 was 48 mm, 25% drainage time was 240 s, the fire extinguishing time was 60 s, and the burn-back time was 610 s. This kind of fire extinguishing agent had potential fire-fighting application and could be used as the potential substitute for Halon fire extinguishing agent.
Clinical Characteristics and Prognostic Markers of Aggressive Subtypes of Thyroid Cancer: A Retrospective Chart Review Study
Authors: Radi Suhaib Adel , Al-Maghrabi Mazin , Binmahfooz Saleh , Franco Miguel , Payne Richard , Tamilia Michael
Published: March 2024

Importance: The prevalence of thyroid cancer has increased significantly. Aggressive subtypes of papillary thyroid cancer (AG-PTC) and poorly differentiated thyroid cancer (PDTC) are malignancies that lie between well-differentiated and undifferentiated cancers. The management of well-differentiated cancers has been established in the literature; however, that of AG-PTC and PDTC needs to be clarified. Objective: To describe the clinicopathological characteristics and genomic landscape of AG-PTC and PDTC and to assess their prognostic value. We primarily aimed to determine the association between persistent or recurrent thyroid cancer and clinicopathological prognostic markers Design: A retrospective chart review of patients with thyroid cancer over the last 10 years Setting: Single center Participants: Patients with AG-PTC or high-grade follicular cell-derived malignancies (HGFM) were included in the analysis. HGFM comprised of patients with PDTC & differentiated high-grade thyroid carcinoma. The clinical presentation, pathological characteristics, molecular markers, specific treatments, and clinical outcomes were compared between the groups. Exposure(s): Main Outcome(s) and Measure(s): Results: Of the 3,244 thyroid cancer charts reviewed, 136 met the criteria for AG-PTC and HGFM. The mean age at diagnosis was 49 years, with a predominance of women. The median follow-up duration was 3 years. The rate of persistent or recurrent disease was 40.3% in the AG-PTC group and 29.3% in the HGFM group, 4.5% died in the AG-PTC group, and 1.8% died in the HGFM group. The presence of vascular, lymphovascular invasion and extrathyroidal extension were associated with a higher incidence of persistent or recurrent disease (Hazard ratio: 2.5, 3.8, and 4.2, respectively; p < 0.05). When the Ki-67 index was divided into five groups, the recurrence rate was higher in the ≥ 20% Ki-67 group compared to lower Ki67 (P-value of 0.017). Although there was a numerical increase in the rate of persistent/recurrent disease among BRAF-mutated patients, it didn’t reach statistical significance. No difference was observed in recurrence based on percentage of aggressive/poorly differentiated tumor involvement. Conclusions and Relevance: Possible prognostic markers for predicting recurrent and persistent thyroid cancers and guiding therapy for AG-PTC and HGFM include vascular/lymphovascular invasion, extrathyroidal extension, and the proliferative index Ki-67.
A Novel Hierarchical Network-Based Approach to Unveil the Complexity of Functional Microbial Genome
Authors: Lu Yuntao , Li Qi , Li Tao
Published: March 2024

Biological networks serve a crucial role in elucidating intricate biological processes. While interspecies environmental interactions have been extensively studied, the exploration of gene interactions within species, particularly among individual microorganisms, is less developed. The proliferation of microbiome datasets necessitates a more nuanced analysis of microbial genome structures and functions. In this context, we introduce a novel construct, "Solid Motif Structures (SMS)", via a detailed biological network analysis of genomes within the same genus, effectively linking microbial genome structure with its function. Leveraging 162 high-quality genomes of Microcystis, a key freshwater cyanobacterium within microbial ecosystems, we established a comprehensive genome structure network. Employing advanced deep learning techniques, we uncovered 27 critical functional subnetworks and their associated SMS. Incorporating metagenomic data from seven geographically distinct lakes, we conducted a rigorous investigation into Microcystis' functional stability under varying environmental conditions, unveiling unique functional interaction models for each lake. Our work compiles these insights into an extensive resource repository, providing novel perspectives on the functional dynamics within Microcystis. This research advances biological network analysis, offering an innovative framework for understanding interactions between microbial genome structures and functions within the same genus.
Hematological and Plasma Biochemical Profile of Two Species of Freshwater Stingrays From the Amazon
Authors: Santos Marcio Quara Carvalho , Aride Paulo Henrique Rocha , Farias Flávia Dayane Felix , Oliveira Adriano Teixeira
Published: March 2024

The demand for fish by-products and the need for nutritionally adequate and less expensive The evaluation of hematological and plasma biochemical parameters and the subsequent establishment of reference intervals can facilitate the diagnosis of the health status of animals and contribute to animal production, management, and conservation of natural populations. This work aimed to determine the hematological parameters of wild specimens of the stingrays Potamotrygon motoro and Potamotrygon orbignyi from the lower Solimões River region, Amazonas, Brazil, establishing reference blood values. One hundred forty-one stingrays were captured, 92 specimens of P. motoro and 49 of P. orbignyi, of both sexes and at different stages of development (neonates and juveniles). Hematological and plasma biochemical parameters were determined according to the methodology recommended in the literature. No effect of sex was observed on the hematological parameters of juvenile animals for both species. P. motoro neonates presented a distinct hematological profile, with significantly lower hematocrit values, hemoglobin, number of erythrocytes, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, monocytes, plasma glucose, total proteins, albumin, and globulin. On the other hand, total cholesterol and urea levels were significantly higher in this same group compared to juveniles of the same species. Comparison between species revealed lower values of triglycerides and total cholesterol in P. orbignyi of both sexes. Due to the lack of sex effect, data from males and females of each species were grouped to establish more robust hematological reference intervals. The results obtained are pioneering for these Amazonian species in whitewater environments and will serve as a basis for evaluating the health status of wild stingrays. They can identify hematological disorders and monitor the animals' physiological adaptations to environmental changes.
Interdependency analysis between Precipitation and Temperature in Bangladesh: A copula-based approach
Authors: Prodhan Md Mehedi Hasan , Islam Md. Bashirul
Published: March 2024

Climate change presents a significant challenge to global ecosystems and human well-being, primarily through alterations in temperature and precipitation patterns. Understanding the interdependence between these crucial climatic parameters is crucial for assessing the impacts of climate change, particularly on extreme events like floods and droughts. This study employed copula functions to model the joint distribution of temperature and precipitation, surpassing their individual marginal distributions. The findings revealed strong correlations, as indicated by Kendall's tau coefficients and Spearman's rank correlation coefficients, between precipitation and mean temperature (τ = 0.524, ρ = 0.7), precipitation and maximum temperature (τ = 0.306, ρ = 0.456), and precipitation and minimum temperature (τ = 0.645, ρ = 0.795) at the 1% level of significance. Precipitation and minimum temperature both showed a marginal distribution of generalized Pareto, whereas mean temperature and maximum temperature showed marginal distributions of generalized extreme value and Weibull, respectively. Despite differing marginal distributions, copula modeling enables the establishment of a joint distribution. Among the copula functions tested, the Clayton copula emerges as the most suitable, exhibiting minimal AIC, BIC, RMSE, and maximal log-likelihood (LL) for all temperature (mean, maximum, and minimum) types. Overall, this study emphasizes the utility of copula-based approaches in analyzing the complex interdependence of climatic variables and their implications for climate change assessment and extreme event analysis.
Cause analysis and nursing experience of a case of thrombus on Eustachian valve after PICC catheterization
Authors: Ye Guan-Jun , Zhu Qian-Ru , Yu Yan-Fen , Wang Chun-Ying , Hu Su-Pei , Zhou Qin , He Juan
Published: March 2024

In this article, we have summarized and analyzed the causes and nursing experience of thrombosis on the eustachian valve in the right atrium of a patient with advanced gastric cancer during chemotherapy after PICC insertion. The nursing points included organizing multi-disciplinary joint consultation, vigilance against pulmonary embolism, nursing with anticoagulant drugs, and individualized psychological nursing. Finally, after 22 days of active treatment, the thrombus almost disappeared.
Electrotherapy; a promising therapy for virus eradication from olive shoot tip cultures cv. Meshkat
Authors: Mirzaei Leila , Yadollahi Abbas , Naderpour Masoud , Kermani Maryam Jafarkhani , Zeinanloo Ali Asghar , Eftekhari Maliheh , Eichmeier Ales
Published: March 2024

Olive tree harbors several viruses affecting the yield and quality of fruit worldwide. Application of virus-free planting materials is one of the main strategies to counteract virus diseases. The elimination ofArabis mosaic virus(ArMV), Cherry leaf roll virus(CLRV), Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) and Strawberry latent ringspot virus(SLRSV) by different electrotherapies in combination with shoot tip culture was investigated in a native Iranian olive cultivar Meshkat to find out the most efficient virus elimination procedure. The results showed that survival, regrowth and proliferation rates were dependent on the therapy and meristem type. In addition, the regrowth rate in the virus mixed-infected cv. Meshkat was notably increased by doubling the electrotherapy duration. ArMV, CLRV, CMV and SLRSV were completely eradicated by electrotherapy treatment (35 mA, 100 V, 30 min) and the apical shoot tip culture proved to be the most compatible technique. The therapy efficiency index was 54 for all studied viruses. The results concluded that the combination of electrotherapy with shoot tip culture can be successfully used as a virus elimination method for producing virus-free olive plants.
A case of CLIPPERS with persistent CSF OCBs: where do the immunoglobulins come from?
Authors: Ren Jingru , Wang Jianchun , Niu Zhenyu , Liu Ran , Guo Jing , Yao Yan , Hao Hongjun , Gao Feng
Published: March 2024

Introduction: CLIPPERS is a rare inflammatory disorder of central nervous system characterized by significant involvement of the subtentorial region. There is a growing body of evidence suggesting a potential association between CLIPPERS and malignancies, specifically lymphoma. Some studies have proposed a role for Epstein Barr Virus in the pathogenesis of CLIPPERS, with the presence of CSF oligoclonal bands observed in certain cases.
Case presentation: A 39-year-old man presented with gait instability and cognitive impairment lasting proximately half a year following a respiratory tract infection. Pathogenic analysis identified the presence of Epstein-Barr virus in CSF. MRI revealed hyperintense lesions in the subcortical white matter, pontine and cerebellar regions, accompanied by perivascular contrast enhancement resembling a curvilinear, pepper-like pattern. Persistent oligoclonal bands (OCBs) in CSF have also been a notable characteristic. Biopsy results indicated a perivascular infiltration of T lymphocyte, ruiling out granulomas, vasculitis, or neoplasia. After excluding other potential diagnosis, the patient was ultimately diagnosed with CLIPPERS. Long term follow-up revealed persistent cerebrospinal fluid restricted oligoclonal bands and elevated protein. Conclusion: The presence of persistent of OCBs in patients with CLIPPERS may suggest a heightened B cell activation milieu and a history of prior infections. Given the elevated risk of malignant transformation, long-term monitoring is imperative for CLIPPERS patients, especially those with Epstein-Barr virus infection.
Short term prediction of water level based on deep learning during the flood season, in the downstream area of The Three Gorges Reservoir
Authors: Mao Xianghu , Xiong Biao , Li Tiantian , Luo Xin , Yao Zilin , Li Jianshe , Huang Yingping
Published: March 2024

Accurately predicting river water levels is crucial for managing water resources and controlling floods. In this study, we propose a water level prediction model based on a deep learning method (Transformer model) to improve the accuracy and efficiency of predicting inland river water levels. Water level data from seven hydrological stations were collected from the downstream area of the Three Gorges Reservoir, which confirmed the effectiveness of the model. the proposed model was improved by three main algorithms: the wavelet thresholding denoising (WTD) algorithm, the maximum information coefficient (MIC) algorithm, and the linear exponential (LIMEX) loss function. We are dedicated to improving the accuracy of predicting peak water levels during flood seasons. The results show that the proposed MIC-TF-LINEX model has achieved superior performance in predicting water levels compared to other models, such as traditional Transformer, Back Propagation (BP) Neural Network, and Bi-directional Long Short Term Memory (BILSTM). Furthermore, extending the forecast period will also affect the accuracy of the water level forecasting model. When the prediction duration is 8 hours, the R2 value is 0.9989, the MAE is 0.1020, the MSE is 0.0166, and the MAPE is 0.0060. When the prediction timeframe is within 56 hours, the MSE of the prediction result is still less than 0.1 meters. This study provides a highly accurate and well-suited method for predicting floods.
Tiramisù: Making Sense of Multi-Faceted Process Information Through Time and Space
Authors: Alman Anti , Arleo Alessio , Beerepoot Iris , Burattin Andrea , Ciccio Claudio Di , Resinas Manuel
Published: March 2024

Knowledge-intensive processes represent a particularly challenging scenario for process mining. The flexibility that such processes allow constitutes a hurdle as they are hard to capture in a single model. To tackle this problem, multiple visual representations of the same processes could be beneficial, each addressing different information dimensions according to the specific needs and background knowledge of the concrete process workers and stakeholders. In this paper, we propose, describe, and evaluate a framework, named Tiramisù, that leverages visual analytics for the interactive visualization of multi-faceted process information, aimed at supporting the investigation and insight generation of users in their process analysis tasks.
Tiramisù is based on a multi-layer visualization methodology that includes a visual backdrop that provides context and an arbitrary number of superimposed and on-demand dimension layers. This arrangement allows our framework to display process information from different perspectives and to project this information onto a domain-friendly representation of the context in which the process unfolds. We provide an in-depth description of the approach's founding principles, deeply rooted in visualization research, that justify our design choices for the whole framework. We demonstrate the feasibility of the framework through its application in two use-case scenarios in the context of healthcare and personal information management. Plus, we conducted qualitative evaluations with potential end users of both scenarios, gathering precious insights about the efficacy and applicability of our framework to various application domains.
Effect of Glomerular Filtration Rate on Uric Acid Metabolism in a Retrospective Cohort of Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients on Sglt-2 Inhibitor Therapy
Authors: Vuraloglu Emre , Kut Altug , İyidir Özlem Turhan
Published: March 2024

Purpose
The study aims to investigate the effect of different glomerular filtration rates (GFR) on serum uric acid (SUA) level changes in Type-2 DM patients receiving SGLT-2 inhibitor therapy.
Methods
We investigated 3004 patients on SGLT-2 inhibitor treatment between January-2017 and September-2022. Patients who were taking irregular medication, did not attend follow-up visits, were taking medications that affected SUA levels, and were receiving gout treatment were excluded, leaving 410 patients in the sample after exclusions. Patients underwent measurement of blood and urine biochemical markers before SGLT-2 inhibitor treatment and at months 3 and 12. We divided the study group into 3 subgroups (GFR≥90, 60-89, 30-59 ml/min/1.73m2) according to the Kidney Disease Foundation for Improving Global Outcomes and analyzed the effects of SGLT-2 inhibitors on SUA levels according to GFR.
Results
The study group had a male:female ratio of 1.24:1 with a mean age of 59.1±11.55 years. When comparing before and after treatment, HbA1C, fasting blood glucose, creatinine, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides and SUA levels decreased significantly, while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and urine glucose levels increased significantly. In patients with GFR between 30-59 ml/min/1.73m2, no significant difference was found between the SUA values at pre-drug, 3rd, and 12th month drug therapy (p=0.368), and the effect on SUA levels differed according to GFR. This effect was not depending on the active substance and we considered it as a group effect of SGLT-2 inhibitors. The uric acid lowering effect of SGLT-2 inhibitors tends to increase as GFR increases.
Conclusion
We demonstrated that SGLT-2 inhibitors are not only anti-diabetic drugs, but may also have a protective role against diseases associated with hyperlipidemia and hyperuricemia in patients with preserved GFR, while no such effect should be expected in patients with low GFR.
Temporal trends of the disease burden of renal cell carcinoma from 1992 to 2019 in the US: A population-based analysis
Authors: Chen Ruyan , Tang Tian , Han Jianglong , Li Si , Liu Wenmin , Deng Haiyu , Jian Tingting , Fu Zhenming
Published: March 2024

Purpose
Significant advances in the management, in particular the treatment, of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has have been made over the years. However, it is not clear whether these advances reduce the disease burden of RCC at the population level.
Methods
Using data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database, we estimated the temporal trends of RCC incidence, incidence-based mortality (IBM), and survival rates in the United States (US) from 1992 to through 2019.
Results
From 2008 to 2019, the incidence increased slowly at 1.1% annually (95% CI: 0.6–1.5%). The overall IBM rate of RCC increased by 6.8% per year (95% CI: -1.1–15.3%) between 1994 and 1997, plateaued between 1997 and 2015, and then decreased nonsignificantly after 2015. During the study period, the overall 5-year survival rate of RCC continuously increased from 53.69% in 1992 to 72.90% in 2014, with the best improvement observed for RCC patients with distant disease. However, we projected that, given the current trends, the incidence of RCC in the US will continue to increase from 6.92 per 100,000 in 2015–2019 to 9.59 per 100,000 in 2040–2044.
Conclusion
Over the years, the mortality of RCC has been decreased reducing at the US populational level mainly because the considerably significantly improved survival of RCC patients at all stages through the advances in treatment. However, the overall incidence of RCC is continuously increasing, indicating that more effective preventive strategies should be developed to reduce the disease burden of RCC.