bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cytopenias in Pediatric Kidney Transplant Recipients: Risk Factors and Clinical Consequences
Authors: Regev-Sadeh Shira , Borovitz Yael , Steinberg-Shemer Orna , Gilad Oded , Shoham Shoval , Yacobovich Joanne
Published: August 2022

Purpose: To evaluate the characteristics of cytopenias in pediatric kidney transplant recipients (KTRs), identify predictors and assess management and consequences. Methods: A retrospective, single-center, case-control study of pediatric KTRs between the years 2000-2019. Possible risk factor for cytopenias were compared in multivariate Cox regression, with the aim of finding predictors for post-transplant thrombocytopenia (PTT) and post-transplant neutropenia (PTN). PTNs were analyzed for the total study period, and for the period beyond 6-months post-transplant (late PTNs), to rule-out the confounding influence of induction and initial intensive therapy.Results: 89 children were included in the study. Prevalence of PTT was 22%, all cases were mild or moderate. Post-transplant infections and graft rejection were found to be significant risk factors for PTT (HR 6.06, 95% CI 1.6-22.9, and HR 5.82, 95% CI 1.27-26.6, respectively). Overall PTN prevalence was 60%; 30% were severe (ANC ≤ 500(. Pre-transplant dialysis and post-transplant infections were significant predictors for late PTN (HR 11.2, 95% CI 1.45-86.4, and HR 3.32, 95% CI 1.46-7.57, respectively). Graft rejection occurred in 10% of KTRs with cytopenia, all following neutropenia, within 3 months from cytopenia appearance. In all such cases, mycophenolate mofetil dosing had been held or reduced prior to the rejection. One case resulted in graft-loss. Conclusions: Post-transplant infections are substantial contributors for developing PTTs and PTNs. Pre-emptive transplantation appears to reduce risk for late PTN, the accompanying reduction in immunosuppressive therapy and the ensuing risk for graft rejection. An alternative response to PTN, possible with granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), may diminish graft loss.
The impact of seasonal variations in vitamin D in active ambulatory men with cerebral palsy: A longitudinal cross-sectional comparison study
Authors: Langley Christina Kate , Onambele-Pearson Gladys , Sims David , Hussain Ayser , Mohindra Reece , Kershaw Bethany , Morse Christopher
Published: August 2022

Purpose
To identify the magnitude and impact of seasonal variations in vitamin D in physically active, ambulatory men with cerebral palsy on neuromuscular performance outcomes and bone indices.
Materials & Methods
A longitudinal observational study, in sixteen ambulant men with cerebral palsy aged 21.0 ± 1.3 years and 16 healthy, physical activity matched, typically developed controls aged 25.4 ± 2.6 years, completed assessments of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and parathyroid hormone during winter and summer. Neuromuscular outcomes included Vastus Lateralis size, knee extensor strength, 10 m sprint, vertical jumps, and grip strength. Bone ultrasounds were performed to obtain radius and tibia T and Z scores.
Results
Men with cerebral palsy and typically developed controls showed a 70.5% and 85.7% increase in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D from winter to summer months (p < 0.05), respectively. Neither group showed seasonal effects on neuromuscular outcomes muscle strength, size, vertical jump or tibia and radius T and Z scores. A seasonal interaction effect was seen in the tibia T and Z scores (p < 0.05).
Conclusions
There was similar seasonal increases in 25-hydroxyvitamin D observed in men with cerebral palsy and typically developed controls, but serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were still considered insufficient to improve bone or neuromuscular outcomes.
Provisioning Load Balancing in Time-Sensitive Task Allocation for Mobile Crowdsensing
Authors: Meitei Moirangthem Goldie , Marchang Ningrinla
Published: August 2022

Task allocation is the mechanism which enables the allotment of sensing tasks to participating users in a Mobile Crowdsensing (MCS) environment. While conventional task allocation techniques focus on maximizing profit for either the platform or the user, our proposed task allocation scheme, called Load Balanced Task Allocation (LBTA) is geared towards user-oriented task allocation in order to mainly address altruistic MCS campaigns in which participants voluntarily contribute towards a common goal such as in citizen science-based projects. This paper deals with the problem of task allocation using a load balanced approach while trying to maximize the allocation of tasks at the same time. The proposed LBTA algorithm has been compared with a known algorithm and their relative performances have been analysed. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm exhibits favourable performance for different crowdsensing scenarios.
“I didn’t know it was going to be like this.”: End of Life Care Experiences of Care Aides Care in Long-term Care
Authors: Booi Laura , Sixsmith Judith , Chaudhury Habib , O'Connor Deborah , Surr Claire , Young Melanie , Sixsmith Andrew
Published: August 2022

Background: Care aides provide upwards of 90% of the direct care for residents in long-term care (LTC) and thus hold great potential in improving residents’ quality of life and end-of-life (EoL) care experiences. Although the scope and necessity of the care aide role is predicted to increase in the future, there is a lack of understanding around their perceptions and experiences of delivering EoL care in LTC settings.Methods: Data were collected over ten months of fieldwork at one long-term care home in western Canada; semi-structured interviews (70 hours) with 31 care aides; and naturalistic observation (170 hours). Data were analysed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis.Results: Three themes were identified: (i) the lack of training and preparedness for the role of EoL care; (ii) the emotional toll that delivering this care takes on the care aids and; (iii) the need for healing and support among this workforce. Findings show that the vast majority of care aides reported feeling unprepared for the delivery of the complex care work required for good EoL care. Findings indicate that there are not adequate resources available for care aides’ to support the mental and emotional aspect of their role in the delivery of EoL care in LTC. Participants shared unique stories of their own self-care traditions to support their grief, processing and emotional healing. Conclusions: The care aides’ role in LTC is of increasing importance, especially in relation to the ageing population and the delivery of EoL care. To facilitate the health and wellbeing of this essential workforce, care aides need to have appropriate training and preparation for the complex care work required for good EoL care. It is essential that mechanisms in LTC become mandatory to support care aides' mental health and emotional wellbeing in this role.
Forgetting provide a clue to sudden death due to acute aortic dissection
Authors: WANG Junwen , SUN Ziyi
Published: August 2022

Acute aortic dissection (ADD) is the frequently diagnosed lethal disease of the aorta. Some of the patients with acute aortic dissection is complicated by neurological symptoms. Although there are previous reports of the clinical characteristics of patients with aortic dissection presenting with neurological symptoms, acute aortic dissection with forgetting as first manifestation has not been well described. To increase the clinician awareness of AAD, we firstly reported one male Chinese patient to present with forgetfulness as an initial symptom as the first manifestation. A 53-year-old man presented at the emergency department with forgetting. First, stroke must be considered early in the differential diagnosis, as “time is brain.” Secondly, the diagnosis was acute myocardial infarction, and emergent coronary angiogram are examined. At long last, the ADD was diagnosed with enhanced CT. Thus, a much of valuable time is lost in diagnosis rather than for the treatment. Timing of surgery Optimal timing for surgery have already missed. patients while waiting for emergency surgery died following aortic dissection rupture. In patients presenting with cannot entirely account for forgetting, ADD should be considered. We believe this case report contains a worthwhile clinical lesson for clinicians.
Caspase-1 -dependent pyroptosis are associated with immune reconstruction failure in HIV-positive patients receiving antiretroviral therapy: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Lao Xiaojie , Mei Xinyin , Zou Jun , Xiao Qing , Ning Qiuyue , Xu Xianli , Zhang Chunlan , Ji Lei , Deng Shengwei , Lu Bingyang , Chen Maowei
Published: August 2022

BackgroundHighly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy (HAART) can successfully suppress HIV-1 viral replication and reconstruct immune function reconstruction in HIV infected patients. However, about 15-30 % of HIV infected patients still fail to recover their CD4+T cell counts after HAART treatment, which means immune reconstruction failure. Pyroptosis plays an important role in the death of CD4+T cells in HIV infected patients. The study aims to explore the association between the expression of pyroptosis in peripheral blood and immune function reconstruction in HIV infected patients.MethodsOne hundred fifty-three HIV-infected patients including immunological nonresponders group (INR), immunological responders group (IR) and normal immune function control group (NC) were analyzed. The expression of GSDMD and Caspase-1 in peripheral blood of HIV infected patients were measured by qPCR. The concentrations of IL-1β and IL-18 in the peripheral serum were quantified by ELISA. The associations between the expression of pyroptosis in peripheral blood and immune function reconstruction were analyzed using multivariate logistic models.ResultsThe relative expression of GSDMD mRNA and caspase-1 mRNA in peripheral blood, as well as the expression of IL-18 cytokine in the INR, were significantly higher than those in the IR and NC(P<0.05). There was no significant difference in expression of IL-1β cytokine (P>0.05). Multivariate logistic analysis showed that the patients with baseline CD4+T cell counts less than 100 cells/μL (aOR=5.913, 95%CI=1.061-32.958, P=0.043), high level of expression of Caspase-1mRNA (aOR=2.833,95%CI=1.127-7.126, P=0.027) and IL-18 cytokine (aOR=8.569, 95%CI=1.661-44.195, P=0.010) had significant poor CD4+T cell recovery. ConclusionsThe pyroptosis was overactivated in peripheral blood in HIV infected patients with immune reconstitution failure. The baseline CD4+T cell count less than 100 cells/μL, high relative expression of Caspase-1 mRNA, and high expression of IL-18 cytokine are independent risk factors that affect the reconstruction of immune function.
Selenoprotein Sepp1 regulates Cysteine Dependence in Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Amer Arslan , Alothaim Tahiyat , Tang Xiaohu
Published: August 2022

Metabolic deregulations frequently occur in various cancers and differentiate cancer cells from normal cells. Such changes predispose cancer cells to potential vulnerabilities. There is rising interest in developing novel therapies to target tumor metabolic vulnerability. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most common type of cancer in pancreas and ranks as the second most lethal cancer in USA due to lack of effective targeted therapy options. Targeting cysteine dependence of cancer cells by blocking cysteine uptake or inhibition of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) can eliminate many types of cancer cells via ferroptotic cell death. We observed that PDACs show differential vulnerability to cysteine depletion, which associates with the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) status of tumor cells. Two subtypes of PDAC are derived from these phenotypic disparities: The mesenchymal-type tumor cells are significantly sensitive to targeted cysteine therapy, while the epithelial-type responds reluctantly. We found that the selenoprotein Sepp1 expression is greatly reduced in mesenchymal tumor cells, and its suppression sensitizes epithelial-type tumor cells to ferroptosis inducers. Sepp1 is a major reservoir and transporter of selenium in plasma and functions as a tissue and cell antioxidant. In line with this, addition of selenium alleviates cell reliance on cysteine and protects mesenchymal-type tumor cells from ferroptosis inducers. We further revealed that loss of Sepp1 compromises activity of the thioredoxin system by gene regulation on both transcriptional and translational levels. Overall, our findings suggested that Sepp1 regulates cysteine-dependence by modulating the thioredoxin system. Also, the inhibition of thioredoxin reductases can synergize with targeted cysteine therapy to overcome drug resistance in epithelial-subtype pancreatic cancer.
Using neural networks to detect fire from overhead images
Authors: Kurasinski Lukas , Tan Jason , Malekian Reza
Published: August 2022

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) is increasing in our everyday applications. One emerging field within AI is image recognition. Research that has been devoted to predicting fires involves predicting its behaviour. That is, how the fire will spread based on environmental key factors such as moisture, weather condition, and human presence. The result of correctly predicting fire spread can help firefighters to minimise the damage, deciding on possible actions, as well as allocating personnel effectively in potentially fire prone areas to extinguish fires quickly. Using neural networks (NN) for active fire detection has proven to be exceptional in classifying smoke and being able to separate it from similar patterns such as clouds, ground, dust, and ocean. Recent advances in fire detection using NN has proved that aerial imagery including drones as well as satellites has provided great results in detecting and classifying fires. These systems are computationally heavy and require a tremendous amount of data. A NN model is inextricably linked to the dataset on which it is trained. The cornerstone of this study is based on the data dependencieds of these models. The model herein is trained on two separate datasets and tested on three dataset in total in order to investigate the data dependency. When validating the model on their own datasets the model reached an accuracy of 92% respectively 99%. In comparison to previous work where an accuracy of 94% was reached. During evaluation of separate datasets, the model performed around the 60% range in 5 out of 6 cases, with the outlier of 29% in one of the cases.
How inappropriate cabling prevents hospitals from becoming "smart" and future communication system management concerns
Authors: HANADA Eisuke , KUDOU Takato
Published: August 2022

Most hospitals have introduced Information and Communication Technology (ICT), and the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the increased use of wireless communication to achieve a more “contactless” medical environment. The most common applications of wireless communication systems in hospitals include patient data collection and sharing, voice communication, and authentication. Transmission of physician's instructions that are input to the hospital information system can now be done through wireless LAN functions in medical settings. Such systems can be expected to greatly expand in the future. However, problems with the reliability of data transmission in wireless communication systems have arisen. In a survey by the Japanese government, nearly half of the hospitals answered that they had experienced problems with wireless communication. Here, we describe architectural problems that may become obstacles to the future expansion of wireless communication, then propose countermeasures.
Quality of medicines in Sri Lanka: A retrospective review of safety alerts
Authors: Janani Tharmalinga Sharma Jegath , Ketharam Madumai , Herath Kaumada Binoli , Shobia Senathiraja Sherley
Published: August 2022

Background
Quality of medicines is necessary to ensure patient safety. Quality failures of medicines could result in patient harm. Many medicine quality problems are detected after they arrive at health facilities. Medicine withholds and recalls are conducted for critically defective medicines that pose health risks to patients.
Aims
To investigate the withheld and recalled medicines in relation to the types of defects, their frequencies, therapeutic categories, pharmaceutical dosage forms, and country of manufacturer.
Methods
A retrospective review was done on withheld and recalled medicines published on the publicly available National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) official website, Sri Lanka between June 2018 and January 2022. Two categories of defective medicine alerts were identified: falsified medicines (FM) and substandard medicines (SM), out of which SM were extracted and included as none of the FM was reported in Sri Lanka. Each record of SM was individually reviewed to determine the type of defect, therapeutic category, pharmaceutical dosage form, manufacturer with respect to his country and respective frequencies.
Results
Among 163 total defects reported, the most common types of defects were contamination (N = 59, 36.2%), stability defects (N = 41, 25.2%), packaging and labelling defects (N = 27, 16.6%) and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) defects (N = 26, 15.9%). Out of 143 total defective medicines identified, anti-infectives (for systemic use) accounted for 42.2%, while parenteral preparations (N = 63, 44.0%) were found to be frequently defective. Nearly 70% of the recalled and withheld medicines were of Indian origin and seven manufacturers were identified as repeatedly involved with medicine withholds and recalls.
Conclusions
Substandard medicines are a problem in Sri Lanka and have resulted in an increasing number of withheld and recalled medicines. This study revealed that contaminations were the most frequent cause of defective medicines while parenteral preparations and anti-infectives were the most susceptible pharmaceutical dosage form as well as therapeutic category to be substandard. In addition, some manufacturers were accountable for repetitive withholds and recalls. Therefore, this review highlights the need of investigating the underlying causes and preventive measures to be implemented by manufacturers and regulatory authorities to avoid similar episodes in future.
Integrative snRNA-seq and snATAC-seq profiling revealed the dynamic nuclear heterogeneity and lineage-specific regulatory architecture of the human placental syncytiotrophoblast
Authors: Wang Hongmei , Wang Meijiao , Liu Yawei , run sun , Liu Fenting , Zhang Jixiang , Yan Long , Wang Yiming , Li Shiwen , Zhu Xili , Li Rong , Lu Falong , Xiao Zhenyu
Published: August 2022

The significance of the placenta in success pregnancy outcome has been generally acknowledged. Despite our growing understanding of placenta cellular compositions and function, the heterogeneity among billions of nuclei within the syncytiotrophoblast (STB), a multinucleated entity primarily responsible for placental function, remains largely understudied. To better understand the identity of nuclei within STB, we applied integrated single-nucleus RNA-seq (snRNA-seq) and single-nucleus sequencing assay for transposase-accessible chromatin (snATAC-seq) on human placentas at early and late pregnancy. We inferred dynamic STB nuclear-heterogeneity, lineage-determining enhancer gene-regulatory networks and differentiation trajectories of STB nuclei and revealed their crucial biological features. Intriguingly, we found that nascent STB nuclei were involved in diverse biosynthetic processes that might be coordinated by MAPK and Erbb siganling cascades, and STBFLT1 represented mature nuclei exhibited high expression of genes associated with oxygen response and extracellular matrix organization. Gene expression in STBPAPPA represented ones was associated with a wide variety of hormone production. We identified mature lineage biased master TFs such as JUNB and STAT5A. Through STAT5A deletion in the hTSCs, we verified the regulatory roles of it in down-regulation of STBPAPPA nucear associated gene expressions. Our data paves the way for charting human STB development and its related diseases.
Modified rock slope equivalent Mohr-Coulomb strength parameters satisfying the Hoek-Brown criterion
Authors: Song Yanhui , Feng Man , Chen Peng
Published: August 2022

The most critical parameter for determining equivalent values for the Mohr-Coulomb friction angle and cohesion from the nonlinear Hoek-Brown criterion is the upper limit of confining stress. For rock slopes, this value is the maximum value of the minimum principal stress (σ'3,max) on the potential failure surface. In this contribution, the existing problems in the existing research are analyzed and summarized. Using the finite element method (FEM), the location of potential failure surfaces for a wide range of slope geometries and rock mass properties are calculated using the strength reduction method, and a corresponding finite element elastic stress analysis was carried in order to determine (σ'3,max) of the failure surface. Through a systematic analysis of 425 different slopes, it is found that slope angle (β) and geological strength index (GSI) have the most significant influence on (σ'3,max) while the influence of intact rock strength and the material constant mi are relatively small. According to the variation of (σ'3,max) with different factors, two new formulas for estimating (σ'3,max) are proposed. Finally, the proposed two equations were applied to 31 real case studies to illustrate the applicability and validity.
Matrix is everywhere: extracellular DNA is a link between biofilm and mineralization in Bacillus cereus planktonic lifestyle
Authors: Kulminskaya Anna , Ivanova Lyubov , Egorov Vladimir , Zabrodskaya Yana , Shaldzhyan Aram , Baranchikov Alexander , Tsvigun Natalia , Lykholay Anna , Yapryntsev Alexey , Lebedev Dmitry
Published: August 2022

To date, the mechanisms of biomineralization induced by bacterial cells in context of biofilm formation remain unclear. Even less information is available on the biofilm formation in planktonic cells with relation to calcifying microorganisms. In this study, we show the details of the first hours of Bacillus cereus growth in a Ca2+- and urea-rich liquid medium, in which the formation of mineral calcium carbonate precipitates was induced. These precipitates were localized in the extracellular matrix (ECM) formed in planktonic culture at the stage of exponential growth and comprised of extracellular DNA, amyloid proteins and polysaccharides. While accumulation of extracellular polysaccharides and amyloids appeared to be independent of the presence of calcium and urea during the growth, accumulation of eDNA required the presence of both Ca and urea in the medium. Removal of eDNA, which was sensitive to treatment by DNase, did not affect other matrix components, but resulted in disruption of cell network formation and strong inhibition of the mineral formation.
Our results indicate that the mechanism of biomineralization by planktonic B. cereus cells appeared to involve a combination of factors including changes in protein expression pattern in response to stress, accumulation of extracellular polysaccharides, protein amyloids and eDNA leading to formation of ECM, and changes in cell metabolism and the medium pH. It was eDNA in extracellular matrix that appeared to provide centers for calcium carbonate precipitation, thus being a necessary factor for triggering the biomineralization. Precipitation of amorphous CaCO3 on ECM was followed by crystal formation via the ACC-vaterite-calcite/aragonite pathway and formation of larger mineral aggregates in complex with extracellular polymeric substances.
Varying outcomes of triple-negative breast cancer in different age groups - prognostic value of clinical features and proliferation
Authors: Vihervuori Hilda , Korpinen Katarina , Autere Tuomo-Artturi , Repo Heli , Talvinen Kati , Kronqvist Pauliina
Published: August 2022

Purpose: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive disease lacking specific biomarkers to guide treatment decisions. We evaluated the combined prognostic impact of clinical features and novel biomarkers of cell cycle-progression in age-dependent subgroups of TNBC patients. Methods: 147 TNBC patients with complete clinical data and up to 18-year follow-up were collected from Turku University Hospital, Finland. Eight biomarkers for cell division were immunohistochemically detected to evaluate their clinical applicability in relation to patient and tumor characteristics. Results: Age at diagnosis was the decisive factor predicting disease-specific mortality in TNBC (p = 0.002). The established prognostic features, nodal status and Ki-67, predicted survival only when combined with age. The outcome and prognostic features differed significantly between age groups, middle-aged patients showing the most favorable outcome. Among young patients, only lack of basal differentiation predicted disease outcome, indicating 4.5-fold mortality risk (p=0.03). Among patients aged >57, the established prognostic features predicted disease outcome with up to 3.0-fold mortality risk for tumor size ≥2cm (p=0.001). Concerning cell proliferation, Ki-67 alone was a significant prognosticator among patients aged > 57 years (p=0.009). Among the studied cell cycle-specific biomarkers, only geminin predicted disease outcome, indicating up to 6.2-fold increased risk of mortality for tumor size <2cm (p=0.03). Conclusions: Traditional clinical features do not provide optimal prognostic characterization for all TNBC patients. Young age should be considered as an additional adverse prognostic feature in therapeutic considerations. Increased proliferation, as evaluated using Ki-67 or geminin immunohistochemistry, showed potential in detecting survival differences in subgroups of TNBC.
Lipid Accumulation Product, Visceral Adiposity Index and Risk of Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Bullen Alexander L. , Katz Ronit , Kumar Ujjala , Gutierrez Orlando M. , Sarnak Mark J. , Kramer Holly J. , Shlipak Michael G. , Ix Joachim H. , Judd Suzanne E. , Cushman Mary , Garimella Pranav S.
Published: August 2022

Background: Lipid accumulation product (LAP) and visceral adiposity index (VAI) are novel, non-imaging markers of visceral adiposity that are calculated by using body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC) and serum lipid concentrations. We hypothesized that LAP and VAI are more strongly associated with adverse kidney outcomes than BMI and WC.Methods: Using data from the REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study, we used multivariable logistic regression to evaluate associations of LAP, VAI, BMI and WC with incident chronic kidney disease (CKD), (incident eGFR <60ml/min/1.73m2 and > 25% decline).Results: Among the overall cohort of 27,550 participants, the mean baseline age was 65 years; 54% were women; and 41% were African American. After a median of 9.4 years (IQR 8.6, 9.9) of follow-up, a total of 1127 cases of incident CKD were observed. Each two-fold higher value of VAI (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.04, 1.20), LAP (OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.13, 1.29), WC (OR 2.10, 95% CI 1.60, 2.76) and BMI (OR: 2.66, 95% CI 1.88, 3.77,) was associated with greater odds of incident CKD. Conclusions: LAP and VAI as measures of visceral adiposity are associated with higher odds of incident CKD but may not provide information beyond WC and BMI.
Prediction of optical coherence tomography-detected calcified nodules using coronary computed tomography angiography
Authors: Sugiura Junichi , Watanabe Makoto , Nobuta Saki , Okamura Akihiko , Kyodo Atsushi , Nakamura Takuya , Nogi Kazutaka , Ishihara Satomi , Hashimoto Yukihiro , Ueda Tomoya , Seno Ayako , Onoue Kenji , Soeda Tsunenari , Saito Yoshihiko
Published: August 2022

Diagnosis of Calcified nodules (CNs) is critical in proper management of coronary artery disease but CNs can be detected only using intracoronary imaging modalities. This study aimed to investigate the ability of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) in predicting CNs detected by optical coherence tomography (OCT). In total, 138 patients (249 vessels) who underwent OCT after CCTA evaluation were retrospectively enrolled and classified into CN (11 patients / 12 vessels) and non-CN (127 patients / 237 vessels) groups based on the OCT analysis. Retrospective CCTA analysis revealed that coronary artery calcification score (CACS), calcified plaque volume (CPV), non-calcified plaque volume (NCPV), low-attenuation plaque volume (LAPV), and maximum calcified plaque area (MCPA) in the target vessel were significantly larger in the CN group than in non-CN group. Receiver operating characteristic curve indicated that CACS ≥ 162 (area under the ROC curve (AUC 0.86, sensitivity 83.3%, specificity 71.3%), CPV ≥ 20.2 mm3 (AUC 0.88, sensitivity 91.7%, specificity 70.5%), NCPV ≥ 1737 mm3 (AUC 0.71, sensitivity 75.0%, specificity 72.6%), LAPV ≥ 358 mm³ (AUC 0.71, sensitivity 91.7%, specificity 52.7%), and MCPA ≥ 4.51 mm² (AUC 0.9, sensitivity 91.7%, specificity 84.0%) were the best cutoff value for predicting CNs. Therefore, CCTA is useful for predicting OCT-detected CNs.
Real-world clinicopathological outcome of bronchopulmonary carcinoids with lymph node metastasis received radical surgery：A single-centre retrospective study in the last 22 Years in China
Authors: Gao Chao , Zhang Jiaqi , Wang Yadong , Huang Cheng , Zhang Ye , Chen Yeye , Li Shanqing
Published: August 2022

Background: Bronchopulmonary carcinoids(BPCs) are rare malignancies but are known to be one of the most common causes of the ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH) syndrome. Surgery is the mainstay of therapy and one key question considering surgical treatment is the impact of local lymph node metastases. We sought to determine the risk factors and prognosis of LN metastases in resected carcinoid patients.Methods: Data of 42 patients of BPCs with lymph node metastasis who received radical surgery in Peking Union Medical College Hospital(PUMCH) from Jan 2000 to Dec 2021were retrospectively analysed. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival(PFS) were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curves. Independent prognostic factors were assessed by COX hazard proportion model. Results: It was indicated that in patients received radical surgery with local lymph node positive of BPCs, the 5-year OS and PFS rate was 74.5%, 68.3%, respectively. Multivariate Cox regression indicated that ectopic ACTH syndrome(EAS) could predict significantly to a better OS and PFS. In the subgroup analysis, the age, tumor size, Ki-67 index, histology and postoperative chemotherapy in patients with EAS had significantly differences with those without EAS. Conclusions: Our study certified R0 resection with lymphadenectomy was effective in patients with lymph nodal positive. The ectopic ACTH syndrome was a protective factor for a better prognosis, which could provide clear evidence for operations.
Patient Questionnaires Based Parkinson’s Disease
Classification Using Artificial Neural Network
Authors: Das Tarakashar , Mobassirin Sabrina , Hossain Syed Mohammod Minhaz , Das Aka , Sen Anik , K Khaleque Md. Aashiq , Deb Kaushik
Published: August 2022

Parkinson’s disease is one of the most prevalent and harmful neurodegenerative conditions (PD). Even today, PD diagnosis and monitoring remain pricy and inconvenient processes. With the unprecedented progress of artificial intelligence algorithms, there is an opportunity to develop a cost-effective system for diagnosing PD at an earlier stage. There is no permanent remedy established yet; however, an earlier diagnosis helps to lead a better life. The three most responsible symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease are tremors, rigidity, and body bradykinesia. Therefore, to diagnose PD patients at the beginning stage, we investigate the 53 unique features of Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initia-
tive (PPMI) dataset. Furthermore, we utilize Machine Learning (ML), Ensemble Learning (EL), and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) for classification. As feature selection is an integral part in developing generalize model, we investigate including and excluding feature selection. Four feature selection methods are incorporated - Low Variance Filter, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, Principle Component Analysis, and Chi-Square test. Our proposed ANN model attains the best mean accuracy of 99.51%, 98.17% mean specificity, 0.9830 mean Kappa Score, 0.99 mean AUC, and 99.70% mean F1-score. The efficiency of our suggested technique on diverse data modalities is demonstrated by comparison
with recent publications. Finally, we established a trade-off between classification time and accuracy
A point cloud-based welding trajectory planning method for plane welds
Authors: Zhang Yuankai , Jiang Yong , Tian Xincheng , Xu Xiaolong , Geng Yusen , Lai Min
Published: August 2022

Plane welds are a common type of weld in industrial sites. When the welding robot welds multiple types of plane welds at the same time, the traditional teaching and programming modes become relatively complicated. Therefore, in order to solve the problem of automatic robot welding of various types of plane welds, taking plane V-type butt, plane I-type butt, and plane lap welds as examples, this paper proposes a plane weld extraction method based on 3D vision. Firstly, in order to realize the line and plane segmentation of the workpiece point cloud, we establish the concept of plane point cloud density. Secondly, to segment workpiece edge lines, an iterative segmentation algorithm based on RANSAC is proposed. Then, based on the geometric features of the workpiece, a method for extracting weld feature points based on centroid positioning is proposed. Finally, the least squares method is used to fit the feature points of the welding seam to complete the welding trajectory planning. The experimental results show that the method can well solve the problem of automatic planning welding trajectory of plane V-type butt, plane I-type butt, and plane lap welds, to realize that the welding robot can simultaneously weld various plane welds without teaching and programming.
The use of condoms and other birth control methods among sexually active school-going adolescents in nine sub-Saharan African countries
Authors: James Peter Bai , Osborne Augustus , Babawo Lawrence Sao , Bah Abdulai Jawo , Margao Emmanuel Kamanda
Published: August 2022

Background: Adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa still face sexual and reproductive health challenges. Contraceptives have been used to address these challenges. However, contraceptive uptake among young people in Africa remains a challenge despite efforts at national and global levels. We estimated the prevalence and correlates of condom use and other birth control methods among sexually active school-going adolescents in nine sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries.Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of the Global School-based Student Health Surveys (GSHS) datasets pooled from nine SSA countries. We included a sample of 27504 school-going adolescents aged 11 and 18 years. We employed meta-analysis using a random-effects model to estimate the total prevalence of the use of condoms, other birth control methods other than a condom and any birth control method at last sexual intercourse. We conducted complex sample descriptive and logistic regression analyses.Results: More than half [n=4430, 53.8% (43.9- 63.8)], two-fifth [n=3242, 39.5% (33.2-45.9) and two-thirds of adolescents [n=4838, 65.6% (57.5-73.7)] of sexually active in school adolescents across the nine sub-Saharan African countries used condom, other birth control methods and any form birth control method during their last sexual intercourse, respectively. The non-use of condoms at last sex was associated with being younger (less than 16 years) [AOR=1.48;95%CI: 1.12-1.94], early sexual debut [AOR=1.81(1.47-2.22)], having two or more sexual partners [AOR=1.30(1.06-1.58)] and no/minimal parental support [AOR=1.54(1.17-2.03)]. The non-use of other birth control methods at last sex was associated with being male [AOR=1.37 (1.09- 1.73)], early sexual debut [AOR=1.83(1.48-2.27) and no/minimal parental support [AOR=1.64(1.34-2.00)].Conclusion: Contraceptive need among sexually active school adolescents in the nine sub-Saharan African countries is high. Such a need calls for the development of country-specific and or the review of existing school-based sexual health education and youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health interventions that target risky adolescents and promote adolescent-parent effective communication, connectedness and support.
River plastic during floods: Amplified mobilization, limited river-scale dispersion
Authors: Emmerik Tim van , Frings Roy , Schreyers Louise , Hauk Rahel , de Lange Sjoukje , Mellink Yvette
Published: August 2022

Plastic pollution in the world's rivers and ocean is increasingly threatening ecosystem health and human livelihood. In contrast to what is commonly assumed, most mismanaged plastic waste that enters the environment is not exported into the ocean. Rivers are therefore not only conduits, but also reservoirs of plastic pollution. Plastic mobilization, transport and retention dynamics are influenced by hydrological processes, and river catchment features (e.g. land-use, vegetation, and river morphology). Increased river discharge has been associated with elevated plastic transport rates, although the exact relation between the two can vary over time and space. The precise role of an extreme discharge event on plastic transport is however still unknown. Here, we show that fluvial floods drive plastic transport and accumulation in river systems. We collected unique observational evidence during the July 2021 flood along the complete Dutch part of the Meuse. Plastic transport multiplied with a factor of 141 upstream of the Dutch Meuse, compared to non-flood conditions, making the Meuse one of the most polluted rivers measured to date. Over one-third of the annual plastic transport was estimated to occur within the six-day period of extreme discharge. Towards the river mouth, plastic transport during the flood period decreased by 90\%, suggesting that the dispersal of plastic mobilized during the flood is limited due to the entrapment on riverbanks, in vegetation, and on the floodplains. Plastic accumulation on the riverbanks decreased significantly along the river, corroborating the river's function as plastic reservoir. Using new observational evidence, we demonstrate the crucial role of floods as driver of plastic transport and accumulation in river systems. Floods amplify the mobilization of plastics, but the effects are local, and the river-scale dispersion is limited. We anticipate that our findings serve as a starting point for improving global estimates of river plastic transport, retention, and export into the sea. Moreover, our results provide essential insights for future large-scale and long-term quantitative assessments of river plastic pollution. Reliable observations and a fundamental understanding of plastic transport are key to designing effective prevention and reduction strategies.
Blocking Cx43 alleviates P2X4 receptor-mediated neuropathic pain in CCI rats
Authors: Xing Juping , Wang Hongji , Chen Lisha , Wang Hanxi , Huang Huan , Huang Jiabao , Xu Changshui
Published: August 2022

Neuropathic pain is a growing concern in the medical community, and the search for new analgesic targets for neuropathic pain has become a new hot spot. In this study, we examined whether Cx43 has a key role in neuropathic pain mediated by P2X4 receptor- in rats after peripheral nerve injuring. Our experimental results show that ATP released via Cx43 has a crucial role in P2X4 receptor-mediated neuropathic pain in the rat model of chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve, and the p38, ERK, and NF-kB signaling pathways have been shown to be involved in the development of neuropathic pain processes. In brief, blockade of CX43 could attenuateP2X4 receptor-mediated neuropathic pain in rats suffering from CCI, and Cx43 may be promising therapeutic targets for the development of novel pharmacological agents in the management of neuropathic pain.
Human placental extracts suppress mast cell activation and induce mast cell apoptosis
Authors: Wu Tongqian , He Jingjing , Yan Shirong , Li Jing , Chen Ke , Zhang Dingshan , Cheng Mingliang , Xiang Zou , Yu Fang
Published: August 2022

Background
Human placental extracts (HPE) have been documented to facilitate the healing of certain disorders including allergy. However, the effects of HPE on the functionality of mast cells, a critical cell type in allergic diseases, have not been reported.
Methods
To investigate the effects of HPE on the regulation of allergy with respect to the biological functions of mast cells, the mast cell line C57 cells were treated with HPE followed by the assessment of cell proliferation, apoptosis, activation, chemotaxis and phagocytosis. Mouse peritoneal mast cells were also investigated for their responses to induction of apoptosis by HPE in vivo. Furthermore, the effect of HPE on mast cell degranulation was confirmed using the passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) assay, an acute allergy model.
Results
HPE was capable of suppressing mast cell proliferation and inducing mast cell apoptosis. Mast cell degranulation in response to compound 48/80- or anti-DNP IgE and DNP-mediated activation was suppressed. In addition, treatment with HPE compromised the production of cytokines by mast cells and cell chemotaxis. These observations were consistent with the dampened passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) assay following treatment with HPE.
Conclusion
This study revealed a suppressive effect of HPE on overall mast cell activities, suggesting a potential regulatory role of HPE on the alleviation of allergic diseases through mast cells.
An improved real time detection of data poisoning attacks in Deep Learning Vision systems
Authors: Raghavan Vijay , Mazzuchi Thomas , Sarkani Shahram
Published: August 2022

The practice of using deep learning methods in safety critical vision systems such as autonomous driving has come a long way. As vision systems supported by deep learning methods become ubiquitous, the possible security threats faced by these systems have come into greater focus. As it is with any artificial intelligence system, these deep neural vision networks are first trained on a data set of interest, once they start performing well, they are deployed to a real-world environment. In the training stage, deep learning systems are susceptible to data poisoning attacks. While deep neural networks have proved to be versatile in solving a host of challenges. These systems have complex data ecosystems especially in computer vision. In practice, the security threats when training these systems are often ignored while deploying these models in the real world. However, these threats pose significant risks to the overall reliability of the system. In this paper, we present the fundamentals of data poisoning attacks when training deep learning vision systems and discuss countermeasures against these types of attacks. In addition, we simulate the risk posed by a real-world data poisoning attack on a deep learning vision system and present a novel algorithm MOVCE - Model verification with Convolutional Neural Network and Word Embeddings which provides an effective countermeasure for maintaining the reliability of the system. The countermeasure described in this paper can be used on a wide variety of use cases where the risks posed by poisoning the training data are similar.
A diatom-inferred water depth transfer function from a single lake in the northern California Coast Range
Authors: Han Jiwoo , Kirby Matthew , Carlin Joe , Nauman Benjamin , MacDonald Glen
Published: August 2022

This study examines the relationship between diatom assemblages from lake sediment surface samples and water depth at Kelly Lake, California. A total of 40 surface sediment samples (top 5 cm) were taken at various depths within the small (3.4 ha) five-meter-deep lake. Secchi depths, water temperature, pH, salinity, conductivity, and total dissolved solids were also measured. Some diatom species showed distinct association with depth (e.g., Fragilaria crotonensis, Nitzschia semirobusta). The relationship between the complete diatom assemblages and water depth was analyzed and assessed by depth-constrained cluster analysis, a one-way analysis of similarity, and principal components analysis. Statistically significant differences were found between the assemblages associated with shallow depth (0 m – 1.25 m), mid-depth (1.25 m – 3.75 m), and deep depth (3.75 m – 5.2 m) locations. The relationship between diatom assemblages and lake depth allowed two transfer models to be developed using the Modern Analogue Technique (MAT) and Weighted Averaging Partial Least Squares (WA-PLS). These models were compared and assessed by residual scatter plots. We demonstrate that the diatom assemblages in the sediments of Kelly Lake are differentiated by lake depth. The results indicate that diatom-inferred transfer models based on surface sediment samples from a single lake can be a useful tool for studying past hydroclimatic variability (e.g. lake depth) from cores taken from such lakes in California.
THE IMPACT: Education Level Has a Relativity for The Recovery of Total Knee Arthroplasty: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Zhou Yuanyuan , Zhang Bokai , Ran Tianfei , Ke Song , Qin Yinyin , Zhang Yuan , Wang Min , Xu Yuan
Published: August 2022

Objective: This study aimed to observe the relationship between education level and outcomes after total knee arthroplasty (TKA).Methods: 1264 patients after TKA in our hospital from April 2016 to April 2020 were reviewed. These patients were divided into 4 groups (A who are illiterate, B who had elementary school degree, C who had junior high school degree, D who had senior high school degree or higher) by the educational level, which was blinded to the observers. The postoperative outcomes of KSS score, pain, joint extension and flexion function were observed 1 month, 6 months and 1 year after discharged from hospital.Results: Among 1253 patients met the inclusion criteria, the average age was 68.63 years, the average weight was 57.73 kg. There are no distinctions among 4 groups one day after the surgery. However, the outcomes of the follow up were that, the KSS score was: 77.84 ± 10.635; 80.70 ± 8.956; 87.92 ± 8.123;91.27 ± 8.262, with significant differences (P < 0.05). The mean VAS scores were: 1.97 ± 1.60; 2.07 ± 1.66; 1.197 ± 1.5265, 1.044 ± 1.4662. Patients in Group C and D had significantly less pain than that in Group A and B (P < 0.05). The knee flexion range of motion (ROM) was: 91.21 ± 11.69 °; 91.77 ± 11.95 °; 102.12 ± 11.38 °; 109.96 ± 10.64 °, Group D performed best, with significant differences (P < 0.05). The knee extension ROM were: – 2.41 ± 4.49 °; – 0.91 ± 2.82 °; – 0.83 ± 2.87 °; – 0.35 ± 1.60 °, with significant difference between Group D and the others (P < 0.05).Conclusion: Education level is an important factor affecting the outcomes after total knee arthroplasty. The patients with higher education level would likely have better outcomes.