bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TDP-43 upregulates lipid metabolism modulator ABHD2 to suppress apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Liu Bo-wen , Wang Xiang-yun , Cao Jin-ling , Chen Lu-lu , Wang Yi-lei , Zhao Bing-qian , Zhou Jia , Shen Zhi-fa
Published: August 2022

TAR DNA-Binding Protein 43 (TDP-43) has been well studied in neurodegenerative diseases, but its potential role in malignance is still unclear. Here, we demonstrate that TDP-43 contributes to the suppression of apoptosis by facilitating lipid metabolism in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In HCC cells, TDP-43 is able to suppress apoptosis while deletion of it markedly induces apoptosis. RNA-sequencing identifies the lipid metabolism gene abhydrolase domain containing 2 (ABHD2) as the target gene of TDP-43. Tissue microarray analysis shows the positive correlation of TDP-43 and ABHD2 in HCC. Mechanistically, TDP-43 binds with the UG-rich sequence1 of ABHD2 3’UTR to enhance the mRNA stability of ABHD2, thereby upregulating ABHD2. Afterwards, TDP-43 promotes the production of free fatty acid and fatty acid oxidation-originated reactive oxygen species (ROS) in an ABHD2-dependent manner, so as to suppress apoptosis of HCC. Our findings provide insights into the mechanism of HCC progression and reveal TDP-43/ABHD2 as potential targets for the precise treatment of HCC.
The effect of calcium–magnesium mixtures in sol–gel coatings on bone tissue regeneration
Authors: Cerqueira Andreia , García-Arnáez Iñaki , Muriach María , Azkargorta Mikel , Elortza Félix , Izquierdo Raúl , Romero-Gavilán Francisco , Gurruchaga Mariló , Suay Julio , Goñi Isabel
Published: August 2022

Bioactive CaMg-coatings were designed and characterized, showing that the CaMg-mixtures’ biological impact is not just a sum of individual effects.
Nano-assemblies from J-aggregated dyes to improve the selectivity of a H2S-activatable photosensitizer
Authors: Zhang Dongsheng , Xiong Ming-Chen , Niu Li-Ya , Yang Qing-Zheng
Published: August 2022

The closely packed BDP-Nit in J-aggregates exhibits high selectivity to H2S over biothiols to produce an active photosensitizer.
An unusual F-bridged dual-trinuclear Mg–organic framework as a luminescent thermometer for highly efficient low-temperature detection
Authors: Zhang Jian-Wei , Li Xi , Yu Rui-Ying , Zhang Jin-Ping , Chen Ya , Li Jie-Qiong
Published: August 2022

A novel Mg-MOF with unusual μ3-F dual-trinuclear cluster was successfully afforded by utilizing a solvent system of DMA/DMPU/HFP. Interestingly, as a luminescent thermometer, this MOF exhibits excellent low-temperature sensing capabilities.
Pressure-induced phase transition in α- and β-BiNbO4
Authors: Dong Xingbang , Huangfu Zhanbiao , Feng Shiquan , Liang Yongfu , Zhang Huanjun , Zhu Xiang , Yang Kun , Wang Zheng , Cheng Xuerui , Su Lei
Published: August 2022

Both types of BiNbO4 were explored under pressure via synchrotron radiation XRD patterns and Raman spectra. The phase transition routine and high pressure structure were well indexed.
Benzothiazole-substituted 1,3-diaza-2-oxophenoxazine as a luminescent nucleobase surrogate for silver(i)-mediated base pairing
Authors: Nyenhuis Marvin , Schönrath Isabell , Kamzeeva Polina N. , Zatsepin Timofei S. , Müller Jens , Doltsinis Nikos , Aralov Andrey V.
Published: August 2022

A luminescent dinuclear silver(i)-mediated base pair based on a bulky phenoxazine-derived artificial nucleobase is reported.
Sinensetin attenuates IL-1β-induced cartilage damage and ameliorates osteoarthritis by regulating SERPINA3
Authors: Liu Zhendong , Liu Ruizhou , Wang Rui , Dai Jihang , Chen Hui , Wang Jingcheng , Li Xiaolei
Published: August 2022

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease characterized by articular cartilage degeneration, subchondral bone sclerosis, synovial hyperplasia and osteophyte formation as the main pathological manifestations.
Halloysite clay nanotubes with Fe–Al deposits for the oxidation of benzyl alcohol
Authors: Nair Vijitha Rajesh , Maiyalagan T. , Shendage Suresh S
Published: August 2022

Fe–Al/HNT catalysts are prepared and their application in the oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde at a temperature of 80 °C is investigated.
Full solution-processed heavy-metal-free mini-QLEDs for flexible display applications
Authors: Wang Run , Xiang Hengyang , Tu Siyuan , Li Yan , Zhou Yihui , Zeng Haibo
Published: August 2022

Heavy-metal-free flexible blue mini-QLEDs that meet the requirements of televisions, computers, and mobile phones, by electrode array technique combing with full solution process, have been successfully developed.
Simultaneous achievement of defect passivation and carrier transport promotion by using emerald salt for methylammonium-free perovskite solar cells
Authors: Fan Zhenghui , Yin Yuan , Cai Bing , Ma Qingshan , Liu Qianlong , Liu Xinhang , Yinhua Lv  , Zhang Wen-Hua
Published: August 2022

A conductive polymer, emerald salt (ES), is introduced into methylammonium (MA)-free perovskite solar cells, enhancing the device performance and stability by passivating defects, promoting charge transportation, and retarding the moisture invasion.
A stimulus-responsive hexahedron DNA framework facilitates targeted and direct delivery of native anticancer proteins into cancer cells
Authors: Zhou Wenjiao , Yang Fang , Li Shunmei , Yuan Ruo , Xiang Yun
Published: August 2022

A bivalent aptamer hexahedron DNA framework can facilitate the targeted intracellular delivery of native RNase A to result in effective cancer cell apoptosis.
Helical perylene diimide self-assembly with a redox-active molecular switch applied to humidity sensing
Authors: Zhang Li , Yang Li , He Yining , Han Ji-Min
Published: August 2022

A solution-processed supramolecular self-assembled helical nanofiber was prepared using viologen molecular switch-substituted perylene diimide (PDI-DV) and was applied to active humidity sensing using water-controlled intramolecular charge transfer.
Impact of non-stoichiometry on ion migration and photovoltaic performance of formamidinium-based perovskite solar cells
Authors: Lammar Stijn , Escalante Renán , Riquelme Antonio J. , Jenatsch Sandra , Ruhstaller Beat , Oskam Gerko , Aernouts Tom , Anta Juan A.
Published: August 2022

Ion migration mechanisms are often behind degradation pathways in perovskite solar cells under operating conditions.
Joint offloading and beamforming design in full‐duplex multi‐hop SWIPT MEC systems under non‐linear energy harvesting model
Authors: Xu Zhiguo , Lv You , Liu Jianxin , Zou Junwei , Wen Zhigang
Published: August 2022

In Internet of Things scenarios, the problem of restricted energy and limited computation capability of user node usually exists. To address the problem, a multiple‐input‐multiple‐output full‐duplex multi‐hop relay simultaneous wireless information and power transfer (SWIPT) mobile‐edge computing (MEC) system is proposed in this paper, where energy harvesting model is non‐linear. With the aid of MEC and SWIPT, user node equipped with power splitting receiver can locally execute computation tasks or offload partial or all of it to access point associated with an MEC server by using its battery energy, and harvest energy to replenish its battery while downloading the computation results. In addition, the system introduces full‐duplex multi‐hop relay and non‐linear energy model to improve network coverage and model practical energy harvesting circuit. Aiming at minimising the system energy consumption, an energy efficient optimisation problem is formulated while satisfying the latency and energy constraints. Since the original problem is non‐linear and non‐convex, it is converted into two subproblems and successive convex approximation‐based algorithm and geometric programming‐based algorithm based alternating optimisation technique are adopted to solve them. Numerical results verify the superiority of the proposed optimisation scheme compared with other benchmark schemes.
Auto calibration of multi‐camera system for human pose estimation
Authors: Liu Kang , Chen Lingling , Xie Liang , Yin Jian , Gan Shuwei , Yan Ye , Yin Erwei
Published: August 2022

The multi‐camera calibration is an essential step for many spatially aware applications, such as robotic navigation, augmented reality, and 3D human pose estimation. Traditional calibration methods use off‐the‐shelf checkerboards or triangles as the known world coordinate system and their corresponding corners are set as control points, which heavily depends on specific calibration patterns and is not suitable for calibration pattern‐denied environments. In this paper, an automatic calibration method is proposed to calibrate the multi‐camera system without the aid of a known calibration pattern. The key idea of the proposed method is that the authors consider the human body, which is always available, as the counterpart of the calibration pattern. The authors’ approach starts with binocular camera calibration, in which the extrinsic and intrinsic parameters are calculated in order and followed by a joint optimisation. With the results of each pair of binocular camera calibration, the multi‐camera system calibration is carried out in three steps: (i) parameters initialisation, (ii) extrinsic parameters optimisation, and (iii) jointly optimising intrinsic and extrinsic parameters. Since the authors’ approach does not require additional calibration patterns except for one visible person, it is flexible and easy to be implemented. Real experiments are conducted in different scenes, camera angles, and camera settings. Human pose estimation with the multi‐camera system is additionally performed for exhaustive experiments. The experimental results demonstrate that the authors’ method shows superior performance than the traditional method with the aid of a specific calibration pattern.
Design of broadband dual‐polarized planar antenna with triple radiators
Authors: Wu Rui , Chen Fu‐Chang , Xue Quan , Chu Qing‐Xin
Published: August 2022

A wideband dual‐polarized planar antenna with triple radiators is proposed for the LTE600/LTE700/GSM850/GSM900 base station in this paper. A novel concept of multi‐radiator for multi‐resonance by close coupling feed is presented and analysed . The proposed antenna is mainly composed of two pairs of loop dipole, L‐shaped radiator, step dipole, two L‐shaped feed lines, balun and reflector. The reflector is designed with a centrosymmetric partible baffle for directional radiations, which contribute to stable radiations as well. Owing to the novel closely coupling scheme for multi‐radiators, three resonances are simultaneously excited within the desired band, producing a wide bandwidth of 47.7% (from 0.59 to 0.96 GHz) for |S11| < −15 dB with high isolation more than 30 dB. Moreover, an average gain of 8.8 dBi as well as stable radiation patterns are achieved simultaneously.
Generalised probabilistic theories in a new light
Authors: Shaiia Raed
Published: August 2022

In this paper, a modified formulation of generalised probabilistic theories that will always give rise to the structure of Hilbert space of quantum mechanics, in any finite outcome space, is presented and the guidelines to how to extend this work to infinite dimensional Hilbert spaces are given. Moreover, this new formulation which will be called as extended operational‐probabilistic theories, applies not only to quantum systems, but also equally well to classical systems, without violating Bell's theorem, and at the same time solves the measurement problem. A new answer to the question of why our universe is quantum mechanical rather than classical will be presented. Besides, this extended probability theory shows that it is non‐determinacy, or to be more precise, the non‐deterministic description of the universe, that makes the laws of physics the way they are. In addition, this paper shows that there is still a possibility that there might be a deterministic level from which our universe emerges, which if understood correctly, may open the door wide to applications in areas such as quantum computing. In addition, this paper explains the deep reason why complex Hilbert spaces in quantum mechanics are needed.
Quantum medical images processing foundations and applications
Authors: Elaraby Ahmed
Published: August 2022

Medical imaging is considered one of the most important areas within scientific imaging due to the rapid and ongoing development in computer‐aided medical image visualisation, advances in analysis approaches, and computer‐aided diagnosis. Here, the principles of quantum computation and information to develop the field of medical image processing will be reviewed. The advancement of quantum computation in image processing has proved its outstanding properties for processing and storage capacity compared to the classical methods. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the common advanced approaches, methodologies and advanced applications in medical images based on quantum computation.
Spatial and polarimetric information fusion using residual network for polarimetric synthetic aperture radar image classification
Authors: Imani Maryam
Published: August 2022

A polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (POLSAR) system provides an image that can be considered as a data cube containing spatial information in two spatial dimensions and polarimetric information in the scattering dimension. A spatial and polarimetric residual network (SPRN) is proposed for POLSAR image classification. At first, polarimetric features are extracted from the scattering dimension through two designed polarimetric residual blocks. Then, the processed POLSAR cube is fed to two consecutive spatial residual blocks for contextual feature extraction. Three dimensional convolutional layers are used as basic layers for simultaneous extraction and fusion of polarimetric information and correlation among neighbouring pixels in local regions. The shortcut connections are utilised to overcome the degradation problem due to increasing network depth. In addition, batch normalisation is applied to regularise the learning process. The experimental results on four real POLSAR images show the superior performance of SPRN compared to several state‐of‐the‐art classifiers in terms of various assessment measures.
Simulation test study on fatigue characteristics of circuit breaker insulation pull rod
Authors: Peng Liu , Qingsong Wu , Haoran Wang , Boyuan Cui , Zhehua Wu , Yun Chen , Yong Yang , Zongren Peng
Published: August 2022

The insulation pull rod is the main transmission mechanism of the circuit breaker. In addition to strong electrical performance, it should also have strong mechanical properties. Studying the dynamic characteristics and response insulation pull rods during opening and closing operation and exploring the changes in mechanical characteristics of insulation pull rods during multiple openings and closings are of great significance. In this paper, a 252kV GIS circuit breaker simulator is used to carry out an opening and closing impact fatigue test on an insulation pull rod. The strain signals of the insulation pull rod during the opening and closing stages are obtained. The strain distribution of insulation pulls rod and the influence of operation times on strain are analyzed. The results show that the force on the pull rod is uneven during operation. The force on the mechanism side and contact side is small, and the force on the rod body is large. Also, the pull rod is unstable and bent under pressure force. The impact response frequency is mainly distributed between 0∼1500Hz. With the increase in operation times, the low‐frequency component of frequency response basically remains unchanged, while the high‐frequency component decreases. After 10000 times opening and closing operations, there was no obvious mechanical loss on the pull rod, but the mechanical properties decreased. The research results can provide reference and basis for the formulation of the performance test method, and specifications of insulating rod materials.
Evaluation of Midkine Expression in Oral Epithelial Dysplasia and Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Palaskar Sangeeta , Rongte Sumit R. , Pawar Rasika B. , Gore Rucha , Bartake Anirudha , Narang Bindiya
Published: August 2022

Introduction Oral cancer accounts for 3% of all malignancies diagnosed worldwide annually. Midkine (MK) plays a role in oncogenesis and tumor progression, including cell migration, mitogenesis, antiapoptosis, and angiogenesis.

Aim and Objective To study and compare MK expression in various grades of oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

Methodology This is a cross-sectional study where 60 archival specimens of OSCC, OED, and control were taken for immunohistochemical examination. Antibody MK (A-9) SC-46701 mouse monoclonal (200µg/mL, Santacruze Biotechnology) was used for immunohistochemical staining. The stained sections were observed under the objective (100 × ) of research microscope (DM 1000 LED) with computer-assisted image analyzer (Leica Application Suit V-4.1). Quantitative analysis was done to count MK reactive cells in all groups. Statistical analysis was performed using Kruskal–Wallis H test with posthoc Bonferroni's test for multiple group comparisons, and p-value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

Results MK expression was observed in OSCC and OED and was absent in control. The distribution of average percentage positivity was significantly higher in OED compared with OSCC and control. Statistically significant correlation was found between the size of the tumor and increased MK expression.

Conclusion MK protein is overexpressed in OED and OSCC, and can be used as biological marker for early detection.
NanoScope Arthroscopy: Lessons Learned in the First 75 Cases
Authors: Oh Christine , Kakar Sanjeev
Published: August 2022

Background The field of arthroscopy has exponentially grown in the past decade, especially in the realm of upper extremity surgery.

Description The use of smaller cameras and further advancements in arthroscopy technology have allowed innovative expansion in the application of arthroscopy in small joints.

Clinical Relevance Included in the advancements is the NanoScope, a 1.9-mm flexible scope specifically designed for small joint visualization.
Clinical Characteristics and Management of Colorectal Vascular Malformation in Children: A Retrospective Study of 23 Cases
Authors: Huang Yanbing , Zhuang Peijun , Chen Gong , Huang Yanlei , Dong Kuiran , Xiao Xianmin , Zheng Shan , Sun Song
Published: August 2022

Introduction The objective of this study is to summarize the clinical characteristics and management of rare diseases of colorectal vascular malformation (CRVM) in children.

Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of CRVM patients admitted to the Children's Hospital of Fudan University from 2004 to 2019.

Results A total of 23 cases (16 males, 7 females) were enrolled. The median age of symptom onset was 1.4 years. Hematochezia and anemia were cardinal symptoms. Fourteen patients (60.9%) were misdiagnosed as anal fissures (n = 4), internal hemorrhoids (n = 3), rectal polyps (n = 2), inflammatory bowel disease (n = 2), portal hypertension (n = 2), and Meckel's diverticulum (n = 1), respectively. The average time from symptom onset to diagnosis was 4.5 ± 4.4 years. Other vascular malformations were detected in eight patients (34.8%). All patients showed a positive anomalous vascular image on contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The sensitivity of colonoscopy in the diagnosis of CRVM was 82.6% (19/23). A total of 21 patients underwent a modified Soave procedure. The lesions were mostly restricted to the colorectum and showed transmural diffuse distribution, with an average length of 20 ± 5.4 cm. Two patients (9.5%) experienced surgical complications. Bloody stools reappeared in two patients (9.5%), and colonoscopy showed abnormal angiogenesis at the anastomotic site, which were cured by sclerotherapy and/or electrocautery. The median follow-up time was 78 months. Bloody stools were absent at the last time of follow-up, and hemoglobin was in the normal range for all patients.

Conclusion The identification of CRVM in children often is delayed. Colonoscopy, CT, and MRI are essential in making the correct diagnosis. The modified Soave procedure is safe and feasible to treat CRVM in children. Endoscopic sclerotherapy and/or electrocautery can be used for residual lesions.
Examining the relationship of empathy, social support, and prosocial behavior of adolescents in China: a structural equation modeling approach
Authors: Fu Wangqian , Wang Chonggao , Chai Hongqin , Xue Rui
Published: August 2022

Prosocial behavior acting as a precondition for shaping ideal interpersonal relationships, is curial in the development of a person’s social competence. This study examined the association between empathy and prosocial behavior in a sample of 1171 adolescents in China. An empathy questionnaire, social support rating scale, and helping attitude scale were applied in the study. Empathy had an influence on prosocial behavior through social support as a mediating factor. The mediating effect of social support between empathy and prosocial behavior was mainly manifested through perceived social support. The current findings imply that cultivating the empathy of adolescents and promoting their perceived social support may be effective to enhancing their prosocial behavior.
Vortex-induced vibration of two rigidly coupled tandem square cylinders at a low Reynolds number
Authors: Qiu Tao , Xu Qing , Du Xiaoqing , Zhao Yan , Lin Weiqun
Published: August 2022

Vortex-induced vibration of two rigidly coupled tandem square cylinders with center spacing L = 4B was numerically investigated at a Reynolds number of Re = 150. Both 2 degrees of freedom (DOF)-C (translational vibration) and 3DOF-C (translational and rotational vibration) cases are considered and compared with the case of no rigid connection. The results reveal that the onset of the synchronization region for rigidly coupled cylinders is earlier than that without connection. Compared with the latter, the upstream cylinder with rigid connection displays a lower transverse amplitude within the synchronization region and a higher one outside the region. The transverse amplitude of the downstream cylinder with 2DOF-C is generally lower than that without connection. In contrast, the vibration of the downstream cylinder with 3DOF-C is higher than that without connection, except for the high reduced velocity, in which the maximum transverse amplitude increases by 20%. The synchronization region of the twin uncoupled cylinders appears within the reattachment and co-shedding regimes, while that of the twin coupled cylinders only appears within the co-shedding regime. Although the synchronization region with a similar flow pattern appears within the co-shedding regime in these three cases, it shows different vibration characteristics.
Simultaneous visualization of instantaneous unburnt and preheating zones in turbulent premixed flames under transverse acoustic excitations
Authors: Yan Bo , Sun Yongchao , Sun Mingbo , Wu Ge , Gong Cheng , Wan Minggang , Tian Yifu , Li Qinyuan , Chen Shuang , Zhu Jiajian
Published: August 2022

Instantaneous unburnt and preheating zones of bluff-body stabilized turbulent premixed flames under transverse acoustic excitations were investigated using simultaneous planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) of acetone and CH2O, as well as multi-point hot-wire measurements. The PLIF images show that the unburnt zone marked by acetone images, the preheating zone marked by CH2O images, and the pixel-by-pixel product of acetone/CH2O have an increasing distribution area when slowly enlarging the sound pressure level (SPL). Wrinkled and bent edges of the unburnt and preheating zone can be seen at conditions away from the flame blow-off in the presence of the transverse acoustic excitations, and their sizes and areas increase as the flame blow-off is approached. At conditions near the flame blow-off with enlarging SPL to 123 dB, the flame turns from side to side over time and a large scale of the acetone/CH2O regions can be observed to deflect inside the center product zone, implying that the cold reactants can enter the product zone from the unburnt/preheating zones. The unburnt/preheating mainstream presents strong wrinkles and partial fractures. Such a phenomenon indicates that the local extinction of the shear layer flame can also be facilitated due to the turbulent fluctuation enhanced by the transverse acoustic wave. For a low flow velocity, increasing variations of the unburnt and preheating zones in the presence of the transverse acoustic wave can be revealed. The curvature of the acetone PLIF shows that the unburnt zones are more likely to be wrinkled with an increasing SPL and flow velocity. The root-mean-squared velocity measurements stress that the transverse acoustic wave mainly affects the turbulent premixed flame by enhancing the turbulent fluctuations.
Vortex shedding characteristics and aerodynamic forces of a finned cylinder in cross-flow
Authors: Alziadeh M. , Mohany A.
Published: August 2022

The vortex shedding characteristics and aerodynamic forces of a crimped, spirally finned cylinder in cross-flow are experimentally investigated within Reynolds number range of 20×103≤ ReDeq ≤60×103, where Deq is the equivalent diameter. Three different finned cylinders with varying fin pitch-to-root diameter ratios (p/Dr) are studied and compared to their equivalent diameter (Deq) bare cylinder. In comparison to the bare cylinder, the finned cylinders exhibit a notably enlarged vortex formation length. This is due to a lower Coriolis acceleration as a result of a lower vortex force within the formation region. Reduction in the p/Dr led to a progressive increase in the vortex force. This led to a gradual decrease in the vortex formation length. Moreover, the increase in the vortex force resulted in a notable increase in the transverse Reynolds stresses and the development of more concentrated vortex cores. Indicative of a more correlated vortex shedding process, at certain p/Dr, the contribution of the coherent portion of the transverse Reynolds stresses to the total transverse Reynolds stresses exceeded that of the bare cylinder. However, due to the weaker vortex force, the amplitude of the periodic portion of the transverse Reynolds stresses never exceeded that of the bare cylinder. Although for certain p/Dr, the vortex shedding process was more correlated, the combination of an elongated vortex formation length and lower vortex force resulted in weaker dynamic loading on the finned cylinders in comparison to the bare cylinder case. The findings of this study show that the equivalent diameter approach is flawed, as it does not capture any of the intrinsic changes in the flow characteristics and hence the dynamic loading on the finned cylinders.
Chronic subjective dizziness among an aging population is associated with amyloid positron emission tomography and neuropsychiatric symptoms
Authors: Al Fakir (Alfakir) Razan
Published: August 2022

Objectives.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis is widely believed to be driven by the Amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition. A relationship between Aβ deposition and objective measures of vestibular function in cognitively intact older adults with peripheral vestibular disorders had gained previous attention; however, no significant relationship between the two was observed. The aim of this study was to examine the association between chronic subjective dizziness (CSD) and Aβ deposition among older adults who are at risk of AD.

Methods.

The study included 5707 participants without dementia, enrolled in the Mayo Clinic Study of Ageing with reported dizziness, neuropsychological and cognitive evaluations, and brain imaging at baseline and for every 15-months.

Results.

A total of 924 ageing adults reported dizziness at baseline. The estimated risk of developing CSD at 10-year was 49%. The CSD group is twice likely to have elevated Aβ deposition (HR = 2.23; p ≤ .001) compared to the control group. After controlling for demographic and other risk factors, CSD was significantly associated with Aβ deposition [HR = 1.8, p ≤ .001]. The status of neuropsychiatric symptoms plays a significant role in this association [HR = 1.0, p ≤ .001].

Conclusion.

CSD was associated with Aβ deposition in older adults who are at risk of AD including those without dementia and cognitively unimpaired individuals, and modestly more significant cognitive decline during follow-up. The status of neuropsychiatric symptoms plays a significant role in this association. Screening for and appropriately managing CSD as a risk factor for AD may be warranted.
Superconductivity near the (2+1)-Dimensional Ferromagnetic Quantum Critical Point
Authors: Hao Yunchao , Pan Gaopei , Sun Kai , Meng Zi Yang , Qi Yang
Published: August 2022

We utilize both analytical and numerical methods to study the superconducting transition temperature T
c near a fermionic quantum critical point (QCP) using a model constructed by Xu et al. [Phys. Rev. X
7, 031059 (2017)] as an example. In this model, the bosonic critical fluctuation plays the role of pairing glue for the Cooper pairs, and we use a Bardeen–Cooper–Schrieffer-type mean-field theory to estimate T
c. We further argue that the T
c computed from the BCS theory approximates a pseudogap temperature T
PG, instead of the Berezinskii–Kosterlitz–Thouless transition temperature T
KT, which is confirmed by our determinant quantum Monte Carlo simulation. Moreover, due to the fact that electron density of state starts to deplete at T
PG, the critical scaling of the underlying QCP is also affected below T
PG. Thus, when studying the critical behavior of fermionic QCPs, we need to monitor that the temperature is above T
PG instead of T
KT. This was often ignored in previous studies.
A spatial attention guided deep learning system for prediction of pathological complete response using breast cancer histopathology images
Authors: Duanmu Hongyi , Bhattarai Shristi , Li Hongxiao , Shi Zhan , Wang Fusheng , Teodoro George , Gogineni Keerthi , Subhedar Preeti , Kiraz Umay , Janssen Emiel A M , Aneja Ritu , Kong Jun
Published: August 2022

Motivation

Predicting pathological complete response (pCR) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients accurately is direly needed for clinical decision making. pCR is also regarded as a strong predictor of overall survival. In this work, we propose a deep learning system to predict pCR to NAC based on serial pathology images stained with hematoxylin and eosin and two immunohistochemical biomarkers (Ki67 and PHH3). To support human prior domain knowledge-based guidance and enhance interpretability of the deep learning system, we introduce a human knowledge-derived spatial attention mechanism to inform deep learning models of informative tissue areas of interest. For each patient, three serial breast tumor tissue sections from biopsy blocks were sectioned, stained in three different stains and integrated. The resulting comprehensive attention information from the image triplets is used to guide our prediction system for prognostic tissue regions.

Results

The experimental dataset consists of 26 419 pathology image patches of 1000×1000 pixels from 73 TNBC patients treated with NAC. Image patches from randomly selected 43 patients are used as a training dataset and images patches from the rest 30 are used as a testing dataset. By the maximum voting from patch-level results, our proposed model achieves a 93% patient-level accuracy, outperforming baselines and other state-of-the-art systems, suggesting its high potential for clinical decision making.

Availability and implementation

The codes, the documentation and example data are available on an open source at: https://github.com/jkonglab/PCR_Prediction_Serial_WSIs_biomarkers

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Finding a pathway through the rocks: the role of development on the evolution of quasi-terrestriality and the origin of endotrophism in cycloramphids (Anura)
Authors: Colaço Gustavo , da Silva Helio Ricardo
Published: August 2022

Anurans have served as models in evolutionary studies on reproduction and development. Several generalizations have emerged but it is unclear whether they represent the diversity of the entire group. We studied the development of two species of the Neotropical family Cycloramphidae. Frogs in this family have peculiar spawning sites and developmental biologies. Whereas some cycloramphid tadpoles are exotrophic, quasi-terrestrial and thrive in films of water that flow over rocky outcrops, others are endotrophic, terrestrial and complete their development outside the eggs laid on the forest floor, under logs or in crevices. Cycloramphid tadpoles have aspects of their morphology distinct from those of pond and stream dwellers; they hatch in more advanced stages of development and have typical tadpole structures, either in a modified form or absent. Herein we present a study of the tadpoles of C. lithomimeticus and T. miliaris, in order to document and discuss alterations in the ontogeny of several larval structures. These changes seem to be associated with adaptations to life in the peculiar habitats where the tadpoles thrive. We infer that the observations we present are explained by development being associated with aspects of terrestrialization and endotrophism.
Tau positron emission tomography in preclinical Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Insel Philip S , Young Christina B , Aisen Paul S , Johnson Keith A , Sperling Reisa A , Mormino Elizabeth C , Donohue Michael C
Published: August 2022

Rates of tau accumulation in cognitively unimpaired older adults are subtle, with magnitude and spatial patterns varying in recent reports. Regional accumulation also likely varies in the degree to which accumulation is amyloid-β-dependent. Thus, there is a need to evaluate the pattern and consistency of tau accumulation across multiple cognitively unimpaired cohorts and how these patterns relate to amyloid burden, in order to design optimal tau end points for clinical trials.

Using three large cohorts of cognitively unimpaired older adults, the Anti-Amyloid Treatment in Asymptomatic Alzheimer’s and companion study, Longitudinal Evaluation of Amyloid Risk and Neurodegeneration (n = 447), the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (n = 420) and the Harvard Aging Brain Study (n = 190), we attempted to identify regions with high rates of tau accumulation and estimate how these rates evolve over a continuous spectrum of baseline amyloid deposition. Optimal combinations of regions, tailored to multiple ranges of baseline amyloid burden as hypothetical clinical trial inclusion criteria, were tested and validated.

The inferior temporal cortex, fusiform gyrus and middle temporal cortex had the largest effect sizes of accumulation in both longitudinal cohorts when considered individually. When tau regions of interest were combined to find composite weights to maximize the effect size of tau change over time, both longitudinal studies exhibited a similar pattern—inferior temporal cortex, almost exclusively, was optimal for participants with mildly elevated amyloid β levels. For participants with highly elevated baseline amyloid β levels, combined optimal composite weights were 53% inferior temporal cortex, 31% amygdala and 16% fusiform. At mildly elevated levels of baseline amyloid β, a sample size of 200/group required a treatment effect of 0.40–0.45 (40–45% slowing of tau accumulation) to power an 18-month trial using the optimized composite. Neither a temporal lobe composite nor a global composite reached 80% power with 200/group with an effect size under 0.5.

The focus of early tau accumulation on the medial temporal lobe has resulted from the observation that the entorhinal cortex is the initial site to show abnormal levels of tau with age. However, these abnormal levels do not appear to be the result of a high rate of accumulation in the short term, but possibly a more moderate rate occurring early with respect to age. While the entorhinal cortex plays a central role in the early appearance of tau, it may be the inferior temporal cortex that is the critical region for rapid tau accumulation in preclinical Alzheimer’s disease.
Impact of Chemoprophylaxis on Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium ovale Infection Among Civilian Travelers: A Nested Case-Control Study With a Counterfactual Approach on 862 Patients
Authors: Le Goff Maëlle , Kendjo Eric , Thellier Marc , Piarroux Renaud , Boelle Pierre-Yves , Jauréguiberry Stéphane ,   for the French National Reference Centre for Imported Malaria Study Group
Published: August 2022

Background

The impact of chemoprophylaxis targeting Plasmodium falciparum on Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium ovale, which may remain quiescent as hypnozoites in the liver, is debated.

Methods

We conducted a nested case-control analysis of the outcomes of P. vivax and P. ovale infections in imported malaria cases in France among civilian travelers from 1 January 2006, to 31 December 2017. Using adjusted logistic regression, we assessed the effect of chemoprophylaxis on the incubation period, time from symptoms to diagnosis, management, blood results, symptoms, and hospitalization duration. We analyzed the effect of blood-stage drugs (doxycycline, mefloquine, chloroquine, chloroquine-proguanil) or atovaquone-proguanil on the incubation period. We used a counterfactual approach to ascertain the causal effect of chemoprophylaxis on postinfection characteristics.

Results

Among 247 P. vivax– and 615 P. ovale–infected travelers, 30% and 47%, respectively, used chemoprophylaxis, and 7 (3%) and 8 (1%) were severe cases. Chemoprophylaxis users had a greater risk of presenting symptoms >2 months after returning for both species (P. vivax odds ratio [OR], 2.91 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.22–6.95], P = .02; P. ovale OR, 2.28 [95% CI, 1.47–3.53], P < .001). Using drugs only acting on the blood stage was associated with delayed symptom onset after 60 days, while using atovaquone-proguanil was not.

Conclusions

Civilian travelers infected with P. vivax or P. ovale reporting chemoprophylaxis use, especially of blood-stage agents, had a greater risk of delayed onset of illness. The impact of chemoprophylaxis on the outcomes of infection with relapse-causing species calls for new chemoprophylaxis acting against erythrocytic and liver stages.
ProbResist: a database for drug-resistant probiotic bacteria
Authors: Dou Wanying , Abdalla Hemn Barzan , Chen Xu , Sun Changyi , Chen Xuefei , Tian Qiwen , Wang Junyi , Zhou Wei , Chi Wei , Zhou Xuan , Ye Hailv , Bi Chuyun , Tian Xuechen , Yang Yixin , Wong Aloysius
Published: August 2022

Drug resistance remains a global threat, and the rising trend of consuming probiotic-containing foods, many of which harbor antibiotic resistant determinants, has raised serious health concerns. Currently, the lack of accessibility to location-, drug- and species-specific information of drug-resistant probiotics has hampered efforts to combat the global spread of drug resistance. Here, we describe the development of ProbResist, which is a manually curated online database that catalogs reports of probiotic bacteria that have been experimentally proven to be resistant to antibiotics. ProbResist allows users to search for information of drug resistance in probiotics by querying with the names of the bacteria, antibiotic or location. Retrieved results are presented in a downloadable table format containing the names of the antibiotic, probiotic species, resistant determinants, region where the study was conducted and digital article identifiers (PubMed Identifier and Digital Object Identifier) hyperlinked to the original sources. The webserver also presents a simple analysis of information stored in the database. Given the increasing reports of drug-resistant probiotics, an exclusive database is necessary to catalog them in one platform. It will enable medical practitioners and experts involved in policy making to access this information quickly and conveniently, thus contributing toward the broader goal of combating drug resistance.

Database URL

https://probresist.com.
A regression discontinuity analysis of the social distancing recommendations for older adults in Sweden during COVID-19
Authors: Bonander Carl , Stranges Debora , Gustavsson Johanna , Almgren Matilda , Inghammar Malin , Moghaddassi Mahnaz , Nilsson Anton , Capdevila Pujol Joan , Steves Claire , Franks Paul W , Gomez Maria F , Fall Tove , Björk Jonas ,   COVID Symptom Study Sweden, Chan Andrew T , Ourselin Sébastien , Spector Tim D , Wolf Jonathan , Kennedy Beatrice , Fitipaldi Hugo , Hammar Ulf , Maziarz Marlena , Tsereteli Neli , Oskolkov Nikolay , Varotsis Georgios , Spiliopoulos Lampros
Published: August 2022

Background

This article investigates the impact of a non-mandatory and age-specific social distancing recommendation on isolation behaviours and disease outcomes in Sweden during the first wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic (March to July 2020). The policy stated that people aged 70 years or older should avoid crowded places and contact with people outside the household.

Methods

We used a regression discontinuity design—in combination with self-reported isolation data from COVID Symptom Study Sweden (n = 96 053; age range: 39–79 years) and national register data (age range: 39–100+ years) on severe COVID-19 disease (hospitalization or death, n = 21 804) and confirmed cases (n = 48 984)—to estimate the effects of the policy.

Results

Our primary analyses showed a sharp drop in the weekly number of visits to crowded places (−13%) and severe COVID-19 cases (−16%) at the 70-year threshold. These results imply that the age-specific recommendations prevented approximately 1800–2700 severe COVID-19 cases, depending on model specification.

Conclusions

It seems that the non-mandatory, age-specific recommendations helped control COVID-19 disease during the first wave of the pandemic in Sweden, as opposed to not implementing a social distancing policy aimed at older adults. Our study provides empirical data on how populations may react to non-mandatory, age-specific social distancing policies in the face of a novel virus.
Cognitive Impairment and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Take-Up Among the Eligible Older Americans
Authors: Zuo Dongmei , Heflin Colleen M
Published: August 2022

Objectives

Participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) among eligible adults aged 60 and older is much lower than among the younger population, and rates continue to decline throughout the life course while at the same time the risk of cognitive impairment increases. Due to the high administrative burden associated with SNAP application processes, cognitive impairment may be associated with low uptake of SNAP among the low-income older adult population, particularly among more socially disadvantaged groups (females, Blacks, and those living alone). We provide new evidence that changes in cognitive functioning are associated with reductions in the probability of SNAP take-up among eligible older adults.

Methods

Using panel data from the Health and Retirement Study, we estimate linear probability fixed-effects models to assess the effect of cognitive decline on the likelihood of SNAP participation among eligible adults aged 60 and older, controlling for observed characteristics that change over time as well as individual, time, and state fixed effects.

Results

Reduced levels of cognitive functioning that rise to the classification of dementia were strongly associated with reductions in the probability of SNAP take-up among eligible older adults. Results were particularly salient for females and those living alone.

Discussion

One barrier to SNAP take-up among older adults may be cognitive impairment with the size of effect differing by gender and living arrangement. Policymakers may want to consider initiatives to increase SNAP participation among older adults, including a focus on further simplification of eligibility and recertification processes that reduce administrative burden.
Infective endocarditis in pregnant women without intravenous drug use: a multicentre retrospective case series
Authors: Escolà-Vergé Laura , Rello Pau , Declerck Charles , Dubée Vincent , Rouleau Fréderic , Duval Xavier , Habib Gilbert , Lavie-Badie Yoan , Martin-Blondel Guillaume , Porte Lydie , Bouiller Kevin , Goehringer François , Selton-Suty Christine , Lamas Cristiane da Cruz , Nacinovich Francisco , Issa Nahema , Richaud Clémence , Hammoudi Nadjib , Barranco Francisco José , Almirante Benito , Tattevin Pierre , Fernández-Hidalgo Nuria
Published: August 2022

Objectives

To describe the clinical features and outcomes of infective endocarditis (IE) in pregnant women who do not inject drugs.

Methods

A multinational retrospective study was performed at 14 hospitals. All definite IE episodes between January 2000 and April 2021 were included. The main outcomes were maternal mortality and pregnancy-related complications.

Results

Twenty-five episodes of IE were included. Median age at IE diagnosis was 33.2 years (IQR 28.3–36.6) and median gestational age was 30 weeks (IQR 16–32). Thirteen (52%) patients had no previously known heart disease. Sixteen (64%) were native IE, 7 (28%) prosthetic and 2 (8%) cardiac implantable electronic device IE. The most common aetiologies were streptococci (n = 10, 40%), staphylococci (n = 5, 20%), HACEK group (n = 3, 12%) and Enterococcus faecalis (n = 3, 12%). Twenty (80%) patients presented at least one IE complication; the most common were heart failure (n = 13, 52%) and symptomatic embolism other than stroke (n = 4, 16%). Twenty-one (84%) patients had surgery indication and surgery was performed when indicated in 19 (90%). There was one maternal death and 16 (64%) patients presented pregnancy-related complications (11 patients ≥1 complication): 3 pregnancy losses, 9 urgent Caesarean sections, 2 emergency Caesarean sections, 1 fetal death, and 11 preterm births. Two patients presented a relapse during a median follow-up of 3.1 years (IQR 0.6–7.4).

Conclusions

Strict medical surveillance of pregnant women with IE is required and must involve a multidisciplinary team including obstetricians and neonatologists. Furthermore, the potential risk of IE during pregnancy should never be underestimated in women with previously known underlying heart disease.
Preliminary Reference Interval for 5-Alpha Reductase in Normal Male Children and Its Association with Hypospadias
Authors: Khanna Sanat , Raman Shankar , Badwal Sonia , Vinu Balraam K V
Published: August 2022

Background

5-alpha reductase (5-AR) enzyme is responsible for conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in humans, which subserves various functions. The aim of the study was to establish a normal reference interval (RI) for blood levels of the enzyme 5-AR.

Methods

We conducted a prospective study on 150 boys, 75 of whom underwent circumcision for various benign conditions or for religious reasons (Group A/controls) and 75 suffering from hypospadias of variable severity (Group B/cases). The plasma levels of 5-AR were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in all 150 boys and correlated with the severity of hypospadias.

Results

The 5-AR levels in Group A ranged from 14.6 to 17.3 ng/mL. The enzyme levels decreased in value with increasing severity of hypospadias in Group B (P-value <0.01 - statistically significant). The levels of the enzyme in this group ranged from 0.6 ng/mL (in the most severe variety of hypospadias) to 11.5 ng/mL (mild variety of hypospadias).

Conclusions

There is no record of RI values of 5-AR in the literature. The RI of 5-AR needs to be determined by conducting more studies globally. Its levels falls considerably with clinical severity of hypospadias, reinforcing the importance of the enzyme in the development of male external genitalia.