bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intranasal Oxytocin Increases Head Motion During Functional MRI Scanning
Authors: Houlton Sydney , Vaidya Jatin , Breheny Patrick , Strathearn Lane
Published: February 2024

Oxytocin is a neuropeptide associated with prosocial behaviors, such as parent-child bonding, eye contact, and sexual activity. Intranasally-administered oxytocin has been widely used to study its effects on the brain using functional magnetic resonance imaging. Head motion is a significant confounding variable which was assessed as part of a double blind, placebo-controlled crossover study. Twenty-four mothers with drug addiction problems were initially recruited, along with 22 healthy control mothers, to test whether intranasal oxytocin enhances functional brain responses to images of their own versus unknown infant faces. Significant differences in head motion between oxytocin/placebo conditions and addiction/control groups were discovered. Administration of intranasal oxytocin was associated with more frequent counts of head motion exceeding 3 mm of framewise displacement, independent of group status (z=2.89, p=0.004). This effect was seen more strongly in the control group (z=2.30, p=0.02) than the addiction group (z=1.77, p=0.08). The addiction group was more likely to show increased head motion, independent of oxytocin or placebo condition (z=2.21, p=0.03). When examining the mean head motion across all time points, as opposed to the count of large movements, oxytocin’s effect was limited to the addiction group (z=2.58, p=0.01), with a significant group by condition interaction effect observed. Intranasally-administered oxytocin may therefore have a confounding effect on functional MRI scanning results via its independent effect on head motion. These findings should be examined and replicated in other clinical populations.
Prolonged latency of the Gustatory Evoked Potentials for sucrose solution in subjects living with obesity compared with normal-weight subjects
Authors: Jacquin-Piques Agnès , Mouillot Thomas , Brindisi Marie-Claude , Gauthier Cyril , Barthet Sophie , Quere Clémence , Litime Djihed , Perrignon-Sommet Manon , Grall Sylvie , Lienard Fabienne , Fenech Claire , Devilliers Hervé , Rouland Alexia , Georges Marjolaine , Penicaud Luc , Brondel Laurent , Leloup Corinne
Published: February 2024

Objectives A difference in cortical treatment of taste information could alter food intake promoting the development of obesity. The main purpose was to compare, in subjects living with obesity (OB) and normal-weight subjects (NW), the characteristics of gustatory evoked potentials (GEP) for sucrose solution (10 g.100 mL− 1) before and after a standard lunch. The secondary objective was to evaluate the correlations between GEP and the plasmatic levels of acylated ghrelin, leptin, insulin and serotonin.Methods Each subject had 2 randomized sessions spaced by an interval of 2 days. During one session, subjects were fasting and during the other, subjects took a lunch low in sugar. In each session, subjects had a blood test before a first GEP recording followed by a second GEP recording either after a lunch (feeding session) or no lunch (fasting session).Results Twenty-eight OB (BMI: 38.6 ± 9.0 kg.m− 2) were matched to 22 NW (BMI: 22.3 ± 2.2 kg.m− 2). GEP latencies were prolonged in OB regardless the sessions and the time before and after lunch, compared with NW (in Cz at the morning: 170 ± 33 ms vs 138 ± 25 ms respectively; p < 0.001). The increase in latency observed in NW after lunch was not observed in OB. Negative or positive correlations were noted between GEP latencies and ghrelin, leptin, insulin plasmatic levels (P1Cz, r = − 0.38, r = 0.33, r = 0.37 respectively, p < 0.0001).Conclusions This study highlights a slower activation in the taste cortex in OB compared with NW.
Pickering emulsion to the construction of spherical nAl/PVDF complexes with excellent thermal properties
Authors: Gao DengZhao , Yang Min , Chen Xin , Guo Hao , Luo LianChong , Wang Qian , Zhang XingQuan , Guo Jun , Guo ChangPing
Published: February 2024

Non-uniform mixing of nano aluminum powder(nAl) with PVDF affects its thermal properties. Spherical nAl/PVDF complexes were prepared using the Pickering emulsion. Tricosafluorododecanoic acid-modified nAl was employed as the surfactant in the emulsion, enhancing the combustion performance by uniformly combining nAl and PVDF without compromising the system's energy. The effects of the concentration of PVDF and nAl, the oil-water ratio, and the static duration on the stability of the emulsion were first investigated. It was found that the emulsion had good stability at a concentration of 5 wt%~20 wt%, with an oil-water ratio of 1:4 ~ 1:7, with a static duration of less than 60 minutes. The emulsion was extracted and dried to obtain spherical nAl/PVDF complexes. These complexes were then characterized for their morphology, size, thermal decomposition, and combustion properties. The results showed that the complexes were regular spheres with particle sizes of 20–50 µm. They were uniformly complexed on the nano-scale, resulting in enhanced reaction and combustion rates compared to the physical mixture. The exothermic amount was increased by a range of 24.4–49.6%, leading to more efficient and stable combustion. The Pickering emulsion presents a new approach for the preparation of nano-fluorinated aluminum thermite.
Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE) Combined with Lenvatinib versus TACE Alone in Intermediate-Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients Beyond Up-To-Seven Criteria: A Retrospective, Propensity Score-Matched Analysis
Authors: Zhou Churen , Chang Boyang , Xiang Zhanwang , Li Zhengran , Wu Chun , Bai Mingjun , Jiang Zaibo , Huang Mingsheng , Chen Junwei
Published: February 2024

Background: To compare the treatment efficacy and safety of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with lenvatinib versus TACE alone in patients with intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) beyond up-to-seven criteria.
Methods: A total of 107 newly diagnosed HCC patients with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage B HCC beyond up-to-seven criteria were included in this retrospective cohort study. These patients were divided into two groups: TACE-Lenv group and TACE alone group. Propensity score matching was used to account for potential confounding factors. Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), downstaging rate, liver function, and adverse events (AEs) were recorded and evaluated.
Results: Both the median OS and median PFS were significantly longer in the TACE-Lenv group compared to the TACE alone group (median OS: 28.0 vs 12.0 months, P = 0.017; median PFS [mRECIST]: 8.2 vs 3.7 months, P = 0.018; median PFS [RECIST v1.1]: 8.9 vs 3.7 months, P= 0.003). Furthermore, the ORR and DCR were also significantly higher in TACE-Lenv group (ORR: 94% [30/32] vs 47% [15/32], P< 0.001; DCR: 97% [31/32] vs 62% [20/32], P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in terms of liver function and grade 3 or 4 AEs rate between two groups.
Conclusion: The combination of TACE and lenvatinib provides clinical benefits for patients with intermediate HCC beyond the up-to-seven criteria, has an acceptable safety profile, shows a trend towards improving liver function, and does not increase the occurrence of grade 3-4 AEs.
Overcoming barriers to equality, diversity, inclusivity, and sense of belonging in healthcare education: the Underrepresented Groups’ Experiences in Osteopathic Training (UrGEnT) mixed methods study.
Authors: Draper-Rodi Jerry , Abbey Hilary , Hammond John , Thomson Oliver , Brownhill Kevin , MacMillan Andrew , Fabusuyi Yinka , Vogel Steven
Published: February 2024

Background Individuals from minority groups have historically faced social injustices. Those from underrepresented groups have been less likely to access both healthcare services and higher education. Little is known about the experiences of underrepresented students during their undergraduate studies in osteopathy in the UK. The aim of this project was to evaluate osteopathic students' awareness of cultural diversity and their beliefs about patients from underrepresented backgrounds, as well as their preparedness to manage them. The project also aimed to investigate the educational experiences of students from underrepresented backgrounds during their training and their opinions on changes that could support better levels of recruitment and achievement. The findings were disseminated to stakeholders through interactive workshops with the aim to develop recommendations for action and change.Methods A transformative action research paradigm informed this mixed methods project. It included: 1/ a survey of students from all seven osteopathic educational providers in the UK using the Multidimensional Cultural Humility Scale (MCHS); 2/ a series of focus groups with students from underrepresented groups (women, students with disabilities, students from minority ethnic backgrounds, and students identifying as LGBTQIA+); and 3/ a workshop forum to discuss findings.Results A total of 202 participants completed the MCHS and demographic questionnaire and seven focus groups were conducted. A model was developed to describe participants' training experiences comprising two main themes: institutional contextual obstacles (with four sub-themes) and underrepresented students' conceptual understanding of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI). Recommendations for change identified in the workshops were based on three topics: institutions, staff, and students.Conclusion Our findings suggest that staff education is urgently needed to create and maintain equitable, inclusive environments in osteopathic educational institutions in the UK to support all students, particularly those from underrepresented groups. Institutional EDI processes and policies also need to be clarified or modified to ensure their usefulness, accessibility, and implementation.
Reconsidering α-Synuclein inclusion pathology in neurons, mice, and humans with an antibody sensing NAC engagement during α-Synuclein amyloid conversion
Authors: De Giorgi Francesca , Letourneur Ænora , Kashyrina Marianna , Zinghirino Federica , Dovero Sandra , Dutheil Nathalie , Largitte Leslie-Ann , Arotçarena Marie-Laure , Bezard Erwan , Canron Marie-Hélène , Meissner Wassilios , De Nuccio Francesco , Lofrumento Dario Domenico , Laferrière Florent , Ichas François
Published: February 2024

The neuropathology of α-Synucleinopathies (αSP) is characterized by the spread of subcellular inclusions containing fibrils made of stacked-up α-Synuclein (α-Syn) monomers. The repetitive amyloid fold adopted by α-Syn has now been characterized at the atomic scale. However, the direct observation of amyloid α-Syn using routine immuno-histological procedures remains an issue. In particular, the widely used phosphorylated α-Syn (pS129) is only a surrogate marker of aggregation. We report here that pS129 is misleading in overexpression-based models in which it detects the overflow of soluble α-Syn while no fibrillization takes place. Further, frequent pS129-negative α-Syn inclusions are observed when seeding with preformed fibrils (PFFs) is used to force fibrillization in neurons overexpressing α-Syn. This prompted us to scrutinize a series of routine antibodies for their genuine ability to discriminate α-Syn monomers engaged or not into amyloid fibrils, irrespective of phosphorylation. We observed unexpected antibody properties and utilized these latter in neurons and brain sections to detect the loss of accessibility of interlocked NAC domains when the monomers engage into fibrils. In cultured neurons, we observed that α-Syn mutations associated with familial Parkinson’s disease (PD), or S129A which prevents α-Syn phosphorylation, are neither sufficient to trigger spontaneous α-Syn fibrillization nor aggravate the process seeded by PFFs. Further challenging the pathogenic role of fibrillization, our results also indicated that the pS129-positive α-Syn inclusions detected in the brains of mice inoculated with PFFs and of a sporadic PD patient are not exclusively amyloid. This not only points to the notion that pS129 positivity is not tantamount to amyloid α-Syn but also indicates that the experimental α-Syn inclusions seeded in mice as well as the Lewy bodies forming in PD are populated by non-amyloid species which might represent alternative proxies of the α-Syn mutations endowed with a pathogenic potential.
Alterations of the Alpha Rhythm in Visual Snow Syndrome: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Klein Antonia , Aeschlimann Sarah A. , Zubler Frederic , Scutelnic Adrian , Riederer Franz , Ertl Matthias , Schankin Christoph J.
Published: February 2024

Background: Visual snow syndrome is a disorder characterized by the combination of typical perceptual disturbances. The clinical picture suggests an impairment of visual filtering mechanisms and might involve primary and secondary visual brain areas, as well as higher-order attentional networks. On the level of cortical oscillations, the alpha rhythm is a prominent EEG pattern that is involved in the prioritisation of visual information. It can be regarded as a correlate of inhibitory modulation within the visual network.
Methods: Twenty-one patients with visual snow syndrome were compared to 21 controls matched for age, sex, and migraine. We analysed the resting-state alpha rhythm by identifying the individual alpha peak frequency using a fast Fourier transform and then calculating the power spectral density around the individual alpha peak (+/- 1Hz). We anticipated a reduced power spectral density in the alpha band over the primary visual cortex in participants with visual snow syndrome.
Results: There were no significant differences in the power spectral density in the alpha band over the occipital electrodes (O1 and O2), leading to the rejection of our primary hypothesis. However, the power spectral density in the alpha band was significantly reduced over temporal and parietal electrodes. There was also a trend towards increased individual alpha peak frequency in the subgroup of participants without comorbid migraine.
Conclusions: Our main finding was a decreased power spectral density in the alpha band over parietal and temporal brain regions corresponding to areas of the secondary visual cortex. These findings complement previous functional and structural imaging data at a electrophysiological level. They underscore the involvement of higher-order visual brain areas, and potentially reflect a disturbance in inhibitory top-down modulation. The alpha rhythm alterations might represent a novel target for specific neuromodulation.
Trial registration: we preregistered the study before preprocessing and data analysis on the platform osf.org (DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/XPQHF, date of registration: November 19th 2022).
Factors associated with antenatal depression among women attending antenatal care at Mubende Regional Referral Hospital: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Kasujja Musa , Omara Samuel , Senkungu Nasifu , Ndibuuza Shamim , Kirabira Joseph , Ibe Usman , Barankunda Lyse
Published: February 2024

Introduction:
This study investigated the prevalence, severity, and factors associated with antenatal depression among women receiving antenatal care at Mubende Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH) in Uganda. Antenatal depression is a critical concern for maternal and child well-being, as it can lead to adverse outcomes, including preterm birth, abortion, low birth weight, and impaired maternal–infant bonding. Despite several international guidelines recommending routine screening for antenatal depression, local Ugandan guidelines often overlook this essential aspect of maternal care.
Methods
A cross-sectional study involving 353 pregnant women utilized the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) to assess antenatal depression. Participants’ psychosocial demographic and obstetric characteristics were recorded. Logistic regression analysis identified factors linked to antenatal depression.
Results
Antenatal depression burden was notably high, affecting 37.68% of the participants. The majority of patients with antenatal depression had mild symptoms (72.68%). The significantly associated factors at multivariate analysis included younger age (≤ 20), older age (≥ 35), history of domestic violence, alcohol use, gestational age, abortion history, history of preeclampsia and unplanned pregnancies.
Conclusion
This study revealed a significantly high prevalence of antenatal depression, emphasizing its public health importance. Most cases were classified as mild, emphasizing the need for timely interventions to prevent escalation. The identified risk factors included age, history of domestic violence, alcohol use, first-trimester pregnancy, abortion history, past preeclampsia, and unplanned pregnancy.
Using a GFP-labeled Stagonospora nodorum strain as a DNA extraction efficiency standard in plant disease diagnosis
Authors: Fu Heting , Yang Yalong , Zahr Kher , Xue Shiming , Jiang Junye , Harding Michael , Feindel David , Feng Jie
Published: February 2024

A Stagonospora nodorum strain named DPGZL-2023 was created by transferring a green florescent protein (GFP) gene into the genome of the S. nodorum strain Sn15. DPGZL-2023 showed a similar pathogenicity as Sn15 but carried a strong GFP activity. A qPCR primers/probe set named P-GFP, targeting the GFP sequence, was designed. Using P-GFP, qPCR analysis was conducted on DNA extracted from replicated samples of DPGZL-2023 conidia, and confirmed that DPGZL-2023 could be used to characterize the variation in replicated DNA extractions. Conidia of DPGZL-2023 were used to spike soil samples inoculated with the canola clubroot pathogen Plasmodiophora brassicae, canola stem samples infected with the blackleg pathogens Leptosphaeria biglobosa and/or L. maculans and wheat/barley samples infected with Xanthomonas translucens pv. translucens (Xtt) or X. translucens pv. undulosa (Xtu). Duplex qPCR using P-GFP and a primers/probe set specific to P. brassicae, triplex qPCR using P-GFP and primers/probe sets specific to L. biglobosa and L. maculans, and triplex qPCR using P-GFP and primers/probe sets specific to Xtt and Xtu were conducted. The results indicated that DPGZL-2023 could be used as a standard for DNA extraction efficiency in qPCR-based plant disease diagnosis. Adding DPGZL-2023 conidia to plant or soil samples prior to DNA extraction, and subsequent use of the P-GFP detection control, provided an added control that could distinguish truly negative from false-negative qPCR results.
Dynamic Service Provisioning in Heterogenous Fog Computing Architecture Using Deep Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Govarchinghaleh Yaghoub Alizadeh , Sabaei Masoud
Published: February 2024

The exponential growth of IoT devices and the surge in the data volume, coupled with the rise of latency-intensive applications, has led to a heightened interest in Fog computing to meet user demands. In this context, the service provisioning problem consists of dynamically selecting desirable fog computing nodes and routing user traffic to these nodes. Given that the fog computing layer is composed of heterogeneous nodes, which vary in resource capacity, availability, and power sources, the service provisioning problem becomes challenging. Existing solutions, often using classical optimization approaches or heuristics algorithms due to the NP-hardness of the problem, have struggled to address the issue effectively, particularly in accounting for the heterogeneity of fog nodes and uncertainty of the ad hoc fog nodes. These techniques show exponential computation times and deal only with small network scales. To overcome these issues, we are motivated to replace these approaches with Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) techniques, specifically employing the Proximal Policy Optimization (PPO) algorithm to understand the dynamic behavior of the environment. The main objective of the proposed DRL-based dynamic service provisioning (DDSP) algorithm is minimizing service provisioning costs while considering service delay constraints, the uncertainty of ad hoc fog nodes, and the heterogeneity of both ad hoc and dedicated fog nodes. Extensive simulations demonstrate that our approach provides a near-optimal solution with high efficiency. Notably, our proposed algorithm selects more stable fog nodes for service provisioning and successfully minimizes cost even with uncertainty regarding ad hoc fog nodes, compared to heuristic algorithms.
Deep Learnıng Based Enhanced Secure Emergency Vıdeo Streamıng Approach by Leveraging Blockchain Technology for Vehicular AdHoc 5G Networks
Authors: Awais Muhammad , Ali Abid , saeed Yousaf , Jabbar Sohail , Ahmad Awais , Alkhrijah Yazeed , Raza Umar , Saleem Yasir
Published: February 2024

VANET is a category of MANET that aims to provide wireless communication. It increases the safety of roads and passengers. Millions of people lose their precious lives in accidents yearly, millions are injured, and others incur disability daily. Emergency vehicles need clear roads to reach their destination faster to save lives. Video streaming can be more effective as compared to textual messages and warnings. To address this issue, we proposed a methodology to use visual sensors, cameras, and OBU to record emergency videos. Initially, the frames are detected. After re-recording, the frames detection algorithm detects the specific event from the video frames. Blockchain encrypts an emergency or specific event using hashing algorithms in the second layer of our proposed framework. In the third layer of the proposed methodology, encrypted video is broadcast with the help of 5G wireless technology to the connected nodes in the VANET. The dataset used in this research comprises up to 72 video sequences averaging about 120 seconds per video. All videos have different traffic conditions and vehicles. The ResNet-50 model is used for the feature extraction process of extracted frames. The model is trained using Tensorflow and Keras deep learning models. The Elbow method finds the optimal K number for the K Means model. This data is split into training and testing. 70% is reserved for training the support vector machine (SVM) model and test datasets, while 30%. 98% accuracy is achieved with 98% precision and 99% recall as results for the proposed methodology.
Fine-Scale Spatiotemporal Analysis of Urban Heat Island Dynamics in the Central Yunnan City Cluster
Authors: Fang Qingping , Liu Chang , Ren Zhibin , Fu Yao , Fan Huapeng , Wang Yongshu
Published: February 2024

With the acceleration of urbanization, the construction and population density of cities have continuously increased, leading to a more pronounced urban heat island (UHI) effect. This phenomenon has significant impacts on urban ecological environments and human health, including elevated temperatures, reduced water resources, decreased visibility, and deterioration of ecological conditions. It is imperative to mitigate Urban Heat Island effects (UHIs) and improve ecological conditions. Previous studies on UHIs have primarily focused on large cities, and it remains unclear whether UHIs exist in small-scale cities and how their spatiotemporal patterns evolve. This article conducts a detailed study of the spatiotemporal variations of Surface Urban Heat Island Intensity (SUHI) in the Central Yunnan City Cluster from 2000 to 2021 using Landsat satellite data, completing the time series of Urban Heat Island Intensity index (SUHII) for 44 cities at the county level. The study quantitatively estimates the overall SUHI trend and explores driving factors, yielding the following conclusions: Small cities also exhibit UHIs, irrespective of city size. From 2000 to 2021, the probability of UHIs occurrence in the Central Yunnan City Cluster was 75.4%, resulting in an overall reduction of 1.21°C in surface urban heat island (SUHI) intensity; The severity of Urban Heat Island effects increases with larger defined suburban areas, accompanied by a faster rate of change; The method of fitting SUHII trends for all cities allows for a robust quantitative estimation of the overall SUHII trend in the Central Yunnan City Cluster, achieving a high coefficient of determination (R²) value of 0.95; Human activities and land use changes influence the formation of decreasing SUHII trends; Urban expansion areas experience the highest temperature growth rate, while the city centers show the slowest growth rate, contributing to the formation of decreasing SUHII trends. This research highlights the presence of UHIs even in small cities, providing insights for enhancing ecological conditions.
Investigating the Causal Association Between Characteristic Genes and Osteoarthritis: A Mendelian Randomization and Bioinformatics Approach
Authors: Zhang Chongyang , Zhang Fan , Min Shengwei , Liu Dun , Qin Xin , Wang Zhemin , Zhang Mingyong
Published: February 2024

Objective
This study investigates the causal association of characteristic genes in osteoarthritis (OA) by integrating Mendelian Randomization (MR) with bioinformatics analyses, focusing on the interplay between these genes and immune cell infiltration.
Methods
We analyzed gene expression data from the Gene Expression Omnibus, employing differential expression analysis, Gene Ontology (GO), and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways, alongside protein-protein interaction networks, to identify characteristic genes. These genes were further examined for their diagnostic value in a validation dataset. CIBERSORT was utilized to assess immune cell infiltration and its association with the characteristic genes. MR provided insights into the causal association between characteristic genes and OA.
Results
The study identified 452 differentially expressed genes, highlighting CDKN1A, FOSB, MYC, ATF3, CXCL2 and CXCL8 as central to OA's pathogenesis. Immune infiltration analysis revealed significant variations in specific immune cell types within OA synovial tissue. MR analysis suggested a protective role for CDKN1A against OA development.
Conclusion
Our findings reveal associations between OA-related characteristic genes and immune cell infiltration, emphasizing CDKN1A's potential protective effect against OA. This work lays a foundation for further exploration into the molecular mechanisms of OA and its targeted treatment.
Differences between Patients with Heartburn Refractory to Vonoprazan and Those Refractory to Proton Pump Inhibitors
Authors: Matsumura Tomoaki , Sonoda Michiko , Okimoto¹ Kenichiro , Dao Hang Viet , Takahashi¹ Satsuki , Akizue Naoki , Horio¹ Ryosuke , Goto¹ Chihiro , Kurosugi Akane , Kaneko Tatsuya , Ohta Yuki , Taida Takashi , Kikuchi Atsuko , Fujie Mai , Kato Jun , Kato Naoya
Published: February 2024

Background Vonoprazan, a potassium-competitive acid blocker, demonstrates more potent acid inhibition than proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). This study aimed to evaluate the effect of vonoprazan in patients with unproven gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) by comparing patients with vonoprazan-refractory heartburn with those with PPI-refractory heartburn.Methods This study included 104 consecutive patients with vonoprazan- or PPI-refractory heartburn (52 patients each), no erosive esophagitis on endoscopy and who underwent combined multichannel intraluminal impedance–pH (MII-pH) testing with vonoprazan/PPI discontinuation. Patients’ backgrounds, symptom scores from four questionnaires, MII-pH results and high-resolution manometry results were compared between the two groups.Results The vonoprazan group demonstrated significantly higher GERD symptoms and scores of abdominal pain and diarrhea on the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale questionnaire. MII-pH results revealed that the vonoprazan group demonstrated 40.4%, 17.3% and 42.3% and the PPIs group exhibited 26.9%, 17.3% and 55.8% of abnormal acid reflux (true non-erosive reflux disease [NERD]), reflux hypersensitivity and functional heartburn, respectively. The vonoprazan group demonstrated higher true NERD rates but with no significant difference. Among the vonoprazan group, eight patients with true NERD underwent another MII-pH test on vonoprazan, and all cases demonstrated normal acid exposure times (0.0% [0.0–0.3]).Conclusions Patients with unproven GERD with vonoprazan-refractory heartburn demonstrated more symptoms, including not only GERD symptoms but also functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome symptoms, than those with PPI-refractory heartburn.
Experience of breast cancer patients participating in a virtual reality psychological rehabilitation: a qualitative study
Authors: Chen Junyi , Wu Jialing , Xie Xinxin , Wu Shanshan , Yang Jie , Bi Zhuofei , Qiu Yihong , Chen Jie
Published: February 2024

Objective
Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in China and worldwide. Apart from cancer, a majority of breast cancer patients suffer from various psychological disorders concurrently. The purpose of this study is to understand the actual experience of breast cancer patients participating in Virtual Reality (VR) for psychological intervention, and to provide a theoretical basis for the development of VR psychological rehabilitation in China.
Methods
Twenty-three breast cancer patients who met the inclusion criteria were selected for qualitative study by purposive sampling method. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients involved in VR psychological rehabilitation. Data were analyzed, summarized, and generalized through Colaizzi analysis.
Results
The results of the interviews were consistent with the PAC structural analysis. Three themes and six sub-themes captured how patients felt about adopting VR for their psychological rehabilitation, including: parent ego state (the feeling of loss when expectations are not met, improvement of sleep), adult ego state (relief of psychological stress, optimization and recommendations for VR therapy), and child ego state (novel and fun immersive experience, contagiousness of variable emotions).
Conclusion
Breast cancer patients participating in the virtual reality psychological rehabilitation had a favorable experience. To maximize the benefit of VR psychological rehabilitation, healthcare professionals should comprehensively assess the psychological status of breast cancer, optimize VR technology, and enable patients to enter the adult ego state. The new model of VR psychological rehabilitation needs to be further explored.
Measuring deep fascia parameters - Interrater reliability
Authors: Štěpánková Tereza , Quittková Adéla , Čech Zdeněk , Machač Stanislav
Published: February 2024

Purpose: The deep fascia has recently been a current topic in many medical fields, including rehabilitation. Some research has already focused on assessing deep fascia, however results of individual authors differ in certain aspects. This study focuses on the inter-rater reliability of ultrasound (US) measurement of the thickness of deep fascia and loose connective tissue (LCT). The aim was to define the causes of any discrepancies in measurement that could contribute to the unification of management of evaluating fascia.
Methods: An observational study was performed including 20 healthy individuals in whom fascia lata of the anterior thigh was examined by US imaging and then measured in Image J software. Three raters participated in this study: the first with 6 years of US imaging experience, other two were newly trained. The measurement of fascial parameters was conducted in two phases with special consultation between them resulting in an agreement of the research team on the more precise way of measurement.
Results: Results revealed the value of inter-rater reliability ICC3,1 = 0.454 for deep fascia thickness and ICC3,1 = 0.265 for LCT thickness in the first phase and any significant difference in the second phase. This poor inter-rater reliability led to a search for possible causes of discrepancies, which authors subsequently highlighted.
Conclusion: The findings of the study show the main pitfalls of deep fascia measurement that should contribute to the unification of evaluation.
Causal relationships between immune cells and iron deficiency anemia: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization study
Authors: xu xuanxuan , li zhixia , Liu Huimin , Huang Zhiping , xiong tao , Tang Yuanyan
Published: February 2024

Background
Observational studies have shown a potential link between immune factors and the risk of iron deficiency anemia (IDA), yet the causal relationship between immune cells and IDA remains enigmatic. Herein, we used Mendelian randomization (MR) to assess whether this association is causal.
Methods
We selected IDA genetic variants, including 8376 samples and 9810691 single nucleotide polymorphisms, and immune cells from a large open genome-wide association study (GWAS) for a bidirectional MR study. The primary method was inverse variance weighting (IVW), and auxiliary analyses were MR-Egger, weighted median, simple mode and weighted mode. The reliability of the results was subsequently verified by heterogeneity and sensitivity analysis.
Results
IVW method showed that 19 types of immune cells may be the risk factors of IDA, whereas 15 types of immune cells are the protective factors of IDA. Reverse MR analysis suggested that immune cells from upstream etiology of IDA are not involved in follow-up immune activities. Next, we selected 731 immune cell types as the results. The research revealed that IDA may result in a rise in 23 kinds of immune cells and a reduction in 12 kinds of immune cells. In addition, sensitivity analysis demonstrated no evidence of heterogeneity or horizontal pleiotropy.
Conclusions
From a genetic standpoint, our study suggests that specific immune cells are involved in the occurrence of IDA. Inversely, IDA may also contribute to immune dysfunction, thus guiding future clinical investigations.
DEThresh: Enhancing Cloud Computing Performance with Differential Evolution-Driven Datacenter Selection and Threshold-based Load Balancing Optimization
Authors: Katangur Ajay , Chowdhury Shusmoy
Published: February 2024

The advent of cloud computing has introduced a novel paradigm in user services, enabling on-demand access to information technology services, irrespective of time and location, with a pay-per-use model. Meeting user expectations necessitates cloud service providers to furnish an infrastructure that is efficient, reliable, and resilient to faults. Addressing the substantial volume of user requests, selecting cloud datacenters and load balancing strategies become pivotal for delivering real-time services economically and selecting appropriate datacenters and virtual machines. This research introduces DEThresh, combining a smart differential evolution-based datacenter selection method with a threshold-based load balancing mechanism aimed at enhancing resource management by focusing on cost and performance considerations. The differential evolution-based datacenter selection employs evolutionary operations to identify the most suitable DC for the userbase. Simultaneously, threshold-based load balancing ensures the reasonable distribution of tasks and optimal resource utilization, preventing task overload on virtual machines and underutilization due to task scarcity. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed DEThresh algorithm exhibits superior response and data processing time compared to well-established popular algorithms currently in use, especially under varying userbase and datacenter conditions. Impressively, DEThresh achieves this even with fewer datacenters, ultimately reducing cloud service costs.
Effects of kaempherol-3-rhamnoside on metabolic enzymes and AMPK in the Liver Tissue of STZ-Induced Diabetes in Mice
Authors: Aodah Alhussain H. , Alkholifi Faisal K , Devi Sushma , Foudah Ahmed I. , Yusufoglu Hasan S , Alam Aftab
Published: February 2024

The current study aimed to investigate the potential antidiabetic properties of kaempherol-3-rhamnoside (Afzelin), both alone and in combination with insulin. To accomplish this, different groups of animals received kaempherol-3-rhamnoside doses and combinations of Humalog insulin and kaempherol-3-rhamnoside for 28 days. The objective was to evaluate the role of kaempherol-3-rhamnoside in glycolytic, gluconeogenic and NADP-linked lipogenic enzymes in liver tissues from STZ-induced diabetic mice while examining pharmacological modulations within the AMPK pathway. These could further regulate metabolic enzymes. The results indicated that in diabetic mice, glycolytic enzyme activities were significantly lower while gluconeogenic ones were higher; however, lipid-based enzyme activity decreased. It was observed that kaempherol-3-rhamnoside had a therapeutic role in the treatment of diabetes by normalising enzyme activities involved in glucose and lipid metabolism. Furthermore, kaempherol-3-rhamnoside treatment activated AMPK activity within liver tissues in diabetic mice by increasing the p-AMPK/AMPK ratio. The inhibited AMPK activity observed in these mice was overcome with this treatment. Additionally, the biochemical analysis indicated that kaempherol-3-rhamnoside has the potential to restore cellular function at the molecular level.
QSPR model for bond energy of Y-junction nanotubes through M, NM-polynomials based on reverse, reduced reverse degree and neighborhood degree based topological indices
Authors: Huilgol Medha Itagi , Shobha P H , Udupa H. Jayakrishna , Cangul Ismail Naci
Published: February 2024

M polynomials and NM polynomials are integral concepts in polynomial graph theory. M polynomials, like the matching polynomial, provide insights into matching structures in graphs, while NM polynomials extend this to non-matching edges. These tools are crucial in understanding graph properties and are applied in diverse fields such as network design and chemistry. Often topological indices are derived from these polynomials, which are used in Quantitative Structure Activity Relations (QSAR)/ Quantitative Structure Property Relations (QSPR) studies that have applications in protein structure analysis, network communication optimization, drug design, drug discovery, pharmacokinetics, etc. In this paper, we have defined M, NM polynomials for reverse, reduced reverse, neighborhood reverse and neighborhood reduced reverse topological indices. And we have derived closed form expressions for topological indices from these polynomials for Y junction nanotubes. Also as an application we have developed a QSPR model for an important thermodynamic property, viz., bond energy, of Y-junction nanotubes using indices derived from the defined polynomials Mr, Mrr, NMr, NMrr. The QSPR model developed here is statistically robust with an R2 of 0.999, with marginal error and high F value, hence serves as a justification to our new definitions for more polynomials, topological indices to the ever increasing set.
A Comprehensive Numerical Approach to Coil Placement in Cerebral Aneurysms: Mathematical Modeling and In Silico Occlusion Classification
Authors: Holzberger Fabian , Muhr Markus , Wohlmuth Barbara
Published: February 2024

Endovascular coil embolization is one of the primary treatment techniques for cerebral aneurysms. Although it is a well established and minimally invasive method, it bears the risk of sub-optimal coil placement which can lead to incomplete occlusion of the aneurysm possibly causing recurrence. One of the key features of coils is that they have an imprinted natural shape supporting the fixation within the aneurysm. For the spatial discretization our mathematical coil model is based on the Discrete Elastic Rod model which results in a dimension-reduced 1D system of differential equations. We include bending and twisting responses to account for the coils natural curvature. Collisions between coil segments and the aneurysm-wall are handled by an efficient contact algorithm that relies on an octree based collision detection. The numerical solution of the model is obtained by a symplectic semi-implicit Euler time stepping method. Our model can be easily incorporated into blood flow simulations of embolized aneurysms.In order to differentiate optimal from sub-optimal placements, we employ a suitable in silico Raymond-Roy type occlusion classification and measure the local packing density in the aneurysm at its neck, wall-region and core. We investigate the impact of uncertainties in the coil parameters and embolization procedure. To this end, we vary the position and the angle of insertion of the microcatheter, and approximate the local packing density distributions by evaluating sample statistics.
Excitation Signal Optimization for Minimizing Fluctuations in Knock Out Slow Extraction
Authors: Niedermayer Philipp , Singh Rahul
Published: February 2024

The synchrotron is a circular particle accelerator used for high energy physics experiments, material and life science, as well as hadron cancer therapy. After acceleration to the desired energies, particle beams are commonly extracted from the synchrotron using the method of resonant slow extraction. The goal is to deliver a steady particle flux – referred to as spill – to experiments and treatment facilities over the course of seconds while slowly emptying the storage ring. Any uncontrolled intensity fluctuations in the spill are detrimental to the efficiency of beam usage, as they lead to detector pileups or detector interlocks, hindering experiments and cancer treatment. Among the most widely used extraction scheme in medical facilities is the Radio Frequency Knock Out (RF-KO) driven resonant slow extraction, where the stored beam is transversely excited with a radio frequency (RF) field and the spill intensity is controlled by the excitation signal strength. This article presents particle dynamics simulations of the RF-KO system with the focus on finding effective mechanism for minimizing the intensity fluctuations while maintaining a good extraction efficiency and other advantages of KO extraction. An improved beam excitation signal which optimizes these main objectives is found, and is rigorously compared experimentally with other commonly applied techniques.
An evolutionary system of mineralogy, Part VIII: The evolution of metamorphic minerals
Authors: Morrison Shaunna M. , Prabhu Anirudh , Hazen Robert M.
Published: February 2024

Part VIII of the evolutionary system of mineralogy focuses on 1220 metamorphic mineral species, which correspond to 755 root mineral kinds associated with varied metamorphic rock types, most of which likely formed prior to the Phanerozoic Eon. A catalog of the mineral modes of 2785 metamorphic rocks from around the world reveals that 94 mineral kinds often occur as major phases. Of these common metamorphic minerals, 66 are silicates, 14 are oxides or hydroxides, 8 are carbonates or phosphates, 4 are sulfides, and 2 are polymorphs of carbon. Collectively, these 94 minerals incorporate 23 different essential chemical elements.

Patterns of coexistence among these 94 minerals, as revealed by network analysis and Louvain community detection, point to six major communities of metamorphic phases, three of which correspond to different pressure-temperature (P-T) regimes of metamorphosed siliceous igneous and sedimentary rocks, while three represent thermally altered carbonate and calc-silicate lithologies.

Metamorphic rocks display characteristics of an evolving chemical system, with significant increases in mineral diversity and chemical complexity through billions of years of Earth history. Earth’s first metamorphic minerals formed in thermally altered xenoliths and contact zones (hornfels and sanidinite facies) associated with early Hadean igneous activity (>4.5 Ga). The appearance of new Hadean lithologies, including clay-rich sediments, arkosic sandstones, and carbonates, provided additional protoliths for thermal metamorphism prior to 4.0 Ga. Orogenesis and erosion exposed extensive regional metamorphic terrains, with lithologies corresponding to the Barrovian sequence of index mineral metamorphic zones appearing by the Mesoarchean Era (>2.8 Ga). More recently, rapid subduction and rebound of crustal wedges, coupled with a shallowing geothermal gradient, has produced distinctive suites of blueschist, eclogite, and ultrahigh-pressure metamorphic suites (<1.0 Ga). The evolution of metamorphic minerals thus exemplifies changes in physical and chemical processes in Earth’s crust and upper mantle.
Gamma-enhancement of reflected light images as a routine method for assessment of compositional heterogeneity in common low-reflectance Fe-bearing minerals
Authors: Zhu Qiaoqiao , Xie Guiqing , Cook Nigel J. , Ciobanu Cristiana L. , Wang Hui
Published: February 2024

The incorporation of impurity elements into minerals impacts their physical properties (e.g., reflectance, hardness, and electrical conductivity), but the quantitative relationships between these features and compositional variation remain inadequately constrained. Prior work has shown that gamma-enhancement of reflected light images represents a simple yet powerful tool to assess the compositional heterogeneity of single pyrite crystals, as it can enhance subtle differences in reflectance between distinct domains with different minor element concentrations. This study extends the gamma correction method to several other common Fe-bearing minerals, magnetite, garnet, wolframite, and tetrahedrite-tennantite, which all have far lower reflectance than pyrite. Gamma-enhanced optical images reveal clear variations in reflectance that are either systematic with increased minor element concentration, as the change in gray value on backscatter electron (BSE) images (in the case of magnetite, garnet, and tetrahedrite-tennantite) or contrasting (as in pyrite), yielding a convincing linkage between reflectance variation and compositional heterogeneity. Reflectance variation is an expression of the distribution of the average effective number of free electrons on the mineral surface that can re-emit light when excited by visible light. Gamma-enhanced images can reveal compositional heterogeneity in minerals such as wolframite where small atomic mass differences between substituting elements (Mn and Fe, in the case of wolframite) are virtually impossible to observe as a variation of gray values on BSE images. Results also demonstrate that Fe-rich domains in these minerals can be expected to have higher reflectance than Fe-poor domains whenever Fe is a major constituent. The greater reflectance is attributed to Fe ions having a greater effective number of free electrons than many other elements (e.g., Co, Ni, Si, Ca, Al, Mg, Mn, and As). This research highlights the utility of gamma correction as an inexpensive tool for routine evaluation of compositional heterogeneity in common Fe-bearing minerals, potentially obviating the necessity of a microbeam platform to correlate textures and composition.