bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TECNOLOGIAS DIGITAIS NAS FORMAÇÕES INICIAL E CONTINUADA DE PROFESSORES DE MATEMÁTICA
Authors: Kleemann Robson , Costa Machado Celiane
Published: August 2023

A formação de professores é um tema que necessita atenção contínua, pois o professor atua em um contexto social, que sofre transformações. Com o advento das tecnologias, dentre os diferentes vieses, a formação tecnológica ganha evidência. No presente artigo tem-se por objetivo investigar o uso das tecnologias digitais (TD) como estratégia metodológica na prática docente em sala de aula e na formação de professores de matemática. Para isso, realizou-se um mapeamento de trabalhos disponíveis na Biblioteca Digital Brasileira de Teses e Dissertações, no período de 2016 à 2021, a fim de identificar o que se tem produzido sobre o tema. Para análise dos dados, utilizou-se da Análise de Conteúdo. Os resultados indicam a necessidade dos cursos de formação inicial de professores enfatizar o viés tecnológico. Sugere-se a formação continuada como uma alternativa para o aprofundamento da formação inicial, enriquecendo a prática docente para/com o uso das TD, mesmo que ainda hajam desafios quanto a precariedade e acessibilidade dos recursos tecnológicos.
A FORMAÇÃO DO PROFESSOR DE MATEMÁTICA NAS INSTITUIÇÕES DE ENSINO SUPERIOR PÚBLICAS DA PARAÍBA: UM OLHAR PARA AS DISCIPLINAS QUE ENVOLVEM A MATEMÁTICA DA EDUCAÇÃO BÁSICA
Authors: Nascimento Daniel Tavares do , Santos Eduardo Gonçalves dos
Published: August 2023

Este trabalho constitui-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa e bibliográfica, utilizando a análise de documentos. Objetivamos, através da análise do Projeto Pedagógico do Curso (PPC), investigar de que forma as disciplinas que contemplam os conteúdos de Matemática da educação básica se fazem presentes nos cursos de Licenciatura em Matemática das Instituições Públicas de Ensino Superior da Paraíba, a partir de quatro elementos: objetivos, metodologia, bibliografia e carga-horária. Sondamos as matrizes curriculares de quatro (4) Instituições e doze (12) Campi. As matrizes foram analisadas de acordo com as disciplinas que continham em sua ementa conteúdos referentes à educação básica de Matemática. Foi elaborada uma categorização das temáticas das disciplinas e a partir desse instrumento, procedemos a análise dos dados obtidos. Os resultados mostraram distinções e carência nos conteúdos voltados para a capacitação matemática do docente, ou seja, foram constatadas diferenças consideráveis, principalmente no que se refere à carga horária e os componentes curriculares na formação inicial de professores de Matemática na Paraíba.
Palavras-chave: Licenciatura em Matemática. Matrizes Curriculares. Matemática para o Ensino Básico.
O CONHECIMENTO MATEMÁTICO CONSTITUÍDO COM UMA ATIVIDADE DE MODELAGEM MATEMÁTICA NO ENSINO SUPERIOR: RELATO E REFLEXÕES
Authors: Frazão Alves Karoline , Silva Akin de Sá , Wichnoski Paulo
Published: August 2023

Neste trabalho, relatamos a experiência vivida com um clássico problema de otimização volumétrica, tomado como uma atividade de Modelagem Matemática para o ensino de Cálculo Diferencial e Integral. Refletimos sobre os conhecimentos matemáticos constituídos e sobre os modos constituintes, com aquilo que foi exposto em relatório de aula por quatro sujeitos que vivenciaram a atividade. Como síntese articuladora desse pensar reflexivo, inferimos que, os conhecimentos matemáticos constituídos convergiram aos conhecimentos vislumbrados a priori e, classicamente, abordados pelo problema, porém, extrapolaram a solução esperada, indo além do que é sugerido corriqueiramente pelos livros-texto. O modo que se constituíram se revelou amparado na literatura, na observação, na experimentação, na demonstração e, em partes, mediado pelo processo indutivo. Além disso, os sujeitos recorreram à tecnologia digital e, ocasionalmente, ao diálogo com o professor. Avaliamos positivamente a experiência vivida com a Modelagem Matemática que não limitou o problema à sua solução e abriu a possibilidade de distanciar-se dos modos usuais que ele é abordado nos livros-texto em sala de aula.
ESTRATÉGIAS DE ALUNOS DO 7º ANO NA RESOLUÇÃO DE UM PROBLEMA DE SUBTRAÇÃO DE FRAÇÕES NO CONTEXTO DO EAMvRP
Authors: Rozario Tereza Aparecida , Machado da Silva Rafael , Carlos de Proença Marcelo
Published: August 2023

O presente relato de experiência tem como objetivo apresentar as estratégias de resolução de um problema, envolvendo o conteúdo de subtração de frações com denominadores diferentes, no contexto do Ensino-Aprendizagem de Matemática via Resolução de Problemas - EAMvRP. Os participantes foram os alunos da turma do 7° ano do Ensino Fundamental, de uma escola pública do Paraná. A proposta foi pautada nas cinco ações da abordagem do EAMvRP. Por meio de nossa intervenção pedagógica, identificamos os seguintes aspectos: a) a interação entre os alunos e a professora; b) a postura ativa dos grupos/alunos durante o processo de resolução em busca da solução para o problema; c) o desafio aos grupos/alunos por meio da mediação da professora para criarem suas estratégias de resolução. Consideramos que, no EAMvRP, os alunos puderam repensar e validar suas estratégias de resolução a partir do conhecimento já adquirido, o que proporcionou um conhecimento matemático (re)construído pelo próprio aluno.
Beyond productivity and efficiency: design tools, methods and frameworks for psychological well-being, and (un)exploited potentials to assist employees at work
Authors: Dhiman Hitesh , Nemoto Yutaro , Fellmann Michael , Röcker Carsten
Published: August 2023

Research has repeatedly demonstrated that fostering employees' psychological well-being is linked to several positive outcomes, both for the employee and the organization, and yet, it has rarely been considered as a design goal, especially when it comes to developing digital solutions to assist employees in their everyday tasks. In this paper, we take the first steps toward using well-being concepts to (re)design assistants. We motivate the problem by providing an overview of assistance technologies in the industrial context and their current state of development. Next, we elucidate and map the facets of psychological well-being at work, and highlight the importance of workplace eudaimonic well-being. To help designers and researchers adopt it as a design objective, we carried out a literature review to synthesize the state-of-the-art frameworks and methods that have been proposed to incorporate psychological well-being into design. Our investigation reveals that no one framework targets eudaimonic well-being, and more work may be necessary to develop a comprehensive approach that targets the various facets of workplace eudaimonic well-being. Consequently, we discuss challenges and opportunities for developing digital assistance that could foster employees' psychological well-being.
Application of gravity and remote sensing data to groundwater potential in Wadi Ar-Ramah, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Mohamed Ahmed , Alshehri Fahad
Published: August 2023

Water scarcity is developing in the Middle East as a result of the region’s growing population and tremendously advanced agricultural and industrial sectors. Saudi Arabia is the Middle East country with the highest water consumption, so there is an urgent need to take action, and new technology advancements in geophysical measurements allow for the monitoring of groundwater. Wadi Ar-Ramah is one region that has witnessed significant agricultural expansion as well as a serious over-exploitation of the groundwater resources that are available there. Depletion rate in groundwater of the Wadi Ar-Ramah basin at eastern Saudi Arabia was determined for the time interval of 04/2002 to 12/2021 using a combination of gravity data from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) mission and results of land surface models. The findings are: 1) the average yearly rainfall rate was computed at 87.7 mm yr−1 over the Wadi Ar-Ramah; 2) the terrestrial water storage variation (ΔTWS) was computed at −1.216 ± 0.013 cm yr−1; 3) the GLDAS-derived soil moisture (ΔSMS) was minimal at −0.32 ± 0.025 mm yr−1; 4) the GRACE-derievd groundwater decreasing rate was calculated at 1.212 ± 0.012 cm yr−1; 5) the relief of the ground surface is producing northeasterly streams that carry the minimal surface water to the east; 6) our integrated method provides a repeatable and cost-effective approach.
Hyperspectral remote sensing technology for water quality monitoring: knowledge graph analysis and Frontier trend
Authors: Ma Taquan , Zhang Donghui , Li Xusheng , Huang Yao , Zhang Lifu , Zhu Zhenchang , Sun Xuejian , Lan Ziyue , Guo Wei
Published: August 2023

Water environment health assessment is one of the vital fields closely related to the quality of human life. The change of material contained in water will lead to the reflectance change of hyperspectral remote sensing data. According to this phenomenon, the water quality parameters are calculated to achieve the purpose of water quality monitoring. Series knowledge graphs in this field are drawn after analyzing 564 publications from WOS (Web of Science) and EI (The Engineering Index) databases since 1994 with the support of VOSviewer and CiteSpace. Including statistics of documents publication time, contribution analysis, the influence of publications and journals, and the influence of funding institutions. It is concluded that the research trend of hyperspectral water quality monitoring is the machine learning algorithm based on UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) hyperspectral instrument data by analyzing scientific research cooperation, keyword analysis, and research hotspots. The whole picture of the research is obtained in this field from four subfields: application scenarios, data sources, water quality parameters, and monitoring algorithms in this paper. It is summarized that the miniaturization, integration, and intelligence of hyperspectral sensors will be the research trend in the next 10 years or even longer. The conclusions have significant reference values for this field.
Resolving complex structural variants via nanopore sequencing
Authors: Romagnoli Simone , Bartalucci Niccolò , Vannucchi Alessandro Maria
Published: August 2023

The recent development of high-throughput sequencing platforms provided impressive insights into the field of human genetics and contributed to considering structural variants (SVs) as the hallmark of genome instability, leading to the establishment of several pathologic conditions, including neoplasia and neurodegenerative and cognitive disorders. While SV detection is addressed by next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies, the introduction of more recent long-read sequencing technologies have already been proven to be invaluable in overcoming the inaccuracy and limitations of NGS technologies when applied to resolve wide and structurally complex SVs due to the short length (100–500 bp) of the sequencing read utilized. Among the long-read sequencing technologies, Oxford Nanopore Technologies developed a sequencing platform based on a protein nanopore that allows the sequencing of “native” long DNA molecules of virtually unlimited length (typical range 1–100 Kb). In this review, we focus on the bioinformatics methods that improve the identification and genotyping of known and novel SVs to investigate human pathological conditions, discussing the possibility of introducing nanopore sequencing technology into routine diagnostics.
Insulin reverses impaired alveolar fluid clearance in ARDS by inhibiting LPS-induced autophagy and inflammatory
Authors: Wen Xu-peng , Li Min , Zhang Ru-qi , Wan Qi-quan
Published: August 2023

Until now, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has been a difficult clinical condition with a high mortality and morbidity rate, and is characterized by a build-up of alveolar fluid and impaired clearance. The underlying mechanism is not yet fully understood and no effective medications available. Autophagy activation is associated with ARDS caused by different pathogenic factors. It represents a new direction of prevention and treatment of ARDS to restrain autophagy to a reasonable level through pharmacological and molecular genetic methods. Na, K-ATPase is the main gradient driver of pulmonary water clearance in ARDS and could be degraded by the autophagy-lysosome pathway to affect its abundance and enzyme activity. As a normal growth hormone in human body, insulin has been widely used in clinical for a long time. To investigate the association of insulin with Na, K-ATPase, autophagy and inflammatory markers in LPS-treated C57BL/6 mice by survival assessment, proteomic analysis, histologic examination, inflammatory cell counting, myeloperoxidase, TNF-α and IL-1β activity analysis etc. This was also verified on mouse alveolar epithelial type II (AT II) and A549 cells by transmission electron microscopy. We found that insulin restored the expression of Na, K-ATPase, inhibited the activation of autophagy and reduced the release of inflammatory factors caused by alveolar epithelial damage. The regulation mechanism of insulin on Na, K-ATPase by inhibiting autophagy function may provide new drug targets for the treatment of ARDS.
Beyond αβ T cells: NK, iNKT, and γδT cell biology in leukemic patients and potential for off-the-shelf adoptive cell therapies for AML
Authors: Kent Andrew , Crump Lyndsey S. , Davila Eduardo
Published: August 2023

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains an elusive disease to treat, let alone cure, even after highly intensive therapies such as stem cell transplants. Adoptive cell therapeutic strategies based on conventional alpha beta (αβ)T cells are an active area of research in myeloid neoplasms given their remarkable success in other hematologic malignancies, particularly B-cell-derived acute lymphoid leukemia, myeloma, and lymphomas. Several limitations have hindered clinical application of adoptive cell therapies in AML including lack of leukemia-specific antigens, on-target-off-leukemic toxicity, immunosuppressive microenvironments, and leukemic stem cell populations elusive to immune recognition and destruction. While there are promising T cell-based therapies including chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T designs under development, other cytotoxic lymphocyte cell subsets have unique phenotypes and capabilities that might be of additional benefit in AML treatment. Of particular interest are the natural killer (NK) and unconventional T cells known as invariant natural killer T (iNKT) and gamma delta (γδ) T cells. NK, iNKT, and γδT cells exhibit intrinsic anti-malignant properties, potential for alloreactivity, and human leukocyte-antigen (HLA)-independent function. Here we review the biology of each of these unconventional cytotoxic lymphocyte cell types and compare and contrast their strengths and limitations as the basis for adoptive cell therapies for AML.
Cell-targeted vaccines: implications for adaptive immunity
Authors: Ung Trevor , Rutledge Nakisha S. , Weiss Adam M. , Esser-Kahn Aaron P. , Deak Peter
Published: August 2023

Recent advancements in immunology and chemistry have facilitated advancements in targeted vaccine technology. Targeting specific cell types, tissue locations, or receptors can allow for modulation of the adaptive immune response to vaccines. This review provides an overview of cellular targets of vaccines, suggests methods of targeting and downstream effects on immune responses, and summarizes general trends in the literature. Understanding the relationships between vaccine targets and subsequent adaptive immune responses is critical for effective vaccine design. This knowledge could facilitate design of more effective, disease-specialized vaccines.
Advances in protein subunit vaccines against tuberculosis
Authors: Zhang Ying , Xu Jin-chuan , Hu Zhi-dong , Fan Xiao-yong
Published: August 2023

Tuberculosis (TB), also known as the “White Plague”, is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Before the COVID-19 epidemic, TB had the highest mortality rate of any single infectious disease. Vaccination is considered one of the most effective strategies for controlling TB. Despite the limitations of the Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine in terms of protection against TB among adults, it is currently the only licensed TB vaccine. Recently, with the evolution of bioinformatics and structural biology techniques to screen and optimize protective antigens of Mtb, the tremendous potential of protein subunit vaccines is being exploited. Multistage subunit vaccines obtained by fusing immunodominant antigens from different stages of TB infection are being used both to prevent and to treat TB. Additionally, the development of novel adjuvants is compensating for weaknesses of immunogenicity, which is conducive to the flourishing of subunit vaccines. With advances in the development of animal models, preclinical vaccine protection assessments are becoming increasingly accurate. This review summarizes progress in the research of protein subunit TB vaccines during the past decades to facilitate the further optimization of protein subunit vaccines that may eradicate TB.
Platelet activation: a promoter for psoriasis and its comorbidity, cardiovascular disease
Authors: Jiang Ziqi , Jiang Xiaoran , Chen Aijun , He Wenyan
Published: August 2023

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with a prevalence of 0.14% to 1.99%. The underlying pathology is mainly driven by the abnormal immune responses including activation of Th1, Th17, Th22 cells and secretion of cytokines. Patients with psoriasis are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease (CVD) which has been well recognized as a comorbidity of psoriasis. As mediators of hemostasis and thromboinflammation, platelets play an important part in CVD. However, less is known about their pathophysiological contribution to psoriasis and psoriasis-associated CVD. A comprehensive understanding of the role of platelet activation in psoriasis might pave the path for more accurate prediction of cardiovascular (CV) risk and provide new strategies for psoriasis management, which alleviates the increased CV burden associated with psoriasis. Here we review the available evidence about the biomarkers and mechanisms of platelet activation in psoriasis and the role of platelet activation in intriguing the common comorbidity, CVD. We further discussed the implications and efficacy of antiplatelet therapies in the treatment of psoriasis and prevention of psoriasis-associated CVD.
Neutrophils: a subgroup of neglected immune cells in ALS
Authors: Cao Wen , Fan Dongsheng
Published: August 2023

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by the loss of motor neurons. Dysregulated peripheral immunity has been identified as a hallmark of ALS. Neutrophils, as the front-line responders of innate immunity, contribute to host defense through pathogen clearance. However, they can concurrently play a detrimental role in chronic inflammation. With the unveiling of novel functions of neutrophils in neurodegenerative diseases, it becomes essential to review our current understanding of neutrophils and to recognize the gap in our knowledge about their role in ALS. Thus, a detailed comprehension of the biological processes underlying neutrophil-induced pathogenesis in ALS may assist in identifying potential cell-based therapeutic strategies to delay disease progression.
Small carbon stocks in sediments of Baltic Sea eelgrass meadows
Authors: Billman Maja , Santos Isaac R. , Jahnke Marlene
Published: August 2023

Seagrass meadows act as an effective carbon sink and store carbon in the sediments for substantial periods of time. The drivers of carbon sequestration are complex, and global and regional estimates of carbon stocks have large uncertainties. Here, we report new carbon stock estimates from 14 sites along the Swedish coast and compile existing literature to estimate the magnitude of carbon stocks of Zostera marina (eelgrass) meadows in the Baltic Sea. Eelgrass meadows in the Baltic Sea have considerably lower carbon content and lower stocks (0.25 ± 0.21% DW, 635 ± 321 g C m-2) than in the Kattegat-Skagerrak region (3.25 ± 2.78% DW, 3457 ± 3382 g C m-2) and the average for temperate regions in general (1.4 ± 0.4% DW, 2721 ± 989 g C m-2). Unfavorable growing conditions for eelgrass in the Baltic Sea often lead to meadows occurring in areas of high hydrodynamics, preventing significant carbon accumulation. Stable isotopes revealed that the dominating source of organic carbon in the meadows was planktonic, further highlighting that Baltic Sea eelgrass meadows are not major carbon reservoirs in comparison to unvegetated sediments and other seagrass areas. The results also highlight that environmental conditions drive intraspecific variation of carbon sequestration on large spatial scales. Overall, the carbon stocks and sequestration potential in eelgrass meadows of the Baltic Sea are small compared to other temperate regions.
Isolation and characterization of novel bacteriophage vB_KpP_HS106 for Klebsiella pneumonia K2 and applications in foods
Authors: Chen Changrong , Tao Zhenxiang , Li Tengteng , Chen Hong , Zhao Yong , Sun Xiaohong
Published: August 2023

The detection rate of Klebsiella pneumoniae in food is increasing, and it has emerged as a food pathogen. Global health is threatened due to the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and hypervirulent (hv) K. pneumoniae. Phages have a promising application as antibacterial agents and have the ability to lyse MDR strains. Hence, phage vB_KpP_HS106 against MDR-hv K. pneumoniae strains was isolated from sewage collected from a hospital. It can maintain stable activity at a pH range of 4–12 and a temperature range of 4°C to 50°C. The maximum adsorption rate of phage HS106 was found to be approximately 84.2% at 6 min. One-step growth curve analysis showed that the latent period of HS106 was 10 min and the burst size was approximately 183 PFU/cell. Furthermore, whole genome analysis indicated that the genome of phage HS106 was a double-stranded linear 76,430-bp long DNA molecule with 44% GC content. A total of 95 open reading frames were annotated in the HS106 genome, which did not contain any virulence genes or antibiotic resistance genes. Phage HS106 reduced MDR K. pneumoniae in milk by approximately 1.6 log10 CFU/mL at 25°C and in chicken by approximately 2 log10 CFU/cm3 at 25°C. Therefore, vB_KpP_HS106 is a promising alternative to antibiotics for biocontrol against multidrug-resistant K. pneumoniae in foods.
Inhibitory to non-inhibitory evolution of the ζ subunit of the F1FO-ATPase of Paracoccus denitrificans and α-proteobacteria as related to mitochondrial endosymbiosis
Authors: Mendoza-Hoffmann Francisco , Yang Lingyun , Buratto Damiano , Brito-Sánchez Jorge , Garduño-Javier Gilberto , Salinas-López Emiliano , Uribe-Álvarez Cristina , Ortega Raquel , Sotelo-Serrano Oliver , Cevallos Miguel Ángel , Ramírez-Silva Leticia , Uribe-Carvajal Salvador , Pérez-Hernández Gerardo , Celis-Sandoval Heliodoro , García-Trejo José J.
Published: August 2023

Introduction: The ζ subunit is a potent inhibitor of the F1FO-ATPase of Paracoccus denitrificans (PdF1FO-ATPase) and related α-proteobacteria different from the other two canonical inhibitors of bacterial (ε) and mitochondrial (IF1) F1FO-ATPases. ζ mimics mitochondrial IF1 in its inhibitory N-terminus, blocking the PdF1FO-ATPase activity as a unidirectional pawl-ratchet and allowing the PdF1FO-ATP synthase turnover. ζ is essential for the respiratory growth of P. denitrificans, as we showed by a Δζ knockout. Given the vital role of ζ in the physiology of P. denitrificans, here, we assessed the evolution of ζ across the α-proteobacteria class.

Methods: Through bioinformatic, biochemical, molecular biology, functional, and structural analyses of several ζ subunits, we confirmed the conservation of the inhibitory N-terminus of ζ and its divergence toward its C-terminus. We reconstituted homologously or heterologously the recombinant ζ subunits from several α-proteobacteria into the respective F-ATPases, including free-living photosynthetic, facultative symbiont, and intracellular facultative or obligate parasitic α-proteobacteria.

Results and discussion: The results show that ζ evolved, preserving its inhibitory function in free-living α-proteobacteria exposed to broad environmental changes that could compromise the cellular ATP pools. However, the ζ inhibitory function was diminished or lost in some symbiotic α-proteobacteria where ζ is non-essential given the possible exchange of nutrients and ATP from hosts. Accordingly, the ζ gene is absent in some strictly parasitic pathogenic Rickettsiales, which may obtain ATP from the parasitized hosts. We also resolved the NMR structure of the ζ subunit of Sinorhizobium meliloti (Sm-ζ) and compared it with its structure modeled in AlphaFold. We found a transition from a compact ordered non-inhibitory conformation into an extended α-helical inhibitory N-terminus conformation, thus explaining why the Sm-ζ cannot exert homologous inhibition. However, it is still able to inhibit the PdF1FO-ATPase heterologously. Together with the loss of the inhibitory function of α-proteobacterial ε, the data confirm that the primary inhibitory function of the α-proteobacterial F1FO-ATPase was transferred from ε to ζ and that ζ, ε, and IF1 evolved by convergent evolution. Some key evolutionary implications on the endosymbiotic origin of mitochondria, as most likely derived from α-proteobacteria, are also discussed.
Continuous theta burst stimulation over right cerebellum for speech impairment in Parkinson’s disease: study protocol for a randomized, sham-controlled, clinical trial
Authors: Zhu Xiaoxia , Dai Guangyan , Wang Meng , Tan Mingdan , Li Yongxue , Xu Zhiqin , Lei Di , Chen Ling , Chen Xi , Liu Hanjun
Published: August 2023

Background

Speech impairment is a common symptom of Parkinson’s disease (PD) that worsens with disease progression and affects communication and quality of life. Current pharmacological and surgical treatments for PD have inconsistent effects on speech impairment. The cerebellum is an essential part of sensorimotor network that regulates speech production and becomes dysfunctional in PD. Continuous theta-burst stimulation (cTBS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that can modulate the cerebellum and its connections with other brain regions.

Objective

To investigate whether cTBS over the right cerebellum coupled with speech-language therapy (SLT) can improve speech impairment in PD.

Methods

In this randomized controlled trial (RCT), 40 patients with PD will be recruited and assigned to either an experimental group (EG) or a control group (CG). Both groups will receive 10 sessions of standard SLT. The EG will receive real cTBS over the right cerebellum, while the CG will receive sham stimulation. Blinded assessors will evaluate the treatment outcome at three time points: pre-intervention, post-intervention, and at a 12-week follow-up. The primary outcome measures are voice/speech quality and neurobehavioral parameters of auditory-vocal integration. The secondary outcome measures are cognitive function, quality of life, and functional connectivity determined by resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

Significance

This trial will provide evidence for the efficacy and safety of cerebellar cTBS for the treatment of speech impairment in PD and shed light on the neural mechanism of this intervention. It will also have implications for other speech impairment attributed to cerebellar dysfunctions.

Clinical trial registration

www.chictr.org.cn, identifier ChiCTR2100050543.
Mutual information measure of visual perception based on noisy spiking neural networks
Authors: Xu Ziheng , Zhai Yajie , Kang Yanmei
Published: August 2023

Note that images of low-illumination are weak aperiodic signals, while mutual information can be used as an effective measure for the shared information between the input stimulus and the output response of nonlinear systems, thus it is possible to develop novel visual perception algorithm based on the principle of aperiodic stochastic resonance within the frame of information theory. To confirm this, we reveal this phenomenon using the integrate-and-fire neural networks of neurons with noisy binary random signal as input first. And then, we propose an improved visual perception algorithm with the image mutual information as assessment index. The numerical experiences show that the target image can be picked up with more easiness by the maximal mutual information than by the minimum of natural image quality evaluation (NIQE), which is one of the most frequently used indexes. Moreover, the advantage of choosing quantile as spike threshold has also been confirmed. The improvement of this research should provide large convenience for potential applications including video tracking in environments of low illumination.
Reward prediction error in learning-related behaviors
Authors: Deng Yujun , Song Da , Ni Junjun , Qing Hong , Quan Zhenzhen
Published: August 2023

Learning is a complex process, during which our opinions and decisions are easily changed due to unexpected information. But the neural mechanism underlying revision and correction during the learning process remains unclear. For decades, prediction error has been regarded as the core of changes to perception in learning, even driving the learning progress. In this article, we reviewed the concept of reward prediction error, and the encoding mechanism of dopaminergic neurons and the related neural circuities. We also discussed the relationship between reward prediction error and learning-related behaviors, including reversal learning. We then demonstrated the evidence of reward prediction error signals in several neurological diseases, including Parkinson’s disease and addiction. These observations may help to better understand the regulatory mechanism of reward prediction error in learning-related behaviors.
Brain disease research based on functional magnetic resonance imaging data and machine learning: a review
Authors: Teng Jing , Mi Chunlin , Shi Jian , Li Na
Published: August 2023

Brain diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases and neuropsychiatric diseases, have long plagued the lives of the affected populations and caused a huge burden on public health. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is an excellent neuroimaging technology for measuring brain activity, which provides new insight for clinicians to help diagnose brain diseases. In recent years, machine learning methods have displayed superior performance in diagnosing brain diseases compared to conventional methods, attracting great attention from researchers. This paper reviews the representative research of machine learning methods in brain disease diagnosis based on fMRI data in the recent three years, focusing on the most frequent four active brain disease studies, including Alzheimer's disease/mild cognitive impairment, autism spectrum disorders, schizophrenia, and Parkinson's disease. We summarize these 55 articles from multiple perspectives, including the effect of the size of subjects, extracted features, feature selection methods, classification models, validation methods, and corresponding accuracies. Finally, we analyze these articles and introduce future research directions to provide neuroimaging scientists and researchers in the interdisciplinary fields of computing and medicine with new ideas for AI-aided brain disease diagnosis.
Behavioral effects of adult male mice induced by low-level acetamiprid, imidacloprid, and nicotine exposure in early-life
Authors: Saito Hirokatsu , Furukawa Yusuke , Sasaki Takahiro , Kitajima Satoshi , Kanno Jun , Tanemura Kentaro
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Acetamiprid (ACE) and imidacloprid (IMI), the neonicotinoid chemicals, are widely used as pesticides because of their rapid insecticidal activity. Although these neonicotinoids exert very low toxicity in mammals, the effects of early, low-level, chronic exposure on the adult central nervous system are largely unclear. This study investigated the effects of low-level, chronic neonicotinoids exposure in early life on the brain functions of adult mice, using environmentally relevant concentrations.

Methods

We exposed mice to an acceptable daily intake level of neonicotinoids in drinking water during the prenatal and postnatal periods. Additionally, we also exposed mice to nicotine (NIC) as a positive control. We then examined the effects on the central nervous system in adult male offspring.

Results

In the IMI and NIC exposure groups, we detected behavior that displayed impairment in learning and memory. Furthermore, immunohistochemical analysis revealed a decrease in SOX2 (as a neural stem cell marker) and GFAP (as an astrocyte marker) positive cells of the hippocampal dentate gyrus in the IMI and NIC exposure groups compared to the control group.

Discussion

These results suggest that exposure to neonicotinoids at low levels in early life affects neural circuit base formation and post-maturation behavior. Therefore, in the central nervous system of male mice, the effects of low-level, chronic neonicotinoids exposure during the perinatal period were different from the expected effects of neonicotinoids exposure in mature animals.
The characteristics of brain network in patient with post-stroke depression under cognitive task condition
Authors: Peng Yu , Zheng Yang , Yuan Ziwen , Guo Jing , Fan Chunyang , Li Chenxi , Deng Jingyuan , Song Siming , Qiao Jin , Wang Jue
Published: August 2023

Objectives

Post-stroke depression (PSD) may be associated with the altered brain network property. This study aimed at exploring the brain network characteristics of PSD under the classic cognitive task, i.e., the oddball task, in order to promote our understanding of the pathogenesis and the diagnosis of PSD.

Methods

Nineteen stroke survivors with PSD and 18 stroke survivors with no PSD (non-PSD) were recruited. The functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) covering the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex was recorded during the oddball task state and the resting state. The brain network characteristics were extracted using the graph theory and compared between the PSD and the non-PSD subjects. In addition, the classification performance between the PSD and non-PSD subjects was evaluated using features in the resting and the task state, respectively.

Results

Compared with the resting state, more brain network characteristics in the task state showed significant differences between the PSD and non-PSD groups, resulting in better classification performance. In the task state, the assortativity, clustering coefficient, characteristic path length, and local efficiency of the PSD subjects was larger compared with the non-PSD subjects while the global efficiency of the PSD subjects was smaller than that of the non-PSD subjects.

Conclusion

The altered brain network properties associated with PSD in the cognitive task state were more distinct compared with the resting state, and the ability of the brain network to resist attack and transmit information was reduced in PSD patients in the task state.

Significance

This study demonstrated the feasibility and superiority of investigating brain network properties in the task state for the exploration of the pathogenesis and new diagnosis methods for PSD.
Magnetic resonance imaging features of bile duct adenoma
Authors: Huang Mengyue , Huang Mengna , Gao Xuemei , Zhang Yong , Cheng Jingliang , Zhu Jinxia , Li Caixia , Liu Jingjing
Published: August 2023

Objectives

To evaluate the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of bile duct adenoma.

Methods

The data of 28 patients [with 32 pathologically confirmed bile duct adenomas, including 15 with malignant change (malignant group) and 17 without malignant change (benign adenoma group)] were retrospectively reviewed. Abdominal MRI was performed for all patients; in addition, dynamic enhanced MRI was performed for 18 lesions. The MRI features, including lesion location, maximum size, morphology, signal characteristics, enhancement type, and appearance of the bile duct, were assessed by two abdominal radiologists. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were measured and compared.

Results

Of the 32 bile duct adenomas, 22 (68.75%) involved the common bile duct (CBD). While 14/32 (43.75%) lesions presented as focal eccentric-type masses, 9/32 (28.13%) presented as plaque-like masses, 4/32 (12.50%) as bile duct casting masses, and 5/32 (15.62%) as infiltrative masses. A frond-like superficial appearance was seen in 8/32 (25%) lesions. Infiltrative masses were significantly more common in the malignant group than in the benign adenoma group (P = 0.015). While 23/32 (71.88%) lesions were isointense on T1-weighted imaging (T1WI), 24/32 (75%) were hyperintense on T2-weighted imaging (T2WI). Bile duct dilatation was present upstream of the lesion in all cases. Bile duct dilatation at the lesion was seen in 24/32 (75%) cases and downstream of the lesion in 6/32 (18.75%) cases. Of the 18 lesions that underwent dynamic enhanced MRI, 14 (77.78%) showed moderate enhancement and 13 (72.22%) showed persistent enhancement. On diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), 27/32 (84.37%) lesions showed hyperintensity. Mean ADC value was comparable between the malignant group and the benign adenoma group (P = 0.156).

Conclusions

Bile duct adenoma primarily presents as intraductal growth in the CBD, usually with bile duct dilatation at the lesion site or upstream to it. Most lesions are isointense on T1WI, are hyperintense on T2WI and DWI, and show moderate enhancement. A superficial frond-like appearance of the lesion and bile duct dilatation at the lesion or downstream to it might be characteristics of bile duct adenoma. An infiltrative appearance might indicate malignant transformation.
A multiple-time-scale comparative study for the added value of magnetic resonance imaging-based radiomics in predicting pathological complete response after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer
Authors: Peng Wenjing , Wan Lijuan , Wang Sicong , Zou Shuangmei , Zhao Xinming , Zhang Hongmei
Published: August 2023

Objective

Radiomics based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) shows potential for prediction of therapeutic effect to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC); however, thorough comparison between radiomics and traditional models is deficient. We aimed to construct multiple-time-scale (pretreatment, posttreatment, and combined) radiomic models to predict pathological complete response (pCR) and compare their utility to those of traditional clinical models.

Methods

In this research, 165 LARC patients undergoing nCRT followed by surgery were enrolled retrospectively, which were divided into training and testing sets in the ratio of 7:3. Morphological features on pre- and posttreatment MRI, coupled with clinical data, were evaluated by univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis for constructing clinical models. Radiomic parameters were derived from pre- and posttreatment T2- and diffusion-weighted images to develop the radiomic signatures. The clinical-radiomics models were then generated. All the models were developed in the training set and then tested in the testing set, the performance of which was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Radiomic models were compared with the clinical models with the DeLong test.

Results

One hundred and sixty-five patients (median age, 55 years; age interquartile range, 47–62 years; 116 males) were enrolled in the study. The pretreatment maximum tumor length, posttreatment maximum tumor length, and magnetic resonance tumor regression grade were selected as independent predictors for pCR in the clinical models. In the testing set, the pre- and posttreatment and combined clinical models generated AUCs of 0.625, 0.842, and 0.842 for predicting pCR, respectively. The MRI-based radiomic models performed reasonably well in predicting pCR, but neither the pure radiomic signatures (AUCs, 0.734, 0.817, and 0.801 for the pre- and posttreatment and combined radiomic signatures, respectively) nor the clinical-radiomics models (AUCs, 0.734, 0.860, and 0.801 for the pre- and posttreatment and combined clinical-radiomics models, respectively) showed significant added value compared with the clinical models (all P > 0.05).

Conclusion

The MRI-based radiomic models exhibited no definite added value compared with the clinical models for predicting pCR in LARC. Radiomic models can serve as ancillary tools for tailoring adequate treatment strategies.
m7G-related genes predict prognosis and affect the immune microenvironment and drug sensitivity in osteosarcoma
Authors: Lin Zili , Wu Ziyi , Yuan Yuhao , Zhong Wei , Luo Wei
Published: August 2023

Background: Osteosarcoma (OS), a primary malignant bone tumor, confronts therapeutic challenges rooted in multidrug resistance. Comprehensive understanding of disease occurrence and progression is imperative for advancing treatment strategies. m7G modification, an emerging post-transcriptional modification implicated in various diseases, may provide new insights to explore OS pathogenesis and progression.

Methods: The m7G-related molecular landscape in OS was probed using diverse bioinformatics analyses, encompassing LASSO Cox regression, immune infiltration assessment, and drug sensitivity analysis. Furthermore, the therapeutic potential of AZD2014 for OS was investigated through cell apoptosis and cycle assays. Eventually, multivariate Cox analysis and experimental validations, were conducted to investigate the independent prognostic m7G-related genes.

Results: A comprehensive m7G-related risk model incorporating eight signatures was established, with corresponding risk scores correlated with immune infiltration and drug sensitivity. Drug sensitivity analysis spotlighted AZD2014 as a potential therapeutic candidate for OS. Subsequent experiments corroborated AZD2014's capability to induce G1-phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in OS cells. Ultimately, multivariate Cox regression analysis unveiled the independent prognostic importance of CYFIP1 and EIF4A1, differential expressions of which were validated at histological and cytological levels.

Conclusion: This study furnishes a profound understanding of the contribution of m7G-related genes to the pathogenesis of OS. The discerned therapeutic potential of AZD2014, in conjunction with the identification of CYFIP1 and EIF4A1 as independent risk factors, opens novel vistas for the treatment of OS.
Combined proteomic and transcriptomic analysis of the antimicrobial mechanism of tannic acid against Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Wang Jing , Sheng Zhicun , Liu Yunying , Chen Xiaolan , Wang Shuaibing , Yang Haifeng
Published: August 2023

Staphylococcus aureus is a zoonotic opportunistic pathogen that represents a significant threat to public health. Previous studies have shown that tannic acid (TA) has an inhibitory effect on a variety of bacteria. In this study, the proteome and transcriptome of S. aureus were analyzed to comprehensively assess changes in genes and proteins induced by TA. Initial observations of morphological changes revealed that TA damaged the integrity of the cell membrane. Next, proteomic and genetic analyses showed that exposure to TA altered the expression levels of 651 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs, 283 upregulated and 368 downregulated) and 503 differentially expressed genes (DEGs, 191 upregulated and 312 downregulated). Analysis of the identified DEPs and DEGs suggested that TA damages the integrity of the cell envelope by decreasing the expression and protein abundance of enzymes involved in the synthesis of peptidoglycans, teichoic acids and fatty acids, such as murB, murQ, murG, fmhX and tagA. After treatment with TA, the assembly of ribosomes in S. aureus was severely impaired by significant reductions in available ribosome components, and thus protein synthesis was hindered. The levels of genes and proteins associated with amino acids and purine synthesis were remarkably decreased, which further reduced bacterial viability. In addition, ABC transporters, which are involved in amino acid and ion transport, were also badly affected. Our results reveal the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of TA on S. aureus and provide a theoretical basis for the application of TA as an antibacterial chemotherapeutic agent.
Application of a warfarin dosing calculator to guide individualized dosing versus empirical adjustment after fixed dosing: a pilot study
Authors: Cai Xiaofang , Chen Jiana , Chen Maohua , Xia Xiaotong , Fang Guanhua , Zhang Jinhua
Published: August 2023

Background: Warfarin has a narrow therapeutic window and individual variation, and patients require regular follow-up and monitoring of the International Normalized Ratio (INR) for dose adjustment. The calculation method of Warfarin Dosing Calculator (WDC) software is based on the European and American populations, and its accuracy in the Chinese population is yet to be verified.

Objective: This study was to evaluate the feasibility of applying Warfarin Dosing Calculator software intervention in a real-world clinical research setting in China.

Methods: The pilot study divided the included patients after valve replacement into an experimental group and a control group, with 38 cases in each group. In the control group, the initial dose was fixed at 2.5 mg/d and the dose was adjusted empirically during the study period; in the experimental group, the Warfarin Dosing Calculator software was applied to guide the dosing, and patients in both groups were followed up for 3 months. Analysis of the incidence anticoagulation outcomes and excessive anticoagulation events in both groups. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to analyze the correlation between different dosing regimens and first International Normalized Ratio attainment, and Logrank tests were performed.

Results: The mean time required for first International Normalized Ratio compliance in the experimental group was 4.38 days less than in the control group, and the mean number of tests was 1.43 less (p < 05). Time in therapeutic range (TTR) was significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group (p < 05). Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed that the first International Normalized Ratio attainment rate was significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group (p = 01). No major bleeding events occurred in either group, but other excessive anticoagulation events (INR>3.5 and minor bleeding) were significantly reduced in the experimental group compared with the control group (p < 05).

Conclusion: Application of Warfarin Dosing Calculator software to guide individualized warfarin dosing may be better than a fixed dose of 2.5 mg/d. It may be shorten the time to first International Normalized Ratio attainment, and the attainment rate in the same time, and can better improve the mean Time in therapeutic range level value and reduce excessive anticoagulation events, which improves the safety of warfarin anticoagulation therapy in clinical practice.

Clinical Trial Registration:https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=52793, ChiCTR2000032393.