bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A flexible speller based on time-space frequency conversion SSVEP stimulation paradigm under dry electrode
Authors: Zhang Ze , Li Dandan , Zhao Yao , Fan Zhihao , Xiang Jie , Wang Xuedong , Cui Xiaohong
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Speller is the best way to express the performance of the brain-computer interface (BCI) paradigm. Due to its advantages of short analysis time and high accuracy, the SSVEP paradigm has been widely used in the BCI speller system based on the wet electrode. It is widely known that the wet electrode operation is cumbersome and that the subjects have a poor experience. In addition, in the asynchronous SSVEP system based on threshold analysis, the system flickers continuously from the beginning to the end of the experiment, which leads to visual fatigue. The dry electrode has a simple operation and provides a comfortable experience for subjects. The EOG signal can avoid the stimulation of SSVEP for a long time, thus reducing fatigue.

Methods

This study first designed the brain-controlled switch based on continuous blinking EOG signal and SSVEP signal to improve the flexibility of the BCI speller. Second, in order to increase the number of speller instructions, we designed the time-space frequency conversion (TSFC) SSVEP stimulus paradigm by constantly changing the time and space frequency of SSVEP sub-stimulus blocks, and designed a speller in a dry electrode environment.

Results

Seven subjects participated and completed the experiments. The results showed that the accuracy of the brain-controlled switch designed in this study was up to 94.64%, and all the subjects could use the speller flexibly. The designed 60-character speller based on the TSFC-SSVEP stimulus paradigm has an accuracy rate of 90.18% and an information transmission rate (ITR) of 117.05 bits/min. All subjects can output the specified characters in a short time.

Discussion

This study designed and implemented a multi-instruction SSVEP speller based on dry electrode. Through the combination of EOG and SSVEP signals, the speller can be flexibly controlled. The frequency of SSVEP stimulation sub-block is recoded in time and space by TSFC-SSVEP stimulation paradigm, which greatly improves the number of output instructions of BCI system in dry electrode environment. This work only uses FBCCA algorithm to test the stimulus paradigm, which requires a long stimulus time. In the future, we will use trained algorithms to study stimulus paradigm to improve its overall performance.
Predicting alveolar ventilation heterogeneity in pulmonary fibrosis using a non-uniform polyhedral spring network model
Authors: Hall Joseph K. , Bates Jason H. T. , Casey Dylan T. , Bartolák-Suki Erzsébet , Lutchen Kenneth R. , Suki Béla
Published: February 2023

Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF) is a deadly disease that has limited treatment options and is caused by excessive deposition and cross-linking of collagen leading to stiffening of the lung parenchyma. The link between lung structure and function in PF remains poorly understood, although its spatially heterogeneous nature has important implications for alveolar ventilation. Computational models of lung parenchyma utilize uniform arrays of space-filling shapes to represent individual alveoli, but have inherent anisotropy, whereas actual lung tissue is isotropic on average. We developed a novel Voronoi-based 3D spring network model of the lung parenchyma, the Amorphous Network, that exhibits more 2D and 3D similarity to lung geometry than regular polyhedral networks. In contrast to regular networks that show anisotropic force transmission, the structural randomness in the Amorphous Network dissipates this anisotropy with important implications for mechanotransduction. We then added agents to the network that were allowed to carry out a random walk to mimic the migratory behavior of fibroblasts. To model progressive fibrosis, agents were moved around the network and increased the stiffness of springs along their path. Agents migrated at various path lengths until a certain percentage of the network was stiffened. Alveolar ventilation heterogeneity increased with both percent of the network stiffened, and walk length of the agents, until the percolation threshold was reached. The bulk modulus of the network also increased with both percent of network stiffened and path length. This model thus represents a step forward in the creation of physiologically accurate computational models of lung tissue disease.
Network segregation in aging females and evaluation of the impact of sex steroid hormones
Authors: Hicks Tracey H. , Magalhães Thamires N. C. , Ballard Hannah K. , Jackson T. Bryan , Cox Sydney J. , Bernard Jessica A.
Published: February 2023

Males and females show differential patterns in connectivity in resting-state networks (RSNs) during normal aging, from early adulthood to late middle age. Age-related differences in network integration (effectiveness of specialized communication at the global network level) and segregation (functional specialization at the local level of specific brain regions) may also differ by sex. These differences may be due at least in part to endogenous hormonal fluctuation, such as that which occurs in females during midlife with the transition to menopause when levels of estrogens and progesterone drop markedly. A limited number of studies that have investigated sex differences in the action of steroid hormones in brain networks. Here we investigated how sex steroid hormones relate to age-network relationships in both males and females, with a focus on network segregation. Females displayed a significant quadratic relationship between age and network segregation for the cerebellar-basal ganglia and salience networks. In both cases, segregation was still increasing through adulthood, highest in midlife, and with a downturn thereafter. However, there were no significant relationships between sex steroid hormone levels and network segregation levels in females, and they did not exhibit significant associations between progesterone or 17β-estradiol and network segregation. Patterns of connectivity between the cerebellum and basal ganglia have been associated with cognitive performance and self-reported balance confidence in older adults. Together, these findings suggest that network segregation patterns with age in females vary by network, and that sex steroid hormones are not associated with this measure of connectivity in this cross-sectional analysis. Though this is a null effect, it remains critical for understanding the extent to which hormones relate to brain network architecture.
Targeting displacement as an indicator of binocular fixation in normal Chinese adults
Authors: Lan Jianqing , Li Yingan , Pang Shasha , Zhang Guanrong , Wu Dianpeng , Yang Cheng , Li Juan , Lin Junyu , Yang Xiyang , Li Zheng , Chu Hang , Yan Li , Zeng Jin
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The stability of fixation is crucial for the development of visual function. In this study, we quantify the deviation of visual target during fixational and saccadic tasks using eye-tracking technology, reflecting the control ability and characteristics of fixational displacement among healthy adults in a convenient method.

Methods

One hundred healthy participants aged between 18 and 55 years were recruited in the study. All participants underwent a complete ophthalmic assessment. The eye positions in the fixational and saccadic tasks were documented and analyzed by the Tobii eye-tracking system. Participants were grouped by age and gender. Targeting displacement (TD), defined as the average displacement between visual target and the mean of fixation points corresponding to that stimuli, was used to quantitatively observe fixational displacement in the horizontal and vertical directions.

Result

There was a strong reproducibility of TD as an indicator of fixation (ICC 0.812 to 0.891, p < 0.001). The TD in fixational task was significantly smaller than that of the saccadic task (3.884 ± 0.525 vs. 4.484 ± 0.509, p < 0.001) among normal people. Moreover, the difference of TD in the horizontal and vertical meridians was related to the nature of the task: In the fixational task, the TD in horizontal was smaller than that in the vertical (p < 0.001), whereas the TD in horizontal was larger than that in vertical in the saccadic task (p = 0.003). In the different age and gender groups: There was no significant difference between different gender and age groups in fixational task. However, during the saccadic task, males had smaller TD in the vertical direction than females (4.061 ± 0.495 vs. 4.404 ± 0.484, p = 0.002), and the average TD increased with age, mainly in the vertical direction (all p < 0.05). The fixation stability decreased significantly in the group over 50-years-old.

Conclusion

By reporting the fixational displacement of different genders and ages in fixational and saccadic tasks, as well as different longitude lines among normal people, our study might provide an objective, quantitative and convenient reference index for the evaluation of fixation stability in visual impairment diseases and aging phenomenon of visual function.
At-home sleep monitoring using generic ear-EEG
Authors: Tabar Yousef R. , Mikkelsen Kaare B. , Shenton Nelly , Kappel Simon L. , Bertelsen Astrid R. , Nikbakht Reza , Toft Hans O. , Henriksen Chris H. , Hemmsen Martin C. , Rank Mike L. , Otto Marit , Kidmose Preben
Published: February 2023

Introduction

A device comprising two generic earpieces with embedded dry electrodes for ear-centered electroencephalography (ear-EEG) was developed. The objective was to provide ear-EEG based sleep monitoring to a wide range of the population without tailoring the device to the individual.

Methods

To validate the device ten healthy subjects were recruited for a 12-night sleep study. The study was divided into two parts; part A comprised two nights with both ear-EEG and polysomnography (PSG), and part B comprised 10 nights using only ear-EEG. In addition to the electrophysiological measurements, subjects filled out a questionnaire after each night of sleep.

Results

The subjects reported that the ear-EEG system was easy to use, and that the comfort was better in part B. The performance of the system was validated by comparing automatic sleep scoring based on ear-EEG with PSG-based sleep scoring performed by a professional trained sleep scorer. Cohen’s kappa was used to assess the agreement between the manual and automatic sleep scorings, and the study showed an average kappa value of 0.71. The majority of the 20 recordings from part A yielded a kappa value above 0.7. The study was compared to a companioned study conducted with individualized earpieces. To compare the sleep across the two studies and two parts, 7 different sleeps metrics were calculated based on the automatic sleep scorings. The ear-EEG nights were validated through linear mixed model analysis in which the effects of equipment (individualized vs. generic earpieces), part (PSG and ear-EEG vs. only ear-EEG) and subject were investigated. We found that the subject effect was significant for all computed sleep metrics. Furthermore, the equipment did not show any statistical significant effect on any of the sleep metrics.

Discussion

These results corroborate that generic ear-EEG is a promising alternative to the gold standard PSG for sleep stage monitoring. This will allow sleep stage monitoring to be performed in a less obtrusive way and over longer periods of time, thereby enabling diagnosis and treatment of diseases with associated sleep disorders.
Potential influence of antimicrobial resistance gene content in probiotic bacteria on the gut resistome ecosystems
Authors: Radovanovic Marina , Kekic Dusan , Gajic Ina , Kabic Jovana , Jovicevic Milos , Kekic Natalija , Opavski Natasa , Ranin Lazar
Published: February 2023

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a substantial threat to human health. The commensal bacteria of the gut microbiome were shown to serve as a reservoir of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), termed the gut resistome, which has the potential to transfer horizontally to pathogens and contribute to the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria. Namely, AMR traits are generally linked with mobile genetic elements (MGEs), which apart from disseminating vertically to the progeny, may cross horizontally to the distantly related microbial species. On the other hand, while probiotics are generally considered beneficiary to human health, and are therefore widely consumed in recent years most commonly in conjunction with antibiotics, the complexities and extent of their impact on the gut microbiome and resistome have not been elucidated. By reviewing the latest studies on ARG containing commercial probiotic products and common probiotic supplement species with their actual effects on the human gut resistome, this study aims to demonstrate that their contribution to the spread of ARGs along the GI tract merits additional attention, but also indicates the changes in sampling and profiling of the gut microbiome which may allow for the more comprehensive studying of the effects of probiotics in this part of the resistome.
Helicobacter pylori infection increases the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in diabetic population
Authors: Chen Yi , You Ningning , Shen Chuchen , Wu Juju , Zhang Jinshun
Published: February 2023

Background

The effect of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in the population is still controversial. Diabetes and NAFLD are both metabolically related diseases, and no studies have classified the population to study the effect of H. pylori infection on NAFLD in diabetics.

Methods

A population of people who were examined in the Taizhou Hospital Health Examination Center from 2017 to 2022 was included, and hematological indicators, body parameters, ultrasound data, and H. pylori detection by urea nitrogen test were collected from patients. All physical examination populations were divided into diabetic and non-diabetic populations.

Results

After multivariate logistic regression, H. pylori infection remained an independent risk factor for NAFLD in diabetics, but it had no significant effect on NAFLD in non-diabetic population. Additionally, there was a nonlinear relationship between glycosylated hemoglobin and H. pylori infection in diabetic population. Moreover, the incidence of NAFLD in diabetics increased with persistent H. pylori infection.

Conclusion

In the diabetic population, H. pylori infection does increase the risk of developing NAFLD. Glycemic control and eradication of H. pylori infection may have positive implications for reducing the incidence of NAFLD in diabetic population.
A clinical study comparing polymer and gold fiducials for prostate cancer radiotherapy
Authors: Lim Joon Daryl , Berry Colleen , Harris Benjamin , Tacey Mark , Smith Drew , Lawrentschuk Nathan , Schneider Michal Elisabeth , Fraser Olivia , Hall Megan , Chao Michael , Foroudi Farshad , Jenkins Trish , Angus David , Wada Morikatsu , Sengupta Shomik , Khoo Vincent
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Image guidance with gold fiducials improves outcomes of prostate radiotherapy. However, gold produces artefact on CT imaging, interfering with contouring and verification. The purpose of this study was to compare polymer to standard gold fiducials using radiotherapy imaging modalities to assess the visibility and artefact.

Methods

Twenty eight patients with locally advanced prostate cancer were enrolled, half had three polymer fiducials implanted into the prostate and half underwent insertion of gold fiducials. Patients were imaged with CT, T2 weighted MRI, cone-beam CT (CBCT) and planar KV images. Fiducials were scored for visibility and assessed for CT artefact in surrounding prostate tissue. The artefact was quantified from Hounsfield number histograms and separated into percentile ranges and proportion of voxels in HU normal tissue range of a 2cm sphere surrounding the fiducial.

Results

Gold and polymer fiducials were sufficiently visible for CT and CBCT verification. The gold fiducials could be visualized well on KV planar imaging; however, the polymer markers were obscured by pelvic bones. Neither polymer nor gold fiducials could be visualized on MRI. The polymer fiducial produced less artefact than gold on CT, having less voxel spread for the HU percentile ranges and a greater proportion of voxels in the normal tissue range.

Conclusions

Polymer fiducials are a more suitable fiducial than gold for CT/CBCT in prostate cancer radiotherapy, demonstrating minimal artefact and good visibility on CT. However, they were not well seen on MRI or KV imaging and thus not suitable for co-registration or planar KV verification.
Renal cell carcinoma with intracardiac tumor thrombus extension: Radical surgery yields 2 years of postoperative survival in a single-center study over a period of 30 years
Authors: Zacek Pavel , Brodak Milos , Gofus Jan , Dominik Jan , Moravek Petr , Louda Miroslav , Podhola Miroslav , Vojacek Jan
Published: February 2023

Background

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with tumor thrombus extension into the right atrium (level IV) is a rare life-threatening clinical condition that can only be managed by means of a combined urological and cardiac surgical approach. The early and late outcomes of this radical treatment were analyzed in a large single-institution series over a period of 30 years.

Methods

In 37 patients with RCC and intracardiac tumor thrombus extension, nephrectomy was performed followed by the extraction of the intracaval and intracardiac tumor thrombus under direct visual control during deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA). Recently, in 13 patients, selective aortic arch perfusion (SAAP) was instituted during DHCA.

Results

In all patients, precise removal of the tumor thrombus was accomplished in a bloodless field. The mean duration of isolated DHCA was 15 ± 6 min, and 31.5 ± 10.2 min in the case of DHCA + SAAP, at a mean hypothermia of 22.7 ± 4°C. In-hospital mortality was 7.9% (3 patients). In Kaplan–Meier analysis, the estimated median survival was 26.4 months whereas the 5-year cancer-related survival rate was 51%.

Conclusions

Despite its complexity, this extensive procedure can be performed safely with a generally uneventful postoperative course. The use of cardiopulmonary bypass with DHCA, with the advantage of SAAP, allows for a safe, precise, and complete extirpation of intracaval and intracardiac tumor mass. Late outcomes after radical surgical treatment in patients with RCC and tumor thrombus reaching up in the right atrium in our series justify this extensive procedure.
14-day pantoprazole- and amoxicillin-containing high-dose dual therapy for Helicobacter pylori eradication in elderly patients: A prospective, randomized controlled trial
Authors: Yang Qinyu , He Cong , Hu Yi , Hong Junbo , Zhu Zhenhua , Xie Yong , Shu Xu , Lu Nonghua , Zhu Yin
Published: February 2023

Background: Currently, the management of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in elderly patients is controversial. We investigated whether high-dose dual therapy would serve as the first-line therapy in elderly patients.

Methods: This was a single-center, randomized study of 150 elderly patients with H. pylori infection who were randomly assigned to 14-day therapy with pantoprazole 40 mg 3 times daily and either amoxicillin 1,000 mg 3 times daily or amoxicillin 1,000 mg twice daily, clarithromycin 500 mg twice daily and bismuth 220 mg twice daily. H. pylori eradication was evaluated by a 13C-urea breath test 4 weeks after the completion of treatment.

Results: Successful eradication was achieved in 89.3% of the high-dose dual therapy (HT) group in the intention‐to‐treat (ITT) analysis, 91.7% in the modified intention-to-treat (mITT) analysis, and 93.0% for per‐protocol (PP) analysis which was similar to the bismuth-containing quadruple therapy (BQT) group (86.6%, 87.8%, and 90.3%, respectively). There were no significant difference between the HT group and the BQT group in the ITT analysis (p = 0.484), mITT analysis (p = 0.458), or PP analysis (p = 0.403). HT was associated with fewer side effects (10.6% of patients) than BQT (26.6%) (p = 0.026).

Conclusion: In this trial, we found that 14-day HT had a similar eradication rate to BQT but fewer side effects, which may be better for elderly patients.
Short-term exposure to dimethyl fumarate (DMF) inhibits LPS-induced IκBζ expression in macrophages
Authors: Zhang Yong , Tang Jingshu , Zhou Yujun , Xiao Qiong , Chen Qiuyu , Wang Hongyue , Lan Jiaqi , Wu Lei , Peng Ying
Published: February 2023

Background: The pharmacological activity of dimethyl fumarate (DMF) in treating psoriasis and multiple sclerosis (MS) is not fully understood. DMF is hydrolysed to monomethyl fumarate (MMF) in vivo, which is believed to account for the therapeutic effects of DMF. However, previous studies have provided evidence that DMF also enters the circulation. Given that DMF is short-lived in the blood, whether DMF has a therapeutic impact is still unclear.

Methods: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated RAW264.7 cell activation was used as a model of inflammation to explore the anti-inflammatory effects of short-term DMF exposure in vitro. Whole blood LPS stimulation assay was applied to compare the anti-inflammatory effects of DMF and MMF in vivo. Griess assay was performed to examined nitrite release. The expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and transcription factors were measured by quantitative PCR (qPCR), ELISA and Western blot. Depletion of intracellular glutathione (GSH) was evaluated by Ellman’s assay. Luciferase reporter assays were performed to evaluate DMF effects on Nrf2-ARE pathway activation, promoter activity of Nfkbiz and mRNA stability of Nfkbiz. Binding of STAT3 to the IκBζ promoter were examined using Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay.

Results: Short-term exposure to DMF significantly inhibited the inflammatory response of RAW264.7 cells and suppressed LPS-induced IκBζ expression. Importantly, oral DMF but not oral MMF administration significantly inhibited IκBζ transcription in murine peripheral blood cells. We demonstrated that the expression of IκBζ is affected by the availability of intracellular GSH and regulated by the transcription factor Nrf2 and STAT3. DMF with strong electrophilicity can rapidly deplete intracellular GSH, activate the Nrf2-ARE pathway, and inhibit the binding of STAT3 to the IκBζ promoter, thereby suppressing IκBζ expression in macrophages.

Conclusion: These results demonstrate the rapid anti-inflammatory effects of DMF in macrophages, providing evidence to support the direct anti-inflammatory activity of DMF.
Integrated transcriptome and metabolome analysis reveals that flavonoids function in wheat resistance to powdery mildew
Authors: Xu Wenjing , Xu Xiaoyi , Han Ran , Wang Xiaolu , Wang Kai , Qi Guang , Ma Pengtao , Komatsuda Takao , Liu Cheng
Published: February 2023

Powdery mildew is a fungal disease devastating to wheat, causing significant quality and yield loss. Flavonoids are important secondary plant metabolites that confer resistance to biotic and abiotic stress. However, whether they play a role in powdery mildew resistance in wheat has yet to be explored. In the present study, we combined transcriptome and metabolome analyses to compare differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially accumulated flavonoids identified in plants with and without powdery mildew inoculation. Transcriptome analysis identified 4,329 DEGs in susceptible wheat cv. Jimai229, and 8,493 in resistant cv. HHG46. The DEGs were functionally enriched using Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, revealing the flavonoid synthesis pathway as the most significant in both cultivars. This was consistent with the upregulation of flavonoid synthesis pathway genes observed by quantitative PCR. Metabolome analysis indicated flavone and flavonol biosynthesis pathways as the most significantly enriched following powdery mildew inoculation. An accumulation of total flavonoids content was also found to be induced by powdery mildew infection. Exogenous flavonoids treatment of inoculated plants led to less severe infection, with fewer and smaller powdery mildew spots on the wheat leaves. This reduction is speculated to be regulated through malondialdehyde content and the activities of peroxidase and catalase. Our study provides a fundamental theory for further exploration of the potential of flavonoids as biological prevention and control agents against powdery mildew in wheat.
Will a boom be followed by crash? A new systemic risk measure based on right-tail risk
Authors: Liu Qing , Xu Mengxia , Xiong Jinwu
Published: February 2023

In this study, we demonstrate that high short-term gains on the A-share market may lead to significant losses in the future and potentially cause a market catastrophe. To study the accumulation, outbreak, and cross-sector spillover process of systemic risk in the Chinese stock market, we define right-tail risk as a large rally process that may lead to left-tail losses in the future and construct a tail volatility spillover network by distinguishing between left-tail and right-tail risk. In the risk accumulation process, the market expectation bias of common shocks considerably magnifies heterogeneity risk, and in the risk outbreak and spillover processes, the greatest systemically important and systemically susceptible sectors are banking and information technology, respectively. In addition, the level of risk spillover is extremely sensitive to tail shocks and increases as tail shocks intensify. Moreover, right-tail risk has more forward-looking predictive power for left-tail risk. Apart from achieving immediate regulatory objectives, Chinese authorities must consider market expectation bias when implementing rules. Additionally, authorities want to be wary of right-tail risk, which has the potential to create serious and pervasive damage in the future if the market is allowed to be unregulated during short-term spikes.
Knowledge, attitudes, and uptake of mental health services by secondary school students in Gweru, Zimbabwe
Authors: Khombo Sibusiso , Khombo Kennedy , Stoddart Robert Shalom , Sifelani Innocent , Sibanda Theresi
Published: February 2023

Introduction

The study sought to investigate and examine knowledge, attitudes, and uptake of mental health services by secondary school students in the Gweru district.

Methods

Using a qualitative approach, 15 students from three secondary schools in Gweru were purposively sampled for inclusion in this study. Data collection was through semi-structured interviews. The study utilized thematic data analysis and the following themes emerged from the study; ignorance, misinformation, indifference, lack of trust, gender differences, and alternative support.

Results

Generally, the research findings revealed that most secondary school students were aware of the existence of mental health services although they had distorted information on the same. Poor utilization of services was largely attributed to the consideration of “formal” mental health services as the last resort for remedy after the failure of “informal” services to yield positive results. Thus, mental health services were not on the priority list of intervention measures used by secondary students in light of mental health issues. The study recommends psycho-education sessions to promote the utilization of mental health services by secondary school students.

Discussion

Notably, the current study revealed that participants lacked correct information about MHS and its related utility. Munson et al. (2009) concur by stating that some adolescents believed that their mental health challenges such as mood disorders were chronic, and as such, they thought that any form of intervention could not control or remedy their illness.
Impact of weight loss on sexual and psychological functions and quality of life in females with sexual dysfunction: A forgotten avenue
Authors: Abdelsamea Gehan A. , Amr Mostafa , Tolba Ahmed M. N. , Elboraie Haitham O. , Soliman Amir , Al-Amir Hassan Badr , Ali Faten , Osman Doaa A.
Published: February 2023

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of weight loss on sexual and psychological health as well as quality of life in females with sexual dysfunction.

Materials and methods

The study was done at Delta University for Science and Technology in Gamasa, Egypt, on 40 obese married females having sexual dysfunction. Their age ranged from 20 to 40 years old, with a mean of 28.98 ± 4.96 years. They followed a weight loss program in the form of diet regimen and physical training for 6 months. Anthropometric measures, Arabic Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Arabic version of Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Arabic version of Short-Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) were evaluated prior to starting the study, after 3 and 6 months of the study.

Results

Statistical analysis revealed significant reductions in anthropometric measures, as well as significant improvements in HADS and SF-36 scores after both 3 and 6 months of weight loss intervention compared to the baseline measurements, while there were significant improvements in sexual arousal, lubrication, patient satisfaction as well as the total score of FSFI after 3 months and contrarily there were no statistically significant changes in any of the FSFI’s domains or overall score after 6 months of the weight loss program compared to baseline.

Conclusion

Weight loss improves females’ anthropometric measures, psychological function and quality of life; however, it has no direct effect on female sexual dysfunction (FSD) after 6 months compared to baseline, so increased awareness of FSD is necessary as this issue suffers from inadequate identification and management.
Transcriptomic and metabolomic studies on the protective effect of molecular hydrogen against nuclear electromagnetic pulse-induced brain damage
Authors: Ma Long , Tian Shuo , Zhang Hai-Ling , Wang Jing-Yi , Wang Jia-Wen , Yan Hong-Li , Hu Xu-Guang , Shao Qi , Guo Jia-Ming
Published: February 2023

Background

Excessive doses of electromagnetic radiation pose a negative impact on the central nervous system and lead to mental disorders. Molecular hydrogen can scavenge intracellular hydroxyl radicals, acting as an antioxidant, anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory agent. We seek to assess the capability of molecular hydrogen to ameliorate brain damage induced by electromagnetic radiation.

Methods

NEMP (nuclear electromagnetic pulse), a subset of electromagnetic pulse with high voltage value that could cause severe brain injury, was applied to this study. Male wild-type rats were divided into four groups: the control group, the H2 (Molecular hydrogen) group, the NEMP group and the NEMP+H2 group. Rats in the H2 group and the NEMP+H2 group were fed with saturated hydrogen-rich water from 3 days before NEMP exposure (electromagnetic field intensity 400 kV/m, rising edge 20 ns and pulse width 200 ns) to the day of sacrifice. One day after exposure, animal behavior experiments were performed, and samples for transcriptomics and metabolomics analysis were collected. Seven days after exposure, histopathological experiments were conducted.

Results

The data from the elevated plus maze and the open field test showed that NEMP exposure elicited anxiety-like behavior in rats, which could be alleviated by H2 treatment. Histopathological results manifested that NEMP exposure-induced injuries of the neurons in the hippocampus and amygdala could be attenuated by H2 treatment. Transcriptomic results revealed that NEMP exposure had a profound effect on microtubule structure in the brain. And the combined analysis of transcriptomics and metabolomics showed that H2 has a significant impact on the neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, synaptic vesicle cycle and synapse etc. Moreover, it was indicated that the glutathione metabolic pathway played a vital role in the NEMP exposure-induced damage and the protective activity of H2.

Conclusions

H2 is identified as a potent agent against NEMP exposure-induced brain damage and has the potential to be a promising electromagnetic radiation protectant.
Epidemiology of foodborne diseases caused by Salmonella in Zhejiang Province, China, between 2010 and 2021
Authors: He Yue , Wang Jikai , Zhang Ronghua , Chen Lili , Zhang Hexiang , Qi Xiaojuan , Chen Jiang
Published: February 2023

Objective

Salmonella infection is a common cause of bacterial foodborne diseases (FBDs) globally. In this study, we aimed to explore the epidemiological and etiological characteristics of Salmonella infection from 2012–2021 in Zhejiang Province, China.

Methods

Descriptive statistical methods were used to analyze the data reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at all levels in Zhejiang Province through the China National Foodborne Diseases Surveillance Network from 2012–2021.

Results

A total of 11,269 Salmonella cases were reported, with an average positive rate of 3.65%, including 1,614 hospitalizations. A significant seasonal trend was observed for Salmonella cases, with the highest rate over the summer period, peaking from May to October, accounting for 77.96%. The results indicated a higher positive rate among respondents aged 0–4 years, especially for the scattered children (P < 0.05). The highest number of Salmonella infections were caused due to contaminated fruit and fruit products. Households (54.69%) had the most common exposure settings. Serotypes analysis revealed that Salmonella typhimurium (36.07%), Salmonella enteritidis (15.17%), and Salmonella london (6.05%) were the dominant strains among the 173 serotypes. Diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, nausea, and vomiting were the main symptoms of these serotypes.

Conclusions

FBDs caused by Salmonella are important issues for public health in Zhejiang Province, and there is a need to focus on the epidemiological and etiological characteristics to control Salmonella infections.
A new device for the removal of cochlear schwannoma: A temporal bone study
Authors: Sudhoff Holger , Riemann Conrad , Kim Rayoung , Scholtz Lars Uwe , Pfeiffer Christoph J. , Goon Peter , Todt Ingo
Published: February 2023

Background

Intralabyrinthine schwannoma (ILS) is a rare, mostly unilateral disease that causes deafness. Different intralabyrinthine sites of ILS can occur and can be removed by different surgical approaches. Cochlear ILSs are frequently partially hidden by the modiolus and therefore difficult to extirpate. Surgical techniques can be traumatic, offer limited surgical control during removal, and are time-consuming. The aim of this present study was to demonstrate the performance and handling of a newly developed device for the removal of cochlear intralabyrinthine schwannoma in the temporal bone.

Methods

In a temporal bone study with a prepared posterior tympanotomy, an enlarged round window approach, and additional second turn access, a stiffened device with silicone rings was inserted and extracted gradually from the second turn access until the rings were visible in the second turn access.

Results

Insertion and extraction of the second cochlear access were easily performed. Pulling and pushing the silicone rings through the modiolus and hidden parts of the basal turn was possible and worked like a pipe cleaner.

Conclusion

This newly developed tissue removal device in combination with the proposed surgical handling offers a new and less traumatic way to remove cochlear ILS.
Novel recombinant avian infectious bronchitis viruses from chickens in Korea, 2019–2021
Authors: Kim Hyun-Jin , Lee Hyuk-Chae , Cho Andrew Y. , Choi Yun-Jeong , Lee Heesu , Lee Dong-Hun , Song Chang-Seon
Published: February 2023

Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) has evolved through various mutation mechanisms, including antigenic drift and recombination. Four genotypic lineages of IBVs including GI-15, GI-16, GI-19, and GVI-1 have been reported in Korea. In this study, we isolated two IBVs from chicken farms, designated IBV/Korea/289/2019 (K289/19) and IBV/Korea/163/2021 (K163/21), which are two distinct natural recombinant viruses most likely produced by genetic reassortment between the S1 gene of K40/09 strain (GI-19 lineage) and IBV/Korea/48/2020 (GI-15 lineage) in co-infected commercial chickens. Comparative sequence analysis of hypervariable regions (HVRs) revealed that the K289/19 virus had similar HVR I and II with the K40/09 virus (100% and 99.2% nucleotide sequence identity, respectively), and HVR III with the IBV/Korea/48/2020 virus (100% nucleotide sequence identity). In contrast, the K163/21 virus had HVR I and II similar to the IBV/Korea/48/2020 virus (99.1% and 99.3% nucleotide sequence identity, respectively), and HVR III to the K40/09 virus (96.6% nucleotide sequence identity). The K289/19 virus exhibited similar histopathologic lesions, tissue tropism in trachea and kidney, and antigenicity with the parental K40/09 virus. The K163/21 exhibited similar pathogenicity and tissue tropism with the K40/09 virus, which were similar results with the isolate K289/19. However, it showed a lower antigenic relatedness with both parental strains, exhibiting R-value of 25 and 42, respectively. The continued emergence of the novel reassortant IBVs suggests that multiple recombination events have occurred between different genotypes within Korea. These results suggest that antigenic profiles could be altered through natural recombination in the field, complicating the antigenic match of vaccine strains to field strains. Enhanced surveillance and research into the characteristics of newly emerging IBVs should be carried out to establish effective countermeasures.
Egyptian Hieroglyphs Segmentation with Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Guidi Tommaso , Python Lorenzo , Forasassi Matteo , Cucci Costanza , Franci Massimiliano , Argenti Fabrizio , Barucci Andrea
Published: February 2023

The objective of this work is to show the application of a Deep Learning algorithm able to operate the segmentation of ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs present in an image, with the ambition to be as versatile as possible despite the variability of the image source. The problem is quite complex, the main obstacles being the considerable amount of different classes of existing hieroglyphs, the differences related to the hand of the scribe as well as the great differences among the various supports, such as papyri, stone or wood, where they are written. Furthermore, as in all archaeological finds, damage to the supports are frequent, with the consequence that hieroglyphs can be partially corrupted. In order to face this challenging problem, we leverage on the well-known Detectron2 platform, developed by the Facebook AI Research Group, focusing on the Mask R-CNN architecture to perform segmentation of image instances. Likewise, for several machine learning studies, one of the hardest challenges is the creation of a suitable dataset. In this paper, we will describe a hieroglyph dataset that has been created for the purpose of segmentation, highlighting its pros and cons, and the impact of different hyperparameters on the final results. Tests on the segmentation of images taken from public databases will also be presented and discussed along with the limitations of our study.
Intelligent Game Strategies in Target-Missile-Defender Engagement Using Curriculum-Based Deep Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Gong Xiaopeng , Chen Wanchun , Chen Zhongyuan
Published: February 2023

Aiming at the attack and defense game problem in the target-missile-defender three-body confrontation scenario, intelligent game strategies based on deep reinforcement learning are proposed, including an attack strategy applicable to attacking missiles and active defense strategy applicable to a target/defender. First, based on the classical three-body adversarial research, the reinforcement learning algorithm is introduced to improve the purposefulness of the algorithm training. The action spaces the reward and punishment conditions of both attack and defense confrontation are considered in the reward function design. Through the analysis of the sign of the action space and design of the reward function in the adversarial form, the combat requirements can be satisfied in both the missile and target/defender training. Then, a curriculum-based deep reinforcement learning algorithm is applied to train the agents and a convergent game strategy is obtained. The simulation results show that the attack strategy of the missile can maneuver according to the battlefield situation and can successfully hit the target after avoiding the defender. The active defense strategy enables the less capable target/defender to achieve the effect similar to a network adversarial attack on the missile agent, shielding targets from attack against missiles with superior maneuverability on the battlefield.
The Low Fuel Consumption Keeping Method of Eccentricity under Integrated Keeping of Inclination-Longitude
Authors: Ye Lijun , Liu Chunyang , Liu Fucheng , Zhang Wenzheng , Baoyin Hexi
Published: February 2023

The influence of the natural perturbation force will cause the eccentricity of the GEO satellite to produce a periodic motion with a period of years, and then cause the east–west station of the GEO satellite to oscillate. From the perspective of the best fuel-saving or the failure of the thruster used for station keeping, some scholars have proposed a method of slightly deflecting the thrust used for north–south station keeping (NSSK) to the east or west to achieve the integrated keeping of inclination and longitude. The disadvantage of this strategy is that the eccentricity cannot be maintained, and even causes the continuous divergence of the eccentricity. Based on the above problems, this paper proposes a low fuel consumption keeping method for eccentricity under the integrated maintenance of inclination and longitude. Assuming that the satellite is only equipped with a south (north) direction thruster for station keeping, on the premise of not affecting the satellite’s Earth observation, the satellite’s forward flight and backward flight are switched every year at the spring equinox and autumn equinox, which can prevent the eccentricity divergence when performing mean longitude keeping. When the accuracy of the east–west station keeping is not pursued, this method can not only effectively save the fuel consumption of the station keeping, but also greatly reduce the number of eccentricity maintenance interventions and the interference to the whole satellite due to the eccentricity keeping, which has a certain engineering application value.
Estimation of Maize Yield and Protein Content under Different Density and N Rate Conditions Based on UAV Multi-Spectral Images
Authors: Jiang Yu , Wei Huijuan , Hou Shengxi , Yin Xuebo , Wei Shanshan , Jiang Dong
Published: February 2023

In the field of precision agriculture research, it is very important to monitor crop growth in time so as to effectively conduct field diagnosis and management and accurately predict yield and quality. In this experiment, the relationship between the vegetation index of Zhengdan 958 and Suyu 41 and their yield and quality when reducing N application (25 and 50% N reduction compared to local conventional N application rate) under low, medium and high planting densities (60,000, 75,000 and 90,000 plants·ha−1) during 2018–2020 was investigated using multispectral images obtained from UAV monitoring. The results showed that under different density treatments, the normalized vegetation index (NDVI) and ratio vegetation index (RVI) decreased with the decrease in nitrogen application, while the plant senescence reflectance index (PSRI) increased. Through principal component analysis (PCA) and subordinate function analysis, the comprehensive score of each treatment can reflect the maize yield and total protein content under each treatment. Based on the vegetation index, predictive models of maize yield and protein content were established. The best prediction period for grain yield and protein content were physiological maturity and 35 days after silking (R4), respectively. The R2 of the predictive models are greater than 0.734 and 0.769, respectively. Multi-period and multi-vegetation indexes can better monitor crop growth and help agricultural field management.
Development of an Inexpensive and Comparable Microplastic Detection Method Using Fluorescent Staining with Novel Nile Red Derivatives
Authors: Sturm Michael Toni , Myers Erika , Schober Dennis , Korzin Anika , Schuhen Katrin
Published: February 2023

Fluorescent staining of microplastics as a detection method is consistently gaining importance in microplastics research, as it is fast, easy to use, and requires low technical effort. In this study, a complete procedure was developed, from sample collection to sample processing and detection, to measure microplastics with low cost and time requirements. The developed procedure was tested by measuring the microplastics in the effluent of a German wastewater treatment plant over a period of one year. The results show that the process is especially well suited to investigate temporal variations of microplastic contamination, which requires a large number of samples to be processed. Further, the precision and selectivity of the detection process could be improved by applying newly developed Nile red derivatives for fluorescent staining. A low budget modification of a microscope for fluorescent imaging is compared to a modification with precise optical bandpass filters. A script enabling automated microplastic detection and counting was developed, improving the accuracy and comparability of the process.
Systematic In Silico Assessment of Antimicrobial Resistance Dissemination across the Global Plasmidome
Authors: Sánchez-Osuna Miquel , Barbé Jordi , Erill Ivan
Published: February 2023

The emergence of pathogenic strains resistant to multiple antimicrobials is a pressing problem in modern healthcare. Antimicrobial resistance is mediated primarily by dissemination of resistance determinants via horizontal gene transfer. The dissemination of some resistance genes has been well documented, but few studies have analyzed the patterns underpinning the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance genes. Analyzing the %GC content of plasmid-borne antimicrobial resistance genes relative to their host genome %GC content provides a means to efficiently detect and quantify dissemination of antimicrobial resistance genes. In this work we automate %GC content analysis to perform a comprehensive analysis of known antimicrobial resistance genes in publicly available plasmid sequences. We find that the degree to which antimicrobial resistance genes are disseminated depends primarily on the resistance mechanism. Our analysis identifies conjugative plasmids as primary dissemination vectors and indicates that most broadly disseminated genes have spread from single genomic backgrounds. We show that resistance dissemination profiles vary greatly among antimicrobials, oftentimes reflecting stewardship measures. Our findings establish %GC content analysis as a powerful, intuitive and scalable method to monitor the dissemination of resistance determinants using publicly available sequence data.