bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Elucidating the role played by bone marrow in visceral leishmaniasis
Authors: Veras Patricia Sampaio Tavares , de Santana Maria Borges Rabêlo , Brodskyn Claudia Ida , Fraga Deborah Bittencourt Mothé , Solcà Manuela Silva , De Menezes Juliana Perrone Bezerra , Leite Bruna Martins Macedo , Teixeira Helena Mariana Pitangueira
Published: October 2023

Leishmaniasis is a widespread group of infectious diseases that significantly impact global health. Despite high prevalence, leishmaniasis often receives inadequate attention in the prioritization of measures targeting tropical diseases. The causative agents of leishmaniasis are protozoan parasites of theLeishmaniagenus, which give rise to a diverse range of clinical manifestations, including cutaneous and visceral forms. Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), the most severe form, can be life-threatening if left untreated. Parasites can spread systemically within the body, infecting a range of organs, such as the liver, spleen, bone marrow and lymph nodes. Natural reservoirs for these protozoa include rodents, dogs, foxes, jackals, and wolves, with dogs serving as the primary urban reservoir forLeishmania infantum. Dogs exhibit clinical and pathological similarities to human VL and are valuable models for studying disease progression. Both human and canine VL provoke clinical symptoms, such as organ enlargement, fever, weight loss and abnormal gamma globulin levels. Hematologic abnormalities have also been observed, including anemia, leukopenia with lymphocytosis, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia. Studies in dogs have linked these hematologic changes in peripheral blood to alterations in the bone marrow. Mouse models of VL have also contributed significantly to our understanding of the mechanisms underlying these hematologic and bone marrow abnormalities. This review consolidates information on hematological and immunological changes in the bone marrow of humans, dogs, and mice infected withLeishmaniaspecies causing VL. It includes findings on the role of bone marrow as a source of parasite persistence in internal organs and VL development. Highlighting gaps in current knowledge, the review emphasizes the need for future research to enhance our understanding of VL and identify potential targets for novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
A step forward in health-related IoT cybersecurity: remarks on the proposal for a liability for defective products directive
Authors: Greser Jarosław
Published: October 2023

This article outlines the efforts of the European Union in health-related IoT (H-IoT) cybersecurity. The first part identifies cyber threats that are specific to H-IoT. The second part covers the overall regulatory picture and briefly addresses both existing law and legislative initiatives. The third part discusses the Proposal for a Liability for Defective Products Directive and the measures it contains that relate directly to H-IoT.
2022 real-time Hurricane forecasts from an experimental version of the Hurricane analysis and forecast system (HAFSV0.3S)
Authors: Hazelton Andrew , Alaka Ghassan J. , Gramer Lew , Ramstrom William , Ditchek Sarah , Chen Xiaomin , Liu Bin , Zhang Zhan , Zhu Lin , Wang Weiguo , Thomas Biju , Shin JungHoon , Wang Chuan-Kai , Kim Hyun-Sook , Zhang Xuejin , Mehra Avichal , Marks Frank , Gopalakrishnan Sundararaman
Published: October 2023

During the 2022 hurricane season, real-time forecasts were conducted using an experimental version of the Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System (HAFS). The version of HAFS detailed in this paper (HAFSV0.3S, hereafter HAFS-S) featured the moving nest recently developed at NOAA AOML, and also model physics upgrades: TC-specific modifications to the planetary boundary layer (PBL) scheme and introduction of the Thompson microphysics scheme. The real-time forecasts covered a large dataset of cases across the North Atlantic and eastern North Pacific 2022 hurricane seasons, providing an opportunity to evaluate this version of HAFS ahead of planned operational implementation of a similar version in 2023. The track forecast results show that HAFS-S outperformed the 2022 version of the operational HWRF model in the Atlantic, and was the best of several regional hurricane models in the eastern North Pacific for track. The intensity results were more mixed, with a dropoff in skill at Days 4–5 in the Atlantic but increased skill in the eastern North Pacific. HAFS-S also showed some larger errors than the long-time operational Hurricane Weather Research and Forecasting (HWRF) model in the radius of 34-knot wind, but other radii metrics are improved. Detailed analysis of Hurricane Ian in the Atlantic highlights both the strengths of HAFS and opportunities for further development and improvement.
Comparative analysis of different foamy oil flow characteristics and production performances of two similar super-heavy oil reservoirs using microscopic visual physical experiments
Authors: Xue Yongchao , Jia Zhihao , Wang Suran , Zhang Xuze , Pu Baobiao
Published: October 2023

Foamy oil flow is a potentially important reason for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) in super-heavy oil reservoirs during depressurized cold production (DCP). M oil reservoir and H oil reservoir located in Venezuela are typical super-heavy oil reservoirs with the foamy oil flow stage, and the properties of two reservoirs are similar. However, the production performances between two reservoirs in the stage foamy oil flow is quite different. In this paper, the novel microscopic visual physical experiments for foamy oil flow have been carried out to determine the flow characteristics of foamy oil and production performance. Three production stages of DCP are divided: stage I (the pressure greater than bubble point pressure), stage II (the pressure ranging from pseudo bubble point pressure to bubble point pressure), and stage III (the pressure lower than pseudo bubble point pressure). Then, the effects of different foamy oil flow characteristics in each production stage on production performances are investigated using comparative analysis method. The results show that the flow characteristics of the oil in the M and H oil reservoirs are both single-phase flow at stage I of DCP and two-phase flow at stage III of DCP. However, a phenomenon of strong foamy oil flow appeared in M oil reservoir while a phenomenon of weak foamy oil flow appeared in H oil reservoir at stage II of DCP. For the production performance, the oil rate, cumulative oil production and cumulative gas production of M oil reservoir increased obviously, while which of H oil reservoir increased slowly. The reason for the difference between the two oil reservoirs is that the super-heavy oil of M oil reservoir has more dissolved GOR and asphaltene content compared to H oil reservoir, and the pressure and temperature of M oil reservoir are more suitable for strong foamy oil flow.
Exploring exercise-driven inhibition of pyroptosis: novel insights into treating diabetes mellitus and its complications
Authors: Li Nan , Zhang Liang , Wang Xintang , Zhou Yue , Gong Lijing
Published: October 2023

Diabetes mellitus (DM) and its complications are important, worldwide public health issues, exerting detrimental effects on human health and diminishing both quality of life and lifespan. Pyroptosis, as a new form of programmed cell death, plays a critical role in DM and its complications. Exercise has been shown to be an effective treatment for improving insulin sensitivity or preventing DM. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of exercise on pyroptosis-related diseases remain elusive. In this review, we provided a comprehensive elucidation of the molecular mechanisms underlying pyroptosis and the potential mechanism of exercise in the treatment of DM and its complications through the modulation of anti-pyroptosis-associated inflammasome pathways. Based on the existing evidence, further investigation into the mechanisms by which exercise inhibits pyroptosis through the regulation of inflammasome pathways holds promising potential for expanding preventive and therapeutic strategies for DM and facilitating the development of novel therapeutic interventions.
How do BRAFV600E and TERT promoter mutations interact with the ATA and TNM staging systems in thyroid cancer?
Authors: Mukhtar Noha , Alhamoudi Kheloud , Alswailem Meshael , Alhindi Hindi , Murugan Avaniyapuram Kannan , Alghamdi Balgees , Alzahrani Ali S.
Published: October 2023

Context

The American Thyroid Association risk stratification (ATA) and the American Joint Committee on Cancer Tumor Node Metastases (TNM) predict recurrence and mortality of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). BRAFV600E and TERT promoter mutations have been shown to correlate with the histopathological features and outcome of DTC. Our objectives were to study the correlation of these molecular markers with these clinicopathological-staging systems.

Patients and methods

We studied 296 unselected patients, 214 females and 82 males with a median age of 36 years (IQR 23.3-49.0). BRAFV600E and TERT promoter mutations were tested by PCR-based Sanger sequencing. Data were extracted from medical records and analysed using Chi-Square and Fisher Exact tests and Kaplan Meier analysis.

Results

Of 296 patients tested, 137 (46.3%) had BRAFV600E-positive tumors and 72 (24.3%) were positive for TERT promoter mutations. The BRAFV600E mutation did not correlate with the ATA and TNM staging, being non-significantly different in various stages of these systems and did not predict the development of persistent disease (PD) (P 0.12). Unlike BRAFV600E, TERT promoter mutations were more frequent in the ATA high-risk than in intermediate- or low-risk tumors (P 0.006) and in TNM stages III and IV than lower stages (P <0.0001). TERT promoter mutations also predicted the outcome, being present in 37.2% of patients with PD compared to only 15.4% in those without evidence of disease (P <0.0001). The same pattern was also seen when BRAFV600E and TERT promoter mutations were combined.

Conclusion

TERT promoter mutations alone or in combination with BRAFV600E mutation, but not BRAFV600E mutation alone, correlated well with the ATA and TNM staging and predicted development of PD, especially in higher stages of these systems.
A modelling approach to inform regional cumulative effects assessment in northern Ontario
Authors: Antwi Effah Kwabena , Rempel Rob S. , Carlson Matthew , Boakye-Danquah John , Winder Richard , Dabros Anna , Owusu-Banahene Wiafe , Berryman Eleanor , Eddy Ian
Published: October 2023

Cumulatively, the effects of resource extraction and climate change have the potential to cause an unprecedented change to the ecosystems and livelihoods of Indigenous communities in Canada’s northern regions. Maintaining environmental and community values in the presence of such change will require a comprehensive understanding of potential long-term risks and opportunities to prevent or mitigate risks at the regional level. However, assessing the cumulative impact and benefits of the multiple disturbances at the regional level is complex due to the interaction of numerous drivers, values, actors, assessment scales, planning, and decision-making processes. We develop an integrated risk and cumulative effects (CE) management methodology to inform regional assessment by combining conceptual modelling through bowtie analysis and quantitative scenario analysis using ALCES Online (AO) simulation. We applied the framework using a case example in the Ring of Fire region of northern Ontario, Canada, to assess the CE of climate change, land use change, and wildlife harvest on the moose (Alces alces)-wolf (Canis lupus)-caribou (Rangifer tarandus) prey-predator system. The bowtie risk analysis provided a mechanism to define the management problem by identifying threats that contribute to risk, associated consequences, and specific management strategies that could be pursued under legislative frameworks and changes to maintain the sustainable dynamics of the moose-wolf-caribou system (MWC). The AO simulation of different levels of development and moose harvest, as well a baseline scenario that excluded climate change and development, allowed for a comprehensive examination of the complex processes driving the social-ecological system. The scenario analysis suggests that moose harvest can promote balance in the MWC system but only if applied in a sophisticated manner that limits moose harvest in areas with high road density, increases moose harvest in more remote regions susceptible to moose population expansion with climate change, and prioritizes Indigenous moose harvest to ensure a sustainable supply of moose for subsistence harvest. The case example shows how conceptual and quantitative modelling can provide the strategic perspective required for regional assessment.
Transfusion increased skin blood flow when initially low in volume-resuscitated patients without acute bleeding
Authors: Cavalcante dos Santos Elaine , Bakos Péter , Orbegozo Diego , Creteur Jacques , Vincent Jean-Louis , Taccone Fabio Silvio
Published: October 2023

Background

Alterations in skin blood flow is a marker of inadequate tissue perfusion in critically ill patients after initial resuscitation. The effects of red blood cell transfusions (RBCT) on skin perfusion are not described in this setting. We evaluated the effects of red blood cell transfusions on skin tissue perfusion in critically ill patients without acute bleeding after initial resuscitation.

Methods

A prospective observational study included 175 non-bleeding adult patients after fluid resuscitation requiring red blood cell transfusions. Using laser Doppler, we measured finger skin blood flow (SBF) at skin basal temperature (SBFBT), together with mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), hemoglobin (Hb), central venous pressure (CVP), lactate, and central or mixed venous oxygen saturation before and 1 h after RBCT. SBF responders were those with a 20% increase in SBFBT after RBCT.

Results

Overall, SBFBT did not significantly change after RBCT [from 79.8 (4.3–479.4) to 83.4 (4.9–561.6); p = 0.67]. A relative increase equal to or more than 20% in SBFBT after RBCT (SBF responders) was observed in 77/175 of RBCT (44%). SBF responders had significantly lower SBFBT [41.3 (4.3–279.3) vs. 136.3 (6.5–479.4) perfusion units; p < 0.01], mixed or central venous oxygen saturation (62.5 ± 9.2 vs. 67.3% ± 12.0%; p < 0.01) and CVP (8.3 ± 5.1 vs. 10.3 ± 5.6 mmHg; p = 0.03) at baseline than non-responders. SBFBT increased in responders [from 41.3 (4.3–279.3) to 93.1 (9.8–561.6) perfusion units; p < 0.01], and decreased in the non-responders [from 136.3 (6.5–479.4) to 80.0 (4.9–540.8) perfusion units; p < 0.01] after RBCT. Pre-transfusion SBFBT was independently associated with a 20% increase in SBFBT after RBCT. Baseline SBFBT had an area under receiver operator characteristic of 0.73 (95% CI, 0.68–0.83) to predict SBFBT increase; A SBFBT of 73.0 perfusion units (PU) had a sensitivity of 71.4% and a specificity of 70.4% to predict SBFBT increase after RBCT. No significant differences in SBFBT were observed after RBCT in different subgroup analyses.

Conclusion

The skin blood flow is globally unaltered by red blood cell transfusions in non-bleeding critically ill patients after initial resuscitation. However, a lower SBFBT at baseline was associated with a relative increase in skin tissue perfusion after RBCT.
Identification of algal rich microbial blooms in the Sellafield Pile Fuel Storage Pond and the application of ultrasonic treatment to control the formation of blooms
Authors: Foster Lynn , Boothman Christopher , Harrison Scott , Jenkinson Peter , Pittman Jon K. , Lloyd Jonathan R.
Published: October 2023

The presence of microorganisms in a range of nuclear facilities has been known for many years. In this study the microbial community inhabiting the Pile Fuel Storage Pond (PFSP), which is a legacy open-aired facility on the Sellafield nuclear site, Cumbria, UK, was determined to help target microbial bloom management strategies in this facility. The PFSP is currently undergoing decommissioning and the development of prolonged dense microbial blooms reduces the visibility within the water. Such impairment in the pond water visibility can lead to delays in pond operations, which also has financial implications. Efforts to control the microbial population within the PFSP are ongoing, with the installation of ultrasonic treatment units. Here next generation sequencing techniques focussing on broad targets for both eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms were used to identify the microbial community. On-site monitoring of photosynthetic pigments indicated when microbial blooms formed and that eukaryotic algae were most likely to be responsible for these events. The sequencing data suggested that the blooms were dominated by members of the class Chrysophyceae, a group of golden algae, while evidence of cyanobacteria and other photosynthetic bacteria was limited, further supporting eukaryotic organisms causing the blooms. The results of sequencing data from 2018 was used to inform a change in the operational settings of the ultrasonic units, while monitoring of the microbial community and photosynthetic pigments trends was extended. Since the changes were made to the ultrasonic treatment, the visibility in the pond was significantly improved, with an absence of a spring bloom in 2020 and an overall reduction in the number of days lost due to microbial blooms annually. This work extends our knowledge of the diversity of microbes able to colonise nuclear fuel storage ponds, and also suggests that sequencing data can help to optimise the performance of ultrasonic treatments, to control algal proliferation in the PFSP facility and other inhospitable engineered systems.
Clinical analysis of prolonged viral clearance time in patients with lymphoma combined with novel coronavirus infection
Authors: Li Ying , Wu Chao , Fei Liming , Xu Qin , Shao Xianru , Chen Bangjie , Sun Gengyun
Published: October 2023

Objective: To compare the period of viral clearance and its influencing factors after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection between patients with lymphoma and lung cancer.

Methods: We retrospectively collected the clinical data of patients with lymphoma and lung cancer (118 cases) diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection and hospitalized in the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University between 1 December 2022, and 15 March 2023. Finally, 87 patients with prolonged virus clearance times were included and divided into lymphoma (40 cases) and lung cancer (47 cases) groups. We used the Kaplan-Meier method to draw a negative turn curve. We performed a univariate analysis of the prolongation of virus clearance time and a Cox regression model for multivariate analysis.

Results: The median times for viral clearance in the lung cancer and lymphoma groups were 18 (95% confidence interval [CI] 15.112–20.888) and 32 (95%CI 27.429–36.571) days, respectively. Log-rank analysis showed a statistically significant difference (p = 0.048), and the lymphocyte count in the lymphoma group was lower than that in the lung cancer group (p = 0.044). We used the Cox regression model to conduct a multivariate analysis, which revealed that in lymphoma patients, the interval between the time of diagnosis and the time of SARS-CoV-2 infection <24 months (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.182, 95%CI: 0.062–0.535, p = 0.02), an interval between the last anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody treatment and the time of SARS-CoV-2 infection of <2 months (HR: 0.101, 95%CI: 0.029–0.358, p < 0.001), and a decrease in peripheral blood lymphocyte levels (HR: 0.380, 95%CI: 0.179–0.808, p = 0.012) were independent risk factors for prolonged viral clearance time.

Conclusion: Patients with lymphoma combined with SARS-CoV-2 infection had a longer virus clearance time than did patients with lung cancer. Moreover, the lymphocyte count in the lymphoma group was lower than that in the lung cancer group; therefore, the immune status of patients with lymphoma is lower than that of patients with lung cancer. An interval between lymphoma diagnosis and SARS-CoV-2 infection of <2 years, anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody treatment within the past 2 months, and a decrease in lymphocyte levels in the peripheral blood prolonged the virus clearance time in the patients in this study.
Volumetric brain correlates of gait associated with cognitive decline in community-dwelling older adults
Authors: Poole Victoria N. , Oveisgharan Shahram , Yu Lei , Dawe Robert J. , Leurgans Sue E. , Zhang Shengwei , Arfanakis Konstantinos , Buchman Aron S. , Bennett David A.
Published: October 2023

Objective

To determine the extent to which the regional brain volumes associated with slow gait speed can inform subsequent cognitive decline in older adults from the Rush Memory and Aging Project.

Approach

We utilized deformation-based morphometry (DBM) in a whole-brain exploratory approach to identify the regional brain volumes associated with gait speed assessed over a short distance during an in-home assessment. We created deformation scores to summarize the gait-associated regions and entered the scores into a series of longitudinal mixed effects models to determine the extent to which deformation predicted change in cognition over time, controlling for associations between gait and cognition.

Results

In 438 older adults (81 ± 7; 76% female), DBM revealed that slower gait speed was associated with smaller volumes across frontal white matter, temporal grey matter, and subcortical areas and larger volumes in the ventricles during the same testing cycle. When a subset was followed over multiple (5 ± 2) years, slower gait speed was also associated with annual declines in global cognition, executive functioning, and memory abilities. Several of the gait-related brain structures were associated with these declines in cognition; however, larger ventricles and smaller medial temporal lobe volumes proved most robust and attenuated the association between slow gait and cognitive decline.

Conclusion

Regional brain volumes in the ventricles and temporal lobe associated with both slow gait speed and faster cognitive decline have potential to improve risk stratification for cognitive decline in older adults.
Sex-biased effects of outcome devaluation by sensory-specific satiety on Pavlovian-conditioned behavior
Authors: Sood Ankit , Richard Jocelyn M.
Published: October 2023

Goal-directed behavior relies on accurate mental representations of the value of expected outcomes. Disruptions to this process are a central feature of several neuropsychiatric disorders, including addiction. Goal-directed behavior is most frequently studied using instrumental paradigms paired with outcome devaluation, but cue-evoked behaviors in Pavlovian settings can also be goal-directed and therefore sensitive to changes in outcome value. Emerging literature suggests that male and female rats may differ in the degree to which their Pavlovian-conditioned responses are goal-directed, but interpretation of these findings is complicated by the tendency of female and male rats to engage in distinct types of Pavlovian responses when trained with localizable cues. Here, we used outcome devaluation via sensory-specific satiety to assess the behavioral responses in male and female Long Evans rats trained to respond to an auditory CS (conditioned stimulus) in a Pavlovian-conditioning paradigm. We found that satiety-induced devaluation led to a decrease in behavioral responding to the reward-predictive CS, with males showing an effect on both port entry latency and probability and females showing an effect only on port entry probability. Overall, our results suggest that outcome devaluation affects Pavlovian-conditioned responses in both male and female rats, but that females may be less sensitive to outcome devaluation.
Perceived causes and management of epilepsy among rural community dwellers in Ghana: a qualitative synthesis
Authors: Gyaase Daniel , Gyaase Theresah Ivy , Tawiah Rebecca , Atta-Osei Godfred , Owusu Isaac , Mprah Wisdom Kwadwo , Enuameh Yeetey Akpe
Published: October 2023

Background

In Ghana, over 270,000 people live with epilepsy, of which 70% do not receive treatment. Despite the high number of people with the condition, misconceptions exist about its causes and management in African regions. The study assessed the perceived causes and management of epilepsy among rural community dwellers in Ghana.

Methods

A qualitative approach and phenomenological design were employed for the study. The population comprised community dwellers in Berekum, a rural town in the Bono Region of Ghana. A convenience sampling technique was used to sample the participants. An in-depth face-to-face interview with a semi-structured interview guide was used to collect participant data. Data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.

Result

A total of 15 participants were interviewed in the study, after which saturation was reached. Seven of the participants were men, and eight were women. Two categories emerged as the causes of epilepsy: socio-cultural and superstitious causes and biomedical causes. The socio-cultural and superstitious causes include “a manifestation or an influence of an evil spirit,” “family curse or disease,” “punishment from ancestors or gods of the land,” “having several convulsions,” “exposure to foam from an epileptic,” and “bites from an epileptic during seizures”, while the biomedical causes are “brain damage,” “blood group,” and “genetic makeup”. Consulting with the spiritual realm, pouring water on the person or washing the person's face, and putting a spoon in the mouth were identified by the participants as ways to manage epilepsy.

Conclusion

The causes of epilepsy are primarily linked to the supernatural, with the results indicating that rural community residents largely attribute epilepsy to “evil spirits”. This implies that the rural communities' knowledge about the causes of epilepsy is based on the social causation theory of disease and disability, which relates diseases to the supernatural. Management of the condition was mainly seen as spiritual.
SWADESH: a multimodal multi-disease brain imaging and neuropsychological database and data analytics platform
Authors: Mandal Pravat K. , Jindal Komal , Roy Saurav , Arora Yashika , Sharma Shallu , Joon Shallu , Goel Anshika , Ahasan Zoheb , Maroon Joseph C. , Singh Kuldeep , Sandal Kanika , Tripathi Manjari , Sharma Pooja , Samkaria Avantika , Gaur Shradha , Shandilya Sandhya
Published: October 2023

Multimodal neuroimaging data of various brain disorders provides valuable information to understand brain function in health and disease. Various neuroimaging-based databases have been developed that mainly consist of volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data. We present the comprehensive web-based neuroimaging platform “SWADESH” for hosting multi-disease, multimodal neuroimaging, and neuropsychological data along with analytical pipelines. This novel initiative includes neurochemical and magnetic susceptibility data for healthy and diseased conditions, acquired using MR spectroscopy (MRS) and quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) respectively. The SWADESH architecture also provides a neuroimaging database which includes MRI, MRS, functional MRI (fMRI), diffusion weighted imaging (DWI), QSM, neuropsychological data and associated data analysis pipelines. Our final objective is to provide a master database of major brain disease states (neurodegenerative, neuropsychiatric, neurodevelopmental, and others) and to identify characteristic features and biomarkers associated with such disorders.
Effects of avatar shape and motion on mirror neuron system activity
Authors: Miyamoto Yuki , Uchitomi Hirotaka , Miyake Yoshihiro
Published: October 2023

Humanness is an important characteristic for facilitating interpersonal communication, particularly through avatars in the metaverse. In this study, we explored the mirror neuron system (MNS) as a potential neural basis for perceiving humanness in avatars. Although previous research suggests that the MNS may be influenced by human-like shape and motion, the results have been inconsistent due to the diversity and complexity of the MNS investigation. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effects of shape and motion humanness in avatars on MNS activity. Participants viewed videos of avatars with four different shapes (HumanShape, AngularShape, AbbreviatedShape, and ScatteredShape) and two types of motion (HumanMotion and LinearMotion), and their μ-wave attenuation in the electroencephalogram was evaluated. Results from a questionnaire indicated that HumanMotion was perceived as human-like, while AbbreviatedShape and ScatteredShape were seen as non-human-like. AngularShape’s humanity was indefinite. The MNS was activated as expected for avatars with human-like shapes and/or motions. However, for non-human-like motions, there were differences in activity trends depending on the avatar shape. Specifically, avatars with HumanShape and ScatteredShape in LinearMotion activated the MNS, but the MNS was indifferent to AngularShape and AbbreviatedShape. These findings suggest that when avatars make non-human-like motions, the MNS is activated not only for human-like appearance but also for the scattered and exaggerated appearance of the human body in the avatar shape. These findings could enhance inter-avatar communication by considering brain activity.
Differences in the distribution of triggers among resting state networks in patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy explained by network analysis
Authors: Luo Dadong , Liu Yaqing , Zhang Ningning , Wang Tiancheng
Published: October 2023

Background

Juvenile myoclonus epilepsy (JME) is an idiopathic generalized epilepsy syndrome. Functional connectivity studies based on graph theory have demonstrated changes in functional connectivity among different brain regions in patients with JME and healthy controls. However, previous studies have not been able to clarify why visual stimulation or increased cognitive load induces epilepsy symptoms in only some patients with JME.

Methods

This study constructed a small-world network for the visualization of functional connectivity of brain regions in patients with JME, based on system mapping. We used the node reduction method repeatedly to identify the core nodes of the resting brain network of patients with JME. Thereafter, a functional connectivity network of the core brain regions in patients with JME was established, and it was analyzed manually with white matter tracks restriction to explain the differences in symptom distribution in patients with JME.

Results

Patients with JME had 21 different functional connections in their resting state, and no significant differences in their distribution were noted. The thalamus, cerebellum, basal ganglia, supplementary motor area, visual cortex, and prefrontal lobe were the core brain regions that comprised the functional connectivity network in patients with JME during their resting state. The betweenness centrality of the prefrontal lobe and the visual cortex in the core functional connectivity network of patients with JME was lower than that of the other brain regions.

Conclusion

The functional connectivity and node importance of brain regions of patients with JME changed dynamically in the resting state. Abnormal discharges originating from the thalamus, cerebellum, basal ganglia, supplementary motor area, visual cortex, and prefrontal cortex are most likely to lead to seizures in patients with JME. Further, the low average value of betweenness centrality of the prefrontal and visual cortices explains why visual stimulation or increased cognitive load can induce epileptic symptoms in only some patients with JME.
The association between lifelong personality and clinical phenotype in the FTD-ALS spectrum
Authors: Vinceti Giulia , Carbone Chiara , Gallingani Chiara , Fiondella Luigi , Salemme Simone , Zucchi Elisabetta , Martinelli Ilaria , Gianferrari Giulia , Tondelli Manuela , Mandrioli Jessica , Chiari Annalisa , Zamboni Giovanna
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are two phenotypes of the same neurodegenerative disease, the FTD-ALS spectrum. What determines the development of one rather than the other phenotype is still unknown. Based on the clinical observation that patients’ personality seems to differ between the two phenotypes, i.e., ALS patients tend to display kind, prosocial behaviors whereas FTD patients tend to present anti-social behaviors, and that these traits are often reported as pre-existing the disease onset by caregivers, we set up to study experimentally patients’ personality in their premorbid life.

Methods

We first tested for differences between groups, then tested the association between premorbid personality and current functional organization of the brain. Premorbid personality of a cohort of forty patients, 27 FTD and 13 ALS, was explored through the NEO Personality Inventory 3 (NEO-PI-3), which analyses the five main personality factors, completed by the caregiver with reference to patient’s personality 20 years before symptoms onset (premorbid). A subgroup of patients underwent a brain MRI including structural and resting-state functional MRI (rsfMRI).

Results

A significant difference between FTD and ALS in premorbid personality emerged in the Openness (133.92 FTD vs. 149.84 ALS, p = 0.01) and Extraversion (136.55 FTD vs. 150.53 ALS, p = 0.04) factors. This suggests that ALS patients had been, in their premorbid life, more open to new experiences, more sociable and optimistic than FTD patients. They also showed greater functional connectivity than both FTD and a control group in the Salience resting state network, over and above differences in gray matter atrophy. Finally, there was a positive correlation between premorbid Openness and functional connectivity in the Salience network across all patients, suggesting a possible association between premorbid personality and current functional organization of the brain, irrespective of the degree of atrophy.

Discussion

Our proof-of-concept results suggest that premorbid personality may eventually predispose to the development of one, rather than the other, phenotype in the FTD-ALS spectrum.
Peripheral CCL2 induces inflammatory pain via regulation of Ih currents in small diameter DRG neurons
Authors: Li Lamei , Liu Yuanying , Hu Wenchao , Yang Jing , Ma Suibin , Tian Zhicheng , Cao Zixuan , Pan Kunqing , Jiang Ming , Liu Xia , Wu Shengxi , Luo Ceng , Xie Rou-Gang
Published: October 2023

The C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) has been implicated in chronic pain, but its exact mechanism of peripheral sensitization is unknown. In this study, we aimed to clarify the mechanism of CCL2 regulation of ion channels. Our behavioral experiments revealed that ZD7288, a blocker of Ih current, can inhibit CFA and CCL2-mediated mechanical and thermal nociceptive sensitization. Furthermore, patch clamp studies demonstrated that CFA-induced peripheral sensitization primarily affects the excitability of small-diameter DRG neurons. Further studies revealed that inflammatory pain caused by CFA or incubation of DRG with CCL2 mainly affected Ih currents in small-diameter DRG neurons, which were blocked by co-incubation CCR2 antagonist INCB3344 or adenylate cyclase inhibitor SQ22536. Immunohistochemical staining showed that both intraplantar injection of CFA as well as DRG injection of CCL2 resulted in significant upregulation of CCR2+/HCN2+ expression. In conclusion, we suggest in the inflammatory pain state, CCL2 can act on small-diameter DRG neurons, leading to upregulation of HCN2 expression and consequently Ih, which in turn leads to neuronal hyperexcitability.
Interaction of energy and sulfur microbial diet and smoking status with polygenic variants associated with lipoprotein metabolism
Authors: Hur Haeng Jeon , Yang Hye Jeong , Kim Min Jung , Lee Kyunhee , Jang Dai Ja , Kim Myung-Sunny , Park Sunmin
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Hypo-high-density lipoprotein cholesterolemia (hypo-HDL-C) contributes to the development of cardiovascular diseases. The hypothesis that the polygenic variants associated with hypo-HDL-C interact with lifestyle factors was examined in 58,701 middle-aged Korean adults who participated in the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES).

Methods

Participants were categorized into the Low-HDL (case; n = 16,980) and Normal-HDL (n = 41,721) groups. The participants in the Low-HDL group were selected using the guideline-based cutoffs for hypo-HDL-C (<40 mg/dL for men and < 50 mg/dL for women) and included those taking medication for dyslipidemia. The genes associated with hypo-HDL-C were determined through a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in a city hospital-based cohort, and the results were validated in the Ansan/Anung study. The genetic variants for the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-SNP interaction were selected using a generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction analysis, and the polygenic risk score (PRS) generated was evaluated for interaction with lifestyle parameters.

Results

The participants with hypo-HDL-C showed a 1.45 and 1.36-fold higher association with myocardial infarction and stroke, respectively. The High-PRS with four SNPs, namely ZPR1_rs3741297, CETP_rs708272, BUD13_rs180327, and ALDH1A2_rs588136, and that with the 11q23.3 haplotype were positively associated with hypo-HDL-C by about 3 times, which was a 2.4-fold higher association than the PRS of 24 SNP with p < 5×10−8. The risk alleles of CETP_rs708272 and ALDH1A2_rs588136 were linked to increased expression in the heart and decreased in the brain, respectively. The selected SNPs were linked to the reverse cholesterol transport pathway, triglyceride-rich lipoprotein particle remodeling pathway, cholesterol storage, and macrophage-derived foam cell differentiation regulation. The PRS of the 4-SNP model interacted with energy intake and smoking status, while that of the haplotype interacted with a glycemic index of the diet, sulfur microbial diet, and smoking status.

Discussion

Adults with a genetic risk for hypo-HDL-C need to modulate their diet and smoking status to reduce their risk.
Physicochemical and bioactive constituents, microbial counts, and color components of spray-dried Syzygium cumini L. pulp powder stored in different packaging materials under two controlled environmental conditions
Authors: Kumar Vishal , Singh Chandra Shekhar , Bakshi Shiva , Kumar Sudhir , Yadav Satya Prakash , Al-Zamani Zakarya Ali Saleh , Kumar Pankaj , Singh Upendra , Meena Kamlesh Kumar , Bunkar Durga Shankar , Paswan Vinod Kumar
Published: October 2023

Currently, the demand for functional food items that impart health benefits has been rising. Blackberry (Syzygium cumini L.) fruit has high anthocyanin content and other functional attributes. However, this seasonal fruit is highly perishable, and a large proportion of it goes unharvested and wasted worldwide. Spray drying of the fruit pulp can impart improved shelf life, ensuring long-term availability for consumers to exploit its health benefits. The storage quality varies according to the type of packaging material and the storage environment. Therefore, in this study, the shelf life span of the spray-dried Syzygium cumini L. pulp powder (SSCPP) was investigated during 6 months of storage under three types of packaging materials (i.e., polystyrene, metalized polyester, and 4-ply laminates) in a low-temperature environmental (LTE) and at ambient environmental conditions. The physicochemical stability of bioactive principles (TPC and TAC), microbial counts, and color components were analyzed at 0, 2, 4, and 6 months of storage. There was a significant gradual loss of dispersibility and solubility with an increase in flowability, bulk density, and wettability during the entire storage period for all three packaging materials. The TSS, pH, TPC, TAC, and microbial counts decreased in the SSCPP both at ambient and LTE conditions during the study. Among all the packaging materials, the 4-ply laminate was found to be the most appropriate and safe for storage of spray-dried SCPP at LTE conditions.
Intestinal microbiota modulation at the strain level by the olive oil polyphenols in the diet
Authors: Andújar-Tenorio Natalia , Cobo Antonio , Martínez-Rodríguez Ana Mª , Hidalgo Marina , Prieto Isabel , Gálvez Antonio , Martínez-Cañamero Magdalena
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Previously we have reported a r16S gene next generation sequencing study on the effect of high fat diets in the intestinal microbiota using a murine model. However, many important microbial traits occur at strain level and, in order to detect these population changes, culture-dependent approaches need to be applied. With this goal, we decided to study a very well-known commensal genus, Enterococcus, and therefore, intestinal enterococci methodically isolated during the above-mentioned experiment were analyzed.

Materials and methods

A collection of 75 distinct enterococcal strains isolated from feces of mice fed a standard diet or high-fat diets enriched with butter, refined olive oil, or extra virgin olive oil and after 0, 6 or 12 weeks of diet, were genetically and phenotypically characterized in search of virulence factors, biogenic amine production and antibiotic resistance. All strains were tested for the susceptibility in vitro to two virgin olive oil polyphenols, oleuropein (the bitter principle of olives) and hydroxytyrosol (derived from oleuropein by enzymatic hydrolysis and responsible for the high stability of olive oil).

Results

No drastic polyphenol effect was found except at high concentrations. However, when carrying out a comparative statistical study in the 75 strains of the collection according to the different diets, we have detected significant differences between the strains isolated from mice fed with a diet enriched with virgin olive oil and the rest of the diets. EVOO strains also presented less resistance to antibiotics and a more beneficial profile overall.

Discussion

These results support the prebiotic role of polyphenols, showing how they are able to modulate the set of strains that comprises a genus in the gut, allowing them to adapt to a changing environment in the host’s intestine and possibly exerting effects on its physiology.
Epithelioid inflammatory myofibroblastic sarcoma: a case report and brief literature review
Authors: Dou Weidong , Guan Yu , Liu Tao , Zheng Hang , Feng Shuo , Wu Yingchao , Wang Xin , Liu Zhanbing
Published: October 2023

Epithelioid inflammatory myofibroblastic sarcoma (EIMS) is a rare variant of the inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor, characterized by more aggressive clinical course and nuclear membrane staining of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) with ALK rearrangement. An elderly male came to the clinic because of an accidental abdominal mass. Abdominal and pelvic enhanced CT revealed a tumor apparently orginated from mesenchymal tissue. Subsequently, the abdominal mass and multiple organ resection was performed, and the mass was pathologically confirmed as EIMS. The patient developed Clavien-Dindo Grade III postoperative complications and was discharged after his condition improved. He received doxorubicin monotherapy after operation, but only one cycle was administered due to severe vomiting. The follow-up of 5 months after operation showed no evidence of recurrence. Given the rarity of EIMS, and ALk inhibitors have a long and robust effect on patients with ALK gene tumors, it is very important for clinicians to be familiar with the clinicopathological features of EIMS, which will contribute to the accurate diagnosis of EIMS and reduce misdiagnosis.
Asthma is associated with a lower incidence of metastatic colorectal cancer in a US patient cohort
Authors: Beckstead Jacob , Mehrotra Kunaal , Wilson Kayla , Fingleton Barbara
Published: October 2023

In previous pre-clinical studies, we examined the contribution of interleukin 4 receptor (IL4R) signaling in the progression and metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC). Aberrant activation of this receptor can result in atopic diseases such as asthma. We hypothesized that further evidence for the contribution of excessive IL4R being associated with CRC progression could be seen in medical records, and specifically that chronic asthma patients were more likely to be diagnosed with metastatic CRC. To test this hypothesis, we took advantage of the Synthetic Derivative, a resource developed at Vanderbilt University Medical Center that hosts de-identified data taken from the electronic medical record. We developed search protocols that produced retrospective cohorts of invasive CRC patients and cancer-free equivalents. In comparing 787 metastatic CRC patients to 238 non-metastatic patients, we actually found significantly fewer asthmatics went on to develop metastatic CRC (P=0.0381). By comparing these groups together against 1197 cancer-free patients, even fewer asthmatic patients would develop invasive CRC (P<0.0001). While these results are clearly in opposition to our original hypothesis, they still support a link between chronic asthma and metastatic CRC development. One intriguing possibility, that will be examined in the future, is whether treatment for chronic asthma may be responsible for the reduction in metastatic cancer.
Efficacy and safety of photodynamic therapy for non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Li Haitao , Long Gongwei , Tian Jun
Published: October 2023

Background

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising treatment for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), we conducted this systematic review to comprehensively assess its efficacy and safety.

Methods

A comprehensive literature research was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, and studies reporting the safety and efficacy of PDT in NMIBC were included. Complete response (CR) rates, recurrence-free survival (RFS) at different time points, and complication incidences were extracted and synthesized. Pooled results were presented as rates with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI).

Results

Overall, 28 single arm studies were included in the meta-analysis. For unresectable NMIBC, therapeutic PDT achieved CR in 68% (95% CI: 59%-77%) of patients. Among these CR cases, 71% (95% CI: 56%-85%) and 38% (95% CI: 12%-64%) have a RFS longer than 12 and 24 months, respectively. For Tis patients, the CR rate was 68% (95% CI: 56%-80%), and 84% (95% CI: 48%-100%) and 13% (95% CI: 1%-32%) have a RFS longer than 12 and 24 months. For patients with resectable tumors, post-resection adjuvant PDT could provide a 12 and 24 months RFS in 81% (95% CI:76%-87%) and 56% (95% CI:41%-71%) of them. Especially, for NMIBC patients who failed BCG therapy, adjuvant PDT could still achieve a 1-year and 2-year RFS in 68% (95% CI:51%-86%) and 56% (95% CI:32%-81%) patients. The complications were mostly mild and transient, including lower urinary tract symptoms and photosensitivity.

Conclusion

Both therapeutic and adjuvant PDT present satisfying safety and efficacy for NMIBC, including these cases that are resistant to the standard of care. As a promising option for NMIBC, PDT deserves further exploration by future high-quality research.

Systematic review registration

https://inplasy.com/inplasy-2022-11-0043/, INPLASY2022110043.