bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Two-loop QCD amplitudes for $$ t\overline{t}H $$ production from boosted limit
Authors: Wang Guoxing , Xia Tianya , Yang Li Lin , Ye Xiaoping
Published: July 2024

Abstract

The production of a Higgs boson in association with a top-antitop quark pair $$ \left(t\overline{t}H\right) $$

t

t
¯

H

holds significant importance in directly probing the top-quark Yukawa coupling, which is related to various fundamental questions in high energy physics. This paper focuses on the calculation of two-loop amplitudes for $$ t\overline{t}H $$
t

t
¯

H
production at hadron colliders in the high-energy boosted limit. The calculation employs our recently developed mass-factorization formula. To validate the accuracy of our approximate methods, we compare our results for the one-loop amplitudes and the two-loop infrared poles with the exact calculations. We then provide predictions for the finite parts of the two-loop amplitudes. By combining the contributions from real emissions, our results can be utilized to compute the next-to-next-to-leading order differential cross sections for $$ t\overline{t}H $$
t

t
¯

H
production in the high-energy boosted limit.
Combination and reinterpretation of LHC SUSY searches
Authors: Feike Alexander , Fiaschi Juri , Fuks Benjamin , Klasen Michael , Neuwirth Alexander Puck
Published: July 2024

Abstract

To maximise the information obtained from various independent new physics searches conducted at the LHC, it is imperative to consider the combination of multiple analyses. To showcase the exclusion power gained by combining signal regions from different searches, we consider a simplified scenario inspired by supersymmetry, with all particles but one squark flavour and a bino-like neutralino decoupled. The corresponding signal therefore comprises strong squark pair production, associated squark-neutralino production, as well as weak neutralino pair production. We find that considering the associated and strong production mechanisms together significantly impacts mass limits, while contributions from the weak production are insignificant in the context of current exclusion limits. In addition, we demonstrate that the combination of uncorrelated signal regions as assessed from the recent TACO approach substantially pushes exclusion limits towards higher masses, relative to the bounds derived from the most sensitive individual analyses.
Learning Feynman integrals from differential equations with neural networks
Authors: Calisto Francesco , Moodie Ryan , Zoia Simone
Published: July 2024

Abstract

We perform an exploratory study of a new approach for evaluating Feynman integrals numerically. We apply the recently-proposed framework of physics-informed deep learning to train neural networks to approximate the solution to the differential equations satisfied by the Feynman integrals. This approach relies neither on a canonical form of the differential equations, which is often a bottleneck for the analytical techniques, nor on the availability of a large dataset, and after training yields essentially instantaneous evaluation times. We provide a proof-of-concept implementation within the PyTorch framework, and apply it to a number of one- and two-loop examples, achieving a mean magnitude of relative difference of around 1% at two loops in the physical phase space with network training times on the order of an hour on a laptop GPU.
Prospects for heavy neutral lepton searches at short and medium baseline reactor experiments
Authors: van Remortel N. , Colomer Molla M. , Clerbaux B. , De Roeck A. , Drewes M. , Keloth R. , Sfar H. , Vercaemer S. , Verstraeten M.
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Heavy neutrinos with masses in the MeV range can in principle simultaneously explain the light neutrino masses and the origin of baryonic matter in the universe. The strongest constraints on their properties come from their potential impact on the formation of light elements in the early universe. Since these constraints rely on assumptions about the cosmic history, independent checks in the laboratory are highly desirable. In this paper, we discuss the opportunity to search for heavy neutrinos within the MeV mass range in short and medium baseline reactor neutrino experiments, using the SoLid, JUNO and TAO experiments as examples. These experiments can give the currently strongest upper bound on the mixing between the light electron neutrinos and the heavy neutrino in the 2–9 MeV mass range.
Transverse momentum-dependent heavy-quark fragmentation at next-to-leading order
Authors: von Kuk Rebecca , Michel Johannes K. L. , Sun Zhiquan
Published: July 2024

Abstract

The transverse momentum-dependent fragmentation functions (TMD FFs) of heavy (bottom and charm) quarks, which we recently introduced, are universal building blocks that enter predictions for a large number of observables involving final-state heavy quarks or hadrons. They enable the extension of fixed-order subtraction schemes to quasi-collinear limits, and are of particular interest in their own right as probes of the nonperturbative dynamics of hadronization. In this paper we calculate all TMD FFs involving heavy quarks and the associated TMD matrix element in heavy-quark effective theory (HQET) to next-to-leading order in the strong interaction. Our results confirm the renormalization properties, large-mass, and small-mass consistency relations predicted in our earlier work. We also derive and confirm a prediction for the large-z behavior of the heavy-quark TMD FF by extending, for the first time, the formalism of joint resummation to capture quark mass effects in heavy-quark fragmentation. Our final results in position space agree with those of a recent calculation by another group that used a highly orthogonal organization of singularities in the intermediate momentum-space steps, providing a strong independent cross check. As an immediate application, we present the complete quark mass dependence of the energy-energy correlator (EEC) in the back-to-back limit at $$ \mathcal{O}\left({\alpha}_s\right) $$
O

α
s

.
Age-related dysregulation of CXCL9/10 in monocytes is linked to impaired innate immune responses in a mouse model of Staphylococcus aureus osteomyelitis
Authors: Lin Yihuang , Yang Mankai , Cheng Chubin , Wu Jichang , Yu Bin , Zhang Xianrong
Published: July 2024

Background

Age-associated impairments in innate immunity are believed to be a causative factor responsible for severe pathogenesis of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) infection in the bone tissue. However, the basis for age-associated decline in innate immune response upon S. aureus infection remains poorly understood.

Results

Our transcriptional data (GEO: GSE166522) from a mouse model of S. aureus osteomyelitis show up-regulated CXCL9 and CXCL10 (CXCL9/10), which is further confirmed in vitro and in vivo by the present study. Notably, monocytes are a main source for CXCL9/10 production in bone marrow upon S. aureus challenge, but this response declines in middle-aged mice. Interestingly, conditional medium of bone marrow monocytes from middle-aged mice has a strikingly decreased effect on bactericidal functions of neutrophils and macrophages compares with that from young mice. We further show that activation of CXCL9/10-CXCR3 axis between monocytes and macrophages/neutrophils promotes the bactericidal function of the cells, whereas blocking the axis impairs such function. Importantly, treatment with either exogenous CXCL9 or CXCL10 in a middle-aged mice model enhances, while pharmacological inhibition of CXCR3 in young mice model impairs, bacterial clearance and bone marrow structure.

Conclusions

These findings demonstrate that bone marrow monocytes act as a critical promotor of innate immune response via the CXLCL9/10-CXCR3 axis upon S. aureus infection, and that the increased susceptibility to S. aureus infection in skeleton in an aged host may be largely attributable to the declined induction of CXCR9/10 in monocytes.
GPR116 alleviates acetaminophen-induced liver injury in mice by inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress
Authors: Xiang Qian , Li Na , Zhang Yan , Wang Ting , Wang Ying , Bian Jinjun
Published: July 2024

Background

Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose is a significant contributor to drug-induced liver injury worldwide. G-protein–coupled receptor 116 (GPR116) is an important homeostatic maintenance molecule in the body, but little is known about its role in APAP-induced liver injury (AILI).

Methods

GPR116 expression was determined in both human and mouse AILI models. Hepatic function and damage response were analyzed in hepatocyte-specific GPR116 deletion (GPR116△HC) mice undergoing APAP challenge. RNA-sequencing, immunofluorescence confocal, and co-immunoprecipitation (CO-IP) were employed to elucidate the impact and underlying mechanisms of GPR116 in AILI.

Results

Intrahepatic GPR116 was upregulated in human and mice with AILI. GPR116△HC mice were vulnerable to AILI compared to wild-type mice. Overexpression of GPR116 effectively mitigated AILI in wild-type mice and counteracted the heightened susceptibility of GPR116△HC mice to APAP. Mechanistically, GPR116 inhibits the binding immunoglobulin protein (BiP), a critical regulator of ER function, through its interaction with β-arrestin1, thereby mitigating ER stress during the early stage of AILI. Additionally, the activation of GPR116 by ligand FNDC4 has been shown to confer a protective effect against early hepatotoxicity caused by APAP in murine model.

Conclusions

Upregulation of GPR116 on hepatocytes inhibits ER stress by binding to β-arrestin1, protecting mice from APAP-induced hepatotoxicity. GPR116 may serve as a promising therapeutic target for AILI.
On a Characterization of the Logarithmic Mean
Authors: Nadhomi Timothy , Sablik Maciej , Sikorska Justyna
Published: July 2024

In the present note we are interested in proving the counterpart of the (right-hand side of the) celebrated Hermite–Hadamard inequality for $$\varphi $$
φ
-convex functions. In particular, we prove that the only $$\varphi $$
φ
-convex function for which the Hermite–Hadamard inequality holds with the Lagrangian mean on the right-hand side is (up to an affine transformation) the $$\log $$
log
-convex function.
A spectral collocation scheme for the flow of a piezo-viscous fluid in ducts with slip conditions
Authors: Fusi Lorenzo , Giovinetto Antonio
Published: July 2024

In this paper we present a numerical scheme based on spectral collocation methods to investigate the flow of a piezo-viscous fluid, i.e., a fluid in which the rheological parameters depend on the pressure. In particular, we consider an incompressible Navier–Stokes fluid with pressure dependent viscosity flowing in: (i) a two-dimensional non-symmetric planar channel; (ii) a three-dimensional axisymmetric non-straight conduit. For both cases we impose the Navier slip boundary conditions that can be reduced to the classical no-slip condition for a proper choice of the slip parameter. We assume that the dependence of the viscosity on the pressure is of exponential type (Barus law), even though the model can be replaced by any other viscosity function. We write the mathematical problem (stress based formulation) and discretize the governing equations through a spectral collocation scheme. The advantage of this numerical procedure, which to the authors’ knowledge has never been used before for this class of fluids, lies in in the ease of implementation and in the accuracy of the solution. To validate our model we compare the numerical solution with the one that can be obtained in the case of small aspect ratio, i.e., the leading order lubrication solution. We perform some numerical simulation to investigate the effects of the pressure-dependent viscosity on the flow. We consider different wall functions to gain insight also on the role played by the channel/duct geometry. In both cases (i), (ii) we find that the increase of the coefficient appearing in the viscosity function results in a global reduction of the flow, as physically expected.
Is Vaginal Laxity Associated with Vaginal Parity and Mode of Delivery?
Authors: Mustafa-Mikhail Susana , Gillor Moshe , Francis Yara Nakhleh , Dietz Hans Peter
Published: July 2024

Introduction and Hypothesis

Vaginal laxity (VL) is a common symptom of pelvic floor dysfunction. Although VL has become a frequent topic for research in the last decade, its pathogenesis is still not well understood. The objective was to determine whether vaginal parity or mode of delivery is associated with vaginal laxity.

Methods

This was a retrospective observational study involving women seen in a tertiary urogynecology clinic between May 2016 and November 2018 with symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction. Patients underwent a standardized interview, clinical examination (POP-Q), and four-dimensional (4D) pelvic floor ultrasound (PFUS). Data regarding vaginal parity and the mode of delivery were based on patient-reported information. Archived 4D-PFUS volumes were analyzed offline to evaluate levator hiatal area on Valsalva.

Results

Data from 1,051 patients were analyzed. VL was reported by 236 women (23%) who were younger on average (mean age 54 vs 59 years, p < 0.001) and less likely to be menopausal (530 out of 815 [65.0%] vs.129 out of 236 [54.7%]), p = 0.004]. Symptoms of prolapse were much more common in the VL group (214 out of 236 [91%] vs 316 out of 815 [39%], p =  < 0.001) and on imaging mean levator hiatal area (HA) on Valsalva was larger (31 vs 26 cm2, p = 0.01). Vaginal parity was associated with VL symptoms (235 out of 236 [99%] vs 767 out of 815 [94%], p = 0.008), but neither VL prevalence nor bother increased with higher parity. Women who delivered vaginally were three times more likely to complain of VL than those who delivered only by cesarean section.

Conclusions

Vaginal laxity was found to be more prevalent in vaginally parous women. This effect seems to be largely attributable to the first delivery. Instrumental delivery was not shown to increase association with VL compared with normal vaginal delivery.
Association Between Physical Activity and Pelvic Floor Disorders in Parous Ugandan Women
Authors: Fleecs Julia Diane , Ngobi Michael Derrick , Kiweewa Flavia Matovu , Vemulapalli Ramya , Jensen JaNiese Elizabeth , Steffen Haley Alaine , Wendt Linder Hagstrom , Jackson Jay Brooks , Kenne Kimberly Ann
Published: July 2024

Introduction and Hypothesis

The aim was to assess the association between the degree of physical activity (PA) and the presence of pelvic floor disorders (PFDs) in a cohort of parous Ugandan women.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, PFDs were measured using symptom assessment, standardized questionnaires (Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory and Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire), and a standardized physical examination (POP-Q and cough stress test [CST]). Degree of PA was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Interquartile ranges were used to describe the age, parity, and body mass index (BMI) of participants. To examine the association between PA and PFDs, a log transformation was applied to the weekly minutes of PA variable and a logistic regression model was constructed with weekly minutes of moderate/vigorous PA, age, BMI, and parity as the predictors.

Results

A total of 159 women were enrolled. Median age was 35 (IQR 32–37), median parity 4 (IQR 3–5), and median BMI 29.0 (IQR 24–33). The prevalence of PFD as determined by symptom assessment was 28% (n=44). The most frequent stage of prolapse identified by POP-Q was stage II (57%, n=91). Thirty-six percent of the women (n=58) reported vigorous PA. Ninety-nine percent of the cohort (n=158) reported moderate PA. When controlling for age, parity, and BMI there was a significant positive association between PFD (defined as a combination of stage II prolapse, positive CST, and urinary incontinence (UI)) and moderate PA (OR 2.20, 95% CI 1.08–5.14, p value 0.045).

Conclusions

Pelvic floor disorders are common among parous Ugandan women and are associated with moderate PA when controlling for age, BMI, and parity. Understanding the risk factors associated with PFD in this population may better equip providers to screen and care for individuals.
Comparable foraging effort and habitat use between two geographically proximate tropical seabird colonies
Authors: Trevail Alice M. , Vallocchia Sonia , Nicoll Malcolm A. C. , Carr Peter , Votier Stephen C. , Wood Hannah , Freeman Robin
Published: July 2024

Effective seabird conservation requires understanding their marine spatial ecology. Tracking can reveal details of their foraging ecology and habitat use, as well as the suitability of marine protected areas for at-sea conservation, but results are often regionally specific. Here we characterised the foraging behaviour of tropical breeding brown boobies Sula leucogaster in the Chagos Archipelago, Western Indian Ocean, and tested habitat requirements. GPS tracking of thirteen individuals from two colonies, located 142 km apart on the same atoll (Great Chagos Bank), showed similar foraging effort and habitat preferences despite differences in season and breeding stage. Brown boobies from both tracked populations foraged close to the colony along the atoll shelf edge, avoiding deep oceanic areas and shallow waters of the Great Chagos Bank atoll, but within the Chagos Archipelago Marine Protected Area. Sea-level height anomaly and sea surface temperature were important foraging predictors at both sites, although birds experienced distinct environmental conditions between colonies. These results suggest that while brown boobies have colony-specific at-sea foraging areas, similarities in habitat drivers of distribution and foraging behaviour can inform predictions of distributions at other colonies within the archipelago, with important benefits for at-sea conservation efforts.
Interatrial Communications: Prevalence and Subtypes in 12,385 Newborns–a Copenhagen Baby Heart Study
Authors: Blixenkrone-Møller Elisabeth , Dannesbo Sofie , Dehn Anna Maria , Pihl Christian A. , Sillesen Anne-Sophie , Vøgg R. Ottilia B. , Raja Anna Axelsson , Colan Steven , Mertens Luc , Vejlstrup Niels , Bundgaard Henning , Iversen Kasper
Published: July 2024

The prevalence of interatrial communications in newborns, i.e., patent foramen ovale or atrial septal defect, was previously reported to be between 24 and 92%, but the area has been impeded by lack of a universal classification method. A recently published novel echocardiographic diagnostic algorithm for systematic classification of interatrial communications had inter-and intraobserver agreements superior to standard expert assessment. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of subtypes of interatrial communications on transthoracic echocardiography in newborns. Echocardiograms of newborns aged 0–30 days were prospectively collected in the population-based cohort study Copenhagen Baby Heart Study in 2017–2018 and analyzed according to the new diagnostic algorithm, classifying interatrial communications into three subtypes of patent foramen ovale and three subtypes of atrial septal defects. Echocardiograms from 15,801 newborns were analyzed; 3416 (21.6%) were excluded due to suboptimal image quality or severe structural heart disease (n = 3), leaving 12,385 newborns (aged 12 [interquartile range 8; 15] days, 48.2% female) included in the study. An interatrial communication was detected in 9766 (78.9%) newborns. According to the algorithm, 9029 (72.9%) had a patent foramen ovale, while 737 (6.0%) fulfilled criteria for an atrial septal defect, further divided into subtypes. An interatrial communication was seen on echocardiography in almost 80% of newborns aged 0–30 days. Patent foramen ovale was 12 times more frequent than atrial septal defects. The observed prevalence of atrial septal defects was higher than previously reported. Follow up studies could distinguish which interatrial communications require follow-up or intervention. ClinicalTrial.gov, NCT02753348, posted April 27, 2016, [https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02753348].
Immune challenge reduces begging effort and modifies begging call structure in spotless starling nestlings
Authors: Parejo-Pulido Daniel , Redondo Tomás , Pérez-Rodríguez Lorenzo
Published: July 2024

Symptoms of illness offer insights into an organism’s condition, altering social signals that affect others’ behavior. Nestling birds employ begging signals to solicit parental care, but the extent to which begging reflects nestling health beyond hunger remains controversial. We investigated how experimentally induced changes in health affect begging signals in spotless starling (Sturnus unicolor) nestlings. To alter health status, we challenged nestlings by injecting lipopolysaccharide (LPS) -an antigen that elicits an immune response- or a control substance (PBS) and observed begging behavior under controlled food deprivation conditions. LPS-treated nestlings exhibited delayed gaping, reduced stretching, and less begging time compared to control nestlings. Moreover, LPS-treated nestlings produced calls with higher spectral entropy, particularly when deprived of food for longer. Our findings indicate that begging signals are sensitive to induced sickness. However, addressing mechanistic issues is crucial for effectively testing whether begging reflects nestling condition as a signal of quality in future experimental setups.
Ferroptosis – a potential feature underlying neratinib-induced colonic epithelial injury
Authors: Nguyen Triet P. M. , Woods Susan L. , Secombe Kate R. , Tang Simon , Elz Aurelia S. , Ayton Scott , Finnie John , Nagpal Aadya , Pouliot Normand , Bowen Joanne M.
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Neratinib, a small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) that irreversibly binds to human epidermal growth factor receptors 1, 2 and 4 (HER1/2/4), is an approved extended adjuvant therapy for patients with HER2-amplified or -overexpressed (HER2-positive) breast cancers. Patients receiving neratinib may experience mild-to-severe symptoms of gut toxicity including abdominal pain and diarrhoea. Despite being a highly prevalent complication in gut health, the biological processes underlying neratinib-induced gut injury, especially in the colon, remains unclear.

Methods

Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and histology were integrated to study the effect of, and type of cell death induced by neratinib on colonic tissues collected from female Albino Wistar rats dosed with neratinib (50 mg/kg) daily for 28 days. Additionally, previously published bulk RNA-sequencing and CRISPR-screening datasets on human glioblastoma SF268 cell line and glioblastoma T895 xenograft, and mouse TBCP1 breast cancer cell line were leveraged to elucidate potential mechanisms of neratinib-induced cell death.

Results

The severity of colonic epithelial injury, especially degeneration of surface lining colonocytes and infiltration of immune cells, was more pronounced in the distal colon than the proximal colon. Sequencing showed that apoptotic gene signature was enriched in neratinib-treated SF268 cells while ferroptotic gene signature was enriched in neratinib-treated TBCP1 cells and T895 xenograft. However, we found that ferroptosis, but less likely apoptosis, was a potential histopathological feature underlying colonic injury in rats treated with neratinib.

Conclusion

Ferroptosis is a potential feature of neratinib-induced colonic injury and that targeting molecular machinery governing neratinib-induced ferroptosis may represent an attractive therapeutic approach to ameliorate symptoms of gut toxicity.
Characterization of Crystals in Ciliate Paramecium bursaria Harboring Endosymbiotic Chlorella variabilis
Authors: Kodama Yuuki , Kitatani Ayasa , Morita Yuriko
Published: July 2024

Protists, including ciliates retain crystals in their cytoplasm. However, their functions and properties remain unclear. To comparatively analyze the crystals of Paramecium bursaria, a ciliate, associated with and without the endosymbiotic Chlorella variabilis, we investigated the isolated crystals using a light microscope and analyzed their length and solubility. A negligible number of crystals was found in P. bursaria cells harboring symbiotic algae. The average crystal length in alga-free and algae-reduced cells was about 6.8 μm and 14.4 μm, respectively. The crystals of alga-free cells were spherical, whereas those of algae-reduced cells were angular in shape. The crystals of alga-free cells immediately dissolved in acids and bases, but not in water or organic solvents, and were stable at – 20 °C for more than 3 weeks. This study, for the first time, reveals that the characteristics of crystals present in the cytoplasm of P. bursaria vary greatly depending on the amount of symbiotic algae.
Impact and effect of imaging referral guidelines on patients and radiology services: a systematic review
Authors: Tay Yi Xiang , Foley Shane , Killeen Ronan , Ong Marcus E. H. , Chen Robert Chun , Chan Lai Peng , Mak May San , McNulty Jonathan P.
Published: July 2024

Objectives

The objective of this systematic review was to offer a comprehensive overview and explore the associated outcomes from imaging referral guidelines on various key stakeholders, such as patients and radiologists.

Materials and methods

An electronic database search was conducted in Medline, Embase and Web of Science to retrieve citations published between 2013 and 2023. The search was constructed using medical subject headings and keywords. Only full-text articles and reviews written in English were included. The quality of the included papers was assessed using the mixed methods appraisal tool. A narrative synthesis was undertaken for the selected articles.

Results

The search yielded 4384 records. Following the abstract, full-text screening, and removal of duplication, 31 studies of varying levels of quality were included in the final analysis. Imaging referral guidelines from the American College of Radiology were most commonly used. Clinical decision support systems were the most evaluated mode of intervention, either integrated or standalone. Interventions showed reduced patient radiation doses and waiting times for imaging. There was a general reduction in radiology workload and utilisation of diagnostic imaging. Low-value imaging utilisation decreased with an increase in the appropriateness of imaging referrals and ratings and cost savings. Clinical effectiveness was maintained during the intervention period without notable adverse consequences.

Conclusion

Using evidence-based imaging referral guidelines improves the quality of healthcare and outcomes while reducing healthcare costs. Imaging referral guidelines are one essential component of improving the value of radiology in the healthcare system.

Clinical relevance statement

There is a need for broader dissemination of imaging referral guidelines to healthcare providers globally in tandem with the harmonisation of the application of these guidelines to improve the overall value of radiology within the healthcare system.

Key Points

The application of imaging referral guidelines has an impact and effect on patients, radiologists, and health policymakers.

The adoption of imaging referral guidelines in clinical practice can impact healthcare costs and improve healthcare quality and outcomes.

Implementing imaging referral guidelines contributes to the attainment of value-based radiology.
Soil effects on the plant growth inhibitory activity of S-abscisic acid
Authors: Muñoz-Muñoz María del Valle , López-Cabeza Rocío , Gámiz Beatriz , Celis Rafael
Published: July 2024

The use of natural plant growth regulators (PGRs) as ecofriendly agrochemicals is gaining much attention, but the fate of these compounds once they enter the soil environment is poorly understood. In this work, we compared the plant growth inhibitory activity of the phytohormone S-abscisic acid (S-ABA) in the presence of three soils with that observed in soilless (Petri dish) conditions and related the differences in activity to the sorption and dissipation processes of the phytohormone in the soils. In Petri dishes, S-ABA inhibited the germination of Eruca sativa, Allium porrum, Lactuca sativa, and Hordeum vulgare with mean inhibitory concentration values (IC50) in the range of 0.5–8.2 mg/L. Eruca sativa was selected for subsequent studies based on its high sensitivity to S-ABA (IC50 = 0.5 mg/L). The inhibition of germination of E. sativa by S-ABA was fully reversible at a low phytohormone concentration (5 mg/L) and partially reversible at a higher phytohormone concentration (60 mg/L). S-ABA also inhibited the growth of pre-germinated seedlings of E. sativa, albeit at higher concentrations than those at which it inhibited germination. The three soils used in the study weakened the inhibitory activity of S-ABA by soil factors in the range of 0.008–0.380. As S-ABA displayed low or even negative sorption in the soils tested, the decrease in the activity of S-ABA was attributed to its biodegradation in the soils, rather than to a decrease in its bioavailability due to sorption. Despite the reduction in the activity of S-ABA observed in the presence of the soils, the phytohormone still expressed its activity at quite low soil concentrations (0.3–20 mg/kg), showing higher activity in soils where the compound degraded more slowly.
Safety evaluation of outpatient vs inpatient unicompartmental knee arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhu Jia-Wang , Wang Tong-Fu , Chen De-Sheng , Lei Lei
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the safety of outpatient and inpatient Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty (UKA) based on the incidence of adverse events.

Method

A systematic search of the literature was performed in October 2022 on PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane library, and Embase. The Meta package for R was used to perform the meta-analysis.

Result

Five studies with a total of 26,301 patients were included. 5813 patients (22.1%) were treated with outpatient UKA, and 20,488 patients (77.9%) were treated with inpatient UKA. There were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of total complications (RR = 1.36, 95% CI = 0.64–2.89, Z = 0.79, P = 0.43), readmission (RR = 1.02, 95% CI = 0.40–2.60, Z = 0.05, P = 0.96), and venous thrombosis (RR = 1.43, 95% CI = 0.96–2.11, Z = 1.78, P = 0.08). Incidence rates were lower in outpatient UKA regarding urinary tract infection (RR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.07–2.04, Z = 2.40, P = 0.02), pulmonary embolus (RR = 7.48, 95% CI = 1.80–31.17, Z = 2.76, P < 0.01), and transfusion (RR = 2.77, 95% CI = 1.63–4.71, Z = 3.78, P < 0.01).

Conclusion

In summary, outpatient UKA shows lower incidences of hospital-acquired complications such urinary tract infection, pulmonary embolus, and transfusion. It's worth noting that the incidences of total complications, readmission, and venous thrombosis in outpatient UKA were not higher than the incidences of inpatient UKA, suggestting that outpatient UKA can be considered a safe alternative to inpatient UKA.
Artificial intelligence based diagnosis of sulcus: assesment of videostroboscopy via deep learning
Authors: Kavak Ömer Tarık , Gündüz Şevket , Vural Cabir , Enver Necati
Published: July 2024

Purpose

To develop a convolutional neural network (CNN)-based model for classifying videostroboscopic images of patients with sulcus, benign vocal fold (VF) lesions, and healthy VFs to improve clinicians’ accuracy in diagnosis during videostroboscopies when evaluating sulcus.

Materials and methods

Videostroboscopies of 433 individuals who were diagnosed with sulcus (91), who were diagnosed with benign VF diseases (i.e., polyp, nodule, papilloma, cyst, or pseudocyst [311]), or who were healthy (33) were analyzed. After extracting 91,159 frames from videostroboscopies, a CNN-based model was created and tested. The healthy and sulcus groups underwent binary classification. In the second phase of the study, benign VF lesions were added to the training set, and multiclassification was executed across all groups. The proposed CNN-based model results were compared with five laryngology experts’ assessments.

Results

In the binary classification phase, the CNN-based model achieved 98% accuracy, 98% recall, 97% precision, and a 97% F1 score for classifying sulcus and healthy VFs. During the multiclassification phase, when evaluated on a subset of frames encompassing all included groups, the CNN-based model demonstrated greater accuracy when compared with that of the five laryngologists (%76 versus 72%, 68%, 72%, 63%, and 72%).

Conclusion

The utilization of a CNN-based model serves as a significant aid in the diagnosis of sulcus, a VF disease that presents notable challenges in the diagnostic process. Further research could be undertaken to assess the practicality of implementing this approach in real-time application in clinical practice.
Repositioning chair treatment procedure for cupulolithiasis: case report (with video)
Authors: Legois Quentin , Molinier Charles-Edouard , Nieto Pauline , Marx Mathieu
Published: July 2024

Introduction

A cupulolithiasis of the lateral semicircular canal is an accumulation of otolithic debris at the level of the cupula of the same canal. Its pathophysiology generally generates a specific clinical presentation. This situation can be very disabling for the patient and tricky to treat for the clinician.

Case report

The patient was a 70-year-old man with cupulolithiasis of the right lateral semicircular canal. We present here the conversion of cupulolithiasis to canalolithiasis using the Thomas Richard Vitton (TRV) repositioning chair, as well as the treatment of this canalolithiasis through a mechanical liberation maneuver.

Conclusion

The results of manual therapeutic maneuvers for Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) are generally good regardless of the type of BPPV. It can sometimes be more challenging to resolve an ageotropic-type BPPV of the lateral semicircular canal and mechanically-assisted maneuvers using a repositioning chair may be required. Faced with symptom resistance despite attempts at multiple liberatory maneuvers, clinicians must be able to reconsider their initial diagnosis and investigate other potentially more serious origins of these symptoms. The TRV chair can be a treatment option in the management of cupulolithiasis, especially in cases where classic reduction maneuvers do not always yield good results.
A novel olfactory sorting task
Authors: Li Shubin , Wolter Anne , Kelly Christine , Smith Barry , Whitcroft Katie , Sherwood Harry , Longley Beth , Hummel Thomas
Published: July 2024

Background

This study aimed to develop a simple self-administered screening tool for odor memory, which allowed users to self-test their olfactory function repeatedly even at home.

Methods

One hundred and ten participants were recruited (30 men, age = 50.1 ± 9.9 years; 80 women, age = 47.1 ± 11.5 years); half of them were heathy volunteers, the other half were patients with olfactory dysfunction. Fifty-one healthy participants volunteered for a retest within an interval of a maximum of 14 days. Olfactory function was assessed using the extended Sniffin’ Sticks test (SST) comprising tests for odor threshold, identification, and discrimination. All participants received the Novel Olfactory Sorting Task (NOST) which is based on the sorting of 12 matching pairs of odors involving olfactory and cognitive functions. After that, all participants rated questions related to their test performance and the practicability of the test.

Results

Consistent with the previous literature, significant effects of age were found. Results showed an acceptable test-retest reliability and a satisfactory validity of the NOST. The NOST score not only had positive correlations with SST, but also was capable of differentiating severe hyposmia/anosmia from normosmia by the score of 5.5 (sensitivity of 76.2%, specificity of 77.6%).

Conclusion

The present study showed the good reliability, validity, and possible clinical usefulness of the NOST. As a self-performed screening test, it can be comprehended and conducted easily, which may provide a quick and simple approach to obtaining a global estimation of olfactory and cognitive functions.
Biopsy of the facial nerve in slow-onset facial palsy
Authors: Sistori Gianluca , Götting Michael , Radke Cornelia , Jungehülsing Markus
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the parotid gland typically presents as a palpable, often painless mass. Peripheral facial palsy as the only sign of malignant neoplasia is rare. In these cases, the diagnosis is regularly confirmed by radiological imaging followed by surgical exploration and biopsy. However, if there is no detection of malignant lesions and no evidence of a tumor, the reluctance to take a biopsy of an unremarkable nerve can lead to misdiagnoses.

Case report

A 40-year-old female patient without medical history presented to our clinic with a complete right-sided peripheral facial palsy that had slowly progressed for 2.5 years. All other otorhinolaryngological examination findings were within normal limits. Magnetic resonance imaging examination of the head and neck and 18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography showed unremarkable results. We proceeded with surgical exploration, which revealed no evidence of a tumor and an externally completely unremarkable facial nerve. A biopsy from the main trunk area of the nerve revealed an infiltration by a squamous cell carcinoma. Total parotidectomy with resection and reconstruction of the facial nerve and neck dissection was performed. Considering the absence of a primary tumor and other tumor formations the diagnosis of a completely regressive primary squamous cell carcinoma of the parotid gland was confirmed.

Conclusion

In conclusion, in the case of slow-onset peripheral facial palsy that persists without signs of recovery, a gadolinium-enhanced MRI should be performed. If imaging is unremarkable and there is no primary tumor detection along the course of the facial nerve, a surgical exploration with biopsy of the facial nerve is necessary.
Statistical methods for discrimination of STR genotypes using high resolution melt curve data
Authors: Cloudy Darianne C. , Boone Edward L. , Kuehnert Kristi , Smith Chastyn , Cox Jordan O. , Seashols-Williams Sarah J. , Green Tracey Dawson
Published: July 2024

Despite the improvements in forensic DNA quantification methods that allow for the early detection of low template/challenged DNA samples, complicating stochastic effects are not revealed until the final stage of the DNA analysis workflow. An assay that would provide genotyping information at the earlier stage of quantification would allow examiners to make critical adjustments prior to STR amplification allowing for potentially exclusionary information to be immediately reported. Specifically, qPCR instruments often have dissociation curve and/or high-resolution melt curve (HRM) capabilities; this, coupled with statistical prediction analysis, could provide additional information regarding STR genotypes present. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate Qiagen’s principal component analysis (PCA)-based ScreenClust® HRM® software and a linear discriminant analysis (LDA)-based technique for their abilities to accurately predict genotypes and similar groups of genotypes from HRM data. Melt curves from single source samples were generated from STR D5S818 and D18S51 amplicons using a Rotor-Gene® Q qPCR instrument and EvaGreen® intercalating dye. When used to predict D5S818 genotypes for unknown samples, LDA analysis outperformed the PCA-based method whether predictions were for individual genotypes (58.92% accuracy) or for geno-groups (81.00% accuracy). However, when a locus with increased heterogeneity was tested (D18S51), PCA-based prediction accuracy rates improved to rates similar to those obtained using LDA (45.10% and 63.46%, respectively). This study provides foundational data documenting the performance of prediction modeling for STR genotyping based on qPCR-HRM data. In order to expand the forensic applicability of this HRM assay, the method could be tested with a more commonly utilized qPCR platform.
Deep learning model based on endoscopic images predicting treatment response in locally advanced rectal cancer undergo neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy: a multicenter study
Authors: Zhang Junhao , Liu Ruiqing , Wang Xujian , Zhang Shiwei , Shao Lizhi , Liu Junheng , Zhao Jiahui , Wang Quan , Tian Jie , Lu Yun
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy has been the standard practice for patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. However, the treatment response varies greatly among individuals, how to select the optimal candidates for neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy is crucial. This study aimed to develop an endoscopic image-based deep learning model for predicting the response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer.

Methods

In this multicenter observational study, pre-treatment endoscopic images of patients from two Chinese medical centers were retrospectively obtained and a deep learning-based tumor regression model was constructed. Treatment response was evaluated based on the tumor regression grade and was defined as good response and non-good response. The prediction performance of the deep learning model was evaluated in the internal and external test sets. The main outcome was the accuracy of the treatment prediction model, measured by the AUC and accuracy.

Results

This deep learning model achieved favorable prediction performance. In the internal test set, the AUC and accuracy were 0.867 (95% CI: 0.847–0.941) and 0.836 (95% CI: 0.818–0.896), respectively. The prediction performance was fully validated in the external test set, and the model had an AUC of 0.758 (95% CI: 0.724–0.834) and an accuracy of 0.807 (95% CI: 0.774–0.843).

Conclusion

The deep learning model based on endoscopic images demonstrated exceptional predictive power for neoadjuvant treatment response, highlighting its potential for guiding personalized therapy.
LncRNA ZFAS1 regulates ATIC transcription and promotes the proliferation and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway
Authors: Luo Baoyang , Zhuang Lin , Huang Ju , Shi Longqing , Zhang Li , Zhu Maoqun , Lu Yunjie , Zhu Qiang , Sun Donglin , Wang Hao , Fang Haisheng
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) exert a significant influence on various cancer-related processes through their intricate interactions with RNAs. Among these, lncRNA ZFAS1 has been implicated in oncogenic roles in multiple cancer types. Nevertheless, the intricate biological significance and underlying mechanism of ZFAS1 in the initiation and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain largely unexplored.

Methods

Analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas Program (TCGA) database revealed a notable upregulation of lncRNA ZFAS1 in HCC tissues. To explore its function, we investigated colony formation and performed CCK-8 assays to gauge cellular proliferation and wound healing, Transwell assays to assess cellular migration, and an in vivo study employing a nude mouse model to scrutinize tumor growth and metastasis. Luciferase reporter assay was used to confirm the implicated interactions. Rescue experiments were conducted to unravel the plausible mechanism underlying the activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway by lncRNAs ZFAS1 and ATIC.

Results

ZFAS1 and ATIC were significantly upregulated in the HCC tissues and cells. ZFAS1 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation and migration. We observed a direct interaction between the lncRNA ZFAS1 and ATIC. ATIC knockdown also suppressed cell proliferation and migration. SC79, an activator of AKT, partially restores the effects of lncRNA ZFAS1/ATIC knockdown on cell proliferation and migration. Knockdown of lncRNA ZFAS1/ATIC inhibited tumor growth and lung metastasis in vivo.

Conclusion

Overall, lncRNA ZFAS1 regulates ATIC transcription and contributes to the growth and migration of HCC cells through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
Rare tumours of the pancreas: monocentric study
Authors: Bauschke Astrid , Altendorf-Hofmann Annelore , Ali-Deeb Aladdin , Ardelt Michael , Dondorf Felix , Rauchfuss Falk , Rohland Oliver , Tekbaș Aysun , Settmacher Utz
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The biology of rare pancreatic tumours, which differs from that of ductal pancreatic cancer, requires increased attention. Although the majority of rare pancreatic tumours are benign, it is difficult to decide whether an invasive component exists without complete removal of the lesion, despite considerable progress in diagnosis. We are investigating a large cohort of patients with histologically confirmed epithelial non-ductal non-neuroendocrine neoplasms of the pancreas.

Methods

Here we analyze long-term survival from patients, who underwent resection of histologically confirmed epithelial non-ductal non-neuroendocrine neoplasms of the pancreas. At our department between Jan 1st, 1999, and Dec 31st, 2019. The median follow-up was 61 (range 0–168) month. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 26.0 (IBM, Chicago, IL, USA) software.

Results

46 patients (48%) were followed up for more than 5 years, 18 patients (19%) for more than 10 years. The 5-year and 10-year survival rates for rare non-invasive pancreatic tumours were 72% and 55% respectively. The proportion of rare tumour entities (non-ductal and non-neuroendocrine) increased continuously and statistically significantly (p = 0.004) from 4.2 to 12.3% in our clinic between 1999 and 2019. If there is no invasive growth yet, there is a varying risk of malignant degeneration in the course of the disease. Therefore, the indication for pancreatic resection is still the subject of discussion.

Conclusion

The long-term prognosis of rare epithelial pancreatic tumours after R0 resection—even if they are already malignant—is much better than that of ductal pancreatic cancer.
Second order necessary condition for a strong minimum in the classical problem of calculus of variations
Authors: Ioffe A. D.
Published: July 2024

The paper offers a second order necessary condition for a strong minimum in the standard problem of calculus of variations. No idea of such a result seems to have appeared in the classical theory. But a simple example given in the paper shows that the condition can work when all known conditions fail. At the same time, the proof of the proposition is fairly simple. It is also explained in the paper that the condition effectively works only for problems with integrands not convex with respect to the last (derivative) argument.