bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Leveraging machine learning and rule extraction for enhanced transparency in emergency department length of stay prediction
Authors: Sulaiman Waqar A. , Stylianides Charithea , Nikolaou Andria , Antoniou Zinonas , Constantinou Ioannis , Palazis Lakis , Vavlitou Anna , Kyprianou Theodoros , Kyriacou Efthyvoulos , Kakas Antonis , Pattichis Marios S. , Panayides Andreas S. , Pattichis Constantinos S.
Published: February 2025

This study aims to address the critical issue of emergency department (ED) overcrowding, which negatively affects patient outcomes, wait times, and resource efficiency. Accurate prediction of ED length of stay (LOS) can streamline operations and improve care delivery. We utilized the MIMIC IV-ED dataset, comprising over 400,000 patient records, to classify ED LOS into short (≤4.5 hours) and long (>4.5 hours) categories. Using machine learning models, including Gradient Boosting (GB), Random Forest (RF), Logistic Regression (LR), and Multilayer Perceptron (MLP), we identified GB as the best performing model outperforming the other models with an AUC of 0.730, accuracy of 69.93%, sensitivity of 88.20%, and specificity of 40.95% on the original dataset. In the balanced dataset, GB had an AUC of 0.729, accuracy of 68.86%, sensitivity of 75.39%, and specificity of 58.59%. To enhance interpretability, a novel rule extraction method for GB model was implemented using relevant important predictors, such as triage acuity, comorbidity scores, and arrival methods. By combining predictive analytics with interpretable rule-based methods, this research provides actionable insights for optimizing patient flow and resource allocation. The findings highlight the importance of transparency in machine learning applications for healthcare, paving the way for future improvements in model performance and clinical adoption.
Screen exposure, sleep quality, and language development in 6-month-old infants
Authors: Sanchez-Bravo Dayanara , Sandre Aislinn , Amarante Melina , Wiltshire Cynthia A. , Noble Kimberly G.
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Screen time can have important ramifications for children's development and health. Children exposed to greater screen time score lower on assessments of language development and tend to sleep less. However, most studies examining associations among screen time, language development, and sleep quality have focused on older children and/or have relied on subjective assessments of screen time exposure (i.e., parent report). The current study examined whether screen exposure, assessed via both maternal-report questionnaires and in-home audio recordings, was associated with differences in language development and sleep quality in infants at ~6 months of age (N = 187).

Methods

Mothers completed questionnaires to assess infant screen exposure, language production, and sleep quality, as well as family socioeconomic and demographic factors. The Language Environment Analysis (LENA) recorder was used to measure home screen use and the language environment.

Results

Higher family income and higher maternal education were associated with less infant screen time, as assessed by both maternal report and in-home LENA recordings. Neither measure of infant screen exposure was significantly associated with the home language environment, maternally-reported infant language production, or infant sleep quality. Maternally-reported screen exposure showed a small but significant positive correlation with LENA-derived screen exposure.

Discussion

We find no detectable association between screen exposure and differences in maternally reported language development or sleep quality in the first 6 months of life. Future studies will be needed to examine associations among screen time and subsequent infant development and health outcomes.
The dynamics of lowland river sections of Danube and Tisza in the Carpathian basin
Authors: Jánosi Imre M. , Zsuffa István , Bíró Tibor , Lakatos Boglárka O. , Szöllősi-Nagy András , Hetesi Zsolt
Published: February 2025

The paper presents a detailed statistical analysis of data from 41 hydrometric stations along the Danube (section in the Carpathian Basin) and its longest tributary, the Tisza River. Most records cover 2–3 decades with an automated high temporal sampling frequency (15 min), and a few span 120 years with daily or half-daily records. The temporal sampling is not even and exhibits strong irregularities. The paper demonstrates that cubic spline fits and down-sampling (where necessary) produce reliable, evenly sampled time series that smoothly reconstruct water level and river discharge data. Almost all the water level and discharge records indicate a decadal decreasing trend for annual maximum values. The timing (day of the year) for annual maxima and minima is evaluated. While minimum values do not show coherent tendencies, annual maxima exhibit increasing trends for the Tisza but decreasing trends for the Danube (earlier onset). Various possibilities for the explanations of these observations are listed. The empirical histograms for half-daily water level changes can be well-fitted by piecewise-exponential functions containing four or three sections, consistent with the understanding that level changes are deterministic rather than stochastic processes, as is well known in hydrology. Such statistical tests can serve as benchmarks for modeling water levels and discharges. Extracted periods by the Lomb-Scargle algorithm (suitable for unevenly sampled time series) and the long-time means indicate the expected annual seasonality. Resampled time series (1-hour frequency) were evaluated by standard Fourier and Welch procedures, revealing some secondary peaks in the spectra indicating quasi-periodic components in the signals. Further significance tests are in progress, along with attempts at explanations. Secondary peaks may indicate environmental changes, the future investigation of which could reveal important correlations.
The contribution of narrative drawing in early literacy
Authors: Pitri Eliza , Michaelidou Antonia
Published: February 2025

In literate societies of the 21st century, written language plays a crucial role in both the professional and social life of individuals. Consequently, educational reforms emphasize the development of literacy skills in children. The ability to read and comprehend text is fundamental for individuals to fully engage and succeed in social contexts. Existing research supports that reading and writing are active cognitive processes essential for understanding and producing messages, and that there is a direct connection between children’s drawing and speech. Based on the above, a descriptive case study took place to look for evidence and provide examples of how a preschool child’s narrative drawings relate to early literacy skills. Narrative drawings are defined as sketches that are accompanied by a story told by a child while drawing or when presenting the final artwork. This study analyzed 35 narrative drawings, produced by a child between her four-and-a half and fifth year of age. The accompanying stories were recorded and transcribed for analysis purposes. Qualitative content analysis of both the drawings and the transcribed narratives provided evidence that narrative drawing promotes children’s reading readiness and offers opportunities for early literacy development.
Mosquito fauna (Diptera: Culicidae) in phytotelmata environments of the Guapiaçu Ecological Reserve, Cachoeiras de Macacu, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Authors: de Almeida Nathália Menezes , Dias Rayane Ferreira , Alves Dálete Cássia Vieira , Machado Sergio Lisboa , Silva Júlia dos Santos , de Mello Cecilia Ferreira , Alencar Jeronimo
Published: February 2025

Introduction

Phytotelmata are plant structures that collect and retain water, serving as natural larval habitats. Certain species of culicids utilize these water-holding structures for larval development, playing a crucial role in water retention and nutriente cycling, which benefits resident fauna in tropical forests, such as the Atlantic Forest. This study aimed to characterize the taxonomic composition, diversity, species richness, and abundance of mosquitoes within three types of phytotelmata in an Atlantic Forest remnant.

Methods

Monthly monitoring of mosquito populations was conducted over one year, from March 2023 to February 2024, considering abiotic factors such as temperature, pH, and rainfall, which can influence mosquito larval growth and abundance. Sampling occurred in selected phytotelm habitats along trails within the study area.

Results

A total of 2,672 culicid specimens were collected, representing 11 genera and 29 species. The most abundant species were Wyeomyia artrostigma, Culex pleuristriatus, and Onirion personatum. Bamboo internodes yielded the highest abundance of specimens (67.4%), followed by bromeliads (30.7%) and buttress roots (1.9%). This distribution pattern may be due to the varying suitability of diferente phytotelmata as larval habitats, with bamboo internodes providing more favorable environmental conditions for larval survival. Among types of phytotelmata, bamboo internodes had the highest species richness (22 species) and the largest total number of specimens, highlighting this habitat’s importance for the development of many mosquito species. In contrast, buttress roots, despite having fewer specimens, showed the greatest diversity and evenness, indicating a balanced species distribution within this habitat. Kruskal-Wallis analysis revealed significant differences in species abundance among the types of phytotelmata evaluated, suggesting that mosquito population composition and abundance are habitat-dependent.

Discussion

These results support the idea that different phytotelmata offer distinct ecological conditions, influencing the occurrence and development of culicid populations. Notable among the species collected were Aedes albopictus and Haemagogus leucocelaenus, known vectors of human pathogens. This study provides valuable insights into the mosquito fauna associated with phytotelmata in an Atlantic Forest remnant, contributing to our understanding of the diversity and ecological dynamics of these environments. Our findings also have public health implications, demonstrating the presence of vector species in a natural habitat, which could inform future research and disease control strategies.
Unique gating strategy identifier based on the Prime Population System and Gödel Numbers
Authors: Cosma Antonio
Published: February 2025

Gating is a fundamental and essential process in cytometry data analysis since it defines cell types of interest. Currently, there is no universally accepted method for representing and sharing gating strategies among software, publications, and repositories. I propose using the Prime Population system combined with a modified version of Gödel Numbers to identify any gating strategy uniquely. The Prime Population System is first used to identify gates on bivariate plots; successively, Gödel Numbers are used to set the sequence of the hierarchical gating strategy. The process results are unique identifiers for any existing and future gating strategy. The unique identifiers hold since according to the fundamental theorem of arithmetic, every natural number other than one either is a prime or is a product of prime numbers, and every nonprime number can be factored into a product of prime in only one way. This method represents a further step towards the arithmetization of cytometry metadata.
CD21low B cells reveal a unique glycosylation pattern with hypersialylation and hyperfucosylation
Authors: Felixberger Peter Tobias , Andrieux Geoffroy , Maul-Pavicic Andrea , Goldacker Sigune , Harder Ina , Gutenberger Sylvia , Landry Jonathan J. M. , Benes Vladimir , Jakob Till Fabian , Boerries Melanie , Nitschke Lars , Voll Reinhard Edmund , Warnatz Klaus , Keller Baerbel
Published: February 2025

Background

The posttranslational modification of cellular macromolecules by glycosylation is considered to contribute to disease pathogenesis in autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. In a subgroup of patients with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), the occurrence of such complications is associated with an expansion of naïve-like CD21low B cells during a chronic type 1 immune activation. The glycosylation pattern of B cells in CVID patients has not been addressed to date.

Objective

The objective of this study was to examine the surface glycome of B cells in patients with CVID and associated immune dysregulation.

Methods

We performed surface lectin staining on B cells from peripheral blood and tonsils, both ex vivo and after in vitro stimulation. Additionally, we examined the expression of glycosylation-related genes by RNAseq in naïve-like CD21low B cells ex vivo, as well as in naïve CD21pos B cells from healthy controls after in vitro stimulation.

Results

Unlike CD21pos B cells, naïve-like CD21low B cells from CVID patients and CD21low B cells from healthy controls exhibited a unique glycosylation pattern with high levels of α2,6 sialic acids and fucose. This hypersialylation and hyperfucosylation were particularly induced by activation with anti-IgM and interferon-γ (IFN-γ). Transcriptome analysis suggested that naïve-like CD21low B cells possess a comprehensively reorganised glycosylation machinery, with anti-IgM/IFN-γ having the potential to initiate these changes in vitro.

Conclusion

CD21low B cells are hypersialylated and hyperfucosylated. This may implicate altered lectin-ligand interactions on the cell surface potentially affecting the CD21low B-cell function. These glycome changes appear to be driven by the prominent type I immune response in complicated CVID patients. A better understanding of how altered glycosylation influences immune cell function could lead to new therapeutic strategies.
Alpha-defensins increase NTHi binding but not engulfment by the macrophages enhancing airway inflammation in Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
Authors: Lee Jungnam , Mohammad Naweed , Han Kyudong , Flagg-Dowie Tammy , Magallon Maria , Brantly Mark L. , Serban Karina A.
Published: February 2025

Neutrophilic inflammation and a high level of free α-defensins are main features of chronic airway inflammation in alpha-1 antitrypsin-deficient (AATD) individuals. Despite the antimicrobial activities of α-defensins by direct bacterial killing and by modulation of immune responses, AATD individuals are paradoxically burdened by recurrent exacerbation triggered by bacterial infections, frequently with nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi). Previous studies demonstrated that high, rather than low α-defensin level could modulate the local pro-inflammatory milieu of bronchial epithelial cells and macrophages promoting chronic inflammation and lower pathogen phagocytosis. IgG-mediated phagocytosis and NTHi adherence, engulfment and phagocytosis were measured in human alveolar macrophages and monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) isolated from patients with AATD and from healthy individuals. A high concentration of free α-defensins induced NTHi adherence to MDMs but decreased IgG-mediated phagocytosis by MDMs. The decreased phagocytosis was associated with TLR4 activation, downstream signaling via NF-κB p65 and marked increased secretion of inflammatory cytokines, CXCL8, IL-1b, and TNFα by the α-defensin-treated and NTHi-infected MDMs. Exogenous AAT treatment and TLR4 inhibitor decreased TNFα expression in α-defensin-treated cells. Dampening the downstream effects of a high concentration of α-defensins may render AAT and TLR4 inhibitors as potential therapies to decrease NTHi colonization and increase its clearance by phagocytosis in AATD individuals.
Case report: Patients with positive HER-2 amplification locally advanced gastroesophageal junction cancer achieved pathologic complete response with the addition of pembrolizumab to chemotherapy plus trastuzumab as neoadjuvant therapy
Authors: Li Huanhuan , Ren Chao , Cui Donghai , Wu Tao , Nie Zhiyong
Published: February 2025

Background

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER-2) is the most prominent therapeutic target for gastric (G)/gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancer. Guidelines recommend its use for treating G/GEJ cancers. However, targeted therapy did not significantly improve survival outcomes compared to those with neoadjuvant therapy. The KEYNOTE-811 trial revealed an improved objective response rate (74% vs. 52%; P=.0001) and median duration of response (10.6 vs 9.5 months) with the addition of pembrolizumab (PD-1) to chemotherapy plus trastuzumab compared to that with the addition of placebo in patients with HER-2 overexpression-positive advanced adenocarcinoma. Therefore, addition of PD-1 to chemotherapy plus trastuzumab may lead to a better response in patients with G/GEJ cancer.

Case presentation

A 66-year-old man was diagnosed with stage III GEJ adenocarcinoma with celiac lymph node metastasis. Immunohistochemical results indicated HER-2(3+) and PD-L1 CPS=5. The patient received three cycles of pembrolizumab plus trastuzumab and chemotherapy preoperatively and underwent radical surgery on November 22, 2022.

Conclusion

Patients with HER-2-positive locally advanced GEJ cancers received PD-1 immunotherapy combined with trastuzumab and neoadjuvant chemotherapy and achieved a complete pathological response. Hence, it is a novel, highly specific, and potent therapeutic option for HER-2-positive patients and should henceforth be considered as a new treatment approach.
Cross-modal matching of monosyllabic and bisyllabic items varying in phonotactic probability and lexicality
Authors: Sanchez Kauyumari
Published: February 2025

In two experiments, English words and non-words varying in phonotactic probability were cross-modally compared in an AB matching task. Participants were presented with either visual-only (V) speech (a talker's speaking face) or auditory-only (A) speech (a talker's voice) in the A position. Stimuli in the B position were of the opposing modality (counterbalanced). Experiment 1 employed monosyllabic items, while experiment 2 employed bisyllabic items. Accuracy measures for experiment 1 revealed main effects for phonotactic probability and presentation order (A-V vs. V-A), while experiment 2 revealed main effects for lexicality and presentation order. Reaction time measures for experiment 1 revealed an interaction between probability and lexicality, with a main effect for presentation order. Reaction time measures for experiment 2 revealed two 2-way interactions: probability and lexicality and probability and presentation order, with significant main effects. Overall, the data suggests that (1) cross-modal research can be conducted with various presentation orders, (2) perception is guided by the most predictive components of a stimulus, and (3) more complex stimuli can support the results from experiments using simpler stimuli, but can also uncover new information.
Intelligent diagnosis and prediction of pregnancy induced hypertension in obstetrics and gynecology teaching by integrating GA
Authors: Li Xiaolan , Kang Fen , Li Xiaojing
Published: February 2025

Title

Advanced Diagnosis and Forecasting of Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension in Obstetrics and Gynecology Education through the Integration of Genetic Algorithms.

Background

Pregnancy-induced hypertension represents a critical issue within the fields of obstetrics and gynecology, where precise diagnosis and forecasting are essential for effective management. The potential for misdiagnosis, often stemming from the inexperience of healthcare professionals, underscores the necessity for an advanced diagnostic system.

Methods

This research introduces an innovative sampling and feature selection technique grounded in F-scores optimization, alongside the development of a comprehensive prediction model that integrates genetic algorithms with various heterogeneous learners. The objective of this model is to maximize the utility of medical data and enhance treatment quality.

Results

The refined intelligent feature selection approach identified several significant indicators of pregnancy-related hypertension, such as phosphor dehydrogenase deficiency, body mass index, gestational urinary proteins, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1, placental growth factor, thalassemia, and a familial history of diabetes mellitus or hypertension. The model achieved superior performance metrics, including the highest recall (0.768), F-score (0.728), and area under the curve (0.832) when compared to other prevalent models. Furthermore, the area under the curve for both early and late clinical assessments reached peak values of 0.996 and 0.792, respectively, when evaluated using the ratio of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 to placental growth factor.

Conclusion

The intelligent diagnosis and prediction methodology for gestational hypertension proposed in this study exhibited remarkable efficacy and holds significant promise for implementation in both educational and clinical settings within obstetrics and gynecology, thereby advancing intelligent medical diagnostics in China.
Case report: Lobular capillary hemangioma of the right main bronchus: a rare case with calcified and cystic lymph nodes
Authors: Chen Xu-ping , Zeng Jia , Zhang Wei , Wu Peng , Zhao Yan-ling , Li Zhi-shu , Shen Ling , He Shi-xu
Published: February 2025

Lobular capillary hemangioma (LCH), typically a benign vasoproliferative lesion of the skin or mucosal surfaces, is exceptionally rare in the trachea. Now, we present the second reported case of LCH found in the right intermediate bronchus, characterized by calcification within the lesion and cystic changes. These distinctive features should alert clinicians to consider LCH in the differential diagnosis of other benign vascular tumors and mediastinal lymphadenopathy, particularly when calcified and cystic lesions are observed.
Misdiagnosis of Herlyn–Werner–Wunderlich syndrome combined with pelvic mesothelial cyst: a case report
Authors: Li Jinrong , Duan Qiong , Long Na , Ji Fengming , Hang Yu , Yang Zhen , Xie Yucheng , Zhanghuang Chenghao , Yan Bing
Published: February 2025

Herlyn–Werner–Wunderlich syndrome (HWWS) combined with pelvic mesothelial cyst is a rare condition that can be easily misdiagnosed. Our center presents a case study of this disease to provide clinicians with valuable insights for accurate diagnosis and treatment. A 12-year-old girl initially received a misdiagnosis of left lower abdominal ectopic kidney hydronephrosis based on B-ultrasound and renography due to intermittent abdominal pain. However, surgical exploration revealed the correct diagnosis of HWWS with pelvic mesothelial cyst. Postoperative pathology confirmed the presence of a mesothelial cyst in the pelvis. Once the diagnosis was confirmed, the patient was transferred to an adult gynaecology department for further treatment. Two months later, during follow-up via telephone, it was reported that the patient had successfully recovered after undergoing transvaginal oblique septum resection. This case report provides detailed information on the diagnostic process, treatment procedures, and examination results, serving as a valuable reference for clinical practitioners dealing with HWWS combined with pelvic mesothelial cysts while reducing the risk of misdiagnosis and mistreatment.
Case report: Clinical characteristics of anthrax meningoencephalitis: two cases diagnosed using metagenomic next-generation sequencing and literature review
Authors: Hu Minzhe , Qiao Xiaodong , Zhang Jingliang , Qin Danqing , Guo Shougang , Zhao Weili , Wang Chunjuan
Published: February 2025

Purpose

To explore the clinical features, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of anthrax meningoencephalitis.

Methods

The clinical data of two cases of anthrax meningoencephalitis were summarized and the relevant literature was reviewed.

Results

Both patients, who were farmers, had cutaneous lesions prior to the onset of meningoencephalitis. The clinical manifestations included fever (2/2), headache (2/2), stupor (2/2), meningeal signs (2/2), and lymph node enlargement (2/2). The CSF analysis showed erythrocytes, increased neutrophils, low glucose levels and high protein levels. CSF cytology revealed rod-shaped bacilli. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing of the CSF from both patients detected Bacillus anthracis. Additionally, cultures confirmed the presence of endogenous spores of macrobacteria. Brain imaging revealed subarachnoid hemorrhages and minimal cerebral edema. Despite aggressive antibiotic treatment, both patients died. Fifty-seven articles of the past 70 years were reviewed. There were 59 patients of anthrax meningoencephalitis in total, including 46 patients died. Stupor (42/46, 91.3% vs. 3/13, 46.2%, p = 0.001), agitation (15/46, 32.6% vs. 0/13, 0.0%, p = 0.043) and intracranial hemorrhage (37/46, 80.4% vs. 4/13, 30.8%, p = 0.002) were more common in the deceased group. Two types of bactericidal drugs or intrathecal injection drugs presented more often in the surviving group (10/13, 76.9% vs. 13/46, 28.3%, p = 0.001), whereas penicillin monotherapy presented more often in the deceased group (23/46, 50.0% vs. 2/13, 15.4%, p = 0.026).

Conclusion

Anthrax meningoencephalitis typically presents as a rapidly progressive bacterial meningoencephalitis. The occurrence of stupor, agitation and intracranial hemorrhage is possibly correlated with poor outcome. Two types of bactericidal drugs or intrathecal injection drugs are associated with better prognosis. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing can quickly and accurately detect B. anthracis in CSF.
Endothelial dysfunction in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: an update on mechanisms, assessment tools and treatment strategies
Authors: Marcuccio Giuseppina , Candia Claudio , Maniscalco Mauro , Ambrosino Pasquale
Published: February 2025

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a complex condition marked by chronic respiratory symptoms, such as cough and dyspnoea, and persistent irreversible airway obstruction, punctuated by acute episodes of exacerbations. COPD is associated with a significant mortality risk and several comorbidities, including cardiovascular diseases. The link between COPD, acute exacerbations and cardiovascular diseases has been recently acknowledged under the unifying concept of cardiopulmonary risk. In this context, endothelial dysfunction (ED) has been identified as a key contributor to the systemic manifestations of COPD and an early event in atherogenesis, thus potentially linking respiratory diseases and cardiovascular risk. Assessing endothelial dysfunction could therefore provide valuable prognostic insights into COPD, while targeting it may emerge as a promising therapeutic approach. Nonetheless, several aspects such as clinical assessment options and potential treatment strategies are still under debate, despite an intense research activity in recent years and promising results coming from the field of pulmonary rehabilitation medicine, which seems to be highly beneficial for the improvement of ED in COPD patients. On these premises, this mini review aims to provide an updated overview of the pathophysiology of ED in the context of COPD, with a focus on its assessment and its potential as an attractive therapeutic target.
Two sexually compatible monokaryons from a heterokaryotic Lentinula edodes strain respond differently to heat stress
Authors: Guo Yuan , Jiao Wenyu , Zhang Yajie , Tan Meiting , Gao Qi , Liu Yu , Wang Shouxian
Published: February 2025

Background

Despite the extensive research conducted on heat responses of Lentinula edodes heterokaryotic cells, the responses of the two sexually compatible monokaryons to heat stress (HS) remain largely unknown.

Methods

To bridge this gap, we examined the nucleus-specific (SP3 and SP30) heat resistant mechanisms using an integrated physiological, metabolomic and transcriptomic approach.

Results

The results showed that HS elicited the boost of ROS and hampered mycelium growth for both monokaryons. Metabolome and transcriptome analysis demonstrated that the two sexually compatible monokaryons responded differently to HS. For SP3, the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were significantly enriched in Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) signaling, cell cycle and sugar metabolism, whereas those DEGs for SP30 were enriched in glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, and protein processing. The differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) of both strains were enriched in the glycerophospholipid metabolism, alpha-linolenic acid metabolism, biosynthesis of cofactors, etc, but were regulated differently in each strain. The enriched KEGG pathways for SP3 tend to be downregulated, whereas those in SP30 exhibited a contrary trend. The genes in MAPK signaling pathway were associated with the glycerophospholipid metabolism in SP3, but not in SP30. Omics-integration analysis revealed distinguishing regulatory networks and identified completely different hub genes for the two strains.

Discussion

Our findings revealed, for the first time, the different heat-resistance mechanisms of the two compatible nuclei and provided candidate metabolites, responsive genes and regulatory pathways for further experimental validation.
Microbial dynamics of acute pancreatitis: integrating culture, sequencing, and bile impact on bacterial populations and gaseous metabolites
Authors: Chmielarczyk Agnieszka , Golińska Edyta , Tomusiak-Plebanek Anna , Żeber-Lubecka Natalia , Kulecka Maria , Szczepanik Antoni , Jedlińska Katarzyna , Mech Krzysztof , Szaciłowski Konrad , Kuziak Agata , Pietrzyk Agata , Strus Magdalena
Published: February 2025

Background

Our study examined the composition of the intestinal microflora in a hospitalized patient with AP symptoms treated several months earlier for diverticulitis. The therapeutic intervention necessitated Hartmann's procedure, culminating in colostomy creation.

Aims

Employing a thorough microbiological analysis we attempted to demonstrate whether the microflora isolated from the peripancreatic fluid exhibited a stronger correlation with the contents of the stoma or with the rectal swab. Additionally, we sought to determine the association between later onset of AP and diverticulitis.

Methods

Following clinical materials from the patient in the initial phase of AP were collected: rectal swab, colostomy bag contents (in the publication referred to as stoma content/stool) and peripancreatic fluid. Microbiological analysis was performed, including classic culture methodology, NGS techniques, and genotyping methodologies. Furthermore, the effect of bile on the shift in the population of selected bacterial species was examined.

Results

The NGS technique confirmed greater consistency in bacteria percentage (phyla/family) between stoma content and peripancreatic fluid. In both samples, a clear dominance of the Proteobacteria phyla (over 75%) and the Enterobacteriaceae family was demonstrated. Moreover, NGS verified the presence of the Fusobacteriota phylum and Fusobacteriaceae family only in rectal swabs, which may indicate a link between this type of bacteria and the etiology of diverticulitis. We observed that Escherichia coli 33 isolated from stool exhibited active gaseous metabolite production (mainly hydrogen).

Conclusions

The abundant production of hydrogen may substantially impact enzymatic processes, inducing specific alterations in disulfide bonds and trypsin inactivation. Our investigation alludes to the conceivable active involvement of bile in effecting qualitative and quantitative modifications in the peripancreatic microbiota composition, establishing a correlation between released bile and bacterial generation of gaseous metabolites.
Isolation and characterization of cadmium-resistant Bacillus cereus strains from Cd-contaminated mining areas for potential bioremediation applications
Authors: Liang Bixia , Feng Yimeng , Ji Xiyue , Li Chune , Li Qian , Zeng Zhenshun , Wang Yuqi
Published: February 2025

Cadmium (Cd) is a naturally occurring heavy metal found in the soil. However, its concentrations can be substantially increased by anthropogenic activities, presenting considerable environmental challenges. One effective remediation strategy is soil bioremediation, which employs indigenous bacteria to mitigate contamination. This study aimed to identify Cd-resistant bacteria and assess their potential for bioremediating Cd-contaminated soil. Two Cd-resistant bacterial strains, designated C9 and C27, were isolated from Cd-contaminated soil at concentrations ranging from 100 to 500 mg/L. Morphological analysis and 16S rDNA sequencing identified both strains as Bacillus cereus. The strains’ capacity to adsorb and remove Cd from solutions was assessed, as well as their resistance to other heavy metals, including Zinc (Zn) and Thallium (Tl). Optimal Cd adsorption was observed at 36 h for strain C9 and at 48 h for strain C27, with maximum removal rates achieved at a Cd concentration of 70 μM. Both strains demonstrated substantial resistance to heavy metals in the order Zn > Cd > Tl on solid media. Additionally, they exhibited strong salt tolerance, starch hydrolysis, citrate utilization, and ammonia production capabilities. Notably, both strains produced significantly higher levels of siderophores compared to the model bacterium Bacillus subtilis 3,610, with strain C9 exhibiting superior siderophore production. This enhanced siderophore activity is hypothesized to contribute to Cd resistance. Collectively, these findings suggest that strains C9 and C27 have significant potential for the bioremediation of Cd-contaminated environments. Future research will focus on elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying heavy-metal resistance and optimizing their application in large-scale bioremediation strategies.
Multimodal fusion model for diagnosing mild cognitive impairment in unilateral middle cerebral artery steno-occlusive disease
Authors: Yuan Ziyi , Huang Zhaodi , Li Chaojun , Li Shengrong , Ren Qingguo , Xia Xiaona , Jiang Qingjun , Zhang Daoqiang , Zhu Qi , Meng Xiangshui
Published: February 2025

Objectives

To propose a multimodal functional brain network (FBN) and structural brain network (SBN) topological feature fusion technique based on resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), 3D-T1-weighted imaging (3D-T1WI), and demographic characteristics to diagnose mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in patients with unilateral middle cerebral artery (MCA) steno-occlusive disease.

Methods

The performances of different algorithms on the MCI dataset were evaluated using 5-fold cross-validation. The diagnostic results of the multimodal performance were evaluated using t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (t-SNE) analysis. The four-modal analysis method proposed in this study was applied to identify brain regions and connections associated with MCI, thus confirming its validity.

Results

Based on the fusion of the topological features of the multimodal FBN and SBN, the accuracy for the diagnosis of MCI in patients with unilateral MCA steno-occlusive disease reached 90.00%. The accuracy, recall, sensitivity, and F1-score were higher than those of the other methods, as was the diagnostic efficacy (AUC = 0.9149).

Conclusion

The multimodal FBN and SBN topological feature fusion technique, which incorporates rs-fMRI, DTI, 3D-T1WI, and demographic characteristics, obtains the most discriminative features of MCI in patients with unilateral MCA steno-occlusive disease and can effectively identify disease-related brain areas and connections. Efficient automated diagnosis facilitates the early and accurate detection of MCI and timely intervention and treatment to delay or prevent disease progression.
Latent space improved masked reconstruction model for human skeleton-based action recognition
Authors: Chen Enqing , Wang Xueting , Guo Xin , Zhu Ying , Li Dong
Published: February 2025

Human skeleton-based action recognition is an important task in the field of computer vision. In recent years, masked autoencoder (MAE) has been used in various fields due to its powerful self-supervised learning ability and has achieved good results in masked data reconstruction tasks. However, in visual classification tasks such as action recognition, the limited ability of the encoder to learn features in the autoencoder structure results in poor classification performance. We propose to enhance the encoder's feature extraction ability in classification tasks by leveraging the latent space of variational autoencoder (VAE) and further replace it with the latent space of vector quantized variational autoencoder (VQVAE). The constructed models are called SkeletonMVAE and SkeletonMVQVAE, respectively. In SkeletonMVAE, we constrain the latent variables to represent features in the form of distributions. In SkeletonMVQVAE, we discretize the latent variables. These help the encoder learn deeper data structures and more discriminative and generalized feature representations. The experiment results on the NTU-60 and NTU-120 datasets demonstrate that our proposed method can effectively improve the classification accuracy of the encoder in classification tasks and its generalization ability in the case of few labeled data. SkeletonMVAE exhibits stronger classification ability, while SkeletonMVQVAE exhibits stronger generalization in situations with fewer labeled data.
Exploratory study on the ascending pain pathway in patients with chronic neck and shoulder pain based on combined brain and spinal cord diffusion tensor imaging
Authors: Qiu Zhiqiang , Liu Tianci , Zeng Chengxi , Yang Maojiang , Yang HongYing , Xu Xiaoxue
Published: February 2025

Objective

To explore the changes in the white matter microstructure of the ascending pain conduction pathways in patients with chronic neck and shoulder pain (CNSP) using combined brain and spinal cord diffusion tensor imaging techniques, and to assess its correlation with clinical indicators and cognitive functions.

Materials and methods

A 3.0T MRI scanner was used to perform combined brain and spinal cord diffusion tensor imaging scans on 31 CNSP patients and 24 healthy controls (HCs), extracting the spinothalamic tract (STT) and quantitatively analyzing the fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) which reflect the microstructural integrity of nerve fibers. Additionally, these differences were subjected to partial correlation analysis in relation to Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores, duration of pain, Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS).

Results

Compared to HCs, CNSP patients showed decreased mean FA values and increased mean MD values in bilateral intracranial STT compared to the HC group, but two-sample t-test results indicated no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05). FA values of the left STT (C2 segment, C5 segment) and right STT (C1 segment, C2 segment) were significantly decreased in bilateral cervical STTs of CNSP patients; MD values of the left STT (C1 segment, C2 segment, C5 segment) and right STT (C1 segment, C5 segment) were significantly increased (p < 0.05). Partial correlation analysis results showed that FA values of STT in CNSP patients were negatively correlated with VAS scores, duration of pain, SAS scores, and SDS scores, while MD values were positively correlated with VAS scores and duration of pain (Bonferroni p < 0.05).

Conclusion

This research identified that patients with CNSP exhibited reduced mean FA and increased mean MD in the bilateral intracranial STT, although these differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Conversely, significant abnormalities were observed in specific segments of the bilateral cervical STT (p < 0.05), which were also correlated with variations in pain intensity, illness duration, and levels of anxiety and depression. These findings contribute a novel neuroimaging perspective to the evaluation and elucidation of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying chronic pain in the ascending conduction pathways.
Gestational diabetes induces autistic-like behaviors in offspring by disrupting the GABAergic system
Authors: Liu Xuan-Qi , Huang Tian-li , Zhang Shu-Yu , Huang Yu-Tong , Mo Jia-Ying , Yan Yi-Shang , Cao Yi-Ning , Cai Yue-Ran , Sheng Jian-Zhong , Zhu Hong , Huang He Feng
Published: February 2025

Background

Increasing evidence have shown that gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with the risk of autism in offspring. However, the underlying mechanisms have not yet been fully elucidated.

Methods

A mouse model of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) was established to investigate its impact on offspring. Behavioral analyses were conducted to assess social novelty and stereotypic behaviors. Neuronal excitability in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) was evaluated using c-Fos staining after social behavior stimulation. Single-cell transcriptomics and metabolomics were employed to analyze changes in the GABAergic system.

Results

Behavioral analyses revealed that GDM led to impaired social novelty and increased stereotypic behaviors in male offspring. c-Fos staining showed hyperexcitability in the PFC of male offspring from the GDM group following social behavior stimulation. Single-cell transcriptomics and metabolomics identified alterations in the GABAergic system, including a decrease in GABAergic neurons and reduced GABA levels. This reduction in GABA was associated with decreased GAD2 expression due to DNA hypermethylation in the GAD2 promoter region.

Conclusion

These data suggest that GDM induces autistic-like behaviors, including reduced social novelty and increased stereotypic behaviors, in offspring by affecting the GABAergic system. These findings provide new insights into how GDM may influence neurodevelopment in offspring.
Dynamic changes in large-scale functional connectivity prior to stimulation determine performance in a multisensory task
Authors: Galindo-Leon Edgar E. , Hollensteiner Karl J. , Pieper Florian , Engler Gerhard , Nolte Guido , Engel Andreas K.
Published: February 2025

Complex behavior and task execution require fast changes of local activity and functional connectivity in cortical networks at multiple scales. The roles that changes of power and connectivity play during these processes are still not well understood. Here, we study how fluctuations of functional cortical coupling across different brain areas determine performance in an audiovisual, lateralized detection task in the ferret. We hypothesized that dynamic variations in the network’s state determine the animals’ performance. We evaluated these by quantifying changes of local power and of phase coupling across visual, auditory and parietal regions. While power for hit and miss trials showed significant differences only during stimulus and response onset, phase coupling already differed before stimulus onset. An analysis of principal components in coupling at the single-trial level during this period allowed us to reveal the subnetworks that most strongly determined performance. Whereas higher global phase coupling of visual and auditory regions to parietal cortex was predictive of task performance, a second component revealed a reduction in coupling between subnetworks of different sensory modalities, probably to allow a better detection of the unimodal signals. Furthermore, we observed that long-range coupling became more predominant during the task period compared to the pre-stimulus baseline. Taken together, our results show that fluctuations in the network state, as reflected in large-scale coupling, are key determinants of the animals’ behavior.
Reliability analysis of passive residual heat removal system for large advanced pressurized water reactors
Authors: Li Tianrui , Xiao Xinkun , Lu Guoqing , Chen Shikang , Chen Ronghua , Tian Wenxi
Published: February 2025

This paper focuses on the passive residual heat removal system of a typical large advanced pressurized water reactor, analyzing its design, performance, and reliability during station blackout conditions combined with the failure of the auxiliary feedwater steam-driven pumps. The study employs modeling of passive safety systems and utilizes response surface methodology to evaluate system behavior during severe accident scenarios. Such comprehensive analysis contributes to ensuring the safe operation and advancement of nuclear power plants. The best-estimate program VITARS is used to analyze and calculate accident scenarios, with sensitivity analysis conducted based on preliminary thermal-hydraulic calculations to optimize parameter selection and simplify the response surface model structure, thereby streamlining the analysis process. An artificial neural network is employed as a surrogate model for complex thermal-hydraulic calculations, significantly improving analysis efficiency. The findings indicate that the passive residual heat removal system has zero failure probability under normal uncertainty ranges within 72 h. Even under extreme conditions, such as delayed opening of the steam generator’s safety valve, the system maintains reactor safety with a failure probability of only 0.035%.
Research for anticipating and facilitating change in fisheries management
Authors: Trenkel Verena
Published: February 2025

In this article, I am considering the changes that occurred in fisheries science during the last three decades from a personal scientific point of view and as a woman in science. The contribution and visibility of women in this field has increased, though further progress is possible.
Exploration of the quantitative-effectiveness association between acupuncture temporal parameters and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in cancer patients: a dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Tian Hao , Luo Qin , Huang Liuyang , Chen Guang , Sun Mingsheng , Liang Fanrong
Published: February 2025

Background

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is one of the commonly reported symptoms impacting cancer survivors. This study evaluated and compared the effectiveness of acupuncture treatments for CIPN.

Methods

We searched six databases from their inception to August 2024 to identify eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Primary outcome were pain scores. Secondary outcomes were quality of life including FACT/GOG-Ntx and EORTC QLQ-C30. The robust error meta-regression (REMR) method was used to evaluate the dose-response relationship across treatment parameters, including number of sessions, frequency, and duration.

Results

In total, 11 RCTs featuring 740 participants were included. The meta-analysis demonstrated that the primary analysis achieved a significant reduction in pain scores, with a standardized mean difference of [SMD= -1.23, 95% CI = (-2.22, -0.24); P < 0.01; I² = 95%], improvement quality of life including FACT/GOG-Ntx [SMD = 0.95, 95% CI = (0.02, 1.88); P < 0.01; I² = 93%] and EORTC QLQ-C30 [SMD = 0.36, 95% CI = (0.03, 0.68); P = 0.14; I² = 46%]. The nonlinear dose-response analysis suggests that pain improvement achieves the MCID at 16 treatment sessions, over 8 weeks, with a frequency of twice per week. Furthermore, analysis of the treatment duration chart shows that acupuncture maintains therapeutic effects during the follow-up period. Sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of these findings.

Conclusion

Acupuncture demonstrates significant potential in managing CIPN, particularly through individualized treatment regimens. The identified time-dose-response relationship suggests that tailoring acupuncture frequency and duration can to optimize pain relief in CIPN patients. Future high-quality studies and large-scale multicenter clinical trials are needed to validate these findings.