bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multiplex PCR-based next generation sequencing as a novel, targeted and accurate molecular approach for periprosthetic joint infection diagnosis
Authors: Huang Changyu , Huang Ying , Wang Ziwen , Lin Yiming , Li Yongbin , Chen Yang , Chen Xiaoqing , Zhang Chaofan , Li Wenbo , Zhang Wenming , Fang Xinyu , Huang Zida
Published: May 2023

Objectives

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) diagnosis remains challenging, and the identification of the causative microorganism is, by far, the most important aspect. Here, we use multiple PCR-based targeted next-generation sequencing (tNGS) to detect pathogens in PJI. To explore 1. the ability of targeted next-generation sequencing (tNGS) to detect pathogens in PJI; 2. the consistency of tNGS, metagenomic NGS (mNGS), and culture results; and 3. the ability of tNGS to detect drug resistance genes in PJI.

Methods

PJI was diagnosed according to the Musculoskeletal Infection Society (MSIS) criteria. The microorganisms were detected by culture, mNGS and tNGS to compare the diagnostic effectiveness of the three methods for PJI and to compare their consistency in detecting microorganisms. Drug resistance genes were detected using tNGS. The costs and turnaround times of mNGS and tNGS were compared.

Results

Forty-three patients with PJI, 21 patients without PJI and 10 negative control cases were included. The culture, tNGS, and mNGS sensitivities for PJI diagnosis were 74.41%, 88.37%, and 93.02%, respectively, with no significant differences. The specificities were 90.48%, 95.24%, and 95.24%, respectively, with no significant differences. tNGS detected drug resistance genes in 37.5% of culture-positive PJIs. tNGS was superior to mNGS for turnaround time (14.5 h vs. 28 h) and cost ($150 vs. $260).

Conclusions

tNGS can effectively identify PJI pathogens and may provide drug resistance information, while tNGS is superior to mNGS regarding cost and turnaround time. A multidisciplinary, multi-technology based algorithm to diagnose PJI is appropriate.

Highlights

298 microorganisms and 86 drug resistance genes were included in the tNGS panel.

Diagnostic efficacy of tNGS is not inferior to that of commonly used indicators.

tNGS is superior to mNGS in cost and turnaround time.
Population genetics of group B Streptococcus from maternal carriage in an ethnically diverse community in London
Authors: Jamrozy Dorota , Gopal Rao Guduru , Feltwell Theresa , Lamagni Theresa , Khanna Priya , Efstratiou Androulla , Parkhill Julian , Bentley Stephen D.
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Maternal immunization against Group B Streptococcus (GBS) has the potential to significantly reduce the burden of neonatal GBS infections. Population genetics of GBS from maternal carriage can offer key insights into vaccine target distribution.

Methods

In this study we characterized the population structure of GBS isolates from maternal carriage (n = 535) in an ethnically diverse community in London, using whole genome sequencing.

Results

The isolates clustered into nine clonal complexes (CCs) but the majority (95%) belonged to five lineages: CC1 (26%), CC19 (26%), CC23 (20%), CC17 (13%) and CC8/10 (10%). Nine serotypes were identified, the most common were serotypes III (26%), V (21%), II (19%) and Ia (19%). Other serotypes (Ib, IV, VI, VII, IX) represented less than 10% of all isolates each. Intra-lineage serotype diversity was observed in all major CCs but was highest in CC1, which revealed nine serotypes. Nearly all isolates (99%) carried at least one of the four alpha family protein genes (alpha, alp1, alp23, and rib). All isolates were susceptible to penicillin. We found 21% and 13% of isolates to be resistant to clarithromycin and clindamycin, respectively. Prevalence of macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B (MLSB) resistance genes was 22% and they were most common in CC19 (37%) and CC1 (28%), and isolates with serotypes V (38%) and IV (32%). We identified some associations between maternal ethnicity and GBS population structure. Serotype Ib was significantly less common among the South Asian compared to Black women (S. Asian: 3/142, Black: 15/135, p = 0.03). There was also a significantly lower proportion of CC1 isolates among the White other (24/142) in comparison to Black (43/135) and S. Asian (44/142) women (p = 0.04). We found a significantly higher proportion of CC17 isolates among the White other compared to S. Asian women (White other: 32/142, S. Asian: 10/142, p = 0.004).

Conclusion

Our study showed high prevalence of GBS vaccine targets among isolates from pregnant women in London. However, the observed serotype diversity in CC1 and high prevalence of MLSB resistance genes in CC19 demonstrates presence of high risk lineages, which might act as a reservoir of non-vaccine strains and antimicrobial resistance determinants.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi community analysis revealed the significant impact of arsenic in antimony- and arsenic-contaminated soil in three Guizhou regions
Authors: Mi Yidong , Xu Chao , Li Xinru , Zhou Min , Cao Ke , Dong Cuimin , Li Xuemei , Ji Ningning , Wang Fanfan , Su Hailei , Liu Xuesong , Wei Yuan
Published: May 2023

Introduction

The lack of systematic investigations of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) community composition is an obstacle to AMF biotechnological applications in antimony (Sb)- and arsenic (As)-polluted soil.

Methods

Morphological and molecular identification were applied to study the AMF community composition in Sb- and As-contaminated areas, and the main influencing factors of AMF community composition in Sb- and As-contaminated areas were explored.

Results

(1) A total of 513,546 sequences were obtained, and the majority belonged to Glomeraceae [88.27%, 193 operational taxonomic units (OTUs)], followed by Diversisporaceae, Paraglomeraceae, Acaulosporaceae, Gigasporaceae, and Archaeosporaceae; (2) the affinity between AMF and plants was mainly related to plant species (F = 3.488, p = 0.022 < 0.050), which was not significantly correlated with the total Sb (TSb) and total As (TAs) in soil; (3) the AMF spore density was mainly related to the available nitrogen, available potassium, and total organic carbon; (4) The effect of soil nutrients on AMF community composition (total explanation: 15.36%) was greater than that of soil Sb and As content (total explanation: 5.80%); (5) the effect of TAs on AMF community composition (λ = −0.96) was more drastic than that of TSb (λ = −0.21), and the effect of As on AMF community composition was exacerbated by the interaction between As and phosphorus in the soil; and (6) Diversisporaceae was positively correlated with the TSb and TAs.

Discussion

The potential impact of As on the effective application of mycorrhizal technology should be further considered when applied to the ecological restoration of Sb- and As-contaminated areas.
Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens USDA 110 displays plasticity in the attachment phenotype when grown in different soybean root exudate compounds
Authors: Sandhu Armaan Kaur , Brown McKenzie Rae , Subramanian Senthil , Brözel Volker S.
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens, a symbiotic nitrogen fixer for soybean, forms nodules after developing a symbiotic association with the root. For this association, bacteria need to move toward and attach to the root. These steps are mediated by the surface and phenotypic cell properties of bacteria and secreted root exudate compounds. Immense work has been carried out on nodule formation and nitrogen fixation, but little is known about the phenotype of these microorganisms under the influence of different root exudate chemical compounds (RECCs) or how this phenotype impacts the root attachment ability.

Methods

To address this knowledge gap, we studied the impact of 12 different RECCs, one commonly used carbon source, and soil-extracted solubilized organic matter (SESOM) on attachment and attachment-related properties of B. diazoefficiens USDA110. We measured motility-related properties (swimming, swarming, chemotaxis, and flagellar expression), attachment-related properties (surface hydrophobicity, biofilm formation, and attachment to cellulose and soybean roots), and surface polysaccharide properties (colony morphology, exopolysaccharide quantification, lectin binding profile, and lipopolysaccharide profiling).

Results and discussion

We found that USDA 110 displays a high degree of surface phenotypic plasticity when grown on the various individual RECCs. Some of the RECCs played specific roles in modulating the motility and root attachment processes. Serine increased cell surface hydrophobicity and root and cellulose attachment, with no EPS formed. Gluconate and lactate increased EPS production and biofilm formation, while decreasing hydrophobicity and root attachment, and raffinose and gentisate promoted motility and chemotaxis. The results also indicated that the biofilm formation trait on hydrophilic surfaces (polystyrene) cannot be related to the attachment ability of Bradyrhizobium to the soybean root. Among the tested phenotypic properties, bacterial cell surface hydrophobicity was the one with a significant impact on root attachment ability. We conclude that USDA 110 displays surface plasticity properties and attachment phenotype determined by individual RECCs from the soybean. Conclusions made based on its behavior in standard carbon sources, such as arabinose or mannitol, do not hold for its behavior in soil.
Phase I-II study using DeltaRex-G, a tumor-targeted retrovector encoding a cyclin G1 inhibitor for metastatic carcinoma of breast
Authors: Bruckner Howard W. , Chawla Sant P. , Omelchenko Nadezhda , Brigham Don A. , Gordon Erlinda M.
Published: May 2023

Background: Metastatic breast cancer is associated with a poor prognosis and therefore, innovative therapies are urgently needed. Here, we report on the results of a Phase I-II study using DeltaRex-G for chemotherapy resistant metastatic carcinoma of breast.

Patients and Methods:Endpoints: Dose limiting toxicity; Antitumor activity. Eligibility: ≥18 years of age, pathologic diagnosis of breast carcinoma, adequate hematologic and organ function. Treatment: Dose escalation of DeltaRex-G 1-4 x 1011cfu intravenously thrice weekly x 4 weeks with 2-week rest period. Treatment cycles repeated if there is ≤ Grade 1 toxicity until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Safety: NCI CTCAE v3 for adverse events reporting, vector related testing. Efficacy: RECIST v1.0, International PET criteria and Choi criteria for response, progression free and overall survival.

Results: Twenty patients received escalating doses of DeltaRex-G from 1 × 1011 cfu to 4 × 1011 cfu thrice weekly for 4 weeks with a 2-week rest period. Safety: ≥ Grade 3 treatment-related adverse event: pruritic rash (n = 1), no dose limiting toxicity, no replication-competent retrovirus, nor vector-neutralizing antibodies detected. No vector DNA integration was observed in peripheral blood lymphocytes evaluated. Efficacy: by RECIST v1.0: 13 stable disease, 4 progressive disease; tumor control rate 76%; by PET and Choi Criteria: 3 partial responses, 11 stable disease, 3 progressive disease; tumor control rate 82%. Combined median progression free survival by RECIST v1.0, 3.0 months; combined median overall survival, 20 months; 1-year overall survival rate 83% for Dose Level IV. Biopsy of residual tumor in a participant showed abundant CD8+ killer T-cells and CD45+ macrophages suggesting an innate immune response. Two patients with pure bone metastases had >12-month progression free survival and overall survival and are alive 12 years from the start of DeltaRex-G therapy. These patients further received DeltaRex-G + DeltaVax for 6 months.

Conclusion: Taken together, these data indicate that 1) DeltaRex-G has a distinctively high level of safety and exhibits anti-cancer activity, 2) PET/Choi provide a higher level of sensitivity in detecting early signs of tumor response to DeltaRex-G, 3) DeltaRex-G induced 12- year survival in 2 patients with pure bone metastases who subsequently received DeltaVax immunotherapy, and 4) DeltaRex-G may prove to be a biochemical and/or immune modulator when combined with other cancer therapy/immunotherapy.
Novel insights into cancer stem cells targeting: CAR-T therapy and epigenetic drugs as new pillars in cancer treatment
Authors: Veschi Veronica , Turdo Alice , Stassi Giorgio
Published: May 2023

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) represent the most aggressive subpopulation present in the tumor bulk retaining invasive capabilities, metastatic potential and high expression levels of drug efflux pumps responsible for therapy resistance. Cancer is still an incurable disease due to the inefficacy of standard regimens that spare this subpopulation. Selective targeting of CSCs is still an unmet need in cancer research field. Aberrant epigenetic reprogramming promotes the initiation and maintenance of CSCs, which are able to escape the immune system defense. Promising therapeutic approaches able to induce the selective inhibition of this stem-like small subset include immunotherapy alone or in combination with epigenetic compounds. These strategies are based on the specific expression of epitopes and/or epigenetic alterations present only in the CSC and not in the other cancer cells or normal cells. Thus, the combined approach utilizing CAR-T immunotherapy along with epigenetic probes may overcome the barriers of treatment ineffectiveness towards a more precision medicine approach in patients with known specific alterations of CSCs. In this perspective article we will shed new lights on the future applications of epi-immunotherapy in tumors enriched in CSCs, along with its potential side-effects, limitations and the development of therapy resistance.
Identification of canonical pyroptosis-related genes, associated regulation axis, and related traditional Chinese medicine in spinal cord injury
Authors: Shan Wenshan , Li Shuang , Yin Zongsheng
Published: May 2023

Neuroinflammation plays an important role in spinal cord injury (SCI), and pyroptosis is inflammatory-related programmed cell death. Although neuroinflammation induced by pyroptosis has been reported in SCI, there is a lack of systematic research on SCI pyroptosis and its regulation mechanism. The purpose of this study was to systematically analyze the expression of pyroptosis-related genes (PRGs) in different SCI models and associated regulation axis by bioinformatics methods. We downloaded raw counts data of seven high-throughput sequencings and two microarray datasets from the GEO database, classified by species (rat and mouse) and SCI modes (moderate contusive model, aneurysm clip impact-compression model, and hemisection model), including mRNAs, miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs, basically covering the acute, subacute and chronic stages of SCI. We performed differential analysis by R (DEseq2) or GEO2R and found that the AIM2/NLRC4/NLRP3 inflammasome-related genes, GSDMD, IL1B, and IL18, were highly expressed in SCI. Based on the canonical NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis-related genes (NLRP3/PRGs), we constructed transcription factors (TFs)–NLRP3/PRGs, miRNAs- Nlrp3/PRGs and lncRNAs/circRNAs/mRNAs–miRNA- Nlrp3/PRGs (ceRNA) networks. In addition, we also predicted Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and small, drug-like molecules with NLRP3/PRGs as potential targets. Finally, 39 up-regulated TFs were identified, which may regulate at least two of NLRP3/PRGs. A total of 7 down-regulated miRNAs were identified which could regulate Nlrp3/PRGs. ceRNA networks were constructed including 23 lncRNAs, 3 cicrRNAs, 6 mRNAs, and 44 miRNAs. A total of 24 herbs were identified which may with two NLRP3/PRGs as potential targets. It is expected to provide new ideas and therapeutic targets for the treatment of SCI.
Neurosyphilis with positive anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antibody: a case report
Authors: Sha Zhu , Jing Shi , Feng Gao , Hongjun Hao , Xianzeng Liu
Published: May 2023

A case of neurosyphilis with a positive anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antibody was reported. A 54-year-old man who presented with acute memory deficits was admitted to our hospital. Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) was initially considered, and he was prescribed intravenous thrombolysis with recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA). However, the intermittent onset of episodic memory and orientation disorder still occurred. No diffusion restriction was indicated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and subclinical seizures were frequently found by electroencephalogram (EEG). Rapid plasma reagin (RPR) test of serum showed positive results for syphilis. Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) revealed elevated leukocyte count and protein level. RPR test, Treponema pallidum particle agglutination (TPPA) assay, and Treponema pallidum antibody (TP-Ab) in CSF showed positive results, and the anti-NMDAR antibodies were positive in CSF and serum. Finally, the patient was diagnosed with neurosyphilis with a positive anti-NMDAR antibody. The clinical symptoms were improved, and the leukocyte count in CSF was reduced after treatment with intravenous penicillin G and levetiracetam. This case suggests that in cases with positive results for neurosyphilis and NMDAR antibodies, the proper treatment has to be decided based on all of the available clinical and diagnostic testing data.
Long-term effects of anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor encephalitis on quality of life
Authors: Hirose Satoshi , Hara Makoto , Yokota Yuki , Nakajima Hideto
Published: May 2023

Background

Patients with anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor encephalitis (NMDARE) usually achieve neurologically favorable outcomes in the post-acute-phase. Even when motor function recovers, many patients experience numerous non-motor sequelae and cannot resume their pre-NMDARE lives even years later. Additionally, the needs of patients with NMDARE may impose a severe caregiver burden. Unfortunately, few studies have comprehensively examined patients recovering from NMDARE. We investigated the long-term effects of NMDARE on patients’ quality of life (QOL).

Methods

Data collected via structured self-reported questionnaires included clinical features, long-term outcomes, and QOL. These questionnaires were administered to adult members of the Japanese Anti-NMDARE Patients’ Association. We used the NeuroQOL battery to assess QOL in physical, mental, and social domains. Raw NeuroQOL scores were converted to T-scores for comparison with controls.

Results

Twenty-two patients completed the questionnaire. The median interval between disease onset and questionnaire response was 78  months. Forty-six percent of patients reported persistent sequelae, with only 73% able to resume prior work/school activities. Although patients’ Global QOL was similar to controls, patients with NMDARE had significantly worse social QOL. Patients with worse social QOL had more frequent sequelae than those with better social QOL. Furthermore, patients with persistent sequelae had significantly worse Global QOL than those without sequelae and controls.

Conclusion

Patients with NMDARE had worse social QOL than controls. Given the adverse effects of disease sequelae on QOL, treatment strategies that minimize sequelae during the acute-phase may improve patients’ QOL, even years post-disease onset.
COVID-19 and neurological disorders: what might connect Parkinson’s disease to SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Iacono Salvatore , Schirò Giuseppe , Davì Chiara , Mastrilli Sergio , Abbott Michelle , Guajana Fabrizio , Arnao Valentina , Aridon Paolo , Ragonese Paolo , Gagliardo Cesare , Colomba Claudia , Scichilone Nicola , D’Amelio Marco
Published: May 2023

SARS-CoV-2 infection leading to Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) rapidly became a worldwide health emergency due to its elevated infecting capacity, morbidity, and mortality. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder and, nowadays the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 outbreak and PD reached a great interest. Apparently independent one from the other, both diseases share some pathogenetic and clinical features. The relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infection and PD is complex and it depends on the direction of the association that is which of the two diseases comes first. Some evidence suggests that SARS-CoV-2 infection might be a possible risk factor for PD wherein the exposure to SARS-CoV-2 increase the risk for PD. This perspective comes out from the increasing cases of parkinsonism following COVID-19 and also from the anatomical structures affected in both COVID-19 and early PD such as olfactory bulb and gastrointestinal tract resulting in the same symptoms such as hyposmia and constipation. Furthermore, there are many reported cases of patients who developed hypokinetic extrapyramidal syndrome following SARS-CoV-2 infection although these would resemble a post-encephalitic conditions and there are to date relevant data to support the hypothesis that SARS-CoV-2 infection is a risk factor for the development of PD. Future large, longitudinal and population-based studies are needed to better assess whether the risk of developing PD after COVID-19 exists given the short time span from the starting of pandemic. Indeed, this brief time-window does not allow the precise estimation of the incidence and prevalence of PD after pandemic when compared with pre-pandemic era. If the association between SARS-CoV-2 infection and PD pathogenesis is actually putative, on the other hand, vulnerable PD patients may have a greater risk to develop COVID-19 being also more prone to develop a more aggressive disease course. Furthermore, PD patients with PD showed a worsening of motor and non-motor symptoms during COVID-19 outbreak due to both infection and social restriction. As well, the worries related to the risk of being infected should not be neglected. Here we summarize the current knowledge emerging about the epidemiological, pathogenetic and clinical relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infection and PD.
Insights into perceived listening difficulties post COVID-19 infection: no measurable hearing difficulty on clinical tests despite increased self-reported listening effort
Authors: Alhanbali Sara , Alkharabsheh Ana'am , Alanati Wafa'a , Joudeh Khader , Munro Kevin J.
Published: May 2023

Objective

The aim was to use a battery of clinic-based auditory assessment procedures to compare participants with and without self-reported hearing difficulties following a confirmed COVID-19 infection. A further aim was to compare the groups on self-reported measures of listening effort and fatigue.

Methods

There were 25 participants in each group (age range 20–59 years, 80% females). Participants were recruited after a minimum of 4 weeks of testing positive. Hearing assessment involved tympanometry, acoustic reflex thresholds, pure-tone audiometry (PTA; 0.25–14 kHz), and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs; 0.5–10 kHz). Listening effort was assessed using the Arabic version of the Effort Assessment Scale (EAS-A) and fatigue was assessed using the Arabic version of the Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS-A).

Results

There was no difference between groups on any measure except for greater self-reported listening effort in the perceived hearing difficulty group (p = 0.01).

Conclusion

The only difference between groups was self-reported listening effort. This could be due to a subclinical auditory deficit following COVID-19, increased listening effort due to the impact of COVID-19 on cognitive processes, or a psychosomatic response/health anxiety.
Case report: Young-onset large vessel ischemic stroke due to hyperhomocysteinemia associated with the C677T polymorphism on 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and multi-vitamin deficiency
Authors: Fukae Jiro , Eguchi Hiroto , Wada Yoichi , Fuse Atsuhito , Chishima Rika , Nakatani Mitsuyoshi , Nakajima Asuka , Hattori Nobutaka , Shimo Yasushi
Published: May 2023

Hyperhomocysteinemia is an important risk factor for cerebral infarction. Herein, we report on a 30-year-old man previously diagnosed with epilepsy who presented with right hemiplegia and total aphasia. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a fronto-temporal ischemic lesion due to occlusion of the left middle cerebral artery. Clinical testing and imaging demonstrated that he had hyperhomocysteinemia induced by multiple factors including the C677T polymorphism on 5.10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), and multiple vitamin deficiencies. The C677T polymorphism on MTHFR is closely related to hyperhomocysteinemia and folate deficiency in epileptic patients who are taking multiple anti-convulsants. Given hyperhomocysteinemia can independently cause stroke at a young age, physicians should periodically examine plasma homocysteine and serum folic acid levels in epileptic patients who are on long-term regimens of multiple anti-epileptic drugs.
Establishing a pediatric acute stroke protocol: experience of a new pediatric stroke program and predictors of acute stroke
Authors: Phelps Kamal , Silos Christin , De La Torre Susan , Moreno Amee , Lapus Robert , Sanghani Nipa , Koenig Mary , Savitz Sean , Green Charles , Fraser Stuart
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Pediatric stroke is among the top 10 causes of death in pediatrics. Rapid recognition and treatment can improve outcomes in select patients, as evidenced by recent retrospective studies in pediatric thrombectomy. We established a collaborative protocol involving the vascular neurology and pediatric neurology division in our institution to rapidly diagnose and treat pediatric suspected stroke. We also prospectively collected data to attempt to identify predictors of acute stroke in pediatric patients.

Methods

IRB approval was obtained to prospectively collect clinical data on pediatric code stroke activations based on timing metrics in resident-physician note templates. The protocol emphasized magnetic resonance imaging over computed tomography imaging when possible. We analyzed performance of the system with descriptive statistics. We then performed a Bayesian statistical analysis to search for predictors of pediatric stroke.

Results

There were 40 pediatric code strokes over the 2.5-year study period with a median age of 10.8 years old. 12 (30%) of patients had stroke, and 28 (70%) of code stroke patients were diagnosed with a stroke mimic. Median time from code stroke activation to completion of imaging confirming or ruling out stroke was 1 h. In the Bayesian analysis, altered mental status, hemiparesis, and vasculopathy history were associated with increased odds of stroke, though credible intervals were wide due to the small sample size.

Conclusion

A trainee developed and initiated pediatric acute stroke protocol quickly implemented a hospital wide change in management that led to rapid diagnosis and triage of pediatric stroke and suspected stroke. No additional personnel or resources were needed for this change, and we encourage other hospitals and emergency departments to implement similar systems. Additionally, hemiparesis and altered mental status were predictors of stroke for pediatric acute stroke activation in our Bayesian statistical analysis. However credible intervals were wide due to the small sample size. Further multicenter data collection could more definitively analyze predictors of stroke, as well as the help in the creation of diagnostic tools for clinicians in the emergency setting.
Linguistic representation of vowels in speech imagery EEG
Authors: Nitta Tsuneo , Horikawa Junsei , Iribe Yurie , Taguchi Ryo , Katsurada Kouichi , Shinohara Shuji , Kawai Goh
Published: May 2023

Speech imagery recognition from electroencephalograms (EEGs) could potentially become a strong contender among non-invasive brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). In this report, first we extract language representations as the difference of line-spectra of phones by statistically analyzing many EEG signals from the Broca area. Then we extract vowels by using iterative search from hand-labeled short-syllable data. The iterative search process consists of principal component analysis (PCA) that visualizes linguistic representation of vowels through eigen-vectors φ(m), and subspace method (SM) that searches an optimum line-spectrum for redesigning φ(m). The extracted linguistic representation of Japanese vowels /i/ /e/ /a/ /o/ /u/ shows 2 distinguished spectral peaks (P1, P2) in the upper frequency range. The 5 vowels are aligned on the P1-P2 chart. A 5-vowel recognition experiment using a data set of 5 subjects and a convolutional neural network (CNN) classifier gave a mean accuracy rate of 72.6%.
SSVEP detection assessment by combining visual stimuli paradigms and no-training detection methods
Authors: Chailloux Peguero Juan David , Hernández-Rojas Luis G. , Mendoza-Montoya Omar , Caraza Ricardo , Antelis Javier M.
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI) based on Steady-State Visually Evoked Potentials (SSVEP) have great potential for use in communication applications because of their relatively simple assembly and in some cases the possibility of bypassing the time-consuming training stage. However, among multiple factors, the efficient performance of this technology is highly dependent on the stimulation paradigm applied in combination with the SSVEP detection algorithm employed. This paper proposes the performance assessment of the classification of target events with respect to non-target events by applying four types of visual paradigms, rectangular modulated On-Off (OOR), sinusoidal modulated On-Off (OOS), rectangular modulated Checkerboard (CBR), and sinusoidal modulated Checkerboard (CBS), with three types of SSVEP detection methods, Canonical Correlation Analysis (CCA), Filter-Bank CCA (FBCCA), and Minimum Energy Combination (MEC).

Methods

We set up an experimental protocol in which the four types of visual stimuli were presented randomly to twenty-seven participants and after acquiring their electroencephalographic responses to five stimulation frequencies (8.57, 10.909, 15, 20, and 24 Hz), the three detection methods were applied to the collected data.

Results

The results are conclusive, obtaining the best performance with the combination of either OOR or OOS visual stimulus and the FBCCA as a detection method, however, this finding contrasts with the opinion of almost half of the participants in terms of visual comfort, where the 51.9% of the subjects felt more comfortable and focused with CBR or CBS stimulation.

Discussion

Finally, the EEG recordings correspond to the SSVEP response of 27 subjects to four visual paradigms when selecting five items on a screen, which is useful in BCI navigation applications. The dataset is available to anyone interested in studying and evaluating signal processing and machine-learning algorithms for SSVEP-BCI systems.
Cortical depth-dependent human fMRI of resting-state networks using EPIK
Authors: Pais-Roldán Patricia , Yun Seong Dae , Palomero-Gallagher Nicola , Shah N. Jon
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Recent laminar-fMRI studies have substantially improved understanding of the evoked cortical responses in multiple sub-systems; in contrast, the laminar component of resting-state networks spread over the whole brain has been less studied due to technical limitations. Animal research strongly suggests that the supragranular layers of the cortex play a critical role in maintaining communication within the default mode network (DMN); however, whether this is true in this and other human cortical networks remains unclear.

Methods

Here, we used EPIK, which offers unprecedented coverage at sub-millimeter resolution, to investigate cortical broad resting-state dynamics with depth specificity in healthy volunteers.

Results

Our results suggest that human DMN connectivity is primarily supported by intermediate and superficial layers of the cortex, and furthermore, the preferred cortical depth used for communication can vary from one network to another. In addition, the laminar connectivity profile of some networks showed a tendency to change upon engagement in a motor task. In line with these connectivity changes, we observed that the amplitude of the low-frequency-fluctuations (ALFF), as well as the regional homogeneity (ReHo), exhibited a different laminar slope when subjects were either performing a task or were in a resting state (less variation among laminae, i.e., lower slope, during task performance compared to rest).

Discussion

The identification of varied laminar profiles concerning network connectivity, ALFF, and ReHo, observed across two brain states (task vs. rest) has major implications for the characterization of network-related diseases and suggests the potential diagnostic value of laminar fMRI in psychiatric disorders, e.g., to differentiate the cortical dynamics associated with disease stages linked, or not linked, to behavioral changes. The evaluation of laminar-fMRI across the brain encompasses computational challenges; nonetheless, it enables the investigation of a new dimension of the human neocortex, which may be key to understanding neurological disorders from a novel perspective.
Multiple sclerosis lesion segmentation: revisiting weighting mechanisms for federated learning
Authors: Liu Dongnan , Cabezas Mariano , Wang Dongang , Tang Zihao , Bai Lei , Zhan Geng , Luo Yuling , Kyle Kain , Ly Linda , Yu James , Shieh Chun-Chien , Nguyen Aria , Kandasamy Karuppiah Ettikan , Sullivan Ryan , Calamante Fernando , Barnett Michael , Ouyang Wanli , Cai Weidong , Wang Chenyu
Published: May 2023

Background and introduction

Federated learning (FL) has been widely employed for medical image analysis to facilitate multi-client collaborative learning without sharing raw data. Despite great success, FL's applications remain suboptimal in neuroimage analysis tasks such as lesion segmentation in multiple sclerosis (MS), due to variance in lesion characteristics imparted by different scanners and acquisition parameters.

Methods

In this work, we propose the first FL MS lesion segmentation framework via two effective re-weighting mechanisms. Specifically, a learnable weight is assigned to each local node during the aggregation process, based on its segmentation performance. In addition, the segmentation loss function in each client is also re-weighted according to the lesion volume for the data during training.

Results

The proposed method has been validated on two FL MS segmentation scenarios using public and clinical datasets. Specifically, the case-wise and voxel-wise Dice score of the proposed method under the first public dataset is 65.20 and 74.30, respectively. On the second in-house dataset, the case-wise and voxel-wise Dice score is 53.66, and 62.31, respectively.

Discussions and conclusions

The Comparison experiments on two FL MS segmentation scenarios using public and clinical datasets have demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed method by significantly outperforming other FL methods. Furthermore, the segmentation performance of FL incorporating our proposed aggregation mechanism can achieve comparable performance to that from centralized training with all the raw data.
Olfactory response is a potential sign of consciousness: electroencephalogram findings
Authors: Wu Wanchun , Xu Chengwei , Liang Qimei , Zheng Xiaochun , Xiao Qiuyi , Zhong Haili , Chen Na , Lan Yue , Huang Xiyan , Xie Qiuyou
Published: May 2023

Objective

This study aimed to explore whether olfactory response can be a sign of consciousness and represent higher cognitive processing in patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC) using clinical and electroencephalogram data.

Methods

Twenty-eight patients with DoC [13 vegetative states (VS)/unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS) and 15 minimally conscious states (MCS)] were divided into two groups: the presence of olfactory response (ORES) group and the absence of olfactory response (N-ORES) group according to behavioral signs from different odors, i.e., vanillin, decanoic acid, and blank stimuli. We recorded an olfactory task-related electroencephalogram (EEG) and analyzed the relative power and functional connectivity at the whole-brain level in patients with DoC and healthy controls (HCs). After three months, the outcomes of DoC patients were followed up using the coma recovery scale-revised (CRS-R).

Results

A significant relationship was found between olfactory responses and the level of consciousness (χ2(1) = 6.892, p = 0.020). For olfactory EEG, N-ORES patients showed higher theta functional connectivity than ORES patients after stimulation with vanillin (p = 0.029; p = 0.027). Patients with N-ORES showed lower alpha and beta relative powers than HCs at the group level (p = 0.019; p = 0.033). After three months, 62.5% (10/16) of the ORES patients recovered consciousness compared to 16.7% (2/12) in the N-ORES group. The presence of olfactory response was significantly associated with an improvement in consciousness (χ2(1) = 5.882, p = 0.023).

Conclusion

Olfactory responses should be considered signs of consciousness. The differences in olfactory processing between DoC patients with and without olfactory responses may be a way to explore the neural correlates of olfactory consciousness in these patients. The olfactory response may help in the assessment of consciousness and may contribute to therapeutic orientation.
A density functional theory analysis of the adsorption and surface chemistry of inorganic iodine species on graphitea
Authors: Ritzmann Andrew M. , LaCount Michael D. , Sassi Michel , Johnson Alyssa E. , Henson Neil J.
Published: May 2023

In the event of a nuclear accident, fission products may be released into the environment. The release of 131I is of particular concern to human health. Iodine can be captured using a number of materials and frequently, this is accomplished with activated carbon impregnated with organic bases. Previous studies have used DFT and the graphite (0001) surface as a surrogate for adsorption, those studies focus on the species I•, I2, and CH3I. In this work we perform an ab initio study of the adsorption onto the surface of a graphite sheet of I2, CH3I, and inorganic acidic iodine species (HI, HOI, HIO2, and HIO3), which were selected to examine the possible effect of oxidation state on adsorption. The PBE exchange-correlation functional with D3 dispersion was employed. It was found that for molecular iodine, the iodine atoms tended to either situate above the center of a hexagonal site on the graphite or directly atop a carbon atom with the lighter components resting closer to the graphite. For each species the relative binding energies spanned the range of 21–33 kJ mol-1 and graphite-iodine distance was in the range of 3.52–3.93 Å. In all cases we found no significant charge transfer between the iodine species and the graphite, thus we conclude that all the iodine species studied undergo strong physisorption to the graphite.
Body composition and risk of liver cancer: a population-based prospective cohort study on gender difference
Authors: Pi Sainan , Liu Anran , Zhu Beibei , Zhu Yunxiao , Yuan Jinqiu , Zhang Zheming , Gao Chang , Fu Jinxian , Liu Yao , Liang Xujing , Xia Bin , Chen Youpeng
Published: May 2023

Background

Obesity is a common and highly convincing risk factor for many cancers, including liver cancer. Sex disparities in the body composition and regulatory mechanisms involved in energy homeostasis may contribute to the difference in the incidence of cancer. However, evidence on the gender-specific association between body composition and liver cancer incidence is limited. We performed this study to investigate the linear and non-linear associations of body composition with liver cancer risk by gender.

Materials and methods

This prospective analysis included 4,75,659 participants free of cancer, based on the UK Biobank. We used Cox proportional hazard models to calculate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) after adjusting for potential confounders. Restricted cubic spline was performed to investigate the potential non-linear associations.

Results

During a median follow-up, 275 cases (174 male patients and 101 female patients) of liver cancer were identified. Male patients in the highest body fat percentage group are more likely to develop liver cancer (HR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.17–3.03) compared with those in the lowest group. The one-unit increase of whole-body fat mass, arm fat mass, and trunk fat mass was associated with 1.03-, 1.14-, and 1.05-fold increased risk of liver cancer in male subjects, respectively. U-shaped associations of body composition with liver cancer risk were observed in the female subjects. Both high and low levels of whole-body fat-free mass, particularly in the arm and trunk, were associated with an increased risk of liver cancer.

Conclusion

This study found a gender-specific association between body composition and liver cancer risk and provided evidence for individualized weight management for the prevention of liver cancer.
The effect of curcumin on anthropometric indices, blood pressure, lipid profiles, fasting blood glucose, liver enzymes, fibrosis, and steatosis in non-alcoholic fatty livers
Authors: Safari Zahra , Bagherniya Mohammad , Khoram Ziba , Ebrahimi Varzaneh Amrollah , Heidari Zahra , Sahebkar Amirhossein , Askari Gholamreza
Published: May 2023

Background

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common form of liver disease. Curcumin is a natural polyphenol that may be effective against liver steatosis and steatohepatitis. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of phytosomal curcumin on lipid profile, fasting blood sugar, anthropometric indices, liver enzymes, fibrosis, and steatosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver patients.

Methods

The participants were randomized to the curcumin–phosphatidylserine phytosomal receiving group and the placebo receiving group and were followed up for 12 weeks. Data on anthropometric indices, lipid profile, blood glucose, blood pressure, liver enzymes, hepatic steatosis, and fibrosis were collected at the beginning and the end of the clinical trial.

Results

Supplementation for 12 weeks with phytosomal curcumin significantly reduced fibrosis and steatosis in the phytosomal curcumin receiving group compared with the placebo group (p < 0.05). Phytosomal curcumin also significantly reduced waist circumference and blood pressure compared with the placebo group (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the phytosomal curcumin and the placebo groups regarding changes in weight, body mass index, fasting blood glucose, liver enzymes, and lipid profile.

Conclusion

Curcumin, at a dose of 250 mg per day, might be effective in treating patients with NAFLD. Further studies are necessary to confirm these findings and to discover the underlying mechanisms.

Clinical trial registration

https://www.irct.ir/trial/43730, identifier: IRCT20121216011763N39.
Quality evaluation of citrus varieties based on phytochemical profiles and nutritional properties
Authors: Guo Huan , Zheng Yin-Jian , Wu Ding-Tao , Du Xu , Gao Hong , Ayyash Mutamed , Zeng De-Guang , Li Hua-Bin , Liu Hong-Yan , Gan Ren-You
Published: May 2023

Introduction

China is one of the major producers and exporters of various kinds of citrus fruits. As one of China’s major citrus planting bases, Sichuan has a citrus planting area that exceeds 400,000 hectares. Meanwhile, citrus cultivation has become one of the important agricultural pillar industries in the region. Citrus fruits are reported to show various health-promoting effects, especially antioxidant activity. However, reports on the functional, nutritional and qualitative characteristics of different citrus varieties in Sichuan are still scarce.

Methods

The quality attributes (color parameters, shape, and size), juice properties (titratable acids and total soluble sugar), mineral elements, and health-promoting nutritional and functional components (protein, carbohydrates, fat, dietary fiber, ascorbic acid, phenolic acids, and flavonoids), as well as antioxidant properties of 10 typical citrus varieties cultivated in Sichuan, were systematically investigated and analyzed.

Results and Discussion

Significant differences among different citrus varieties were found. In particular, the total soluble sugar content of Mingrijian was higher than that of other citrus, suggesting its potential for fresh consumption and food processing. Moreover, a total of five flavonoids and nine phenolic acids were identified and quantified. Yuanhong, with higher contents of ascorbic acid and phenolic acids, was considered to be a valuable variety with excellent antioxidant capacity and can be used for value-added processing in the food industry. Principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster heatmap analysis suggested that there were significant differences among the 10 citrus varieties. Correlation analysis confirmed the significant contribution of ascorbic acid and phenolic acids to antioxidant capacity in citrus. The results can provide some references for the cultivation and selection of nutritious citrus fruits.
Impact of parental lifestyle patterns in the preconception and pregnancy periods on childhood obesity
Authors: Lecorguillé Marion , Schipper Mireille C. , O’Donnell Aisling , Aubert Adrien M. , Tafflet Muriel , Gassama Malamine , Douglass Alexander , Hébert James R. , de Lauzon-Guillain Blandine , Kelleher Cecily , Charles Marie-Aline , Phillips Catherine M. , Gaillard Romy , Lioret Sandrine , Heude Barbara
Published: May 2023

Introduction

High prevalence of overweight and obesity already observed in preschool children suggests the involvement of early-life risk factors. Preconception period and pregnancy are crucial windows for the implementation of child obesity prevention interventions with parental lifestyle factors as relevant targets. So far, most studies have evaluated their role separately, with only a few having investigated their potential synergistic effect on childhood obesity. Our objective was to investigate parental lifestyle patterns in the preconception and pregnancy periods and their association with the risk of child overweight after 5 years.

Materials and methods

We harmonized and interpreted results from four European mother-offspring cohorts participating in the EndObesity Consortium [EDEN, France; Elfe, France; Lifeways, Ireland; and Generation R, Netherlands] with data available for 1,900, 18,000, 1,100, and 9,500 families, respectively. Lifestyle factors were collected using questionnaires and included parental smoking, body mass index (BMI), gestational weight gain, diet, physical activity, and sedentary behavior. We applied principal component analyses to identify parental lifestyle patterns in preconception and pregnancy. Their association with risk of overweight (including obesity; OW-OB) and BMI z-scores between 5 and 12 years were assessed using cohort-specific multivariable logistic and linear and regression models (adjusted for potential confounders including parental age, education level, employment status, geographic origin, parity, and household income).

Results

Among the various lifestyle patterns derived in all cohorts, the two explaining the most variance were characterized by (1) “high parental smoking, low maternal diet quality (and high maternal sedentary behavior in some cohorts)” and, (2) “high parental BMI and low gestational weight gain.” Patterns characterized by high parental BMI, smoking, low diet quality or high sedentary lifestyle before or during pregnancy were associated with higher risk of OW-OB in children, and BMI z-score at any age, with consistent strengths of associations in the main cohorts, except for lifeways.

Conclusion

This project provides insight into how combined parental lifestyle factors in the preconception and pregnancy periods are associated with the future risk of child obesity. These findings are valuable to inform family-based and multi-behavioural child obesity prevention strategies in early life.