bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New alternatives to the Lennard-Jones potential
Authors: Moscato Pablo , Haque Mohammad Nazmul
Published: December 2023

We present a new method for approximating two-body interatomic potentials from existing ab initio data based on representingthe unknown function as an analytic continued fraction. In this study, our method was first inspired by a representation of the unknown potential as a Dirichlet polynomial, i.e., the partial sum of some terms of a Dirichlet series.
Our method allows for a close and computationally efficient approximation of the ab initio data for the noble gases Xenon (Xe), Krypton (Kr), Argon (Ar), and Neon (Ne), which are proportional to r−6 and to a very simple depth=1 truncated continued fraction with integer coefficients and depending on n−r only, where n is a natural number (with n=13 for Xe, n=16 for Kr, n=17 for Ar, and n=27 for Neon).
For Helium (He), the data is well approximated with a function having only one variable n−r with n=31 and a truncated continuedfraction with depth=2 (i.e., the third convergent of the expansion). Also for He, we have found an interesting depth=0 result, a Dirichlet polynomial of the form k1 6−r +k2 48−r +k3 72−r (with k1,k2,k3 all integers), which provides a surprisingly good fit notonly in the attractive but also in the repulsive region.
We also discuss lessons learned while facing the surprisingly challenging non-linear optimization tasks involved in fitting theseapproximations and opportunities for parallelization.
Significant contribution of internal variability to recent Barents-Kara sea ice loss in winter
Authors: Siew Peter Yu Feng , Wu Yutian , Ting Mingfang , Zheng Cheng , Ding Qinghua , Seager Richard
Published: December 2023

The Arctic has experienced a rapid sea ice loss in the Barents and Kara Seas in winter over the satellite era, primarily attributed to anthropogenic warming with a minor contribution from internal climate variability, though a precise estimate of their relative contribution remains unclear. Here, using large ensemble simulations and machine-learning techniques, we successfully reproduce wintertime Barents-Kara sea ice trends as the joint impact of anthropogenic and internal atmospheric variability components. The most dramatic sea ice loss over recent decades (1997-2017) is significantly contributed to by atmospheric circulation (>50%), with anthropogenic forcing contributing to the remainder. We further show that the circulation trends responsible for significant sea ice loss in this period largely arise from internal atmospheric processes rather than decadal variability of the oceans or Arctic sea ice feedback. Overall, this study highlights that internal variability plays a more important role in recent winter Arctic sea ice loss than previously thought, and has implications for Arctic sea ice projections and the use of machine learning methods in future attribution studies.
Wolbachia strain diversity in a complex group of sympatric cryptic parasitoid species
Authors: Valerio Federica , Martel Cornelia , Stefanescu Constanti , Nouhuys Saskya van , Kankare Maaria , Duplouy Anne
Published: December 2023

Background
Maternally-inherited symbionts can induce pre-mating and/or post-mating reproductive isolation between sympatric host lineages, and speciation by modifying host reproductive phenotypes. The large parasitoid wasp genus Cotesia (Braconidae) includes a diversity of cryptic species, each specialized in parasitizing one to few related Lepidoptera host species. Here, we characterized the infection status of an assemblage of 21 Cotesia species by several microbial symbionts, as a step towards testing whether symbionts might provide a barrier to gene flow between the parasitoid host lineages.
Results
The symbiotic microbes Arsenophonus, Cardinium, Microsporidium and Spiroplasma were not detected in the Cotesia wasps. However, the endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia was present in at least eight Cotesia species. Some of the closely related Cotesia species carry similar Wolbachia strains, but most Wolbachia strains showed patterns of horizontal transfer between phylogenetically distant host lineages.
Conclusions
Consequently, we did not detect co-phylogenetic signals, suggesting Wolbachia is not a strictly obligatory beneficial symbiont in these insects. Instead, as a potential facultative symbiont of Cotesia species, Wolbachia may still function as a key-player in the biology of the parasitoid wasps, but its role in the evolution of this complex clade of cryptic species remains to be further investigated.
Asthma in young children in Uganda: caregivers’ and healthcare workers’ understanding and practices in diagnosis and management. A FRESHAIR qualitative study
Authors: Nantanda Rebecca , Najjingo Irene , Kjærgaard Jesper , Reventlow Susanne , Ndekyezi Denis , Ssemata Andrew , Østergaard Marianne
Published: December 2023

Asthma is the commonest chronic childhood illness but in young children, it is under/mis-diagnosed leading to avoidable morbidity and mortality. We explored the caregivers’ and health care providers’ understanding and practices around diagnosis and management of asthma in children less than 5 years, and how they contribute to diagnostic delays and inappropriate care of the affected children. Semi-structured interviews with 17 healthcare providers and 8 caregivers were conducted. Data were thematically analysed. Most caregivers described their children as having recurrent cough, difficult breathing, and wheezing, commonly triggered by a common cold and cold weather. They visited several health facilities but were not told the diagnosis and often ineffective antibiotics and cough syrups were prescribed/used. Family social and economic stress and frustration with the healthcare system was common. Healthcare providers never considered asthma in children with recurrent respiratory symptoms but primarily diagnosed pneumonia and prescribed antibiotics. Tuberculos and malaria were suspected in some children with recurrent respiratory illness, and malaria medicine was prescribed. Recurrent respiratory symptoms without respiratory distress were regarded as a simple illness. In conclusion, the study identified major gaps in understanding of asthma symptoms amongst healthcare providers leading to misdiagnosis and mistreatment of children with asthma. Caregivers carefully and comprehensively describe asthma symptoms, but the health system is not responsive to their needs that could help in diagnosis of asthma and appropriate care.
A New Guaianolide-type Sesquiterpenoid and Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitory Activity from Chrysanthemum sinense Flowers
Authors: Quang Ton That , Mai Nguyen Thi Thanh , Tho Le Huu , Truong Do Van Nhat , Thao Vu Mai , Yen Duong Thi Hai , Kiem Phan Van , Tai Bui Huu Huu , Hang Nguyen Thi Minh , Nhiem Nguyen Xuan
Published: December 2023

The ethanol extract of C. sinense flowers was found to inhibit xanthine oxidase with IC50 value of 8.20 ± 1.36 µg/mL. Using various chromatographic methods, one new guaianolide-type sesquiterpenoid, chrysanoside K (1), along with seventeen known compounds, cumabrin B (2), angeloylcumabrin B (3), 3α-chloro-4 β,10α-dihydroxy-1β,2β-epoxy-5α,7αH-guai-11(13)-en-12,6α-olide (4), zawadskinolide B (5), jaceidin (6), quercetagetin 3,6,3ʹ,4ʹ-tetramethyl ether (7), tilianin (8), apigenin 7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (9), apigenin 7-rutinoside (10), linarin (11), eriodictyol 7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (12), naringenin 7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (13), (9E)-4-oxo-7-hydroxy-11-hydroperoxy-bisabola-2,9-diene (14), indicumenone (15), indicumenone 11-methyl ether (16), 7-hydroxy-3,10-bisaboladien-2-one (17), and 5-acetoxy-9-oxonerodidol (18) were isolated from the flowers of Chrysanthemum sinense Sabine. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and compared with those reported in the literature. All isolated compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory effect on xanthine oxidase activity. As results, compounds 6, 7, and 9 significantly inhibited xanthine oxidase activity with IC50 values of 1.08 ± 0.16, 8.59 ± 1.09, and 5.93 ± 0.45 µM, respectively.
Partitioning and aggregating cross-tissue and tissue-specific genetic effects in identifying gene-trait associations
Authors: Liu Jun , Song Shuang , Wang Lijun , Hou Lin
Published: December 2023

Transcriptome-wide association studies (TWAS) have shown great promises in extending GWAS loci to a functional understanding of disease mechanisms. In an effort to fully unleash the TWAS and GWAS information, we propose MTWAS, a statistical framework that partitions and aggregates cross-tissue and tissue-specific genetic effects in identifying gene-trait associations. Different from previous methods, we introduce a non-parametric imputation strategy to augment the inaccessible tissues, which allows for barren conditions, such as complex interactions and non-linear expression data structure across tissues. We further classify eQTLs into cross-tissue eQTLs (ct-eQTLs) and tissue-specific eQTLs (ts-eQTLs) via a step-wise procedure based on the extended Bayesian information criterion, which was consistent under high-dimensional settings. We have shown that MTWAS significantly improves the imputation accuracy across all 47 GTEx tissues compared with other single-tissue and multi-tissue methods, such as PrediXcan and UTMOST. MTWAS also identifies more predictable genes that can be replicated with independent studies. Applications to 84 UKBB GWAS studies have provided novel insights into disease etiology. The R package implementing MTWAS is available at https://github.com/szcf-weiya/MTWAS.
Precision mapping and expression analysis of recessive bacterial blight resistance gene xa-45(t) from Oryza glaberrima
Authors: Babbar Ankita , Rawat Nidhi , Kaur Pavneet , Singh Navdeep , Lore Jagjeet Singh , vikal Yogesh , neelam kumari
Published: December 2023

Bacterial blight, caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) is one of the most devastating diseases of rice leading to huge yield losses in Southeast Asia. The bacterial blight recessive resistance gene xa-45(t) from the Oryza glaberrima accession IRGC102600B was mapped to 80 Kb region with 9 candidate genes on Nipponbare reference genome IRGSP-1.0 on rice chromosome 8. The aim of this study was to precisely locate the target gene by utilizing a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population developed from a cross between Pusa 44 (susceptible parent) and an introgression line IL274 (resistant parent). The sequence comparisons between Pusa 44 and IL274 at 9 candidate genes, revealed 7 SNPs and an Indel that were preceded for the marker development. The dCAPS assay revealed 3 recombinant breakpoints for the locus LOC_Os08g42350, LOC_Os08g42370 and LOC_Os08g42400, 15 recombinants for LOC_Os08g423420 and 24 recombinants for LOC_Os08g42440 out of 190 individuals. The Indel marker at the locus LOC_Os08g42410 was found co-segregating with the phenotype thus indicating its candidacy towards xa-45(t). Further, relative expression analysis of the candidate genes at 6-time intervals (0, 8, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hrs) of BB infection showed overexpression of LOC_Os08g42410 specific transcripts in IL274 as compared to Pusa44. At 72 hours after inoculation, a significant 4.46-fold increase in differential expression was observed, providing strong evidence for the involvement of LOC_Os08g42410 in the resistance conferred by the bacterial blight gene xa-45(t).
Assessment of the accuracy of tooth widths measured by the ATD software
Authors: Guo Kai , Qin Qianyi , Lu Wenhsuan , Ma Haojie , Hou Yingyue , Shang Wenjia , Wang Yujue , Huang Luyan , Han Bing , Yang Fanghong
Published: December 2023

Background
The clinical software is widely used in measuring digital models. This study assessed the precision of the ATD clinical software (Angelalign Technology) in measuring tooth widths on digital models with different degrees of crowding.
Methods
Twenty-eight extracted teeth were chosen, and their crown widths were measured using a caliper. The teeth were arranged on an edentulous jaw model to mimic varying degrees of crowding: mild (≤ 4 mm), moderate (5–7 mm), and severe (≥ 8 mm). The models were scanned and digitally transformed to measure the crown widths and calculate Bolton ratios. The differences between caliper and software measurements were evaluated to assess the accuracy of the ATD software.
Results
Measurements on digital models by the ATD software exhibited excellent consistency (ICC = 0.998, = 0.997, and = 0.978 for mild, moderate, and severe crowding groups, respectively). Significant differences were observed for tooth positions 11, 13, 14, 17, 22, 23, 24, 26, 31, 32, 33, 37, 42, 43, 45, 46, and 47 among the three crowding groups. There were more dental positions with high accuracy in the severe crowding group. In both maxillary and mandibular arches, the total tooth widths measured using the clinical software were larger than the actual widths. The measurement accuracy for the sum of mandibular anterior tooth widths was significantly higher in the mild crowding group compared to the moderate and severe crowding groups. Tooth width accuracy in the anterior area was significantly higher than that in the posterior area, but there were no significant differences between maxillary and mandibular teeth. The accuracy for anterior Bolton ratio was significantly higher in the severe crowding group compared to the mild crowding group. There were no significant differences in overall Bolton ratio measurements among the three groups.
Conclusion
Although influenced by the degree of crowding, tooth widths and anterior Bolton ratios measured using ATD were highly accurate.
Assessment of Water Consumption Behavior in Single Households Using Smart Water Meters
Authors: Obaid Samim , Hosoi Kyotaro , nguyen Ngoc Minh , Yokota Kuriko , Inoue Takanobu
Published: December 2023

Smart water meters in households monitor hourly consumption patterns while mitigating the cost and inconvenience associated with traditional manual meters. This study comprehensively analyses 1871 households that previously used traditional manual water meters from the distribution point to the distribution area. All the households are equipped with smart water meters, and the collected data has been used for the analysis. According to the total estimated water consumption volume, 227 households were categorized as single households, further classified as single worker and nonworker households. The results indicate that single worker households peaked at 8:00, with 29 liters/h water consumption on weekdays. Consumption decreased during the day until late afternoon as households left for work. The consumption rate peaked again between 20:00 and 21:00 in the evening, averaging 32 liters/h. By contrast, in single nonworker households, the peak consumption was at 9:00 with 20 liters/h. No major changes in water consumption due to individual activities were observed throughout the afternoon. During evening times, the peak amount showed up between 19:00 and 20:00, with an average consumption of 19 liters/h. Moreover, worker single households peaked at 8:00 and 20:00 on weekdays, and at 9:00 and 19:00 on weekends. It was also revealed that worker households’ weekend water consumption was 10% more than on weekdays and 262% more between 13:00 and 16:00 hours.
Empirical verification of feeding selectivity of larval and juvenile pelagic fishes using in-situ zooplankton communities
Authors: Nakamura Masahiro , Okazaki Yuji , Yoneda Michio , Morioka Taizo , Nishibe Yuichiro , Ito Shin-ichi
Published: December 2023

A significant number of field researches have described the diet of larvae and juveniles of commercially important pelagic fish species. However, due to possible biases related to net sampling, including i) bycatch of target fish with prey that are not sympatrically distributed, ii) overestimation of prey that are not easily digested in the gut of target fish, and iii) regurgitation and excretion of gut contents from target fish during sampling, it is uncertain whether the results obtained from those studies truly represent the situation of live fish in the sea. Therefore, we conducted a laboratory experiment minimizing the above uncertainties in the field sampling. Hatchery-reared juvenile chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) and larval Japanese anchovy (Engraulis japonicus) were used as experimental fish, which was fed with wild-caught zooplankton assemblages collected around Hakatajima Island in Setouchi inland sea (133.10°E, 34.20°N). The relationships between fish size and prey number in the gut, and the selectivity on each prey organism were determined. As a result, in both species, prey number and size increased with body size, and the fish showed strong selectivity for crustaceans including copepodites and adults of copepods. These results substantially support the conclusions of previous field studies.
Knowledge of Physicochemical Properties of Two Mexican Stingless Bee Honeys to Strengthen Their Biocultural Value for Indigenous Populations.
Authors: Aroche Aurora Xolalpa , Hernández-Mena David I. , Moguel-Chin Wilson I. , Peruyero Haydeé Contreras , Rivero-Cruz Blanca E. , Ortiz-Vázquez Elizabeth , Rivero-Cruz J. Fausto , M Rodrigo A. Velarde , Delgado-Suárez Enrique J.
Published: December 2023

Honey production in Mexico is an ancient economic, social and biocultural activity for indigenous communities, Mayas and Totonacs, among others. Stingless bee honeys are used in traditional medicine to treat gastrointestinal, respiratory, dermatological and ophthalmic ailments as it contains compounds with antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal activities. Here we provide the first comprehensive physicochemical characterization of Mexican stingless bee honeys as a contribution to strengthening the practice of meliponiculture by indigenous Mayan and Totonac communities. By providing information on the main physicochemical parameters for the honeys of Melipona beecheii and Scaptotrigona mexicana, we intend to increase their commercial and biocultural value in different regions of Mexico, taking into consideration the different zootechnical management techniques used by these communities. A statistical analysis was performed to identify if there were significant differences in the physicochemical parameters evaluated. Significant differences were observed in moisture level, pH, sugar composition and HMF content; between at least two of the honeys analyzed. Furthermore, a principal component analysis confirmed these differences by showing a distinct profile for Scaptotrigona mexicana honey when compared to the honeys of two other species. Here we provide information that can be used by stingless beekeepers for the classification and characterization of the honeys they produce. This information will complement their indisputable efforts to conserve biological biodiversity, the defense of their territories, and the various ancestral practices they employ for the breeding, management, and reproduction of stingless bees. Furthermore, this information will help increase the economic sustainability of meliponiculture for these communities.
Source and level of dietary iron influences semen quality by affecting inflammation, oxidative stress and iron utilization levels in boars
Authors: Wu Yinghui , Li Yamei , Miao Yueyue , Wei Hongkui , Luo Hefeng , Ren Chunxiao , Zhang Yawei , Chen Juan , Wei Tanghong , Deng Jiyan , Peng Jian
Published: December 2023

Background
Boars fed a mixed form of inorganic and organic iron in excess of the NRC recommended levels still develop anemia, which suggested that the current level and form of iron supplementation in boar diets may be inappropriate. Therefore, 56 healthy boars aged 15 ~ 21 months were randomly divided into 5 groups: basal diet supplemented with 96 mg/kg ferrous sulfate (FeSO4) and 54 mg/kg glycine chelated iron (Gly-Fe, control); 80 mg/kg or 115 mg/kg Gly-Fe; 80 mg/kg or 115 mg/kg methionine hydroxyl analogue chelated iron (MHA-Fe, from Calimet-Fe) for 16 weeks. The effects of dietary iron supplementation with different sources and levels on semen quality in boars were investigated.
Results
1) Serum Fe and hemoglobin concentration were not affected by reduced dietary iron levels in the 80 mg/kg or 115 mg/kg Gly-Fe and MHA-Fe groups compared with the control group (P > 0.05). 2) Serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and sperm malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the 80 mg/kg or 115 mg/kg MHA-Fe groups were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05), and higher serum superoxide dismutase levels and lower MDA levels in the 115 mg/kg MHA-Fe group (P < 0.05). 3) Boars in the 80 mg/kg or 115 mg/kg Gly-Fe and MHA-Fe groups had lower serum hepcidin (P < 0.01), ferritin (P < 0.05), and transferrin receptor (P < 0.01) concentrations, and boars in the 115 mg/kg MHA-Fe group had higher seminal plasma Fe concentrations compared with the control group. 4) Boars in the 80 mg/kg and 115 mg/kg MHA-Fe groups had lower abnormal sperm rate and in situ oscillating sperm ratio compared to the control group at weeks 12 and/or 16 of the trial. However, the effect of Gly-Fe on improving semen quality in boars was not evident. 5) Serum IL-6 level was positively correlated with hepcidin concentration (P < 0.05), which correlated with the increased abnormal sperm rate (P < 0.05). Furthermore, significant correlations were also found between indicators of iron status and oxidative stress and semen quality parameters.
Conclusions
Dietary supplementation with 80 mg/kg or 115 mg/kg MHA-Fe did not induce iron deficiency, but rather reduced serum inflammatory levels and hepcidin concentration, allevited oxidative stress, increased body iron utilization, and improved semen quality in adult boars.
Excessive Lipid Production Shapes Glioma Tumor Microenvironment
Authors: Maraqah Haitham , Aboubechara John Paul , Abu-Asab Mones , Lee Han Sung , Aboud Orwa
Published: December 2023

Disrupted lipid metabolism is a characteristic of gliomas. This study utilizes an ultrastructural approach to characterize the prevalence and distribution of lipids within gliomas. This study made use of tissue from IDH1 wild type (IDH1-wt) glioblastoma (n = 18) and IDH1 mutant (IDH1-mt) astrocytoma (n = 12) tumors. We uncover a prevalent and intriguing surplus of lipids. The bulk of the lipids manifested as sizable cytoplasmic inclusions and extracellular deposits in the tumor microenvironment (TME); in some tumors the lipids were stored in the classical membraneless spheroidal lipid droplets (LDs). Frequently, lipids accumulated inside mitochondria, suggesting possible dysfunction of the beta-oxidation pathway. Additionally, the tumor vasculature have lipid deposits in their lumen and vessel walls; this lipid could have shifted in from the tumor microenvironment or have been produced by the vessel-invading tumor cells. Lipid excess in gliomas stems from disrupted beta-oxidation and dysfunctional oxidative phosphorylation pathways. The implications of this lipid-driven environment include structural support for the tumor cells and protection against immune responses, non-lipophilic drugs, and free radicals.
Interactive effect of agricultural management and landscape in bee-plant interaction networks
Authors: de Castro Samantha Marx , Nagatani Cauê , Yoshikawa Vania Nobuko , Ramos Kelli dos Santos , Cordeiro Guaraci Duran , Morini Maria Santina de Castro
Published: December 2023

Bees’ pollination is essential for ecosystems and ecosystem services, including in agriculture. Thus, agricultural management and environmental changes must not affect bee communities and native plants negatively. This study investigated the impact of management practices and areas of native forest around agricultural areas on bee-plant interaction networks. We carried it out in 12 small farming areas with distinct types of management (organic and conventional) and local landscapes (buffer of 1 km with more than 50% of native vegetation or less than it) in the São Paulo Green Belt Biosphere Reserve, SP, Brazil. Our results show that, regardless of the type of forest around the agricultural area and type of management, the bee-plant interaction networks are similar. We concluded that our studied areas were very similar in terms of cultivation characteristics. Nonetheless, our results suggest that less aggressive agriculture management, such as the maintenance of native plants in agricultural areas and the preservation of native forests contribute positively to bee-plant interaction networks, and consequently reduce the impact of pesticide use.
Isolated Epididymitis Tuberculosis in an Adolescent Male: When Foresight Clinical Decisions Determine the Right Diagnosis
Authors: Cesilia Citra , Nugraha Harry Galuh , Siregar Safendra , Nataprawira Heda Melinda
Published: December 2023

Background: Urogenital tuberculosis (UGTB) is one of the common extrapulmonary TB in children. One form of UGTB is epididymitis TB, which is reported rarely in children. Epididymitis TB presented with unspecific chronic clinical manifestation and definitive diagnosis made by bacteriological confirmation due to paucibacillary and histopathology findings.
Case presentation: A 16-year-old boy had been admitted to the hospital due to painful swelling of the left scrotum in the last three month. Persistent coughing for 2 months was reported. Physical examination of the left scrotum showed swelling accompanied by cardinal signs. Palpable hard mass on the left scrotum, firm borders, pain, measuring 7x4 cm. Laboratory examination was within normal limits, tumor markers (AFP, CEA, LDH) within normal limits, and routine urinalysis showed leukocyturia. Genital ultrasound showed epididymitis sinistra with septal hydrocele. Genital MRI showed left epididymitis with bilateral inguinal lymph node enlargement. TB evaluation examination showed a PPD test of 0 mm and a negative bacteriologic examination, but CXR showed perihilar lymphadenopathy. The patient was diagnosed as isolated TB lymphadenitis and received quadruple ATT for two months, followed by RH for four months. After treatment, the size of the left testicle decreased and was equal to that of the right; no signs of inflammation were found, weight increased by 5 kg, and cough disappeared. However, sperm analysis at the end of treatment showed teratozoospermia. The patient is currently being treated for teratozoospermia by urologic surgery colleagues.
Conclusions: Biopsy and culture testing for TB epididymitis confirmation are difficult to perform in the clinical setting. TB epididymitis should be considered in adolescent boys with complaints of chronic scrotal swelling and pain. Clinical judgment based on history taking, physical examination, and radiologic features supporting the picture of tuberculosis is helpful to diagnose correctly and quickly for a favorable outcome.
Effect of First-line Chemotherapy Alone Versus First-line Chemotherapy Plus Radiotherapy on Survival in Patients with Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer in the IMRT era: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Meng Dong-Fang , Zheng Li-Sheng , Zhang Hai-Bo , Liu Zi-Hao , Tian Yaru , Ma Ji , Fu Lei
Published: December 2023

Purpose: The role of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and novel combination chemotherapy regimens in locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) remains unclear. In this study, we focused on comparing survival between first-line chemotherapy alone and first-line chemotherapy plus IMRT in patients with LAPC.
Methods: Atotal of 70 patients from Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute were enrolled. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Survival outcomes were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared by the log-rank test, and the multivariate Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs), 95% CIs and independent prognostic factors.
Results: The median PFS was 10.0 months in the chemotherapy alone group and 14.0 months in the chemotherapy plus IMRT group (P=0.465). Patients who received chemotherapy alone had a median OS of 12.0 months vs. 21.0 months for patients who received chemotherapy plus IMRT (P=0.156). The chemotherapy alone group had a disease control rate (DCR) of 33.33% (6 of 18), while the chemotherapy plus IMRT group had a DCR of 61.54% (32 of 52) (P=0.038). The multivariate Cox regression model was used to adjust for potential prognostic factors. Shorter PFS was observed in men (P=0.042), and those with a high serum level of CA 19-9 (P=0.047). Similarly, shorter OS was significantly associated with men (P=0.010) and a high serum level of CA 19-9 (P=0.020).
Conclusions: The combination of first-line chemotherapy and IMRT improves the DCR rate. However, first-line chemotherapy plus IMRT had no significant difference in DFS and OS compared with chemotherapy alone.
TRIM29 promotes bladder cancer invasion by regulating the intermediate filament network and focal adhesion.
Authors: Palmbos Phillip , Wang Yin , Jerome Nicole , Kelleher Alan , Henderson Marian , Day Mark , Coulombe Pierre
Published: December 2023

Bladder cancer is a common malignancy whose lethality is determined by invasive potential. We have previously shown that TRIM29, also known as ATDC, is transcriptionally regulated by TP63 in basal bladder cancers where it promotes invasive progression and metastasis, but the molecular events which promote invasion and metastasis downstream of TRIM29 remained poorly understood. Here we identify stimulation of bladder cancer migration as the specific role of TRIM29 during invasion. We show that TRIM29 physically interacts with K14 + intermediate filaments which in turn regulates focal adhesion stability. Further, we find that both K14 and the focal adhesion protein, ZYX are required for bladder cancer migration and invasion. Taken together, these results establish a role for TRIM29 in the regulation of cytoskeleton and focal adhesions during invasion and identify a pathway with therapeutic potential.
Semantic Image Segmentation Using Transformers
Authors: DOPPALAPUDI SAI KRISHNA , P SUPREETHI K.
Published: December 2023

Since the development of deep learning, FCNNs—particularly "U-shaped" encoder-decoder architectures—have excelled at various medical semantic segmentation tasks.
For the bulk of medical picture segmentation applications during the past ten years, Fully Convolutional Neural Networks (FCNNs) with contracting and expanding paths have gained importance. In FCNNs, the encoder plays a crucial role in learning both global and local features as well as contextual representations that the decoder can use to expect semantic output. Despite its success, FCNNs' ability to learn long-range spatial relationships is constrained by the locality of their convolutional layers. Motivated by the recent popularity of Transformers. We reframe the challenge of volumetric (3D) medical picture segmentation as a sequence-to-sequence prediction issue, drawing inspiration from the recent success of transformers for Natural Language Processing (NLP) in long-range sequence learning.
Due to their ability to simulate long-range dependencies, transformers have proved to perform various natural language processing and computer vision tasks. Recent developments have shown how promising combining such transformers with CNN-based semantic picture segmentation algorithms is. The effectiveness of a pure transformer-based technique for picture segmentation has not yet been thoroughly investigated.
Encoder-decoder-based Fully Converter Networks, a novel framework for semantic picture segmentation, will be investigated in this paper (FTN) We offer a novel architecture that successfully captures the global multi-scale information and learns sequence representations of the input volume using a transformer as the encoder, while also employing the well-proven "U-shaped" network design for the encoder and decoder. To figure out the final semantic segmentation output, the transformer encoder is directly coupled by skip connections to a decoder at various resolutions.
Machine Learning-based Predictive Model for Mortality in Female Breast Cancer Patients Considering Lifestyle Factors
Authors: Zhen Meixin , Chen Haibing , Lu Qing , Li Hui , Yan Huang , Wang Ling
Published: December 2023

Objective Current breast cancer mortality prediction models primarily rely on clinical and genetic data, which are costly and less accessible. Emerging evidence highlights the significance of lifestyle factors in postdiagnosis mortality among breast cancer patients. This study aimed to enhance predictive models by integrating lifestyle variables, creating an economical, practical, and interpretable prognostic tool.
Methods In this retrospective study, we utilized a ten-year follow-up dataset of female breast cancer patients from a major Chinese hospital and included 1,390 female breast cancer patients with a 7% (96) mortality rate. We employed six machine learning algorithms (ridge regression, k-nearest neighbors, neural network, random forest, support vector machine, and extremegradient boosting) to construct a prognostic model for breast cancer. The 10-fold cross-validation results indicated that the random forest model exhibited the best performance (average area under the curve (AUC)= 0.918; 1-yr AUC = 0.914, 2-yr AUC = 0.867, 3-yr AUC = 0.883). These models also performed strongly in an independent external dataset (external validation average AUC = 0.782; 1-yr AUC = 0.809; 2-yr AUC = 0.785; 3-yr AUC = 0.893). We developed a user-friendly web tool using Shiny-Web for easy model access. Cox regression identified postsurgery sexual activity, totally implantable venous access port use, and prosthetic breast wear as independent protective factors, while considering pain to be the greatest difficulty postoperatively was associated with a worse prognosis.
Conclusion Our postoperative mortality prediction model is cost-effective and accurate, aiding healthcare professionals in treatment decisions and promoting healthier lifestyles for breast cancer patients.
Progenitor cells and circulating endothelial cells are associated with disease activity and damage in systemic lupus erythematosus patients
Authors: Silveira Gonzalo , Ranero Sabrina , Carlomagno Adriana , Brugnini Andreina , Trias Natalia , Lens Daniela , Rebella Martín , Danza Álvaro , Grille Sofía
Published: December 2023

Background: Despite treatment advances, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients frequently experience disease flares, which can lead to organ damage and premature death. Therefore, assessing disease activity in SLE patients is crucial for adjusting treatment and preventing further organ damage. The aim of this study was to investigate progenitor cells and circulating endothelial cells levels in relation to SLE activity and accumulate organ damage.
Methodos: A case-control study was conducted. CD34+CD45low/- progenitor cells, CD34+CD45low/-CD133+progenitor, Endothelial Progenitor cells (EPC) and Circulating Endothelial cells (CEC) levels in peripheral blood were assessed by flow cytometry.
Results: Thirty-two SLE patients and 28 matched controls were included. SLE patients had lower levels of CD34+CD45low/- progenitor cells (p=0.001), CD34+CD45low/-CD133+ progenitor cells (p=0.016), EPC (p=0.018) and CEC (p<0.001) compared to controls. In addition, cell subpopulations studied correlate with SLE activity biomarkers. CD34+CD45low/- progenitor cells showed a moderate negative correlation with levels of both C3 and C4. We also found significantly higher levels of CD34+CD45low/- progenitor cells, CD34+CD45low/- CD133+ progenitor cells, EPC and CEC in patients with SLE with SDI scores ≥1 versus those without organ damage (p=0.0073, p=0.018, p=0.018 and p=0.020, respectively).
Conclusion: We found that CD34+CD45low/- progenitor cells, CD34+CD45low/-CD133+ progenitor cells, CPE and CEC were significantly reduced in patients with SLE as well as associated with disease activity and organ damage. Our observations suggest that CD34+CD45low/- progenitor cells could serve as a potential biomarker for disease activity and organ damage in SLE patients. It should be confirmed in a prospective study.
Bovine lactoferrin inhibits inflammatory response and apoptosis in LPS-induced acute lung injury by targeting the PPAR-γ pathway
Authors: Li Yantao , Li Junhu , Dong Yan , Wang Can , Cai Zhigang
Published: December 2023

Background: Lactoferrin (LF) is an iron-binding multifunctional cationic glycoprotein. Previous studies have demonstrated that LF may be a potential drug for treating acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome. In this study, we explored the anti-inflammatory effect and mechanism of bovine lactoferrin (bLF) in acute lung injury using the RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) technology and transcriptome analysis.
Methods and Results: Based on the differentially expressed genes obtained from RNA-seq of the Lung from mouse model, The bioinformatics workflow was implemented using the BGISEQ-500 platform. The protein–protein interaction (PPI) network was obtained using STRING, and the hub gene was screened using Cytoscape. To verify the results of transcriptome analysis, the effects of bLF on LPS-induced BEAS-2B cells and its anti-reactive oxygen species (ROS), anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects were studied via CCK8 test, active oxygen detection test, ELISA, and western blot assay.
Transcriptome analysis revealed that two hub gene modules of DEGs were screened via PPI analysis using the STRING and MCODE plug-ins of Cytoscape. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) enrichment analysis revealed that these core modules are enriched in the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) and AMP-activated protein kinase signaling pathways. Through cell experiments, our study shows that bLF can inhibit ROS, inflammatory reaction, and LPS-induced BEAS-2B cell apoptosis, which are significantly antagonized by the PPAR-γ inhibitor GW9662,
Conclusion: This study has suggested that the PPAR-γ pathway is the critical target of bLF in anti-inflammatory reactions and apoptosis of acute lung injury, which provides a direction for further research.
Multi-material and thickness optimization of a wind turbine blade root section
Authors: Hermansen Sebastian M. , Lund Erik
Published: December 2023

State-of-the-art wind turbines blades are large and complex structures, consequently making design challenging. The complexity is largely a result of using laminated composites which are high-performing and versatile materials, but also inhomogeneous hence exhibiting anisotropic behavior as well as challenging failure mechanisms. Structural optimization has been shown to be an invaluable tool for solving such challenging design problems, however a framework for treating all relevant parameters, i.e., material choice, fiber orientation, stacking sequence, and layer thickness, on the current scale is not available. Thus, the motivation of the present work is to present an overall gradient-based approach, where the key structural criteria are considered for multiple design load cases. The optimization framework is based on a variation of the Discrete Material and Thickness Optimization approach, where the thickness is directly parametrized, allowing for appropriately treating the sandwich parts of the blade. Application of the developed framework leads to an optimized design consisting of complex variable-thickness laminates, a good overall distribution of the structural criteria in the model, and a 23% reduction in mass compared to the initial design.
Impaired proprioception and magnified scaling of proprioceptive error responses in chronic stroke
Authors: Tulimieri Duncan Thibodeau , Semrau Jennifer A.
Published: December 2023

Background
Previous work has shown that ~ 50–60% of individuals have impaired proprioception after stroke. Typically, these studies have identified proprioceptive impairments using a narrow range of reference movements. While this has been important for identifying the prevalence of proprioceptive impairments, it is unknown whether these error responses are consistent for a broad range of reference movements. The objective of this study was to characterize proprioceptive accuracy as function of movement speed and distance in stroke.
Methods
Stroke (N = 25) and controls (N = 21) completed a robotic proprioception test that varied movement speed and distance. Participants mirror-matched various reference movement speeds (0.1–0.4 m/s) and distances (7.5–17.5 cm). Spatial and temporal parameters known to quantify proprioception were used to determine group differences in proprioceptive accuracy, and whether patterns of proprioceptive error were consistent across testing conditions within and across groups.
Results
Overall, we found that stroke participants had impaired proprioception compared to controls. Proprioceptive errors related to tested reference movement scaled similarly to controls, but some errors showed amplified scaling (e.g., significantly overshooting or undershooting reference speed). Further, interaction effects were present for speed and distance reference combinations at the extremes of the testing distribution.
Conclusions
We found that stroke participants have impaired proprioception and that some proprioceptive errors were dependent on characteristics of the movement (e.g., speed) and that reference movements at the extremes of the testing distribution resulted in significantly larger proprioceptive errors for the stroke group. Understanding how sensory information is utilized across a broad spectrum of movements after stroke may aid design of rehabilitation programs.
Association between heavy metal exposure and the risk of developing type-2 diabetes in American adults: NHANES 2013-2018
Authors: Zhang Haimeng , Jing Cuiqi , Xu Xiaoyu , zhang Fan , Ren Jiajia , Xie Hong
Published: December 2023

Studies indicate a link between the presence of various heavy metals and the development of insulin resistance. We sought to evaluate the association between the levels of certain urinary metals, including barium, cadmium, lead, molybdenum, strontium, uranium, and others, with the incidence of diabetes. The prevalence of diabetes was assessed by retrieving and analyzing the health questionnaire for patients data from NHANES 2013 to 2018. We observed that urinary barium (β = 0.04 95% CI: 0.01, 0.1), urinary strontium (β = 0.04 95% CI: 0.01, 0.1) and urinary uranium (β=-0.02 95% CI: -0.04, 0.004) were positively correlated with the risk of developing diabetes. In addition, consistent trends were maintained in quantile regression models. After adjusting for covariates (sex, age, education level, race, BMI, income, and heavy metals) for the associations of urinary and blood heavy metals with the risk of developing diabetes (β = 0.03, 95% CI: -0.06, 0.11), urinary strontium (β = 0.00) and urinary uranium (β = 0.10, 95% CI: -0.22, 0.43) showed linear relationships with the risk of developing diabetes. The role of mixed heavy metal exposure was evaluated using weighted quantiles and a weighted quantile sum (WQS) model. According to the WQS analysis, a mixed exposure was substantially positively associated with the chance of acquiring diabetes (β = 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.03). Therefore, our research showed that there were positive correlations of strontium and uranium with the prevalence of diabetes, and strontium also had a substantial impact on mixed heavy metal exposure, which causes serious harm to the human body.
Validation of Baveno VII criteria for clinically significant portal hypertension by two-dimensional shear wave elastography
Authors: He Ruiling , Liu Chuan , Grgurevic Ivica , Guo Ying , Xu Huixiong , Liu Jiacheng , Liu Yunfang , Wang XiaoYan , Shi Hongmei , Madir Anita , Podrug Kristian , Zhu Yuli , Hua Yongli , Wang Kun , Wen Jing , Su Meiqin , Zhang Qun , Li Jie , Qi Xiaolong
Published: December 2023

Background: The Baveno VII consensus proposed criteria for the non-invasively diagnosis of clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) in patients with compensated advanced chronic liver disease (cACLD). The performance of Baveno VII criteria for assessing CSPH by two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D-SWE) had not been well validated. We aimed to validate the performance of Baveno VII criteria for rule-in and rule-out CSPH by 2D-SWE.
Method: This is an international multicenter study including cACLD patients from China and Croatia with paired liver stiffness measurement (LSM), spleen stiffness measurement (SSM) by 2D-SWE, and hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) were included. CSPH was defined as HVPG ≥ 10 mmHg.
Result: A total of 146 patients with cACLD were enrolled, and finally 118 patients were included in the analysis. Among them, CSPH was documented in 79 (66.9%) patients. Applying the Baveno VII criteria for rule-out CSPH by 2D-SWE, [LSM ≤ 15 kPa and platelet count ≥ 150×109/L] OR SSM < 21 kPa, could exclude CSPH with sensitivity > 90% (93.5% or 98.7%) but negative predictive value < 90% (74.1% or 85.7%). Using the Baveno VII criteria for rule-in CSPH by 2D-SWE, LSM ≥ 25 kPa OR SSM ≥ 50 kPa, could diagnose CSPH with 100% specificity and 100% positive predictive values.
Conclusion: Baveno VII criteria by 2D-SWE showed a good diagnostic performance for ruling in but not for ruling out CSPH, which might become an emerging non-invasive elastography tool to select the patients who needed non-selective beta blocker therapy.
Protocol for scoping review to identify current paediatric hypertension surveillance techniques in the sub-Saharan African region
Authors: Alaofin Omotayo Solomon , Gafane-Matemane Lebo , Mokwatsi Gontse , Jobe Modou , Kruger Prof Ruan
Published: December 2023

Objective This scoping review aims to evaluate the surveillance approaches currently being used in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) to identify paediatric hypertension. The review will further identify barriers and limitations in paediatric hypertension surveillance techniques.Introduction: Globally, hypertension is the major cause of preventable death due to its contribution to the cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Approximately 1.28 billion individuals worldwide are currently living with hypertension with higher prevalence in low-and middle-income countries. Despite clear evidence worldwide that high blood pressure (HBP) in children and adolescents largely contributes to the burden of CVD at adulthood, the burden of hypertension among children and adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is poorly documented due to lack of systematic approach.Inclusion criteria: This review will include peer-reviewed articles of any study design published in SSA region using the following criteria: articles reporting surveillance of paediatric hypertension among children and adolescent; articles reporting lack of appropriate guidelines and challenges impacting screening and diagnosis. Articles published in English as well as languages other than English where the translation is available will be included.Method and analysis: The scoping review will adopt the five stages of the Arskey and O’Malley methodological framework. Electric literature search will be conducted on the following data bases: MEDLINE, ERIC, PubMed, EBSCOhost, Health Source - Consumer Edition, the Cochrane Library, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied, Health Literature (CINAHL), with Full Text, Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition, Google Scholar, Academic Search Complete and African Journals OnLine (AJOL). Grey literature search will be conducted on selected databases for relevant peer-reviewed articles. Articles selected will be screened separately by two of the co-authors, while the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) extension for Scoping Reviews will be used to prepare and present the result of the scoping review.