bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Sarcopenia Combined with Metabolic Syndrome (MS) on the Prognosis of Intertrochanteric Fractures: A Retrospective Clinical Study
Authors: Zhang Cheng , Wang Ding , Wu Xitao , Zhang Qinrui , Wu Congcong , Lang Junzhe , Chen Lei
Published: August 2024

Background
Hip fractures, particularly intertrochanteric fractures, represent one of the most prevalent types of fractures among the elderly. This study aims to evaluate the impact of sarcopenia and metabolic syndrome (MS), individually and in combination, on postoperative outcomes in elderly patients with intertrochanteric fractures.
Methods
We conducted a retrospective analysis of 460 elderly patients with intertrochanteric fractures. Patients were divided into control, MS, sarcopenia, and combined group Baseline data and outcomes of MS group, sarcopenia group and combined group were each compared with control group. Binary logistic regression models were employed to identify independent risk factors for poor postoperative functional recovery.
Results
The study included 174 patients in the control group, 122 in the MS group, 89 in the sarcopenia group, and 75 in the combined group. The MS group had younger patients with higher BMI, hypertension, diabetes prevalence, and longer surgery durations (P < 0.05). Sarcopenia and combined groups exhibited lower weight, BMI, handgrip strength, ASMI, and higher ASA scores (P < 0.05). At the 3-month follow-up, the sarcopenia and combined groups had significantly lower Harris Hip Scores (HHS) and Barthel Index (BI) scores compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression identified sarcopenia alone (OR 6.5, 95% CI 2.56-20,1; P < 0.001) and combined with MS (OR 9.46, 95% CI 3.33–34.8; P < 0.001) as significant predictors of poor postoperative recovery.
Conclusion
Sarcopenia, particularly when combined with MS, significantly worsens postoperative prognosis in elderly patients with intertrochanteric fractures. Comprehensive preoperative assessments and tailored postoperative management strategies, including nutritional support and early rehabilitation, are crucial to improve outcomes for this vulnerable population. Integrating these findings into clinical practice can enhance care and reduce postoperative complications, ultimately improving prognosis.
Characterization of Specific Responses to Three Models of Viral Antigens in Immunocompetent Older Adults
Authors: Rioseras Beatriz , Bueno-García Eva , García-Torre Alejandra , López-Martínez Rocío , Moro-García Marco Antonio , Alonso-Alvarez Sara , Menéndez-García Victoria , Lluna-González Alba , Sousa-Fernández Alejandra , Gudin Marta Fernández , Riopedre Laura Campos , Cueto Corina Castro del , Fernández Ana Belén Pérez , Rodríguez Ana Alonso , Peña Carla Menéndez , Peña Lara Menéndez , Arnaldo Noelia García , Díaz Estefanía Feito , Lorences Adriana Fernández , Manzano Agustín Fraile , Iglesias Carolina Fernández , Rivera Jose Arturo , Fonseca Carmen Pérez , Ruano Estibaliz Urdiales , Fernández María Debán , Moreira Hugo Mendes , Puente Pablo Herrero , Alonso-Arias Rebeca
Published: August 2024

Background
Memory responses to the antigens that an individual encounters throughout life may vary with the intensity and duration of antigen contacts or even changes in immune status over time. This work aims to characterise specific responses to chronic CMV, seasonal influenza and novel SARS-CoV-2 infections in immunocompetent individuals over 60 years of age. Specific cellular and humoral responses were identified by IFN-γ and granzyme-B released by ELISpot and antibody level measurement. T lymphocyte subpopulation phenotypes were characterized by flow cytometry.
Results
Cellular and humoral responses to these viruses were detected in almost all patients. Influenza and SARS-CoV-2 cellular responses were positively correlated. There was no significant correlation of CMV with influenza or SARS-CoV-2 responses although both were consistently lower in CMV-seropositive patients. CMV responses were negatively correlated with the levels of the least differentiated subsets of T lymphocytes, and positively correlated with the most differentiated ones, contrary to what happened with the influenza responses. Nevertheless, SARS-CoV-2 cellular responses were negatively correlated with the most differentiated CD8+ T lymphocytes, while humoral responses were negatively correlated with the least differentiated T lymphocytes. Responses to the three viruses were correlated with a Th1/Th2/Th17 balance in favour of Th1.
Conclusions
Results indicate that memory responses differ depending on the durability of the antigen stimulus. Cellular responses to novel pathogens resemble those generated by seasonal but not chronic antigens. Subpopulation distribution and the level of specific T lymphocytes against previous pathogens could be used as immunocompetent status biomarkers in older adults reflecting their ability to generate memory responses to new pathogens.
Outcomes in stable paediatric patients with cancer with fever and neutropenia according to time to antibiotic administration: a prospective observational study
Authors: Muñoz Beatriz Vergara , Ron Monica Sancosmed , Huélamo María Suárez-Bustamante , Carballo Esther Lera , Jiménez Ana Rodríguez , Rodrigo Rocio , Alonso-Cadenas José Antonio
Published: August 2024

Purpose. To evaluate whether an increase in the time to antibiotics (TTA) administration in the paediatric emergency department worsens the prognosis of cancer patients with febrile neutropenia (FN) and a normal Paediatric Assessment Triangle (PAT) upon arrival.
Methods. We describe patients with FN and a normal PAT upon arrival. We performed a subanalysis of a prospective, observational study conducted in two hospitals between November 2019 and October 2021. Poor outcome was defined as admission to the paediatric intensive care unit, development of sepsis or septic shock, acute complications, sequelae or death. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics.
Results. We included 192 episodes involving a total of 163 patients. One hundred ten episodes (57.3%; 95% CI 50.0-54.4) had a TTA ≤ 60 minutes (short TTA) and 82 (42.7%; 95% CI 35.6–50.0) had a TTA > 60 minutes (long TTA). The median TTA administration in the short TTA group was 35 minutes (IQR 30–45), while in the long TTA group it was 100 minutes (IQR 65–120) (p < 0.001). Baseline characteristics were similar in both groups, except for previous episodes of FN: 71 (64.5%) in the short TTA group and seven (8.5%) in the long TTA group (p < 0.001). Twenty-two (11.5%) episodes resulted in a poor outcome, with no deaths and no differences between the two groups.
Conclusions. Increased time to antibiotic administration in stable paediatric FN patients may not compromise clinical outcomes, thereby supporting the feasibility of a "wait and see" approach.
Machine learning prediction models for the popularization and dissemination of medical science popularization videos
Authors: Cheng Nuo , Wang Xiu-Ling , Mu Yang , Li Hui-Jun , Ma Yan-Ning , Yuan Yonghui , Gong Da-Xin , Zang Shuang , Zhang Guang-Wei
Published: August 2024

Objective
To summarize the current shooting trends of this type of video, discuss the effect of non-medical factors on the spread of videos, and develop prediction models using machine learning (ML) algorithms.
Methods
We searched and filtered medical science popularization videos on TikTok, then labeled non-medical features as variables and record the number of “Thumb-Up”, “Comment”, “Share” and “Collection” as outcome indicators. A total of 286 samples and 34 variables were included in the construction of the ML model, and 13 algorithms were employed with the area under the curve (AUC) for performance assessment and a ten-fold cross-validation for accuracy testing.
Results
In the quantitative analysis of the 4 outcome indicators, we identified significant disparities among different videos. Subsequently, five best-performing models were ultimately confirmed to predict the reasons for differences: “Thumb-Up” RF Model (AUC = 0.7331), “Collection” RF Model (AUC = 0.7439), “Share” RF Model (AUC = 0.7077), “Comment” RF Model (AUC = 0.7960), “Comment” BNB Model (AUC = 0.7844). By ML models, the video duration, title and description length, shooting location emerged and body language as the most five crucial parameters across all five models.
Conclusion
ML models demonstrated superior performance in predicting the influence of non-medical factors on the spread of medical science popularization videos. The weight of these variables will provide valuable guidance for video preparation. This study contributes to the dissemination and acceptance of medical science popularization videos by the public, thereby promoting health education and enhancing public awareness and competence in healthcare.
Clinical Outcomes of Covid-19 in Patients With Liver Cirrhosis - A Propensity-Matched Analysis From a Multicentric Brazilian Cohort
Authors: Menezes Luanna Silva Monteiro , Cunha Pedro Ferrari Sales , Pires Magda Carvalho , Valle Lucas Rocha , Costa Flávia Carvalho Cardoso , Ferreira Maria Angélica Pires , Guimarães-Júnior Milton Henriques , Francisco Saionara Cristina , Carneiro Marcelo , Silveira Daniel Vitório , Aranha Fernando Graça , Carvalho Rafael Lima Rodrigues , Ferrari Teresa Cristina Abreu , Marcolino Milena Soriano
Published: August 2024

Background
Cirrhosis has been pointed out as a clinical entity that leads to worse clinical prognosis in COVID-19 patients. However, this concept is controversial in the literature. We aimed to evaluate clinical outcomes by comparing patients with cirrhosis to those without cirrhosis in a Brazilian cohort.
Methods
Data from 20,164 COVID-19 inpatients were collected from 41 hospitals in Brazil between March to September 2020 and March 2021 to August 2022. We compared 117 patients with cirrhosis to 632 matched controls. A propensity score model was used to adjust for potential confounding variables, incorporating some predictors: age, sex at birth, number of comorbidities, hospital of admission, whether it was an in-hospital clinical manifestation of COVID-19 and admission year. Closeness was defined as being within 0.16 standard deviations of the logit of the propensity score.
Results
The median age was 61 (IQR 50–70) years-old, and 63.4% were men. There were no significant differences in the self-reported symptoms. Patients with cirrhosis had lower median hemoglobin levels (10.8 vs 13.1 g/dl), lower platelets (127,000 vs 200,000 cells/mm3), and leukocytes counts, as well as lower median C-reactive protein (63.0 vs 76.0 p = 0.044) when compared to controls.They also had had higher mortality compared to matched controls (51.3% vs 21.7%, p < 0.001). They also had higher frequencies of admission in an intensive care unit (51.3% vs 38.0%, p = 0.007), invasive mechanical ventilation (43.9% vs 26.6%, p < 0.001), dialysis (17.9% vs 11.1%, p = 0.038), septic shock (23.9% vs 14.9%; p = 0.015) and institution of palliative care (19.7% vs 7.4%; p < 0.001).
Conclusions
This study has shown that COVID-19 inpatients with cirrhosis had significantly higher incidence of severe outcomes, as well as higher frequency of institution of palliative care when compared to matched controls. Our findings underscore the need for these patients to receive particular attention from healthcare teams and allocated resources.
A differential requirement for ciliary transition zone proteins in human and mouse neural progenitor fate specification
Authors: Wiegering Antonia , Anselme Isabelle , Brunetti Ludovica , Metayer-Derout Laura , Calderon Damelys , Thomas Sophie , Nedelec Stéphane , Eschstruth Alexis , Serpieri Valentina , Catala Martin , Antoniewski Christophe , Schneider-Maunoury Sylvie , Stedman Aline
Published: August 2024

Studying developmental processes in the context of the human central nervous system is essential to understand neurodevelopmental diseases. In this paper we perform a comparative functional study of the ciliopathy gene RPGRIP1L in human and mouse spinal development using in vitro 3D differentiation of pluripotent stem cells. RPGRIP1L, a causal gene of severe neurodevelopmental ciliopathies such as Joubert and Meckel syndromes, encodes a scaffolding protein of the ciliary transition zone involved in ciliary gating. Previous work has identified a major role for Rpgrip1l in mouse brain and spinal cord development, via controlling the Sonic Hedgehog (SHH)/GLI pathway. We show that spinal organoids derived from Rpgrip1l mutant mouse embryonic stem cells faithfully recapitulate the loss of motoneurons and the strong reduction of SHH signaling observed in the mutant mice. In contrast, human induced pluripotent stem cells mutant for RPGRIP1L produce motoneurons and activate the SHH pathway at levels similar to wild types, a property shared by human iPSCs mutant for another ciliopathy gene TMEM67. Moreover, we show that, in human RPGRIP1L mutant organoids, motoneurons acquire a more anterior identity, expressing HOX genes and proteins normally present in the hindbrain while motoneurons from wild type organoids strictly display spinal identity. By performing a temporal transcriptome analysis throughout the differentiation process, we find that the anteroposterior specification defect arises in early axial progenitors and correlates with the loss of cilia in these cells. Thus, this study uncovers distinct functions in humans and mice for ciliopathy proteins and a novel role for RPGRIP1L in human spinal anteroposterior patterning. These findings have important implications for understanding the role of cilia in human spinal cord development and the pathogenic mechanisms of neurodevelopmental ciliopathies.
The Double-Edged Impact of Brand Activism on Prosocial Behavior
Authors: Edelblum Andrew , Dagogo-Jack Sokiente , Dunn Lea
Published: August 2024

For-profit companies are increasingly advocating for controversial social causes (e.g., climate change, reproductive healthcare), but how this affects the general public’s support for these issues is unclear. Four experiments (n = 1,141) demonstrated that brand activism can increase or decrease monetary support for endorsed nonprofits, depending on the strength of individuals’ self-brand connection (SBC)—the extent to which a brand is integrated into the consumer’s self-concept. When SBC is high, brand activism (vs. no activism) enhances the salience of endorsed causes, resulting in increased support. Conversely, when SBC is low, brand activism (vs. no activism) reduces cause salience, resulting in decreased support. Additionally, brand activism’s effects diminish among individuals who strongly oppose the endorsed cause and the effects also weaken over time. These findings highlight the influence that for-profit companies can exert on public monetary support for sociopolitical issues and offer guidance for organizations aiming to leverage this influence effectively.
Intraspecies variation in mycorrhizal response of Medicago sativa under abiotic stress
Authors: Kuper-Psenicnik Aisa , Bennett Jonathan A.
Published: August 2024

Plant partnerships with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) improve plant resilience to stress by increasing the plant’s access to and uptake of essential nutrients and water, as well as regulating the plant’s stress response. The magnitude and direction of AMF effects during the relationship depends on multiple factors including plant identity and environmental context. To investigate how AMF influence plant responses to environmental stresses, we assessed the effects of drought and salinity on growth, final biomass, and reproduction of nine alfalfa (Medicago sativa) cultivars with or without mycorrhizal inoculum. In absence of stress, AMF increased nutrient content, but caused declines in biomass through a reduction in initial growth that was not overcome by a later growth spurt. AMF inoculation also enhanced stress effects on growth in most scenarios, but this depended on the stress type and cultivar. For salinity, this stress increase in inoculated plants was mediated by increased salt accumulation. Flowering of each cultivar was affected by both AMF and stress type, albeit erratically, whereas seed production was only affected by AMF when drought stressed. We found no clear pattern distinguishing differences in AMF effects on stress among cultivars; however, our results show that AMF effects on plant stress responses are contingent on the plant performance metric and stress type, highlighting the complexity of mycorrhizal responses.
Real World Study of 24 Weeks to Assess the Effect of a Partial Meal Replacement Program on Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components in Adult Patients With Obesity
Authors: DE Luis Daniel , Izaola Olatz , PrimoMartín David , Gómez Juan José López
Published: August 2024

Background and aims:
Meal replacement (MR) diets consist of replacing one or more meals with an artificial nutritional supplement. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a MR diet on weight reduction, biochemical parameters, and Metabolic Syndrome (MS) in patients with obesity.
Methods
A real-world study with one arm was designed with a hypocaloric diet modified with a nutritional supplement for two phases. The first phase consisted of the replacement of one meal for 12 weeks; and the second phase the reintroduction of foods following a low-calorie diet with moderate limitation of caloric intake over basal requirements (− 300 to − 500 calories per day) during a further 12 weeks. Anthropometric evaluation and biochemical measurements were performed at initiation of the study; at 12 weeks; and at 24 weeks.
Results
We recruited 364 patients with obesity. The mean age was 45.6 ± 3.5 years. There were 100 males (27.5%) and 264 females (72.5%) enrolled. We observed significant improvements at both 12 weeks and 24 weeks in body weight, BMI, fat mass, waist circumference, serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, and frequencies of (MS, central obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, hypertension, and hyperglycaemia). The odds ratio of improved frequencies of MS after Phase 2 (24 weeks) was 0.66 (95% CI = 0.49–0.90; p = 0.03). The number needed to treat with MR diet was 10.17 patients for the resolution of one case of MS (95% CI 6.15–41.2; p = 0.02).
Conclusions
In patients with obesity, those who replaced one meal showed a significant decrease in weight and fat mass with a secondary improvement in metabolic parameters. A significant decrease in the percentage of patients with MS was also observed.
The role of obstructive sleep apnea risk (BOAH Score) in predicting angina: Evidence from NHANES 2017-2020
Authors: Machado Gabriela da Silva , Araújo Hana Gabriela Severino , Correa Paula Brumana , Santos Camila Cunha , Barbosa Maria Fernanda Nunes Pinheiro , Barbosa Gabriel Nunes Pinheiro , de Menezes-Junior Luiz Antônio Alves
Published: August 2024

Objective:To investigate the association between the BOAH score (Body mass index, Observed apnea, Age, and Hypertension) and angina in NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) participants from 2017 to March 2020.
Methodology:A cross-sectional study of 4361 participants used the BOAH score to categorize the risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) risk. Participants were classified into low risk of OSA (scores < 2) and high risk of OSA (scores >2). The presence of angina was determined by a questionnaire, considering chest pain after physical exertion as a diagnostic criterion. Statistical analyses included Pearson's chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression.
Results: Individuals at high risk of OSA were 3.27 times more likely to have angina, regardless of sociodemographic, behavioral, and clinical factors. Furthermore, when the frequency of snoring was assessed, it was observed that the greater the frequency, the stronger the association between BOAH score and angina. Likewise, the association between OSA and angina is stronger in adults and short-sleepers (< 8 hours).
Conclusion: The study showed that the BOAH score is a relevant indicator for angina. It highlights the importance of assessing snoring and sleep in patients at cardiovascular risk, suggesting interventions to improve sleep.
Enhanced Landslide Susceptibility Mapping Using Machine Learning and InSAR Integration: A Case Study in Wushan County, Three Gorges Reservoir Area, China
Authors: Cui Jinhu , Kou Pinglang , Tao Yuxiang , Jin Zhao , Huang Yijian , Zhang Jinlai
Published: August 2024

Landslides pose a severe threat to the safety of mountainous regions, and existing landslide susceptibility assessment methods often suffer from limitations in data quality and methodology. This study focused on Wushan County, China, combining machine learning algorithms with InSAR data to improve the accuracy of landslide susceptibility mapping. Employing seven machine learning models, the investigation identified CNN, LR, and RF as the most effective, with AUC values of 0.82, demonstrating their ability to predict landslide-prone areas. Key influencing factors for landslides included digital elevation model (DEM), rainfall, lithology, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), terrain curvature, roughness, and distances to roads and rivers. Integrating InSAR data significantly enhanced the accuracy of landslide susceptibility mapping, particularly in areas with high deformation, refining assessments and reducing misclassifications. Slope analysis and InSAR monitoring provided insights into instability mechanisms, highlighting InSAR's potential for early warning systems. The study concludes that combining InSAR with machine learning holds promise for improving landslide susceptibility mapping. Future research should explore advanced machine learning techniques and other remote sensing data to address the impacts of climate change and seasonal variations on slope stability, ultimately supporting disaster risk management and sustainable land-use planning.
Evaluation of Photoplethysmography-Based Monitoring of Pulse Rate, Interbeat-Intervals, and Oxygen Saturation during High-Intensity Interval Training
Authors: Vijgeboom Tara , Muller Marjolein , Ebrahimkheil Kambiz , Eijck Casper , Ronner Eelko
Published: August 2024

Background
Heart disease patients necessitate precise monitoring to ensure the safety and efficacy of their physical activities when managing conditions such as hypertension or heart failure. This study, therefore, aimed to evaluate the accuracy of photoplethysmography (PPG)-based monitoring of pulse rate (PR), interbeat-intervals (IB-I) and oxygen saturation (SpO2) during high-intensity interval training (HIIT).
Methods
Between January and March 2024, healthy volunteers were subjected to a cycling HIIT workout with bike resistance increments to evaluate performance within different heart rate ranges. To determine the accuracy of PPG-based measurements for PR, IB-I, and SpO2 using the CardioWatch 287-2 (Corsano Health, the Netherlands), measurements throughout these ranges were compared to paired reference values from the Covidien Nellcor pulse oximeter (PM10N) and Vivalink’s wearable ECG patch monitor. Subgroups were defined for Fitzpatrick skin type and gender.
Results
In total 35 healthy individuals participated, resulting in 7,183 paired measurements for PR, 22,713 for IB-I, and 41,817 for SpO2. The PR algorithm showed an average root mean square (Arms) of 2.51 beats per minute (bpm), bias at 0.05 bpm, and limits of agreement (LoA) from − 4.87 to 4.97 bpm. The IB-I algorithm achieved an Arms of 23.00 ms, a bias of 1.00 ms, and LoA from − 43.82 to 46.21 ms. Finally, the SpO2 algorithm showed an Arms of 1.28%, a bias of 0.13%, and LoA from − 2.37–2.62%. The results were consistent across different demographic subgroups.
Conclusions
This study demonstrates that the PPG-based CardioWatch 287-2 can accurately monitor PR, IB-I, and SpO2 during HIIT. However, further research is recommended to evaluate the algorithm's performance in heart disease patients during demanding exercise.
Large-field high-resolution X-ray AKB microscope for measuring hydrodynamic instabilities at the SG-Ⅲ prototype Laser Facility
Authors: Chen Liang , Yang Pin , Xu Jie , Mu Baozhong , Li Wenjie , Li Mingtao , Li Jinbo , Wang Xin , Zhang Xing , Wang Feng , Wang Zhanshan , Yang Dong , Xu Xinye
Published: August 2024

X-ray imaging with a large field of view (FOV) and high resolution is extremely important for Rayleigh–Taylor instability measurement with a small amplitude and high spatial frequency in laser inertial confinement fusion. We developed an advanced Kirkpatrick–Baez (AKB) microscope based on the quadratic-aberration theory to realize a large FOV and high resolution. This microscope was assembled and tested in a laboratory, and it was then successfully applied for imaging the hydrodynamic instability of a perturbation target in implosion experiments at the Shenguang-III prototype laser facility. Imaging results demonstrate that the AKB microscope can achieve an optimal resolution of ~ 0.53μm and ~ 0.40μm and a spatial resolution of <1.5 µm within a 300-µm FOV and <4.5 µm in a 1-mm FOV.
Ensemble distribution model of Muga Silkworm (Antheraea assamensis) and its primary host plant Soalu (Litsea monopetala) in defined climate space
Authors: Sarma Kuladip , Chetry Vivek , Bawri Amal , Borah Keshob Jyoti , Khanikor Bulbuli , Kalita Tarali , Mech Banasri , Saikia Malabika Kakati , Das Manas
Published: August 2024

Muga silkworm is one of the most economically and culturally important insect found in northeastern region and has immense future potential for entrepreneurship development owing to its sericogenic nature. The distribution of Muga SilkWorm (MSW) in wild are extremely important determinant for rearing a disease resistant domesticated variety that can significantly improve the yield of the later in terms of silk production. This paper aims to explore the distribution of the wild MSW in northeastern part of India in connection with the distribution of its primary host plant viz., Litsea monopetala Soalu in wild. Species Distribution Models (SDMs) have been used to know the potential distribution of MSW in historical climate scenario and also the impact of future climate has been assessed using a single climate model (CMCC-ESM2) with four different scenarios (SSPs). The climate space was defined in two dimensional space using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to simplify the models. Altogether two model algorithms were used to get the final ensemble model for both the MSW and the two primary host plants. The model performed for MSW was found to be good with average AUC value greater than 0.80. On the contrary, the model performed for Litsea monopetala was found to be excellent with average AUC value greater than 0.90. Similarly, the ensemble models performed using future climatic data under the CMCC model for MSW have shown AUC values within acceptable range (0.78-0.82), whereas, models of the host plant have shown AUC values in higher range i.e. within excellent model category (0.90-0.95). Thus, in this reduced climate dimension, the potential distribution of the MSW has also been compared with four different climate scenarios under Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs). The overlapped potential area of both the MSW and its host plants in NE India has shown a very critical dynamics in future climatic condition projected for 2040-2060.
Self-judgment on emotional items modulates memory resources in breast cancer patients: a longitudinal MRI study
Authors: Joue Gina , Perrier Joy , Dayan Jacques , Naveau Mikaël , Morel Nastassja , Villain Nicolas , Allouache Djellila , Noal Sabine , Levy Christelle , Joly Florence , Chételat Gaël , Eustache Francis , Giffard Bénédicte
Published: August 2024

Breast-cancer (BC) patients (PT) frequently report memory problems pre-and post-cancer treatments that are not always corroborated by memory tests. We hypothesized that self-reported problems actually coincide with structural brain changes and that the discrepancy partly stems from BC-related distressed self-image and stress that alter arousal at memory encoding. To detect such subtle changes before/after treatments, we leveraged on known memory advantages related to self-image and stress in a longitudinal MRI study: the self-reference effect (SRE; better memory for what concerns oneself) and the negativity effect (NE; better memory for items with emotionally negative associations). We tested women with non-metastatic BC, before and one year after chemotherapy, and age-matched healthy women (HC) at similar time lapses. Neither group had clinical anxiety or depression. At each visit, participants completed an episodic memory fMRI task involving attributing character traits to themselves or someone else. Overall memory accuracy and SRE were similar between groups, but only HC showed NE. PT showed greater activity for self-judged positive traits in brain regions implicated in self-representation and emotional memory regulation. Functional connectivity and structural changes in these regions varied with self-representation and anxiety, but multivariate analyses with unsupervised machine learning suggest differences only partially characterize PT.
Exploring the Impact of GAN-Based Data Augmentation and FGSM-Refined Images on Wear Size Estimation of Railway Switches and Crossings
Authors: Sassi Hichem , Najeh Tawfik , LIOUENE NOUREDDINE
Published: August 2024

The switch and crossing (S&C) is a crucial component of the railway infrastructure network, significantly affecting traffic delays and maintenance costs. This study aimed to predict wear across the entire S&C using medium-range accelerometer sensors. Vibration data were collected, processed, and converted into spectrograms to develop accurate data-driven models. However, due to weather constraints such as ice and snow, our database remains limited. To ensure the proper generalization of deep learning models, it is essential to expand this dataset. Therefore, we plan to employ Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) to address this objective. GANs are a powerful class of networks capable of generating realistic new images from a specified database. This study aims to explore the use of deep learning techniques, particularly GANs combined with Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs), for the classification of wear levels in switch and crossing (S&C) components. To enhance the robustness of CNN models, we employ the fine-tuning technique in conjunction with the adversarial images using Fast Gradient Sign Method (FGSM).
Machine learning analysis of CT images for the prediction of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy efficacy
Authors: Cao Yuanchao , Yuan Hang , Qiao Yi , Guo Yuting , Wang Xinning , Li Bin , Wang Xinsheng , Li Yanjiang , Jiao Wei
Published: August 2024

Objective
The study aimed to evaluate the use decision support analysis for the prediction of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) efficacy and to analyze the factors influencing outcomes in patients who underwent ESWL using machine learning (ML) methods.
Methods
This retrospective study analyzed the clinical data, including preoperative CT images, of 302 patients who received a single ESWL session treatment for urinary tract stone (UTS) between May and October 2022 in the Department of Urology. The data was preprocessed and incorporated into an ML model, and the dataset was validated at a ratio of 4:1. The AUC and the confusion matrix were used to evaluate the predictive efficacy of the model.
Results
The CT image-based ML model predicting ESWL efficacy for UTS removal achieved an AUC of 0.86, precision of 88.33%, F1 score of 86.57%, sensitivity of 82.86%, and specificity of 88.89%. The model showed increased predictive accuracty for stones in different locations, with an AUC of 0.95 for kidney stones, 95.45% precision, 96% F1 score, 100% sensitivity, and 90% specificity. The AUC value for upper ureteral stones was 0.89, with 89.14% precision, 88.05% F1 score, 83.33% sensitivity, and 94.51% specificity, while that for mid-ureteral stones was 0.85, with 82.93% precision, 84.09% F1 score, 74% sensitivity, and 96.88% specificity, and the success rate of ESWL for lower ureteral stones was 100%, with an AUC of 1.
Conclusions
ML analysis was used to predict outcomes following ESWL treatment for UTS. The ML-based model was found to be approximately 86% accurate. The use of ML algorithms can provide matched insights to domain knowledge on effective and influential factors for the prediction of ESWL outcomes.
SVM Classification with Steganography using Video Copy Detection based on Network Security with Machine Learning Framework
Authors: Karthika P , Balamurali S
Published: August 2024

Its incomplete duplicate detection in the videos problem aimed to identify whether each or many segments of a request video are already present in this study, even while giving data on related fraction time periods. At the moment, the most efficient incomplete copy detection techniques in videos have been designed in 3 components: extraction of features, pattern matching, as well as time integration. To those level, the isolation of the feature identification but also time alignment modules ignores the spatially information of an incomplete copy. In order to decrease the above loss, we begin by representing video frames but also extracting SVM features. As a result, in this paper, we examine the algorithm's performance on the particularly complex video duplicate recognition data-set VCDB, that also, once again, outperforms the government's incomplete copy detection method.
SequenceCraft: Machine learning-based resource for exploratory analysis of RNA-cleaving deoxyribozymes
Authors: Eremeyeva M. , Din Y. , Shirokii N. , Serov N.
Published: August 2024

Deoxyribozymes or DNAzymes represent artificial short DNA sequences bearing many catalytic properties. In particular, DNAzymes able to cleave RNA sequences have a huge potential in gene therapy and sequence-specific analytic detection of disease markers. This activity is provided by catalytic cores able to perform site-specific hydrolysis of the phosphodiester bond of an RNA substrate. However, the vast majority of existing DNAzyme catalytic cores have low efficacy in in vivo experiments, whereas SELEX based on in vitro screening offers long and expensive selection cycle with the average success rate of ~ 30%, moreover not allowing the direct selection of chemically modified DNAzymes, which were previously shown to demonstrate higher activity in vivo. Therefore, there is a huge need in in silico approach for exploratory analysis of RNA-cleaving DNAzyme cores to drastically ease the discovery of novel catalytic cores with superior activities. In this work, we develop machine learning based open-source platform SequenceCraft allowing experimental scientists to perform DNAzyme exploratory analysis via quantitative kobs estimation and data analysis tools. This became possible with the development of unique curated database of > 350 RNA-cleaving catalytic cores, property-based sequence representations allowing to work with both conventional and chemically modified nucleotides, and optimized kobs predicting algorithm achieving Q2 > 0.9. These findings represent the first step towards fully in silico exploratory analysis of catalytic DNAzymes.
Resting cardiac vagal tone predicts working memory performance: Evidence to Neurovisceral Integration Model
Authors: Vaasanthi Sinchana , Chandregowda Nandan , KrishnaPrasad BS , Sathyaprabha Talakad N , Udupa Kaviraja
Published: August 2024

This study investigates the intricate relationship between vagal tone, physical activity, and working memory in a carefully structured cohort. The participants were categorized into three cohorts: exercisers (Group A), yoga practitioners (Group B), and non-exercisers (Group C). Heart rate variability (HRV) parameters, namely RMSSD and HF Power, were utilized as indicators of vagal tone. Our study confirmed significant increase (p < 0.001) in both RMSSD and HF Power in people who exercise and meditate than those who do not exercise. Results highlighted a significant main effect of cohort on n-back error rates (p < 0.001). Correlation analyses unveiled significant associations between higher RMSSD and HF Power values and enhanced working memory performance, suggesting that individuals with elevated vagal tone demonstrated superior working memory capabilities. However, acute physical exercise/ yoga did not yield a significant effect, emphasizing the potential influence of long-term physical activity habits on working memory. These findings shed light on the crucial role of vagal tone in cognitive processes and the potential benefits of physical activities in enhancing working memory performance. Further research should address the limitations and extend this exploration to yield a more comprehensive understanding of these relationships.
Effects of tianeptine on mTORC1-mediated neuronal autophagy in primary rat hippocampal neurons under nutrient deprivation
Authors: Lee Jung Goo , Seo Mi Kyoung , Kim Hyewon , Choi Ah Jeong , Seog Dae-Hyun , Kho Weon-Gyu , Park Sung Woo
Published: August 2024

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the antidepressant tianeptine on the mechanistic target of rapamycin 1(mTORC1)-mediated autophagy pathway in primary hippocampal neurons exposed to B27-deprived conditions. When primary hippocampal neurons were treated with tianeptine at doses of 1, 10, 50, and 100 μM for 3 days under B27-deprived conditions, we observed that it activated autophagy and increased the formation of autophagosomes through the upregulation of autophagic proteins, including autophagy-activating kinase 1 (ULK1), Beclin 1, LC3B-II/I, and p62. And at a concentration of 100 μM tianeptine, the decrease in mTORC1 phosphorylation induced by B27 deprivation was significantly reversed. Changes in the expression of autophagic proteins induced by B27 deprivation were reversed by tianeptine treatment in a concentration-dependent manner, and tianeptine significantly reduced the increase in LC3B membrane number induced by B27 deprivation, an effect that was blocked by pretreatment with rapamycin. In conclusion, tianeptine attenuated the activity of mTORC1-mediated autophagy in primary rat hippocampal neurons under B27-deprived conditions. These results may suggest a novel mechanism by which tianeptine may affect autophagy in neurons.
Dynamics of HIV transmission among men who have sex with men in Taiwan: a mathematical modeling study
Authors: Sun Haoran , Kawasaki Hiromi , Tunematsum Miwako , Shimpuku Yoko , Chen Sanmei , Kagiura Fumiko , Kakehashi Masayuki
Published: August 2024

Background
In Taiwan, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is primarily transmitted among men who have sex with men (MSM). Nonetheless, detailed epidemiological studies considering heterogeneity in susceptible and infectious populations remain lacking. Therefore, we modeled the HIV epidemic with heterogeneity, estimated parameters, and predicted future infection trends in order to better understand the HIV transmission dynamics among MSM.
Methods
We devised a computational approach to accurately estimate the number of infectious individuals during early surveillance years in Taiwan using monthly data of newly diagnosed patients with HIV from January 2005 to December 2006. Subsequently, using annual incident cases from 2005 to 2019, we estimated the susceptibility rate, transmission rates, and duration of risk and conducted short-term forecasts of HIV infection in the MSM population through mathematical modeling based on the susceptible-infected-removed model. Parameters and their values, such as the infection rates of HIV and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), and the removal rates of HIV and AIDS, were also estimated.
Results
A total of 850 infectious individuals with HIV were identified in 2005. From 2005 to 2019, approximately only 0.68% of Taiwan’s male population were estimated to be susceptible to HIV infection via MSM. The transmission rate did not significantly differ between individuals with HIV and individuals with AIDS (0.0110 and 0.107 per 10,000 individuals, respectively). The average duration of infection was 4.5 years between infection and the onset of AIDS and 2.1 years between the onset of AIDS and death. In 2019, the proportion of infectious infected individuals continuously decreased. By 2026, it is estimated that only 11.85% of individuals with HIV and 10.21% of AIDS individuals will be infectious.
Conclusions
Our study presents a new dynamic mathematical model for estimating infectious HIV cases among MSM in Taiwan. By accounting for heterogeneity of infectious HIV/AIDS within the MSM population, it was possible to effectively estimate the number of infections during early surveillance years and implement concentrated measures, thereby reducing infectious HIV/AIDS cases and contributing to the overall reduction in HIV/AIDS. We could better identify the target population and implement effective intervention measures at appropriate times.
An Optimized ARIMA Model for Emergency Medical Services Time Series Demand Forecasting Using Bayesian Methods
Authors: Hendi Hanaa Ghareib , Ibrahim Mohamed Hasan , Farrag Mohamed Hassan
Published: August 2024

Predicting future demand for emergency services through time series forecasting is a useful tool for emergency medical services (EMS). Accurate forecasting of emergency needs is critical to EMS success and efficiency. Spatial management can be improved by better transportation before incidents, leading to significant improvements in response time, prehospital care, better outcomes, and survival quantitative Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) models are popularly used for time series forecasting. A systematic approach used a grid search to find the parameter space (p, d, q). Bayesian optimization was used to improve our model by identifying the best over-parameters of the ARIMA model, resulting in improved prediction performance f guarantees Our results suggest automatic and heuristic approaches to state together can be effective for optimizing EMS time-series forecasting, to provide valuable information to optimize EMS availability and resource management
Research on the design method of smart spring support for vibration damping of the multi-span shaft system
Authors: Li Miaomiao , Sun Xinyu , zhou Ran , Li Fanxuan , Ma Liangliang , Zhu Rupeng , Chen Weifang
Published: August 2024

When the helicopter tail transmission shafting is over-critical, the shafting vibration intensifies, which restricts the overall performance of the helicopter. Smart spring support is an active damping device, which can effectively suppress the vibration of multi-span shafting. In this paper, the configuration and structure design of the smart spring support for multi-span shafting are studied, and its vibration-damping performance is verified by experiments. Firstly, based on the vibration reduction principle of the smart spring support, the vibration characteristics of the smart spring are analyzed. The motion equation of the smart spring support was established, the influence of configuration parameters on its vibration characteristics was analyzed, and the configuration parameters of the smart spring support were determined. On this basis, three configuration schemes of the smart spring support are proposed, the structural design of the smart spring support is carried out, and the structural parameters are determined. The shafting vibration reduction test system with the smart spring support was built, and the smart spring vibration reduction tests were conducted under different control voltages. The results show that the smart spring support has a good suppression effect on the accelerated over-critical vibration response of the shaft system.
Barriers, Myths, and Misconceptions about Cervical Cancer Screening in Pregnancy and Postnatal Period; a qualitative grounded theory study
Authors: Wanjala Miriam , Wangui Fridah , Parker Robert K. , Cowles Cheryl
Published: August 2024

Background: Cervical cancer, a slow-growing malignancy, can be effectively treated if detected early during its precancerous stages. Pregnancy presents a critical opportunity for screening, especially in low-resource countries where healthcare access is limited. However, cervical cancer screening rates among pregnant mothers at Tenwek Hospital have consistently been below 1%. This study aims to identify the barriers, myths, and misconceptions surrounding cervical cancer screening during pregnancy and the postnatal period to develop educational materials and counseling guidelines for both pre-screening and post-screening.
Methods: This qualitative grounded theory study was conducted at Tenwek Hospital in rural Kenya. The study population comprised mothers attending antenatal follow-up and post-partum reviews up to six weeks post-delivery. We recruited 50 women, obtained informed consent, and conducted interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire with open-ended questions. Responses were recorded and analyzed thematically using SPSS.
Results: The majority (94%) of women had heard of cervical cancer screening, yet only 6% had been screened before. Fear of a cancer diagnosis (50%), discomfort (28%), and concerns about pregnancy complications (6%) were significant barriers. Despite these concerns, 70% of participants recommended screening during pregnancy and the postnatal period. Other misconceptions included the belief that screening is expensive (2%) or causes cervical cancer (2%).
Conclusion: The primary barrier to cervical cancer screening is the fear of diagnosis, necessitating increased education to dispel myths and misconceptions. Enhancing knowledge and awareness about the benefits and safety of screening during pregnancy can improve uptake and early detection, thereby reducing cervical cancer morbidity and mortality.
Control of Epidemic Process via Link Removal: Flattening the Infection Curve by Social Distancing
Authors: Doostmohammadian mohammadreza , Zarrabi Houman , Doustmohammadian Azam , Doustmohamadian Soraya , Doustmohammadian Najmeh , Rabiee Hamid
Published: August 2024

Spreading processes on complex networks have gained significant attention as a means to model the spread of infectious diseases in real social networks. This paper focuses on controlling epidemic processes and reducing the peak of contagion by removing highly central links. In practice, this translates to flattening the infection curve through the implementation of social distancing measures for high-risk social contacts. The identification of important links relies on centrality measures, e.g., node-degrees and edge-betweenness. Edge-betweenness evaluates link importance based on the fraction of shortest paths that contain the link, while node-degree-based centrality defines link centrality as the average degrees of the connected nodes. Our findings demonstrate that degree-based link removal is more effective in flattening the infection curve as compared to many other centralities including edge-betweenness. We analyze small-world and scale-free networks, examining the infection curves across various network clustering coefficients and small-worldness.
The First Scientific Research to Trace the Origins of Qin Sealing Clay
Authors: Guo Houze , Yang Lu
Published: August 2024

The sealing clay is the key physical example of the document sealing system of the Qin dynasty in ancient China. However, only the inscriptions and aesthetic values of the clay were discussed untill now, and the relevant sources were not traced from the perspective of scientific analysis. A total of 81 sealing clays unearthed in Xi’an were studied by means of ultra-depth of field microscopic observation, petrographic microstructure analysis and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. The relevant methods of tracing and making of mud samples are discussed based on the results of literature investigation and element analysis. The composition, technology and spatial links between different sealing clay collected from all over the country show that the highly organized sealing materials and systematic processes are an important part of the establishment of unified China, in order to provide detailed and effective scientific information for the subsequent sealing clay protection and archaeological research.