bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influenza A, Influenza B, Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus and SARS-CoV-2 molecular diagnostics and epidemiology in the post COVID-19 era
Authors: Luštrek Manca , Cesar Zala , Suljič Alen , Kogoj Rok , Knap Nataša , Virant Monika Jevšnik , Uršič Tina , Petrovec Miroslav , Avšič-Županc Tatjana , Korva Miša
Published: January 2024

Background
The concurrent circulation of SARS-CoV-2 with other respiratory viruses is unstoppable and represents a new diagnostic reality for clinicians and clinical microbiology laboratories. Multiplexed molecular testing on automated platforms that focus on the simultaneous detection of multiple respiratory viruses in a single tube is a useful approach for current and future diagnosis of respiratory infections in the clinical setting.
Methods
Two time periods were included in the study: from February to April 2022, an early 2022 period, during the gradual lifting of non-pharmaceutical COVID-19 prevention measures in the country, and from October 2022 to April 2023, the 2022/23 respiratory infections season. We analysed a total of 1,918 samples in the first period and 18,131 respiratory samples in the second period using a multiplex molecular assay for the simultaneous detection of Influenza A (Flu-A), Influenza B (Flu-B), Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus (hRSV) and SARS-CoV-2.
Results
The results from early 2022 showed a strong dominance of SARS-CoV-2 infections with 1,267/1,918 (66.1%) cases. Flu-A was detected in 30/1,918 (1.6%) samples, hRSV in 14/1,918 (0.7%) samples, and Flu-B in 2/1,918 (0.1%) samples. Flu-A/SARS-CoV-2 co-detections were observed in 11/1,267 (0.9%) samples, and hRSV/SARS-CoV-2 co-detection in 5/1,267 (0.4%) samples. During the 2022/23 winter respiratory season, SARS-CoV-2 was detected in 1,738/18,131 (9.6%), Flu-A in 628/18,131 (3.5%), Flu-B in 106/18,131 (0.6%), and hRSV in 505/18,131 (2.8%) samples. Interestingly, co-detections were present to a similar extent as in early 2022.
Conclusion
The results show that the multiplex molecular approach is a valuable tool for the simultaneous laboratory diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2, Flu-A/B, and hRSV in hospitalized and outpatients. Infections with Flu-A/B, and hRSV occurred shortly after the non-pharmaceutical measures of COVID-19 were lifted, so a strong reoccurrence of various respiratory infections and co-detections in the post COVID-19 period was to be expected.
Short-Physical Performance Batter：Complete Mediator of Cognitive Depressive Symptoms and Diabetes Mellitus in Hemodialysis Patients
Authors: Zhang Ningning , Chen Cheng , Han PeiPei , Wang Bojian , Yang Jinting , Guo Qi , Cao Pengyu
Published: January 2024

Objective: This study aimed to examine the relationship between different dimensions of depressive symptoms and the presence of diabetes mellitus in hemodialysis patients. Additionally, the study sought to elucidate the mediating effect of physical performance on this association.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional multicenter study conducted between July 2020 and March 2023, involving 1024 patients from eight hemodialysis centers in Shanghai. The study enrolled patients with physician diagnosis and blood glucose indicating diabetes mellitus. Physical performance and depressive symptoms were assessed using short-physical performance batter (SPPB) and the patient health questionnaire-9, respectively. Regression and mediation analysis were applied to statistical analysis.
Results: Among the 1024 participants, 39.26% (n = 402) were found to have coexisting diabetes mellitus. Diminished SPPB scores (OR = 0.843, 95% CI = 0.792-0.897) and cognitive depressive symptoms (OR = 1.068, 95% CI = 1.011-1.129) exhibited significant associations with diabetes mellitus, while somatic depressive symptoms did not show a significant correlation. Notably, SPPB emerged as a complete mediator in the relationship between cognitive depressive symptoms and diabetes mellitus. The observed indirect effect of SPPB on this relationship was estimated at 0.038 (95% CI: 0.021-0.057).
Conclusion: This investigation highlighted the pivotal role of cognitive depressive symptoms in influencing diabetes mellitus, with the SPPB acting as a complete mediator.
Influence of irradiated dentin, biofilm and different artificial saliva formulations on root dentin caries development
Authors: de Souza Beatriz Martines , Braga Aline Silva , Vertuan Mariele , Sassaki Susan , Araújo Tamara Teodoro , Santos Paulo Sergio da Silva , Buzalaf Marilia Afonso Rabelo , Magalhães Ana Carolina
Published: January 2024

Purpose
To evaluate the influence of radiation as well as of new formulations of artificial saliva on the development of root caries lesions.
Methods
Bovine root samples were divided into: irradiated (70 Gy) dentin or not; the type of biofilm (from irradiated or non-irradiated patients) and the type of artificial saliva (for the condition irradiated dentin/biofilm): Saliva A (inorganic); Saliva A + 1mg/ml hemoglobin; Saliva A + 0.1mg/ml cystatin; Saliva A + hemoglobin + cystatin; Bioextra (positive control) and water (negative control) (n = 12/group). Biofilm was produced using human biofilm and McBain saliva (0.2% of sucrose, 37o C and 5% CO2); the treatments were done 1x/day, for 5 days. Colony-forming units (CFU) counting was performed; demineralization was quantified by transversal microradiography. Two-way ANOVA/Bonferroni or Sidak test for the comparison between biofilm x dentin and ANOVA/Tukey or Kruskal-Wallis/Dunn for comparing artificial saliva were done (p < 0.05).
Results
The type of biofilm had no influence on CFU and demineralization. Sound dentin under control biofilm presented the lowest Lactobacillus ssp. and Streptococcus mutans CFU and the lowest mean mineral loss (R) (25.6 ± 2.2; 23.7 ± 2.9%) compared to irradiated dentin (26.1 ± 2.8; 28.1 ± 3.3, p < 0.004) for both types of biofilms (irradiated and no irradiated, respectively). Bioextra was the only one that reduced R (10.8 ± 2.5%) and LD (35 ± 15µm) compared to water (17.3 ± 3.3%, 81 ± 18µm, p < 0.0001).
Conclusion
Irradiation of dentin has impact on caries development; none of the experimental saliva was able to reduce its occurrence.
Identification of CaPCR1, an OFP gene involved in pointed vs. concave fruit tip regulation in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) using recombinant inbred lines
Authors: Liu Tingting , Zhou Yingjia , Gao Shenting , Liu Dan , Wang Jubin , Liu Zhenya , Deng Yingtian , LI FENG
Published: January 2024

The concave shape of the fruit tip in pepper plants is highly susceptible to drought and low temperature stresses, resulting in the appearance of a pointed tip fruit, which affects its commercial value. However, few studies on the process of fruit tip development and regulatory genes in pepper have been reported. Herein, the developmental process of the ovary before flowering, especially changes in the shape of the ovary tip, was studied in detail. The results showed that the final fruit tip shape was consistent with the ovary tip shape before flowering, and a concave tip shape gradually developed. F4 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) were constructed to map the genes regulating fruit tip shape through hybridization of the LRS and SBS pepper inbred lines. CaPCR1 (Capana12g002165), an OFP (OVATE Family Protein) family gene, was located in the candidate region on chr12. Three SNPs were found in the protein coding sequence of CaPCR1 between SBS and LRS, but only one SNP led to amino acid variation. Sequence variations, including base replacements, deletions and insertions, were also detected in the gene promoter region. The relative expression level of the CaPCR1 gene was significantly greater in the concave tip ovary than in the pointed tip ovary. qRT‒PCR analysis revealed that the CaPCR1 gene was expressed mainly in the gynoecium, placenta and green fruit pericarp, which was consistent with its function in ovary and fruit development. Taken together, these results suggested that CaPCR1 is a candidate gene involved in fruit tip shape determination in pepper.
Development of Pilates-based Exercise Program for Dynamic Balancing of Adult Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Gu Youngae , Wijesnghe Ruchire Eranga , Seong Daewoon , Jeon Mansik , Kim Jeehyun
Published: January 2024

Background
The proposed study investigates the therapeutic effects of the developed Pilates core stabilization program for the improvement of gait and body balance in adults with cerebral palsy.
Methods
Four disabled adults with cerebral palsy have been classified into stages II, III, and IV, Gross Motor Function Classification. The program consists of strengthening exercise, Gross Motor Function measure-88, Function Reach Test, and Timed up and go Test.
Results
The body stabilization exercise through Pilates sufficiently confirmed the improvement of gait ability of adults with cerebral palsy. The Function Reach Test results the risk of falling was also reduced as they were able to keep their balance while the maximum arm stretching distance was increasing up to 7-19.5 cm. In addition, 6 to 50 m/sec of gait speed was increased in Timed up and go Test.
Conclusion
The developed Pilates core stabilization program reveals that the quickness, agility, and dynamic balance have increased significantly, and the functional movement of disabled adults with cerebral palsy have been improved through the Pilates Body Stabilization Exercise. Thus, it can be confirmed that the proposed method is effective as an intervention method for the improvement of balance and gait ability.
Development and evaluation of a web-based diet quality screener for vegans (VEGANScreener): a cross- sectional, observational, multicenter, clinical study
Authors: Asif Tooba , Ouřadová Anna , Tabar Ainara Martínez , Bullón-Vela Vanessa , Müller Sandra , Dietrich Joelina , Keller Vanessa , Henikova Marina , Selinger Eliska , Herter-Aeberli Isabelle , Wakolbinger Maria , Keyzer Willem , Lippevelde Wendy , Cahova Monika , Bogl Leonie H. , Kuzma Marek , Bes-Rastrollo Maira , Henauw Stefaan , Keller Markus , Kronsteiner-Gicevic Selma , Schernhammer Eva , Gojda Jan
Published: January 2024

Background
Consumption of plant-based diets, including vegan diets, necessitates attention to the quality of the diet for the prevention and early detection of nutritional deficiencies. Within the VEGANScreener project, a unique brief screening tool for the assessment and monitoring of diet quality among vegans in Europe was developed. To provide a standardized tool for public use, a clinical study will be conducted to evaluate the VEGANScreener against a reference dietary assessment method and nutritional biomarkers.
Methods
An observational study is set to include 600 participants across five European sites – Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Spain, and Switzerland. In total, 400 self-reported vegans (≥ 2 years on a vegan diet), and 170 self-reported omnivore controls will be examined, aged between 18 and 65 years, with males and females being equally represented in a 1:1 ratio for two age groups (18–35 and 36–65 years). Participants with diseases affecting metabolism and intestinal integrity will be excluded. The clinical assessment will comprise a structured medical history, as well as blood pressure and anthropometric measures. Blood and urine will be sampled and analyzed for a set of dietary biomarkers, and metabolomic analyses will be conducted to explore potential novel biomarkers of vegans’ dietary intake. Moreover, saliva samples will be collected to assess the metabolome and the microbiome. Instructions for completing a nonconsecutive 4-day diet record will be provided, alongside the VEGANScreener, a socio-demographic survey, a well-being survey, and a FFQ. To evaluate reproducibility, the VEGANScreener will be administered twice within a three-weeks period.
Discussion
Among vegans, the construct validity and criterion validity of the VEGANScreener will be analyzed through associations of the score with nutrient and food group intakes, and diet quality scores assessed from the 4-day diet records, and associations with the dietary biomarkers. Secondary outcomes will include analysis of dietary data, metabolomics, and microbiomes in all participants. Major nutrient sources and variations will be assessed in the sample. Exploratory metabolomic analysis to identify novel biomarkers will be performed using multivariable statistics and regression analysis. Standard statistical models will be implemented for cross-sectional comparisons of geographical groups and vegans versus omnivores.
Lovastatin inhibits the proliferation of HNSCC cells by downregulating the MCM complex after PPARγ activation
Authors: Zhang xuebing , Niu Sujuan , Gao Ying , Na La , Bai YiJie , Xu XiaoHui , Hou JianMing , Bi Zhehui , Li Qi
Published: January 2024

Purpose
Statins have a protective effect overall cancer risk. However, the effect of lovastatin on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and the underlying mechanism remain unclear. Here, we focused on the potential role of PPARγ in the lovastatin-mediated inhibition of malignant development in HNSCC.
Methods
The postoperative survival of HNSCC patients treated with or without lovastatin was statistically analyzed, and the expression of Ki67 was detected via immunohistochemistry. EdU expression in the tumor tissue of nude mice was detected by immunofluorescence. The proliferation and migration of HNSCC cells were detected by CCK-8, scratch healing and Transwell assays. Cell apoptosis and cell cycle distribution were detected via flow cytometry. The expression levels of PPARγ and MCM in cells and human HNSCC tissues were detected by western blotting and immunohistochemistry, respectively. The contribution of PPARγ to the effect of lovastatin on HNSCC was verified by treatment with a PPARγ antagonist (GW9662) and PPARγ knockdown.
Results
A case‒control study revealed that patients who used lovastatin had a better prognosis and lower Ki67 expression in tumor tissues than patients who did not receive lovastatin. Lovastatin also inhibited HNSCC growth in nude mice (n = 5) and decreased EdU expression in tumors. Lovastatin inhibited proliferation by activating PPARγ and downregulating MCM complexes in HNSCC cells. In addition, after PPARγ activation, lovastatin inhibited migration and enhanced the cisplatin sensitivity of CaL-27 cells.
Conclusions
Our findings suggest that PPARγ may be a target of lovastatin in inhibiting the proliferation of HNSCC cells and improving patient prognosis.
OX26-cojugated gangliosilated liposomes to improve the post-ischemic therapeutic effect of CDP-choline
Authors: d'Avanzo Nicola , Paolino Donatella , Barone Antonella , Ciriolo Luigi , Mancuso Antonia , Cristiano Maria Chiara , Celia Christian , Deng Xiaoyong , Fresta Massimo
Published: January 2024

Cerebrovascular impairment still represents one of the main causes of death worldwide with a mortality rate of 5.5 million per year. Furthermore, the disability of 50% of surviving patients represents a factor with both a high social impact and high costs for long periods of time for national healthcare systems. For these reasons, the efficacious clinical treatment of patients suffering of a brain ischemic stroke is still a medical need. To this aim, a liposome nanomedicine having monosialic ganglioside type 1 (GM1) between its constituent and bearing OX26 (an anti-transferrin receptor antibody) was prepared by entrapping CDP-choline (a neurotrophic drug) (CDP-choline/OX26Lip), characterized and tested in vivo on an ischemic rat model. CDP-choline/OX26Lip were prepared by a freeze and thaw followed by extrusion through polycarbonate filters, thus achieving ~80 nm mean size and a homogeneous size distribution. It was demonstrated that CDP-choline/OX26Lip showed a suitable stability in the presence of human serum. CDP-choline/OX26Lip showed also a suitable pharmacokinetic profile, having 30.0±4.2 % of the administered dose in the blood stream 12 h after its systemic administration. The post-ischemic therapeutic effect of CDP-choline/OX26Lip is better than CDP-choline/Lip, thus showing a significant greater survival rate of re-perfused post-ischemic rats, i.e. 96% and 78% after 8 days, respectively. The treatment with CDP-choline/OX26Lip significantly decreased the peroxidation rate of almost 5-fold compared to CDP-choline/Lip, as expressed in amount of conjugated dienes,i.e. 13.9 ± 1.1 and 3.1 ± 0.8 mmol/mg proteins, respectively. The increased therapeutic effect could be attributed to the improved accumulation of the encapsulated CDP-choline delivered by the OX26-conjugated GM1-liposomes. Therefore, this nanomedicine may represent a suitable strategy for the reassessment of CDP-choline as a line option in the therapeutic treatment of post-ischemic events caused by brain stroke, thus responding to significant clinical needs.
Model-Driven Approach to In-Network Computing: A Case Study for Parallel Quicksort
Authors: Koç Güler , İmre Kayhan M.
Published: January 2024

This article describes how Model-Driven Architecture (MDA) is applied in the development of parallel algorithms using In-Network Computing (INC). The parallel quicksort algorithm is used as a case study to demonstrate the incorporation of In-Network Computing into a specific parallel algorithm for ensuring load balance. The technique used for load balancing is intersecting prefix-sum and postfix-sum operations that determine the network split point for a good prospect of load balancing. Those two operations are done on network as an INC component of parallel quicksort algorithm. The network topology used in the algorithm is fat tree. Computations at compute nodes, INC computations at network switches, and fat tree topology are modeled together at a platform-independent level as part of MDA. Verification of the algorithm is done by translating the platform-independent model into a platform-specific model, which in this case is the simulator. The simulator can be used for both debugging and initial performance evaluation of the INC-enabled parallel quicksort algorithm.
Identification Potential Biomarker for Bladder Cancer using Feature Selection
Authors: Yu Qian , Dong Haofan , Liu Shufan , Li Yu , Luo Junwei , Wu Xin
Published: January 2024

Background
The aim of this study was to utilize machine learning techniques to identify biomarkers associated with the diagnosis of bladder cancer, providing valuable insights into its early pathogenesis and exploring their potential as prognostic markers and therapeutic targets.
Methods
Initially, we conducted a comparative analysis of the genomes between bladder cancer samples, focusing on identifying the most significant differences between the cancer group and the normal group. Next, we employed machine learning techniques for feature selection and identified a key gene by integrating ferroptosis-related genes into our analysis. Moreover, we integrated transcriptome data, somatic mutation data, and clinical data to perform comprehensive analyses, including functional enrichment analysis, tumor mutation load analysis, immune infiltration analysis, and pan-cancer analysis. These analyses aimed to elucidate the pathological relevance of the candidate genes. Furthermore, we constructed a ceRNA network to identify the genes and regulatory pathways associated with these candidate genes.
Results
We initially conducted screening using the Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis and machine learning techniques, resulting in the identification of six candidate genes: NR4A1, PAMR1, CFD, RAI2, ALG3, and HAAO. Subsequently, by integrating data from the FerrDB database, we identified NR4A1 as a gene associated with ferroptosis. Additionally, our analysis revealed a correlation between the expression of NR4A1 and tumor mutations as well as immune infiltration in patients with bladder cancer.
Conclusion
Our data strongly suggest that NR4A1 could serve as a crucial prognostic biomarker for bladder cancer and may also play a role in the development of various other cancers.
Brexpiprazole regulates EMT and metastasis through inhibition of SREBP1/SNAI1 signalling pathway in colorectal cancer cells
Authors: Liu Xiaojie , Xia Wenjun , He Jingyi , Xia Zhiyang , Chen Wei
Published: January 2024

Objective: To investigate the role and mechanism of SREBP1/SNAI1 signalling pathway in the effect of brexpiprazole on EMT and metastasis of CRC.
Methods:The effects of different concentrations of brexpiprazole on the migration and invasion in vitro as well as the expression of proteins are were examined by cell scratch, Transwell, Western blot, ELISA, immunofluorescence, dual luciferase promoter assay, transmission electron microscopy. A metastatic model of CRC in nude mice was established, Western blot,HE staining, and PET/CT were utilized to explore the effects of brexpiprazole on lung metastasis of CRC.
Results:Brexpiprazole significantly inhibited the migration and invasion of CRC , down-regulated the expression levels of SREBP1(m), Snail and MMP9 , up-regulated E-Cad and ZO1 and decreased the secretion levels of ICAM-1 and VEGF in the supernatant of CRC.Western blot and dual luciferase assays showed that SREBP1 could directly govern on the expression level of SANI1. In vivo experiments, on the other hand, showed that brexpiprazole significantly inhibited the formation of CRC lung metastases, suppressed the expression of SREBP1(m), Snail and MMP9, and up-regulated the expression of E-Cad and ZO1.
Conclusion:Brexpiprazole inhibited migration, invasion and metastasis of CRC by inhibiting the SREBP1/SNAI1 signalling pathway and down-regulating the expression of EMT-related factors.
An Intelligent System for Surgical Tools Checking, using Vision and Deep Learning
Authors: Wu Sichen Daniel , Le Marcus Chan Rong , Peh Yi En , Tan Seok Hwee Sandra
Published: January 2024

Objective: Currently, Operating Rooms (OR) check surgical tools manually before and after every surgery and sterilisation, making the process tedious. In addition, each hospital’s OR teams have different work processes, making standardisation challenging and staff training obsolete as they move from one hospital to another. Coupled with manpower challenges in healthcare, this makes ORs significantly inefficient. We propose a standardised system which leverages on Deep Learning to increase inter-organisational effectiveness by expediting tool accounting. Photos of surgical tools were taken, making up a dataset which we trained with using TensorFlow API. We tested the detection confidence of our trained models on each surgical tool and tabulated our results.
Results: Our initial test showed many False Negative results, with True Positive results for only 3 tools. After adjusting our model training process for the second test, an improvement was seen with only 1 False Negative result produced. Our project shows potential for deep learning to be used in the future to streamline backend surgical processes, if limitations such as similarities between tools, inconsistent number of training images, and insufficient training images are worked on.
Data Analytics based Surface Energy Analysis of Natural Fibers Treated with CMC Powder, Epoxy Resin along with Amine-based Hardeners for Improved Adhesion
Authors: Mishra Surbhi , Paliwal Deepak , Chakrabarti Prasun , Chakrabarti Tulika , Margala Martin
Published: January 2024

The comparative analysis of surface energy in natural fibers is a pivotal exploration that delves into the intricate dynamics governing the interaction between fibers and composite additives. This study investigated the surface energy responses of jute, coconut coir, hemp, bamboo, and flax fibers. The evaluation of surface energy has been conducted by employing the Young-Dupre equation, considering an epoxy resin augmented with an amine-based hardener and CMC powder. The optimum concentration of the amine-based hardener has been identified for the conduction of comparative study under standardized conditions. The study identified that Jute fiber exhibited a remarkable and distinctive response to the addition of CMC powder among selected natural fibers. The surface energy levels of jute surpassed other natural fibers, especially when the CMC powder concentration exceeded 1.5%. The findings suggest that the use of CMC powder in combination with epoxy resin and amine-based hardeners can significantly improve the surface energy of natural fibers.
Disease characteristics and hospitalization burden among older inpatients with hypertension in tertiary general hospitals in Jiangsu Province, China: a retrospective analysis
Authors: Zhang Hai-bo , Xie Jia-dong , Li Zheng-jun , Zhang Lei , Zhang Meng , Yao Ling , Yang Yi , Liu Jin , Li Si , Shen Jun-long , Chen Yan , Wen Wen-ting , Zhao Jun
Published: January 2024

Objective: This study aimed to analyze disease characteristics and the hospitalization burden of older inpatients with hypertension in tertiary general hospitals in China, and to provide data support and decision-making basis for the Diagnosis Related Groups (DRG) payment system reform and health management service for elderly hypertension in tertiary general hospitals.
Design: Retrospective chart review.
Setting: Two tertiary general hospitals in Jiangsu Province, China.
Participants: The participants were older adult inpatients who were treated at the two hospitals during the study period, totaling 54,181.
Primary and secondary outcome measures: Front page data of inpatient medical records from 2015 to 2020 were collected from two tertiary general hospitals in Jiangsu Province, China. Demographic and disease characteristics of older hospitalized patients with hypertension were analyzed and their relationship to the hospital burden was quantified from the perspective of “disease occurrence-disease burden” assessment.
Results: From 2015 to 2020, the number of elderly hypertension inpatients in tertiary hospitals increased by 4.3-fold, and the average comorbidity count rose from 4.13 to 4.86. Based on the 10th Revision of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, common comorbidities included "hypertension + diabetes," "hypertension + cerebrovascular disease," and "hypertension + ischemic heart disease." The average annual hospitalization cost for elderly hypertension inpatients showed a consistent increase, primarily driven by drug, diagnosis, and treatment expenses. Hospital stay duration and comorbidity count exhibited a significant positive correlation with the total cost of individual hospitalization.
Conclusions: This study highlights the challenges hospitals face in managing the increasing burden of comorbidities in older adults with hypertension. The prevalence and rate of older inpatients with hypertension have been steadily increasing year after year. Furthermore, the number of comorbidities in patients is positively correlated with the burden of hospitalization. Future studies with larger and more diverse samples are warranted to examine how various factors influence the condition and treatment of such patients. The proposed measures for using information technology are valuable for healthcare providers and policymakers.
Characteristics of co-existing psoriatic plaques in generalized pustular psoriasis patients with or without IL36RN mutation
Authors: Hsieh Chang-Yu , Chen Po-Hua , Huang Chang-Ming , Tsai Tsen-Fang
Published: January 2024

Fewer than 5% patients with generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) have clear or almost clear skin between GPP flare and 31 ~ 78% of patients present with co-existing psoriasis plaques. The erythema, thickness and scaling of co-existing psoriasis plaques in patients with GPP were assessed by two independent dermatologists who were unknown of IL36RN mutation status. Twenty IL36RN c.115 + 6T > C mutation positive patients and 20 mutation negative patients were included for paired analysis. We found that compared with IL36RN mutation negative group, more IL36RN mutation positive patients had erythema or thickness subscore ≦ 2 (p = 0.0407, 0.0202). The clinical, therapeutical and pathophysiological implications of the findings remain to be studied.
Hip joint articulotrochanteric distance measurements in children: articulotrochanteric distance in children aged 5 to 14 years does not grow with age
Authors: Yang Di , Ouyang Haiping , Wang Zhongliang
Published: January 2024

Background
For pediatric orthopedists, previous studies have used the articulotrochanteric distance (ATD) to determine the growth of the greater trochanter in many diseases such as Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (LCPD), Developmental dysplaisa of the hips (DDH), Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE), dislocation of the hips. The first objective of this study is to determine whether age affects the ATD recorded in hip orthographic radiographs of children under the age of 14. The second objective is to study the growth rate of greater trochanter.
Methods
We reviewed radiological results of 1787 cases of hip joint radiographs. The ATD, trochanter-to-trochanter distance (TTD), lesser trochanter-to-articular surface distance (LTA), femoral head epiphyseal plate-to-lesser trochanter distance (ELD) were measured. Group was performed according to gender and age. Independent sample t-test, one-Way ANOVA were used.
Results
A total of 1787 cases of hip joints from six months to 14 years old were reviewed. The overall mean ATD of male aged 5 to 14 were 23.51 mm (p > 0.05), and that of female was 21.40 mm (p > 0.05), 95% confidence interval for male was (14.96, 31.60) mm, for female it was (13.99, 30.40) mm. TTD, LTA, TTD/ELD and TTD/LTA were increased with age. k (TTD/AGE) was decreased with age and no statistical significance in k− male among male aged 8–14 (p > 0.05) and k− female among female aged 6–14 (p > 0.05).
Conclusions
Our data showed that the ATD of children aged 5 to 14 years old was different between male and female in hip orthographic radiographs, but there was no difference between different ages. And the greater trochanter grows faster before the age of 8 for male and 6 for female.
Growth-associated protein 43 and tensor-based morphometry indices in mild cognitive impairment
Authors: Seyedmirzaei Homa , Salmannezhad Amirhossein , Ashayeri Hamidreza , Shushtari Ali , Farazinia Bita , Heidari Mohammad Mahdi , Momayezi Amirali , Baher Sara Shaki
Published: January 2024

Background
Growth-associated protein 43 (GAP-43) is found in the axonal terminal of neurons in the limbic system, which is affected in people with Alzheimer's disease (AD). We assumed GAP-43 may contribute to AD progression and serve as a biomarker. So, in a two-year follow-up study, we assessed GAP-43 changes and whether they are correlated with tensor-based morphometry (TBM) findings in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
Methods
We included MCI and cognitively normal (CN) people with available baseline and follow-up cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) GAP-43 and TBM findings from the ADNI database. We assessed the difference between the two groups and correlations in each group at each time point.
Results
CSF GAP-43 and TBM measures were similar in the two study groups in all time points, except for the accelerated anatomical region of interest (ROI) of CN subjects that were significantly greater than those of MCI. The only significant correlations with GAP-43 observed were those inverse correlations with accelerated and non-accelerated anatomical ROI in MCI subjects at baseline. Plus, all TBM metrics decreased significantly in all study groups during the follow-up in contrast to CSF GAP-43 levels.
Conclusions
Our study revealed significant associations between CSF GAP-43 levels and TBM indices among people of the AD spectrum.
Explainable AI Models on Radiographic Images Integrated with Clinical Measurements: Prediction for Unstable Hips in Infants
Authors: Shimizu Hirokazu , Enda Ken , Koyano Hidenori , Shimizu Tomohiro , Shimodan Shun , Sato Komei , Ogawa Takuya , Tanaka Shinya , Iwasaki Norimasa , Takahashi Daisuke
Published: January 2024

Considering explainability is crucial in medical artificial intelligence, technologies to quantify Grad-CAM heatmaps and perform automatic integration based on domain knowledge remain lacking. Hence, we created an end-to-end model that produced CAM scores on regions of interest (CSoR), a measure of relative CAM activity, and feature importance scores by automatic algorithms for clinical measurement (aaCM) followed by LightGBM. In this multicenter research project, the diagnostic performance of the model was investigated with 813 radiographic hip images in infants at risk of unstable hips, with the ground truth defined by provocative examinations. The results indicated that the accuracy of aaCM was higher than that of specialists, and the model with ad hoc adoption of aaCM outperformed the image-only-based model. Subgroup analyses in positive cases indicated significant differences in CSoR between the unstable and contralateral sides despite containing only binary labels (positive or negative). In conclusion, aaCM reinforces the performance, and CSoR potentially indicates model reliability.
Prevalence and Genotype Spectrum of HPV Infection among Women in Xuhui District, Shanghai: Insights for Regional Cervical Cancer Screening Strategies
Authors: Liu Han , Xu Minyi , Dai Yue , Wang Lei , Wang Wei , Ji Muyuan
Published: January 2024

Objective: Numerous epidemiological analyses suggest that high-risk HPV infections are a major cause of cervical cancer, with variations in HPV distribution among different countries, regions, and ethnicities. This study aims to reveal the epidemiological characteristics of HPV in Xuhui District, Shanghai, and understand the prevalence and distribution of high-risk genotypes among women in the local area. The findings aim to provide insights for the development of regional cervical cancer screening strategies and the selection of HPV vaccine antigen targets in this specific region.
Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on HPV test results of 47,423 women tested in the Clinical Laboratory of Shanghai Eighth People's Hospital from January 2017 to April 2023. Real-time quantitative PCR was used to detect HPV DNA genotypes in the molecular laboratory of the department. Statistical analysis was performed using GraphPad Prism 8.0.1 software. The 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated using binomial distribution analysis, and a two-sided P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. HPV infection rates and corresponding 95% CIs were calculated for inter-group comparisons. Chi-square tests were used for comparing categorical variables between different age groups, with P < 0.05 indicating statistical significance.
Results: Among the 47,423 cervical HPV-DNA test results, the overall infection rate was 18.9%, with single infections accounting for 13.93%, double infections for 3.47%, and multiple infections for 1.5%. The age-specific prevalence of HPV infection showed a "U"-shaped curve, with the highest prevalence observed in the 20-29 age group. The five most common high-risk HPV subtypes in Xuhui District were types 16, 39, 51, 52, 56, and 58 (accounting for 10.3%, 7%, 8%, 20.3%, 6%, and 12%, respectively), with HPV52 having the highest infection rate.
Conclusion: This study provides an analysis of the prevalence and genotypes of HPV infections among women in Xuhui District, Shanghai. By assessing viral loads, the study identifies HPV types that are more susceptible, recommending the nine-valent HPV vaccine for women under 45 years old. Additionally, it suggests active participation in HPV screening for older women to reduce the incidence of cervical diseases and deaths caused by cervical cancer. As HPV trends vary worldwide, and genotypes differ in different regions, epidemiological analyses of HPV can accurately and intuitively inform the distribution of region-specific HPV genotypes, contributing to the development of regional cervical cancer screening strategies and the selection of HPV vaccine antigen targets in the area.
Temporal and spatial evolution mechanism of deformation and failure of lower mining roadway in near residual coal pillar area
Authors: Wang Xiao-He , Wang Jiang-Hao , Yun Qing-Long , Wang Yi-Qing , Wu Jing , Zhang Wen-Bo , Wu Yi-Han , Wang Ji-Qiang
Published: January 2024

In order to demonstrate the temporal and spatial evolution mechanism of deformation and failure of the lower mining roadway in the residual coal pillar area during the mining process of close coal seam, this paper takes the close coal seam mining of Tashan Coal Mine of China Coal Group as the research background, adopts the roof borehole and peeping technology to detect the failure situation of the roof surrounding rock of the roadway, and determines the approximate failure area of the roadway surrounding rock. The stress evolution law of roadway surrounding rock and the failure characteristics of plastic zone are studied by theoretical analysis and numerical simulation. The results show that there is a positive correlation between the size of the plastic zone and the deformation of the surrounding rock, that is, the larger the plastic zone, the more severe the deformation of the surrounding rock. The stress concentration area under the residual coal pillar and the new stress field in the mining face are superimposed on each other, resulting in asymmetric deformation and failure in the surrounding rock of the return air roadway, and the shape is approximately "butterfly". The stress on one side of the surrounding rock will be deflected, resulting in a significant difference in stress concentration on both sides of the roadway, and the extension of asymmetry in the plastic zone will also occur, which will lead to the large asymmetric deformation and failure of the surrounding rock of the roadway.
Research on multi-scale urban natural ventilation climate guidance: A case study in the Shijiazhuang metropolitan area
Authors: Zhang Shuo , Fang Xiaoyi , Cheng Chen , Chen Jing , Guo Fengxia , Yu Ying , Yang Shanshan
Published: January 2024

Optimizing the urban spatial layout is an important guarantee for improving natural ventilation in cities. Based on meteorological observation statistical analysis, numerical model simulation, and remote sensing inversion calculation, a natural ventilation planning technology covering both the city and community scales is proposed and applied in the Shijiazhuang metropolitan area in Hebei Province, China. Meteorological data obtained from observation stations were utilized to analyze local wind speed, direction, and frequency. The results revealed diverse wind characteristics in different regions. Winds blowing from the western mountainous area, characterized by high vegetation coverage, are predominantly west and northwest. This wind is a significant source of clean air and serves as a natural ventilation inlet for Shijiazhuang. In the northern area, winds are primarily northwest and north, while in the southern area, winds are mainly southeast and south. Additionally, there is a notable heat island effect within the second ring road, which has an elliptical shape with the long axis oriented from east to west and the short axis oriented from south to north. This effect shows a clear trend of eastward expansion. Based on this research, six primary ventilation corridors and thirteen secondary ventilation corridors have been established. The direction of these corridors aligns with the local wind patterns, and the width of the corridor is calculated based on the city’s capacity and required ventilation efficiency. Subsequently, an urban climate analysis map (UCAnMap) was developed considering climate sensitivity. Planning recommendations were provided to enhance the urban climate environment and optimize spatial layout in different climate zones. It’s worth nothing that there exists a negative correlation between ventilation efficiency and building height within the blocks. Increasing the height of the buildings will decrease the proportion of comfortable wind zones, and the overall ventilation efficiency of the block will weaken. Based on the principle that the average wind speed ratio is greater than or equal to 0.5, it is concluded that the average building height of a typical block should be controlled within 45 m, which matches the ventilation performance requirements, and these results can also serve as a guide for building parameters that are conducive to ventilation. The ventilation efficiency of the block has a certain negative correlation with the building density. By reducing the building density, the mean wind velocity ratio and the comfortable wind zone ratio of the block can be appropriately increased. If the building density decreases by more than 10%, the proportion of calm wind areas will decrease by about 2–5% compared to the original situation.
Efficacy and Safety of Intravitreal Injection of Conbercept for Moderate to Severe Nonproliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Shen Lu , Zheng Yuxiang , Gao Zelan , Li Qirui , Dai Min , Yang Wenchang , Zhang Qiying , Li Dongli , Hu Yijun , Yuan Ling
Published: January 2024

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravitreal injection of conbercept (IVC) for moderate to severe nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) with or without diabetic macular edema.
Methods: This longitudinal retrospective study enrolled 35 patients (50 eyes) with moderate to severe NPDR and a Diabetic Retinopathy Severity Scale (DRSS) score of 43–53 treated in October 2018–January 2023 at the Department of Ophthalmology, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University. The patients underwent three monthly IVC treatments, followed by a pro re nata regimen (3+PRN), and a 2-year follow-up period. Outcomes included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure, central macular thickness (CMT), area of hard exudute (HE), and DRSS scores. The DRSS scores were compared using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test before and after treatment. Systemic and ocular adverse events were recorded to evaluate safety.
Results: From baseline to last follow-up, the mean BCVA increased from 0.41 ± 0.39 to 0.23 ± 0.20 logMAR. The mean CMT decreased from 306.22 ± 77.40 to 297.97 ± 88.15 μm. At 24 months, DRSS scores regressed ≥ 1 stage in 40 eyes (80%), ≥ 2 stages in 28 eyes (56%), ≥3 stages in 10 eyes (20%), and remained unchanged in 6 eyes (12%). In 15 of 27 eyes (55.56%) with DME, the mean area of HE decreased significantly from baseline. No serious systemic adverse events were observed.
Conclusions: IVC is effective and safe for treating moderate to severe NPDR, resulting in a robust regression of DRSS scores.
An analysis of the cutting temperature for the tapping process using the tool-workpiece thermocouple method
Authors: Macedo Nathan Souza , Macedo Camila de Sá , Fortes Reinaldo Clemente , Val Alain Gil Del , Grabon Wieslaw Antoni , Silva Marcio Bacci Da , Pereira Igor Cézar
Published: January 2024

Temperature measurement in machining is complex, with many limitations and restrictions and these are linked to the measurement method and the process in which it will be applied. Tapping is one of the processes that imposes the most restrictions and limitations on temperature measurement methods. The chip-tool interface temperature is important data to feed numerical models and also to help in the analysis of wear problems and breakage of the cutting tap. The objective of this work is to quantify the temperatures found in tapping as a function of some process variables (cutting speed, workpiece material and cutting fluid), to understand how influential these variables are in temperature, since there are no results in the literature. for the threading process, and to show the advantages of adapting the tool-workpiece thermocouple method for the tapping process. The results show a 34% reduction in dry cutting temperature when compared to oil and emulsion conditions.
Improving thermal conductivity of AlSiC composites by post-oxidization of reaction-bonded silicon carbide preforms
Authors: Lin Xinping , Xu Qiang , Deng Tianyou , Yang Bingquan , Chen Liang
Published: January 2024

Aluminum-based silicon carbide (AlSiC) composites with high thermal conductivity were fabricated by post-oxidization of reaction-bonded silicon carbide (RBSiC) preforms in conjunction with vacuum pressure infiltration technology. The study investigated the control of interfacial reactions in conventional sintering and reaction sintering regimes. Conventional sintering introduced a large amount of SiO2, which was detrimental to the thermal conductivity of the AlSiC composite. In contrast, reaction sintering generated β-SiC, which improved the thermal and mechanical properties. An additional post-oxidization process was proposed and applied to the RBSiC preforms to decontaminate the particle interface and prevent the generation of Al4C3. The XRD analysis revealed that the AlSiC composite treated with post-oxidization did not show an Al4C3 signal. Notably, the thermal conductivity of the sample treated with post-oxidization increased by 6.5% compared to the sample that was not treated. The study also analyzed the impact of particle size distribution on volume fraction and thermal properties. The final results showed that the thermal conductivity, coefficient of thermal expansion, bending strength, and bending modulus of AlSiC composites were 237.3 W/m·K, 8.5×10-6/°C, 325 MPa, and 75.9 GPa, respectively.
Revealing the Immune Heterogeneity in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Based on Multi-Omics Data Analysis
Authors: Liu Hao , Gong Yadong , Liu Mubo , Xiao Ran , Qingqing Ma
Published: January 2024

Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disorder characterized by a spectrum of clinical manifestations. With the progress of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology, novel techniques for sequencing T cell receptors and B cell receptors have emerged. In this study, we employed the computational approach TRUST4 to construct TCR and BCR libraries using a substantial volume of RNA-seq data extracted from the peripheral blood of sepsis patients. Subsequently, we conducted an analysis to assess the clonality and diversity of the immune repertoire associated with this disease. A total of 30 distinct cell types were annotated and subsequently categorized into 12 clusters. SLE group demonstrated an increase in the innate immune responses of CD14 monocytes, CD16 monocytes, Megakaryocytes, NK cells, and Neutrophis in comparison to the HC group. The CellChat analysis findings unveiled four distinct patterns for input signals and four patterns for output signals. The results of trajectory analysis revealed that the majority of cell subsets are positioned in a single developmental stage. Our research results comprehensively demonstrate the dynamic changes of immune cells during the onset of SLE, and identify specific V and J genes in TCR and BCR that can be used to expand our understanding of SLE.
A parameter-uniform implicit scheme for two-parameter singularly perturbed parabolic problems
Authors: Kumari Parvin , Kumar Devendra , RAMOS HIGINIO
Published: January 2024

A parameter-uniform implicit approach for two-parameter singularly perturbed boundary value problems is constructed. On the solution derivatives, sharp limits are presented. The solution is additionally divided into regular and singular components, limiting the derivatives of these components utilized in the convergence analysis. In the temporal direction, the system of ordinary differential equations produced by the Crank-Nicolson scheme on a uniform mesh is further discretized in the spatial direction by employing a finite difference technique on a selected Shishkin mesh. Through a rigorous analysis, we establish the theoretical results for two cases: Case I. ε1/ε22 → 0 as ε2 → 0, and Case II. ε22 /ε1 → 0 as ε1 → 0, showing that the technique is convergent regardless of the magnitude of the ε1, ε2 parameters. The order of accuracy in Case I and II are shown to be O((Δt)2 + N−1(lnN)2) and O((Δt)2 + N−2(lnN)2), respectively. Two examples are presented to verify the theoretical results.
AMS subject classifications. 65L10, 65L12, 65L20, 65L70