bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of sexual dysfunction in patients with multiple sclerosis: a perspective from neurologist
Authors: Gaviria Mariana , Salas Paola Andrea Ortiz , Florez Silvia Juliana Bueno
Published: April 2022

Background: Sexual dysfunction (SD) is a common comorbidity in people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). It affects the quality of life and remains an overlooked condition. We will describe how Colombian neurologists assess and treat SD in pwMS.Methods: In this observational cross-sectional study we developed a questionnaire for neurologists with 4 sections ( demographic data, evaluation and treatment of SD, and possible reasons for not discussing sexual dysfunction.) It was sent via email to 326 Colombian neurologists. We grouped the answers according to the type of consultation (neurologists from a MS program or no MS program). We described through absolute frequencies and proportions. Results: 50 neurologists answered the survey, 5 have never attend pwMS; the section 2-4 was not answered by them. 29% work in a MS program, all of them asked their patients about sexual function, but 18.75% of physicians working outside an MS program have never asked about it. Reasons for not talking about sexual dysfunction were lack of knowledge (65.1%), presence of a companion (65.1%) and lack of time (55.8%). 91% of the neurologists reported that their patients usually and frequently ask about sexual function. Neurologists use informal questions to assess sexual function (80%), although 64.4% said that they are aware of SD questionnaires. When sexual dysfunction is detected, 91% of neurologists refer patients to another specialist and 87% do not start any treatmentConclusions: Colombian neurologists are concerned about sexual function. There is still a gap in the treatment and evaluation of sexual dysfunction.
Fragmentation by major dams and implications for the future viability of platypus populations
Authors: Mijangos Jose , Bino Gilad , Hawke Tahneal , Kolomyjec Stephen , Kingsford Richard , Sidhu Harvinder , Grant Thomas , Day Jenna , Dias Kimberly , Gongora Jaime , Sherwin William
Published: April 2022

Populations of the evolutionarily unique platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) have experienced major declines and local extinctions from a range of historical and recent interacting threats, including fur trade, land clearing, water resource developments (dams and extractions), invasive species, fire, pollution, and urbanisation. Although spending most of their time in the water, platypuses can move over land. Nevertheless, significant uncertainties remain whether major dams across the platypus’ distribution pose barriers to movement, limiting gene flow and dispersal, which are essential evolutionary and ecological processes. Here we examined disruption of gene flow between platypus groups below and above major dams (wall height > 10 m). Platypuses were surveyed above and below five major dams, matched to four adjacent rivers without major dams. Genetic differentiation (FST) across dams was 4- to 20- fold higher than along similar stretches of adjacent undammed rivers; FST across dams was similar to differentiation between adjacent river systems. This indicates that major dams represent significant barriers for platypus movements. Furthermore, FST between populations was significantly correlated with the year in which the dam was built, increasing by 0.011 every generation (7.9 years), reflecting the effects of these barriers on platypus genetics. This study provides evidence of gene flow restriction, which jeopardises the long-term viability of platypus populations when populations are fragmented by major dams. Alternatives to large dam construction, such as building of by-pass structures and translocation between upstream and downstream populations, should be considered in water conservation and management planning.
The regulatory effect of miR-181c-5p on the differentiation function of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in postmenopausal osteoporotic mice
Authors: Yang Chi , Shi Kai , Wang Jie , Yan Lianqi
Published: April 2022

Background
Osteoporosis (OP) is a metabolic bone disease syndrome for which there is no good treatment. In this study, we investigated the expression changes of miR-181c-5p in osteoporosis-derived BMMSCs, and the role and molecular mechanism in the osteogenic-lipogenic differentiation of BMMSCs.
Methods
In this study, an OP mouse model was successfully established using the ovariectomy method, and osteoporotic-derived BMMSCs (O-BMMSCs) and sham-operated-derived BMMSCs (S-BMMSCs) were isolated and cultured using the whole bone marrow method. A genetic screen revealed that miR-181c-5p was differentially expressed in O-BMMSCs and S-BMMSCs. The expression levels of miR-181c-5p in BMMSCs were overexpressed or inhibited by cell transfection, and the regulatory effects of miR-181c-5p on the proliferation and osteogenic-adipogenic differentiation of BMMSCs were examined using MTT, multi-directional differentiation induction, alizarin red staining, oil red O staining, qRT-PCR and Western blot. Candidate target genes for miR-181c-5p were screened by target gene prediction software and bioinformatics websites, and target gene validation was performed.
Results
The study found that overexpression of miR-181c-5p or inhibition of miR-181c-5p had no significant effect on the proliferation ability of BMMSCs. Upregulation of miR-181c-5p could reduce the osteogenic ability and enhance the adipogenic ability of BMMSCs, while downregulation of miR-181c-5p could increase the osteogenic ability and inhibit the adipogenic ability of BMMSCs. Besides, Foxo1 was confirmed as a direct target gene of miR-181c-5p, and miR-181c-5p negatively regulated Foxo1 expression. Downregulation of miR-181c-5p in O-BMMSCs promoted Foxo1 expression, improved the osteogenic differentiation of O-BMMSCs, and reduced abnormal lipogenic differentiation of O-BMMSCs and eventually partially restored the normal differentiation ability of O-BMMSCs.
Conclusion
miR-181c-5p regulated the osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of BMMSCs by negatively regulating the expression of target gene Foxo1. The overexpression of miR-181c-5p in the process of osteoporosis leads to the disruption of the balance of osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of BMMSCs, and reduces the bone formation ability of stem cells.
Estimation of plant density and plant height of winter wheat breeding material based on UAV digital images
Authors: zang hecang , Yanjing WANG , Xiuzhong YANG , Jia HE , Qing ZHAO , meng zhou , guoqing zheng , guoqiang li
Published: April 2022

【Aims】 In order to obtain the plant density and plant height information of winter wheat breeding material quickly and accurately, it was of great practical significance for the growth monitoring and yield prediction of winter wheat breeding material. 【Method】 In this study, a drone equipped with a digital camera was used to obtain the drone digital orthophoto (DOM) and digital surface model (DSM) of winter wheat breeding material at the seedling stage, jointing stage, booting stage, flowering stage and grain filling stage. The coverage of winter wheat was extracted from drone images, and the relationship between coverage and plant density was established; the plant height estimation models of winter wheat breeding material were established respectively at jointing, booting, flowering and grain filling stages. Based on the ground measurement of winter wheat breeding material height (H), the accuracy of plant height of winter wheat breeding material extracted by DSM was verified.【Result】 The results showed that the winter wheat coverage extracted based on the UAV images at the seedling stage had a high correlation with the measured plant density, and the R2 was 0.8205. The new winter wheat cultivar H extracted by DSM was significantly correlated with the measured H, and the fitted R2 and RMSE of the predicted plant height and the measured value were 0.9554 and 6.3233 cm, respectively. 【Conclusion】 The results indicated that the use of UAV aerial imagery to predict the plant density and plant height of winter wheat breeding material has good applicability, and can provide technical reference for future crop phenotype information monitoring.
The Anti-carbohydrate antibody repertoire in type 1 diabetes
Authors: Tran Paul , Dong Fran , Kin Eileen , Richardson Katherine , Tran Lynn , Waugh Kathleen , Hopkins Diane , Cummings Richard , Wang Peng George , Rewers Marian , She Jin-Xiong , Purohit Sharad
Published: April 2022

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease, characterized by the presence of auto-antibodies to several protein and non-protein antigens. We report circulating levels of antibodies towards naturally occurring glycans using our customized glycan array and show that anti-carbohydrate antibodies (ACA) are associated with pathogenesis and progression to T1D. We compared circulatory levels of ACAs against 202 glycans in a cross-sectional cohort of T1D patients (n=278) and healthy controls (n=298), as well as in a longitudinal cohort (n=112). We identified 11 clusters of ACAs associated with glycan function class. Clusters enriched for aminoglycosides, blood group A and B antigens, glycolipids, ganglio-series, and O-linked glycans were associated with progression to T1D. ACAs against the aminoglycoside commonly used for neonatal sepsis, gentamicin, and its related structures, G418 and sisomicin, were associated with islet autoimmunity. ACAs improved discrimination of T1D status of individuals over a model with only clinical variables. ACAs are potential biomarkers for T1D.
Using Inga punctata in forest restoration influences the accumulation of tree soil carbon and nitrogen, and the nitrogen-fixer and lignin degrader bacterial community compositions, complexity and stability.
Authors: Eaton William , Hamilton Debra A.
Published: April 2022

AimsThis study was designed to determine if planting the leguminous tree Inga punctata in cleared former tropical premontane wet forest lands changed the Nitrogen (N)-fixer and Lignin Degrader bacterial community compositions, complexity and stability, to enhance the soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) components.MethodsSoils were collected from old growth, 4, 8 and 11-year-old I. punctata trees, and assessed for differences in various soil C and N metrics, and the mean of percent sequences (MPS, as “relative abundance” via Next Generation eDNA Sequencing), composition, stability and complexity of the community of N-fixer and Lignin Degrader genera.ResultsThe MPS N-fixer genera decreased and that of the Lignin Degraders increased over time, as did the composition and stability of both groups. There were negative correlations between the MPS levels of the N-fixer and Lignin Degrader genera, positive correlations between the MPS levels of Lignin Degraders, TN, NO3−, TOC, and Biomass C, negative correlations between the MPS levels of Lignin Degraders and NH4+, and opposite correlations between these C and N metrics and MPS levels of N-fixers.ConclusionsThis is the first evidence that I. punctata facilitates changes over time in the amount and composition of tree soil N-fixer and Lignin Degrader genera, enhances the stability and complexity of both groups, increases the accumulation of tree soil C and N, thus, increasing the potential for these soils to serve as C and N sinks, and supporting the future use of this reforestation management strategy.
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health of Children: A Longitudinal Survey in the ABCD Study Cohort
Authors: Hamatani Sayo , Hiraoka Daiki , Makita Kai , Tomoda Akemi , Mizuno Yoshifumi
Published: April 2022

A large longitudinal study on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health in children is limited. This large-scale longitudinal observational study examines the pandemic’s effects on children’s mental health while considering the effects of parental care styles. The Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study is a large-scale, longitudinal multicenter study in the United States. Of the 11,875 children aged 9–12 years in its database, 4,885 subjects were selected for this study. The child behavior checklist and parental monitoring questionnaire (PMQ) were used to assess children’s mental health and parental support styles, respectively. Data collected before and during the pandemic were compared. Withdrawn/depressed and attention problems significantly worsened during compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic (p < 0.001, Withdrawn/depressed; 53.4 ± 5.7 to 53.7 ± 5.9, attention problems; 53.4 ± 5.4 to 53.6 ± 5.6). Simple slope analysis found withdrawn/depressed problems worsened when the PMQ was 1 SD below the mean, and rule-breaking behavior was improved when the PMQ was 1 SD above the mean. While the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated children’s depressive symptoms and attention issues, the effects may be minor. Additionally, parental involvement behaviors serve as a protective factor for the child’s mental health even during the pandemic.
Life-course Inequalities in Intrinsic Capacity among Chinese Older Adults
Authors: Si Yafei , Hanewald Katja , Chen Shu , Li Bingqin , Bateman Hazel , Beard John
Published: April 2022

Background
Maintaining and optimising intrinsic capacity (IC) across a person’s life course is a core component of the World Health Organization’s model of healthy ageing. However, the contribution of cumulative health inequalities over time to subtle changes in IC in late life is not well understood.
Methods
We included 21,783 participants aged 45 + from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study and calculated a validated prognostic value of IC. We included eleven early-life factors to investigate their direct influence on IC over thirty years later and cumulative influence through four current socioeconomic factors. We used multivariable linear regression and concentration index decomposition to investigate the contributions of each determinant to IC inequalities. Mediation analysis identified the direct and cumulative contribution of early-life factors.
Results
Participants with an advantaged environment in childhood and a higher current socioeconomic position had a significantly higher IC score. This inequality was greatest for cognitive capacity and sensory capacity. Overall, early-life factors directly explained 13.92% (95% CI: 12.07–15.77%) of IC inequalities, while 28.57% (95% CI: 28.19–28.95%) of IC inequalities were explained through the cumulative effects of socioeconomic inequalities over a person’s life course.
Conclusion
In China, unfavourable early-life factors appear to directly decrease late-life health status, particularly cognitive and sensory capacities rather than locomotor functioning, psychological capacity or homeostasis, and these effects are exacerbated by the cumulative socioeconomic inequalities over a person’s life course. Interventions in early life and subsequently across the life course may be effective in reducing these disparities.
Developmental disruption and restoration of brain synaptome architecture in the Pax6 neurodevelopmental disease model
Authors: Tomas-Roca Laura , Qiu Zhen , Fransén Erik , Gokhale Ragini , Bulovaite Edita , Price David , Komiyama Noboru , Grant Seth
Published: April 2022

Neurodevelopmental disorders of genetic origin delay the acquisition of normal abilities and cause disabling phenotypes. However, spontaneous attenuation and even complete amelioration of symptoms in early childhood and adolescence occur in many disorders, suggesting that brain circuits possess an intrinsic capacity to overcome some germline mutations. We examined the molecular composition of almost a trillion excitatory synapses on a brain-wide scale between birth and adulthood in mice carrying a mutation in the homeobox transcription factor Pax6, a neurodevelopmental disorder model. Pax6 haploinsufficiency had no impact on total synapse number at any age. By contrast, the molecular composition of excitatory synapses, the postnatal expansion of synapse diversity and the acquisition of normal synaptome architecture were delayed in all brain regions, interfering with network and cognitive functions. Specific excitatory synapse types and subtypes were affected in two key developmental age-windows. These phenotypes were reversed within 2-3 weeks of onset, restoring synapse diversity and synaptome architecture to the normal developmental trajectory. Synapse subtypes with rapid protein turnover mediated the synaptome remodeling. This brain-wide capacity for remodeling of synapse molecular composition to recover and maintain the developmental trajectory of synaptome architecture may help confer resilience to neurodevelopmental genetic disorders.
Study on the Equation Between Liver MRI T2* Values and Liver Iron Concentration in Thalassemia Patients
Authors: Xu Fengming , Yi Jixing , Liang Bumin , Luo Chaotian , Peng Fei , Peng Yuzhao , Peng Peng
Published: April 2022

Background: The liver iron concentration (LICF) provided by FerriScan is already certified. But there are some restrictive factors. Therefore, we explored the relationship curves of LICF and MRI liver T2 *, and constructed the equations for both. Methods: Liver MRI T2* values of 273 thalassemia patients were measured by CMRtools/Thalassemia Tools (CMRtools) and divided into test and verification groups. The T2* values of the test group and LICF were used to build the equation, through which the T2* values of the validation group were converted to the liver iron concentration（LICe）. The relationship between LICe and LICF was explored. According to the clinical liver iron concentration grading, LICF and LICe were grouped to explore the relationship between the them in the validation group. Results: The equation built by the test group was LICF=37.393T2*^(-1.22)（R2=0.971，P＜0.05）. There was no statistical difference between LICe and LICF in the validation group（P＞0.05）; There was significant consistency（W=0.991, P＜0.05）and significant correlation（rs=0.983，P＜0.05） between them .There was no statistical difference in the clinical grading between LICe and LICF in the validation group （P＞0.05）. There was significant consistency between the clinical grading results（K=0.943，P＜0.05. Conclusion: Through the equation LICF=37.393T2*^(-1.22), after measuring the liver T2* value, the liver iron concentration (LIC) equivalent to LICF can be accurately calculated.
TRPV3-ANO1 interaction positively regulates wound healing in keratinocytes
Authors: Yamanoi Yu , Takayama Yasunori , Hosogi Shigekuni , Marunaka Yoshinori , Tominaga Makoto
Published: April 2022

Transient receptor potential vanilloid 3 (TRPV3) belongs to the TRP ion channel super family and functions as a nonselective cation channel that is highly permeable to calcium. This channel is strongly expressed in skin keratinocytes and is involved in warmth sensation, itch, wound healing and secretion of several cytokines. Previous studies showed that anoctamin1 (ANO1), a calcium-activated chloride channel, was activated by calcium influx through TRPV1, TRPV4 or TRPA1 and that these channel interactions were important for TRP channel-mediated physiological functions. We found that ANO1 was expressed by normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs). We observed that ANO1 mediated currents upon TRPV3 activation of NHEKs. Using an in vitro wound-healing assay, we observed that either an ANO1 blocker or low chloride medium inhibited cell migration and proliferation through p38 phosphorylation, leading to cell cycle arrest. These results indicated that chloride influx through ANO1 activity enhanced wound healing by keratinocytes.
Gene Ontology informed neural network model for microbe functionality discovery in human diseases
Authors: Liu Yunjie , Zhang Yaozhong , Imoto Seiya
Published: April 2022

Background: The human microbiome plays a crucial role in human health and is associated with a number of human diseases. Determining microbiome functional roles in human diseases remains a biological challenge due to the high dimensionality of metagenome gene features. However, existing models were limited in providing biological interpretability, where the functional role of microbes in human diseases is unexplored. Here we propose to utilize a neural network-based model incorporating Gene Ontology (GO) relationship network to discover the microbe functionality in human diseases. Results: We prepare two benchmark datasets including diabetes and liver cirrhosis to explore the microbe functionality in human diseases. Our model discovered and visualized the novel candidates important microbiome genes and their functions by calculating the important score of each gene and GO term in the network in both datasets. Furthermore, we demonstrate that our model achieves a competitive performance in predicting the disease by comparison with other non-Gene Ontology informed models to ensure the importance of candidates genes and their functions. Conclusions: The discovered candidates important microbiome genes and their functions provide novel insights into microbe contribution in functional aspects.
Effect of Forkhead Box Protein 3 Gene Polymorphisms in Recurrent Pregnancy Loss: A meta-analysis
Authors: Bamba Chitra , Rohilla Minakshi , Kumari Anu , Kaur Anupriya , Srivast Priyanka
Published: April 2022

The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.
Safety, Efficacy and Prognosis of Anticoagulant Therapy for Portal Vein Thrombosis in Cirrhosis: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Zhang Zhiqi , Zhao Ying , Li Dandan , Guo Mingxing , Li Hongyu , Liu Ranjia , Cui Xiangli
Published: April 2022

Background: The role of anticoagulants in the treatment of cirrhotic PVT remains controversial. This study aimed to analyze the safety and efficacy of anticoagulant therapy in patients with cirrhotic portal vein thrombosis (PVT) and its impact on prognosis.Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted for PVT patients with liver cirrhosis in our hospital. The primary outcome of the study was the PVT recanalization rate. Other outcomes included bleeding rate, liver function, and mortality. Cox and Logistic regression were used to explore the risk factors of outcomes. Results: This study included 77 patients that 27 patients in the anticoagulant group and 50 in the non-anticoagulant group. Anticoagulant therapy was associated with higher rate of PVT recanalization (44.4% vs 20.0%, log-rank P = 0.016) and lower rate of PVT progression (7.4% vs 30.0%, log-rank P = 0.026), and without increasing the rate of total bleeding (14.8% vs 24%, P = 0.343), major bleeding (3.7% vs 6%, P = 0.665) and variceal bleeding (3.7% vs 16%, P = 0.109). The safety and efficacy of different anticoagulants were similar. The Child-Pugh grade of the anticoagulant therapy group was better than that of the non-anticoagulant therapy group (P = 0.030). There was no significant difference in the 2-year survival rate of the two groups. Conclusion: Anticoagulants could increase the PVT recanalization rate and reduce the PVT progression rate without increasing the rate of bleeding. Anticoagulants may be beneficial to improving the liver function of patients with cirrhotic PVT. There was no significant difference in the safety and efficacy of different anticoagulants in the treatment of cirrhotic PVT
Melatonin ameliorates ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) through SESN2 regulated antiapoptosis
Authors: Zheng Min , Liu Mei , Zhang Cong
Published: April 2022

Research question: Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is one of the most severe complications after ovarian stimulation during assisted reproductive technology (ART). However, its pathogenesis still remains unclear. Melatonin is an important antioxidant factor in female reproduction and Sestrin-2 (SESN2) is reported to be involved in cellular response to different stress conditions. Whether or not melation and SESN2 are involved in OHSS is still a question to us clinicians. Design: We collected the granulosa cells of OHSS patients and focused on the role of SESN2 in OHSS. We also studied the role and mechanism of melatonin plays in OHSS patients. Results: We found that the expression of SESN2 was increased in the granulosa cells of OHSS patients (n=24) than those in controls (n=15). Incubation with angiotensin II (1μM, 2μM) in HUVECs and H2O2 (0.1mM, 0.2mM) in KGNs increased the generation of ROS concurrent with the increased expression of SESN2, while melatonin treatment partly restored SESN2 levels. Mechanism study demonstrated that SESN2 was deeply involved in the regulation of AMPK and mTOR, whearas melatonin partially restored angiotensin II or H2O2 induced the activation of AMPK phosphorylation and the inhibition of mTOR, 4EBP1 and S6K1 phosphorylation, all of which could trigger cell apoptosis. Additionally, we found that SESN2 knockdown and treatment with rapamycin (mTOR inhibitor) in HUVECs partly abolished the antiapoptosis effects of melatonin. Conclusions: These findings indicated that melatonin attenuated ROS-induced apoptosis through SESN2-AMPK-mTOR in OHSS. Thus, melatonin is likely to be a potential and important therapeutic agent for treating and preventing OHSS.
Survival analysis using the Covid-Death Mean-Imputation (CoDMI) algorithm: a first clinical application in radiation oncology
Authors: De Felice Francesca , Mazzoni Luca , Musio Daniela , Tombolini Vincenzo , Moriconi Franco
Published: April 2022

Purpose. We illustrate a clinical application of Covid-Death Mean-Imputation (CoDMI) algorithm in survival analysis.Material and methods. We analyzed 94 patients treated for primary locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). Overall survival was calculated in months from diagnosis to first event (last follow-up/death). Because Covid-19 death events potentially bias survival estimation, to eliminate skewed data due to Covid-19 death events the observed lifetime of Covid-19 cases was replaced by its corresponding expected lifetime in absence of the Covid-19 event using CoDMI algorithm. In a traditional Kaplan-Meier approach, patient died of Covid-19 (DoC) can be: i) excluded to the cohort, or ii) counted as censored (Cen), or iii) considered as died of disease (DoD). CoDMI algorithm offers an additional, more satisfactory option: iv) DoC events are mean-imputed by the Kaplan-Meier estimator. With this approach, observed lifetime of each DoC patient is considered as an “incomplete data” and is extended by an additional expected lifetime computed using the classical Kaplan-Meier model. Results. 16 patients were DoD, 1 patient was DoC and 77 cases were Cen. The DoC patient died of Covid-19 52 months after diagnosis. CoDMI algorithm computed the expected future lifetime provided by the Kaplan-Meier estimator applied to the no-DoC observations as well as to the DoC data itself. Given the DoC event at 52 months, CoDMI algorithm estimated that this patient would be died after 79.5 months of follow-up.Conclusion. CoDMI algorithm leads to “unbiased” probability of overall survival in LARC patients with Covid-19 infection, compared with that provided by a naïve application of Kaplan-Meier approach. This allows for a proper interpretation/use of Covid-19 events in survival analysis. A user-friendly version of CoDMI is freely available at https://github.com/alef-innovation/codmi.
A multifactorial fall risk assessment system for older people utilizing a low-cost, markerless Microsoft Kinect
Authors: Kim Taekyoung , Yu Xiaoqun , Xiong Shuping
Published: April 2022

Background: Falls among older people are a major public health concern due to their high prevalence and serious consequences. Accurate, convenient, and cost-effective assessment of fall risk is an essential first step for effective fall intervention and prevention. This study aims to develop a multifactorial fall risk assessment system for older people using a low-cost, markerless Microsoft Kinect. Methods: A Kinect-based test battery was designed and implemented in Unity3D to comprehensively assess major fall risk factors on physiological, psychological, and integrated functions. A follow-up experiment was conducted with 102 community-dwelling Korean older women to assess their fall risks and to investigate their prospective falls during a 6-month follow-up period. The participants were divided into a high fall risk group (N=22) and a low fall risk group (N=80) based on prospective falls. Based on 11 variables with significant differences between the two groups, random forest-based machine learning classification models were further constructed to classify the fall risk. Results: Experimental results showed that the high fall risk group performed significantly worse on the Kinect-based test battery, especially in Sit to Stand 5 times (STS5), Choice Stepping Reaction Test (CSRT), and Fall Efficacy Scale (FES). The random forest classification model achieved average classification accuracy of 84.7% with 83.3% sensitivity and 86.1% specificity. In addition, the individual's performance was computed as the percentile value of a normative database so that deficiencies can be clearly visualized and targeted for intervention. Conclusion: These findings indicate that the developed low-cost, markerless Kinect-based multifactorial fall risk assessment system can not only accurately screen out ‘at risk’ older individuals, but also identify potential fall risk factors. The developed system has good potential for effective fall intervention and prevention.
Magnetic resonance imaging of congenital talipes equinovarus treated with the Ponseti method: a short-term outcome study
Authors: Zhang Jiangchao , Wang Ningqing , Lv Haixiang , Liu Zhenjiang
Published: April 2022

BackgroundTo quantitatively evaluate the effectiveness of the Ponseti method for the correction of clubfoot, we decided to use Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) to evaluate changes in the tarsal bones relationship. MethodsThis is a retrospective study of 12 children with clubfoot treated with Ponseti method. MRI studies were obtained using a 3.0T machine(GE, America). T1-weighted and T2-weighted images were acquired in the standard anatomic sagittal, transverse, and coronal planes. For the measurement, the best slice that clearly demonstrated the anatomy was chosen. Sagittal talocalcaneal angle, sagittal tibiocalcaneal angle, coronal tibiocalcaneal angle, transverse talar neck angle, transverse talonavicular angle and transverse talocalcaneal angle were measured. The 15 corrected clubfoot were compared with the 9 unilateral normal feet at clinical and radiological levels using a Pirani scoring system and MRI, respectively.Results12 patients (10 boys, 2 girls) with clubfoot were examined by using MRI. 9 cases had unilateral and 3 had bilateral involvement(8 left clubfoot, 7 right clubfoot), giving a total of 15 clubfoot compared with 9 normal feet. The mean age of patients at examination was 47.7months (8-96 months). The recovery of the corrected clubfoot in these patients met the goals of Ponseti treatment(functional, normal looking, pain-free, plantigrade foot). Before Ponseti treatment, the mean Pirani score of clubfoot was 5.5(5-6). During this follow-up, the Pirani score was 0.07(0-0.05). The results of MRI indicated that only the transverse talonavicular angle showed significant difference between the treated clubfoot and the normal feet(P< 0.001). 1 of 15 of the corrected clubfoot had dorsal talonavicular subluxation in sagittal plane and 1 had lateral subluxation of the navicular in transverse plane, which have never been reported in previous studies.ConclusionsAlthough the appearance and function of clubfoot recovered well after the Ponseti method, the results of MRI indicated that Ponseti method successfully corrected the varus, cavus, and equinus deformities and incompletely corrected the adduction deformity regarding transverse talonavicular angle. At the same time, the Ponseti method may cause dorsal talonavicular subluxation in sagittal plane and lateral subluxation of the navicular in transverse plane on MRI.
Computer-Aided Diagnosis of Serrated Colorectal Lesions Using Non-Magnified White Light Endoscopic Images
Authors: Nemoto Daiki , Guo Zhe , Peng Boyuan , Zhang Ruiyao , Nakajima Yuki , Hayashi Yoshikazu , Yamashina Takeshi , Aizawa Masato , Utano Kenichi , Lefor Alan Kawarai , Zhu Xin , Togashi Kazutomo
Published: April 2022

Purpose: Computer-aided diagnosis systems for polyp characterization are commercially available but cannot recognize subtypes of sessile lesions. This study aimed to develop a computer-aided diagnosis system to characterize polyps using non-magnified white-light endoscopic images.Methods: A total of 2249 non-magnified white-light images from 1030 lesions including 534 tubular adenomas, 225 sessile serrated adenoma/polyps and 271 hyperplastic polyps in the proximal colon were consecutively extracted from an image library and divided into training and testing datasets (4:1), based on the date of colonoscopy. Using ResNet-50 networks, we developed a classifier (1) to differentiate adenomas from serrated lesions, and another classifier (2) to differentiate sessile serrated adenoma/polyps from hyperplastic polyps. Diagnostic performance was assessed using the testing dataset. The computer-aided diagnosis system generated a probability score for each image, and a probability score for each lesion was calculated as the weighted mean with a log10-transformation. Two experts (E1, E2) read the identical testing dataset with a probability score.Results: The area under the curve of classifier (1) for adenomas was equivalent to E1 and superior to E2 (classifier 86%, E1 86%, E2 69%; classifier vs. E2, p<0.001). In contrast, the area under the curve of classifier (2) for sessile serrated adenoma/polyps was inferior to both experts (classifier 55%, E1 68%, E2 79%; classifier vs. E2, p<0.001).Conclusion: The classifier (1) developed using white-light images alone compares favorably with experts in differentiating adenomas from serrated lesions. However, the classifier (2) to identify sessile serrated adenoma/polyps is inferior to experts.
VMSG: a video caption network based on multimodal semantic grouping and semantic attention
Authors: Yang Xin , Wang Xiangchen , Ye Xiaohui , Li Tao
Published: April 2022

Network video typically contains a variety of information that is used by the video caption model to generate video tags. The process of creating video captions is divided into two steps: video information extraction and natural language generation. Existing models have the problem of redundant information in continuous frames when generating natural language, which affects the accuracy of the caption. As a result, this paper proposes a Multimodal Semantic Grouping and Semantic Attention Video Caption Model (VMSG). VMSG uses a novel semantic grouping method for decoding, which divides the video with the same semantics into a semantic group for decoding and predicting the next word, to reduce the redundant information of continuous video frames, which differs from the decoding mode of grouping by frame. Because the importance of each semantic group varies, we investigate a semantic attention mechanism to add weight to the semantic group and use a single-layer LSTM to simplify the model. Experiments show that VMSG outperforms some state-of-the-art models in terms of caption generation performance and alleviates the problem of redundant information in continuous video frames.
Changes of serum and urine microbiota and metabolite spectrum in patients with diabetic kidney disease
Authors: Yang Yan , Li Shishi , Ma Chiyu , Cai Wanxia , Dai Weier , Zhang Xinzhou , Yin Lianghong , Tang Donge , Liu Fanna , Dai Yong
Published: April 2022

Background: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a common and potentially fatal consequence of diabetes. In the long run, it can lead to chronic renal failure or end-stage renal disease. Many studies have found that gut microorganisms play an important role in maintaining human body homeostasis, and that their metabolites are linked to a variety of chronic disorders, including renal and cardiovascular disease. Methods: We employed 16S rRNA gene sequencing to identify bacteria species in DKD patients and healthy people.Results: The findings indicated that the DKD had a distinct gut microbiota from the HC. Taxonomic investigations indicated that the DKD microbiome had less alpha diversity than a control group. Proteobacteria and Acidobacteria phyla increased in the DKD, while Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes decreased significantly (P<0.05). Acidobacteria and Acidobacteria were the most prevalent microbiota in the DKD, as determined by the LEfSe plot. Changes in the intestinal microbiota of DKD also had an effect on the makeup of metabolites. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and protein-bound uremic toxins (PBUTs) were shown to be specific. Then we discovered that arginine and proline metabolism was the primary mechanism involved in the regulation of diabetic kidney disease.Conclusions: The findings of this study place the serum and urine microbiota of DKD patients into a functional context and identify the most abundant microbiota (Proteobacteria and Acidobacteria) in DKD. Metabolites of arginine may have a significant impact in people with DKD.
Salicylic acid application improves morpho-physiological responses, yield, and water productivity of lowland rice cultivars under normal and deficit irrigation
Authors: Sherbiny Heba El , El-Hashash Essam , El-Enin Moamen , Nofal Randa , Mageed Taia ِAbd El , Bleih Eman , Shaaban Ahmed
Published: April 2022

Background: The main constraint of rice cultivation in Mediterranean area is the limited irrigation water and consumes large. In addition, rice is very sensitive to drought conditions due to its effect on morpho-physiological traits with yield reduction. The application of salicylic acid (SA) has been noticed as very effective to alleviate the adverse effects of drought stress in rice. This investigation was conducted as split-split experiments based on randomized complete blocks design with two rice cultivars (Giza 177 and Giza 179), SA as a foliar application at four concentrations (0, 400, 700, and 1000 µM) under normal and drought conditions. Results: plant growth, leaf photosynthetic pigments, yields, and most studied traits were significantly affected by irrigation conditions (I), cultivars (C), and SA concentrations (p <0.05 or 0.01). The interaction effect of I × C × SA was significant only on carotenoids content (p <0.05). The reduction of grain yield and most studied traits was more pronounced under drought conditions. The Giza 179 proved to be a drought-tolerant cultivar under all SA concentrations in drought conditions, while cv Giza 177 is drought-sensitive. The application of SA at 700 µM recorded the best crop grain yield and all studied traits in both cultivars under drought conditions compared to other SA concentrations. Grain yield (t ha-1) for normal irrigation (Yp) and drought stress (Ys) conditions were highly positively correlated with indices of mean productivity index (MP), geometric mean productivity (GMP), stress tolerance index (STI), yield index (YI), yield stability index (YSI), drought resistance Index (DI), harmonic mean (HM), and Golden mean (GOL). While they are highly negatively correlated with indices of SSI stress susceptibility index (SSI), stress tolerance index (TOL), yield reduction ratio (YR), stress susceptibility percentage index (SSPI) and abiotic tolerance index (ATI). Conclusions: The results indicated that salicylic acid, as a growth regulator, could be used to alleviate the harmful effect of inadequate water availability in soil on rice cultivars as well as improve the growth, water productivity and yield of the crop
Local hyperthermia inhibits proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells via regulating the Hippo signaling pathway
Authors: ren feng , yang yingying , li jian , qin yuanhua , shang jingli , zhang yu , wang lifang , han tao , hu yuhan
Published: April 2022

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third malignant tumor in the world. Many evidences have demonstrated that hyperthermia exerts a crucial role in cancer therapy. However, it remains elusive whether hyperthermia restrains HCC progression and the underlying molecular mechanism of hyperthermia on HCC is unknown. Here, we find that local hyperthermia has a strong anti-liver tumor effect in vivo and in vitro. Heat stimulus decreases the proliferation of liver cancer cells in vitro and suppresses the tumor growth in mice through inducing apoptosis. Furthermore, RNA-seq results have demonstrated that the Hippo signaling pathway plays a major role in heat therapy. Mechanistically, heat stimulation restrains the expression of YAP protein in the nucleus. Together, all our results have suggested that heating therapy inhibits the proliferation of HCC cells by regulating the Hippo signaling pathway, suggesting YAP is a potentially promising target for HCC therapy.
Correlation analysis between aromatase inhibitor and lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration: a case-control study
Authors: Li Xiangyu , Gao Xianda , Zhao Ruoyu , Chang Hengrui , Ding Wenyuan
Published: April 2022

Background: Hormone level is an important factor affecting intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). Aromatase inhibitors (AI) can reduce the production of estrogen in peripheral tissues by inhibiting the activity of aromatase. The objective of this study is to investigate the correlation between AI as endocrine therapy and IVDD in postoperative patients with breast cancer.Methods: Postmenopausal breast cancer patients treated in the Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University after surgery were retrospectively analyzed. Patients' age, height, weight, menstrual history, basic diseases, postoperative history, postoperative chemotherapy plan and imaging data were collected. Patients were devided into the AI group and the non-AI group according to whether AI were used or not. IVDD was assessed by measuring lumbar lordosis (LL), vertebral CT density, lumbar disc height index (DHI), and modified Pfirrmann grading system. SPSS 20 was used for statistical analysis.Results: A total of 68 patients were included in the study, including 40 patients in the AI group and 28 patients in the non-AI group. No significant differences were present in age, body mass index (BMI), prevalence of basic diseases, postoperative history, LL and vertebral CT density between the AI group and the non-AI group. Lumbar DHI of L1/2, L2/3 and L3/4 in the non-AI group was higher than that in the AI group (P = 0.001, P = 0.010 and P = 0.010, respectively). But the comparisons of L4/5, L5/S1 DHI and average DHI between the two groups were not significant (P > 0.05). The modified Pfirrmann grading of L1/2, L2/3, L3/4 and L4/5 in AI group was higher than that in non-AI group (P=0.001, P=0.017, P=0.005 and P=0.004, respectively). However, the comparison of L5/S1 modified Pfirrmann grading between the two groups was not significant (P > 0.05).Conclusions: This study indicates that there may be a positive correlation between the use of AI and lumbar IVDD, which is significant in the upper lumbar spine (L1/2-L3/4).
Fasting blood glucose-to-glycated hemoglobin ratio and all-cause mortality among Chinese in-hospital patients with acute stroke: a 12-month follow-up study
Authors: Cai Zhong-ming , Zhang Man-man , Feng Ren-qian , Zhou Xu-dong , Chen Hao-man , Liu Zhi-peng , Wu Yan-zhi , Lin Qun-li , Ye Sheng-lie , Liao Cheng-wei , Huang Xue-rong , Sun Le-qiu , Yang Bo , Zhu Bei-lei
Published: April 2022

Background
Stroke is a leading cause of death and functional impairment in order people. To assess the prospective association between fasting blood glucose-to-glycated hemoglobin ratio and all-cause mortality and poor prognosis in stroke patients.
Methods
A total of 941 Chinese inpatients with acute stroke (mean age of 65.7) were consecutively enrolled in the prospective clinical study and followed up for 12 months after discharge. Stress hyperglycemia was measured using the ratio of fasting blood glucose (FBG, mmol/L)/glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c, %). The primary outcome was all-cause mortality, and secondary outcomes were poor prognosis defined as infectious complications, a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score ≥ 6, a Barthel Index score ≤ 60, or a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 3–6, presented as multivariate-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) across the quartiles of the FBG/HbA1c ratio.
Results
There were 35 (4.1%) all-cause deaths at 3 months and 85 (11.4%) at 12 months. The inpatients with the highest quartile of the FBG/HbA1c ratio had a higher risk of all-cause death at 3 months (adjusted OR: 5.14, 95% CI: 1.06–24.90) and 12 months (adjusted OR: 2.58, 95% CI: 1.14–5.83) and a higher risk of infectious complications (adjusted OR 2.52, 95% CI 1.33–4.76) and dysfunction (adjusted OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.13–3.10) during hospitalization than inpatients with the lowest quartile.
Conclusions
Stress hyperglycemia, measured by the FBG/HbA1c ratio, was associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes, including all-cause death, infectious complications, and dysfunction after stroke.
Central Autonomic Network Alterations in Male Endurance Athletes
Authors: Cruz Feliberto de la , Geisler Maria , Schumann Andy , Herbsleb Marco , Kinikis Zora , Weiss Thomas , Bär Karl-Jürgen
Published: April 2022

Physical exercise causes marked adjustments in brain function and the cardiovascular system. Brain regions of the so-called central autonomic network (CAN) are likely to show exercise-related alterations due to their involvement in cardiac control, yet exercise-induced CAN changes remain unclear. Here we investigate the effects of intensive exercise on brain regions involved in cardiac autonomic regulation using resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC). We explored rsFC of six core regions within CAN, namely ventromedial prefrontal cortex, dorsolateral anterior cingulate cortex, left/right amygdala, and left/right anterior insula, in 20 endurance athletes and 21 non-athletes. We showed that athletes had enhanced rsFC within CAN and sensorimotor areas compared to non-athletes. Likewise, we identified two networks with increased rsFC encompassing autonomic and motor-related areas using network-based statistics analysis. In addition, rsFC displayed an inverse relationship with heart rate, where the stronger rsFC in athletes correlates with their slower heart rate. Despite this significant relationship, mediation analysis revealed that heart rate is a weak mediator of the effect of intensive physical training on rsFC. Our findings prove that physical exercise enhances brain connectivity in central autonomic and sensorimotor networks and highlight the close interaction between brain and heart.