bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Methylation status, mRNA and protein expression of the SMAD4 gene in patients with non-melanocytic skin cancers
Authors: Ürün Yıldız Gürsel , Budak Metin , Keskin Elif Usturalı
Published: April 2023

Background
SMAD4 is a potent tumor suppressor. SMAD4 loss increases genomic instability and plays a critical role in the DNA damage response that leads to skin cancer development. We aimed to investigate SMAD4 methylation effects on mRNA and protein expression of SMAD4 in cancer and healthy tissues from patients with basal cell carcinoma (BCC), cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), and basosquamous skin cancer (BSC).
Methods and results
The study included 17 BCC, 24 cSCC and nine BSC patients. DNA and RNA were isolated from cancerous and healthy tissues following punch biopsy. Methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and real-time quantitative PCR methods were used to examine SMAD4 promoter methylation and SMAD4 mRNA levels, respectively. The percentage and intensity of staining of the SMAD4 protein were determined by immunohistochemistry. The percentage of SMAD4 methylation was increased in the patients with BCC (p = 0.007), cSCC (p = 0.004), and BSC (p = 0.018) compared to the healthy tissue. SMAD4 mRNA expression was decreased in the patients with BCC (p˂0.001), cSCC (p˂0.001), and BSC (p = 0.008). The staining characteristic of SMAD4 protein was negative in the cancer tissues of the patients with cSCC (p = 0.00). Lower SMAD4 mRNA levels were observed in the poorly differentiated cSCC patients (p = 0.001). The staining characteristics of the SMAD4 protein were related to age and chronic sun exposure.
Conclusions
The mRNA expression level of the SMAD4 gene and its changing protein expression are particularly important for the early diagnosis and prognosis of cSCC.
Trial Registration
The name of the trial register: SMAD4 Methylation and Expression Levels in Non-melanocytic Skin Cancers; SMAD4 Protein Positivity.
Application of Audio Technology of Internet of Things Based on Parallel Storage System in Music Classroom
Authors: Yan Jiang
Published: April 2023

Hard disk not only has powerful storage capacity, but also has highly intelligent interface and convenient application design. In daily life, hard disk is a very suitable tool for data collection and storage. The performance of hard disk is better when the number of samples is not too many, the sampling rate is low, and the number of sampling paths is small. However, when faced with some complex problems with high sampling rate and multiple paths, high-speed data storage will face greater difficulties. Therefore, this paper introduces a parallel storage system, and discusses the basic structure and the implementation of the system the factors that affect the storage rate, the specific structure of the data acquisition system in the system, which is subdivided into the structure of the power supply, data acquisition, caching and sorting and so on. With the support of parallel storage system, this paper summarizes some basic characteristics of audio, and focuses on the decisive role of hard disk in audio interactive system. In the process of research, it is found that the hardware system based on parallel storage system has many advantages, such as low consumption, small volume, high performance and low cost, which can achieve the research goal well. In recent years, the Internet of things has been widely used in many fields. Scientists have long explored the application of the Internet of things technology in the construction of contemporary mobile multimedia audio system, so that the multimedia video communication system can achieve intelligent development, and at the same time to realize its performance optimization, the price of the Internet of things audio technology can be reduced. In this paper, combined with the advantages of parallel storage system, the application of Internet of things audio technology in music classroom will be discussed to improve the efficiency of music teaching and students' music literacy.
Structural and Dimensional Analysis by Computed Tomography of Multi Geometric Template Manufactured by Fused Deposition Modeling
Authors: Aguilar-Duque Julian Israel , Ontiveros Sinue , Baez-Lopez Yolanda , Tlapa Diego
Published: April 2023

During the last decade of the 20th century, there has been significant growth in the applications and development of manufacturing processes associated with Additive Manufacturing (AM). The evolution of production systems has made it possible that today there are more than 20 technologies associated with this production system. As a consequence of the development of AM, strategies have been developed to optimize the printing process focused on reducing manufacturing time, such as using Genetic Algorithms (GA). The effect caused by the modification of the path patterns is an effect of interest in two aspects; on the one hand, the dimensional assurance focused on the compliance of the dimensions of the components in comparison with the digital design of the same, and on the other hand, the structural composition and resistance that the printing process itself can generate. This paper aims to present the effect of optimizing the path of Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) equipment on the dimensional finish and structural quality of a multi-geometric component. For this purpose, a template composed of 23 geometric elements, printed by FFF technology, using PLA as base material, is used. The dimensional analysis is performed using Geomagic software, and the porosity analysis is performed using VG Studio software concerning the 134 attributes of interest. The results show, on the one hand, a 12% reduction in the total process time required to print the component. On the other hand, using Computed Tomography (CT), it was identified the effect on the dimensional precision of printing three elements with characteristics associated with the angular precision or definition of external angles and the roundness demanded by an unsupported cantilevered arch. In addition, it was possible to ensure that the structural quality of the multi-geometric component was not affected by the modification of the path required by the printing process.
Processing of Chinese Language and Text Information System Under the Background of Speech Recognition
Authors: Cao Huiqin , He Peng , Wang Chengjin
Published: April 2023

With the popularization of computers, artificial intelligence technology has become more and more mature, among which speech recognition technology in artificial intelligence is favored by people. In the past few years, the acoustic model combined with the Gaussian mixture model and the hidden Markov model has always been in the leading position. In the field of speech recognition technology, because the development of speech data has gradually expanded, and the complexity of the data has also increased. The larger the data, the traditional data network model is slowly showing inadequacy. However, the deep neural network model is easy to deal with large and complex data modeling. This article combines the advantages of basic learning theory and speech recognition technology, and launches in-depth research on embedding learning theoretical knowledge into the field of speech recognition. Nowadays, large-scale text information databases relying on computers are becoming more and more important in linguistic research, and a large-scale corpus that fully reflects language facts and contains rich language information has been constructed. The establishment of the text information database system is long, from word segmentation, part-of-speech tagging to syntactic tagging to semantic tagging. Therefore, the characteristic of information system processing is that the systematic description depends on the application environment of understanding vocabulary and reasoning. According to different scenarios, the realization methods of semantic description roles are also different, and the description of semantic roles in correct scenarios is clearer, more detailed and systematic. Therefore, this article is of great significance for solving the semantic problem of using Chinese frame network for Chinese information processing in the context of speech recognition.
ATP modulation of osmotically activated anionic current in the membrane of Phycomyces blakesleeanus sporangiophore
Authors: Stevanović Katarina S. , Čepkenović Bogdana , Križak Strahinja , Pajić Tanja , Todorović Nataša V. , Živić Miroslav Ž.
Published: April 2023

Ion channels are vital components of filamentous fungi signaling in communication with their environment. We exploited the ability of the apical region of growing sporangiophores of Phycomyces blakesleeanus to form membrane-enveloped cytoplasmic droplets (CDs), to examine ion currents in the filamentous fungi native plasma membrane. In hypoosmotic conditions, the dominant current in the CDs is ORIC, an osmotically activated, anionic, outwardly rectified, fast inactivating instantaneous current that we have previously characterized. Here, we examined the effect of ATP on ORIC. We show that CDs contain active mitochondria, and that respiration inhibition by azide accelerates ORIC inactivation. ATP added intracellularly, reduced ORIC run-down and shifted the voltage dependence of inactivation toward depolarized potentials, in a manner that did not require hydrolysis. Notably, ATP led to slowing down of ORIC inactivation, as evidenced by an increased time constant of inactivation, τin, and diminished decreasing of τin during prolonged recordings. Flavonoids (genistein and quercetin) had the effect on ORIC opposite to ATP, acting as current inhibitors, possibly by disrupting the stabilizing effect of ATP on ORIC. The integration of osmotic sensing with ATP dependence of the anionic current, typical of vertebrate cells, is described here for the first time in filamentous fungi.
Overcoming Language Barriers to Environmental Information: A Study of Easy-to-Read Adaptations
Authors: Pujadas-Farreras Marina , McDonagh Sarah Anne
Published: April 2023

Access to clear and scientifically verified information is crucial to understand the scale of the challenge of the climate crisis, allowing policymakers, governments, and individuals to better respond to it. However, for some, including people with intellectual and cognitive disabilities as well as those who have difficulty reading, climate science can be difficult to understand with complex sentence structures and jargon obscuring important environmental information. The aim of this paper is to assess the main linguistic barriers to information about the climate crisis for people with intellectual and cognitive disabilities and reading difficulties. Using the examples of the Greater London Authority’s Environment Strategy Executive Report and the Northern Ireland Executive Discussion Document on a Northern Ireland Climate Change Bill, and their adaptations into Easy-to-Read as our corpus, we will examine the different morphosyntactic and lexical elements of each text. Our results show that both Easy-to-Read versions were generally easier to understand than the standard versions. However, the Northern Ireland Easy-to-Read text was more syntactically complex with longer and more complicated sentence structures, owing to its function as a consultation document. We conclude that the main access barriers in the Northern Ireland Easy-to-Read text are related to its morphosyntactic elements, a conclusion supported by our qualitative analysis of the standard text. More generally, the lexical aspects of both Easy-to-Read texts showed positive results, which suggests that they may be more easily simplified compared to morphosyntactic aspects. However, more systemic and contrastive research is required to confirm our findings, in addition to user testing with people with cognitive and intellectual disabilities and those who have difficulties reading.
Effect of onchocerciasis elimination measures on the incidence of epilepsy in Maridi, South Sudan: a three-year prospective study
Authors: Jada Stephen Raimon , Amaral Luís-Jorge , Lakwo Thomas , Carter Jane Y , Rovarini Jacopo , Bol Yak Yak , Logora Makoy Yibi , Hadermann Amber , Hopkins Adrian , Fodjo Joseph N Siewe , Colebunders Robert
Published: April 2023

Background
High onchocerciasis transmission predisposes endemic communities to a high epilepsy burden. Retrospective studies suggest that adequate onchocerciasis control would decrease the epilepsy burden, but this has never been assessed prospectively. The 4.4% (95% CI: 4.1–4.7%) epilepsy prevalence documented in 2018 in the onchocerciasis focus in Maridi, South Sudan, prompted the strengthening of onchocerciasis elimination measures. We evaluated the effect of these interventions on the incidence of epilepsy, including nodding syndrome (NS).
Methods
Community-directed treatment with ivermectin (CDTi) was implemented annually in 2017, 2018 and 2019, interrupted in 2020 and re-implemented biannually in 2021. Additionally, a community-based “Slash and Clear” vector control method was initiated in 2019 at the Maridi dam, the main blackfly breeding site. Community-based surveys were conducted in Maridi in 2018 (baseline) and 2022 (follow-up) to investigate changes in epilepsy incidence following onchocerciasis elimination interventions. Epilepsy was confirmed via a two-stage approach: the house-to-house screening of all residents followed by confirmation of the epilepsy diagnosis by trained clinicians.
Results
The baseline and follow-up surveys included 17,652 and 14,402 individuals, respectively. When biannual CDTi was initiated in 2021, CDTi coverage rose by 15.7% (95% CI: 14.6–16.8%); still, only 56.6% of the population took ivermectin in 2021. Between 2018 and 2022, epilepsy incidence decreased from 348.8 (95% CI: 307.2–395.8) to 41.7 (95% CI: 22.6–75.0) per 100,000 person-years. Similarly, the incidence of NS decreased from 154.7 (95% CI: 127.6–187.3) to 10.4 (95% CI: 2.7–33.2) per 100,000 person-years. Living closer to the Maridi dam, being aged 6–40 years, not taking ivermectin and being male constituted risk factors for epilepsy.
Conclusions
In onchocerciasis-endemic areas with high epilepsy prevalence, strengthening onchocerciasis elimination interventions can decrease the incidence of epilepsy, including NS. Additional efforts are needed to increase CDTi coverage and sustain blackfly control in Maridi.
Sports Mental Health Monitoring Based on Multiobjective Evolutionary Algorithms in the Internet of Things
Authors: Xiaoyan Li , Yunjing Shi , Qiang Gao
Published: April 2023

With the increasing popularity of sports such as football and basketball, many policy reforms are striving to strengthen the education of sports talents in China. The release of relevant policies can further promote the development of sports and enable more and more people to promote physical and mental health through sports activities. The emergence of the Internet of Things, especially the emergence of intelligent wearable devices, has brought many conveniences to the long-term detection and analysis of human health and motion parameters. By measuring human health and sports information, it is possible to quantitatively monitor the amount of exercise and physical health level of athletes, in order to achieve more effective training effects. In addition, for complex multi-objective problems, multi-objective evolutionary algorithms can effectively solve problems that are difficult to handle, suppress, and balance targets. Therefore, this article uses a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm to complete mental health monitoring based on the Internet of Things. It monitors the impact of sports on students' mental health, compares their mental health before and after the experiment, and analyzes the data changes before and after the experiment to summarize the impact of sports on students' mental health. The main characteristics of multi-objective evolutionary algorithm are excellent convergence and diversity. This article uses its main characteristics to real-time monitor the mental health level of college students during exercise through the Internet of Things, opening up a new way to improve their mental health.
Stability analysis of intelligent English translation system based on model predictive control algorithm
Authors: YANG Fan
Published: April 2023

English translation systems often require manual input to convert speech into text document mode, which leads to poor translation results. In order to improve the intelligence of the intelligent English translation system, based on the machine learning algorithm, this paper constructs an intelligent English translation system based on the model predictive control algorithm, and combines the self-triggering MPC with the robust control to propose a corresponding control solution. That is, a robust self-triggering MPC method is proposed for linear systems with constraints. Moreover, this paper studies the stability and robustness of MPC in continuous time systems and describes the interfaces to be used in the system and the performance requirements of the system. In addition, this paper analyzes and describes the feasibility of the system development plan. Finally, this paper designs experiments to analyze the model performance from the system translation accuracy rate, system login security and system stability. The research results show that the model constructed in this paper has certain practical effects.
Application of data mining based on Improved Ant Colony Algorithm in college students' employment and Entrepreneurship Education
Authors: Zhang Yingnan
Published: April 2023

Under the background of the new era of economy, the employment and entrepreneurship education of college students has also ushered in new problems. In the construction of student employment and entrepreneurship data mining model, data solving efficiency and association rule mining play a key role in the performance of the model. How to optimize and improve the mathematical model and improve the accuracy of student employment and entrepreneurship data analysis needs further research and analysis. This paper constructs the mathematical model of ant colony algorithm, introduces the logical process in solving practical problems, provides setting suggestions for the value of algorithm parameters, and improves the solution efficiency. This paper improves the decision tree classification method and ant colony algorithm. The association rule mining based on ant colony has more perfect reference value. From the combination and interest analysis of College Students' employment and entrepreneurship content, it provides efficient, practical and useful information for the school. Finally, after constructing the prediction model, this paper analyzes the four factors affecting the choice of College Students' homework entrepreneurial intention, which are individual, family, school and society, and puts forward five measures to improve college students' Entrepreneurship and employment education.
Individual and Combined Effects of Alanine Aminotransferase and Hemoglobin on Metabolic Syndrome in the Elderly in Qingdao, China
Authors: Liu Li , Shao Yuhan , Feng Enqiang , Shao Zhugang , Xing Dongming
Published: April 2023

Aims
We aimed to investigate individual and combined effects of alanine aminotransferase(ALT) and hemoglobin(Hb) on metabolic syndrome(MetS) in the elderly.
Methods and Results
Participants came from the health examinations for the elderly in 2021 in Qingdao, China. 34,399 individuals aged 65 years and older were included in the current study. Based on a combination of ALT and Hb levels in the tertile, participants were grouped into nine groups. Logistic regression models were used to analyze individual and combined effects of ALT and Hb on MetS. ALT and Hb were both independently related to MetS and respective ORs(95%CIs) were 1.46(1.42–1.50) and 1.16(1.12–1.19). With the elevation of ALT or Hb levels, risks for MetS and its components increased. Compared to the reference group, ORs (95%CIs) of combined ALT and Hb for MetS were 1.23(1.13–1.35), 1.34(1.23–1.47), 1.59(1.46–1.74), 1.63(1.49–1.78), 1.89(1.72–2.08), 2.41(2.21–2.63) and 2.61(2.39–2.84) in Group 2–9 after adjusting for confounding factors.
Conclusions
ALT and Hb were both independently related to MetS. Combined ALT and Hb levels could increase risks of MetS and its components than an elevation in ALT or Hb alone. Therefore, individuals should take measures to lower their ALT and Hb levels to reduce the morbidity of MetS.
Improved Adaptive Momentum Method
Authors: Kabiri Hichame , Ghanou Youssef , Khalifi Hamid , Casalino Gabriella
Published: April 2023

In this paper, we present a new gradient descent optimization method that overcomes some weaknesses of existing gradient descentoptimization strategies. The proposed optimization technique is basedon the variation of simple gradients and regulates the learning rate inresponse to the need for an efficient learning adjustment mechanism.The memory and hyper-parameter requirements of our algorithm are reduced compared to other algorithms. We provide a convergence analysisof the algorithm. In order to evaluate our algorithm we perform classification tests on the MNIST data collection, IMDB movie review data andCIFAR-10 data, to explore how our proposed method performs againststate-of-the-art optimizers, such as SGD(M), Adam, Adamax, NadamRMSProp, Adagrad and AdaDelta. Our algorithm is computationallyefficient and effective when compared to existing methods.
Golden Ratio Information for Neural Spike Code
Authors: Deng Bo
Published: April 2023

Spike bursting is a ubiquitous feature of all neuronal systems. Assuming the spiking states form an alphabet for a communication system, what is the optimal information precessing rate? and what is the channel capacity? Here we demonstrate that the quaternary alphabet of spike number code gives the maximal processing rate, and that a binary source in Golden Ratio distribution gives rise to the channel capacity. A multi-time scaled neural circuit is shown to satisfy the hypotheses of this neural communication system.
Appropriate Momentum Provision for Numerical Simulations of Horizontally Homogeneous Urban Canopies Using Periodic Boundary Conditions
Authors: Sanemitsu Toshiki , Ikegaya Naoki , Okaze Tsubasa , Finnigan John
Published: April 2023

Turbulent flow over urban-like roughness has been numerically studied for various purposes, such as the clarification of turbulent characteristics over rough walls, visualization of turbulent structures around block arrays, and evaluation of urban ventilation and pedestrian winds. In such simulations, a portion of the developing boundary layer is extracted as a numerical domain, assuming periodic boundary conditions in the horizontal direction to reproduce laterally homogeneous rough surfaces. However, the conditions required to drive the airflow by an artificial momentum source uniquely determine the turbulent statistics, which are different from those in developing boundary layers. Therefore, this study presents a new approach for driving the airflow over urban-like block arrays. The new method is based on spatially averaged Navier–Stokes equations to prove the necessity of height-dependent momentum provision. The turbulent flow over a cubical-block array is determined using large-eddy simulations driven by four different momentum sources. Regardless of the driving force, the vertical profiles of the streamwise velocity components are identical. In contrast, slight differences in the vertical Reynolds stress, variances in the velocity components, and turbulence kinetic energy are appropriately reproduced in the new approach. In addition, the budget equations of the turbulent statistics reveal that a change in the vertical Reynolds stress affects the energy production and its redistribution into variance components. The proposed method can contribute to the reproduction of a realistic turbulent flow and provide a theoretical understanding of the momentum provision.
Hagfish genome illuminates vertebrate whole genome duplications and their evolutionary consequences
Authors: Pascual-Anaya Juan , Yu Daqi , Ren Yandong , Uesaka Masahiro , Beavan Alan , Muffato Matthieu , Shen Jieyu , Li Yongxin , Sato Iori , Wan Wenting , Clark James , Keating Joseph , Carlisle Emily , Dearden Richard , Giles Sam , Randle Emma , Sansom Robert , Feuda Roberto , Fleming James , Sugahara Fumiaki , Cummins Carla , Patricio Mateus , Akanni Wasiu , D'Aniello Salvatore , Bertolucci Cristiano , Irie Naoki , Alev Cantas , Sheng Guojun , de Mendoza Alex , Maeso Ignacio , Irimia Manuel , Fromm Bastian , Peterson Kevin , Das Sabyasachi , Hirano Masayuki , Rast Jonathan , Cooper Max , Paps Jordi , Pisani Davide , Kuratani Shigeru , Martin Fergal , Wang Wen , Donoghue Philip , Zhang Yong
Published: April 2023

Whole genome duplications (WGDs) are major events that drastically reshape genome architecture and are causally associated with organismal innovations and radiations1. The 2R Hypothesis suggests that two WGD events (1R and 2R) occurred during early vertebrate evolution2,3. However, the veracity and timing of the 2R event relative to the divergence of gnathostomes (jawed vertebrates) and cyclostomes (jawless hagfishes and lampreys) is unresolved4-6 and whether these WGD events underlie vertebrate phenotypic diversification remains elusive7. Here we present the genome of the inshore hagfish, Eptatretus burgeri. Through comparative analysis with lamprey and gnathostome genomes, we reconstruct the early events in cyclostome genome evolution, leveraging insights into the ancestral vertebrate genome. Genome-wide synteny and phylogenetic analyses support a scenario in which 1R occurred in the vertebrate stem-lineage during the early Cambrian, and the 2R event occurred in the gnathostome stem-lineage in the late Cambrian after its divergence from cyclostomes. We find that the genome of stem-cyclostomes experienced two additional, independent genome duplications (herein CR1 and CR2). Functional genomic and morphospace analyses demonstrate that WGD events generally contribute to developmental evolution with similar changes in the regulatory genome of both vertebrate groups. However, appreciable morphological diversification occurred only after the 2R event, questioning the general expectation that WGDs lead to leaps of morphological complexity7.
Clonal MDS/AML cells with enhanced TWIST1 expression reprogram the differentiation of bone marrow MSCs
Authors: Li Xiang , Li Hongjiao , Wang Yi , Yang Fenfang , Feng Shuang , Chang Kaijing , Yu Xinwen , Guan Feng
Published: April 2023

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) have the ability to differentiate into osteoblasts and adipocytes, and have been found to promote disease progression of myeloid malignancies like myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). MDS/AML patient-derived BMMSCs often show a shift in the balance between osteoblastogenesis and adipogenesis, indicating that BMMSCs may be reprogrammed or educated. However, the results of reprogrammed differentiation have been inconclusive. In this study, we found that clonal MDS/AML cells promote adipogenic differentiation and inhibit osteogenic differentiation of BMMSCs, which in turn promotes MDS expansion. Mechanistically, highly expressed transcription factor TWIST1 in clonal MDS/AML cells plays a vital role in the MDS/AML cell-mediated BMMSCs reprogramming differentiation. Enhanced TWIST1 expression induces MDS/AML cells to secrete more IFN-γ, which can induce oxidative stress through STAT1-depenent manner, ultimately causing enhanced adipogenic differentiation and inhibited osteogenic differentiation in BMMSCs. Overall, our findings suggest that targeting the driving oncogenes in malignant clonal cells, such as TWIST1, may offer new therapeutic strategies by remodeling the surrounding bone marrow microenvironment in the treatment of MDS/AML and other hematopoietic malignancies.
A Knowledge Enhanced Graph Convolutional Network for Aspect-based Sentiment Analysis
Authors: Zhang Ping , Liu Peiyu , Chen Xianlin , Cong Guoquan , Li Xinjin
Published: April 2023

Recently, PLMs (pre-trained language models) and syntax-based GCNs (graph convolutional neural networks) have been widely and deeply applied in aspect-based sentiment analysis, effectively promoting the development of this field. However, these methods rarely make use of external knowledge, such as knowledge of high-quality sentiment lexicons, which can be a powerful complement to these methods if the prior knowledge can be effectively used. In this paper, to use external knowledge, we propose a Knowledge Enhanced Graph Convolutional Network for aspect-based sentiment analysis (KEGCN). KEGCN automatically calculates the sentiment eigenvalue of each word and extracts strong sentiment words, then retrains the PLM representations of strong sentiment words to integrate external sentiment knowledge into our model. Experimental results on several benchmark datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of our model, which outperforms previous baseline models in terms of both accuracy and macro-F1.
“But why??” Evaluation of user-suggested synonyms in the Thesaurus of Modern Slovene
Authors: Gapsa Magdalena
Published: April 2023

Various language resources employ user participation in creating a dictionary or evaluating data. An example is Thesaurus of Modern Slovene, which incorporates user participation by allowing users to suggest new synonyms and evaluate existing ones. The aim of this paper was to establish what users of the Thesaurus consider relevant synonymous data and to investigate whether users perceive synonymy differently from lexicographers and, if so, how these differences can be used to improve it. To investigate this, an evaluation of nearly 1,000 user-suggested synonyms was conducted by 42 evaluators representing 7 user groups. The focus was on cross-group analysis of the evaluation. The results showed that users evaluated synonymy differently from experts. The differences were evident in the evaluators’ comments, which gave an insight into user needs. I discussed the findings, e.g. the uneven distribution of reported issues, the need to include evaluators from different regions and age groups, or the similarities between Lexicographers and Students groups. I also addressed possible limitations and presented potential applications of the results. In conclusion, the results demonstrated both the success of the responsive model and user participation, as well as the continuing need for user studies for optimal further development of responsive dictionaries.
Value of adding CT delayed-phase images to Gd-EOB-DTPA in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma based on LI-RADS
Authors: qing Zhang , yuan Huang , hao Xiong , jie Peng
Published: April 2023

Objective: To explore the potential value of Gadolinium-ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA) in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma by adding computed tomography (CT) delayed images based on the Liver Imaging Reporting And Data System (LI-RADS).
Methods: The differences in clinical and imaging characteristics between hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and non-HCC were compared, and logistic regression was used to analyze the imaging risk factors for the diagnosis of HCC. Based onthe main and HCC-specific auxiliary features of Gd-EOB-DTPA MRI, the HCC diagnostic model 1 was established and the diagnostic efficacy was analyzed. Based on model 1, delayed phase CT images were added to establish model 2 to find reliable predictors of HCC diagnosis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and the DeLong test were used to compare the two models.
Results: There was a significant difference in serum AFP between HCC and non-HCC (p=0.005). Based on main and HCC-specific auxiliary features of Gd-EOB-DTPA MRI, enhancing capsule (OR=0.197, 95%CI=0.06–0.595, p=0.005) and washout (OR=10.345, 95%CI=3.460–30.930, p<0.001) were independent risk factors in Model 1. After adding CT delayed-phase images to build model 2, enhancing capsule (OR=0.132, 95%CI=0.139–0.449, p=0.001) and MRI and (or) CT washout (OR=0.052, 95%CI=0.016–0.172, p<0.001) were reliable predictors of HCC diagnosis. The AUC of model 1 was 0.808, sensitivity was 63.46%, and specificity was 85.00%. The AUC of model 2 was 0.854, the sensitivity was 71.20%, and the specificity was 85.00%. DeLong test (p=0.040) demonstrated the diagnostic efficacy of model 2 significantly superior than model 1.
Conclusion: Tumor washout and enhanced capsule are reliable factors for the diagnosis of HCC. Gd-EOB-DTPA with delayed phase CT images can improve the sensitivity and diagnostic efficiency of HCC on the premise of maintaining high specificity. CT delayed phase images and Gd-EOB-DTPA MRI may be integrated into a single accepted diagnostic algorithm to improve diagnostic performance based on LI-RADS.
Preference of acromegaly patients for treatment attributes in Spain
Authors: Díaz Marcos , Fajardo Carmen , Álvarez-Escola Cristina , Biagetti Betina , Garcia-Centeno Rogelio , Ciriza Raquel , Sánchez-Cenizo Laura
Published: April 2023

Objective Acromegaly is a rare disease caused by increased growth hormone secretion and a subsequent increase in insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) levels. Patients display multiple comorbidities that affect their quality of life (QoL). Treatment aims to maintain good biochemical control, tumour control, and reduce the risk of comorbidities; however, their impact on QoL has been overlooked until recently. We interviewed patients to explore their preferences with regard to treatment attributes.
Design Cross-sectional study based on interviews and a discrete choice experiment (DCE) in a Spanish cohort.
Methods Adult patients diagnosed with acromegaly ≥1 year before the start of the study and under treatment were included. Treatment attributes were collected from patient testimony during face-to-face interviews. Then, a DCE was performed to elicit patient preferences for certain treatment attributes.
Results Sixty-seven patients completed the study. QoL improvement was the most important treatment attribute (37%), followed by IGF-I control (20%), blood sugar control (17%), and tumour control (13%). Secondary attributes were pain associated with the route of administration (7%), diarrhoea (2%), administration method (2%), and storage conditions (2%). We then calculated the theoretical share of preference for existing treatments, based on the individual preference utility for each attribute and level. Pegvisomant obtained the highest share of preference overall, and the highest preference as a second-line treatment (53% and 95%, respectively).
Conclusions QoL greatly influences patient treatment preference. Since acromegaly patients are informed and aware of their disease, treatment choice should always be shared with patients.
Mature T-cell Leukemia Primarily Involving Blood and Bone Marrow without TCL1 or MTCP1 Rearrangement: A Subtype of T-Prolymphocytic Leukemia or a Distinct Entity?
Authors: Fang Hong , Beird Hannah , Wang Sa , Ibrahim Andrew , Tang Zhenya , Tang Guilin , You M. James , Hu Shimin , Xu Jie , Li Shaoying , Yin C. Cameron , Hussein Siba El , Le Nhi , Futreal Andrew , Bueso-Ramos Carlos , Thakral Beenu , Kadia Tapan , Thornton Rebecca , Little Latasha , Gumbs Curtis , Song Xingzhi , Medeiros L. , Wang Wei
Published: April 2023

T-prolymphocytic leukemia (T-PLL) is a rare mature T-cell neoplasm defined by rearrangements involving TCL1 or MTCP1. Cases showing some overlapping features with T-PLL but lacking TCL1 and MTCP1 rearrangements have been rarely reported but are not well characterized. Whether these neoplasms belong within the category of T-PLL or represent a distinct entity is unknown. Here, we fully characterize 20 such cases. The median survival for this cohort was 34.7 months. Clinically, 40% of patients were diagnosed incidentally and 65% of patients presents with an indolent phase that was associated with a better survival. Leukemic cells were small to medium sized with a mature morphology. They were CD4-positive with TCRαβ subtype and maintained the expression of other pan-T antigens. A complex karyotype, 11q22.3/ATM deletion and chromosome 8q abnormalities were common, present in 70%, 45% and 35% of patients, respectively. The most common mutations involved ATM and JAK/STAT pathway genes, identified in 40% and 38% of patients, respectively. When this cohort was compared to 42 cases of prototypical T-PLL, they shared many overlapping clinicopathological features and had a similarly poor prognosis. We therefore propose that the neoplasms in this cohort are best classified as TCL1-family negative T-PLL.
Application of a low-cost material for uranium removal: experimental variables and study of concomitants
Authors: Cabranes Malena , Martín Silvana G. , Leyva Ana G. , Babay Paola A.
Published: April 2023

In the present work, the extent in which the presence of concomitant ions affects the removal capacity of uranyl ion by the natural mineral perlite was studied. By using synthetic solutions of uranyl nitrate in batch systems, the variables affecting the process, namely sorbent dose, contact time, pH and initial UO22+ concentration, were firstly investigated. The zeta potential and the sorption capacity of perlite, as well as relevant kinetics and thermodynamic parameters were measured.
Removals up to 90 % were achieved for a dose of 45 g of Pava L-1 and a concentration of U of 100 µg U L-1, of 74 % when the concentration was 1 mg U L-1, 60 % for 10 mg U L-1 and 25 % for a concentration of 50 mg U L-1. The best linear correlations in the adsorption isotherms were achieved by applying the Langmuir and Dubinin-Radushkevich models with adsorption energy of 8.72 kJ mol-1. The thermodynamic variables indicated the feasible, spontaneous and exothermic nature of the sorption of UO22+ by perlite.
The influence of concomitant ions, in decreasing order, was: Cs+ > Ba2+ > Mg2+ > K+ ~ Na+ > NH4+ > Ca2 +. The results of these investigations will allow determining the best treatment, weather the solution is an effluent from a nuclear plant or in case of environmental contamination.
Left ventricle size correlates with peak exercise capacity in pediatric cancer survivors exposed to anthracycline chemotherapy
Authors: Masood Imran , Rezvan Panteha Hayati , Lee Kyuwan , Vervaet Helena , Kuo Christopher , Loss Karla , Menteer JonDavid , Souza Andrew , Freyer David , Su Jennifer
Published: April 2023

Cancer survivors exposed to anthracycline chemotherapy are at risk for developing cardiomyopathy, which may have delayed clinical manifestation. In a retrospective cross-sectional study, we evaluated the utility of cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) for detecting early cardiac disease in 35 pediatric cancer survivors by examining the associations between peak exercise capacity (measured via percent predicted peak VO2) and resting left ventricular (LV) function on echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI). We additionally assessed the relationships between LV size on resting echocardiography or cMRI and percent predicted peak VO2 since LV growth arrest can occur in anthracycline-exposed patients prior to changes in LV systolic function. We found reduced exercise capacity in this cohort, with low percent predicted peak VO2 (62%, IQR: [53% – 75%]). While most patients in our pediatric cohort had normal LV systolic function, we observed associations between percent predicted peak VO2 and echocardiographic and cMRI measures of LV size. These findings indicate that CPET may be more sensitive in manifesting early anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy than echocardiography in pediatric cancer survivors. Our study also highlights the importance of assessing LV size in addition to function in pediatric cancer survivors exposed to anthracyclines.
Expert Identification Using Topic Models in Semantic based Genealogical Graphs
Authors: S Aarthy , GS Mahalakshmi , KS Easwarakumar , S Sendhilkumar
Published: April 2023

In scientometrics, semantically closer research articles tend to form a genealogical graph pattern which is used to derive explicit semantic lineage. The assumption of classic research article is that; the article has a high influence factor among the genealogy neighborhood. The candidates for identifying experts in each genealogical graph are chosen by finding one or more classic research articles from that graph and extracting the authors of those classic research articles. This paper proposes machine learning based approaches for mining the genealogical research paths which facilitate the inclusion of implicit citation/reference edges as well as indirectly linked citation lineage edges which are otherwise non-citing, to contribute effectively towards expert identification and ranking.
WITHDRAWN: Combination Low-Concentration Atropine and Contact Lenses for Myopia Control
Authors: Erdinest Nir , Atar-Vardi Maya , Lavy Itay , London Naomi , Landau David , Levinger Nadav , Pras Eran , Morad Yair
Published: April 2023

Purpose: To ascertain the effectivity of 0.01% atropine (A0.01%) treatment to inhibit myopia progression and the possible additive potency with peripheral defocus contact lenses over three years and the rebound effect one year after cessation of treatment.
Methods: This prospective study included 127 children aged 8–15 years, divided into three treatment groups: A0.01% and single vision (SV) spectacles (At, n=36), A0.01% and peripheral defocus contact lens (At+PDCL, n=30), 0.01%At and dual focus (At+DF, n=25) and a control group prescribed SV spectacles (n=36). Cycloplegic spherical equivalence refraction (SER) was measured every six months during three years of treatment and one year after cessation.
Results: Myopia progression decreased over three years of treatment, more during the second and third years than the first, to a statistically significant degree in the A0.01% monotherapy group(P<0.01): In the first, second, and third years respectively in the At group -0.42±0.34D, -0.19±0.18, -0.22±0.19D, in the At+PDCL group -0.26±0.21D, -0.14±0.37D and -0.15±0.31D, in the At+DF group -0.22±0.15D, -0.15±0.22D, and -0.11±0.14D. Myopia progressed one year after cessation of treatment: -0.29±0.28D in the At group, -0.13±0.28D in the At+PDCL group, and -0.09±0.18D in the At+DF group. After three years, there was no statistically significant difference in myopia progression between groups At and At+PDCL or At+DF (P<0.05).
Conclusions: Low-dose atropine has been substantiated in this cohort as an effective treatment to decelerate myopia progression over three years, more effective in the second and third years of treatment. The combination treatment did not exhibit a statistically significant advantage over monotherapy in this cohort. The dual-focus lens group exhibited a statistically lower rebound effect than the monotherapy group.
Silymarin enhances the response to oxytetracycline treatment in Nile tilapia experimentally infected with Aeromonas hydrophila
Authors: Sherif Ahmed H. , Toulan Adel E. , El-kalamwi Naglaa , Mahmoud Abeer E. , Farag Enas A.H.
Published: April 2023

Many governments have approved the use of oxytetracycline as an antibiotic additive to food fish, with oxytetracycline now routinely used in many nations. However, oxytetracycline is known to have immunological and antioxidant suppression. We therefore evaluated the histopathological, immunosuppressive, and genotoxic effects of a diet containing silymarin (100 mg/kg fish feed) in Nile tilapia at 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks. The protective effects of silymarin against Aeromonas hydrophila (A. hydrophila) infection were also evaluated. Blood parameters (erythrocyte count, white blood cell count, hemoglobin, and packed cell volume) improved over time in fish fed a silymarin-supplemented diet. Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, a marker of liver injury, were lower in fish fed diets containing silymarin, whereas serum levels of aspartate transferase and alkaline phosphatase were unchanged. Silymarin supplementation affected serum lipid profiles including decreases in serum triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and trend toward lower cholesterol levels, whereas serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were increased compared to fish fed the control diet. Silymarin supplementation increased serum total protein levels and globulin fractions. Significant and progressive increases in catalase and glutathione peroxidase levels were observed after six weeks of feeding with a silymarin-supplemented diet before returning to control levels at the end of the experimental period. In fish fed a diet containing silymarin, interleukin-1, and fish tumor necrosis factor-alpha were upregulated in liver tissues; however, interleukin-10 levels decreased to comparable levels to controls after eight weeks. Fish infected with A. hydrophila displayed signs of septicemia (opaque eye, hemorrhagic ulcers, dentated fins, hepatomegaly, and splenomegaly). Reduced mortality was observed in Nile tilapia infected with A. hydrophila and fed a diet containing silymarin, indicating that silymarin improves fish responses to oxytetracycline with a 37% reduction in mortality.
Association of asthma and lung cancer risk: A pool of cohort studies and Mendelian randomization analysis
Authors: Huang Qinyao , Huang Yunxia , Xu Senkai , Liu Xinqi , Yuan Xiaojun , Chen Zisheng
Published: April 2023

Background
Over the past two decades, population-based studies have shown an increased association between asthma and the risk of lung cancer. However, the causal links between these two conditions remain poorly understood.
Methods
We conducted a comprehensive search of various databases, including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library, up until October 01, 2022. Only articles published in English were included in our study. We performed a meta-analysis using random-effects models to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). Subgroup analyses were conducted based on study design, gender, and histologic types. We also conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) using published genome-wide association study summary data from UK Biobank (376,358 individuals), FinnGen (213,293 individuals), and TAGC (127,669 individuals). We used the fixed effects meta-analysis method to combine estimates from various databases. We used inverse variance weighting (IVW) for the meta-analysis to determine the odds ratio (OR) and corresponding 95% CI.
Results
Our meta-analysis reviewed 21 population-based cohort studies involving 712,418 patients, revealing that asthma is significantly associated with an increased risk of lung cancer (OR = 1.29, 95% CI 1.19–1.40) in all individuals. Subgroup analysis showed a significantly higher risk of lung cancer in females with asthma (OR = 1.23, 95% CI 1.01–1.49). We found no significant association between asthma and lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) (OR = 0.76, 95% CI 0.54–1.05), lung squamous carcinomas (LUSC) (OR = 1.09, 95% CI 0.79–1.50), or small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) (OR = 1.00, 95% CI 0.68–1.49). However, our MR meta-analysis supported a decreasing causality between asthma and lung cancer (OR = 0.94, 95% CI 0.91–0.98, P = 0.001), specifically with a decreased risk of LUSC (OR = 0.87, 95% CI 0.82–0.92, P < 0.0001).
Conclusions
Through meta-analysis, our study confirms that patients with asthma have a higher risk of developing lung cancer. Our MR study, however, discovered evidence suggesting a declining causal relationship between asthma and the risk of lung cancer, particularly in LUSC. Future studies examining the link between asthma and the risk of developing lung cancer should consider the bias of controlled and uncontrolled asthma.