bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neurobiological background of male sexual orientation
Authors: Lähteenvuo Markku , Räsänen Noora , Koskuvi Marja , Nieminen Mikko , Trontti Kalevi , Kauppinen Riitta , Tuhkala Antti , Keskitalo Salla , Rolova Taisia , Trokovic Ras , Varjosalo Markku , Lehtonen Šarka , Koistinaho Jari , Tiihonen Jari , Koistinaho Jari
Published: May 2024

The causal factors related to human sexual orientation have remained largely unknown. In several countries, homosexuality has been considered as a degenerative cultural phenomenon and is prohibited under threat of death penalty. Homosexual individuals face discrimination and have substantially higher risk of suicide and mental disorders than heterosexual individuals. We studied the gene expression phenotype in induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)- derived cortical neurons, corresponding to maturity at the late first/early second trimester, among Finnish homosexual men (N = 6), heterosexual men (N = 6), and heterosexual women (N = 5). Homosexual orientation was strongly linked to down-regulation of HHIP, GLI1, and several histone genes, and up-regulation of ZP3, FIRRE, miR-206, and miR-199a-5p. The findings were associated with DNA methylation and transcriptional repression, sonic hedgehog, and IL-33 signaling pathways. The miRNA expression pattern and proteomics results indicate enhanced neuronal differentiation in homosexual men. Because our iPSCs or neurons derived from them were not exposed to any hormones known to affect sex or sexual orientation, our findings indicate that sexual orientation may primarily be determined by neuronal development per se and associated with the differential expression of genes coding for histone modification, left-right asymmetry, extracellular matrix modulation and X chromosome inactivation. The results show that male homosexuality is a neurobiological phenotype determined already during pregnancy. Elucidating the causal mechanism of homosexuality may help to reduce stigma and discrimination against sexual minorities.
Glioma Cells Achieve Malignant Progression by Fusion with Macrophages to Gain High SLC7A5 Expression
Authors: yuedong hu , Li Mingxin , Liu Jinqiu , Yuan Guiqiang , Zhe Xianzhe , Liu Fusheng , Mi Ruifang
Published: May 2024

Background
Glioma is the most prevalent primary tumor of the central nervous system (CNS) in adults, and its high proliferative and invasive capacities are typically associated with a poor prognosis. Cell fusions are a crucial phenomenon in both physiological and pathological processes. Within tumors, tumor cells can acquire diverse gene expression profiles and undergo malignant progression through fusion events with themselves or other somatic cells. This process leads to the emergence of stem cell characteristics, drug resistance properties, immune evasion abilities, and enhanced migration and invasion capacities. Macrophages (MФs) represent the predominant cell type within glioma immune microenvironments and are important partners for fusion events with glioma cells. However, the biological characteristics and underlying mechanisms of MФ-glioma fusion hybrids remain incompletely elucidated.
Results
We validated the presence of MФ-glioma double positive cells through analysis of glioma single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data and examination of glioma specimens. We successfully established the MФ-glioma cell fusion hybrid models in vitro. Subsequent propidium iodide (PI) staining combined with flow cytometry analysis revealed a significant increase in the chromosome content of hybrid cells. Research on the biological characteristics of MФ-glioma fusion hybrids has revealed their heightened proliferation and invasion capabilities. Further mechanistic investigations have elucidated that SLC7A5, a tumor-associated gene originating from parental MФs, orchestrates the augmented proliferative and invasive capabilities of hybrid cells via activation of the mTOR-RPS6 signaling pathway. Furthermore, the MФ-glioma fusion hybrids exhibited heightened sensitivity to a specific inhibitor of SLC7A5 (JPH203) compared to their parental cells.
Conclusion
Glioma cells achieve malignant progression by acquiring high expression of the tumor-associated gene SLC7A5 through fusion with MФs. This discovery provides a new perspective on the malignant biology of gliomas.
Social Vulnerability and Exposure to Private Well Water
Authors: Murphy Heather , Wamsley Miriam , Wilson Robin Taylor , Coker Eric , Henry Kevin
Published: May 2024

One quarter of the population of Pennsylvania relies on private domestic well water: two-fold greater than the US average. Private well owners are responsible for the maintenance and treatment of their water supply. Targeted interventions are needed to support these well owners to ensure they have access to safe drinking water, free of contaminants. To develop appropriate interventions, an understanding of the characteristics and social vulnerability of communities with high well water use is needed. The purpose of this study was to determine the spatial patterning of social vulnerability in Pennsylvania and assess the association between social vulnerability and private domestic wells using profile regression. Census data and water supply information were used to estimate the proportion of the population using domestic wells. Ten area-level measures of social vulnerability at the census-tract level were investigated, using Bayesian profile regression to link clustering of social vulnerability profiles with prevalence of private domestic wells. Profile regression results indicated 15 distinct profiles of social vulnerability that differ significantly according to the area-level prevalence of domestic well use frequency. Out of these, two profiles of census tracts were identified as socially vulnerable and had a high proportion of well-water users. High area-level social vulnerability profiles coincide with a high frequency of private well-water use in PA. This study presents a data-driven approach to supporting public health programs aimed at reducing exposure and health risks of chemical and infectious agents in household water supplies by targeting vulnerable populations.
The verification of quantum non-local correlation in ΛΛ-system
Authors: Liao Guangrui , Ping Ronggang , Qiao Cong-Feng
Published: May 2024

The non-locality of quantum correlations is a fundamental feature of quantum theory. The Bell inequality serves as a benchmark for distinguishing between predictions made by quantum theory and local hidden variable theory (LHVT). Recent advancements in photon-entanglement experiments have addressed potential loopholes and have observed significant violations of variants of Bell inequality. However, these violations do not completely disprove LHVT. To further rule out LHVT, experiments involving massive-entangled particles are necessary, in addition to those conducted with massless photons, which interact electromagnetically. In this study, we utilize (10.087±0.044)×10^{9} J/ψ events collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider. We present the first non-local correlation test of spin entanglement using a massive Λ -Λ bipartite system, which is formed and decays through strong and weak interactions, respectively. Through measurements of the angular distribution of p anti-p in J/ψ→ γηc and subsequent ηc→Λ(pπ-)-Λ(-pπ+) cascade decays, a significant violation of LHVT predictions is observed in a loophole-free test of a variant of the Bell inequality, which is given by the Clauser-Horne inequality. The exclusion of LHVT is determined to be significant at a level of 5.2σ.
Effects of different water and fertilizer treatments on the matrix properties and plant growth of tailings waste
Authors: Li Yanchen , Yang Yang , He Jialin , Guo Shan , An Xuejing , Li Yan , Guo Rui , Lin Yipeng , Zhang Ruipeng
Published: May 2024

Phytoremediation is widely regarded as the most environmentally sustainable green technology for remediating mineral waste. The appropriate ratio of amendments can improve the substrate environment for plant growth and improve the repair efficiency. Study its improvement effect on tailings wasteland from the aspects of plant growth and nutritional elements. Considering that, this study explored the effects of water and fertilizer treatment on the physical and chemical properties and plant growth of quarry waste matrix with different ratios. The original soilwithout fertilizer and 45% water treatment was used as the control group (CK), and and the composite soil with different ratios of original soil and slag and various water and nitrogen fertilizer treatment combinations was used as the experimental group. Pennisetum alopecuroides (L.) Spreng, Campsis grandiflora (Thunb.) Schum, Setaria glauca (L.) Beauv, Periploca sepium Bunge and mugwort (Artemisia argyi Levl. Et Vant.)were planted in the control group and the experimental group respectively. After 30 days of nitrogen fertilizer and water treatment, an analysis was conducted to assess the physicochemical properties and the plant growth status of the tailing matrix for each experimental treatment. The results showed that the M5 treatment fostered the growth of Pennisetum alopecuroides (L.) Spreng and mugwort, while the M2 treatment promoted the growth of Campsis grandiflora (Thunb.) Schum, and the M3 treatment was beneficial to the growth of Setaria glauca (L.) Beauv and Periploca sepium Bunge. The soil matrix pH of Pennisetum alopecuroides (L.) Spreng, Campsis grandiflora (Thunb.) Schum, setaria glauca (L.) Beauv, and Periploca sepium Bunge and mugwort are all greater than 7.5, and macronutrient elements such as TK, AK, TN, AN, TP, and AP all have certain levels of improvement. PCA analysis showed that there were significant differences in substrate properties and plant growth properties between treatments for Pennisetum alopecuroides (L.) Spreng, Campsis grandiflora (Thunb.) Schum, Setaria glauca (L.) Beauv, Periploca sepium Bunge and mugwort (P<0.05). Correlation network and structural equation analysis showed that the water and fertilizer10 matrix had a significant positive correlation with soil AN and TN (P<0.05), and TK had a positive correlation with the growth status of five plants. The water and fertilizer substrate has a positive correlation with the growth status of Pennisetum alopecuroides (L.) Spreng, Setaria glauca (L.) Beauv, Periploca sepium Bunge and mugwort, and a negative correlation with the growth status of Campsis grandiflora (Thunb.) Schum.
Report of one case with de novo mutation in TLK2 and literature review
Authors: Li Han-Yue , Jiang Chun-Ming , Liu Ruo-Yan , Zou Chao-Chun
Published: May 2024

TLK2 variants were identified as the cause for several neurodevelopmental disorders by impacting brain development. The incidence of mutation in TLK2 is low, which has common clinical features with other rare diseases. Herein, we reported a 5-year-old boy with TLK2 heterozygous mutation who presented distinctive facial features, gastrointestinal diseases, short stature, language delay, autism spectrum disorder, heart diseases, abnormal genitourinary system and skeletal abnormality. Moreover, we reviewed previous reported patients and our case to investigate more information on genotype-phenotype correlation to conclude noteworthy clinical characteristics for the improvement of diagnosis.
Estimation of stress-strength reliability for type-1 pathway generated exponential distribution
Authors: James Gladvin V. , Xavier Thomas , Sebastian Nicy
Published: May 2024

A special case of the pathway generated family is computed with the exponential distribution and is called the type-1 pathway generated exponential distribution. The survival, hazard and moment generating function, likelihood ratio ordering, and stress-strength reliability are computed. For the estimation of stress-strength reliability parameter, point and interval estimator are computed using the maximum likelihood, and asymptotic confidence interval and bootstrap methods respectively. To verify the performance of the methods developed, an extensive Monte Carlo simulation study is conducted. The application of the developed results is illustrated on AIDS blood transfusion data.
Can Robotic Feedback and Adaptation Possibilities match Therapeutic Needs? - An Observational Study
Authors: Sommerhalder Michael , Büchi Madlaina , Risch Saskia , Raab Anja M , Widmer Mario , Riener Robert , Wolf Peter
Published: May 2024

Purpose: An observational study on therapists was executed as a joint project between the Sensory-Motor Systems Lab, ETH Zurich, and the Swiss Paraplegic Centre, Nottwil. The primary goal was to establish a methodology to reasonably tailor current robotic systems to the therapist's preferences in terms of their interaction strategies with the patient.
Methods: Therapist's interactions with the patient were recorded, either directly or through a robotic device with extended analysis tools and adaptation possibilities. Experience, operability bias and adaptation confidence of therapists were acquired through questionnaires. Correlation maps were derived to quantify the interaction strategies of the therapists.
Results: A total of three distinct interaction strategies emerged based on therapist's personal preferences: Observation of compensatory movement and posture issues caused tactile reaction, issues with robotic settings led to robotic support adaptations, and robotic support adaptations preceded support adaptations. Two strategies emerged based on the exercise type: Mainly direct tactile reactions for reach-goal exercises, and mainly robotic support adaptations for nominal path exercises. The adaptation confidence of therapists strongly depended on the chosen strategies.
Conclusion: Robotic systems can be tailored to the therapist's preferences in terms of their interaction strategies by quantifying the therapist's interactions with the robot and the patient. Missing parameters and analysis tools can be found by identifying compensatory strategies, i.e., situations where therapists are forced to swap to direct patient interactions or random parameter adaptations. With this study we presented a method to quantify these strategies with feasible effort.
AtML: Accurate identification of Arabidopsis thaliana root cell identity via single-cell sequencing analysis using interpretable machine learning
Authors: Yu Shicong , Fu Xiangzheng , Deng Xiaoshu , wang Hao , yan shen , Zheng shuqin , Ning Jingpeng , deng xiaoshu
Published: May 2024

Single-cell transcriptomics technologies are essential for understanding the developmental trajectory of plant roots. Although methods for interpreting single-cell transcriptomics data are rapidly advancing in Arabidopsis, precisely annotating cell identity and the occasional lack of canonical markers for certain cell types are major challenges in plant single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis. In this work, we trained a machine learning system, namely, AtML, using sequencing datasets from six cell subpopulations (comprising a total of 6000 cells) to predict Arabidopsis root cell stages and mine biomarkers via complete model interpretability. The results of performance testing using an external dataset revealed that AtML achieved 96.50% accuracy and 96.51% recall. With the power of interpretability provided by AtML, our model recognized 160 important marker genes, thus contributing to the understanding of cell type annotations. In conclusion, we trained AtML to efficiently identify Arabidopsis root cell stages, thereby providing insights into cellular heterogeneity in Arabidopsis root development studies.
Factors Associated with Uptake of Human Papilloma virus Vaccine among Adolescent girls : A cross sectional survey on insights into HPV Infection Prevention in Kabarole District
Authors: Asiimwe Solomon , Bagenda Fred N. , Mugisa Tony
Published: May 2024

Background: Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection imposes a substantial global disease burden and represents a critical public health concern. The persistently low uptake of HPV vaccination poses a significant obstacle to reducing cervical cancer incidence, particularly in remote rural areas of developing nations.
Objective: This study aims to assess the extent of Human papilloma virus vaccine coverage among adolescents and explore the associated determinants to facilitate enhanced planning strategies within the Kabarole district.
Methodology: Employing a cross-sectional survey approach, data were gathered from 240 adolescent girls residing in the Kabarole district between October 2021 and February 2022. Simple and multiple logistic regression analyses were employed to investigate the relationships between HPV vaccination uptake and various independent variables, including demographics, HPV knowledge, and health system factors.
Results : Of the 240 adolescents enrolled, the overall prevalence of uptake of HPV vaccination was 63%. The uptake of human papilloma was associated with demographics knowledge about HPV and health systems factors. The multivariate analysis showed that parents who completed secondary level of education were 4.1 times more likely to take their children for HPV vaccination compared to parents whose education level was primary or had no formal education(AOR=4.06; 95%CI(0.69-0.087); p=0.004). Distance from home to facility was associated with uptake HPV vaccination. Participants who came from the distance of more than 5 km were 60% less likely to uptake HPV vaccination compared to those who come from 5km or less (OR=0.4; 95%CI (1.43 – 8.09); p=0.006). Results further revealed that parents whose knowledge about HPV vaccination was moderate were three times more likely to take up HPV vaccine compared to those whose knowledge was low (OR = 2.99; 95%CI(1.14 – 7.87); p=0.026).
Conclusion : HPV vaccination uptake was at 63% and relatively lower than national average. Education of parents, Knowledge of HPV vaccination and distance to facility were factors significantly associated with uptake of Human papilloma virus vaccine
Investigation into Stethoscope Hygiene: Bacterial Contamination and Disinfection Methods among Medical Trainees
Authors: Ali Mousa , Awwad Mahdi , Eid Mahmoud , Jawabreh Ahmad , Abu-Tair Fatema , Zarour Abdalraziq , Mousa Ahmed , Qadi Mohammad , Zayed Ashraf R. , Alkaiyat Abdulsalam
Published: May 2024

The stethoscope, crucial in medical diagnosis, links doctors and patients. With the threat of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), understanding stethoscope contamination and medical students' awareness is imperative. This study conducted from September to December 2022, the research involved 293 stethoscopes from three hospitals in the West Bank. Questionnaires probed students' practices, and Staphylococcus spp isolations were analyzed. Contamination rates, bacterial species, associations with disinfection practices and other hospital factors were explored. Stethoscope contamination rate was high in the three hospitals (range: 26.5–50.8 CFU/cm2). Staphylococcus spp contaminated 36.9% of stethoscopes. Methicillin Resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and Vancomycin Resistant S. aureus (VRSA) occurred in 16.6% and 1.8% respectively. 36% exhibited resistance to two or more antibiotics. The study revealed significant findings regarding stethoscope contamination. Those disinfecting stethoscopes between patients achieved a 29.4% acceptable rate, contrasting with a significantly higher 60.7% rate for non-disinfectors (P < 0.05). Reminders for disinfection in study units resulted in a 32.1% acceptable rate, whereas units without reminders had a significantly higher 67.9% rate (P < 0.001). Stethoscope usage also played a role, with a 34.4% acceptable rate for those examining only patients, compared to a significantly higher 65.8% rate for those examining both patients and peers (P < 0.05). Additionally, significant differences were observed in hospital, rotation, year-wise, disinfection frequency, and the presence of reminders. This study emphasizes the importance of stethoscope disinfection, reminders, and hand hygiene in reducing contamination. Educational interventions are critical.
Comparative assessment of multimodal sensor data quality collected using Android and iOS smartphones in real-world settings
Authors: Halabi Ramzi , Selvarajan Rahavi , Lin Zixiong , Herd Calvin , Li Sophia Xueying , Kabrit Jana , Tummalacherla Meghasyam , Neto Elias Chaibub , Pratap Abhishek
Published: May 2024

Healthcare researchers are increasingly utilizing smartphone sensor data as a scalable and cost-effective approach to studying individualized health-related behaviors in real-world settings. However, to develop reliable and robust digital behavioral signatures that may help predict disease trajectory early and future prognosis, there is a critical need to quantify potential technical variability that may be present in underlying sensor data due to variations in smartphone hardware and software used by large populations. Using sensor data collected in real-world settings from 3000 participants' smartphones for up to 84 days, we compared differences in completeness, correctness, and consistency of the three most common smartphone sensors — accelerometer, gyroscope, and GPS across Android and iOS devices. Our findings show considerable variation in sensor data quality within and across Android and iOS devices. Sensor data from iOS devices showed significantly lower levels of anomalous point density (APD) compared to Android across all sensors (p < 1e-4). iOS devices showed a considerably lower missing data ratio (MDR) for the accelerometer compared to the GPS data (p < 1e-4). Notably, the device type could be predicted with up to 0.98 accuracy 95% CI [0.977, 0.982] using the quality features derived from raw sensor data across devices. With a high degree of heterogeneity in smartphone devices, including iOS and Android, it's crucial to comprehend, measure, and address technical variations in underlying sensor data for creating robust, representative, and clinically actionable digital behavioral signatures linked to health outcomes.
Discovery of a novel methionine biosynthetic route via O-phospho-L-homoserine
Authors: Hasebe Fumihito , Adachi Kazuya , Maruyama Chitose , Hamano Yoshimitsu
Published: May 2024

Methionine (Met), a sulfur-containing amino acid, is essential for the underlying biological processes in living organisms. In addition to its importance as a starting building block for peptide chain elongation in protein biosynthesis, Met is a direct precursor of S-adenosyl-l-methionine, an indispensable methyl donor molecule in primary and secondary metabolism. Streptomycesbacteria are well known to produce diverse secondary metabolites, but many strains lack canonical Met pathway genes for L-homocysteine, a direct precursor of Met in bacteria, plants, and archaea. Here, we report the identification of a novel gene (metM) responsible for the Met biosynthesis in Streptomycesstrains and demonstrate the catalytic function of the gene product, MetM. We further identified the metO gene, a downstream gene of metM, and showed that it encodes a sulfur carrier protein (SCP). In in vitroanalysis, MetO was found to play an important role in a sulfur donor by forming a thiocarboxylated SCP. Together with MetO (thiocarboxylate), MetM directly converted O-phospho-L-homoserine to L-homocysteine. O-phospho-L-homoserine is also known as an intermediate for threonine biosynthesis in bacteria and plants, and MetM shares sequence homology with threonine synthase. Our findings thus revealed that MetM seizes O-phospho-L-homoserine from the threonine biosynthetic pathway and uses it as an intermediate of the Met biosynthesis to generate the sulfur-containing amino acid. Importantly, this MetM/MetO pathway is highly conserved in Streptomyces bacteria and distributed in other bacteria and archaea.
Evaluation of rain-shelter cultivation mode effects on microecological environment of mountain-cultivated ginseng rhizosphere
Authors: Yu Yinan , Piao Jingzi , Guo Siyi , Li Bing , Li Zibo , Zhou Rujun
Published: May 2024

Rainfall, particularly in continental climates with a monsoonal tendency, impacts the microbial niches during mountain-cultivated ginseng growth. With microbial community shifts, ginseng diseases cultivated and protected under rain-shelter cultivation may ultimately be altered. Such cultivation may influence microflora dynamics via meteorological parameter variations; however, this is unclear yet. The present study found that rain-shelter cultivation affects the distribution of fungal communities within the mountain-cultivated ginseng. This led to an improved community structure in the ginseng rhizosphere, characterized by the proliferation of antagonistic fungi and a reduction in pathogenic fungi. Alternaria, the pathogen of black spot, has exhibited larger differences, reaching more than 2 times during the flowering period and 4 times during the withering period. The correlation analysis of meteorological factors indicates that soil temperature and humidity are the primary meteorological factors that affect mountain-cultivated ginseng. It is evident that rain-shelter cultivation regulated the microecological environment of the mountain-cultivated ginseng rhizosphere and resulted in positive outcomes. The disease investigation supports this point; the number of main diseases under rain-shelter cultivation was lower than those under open-field cultivation. The incidence of ginseng root diseases, such as rust rot and root rot, was reduced by 5–6%. And the incidence of ginseng leaf diseases, including gray mold and black spot, was reduced by 5–10%. This research provides evidence to address the dynamics of microbial ecology under rain-shelter cultivation and its benefits for sustainable mountain-cultivated ginseng management.
Intraband Transitions at a CsPbBr3/GaAs Heterointerface in a Two-Step Photon Upconversion Solar Cell
Authors: Mahamu Hambalee , Asahi Shigeo , Kita Takashi
Published: May 2024

Two-step photon upconversion solar cells (TPU-SCs) based on III–V semiconductors can achieve enhanced sub-bandgap photon absorption because of intraband transitions at the heterointerface. From a technological aspect, the question arose whether similar intraband transitions can be realized by using perovskite/III–V semiconductor heterointerfaces. In this article, we demonstrate a TPU-SC based on a CsPbBr3/GaAs heterointerface. Such a solar cell can ideally achieve an energy conversion efficiency of 48.5% under 1-sun illumination. This is 2.1% higher than the theoretical efficiency of an Al0.3Ga0.7As/GaAs-based TPU-SC. Experimental results of the CsPbBr3/GaAs-based TPU-SC show that both the short-circuit current JSC and the open-circuit voltage VOC increase with additional illumination of sub-bandgap photons. We analyze the excitation power dependence of JSC for different excitation conditions to discuss the mechanisms behind the enhancement. In addition, the observed voltage-boost clarifies that the JSC enhancement is caused by an adiabatic optical process at the CsPbBr3/GaAs heterointerface, where sub-bandgap photons efficiently pump the electrons accumulated at the heterointerface to the conduction band of CsPbBr3. Besides the exceptional optoelectronic properties of CsPbBr3 and GaAs, the availability of a CsPbBr3/GaAs heterointerface for two-step photon upconversion paves the way for the development of high-efficiency perovskite/III–V semiconductor-based single-junction solar cells.
LASSO Based Analysis for Prediction of Prognostic Signature Genes Associated with Breast Cancer
Authors: Guha Souvik , Seth Soumita , Bhadra Tapas , Mukhopadhyay Anirban , Li Aimin , Mallik Saurav , Shah Mohd Asif
Published: May 2024

Background
Cancer is a genetic disease, where gene alterations play a significant role in the disease onset and pathogenesis. Analysis of the underlying gene interaction pathways could reveal new biomarkers and could also potentially help in the development of targeted drugs for therapeutics. Microarray techniques have emerged as powerful tools capable of simultaneously measuring the expression levels of thousands of genes, making them invaluable in cancer biology research. However, the processing of the resultant datasets poses significant challenges due to their high dimensionality. Also, feature extraction becomes essential to discern the crucial features within these extensive datasets. To mitigate these difficulties advanced computational techniques like Machine Learning (ML) could be instrumental. LASSO- regression-based classification is an advanced ML technique that can help in feature selection by evaluating individual parameters like genes.
Methods
This study focuses on uncovering key prognostic genes for breast cancer using a combination of LASSO regression-based classifier and statistical bioinformatics models. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using the "Limma" package in R, and significant genes were further filtered using the LASSO-based classifier significance coefficient. Genes common to both methods were considered as the focus of this study. Additionally, Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) networks of these key genes were constructed using STRING, and hub genes, significant modules, and associated genes were identified using Cytoscape.
Results
This study identified CCR8, CXCL11, CCL23, CCL24, CCL28, and CCL21 as signature prognostic genes for breast cancer, revealing a strong association between chemokines and breast cancer pathogenesis. Extensive literature searches were conducted to validate and confirm their prognostic significance in the disease.
Conclusion
These findings are pivotal for enhancing our comprehension of the pathways involved in breast cancer. Additionally, they hold promise as novel biomarkers for diagnostic purposes and may also reveal significant therapeutic targets for the management of breast cancer. The codes are available in the following GitHub repository: https://github.com/guhasouvik/LASSO_BRCA.git
Computational Pathology Assessments of Cardiac Stromal Remodeling: Clinical Correlates and Prognostic Implications in Heart Transplantation
Authors: Peyster Eliot , Yuan Cai , Arabyarmohammadi Sara , Lal Priti , Feldman Michael , Fu Pingfu , Margulies Kenneth , Madabhushi Anant
Published: May 2024

Both overt and indolent inflammatory insults in heart transplantation can accelerate pathologic cardiac remodeling, but there are few tools for monitoring the speed and severity of remodeling over time. To address this need, we developed an automated computational pathology system to measure pathologic remodeling in transplant biopsy samples in a large, retrospective cohort of n=2167 digitized heart transplant biopsy slides. Biopsy images were analyzed to identify the pathologic stromal changes associated with future allograft loss or advanced allograft vasculopathy. Biopsy images were then analyzed to assess which historical allo-inflammatory events drive progression of these pathologic stromal changes over time in serial biopsy samples. The top-5 features of pathologic stromal remodeling most strongly associated with adverse outcomes were also strongly associated with histories of both overt and indolent inflammatory events. Our findings identify previously unappreciated subgroups of higher- and lower-risk transplant patients, and highlight the translational potential of digital pathology analysis.
Effects of Reflecting Water on Viewers’ Visual Perception and Subjective Evaluation: A Case Study in Classic Chinese Garden
Authors: Sun Minkai , Bao Yanyan
Published: May 2024

Water is considered one of the most important elements in landscape design. Studies claim that water expands perceived spatial dimension. In classic Chinese gardens, water is usually used to expand limited garden spaces. However, this information is mostly experience-based. Therefore, this exploratory study compared the differences in characteristics of the observer's visual and cognitive processing using a typical classic Chinese garden scenery picture with and without water through experiment (repeated measures design). A total of 64 participants were asked to randomly view two pictures respectively. The results showed that water reflection attracts more visual attention than pavement. Moreover, reflections can reduce the proportion of visual attention of a reflected substance and lower its visual attractiveness. The estimation of the actual area size showed that water was not effective for people’s spatial perception. However, participants felt a greater sense of spaciousness when viewing scenes that included water. These results suggest that reflecting on the water enhanced people’s appreciation of the scene.
3D reconstructed models based on real cervical cancer cases for undergraduate gynecological oncology education: a single-group pre- and post-test study
Authors: Zhang Jingjing , Liu Xiuying , Kong Liangyi , Huang Yinye , Hu Zheng
Published: May 2024

Background
The landscape of medical education is rapidly evolving, driven by advancements in technology. This evolution has ushered in a new era characterized by digitization, connectivity, and intelligence. In this era, traditional teaching methods are being augmented with innovative technologies such as virtual learning, artificial intelligence platforms, and access to information clouds. One notable advancement is the integration of three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction models into medical education, particularly in fields like gynecological oncology.
Methods
This study introduces 3D reconstruction models based on real cervical cancer cases as a teaching tool for undergraduate gynecological oncology education. The aim was to assess the impact of these models on students' learning efficiency and perspectives. Participants were fourth-year Clinical Medicine students from Wuhan University, China. Pre- and post-tests were conducted to evaluate students' comprehension of cervical intraepithelial lesions, cervical cancer, female pelvic anatomy, and the 2018 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics staging system for cervix uteri.
Results
A significant improvement in students' post-test scores across all areas. Feedback from students underscored the visual benefits and engaging nature of the models, with many expressing that the 3D models provided a clearer representation of cervical cancer and enhanced their learning experience.
Conclusion
The integration of 3D reconstruction models into medical education represents a promising approach to address the complexities of teaching intricate subjects like anatomy and gynecological oncology. These models offer a more intuitive and meticulous visualization of anatomical structures and pathological processes, fostering a hands-on and exploratory learning experience for students. Further research and integration of such technologies into medical curricula are warranted to continue enhancing the educational experience for future medical professionals in the digital age.
Adding trastuzumab to carboplatin and paclitaxel improves overall survival in patients with advanced-stage HER2/neu-overexpressing uterine serous carcinoma or carcinosarcoma
Authors: Lu Ting-Fang , Sun Lou , Shih Yu-Hsiang , Chen Yen-Fu , Fan Chun-Ting , Wang Shao-Jing , Hsu Shih-Tien , Liu Chih-Ku , Hwang Sheau-Feng , Lu Chien-Hsing
Published: May 2024

Background
Uterine serous carcinomas and carcinosarcomas are aggressive forms of endometrial cancer with poor survival outcomes. Trastuzumab, a human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2)-directed monoclonal antibody, has demonstrated tumoricidal efficacy. However, clinical data regarding its efficacy in uterine serous carcinoma are limited, and there are no clinical data available for uterine carcinosarcoma. Therefore, this study aimed to ascertain the efficacy and safety of adding trastuzumab to carboplatin and paclitaxel as a frontline treatment for advanced-stage HER2-overexpressing uterine serous carcinoma and carcinosarcoma.
Methods
This retrospective study used deidentified data from electronic health records sourced from the TriNetX Research Network. Participants were identified using ICD codes, and HER2 positivity was confirmed by immunohistochemistry or fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH). Propensity score matching (PSM) was employed to reduce confounders, and survival outcomes and adverse events were assessed.
Results
Following PSM, 280 patients with advanced HER2-positive uterine serous carcinoma or carcinosarcoma were analysed. The group of patients treated with carboplatin/paclitaxel + trastuzumab (CP + T) showed a significantly extended median overall survival compared to those treated solely with CP (41 months versus 25.2 months, hazard ratio [HR] = 0.51, p = 0.002) in both advanced-stage uterine carcinosarcoma and serous carcinoma. Specifically, patients with uterine carcinosarcoma experienced an even longer survival benefit (HR = 0.39, p < 0.0001) when trastuzumab was added to their chemotherapy regimen, surpassing the survival benefit seen in patients with uterine serous carcinoma (HR = 0.56, p = 0.04). However, patients who received trastuzumab experienced higher rates of hypertension, diarrhoea, and left ventricular systolic dysfunction.
Conclusions
The addition of trastuzumab to frontline chemotherapy is effective for the treatment of HER2-overexpressing uterine serous carcinoma and carcinosarcoma, particularly uterine carcinosarcoma. However, careful monitoring of adverse cardiac events is needed.
Solution-based Post-processing and Electroless Nickel Plating Parameters Impacting the Microstructure and Hardness of Nickel-Plated L-shaped Additively Manufactured Steel Components.
Authors: Demisse Wondwosen , Sachez Pablo , Fulford Daniel , Rice Lucas , Klein Kate L. , Tyagi Pawan
Published: May 2024

Electroless coating brings the advantage of providing films on the complex geometry of additively manufactured components. However, there is a knowledge gap about the impact of AM part surface and postprocessing parameters on the quality of electroless coating. This study explores the application of three solution-based surface finishing techniques on the microstructure and surface hardness of additively manufactured stainless steel components coated with electroless nickel films. Given that AM techniques for metal parts often yield surfaces with inherently rough textures and differences in properties along the different planes, we investigated their relationship with nickel coating. To mitigate the impact of surface irregularities on electroless nickel coating quality, this research evaluated the effectiveness of chemical polishing (CP) and electropolishing (EP) as post-processing treatments for AM stainless steel. Characterization of the treated samples was conducted using the analytical Digital Microscope, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), and scratch tester. Additionally, the study incorporated an instant segmentation machine learning algorithm to overcome image analysis challenges. The findings indicate that EP and CP significantly improve surface smoothness, decreasing the arithmetical mean height (Ra) by as much as 4 µm and 10 µm, respectively. Furthermore, the nickel-coated AM samples demonstrated an enhancement in scratch resistance, exhibiting up to a two-fold increase in surface hardness compared to their as-built counterparts. Taguchi design of experiment was applied to investigate the effect of process parameters. This study provides insights for developing improved surface quality and acquiring new properties via the coating process to make AM parts suitable for challenging environments and novel applications.
A combination of RNA-Seq and CHIP-Seq analysis for determining super enhancer- associated genes to evaluate prognosis and immunity of glioma
Authors: Li Lianxi , Yang ZhiHao , Wu HaoYuan , Chang ChenXi , Wang ZhiWei , Zhang DeRan , Bian ErBao , Zhao Bing
Published: May 2024

Gliomas are one of the most prevalent primary malignant tumors seen in adults. Despite the use of surgical resection, radiation and chemotherapies, a clinical relapse or advancement is practically inevitable, and finding new therapeutic targets is urgent to increase the overall survival period. Super enhancers are known to be ultra-long cis-acting elements that have enhanced transcriptional activities, which mediate higher grades of transcription to promote the growth of glioma and are expected to be a new therapeutic direction for glioma. Based on this, we adopted transcriptional RNA-seq and H3K27ac Chip-seq of 44 patient-derived glioblastoma stem cells and 9 neural stem cells, by integrating two methods of analysis, we screened 33 high-risk genes and imported these genes into TCGA and CGGA glioma databases. The first step is prognosis evaluation. In order to build the risk model, we applied the Lasso and COX analyses and used the KM and ROC curves to detect the accuracy of the risk model, Consensus cluster exhibited suitable groupings and unique molecular differences. The second step is functional analysis, utilizing the GSEA program, GO and KEGG to explore mechanisms between these genes and glioma. The third step is immune evaluation, including immune microenvironment and immune checkpoints, to look for potential therapeutic strategies. Finally, the function of the gene was verified in vitro experiments with molecules and cells. Collectively, we identified SE-associated high-risk genes through multi-omics analysis, bringing more possibilities for risk assessment and treatment strategies for glioma.
The causal relationship between smoking behaviors and rosacea and Acne: Evidence from a Mendelian randomization
Authors: Gohari Fatemeh , Golmohammadi Melika , Saeidian Amir Hesam , Pourganji Maryam , Masoudi Homayoon , Rad Ali Taghavi , Moeinafshar Aysan , Farahani Amin , Akbarzadeh Arash , Mirtavoos-Mahyari Hanifeh
Published: May 2024

Previous observational studies have demonstrated positive associations between smoking patterns and the prevalence of acne and rosacea. However, the possible causal relationship remained unclear. Therefore, we conducted a Mendelian randomization (MR) study to investigate the potential causal association between smoking and these two common chronic inflammatory skin disorders. The summary statistics dataset related to smoking initiation and smoking behaviors were gathered from the published Genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 462,690 participants in the UK Biobank. The genetic variants associated with acne and rosacea were also obtained from the published GWAS of the FinnGen consortium which included 7,072,771 and 20,169,986 SNPs, respectively. Using these data, we conducted a two-sample MR analysis to determine the causal relationship between smoking behaviors and acne and rosacea. Our results show that lifetime smoking is significantly associated with a higher risk of acne (beta = 0.23, 95%; CI = (0.03, 0.43), SE = 0.10, Pbeta =0.02). Heterogeneity and pleiotropy tests revealed no evidence of heterogeneity or pleiotropy. However, no significant association was observed between smoking initiation and the risk of acne (beta = 0.02, 95%; CI (0.12, 0.14), SE = 0.073, Pbeta =0.71) (MR–Egger intercept = 0.013, P-value = 0.15). Despite no signs of pleiotropy, evidence of heterogeneity was found. Regarding rosacea, our findings determine a significant correlation between smoking behaviors, including smoking initiation and lifetime smoking, and an elevated risk of rosacea (beta = 0.34; 95% CI (0.11, 1.47), SE = 0.15, Pbeta= 0.02) (beta = 0.79; 95% CI (0.11, 1.47), SE = 0.34, Pbeta= 0.02). No evidence of heterogeneity or pleiotropy was also observed. Our study suggests a causal relationship between smoking behaviors and both acne and rosacea. These findings can be beneficial in terms of providing additional perspectives on healthcare decision policies.
How do Gender and Age Similarities with a Potential Social Engineer Influence One's Trust and Willingness to Take Security Risks?
Authors: Abuelezz Israa , Barhmagi Mahmoud , Al-Shakhsi Sameha , Yankouskaya Ala , Nhlabatsi Armstrong , Khan Khaled M. , Ali Raian
Published: May 2024

This study investigates how age and gender similarity between individuals and potential social engineers affect the individuals’ trust and risk-taking behaviors. We crafted and face validated 16 personas, varying in demographics and visual cues, and inquired whether participants would agree to use each persona's offer to connect to the internet via their personal mobile hotspot, as well as the degree of trust they placed in the persona's intentions. Individuals were informed about the potential risks associated with using another person's mobile hotspot and that the person offering can be, but not necessarily, malicious. Data from 635 participants (322 Arabs and 313 British) were collected through an online survey. Participants were categorized by gender into male and female groups, and by age into two groups: early adulthood (18–35 years) and middle adulthood (36–59 years). Our results showed a correlation between trust and offer acceptance across all participant groups except for British females in middle adulthood. Additionally, participants, regardless of their gender and age groups, exhibited greater trust and acceptance towards personas who were female or older. Arab sample did not indicate a significant gender preference in aged personas; however, the British early adulthood group displayed a significant inclination towards accepting the offer from aged female personas over aged male personas. While demographic similarity between the potential manipulator personas and participants did not significantly impact the participants trust and risk-taking, our study uncovered differences in trust and offer acceptance when both age and gender demographics were considered together, suggesting nuanced effects of demographic matching and mismatching on taking security risks. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating bias awareness and debiasing techniques to reduce high reliance on demographic or cultural stereotypes.
Osseointegration Potential of Boron-Coated Titanium Alloy Pedicle Screw in Rabbit Spine Model
Authors: Ozer Hidir , Hekimoglu Mehdi , Kulac Ibrahim , Eren Ozgur Can , Arici Yeliz Kasko , Celik Haydar Sahin , Ozer Ali Fahir
Published: May 2024

Study Design:
Prospective, randomized controlled trial
Objective
To enhance stem cell conversion and osseointegration using boron-coated screws and leveraging boron compounds' properties.
Background Data:
The sustained functionality of spinal implants is critical, and titanium alloys, despite advantages, face challenges like weak osteogenic ability. This study focuses on addressing these issues through boron-coated titanium alloy pedicle screws, aiming to improve osseointegration rates by utilizing boron compounds' antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Methods
Rabbits (n = 10/group) were randomly divided into control and experimental groups. Surgical procedures were performed by the same surgeon. Under anesthesia, access was gained to the skin, subcutaneous tissue, fascia, and muscle tissue. In the control group, standard 3.5x14 mm titanium alloy pedicle screws were unilaterally placed in the L6 and L7 lumbar spines, connected by a rigid rod. In the experimental group, 3.5x14 mm boron-coated titanium pedicle screws were similarly placed and connected. Tissues were closed, and rabbits were kept alive for 12 weeks before sacrifice. Histological examination and statistical analysis of results were conducted.
Results
In the rabbit spine model, boron-coated titanium alloy pedicle screws exhibited a statistically comparable osseointegration rate to standard ones (p = 0.302). The levels of necrosis (p = 0.653) and fibrosis (p = 0.086) around boron-coated screws were similar to those observed around titanium alloy pedicle screws.
Conclusion
Boron-coated pedicle screws exhibited osseointegration comparable to standard ones. The levels of necrosis and fibrosis around the screws were within acceptable ranges. Despite their known stronger biomechanical properties, they can be considered as a superior alternative to standard ones.