bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multiple human papillomavirus infection and high-grade cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions among women with human immunodeficiency virus: a systematic review and a meta-analysis
Authors: Cassani Chiara , Dominoni Mattia , Pasquali Marianna Francesca , Gardella Barbara , Spinillo Arsenio
Published: July 2024

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of multiple high-risk (HR) human papillomavirus (HPV) infections in women with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) compared to negative controls. This study also aimed to assess the impact of multiple HR-HPVs on the risk of high-grade squamous cervical lesions (HSILs) among women with HIV.

Methods

We performed a systematic search of PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Cochrane databases, and ClinicalTrials.gov from 1 January 2004 to 30 June 2023, including screenings and clinical studies evaluating the rates and role of multiple HPV infections in squamous intraepithelial lesions (SILs). Three reviewers independently screened the abstracts of the selected studies and extracted data from full-text articles. The data were subsequently tabulated and compared for consistency. The bias associated with each included study was evaluated according to the OSQE method.

Results

Forty-seven studies meet definitive inclusion criteria. The quality of the observations was considered low in 26 of the included studies and moderate in 21 of the included studies. In comparative screening studies, the pooled prevalence of multiple HR-HPV was 39.1% (95% CI = 33.7–44.7) among women with (n = 1734) and 21.6% (95% CI = 17.3–26.1) in those without HIV infection (n = 912) (OR = 2.33, 95% CI = 1.83–2.97, I2 = 2.8%). The pooled ORs of HR-HPV multiple infections were similar in African (OR = 2.72, 95% CI = 1.89–3.9) and non-African countries (OR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.46–3, p for difference = 0.96). Among women with HIV, the risk of HSIL diagnosed either by cytology or histology was higher among those with overall (OR = 2.62, 95% CI = 1.62–4.23) and HR multiple infections than those with single HPV infection (OR = 1.93, 95% CI = 1.51–2.46). Among women with HIV, the excess rates of multiple HPV infections and the excess risk of associated HSIL were consistent across studies including both HIV-naïve subjects and those on antiretroviral therapy, as well as in studies with different rates of immunocompromised women. When study quality (low vs. moderate) was used as a moderator, the results were unchanged.

Conclusion

Multiple HR-HPV infections are common among women living with HIV and are associated with an increased prevalence of HSIL. These associations were also confirmed in studies with high rates of antiretroviral therapy and low rates of immunocompromise.

Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO [registration number: CRD42023433022].
Transforming the future of ophthalmology: artificial intelligence and robotics’ breakthrough role in surgical and medical retina advances: a mini review
Authors: Chatzimichail Eleftherios , Feltgen Nicolas , Motta Lorenzo , Empeslidis Theo , Konstas Anastasios G. , Gatzioufas Zisis , Panos Georgios D.
Published: July 2024

Over the past decade, artificial intelligence (AI) and its subfields, deep learning and machine learning, have become integral parts of ophthalmology, particularly in the field of ophthalmic imaging. A diverse array of algorithms has emerged to facilitate the automated diagnosis of numerous medical and surgical retinal conditions. The development of these algorithms necessitates extensive training using large datasets of retinal images. This approach has demonstrated a promising impact, especially in increasing accuracy of diagnosis for unspecialized clinicians for various diseases and in the area of telemedicine, where access to ophthalmological care is restricted. In parallel, robotic technology has made significant inroads into the medical field, including ophthalmology. The vast majority of research in the field of robotic surgery has been focused on anterior segment and vitreoretinal surgery. These systems offer potential improvements in accuracy and address issues such as hand tremors. However, widespread adoption faces hurdles, including the substantial costs associated with these systems and the steep learning curve for surgeons. These challenges currently constrain the broader implementation of robotic surgical systems in ophthalmology. This mini review discusses the current research and challenges, underscoring the limited yet growing implementation of AI and robotic systems in the field of retinal conditions.
Rapid identification of bloodstream infection pathogens and drug resistance using Raman spectroscopy enhanced by convolutional neural networks
Authors: Kang Haiquan , Wang Ziling , Sun Jingfang , Song Shuang , Cheng Lei , Sun Yi , Pan Xingqi , Wu Changyu , Gong Ping , Li Hongchun
Published: July 2024

Bloodstream infections (BSIs) are a critical medical concern, characterized by elevated morbidity, mortality, extended hospital stays, substantial healthcare costs, and diagnostic challenges. The clinical outcomes for patients with BSI can be markedly improved through the prompt identification of the causative pathogens and their susceptibility to antibiotics and antimicrobial agents. Traditional BSI diagnosis via blood culture is often hindered by its lengthy incubation period and its limitations in detecting pathogenic bacteria and their resistance profiles. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has recently gained prominence as a rapid and effective technique for identifying pathogenic bacteria and assessing drug resistance. This method offers molecular fingerprinting with benefits such as rapidity, sensitivity, and non-destructiveness. The objective of this study was to integrate deep learning (DL) with SERS for the rapid identification of common pathogens and their resistance to drugs in BSIs. To assess the feasibility of combining DL with SERS for direct detection, erythrocyte lysis and differential centrifugation were employed to isolate bacteria from blood samples with positive blood cultures. A total of 12,046 and 11,968 SERS spectra were collected from the two methods using Raman spectroscopy and subsequently analyzed using DL algorithms. The findings reveal that convolutional neural networks (CNNs) exhibit considerable potential in identifying prevalent pathogens and their drug-resistant strains. The differential centrifugation technique outperformed erythrocyte lysis in bacterial isolation from blood, achieving a detection accuracy of 98.68% for pathogenic bacteria and an impressive 99.85% accuracy in identifying carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. In summary, this research successfully developed an innovative approach by combining DL with SERS for the swift identification of pathogenic bacteria and their drug resistance in BSIs. This novel method holds the promise of significantly improving patient prognoses and optimizing healthcare efficiency. Its potential impact could be profound, potentially transforming the diagnostic and therapeutic landscape of BSIs.
Fermentation of DaiDai fruit and its biological activity
Authors: Meng Xiangyu , Tang Nan , Su Wenfeng , Chen Weiji , Zhang Yue , Li He
Published: July 2024

DaiDai fruit, a medicinal and edible plant fruit, is abundant in biologically active compounds and has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine. This research focuses on utilizing fermentation to develop a functional DaiDai fruit fermentation broth. Lactobacillus, Bacillus subtilis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae were employed in the fermentation process. By conducting screenings of bacterial strains, single factor experiments, and response surface methodology, the total flavonoids, polysaccharides, polyphenols, and 1,1-diphenyl-2-trinitrophenylhydrazine (DPPH) free radical scavenging rate were used as the index for selection, ultimately identifying Lactobacillus L-13 as the optimal fermentation strain. The optimal fermentation conditions were determined to be a time of 108 h, a temperature of 43.6°C, and a solid–liquid ratio of 1:15.157 (w/v). Under these conditions, the total flavonoid content reached 412.01 mg/g, representing a 36.71% increase compared to conventional extraction methods. The contents of polysaccharides and polyphenols and the DPPH scavenging rate were also increased. The fermentation broth of DaiDai fruit exhibited inhibitory effects on tyrosinase and melanin production in mouse melanoma cells B16-F10 induced by α-MSH and anti-inflammatory properties in a zebrafish inflammation model. These indicate that the DaiDai fruit fermentation broth possesses anti-melanoma, whitening, and anti-inflammatory properties, showcasing significant potential for applications in medicine, cosmetics, and other industries.
Genetic link between KIF1A mutations and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: evidence from whole-exome sequencing
Authors: Zheng Wei , He Ji , Chen Lu , Yu Weiyi , Zhang Nan , Liu Xiaoxuan , Fan Dongsheng
Published: July 2024

Objectives

Genetics have been shown to have a substantial impact on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The ALS process involves defects in axonal transport and cytoskeletal dynamics. It has been identified that KIF1A, responsible for encoding a kinesin-3 motor protein that carries synaptic vesicles, is considered a genetic predisposing factor for ALS.

Methods

The analysis of whole-exome sequencing data from 1,068 patients was conducted to examine the genetic link between ALS and KIF1A. For patients with KIF1A gene mutations and a family history, we extended the analysis to their families and reanalyzed them using Sanger sequencing for cosegregation analysis.

Results

In our cohort, the KIF1A mutation frequency was 1.31% (14/1,068). Thirteen nonsynonymous variants were detected in 14 ALS patients. Consistent with the connection between KIF1A and ALS, the missense mutation p.A1083T (c.3247G>A) was shown to cosegregate with disease. The mutations related to ALS in our study were primarily located in the cargo-binding region at the C-terminal, as opposed to the mutations of motor domain at the N-terminal of KIF1A which were linked to hereditary peripheral neuropathy and spastic paraplegia. We observed high clinical heterogeneity in ALS patients with missense mutations in the KIF1A gene. KIF5A is a more frequent determinant of ALS in the European population, while KIF1A accounts for a similar proportion of ALS in both the European and Chinese populations.

Conclusion

Our investigation revealed that mutations in the C-terminus of KIF1A could increase the risk of ALS, support the pathogenic role of KIF1A in ALS and expand the phenotypic and genetic spectrum of KIF1A-related ALS.
Online learning fuzzy echo state network with applications on redundant manipulators
Authors: Li Yanqiu , Liu Huan , Gao Hailong
Published: July 2024

Redundant manipulators are universally employed to save manpower and improve work efficiency in numerous areas. Nevertheless, the redundancy makes the inverse kinematics of manipulators hard to address, thus increasing the difficulty in instructing manipulators to perform a given task. To deal with this problem, an online learning fuzzy echo state network (OLFESN) is proposed in the first place, which is based upon an online learning echo state network and the Takagi–Sugeno–Kang fuzzy inference system (FIS). Then, an OLFESN-based control scheme is devised to implement the efficient control of redundant manipulators. Furthermore, simulations and experiments on redundant manipulators, covering UR5 and Franka Emika Panda manipulators, are carried out to verify the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.
Rényi entropy-complexity causality space: a novel neurocomputational tool for detecting scale-free features in EEG/iEEG data
Authors: Guisande Natalí , Montani Fernando
Published: July 2024

Scale-free brain activity, linked with learning, the integration of different time scales, and the formation of mental models, is correlated with a metastable cognitive basis. The spectral slope, a key aspect of scale-free dynamics, was proposed as a potential indicator to distinguish between different sleep stages. Studies suggest that brain networks maintain a consistent scale-free structure across wakefulness, anesthesia, and recovery. Although differences in anesthetic sensitivity between the sexes are recognized, these variations are not evident in clinical electroencephalographic recordings of the cortex. Recently, changes in the slope of the power law exponent of neural activity were found to correlate with changes in Rényi entropy, an extended concept of Shannon's information entropy. These findings establish quantifiers as a promising tool for the study of scale-free dynamics in the brain. Our study presents a novel visual representation called the Rényi entropy-complexity causality space, which encapsulates complexity, permutation entropy, and the Rényi parameter q. The main goal of this study is to define this space for classical dynamical systems within theoretical bounds. In addition, the study aims to investigate how well different time series mimicking scale-free activity can be discriminated. Finally, this tool is used to detect dynamic features in intracranial electroencephalography (iEEG) signals. To achieve these goals, the study implementse the Bandt and Pompe method for ordinal patterns. In this process, each signal is associated with a probability distribution, and the causal measures of Rényi entropy and complexity are computed based on the parameter q. This method is a valuable tool for analyzing simulated time series. It effectively distinguishes elements of correlated noise and provides a straightforward means of examining differences in behaviors, characteristics, and classifications. For the iEEG experimental data, the REM state showed a greater number of significant sex-based differences, while the supramarginal gyrus region showed the most variation across different modes and analyzes. Exploring scale-free brain activity with this framework could provide valuable insights into cognition and neurological disorders. The results may have implications for understanding differences in brain function between the sexes and their possible relevance to neurological disorders.
The synaptic correlates of serial position effects in sequential working memory
Authors: Zhou Jiaqi , Gong Liping , Huang Xiaodong , Mu Chunlai , Mi Yuanyuan
Published: July 2024

Sequential working memory (SWM), referring to the temporary storage and manipulation of information in order, plays a fundamental role in brain cognitive functions. The serial position effect refers to the phenomena that recall accuracy of an item is associated to the order of the item being presented. The neural mechanism underpinning the serial position effect remains unclear. The synaptic mechanism of working memory proposes that information is stored as hidden states in the form of facilitated neuronal synapse connections. Here, we build a continuous attractor neural network with synaptic short-term plasticity (STP) to explore the neural mechanism of the serial position effect. Using a delay recall task, our model reproduces the the experimental finding that as the maintenance period extends, the serial position effect transitions from the primacy to the recency effect. Using both numerical simulation and theoretical analysis, we show that the transition moment is determined by the parameters of STP and the interval between presented stimulus items. Our results highlight the pivotal role of STP in processing the order information in SWM.
Association between dietary inflammatory index and fecal incontinence in American adults: a cross-sectional study from NHANES 2005–2010
Authors: Li Zhigang , Chen Xing , Huang Jiaobao , Cheng Fei , Wu Zhao , Yuan Lebin , Li Xiaodong , Shen Wei
Published: July 2024

Objective

Recent studies have demonstrated that the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) is relevant to abnormal gut health. However, there is a lack of studies that have explicitly explored the link between fecal incontinence (FI) and DII. The current study aims to explore the relationship between DII and FI.

Methods

The cross-sectional study enrolled a total of 11,747 participants aged 20–85 from NHANES 2005–2010. Weighted logistic regression was conducted to evaluate the relationship between DII and FI, and restricted cubic spline (RCS) was employed to assess the dose-response relationship between DII and FI. Subgroup analyses were performed according to age, gender, race, and BMI.

Result

DII levels were found to be significantly higher in patients with FI than in the normal population (p = 0.016). After adjusting for all covariates, DII was found to be significantly correlated with FI (model 2: Q4 vs. Q1, OR = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.04–2.14, p = 0.032, p for trend = 0.039). The dose-response curve revealed that there was no non-linear correlation between DII and FI (p-non-linear = 0.234). Subsequent subgroup analyses uncovered that DII was notably associated with FI in the old (Q4 vs. Q1, OR = 1.84, 95% CI: 1.07–3.18, p = 0.030), female (Q4 vs. Q1: OR = 2.02, 95% CI: 1.23–3.33, p = 0.008), non-Hispanic white (Q4 vs. Q1: OR = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.12–2.59, p = 0.015) populations.

Conclusion

DII was positively associated with FI, particularly among old, female and non-Hispanic white individuals. Decreasing daily dietary inflammatory levels may be an effective tactic to prevent FI, but the precise mechanisms need to be further investigated.
Association between oxidative balance score and 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk: results from the NHANES database
Authors: Jin Dekui , Lv Tian , Chen Shiqin , Chen Yiqiao , Zhang Chengying , Wang Xiaoling , Li Jie
Published: July 2024

Introduction

The oxidative balance score (OBS) is a holistic measure that represents the overall equilibrium between prooxidants and antioxidants in one’s diet and lifestyle. Little research has been conducted on the correlation between OBS and 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk (ASCVD). Therefore, the objective of this investigation was to examine the potential correlation between OBS and 10-year risk.

Methods

A total of 11,936 participants from the NHANES conducted between 2001 and 2016 were chosen for the study and their dietary and lifestyle factors were used to assess the OBS score. Logistic regression and restricted cubic splines (RCS) were employed in the cross-sectional study to evaluate the correlation between OBS and the 10-year ASCVD risk. The cohort study utilized Cox proportional hazards models and RCS to assess the correlation between OBS and all-causes and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in individuals with high ASCVD risk.

Results

The cross-sectional study found that the OBS (OR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.93–0.98), as well as the dietary OBS (OR = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.92–0.96) and lifestyle OBS (OR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.69–0.79), were inversely associated with the 10-year ASCVD risk. A significant linear relationship was observed between OBS, dietary OBS, lifestyle OBS, and the 10-year ASCVD risk. The cohort study found that the OBS was inversely associated with all-cause (aHRs = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.96–0.99) and CVD (aHRs = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.93–0.98) mortality in individuals with high ASCVD risk. A significant linear correlation was observed between OBS, dietary OBS, lifestyle OBS, and all-cause and CVD mortality in participants with high ASCVD risk.

Conclusion

The findings indicate that OBS, OBS related to diet, and OBS related to lifestyle were significantly inversely correlated with the 10-year ASCVD risk. Adopting a healthy eating plan and making positive lifestyle choices that result in increased OBS levels can help lower the likelihood of all-cause and CVD mortality in individuals with high ASCVD risk.
Laparoscopic versus open liver resection for colorectal liver metastasis: an umbrella review
Authors: Pinto Federico , Pangrazio Marco Di , Martinino Alessandro , Todeschini Letizia , Toti Francesco , Cristin Luca , Caimano Miriam , Mattia Amelia , Bianco Giuseppe , Spoletini Gabriele , Giovinazzo Francesco
Published: July 2024

Introduction

This study comprehensively compared laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) to open liver resection (OLR) in treating colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRLM).

Methods

A systematic review of relevant literature was conducted to assess a range of crucial surgical and oncological outcomes.

Results

Findings indicate that minimally invasive surgery (MIS) did not significantly prolong the duration of surgery compared to open liver resection and notably demonstrated lower blood transfusion rates and reduced intraoperative blood loss. While some studies favored MIS for its lower complication rates, others did not establish a statistically significant difference. One study identified a lower post-operative mortality rate in the MIS group. Furthermore, MIS consistently correlated with shorter hospital stays, indicative of expedited post-operative recovery. Concerning oncological outcomes, while certain meta-analyses reported a lower rate of cancer recurrence in the MIS group, others found no significant disparity. Overall survival and disease-free survival remained comparable between the MIS and open liver resection groups.

Conclusion

The analysis emphasizes the potential advantages of LLR in terms of surgical outcomes and aligns with existing literature findings in this field.

Systematic review registration

[website], identifier [registration number].
Efficacy and safety of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy combined with tyrosine kinase inhibitors and immune checkpoint inhibitors in the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombosis in the main trunk
Authors: Liu Qi , Zhang Ying , Zhang Jingwen , Chen Luhao , Yang Yi , Liu Yan
Published: July 2024

Purpose

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of mFOLFOX-based hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) combined with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT)

Methods

This retrospective study included patients who received mFOLFOX-based HAIC combined with TKIs and ICIs from January 2021 to January 2023. The primary outcome was the objective response rate of PVTT response, and the secondary outcomes were 6-month, 1-year survival rate, overall survival (OS), and corresponding adverse events and complications were also evaluated. PVTT responses were assessed using ITK-SNAP software.

Results

A total of 37 patients were included in the analysis, 18.92% achieved a complete response and 56.76% achieved a partial response in PVTT response. The objective response rate (ORR) of PVTT was 75.68%. The 6-month survival rate was 89%, the 1-year survival rate was 66%, and the median OS was 15.8 months. In univariate analysis, Child-Pugh score (P=0.010) was important factor for predicting OS; in multivariate analysis, Child-Pugh score (P=0.015, HR= 3.089, 95%CI: 1.250–7.633) was the important factor for predicting OS. In terms of adverse reactions, the most common adverse reactions associated with HAIC are pain and thrombocytopenia associated with oxaliplatin.

Conclusion

FOLFOX-based HAIC combined with TKIs and ICIs induced an objective response rate of 75.68% in PVTT.

Clinical signicance

FOLFOX-based HAIC combined with TKIs and ICIs provides more treatment options for PVTT.
Urinary-based detection of MSL, HE4 and CA125 as an additional dimension for predictive and prognostic modelling in ovarian cancer
Authors: Schwarz Franziska Maria , Klotz Daniel Martin , Wimberger Pauline , Kuhlmann Jan Dominik
Published: July 2024

Objectives

We have recently described a predictive/prognostic model for ovarian cancer, exploiting commonly available clinico-pathological parameters and the ovarian serum biomarkers mesothelin (MSL), human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) and cancer-antigen 125 (CA125). Considering urine as a prototype non-invasive sample, we investigated whether serum levels of these biomarkers are mirrored in urine and compared their clinical relevance in matched serum vs. urine samples.

Methods

MSL, HE4 and CA125 were quantified in urinary (n=172) and matched serum samples (n=188) from ovarian cancer patients (n=192) using the Lumipulse® G chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay (Fujirebio).

Results

While absolute concentrations of MSL or CA125 were higher in serum than in matched urine samples, HE4 concentrations were considerably higher in urine than in serum. Nonetheless, the levels of all three biomarkers strongly correlated between matched serum vs. urine samples and were unrelated to BRCA1/2 mutational status. Consequently, prediction of surgical outcome or relapse/death by MSL, HE4 or CA125 was similarly efficient among urinary- vs. serum-based detection. HE4 provided the highest capacity to predict surgical outcome or relapse/death among both body fluids (urine: AUC=0.854; serum: AUC=0.750, respectively). All clinically relevant findings regarding the investigated urinary biomarkers were equally reproducible among raw vs. creatinine-normalized datasets, suggesting that normalization may have subordinate priority for urine-based analysis of these biomarkers.

Conclusion

We report that the capacity of MSL, HE4 and CA125 to predict surgical outcome and relapse/death is equivalent between serum vs. urine-based detection. Urinary biomarkers, in particular HE4, may provide an additional dimension for prognostic modeling in ovarian cancer.
Long-term toxicity and efficacy of FLASH radiotherapy in dogs with superficial malignant tumors
Authors: Gjaldbæk Bolette W. , Arendt Maja L. , Konradsson Elise , Bastholm Jensen Kristine , Bäck Sven Å. J. , Munck af Rosenschöld Per , Ceberg Crister , Petersson Kristoffer , Børresen Betina
Published: July 2024

Introduction

FLASH radiotherapy (RT) has emerged as a promising modality, demonstrating both a normal tissue sparing effect and anticancer efficacy. We have previously reported on the safety and efficacy of single fraction FLASH RT in the treatment of oral tumors in canine cancer patients, showing tumor response but also a risk of radiation-induced severe late adverse effects (osteoradionecrosis) for doses ≥35 Gy. Accordingly, the objective in this study was to investigate if single fraction high dose FLASH RT is safe for treating non-oral tumors.

Methods

Privately-owned dogs with superficial tumors or microscopic residual disease were included. Treatment was generally delivered as a single fraction of 15-35 Gy 10 MeV electron FLASH RT, although two dogs were re-irradiated at a later timepoint. Follow-up visits were conducted up to 12 months post-treatment to evaluate treatment efficiency and adverse effects.

Results

Fourteen dogs with 16 tumors were included, of which nine tumors were treated for gross disease whilst seven tumors were treated post-surgery for microscopic residual disease. Four treatment sites treated with 35 Gy had ulceration post irradiation, which was graded as severe adverse effect. Only mild adverse effects were observed for the remaining treatment sites. None of the patients with microscopic disease experienced recurrence (0/7), and all patients with macroscopic disease showed either a complete (5/9) or a partial response (4/9). Five dogs were euthanized due to clinical disease progression.

Discussion

Our study demonstrates that single fraction high dose FLASH RT is generally safe, with few severe adverse effects, particularly in areas less susceptible to radiation-induced damage. In addition, our study indicates that FLASH has anti-tumor efficacy in a clinical setting. No osteoradionecrosis was observed in this study, although other types of high-grade adverse effects including ulcer-formations were observed for the highest delivered dose (35 Gy). Overall, we conclude that osteoradionecrosis following single fraction, high dose FLASH does not appear to be a general problem for non-oral tumor locations. Also, as has been shown previously for oral tumors, 30 Gy appeared to be the maximum safe dose to deliver with single fraction FLASH RT.
Case Report: Two different acromelic dysplasia phenotypes in a Chinese family caused by a missense mutation in FBN1 and a literature review
Authors: Tian Fengyan , Dong Xiao , Yuan Ruyue , Hou Xiaohan , Qing Jing , Li Yani
Published: July 2024

Background

Acromelic dysplasia caused by FBN1 mutation includes acromicric dysplasia (AD), geleophysic dysplasia 2 (GD2), and Weill-Marchesani syndrome 2 (WMS2). All three diseases share severe short stature and brachydactyly. Besides phenotypic similarity, there is a molecular genetic overlap among them, as identical FBN1 gene mutations have been identified in patients with AD, GD2, and WMS2. However, no family with different acromelic dysplasia phenotypes due to the same variant has been described in English reports.

Case report

The proband presented with typical facial features, severe short stature, short limbs, stubby hands and feet and radiological abnormalities. Her elder sister and mother had similar physical features. In addition, her elder sister was found to have aortic valve stenosis by echocardiography. Mutation analysis demonstrated a heterozygous missense mutation, c.5179C>T (p.Arg1727Trp) in exon 42 of the FBN1. The proband and her mother were diagnosed with AD, and her elder sister with GD2. The proband was treated with recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) and had a body length gain of 0.72 SDS in half a year.

Conclusion

These findings expand the phenotypic spectrum of FBN1 gene mutations and highlight that identical FBN1 genotypes can result in different phenotypes of acromelic dysplasia in a family. The efficacy of rhGH therapy in patients with acromelic dysplasia is controversial. More follow-up is needed on the long-term efficacy of rhGH therapy.
Enhanced positronium lifetime imaging through two-component reconstruction in time-of-flight positron emission tomography
Authors: Chen Zhuo , Kao Chien-Min , Huang Hsiun-Hsiung , An Lingling
Published: July 2024

Positronium lifetime imaging (PLI) is a newly demonstrated technique possible with time-of-flight (TOF) positron emission tomography (PET), capable of producing an image reflecting the lifetime of the positron, more precisely ortho-positronium (o-Ps), before annihilation, in addition to the traditional uptake image of the PET tracer. Due to the limited time resolution of TOF-PET systems and the added complexities in physics and statistics, lifetime image reconstruction presents a challenge. Recently, we described a maximum-likelihood approach for PLI by considering only o-Ps. In real-world scenarios, other populations of positrons that exhibit different lifetimes also exist. This paper introduces a novel two-component model aimed at enhancing the accuracy of o-Ps lifetime images. Through simulation studies, we compare this new model with the existing single-component model and demonstrate its superior performance in accurately capturing complex lifetime distributions.
Petal segmentation in CT images based on divide-and-conquer strategy
Authors: Naka Yuki , Utsumi Yuzuko , Iwamura Masakazu , Tsukaya Hirokazu , Kise Koichi
Published: July 2024

Manual segmentation of the petals of flower computed tomography (CT) images is time-consuming and labor-intensive because the flower has many petals. In this study, we aim to obtain a three-dimensional (3D) structure of Camellia japonica flowers and propose a petal segmentation method using computer vision techniques. Petal segmentation on the slice images fails by simply applying the segmentation methods because the shape of the petals in CT images differs from that of the objects targeted by the latest instance segmentation methods. To overcome these challenges, we crop two-dimensional (2D) long rectangles from each slice image and apply the segmentation method to segment the petals on the images. Thanks to cropping, it is easier to segment the shape of the petals in the cropped images using the segmentation methods. We can also use the latest segmentation method for the task because the number of images used for training is augmented by cropping. Subsequently, the results are integrated into 3D to obtain 3D segmentation volume data. The experimental results show that the proposed method can segment petals on slice images with higher accuracy than the method without cropping. The 3D segmentation results were also obtained and visualized successfully.
Strategies for combating plant salinity stress: the potential of plant growth-promoting microorganisms
Authors: Acharya Biswa R. , Gill Satwinder Pal , Kaundal Amita , Sandhu Devinder
Published: July 2024

Global climate change and the decreasing availability of high-quality water lead to an increase in the salinization of agricultural lands. This rising salinity represents a significant abiotic stressor that detrimentally influences plant physiology and gene expression. Consequently, critical processes such as seed germination, growth, development, and yield are adversely affected. Salinity severely impacts crop yields, given that many crop plants are sensitive to salt stress. Plant growth-promoting microorganisms (PGPMs) in the rhizosphere or the rhizoplane of plants are considered the “second genome” of plants as they contribute significantly to improving the plant growth and fitness of plants under normal conditions and when plants are under stress such as salinity. PGPMs are crucial in assisting plants to navigate the harsh conditions imposed by salt stress. By enhancing water and nutrient absorption, which is often hampered by high salinity, these microorganisms significantly improve plant resilience. They bolster the plant’s defenses by increasing the production of osmoprotectants and antioxidants, mitigating salt-induced damage. Furthermore, PGPMs supply growth-promoting hormones like auxins and gibberellins and reduce levels of the stress hormone ethylene, fostering healthier plant growth. Importantly, they activate genes responsible for maintaining ion balance, a vital aspect of plant survival in saline environments. This review underscores the multifaceted roles of PGPMs in supporting plant life under salt stress, highlighting their value for agriculture in salt-affected areas and their potential impact on global food security.
The use of multilevel emotion regulation strategies in the context of critical public events: the more the better?
Authors: Zhu Leling , Yang Jiemin , Yuan Jiajin
Published: July 2024

Critical public events, like COVID-19, significantly impact individuals’ emotional and mental health. People tend to use multi-level emotion regulation strategies (intrapersonal, interpersonal and hyper-personal) to cope with these events, resulting in various strategy profiles. However, few studies have examined ER strategies from a multilevel perspective. Therefore, this study examines the use of multi-level strategies during COVID-19, and evaluates the effectiveness of these strategies, with a particular interest in identifying strategy profiles promoting mental health. We conducted a two-wave study (an interval of 1 week) using online questionnaires during COVID-19, with an initial sample of 1,189 participants and 895 samples completing the surveys across the two waves. Cross-lagged analysis indicated that experiential avoidance was reciprocally positively related to negative emotions while perspective-taking and humorous-meme-saving were reciprocally positively related to life satisfaction or positive emotions over time. Cluster analysis suggested that there were 9 different profiles which scored differently on mental health indicators. Specifically, the use of multi-level strategies tended to be associated with greater positive emotions and life satisfaction while with lower negative emotions and loneliness. This study revealed that the use of multi-level strategies plays a protective role in mental health when facing critical public events. These findings expanded our understanding of how multilevel emotion regulation strategies impact mental health during critical public events and identify protective profiles for mental health.
The intersection between menopause and depression: overview of research using animal models
Authors: Herrera-Pérez José Jaime , Hernández-Hernández Olivia Tania , Flores-Ramos Mónica , Cueto-Escobedo Jonathan , Rodríguez-Landa Juan Francisco , Martínez-Mota Lucía
Published: July 2024

Menopausal women may experience symptoms of depression, sometimes even progressing clinical depression requiring treatment to improve quality of life. While varying levels of estrogen in perimenopause may contribute to an increased biological vulnerability to mood disturbances, the effectiveness of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) in the relief of depressive symptoms remains controversial. Menopausal depression has a complex, multifactorial etiology, that has limited the identification of optimal treatment strategies for the management of this psychiatric complaint. Nevertheless, clinical evidence increasingly supports the notion that estrogen exerts neuroprotective effects on brain structures related to mood regulation. Indeed, research using preclinical animal models continues to improve our understanding of menopause and the effectiveness of ERT and other substances at treating depression-like behaviors. However, questions regarding the efficacy of ERT in perimenopause have been raised. These questions may be answered by further investigation using specific animal models of reduced ovarian function. This review compares and discusses the advantages and pitfalls of different models emulating the menopausal stages and their relationship with the onset of depressive-like signs, as well as the efficacy and mechanisms of conventional and novel ERTs in treating depressive-like behavior. Ovariectomized young rats, middle-to-old aged intact rats, and females treated with reprotoxics have all been used as models of menopause, with stages ranging from surgical menopause to perimenopause. Additionally, this manuscript discusses the impact of organistic and therapeutic variables that may improve or reduce the antidepressant response of females to ERT. Findings from these models have revealed the complexity of the dynamic changes occurring in brain function during menopausal transition, reinforcing the idea that the best approach is timely intervention considering the opportunity window, in addition to the careful selection of treatment according to the presence or absence of reproductive tissue. Additionally, data from animal models has yielded evidence to support new promising estrogens that could be considered as ERTs with antidepressant properties and actions in endocrine situations in which traditional ERTs are not effective.
How to treat major depressive disorder with shorter-duration hypomanic episodes? A case report
Authors: Yao Jiashu , Wang Shenpang , Li Yifei , Xu Jiating , Ye Ruihuan , Shen Yuedi , Chen Wei , Dai Ning
Published: July 2024

Here we report on a case of a 61-year-old female patient with 7-year history of major depressive disorder with shorter-duration hypomanic episodes who was prescribed with antidepressants which turned out to be ineffective. After a COVID-19 infection, the patient’s clinical presentation became sufficient for the diagnosis of bipolar disorder and she was consistently effective on a mood stabilizer and an atypical antipsychotic. The course of treatment in this case suggests bipolar disorder is not a binary disorder, but a continuous spectrum disorder. For patients suffering from major depressive disorder with shorter-duration hypomanic episodes, mood stabilizers and atypical antipsychotics are possibly more suitable than antidepressants.
16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and antimicrobial resistance profile of intensive care units environment in 41 Brazilian hospitals
Authors: de Bastiani Daniela Carolina , Silva Claudia Vallone , Christoff Ana Paula , Cruz Giuliano Netto Flores , Tavares Leonardo Daniel , de Araújo Luana Silva Rodrigues , Tomazini Bruno Martins , Arns Beatriz , Piastrelli Filipe Teixeira , Cavalcanti Alexandre Biasi , de Oliveira Luiz Felipe Valter , Pereira Adriano Jose
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Infections acquired during healthcare setting stay pose significant public health threats. These infections are known as Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI), mostly caused by pathogenic bacteria, which exhibit a wide range of antimicrobial resistance. Currently, there is no knowledge about the global cleaning process of hospitals and the bacterial diversity found in ICUs of Brazilian hospitals contributing to HAI.

Objective

Characterize the microbiome and common antimicrobial resistance genes present in high-touch Intensive Care Unit (ICU) surfaces, and to identify the potential contamination of the sanitizers/processes used to clean hospital surfaces.

Methods

In this national, multicenter, observational, and prospective cohort, bacterial profiles and several antimicrobial resistance genes from 41 hospitals across 16 Brazilian states were evaluated. Using high-throughput 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and real-time PCR, the bacterial abundance and resistance genes presence were analyzed in both ICU environments and cleaning products.

Results

We identified a wide diversity of microbial populations with a recurring presence of HAI-related bacteria among most of the hospitals. The median bacterial positivity rate in surface samples was high (88.24%), varying from 21.62 to 100% in different hospitals. Hospitals with the highest bacterial load in samples were also the ones with highest HAI-related abundances. Streptococcus spp., Corynebacterium spp., Staphylococcus spp., Bacillus spp., Acinetobacter spp., and bacteria from the Flavobacteriaceae family were the microorganisms most found across all hospitals. Despite each hospital particularities in bacterial composition, clustering profiles were found for surfaces and locations in the ICU. Antimicrobial resistance genes mecA, blaKPC-like, blaNDM-like, and blaOXA-23-like were the most frequently detected in surface samples. A wide variety of sanitizers were collected, with 19 different active principles in-use, and 21% of the solutions collected showed viable bacterial growth with antimicrobial resistance genes detected.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated a diverse and spread pattern of bacteria and antimicrobial resistance genes covering a large part of the national territory in ICU surface samples and in sanitizers solutions. This data should contribute to the adoption of surveillance programs to improve HAI control strategies and demonstrate that large-scale epidemiology studies must be performed to further understand the implications of bacterial contamination in hospital surfaces and sanitizer solutions.
Transcription factor network dynamics during the commitment to oncogene-induced senescence
Authors: Vasilopoulos Themistoklis , Martínez-Zamudio Ricardo Iván
Published: July 2024

Aberrant oncogenic signaling causes cells to transition into oncogene-induced senescence (OIS) to limit uncontrolled proliferation. Despite being a potent tumor suppressor mechanism, OIS is an unstable cell state susceptible to reprogramming that can promote tumorigenesis. Therefore, elucidating the underlying gene regulatory mechanisms that commit cells to OIS is critical to identifying actionable targets to modulate the senescence state. We previously showed that timely execution of the OIS program is governed by hierarchical transcription factor (TF) networks. However, the gene regulatory mechanisms that prime cells to commit to the OIS fate early upon oncogene hyperactivation are currently not known. Here, we leveraged our time-resolved multi-omic profiling approach to generate TF networks during the first 24 h of oncogenic HRASG12V activation. Using this approach, we demonstrate that the commitment to OIS requires the rearrangement of the TF network on a pre-established epigenomic landscape, priming the cells for the substantial chromatin remodeling that underpins the transition to OIS. Our results provide a detailed map of the chromatin landscape before cells transition to OIS thus offering a platform for manipulation of senescence outcomes of potentially therapeutic value.
Balancing water conservation and health: do water-saving showerheads impact the microbes we breathe in during showering?
Authors: Pitell Sarah , Woo Cheolwoon , Trump Evan , Haig Sarah-Jane
Published: July 2024

Low-flow showerheads offer consumers economic and water-saving benefits, yet their use may inadvertently affect the microbial content of produced water and water-associated aerosols. This study aimed to compare the abundance and microbial composition of bacteria in shower water and associated respirable aerosols produced by various low flow rate (1, 1.5, and 1.8 gpm) showerheads. Our findings indicate that the lowest-flow showerhead produces water with lower total microbial and opportunistic bacterial pathogen densities compared to higher low flow rate counterparts. However, microbiome analysis revealed that 1.8 gpm flow rate showerheads exhibit reduced abundance of Gram-negative organisms and common biofilm-forming organisms, suggesting potentially lower pathogenicity compared to 1 and 1.5 gpm low-flow showerheads. Additionally, the number of respirable aerosols produced by showerheads as well as the partitioning of certain microorganisms from the water to aerosol phases was negatively correlated with flow rate, suggesting that there may be increasing exposure potential to pathogenic bioaerosols when using a 1gpm showerhead compared to a 1.8 gpm showerhead. However, the 1.5 gpm showerhead seemed to balance microbial partitioning, aerosol generation, and water conservation. Moreover, the microbial composition of aerosols produced from shower water was more influenced by the age of the showerhead than the flow rate, highlighting the significance of biofilm formation on the microbial community. Overall, our findings underscore the importance of evaluating the microbial risk associated with low-flow showerheads using multiple metrics in both water and aerosols, and dynamically assessing this over time, to ensure accurate future risk assessment.
Distributed safe formation tracking control of multiquadcopter systems using barrier Lyapunov function
Authors: Sadeghzadeh-Nokhodberiz Nargess , Sadeghi Mohammad Reza , Barzamini Rohollah , Montazeri Allahyar
Published: July 2024

Coordinating the movements of a robotic fleet using consensus-based techniques is an important problem in achieving the desired goal of a specific task. Although most available techniques developed for consensus-based control ignore the collision of robots in the transient phase, they are either computationally expensive or cannot be applied in environments with dynamic obstacles. Therefore, we propose a new distributed collision-free formation tracking control scheme for multiquadcopter systems by exploiting the properties of the barrier Lyapunov function (BLF). Accordingly, the problem is formulated in a backstepping setting, and a distributed control law that guarantees collision-free formation tracking of the quads is derived. In other words, the problems of both tracking and interagent collision avoidance with a predefined accuracy are formulated using the proposed BLF for position subsystems, and the controllers are designed through augmentation of a quadratic Lyapunov function. Owing to the underactuated nature of the quadcopter system, virtual control inputs are considered for the translational (x and y axes) subsystems that are then used to generate the desired values for the roll and pitch angles for the attitude control subsystem. This provides a hierarchical controller structure for each quadcopter. The attitude controller is designed for each quadcopter locally by taking into account a predetermined error limit by another BLF. Finally, simulation results from the MATLAB-Simulink environment are provided to show the accuracy of the proposed method. A numerical comparison with an optimization-based technique is also provided to prove the superiority of the proposed method in terms of the computational cost, steady-state error, and response time.