bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Targeting TCMR-associated cytokine genes for drug screening identifies PPARγ agonists as novel immunomodulatory agents in transplantation
Authors: Hu Lu , Zhang Xiaohan , Zhang Weiqi , Jin Shuai , Zhao Jie , Zheng Jianming , Song Wenli , Shen Zhongyang
Published: January 2025

Objective

T cell-mediated rejection (TCMR) remains a significant challenge in organ transplantation. This study aimed to define a TCMR-associated cytokine gene set and identify drugs to prevent TCMR through drug repurposing.

Methods

Gene expression profiles from kidney, heart, and lung transplant biopsies were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between TCMR and non-TCMR groups were identified, and their intersection with cytokine-related genes yielded an 11-gene TCMR-associated cytokine gene set (TCMR-Cs). To evaluate the effectiveness of this gene set, a diagnostic predictive model was constructed using Lasso regression and multivariate logistic regression, with validation in independent datasets. Connectivity Map (CMap) analysis was employed to screen drugs targeting TCMR-Cs. Experimental validation of the identified drug was performed in vitro using T cell activation and Th1 differentiation assays, and in vivo in a mouse skin transplant model with survival analysis.

Results

The TCMR-Cs exhibited outstanding predictive performance for TCMR, achieving an AUC of 0.99 in the training cohorts and maintaining strong performance in the test cohorts. CMap analysis identified peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) agonists as potential therapeutic candidates. Experimental validation showed that the PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone significantly suppressed T cell activation and reduced Th1 differentiation in vitro without cytotoxic effects. The combination of rosiglitazone and rapamycin significantly prolonged graft survival.

Conclusions

This study defined a novel TCMR-associated cytokine gene set that effectively predicts TCMR and identified PPARγ agonists, which prevent TCMR and improve graft survival when combined with rapamycin.
Biogeochemical cycling of sedimentary organic carbon and benthic nutrient fluxes in the semi-enclosed Jinhae Bay, Korea: insights into benthic-pelagic coupling
Authors: An Sung-Uk , Kim Kyung-Tae , Kim Sung-Han , Baek Ju-Wook , Jeong Hyun-Jeong , Sun Chul-In , Choi Jin Young , Hong Sokjin , Lee Dae In , Lee Jae Seong
Published: January 2025

The mineralization of organic matter at the sediment plays a crucial role in ecosystem functioning by facilitating the biogeochemical cycling of carbon and nutrients. This process not only supports nutrient availability for primary production but also regulates the long-term storage of carbon within sediments. To understand the biogeochemical processes associated with organic matter mineralization and nutrient regeneration, we estimated total and diffusive sediment oxygen uptake rates, benthic nutrient fluxes, and organic carbon (OC) budgets at four sites in the semi-enclosed Jinhae Bay (JB). The total oxygen uptake (TOU) rates ranged from 38.4 to 49.6 mmol O2 m–2 d–1, and diffusive oxygen uptake (DOU) rates ranged from 12.3 ± 1.8 to 15.1 ± 1.4 mmol O2 m–2 d–1. The average ratio of TOU : DOU ranged from 3.12 to 3.28 over JB, which suggests significant benthic faunal activities in JB sediments. The vertical flux of organic carbon ranged from 45.5 ± 7.0 to 93.0 ± 25.3 mmol C m-2 d–1, and mainly consisted of biodeposits associated with aquaculture activities. The burial flux into the sediment ranged from 3.96 ± 1.00 to 7.17 ± 1.64 mmol C m–2 d–1, and burial efficiencies were 4.25 to 15.8%, which indicated that deposited organic carbon was either mineralized in surface sediment before burial or laterally transferred by resuspension. The benthic nutrient fluxes at four sites ranged from 1.50 to 2.07 mmol m–2 d–1 for nitrogen, from 0.02 to 0.05 mmol m–2 d–1 for phosphate, and from 6.72 to 9.11 mmol m–2 d–1 for silicate. The benthic nitrogen and phosphate fluxes accounted for 82.1 to 149% and 23.1 to 57.6%, respectively, of the required levels for primary production in the water column. Our results suggest that OC oxidation in the JB sediment may significantly contribute to the biogeochemical OC cycles and tight benthic–pelagic coupling associated with nutrient regeneration.
Design of circulating temperature control system for rubber and plastic industry based on mechatronics
Authors: Cao Hexun , Liu Weiming
Published: January 2025

Introduction

In the modern rubber and plastics industry, temperature control becomes a key factor affecting product quality and production efficiency. However, the existing temperature control system generally has the problem of temperature lag and high energy consumption. Aiming at the problem of poor control effect of current temperature control system, a new circulating temperature control system for plastic industry was proposed in this study.

Methods

Firstly, fuzzy neural network and improved particle swarm optimization algorithm were introduced in this study, and then the hybrid algorithm was combined with mechatronics technology to design and implement a set of rubber and plastic industry cycle temperature control system.

Results

According to the test data, the improved algorithm performed well in both scenarios. Compared with the comparison algorithm, the improved algorithm has the following parameters: tuning time (scenario 1:513s, scenario 2:521s), overshoot (scenario 1:2.5%, scenario 2:2.3%), steady-state error (scenario 1:005, scenario 2:004) and absolute integral error (scenario 1:008, scenario 2: 0.007) has been significantly optimized. Simulation analysis shows that the proposed temperature control system has stronger anti-interference ability and lower energy consumption (0.6 hour energy consumption: 1086.5J, energy saving rate: 38.7%).

Discussion

The results show that the cyclic temperature control system of rubber and plastics industry is superior to the comparison system in terms of temperature control performance, anti-interference ability and energy consumption. The research not only improves the accuracy and efficiency of temperature control systems in the rubber and plastics industry, but also promotes the promotion of green and sustainable production methods. This is essential to promote the high-quality development of the plastics and rubber industry.
Ten-year outcomes of repeat keratoplasty for optical indications
Authors: Dimacali Victoria Grace , Ong Hon Shing , Lang Stephanie Shuang , Htoon Hla Myint , Cajucom-Uy Howard , Chai Hui Chen Charmaine , Ang Marcus , Arundhati Anshu , Mehta Jodhbir S.
Published: January 2025

Aim

To analyze the clinical outcomes of repeat keratoplasties following a failed primary optical keratoplasty in an Asian population.

Methods

In this prospective cohort study, clinical data of consecutive patients who had repeat keratoplasty at Singapore National Eye Centre from 2007 to 2020 were recorded from our ongoing Singapore Corneal Transplant Registry.

Results

A total of 284 first regrafts (181 Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (EK), 63 penetrating keratoplasty (PK), 21 Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty, and 19 deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK)) were analyzed. Graft rejection (38.4%) and late endothelial failure (15.8%) were the main causes of initial graft failure. PK/EK and EK/EK had better one-year postoperative best corrected visual acuity compared to PK/PK (p = 0.006 and p < 0.001 respectively). Kaplan–Meier 10-year cumulative regraft survival probabilities were 69.2% for PK/EK, 52.8% for EK/EK, and 43.1% for PK/PK. Regraft survival was 100% for DALK/PK, DALK/DALK, and DALK/EK at three to 5 years. Log-rank test showed higher survival of PK/EK compared to PK/PK (p = 0.002) and EK/PK (p = 0.009), and of EK/EK compared to PK/PK (p = 0.003) and EK/PK (p = 0.005). High-risk regrafts had significantly lower 10-year survival probabilities compared to non-high-risk regrafts (p = 0.045). Cox multiple regression analysis showed male gender (p = 0.023), PK regraft (p = 0.003), regraft rejection (p = 0.003), and initial graft indications of pseudophakic bullous keratopathy (p = 0.005) and aphakic bullous keratopathy (p = 0.004) to be risk factors for regraft failure, while longer time to regraft was associated with decreased risk of failure (p = 0.013).

Conclusion

Performing EK for failed optical PK or EK significantly improved regraft survival compared to repeat PK. Regrafts performed for failed initial DALK grafts did well regardless of type.
A case report of acute promyelocytic leukemia with myeloid sarcoma of the lumbar spine and literature review
Authors: Du Yiwen , Yang Kun , Ling Yantao , Zhang Ying , Gong Yuping
Published: January 2025

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) presenting solely as myeloid sarcoma (MS) is extremely rare. This report describes a 53-year-old male who presented with low back pain and a movement disorder in his lower limbs. MRI and PET/CT scans of the lumbar spine revealed an intraspinal mass. Pathological analysis of the surgically resected mass identified it as myeloid in origin. Routine blood tests were unremarkable, and bone marrow smears and immunophenotyping showed no evidence of abnormal myeloblasts or promyelocytes. However, bone marrow aspirates testing for acute leukemia fusion genes by qPCR revealed the presence of the PML::RARA fusion. Further investigation via FISH confirmed the fusion in both the bone marrow and the extramedullary mass. The patient was ultimately diagnosed with isolated promyelocytic extramedullary sarcoma (MS/APL). Treatment with all-trans retinoic acid and arsenic trioxide alleviated the back pain and restored the patient’s mobility. After 1 year of consolidation therapy, bone marrow smears confirmed sustained remission, and the PML::RARA fusion gene was undetectable. In addition to this case, we review 41 other APL patients with extramedullary sarcoma as their first symptom (MS/APL) at the time of diagnosis and provide an analysis of these cases.
Association between SPISE and NAFLD in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Zhao Hongyan , Ji Baolan , Wang Xin , Shi Shuwei , Sheng Jie , Ma Xuan , Ban Bo , Gao Guanqi
Published: January 2025

Aims

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is closely related to type 2 diabetes (T2D), with reduced insulin sensitivity being a key factor in their disrupted metabolic processes. The single point insulin sensitivity estimator (SPISE) is a novel index. This study aims to explore the association between SPISE and NAFLD in T2D population.

Methods

This study included a total of 2,459 patients with T2D. SPISE was calculated based on high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c), triglycerides (TG), and body mass index (BMI). Participants were categorized into NAFLD and non-NAFLD groups based on the results of ultrasonographic diagnosis. The relationship between SPISE and NAFLD was analyzed separately for each gender.

Results

The overall prevalence of NAFLD is 38.5%. In females and males, the SPISE was significantly reduced in the NAFLD group compared to the non-NAFLD group (both P < 0.05). The prevalence of NAFLD showed a significant reduction across quartiles of the SPISE in both genders (both P < 0.05).

Additionally, univariate correlation analysis showed a negative correlation between SPISE and NAFLD (both P < 0.05). In multivariate regression analysis, a reduced SPISE was identified as an independent risk factor for NAFLD (odds ratios of 0.572 and 0.737, 95% CI of 0.477–0.687 and 0.587–0.926, respectively).

Moreover, the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for SPISE was 0.209 in females and 0.268 in males (95% CI of 0.175–0.244 and 0.216–0.320, respectively). These results are more meaningful than those of other variables.

Conclusion

SPISE is significantly reduced in NAFLD patients with T2D. Compared to other indicators, SPISE demonstrates superior predictive value in diagnosing NAFLD, and it is independent of gender.
Effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation on length of stay for patients after undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Xiao YaDan , Yang Fei , Zhou JunLiang , Huang YuanLing , Xiao YaXin
Published: January 2025

Objective

This study aimed to examine the effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on the length of stay (LOS) of patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted by searching databases, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, China Network Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang Database for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published up to August 24, 2024. Statistical analyses were performed using the Cochrane Collaboration Review Manager (RevMan 5.4). The quality of the RCTs was assessed using the Cochrane Systematic Review Handbook 5.1 and its recommended risk-of-bias assessment tool. Two independent investigators screened and extracted the data and performed statistical analysis.

Results

Seven RCTs were included in the analysis. The findings indicated that TEAS significantly reduced the LOS of patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer (mean difference = −1.36, 95% confidence interval = −1.95 to −0.78, p < 0.00001). Subgroup analyses of outcome measures, intervention methods, and intervention time points demonstrate the significant effect of TEAS on reducing LOS.

Conclusion

TEAS effectively shortens the LOS of patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer. Future studies should focus on refining TEAS protocols and exploring their effects on other aspects of postoperative recovery to fully establish their roles in perioperative management.
Global research trends in necrotizing pancreatitis: a bibliometric analysis from 2013 to 2024
Authors: Gainollina Gulnur G. , Jakanov Murat K. , Zhakiev Bazylbek S. , Karsakbayev Uteugaly G. , Taishibayev Kairat R. , Kurmanbayev Bulat A.
Published: January 2025

Background

This study aims to analyzing scientific publications related to necrotizing pancreatitis and its mortality, identifying key areas and trends, and determining the leading research institutions, authors, countries, and journals actively working in this field.

Methods

The Web of Science and Scopus databases were searched for articles on NP published between January 1, 2013, and April 22, 2024. Articles published before 2013, conference abstracts, and case reports were excluded. The articles were assessed based on various metrics, including the number of citations, publication dates, countries of origin, institutions, journals, and authors.

Results

A total of 929 articles were identified, of which 251 were deemed suitable for analysis after duplicates were removed. China contributed the most articles, followed by the United States and India. The most frequent publications appeared in specialized journals such as “Pancreatology” and “Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery.” The primary research institutions were universities and medical centers. The highest-impact articles focused on minimally invasive treatment methods for NP. There has been a growing body of research in NP over the past decade, particularly in China and the United States.

Conclusion

Despite advancements in medical science, the mortality rate associated with pancreatic necrosis remains high. This highlights the continued challenge in effectively addressing complications of acute pancreatitis. Researchers worldwide are actively exploring alternative therapeutic approaches to mitigate these complications and improve patient outcomes.
Differential effects of clary sage (Salvia sclarea L.) oil and linalyl acetate on depression levels in diabetic foot ulcer patients with T2DM: a randomized blinded controlled trial
Authors: Son Ji Won , Kang Purum , Min Sun Seek , Seol Geun Hee
Published: January 2025

Background

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a significant global health concern due to its substantial burden on individuals and healthcare systems. In addition to its physical impact, DFU has emotional effects on patients. This study analyzed the effects of inhaling clary sage (CS; Salvia sclarea L.) or linalyl acetate (LA) on depression and psychological factors in patients with DFU.

Methods

This study, performed at the Diabetic Wound Center, enrolled DFU patients, categorized as having mild or moderate to severe depression based on visual analog scale (VAS) for depression scores. Patients were randomized to inhalation of 5% CS oil, 5% LA or almond oil (control) by natural breathing. Blood pressure, heart rate, Depression-VAS, Anxiety-VAS, and Stress-VAS were measured before and after inhalation.

Results

This study enrolled 72 patients with DFU, including 43 with mild and 29 with moderate to severe depression. Of the 43 patients with mild depression, 14, 14, and 15 were randomized to inhalation of CS, LA, and almond oil, respectively. Of the 29 patients with moderate to severe depression, 9, 11, and 9 were randomized to inhalation of CS, LA, and almond oil, respectively. Compared with inhalation of almond oil, inhalation of CS oil significantly reduced stress (p < 0.05) and (p < 0.01) in patients with mild depression, whereas inhalation of LA significantly reduced anxiety-VAS (p < 0.05) and depression-VAS (p < 0.05) in patients with moderate to severe depression.

Conclusion

Inhalation of CS oil may have the potential to alleviate stress and anxiety in DFU patients with mild depression, whereas inhalation of LA may have the potential to alleviate anxiety and depression in DFU patients with moderate to severe depression. These findings suggest that adjunct therapy in DFU patients should be individualized according to the degree of depression.

Clinical trial registration

http://cris.nih.go.kr/, identifier KCT0009722.
Intrauterine death from placental abruption: influence of labor duration and mode of delivery on maternal outcomes
Authors: Van Hees Louis , Danger Robin , Turbelin Caroline
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Intrauterine fetal death (IUFD) caused by retroplacental hematoma (RPH) can lead to serious maternal complications including coagulopathies and hemorrhage. A prolonged diagnostic-to-expulsion delay may increase coagulation risks. Vaginal delivery (VD) prolongs this delay, while cesarean delivery poses higher hemorrhagic risks. This study aimed to assess the relationship between expulsion delay and complications, identify a time threshold for increased risks, and evaluate VD feasibility.

Material and methods

We conducted a retrospective single-center study at the University Hospital of Martinique, including all patients presenting with RPH and IUFD between January 2003 and December 2022. Complications were defined by a composite criterion, including the need for blood transfusion, severe anemia or admission to an intensive care unit.

Results

VD was attempted in 26 of the 27 patients included and successfully achieved in 85% of the cases. All cesarean deliveries resulted in complications (p = 0.12), with 50% experiencing severe hemorrhage, compared to 21.7% of VD cases (p = 0.23). No statistically significant association was found between the expulsion delay and the occurrence of complications (p = 0.20). A low fibrinogen level upon admission was associated with an increased risk of severe hemorrhage (p = 0.01) and complications (p = 0.01).

Conclusion

In this study, no evidence was found to suggest an association between the diagnostic-to-expulsion interval and maternal complications. Low fibrinogen levels at admission appear to be a prognostic factor for severe hemorrhage and could have therapeutic implications. Vaginal delivery remains feasible even in the presence of coagulopathies at admission.
Genome analysis of Bifidobacterium adolescentis and investigation of its effects on inflammation and intestinal barrier function
Authors: Li Bo , Wang Haoyu , Wang Mengmeng , Liang Hewei , Hu Tongyuan , Yang Jinlong , Li Shangyong , You Xinbi , Xia Binbin , Yuan Yue , Zou Yuanqiang , Miao Yinglei , Sun Yang
Published: January 2025

Numerous studies have confirmed that gut microbiota is a key driver in the occurrence and progression of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Based on the bacterial collection constructed in our previous studies, we founded that Bifidobacterium adolescentis AF91-08b2A has the potential beneficial function. We designed cohort studies, genomic studies and animal experiments to further explore the probiotic function of Bifidobacterium adolescentis AF91-08b2A and its therapeutic effect on IBD. The depletion of B. adolescentis in individuals with IBD suggested its significance for intestinal health. Genomic analysis highlighted the probiotic attributes of B. adolescentis AF91-08b2A, including resistance to antibiotics and stress, and metabolic pathways related to energy and carbohydrate metabolism, which are likely to enhance its therapeutic efficacy. In DSS-induced mice colitis model, the strain significantly enhanced the disease activity index (DAI), curbed weight loss, and attenuated colonic damage. It effectively modulated the immune response by reducing the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, IL-1β, IL-17A, IFN-γ, and TNF-α, while promoting the secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokines like IL-4, IL-10, and TGF-β1. The restoration of tight junction proteins ZO-1, occludin, and claudin-2 by B. adolescentis AF91-08b2A demonstrated its capacity to safeguard the intestinal epithelial barrier. Collectively, our findings indicate B. adolescentis AF91-08b2A as a valuable therapeutic option for UC, with its multifaceted approach to reducing inflammation and fortifying the intestinal barrier.
Community structure and diversity of myxobacteria in soils from Inner Mongolia, China
Authors: Wu Zhihua , Li Songyuan , Wang Xuehan , Liu Huirong
Published: January 2025

Myxobacteria are a special kind of Gram-negative bacteria that can slide and produce a variety of bioactive substances against bacteria, fungi, and viruses. It has great development and research value in medicine and agriculture. Although myxobacteria have become a research hotspot at home and abroad, there are few systematic studies on the relationship between its diversity, geographical location, and environment factors. In order to solve these problems, 133 soil samples were collected from the east to the west of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and divided into five groups. The water content, pH, organic matter, available phosphorus, hydrolytic nitrogen, and available potassium content of soil samples were determined by national standards and other methods. The quantitative assessment of the abundance of myxobacteria in the soil sample was performed by quantitative real-time PCR. The composition of myxobacteria in the soil was determined by 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing technology to analyze the differences in the community structure of myxobacteria among different groups, explore the relationship between the diversity of myxobacteria resources and the distribution and physical and chemical properties of the soil, and predict and analyze its community function. The results showed that there were abundant myxobacteria resources in the soils of Inner Mongolia, and the average relative abundance of myxobacteria in the soil samples from the central part of Inner Mongolia was higher than that in the eastern and western parts, but the richness and diversity of samples from the central to eastern regions were significantly higher than those from the western regions. The myxobacteria resources in the whole region included 10 families and 22 genera, among which the dominant genera were Labilitrix, Sandaracinus, Archangium, and Haliangium. The analysis of the species composition of myxobacteria among different groups found that the distribution of soil and soil type had an impact on the species composition of the samples. The species with significant differences in relative abundance among the five groups of samples were Labilitrix, Archangium, Sandaracinus, Minicystis, Polyangium, and Myxococcus. In addition, the latitude and longitude of the sampling point and the soil pH, water content, available phosphorus content and organic matter content had a greater impact on the myxobacteria community structure of samples, while the altitude of the soil sample and the contents of available potassium and alkaline nitrogen had a relatively small impact. Our data suggest that the distribution, type and nutrient composition of soil samples have an impact on the relative abundance and species composition of myxobacteria community. The completion of this work can provide basic data for the in-depth study of myxobacteria in the soil.
Metagenomic investigation of viruses in green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas)
Authors: Li Hongwei , Chen Yuan , Xia Zhongrong , Zhuang Daohua , Cong Feng , Lian Yue-Xiao
Published: January 2025

Green sea turtles are listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species. Thus, conservation efforts, including investigation of factors affecting the health of green sea turtles, are critical. Viral communities play vital roles in maintaining animal health. In the present study, shotgun metagenomics was used for the first time to survey viruses in the feces of green sea turtles. Most viral contigs were DNA viruses that mainly belonged to Caudoviricetes, followed by Crassvirales. Additionally, most of the viral contigs were not assigned to any known family or genus, implying a large knowledge gap in the taxonomy of green sea turtle gut viruses. Host prediction showed that most viruses were connected to two phyla: Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes. Furthermore, KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the viral genes were mainly involved in phage-associated and metabolic pathways. Phylogenetic tree reconstruction of Caudovirales terminase large-subunit (TerL) protein showed that most of the sequences were phylogenetically distant. This study expands our understanding of the viral diversity in green sea turtles. In particular, analysis of the virome RNA fraction is exceedingly important for investigating intestinal viromes; therefore, future studies could use metatranscriptomics to study RNA viruses.
Tablet-based self assessment memory scale-revised (SAMS-R) evaluates memory functions for older adults
Authors: Kowa Hisatomo , Kumagai Ryoko , Oki Yutaro , Imamura Miki , Suzuki Yuka
Published: January 2025

Background

The demand for more accurate and early diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients due to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has increased after disease-modifying drugs were launched. Among these needs, there is a requirement for tools that can easily assess the ability to recall memories, which changes early in the disease.

Objectives

We established Self Assessment Memory Scale (SAMS) method before, which includes 8-picture recall test and 16-word recognition test. We adopted this method to software that can be operated on a tablet computer so that participants can perform the method independently. The purpose of this study was to validate this method.

Design

Cross sectional research.

Setting

Some of the participants were recruited from hospitals for patients diagnosed with AD or MCI. The others were recruited from three regional cohorts of healthy older adults.

Participants

The total number of participants was 304 (20 of whom had AD or MCI), and the mean age was 71.2 years. 64% of the participants were women.

Measurements

We used the logical memory subtest of the WMS-R as the standard for memory evaluation and assessed the relationship between this score and the SAMS score calculated by the software.

Results

The 2nd SAMS score were higher than the 1st SAMS score in some participants, on the other hand, the intraclass correlation coefficient was good. Since the number of false recognition in the 16-word recognition test was higher in participants with lower LM II scores, we developed a new score to reflect the ratio of false recognition, SAMS-R, and we observed it has good correlation with LM II. The mean SAMS-R score decreased gradually after the age of 65 years, indicating that age-related changes in memory recall can be detected. The ROC curve analysis was conducted to evaluate the detectability to determine whether if the WMS-R LM II score is above or below 10, showing that the AUC was greater than 0.9.

Conclusion

SAMS-R, which can be performed on a tablet literally by himself/herself independently, shows a high correlation with the WMS-R Logical Memory II score, and has the advantage of being performed in a short time without the need for a clinical psychologist or other personnel.
Electrical stimulation of the sciatic nerve restores inspiratory diaphragm function in mice after spinal cord injury
Authors: Walling Ian , Baumgartner Sarah , Patel Mitesh , Crone Steven A.
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Spinal cord injury in the high cervical cord can impair breathing due to disruption of pathways between brainstem respiratory centers and respiratory motor neurons in the spinal cord. Electrical stimulation of limb afferents can increase ventilation in healthy humans and animals, but it is not known if limb afferent stimulation can improve breathing following a cervical injury.

Methods

We stimulated the sciatic nerve while using electromyography to measure diaphragm function in anesthetized mice following a cervical (C2) hemisection spinal cord injury, as well as in uninjured controls. The amplitude and frequency of inspiratory bursts was analyzed over a range of stimulation thresholds.

Results

We show that electrical stimulation (at sufficient current thresholds) of either the left or right sciatic nerve could restore inspiratory activity to the previously paralyzed diaphragm ipsilateral to a C2 hemisection injury at either acute (1 day) or chronic (2 months) stages after injury. We also show that sciatic nerve stimulation can increase the frequency and amplitude of diaphragm inspiratory bursts in uninjured mice.

Discussion

Our findings indicate that therapies targeting limb afferents could potentially be used to improve breathing in patients with cervical spinal cord injury and provide an experimental model to further investigate the neural pathways by which limb afferents can increase respiratory muscle activity.
Automated karyogram analysis for early detection of genetic and neurodegenerative disorders: a hybrid machine learning approach
Authors: Tabassum Sumaira , Khan M. Jawad , Iqbal Javaid , Waris Asim , Ijaz M. Adeel
Published: January 2025

Anomalous chromosomes are the cause of genetic diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, epilepsy, and autism. Karyotype analysis is the standard procedure for diagnosing genetic disorders. Identifying anomalies is often costly, time-consuming, heavily reliant on expert interpretation, and requires considerable manual effort. Efforts are being made to automate karyogram analysis. However, the unavailability of large datasets, particularly those including samples with chromosomal abnormalities, presents a significant challenge. The development of automated models requires extensive labeled and incredibly abnormal data to accurately identify and analyze abnormalities, which are difficult to obtain in sufficient quantities. Although the deep learning-based architecture has yielded state-of-the-art performance in medical image anomaly detection, it cannot be generalized well because of the lack of anomalous datasets. This study introduces a novel hybrid approach that combines unsupervised and supervised learning techniques to overcome the challenges of limited labeled data and scalability in chromosomal analysis. An Autoencoder-based system is initially trained with unlabeled data to identify chromosome patterns. It is fine-tuned on labeled data, followed by a classification step using a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN). A unique dataset of 234,259 chromosome images, including the training, validation, and test sets, was used. Marking a significant achievement in the scale of chromosomal analysis. The proposed hybrid system accurately detects structural anomalies in individual chromosome images, achieving 99.3% accuracy in classifying normal and abnormal chromosomes. We also used a structural similarity index measure and template matching to identify the part of the abnormal chromosome that differed from the normal one. This automated model has the potential to significantly contribute to the early detection and diagnosis of chromosome-related disorders that affect both genetic health and neurological behavior.
Evolution in optical molecular imaging techniques guided nerve imaging from 2009 to 2023: a bibliometric and visualization analysis
Authors: Liang Wenkai , Liu Yan , Jia Erlong , Yang Xiaofeng , Han Shufeng , Wei Jinzheng , Zhao Wei
Published: January 2025

Background

Recent years, the use of optical molecular imaging (OMI) techniques guided nerve imaging has made significant progress. However, a comprehensive bibliometric analysis in this field is currently lacking. In this study, we aim to shed light on the current status, identify the emerging hot topics, and provide valuable insights for researchers within this field.

Methods

In this study, we collected 414 research via the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) from 2009 to 2023. CiteSpace, VOSviewer and R package “bibliometrix” were used for analysis of countries, institutions, journals, etc., to evaluate the trends.

Results

The amounts of publications in relation to OMI guided nerve imaging has been increasing. United States and China contributed to over 60% of the publications. The Shanghai Jiao Tong University contributed the highest number of publications. Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science is considered the most prestigious and prolific journal in the field. It is also widely regarded as the most cited journal. Among the top 10 authors in terms of output, Hehir CAT has the highest number of citations. The “neurosciences neurology,” “science technology other topics,” and “ophthalmology” are representative research areas. The main cluster of keywords in this field includes “axonal regeneration,” “mouse,” and “optical coherence tomography.”

Conclusion

This bibliometric investigation offers a comprehensive portrayal of the structure of knowledge and the progression patterns, presents an all-encompassing synthesis of findings, discerns and illustrates the forefront within OMI guided nerve imaging for the first time. It will provide a valuable reference for relevant scholars.
Identification and verification of autophagy-related gene signatures and their association with immune infiltration and drug responsiveness in epilepsy
Authors: He Han-han , Zhang Xiao-ge , Chen Fen-fang
Published: January 2025

Background

Epilepsy, a common neurological disorder, is characterized by susceptibility to recurrent seizures. Increasing evidence suggests that autophagy plays a crucial role in the initiation and progression of epilepsy. However, the precise mechanisms by which autophagy deficiencies involved in epileptogenesis are still not fully understood.

Methods

Two datasets of epilepsy (GSE143272 and GSE256068) were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differential expression genes (DEGs) analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) were employed to screen for autophagy related differential expression genes (ARDEGs) in GSE143272 database. Subsequently, protein–protein interaction, transcription factors and miRNAs networks were constructed. Additionally, the functional enrichment analysis of Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were applied. The hub ARDEGs were identified through CytoHubba, followed by the LASSO analysis. The Immune Cell Abundance Identifier (ImmuCellAI) was used to estimate peripheral immune cells abundance of epilepsy. Furthermore, the expression level of hub ARDEGs were detected in patients treated with different epilepsy monotherapies to explore the role of autophagy in the responsiveness of antiepileptic drug therapy. Finally, the expression level of hub ARDEGs were further validated in hippocampus of GSE256068 to enhance the reliability of the results.

Results

Twenty ARDEGs in epilepsy were screened out by integrating DEGs and WGCNA analysis. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the ARDEGs in epilepsy were not only involved in the autophagy, but also apoptosis, the NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, the neurotrophin signaling pathway, etc. Four hub ARDEGs (PIK3R1, TRIM21, TRIM22, and ITPR3) were screened through integrating CytoHubba plug and LASSO analysis. The immune infiltration analysis showed that there was a significantly increased abundance of macrophages and a decreased abundance of CD4 and CD8 T cells, including Tr1, nTreg, Tfh, CD8 naïve, cytotoxic T cells and effector memory T cells in the epilepsy group. Furthermore, the hub ARDEGs were significantly correlated with the abundance of differential immune cells. In expression level validation and anti-epileptic drug responsiveness analysis, PIK3R1 and ITPR3 had significant differences in the hippocampus of patients with epilepsy. PIK3R1 expression level was found to be related with carbamazepine resistance.

Conclusion

This study elucidated the autophagy-related gene signatures in epilepsy and clarified their association with immune infiltration and anti-epileptic drug responsiveness, providing a novel target for future therapeutic interventions and disease markers in epilepsy.
The vagal rhizopathies
Authors: Honey Christopher R.
Published: January 2025

Neurovascular compression of the tenth cranial nerve, the vagus nerve, can cause recognizable and neurosurgically treatable clinical conditions. This chapter will outline the clinical characteristics unique to vagus nerve compression and highlight both the definitive diagnostic protocol and neurosurgical treatment of these conditions. The vagus nerve has motor, sensory and autonomic components. Neurovascular compression of the motor component can cause hemi-laryngopharyngeal spasm (HELPS syndrome). Compression of the sensory component will cause a neurogenic cough called VANCOUVER syndrome – an acronym for Vagus Associated Neurogenic Cough Occurring due to Unilateral Vascular Compression of its Root. Both are caused by direct compression of the root of the tenth cranial nerve at the brainstem by a blood vessel and can be cured by microvascular decompression (MVD). Since the symptoms of choking and cough are common and blood vessels are often abutting the vagus nerve at the brainstem, it is vitally important to understand the definitive diagnostic protocol to avoid operating on false positives. Since the vagus nerve is far more susceptible to dysfunction during surgery than either the trigeminal or facial nerves, it is also important to understand the surgical nuances of this procedure.
Taichi on the brain: an activation likelihood estimated meta-analysis of functional neuroimaging data
Authors: Wang Shengxin , Liu Tianyu , Du Jingtao , Chen Jun , Luo Xiufen , Meng Yujie , Zeng Chun , Zhang Xupeng , Shao Binghua
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) is an exercise regimen renowned for its comprehensive benefits to both physical and mental health. The present research endeavor aims to elucidate the neurocognitive impacts of TCC compared to alternative exercise modalities or therapeutic interventions.

Methods

A systematic meta-analysis was undertaken, encompassing a rigorous review of diverse datasets, wherein 422 scholarly articles were examined, with a subset of 18 articles meeting the stringent criteria for inclusion in the analytical framework.

Results

The study cohort comprised 677 participants, characterized by a mean age of 56.52 ± 14.89 years and an average educational attainment of 11.06 ± 3.32 years. Noteworthy alterations in functional neural activity were identified within the superior frontal gyrus.

Discussion

This comprehensive analysis provides significant insights into the enduring neural modifications and the distinctive contributions of TCC to cognitive health. Nevertheless, it is imperative to acknowledge the potential for bias in smaller functional magnetic resonance imaging studies owing to their inconclusive outcomes. This observation underscores the critical need for collaborative, multicenter research initiatives with expanded sample sizes to enhance the robustness and generalizability of future findings.
Resting-state BOLD temporal variability of the default mode network predicts spontaneous mind wandering, which is negatively associated with mindfulness skills
Authors: Sorella Sara , Crescentini Cristiano , Matiz Alessio , Chang Minah , Grecucci Alessandro
Published: January 2025

Mind wandering (MW) encompasses both a deliberate and a spontaneous disengagement of attention from the immediate external environment to unrelated internal thoughts. Importantly, MW has been suggested to have an inverse relationship with mindfulness, a state of nonjudgmental awareness of present-moment experience. Although they are, respectively, associated with increased and decreased activity in the default mode network (DMN), the specific contributions of deliberate and spontaneous MW, and their relationships with mindfulness abilities and resting-state macro networks remain to be elucidated. Therefore, resting-state MRI scans from 76 participants were analyzed with group independent component analysis to decompose brain networks into independent macro-networks and to see which of them predicted specific aspects of spontaneous and deliberate MW or mindfulness traits. Our results show that temporal variability of the resting-state DMN predicts spontaneous MW, which in turn is negatively associated with the acting with awareness facet of mindfulness. This finding shows that the DMN is not directly associated with overall mindfulness, but rather demonstrates that there exists a close relationship between DMN and MW, and furthermore, that the involvement of mindfulness abilities in this dynamic may be secondary. In sum, our study contributes to a better understanding of the neural bases of spontaneous MW and its relationship with mindfulness. These results open up the possibility of intervening on specific aspects of our cognitive abilities: for example, our data suggest that training the mindfulness facet acting with awareness would allow lessening our tendency for MW at inopportune times.
Factors influencing waist circumference among urban bank employees in Northeast Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Yimer Woynshet , Asmare Lakew , Gebeyehu Fikre Bayu , Alemu Tihtna , Mehamed Anisa , Yeshanew Ayele Fanos
Published: January 2025

Introduction

A widely recognized public health issue affecting people worldwide is central obesity. Numerous chronic conditions, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, and malignancies are linked to this syndrome. There is limited information about waist circumference (WC) and its related variables among urban bank workers in Ethiopia. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate waist circumference and the factors associated with it among bank workers in Northeast Ethiopia.

Methods

An institution-based cross-sectional study was carried out in Dessie, Northeast Ethiopia, between 2 October 2023 and 24 October 2023. A random selection method was employed to select 363 bank workers. STATA version 17 was used for analysis after the data were imported into EpiData version 4.4.2.0. Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyzes were performed to identify factors related to waist circumference. Normality, homoscedasticity, significant outliers, and multicollinearity were assessed, and a p-value of less than 0.05, along with a 95% confidence interval, was considered statistically significant.

Results

A total of 345 participants were included in the final analysis, with a 95% response rate. The overall mean ± standard deviation (SD) of the waist circumference of the employees was 81.7 ± 6.8 cm, with 82.4 ± 6.5 cm for men and 80.7 ± 7.2 cm for women. The overall prevalence of central obesity was 57.7%, with 48.2% for the men and 70.3% for the women. The overall mean ± SD of the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) was 0.90 ± 0.05, with 0.91 ± 0.04 for men and 0.89 ± 0.05 for women. The average waist circumference was significantly associated with the participants’ age (0.2 cm per year (SE: 0.1)) and MET hours (0.2 cm (SE: 0.1)). The mean waist circumference was 2.7 cm (SE:0.8) higher in the married women, 4.6 cm (SE:1.9) higher in the participants with non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and 1.7 cm (SE:0.8) higher in the participants who consumed discretionary calories for 4 days/week.

Conclusion

The mean waist circumference among bank employees was higher, with more than half of the participants having central obesity. Age, marital status, discretionary calorie intake, non-communicable diseases, and metabolic equivalence task hours were the significant factors of waist circumference. Therefore, promoting activities aimed at preventing non-communicable diseases, such as leisure-time physical activity, and reducing discretionary calorie intake are essential for reducing high waist circumference measurements.
Different frequencies to estimate bone mineral content from raw bioelectrical impedance data in adolescent soccer players: a critical analysis
Authors: Cattem Marcus Vinicius de Oliveira , Koury Josely Correa
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Skeletal muscle mass, body cell mass, total body water (TBW), and bone mineral mass (BMC) are components of fat-free mass (FFM), which conducts electrical energy due to its high water and electrolyte content. Multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (MF-BIA) has been used to predict FFM, and studies have explored its application for quantifying BMC, a subset of FFM. However, the accuracy of the BMC predicted using MF-BIA depends on the methodological rigor of the frequency selection. This study examined the relationships between BMC and raw MF-BIA data at different frequencies.

Methods

The MF-BIA (SECA 515®) device obtained raw bioelectrical data at 5, 50, and 500 kHz. BMC was quantified using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Multiple linear regression models and bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) were applied to evaluate whole-body and segmental BMC relationships.

Results

Male adolescent soccer players (n = 149; 15.6 ± 0.6 years) participated in this study. Whole-body BMC (R2 = 0.522), and upper and lower limb BMC (R2 = 0.349) were best predicted at 5 kHz, while trunk BMC (R2 = 0.301) was best predicted at 50 kHz. BIVA revealed a leftward vector shift in participants with higher BMC quartiles. The calculated phase angle (PhA) was significantly higher in the highest BMC quartile for 5, 50, and 500 kHz in both upper and lower limbs (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

These findings indicate that MF-BIA could be a supplementary tool for studying BMC in adolescent athletes. However, its utility is constrained by prediction and interpretation errors, emphasizing the importance of careful frequency selection.