bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Automatic segmentation of white matter hyperintensities and correlation analysis for cerebral small vessel disease
Authors: Xu Bin , Zhang Xiaofeng , Tian Congyu , Yan Wei , Wang Yuanqing , Zhang Doudou , Liao Xiangyun , Cai Xiaodong 
Published: July 2023

ObjectiveCerebral white matter hyperintensity can lead to cerebral small vessel disease, MRI images in the brain are used to assess the degree of pathological changes in white matter regions. In this paper, we propose a framework for automatic 3D segmentation of brain white matter hyperintensity based on MRI images to address the problems of low accuracy and segmentation inhomogeneity in 3D segmentation. We explored correlation analyses of cognitive assessment parameters and multiple comparison analyses to investigate differences in brain white matter hyperintensity volume among three cognitive states, Dementia, MCI and NCI. The study explored the correlation between cognitive assessment coefficients and brain white matter hyperintensity volume.MethodsThis paper proposes an automatic 3D segmentation framework for white matter hyperintensity using a deep multi-mapping encoder-decoder structure. The method introduces a 3D residual mapping structure for the encoder and decoder. Multi-layer Cross-connected Residual Mapping Module (MCRCM) is proposed in the encoding stage to enhance the expressiveness of model and perception of detailed features. Spatial Attention Weighted Enhanced Supervision Module (SAWESM) is proposed in the decoding stage to adjust the supervision strategy through a spatial attention weighting mechanism. This helps guide the decoder to perform feature reconstruction and detail recovery more effectively.ResultExperimental data was obtained from a privately owned independent brain white matter dataset. The results of the automatic 3D segmentation framework showed a higher segmentation accuracy compared to nnunet and nnunet-resnet, with a p-value of &lt;0.001 for the two cognitive assessment parameters MMSE and MoCA. This indicates that larger brain white matter are associated with lower scores of MMSE and MoCA, which in turn indicates poorer cognitive function. The order of volume size of white matter hyperintensity in the three groups of cognitive states is dementia, MCI and NCI, respectively.ConclusionThe paper proposes an automatic 3D segmentation framework for brain white matter that achieves high-precision segmentation. The experimental results show that larger volumes of segmented regions have a negative correlation with lower scoring coefficients of MMSE and MoCA. This correlation analysis provides promising treatment prospects for the treatment of cerebral small vessel diseases in the brain through 3D segmentation analysis of brain white matter. The differences in the volume of white matter hyperintensity regions in subjects with three different cognitive states can help to better understand the mechanism of cognitive decline in clinical research.
Greater cognitive reserve is related to lower cortical excitability in healthy cognitive aging, but not in early clinical Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Buss Stephanie S. , Fried Peter J. , Macone Joanna , Zeng Victor , Zingg Emma , Santarnecchi Emiliano , Pascual-Leone Alvaro , Bartrés-Faz David 
Published: July 2023

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between cortico-motor excitability and cognitive reserve (CR) in cognitively unimpaired older adults (CU) and in older adults with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease (AD).MethodsData were collected and analyzed from 15 CU and 24 amyloid-positive AD participants aged 50–90 years. A cognitive reserve questionnaire score (CRQ) assessed education, occupation, leisure activities, physical activities, and social engagement. Cortical excitability was quantified as the average amplitude of motor evoked potentials (MEP amplitude) elicited with single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation delivered to primary motor cortex. A linear model compared MEP amplitudes between groups. A linear model tested for an effect of CRQ on MEP amplitude across all participants. Finally, separate linear models tested for an effect of CRQ on MEP amplitude within each group. Exploratory analyses tested for effect modification of demographics, cognitive scores, atrophy measures, and CSF measures within each group using nested regression analysis.ResultsThere was no between-group difference in MEP amplitude after accounting for covariates. The primary model showed a significant interaction term of group*CRQ (R2adj = 0.18, p = 0.013), but no main effect of CRQ. Within the CU group, higher CRQ was significantly associated with lower MEP amplitude (R2adj = 0.45, p = 0.004). There was no association in the AD group.ConclusionLower cortico-motor excitability is related to greater CRQ in CU, but not in AD. Lower MEP amplitudes may reflect greater neural efficiency in cognitively unimpaired older adults. The lack of association seen in AD participants may reflect disruption of the protective effects of CR. Future work is needed to better understand the neurophysiologic mechanisms leading to the protective effects of CR in older adults with and without neurodegenerative disorders.
Multi-scale fusion visual attention network for facial micro-expression recognition
Authors: Pan Hang , Yang Hongling , Xie Lun , Wang Zhiliang 
Published: July 2023

IntroductionMicro-expressions are facial muscle movements that hide genuine emotions. In response to the challenge of micro-expression low-intensity, recent studies have attempted to locate localized areas of facial muscle movement. However, this ignores the feature redundancy caused by the inaccurate locating of the regions of interest.MethodsThis paper proposes a novel multi-scale fusion visual attention network (MFVAN), which learns multi-scale local attention weights to mask regions of redundancy features. Specifically, this model extracts the multi-scale features of the apex frame in the micro-expression video clips by convolutional neural networks. The attention mechanism focuses on the weights of local region features in the multi-scale feature maps. Then, we mask operate redundancy regions in multi-scale features and fuse local features with high attention weights for micro-expression recognition. The self-supervision and transfer learning reduce the influence of individual identity attributes and increase the robustness of multi-scale feature maps. Finally, the multi-scale classification loss, mask loss, and removing individual identity attributes loss joint to optimize the model.ResultsThe proposed MFVAN method is evaluated on SMIC, CASME II, SAMM, and 3DB-Combined datasets that achieve state-of-the-art performance. The experimental results show that focusing on local at the multi-scale contributes to micro-expression recognition.DiscussionThis paper proposed MFVAN model is the first to combine image generation with visual attention mechanisms to solve the combination challenge problem of individual identity attribute interference and low-intensity facial muscle movements. Meanwhile, the MFVAN model reveal the impact of individual attributes on the localization of local ROIs. The experimental results show that a multi-scale fusion visual attention network contributes to micro-expression recognition.
Heterogeneity in quiescent Müller glia in the uninjured zebrafish retina drive differential responses following photoreceptor ablation
Authors: Krylov Aaron , Yu Shuguang , Veen Kellie , Newton Axel , Ye Aojun , Qin Huiwen , He Jie , Jusuf Patricia R. 
Published: July 2023

IntroductionLoss of neurons in the neural retina is a leading cause of vision loss. While humans do not possess the capacity for retinal regeneration, zebrafish can achieve this through activation of resident Müller glia. Remarkably, despite the presence of Müller glia in humans and other mammalian vertebrates, these cells lack an intrinsic ability to contribute to regeneration. Upon activation, zebrafish Müller glia can adopt a stem cell-like state, undergo proliferation and generate new neurons. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of this activation subsequent retinal regeneration remains unclear.Methods/ResultsTo address this, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and report remarkable heterogeneity in gene expression within quiescent Müller glia across distinct dorsal, central and ventral retina pools of such cells. Next, we utilized a genetically driven, chemically inducible nitroreductase approach to study Müller glia activation following selective ablation of three distinct photoreceptor subtypes: long wavelength sensitive cones, short wavelength sensitive cones, and rods. There, our data revealed that a region-specific bias in activation of Müller glia exists in the zebrafish retina, and this is independent of the distribution of the ablated cell type across retinal regions. Notably, gene ontology analysis revealed that injury-responsive dorsal and central Müller glia express genes related to dorsal/ventral pattern formation, growth factor activity, and regulation of developmental process. Through scRNA-seq analysis, we identify a shared genetic program underlying initial Müller glia activation and cell cycle entry, followed by differences that drive the fate of regenerating neurons. We observed an initial expression of AP-1 and injury-responsive transcription factors, followed by genes involved in Notch signaling, ribosome biogenesis and gliogenesis, and finally expression of cell cycle, chromatin remodeling and microtubule-associated genes.DiscussionTaken together, our findings document the regional specificity of gene expression within quiescent Müller glia and demonstrate unique Müller glia activation and regeneration features following neural ablation. These findings will improve our understanding of the molecular pathways relevant to neural regeneration in the retina.
Association between dietary factors and colorectal serrated polyps: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhu Zhixin , Guan Xifei , Liu Nawen , Zhu Xiaoxia , Dai Sheng , Xiong Dehai , Li Xiuyang 
Published: July 2023

BackgroundDietary factors may affect the incidence of colorectal serrated polyps (SP). However, its effects on SP are unclear as epidemiological studies on this topic have showed inconsistent results. The present systematic review and meta-analysis sought to evaluate the effects of dietary factors on SPs.MethodsStudies regarding the association between dietary factors and SPs were identified by searching PubMed, Cochrane library, Embase and Chinese Biomedical Literature database from inception until 27 February 2023. Search terms include serrated, hyperplastic, adenoma, polyps, colorectal, rectal, rectum and risk. Heterogeneity was assessed using I2 statistics. The meta-analysis was conducted by using a random-effects model, and the pooled effects were expressed with odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Probable sources of heterogeneity were identified through meta-regression. Subgroup analysis were based on lesion types, study designs, countries, and so on.Results28 studies were ultimately eligible after scanning, and five dietary factors including vitamin D, calcium, folate, fiber and red or processed meat were excerpted. Higher intakes of vitamin D (OR = 0.95, 95%CI:0.90–1.02), calcium (OR = 0.97, 95%CI: 0.91–1.03) and folate (OR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.6–1.13) were not significantly associated with SP. Fiber intake (OR = 0.90, 95% CI: 0.82–0.99) was a protective factor against SPs. Red meat intake increased the risk of SPs by 30% for the highest versus lowest intakes (OR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.13–1.51). For different lesion types, higher folate intake was associated with a decreased risk of HPs (OR = 0.59, 95%CI: 0.44–0.79), and higher vitamin D intake decreased the risk of SPs including SSA/P (OR = 0.93, 95%CI: 0.88–0.98).ConclusionsHigher dietary fiber intake plays an effective role in preventing SP, while red meat intake is associated with an increased risk of SP. This evidence provides guidance for us to prevent SP from a dietary perspective.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?, RecordID=340750.
Effects of resveratrol in an animal model of osteoporosis: a meta-analysis of preclinical evidence
Authors: Zhao Jinlong , Zhou Guanghui , Yang Junzheng , Pan Jianke , Sha Bangxin , Luo Minghui , Yang Weiyi , Liu Jun , Zeng Lingfeng 
Published: July 2023

BackgroundResveratrol is a natural polyphenol compound that is widely present in herbal medicines such asReynoutria japonica Houtt.,Veratrum nigrum L., and Catsiatora Linn and is used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat metabolic bone deseases. Animal experiments have shown that resveratrol may have a strong treatment effect against osteoporosis (OP). The purpose of this study was to explore the efficacy of resveratrol in treating OP animal models based on preclinical research data.MethodsThis study was completed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We searched the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases from inception to May 8, 2023, to identify animal experiments on the treatment of OP with resveratrol. The effect sizes of bone mineral density (BMD), parameters of micro-CT, serum calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and osteocalcin were expressed as the mean differences (MDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RevMan 5.4 software was used for data analysis.ResultsThis meta-analysis included a total of 15 animal experiments, including 438 OP rats. The meta-analysis results showed that compared with the control group, resveratrol (&lt;10, 10–25, 40–50, ≥ 60 mg/kg/day) significantly increased femoral and lumbar bone mineral density (BMD) in OP rats (p&lt; 0.05). Resveratrol (&lt;10 mg/kg/day) significantly increased the BMD of the total body (MD = 0.01, 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.01,p&lt; 0.001). In terms of improving the parameters related to micro-CT, resveratrol (40–50 mg/kg/day) can increase trabecular thickness and trabecular number and reduce trabecular spacing (p&lt; 0.05). Compared with the control group, resveratrol can reduce the concentration of calcium and phosphorus in serum but has no significant effect on serum ALP and osteocalcin (p&gt; 0.05). The results of subgroup analysis showed that resveratrol increased the whole-body BMD of SD rats (p= 0.002) but did not improve the whole-body BMD of 3-month-old rats (p= 0.17).ConclusionResveratrol can increase BMD in OP rat models, and its mechanism of action may be related to improving bone microstructure and regulating calcium and phosphorus metabolism. The clinical efficacy of resveratrol in the treatment of OP deserves further research.
Pancreatic cancer incidence and mortality trends in urban Shanghai, China from 1973 to 2017: a joinpoint regression and age-period-cohort analysis
Authors: Wu Mengyin , Gu Kai , Gong Yangming , Wu Chunxiao , Pang Yi , Zhang Wei , Wang Chunfang , Shi Yan , Liu Yingbin , Fu Chen 
Published: July 2023

Background and purposeTo provide a comprehensive overview of epidemiological features and temporal trends of pancreatic cancer in urban Shanghai from 1973 to 2017.MethodsData on pancreatic cancer in urban Shanghai were obtained through the Shanghai Cancer Registry and the Vital Statistics System. Joinpoint analysis was used to describe the temporal trends and annual percent changes (APCs) and age-period-cohort analysis were used to estimate the effects of age, period, and birth cohort on pancreatic cancer.ResultsThere were a total of 29,253 cases and 27,105 deaths of pancreatic cancer in urban Shanghai over the 45-year study period. The overall average annual age-standardized incidence and mortality rates were 5.45/100,000 and 5.02/100,000, respectively. Both the incidence and mortality rates demonstrated fluctuating upward trends, with an average annual increase rate of 1.51% (APC = 1.51, P &lt; 0.001) and 1.04% (APC = 1.04, P &lt; 0.001), respectively. The upward trend in incidence was greater for females than for males, while the trend in mortality was seen in both sexes equally and continuously. In recent years (2013-2017), the age-specific incidence rates increased further than before, with statistically significant changes in the 35-year, 45- to 55-year and 70- to 85-year age groups (P &lt; 0.05). The age-specific mortality rates also showed obvious upward trends, which in the 50- to 55-year, and 75- to 85-year age groups increased significantly. The results of the age-period-cohort analysis suggested significant effects of age, period, and cohort on the prevalence of pancreatic cancer.ConclusionThe prevalence of pancreatic cancer, dramatically influenced by socioeconomic development and lifestyles, demonstrated a significant upward trend from 1973 to 2017 in urban Shanghai and underscored the necessity and urgency for additional efforts in primary and secondary prevention measures.
Case Report: Cumulative proton dose reconstruction using CBCT-based synthetic CT for interfraction metallic port variability in breast tissue expanders
Authors: Chen Chin-Cheng , Liu Jiayi , Park Peter , Shim Andy , Huang Sheng , Wong Sarah , Tsai Pingfang , Lin Haibo , Choi J. Isabelle 
Published: July 2023

IntroductionDose perturbation of spot-scanning proton beams passing through a dislocated metallic port (MP) of a breast tissue expander may degrade target dose coverage or deliver excess dose to the ipsilateral lung and heart. The feasibility of utilizing daily cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT)–based synthetic CTs (synCTs) for dose reconstruction was evaluated, and the fractional and cumulative dosimetric impact due to daily MP dislocation is reported.MethodsThe synCT was generated by deforming the simulation CT to daily CBCT. The MP structure template was mapped onto all CTs on the basis of daily MP position. Proton treatment plans were generated with two and three fields on the planned CT (pCT, Plan A) and the first verification CT (vCT, Plan B), respectively, for a fractional dose of 1.8 Gy(RBE). Plan A and Plan B were used alternatively, as determined by the daily MP position. The reconstructed fractional doses were calculated with corresponding plans and synCTs, and the cumulative doses were summed with the rigid or deformed fractional doses on pCT and vCT.ResultsThe planned and reconstructed fractional dose demonstrated a low-dose socket around the planned MP position due to the use of field-specific targets (FSTs). Dose hot spots with &gt;120% of the prescription due to MP dislocation were found behind the planned MP position on most reconstructed fractional doses. The reconstructed cumulative dose shows two low-dose sockets around the two planned MP positions reflecting the two plans used. The doses at the hot spots behind the planned MPs averaged out to 114% of the prescription. The cumulative D95% of the CTV_Chest Wall decreased by up to 2.4% and 4.0%, and the cumulative V20Gy(RBE) of the left lung decreased to 16.1% and 16.8% on pCT and vCT, respectively. The cumulative Dmean of the heart decreased to as low as 0.7 Gy(RBE) on pCT but increased to as high as 1.6 Gy(RBE) on vCT.ConclusionThe robustness of proton plans using FSTs around the magnet in the MP of the tissue expander can be improved by applying multiple fields and plans, which provides forgiveness of dose heterogeneity incurred from dislocation of high-Z materials in this single case.
Diagnostic value of deep learning-assisted endoscopic ultrasound for pancreatic tumors: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Lv Bing , Wang Kunhong , Wei Ning , Yu Feng , Tao Tao , Shi Yanting 
Published: July 2023

Background and aimsEndoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is commonly utilized in the diagnosis of pancreatic tumors, although as this modality relies primarily on the practitioner’s visual judgment, it is prone to result in a missed diagnosis or misdiagnosis due to inexperience, fatigue, or distraction. Deep learning (DL) techniques, which can be used to automatically extract detailed imaging features from images, have been increasingly beneficial in the field of medical image-based assisted diagnosis. The present systematic review included a meta-analysis aimed at evaluating the accuracy of DL-assisted EUS for the diagnosis of pancreatic tumors diagnosis.MethodsWe performed a comprehensive search for all studies relevant to EUS and DL in the following four databases, from their inception through February 2023: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. Target studies were strictly screened based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria, after which we performed a meta-analysis using Stata 16.0 to assess the diagnostic ability of DL and compare it with that of EUS practitioners. Any sources of heterogeneity were explored using subgroup and meta-regression analyses.ResultsA total of 10 studies, involving 3,529 patients and 34,773 training images, were included in the present meta-analysis. The pooled sensitivity was 93% (95% confidence interval [CI], 87–96%), the pooled specificity was 95% (95% CI, 89–98%), and the area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was 0.98 (95% CI, 0.96–0.99).ConclusionDL-assisted EUS has a high accuracy and clinical applicability for diagnosing pancreatic tumors.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023391853, identifier CRD42023391853.
Magnetic properties of iron-filled hydrogel clusters: a model system for quantitative susceptibility mapping with MRI
Authors: Hagberg Gisela E. , Engelmann Jörn , Göring Eberhard , Cuña Enrique G. , Scheffler Klaus 
Published: July 2023

Quantitative approaches in clinical Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) benefit from the availability of adequate phantoms. Ideally, the phantom material should reflect the complexity of signals encountered in vivo. In the present study we validate and characterize clusters consisting of sodium-polyacrylate embedded in an alginate matrix that are unloaded or loaded with iron for Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping (QSM), yielding a non-uniform iron distribution and tissue-mimicking MRI properties. Vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) was used to characterize the phantom material and verify the accuracy of previous MRI-based observations of the QSM-based molar susceptibility (χM). MRI at 14.1 T with high resolution acquisitions was used to determine the size of hydrogel clusters and to further investigate the suitability of the phantom material as a model system for QSM at high field. VSM demonstrated that the iron-solution used for manufacturing the phantoms consisted of ferric iron. The χM of clusters with a constant iron-to-polyacrylate-ratio (8.3 μg/mg) observed with VSM was 50.7 ± 8.0 ppb mM−1 but showed a tendency towards saturation at total iron concentrations &gt;1 mM. On unwrapped and background corrected phase-images obtained with gradient-echo MRI and an isotropic voxel size of 37 μm at 14.1T, the iron-free clusters had a roundish shape and blurry border with an equivalent sphere diameter of 276 ± 230 µm and a QSM of 7 ± 7 ppb. Iron-loading led to strong phase wrapping, necessitating the use of short echo times, or short inter-echo delays below 10 ms at 14.1 T. The equivalent sphere diameter of the iron-loaded clusters was estimated to 400–500 µm as verified using different MRI modalities (spin-echo, inversion recovery, and gradient echo MRI). With a constant iron-to-polyacrylate ratio, the cluster density was 10 mm−3 mM−1 iron. In agreement with previous observations, χM of samples with a constant amount of polyacrylate was 50.6 ± 11.4 ppb mM−1 at 3 T while samples containing clusters with a constant iron-to-polyacrylate-ratio yielded χM = 56.1 ± 6.3 ppb mM−1 at 3T and 55.6 ± 0.7 ppb mM−1 at 14.1 T. In conclusion we found that the molar susceptibility of the proposed model system corresponds to that predicted for ferritin in vivo loaded with 3000 iron atoms. The reproducibility was within 12% across MR scanners, batches, and phantom types and compared well with results obtained with vibrating sample magnetometry.