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Early stage of metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease disrupts circadian rhythm and induces neuroinflammation in rats
Attribute encryption access control method of high dimensional medical data based on fuzzy algorithm
The current approach to data access control predominantly utilizes blockchain technology. However, when dealing with high-dimensional medical data, the inherent transparency of blockchain conflicts with the necessity of protecting patient privacy. Consequently, this increases the risk of sensitive information exposure. To enhance patient privacy, a fuzzy encryption algorithm is employed. This prevents unauthorized access and decryption of sensitive medical data. Consequently, a high-dimensional medical data attribute encryption access control method based on fuzzy algorithm is proposed. Phase data and frequency data are utilized to assess the stability of medical data attributes. Additionally, the empirical mode decomposition method is applied to eliminate noise from these attributes. Using the key configuration of fuzzy encryption algorithm, high-dimensional medical data attributes with different security levels within the same field undergo encryption and decryption processes. Moreover, the trust degree of access behavior towards these data attributes is calculated to maintain security. After the medical users successfully log in, their access permissions are analyzed to effectively control the encrypted access permissions of high-dimensional medical users. The access request graph is established to effectively control encrypted access to high-dimensional medical data attributes. The experimental results showed that when the number of data attributes reached millions, the encryption access control time was still less than 60ms. The maximum encryption time was reduced by 21ms, and the anti-attack success rate was high during the application process. From the comparison of the maximum success rates, it can be seen that the success rate of this method in resisting attacks has increased by 8.5%.
LINC00894, YEATS2-AS1, and SUGP2 genes as novel biomarkers for N0 status of lung adenocarcinoma
Effect of immunonutrition during concurrent chemoradiotherapy on acute oral mucositis in head and neck cancer patients: A prospective randomized study
Objective Immunonutrition (IN) supplements, designed to modulate immune system, may help reduce treatment-related toxicities. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of IN in reducing acute oral mucositis (OM) and other side effects in head and neck cancer patients undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). Methods A multicenter, prospective, open-label randomized controlled study was conducted to assess the impact of IN on reducing OM and other side effects in head and neck cancer patients undergoing CCRT. Patients were randomized into either IN or control arms. Those in the IN arm received IN sachets starting one week before radiotherapy until treatment completion, while the control arm received no supplement. Treatment outcomes were evaluated using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) version 5 and patient-reported outcomes via National Cancer Institute’s Patient-Reported Outcomes of CTCAE (NCI-PRO-CTCAE). Mixed-effects logistic regression was performed to analyze outcomes between the groups, adjusting for chemotherapy regimens, while Chi-squared tests were used for group comparisons at specific timepoints. Results A total of 87 patients were analyzed with 46 in IN arm and 41 in control arm. Physician evaluations showed similar rates of grade 2 or higher OM, dermatitis, esophagitis, and hematologic toxicities across both arms. Patient-reported outcomes also showed no significant differences in the severity of oral mucositis or its interference with daily activities. A significant reduction of dermatitis was observed at week 3 in the IN arm (9.8% vs. 34.8%, p = 0.03), but this effect was not sustained in later weeks. Conclusion IN supplementation during CCRT did not result in statistically significant reductions in acute oral mucositis and other radiation toxicities. Further research with larger sample sizes, compliance monitoring, and optimized supplementation protocols is warranted to better understand the potential benefits of IN.
Green HPLC-Fluorescence detection method for concurrent analysis of Tamsulosin hydrochloride and Tolterodine tartrate in dosage forms and biological fluids
Abstract A novel, environmentally friendly HPLC-FL method has been developed to simultaneously quantify tamsulosin hydrochloride (TAM) and tolterodine tartrate (TTD) in pharmaceutical formulations. The method effectively separates the drugs using an ODS column and gradient elution at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. Fluorescence detection was used to measure the relative fluorescence intensity (RFI) of the analytes, with excitation and emission wavelengths set at 280 nm and 350 nm, respectively. The retention times for TAM and TTD were determined to be 5.66 and 7.26 min, respectively. The method’s accuracy and precision were validated according to ICH guidelines. Linear calibration curves were obtained over the concentration ranges of 0.1–1.5 µg mL-1 for TAM and 1–15 µg mL-1 for TTD, with correlation coefficients exceeding 0.9995. The calculated LOD values for TAM and TTD were 0.03 and 0.30 µg mL-1, respectively. The corresponding LOQ values were 0.10 and 0.92 µg mL-1, respectively. The method’s applicability was demonstrated by analyzing pharmaceutical dosage forms and spiked plasma and urine samples. The observed mean recoveries percent were 99.31-100.97% for TAM and 100.56-101.79% for TTD in human plasma, while in human urine, they were 98.71-101.55% for TAM and 99.53-101.84% for TTD. To evaluate the method’s greenness, GAPI and AGREE tools were employed. The results indicated significant adherence to green chemistry principles.
Immune cells ‘bandage’ wounds with bacteria-trapping goo
Prevalence and characteristics of dengue virus co-infection in patients and mosquitoes collected from patients’ houses
Co-infection with multiple DENV serotypes can affect human immune status and complicate the clinical presentation and management of dengue patients, so understanding the prevalence and dynamics of co-infection is important for effective dengue control. We aimed to identify and characterize DENV co-infection patterns in field-caught mosquitoes and dengue patients. This study was conducted in northeastern Thailand between June 2016 to August 2019. Female Aedes mosquitos collected from and around dengue patient’s houses were analyzed for DENV infection and presence of serotypes using RT-PCR. DENV serotyping was successful in 154 (39.49%) of human and 165 (14.26%) of mosquito samples. Prevalence of DENV co-infection in patients and mosquitoes was 22.73% (35 cases) and 28.48% (47 samples), respectively. Co-infection with multiple serotypes were double (human 88.57%, mosquito 89.36%), triple (human 5.72%, mosquito 10.64%) and quadruple (human 5.72%, mosquito 0%) infections. Concurrent infection was different between hosts and concurrence patterns of DENV serotype in each host mostly composed of the predominant serotype of the detected year. This is the first report that show DENV co-infection patterns in field-caught mosquito and in dengue fever patients with combinations of triple and quadruple serotypes in Thailand. These finding are potentially useful for understanding shifts in serotypes, concurrent DENV infection patterns, vaccine development, and further research on the ability of vectors to transmit multiple serotypes.
Turbulent flow-based habitat complexity metrics around instream boulders in support of river restoration
Exploring Aachen minipigs as in vivo model for human intracranial studies: Focus on hind limb artery diameters
Endovascular methods for stroke treatment have become increasingly popular in recent years and continue to be improved. Pigs serve as in vivo models in endovascular stroke research for device testing and training purposes. Due to a network of small vessels between the cerebral and intracranial arteries, called rete mirabile, catheterization of the brain-supplying arteries in pigs is impossible. Alternatively, various porcine arteries can be used. Aachen minipigs have become more popular in the last years, but specific data on their vascular diameters are limited to the forelimb arteries. Therefore, the aim of our study was to assess diameters of porcine hind limb arteries in eight female Aachen minipigs (weight of 47.08 kg ± 4.58 kg and age of 17 to 21 months), focusing on the internal iliac artery, external iliac artery, femoral artery, profunda femoris artery, popliteal artery, caudal tibial artery, cranial tibial artery, and sacral median artery, and to compare these diameters with diameters of human brain-supplying arteries. Measurements of artery diameters were conducted during experimental digital subtraction angiographies of a superordinate endovascular study. We found similarities between diameters of porcine hind limb arteries and human brain-supplying arteries: the porcine cranial tibial artery, sacral median artery, caudal tibial artery, popliteal artery, and profunda femoris artery are suitable for modelling human arteries. Our work may serve as a tool for planning and conducting interventional experiments involving Aachen minipigs and may therefore lead to reduced animal numbers according to the 3Rs (Replacement, Reducement, Refinement) from Russell and Burch.
Research on application of thin-walled metal pressure device in large deformation tunnel
Flower traits and breeding system of Rhododendron platypodum diels, an endangered plant species in China
Rhododendron platypodum Diels is an endangered ornamental plant distributed in the high-elevation subtropical regions of China. Known as one of the “queen flower”, its population is restricted to three sites in China, with only few individuals. To explore the reasons for poor population regeneration and provide theoretical basis for genetic breeding to support its popularization and application of this native garden tree species, field investigation and artificial pollination experiment were conducted to test the flowering characteristics and breeding system of R. platypodum in Zhaoyun Mountain, Chongqing. The results revealed that: (1) the flowering period of R. platypodum began in mid-April and ended in late May, lasting 36 days, with an average flowering duration of 9.15 days per flower. (2) Pollen viability was highest in the morning and evening, peaking on third day after flowering, while stigma receptivity was highest between the second and third days. (3) The value of hybridization index and the pollen-ovule ratio indicated a partial self-compatibility and facultative outbreeding of this species. (4) Artificial pollination experiments showed no evidence of parthenogenesis or automatic self-pollination, and the fruit set rates for xenogamy, geitonogamy were higher than those for self-pollination, with artificial pollination yielding higher fruit set rate than natural pollination. (5) The primary effective pollinators of R. platypodum were identified as Bombus sp. and Apis cerana sinensis. Our research found that instead of long flowering period, high pollen viability and simultaneous mature of stigma and pollen, high geitonogamy relying on pollinators for effective production and the pollen restriction are more likely to have adverse effects on the population of R. platypodum. Further factors such as limitation in seed dispersal, germination challenges, and environmental requirement for seedlings and saplings may contribute to the endangerment of R. platypodum.
Anopheles mosquito fauna, blood meal sources and transmission intensity from high and moderate malaria endemic areas of Ethiopia
Preparation of a solid dispersion of Euptox A and evaluation of its biological activity and safety
Terrestrial mollusks are common agricultural pests that often infest crops for a long time during the growth stage and create holes or notches in vegetable leaves, especially seedlings and young leaves. In this study, a solid dispersion (SD) of Euptox A and polyethylene glycol-4000 was prepared via the melting method. The drug-to-carrier ratio, melting temperature, and cooling temperature of Euptox A SD were optimized. Euptox A SD was tested against Bradybaena ravida, Limax maximus, and Oncomelania hupensis for 48 and 72 h. The toxicity of Euptox A SD was equivalent to that of 10%Meta, a traditional chemical softener. Moreover, the rate of apoptosis in human liver cells (L02) caused by Euptox A SD was low. The toxicity of Euptox A SD to Pheretima tschiliensis was low, and the normal development of Brassica campestris was not affected. These results indicate that Euptox A SD can be used as an alternative molluscicidal.
Superior vena cava blood flow and Doppler indices of brain sparing in late onset fetal growth restriction
Abstract Cerebral hemodynamic adaptation in fetal growth restriction (FGR) is primarily assessed using middle cerebral artery (MCA) Doppler and cerebroplacental (CPR) or umbilicocerebral ratio (UCR). The superior vena cava (SVC) blood flow may provide additional hemodynamic insights. Our objective was to evaluate fetal SVC blood flow velocities, pulsatility index for vein (PIV), volume blood flow (QSVC), and volume blood flow (Q)-based indices of fetal brain sparing in small-for-gestational-age (SGA) and FGR fetuses in the third trimester of pregnancy and compare with appropriately grown (AGA) fetuses. This was a prospective cohort study of 40 non-anomalous, singleton fetuses during 32 + 0 to 36 + 6 gestational weeks. Fetuses with abdominal circumference or estimated fetal weight below the 10th percentile were classified into SGA and FGR groups based on Delphi criteria. Doppler velocimetry of the umbilical artery (UA), umbilical vein (UV), fetal MCA and SVC was performed. UV and SVC diameters were measured, and their volume blood flows, i.e. QUV and QSVC were calculated. Both pulsatility index (PI)-based and Q-based indices of fetal brain sparing were calculated and compared to previously reported reference ranges for AGA fetuses using z-scores. In our study population, z-scores of SVC velocities (except the end-diastolic A-wave velocity) and PIV were significantly lower than the gestational age-specific mean values for AGA fetuses (p-values 0.005 to 0.018). Similarly, z-scores of SVC diameter (p < 0.001), QSVC normalized to fetal weight (QSVCw) (p < 0.001), blood flow volume-based QCPR (p < 0.001) were higher and QUCR (p < 0.001) was lower. However, z-scores of PI-based CPR (p = 0.195), UCR (p = 0.195), and the end-diastolic (A wave) velocity (p = 0.177) were not significantly different compared to AGA fetuses. Subgroup analysis demonstrated that the FGR fetuses (n = 21) had increased SVC diameter (p < 0.001), QSVCw (p < 0.001), QCPR (p < 0.001), UCR (p < 0.001), and decreased CPR (p < 0.001), QUCR (p < 0.001) and SVC PIV (p = 0.030), but no significant change in velocities was observed compared to AGA fetuses (n = 98) of similar gestational age. The SGA fetuses (n = 19) had decreased SVC S velocity (p = 0.013), D velocity (p = 0.005), TAMxV (p = 0.030), PIV (p = 0.005), QUCR (p = 0.014), and increased SVC diameter (p = 0.026), QSVCw (p = 0.034) and QCPR (p = 0.014) in comparison to AGA fetuses. When compared to SGA fetuses, the FGR fetuses had significantly lower QUVw (60.5 ± 19.7 vs. 80.1 ± 20.2 ml/min/kg, p = 0.004), QUCR (0.79 ± 0.45 vs. 1.34 ± 0.52 p < 0.001) and birthweight (2181 ± 577 vs. 2848 ± 330 g, p < 0.001) but higher QSVCw (91.82 ± 39.56 vs. 65.53 ± 17.79 ml/min/kg, p = 0.039) and QCPR (1.63 ± 0.74 vs. 0.90 ± 0.45, p < 0.001). In conclusion, third-trimester fetuses < 10th percentile had significantly increased SVC diameter, resulting in increased QSVCw in SGA and FGR despite reduced or unchanged TAMxV. Significantly altered QCPR and QUCR confirmed circulatory redistribution with increased brain and upper body venous return both in FGR and SGA fetuses. However, as the magnitude of increase in QSVCw and QCPR was significantly larger in FGR compared to SGA fetuses, it could be potentially used as a quantifiable marker to differentiate FGR from SGA. The role of SVC Doppler in refining the diagnosis of late FGR should be further investigated.
Correction: The role of art therapy on quality of life of women with recent pregnancy loss: A randomized clinical trial
Exploring different product-service combinations for sustainable clothing rental service based on consumer preferences and climate change impacts
Electroluminescence and energy transfer mediated by hyperbolic polaritons
Automated scan quality evaluation for DDH using transfer learning: Development of a novel ensemble system
Background Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip (DDH) is a relatively common hip joint disorders in infants, affecting one to three per a thousand births. If found early, it can be treated preemptively by simple non-invasive methods. But if not, then several surgical procedures may be required that can cause high economic burden. The accuracy of diagnosis using ultrasound (US) images heavily relies on locating anatomical landmarks on the image. However, there is an intra-observer/inter-observer variability in determining the exact location of the landmarks. In this study, an automated scan quality assessment system of pelvic US image by evaluating quality of five landmarks using transfer learning models was proposed. Methods US images from 1,891 subjects were obtained at two hospitals in the Republic of Korea (henceforth Korea). Also, an ensemble system was developed using transfer learning models to automatically evaluate the scan quality by scoring five anatomical landmarks. Gradient-weighted class activation mapping was used for verifying whether models that reflect the geographical features of the images had been properly trained. Considering the applicability in the real-time environment, this study proposes an alternative sequence method (ASM) that has been discovered to have improved the lapse of scan quality assessment. Results All the selected models achieved kappa values of 0.6 or higher, indicating substantial agreement, and the AUC score for classifying standard images based on the total score was 0.89. The activation map of the trained models properly reflected the structural features of the image. The time lapse for standard image classification was 0.35 second per image in full sequence method, and that of the three versions - ASM-1, ASM-2, ASM-3 - were 0.27, 0.22, and 0.20, respectively.