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Comparison of outcome between sole operation and operation after tube thoracostomy in late phase empyema
A comparative analysis of three graph neural network models for predicting axillary lymph node metastasis in early-stage breast cancer
Abstract The presence of axillary lymph node metastasis (ALNM) in breast cancer patients is an important factor in deciding whether to have axillary surgery or pursue alternative treatments. Based on axillary ultrasound (US) and histopathologic data, three graph neural network models were compared to predict ALNM in early-stage breast cancer. The patients were randomly divided into two data sets: training (80%) and testing (20%). Predictive performance was measured using accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, F1 score, and area under the curve (AUC). In the test cohort, the graph convolutional network (GCN) performed the best in predicting ALNM, with an AUC of 0.77 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.69–0.84). In conclusion, the GCN model has the potential to provide a noninvasive tool for detecting ALNM and can aid in clinical decision-making. Prospective studies are expected to provide high-level evidence for clinical usage in future investigations.
Safety profile of sikamat virus and its oncolytic potential in leukemic cells and cancer stem cells
Abstract Leukaemia remains a global health concern. The oncotherapy resistance of leukaemia might be due to the existence of cancer stem cell populations. This study investigated the therapeutic potential of Sikamat virus (PRV7S), a Pteropine orthoreovirus, as an oncolytic virus against acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). Using AML and CML cell lines (THP-1 and K562), as well as an AML-M5-derived cancer stem cell (CSC) model, PRV7S was shown to infect these leukaemic cells, replicate within them, and reduce their viability. PRV7S-induced cell death was associated with caspase-mediated apoptosis without significant cell cycle arrest. Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses revealed that PRV7S infection altered several cell death pathways, including apoptosis and necroptosis, highlighting its complex cell death mechanisms. PRV7S replicated efficiently in infected cells, though it did not cause persistent infection. An in vivo safety evaluation in immunocompetent mice demonstrated that PRV7S was well-tolerated, showing no adverse effects on survival, body weight, or histopathology, and no evidence of viral persistence. These findings suggest PRV7S as a promising oncolytic candidate for myeloid leukaemia, with potential efficacy against CSCs and a favourable safety profile. In conclusion, the study provides new insights into the cellular pathways involved in PRV7S-mediated oncolysis and supports further exploration of PRV7S’s potential against resistant leukaemic and solid tumours.
Single-element ultrasound system for high-resolution jugular venous pulse contour detection
Optimizing positron emission tomography for accurate plant imaging using Monte Carlo simulations to correct positron range effects
Deep learning based adaptive and automatic measurement of palpebral margin in eyelid morphology
Deep learning based ensemble model for accurate tomato leaf disease classification by leveraging ResNet50 and MobileNetV2 architectures
Integrating in situ strategies and molecular genetics for the conservation of the endangered Azorean endemic plant Lotus azoricus
Age of the Western Iron Ore Group, India, and implications for pre-GOE oxygenation of oceans at the twilight of Archean-Proterozoic transition
Author Correction: The Hira complex regulates Gli3R-dependent transcription in Hedgehog signaling and medulloblastoma cell growth and migration
Vocal performance evaluation of the intelligent note recognition method based on deep learning
Physical activity level one year following admission to the intensive care unit for COVID-19
Abstract While regular physical activity is associated to multiple health effects, a COVID-19 infection may affect the ability to be physically active, due to muscular, cardiac and pulmonary complications. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe the physical activity level and to identify factors at baseline that are associated with being physically inactive at one year following intensive care unit (ICU) admission for COVID-19. The dependent variable, being physically inactive, was assessed using the Saltin-Grimby Physical Activity Level Scale and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF). To identify any predictors, univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed. A total of 105 (57.7%) and 95 (52.2%) survivors responded to the two scales. Being physically inactive was self-reported by 25.7% and 22.1%, respectively. Using the Saltin-Grimby Physical Activity Level Scale, longer stay at the ICU [odds ratio 1.05 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.02–1.08)] and diabetes mellitus [3.92 (1.30-11.55)] were identified as predictors, while using the IPAQ-SF, longer stay at the ICU [odds ratio 1.04 (95% CI 1.01–1.07)] was the predictor for being physically inactive at one year following COVID-19.
Dual-task effects of walking-speed on inhibitory control and decision-making under risk
Abstract The effect of simultaneously performing two tasks (dual-task effects, DTEs) has been extensively studied, mainly focusing on the combination of cognitive and motor tasks. Given their potentially detrimental impact on real-life activities, the impact of DTEs has been investigated in both healthy individuals and patients. In this Registered Report, we aimed to replicate previous DTEs when a task requiring executive-inhibitory skills is involved while also expanding the evidence on basic facets of decision-making. We recruited 50 healthy young participants who performed a stop-signal task and two gambling tasks (loss-aversion and risk-aversion) while sitting and while walking at three treadmill speeds (normal, slow and fast). We report a significant difference in performance during single-task and dual-task, although with high individual variability. The data show no effect of the walking speed on all the cognitive tasks. Analyses on postural alignments, assessed in the cadence, gait cycle length and stance phase, confirm previous results on cognitive prioritization strategies of healthy individuals. Based on our results, we highlight the need to further investigate prioritization strategies when tasks involving higher cognitive functions are performed along a motor task in healthy individuals and patients with the aim of offering targeted training and rehabilitation protocols. The stage 1 protocol for this Registered Report was accepted in principle on 28/06/22. The protocol, as accepted by the journal, can be found at: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/5MWH7.
A thematic analysis of what Australians state would change their minds on climate change
Abstract What do Australians believe would change their current opinions about climate change? In this study, we used audience segmentation analysis through the Six Americas Short Survey to identify groups of climate opinion holders within a representative sample of Australians. We had 4857 participants tell us what it would take to change their current opinions about climate change and leveraged OpenAI’s Generative Pre-Trained Transformer (GPT) to identify the presence or absence of themes (Nothing, Evidence and Information, Trusted Sources, Action, and Unsure) and subthemes in their responses. GPT performed at near-human levels, proving to be a highly useful tool for thematic analysis. Our analyses revealed that strong climate denialists and believers tended to display greater dogmatism, with increased likelihood of stating that nothing would change their mind and lower likelihood of being unsure. Results also highlighted the need for diverse forms of evidence and information and the importance of trusted sources of information across audience segments. These findings provide support for GPT’s utility in managing large datasets in the social sciences and offer participant-informed insights into climate opinion change.