Prenatal stress exposure (PSE) has been observed to exert a programming effect on the developing infant brain, possibly with long-lasting consequences on temperament, cognitive functions and the risk for developing psychiatric disorders. Several prior studies have revealed that PSE associates with alterations in neonate functional connectivity in the prefrontal regions and amygdala. In this study, we explored whether maternal psychological symptoms measured during the 24th gestational week had associations with neonate resting-state network metrics. 21 neonates (9 female) underwent resting-state fMRI scanning (mean gestation-corrected age at scan 26.95 days) to assess fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF) and regional homogeneity (ReHo). The ReHO/fALFF maps were used in multiple regression analysis to investigate whether maternal self-reported anxiety and/or depressive symptoms associate with neonate functional brain features. Maternal psychological distress (composite score of depressive and anxiety symptoms) was positively associated with fALFF in the neonate medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Anxiety and depressive symptoms, assessed separately, exhibited similar but weaker associations. Post hoc seed-based connectivity analyses further showed that distal connectivity of mPFC covaried with PSE. No associations were found between neonate ReHo and PSE. These results offer preliminary evidence that PSE may affect functional features of the developing brain during gestation.

To enable the people involved in a software development process to communicate and reason close to their area of knowledge, we are investigating a method to formalize and integrate knowledge of multiple domains into domain models and into specifications in terms of those domain models. For this purpose, we have previously defined a set of method objectives, and an initial version of the method –called MuDForM. This paper reports on the methodical support for using a domain model as terminology to define other specifications, and feature specifications in particular. We performed a case study to validate how well the method helps in the specification of processes and to realize the case-specific objectives of the customer. The case study pertains to the formalization of the ISO26262 standard for functional safety in the automotive domain. We found that our method is suitable to systematically formalize a process that is described in natural language, such that there is a clear separation of domain-specific concepts, unambiguous process specifications, and concepts from outside the domain and process of interest. We have extended our method with concepts, steps, and guidelines for grammatical analysis, for the formalization of constraints, and for the specification of processes. The case-specific results are the unambiguous specification of a part of the ISO26262 processes.

Path planning of dual-arm robot is very complicated, and the efficiency of traditional algorithms is low. To solve this problem, the FT-heaps-A* algorithm is presented in this letter. A new parameter ‘FT’ is introduced to avoid the invalid path nodes in the high-dimensional environments. Then, the time required to maintain the open table structure is reduced by splitting the open table. Thus, the efficiency of path planning for the single manipulator is improved. Based on the above improved A* algorithm, a time series A* (TSA*) algorithm is proposed to plan the obstacle avoidance path of the dual-arm robot. The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm has higher path quality and efficiency than the traditional algorithms.

The application of new energy sources has a significant impact on the stability of power systems. In order to realize the coordinated design of multiple Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS) devices in the wind-PV-thermal-bundled (WPTB) power transmission system to suppress the low-frequency oscillation (LFO) of the system. In this paper, the Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM) and the Static Synchronous Series Compensator (SSSC) with additional power oscillation damping controller (PODC) are designed based on the tie-line transmission power signal to enhance the improvement effect of FACTS devices on system stability. The objective function is constructed by considering the transient voltage stability of the WPTB power transmission system, the real part of the eigenvalues and damping level of the LFO modes. And the coordinated and optimized design of Power System Stabilizer (PSS), SSSC-POD and STATCOM-POD is performed by the hybrid particle swarm optimization algorithm and genetic algorithm (PSO-GA) and pattern analysis theory of LFO. Finally, the effectiveness of the designed parameter optimization method is verified by simulation under various operating conditions, including new energy unit output change and tie-line transmission power change.

Background. Endomertrial adenocarcinoma (EC) with early stage, high grade is rare seen metastasis. Here, we describe a unique case of axillary lymph node and breast metastasis from high grade endomertrial adenocarcinoma after a 4-year period. Cases. We presented a case of a 60-year-old woman with EC and received surgery in 2013. However, a metastatic tumor appeared at the axillary lymph node and the breast 4 years after surgery. Then she received an operation and 6 cycles adjuvant chemotherapy. 31 months following, she is alive without disease. Conclusions. A correct diagnosis should be made by combining the patient’s past clinical history, morphologic and immunohistochemical test results. Knowledge of this rare metastatic site will help the physician make the correct diagnosis.

Objectives: This study examines the epidemiological trend of gastric cancer (GC) in all Saudi Arabian administrative areas. It examines the incidence of diagnosed cases, the age-specific incidence rate (AIR), the crude incidence rate (CIR), and the age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) stratified by age group, year of diagnosis, and region. Methods: From 2004 to 2017, a retrospective descriptive epidemiological study of all GC cases recorded in the Saudi Cancer Registry (SCR) was conducted. The data were analysed with descriptive statistics, the t-test, the Kruskal-Wallis test, and the sex ratio using version 20.0 of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Results: Between January 2004 and December 2017, a total of 4,066 GC cases were reported in the SCR. Riyadh, Najran, and Eastern Region had the highest overall ASIR of GC among males and females in Saudi Arabia (Males: 4.0, 3.8, and 3.8; Females: 2.6, 2.3 and 2.2 per 100,000 people). In contrast, Jazan had the lowest overall ASIR of GC among Saudi males and females (1.5 and 0.5 per 100,000 people, respectively). However, the overall ASIR of GC was statistically higher in men than in women (P-value 0.05), with a male-to-female ratio of 2.8 per 100,000 in Saudi Arabia. Conclusion: There was a small decline in the CIRs and ASIRs of GC in Saudi Arabia Between 2004 and 2017. Riyadh, Najran, and the Eastern Region had the greatest prevalence of GC among males and females in Saudi Arabia. Men and women in Jazan, Saudi Arabia, were shown to be the least impacted by GC. In Saudi Arabia, the rates of GC were substantially greater among males than among females.

Background and methods: Around 5-20% of patients who undergo surgery for advanced gastric cancer have peritoneal carcinomatosis. Peritoneal recurrence rate is 10-54%, which is associated with poor prognosis. The role of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in advanced gastric cancer is not clearly defined. We conducted a meta-analysis, in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines, of the clinical trials and high-quality non-randomized studies evaluating the role of HIPEC in AGC over the last 10 years. Clinical data including overall survival, recurrence-free survival, overall recurrence rate, peritoneal recurrence rate, and complications analyzed using RevMan5.4. Results: Six randomized controlled trials and 10 nonrandomized studies, comprising a total of 1700 patients were included. HIPEC was associated with significantly improved OS at 3 (OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.17-3.05) and 5 years (OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.29-2.71). HIPEC was associated with reduced overall recurrence (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.31-0.80) and peritoneal recurrence (OR 0.22, 95% 0.11-0.47). HIPEC was not associated with increased complications. The occurrence of postoperative renal dysfunction was significantly higher in the HIPEC group (OR 3.94, 95% CI 1.85-8.38). Conclusion: HIPEC may improve survival rates and reduce recurrence rates in patients with AGC, without any significant increase in complications with a favorable impact on survival.

Objective: The aims of this study were to establish a mathematical model to predict intrauterine adhesion (IUA) prognosis based on 3-dimensional (3D) ultrasound. Design：Derivate retrospectively and validate prospectively. Setting: University affiliated hospitals Population: 668 IUA in the derivation cohort and 426 IUA in the validation cohort. Methods: Logistic regression analysis was used to develop prediction models to forecast the live birth rate following HA according to postoperative 3D-TVUS characteristics and hysteroscopy characteristics. The performance of each of the prediction models was compared by calculating the area under the curve (AUC). A nomogram was then constructed for the excellent model. Main Outcome Measures: General clinical information, 3D-TVUS characteristics and hysteroscopy characteristics. Results: Live birth was achieved by 242 IUA patients in the derivation cohort (n = 668) and by 150 in the validation cohort (n = 426). Logistic regression analysis revealed that the AUC for the models based on 3D-TVUS characteristics in the derivation and validation cohorts were 0.8506 and 0.8963, respectively, which was better than the models based on hysteroscopy characteristics. The calibration curve of the nomogram based on 3D-TVUS characteristics and a non-significant Hosmer–Lemeshow test statistic showed good calibration (P = 0.3064). Conclusion: Our findings indicate that postoperative 3D ultrasound characteristics could be predictive factors for live births among IUA patients and provide valuable reproductive guidance for women after HA.

Predicting the response of a cancer patient to a specific drug is a major goal in precision oncology. The current approach to cancer treatment is a one-size-fits-all approach, failing to comprehend tumor heterogeneity, results in 75% ineffectiveness of cancer treatment.

In this article we introduce an input-oriented democratic innovation-that we term 'TaxTrack'-which offers individual taxpayers the means to engage with their political economies in three ways. After joining the TaxTrack program, an individual can: (1) see and understand how much, and what types, of taxes they have contributed, (2) see and understand how their tax contributions are, or have been, used, and (3) control what their tax contributions can, or cannot, be spent on. We explain this democratic innovation in two ways. The first is through evocation to prefigure what the innovation could look like in future practise which raises the prospects for both good and problematic outcomes. The second is through formal theory to produce a detailed model of the innovation to assist theory building. We conclude by discussing three interactive outcomes of 'TaxTrack' through the democratic innovations literature to establish the beginnings of a theory for the model. This theory tells us that 'TaxTrack' can return benefits to its users and the democratic regimes in which they are located but it may also place restrictions on output-oriented innovations like Participatory Budgeting.

A document by Anton Porsteinsson. Click on the document to view its contents.

Objective Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a common gynecological condition and pessaries are offered as a first line management, however, each woman presents with unique anatomy and thus the effectiveness of commercially available pessaries may be limited by lack of customization. This study aims to apply three-dimensional (3D) printing technology in seeking resolution. Design, setting, population and methods This was a pilot study, 6 patients with mean age 68 years (57 to 74) were treated with Gellhorn pessary for symptomatic POP were enrolled in our study. We put the Gellhorn-type pessary into the vagina to restore the prolapsed parts and under transvaginal ultrasound (US) guided to evaluate the gap which Gellhorn pessary can’t cover. Ototoform (an impression silicone) was used to make a sphere-shape mode and have it hooked onto Gellhorn pessary (template). We collected template and then applied 3D printing to customize silicone vaginal pessary. Results All 6 patients were satisfied with the customized made pessaries. No patients complained of adverse effects, such as discomfort, expulsion of the pessary, urinary incontinence, difficulty in urination or bowel movement, and vaginal bleeding during the study. Conclusions Our study demonstrates that a tailor made pessary may offer better solution for women with POP. A customized pessary can be made with the help of transvaginal US and 3D printing technology. Any local clinic can use simple tools (i.e. transvaginal US and pessary) with assistance from a 3D printing center to create a well fit pessary. With our innovation, distant is not a boundary.

Background: Endometriosis is a chronic, often debilitating condition with a current significant delay from symptom onset to diagnosis. Objectives: To investigate the accuracy of symptoms, clinical history and non-invasive tests to predict pelvic endometriosis. Data sources: Medline, Embase, Web of Science and Scopus from conception to September 2022. Selection criteria: Primary test accuracy studies assessing selected non-invasive tests against a reference standard diagnosis for endometriosis. Data extraction and synthesis: Two authors independently conducted data extraction and study quality assessment. Grading of evidence was performed using a novel visual pentagon model. Meta-analyses of test accuracy was estimated using bivariate random effects models. Results: The 125 included studies (250,574 participants) showed mixed quality. Studies applying non-surgical (database/self-reporting) reference standard had a greater risk of bias. In 98 studies applying surgical reference standard, summary diagnostic odds ratios were: dysmenorrhoea 2.56 (95% confidence interval 1.99-3.29); pelvic pain 2.56 (1.73-3.74); dyschezia 2.05 (1.36-3.10); dyspareunia 2.45 (1.71-3.52); family history of endometriosis 6.79 (4.08-11.3); nulligravidity of 2.01 (1.62-2.50); BMI ≥30kg/m2 0.37 (0.19-0.68); TVUSS endometrioma 91.2 (44.0-189); TVUSS invasive endometriosis 26.1 (9.28-73.5); and CA-125 >35U/mL 16.0 (8.09-31.7). Sensitivity analysis excluding all high-risk studies found concordant results. Conclusions: This meta-analysis collated the performance of non-invasive tests for endometriosis across a comprehensive and geographically varied population. Study quality was mixed, however results were consistent with high-risk studies excluded. These findings will inform future prediction models for triage in primary care. Funding: This research received no specific funding. Keywords: Endometriosis; diagnosis; laparoscopy; pelvic pain; sub-fertility

In this work, we propose a technique for the use of fermionic neural networks (FermiNets) with the Slater exponential Ansatz for electron-nuclear and electron-electron distances, which provides faster convergence of target ground-state energies due to a better description of the interparticle interaction in the vicinities of the coalescence points. Our analysis of learning curves indicates on the possibility to obtain accurate energies with smaller batch sizes using arguments of the bagging approach. In order to obtain even more accurate results for the ground-state energies, we propose an extrapolation scheme for estimating Monte Carlo integrals in the limit of an infinite number of points. Numerical tests for a set of molecules demonstrate a good agreement with the results of the original FermiNets approach (achieved with larger batch sizes than required by our approach) and with results of the coupled-cluster singles and doubles with perturbative triples (CCSD(T)) method that are calculated in the complete basis set (CBS) limit.

Abstract Objective. To compare the bleeding patterns associated with the 3-year use of copper intrauterine devices (Cu-IUD) or 13.5-mg levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine systems (LNG-IUS) in clinical practice. Design. Single-centre, double-blind, randomized, parallel group, Phase IV study. Setting. Gynaecology office. Population or Sample. Women seeking long-term contraception, eligible to use Cu-IUD/LNG-IUS. Methods. At baseline and at months 3, 6, 12, 24 and 36 after placement, we recorded the number of bleeding days and quantity of bleeding: self-reported bleeding intensity, the Pictorial Blood Assessment Chart (PBAC) and haemoglobin/ferritin levels and haematocrit. The frequency and intensity of dysmenorrhoea and spotting, and of adverse events were also recorded. Main Outcome Measures. Bleeding days and quantity of bleeding in 90-day reference periods (RPs). Results. One-hundred six women aged 32.5±6.7 years participated in the study: 55 women were randomized to LNG-IUS and 51 to Cu-IUD. The median number of bleeding days and the bleeding intensity (self-perceived and PBAC score) were significantly lower with LNG-IUS throughout the study (P <0.001), with a greater reduction during RP2 (month 2 for PBAC). Ferritin levels increased with LNG-IUS and decreased with Cu-IUD. The frequency and intensity of dysmenorrhoea decreased significantly more with LNG-IUS vs Cu-IUD. The median number of spotting days was 0 or close to 0 throughout the study with both devices. Conclusions The 13.5-mg LNG-IUS shows benefits over the Cu-IUD in terms of menstrual bleeding pattern, being associated with significant blood loss reduction and greater reduction of the frequency and intensity of dysmenorrhoea, with similar patterns of spotting days.

A document by Christian Hagendorf. Click on the document to view its contents.

Update 2.7We report the case of a patient who suffers from hypotransferrinemia due to a genetic defect, subsequently suffers organ damage due to non-transferrin bound iron (NTBI) and develops a paradoxical reaction of glucose metabolism as a result of treatment with corticosteroids. To our knowledge, this is the first description of such an effect in the medical literature. The mechanism and further course of this phenomenon are currently still in the dark. Due to its peculiarity, we therefore publish only the clinical key data for the time being. We reported earlier about the same patient’s change in his narcolepsy symptoms.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) community changes sharply along elevation, and population-level adaptation of invasive plant to mycorrhizal communities may also occur. We conducted an experiment to compare the growth performance of elevational populations of invasive Galinsoga quadriradiata that were inoculating with AMF communities from across the same range of elevations. Galinsoga quadriradiata performed best when inoculated with AMF form the same elevation where the invader was collected, and consistently poorly when inoculated with AMF from the highest elevation that has not been invaded. The growth of G. quadriradiata was promoted by AMF inoculation in polyculture but suppressed in monoculture. Our results suggest that the population-level adaptation of G. quadriradiata to mycorrhizal communities changed along elevation. Biotic interactions with AMF communities and native plant competitors play important roles in limiting plant invasion into high-altitude area. It provides new insight to mechanisms for plant invasion in mountains.

L-asparaginase is one of the world’s most in-demand industrial enzymes, mainly due to its therapeutic properties and its use in the food industry. Over the years studies have been conducted to improve its specific activity and reduce side effects, driving new discoveries that promise safer, more efficient, and cheaper drugs for consumers. However, heterologous protein modifications or expression continue to be a problem during production. Therefore, addressing bottlenecks when attempting to express modified and/or heterologous proteins using the rational design of heterologous expression systems with modified hosts could be a promising strategy to improve L-asparaginase production. Problems such as inadequate protein folding, metabolic load on host cells, codon usage bias, repetitive sequences affecting translation, heavy molecular weight and/or multi-membrane domains formation; need great attention during the development of “bio-better” proteins. In this article, we address the current molecular and metabolic strategies that have been developed to improve the heterologous expression of L-asparaginase.

Processes governing genetic diversity and adaptive potential in reef-building corals are of interest both for fundamental evolutionary biology and for reef conservation. Here, we investigated the possibility of “sweepstakes reproductive success” (SRS) in a broadcast spawning coral Acropora hyacinthus at Yap Island, Micronesia. SRS is an extreme yearly variation in the number of surviving offspring among parents. It is predicted to generate genetically differentiated, low genetic diversity recruit cohorts, containing close kin individuals. We have tested these predictions by comparing genetic composition of size classes (adults and juveniles) at several sites on the island of Yap, Micronesia. We did see the genome-wide dip in genetic diversity in juveniles compared to adults at two of the four sites; however, both adults and juveniles varied in genetic diversity across sites, and there was no detectable genetic structure among juveniles, which does not conform to the classical SRS scenario. Yet, we have identified a pair of juvenile siblings at the site where juveniles had the lowest genetic diversity compared to adults, an observation that is hard to explain without invoking SRS. While further support for SRS is needed to fully settle the issue, we show that incorporating SRS into the Indo-West Pacific coral metapopulation adaptation model had surprisingly little effect on mean rates of coral cover decline during warming. Still, SRS notably increases year-to-year variation in coral cover throughout the simulation.

AIMS The aim of this study was to explore whether inflammation, reflected by the C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations affected the VRC plasma concentration in hospitalized Chinese children and adolescent patients. METHODS Medical records of inpatients were reviewed retrospectively. A linear regression analysis was performed to assess the relationship between CRP values and VRC plasma trough concentration. RESULTS Fifth-nine patients aged 1-18 years were included. A total of 90 VRC trough concentrations were included in the linear regression. The plasma trough concentration of VRC increased with the CRP concentration (n=90, r=0.377, P<0.001). VRC trough concentrations in patients with the group of moderate inflammation (3.09 (0.12~8.58); n=30) were significantly (P=0.011) higher than the group of mild inflammation (1.53 (0.01~9.35); n=60). There were no significant difference (P=0.865) in VRC trough concentration between patients with the group of mild inflammation (≤40 mg/L, n=30) and moderate inflammation (41-200 mg/L, n=6) in patients aged<12 years. VRC trough concentrations were significantly higher (P=0.032) in patients with the group of moderate inflammation (41-200 mg/L, n=24) compared to the group of mild inflammation (≤40 mg/L, n=30) in patients aged ≥12 years. When CRP concentration increased 1 mg/L, the VRC trough concentration increased by 0.010 mg/L and 0.009 mg/L in the unadjusted (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.005 to 0.016 mg/L) and adjusted (95% CI, 0.001 to 0.016 mg/L) linear regression analyses, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Inflammation response appears to provide an explanation for some of the variability in VRC exposure.

Dilated cardiomyopathy in infants could potentially be secondary to structural heart diseases such as LV outflow obstruction and ALCAPA. These conditions can be diagnosed by a dedicated echocardiogram. When such an evaluation was not possible, a postmortem echocardiogram could potentially provide clues about the possibility of a structural heart disease

In this paper, an efficient modified two-grid block-centered finite difference algorithm with second-order backward difference formula is presented for coupled nonlinear reaction-diffusion equations of the solutes in the groundwater flow. The main steps of the modified two-grid algorithm include dealing with a small-scale nonlinear problem on the coarse grid with a large time step size and then dealing with a large-scale linear problem on the fine grid with a smaller time step size base on the second-order backward difference formula. Moreover, the theoretical analysis illustrates that the modified two-grid algorithm is able to maintain second convergence order in space-time domain. Several numerical experiments including a practical example are carried out to support the theoretical results and verify that the modified two-grid block-centered finite difference with second-order backward difference formula algorithm can achieve high efficiency while maintaining the second-order accuracy, meanwhile, has a certain applicable value in actual problem.

Background and purpose: Montelukast, an antagonist of the cysteinyl leukotrienes receptor 1, has been proposed for repurposing for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease. Clinical trials are ongoing but the mechanisms supporting this repurposing are still poorly understood. Experimental Approach: Taking advantage of proteomics datasets deposited in public repositories, data from mouse brain and a neuronal chicken model exposed to the drug were reinterpreted in view of the repurposing proposal. Key Results: Montelukast increases the levels of presenilin 1, nicastrin, neprilysin, and insulin-degrading enzyme, all of which are involved in the amyloid aggregation and clearance processes. Hexokinase 1, malate and isocitrate dehydrogenate enzymes, from central metabolism pathways, are also affected. Conclusions and Implications: The data suggest that montelukast is a modulator of the amyloid clearance process, favouring the removal of aggregates and counterbalancing the overall amyloidogenic process. Montelukast also acts on energy supply pathways, compensating the ageing-associated decrease of the basal cell metabolism. Taken together, these actions of montelukast clearly support its repurposing as a candidate for Alzheimer’s disease management.