Size Heterogeneity Research Articles

A brain subcortical segmentation tool based on anatomy attentional fusion network for developing macaques

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) plays a pivotal role in the accurate measurement of brain subcortical structures in macaques, which is crucial for unraveling the complexities of brain structure and function, thereby enhancing our understanding of neurodegenerative diseases and brain development. However, due to significant differences in brain size, structure, and imaging characteristics between humans and macaques, computational tools developed for human neuroimaging studies often encounter obstacles when applied to macaques. In this context, we propose an Anatomy Attentional Fusion Network (AAF-Net), which integrates multimodal MRI data with anatomical constraints in a multi-scale framework to address the challenges posed by the dynamic development, regional heterogeneity, and age-related size variations of the juvenile macaque brain, thus achieving precise subcortical segmentation. Specifically, we generate a Signed Distance Map (SDM) based on the initial rough segmentation of the subcortical region by a network as an anatomical constraint, providing comprehensive information on positions, structures, and morphology. Then we construct AAF-Net to fully fuse the SDM anatomical constraints and multimodal images for refined segmentation. To thoroughly evaluate the performance of our proposed tool, over 700 macaque MRIs from 19 datasets were used in this study. Specifically, we employed two manually labeled longitudinal macaque datasets to develop the tool and complete four-fold cross-validations. Furthermore, we incorporated various external datasets to demonstrate the proposed tool’s generalization capabilities and promise in brain development research. We have made this tool available as an open-source resource at https://github.com/TaoZhong11/Macaque_subcortical_segmentation for direct application.

Mapping Thyroid Changes in Size and Position During Enlargement in Adult Mice With Hyperthyroidism.

The thyroid in Graves' disease undergoes a considerable divergence in size and position from the normal anatomy. However, knowledge of the pathological anatomy related to the change, which is required before planned surgical or local intervention, or diagnosis, is neglected. To investigate Graves' disease, we established a model of mice that successfully mimicked all the signs presented in the clinic. Under a long-term immunization (35 weeks), the animals displayed large heterogeneity in thyroid size, such as the cases of natural occurrence. These thyroids in the model were sized into various phases and registered. A blend of the registered thyroids and the thyroid and tracheal cartilage landmarks led to the production of site-dependent incidence graphs of thyroid in the front view and on the section for each phase. The merger of the incidence graphs of all the phases resulted in thyroid phase-dependent topography. The depicted graphs illustrate the fine localization of the thyroid in various sizes and their dynamic changes during enlargement, which may facilitate currently used fine-needle aspiration biopsy and ultrasonography-guided biopsy techniques. Familiarity with this knowledge might avoid misclassifying an abnormality as normal, or vice versa, and be helpful for imaging diagnosis and local surgery therapy in Graves' disease.

Cooperative roles of twinning, transformation and strain partitioning on the excellent cryogenic strength-toughness synergy of dual-heterogeneous metastable high entropy alloys

In a metastable Fe50Mn30Co10Cr10 high entropy alloy (HEA), a dual-heterogeneous structure, encompassing both grain size and dislocation heterogeneity, has been constructed to obtain excellent cryogenic mechanical performance by varying the annealing temperature (630 and 740 °C) following severe deformation. The HS-630 sample, consisting of recovered coarse-grains (CG), recrystallized fine-grains (FGs) and un-recrystallized ultrafine-grains (UFGs), possesses higher yield strength (YS) of ∼965 MPa, ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of ∼1680 MPa and uniform elongation (UEL) of ∼45 % when compared to the fully-recrystallized HS-740 sample at liquid nitrogen temperature (LNT). The difference in YS is primarily caused by the grain boundary and dislocation strengthening of UFGs, whereas the higher ductility of the HS-630 sample is associated with the hierarchical activation of transformation- and twinning-induced plasticity (TRIP and TWIP) effects, and compatible strain partitioning between heterogeneous domains. The dual-heterogeneity results in different critical stresses of ε-phase nucleation in heterogeneous domains, and promotes sustainable TRIP effect in CGs and the emergence of TWIP effect in UFGs with strain progressing. Moreover, the strain of the ductile transformed ε-phase is mainly accommodated by non-basal slip, which contributes to the strain hardening in the later deformation stage. Furthermore, the higher cryogenic impact toughness of the HS-630 sample can be attributed to the synergistic effects of the fracture mode, the transformation characteristics, and the heterogeneous strain partitioning.

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells in peripheral blood as predictive biomarkers in patients with solid tumors undergoing immune checkpoint therapy: systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundImmunotherapeutic approaches, including immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy, are increasingly recognized for their potential. Despite notable successes, patient responses to these treatments vary significantly. The absence of reliable predictive and prognostic biomarkers hampers the ability to foresee outcomes. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the predictive significance of circulating myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) in patients with solid tumors undergoing ICI therapy, focusing on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).MethodsA comprehensive literature search was performed across PubMed and EMBASE from January 2007 to November 2023, utilizing keywords related to MDSC and ICI. We extracted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) directly from the publications or calculated them based on the reported data. A hazard ratio greater than 1 indicated a beneficial effect of low MDSC levels. We assessed heterogeneity and effect size through subgroup analyses.ResultsOur search yielded 4,023 articles, of which 17 studies involving 1,035 patients were included. The analysis revealed that patients with lower levels of circulating MDSC experienced significantly improved OS (HR=2.13 [95% CI 1.51–2.99]) and PFS (HR=1.87 [95% CI 1.29–2.72]) in response to ICI therapy. Notably, heterogeneity across these outcomes was primarily attributed to differences in polymorphonuclear MDSC (PMN-MDSC) subpopulations and varying cutoff methodologies used in the studies. The monocytic MDSC (M-MDSC) subpopulation emerged as a consistent and significant prognostic marker across various subgroup analyses, including ethnicity, tumor type, ICI target, sample size, and cutoff methodology.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that standardized assessment of MDSC, particularly M-MDSC, should be integral to ICI therapy strategies. These cells hold the promise of identifying patients at risk of poor response to ICI therapy, enabling tailored treatment approaches. Further research focusing on the standardization of markers and validation of cutoff methods is crucial for integrating MDSC into clinical practice.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023420095, identifier CRD42023420095.

Challenges in the analysis of pharmaceutical lentiviral vector products by orthogonal and complementary physical (nano)particle characterization techniques

Lentiviral vectors (LVVs) are used as a starting material to generate chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells. Therefore, LVVs need to be carefully analyzed to ensure safety, quality, and potency of the final product. We evaluated orthogonal and complementary analytical techniques for their suitability to characterize particulate matter (impurities and LVVs) in pharmaceutical LVV materials at development stage derived from suspension and adherent manufacturing processes. Microfluidic resistive pulse sensing (MRPS) with additional manual data fitting enabled the assessment of mode diameters for particles in the expected LVV size range in material from adherent production. LVV material from a suspension process, however, contained substantial amounts of particulate impurities which blocked MRPS cartridges. Sedimentation-velocity analytical ultracentrifugation (SV-AUC) resolved the LVV peak in material from adherent production well, whereas in more polydisperse samples from suspension production, presence of particulate impurities masked a potential signal assignable to LVVs. In interferometric light microscopy (ILM) and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), lower size detection limits close to ∼ 70 nm resulted in an apparent peak in particle size distributions at the expected size for LVVs emphasizing the need to interpret these data with care. Interpretation of data from dynamic light scattering (DLS) was limited by insufficient size resolution and sample polydispersity. In conclusion, the analysis of LVV products manufactured at pharmaceutical scale with current state-of-the-art physical (nano)particle characterization techniques was challenging due to the presence of particulate impurities of heterogeneous size. Among the evaluated techniques, MRPS and SV-AUC were most promising yielding acceptable results at least for material from adherent production.

#1841 Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) induces the formation of endothelial extracellular vesicles

Abstract Background and Aims Endothelial dysfunction caused by the accumulation of uremic toxins is an important contributor to the development of cardiovascular disease in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The uremic toxin trimethylamine n-oxide (TMAO) is associated with oxidative stress, vascular calcification, and inflammation, triggering the release of several proinflammatory molecules and Extracellular Vesicles (EVs). Clinical studies have shown that patients with CKD have high levels of circulating EVs, however, their role is still poorly understood. In this dysfunctional scenario, EVs can be used as damage biomarkers for CKD, as they carry information from their cells of origin. Here, we aim to elucidate the formation of EVs in endothelial cells exposed to TMAO. Method Human endothelial cells (EA.hy926, ATCC CRL-2922) were exposed for 24 h with TMAO at uremic concentrations (7.49 mg/L). EVs were isolated by differential ultracentrifugation. Protein concentration was analyzed by Pierce™ BCA Protein Assay Kit, and particle size and particle concentration were analyzed by NanoParticle Tracking Analysis (NTA), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). EVs were stained with calcein and their internalization in endothelial cells was analyzed with Fluorescence Confocal Microscopy. Results TMAO treatment at uremic concentration induced the formation of EVs with a size of 202.8 ± 3.1 nm (image 1B) and 1.09 × 109 ± 2.68 × 107 particles/mL and a total protein concentration of 88.57 µg/mL. The morphological features of EVs are shown in images 1C-1F. TMAO-induced EVs were incorporated by endothelial cells, being dispersed in the cytoplasm or perinuclear regions (images 1G and end 1H). Conclusion TMAO was able to induce the formation of EVs in endothelial cells, with characteristics morphological features. When compared to control EVs (image 1A), TMAO-EVs have a more heterogeneous size, which indicate a change in the size pattern, and thus the nature of the EVs induced by TMAO. TMAO-EVs were able to be internalized by human endothelial cells. This uptake can be closely related to the effects of EVs in endothelial cells, but more experiments need to be performed. Taken together, these data could contribute to understanding how the formation and uptake of TMAO-EVs by the endothelium occurs, relating their effects to the cardiovascular complications of CKD.

#2647 Assessing atherosclerosis using epicardial adipose tissue in hemodialysis patients: a meta-analysis

Abstract Background and Aims Hemodialysis (HD) patients had higher cardiovascular mortality due to accelerated atherosclerosis in such patients. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) thickness is a marker of atherosclerosis and independent predictor of coronary artery disease. The potential use of EAT as an imaging biomarker for cardiovascular disease risk stratification has attracted attention in the recent times. EAT's value in cases of HD hasn't been thoroughly analyzed, though. A meta-analysis of the literature assessing the mean differences in EAT value between HD patients and healthy controls was conducted. Method Pubmed, Google Scholar and Embase databases were searched from inception till 15 January 2024 for studies that measured EAT thickness of adult patients with HD and matched healthy controls. Outcomes included mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of EAT thickness between the HD patients and the healthy controls. The results were combined using a fixed or random effect model as per heterogeneity among the included studies in Revman 5.4 software. The between-study heterogeneity of effect size was quantified using the Q statistic and I2. The results were represented in forest plots. Statistical significance was determined as P value of less than 0.05. Results Eight studies comprising 757 patients were included in this analysis. EAT thickness were significantly higher in HD patients as compared to healthy controls [MD: 1.88, Confidence Interval (CI): 0.74-3.02, I2 = 98%, P value = 0.001] (Fig. 1). Conclusion This meta-analysis concluded that HD patients are independently associated with higher EAT as compared to healthy controls. The utility of EAT as an imaging biomarker for predicting atherosclerosis in HD patients is promising. EAT represent readily available clinical markers useful in estimating risk of cardiovascular mortality in HD patients.

Unveiling ball size heterogeneity effect on microwave absorption properties of cobalt

Recent advances in material science have led to impressive microwave absorbing materials, yet their practical applications are hindered by complex synthesis processes. This study explores a cost-effective alternative, emphasizing modifying material morphology using ball size heterogeneity. Unlike using same-sized balls, employing different-sized balls maximizes collision energy, yielding finer particles. In this study, the effect of ball size heterogeneity on microwave absorption performance has been investigated for the first time. An attempt has been made to explore how using ball size heterogeneity changes structural, magnetic, and dielectric properties of cobalt (Co) and how these modifications affect material's absorption properties. Results show that by using ball size heterogeneity, the particle size distribution in 0.1–1 μm range has been increased, yielding much finer particles. The relative permittivity value also increases due to changes in average particle size and surface area. Microwave absorption characteristics of Co milled with different-sized balls showed a significant change. A 15 h milled Co sample using different-sized balls achieved an effective bandwidth of 9.65 GHz (4.75–14.4), contrasting with no absorption bandwidth when using same-sized balls, with a 2 mm coating thickness. This work provides new insights into preparing materials for microwave absorption applications using ball milling method.

Bayesian Meta-Analysis of Health State Utility Values: A Tutorial with a Practical Application in Heart Failure.

Researchers incorporate health state utility values as inputs to inform economic models. However, for a particular health state or condition, multiple utility values derived from different studies typically exist and a single study is often insufficient to represent the best available source of utility needed to inform policy decisions. The purpose of this paper is to provide an introductory guidance for conducting Bayesian meta-analysis of health state utility values to generate a single parameter input for economic evaluation, using R. The tutorial is illustrated using data from a systematic review of health state utilities of patients with heart failure, with 21 studies that reported utilities measured using the EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D). Explanations, key considerations and suggested readings are provided for each step of the tutorial, adhering to a clear workflow for conducting Bayesian meta-analysis: (1) setting-up the data; (2) employing methods to impute missing standard deviations; (3) defining the priors; (4) fitting the model; (5) diagnosing model convergence; (6) interpreting the results; and (7) performing sensitivity analyses. The posterior distributions for the pooled effect size (i.e. mean health state utility) and between-study heterogeneity are discussed and interpreted in light of the data, priors and models used. We hope that this tutorial will foster interest in Bayesian methods and their applications in the meta-analysis of utilities.

Percolation transitions in partially edge-coupled interdependent networks with different group size distributions

In many systems, from brain neural networks to epidemic transmission networks, pairwise interactions are insufficient to express complex relationships. Nodes sometimes cooperate and form groups to increase their robustness to risks, and each such group can be considered a “supernode”. Furthermore, previous studies of cascading failures in interdependent networks have typically concentrated on node coupling connections; however, in many realistic scenarios, interactions occur between the edges connecting nodes rather than between the nodes themselves. Networks of this type are called edge-coupled interdependent networks. To better reflect complex networks in the real world, in this paper, we construct a theoretical model of a two-layer partially edge-coupled interdependent network with groups, where all nodes in the same group are functionally dependent on each other. We identify several types of phase transitions, namely, discontinuous, hybrid and continuous, which are determined by the strength of the dependency and the distribution of the supernodes. We first apply our developed mathematical framework to ErdsRnyi and scale-free partially edge-coupled interdependent networks with equally sized groups to analytically and numerically calculate the phase transition thresholds and the critical dependency strengths that distinguish different types of transitions. We then investigate the influence of the group size distribution on cascading failures by presenting examples of two different heterogeneous group size distributions. Our theoretical predictions and numerical findings are in close agreement, demonstrating that decreasing the dependency strength and increasing group size heterogeneity can increase the robustness of interdependent networks. Our results have significant implications for the design and optimization of network security and fill a knowledge gap in the robustness of partially edge-coupled interdependent networks with different group size distributions.

A practical, step-by-step, guide to taxonomic comparisons using Procrustes geometric morphometrics and user-friendly software (part B): group comparisons

In this second part of the study, using a ‘clean’ dataset without very low precision landmarks and outliers, I describe how to compare mandibular size and shape using Procrustes methods in adult North American marmots. After demonstrating that sex differences are negligible, females and males are pooled together with specimens of unknown sex and species are compared using a battery of tests, that estimate both statistical significance and effect size. The importance of allometric variation and its potential effect on shape differences is also explored. Finally, to provide potential clues on founder effects, I compare the magnitude of variance in mandibular size and shape between the Vancouver Island marmot (VAN) and the hoary marmot, its sister species on the mainland. In almost all main analyses, I explore the sensitivity of results to heterogeneous sample size and small samples using subsamples and randomized selection experiments. For both size and shape, I find a degree of overlap among species variation but, with very few exceptions, mean interspecific differences are well supported in all analyses. Shape, in particular, is an accurate predictor of taxonomic affiliation. Allometry in adults, however, explains a modest amount of within-species shape change. Yet, there is a degree of divergence in allometric trajectories that seems consistent with subgeneric separation. VAN is the most distinctive species for mandibular shape and mandibular morphology suggests a long history of reduced variation in this insular population. Geometric morphometrics (GMM) is a powerful tool to aid taxonomic research. Regardless of the effectiveness of this family of methods and the apparent robustness of results obtained with GMM, however, large samples and careful measurements remain essential for accuracy. Even with excellent data, morphometrics is important, but its findings must be corroborated with an integrative approach that combines multiple lines of evidence to taxonomic assessment. The analytical protocol I suggest is described in detail, with a summary checklist, in the Appendix, not to miss important steps. All the analyses can be replicated using the entire dataset, which is freely available online. Beginners may follow all the steps, whereas more experienced researchers can focus on one specific aspect and read only the relevant chapter. There are limitations, but the protocol is flexible and easy to improve or implement using a programming language such as R.

Do corporate hedge theories explain the natural hedge strategies of firms? A meta-analytic review

This meta-analysis of 54 empirical studies examines the determinants of natural hedging. Our findings reveal that firm's risk exposure, economies of scale, and strategic considerations prompt natural hedge. Financial distress and underinvestment theory also partially explain the preference for natural hedge; however, their effect's economic relevance is low. Factors influencing natural hedging differ across geographical regions and impact the choice of natural hedging strategies. For instance, highly profitable firms prefer foreign debt, whereas highly leveraged firms prefer operational modifications as natural hedge strategy. Data sources, model specifications, econometric methods, and journal rankings further explain heterogeneity in effect sizes across studies.

Homogenization of nonlinear Cosserat plate including growth theory when the thickness of the plate and the size of the in-plane heterogeneities are of the same order of magnitude

In this work, we present a new two-scale finite-strain plate theory for highly heterogeneous plates described by a repetitive periodic microstructure. Two scales exist, the macroscopic scale is linked to the entire plate and the microscopic one is linked to the size of the heterogeneity. This work aims to propose such a theory for thick plates in a nonlinear setting when the thickness and the size of heterogeneities are of the same order of magnitude. The homogenization theory for large deformation with growth is suitable for the modelization of nearly incompressible plant tissue. This model is suitable for wavy leaves. For thick plates, the transverse normal stress and transverse shearing are modelized at both microscopic and macroscopic levels. At the macroscopic level, we consider a nonlinear Cosserat plate model. At the microscopic level, we impose that the average of contribution of the microscopic displacement to rotation angles is equal to zero. We also deal with the problem of boundary layer problem near the lateral boundary. The model recently proposed by Pruchnicki is valid for thin heterogeneous plates; we present an extension for thick plates that takes into account both transverse normal stress and shearing. This model is equivalent to the first model presented but it involves a second-order derivative of the macroscopic displacement field.

Meta-analysis of the association between gratitude and loneliness.

Gratitude is a positive social emotion that involves recognizing that others have brought benefits into one's life. Loneliness, on the other hand, is an unpleasant emotion resulting from a perceived lack of social connectedness. Although previous studies have reported an inverse association between gratitude and loneliness, these studies have not been systematically examined in a single review. To address this gap in the literature, we conducted a random-effects meta-analysis to examine the association between gratitude and loneliness. Analysis of 26 studies revealed a moderate sized effect (mean Fisher's z transformed correlation, zr = -.406, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -.463, -.349; mean back-transformed correlation, r = -.385, 95% CI = -.433, -.335). To complement these effect sizes, we calculated a probability-based common language effect size for correlations. Random-effects homogeneity testing suggested the presence of effect size heterogeneity. Analyses of both continuous and categorical moderators were non-significant, indicating that these variables did not influence effect size magnitude. Furthermore, publication bias tests suggested that our results were not influenced by unpublished studies. Finally, we proposed several statistical and clinical recommendations for future research. Regarding the latter, we offered suggestions for modifying gratitude enhancement programs with the aim of reducing loneliness.

Intraplatelet Calcium Signaling Regulates Thrombus Growth under Flow: Insights from a Multiscale Model

In injured arteries, platelets adhere to the subendothelium and initiate the coagulation process. They recruit other platelets and form a plug that stops blood leakage. The formation of the platelet plug depends on platelet activation, a process that is regulated by intracellular calcium signaling. Using an improved version of a previous multiscale model, we study the effects of changes in calcium signaling on thrombus growth. This model utilizes the immersed boundary method to capture the interplay between platelets and the flow. Each platelet can attach to other platelets, become activated, express proteins on its surface, detach, and/or become non-adhesive. Platelet activation is captured through a specific calcium signaling model that is solved at the intracellular level, which considers calcium activation by agonists and contacts. Simulations reveal a contact-dependent activation threshold necessary for the formation of the thrombus core. Next, we evaluate the effect of knocking out the P2Y and PAR receptor families. Further, we show that blocking P2Y receptors reduces platelet numbers in the shell while slightly increasing the core size. An analysis of the contribution of P2Y and PAR activation to intraplatelet calcium signaling reveals that each of the ADP and thrombin agonists promotes the activation of platelets in different regions of the thrombus. Finally, the model predicts that the heterogeneity in platelet size reduces the overall number of platelets recruited by the thrombus. The presented framework can be readily used to study the effect of antiplatelet therapy under different physiological and pathological blood flow, platelet count, and activation conditions.

Histological Outcomes of Pharmacological Interventions in Eosinophilic Esophagitis for Adults and Children: A Network Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Multiple pharmacological interventions have been studied for managing eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). We performed a comprehensive systematic review and network meta-analysis of all available randomized controlled trials (RCT) to assess the efficacy and safety of these interventions in EoE in adults and children. We performed a comprehensive review of Embase, PubMed, MEDLINE OVID, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Web of Science through May 10, 2023. We performed frequentist approach network meta-analysis using random effects model. We calculated the odds ratio (OR) with 95% CI for dichotomous outcomes. Our search yielded 25 RCTs with 25 discrete interventions and 2067 patients. Compared with placebo, the following interventions improved histology (using study definitions) in decreasing order on ranking: orodispersible budesonide (ODB) low dose, ODB high dose, oral viscous budesonide (OVB) high dose, fluticasone tablet 1.5mg twice daily, fluticasone 3mg twice daily, esomeprazole, dupilumab every 2 weeks, dupilumab weekly, OVB medium dose, fluticasone 3mg daily, cendakimab 180mg, prednisone, swallowed fluticasone, fluticasone tablet 1.5mg daily, OVB low dose, reslizumab 3mg/kg, reslizumab 1mg/kg, and reslizumab 2mg/kg. Network meta-analysis demonstrates histological efficacy of multiple medications for EoE. Because of the heterogeneity and large effect size, we recommend more trials comparing pharmacotherapeutic interventions with each other and placebo. An important limitation of this study is absence of clinical efficacy data due to insufficient data. Other limitations include heterogeneity of operator, population, and outcome analysis.

Isolation and characterization of rabies monoclonal antibody charge variants.

Current postexposure prophylaxis of rabies includes vaccines, human rabies immunoglobulin (RIG), equine RIG, and recombinant monoclonal antibodies (mAb). In the manufacturing of rabies recombinant mAb, charge variants are the most common source of heterogeneity. Charge variants of rabies mAb were isolated by salt gradient cation exchange chromatography (CEX) to separate acidic and basic and main charge variants. Separated variants were further extensively characterized using orthogonal analytical techniques, which include secondary and tertiary structure determination by far and near ultraviolet circular dichroism spectroscopy. Charge and size heterogeneity were evaluated using CEX, isoelectric focusing (IEF), capillary-IEF, size exclusion chromatography, sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and western blotting. Antigen binding affinity was assessed by enzyme linked immuno-sorbent assay and rapid florescence foci inhibition test. Results from structural and physicochemical characterizations concluded that charge variants are formed due to posttranslational modification demonstrating that the charge heterogeneity, these charge variants did neither show any considerable physicochemical change nor affect its biological function. This study shows that charge variants are effective components of mAb and there is no need of deliberate removal, until biological functions of rabies mAb will get affected.

DeepGCN based on variable multi‐graph and multimodal data for ASD diagnosis

AbstractDiagnosing individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) accurately faces great challenges in clinical practice, primarily due to the data's high heterogeneity and limited sample size. To tackle this issue, the authors constructed a deep graph convolutional network (GCN) based on variable multi‐graph and multimodal data (VMM‐DGCN) for ASD diagnosis. Firstly, the functional connectivity matrix was constructed to extract primary features. Then, the authors constructed a variable multi‐graph construction strategy to capture the multi‐scale feature representations of each subject by utilising convolutional filters with varying kernel sizes. Furthermore, the authors brought the non‐imaging information into the feature representation at each scale and constructed multiple population graphs based on multimodal data by fully considering the correlation between subjects. After extracting the deeper features of population graphs using the deep GCN(DeepGCN), the authors fused the node features of multiple subgraphs to perform node classification tasks for typical control and ASD patients. The proposed algorithm was evaluated on the Autism Brain Imaging Data Exchange I (ABIDE I) dataset, achieving an accuracy of 91.62% and an area under the curve value of 95.74%. These results demonstrated its outstanding performance compared to other ASD diagnostic algorithms.

Characterization of chitosan nanoparticles extracted from maggot shell and paddy snail waste using the ionic gelation method

The aim this study was to characterize of chitosan nanoparticles extracted from maggot shell waste and paddy snail waste using the ionic gelation method. The Scanning Electron Microscope of nanochitosan extracted from maggot shell showed heterogeneity in particle size ranging from 218.60 to 279.04 nm by 73.5%. SEM results of nanochitosan extracted from paddy snail waste showed ranging from 193.48 to 356.20 nm by 60.4% and 740.89 to 945.74 nm by 14.35%. The zeta potential of nanochitosan particles of maggot shell waste and paddy snail waste were found to be 9.7 mV and -28.9 mV, respectively. The source of chitosan nanoparticles might produce the difference of particle size and zeta potential of chitosan nanoparticles.

Abstract 3024: Mitochondrial Volume Abnormalities In Gastrocnemius Muscle Of Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease

Background: The mechanisms of claudication in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) are poorly understood. Mitochondria are responsible for ATP production during aerobic conditions but may become structurally impaired in patients with chronic ischemia and PAD. Research Question: Are mitochondrial volumes different in patients with PAD compared with age-matched controls? Aims: To better understand mitochondrial abnormalities and ultrastructure in patients with PAD. Methods/Approach: Patients with PAD (defined as ABI <0.85) and age-matched controls (ABI 1.00-1.40) were recruited and underwent gastrocnemius muscle biopsy. Muscle samples were collected in optimal cutting temperature compound. Mitochondria were labeled with cytochrome oxidase IV antibody and Cy3 fluorescence secondary antibody and images were rendered in three dimensions using structured illumination microscopy to quantify mitochondrial size, content, and morphology. Comparisons were done with a Mann-Whitney U test. Results/Data: Forty-eight subjects (median [IQR] age 66.5 [59.0, 74.0] years, 32 (66.7%) male) were recruited and underwent gastrocnemius muscle biopsy, including 16 controls and 32 with PAD. The largest singular mitochondrial volume was greater in those with PAD (22.6 vs. 4.2μm 3 , p=0.01, Figure 1A) but the median mitochondrial volume was smaller (0.07 vs. 0.01μm 3 , p=0.03, Figure 1B). While no control mitochondria were larger than 7.2μm 3 , 1% of mitochondria in patients with PAD were larger than 10μm 3 (Figure 1C). There was no difference in the total mitochondrial volume or content between PAD and controls. Conclusion: Patients with PAD have larger maximum but smaller median mitochondria sizes in the gastrocnemius muscle, suggesting greater heterogeneity of mitochondrial size in those with PAD. The changes in mitochondrial morphology may result in mitochondrial inefficiency and an impaired compensatory response in the setting of chronic ischemia from PAD.