Significant Difference In Sensitivity Research Articles

Identification of cell adhesion molecules for the maturation of engineered heart tissue

Abstract Background Engineered cardiac tissue (ECT) utilizing human induced pluripotent stem cell derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) is anticipated to function as a translational in vitro model. However, hiPSC-CMs display phenotypes indicative of immaturity, and the structural organization of ECT composed of hiPSC-CMs is insuficient when compared to that of mature adult hearts. Although the mechanisms for hiPSC-CMs maturation have been reported, little is known about the mechanisms regulating the formation of in vitro tissue such as ECT. Cell adhesion molecules play important roles in heart formation in vivo through cell-cell interactions. However, specific cell adhesion molecules responsible for tissue structure formation in in vitro tissue models, such as ECTs, have not been identified. We hypothesize that cell adhesion molecules, which regulate cell-cell attachment, are crucial for in vitro tissue formation. Purpose This study aims to identify the key cell adhesion molecules involved in cell-cell interaction and assess the effects of their expression on hiPSC-CMs and EHT functions. Methods and Results We developed a cell attachment assay to evaluate the attachment ability of hiPCS-CMs and discovered that hiPSC-CMs produced via embryoid body method (EB-hiPSC-CMs) exhibited a higher attachment ability than those produced by monolayer method (Mono-hiPSC-CMs). Further analysis revealed no significant difference in anoikis sensitivity between EB-hiPSC-CMs and Mono-hiPSC-CMs, suggesting that the observed difference in attachment ability were due to differencies in cell adhesion efficiency between hiPSC-CMs generated by two methods. Moreover, RNA-seq analysis identified nine cell adhesion molecule genes that were highly expressed in EB-hiPSC-CMs. We identified the cell adhesion molecules responsible for the attachment ability of hiPSC-CMs by knockdown and over-expression experiments. Moreover, over-expression experiments using adeno-associated virus (AAV) demonstrate that hiPSC-CMs with overexpression of a cell adhesion molecule improved calcium handling and increased propagation speed, and ECTs with overexpression of a cell adhesion molecule showed enhanced sarcomere alignment and sarcomere length compared to controls. Conclusion(s) We observed differences in attachment ability between hiPSC-CMs generated by two differentiation methods. Transcriptome analysis of these hiPSC-CMs identified key cell adhesion molecules that regulate cell-cell attachment ability of hiPSC-CMs. Furthermore, increment of attachment ability of hiPSC-CMs by overexpression of a cell adhesion molecule enhanced hiPSC-CMs and ECT functions.

Understanding contrast perception in amblyopia: a psychophysical analysis of the ON and OFF visual pathways

PurposeThe study aimed to explore potential discrepancies in contrast sensitivity in the ON and OFF visual pathways among individuals with amblyopia compared to controls.MethodsEleven adult amblyopes (26.2 ± 4.4 [SD] years old) and 10 controls (24.6 ± 0.8 years old) with normal or corrected to normal visual acuity (logMAR VA ≤ 0) participated in this study. Using the quick contrast sensitivity function (qCSF) algorithm, we measured balanced CSF which would stimulate the ON and OFF pathways unselectively, and CSFs for increments and decrements that would selectively stimulate the ON and OFF visual pathways. Contrast sensitivity and area under log contrast sensitivity function were extracted for statistical analysis.ResultsFor the balanced CSF, we found significant interocular differences in sensitivity and area under log contrast sensitivity function in both amblyopes [F(1,10) = 74.992, p < 0.001] and controls [F(1,9) = 35.6, p < 0.001], while such differences were more pronounced in amblyopes than in controls. For increment and decrement CSFs, we found that the increment sensitivity (p = 0.038) and area under log contrast sensitivity function (p = 0.001) were significantly lower than the decrement in the amblyopic eye. Such differences between increment and decrement CSFs were not observed in the fellow eye of the amblyopes or in the controls.ConclusionThere is a subtle difference in the contrast sensitivity of the amblyopic eye when exposed to stimulation in the ON and OFF pathways.

Evaluating the Modified American Academy of Pediatrics Screening Algorithm for Critical Congenital Heart Disease.

In 2018, an expert panel recommended two key modifications to the most used algorithm for screening neonates for critical congenital heart disease (CCHD). Our aim was to evaluate the outcomes of the modified algorithm compared with those of the original algorithm in a real-world setting. We compared the performance characteristics of an original CCHD algorithm used to screen term neonates at a large hospital system between October 26, 2018, and October 15, 2020, and the recommended modified algorithm used between October 15, 2020, and June 30, 2022. We calculated sensitivity, specificity, false positive rate, proportion of false positives with non-CCHD illness, and error rates of test administration and interpretation for each algorithm. Sensitivity was not significantly different between the modified algorithm compared with the original algorithm (40.00 vs. 12.50%, p ≥0.99), but specificity was lower (and hence false positive rate was higher) in the modified algorithm (99.91 vs. 99.98%, p < 0.001). Despite a higher false positive rate in the modified algorithm, the proportion of false positives with significant non-CCHD illness was similar (36.47 vs. 28.57%, p ≥0.99), a finding that translated to an increase in the number of cases of significant non-CCHD illness detected (11 cases out of 32,178 screens vs. 2 cases out of 32,984 screens). Error rates of test administration and interpretation were similar between the two algorithms. In this limited study, the modified algorithm for CCHD screening using pulse oximetry had a higher false positive rate than that of the original American Academy of Pediatrics algorithm. However, this higher rate led to an increased overall number of cases detected of significant non-CCHD illness. · Experts recommend two changes to the American Academy of Pediatrics-endorsed CCHD screen.. · This study evaluates the new algorithm for screening.. · The new algorithm detects at least as many cases as the original.. · There was no significant difference in test sensitivity for CCHD.. · The new algorithm has a statistically higher false positive rate..

Comparative Diagnostic Efficacy of Abbreviated and Full Protocol Breast MRI: A Systematic Review and a Meta-Analysis.

This meta-analysis aims to compare the efficacy, limitations, and clinical implications of Abbreviated Breast MRI (AB-MRI) and Full Protocol MRI (FP-MRI). It focuses on diagnostic accuracy across various populations and settings, extending the scope of prior meta-analyses by including studies conducted after 2019 in both screening and diagnostic contexts. We conducted a systematic review (from 11/2019 to 12/2022). A bivariate model was used to calculate the summary estimates of sensitivity and specificity. Random effect models were used to calculate summary AUC and probability distributions for negative and positive predictive values were obtained. Subgroup analyses were conducted to investigate the differences between the AB-MRI and FP-MRI in terms of sensitivity, specificity, and AUC. The search across multiple databases yielded 11 eligible studies, including one prospective and ten retrospective studies. Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference in sensitivity between FP-MRI (95%) and AB-MRI (86%, p = 0.005), but not in specificity (p = 0.50). AB-MRI demonstrated a shorter acquisition time, suggesting potential for increased patient throughput. However, challenges remain in detecting small lesions and non-mass enhancements, with some studies suggesting the inclusion of additional sequences such as DWI with ADC mapping to enhance diagnostic performance. While FP-MRI remains the gold standard in breast cancer detection, AB-MRI presents as a viable, quicker alternative, especially useful in high-risk screening scenarios. Its lower sensitivity compared to FP-MRI, however, limits its utility as a standalone diagnostic tool. Future research should focus on optimizing AB-MRI protocols and investigating patient-specific factors to refine breast cancer screening and diagnostic strategies.

Application of a risk score model based on glycosylation-related genes in the prognosis and treatment of patients with low-grade glioma.

Low-grade gliomas (LGG) represent a heterogeneous and complex group of brain tumors. Despite significant progress in understanding and managing these tumors, there are still many challenges that need to be addressed. Glycosylation, a common post-translational modification of proteins, plays a significant role in tumor transformation. Numerous studies have demonstrated a close relationship between glycosylation modifications and tumor progression. However, the biological function of glycosylation-related genes in LGG remains largely unexplored. Their potential roles within the LGG microenvironment are also not well understood. We collected RNA-seq data and scRNA-seq data from patients with LGG from TCGA and GEO databases. The glycosylation pathway activity scores of each cluster and each patient were calculated by irGSEA and GSVA algorithms, and the differential genes between the high and low glycosylation pathway activity score groups were identified. Prognostic risk profiles of glycosylation-related genes were constructed using univariate Cox and LASSO regression analyses and validated in the CGGA database. An 8 genes risk score signature including ASPM, CHI3L1, LILRA4, MSN, OCIAD2, PTGER4, SERPING1 and TNFRSF12A was constructed based on the analysis of glycosylation-related genes. Patients with LGG were divided into high risk and low risk groups according to the median risk score. Significant differences in immunological characteristics, TIDE scores, drug sensitivity, and immunotherapy response were observed between these groups. Additionally, survival analysis of clinical medication information in the TCGA cohort indicated that high risk and low risk groups have different sensitivities to drug therapy. The risk score characteristics can thus guide clinical medication decisions for LGG patients. Our study established glycosylation-related gene risk score signatures, providing new perspectives and approaches for prognostic prediction and treatment of LGG.

T cell exhaustion methylation signature drives differential immune responses in glioblastoma.

Methylation-related signatures play crucial roles in tumorigenesis and progression. However, their roles in the immune response in primary glioblastoma (GBM) remains unclear. We analyzed the differential expression of specific members of T cell exhaustion-related pathways in GBM from the perspective of T cell exhaustion. We further screened for significantly negatively correlated methylation sites as candidate methylation markers for T cell exhaustion. Using consensus clustering, we divided the samples into two categories with significant differences in overall survival (OS). We then performed univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses to construct the T Cell Exhaustion Methylation (TEXM) signature. Finally, we confirmed that this signature served as an independent prognostic factor, and further characterized it in terms of drug resistance and immunotherapy. We identified 95 significantly differentially expressed T cell exhaustion-related genes and 51 methylation markers associated with T cell exhaustion. The cancer samples were classified according to methylation site markers, thus indicating two subtypes with significant differences in OS: subtype A and subtype B. Tumor scores, stromal scores, tumor purity, and ESTIMATE scores all showed significant differences between subtypes (P < 0.05). Univariate Cox regression analysis identified five methylation sites significantly associated with OS, and multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to construct the TEXM signature model by using these five methylation sites. Significant differences in OS were found between the groups with high and low TEXM signature scores, on the basis of calculation of the TEXM signature scores of tumor samples and using the median score to divide them into high and low score groups. Survival analysis revealed that the high score group had poorer OS and DFS than the low score group in the validation set. Notably, we observed a significant difference in drug sensitivity between the high and low TEXM signature score groups, with the high score group showing higher drug resistance and poorer prognosis. The tumor immune state, as predicted with Tracking Tumor Immunophenotype (TIP), revealed significant differences in antitumor immune scores between the high and low TEXM signature score groups. Finally, we identified 43 significantly differentially regulated metabolism-associated biological processes. The epigenetic methylation-related TEXM signature plays a key role in driving differential immune responses in GBM.

Evaluation of the performance of a machine learning based atrial fibrillation screening algorithm using an oscillometric blood pressure monitor

Blood pressure monitors (BPMs) with atrial fibrillation (AFib) detection function can be used to detect AFib early. However, conventional algorithms require multiple BP measurements. Here, the feasibility of a machine-learning-based approach for AFib detection through single BP measurement was evaluated. First, a custom AdaBoost-based software, which analyzes the pulse-to-pulse interval (PPI) pattern and classifies it based on AFib detection, was created. Then, its classification performance was validated. For the validation study, PPI and standard 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) datasets were collected from 79 and 92 Japanese participants with and without AFib, respectively. PPI data were obtained using two different BPMs. All ECG results were interpreted by cardiologists. The custom software output for the PPI dataset and ECG interpreted results was compared, and the sensitivity and specificity were calculated. A sensitivity and specificity for PPI from main device were 97.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] 91.2–99.3%) and 98.9 (95% CI 94.1–99.8), respectively. No significant differences in sensitivity and specificity were observed in the subgroup analysis between different devices, age groups, and arm size groups. These results reflect the high accuracy and robustness of this AFib algorithm using a single BP measurement and supports its use for widespread AFib screening.

The Importance of Regenerating Forests for Biodiversity Conservation: Insights From Bird Communities

Biodiversity is crucial for ecological research and ecosystem function, but human activities have led to widespread habitat loss and threats to biodiversity. Recent studies challenge the belief that only primary forests preserve biodiversity, as 20-year-old secondary forests can exhibit comparable levels. We emphasize the significance of studying regenerating and human-altered forests. Our research explores the impact of such forests on avian communities, focusing on different habitat and forest types. Using Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling and Analysis of Similarities, we analyze bird community composition across various habitats. The Parker index and Analysis of Variance evaluate bird sensitivity to habitat changes. Results indicate significant differences in bird communities and sensitivity based on forest and habitat types. The study provides insights into forest integrity, contributing to improved conservation practices in regenerating and human-altered forests. Limitations include assumptions due to limited fragmented plots, suggesting avenues for future research to enhance forest regeneration efforts.

Exploring Shared Genetic Features and Molecular Mechanisms between Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma through Bioinformatics.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors in the world, characterized by high incidence, high malignancy, and low survival rate. Currently, 1/4 of adults in the world suffer from Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), with an incidence rate of 27% in Asia. We used TCGA and GEO public database data sets to conduct weighted gene coexpression network analysis to identify relevant gene modules, defined the intersection of tumorigenesis-related modules and NASH development-related modules as shared genes, and then used single-factor Cox, LASSO, and multivariate Cox regression analysis screened out core shared genes and verified their prognostic value. We further investigated the relationship between core shared genes and immune infiltration, tumor mutational load, and drug sensitivity. Finally, RT-qPCR was used to verify its mRNA expression in different cell lines. We identified Karyopherin α 2 (KPNA2) as the core shared gene between NASH and HCC. Patients were divided into low-risk groups and high-risk groups based on the expression of KPNA2. The prognosis of the low-risk group was significantly better than that of the highrisk group. Furthermore, we found significant differences in tumor immune cell infiltration, somatic mutations, microsatellite instability, and drug sensitivity between different expression groups. There are very few studies on the molecular mechanism of the relationship between NAFLD and HCC. Our study demonstrates that KPNA2 is a potential therapeutic target and immune-related biomarker for patients with NAFLD and HCC.

Droplet digital PCR for fish pathogen detection and quantification: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

This study provides a comprehensive summary of the findings regarding the application and diagnostic efficacy of droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) in detecting viral and bacterial pathogens in aquaculture. Utilizing a systematic search of four databases up to 6 November 2023, we identified studies where ddPCR was deployed for pathogen detection in aquaculture settings, adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis of Diagnostic Test Accuracy guidelines. From the collected data, 16 studies retrieved, seven were included in a meta-analysis, encompassing 1121 biological samples from various fish species. The detection limits reported ranged markedly from 0.07 to 34 copies/μL. A direct comparison of the diagnostic performance between ddPCR with quantitative PCR (qPCR) proved challenging due to limited data, thus only a pooled sensitivity analysis was feasible. The results showed a pooled sensitivity of 0.750 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.487-0.944) for ddPCR, compared to 0.461 (95% CI: 0.294-0.632) for qPCR, with no statistically significant difference in sensitivity between the two methods (p = .5884). Notably, significant heterogeneity was observed among the studies (I2 = 93%-97%, p < .01), with the year of publication significantly influencing this heterogeneity (p < .001), but not the country of origin (p = .49). No publication bias was detected, and the studies generally exhibited a low risk of bias according to QUADAS-C criteria. While ddPCR and qPCR showed comparable sensitivities in pathogen detection, ddPCR's capability to precisely quantify pathogens without the need for standard curves highlights its potential utility. This characteristic could significantly enhance the accuracy and reliability of pathogen detection in aquaculture.

Prospective Evaluation of Artificial Intelligence Triage of Intracranial Hemorrhage on Noncontrast Head CT Examinations.

Background: Retrospective studies evaluating artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms for intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) detection on noncontrast CT (NCCT) have shown promising results but lack prospective validation. Objective: To evaluate the impact on radiologists' real-world aggregate performance for ICH detection and report turnaround times for ICH-positive examinations of a radiology department's implementation of an AI triage and notification system for ICH detection on head NCCT examinations. Methods: This prospective single-center study included adult patients who underwent head NCCT examinations from May 12, 2021 to June 30, 2021 (phase 1) or September 30, 2021 to December 4, 2021 (phase 2). Before phase 1, the radiology department implemented a commercial AI triage system for ICH detection that processed head NCCT examinations and notified radiologists of positive results through a widget with a floating pop-up display. Examinations were interpreted by neuroradiologists or emergency radiologists, who evaluated examinations without and with AI assistance in phase 1 and phase 2, respectively. A panel of radiologists conducted a review process for all examinations with discordance between the radiology report and AI and a subset of remaining examinations, to establish the reference standard. Diagnostic performance and report turnaround times were compared using Pearson chi-square test and Wilcoxon rank-sum test, respectively. Bonferroni correction was used to account for five diagnostic performance metrics (adjusted significance threshold, .01 [α=.05/5]). Results: A total of 9954 examinations from 7371 patients (mean age, 54.8±19.8 years; 3773 female, 3598 male) were included. In phases 1 and 2, 19.8% (735/3716) and 21.9% (1368/6238) of examinations, respectively, were positive for ICH (P=.01). Radiologists without versus with AI showed no significant difference in accuracy (99.5% vs 99.2%), sensitivity (98.6% vs 98.9%), PPV (99.0% vs 99.7%), or NPV (99.7% vs 99.7%) (all P>.01); specificity was higher for radiologists without than with AI (99.8% vs 99.3%, respectively, P=.004). Mean report turnaround time for ICH-positive examinations was 147.1 minutes without AI versus 149.9 minutes with AI (P=.11). Conclusion: An AI triage system for ICH detection did not improve radiologists' diagnostic performance or report turnaround times. Clinical Impact: This large prospective real-world study does not support use of AI assistance for ICH detection.

Casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate varnish versus dentin desensitizer in the treatment of non-carious dentin hypersensitivity

Background: Dentin hypersensitivity (DH) is one of the most common conditions clinicians encounter in clinical practice. New techniques are continuously being set forth to treat this condition. In recent times, casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) has garnered attention owing to its ability to improve remineralization and prevent enamel demineralization. Consequently, it has been indicated as an advanced treatment for DH. Purpose: This clinical trial aims to assess the efficacy of a CPP-ACP varnish in the management of non-carious cervical hypersensitivity and compare it with that of a dentin desensitizer. Methods: Patients between the ages of 20 and 65 years who reported to our institute with complaints of DH were selected for this study. Forty teeth were chosen for this study and randomly assigned to two groups. The test group was treated with a CPP-ACP varnish (MI Varnish®, GC Corporation, Japan), while the control group was treated with a dentin desensitizer (Gluma®, Heraeus-Kulzer, Germany). Dentin hypersensitivity assessments were conducted during pre-treatment, immediately following treatment, and 2 and 4 weeks after treatment. Statistical analysis was performed after data collection. Results: An intragroup comparison showed both the CPP-ACP varnish and the dentin desensitizer achieved a maximum decrease in sensitivity in the time interval from baseline to post-op, and these desensitizing effects were sustained through the second and fourth week following treatment. An intergroup comparison revealed no statistically significant difference in sensitivity between the two groups at different time intervals. Conclusion: It could be concluded that CPP-ACP varnish and dentin desensitizer possess similar efficacy in the treatment of DH.

A novel molecular classification based on efferocytosis-related genes for predicting clinical outcome and treatment response in acute myeloid leukemia.

Previous studies have shown that macrophage-mediated efferocytosis is involved in immunosuppression in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, the regulatory role of efferocytosis in AML remains unclear and needs further elucidation. We first identified the key efferocytosis-related genes (ERGs) based on the expression matrix. Efferocytosis-related molecular subtypes were obtained by consensus clustering algorithm. Differences in immune landscape and biological processes among molecular subtypes were further evaluated. The efferocytosis score model was constructed to quantify molecular subtypes and evaluate its value in prognosis prediction and treatment decision-making in AML. Three distinct efferocytosis-related molecular subtypes were identified and divided into immune activation, immune desert, and immunosuppression subtypes based on the characteristics of the immune landscape. We evaluated the differences in clinical and biological features among different molecular subtypes, and the construction of an efferocytosis score model can effectively quantify the subtypes. A low efferocytosis score is associated with immune activation and reduced mutation frequency, and patients have a better prognosis. A high efferocytosis score reflects immune exhaustion, increased activity of tumor marker pathways, and poor prognosis. The prognostic predictive value of the efferocytosis score model was confirmed in six AML cohorts. Patients exhibiting high efferocytosis scores may derive therapeutic benefits from anti-PD-1 immunotherapy, whereas those with low efferocytosis scores tend to exhibit greater sensitivity towards chemotherapy. Analysis of treatment data in ex vivo AML cells revealed a group of drugs with significant differences in sensitivity between different efferocytosis score groups. Finally, we validated model gene expression in a clinical cohort. This study reveals that efferocytosis plays a non-negligible role in shaping the diversity and complexity of the AML immune microenvironment. Assessing the individual efferocytosis-related molecular subtype in individuals will help to enhance our understanding of the characterization of the AML immune landscape and guide the establishment of more effective clinical treatment strategies.

Integrated Machine Learning Algorithms for Stratification of Patients with Bladder Cancer

Background: Bladder cancer is a prevalent malignancy globally, characterized by rising incidence and mortality rates. Stratifying bladder cancer patients into different subtypes is crucial for the effective treatment of this form of cancer. Therefore, there is a need to develop a stratification model specific to bladder cancer. Purpose: This study aims to establish a prognostic prediction model for bladder cancer, with the primary goal of accurately predicting prognosis and treatment outcomes. Methods: We collected datasets from 10 bladder cancer samples sourced from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases, and IMvigor210 dataset. The machine learning based algorithms were used to generate 96 models for establishing the risk score for each patient. Based on the risk score, all the patients was classified into two different risk score groups. Results: The two groups of bladder cancer patients exhibited significant differences in prognosis, biological functions, and drug sensitivity. Nomogram model demonstrated that the risk score had a robust predictive effect with good clinical utility. Conclusion: The risk score constructed in this study can be utilized to predict the prognosis, response to drug treatment, and immunotherapy of bladder cancer patients, providing assistance for personalized clinical treatment of bladder cancer.

Sensing-performance improvement of 2D MoSH based gas sensors for detecting NO, NO2, and NH3 gas molecules

Nitrogen group oxide is one of the major pollutants in the air, and its accurate and rapid detection is essential for environmental protection and human health. Therefore, it is of great significance to develop high-performance new line sensor for Nitrogen group oxide. Here, we investigate the potential of monolayer 2D MoSH materials as candidates for NO gas sensing using a combination of density functional theory and non-equilibrium functions to construct nanodevices based on MoSH monolayer, and theoretically study the adsorption behavior of MoSH monolayer to NO, NO2, and NH3 gas molecules. The results indicate that MoSH monolayer exhibit metallicity, and nanodevices based on 2D MoSH monolayer exhibit anisotropic transport properties and significant negative differential resistance effects(NDR). More interestingly, gas sensors based on MoSH monolayers exhibit typical chemical adsorption of NO, NO2, and NH3 gas molecules, and the anisotropic transport properties still maintain, but significant differences of sensitivity appear for these three gas molecules. Specifically, the MoSH based gas sensor has the highest sensitivity to NO, reaching 93.1% and 76.3% along the armchair and zigzag directions, respectively. These results show that 2D MoSH monolayer is an excellent gas-sensing material with excellent application prospects for NO gas detection.

Empathy, Moral Sensitivity, and Prosocial Behavior Among Medical Undergraduates in a South Indian Tertiary Care Teaching Institute: An Analytical Cross-Sectional Study.

Empathy, moral sensitivity, and prosocialness are critical traits for medical professionals, as they affect patient care quality and ethical decision-making. These traits help address psychological complexities like stress and burnout in medical practice. Despite their importance, the relationships between these traits, especially among medical students, remain underexplored. This study aims to assess empathy, moral sensitivity, and prosocialness among medical students in South India, focusing on gender differences and their associations. This cross-sectional study was conducted at Saveetha Medical College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, with 369 medical undergraduates. Data were collected using three standardized tools: the Interpersonal Reactivity Index for empathy, the Moral Sensitivity Questionnaire, and the Prosocialness Scale for Adults. The questionnaire, including demographic data, was administered online with anonymity and consent. Descriptive statistics summarized demographic data. Inferential analyses, including t-tests, chi-square tests, Pearson correlations, and multivariate regression, examined relationships between empathy, moral sensitivity, pro-social behavior, and demographics. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Ethical approval was obtained from Saveetha Medical College's Ethics Committee. The mean age of participants was 20.5 ± 2 years, with 183 males (49.6%) and 186 females (50.4%). The majority were first-year students (29.8%), followed by second-year (19.5%) and final-year part I students (19.2%).Final professional part II students and interns comprised 15.4% and 16%, respectively. Females scored significantly higher in empathy domains like perspective-taking (15 ± 3.3 vs. 14 ± 3.4), fantasy (14.4 ± 4 vs. 13.6 ± 3.3), and empathetic concern (15.3 ± 3.5 vs. 14.2 ± 3.1), with p values <0.05. Overall, 186 females (50.4%) had a mean empathy score of 59 ± 9, compared to 183 males (49.6%) with 56.2 ± 7.1 (Cohen's d = 0.33). In moral sensitivity, females scored higher in modifying autonomy (7 ± 2.3 vs. 6.3 ± 2.2), structuring moral meaning (4.6 ± 2 vs. 4.15 ± 1.6), and expressing benevolence (16 ± 4 vs. 15 ± 4), with significant differences (p < 0.05). The total moral sensitivity score was higher in females (57 ± 10 vs. 54 ± 9), with a moderate effect size (Cohen's d = 0.3). Males scored higher in prosocialness, with 183 males (49.6%) scoring 54 ± 7, compared to 186 females (50.4%) with 51.5 ± 7.2 (Cohen's d = 0.3). Weak but significant correlations were found between empathy and prosocialness (r = 0.132, p = 0.011) and between moral sensitivity and prosocialness (r = 0.479, p < 0.001). Regression analysis identified gender, prosocial behavior, and specific moral sensitivity dimensions as significant predictors of empathy scores. This study revealed significant gender differences in empathy, moral sensitivity, and prosocialness among medical students. Females scored higher in empathy and moral sensitivity, whereas males showed greater prosocial behavior. The positive correlations between empathy and prosocialness and between moral sensitivity and prosocialness highlight their interconnectedness. Educational interventions that target empathy and moral sensitivity could help nurture more compassionate, ethical healthcare professionals. Future research should explore how these traits evolve throughout medical education.

CT- and MR-based image-based data mining are consistent in the brain

PurposeImage-based data mining (IBDM) is a voxel-based analysis technique to investigate dose–response. Most often, IBDM uses radiotherapy planning CTs because of their broad accessibility, however, it was unknown whether CT provided sufficient soft tissue contrast for brain IBDM. This study evaluates whether MR-based IBDM improves upon CT-based IBDM for studies of children with brain tumours. MethodsWe compared IBDM pipelines using either CT- or MRI-based spatial normalisation in 128 children (ages 3.3–19.7 years) who received photon radiotherapy for primary brain tumours at a single institution. We quantified spatial-normalisation accuracy using contour comparison measures (centre-of-mass separation, average contour distance-to-agreement (DTavg), and Hausdorff distance) at multiple anatomic loci. We performed an end-to-end test of CT- and MRI-IBDM using modified clinical dose distributions and simulated effect labels to detect associations in pre-defined anatomic loci. Accuracy was assessed via sensitivity and specificity. ResultsSpatial normalisation accuracy was comparable for both modalities, with a significant but small improvement for MRI compared to CT in all structures except the brainstem. The median (range) difference between the DTavg for the two pipelines was 0.37 (0.00–2.91) mm. The end-to-end test revealed no significant difference in sensitivity of the IBDM-identified regions for the two pipelines. Specificity slightly improved for MR-IBDM at the 99% significance level. ConclusionCT-based IBDM was comparable to MR-based IBDM, despite a small advantage in spatial normalisation accuracy with MRI. The use of CT-IBDM over MR-IBDM is useful for multi-institutional retrospective IBDM studies, where the availability of standardised MRI data can be limited.

Comparison of micro-flow imaging and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in assessing segmental congestion after right living donor liver transplantation.

This study aimed to determine whether micro-flow imaging (MFI) offers diagnostic performance comparable to that of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in detecting segmental congestion among patients undergoing living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Data from 63 patients who underwent LDLT between May and December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. MFI and CEUS data collected on the first postoperative day were quantified. Segmental congestion was assessed based on imaging findings and laboratory data, including liver enzymes and total bilirubin levels. The reference standard was a postoperative contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan performed within 2 weeks of surgery. Additionally, a subgroup analysis examined patients who underwent reconstruction of the middle hepatic vein territory. The sensitivity and specificity of MFI were 73.9% and 67.5%, respectively. In comparison, CEUS demonstrated a sensitivity of 78.3% and a specificity of 75.0%. These findings suggest comparable diagnostic performance, with no significant differences in sensitivity (P=0.655) or specificity (P=0.257) between the two modalities. Additionally, early postoperative laboratory values did not show significant differences between patients with and without congestion. The subgroup analysis also indicated similar diagnostic performance between MFI and CEUS. MFI without contrast enhancement yielded results comparable to those of CEUS in detecting segmental congestion after LDLT. Therefore, MFI may be considered a viable alternative to CEUS.

ESG Performance and Systemic Risk Nexus: Role of Firm-Specific Factors in Indian Companies

This study investigates the ESG performance–systemic risk (SR) nexus among Indian companies. Using the beta coefficient from the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) and statistical analysis, it explores how ESG performance affects SR. The findings reveal that firms with higher ESG scores have lower SR sensitivity. Notably, there is a significant difference in risk sensitivity between high- and low-ESG-rated companies, with ESG effects being less pronounced in high-cap firms compared to low-cap firms. Conversely, large firms, older firms, and those with lower borrowing costs show a diminished effect of ESG ratings on their SR sensitivity. These results underscore the importance of firm-specific characteristics in determining the efficacy of ESG strategies in risk mitigation. This study reveals that ESG performance reduces SR, with market valuation affecting this relationship.

Psychological status of patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion undergoing bimaxillary surgery: A comparative study.

Skeletal Class III malocclusion can significantly impact psychological well-being. Although bimaxillary surgery is a well-established corrective intervention, its psychological effects are not fully understood. This study aims to investigate changes in self-esteem, sensitivity to criticism, and social appearance anxiety following surgery to inform targeted nursing interventions for psychological adaptation. This comparative study included 205 participants: 150 patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion who underwent bimaxillary surgery, and a control group of 55 individuals without malocclusion. The malocclusion group had a mean age of 21.99 ± 2.28 years (96 males, 109 females). The control group consisted of department interns with Class I occlusion, normal overjet and overbite, and typical facial appearance, with a mean age of 21.61 ± 2.40 years (26 males, 29 females). Psychological assessments, validated for reliability, measured self-esteem, sensitivity to criticism, and social appearance anxiety before and after surgery. Statistical analyses, including independent sample t tests and one-way ANOVA, were performed to compare outcomes between the groups, with a significance level set at P < .05. Preoperative assessments revealed that patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion had significantly lower self-esteem and higher sensitivity to criticism and social appearance anxiety compared to the control group (P < .05). Postoperatively, there were modest improvements in self-esteem and significant reductions in sensitivity to criticism and social appearance anxiety, though levels of social appearance anxiety remained higher than those in the control group (P < .05). No significant differences in self-esteem and sensitivity to criticism were observed between the surgical and control groups postoperatively (P > .05). Within-group comparisons showed significant improvements in all measures after surgery (P < .05). Bimaxillary surgery positively affects the psychological well-being of patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion, enhancing self-esteem and reducing sensitivity to criticism and social appearance anxiety. However, some psychological concerns persist, indicating a need for targeted nursing interventions to further support these patients' psychological well-being.