Subsequent Sensitivity Research Articles

Prophylactic Peanut Allergen Ara h 6 Sublingual Immunotherapy Drives Expansion of FoxP3+Helios- Regulatory T Cells in the Absence of Allergen-Specific IgA.

Insights into the underlying immunological mechanisms of prophylactic sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) may support the development of new strategies for improved prevention and treatment of food allergy. Here, we investigated the humoral, regulatory and sublingual tissue immune response to prophylactic SLIT administration of a single purified peanut allergen in Brown Norway (BN) rats. BN rats received daily sublingual administration of peanut allergen Ara h 6 for three weeks. Suppression of sensitisation was evaluated by subsequent intraperitoneal administration of Ara h 6. Ara h 6-specific IgE, IgA, IgG1 and IgG2a-c levels were measured in serum. The frequency of regulatory T (Treg) cells was analysed using flow cytometry. The sublingual tissue response to Ara h 6 was analysed by transcriptional profiling using mRNA-sequencing. Ara h 6 SLIT protected rats from subsequent sensitisation without inducing a detectable humoral immune response (Ara h 6-specific IgE, IgA, IgG1 and IgG2a-c) in serum. SLIT furthermore promoted the relative expansion of induced Helios- Treg cells within the conventional CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ Treg population in sublingual draining lymph nodes and blood. In conclusion, prophylactic Ara h 6 SLIT drives the relative expansion of induced Helios- Treg cells in the absence of Ara h 6-specific IgA highlighting a potential novel IgA-independent Treg-related immune response at the sublingual mucosal site.

Night shift work and prostate cancer: a large cohort study from UK Biobank and Mendelian randomisation study

ObjectiveThe global concern regarding the health implications of night shift work has escalated. Nevertheless, variations exist in the observed association between night shift work and prostate cancer (PCa). This study...

The effect of joint uncertainty on scattering properties using a hybrid methodology

Abstract Joint uncertainty is a subject of much interest in structural dynamics’ research, as joint behaviour potentially becomes more significant at higher frequencies. Therefore, an accurate determination of the scattering properties of uncertain joint elements for wave-based methods becomes more important on the subsequent prediction sensitivity. For this reason, this study examines the resulting scattering properties (reflection and transmission efficiencies) due to uncertain joints using a hybrid methodology. The scattering is calculated for a beam-to-beam joint via a combined hybrid Wave Finite Element and Finite Element (abbreviated as hybrid WFE) model, while Polynomial Chaos Expansion is utilized for the uncertainty modelling. It is assumed that the joint has a uniformly distributed uncertain thickness and loss factor. The results are compared to analytical transmission efficiencies and Monte Carlo simulations. The results show that the uncertainty in the joint does not become more evident as the frequency increases as expected, and the proposed methodology successfully models the joint uncertainty problem.

Development of a Multiplex RT-PCR Detection for Six Viruses Infecting Strawberry.

Strawberry viruses are significant pathogenic agents in strawberry. The development and application of efficient virus detection technology can effectively reduce the economic losses incurred by virus diseases for strawberry cultivators. In order to rapidly identify strawberry virus species and prevent the spread of virus disease, a multiplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction system was established for the simultaneous detection and identification of strawberry mild yellow edge virus (SMYEV), strawberry vein banding virus (SVBV), strawberry mottle virus (SMoV), strawberry polerovirus 1 (SPV-1), strawberry pallidosis-associated virus (SPaV), and strawberry crinivirus 4 (SCrV-4). In this study, six pairs of specific primers were designed on the conserved genomic regions of these viruses. The primer concentration, annealing temperature, and amplification cycle number of the reaction system were optimized. Subsequent sensitivity testing and application of the optimized detection system were carried out. The results indicate the establishment of an efficient detection system for strawberry viruses. The optimal reaction can detect the six viruses at the same time, which provides technical support for the early prevention and treatment of strawberry virus diseases.

The Discovery and Evolution of a Radio Continuum and Excited-OH Spectral-line Outburst in the Nearby Galaxy NGC 660

Arecibo 305 m Telescope observations between 2008 and 2018 detected a radio continuum and spectral-line outburst in the nearby galaxy, NGC 660. Excited-OH maser emission/absorption lines near 4.7 GHz, and H2CO absorption at 4.83 GHz varied on timescales of months. Simultaneously, a continuum outburst occurred in which a new compact component appeared, with a GHz-peaked spectrum and a 5 GHz flux density that rose to a peak value of about 500 mJy from 2008.0 to 2012.0. Follow-up interferometric continuum images from the Very Large Array at 10 GHz of this new continuum component determined it to be located at the nucleus of NGC 660. Subsequent High Sensitivity Array line and continuum very long baseline interferometry observations of the NGC 660 nucleus revealed a morphology that appears to be consistent with rapidly precessing, mildly relativistic jets from the central black hole. While requiring detailed modeling, this strongly suggests that the outburst is due to nuclear activity. From its timescale, the shape of the continuum light curve, and the milliarcsec radio structure, the most likely cause of the outburst is active galactic nuclei-type activity of accretion of a gas cloud onto the central black hole.

Association between the triglyceride to high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and the incidence of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease: a retrospective cohort study

BackgroundThe triglyceride to high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (TG/HDL-C) is a confirmed predictive factor for insulin resistance and is suggested to be closely related to metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), but previous research is inconclusive. The association between TG/HDL-C and MAFLD incidence was further explored in this large-sample, long-term retrospective cohort study.MethodsIndividuals who participated in the Kailuan Group health examination from July 2006 to December 2007 (n = 49,518) were included. Data from anthropometric and biochemical indices, epidemiological surveys, and liver ultrasound examinations were collected and analysed statistically, focusing on the association between TG/HDL-C and the incidence of MAFLD.ResultsDuring a mean follow-up period of 7.62 ± 3.99 years, 24,838 participants developed MAFLD. The cumulative MAFLD incidence rates associated with the first to fourth quartiles of TG/HDL-C were 59.16%, 65.04%, 71.27%, and 79.28%, respectively. The multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model revealed that the hazard ratios (HRs) (95% CIs) for MAFLD in the second, third, and fourth quartiles were 1.20 (1.16–1.25), 1.50 (1.45–1.56), and 2.02 (1.95–2.10) (P for trend < 0.05), respectively, and the HR (95% CI) corresponding to an increase of one standard deviation in TG/HDL-C was 1.10 (1.09–1.11) (P < 0.05). Subsequent subgroup and sensitivity analyses yielded results similar to those of the main analyses.ConclusionsTG/HDL-C is independently associated with MAFLD risk, with higher TG/HDL-C indicating greater MAFLD risk.

Cost-utility analysis of once-weekly insulin icodec and once-daily insulin glargine in patients with type 2 diabetes receiving basal-bolus insulin therapy in China.

The purpose of this study is to explore the rational pricing range for the once-weekly administration of insulin icodec in the treatment of type 2 diabetes patients in China who have already received basal insulin therapy. The data foundation of this study originates from the ONWARDS 4 clinical trial and research materials on Chinese type 2 diabetes patients. By comprehensively applying cost-utility analysis methods and binary search techniques, the appropriate price positioning of insulin icodec was determined from the perspective of China's healthcare system. In the long-term treatment simulation, we found that insulin icodec and insulin glargine performed similarly in terms of quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), with 10.15 and 10.07 years, respectively. Although the annual cost of insulin icodec was initially assumed to be equivalent to that of insulin glargine, in-depth analysis revealed that insulin icodec may have higher cost-effectiveness potential. Further price sensitivity analysis indicated that the reasonable cost range of insulin icodec lies between $851.95 and $1358.25. After fine-tuning through univariate sensitivity analysis, this cost range was revised to $784.90 to $1145.96, a conclusion that was robustly validated in subsequent probabilistic sensitivity analysis and scenario simulations. The conclusion drawn from this study is that, with insulin glargine as the cost reference, the economic cost of insulin icodec for Chinese type 2 diabetes patients is expected to range from $784.90 to $1145.96, providing a reference basis for clinical decision-making and healthcare policy formulation.

Association between focal amyloid deposition and cognitive impairment in individuals below the amyloid threshold.

This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of individuals with amyloid levels below the threshold. To achieve this, we differentiated between two groups: those with global amyloid negativity but focal deposition [G(-)F(+)] and those without focal deposition [G(-)F(-)]. A total of 2,677 participants were diagnosed with cognitive unimpairment (CU) or mild cognitive impairment (MCI). MRI-based regional centiloid (CL) values were used to establish threshold values for each brain region. After applying a cutoff of 20 rdcCL to identify amyloid positivity, participants who were globally amyloid-negative were grouped into three categories: those who showed focal amyloid uptake [G(-)F(+)], individuals without focal amyloid deposition but with relatively high CL(HC) levels comparable to those in the focal uptake group [G(-)F(-) HC)], and those with relatively low CL(LC) levels [G(-)F(-) LC]. We compared the neuropsychological test results and brain structural changes between these groups using ANCOVA. The G(-)F(+) group demonstrated a lower cortical thickness (P < 0.001) than the G(-)F(-) HC group. In neuropsychological tests, the G(-)F(+) group exhibited lower the Seoul Verbal Learning Test delayed recall (SVLT-DR) and Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), and showed progressed clinical status in the clinical dementia rating-sum of boxes (CDR-SOB) compared to the G(-)F(-) HC group (P < 0.001). The subsequent sensitivity analyses confirmed the persistence of these findings. Individuals with focal amyloid deposition [G(-)F(+)] exhibited higher rates of cognitive impairment compared to patients with similar levels of amyloid, underscoring the importance of monitoring the progression of focal uptake, even when it remains below the amyloid threshold.

Ensemble memory of a scene interacts with current perception regardless of attentional requirements.

How do we maintain a rich and stable perceptual experience across the entire visual scene, even when we are focusing on a subset of visual inputs? The current study explored this question by investigating whether the visual system processes summary statistics of multiple features regardless of task relevance, and how they interact with subsequent perception. To test the processing of multifeature summary statistics under different attentional requirements, we presented multiple Gabor patches with heterogeneous orientations/colors and asked participants to attend to a single feature dimension (Experiments 1 and 3) or a single item (Experiment 2) for the memory task. During the memory maintenance period (before memory response), we asked the participants to perform a discrimination task (Experiments 1 and 2) or a boundary localization task (Experiment 3) to test how the memory of the ensemble representation alters the subsequent perceptual experience. We found evidence for obligatory processing of scene summary statistics presented for the memory task, which interacted with the subsequent perceptual sensitivity. Specifically, not only summary statistics relevant but also those of task-irrelevant feature (Experiments 1 and 3) and outside the focus of attention (Experiment 2) were encoded and bidirectionally interacted with subsequent perception. These results suggest obligatory processing of summary statistics of a scene, which may allow rich and stable visual experience by integrating temporally adjacent visual inputs. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

A novel sensitization strategy for uncertain single stranded probe on electrode surface based on terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase and G-rich spherical nucleic acids

In recent years, RPA-CRISPR/Cas12a-based electrochemical biosensors have emerged as highly effective tools for nucleic acid detection. However, the random trans-cleavage characteristics of Cas12a on single-stranded nucleic acid sequences can result in the presence of uncertain nucleic acid residues on the electrode surface post-reaction. This situation complicates subsequent sensitization strategies. In this study, we devised a universal sensitization protocol mediated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT), a template-independent DNA polymerase and G-rich spherical nucleic acids (G-rich SNAs) with superior performance. Initially, Cas12a was activated by the specific RPA amplification product and cleaved the closed single stranded DNA (C-ssDNA) on the electrode surface. Then, the TdT enzyme extended residual single stranded DNA (R-ssDNA) on the electrode surface, forming G-Quadruplex structures. Subsequently, G-rich SNAs were immobilized on the electrode surface via π-π stacking interactions with the G-quadruplexes. Consequently, a substantial accumulation of hemin occurred within the G-quadruplex cluster structures, generating significant electrochemical signals. We applied this method to the trace detection of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and achieved a good linear calibration curve with concentrations ranging from 0 CFU/mL to 104 CFU/mL. Notably, the limit of detection (LOD) was as low as 1.29 CFU/mL, surpassing that of most similar sensors. These results demonstrate that our proposed universal sensitization method effectively addresses the limitations associated with the random trans-cleavage characteristics of Cas12a.

Non-linear associations between cardiovascular metabolic indices and metabolic-associated fatty liver disease: A cross-sectional study in the US population (2017-2020).

The cardiometabolic index (CMI) is an emerging and effective indicator for predicting the presence of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). This study aims to investigate the relationship between CMI and MAFLD using data from NHANES 2017-2020. In this cross-sectional study, a total of 3,749 subjects were included. The study conducted a thorough analysis of CMI with three multivariate logistic regression models, subgroup analyses, and restricted cubic splines (RCS) were utilized. Using multifactorial logistic regression as the primary method of analysis, we found that a higher CMI was also significantly associated with an increased risk of MAFLD (OR = 1.45, 95% CI (1.05-2.01)). This result was further visualized by the RCS curve: There was a non-linear positive correlation between CMI and MAFLD incidence (the turning point is CMI = 0.4554). These findings were strongly reinforced by subsequent subgroup and sensitivity analyses. There is a robust positive relationship between the CMI and the risk of MAFLD, providing valuable clinical benefits for early detection and screening of MAFLD. It is important to highlight the presence of a non-linear association between CMI and MAFLD, with an inflection point identified at CMI = 0.4554.

Optimasi Jenis Kertas untuk Strip Test Boraks dengan Indikator Crude Antosianin dari Ubi Jalar Ungu

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This research aims to determine the most optimal type of filter paper in making strip tests from crude anthocyanins of purple sweet potato to detect borax. The experimental design consisted of paper type optimization by testing magenta color intensity, sensitivity tests of strip tests using borax standard solution by testing cyan color intensity, and application of strip tests on food. Optimization of paper type was tested quantitatively with the treatment of ordinary filter paper and whatman paper number 1, 40, 41, and 42. The sensitivity was tested quantitatively with four concentrations of borax. The results of the application of borax test strip tests on food products were analyzed qualitatively. The results of the research on paper type optimization showed that the color intensity on 5 types of paper was significantly different, with the highest color intensity value owned by ordinary filter paper. Subsequent sensitivity tests on ordinary filter paper at four borax concentrations showed results with a detection limit of 1 ppm. The application test of purple sweet potato strip test, using ordinary filter paper, demonstrated its effectiveness as a borax detection tool in food products, with a sensitivity limit of up to 0.5%. The borax test strip paper produced in this research successfully detected the presence of borax in food products.&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Keywords&lt;/em&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;strong&gt; – &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Anthocyanins, Borax, Filter Paper, Purple Sweet Potato.&lt;/em&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Integrative Metabolomics Differentiate Coronary Artery Disease, Peripheral Artery Disease, and Venous Thromboembolism Risks.

Arterial and venous cardiovascular conditions, such as coronary artery disease (CAD), peripheral artery disease (PAD), and venous thromboembolism (VTE), are genetically correlated. Interrogating underlying mechanisms may shed light on disease mechanisms. In this study, we aimed to identify (1) epidemiological and (2) causal, genetic relationships between metabolites and CAD, PAD, and VTE. We used metabolomic data from 95 402 individuals in the UK Biobank, excluding individuals with prevalent cardiovascular disease. Cox proportional-hazards models estimated the associations of 249 metabolites with incident disease. Bidirectional 2-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) estimated the causal effects between metabolites and outcomes using genome-wide association summary statistics for metabolites (n=118 466 from the UK Biobank), CAD (n=184 305 from CARDIoGRAMplusC4D 2015), PAD (n=243 060 from the Million Veterans Project), and VTE (n=650 119 from the Million Veterans Project). Multivariable MR was performed in subsequent analyses. We found that 196, 115, and 74 metabolites were associated (P<0.001) with CAD, PAD, and VTE, respectively. Further interrogation of these metabolites with MR revealed 94, 34, and 9 metabolites with potentially causal effects on CAD, PAD, and VTE, respectively. There were 21 metabolites common to CAD and PAD and 4 common to PAD and VTE. Many putatively causal metabolites included lipoprotein traits with heterogeneity across different sizes and lipid subfractions. Small VLDL (very-low-density lipoprotein) particles increased the risk for CAD while large VLDL particles decreased the risk for VTE. We identified opposing directions of CAD and PAD effects for cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations within HDLs (high-density lipoproteins). Subsequent sensitivity analyses including multivariable MR revealed several metabolites with robust, potentially causal effects of VLDL particles on CAD. While common vascular conditions are associated with overlapping metabolomic profiles, MR prioritized the role of specific lipoprotein species for potential pharmacological targets to maximize benefits in both arterial and venous beds.

Identifying genetically-supported drug repurposing targets for non-small cell lung cancer through mendelian randomization of the druggable genome.

Lung cancer is responsible for most cancer-related deaths, and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for the majority of cases. Targeted therapy has made promising advancements in systemic treatment for NSCLC over the last two decades, but inadequate drug targets with clinically proven survival benefits limit its universal application in clinical practice compared to chemotherapy and immunotherapy. There is an urgent need to explore new drug targets to expand the beneficiary group. This study aims to identify druggable genes and to predict the efficacy and prognostic value of the corresponding targeted drugs in NSCLC. Two-sample mendelian randomization (MR) of druggable genes was performed to predict the efficacy of their corresponding targeted therapy for NSCLC. Subsequent sensitivity analyses were performed to assess potential confounders. Accessible RNA sequencing data were incorporated for subsequent verifications, and Kaplan-Meier survival curves of different gene expressions were used to explore the prognostic value of candidate druggable genes. MR screening encompassing 4,863 expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) and 1,072 protein quantitative trait loci (pQTL, with 453 proteins overlapping) were performed. Seven candidate druggable genes were identified, including CD33, ENG, ICOSLG and IL18R1 for lung adenocarcinoma, and VSIR, FSTL1 and TIMP2 for lung squamous cell carcinoma. The results were validated by further transcriptomic investigations. Drugs targeting genetically supported genomes are considerably more likely to yield promising efficacy and succeed in clinical trials. We provide compelling genetic evidence to prioritize drug development for NSCLC.

Impact assessment of future fleet compositions in vehicle emissions in urban areas: A methodological framework and a case study

This study explores the impact of emerging vehicle technologies on direct urban traffic emissions. It investigates emission reduction potential from shifts in fleet compositions and modal choices, especially considering climate change. To achieve this, three key research areas are explored for historical, current, and future scenarios (up to 2050): mode choice, emission factors for different vehicle categories, and diverse vehicle propulsion technologies. The estimation of the modal split is pivotal, developing a methodology utilizing Stated Preference survey data, discrete choice modeling, Monte Carlo simulations, and macroscopic traffic simulations. Future scenarios derive from the reference year’s modal split, and emission factors and fleet compositions are predetermined via an extensive literature review, aiding the assessment of their respective emissions. A subsequent sensitivity analysis identifies the impact of specific parameters on emissions, guiding future research focus. Study results underscore differences in greenhouse gas emissions and primary air pollutants between base and future scenarios.

The relationship between cardiometabolic index and pulmonary function among U.S. adults: insights from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2007–2012)

BackgroundPrevious findings have revealed that disorders of lipid metabolism may be a risk factor for pulmonary function damage; however, the combined effect of dyslipidemia and central obesity on pulmonary function is unclear. The cardiometabolic index (CMI) is a composite of serum lipids (triglyceride (TG)/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)) and visceral fat parameters (waist-to-height ratio (WHtR)). This research aimed to investigate the link between CMI and pulmonary function, employing large-scale demographic data sourced from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database.MethodsThis cross-sectional study used data involving 4125 adults aged 20 and above collected by NHANES between 2007 and 2012. We defined CMI as the exposure variable and measured outcomes using forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and FEV1/FVC to evaluate pulmonary function. Weighted multiple linear regression models and subgroup analyses were employed to investigate separate relationships between CMI and pulmonary function. In addition, to investigate variations across different strata and evaluate the robustness of the findings, interaction tests and sensitivity analyses were conducted.ResultsResults from the weighted multiple linear regression analysis indicated a unit increase in log2-CMI was associated with a reduction of 82.63 mL in FEV1 and 112.92 mL in FVC. The negative association remained significant after transforming log2-CMI by quartile (Q). When the log2-CMI level reached Q4, β coefficients (β) were -128.49 (95% CI: -205.85, -51.13), -169.01 (95% CI: -266.72, -71.30), respectively. According to the interaction test findings, the negative association linking log2-CMI with FEV1 and FVC persists regardless of confounding factors including age, gender, BMI, physical activity (PA), and smoking status. A subsequent sensitivity analysis provided additional confirmation of the stability and reliability of the results. For females, the inflection points for the nonlinear relationships between log2-CMI and FEV1, as well as log2-CMI and FVC, were identified at 2.33 and 2.11, respectively. While in males, a consistent negative association was observed.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that higher CMI is associated with lower FEV1 and FVC. CMI may serve as a complementary consideration to the assessment and management of pulmonary function in clinical practice.

Association between diabetes mellitus and giant cell arteritis: a bidirectional 2-sample mendelian randomization study

ObjectiveRecent studies have indicated a potential association between giant cell arteritis (GCA) and diabetes mellitus, encompassing both type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, the exact nature of this relationship requires further investigation to be fully elucidated.MethodsGenetic links between T1D/T2D and GCA were explored using data from genome-wide association studies available to the public, focusing on populations of European ancestry. We applied a bidirectional mendelian randomization (MR) approach to assess the potential association between these diseases. Confirmatory analyses, including additional datasets and a comprehensive meta-analysis, were utilized. The inverse-variance-weighted (IVW) method was applied to pinpoint heterogeneity and pleiotropy, while subsequent sensitivity analyses aimed to trace the origins of any heterogeneity.ResultsInitial analysis demonstrated a correlation between T1D and an elevated likelihood of developing GCA (IVW odds ratio = 1.33, with a 95% confidence interval of 1.22–1.46, and a P-value of 9.42E−10). The causal association was verified through four validation datasets and meta-analysis (all P-value < 0.001). However, the reverse MR analysis was unable to detect any genetic basis for the increased risk of T1D due to GCA. Furthermore, we could not establish any causal links between T2D and GCA.ConclusionT1D patients may have a higher risk of developing GCA, whereas an inverse causal relationship was not evident. Furthermore, no causal relationship was detected between T2D and GCA. These insights shed light on the possible pathological mechanisms underlying GCA and may influence the future clinical handling of both T1D and GCA.

Optimization and analysis of battery thermal management system structure based on flat heat pipes and biomimetic fins

As one of the key components of electric vehicles, the enhancement of the performance of the power battery is closely intertwined with an efficient Battery Thermal Management System (BTMS). In the realm of BTMS, Flat Heat Pipes (FHP) have garnered considerable attention due to their lightweight structure and excellent thermal conductivity. Thus, a BTMS configuration scheme based on FHP is proposed in this study. Utilizing orthogonal design and fuzzy grey relational analysis as the evaluation methods, coupled with numerical simulations, an investigation into the influence of four structural parameters of the novel biomimetic fins (namely, the diameter, height, spacing of protrusions, and height of cooling fins) on the temperature distribution of the battery pack is conducted. The research findings indicate that to maintain the battery within an optimal operational temperature range, the optimal dimensional parameters should be controlled at 17.5 mm, 4 mm, 13 mm, and 90 mm, respectively. Subsequent sensitivity analysis reveals that the height of the protrusions exhibits the most significant influence on the maximum temperature of the module, whereas the height of the cooling fins exerts a considerable impact on the consistency of the module temperature. The optimized maximum temperature is determined to be 36.52 °C, with a temperature difference of 2.65 °C.

Differential diagnostic value of radiomics models in benign versus malignant vertebral compression fractures: A systematic review and meta-analysis

PurposeEarly diagnosis of benign and malignant vertebral compression fractures by analyzing imaging data is crucial to guide treatment and assess prognosis, and the development of radiomics made it an alternative option to biopsy examination. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted with the purpose of quantifying the diagnostic efficacy of radiomics models in distinguishing between benign and malignant vertebral compression fractures. MethodsSearching on PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Library was conducted to identify eligible studies published before September 23, 2023. After evaluating for methodological quality and risk of bias using the Radiomics Quality Score (RQS) and the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 (QUADAS-2), we selected studies providing confusion matrix results to be included in random-effects meta-analysis. ResultsA total of sixteen articles, involving 1,519 vertebrae with pathological-diagnosed tumor infiltration, were included in our meta-analysis. The combined sensitivity and specificity of the top-performing models were 0.92 (95 % CI: 0.87–0.96) and 0.93 (95 % CI: 0.88–0.96), respectively. Their AUC was 0.97 (95 % CI: 0.96–0.99). By contrast, radiologists’ combined sensitivity was 0.90 (95 %CI: 0.75–0.97) and specificity was 0.92 (95 %CI: 0.67–0.98). The AUC was 0.96 (95 %CI: 0.94–0.97). Subsequent subgroup analysis and sensitivity test suggested that part of the heterogeneity might be explained by differences in imaging modality, segmentation, deep learning and cross-validation. ConclusionWe found remarkable diagnosis potential in correctly distinguishing vertebral compression fractures in complex clinical contexts. However, the published radiomics models still have a great heterogeneity, and more large-scale clinical trials are essential to validate their generalizability.

Causal Relationship Between Gut Microbiota, Metabolites, and Sarcopenia: A Mendelian Randomization Study.

Gut microbiota imbalance and sarcopenia are frequently observed in older adults. Gut microbiota and their metabolites are considered risk factors contributing to the heightened risk of sarcopenia, but whether these associations are causal remains unclear. We conducted linkage disequilibrium score regression and 2-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) methods with single-nucleotide polymorphisms sourced from large-scale genome-wide association studies as instrumental variables to examine the causal associations linking gut microbiota with their metabolites to the sarcopenia. Following the MR analysis, subsequent sensitivity analyses were conducted to reinforce the robustness and credibility of the obtained results. MR analysis yielded compelling evidence demonstrating the correlation between genetically predicted gut microbiota and metabolites and the risk of sarcopenia. The abundance of Porphyromonadaceae, Rikenellaceae, Terrisporobacter, and Victivallis was found to be associated with walking pace. Our study also found suggestive associations of 12 intestinal bacteria with appendicular lean mass, and of Streptococcaceae, Intestinibacter, Paraprevotella, Ruminococcaceae UCG009, and Sutterella with grip strength. Specifically, we identified 21 gut microbiota-derived metabolites that may be associated with the risk of sarcopenia. Utilizing a 2-sample MR approach, our study elucidates the causal interplay among gut microbiota, gut microbiota-derived metabolites, and the occurrence of sarcopenia. These findings suggest that gut microbiota and metabolites may represent a potential underlying risk factor for sarcopenia, and offer the promise of novel therapeutic focal points.