Methods Mol Biol. 2025;2891:1-14. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-4334-1_1.

ABSTRACT

Metabolic profiling continues to develop, and research is now conducted on this topic globally in hundreds of laboratories, from small groups up to national centers and core facilities. Here we briefly provide a perspective on the current status and challenges facing metabolic phenotyping (metabonomics/metabolomics) and consider future directions for this important area of biomarker and systems biology research.

PMID:39812974 | DOI:10.1007/978-1-0716-4334-1_1

Am J Primatol. 2025 Jan;87(1):e23723. doi: 10.1002/ajp.23723.

ABSTRACT

It is under debate whether intersubjectivity-the capacity to experience a sense of togetherness around an action-is unique to humans. In humans, heavy tickling-a repeated body probing play that causes an automatic response including uncontrollable laughter (gargalesis)-has been linked to the emergence of intersubjectivity as it is aimed at making others laugh (self-generated responses are inhibited), it is often asymmetrical (older to younger subjects), and it elicits agent-dependent responses (pleasant/unpleasant depending on social bond). Intraspecific tickling and the related gargalesis response have been reported in humans, chimpanzees, and anecdotally in other great apes, potentially setting the line between hominids and other anthropoids. Here we investigated this phenomenon in bonobos and predicted that in this species (sharing with humans and chimpanzees the last common ancestor) the presence of tickling would be modulated depending on the players' age, play session initiators, and familiarity. In April-June 2018, we collected videos on play sessions-including tickling-on a bonobo group housed at La Vallée des Singes (France). We showed that tickling received decreased while tickling performed increased with age, with tickling being mostly directed from older to younger individuals. Moreover, tickling was mostly performed by the individuals that started the play interaction and most of it occurred in strongly bonded dyads, particularly mother-infant ones. Bonobo tickling features, especially age profile and social modulation, mirror those of heavy tickling in humans thus suggesting a common evolutionary origin and shared patterns of basic intersubjectivity in hominins.

PMID:39812349 | DOI:10.1002/ajp.23723

J Med Virol. 2025 Jan;97(1):e70130. doi: 10.1002/jmv.70130.

ABSTRACT

We investigated whether antibody concentrations measured in plasma using the Roche Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 S assay (targeting the receptor binding domain, RBD) could estimate levels of Wuhan-Hu-1 and Omicron XBB.1.5 spike-directed antibodies with neutralizing ability (NtAb) or those mediating NK-cell activity. We analyzed 135 plasma samples from 39 vaccinated elderly nursing home residents. A strong correlation was found for NtAb against both Wuhan-Hu-1 (Rho = 0.73, p < 0.001) and Omicron XBB.1.5 (sub)variants (Rho = 0.73, p < 0.001). Moderate positive correlations were observed for NK-cell activity, based on lysosome-associated membrane protein 1 (LAMP1)-producing NK cells stimulated with Wuhan-Hu-1 (Rho = 0.43, p < 0.001) and Omicron XBB.1.5 spike proteins (Rho = 0.50, p < 0.001). Similarly, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ)-producing NK-cell frequencies showed moderate correlations (Wuhan-Hu-1: Rho = 0.43, p < 0.001; Omicron XBB.1.5: Rho = 0.50, p < 0.001). Random Forest models accurately predicted NtAb levels against Wuhan-Hu-1 (R2 = 0.72), though models for Omicron XBB.1.5 were less robust. Anti-RBD antibody concentrations of 4.73 and 5.02 log10 BAU/mL predicted high NtAb levels for Wuhan-Hu-1 and Omicron XBB.1.5, respectively. Antibody thresholds for predicting functional NK cell-mediated responses were 4.73 log10 and 4.54 log10 BAU/mL for Wuhan-Hu-1 and Omicron XBB.1.5, respectively. For LAMP1-producing NK cells, the thresholds were 4.94 and 4.75 log10 BAU/mL for Wuhan-Hu-1 and Omicron XBB.1.5, respectively. In summary, total anti-RBD antibody levels measured by the Roche assay may allow inference of NtAb levels and, to a lesser extent, Fc-mediated NK-cell responses against Omicron XBB.1.5.

PMID:39812228 | DOI:10.1002/jmv.70130

Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2025 Jan 15. doi: 10.1007/s13555-024-01334-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Results from randomized controlled trials of upadacitinib, a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor, have led to its approval for the treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) in patients aged ≥ 12 years. The aim of this study was to report the effectiveness and safety of upadacitinib in real-world settings over a period of 96 weeks.

METHODS: This retrospective study included all patients treated with upadacitinib at our centre between April 2022 and September 2024. Clinical and patient-reported outcomes were recorded and assessed at each follow-up visit and included the eczema area severity index (EASI), investigator global assessment (IGA), scoring atopic dermatitis (SCORAD), dermatology life quality index (DLQI) and the worst pruritus numerical scale score (WP-NRS). All drug-related adverse events (AEs) were documented.

RESULTS: In total, 36 patients (44.4% female) were retrospectively included. After 4 weeks of treatment, the mean EASI was reduced from 29.97 to 3.72 with 83.3/52.8/19.4% achieving EASI75/90/100 respectively. Similar reductions were observed in the DLQI, which was reduced from 20.78 to 2.92, and in the WP-NRS, from 7.78 to 1.31. Further improvements were observed at week 16, with a mean EASI of 0.75 and 96.4% of the patients achieving EASI75 and EASI90. At week 48 of treatment, EASI75/90/100 were achieved by 100/93.8/81.3% along with a mean DLQI and pruritus NRS of 0.81. All nine patients that reached the 72- and 96-week timepoints had clear skin with no pruritus. Six (16.7%) patients experienced AEs with four of them discontinuing medication; no patient discontinued because of upadacitinib inefficacy.

CONCLUSION: This long-term real-world study of patients with moderate-to-severe AD receiving upadacitinib demonstrated that treatment success (EASI75/90/100) can be achieved in a high proportion of patients by week 16 and can be maintained for up to 96 weeks along with substantial improvements in pruritus and quality of life.

PMID:39812942 | DOI:10.1007/s13555-024-01334-6

Curr Pharm Des. 2025 Jan 13. doi: 10.2174/0113816128346655241112104045. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: This study aims to identify and evaluate promising therapeutic proteins and compounds for breast cancer treatment through a comprehensive database search and molecular docking analysis.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer (BC), primarily originating from the terminal ductal-lobular unit of the breast, is the most prevalent form of cancer globally. In 2020, an estimated 2.3 million new cases were reported, resulting in approximately 685,000 deaths. Mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are well-established in hereditary breast cancer. The identification of effective therapeutic proteins for BC remains a complex and evolving area of research.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to identify and evaluate promising therapeutic proteins and compounds specific to breast cancer through a comprehensive database search and molecular docking analysis.

METHODS: A rigorous search was conducted within the National Cancer Institute (NCI), NCI Metathesaurus, SIGnaling Network Open Resource (SIGNOR), Human Protein Atlas (HPA), and the Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) to shortlist proteins linked to BC (CUI C0678222). Recent studies were reviewed to understand the administration of CDK4/6 inhibitors (palbociclib, ribociclib, abemaciclib) combined with endocrine therapy for HR-positive and HER2-negative breast cancer. Anticancer compound libraries available at ZINC and PubChem were analyzed. Compounds were evaluated based on their binding energies with CDK4 protein, a rationally selected druggable target.

RESULTS: Key proteins linked to breast cancer were identified through database searches. Proliferation, apoptosis, and G1/S transition pathways were frequently found dysregulated in breast cancer. ZINC13152284 exhibited the strongest binding energy at -10.9 Kcal/mol, followed by ZINC05492794 with a binding energy of -10.4 Kcal/mol. Preexisting drugs showed lower binding energies with the CDK4 protein.

CONCLUSION: The study highlights the importance of drug repurposing as a strategy for the safe and effective treatment of breast cancer. Synthetic inhibitors often cause severe side effects, emphasizing the need for novel targets and compounds with better therapeutic profiles. Molecular docking identified promising compounds from the ZINC database, suggesting potential new avenues for breast cancer therapy.

PMID:39812054 | DOI:10.2174/0113816128346655241112104045

Curr Drug Discov Technol. 2024 Dec 31. doi: 10.2174/0115701638329824241220055621. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Repurposing of drugs through nanocarriers (NCs) based platforms has been a recent trend in drug delivery research. Various routine drugs are now being repurposed to treat challenging neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer disease (AD). AD, at present is one of the challenging neurodegenerative disorders characterized by extracellular accumulation of amyloid-β and intracellular accumulations of neurofibrillary tangles. In spite of catchy progress in drug development, effective treatment outcome in AD patients is far-fetched dream. Out of several proposed hypothesis in the development and progression of AD, potential role of microorganisms causing dementia and AD cannot be ruled out. Several recent researches have been documented a clear correlation in between microbial infection and neuronal damage leading to progression of AD. Thus, antimicrobial drugs repurposing has been emerged as alternate, potential, cost-effective strategy to check progression of AD. Further, for efficient delivery of antimicrobial drugs to brain tissue, novel NCs based platforms are the preferred option to bypass blood-brain barrier. Several polymeric and lipid NCs have been extensively studied over the past years to improve antimicrobial drug delivery to brain. The present review encompasses various repurposing strategy of antimicrobial drugs delivered through various NCs to target AD. Evidence-based research outcome compiled from authentic database like Scopus, PubMed, Web of science have been pooled to provide an updated review. Side by side some light has been thrown on the practical problems faced by nanodrug carriers during technology transfer.

PMID:39810446 | DOI:10.2174/0115701638329824241220055621

MethodsX. 2024 Dec 16;14:103092. doi: 10.1016/j.mex.2024.103092. eCollection 2025 Jun.

ABSTRACT

This study explores the possibility of integrating and retrieving heterogenous data across platforms by using ontology graph databases to enhance educational insights and enabling advanced data-driven decision-making. Motivated by some of the well-known universities and other Higher Education Institutions ontology, this study improvises the existing entities and introduces new entities in order to tackle a new topic identified from the preliminary interview conducted in the study to cover the study objective. The paper also proposes an innovative ontology, referred to as Student Performance and Course, to enhance resource management and evaluation mechanisms on course, students, and MOOC performance by the faculty. The model solves the issues of data accumulation and their heterogeneity, including the problem of having data in different formats and various semantic similarities, and is suitable for processing large amounts of data in terms of scalability. Thus, it also offers a way to confirm the process of data retrieval that is based on performance assessment with the help of an evaluation matrix.

PMID:39811619 | PMC:PMC11731703 | DOI:10.1016/j.mex.2024.103092

Heliyon. 2024 Dec 18;11(1):e41108. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e41108. eCollection 2025 Jan 15.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs) are life-threatening and often linked to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Common types of SCARs include Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS). Immune-mediated mechanisms involving human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles have been implicated in the pathogenesis of this reaction. This study examines the association between specific HLA alleles (HLA-A, -B, and -DRB1) and AED-induced SCARs in the Iraqi population.

METHODOLOGY: A total of 50 patients diagnosed with SCARs and 90 tolerant controls were recruited from Dr. Saad Al-Wattari Hospital for Neurological Sciences and Baghdad Hospital - Medical City. HLA genotyping was performed using PCR-SSO method from peripheral blood samples. Statistical comparisons were made using the t-test or chi-square test, while univariate logistic regression with Bonferroni's correction (p < 0.05) were used to assess associations between HLA alleles and SCARs.

RESULTS: Among the patients, SJS was the most prevalent type of SCARs observed. Analysis of HLA allele frequencies revealed significant associations between specific alleles. HLA-A∗02:01 was found to be significantly associated with a lower risk of AED-induced SJS (OR = 0.36; 95 % CI: 0.13-0.97), while HLA-A∗24:02 and HLA-B∗15:02 were associated with an increased risk of AED-induced SJS (OR = 3.60; 95 % CI: 1.21-10.72 and OR = 4.41; 95 % CI: 1.18-16.47, respectively). For AED-induced TEN, HLA-A∗01:02, HLA-B∗15:02, and HLA-B∗52:01 showed significant associations (OR = 6.92; 95 % CI: 1.39-34.37 and OR = 6.55; 95 % CI: 1.62-26.52, respectively), with HLA-DRB1∗03:01 being highly significant (OR = 5.09; 95 % CI: 1.72-15.00). Additionally, HLA-B∗40:02 was strongly associated with AED-induced DRESS (OR = 29.33; 95 % CI: 3.50-245.32).

CONCLUSION: This study identifies key HLA alleles associated with AED-induced SCARs in the Iraqi population. These findings could facilitate personalized medicine approaches, aiding in better prediction and prevention of SCARs in AED therapy.

PMID:39811327 | PMC:PMC11732454 | DOI:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e41108

World Psychiatry. 2025 Feb;24(1):141-142. doi: 10.1002/wps.21289.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:39810666 | DOI:10.1002/wps.21289

Anal Methods. 2025 Jan 15. doi: 10.1039/d4ay01941e. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Saponins are responsible for the clinical effects of Panax notoginseng leaves, which are traditionally produced as the single herb resource of 'Qiye Shenan Pian' in Chinese patent medicine. In this study, the metabolic characteristics of PNLSs were explored in rat feces. PNLSs as well as their metabolites were analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS). Subsequently, seventy-five metabolites were tentatively identified in the control group mainly due to the deglycosylation and dehydration biopathways, but only twenty low yields were determined in the pseudo-germ-free (GF) group. Ginsenoside compound K was the predominant metabolite in the control group. The data presented that gut microbiota played a pivotal role in the metabolic kinetics of PNLSs.

PMID:39810648 | DOI:10.1039/d4ay01941e

Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2025 Jan 15. doi: 10.1002/alr.23533. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:39811887 | DOI:10.1002/alr.23533

Biofilm. 2024 Dec 20;9:100246. doi: 10.1016/j.bioflm.2024.100246. eCollection 2025 Jun.

ABSTRACT

Biofilm infections are chronic infections which are difficult to diagnose. Biofilm infections are tolerant to antibiotics and the defense mechanisms of the host. Patients with the genetic disease cystic fibrosis (CF) produce viscid mucus in the respiratory tract and therefore suffer from chronic biofilm infections in their lungs and paranasal sinuses. The most important microorganism is the mucoid phenotype of Pseudomonas aeruginosa which causes chronic biofilm infections in the lungs of CF patients and untreated patients succumb as children if they contact this biofilm infection. Since CF patients are treated in CF Centers all over the world, it is possible to do longitudinal studies on epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of P. aeruginosa biofilm infection which is not possible if such patients are not followed in specialized centers. This survey describes the research through several decades in the Danish CF Center in Copenhagen which have changed the epidemiology, treatment, prophylaxis and prognosis of CF patients worldwide. Based on these results ESCMID Guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of biofilm infections were published which have influenced biofilm research and treatment in other areas.

PMID:39811797 | PMC:PMC11732244 | DOI:10.1016/j.bioflm.2024.100246

ERJ Open Res. 2025 Jan 13;11(1):00137-2024. doi: 10.1183/23120541.00137-2024. eCollection 2025 Jan.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and olfactory dysfunction (OD) are prevalent disease complications in people with cystic fibrosis. These understudied comorbidities significantly impact quality of life. The impact of highly effective modulator therapy (HEMT) in young children with cystic fibrosis (YCwCF) on these disease complications is unknown. This proposed study aims to characterise CRS and OD in YCwCF and assess the efficacy of HEMT in improving sinus and olfactory health in this young age group.

METHODS: This six-centre, prospective, observational study will enrol 80 YCwCF aged 2-8 years. Patients are divided into two groups: those receiving HEMT and those not on HEMT based on clinical indication. Both groups undergo sinus magnetic resonance imaging, psychophysical olfactory tests, and complete patient- or parent-reported quality of life surveys over 2 years. Outcomes will be compared before and after initiation of HEMT and between groups. Ethical approval has been obtained for all sites, and this study has been registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06191640).

RESULTS: Enrolment began in April 2023. 21 participants have been enrolled as of October 2023 with ongoing enrolment at all sites.

CONCLUSION: This investigation is expected to provide critical insights into the potential benefits of early HEMT initiation in managing CRS and OD in YCwCF. It will assist in developing targeted interventions and contribute to the understanding of HEMT's role in altering the disease course in this demographic.

PMID:39811548 | PMC:PMC11726580 | DOI:10.1183/23120541.00137-2024

ERJ Open Res. 2025 Jan 13;11(1):00587-2024. doi: 10.1183/23120541.00587-2024. eCollection 2025 Jan.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: People with cystic fibrosis (CF) variants that exhibit residual function (RF) of the CF transmembrane conductance regulator are considered to have a milder disease; however, the spectrum of CF phenotype within the different RF variants has not been extensively investigated. The aim of the present study was to characterise the spectrum of CF disease severity in people with CF (pwCF) carrying different RF variants, using the European Cystic Fibrosis Society Patient Registry (ECFSPR) data.

METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional and longitudinal cohort study included data from the ECFSPR during 2008-2016. Demographic and clinical characteristics of pwCF carrying different RF variants were compared with the characteristics of pwCF who are homozygous for F508del. Among those with RF, a distinction was made between pwCF carrying class IV or class V variants and pwCF carrying specific RF variants.

RESULTS: Out of 56 701 pwCF in the ECFSPR, 6192 carried RF variants and 22 766 were homozygous for F508del. Class IV/F508del variants were associated with a milder course than class V/F508del; both were milder than pwCF homozygous for F508del. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s % predicted (FEV1pp) declined in childhood in all groups. For adults, the hazard ratio of death for class V/F508del versus class IV/F508del was 2.14 (95% confidence interval 0.99-4.63, p=0.052). PwCF carrying 3849+10 kb C→T/F508del and pwCF carrying R334W/F508del had age-specific FEV1pp and chronic bacterial colonisation similar to those of pwCF homozygous for F508del.

CONCLUSION: There is a wide spectrum of disease severity between the different RF variants. Some, such as those carrying 3849+10 kb C→T, have severe disease, similar to that of pwCF homozygous for F508del.

PMID:39811546 | PMC:PMC11726569 | DOI:10.1183/23120541.00587-2024

IDCases. 2024 Dec 15;39:e02132. doi: 10.1016/j.idcr.2024.e02132. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

Mycobacterium Chelonae is a rapidly growing nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) that is ubiquitous in the environment and is associated with skin and soft tissue infections (1). Because Mycobacterium Chelonae is an opportunistic infection, it can present as skin abscess, cellulitis, osteomyelitis, pulmonary infection or disseminated infections, particularly in individuals with compromised immune systems or underlying lung conditions such as cystic fibrosis or bronchiectasis. M.Chelonae is one of the most pathogenic rapidly growing mycobacteria (RGM). Diagnosing RGM and distinguishing it from Mycobacterium tuberculosis is important because public health tracking and management is different in these two organisms. Antibiotic susceptibility testing can also provide valuable clues to the species identification of RGM as each species has a specific in vitro antibiotic susceptibility pattern (2). Although incidence of M. Chelonae is increasing, these infections often remain misdiagnosed. This case report discusses the clinical presentation, diagnostic challenges, the rationale for early empiric treatment, and therapeutic options for M. Chelonae infection, emphasizing the importance of timely intervention in immunocompromised individuals.

PMID:39810811 | PMC:PMC11732071 | DOI:10.1016/j.idcr.2024.e02132

Cancer Med. 2025 Jan;14(2):e70574. doi: 10.1002/cam4.70574.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Medical images play an important role in diagnosis and treatment of pediatric solid tumors. The field of radiology, pathology, and other image-based diagnostics are getting increasingly important and advanced. This indicates a need for advanced image processing technology such as Deep Learning (DL).

AIM: Our review focused on the use of DL in multidisciplinary imaging in pediatric surgical oncology.

METHODS: A search was conducted within three databases (Pubmed, Embase, and Scopus), and 2056 articles were identified. Three separate screenings were performed for each identified subfield.

RESULTS: In total, we identified 36 articles, divided between radiology (n = 22), pathology (n = 9), and other image-based diagnostics (n = 5). Four types of tasks were identified in our review: classification, prediction, segmentation, and synthesis. General statements about the studies'' performance could not be made due to the inhomogeneity of the included studies. To implement DL in pediatric clinical practice, both technical validation and clinical validation are of uttermost importance.

CONCLUSION: In conclusion, our review provided an overview of all DL research in the field of pediatric surgical oncology. The more advanced status of DL in adults should be used as guide to move the field of DL in pediatric oncology further, to keep improving the outcomes of children with cancer.

PMID:39812075 | DOI:10.1002/cam4.70574

J Educ Health Promot. 2024 Nov 29;13:456. doi: 10.4103/jehp.jehp_141_24. eCollection 2024.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Reflection is one of the main components of the medical sciences curriculum. It is one of the learner-centered educational strategies, leading to deep learning, and is necessary to attain professional capabilities. A pertinent challenge is how to assess reflection. This study was conducted to design and assess psychometric characteristics of medical sciences students' reflection skills self-assessment questionnaire (RSSAQ) in Persian.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a methodological explorative study conducted at our University of Medical Sciences. First, an item pool was collected from both the literature review (previously designed questionnaires and existent models of reflection) and experts' and researchers' perspectives. Then the initial version of the questionnaire was presented to 19 experts and 50 students to assess the face and content validity. To assess the reliability, 48 students filled out the questionnaire twice at a one-week interval. To assess the construct validity, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were done. For doing so, 151 students filled out the questionnaire. The data was analyzed using IBM SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) Statistics for Windows version 16 and Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS).

RESULTS: The content validity index (CVI), content validity ratio (CVR), and impact score (IS) for the questionnaire came out to be 0.91, 0.75, and 4.68, respectively. Regarding the reliability, Cronbach's alpha and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were, respectively, 0.75 and 0.8 (with a 95 percent confidence interval). Regarding the construct validity, three factors were extracted, labeled as "readiness to reflect" (RTR), "reflection in action" (RIA), and "reflection on action" (ROA). It became clear that this questionnaire can predict 36.8 percent of variations in reflective behavior or process in students. CFA determined that there is a positive and significant correlation between RIA and ROA factors. However, the RTR factor has a negative correlation with the other factors and vice versa.

CONCLUSION: The questionnaire designed in this study for reflection self-assessment had acceptable psychometric characteristics and can be applied in curriculum planning, educational evaluations, and designing educational interventions.

PMID:39811846 | PMC:PMC11731446 | DOI:10.4103/jehp.jehp_141_24

Alzheimers Dement (Amst). 2025 Jan 14;17(1):e70041. doi: 10.1002/dad2.70041. eCollection 2025 Jan-Mar.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Diagnostic performance of optical coherence tomography (OCT) to detect Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) remains limited. We aimed to develop a deep-learning algorithm using OCT to detect AD and MCI.

METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study involving 228 Asian participants (173 cases/55 controls) for model development and testing on 68 Asian (52 cases/16 controls) and 85 White (39 cases/46 controls) participants. Features from OCT were used to develop an ensemble trilateral deep-learning model.

RESULTS: The trilateral model significantly outperformed single non-deep learning models in Asian (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.91 vs. 0.71-0.72, p = 0.022-0.032) and White (AUC = 0.84 vs. 0.58-0.75, p = 0.056- < 0.001) populations. However, its performance was comparable to that of the trilateral statistical model (AUCs similar, p > 0.05).

DISCUSSION: Both multimodal approaches, using deep learning or traditional statistical models, show promise for AD and MCI detection. The choice between these models may depend on computational resources, interpretability preferences, and clinical needs.

HIGHLIGHTS: A deep-learning algorithm was developed to detect Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) using OCT images.The combined model outperformed single OCT parameters in both Asian and White cohorts.The study demonstrates the potential of OCT-based deep-learning algorithms for AD and MCI detection.

PMID:39811700 | PMC:PMC11730192 | DOI:10.1002/dad2.70041

Osteoarthr Cartil Open. 2024 Nov 30;7(1):100551. doi: 10.1016/j.ocarto.2024.100551. eCollection 2025 Mar.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Lower limb malalignment can complicate symptoms and accelerate knee osteoarthritis (OA), necessitating consideration in study population selection. In this study, we develop and validate a deep learning model that classifies leg alignment as "normal" or "malaligned" from knee antero-posterior (AP)/postero-anterior (PA) radiographs alone, using an adjustable hip-knee-ankle (HKA) angle threshold.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: We utilized 8878 digital radiographs, including 6181 AP/PA full-leg x-rays (LLRs) and 2697 AP/PA knee x-rays (2292 with positioning frame, 405 without). The model's evaluation involved two steps: In step 1, the model's predictions on knee images cropped from LLRs were compared against the ground truth from the original LLRs. In step 2, the model was tested on knee AP radiographs, using corresponding same-day LLRs as a proxy for ground truth.

RESULTS: The model effectively classified alignment, with step one achieving sensitivity and specificity of 0.92 for a threshold of 7.5°, and 0.90 and 0.85 for 5°. For positioning frame images, step two showed a sensitivity of 0.85 and specificity of 0.81 for 7.5°, and 0.79 and 0.74 for 5°. For non-positioning frame images, sensitivity and specificity were 0.91 and 0.83 for 7.5°, and 0.9 and 0.86 for 5°.

CONCLUSION: The model developed in this study accurately classifies lower limb malalignment from AP/PA knee radiographs using adjustable thresholds, offering a practical alternative to LLRs. This can enhance the precision of study population selection and patient management.

PMID:39811691 | PMC:PMC11729668 | DOI:10.1016/j.ocarto.2024.100551

Data Brief. 2024 Dec 11;58:111221. doi: 10.1016/j.dib.2024.111221. eCollection 2025 Feb.

ABSTRACT

Contemporary research in 3D object detection for autonomous driving primarily focuses on identifying standard entities like vehicles and pedestrians. However, the need for large, precisely labelled datasets limits the detection of specialized and less common objects, such as Emergency Medical Service (EMS) and law enforcement vehicles. To address this, we leveraged the Car Learning to Act (CARLA) simulator to generate and fairly distribute rare EMS vehicles, automatically labelling these objects in 3D point cloud data. This enriched dataset, organized in the KITTI 3D object detection benchmark format by the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and the Toyota Technological Institute, improves its utility for training and evaluating autonomous vehicle systems. To bridge the gap between simulated and real-world scenarios, our methodology integrates a wide range of scenarios simulation in CARLA, including variations in weather conditions, human presence, and different environmental settings. This approach enhances the realism and robustness of the dataset, making it more applicable to practical autonomous driving scenarios. The data provided in this article offers a valuable resource for researchers, industry professionals, and stakeholders interested in advancing autonomous vehicle technologies and improving emergency vehicle detection. Furthermore, this dataset contributes to broader efforts in road safety and the development of AI systems capable of handling specialized vehicle identification in real-world applications.

PMID:39811523 | PMC:PMC11730950 | DOI:10.1016/j.dib.2024.111221