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Polyp segmentation is a challenging task, as some polyps exhibit similar textures to surrounding tissues, making them difficult to distinguish. Therefore, we present a parallel cross‐attention and texture‐aware network to address this challenging task. CATNet incorporates the parallel cross‐attention mechanism, Residual Feature Fusion Module, and texture‐aware module. Initially, polyp images undergo processing in our backbone network to extract multi‐level polyp features. Subsequently, the parallel cross‐attention mechanism sequentially captures channel and spatial dependencies across multi‐scale polyp features, thereby yielding enhanced representations. These enhanced representations are then input into multiple texture‐aware modules, which facilitate polyp segmentation by accentuating subtle textural disparities between polyps and the background. Finally, the Residual Feature Fusion module integrates the segmentation results with the previous layer of enhanced representations. This process serves to eliminate background noise and enhance intricate details. We assess the efficacy of our proposed method across five distinct polyp datasets. On three unseen datasets, CVC‐300, CVC‐ColonDB, and ETIS. We achieve mDice scores of 0.916, 0.817, and 0.777, respectively. Experimental results unequivocally demonstrate the superior performance of our approach over current models. The proposed CATNet addresses the challenges posed by textural similarities, setting a benchmark for future advancements in automated polyp detection and segmentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When studying the characteristics of aerostatic bearings with orifices by solving the Reynolds equation, it is usually assumed that the discharge coefficient is a constant of 0.8,which may affect the accuracy of solving the Reynolds equation. A method which combined Fluent and Reynolds equation was proposed to obtain the discharge coefficient in the aerostatic thrust bearings with inherent orifices. The discharge coefficients were calculated by comparing the mass flow rate obtained by FLUENT and Reynolds equation simulations. The influence of parameters such as gas film thickness, gas supply pressure,and orifice diameter on the orifice coefficient was analyzed. The results indicate that the discharge coefficient increases first and then decreases with the increase of film thickness,decreases with the increase of gas supply pressure,and increases with the increase of orifice diameter. However, the discharge coefficient is not sensitive to changes in bearing radius and orifice length. The bearing capacity from solution of Reynolds equation with the discharge coefficient obtained by this solution method is agreement with that from FLUENT, verifying the correctness and feasibility of this solution method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The relationship between Protein Convertase Subtilisin Kexin Type 9 inhibitor (PCSK9i) and psychiatric adverse events (AEs) remains unclear due to the limitations of clinical trials. In this study, PCSK9i‐related psychiatric AEs were realistically observed and systematically summarized in the real world by data mining the FDA AE Reporting System (FAERS). Method: Total AEs between the third quarter of 2015 and the first quarter of 2023 were obtained from FAERS. Psychiatric AEs were identified using disproportionality analysis and clinical prioritization of signals using a rating scale, followed by univariate logistic regression to explore factors influencing psychiatric AEs. Results: Psychiatric AEs accounted for 6.7% of the total number of PCSK9i reports. Eighteen psychiatric AEs were defined as PCSK9i‐related psychiatric adverse events (ppAEs) (lower 95% CI of both ROR >1 and IC025 > 0). The median age of ppAE reports was 68 years, and female patients accounted for 22.67% of reports, including 41.40% of reports with a serious outcome. Eleven (61.11%) and seven (38.89%) ppAEs were classified as weak and moderate clinical priority, respectively. The median time to onset of ppAEs was 149 and 196 days after treatment with evolocumab and alirocumab, respectively. Patients weighing ≥80 kg were 1.59 times more likely to experience ppAEs. Conclusion: The results of this study facilitate the prioritization of psychiatric AE signals by healthcare professionals with the goal of mitigating the risk of PCSK9i‐related psychiatric AEs. However, as an exploratory study, our findings need to be confirmed in large‐scale prospective studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although gender differences in major depressive disorder (MDD) have been widely reported, there has not been much focus on gender differences in comorbidity. In patients with MDD and comorbid metabolic syndrome (Mets), the goal of this study was to investigate potential gender differences in the prevalence and clinical correlates of concomitant anxiety. Methods: Seven hundred and ninety-four first-episode and drug-naïve patients (FEDN) patients with MDD and comorbid Mets were recruited. For each patient, sociodemographic data, thyroid function indicators, and Mets parameters were acquired. Each participant completed the 14-item Hamilton Assessment Scale for Anxiety (HAMA) and the 17-item Hamilton Assessment Scale for Depression (HAMD). Results: There were no gender differences in the prevalence of anxiety in patients with MDD and comorbid Mets. Female patients with MDD had a shorter duration of illness. Correlation analysis showed that HAMD score, TSH, TgAb, and TPOAb were associated with anxiety prevalence in female patients, whereas anxiety onset in male patients was only associated with TSH, TgAb, and TPOAb levels. In addition, multiple logistic regression analysis showed that TSH and TgAb predicted anxiety in male patients, whereas HAMD score and age of onset significantly predicted anxiety in female patients. Limitations: Cross-sectional design and no control for anxiety-related factors. Conclusions: Our study showed no gender differences in the prevalence of anxiety in patients with MDD and comorbid Mets. HAMD score was associated with anxiety in female patients, whereas TSH, TgAb, and TPOAb were associated with anxiety in male patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aerostatic bearings have been widely applied to high-rotating speed machines due to their low friction and high rotational speed advantages. The geometry parameters, supply pressure and rotational speed play important roles in the static and dynamic performances of the aerostatic bearings. In this paper, the steady state and dynamic Reynolds equations are solved by the finite difference method (FDM) and used to study the static and dynamic performances of the aerostatic bearings. Then, combined with the motion equation of the rigid rotor-aerostatic bearing system, the linear stability of the aerostatic bearing is also studied. Moreover, based on the theory mentioned above, the influences of the geometry parameters (such as orifice diameter, radial clearance and eccentricity), rotational speed and supply pressure are investigated in detail. It was found that aerostatic bearing geometries, rotational speed and supply pressure had a significant effect on the steady and dynamic performances. Under the low-speed conditions and high supple pressure, the static pressure effect plays the main role in the performances of the aerostatic bearings, while on the contrary, the rotational effect plays the main role. Furthermore, a half-speed whirl may generate under certain conditions. The results also provide useful design guidelines for aerostatic bearings in high-speed machines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pyroptosis is recently identified as an inflammatory form of programmed cell death. However, the roles of pyroptosis-related genes (PS genes) in major depressive disorder (MDD) remain unclear. This study developed a novel diagnostic model for MDD based on PS genes and explored the pathological mechanisms associated with pyroptosis. First, we obtained 23 PS genes that were differentially expressed between healthy controls and MDD cases from GSE98793 dataset. There were obvious variation in immune cell infiltration profiles and immune-related pathway enrichment between healthy controls and MDD cases. Then, a novel diagnostic model consisting of eight PS genes (GPER1 , GZMA, HMGB1 , IL1RN , NLRC4 , NLRP3 , UTS2 , and CAPN1) for MDD was constructed by random forest (RF) and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) analyses. ROC analysis revealed that our model has good diagnostic performance, AUC = 0.795 (95% CI 0.721–0.868). Subsequently, the consensus clustering method based on 23 differentially expressed PS genes was constructed to divide all MDD cases into two distinct pyroptosis subtypes (cluster A and B) with different immune and biological characteristics. Principal component analysis (PCA) algorithm was performed to calculate the pyroptosis scores ("PS-scores") for each sample to quantify the pyroptosis regulation subtypes. The MDD patients in cluster B had higher "PS-scores" than those in cluster A. Furthermore, we also found that MDD patients in cluster B showed lower expression levels of 11 interferon (IFN)-α isoforms. In conclusion, pyroptosis may play an important role in MDD and can provide new insights into the diagnosis and underlying mechanisms of MDD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pyroptosis is recently identified as an inflammatory form of programmed cell death. However, the roles of pyroptosis-related genes (PS genes) in major depression disease (MDD) remain unclear. This study developed a novel diagnostic model for MDD based on PS genes and explored the pathological mechanisms associated with pyroptosis. First, we obtained 23 PS genes that were differentially expressed between healthy controls and MDD cases from GSE98793 dataset. There were obvious variation in immune cell infiltration profiles and immune-related pathway enrichment between healthy controls and MDD cases. Then, a novel diagnostic model consisting of eight PS genes (GPER1 , GZMA, HMGB1 , IL1RN , NLRC4 , NLRP3 , UTS2 , and CAPN1) for MDD was constructed by random forest (RF) and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) analyses. ROC analysis revealed that our model has good diagnostic performance, AUC = 0.795 (95% CI 0.721–0.868). Subsequently, the consensus clustering method based on 23 differentially expressed PS genes was constructed to divide all MDD cases into two distinct pyroptosis subtypes (cluster A and B) with different immune and biological characteristics. Principal component analysis (PCA) algorithm was performed to calculate the pyroptosis scores ("PS-scores") for each sample to quantify the pyroptosis regulation subtypes. The MDD patients in cluster B had higher "PS-scores" than those in cluster A. Furthermore, we also found that MDD patients in cluster B showed lower expression levels of 11 interferon (IFN)-α isoforms. In conclusion, pyroptosis may play an important role in MDD and can provide new insights into the diagnosis and underlying mechanisms of MDD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Short-chain enoyl-CoA hydratase (ECHS1) is a multifunctional mitochondrial matrix enzyme involved in the second step of mitochondrial fatty acid β-oxidation. Mitochondrial diseases resulting from ECHS1 mutations are often characterised by encephalopathy, deafness, epilepsy, optic atrophy, cardiomyopathy, dystonia, and lactic acidosis. In this study, we report two novel heterogeneous variants, c.414 + 5G > A (in intron 3) and c.310C > G (in CDS), of ECHS1 in an infant with mitochondrial encephalopathy.Case Presentation: The two novel variants, c.414 + 5G > A (Chr10:135183403) in intron 3 and c.310C > G (Chr10:135183512) in CDS, were identified by next generation sequencing (NGS). A minigene assay was used to analyse the function of the c.414 + 5G > A variant. ECHS1 enzyme activity was measured by spectrophotometry in the patient-derived myoblasts. The 2-year old patient presented with mitochondrial encephalopathy since birth. Clinical features were encephalopathy, epilepsy, and hindered psychomotor and language development. Serum lactate and blood ammonia levels were elevated, and brain magnetic resonance imaging showed abnormal signals in the bilateral frontal, parietal, and occipital cortices and brainstem and basal ganglia. We found two novel heterogeneous variants in ECHS1 in this patient. Minigene assay revealed the c.414 + 5G > A variant as the cause of intronic cryptic splice site activation and 39 bp deletion in mature mRNA. In silico analysis predicted that c.310C > G might change glutamine (Q) to glutamic acid (E) in the 104th amino acid sequence (p.Q104E). To investigate the impact of these two variants on protein function, we constructed a 3D model of human ECHS1 and showed that the variants might alter the highly conserved region in close proximity to the active site, which might hinder, or even halt, enzymatic activity. The experimental assay showed that ECHS1 enzyme activity in the patient-derived myoblasts decreased compared to that in control.Conclusions: Our findings are the first to report a mitochondrial encephalopathy infant carrying two novel ECHS1 variants, c.414 + 5G > A and c.310C > G, which might be deleterious variants, function as pathogenicity markers for mitochondrial encephalopathy, and facilitate disease diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increased prevalence of obesity has been a major medical and public health problem in the past decades. In obese status, insulin resistance and sustained oxidative stress damage might give rise to behavioral deficits. The anti-obesity and anti-oxidant effects of allicin have been previously reported in peripheral tissues. In the present study, the functions and mechanisms of allicin involved in the prevention of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced depressive-like behaviors were investigated to better understand the pharmacological activities of allicin. Obese mice (five weeks of age) were treated with allicin (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) by gavage for 15 weeks and behavioral test (sucrose preference, open field, and tail suspension) were performed. Furthermore, markers of oxidative stress, mitochondrial function, autophagy, and insulin resistance were measured in the hippocampal tissue. Finally, the levels of NADPH oxidase (NOX2, NOX4) and the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway were evaluated in the hippocampus. The body weight, metabolic disorders, and depressive-like behaviors in obese mice were ameliorated by allicin. The depressive-like behaviors presented in the obese mice were accompanied by remarkably excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and oxidative stress, damaged mitochondrial function, imbalanced autophagy, and enhanced insulin resistance in the hippocampus. We found that allicin improved the above undesirable effects in the obese mice. Furthermore, allicin significantly decreased NOX2 and NOX4 levels and activated the Nrf2 pathway. Allicin attenuated depressive-like behaviors triggered by long-term HFD consumption by inhibiting ROS production and oxidative stress, improving mitochondrial function, regulating autophagy, and reducing insulin resistance in the hippocampus via optimization of NOX/Nrf2 imbalance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kaempferol (KFL), the major constituent of various fruits and vegetables, could attenuate oxidaitve stress and inflammation. The aims of the present study were to explore the ameliorative abilities of KFL on the depressive-like behaviors in a chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) mouse model, and to determine the potential mechanisms on oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and AKT/β-catenin signaling pathway. Three behavioral tests, sucrose preference test (SPT), social interaction test (SIT), and tail suspension test (TST), were used to evaluate the antidepressive effects of KFL in CSDS mice. Activity levels of antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), glutathione s-transferase (GST), and concentrations of malonaldehyde (MDA) and protein carbonylation in the prefrontal cortex were assessed by commercial kits, respectively. Elisa was used to detect the levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). Q-PCR was used to determine the mRNA level of CD-11b. Furthermore, activity level of AKT/β-catenin signaling in the prefrontal cortex of CSDS mice was investigated by western blot. In addition, LY294002, a PI3-K inhibitor, was used to investigate the role of AKT/β-catenin signaling in the antidepressant effects of KFL. Social defeat stress reduced the bodyweights, sucrose consumptions, social interaction times, and the tail suspension mobility times in mice. CSDS mice were also exhibited remarkablely increased levels in oxidative stress markers, inflammatory mediators, and decreased activity of AKT/β-catenin cascade in the prefrontal cortex, which were reversed by treatment with KFL. Interestingly, LY294002 appeared to partly inhibit the overall KFL-mediated protective effects in the CSDS mice. These results confirmed that KFL exerted antidepressive effects, which might be mediated, at least in part, by enhanced antioxidant abilities and anti-inflammation effects via up-regulation AKT/β-catenin cascade activity in the prefrontal cortex of CSDS mice. Thus, KFL might be a promising, effective, and safe food medicine for depression treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A microscopic theory is developed for time-domain and frequency-domain four-wave mixing of polyatomic molecules in condensed phases. The nonlinear response function R(t3,t2,t1) is expressed in terms of the four-point correlation function of the dipole operator and is evaluated explicitly for a stochastic Langevin model of line broadening which holds for any correlation time of the solvent. Our results interpolate between the fast modulation limit, in which the optical Bloch equations are valid, and the static limit of inhomogeneous line broadening. Green function techniques are developed and used to perform the necessary summations over the vibronic manifolds required in the calculation of nonlinear susceptibilities in harmonic polyatomic molecules. Coherent anti-stokes Raman (CARS) line shapes are calculated for a simple model system and for the S0–S1 transition in azulene, which has seven Raman active modes. A detailed comparison with ordinary spontaneous Raman line shapes is made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allicin, one of the main biologically active compounds derived from garlic, was previously reported to possess multiple pharmacological activities. Whether allicin protected against chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) induced depressive-like behaviors remained unknown. Thus, our present study for the first time investigated the potential antidepressant effects and the mechanisms of allicin on the CSDS mice model. Thirty minutes before social defeat stress, allicin (2, 10, 50 mg/kg) was treated by intraperitoneal injection. The duration times of CSDS model establishment and allicin intervene were 10 days. Subsequently, the force swimming test (FST), social interaction test (SIT), and sucrose preference test (SPT) were applied for behavioral assessments. The levels of inflammation mediators were determined by commercial ELISA kits. The concentration of iron was tested, and relative protein expressions were measured by western blot. Oxidative stress and apoptosis markers were also detected by commercial kits and western blot. The behavioral defects induced by social defeat stress were obviously improved by allicin. Microglia activation, as well as inflammatory cytokines elevation in the hippocampus of CSDS also down-regulated by administration of allicin. Furthermore, content of iron and protein expressions of key components in iron metabolism were remarkably aberrant changed in the CSDS mice hippocampus, meanwhile, allicin ameliorated this phenomenon. Allicin decreased the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and protein carbonyl, and the protein expression of NOX4, as well as up-regulated the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. In addition, allicin attenuated the enhanced neuronal apoptosis. Finally, allicin supplementation inhibited the Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome hyperactivity, and the expressions of inflammasome components, such as ACS, caspase-1, and IL-1β in the hippocampus of CSDS mice. Allicin attenuated depressive-like behaviors of CSDS mice through reducing neuroinflammation, ameliorating iron abnromal accumulation, balacing oxidative stress, and attenuation neuronal apoptosis in the hippocampus via suppression of NLRP3 inflammasome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Depression imposes a huge health problem in the world. Recent studies report that berberine has neuroprotective effects. This study was investigated to evaluate the effects of berberine on depression and the potential underlying mechanisms. Methods: This experimental study included 48 mice, 8 CD1 mice and 40 C57 mice. Experiments were performed in the Laboratory Animal Center of China Three Gorges University, between May 2016 and February 2017. Chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) was used to build the depressive-like behaviors model. Three behavior tests, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot were used to assay the changes in vivo. Results: We found that, in mice model induced by CSDS, berberine treatment increased mobility times in forced swim test and tail suspension test and reduced corticosterone level in serum. Furthermore, berberine increased traveled distance, frequencies in enter the central square, and duration time on the center square in the open field test as well. Further experiments showed that berberine treatment upregulated neuronal PAS domain protein 4 (NPAS4) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) protein/mRNA expressions in hippocampus tissue of CSDS mice. Conclusion: The present results suggested that berberine possessed properties in antidepressive-like behaviors, which might be partly attributed to upregulation of NPAS4 and BDNF expressions in hippocampus. Abbreviations used: CSDS: Chronic social defeat stress; BDNF: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor; NPAS4: Neuronal PAS domain protein 4; FST: Force swim test; TST: Tail suspension test; OFT: Open field test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Studies have reported that depression is associated with increased level of oxidative stress and accompanied with decreased Kelch-like erythroid cell-derived protein with CNC homology-associated protein 1-nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Keap1-Nrf2) signaling pathway. Berberine has been shown to possess properties on protection against neurodegenerative diseases, but its effects on chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) induced depressive such as behaviors and Keap1-Nrf2 signaling pathway are unknown. Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of berberine on CUMS induced depression animal model and investigate the underlying mechanisms. Materials and Methods: We established CUMS depressant rats model and treated CUMS rats with berberine. Sucrose preference test, forced swim test , and tail suspension test were used to measure behavioral changes. We used quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot to test the levels of cytokines in the hippocampus. Results: We found that CUMS rats displayed obvious depressive-like behaviors. Moreover, berberine treatment prevented depressive behaviors in CUMS rats accompanied with suppression of oxidative stress markers. Further experiments showed that berberine treatment up-regulated the expression of Keap1-Nrf2 antioxidant signaling pathway and its downstream neuroprotective factors. Conclusion: The present results suggested that treatment of berberine significantly ameliorated depressive-like behaviors in CUMS rats and enhanced Keap1-Nrf2 antioxidant signaling pathways in hippocampus. Abbreviations used: MDD: Major depressive disorder; CUMS: Chronic unpredictable mild stress; FST: Forced swim test; TST: Tail suspension test; Keap1: Kelch-like erythroid cell-derived protein with CNC homology-associated protein 1; Nrf2: nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2; ARE: Antioxidant response elements; SOD: Superoxide Dismutase; MDA: Malonic dialdehyde; IMI: Imipramine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an experimental technique, it’s desired that the temperature in specimen is uniform in high temperature split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) experiments. However, the temperature in specimen decreases and the temperature of bars increases when specimen starts to contact with bars, which induces the nonuniform temperature distribution in specimen, and may result in inaccuracy of experimental results. In this paper, the temperature distributions of specimen and bars in high temperature SHPB experiments were investigated while the specimen was heated alone. Firstly, the temperature history of specimen was measured at different initial temperatures by experiments, then simulation was carried out. Simulation results were consistent with experimental results by adjusting the thermal contact coefficient between specimen and bars. By this way, the thermal contact coefficient and simulation results were validated, and the proper cold contact times of specimen and bars in high temperature SHPB experiments were discussed. Finally, the results were compared with those in references. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]