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Background: Recent studies have identified empathy deficit as a core impairment and diagnostic criterion for people with autism spectrum disorders; however, the improvement of empathy focuses primarily on behavioural interventions without the target regulation. We sought to compare brain regions associated with empathy-like behaviours of fear and pain, and to explore the role of the oxytocinoxytocin receptor system in fear empathy. Methods: We used C57BL mice to establish 2 models of fear empathy and pain empathy. We employed immunofluorescence histochemical techniques to observe the expression of c-Fos throughout the entire brain and subsequently quantified the number of c-Fos-positive cells in different brain regions. Furthermore, we employed chemogenetic technology to selectively manipulate these neurons in Oxt-[Cre.sup.-/+] mice to identify the role of oxytocin in this process. Results: The regions activated by fear empathy were the anterior cingulate cortex, basolateral amygdala, nucleus accumbens, paraventricular nucleus (PVN), lateral habenula, and ventral and dorsal hippocampus. The regions activated by pain empathy were the anterior cingulate cortex, basolateral amygdala, nucleus accumbens, and lateral habenula. We found that increasing the activity of oxytocin neurons in the PVN region enhanced the response to fear empathy. This enhancement may be mediated through oxytocin receptors. Limitations: This study included only male animals, which restricts the broader interpretation of the findings. Further investigations on circuit function need to be conducted. Conclusion: The brain regions implicated in the regulation of fear and pain empathy exhibit distinctions; the activity of PVN neurons was positively correlated with empathic behaviour in mice. These findings highlight the role of the PVN oxytocin pathway in regulating fear empathy and suggest the importance of oxytocin signalling in mediating empathetic responses., Introduction Empathy refers to an individual's perception and recognition of the internal emotions and feelings of others, including the ability to identify and respond to their voices, expressions, and physical [...]

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to summarize the design and methodology of a large-scale trial in northern China, the Beijing Angle Closure Progression Study (BAPS). This trial is designed to explore the 5-year incidence of primary angle-closure suspect (PACS) progressing to primary angle-closure (PAC) or primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) and to determine the possible risk factors of disease progression.Methods/designThe BAPS is a clinic-based, multicenter, noninterventional trial conducted on a sample of urban Chinese adults. Consecutive eligible patients who meet PACS diagnostic criteria will be recruited from eight participating centers, with the trial commencing on August 4, 2022. The target sample size is set at 825 subjects, with follow up planned for a minimum period of 5 years. Baseline examination will include presenting visual acuity, best corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), undilated slit-lamp biomicroscopy, stereoscopic evaluation of the optic disc, visual field test, optical coherence tomography evaluation of retinal nerve fiber layer, ultrasound biomicroscopy and IOLMaster. Questionnaires will also be used to collect detailed personal history. Patients are scheduled to visit the glaucoma clinic every 12 months and may visit the emergency room in case of acute attack of angle closure. Study endpoints include acute PAC episodes, elevated IOP, peripheral anterior synechiae, glaucomatous visual field defect, or glaucomatous abnormality of optic nerve.DiscussionThe BAPS will provide data on the 5-year incidence of PACS progressing to PAC or PACG and determine the risk factors for disease progression. This study will also help redefine high-risk patients with PACS.

Abstract To address the problem of pillar instability in residual mining areas under repeated mining disturbances, the prediction of pillar instability time and mining technology is studied by using numerical simulations, theoretical examinations, and practical experimentation techniques utilizing the remaining facade of the Shenghua Coal Industry 3103. On the basis of the findings, employing a fully mechanized mining technique exerts greater pressure on the coal pillar, increasing the likelihood of plastic failure. However, adopting the segmental filling mining approach can effectively disperse this pressure, consequently mitigating potential damage to the coal pillar. Initially, the coal pillar undergoes a progressive yielding or collapsing process at its periphery, leading to instability once the area of the projectile core of the coal pillar decreases beyond a specific threshold. The dimensions of both the affected roadway and the coal pillar play a pivotal role in determining the coal pillar's load‐bearing capacity. A prediction model for pillar instability is established. If the area of the projectile core is less than 34% during remining, the mining method should be changed or pillar reinforcement should be implemented. The accurate prediction and adaptation of the model's mining approach ensure the secure extraction of coal pillars within the remaining mining region, with successful validation of the model's performance.

Abstract With the increasing depth of engineering in rock masses, the issue of significant rheological deformation becomes notably prominent. To accurately characterize the deformation and failure behavior of the surrounding rock near the goaf in deep small coal pillars, we have developed a viscoelastic–plastic constitutive model that takes into account the initial stress associated with creep. This model builds upon an existing viscoelastic–plastic constitutive framework and is implemented numerically using C++ in the FLAC3D. The Oedometer test method is used to check the creep components and the calculated parameter (η/G) ensure convergence of numerical operations. We conducted both pre‐improvement and post‐improvement tests of the constitutive model in a simple numerical analysis of roadways. The enhanced model demonstrates improved accuracy in deviational stress calculations and proves suitable for modeling deep, soft roadways. Furthermore, we applied the improved model to simulate actual working conditions at Zhaozhuang Mine, where mining operations near the working face induce a fracture zone of approximately 3 m in the small coal pillar located at the goaf's edge. The new model closely aligns with the observed results, further validating its suitability for tunneling along the goaf. Tunneling and mining activities result in significant deformation at various locations, including the shoulder socket of the working face, the top angle of the coal pillar, and the bottom angle of the floor. The crushing zone at the working face extends up to 4 m. Rheological effects transform the triangular elastic core, from its original high‐pressure elastic state to a fracture and plastic zone in the deep coal. Stress in deep coal is transmitted along the triangular elastic core. Numerical simulation results closely match the excavation profile of the tunneling, providing valuable insights into the impact of mining activities. This study can provide reference for deformation of similar geological conditions and engineering situation.

Problem: Chest radiography is a crucial tool for diagnosing thoracic disorders, but interpretation errors and a lack of qualified practitioners can cause delays in treatment. Aim: This study aimed to develop a reliable multi-classification artificial intelligence (AI) tool to improve the accuracy and efficiency of chest radiograph diagnosis. Methods: We developed a convolutional neural network (CNN) capable of distinguishing among 26 thoracic diagnoses. The model was trained and externally validated using 795,055 chest radiographs from 13 datasets across 4 countries. Results: The CNN model achieved an average area under the curve (AUC) of 0.961 across all 26 diagnoses in the testing set. COVID-19 detection achieved perfect accuracy (AUC 1.000, [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.000 to 1.000]), while effusion or pleural effusion detection showed the lowest accuracy (AUC 0.8453, [95% CI, 0.8417 to 0.8489]). In external validation, the model demonstrated strong reproducibility and generalizability within the local dataset, achieving an AUC of 0.9634 for lung opacity detection (95% CI, 0.9423 to 0.9702). The CNN outperformed both radiologists and nonradiological physicians, particularly in trans-device image recognition. Even for diseases not specifically trained on, such as aortic dissection, the AI model showed considerable scalability and enhanced diagnostic accuracy for physicians of varying experience levels (all P < 0.05). Additionally, our model exhibited no gender bias (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The developed AI algorithm, now available as professional web-based software, substantively improves chest radiograph interpretation. This research advances medical imaging and offers substantial diagnostic support in clinical settings.

Objective: Pancreatic sinistral portal hypertension (PSPH) is a common complication of acute pancreatitis (AP) and can cause massive gastrointestinal bleeding, which is one of the causes of AP-related mortality. However, there is currently no predictive model for AP concurrent with PSPH. This study aimed to identify the risk factors for AP concurrent with PSPH and use these factors to build a related predictive model.Materials and methods: We collected clinical data from 282 patients with AP. 192 patients were used as a training group and 90 patients as a validation group. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify independent risk factors for AP complicated with PSPH, and then a nomogram was established. The models are cross verification and Internal verification. The predictive ability and accuracy of the model were evaluated based on the working curve of the subjects and the calibration curve, respectively. The clinical value of the model was evaluated using decision curve analysis (DCA).Results: The univariate analysis revealed significant differences in the occurrence of PSPH with respect to sex, recurrent AP, history of hypertension, smoking history, patency of the splenic vein, pancreatic necrosis or pancreatic pseudocyst formation, the most significant site of pancreatic swelling, presence of a Dmure D polymer, MCTSI, and involvement of lipase and amylase. The logistic multivariate regression analysis showed that male sex, splenic-vein stenosis or occlusion and swelling were located in the body-tail, and MCTSI was an independent risk factor for PSPH. The nomogram and ROC curve were constructed. The area under the working curve of the subjects was 0.91, and the sensitivity and specificity were 82.5% and 89.1%, respectively. In the validation group, the C-index is 0.826. The nomogram was internally validated using 1,000 bootstrap samples, and the c-index was 0.898. The calibration curve demonstrated that the predicted probability was concordant with the observed probability, and the DCA confirmed that the model had robust clinical utility.Conclusion: Male sex, splenic-vein stenosis or occlusion, recurrent AP, and swelling are located in the body-tail, and MCTSI is an independent risk factor for the occurrence of PSPH. The predictive model developed for AP complicated with PSPH may serve toward developing preventive and therapeutic approaches for PSPH.

Tamusu claystone is one of the preselected host rocks for geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste in China. In this work, two claystone samples collected from borehole Tzk1 at the depth of 542 m(Tzk1-542) and borehole Tzk2 at the depth of 516 m (Tzk2-516) of Tamusu site in Inner Mongolia were used to synthesize groundwater by soaking-balance method. The pH values of the synthetic groundwater were 9.45 and 8.24, respectively, and their components were analysed. Based on the Fe2+ and total Fe mass ratios of 78.36% and 91.92% in Tzk1-542 and Tzk2-516, the Eh values of -169.4 mV and 11.5 mV were proposed, respectively. In light of the obtained Eh, the solubility and speciation of U, 99Tc, 79Se and Np were calculated using PHREEQC with the latest OECD/NEA thermodynamic data and the thermodynamic data of uranyl carbonate complexes with Mg and Ca. When the pH range is 5.0-11.0 and the partial pressure of oxygen remains unchanged, the results show that the solubility of U, Se, Tc and Np in Tzk1-542 groundwater are 10-11-10-8, 10-16-10-9, 10-14-10-12 and 10-18-10-17 mol/L, respectively, while in Tzk2-516 groundwater they are 10-14-10-5, 10-14-10-5, 10-11-10-4 and 10-18-10-17 mol/L, respectively. The dissolved U, Se, Tc and Np in both groundwaters are mainly in the form of neutral molecules or anions. The claystone groundwater is generally under alkaline condition. When the pH is fixed(at 9.45 and 8.24 for Tzk1-542 and Tzk2-516, respectively) and the Eh varies from -169.4 mV to 169.4 mV, the solubility ranges of U, Se, Tc and Np in groundwater Tzk1-542 are 10-10-2.28×10-4, 10-12-10-3, 10-14-10-2 and 10-18-10-12 mol/L, respectively. The dissolved U, Se, Tc and Np mainly exist as negatively charged or neutral species such as UO2(CO3)4-3, CaUO2(CO3)2-3, SeO2-3, HSeO-3, TcO-4, NpO2OH, etc. For groundwater Tzk2-516, the solubility ranges of U, Se, Tc and Np are 10-11-10-5, 10-11-10-3, 10-16-10-2 and 10-19-10-13 mol/L, respectively. The dissolved U, Se, Tc and Np mainly exist as Ca2UO2(CO3)3, CaUO2(CO3)2-3, SeO2-3, HSeO-3, TcO-4, NpO2OH, etc. This work provides the simulation results of the homogeneous solution system. Further experimental works in combination with the real groundwaterwater condition for the related radionuclides are needed.

Abstract Background Dental film mounting is an essential but time-consuming task in dental radiography, with manual methods often prone to errors. This study aims to develop a deep learning (DL) model for accurate automated classification and mounting of both intraoral and extraoral dental radiography. Method The present study employed a total of 22,334 intraoral images and 1,035 extraoral images to train the model. The performance of the model was tested on an independent internal dataset and two external datasets from different institutes. Images were categorized into 32 tooth areas. The VGG-16, ResNet-18, and ResNet-101 architectures were used for pretraining, with the ResNet-101 ultimately being chosen as the final trained model. The model’s performance was evaluated using metrics of accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 score. Additionally, we evaluated the influence of misalignment on the model’s accuracy and time efficiency. Results The ResNet-101 model outperformed VGG-16 and ResNet-18 models, achieving the highest accuracy of 0.976, precision of 0.969, recall of 0.984, and F1-score of 0.977 (p

Abstract Objective In lung cancer patients, most deaths are caused by the distant dissemination of cancer cells. Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and collective cell migration are distinct and important mechanisms involved in cancer invasion and metastasis. Additionally, microRNA dysregulation contributes significantly to cancer progression. In this study, we aimed to explore the function of miR‐503 in cancer metastasis. Methods Molecular manipulations (silencing or overexpression) were performed to investigate the biological functions of miR‐503 including migration and invasion. Reorganization of cytoskeleton was assessed using immunofluorescence and the relationship between miR‐503 and downstream protein tyrosine kinase 7 (PTK7) was assessed using quantitative real‐time PCR, immunoblotting, and reporter assays. The tail vein metastatic animal experiments were performed. Results Herein, we demonstrated that the downregulation of miR‐503 confers an invasive phenotype in lung cancer cells and provided in vivo evidence that miR‐503 significantly inhibits metastasis. We found that miR‐503 inversely regulates EMT, identified PTK7 as a novel miR‐503 target, and showed the functional effects of miR‐503 on cell migration and invasion were restored upon reconstitution of PTK7 expression. As PTK7 is a Wnt/planar cell polarity protein crucial for collective cell movement, these results implicated miR‐503 in both EMT and collective migration. However, the expression of PTK7 did not influence EMT induction, suggesting that miR‐503 regulates EMT through mechanisms other than PTK7 inhibition. Furthermore, we discovered that PTK7 mechanistically activates focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and paxillin, thereby controlling the reorganization of the cortical actin cytoskeleton. Conclusion Collectively, miR‐503 is capable of governing EMT and PTK7/FAK signaling independently to control the invasion and dissemination of lung cancer cells, indicating that miR‐503 represents a pleiotropic regulator of cancer metastasis and hence a potential therapeutic target for lung cancer.

Abstract To address the instability timing problem of residual coal pillars under mining disturbance, their stress migration law and instability mechanism were studied via numerical simulation, physical simulation, and engineering tests considering residual coal remining in the 3101 working face of the Shenghua Coal Industry. The results show that as the mining progresses, the stress concentrates on both sides of the remaining coal pillar and empty roadway. When the first coal pillar in front of the working face loses its bearing capacity, the stress is transmitted forward, resulting in the advanced collapse of the empty roadway roof and an excessive load on the second coal pillar in front of the working face. Additionally, the critical value prediction model of the coal pillar stability safety factor fs ${f}_{{ m{s}}}$ was constructed. If fs ${f}_{{ m{s}}}$ is less than the critical value during the repeated mining period, the remaining coal pillar must be reinforced. A hollow grouting crossed anchor is selected for coal pillar reinforcement; thus, realizing the safe mining of the remaining coal pillars. Our research results provide theoretical support for the safe secondary mining of coal in China and similar coal mines worldwide.

Abstract Long-form collapsin response mediator protein-1 (LCRMP-1) belongs to the CRMP family which comprises brain-enriched proteins responsible for axon guidance. However, its role in spermatogenesis remains unclear. Here we find that LCRMP-1 is abundantly expressed in the testis. To characterize its physiological function, we generate LCRMP-1-deficient mice (Lcrmp-1 −/− ). These mice exhibit aberrant spermiation with apoptotic spermatids, oligospermia, and accumulation of immature testicular cells, contributing to reduced fertility. In the seminiferous epithelial cycle, LCRMP-1 expression pattern varies in a stage-dependent manner. LCRMP-1 is highly expressed in spermatids during spermatogenesis and especially localized to the spermiation machinery during spermiation. Mechanistically, LCRMP-1 deficiency causes disorganized F-actin due to unbalanced signaling of F-actin dynamics through upregulated PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling. In conclusion, LCRMP-1 maintains spermatogenesis homeostasis by modulating cytoskeleton remodeling for spermatozoa release.

Abstract Introduction Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is one of the most common congenital heart diseases. Once the PDA is diagnosed, it needs to be dealt with in time. At present, main methods include pharmacological treatment, surgical closure, and interventional closure for treatment of PDA. However, the effect of different interventions in PDA management is still controversial. Thus, our study aims to assess the effectiveness of different interventions together and estimate the sequence of these therapies for PDA children. Meanwhile, it is necessary to conduct a Bayesian network meta-analysis to compare the safety of different interventions comprehensively. Methods and analysis To the best of our knowledge, this is the first Bayesian network meta-analysis comparing the efficacy and safety of different interventions for the treatment of PDA. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, gray literature, and trial registry databases were searched from inception to December 2022. We will extract and report data according to methodological guidelines for Bayesian network meta-analysis by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols (PRISMA-P). Primary PDA closure, overall PDA closure, technical success, surgical success rate, mortality during hospital stay, operation time, intensive care unit stay, intraoperative radiation dose, radiation exposure time, total postoperative complication rate, and postoperative major complication rate will be defined as the outcomes. The quality of all random studies will be assessed using ROB, and quality of evidence for all outcomes will be judged by using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE). Ethics and dissemination The results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publication. Since no private and confidential patient data will be contained in the reporting, there are no ethical considerations associated with this protocol. Systematic review registration INPLASY2020110067.