Fall detection has become a popular research field in recent years due to the fact that falls can cause serious injuries. Most existing fall detection systems rely on wearable devices or image ...recognition technology. However, these approaches possess limitations. For instance, most people take off wearable devices during showers, while cameras with image recognition raise privacy concerns. To overcome these challenges, this study proposes a novel approach using 60 GHz radar to develop a fall detection system. We collected raw data from the frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar in three bathrooms and two other indoor fields. Then, we derived features by generating Range-Doppler images and proposing a new Doppler image preprocessing method, Long-Time Interval Range-Doppler Histogram, each histogram represents the cumulative speed information of the Doppler images. Specifically, each histogram is composed of 30 Doppler images per second, capturing the overall speed distribution over a longtime interval. In addition, we proposed two deep learning models, a trigger model, and a fall detection model, for the fall detection system. The trigger model employs convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to identify Range-Doppler images with significant speed and distance variations and is optimized to run on devices with limited central processing unit (CPU) resources. The fall detection model utilizes a bidirectional long short-term memory-based deep learning model to make the final decision. Over 700 records were collected during the experiment, and the fall detection system achieved an accuracy rate of nearly 96%, with recall and precision rates exceeding 90%.
Summary
Emerging azole resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus poses a serious threat to human health. This nationwide surveillance study investigated the prevalence and molecular characteristics of ...azole‐resistant A. fumigatus environmental isolates in Taiwan, an island country with increasing use of azole fungicides. Of the 2760 air and soil samples screened from 2014 to 2016, 451 A. fumigatus isolates were recovered from 266 samples and 34 isolates from 29 samples displayed resistance to medical azoles (itraconazole, voriconazole or posaconazole). The resistance prevalence was 10.9% and 7.5% in A. fumigatus‐positive samples and isolates respectively. Most (29, 85.3%) azole‐resistant isolates harboured TR34/L98H mutations, which were widely distributed, clustered genetically with clinical isolates, and had growth rates that were similar to those of the wild‐type isolates. Microsatellite genotyping revealed both the global spread of the TR34/L98H isolates and the occurrence of TR34/L98H/S297T/F495I isolates belonging to local microsatellite genotypes. AfuMDR3 and atrF, two efflux transporter genes, were constitutively upregulated in two individual resistant isolates without cyp51A mutations, highlighting their potential roles in azole resistance. These results emphasize the need for periodic environmental surveillance at the molecular level in regions in which azole fungicides are applied, and agricultural fungicide management strategies that generate less selective pressure should be investigated.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Prepared to self‐destruct: When poly(d,l‐lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) hollow microspheres containing NaHCO3 entered the endocytic organelles of a live cell, the NaHCO3 in the aqueous core reacted ...with protons that infiltrated from the compartment to generate CO2 gas. The evolution of CO2 bubbles led to the formation of small holes in the PLGA shell and thus rapid release of the encapsulated drug doxorubicin (DOX; see picture).
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is commonly presented with life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias (VA). Renal artery denervation (RDN) is an alternative antiadrenergic treatment that attenuates sympathetic ...activity. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of RDN on preventing VAs in LQTS rabbits induced by drugs. The subtypes of LQTS were induced by infusion of HMR-1556 for LQTS type 1 (LQT1), erythromycin for LQTS type 2 (LQT2), and veratridine for LQTS type 3 (LQT3). Forty-four rabbits were randomized into the LQT1, LQT2, LQT3, LQT1-RDN, LQT2-RDN, and LQT3-RDN groups. All rabbits underwent cardiac electrophysiology studies. The QTc interval of the LQT2-RDN group was significantly shorter than those in the LQT2 group (650.08 ± 472.67 vs. 401.78 ± 42.91 ms, p = 0.011). The QTc interval of the LQT3-RDN group was significantly shorter than those in the LQT3 group (372.00 ± 22.41 vs. 335.70 ± 28.21 ms, p = 0.035). The VA inducibility in all subtypes of the LQT-RDN groups was significantly lower than those in the LQT-RDN groups, respectively (LQT1: 9.00 ± 3.30 vs. 47.44 ± 4.21%, p < 0.001; LQT2: 11.43 ± 6.37 vs. 45.38 ± 5.29%, p = 0.026; LQT3: 10.00 ± 6.32 vs. 32.40 ± 7.19%, p = 0.006). This study demonstrated the neuromodulation of RDN leading to electrical remodeling and reduced VA inducibility of the ventricular substrate in LQT models.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Renal denervation (RDN) suppresses the activity of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and inflammatory cytokines, leading to the prevention of cardiac remodeling. Limited studies have reported ...the effects of renal denervation on ventricular electrophysiology. We aimed to use optical mapping to evaluate the effect of RDN on ventricular structural and electrical remodeling in a tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy rabbit model. Eighteen rabbits were randomized into 4 groups: sham control group (n = 5), renal denervation group receiving RDN (n = 5), heart failure group receiving rapid ventricular pacing for 1 month (n = 4), and RDN-heart failure group (n = 4). Rabbit hearts were harvested for optical mapping. Different cycle lengths were paced (400, 300, 250, 200, and 150 ms), and the results were analyzed. In optical mapping, the heart failure group had a significantly slower epicardial ventricular conduction velocity than the other three groups. The RDN-heart failure, sham control, and RDN groups had similar velocities. We then analyzed the 80% action potential duration at different pacing cycle lengths, which showed a shorter action potential duration as cycle length decreased (P for trend < 0.01), which was consistent across all groups. The heart failure group had a significantly longer action potential duration than the sham control and RDN groups. Action potential duration was shorter in the RDN-heart failure group than the heart failure group (P < 0.05). Reduction of conduction velocity and prolongation of action potential duration are significant hallmarks of heart failure, and RDN reverses these remodeling processes.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
Objective
To examine the robustness of the published machine learning models in the prediction of extraction vs non‐extraction for a diverse US sample population seen by multiple providers.
Setting ...and Sample Population
Diverse group of 838 patients (208 extraction, 630 non‐extraction) were consecutively enrolled.
Materials and Methods
Two sets of input features (117 and 22) including clinical and cephalometric variables were identified based on previous studies. Random forest (RF) and multilayer perception (MLP) models were trained using these feature sets on the sample population and evaluated using measures including accuracy (ACC) and balanced accuracy (BA). A technique to identify incongruent data was used to explore underlying characteristics of the data set and split all samples into 2 groups (G1 and G2) for further model training.
Results
Performance of the models (75%‐79% ACC and 72%‐76% BA) on the total sample population was lower than in previous research. Models were retrained and evaluated using G1 and G2 separately, and individual group MLP models yielded improved accuracy for G1 (96% ACC and 94% BA) and G2 (88% ACC and 85% BA). RF feature ranking showed differences between top features for G1 (maxillary crowding, mandibular crowding and L1‐NB) and G2 (age, mandibular crowding and lower lip to E‐plane).
Conclusions
An incongruent data pattern exists in a consecutively enrolled patient population. Future work with incongruent data segregation and advanced artificial intelligence algorithms is needed to improve the generalization ability to make it ready to support clinical decision‐making.
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CMK, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Long-term memory formation requires de novo RNA and protein synthesis. By using the differential display-polymerase chain reaction strategy, we have presently identified the Nedd4 family interacting ...protein 1 (Ndfip1) cDNA fragment that is differentially expressed between the slow learners and the fast learners from the water maze learning task in rats. Further, the fast learners show decreased Ndfip1 mRNA and protein expression levels than the slow learners. Spatial training similarly decreases the Ndfip1 mRNA and protein expression levels. Conversely, the Ndfip1 conditional heterozygous (cHet) mice show enhanced spatial memory performance compared to the Ndfip1flox/WT control mice. Result from co-immunoprecipitation experiment indicates that spatial training decreases the association between Ndfip1 and the E3 ubiquitin ligase Nedd4 (Nedd4-1), and we have shown that both Beclin 1 and PTEN are endogenous ubiquitination targets of Nedd4 in the hippocampus. Further, spatial training decreases endogenous Beclin 1 and PTEN ubiquitination, and increases Beclin 1 and PTEN expression in the hippocampus. On the other hand, the Becn1 conditional knockout (cKO) mice and the Pten cKO mice both show impaired spatial learning and memory performance. Moreover, the expression level of Beclin 1 and PTEN is higher in the Ndfip1 cHet mice compared with the Ndfip1flox/WT control mice. Here, we have identified Ndfip1 as a candidate novel negative regulation for spatial memory formation and this is associated with increased ubiquitination of Beclin 1 and PTEN in the hippocampus.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Epigenetic regulation and mitochondrial dysfunction are essential to the progression of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Curcumin (CCM) in inhibits the progression of pulmonary fibrosis by ...regulating the expression of specific miRNAs and pulmonary fibroblast mitochondrial function; however, the underlying mechanism is unclear. C57BL/6 mice were intratracheally injected with bleomycin (5 mg/kg) and treated with CCM (25 mg/kg body weight/3 times per week, intraperitoneal injection) for 28 days. Verhoeff–Van Gieson, Picro sirius red, and Masson’s trichrome staining were used to examine the expression and distribution of collagen and elastic fibers in the lung tissue. Pulmonary fibrosis was determined using micro-computed tomography and transmission electron microscopy. Human pulmonary fibroblasts were transfected with miR-29a-3p, and RT-qPCR, immunostaining, and western blotting were performed to determine the expression of DNMT3A and extracellular matrix collagen-1 (COL1A1) and fibronectin-1 (FN1) levels. The expression of mitochondrial electron transport chain complex (MRC) and mitochondrial function were detected using western blotting and Seahorse XFp Technology. CCM in increased the expression of miR-29a-3p in the lung tissue and inhibited the DNMT3A to reduce the COL1A1 and FN1 levels leading to pulmonary extracellular matrix remodeling. In addition, CCM inhibited pulmonary fibroblasts MRC and mitochondrial function via the miR-29a-3p/DNMT3A pathway. CCM attenuates pulmonary fibrosis via the miR-29a-3p/DNMT3A axis to regulate extracellular matrix remodeling and mitochondrial function and may provide a new therapeutic intervention for preventing pulmonary fibrosis.
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•Curcumin mitigates pulmonary fibrosis.•Regulation of miR-29a-3p/DNMT3A axis.•Attenuates ECM remodeling & mitochondrial dysfunction.•Promising therapeutic approach for IPF.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
A 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) is one of the most commonly used tools for evaluating cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). In clinical, the conventional Ag/AgCl electrodes with conductive gel are ...usually used to monitor ECG, but they may encounter gel drying and skin allergic reaction problems for long-term ECG monitoring. In order to improve the above issue, several dry electrodes, made by conductive materials, was proposed in the design of wearable devices, but they still encounter the problems of electrode shifting and stretching, and the risk of skin irritation. Capacitive electrode can access biopotential without contacting skin directly and can completely avoid skin irritation. However, for capacitive electrode, how to maintain a good electrode-skin contacting condition is still a challenge due to electrode fixation problem, in particular in multichannel ECG measurement. In this study, a 12-lead ECG smart clothing based on capacitive sensing technology was proposed to monitor ECG in daily life. To improve the electrode-skin contacting condition, elastic conductive foams were used as the electrode plate to effectively fit the rough body contours. Moreover, a specific wearable belt mechanism was also designed to improve the convenience of use, and it could also provide good friction and proper pressure to reduce the electrode slippage and maintain a good electrode-skin contact condition. The experimental results showed that the proposed smart clothing could stably access the good ECG signal quality under different motion levels, and the specific ECG features corresponding to different CVDs could also be reflected on the measured ECG signal in clinical experiment.
Key message
Rice is an important crop in the world. However, little is known about rice mRNA deadenylation, which is an important regulation step of gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. ...The CCR4–NOT1 complex contains two key components, CCR4 and CAF1, which are the main cytoplasmic deadenylases in eukaryotic cells. Expression of
OsCAF1B
was tightly coupled with low-temperature exposure. In the present study, we investigated the function of OsCAF1B in rice by characterizing the molecular and physiological responses to cold stress in
OsCAF1B
overexpression lines and dominant-negative mutant lines. Our results demonstrate that OsCAF1B plays an important role in growth and development of rice seedlings at low temperatures.
Rice is a tropical and subtropical crop that is sensitive to low temperature, and activates a complex gene regulatory network in response to cold stress. Poly(A) tail shortening, also termed deadenylation, is the rate-limiting step of mRNA degradation in eukaryotic cells. CCR4-associated factor 1 (CAF1) proteins are important enzymes for catalysis of mRNA deadenylation in eukaryotes. In the present study, the role of a rice cold-induced CAF1, OsCAF1B, in adaptation of rice plants to low-temperature stress was investigated. Expression of
OsCAF1B
was closely linked with low-temperature exposure. The increased survival percentage and reduced electrolyte leakage exhibited by OsCAF1B overexpression transgenic lines subjected to cold stress indicate that OsCAF1B plays a positive role in rice growth under low ambient temperature. The enhancement of cold tolerance by OsCAF1B in transgenic rice seedlings involved OsCAF1B deadenylase gene expression, and was associated with elevated expression of late-response cold-related transcription factor genes. In addition, the expression level of
OsCAF1B
was higher in a cold-tolerant
japonica
rice cultivar than in a cold-sensitive
indica
rice cultivar. The results reveal a hitherto undiscovered function of OsCAF1B deadenylase gene expression, which is required for adaptation to cold stress in rice.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
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