DavarOCR: A Toolbox for OCR and Multi-Modal Document Understanding

This paper presents DavarOCR, an open-source toolbox for OCR and document understanding tasks. DavarOCR currently implements 19 advanced algorithms, covering 9 different task forms. DavarOCR provides detailed usage instructions and the trained models for each algorithm. Compared with the previous opensource OCR toolbox, DavarOCR has relatively more complete support for the sub-tasks of the cutting-edge technology of document understanding. In order to promote the development and application of OCR technology in academia and industry, we pay more attention to the use of modules that different sub-domains of technology can share. DavarOCR is publicly released at https://github.com/hikopensource/Davar-Lab-OCR.Comment: Short paper, Accept by ACM MM202

Ku80 cooperates with CBP to promote COX-2 expression and tumor growth.

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) plays an important role in lung cancer development and progression. Using streptavidin-agarose pulldown and proteomics assay, we identified and validated Ku80, a dimer of Ku participating in the repair of broken DNA double strands, as a new binding protein of the COX-2 gene promoter. Overexpression of Ku80 up-regulated COX-2 promoter activation and COX-2 expression in lung cancer cells. Silencing of Ku80 by siRNA down-regulated COX-2 expression and inhibited tumor cell growth in vitro and in a xenograft mouse model. Ku80 knockdown suppressed phosphorylation of ERK, resulting in an inactivation of the MAPK pathway. Moreover, CBP, a transcription co-activator, interacted with and acetylated Ku80 to co-regulate the activation of COX-2 promoter. Overexpression of CBP increased Ku80 acetylation, thereby promoting COX-2 expression and cell growth. Suppression of CBP by a CBP-specific inhibitor or siRNA inhibited COX-2 expression as well as tumor cell growth. Tissue microarray immunohistochemical analysis of lung adenocarcinomas revealed a strong positive correlation between levels of Ku80 and COX-2 and clinicopathologic variables. Overexpression of Ku80 was associated with poor prognosis in patients with lung cancers. We conclude that Ku80 promotes COX-2 expression and tumor growth and is a potential therapeutic target in lung cancer

Malignancy‐associated ischemic stroke : implications for diagnostic and therapeutic workup

Background: Patients with malignancies have an increased risk of suffering ischemic stroke via several mechanisms such as coagulation dysfunction and other malignancy-related effects as well as iatrogenic causes. Moreover, stroke can be the first sign of an occult malignancy, termed as malignancy-associated ischemic stroke (MAS). Therefore, timely diagnostic assessment and targeted management of this complex clinical situation are critical. Findings: Patients with both stroke and malignancy have atypical ages, risk factors, and often exhibit malignancy-related symptoms and multiple lesions on neuroimaging. New biomarkers such as eicosapentaenoic acid and blood mRNA profiles may help in distinguishing MAS from other strokes. In terms of treatment, malignancy should not be considered a contraindication, given comparable rates of recanalization and complications between stroke patients with or without malignancies. Conclusion: In this review, we summarize the latest developments in diagnosing and managing MAS, especially stroke with occult malignancies, and provide new recommendations from recently emerged clinical evidence for diagnostic and therapeutic workup strategies

Recent advances in arterial spin labeling perfusion MRI in patients with vascular cognitive impairment

Cognitive impairment (CI) is a major health concern in aging populations. It impairs patients’ independent life and may progress to dementia. Vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) encompasses all cerebrovascular pathologies that contribute to cognitive impairment (CI). Moreover, the majority of CI subtypes involve various aspects of vascular dysfunction. Recent research highlights the critical role of reduced cerebral blood flow (CBF) in the progress of VCI, and the detection of altered CBF may help to detect or even predict the onset of VCI. Arterial spin labeling (ASL) is a non-invasive, non-ionizing perfusion MRI technique for assessing CBF qualitatively and quantitatively. Recent methodological advances enabling improved signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and data acquisition have led to an increase in the use of ASL to assess CBF in VCI patients. Combined with other imaging modalities and biomarkers, ASL has great potential for identifying early VCI and guiding prediction and prevention strategies. This review focuses on recent advances in ASL-based perfusion MRI for identifying patients at high risk of VCI

The association between air pollutant exposure and cerebral small vessel disease imaging markers with modifying effects of PRS-defined genetic susceptibility

Studies have highlighted a possible link between air pollution and cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) imaging markers. However, the exact association and effects of polygenic risk score (PRS) defined genetic susceptibility remains unclear. This cross-sectional study used data from the UK Biobank. Participants aged 40–69 years were recruited between the year 2006 and 2010. The annual average concentrations of NOX, NO2, PM2.5, PM2.5–10, PM2.5 absorbance, and PM10, were estimated, and joint exposure to multiple air pollutants was reflected in the air pollution index (APEX). Air pollutant exposure was classified into the low (T1), intermediate (T2), and high (T3) tertiles. Three CSVD markers were used: white matter hyper-intensity (WMH), mean diffusivity (MD), and fractional anisotropy (FA). The first principal components of the MD and FA measures in the 48 white matter tracts were analysed. The sample consisted of 44,470 participants from the UK Biobank. The median (T1–T3) concentrations of pollutants were as follows: NO2, 25.5 (22.4–28.7) μg/m3; NOx, 41.3 (36.2–46.7) μg/m3; PM10, 15.9 (15.4–16.4) μg/m3; PM2.5, 9.9 (9.5–10.3) μg/m3; PM2.5 absorbance, 1.1 (1.0–1.2) per metre; and PM2.5–10, 6.1 (5.9–6.3) μg/m3. Compared with the low group, the high group's APEX, NOX, and PM2.5 levels were associated with increased WMH volumes, and the estimates (95 %CI) were 0.024 (0.003, 0.044), 0.030 (0.010, 0.050), and 0.032 (0.011, 0.053), respectively, after adjusting for potential confounders. APEX, PM10, PM2.5 absorbance, and PM2.5–10 exposure in the high group were associated with increased FA values compared to that in the low group. Sex-specific analyses revealed associations only in females. Regarding the combined associations of air pollutant exposure and PRS-defined genetic susceptibility with CSVD markers, the associations of NO2, NOX, PM2.5, and PM2.5–10 with WMH were more profound in females with low PRS-defined genetic susceptibility, and the associations of PM10, PM2.5, and PM2.5 absorbance with FA were more profound in females with higher PRS-defined genetic susceptibility. Our study demonstrated that air pollutant exposure may be associated with CSVD imaging markers, with females being more susceptible, and that PRS-defined genetic susceptibility may modify the associations of air pollutants

Forest management plan based on carbon sequestration model

With the increase of carbon dioxide emissions in various countries, greenhouse gases surge, posing a threat to life systems. In this context, how to balance the multifaceted value of forests and improve the relationship between climate change through carbon sequestration of forests and forest products, so as to achieve the sustainable development of forests, is an urgent problem to be solved. The forest management decision-making model established in this paper includes comprehensive considerations such as carbon sequestration, biodiversity, socio-economic and cultural entertainment. The forest carbon sequestration model consists of direct absorption by vegetation and indirect sequestration of carbon dioxide by forest products. We use Cara model to comprehensively estimate forest net primary productivity and establish a model of carbon dioxide storage of forest products based on analytic hierarchy process. In order to realize the sustainable development of forest, we also applied fuzzy comprehensive evaluation and entropy weight method to establish a forest management plan model integrating biodiversity, social economy, culture and entertainment. Finally, we applied the model to Saihanba National Forest Park in China and got positive feedback. The forest management model established in this paper provides theoretical basis and technical support for forest sustainable development

Recent advances in mechanistic, therapeutic, and diagnostic research of cerebrovascular diseases : updates from brain & BrainPET 2022

Cerebrovascular dysfunction and diseases are major causes of mortality, morbidity, and poor quality of patient life. Despite the enormous socioeconomic burden imposed by these conditions, therapeutic options remain scarce. However, rigorous preclinical and clinical research has augmented our mechanistic understanding of cerebrovascular diseases and underlying pathophysiological processes, and there is some optimism that novel therapeutic strategies may be developed in the next decade. This special collection comprises preclinical and clinical studies from investigators who presented their work at the Brain & BrainPET 2022 conference. It highlights recent research on cerebrovascular disease mechanisms, diagnosis, and treatments. A focus is set on cerebroprotective strategies during acute and chronic cerebral ischemia and predicting stroke risk and unfavorable outcomes. The special collection also sheds light on emerging novel treatment targets and management strategies in the pursuit of better clinical outcomes for patients with cerebrovascular diseases

Oxymatrine blocks the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway, partly downregulating the inflammatory responses of M1 macrophages differentiated from THP-1 monocytes

Many chronic inflammatory diseases, such as autoimmune inflammation, are associated with M1 macrophages, and the key to their treatment is blocking inflammation. Oxymatrine (OMT), a traditional Chinese medicine, has a marked anti-inflammatory effect. However, its anti-inflammatory target and mechanism in M1 cells remain unclear, which limits its clinical application. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of oxymatrine (OMT) on the M1 inflammatory response. We also determined the relationship between OMT treatment and the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) pathway with OMT treatment. To this end, we induced the differentiation of human peripheral blood monocytes (THP-1) into M1 cells. THP-1 cells were induced with a phorbol ester (phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA)) and differentiated into naïve M0 macrophages. M0 cells were induced into M1 cells using lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The experimental groups were divided into the M0 macrophage group (NC), M1 inflammatory response group (LPS group), and M1 group treated with different concentrations of OMT (LPS + OMT-L, LPS + OMT-M, LPS + OMT-H). The cells in the OMT-treated groups were treated with OMT for 6 h, followed by LPS for 24 h, and the LPS group was treated with LPS only. The resulting supernatants and cells were collected. The secretion levels of NO were detected by the Griess method and the secretion levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in the supernatants were detected by the ELISA method. The secretion levels of these inflammatory factors were reduced in every OMT-treated group compared to the LPS group (P < 0.01), and the most significant reductions were found in the OMT-H group (P < 0.0001). By western blotting, the protein expression levels of TLR4, NF-κB, NLRP3, and Caspase-1 were all found to be downregulated in the cells of OMT-treated groups compared to the LPS group (P < 0.0001). In situ changes in NLRP3 expression were observed using immunofluorescence. The fluorescence intensity of NLRP3 in M1 cells was weaker in all OMT intervention groups than in the LPS group (P < 0.001). In conclusion, OMT has significant anti-inflammatory effects on the M1 inflammatory responses, and the TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway was blocked proportional to the concentration of OMT