TreeCSS: An Efficient Framework for Vertical Federated Learning

Vertical federated learning (VFL) considers the case that the features of data samples are partitioned over different participants. VFL consists of two main steps, i.e., identify the common data samples for all participants (alignment) and train model using the aligned data samples (training). However, when there are many participants and data samples, both alignment and training become slow. As such, we propose TreeCSS as an efficient VFL framework that accelerates the two main steps. In particular, for sample alignment, we design an efficient multi-party private set intersection (MPSI) protocol called Tree-MPSI, which adopts a tree-based structure and a data-volume-aware scheduling strategy to parallelize alignment among the participants. As model training time scales with the number of data samples, we conduct coreset selection (CSS) to choose some representative data samples for training. Our CCS method adopts a clustering-based scheme for security and generality, which first clusters the features locally on each participant and then merges the local clustering results to select representative samples. In addition, we weight the samples according to their distances to the centroids to reflect their importance to model training. We evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of our TreeCSS framework on various datasets and models. The results show that compared with vanilla VFL, TreeCSS accelerates training by up to 2.93x and achieves comparable model accuracy.Comment: 16 pages, 7 figure

Enhancing the security of horizontal canal BPPV repositioning maneuvers: insights from virtual simulation

Horizontal canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (hc-BPPV) presents distinct challenges in both diagnosis and treatment. This study aims to explore the trajectories of otoliths during different hc-BPPV reduction maneuvers using advanced virtual simulation technology, and evaluate the theoretical effectiveness and security of these maneuvers while providing recommendations for optimizing current techniques or developing innovative approaches. We created a high-fidelity, three-dimensional (3D) virtual model of the human vestibular system that accurately depicts the horizontal semicircular canal. Utilizing the Unity 3D platform combined with NVIDIA PhysX physics engines, and simulated various hc-BPPV repositioning maneuvers, including the Lempert roll, Gufoni maneuver, forced prolonged positioning, and Zuma maneuvering. The otoliths were modeled as spherical particles, with their motion trajectories analyzed through precise quaternion rotation. Then, we collected and examined the 3D trajectory, velocity, and positional changes of the otoliths in relation to key anatomical landmarks. The simulations indicate that traditional maneuvers such as Lempert and Gufoni are effective in repositioning otoliths, but along with the risk that otoliths mistakenly inserted into other semicircular canals. In contrast, Zuma maneuver is more complex to execute, but it provides higher security. The improved Zuma maneuver not only simplifies the procedure but also maintains high efficacy and security standards. This study provides a comprehensive comparison of various hc-BPPV repositioning maneuvers using virtual simulation technology. The modified Zuma maneuver is proposed as a more effective and safer treatment method. Further clinical validation and individual adjustment studies are necessary to optimize this approach and improve hc-BPPV management strategies

Neurological adverse events associated with baclofen: a pharmacovigilance study based on FDA adverse event reporting system

BackgroundBaclofen, a centrally acting muscle relaxant, is widely utilized for the management of muscle spasms and alcohol use disorders associated with conditions. However, its neurological safety and tolerability in a large population remain limited. This study aimed to assess the neurological safety and potential risks of baclofen in the real world.MethodsData covering the period from the first quarter of 2004 to the third quarter of 2024 were collected from the Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Four disproportionality analysis methods were employed: the Reporting Odds Ratio, the Proportional Reporting Ratio, Bayesian Confidence Propagation Neural Network, and the Multi-item Gamma Poisson Shrinkage (MGPS). These methods were used to detect and evaluate adverse events Adverse drug events associated with baclofen. Additionally, the time to onset analysis was conducted.ResultsA total of 432 neurological-related preferred terms (PTs) were identified. The number of PT that were positive for all four algorithms was 40, and the top 5 PT were Hypotonia, Encephalopathy, Coma, Unresponsive to stimuli, and Cerebrospinal fluid leakage. The top 5 PTs for ROR values are Intracranial hypotension [ROR 66.24 (55.45–79.13)], Cerebrospinal fluid leakage [ROR 51.34 (45.84–57.51)], Autonomic dysreflexia [ROR 47.4 (32.27–69.63)], Basal ganglion degeneration [ROR 33.03 (18.54–58.84)], Sciatic nerve palsy [ROR 21.6 (11.14–41.87)]. The median onset time for baclofen -related ADEs was 27 days. Most cases (n = 241, 55.5%) occurred within the first month of baclofen administration. In an analysis of severe vs. non-severe ADEs, the study found that the incidence of severe cases was higher than that of non-severe cases, with no gender-related differences observed.ConclusionThis study identified clinically significant PTs using four different algorithms and performed gender subgroup analysis. The TTO analysis indicated that the onset of most ADEs occurred within 27 days. Furthermore, the frequency of severe ADEs was higher than that of non-severe ones. Clinicians should closely monitor for neurological adverse effects caused by baclofen, particularly severe ADEs, and consider individualized dosing strategies. Further research based on real-world data is needed to validate these findings

Associations between environmental perchlorate, nitrate, and thiocyanate exposure and severe headache or migraine: a cross-sectional, population-based analysis

BackgroundEnvironmental contaminants may play a significant role in the development of migraine. Perchlorate, nitrate, and thiocyanate were selected for this study due to their known impact on thyroid function, which is closely linked to neurological processes. Disruptions in thyroid function have been associated with various neurological disorders, including migraines. However, there is currently no evidence linking exposure to these specific chemicals to migraine. The study aims to evaluate the association between urinary concentrations of perchlorate, nitrate, and thiocyanate with the prevalence of severe headache or migraine in U.S. adults.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2001–2004. Utilizing electrospray tandem mass spectrometry in conjunction with ion chromatography, urinary concentrations of perchlorate, nitrate, and thiocyanate urine were measured. Multiple logistic regression models were employed to evaluate the linear correlation between perchlorate, nitrate, and thiocyanate exposure and severe headache or migraine. The non-linear relationship is described analytically using a fitted smoothing curve and a two-piecewise regression model. Subgroup analyses were used to further clarify the stability of this relationship across different populations.ResultsThere were 1,446 participants in this population-based study, ranging in age from 20 to 85. After adjusting for potential confounding variables, the multiple logistic regression findings demonstrated that thiocyanate was significantly positively associated with the prevalence of migraine (odds ratio [OR] = 1.18; [1.06, 1.30]; p < 0.001). There was consistency in this connection across different subgroups (p for interaction >0.05). Furthermore, there was a non-linear correlation between urinary thiocyanate and migraine. Using a fitted smoothing curve and a two-piecewise regression model, it was found that the correlation between urinary thiocyanate and migraine was U-shaped (p for Log-likelihood ratio = 0.002). According to the findings of the multiple regression analysis, there was no significant correlation between urinary perchlorate and nitrate and migraine (both p > 0.05).ConclusionWe should limit our exposure to thiocyanate by keeping it within a reasonable range, as indicated by the U-shaped correlation between urinary thiocyanate and migraine

Effect of Gradually Decreasing Photoperiod on Immune Function in Siberian Hamsters

Animals usually use photoperiod as an important environmental cue to time the year. In terms of the winter immunocompetence enhancement hypothesis, animals in the non-tropical zone would actively enhance their immune function to decrease the negative influence of stressors such as low temperature and food shortage in winter. In the present study, we mimicked the transition from summer to winter by decreasing photoperiod gradually and examined the variations of immune repsonses in Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus)  to test this hypothesis. Twenty two female adult hamsters were randomly divided into the control (12h light: 12h dark, Control, n=11) and the gradually decreasing photoperiod group (Experiment, n=11). In the experiment group, day length was decreased from 12 h: 12 h light-dark cycle to 8 h: 16 h light-dark cycle at the pace of half an hour per week. We found that gradually decreasing photoperiod had no effect on body composition (wet carcass mass, subcutaneous, retroperitoneal, mesenteric and total body fat mass) and the masses of the organs detected such as brain, heart, liver and so on in hamsters. Similarly, immunological parameters including immune organs (thymus and spleen), white blood cells and serum bacteria killing capacity indicative of innate immunity were also not influenced by gradually decreasing photoperiod, which did not support the winter immunocompetence enhancement hypothesis. However, gradually decreasing photoperiod increased phytohaemagglutinin response post-24h of PHA challenge, which supported this hypothesis. There was no correlation between cellular, innate immunity and body fat mass, suggesting that body fat was not the reasons of the changes of cellular immunity. In summary, distinct components of immune system respond to gradually decreasing photoperiod differently in Siberian hamsters

A real-world pharmacovigilance study of adverse drug reactions associated with lecanemab and aducanumab based on WHO-VigiAccess and FAERS databases

BackgroundLecanemab and Aducanumab are two novel anti-amyloid beta (Aβ) therapies for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) that have shown promise in slowing cognitive decline. However, their safety profiles remain unclear due to limited real-world evidence. This study aims to analyze and compare adverse drug reactions (ADRs) of these drugs using data from the WHO-VigiAccess and FAERS databases.MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted using ADR data from the VigiAccess and FAERS databases, focusing on System Organ Class (SOC) and Preferred Term (PT) classifications. Descriptive statistics and reporting odds ratio (ROR) analysis were employed to evaluate and compare ADR profiles.ResultsLecanemab and Aducanumab exhibited distinct ADRs. Results from both the VigiAccess and FAERS databases indicated that the most SOC associated with both drugs was nervous system disorders (34.7% in VigiAccess, 36.8% in FAERS). Further multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that Aducanumab was associated with a higher risk of nervous system disorders (OR = 4.72, 95% CI: 3.53–6.39, P < 0.001). Among the reported AEs, headache was the most frequently reported for Lecanemab (9.4% in VigiAccess, 8.96% in FAERS), while Aducanumab was primarily associated with amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA) (19.1% in VigiAccess, 23.58% in FAERS). In the blood and lymphatic systems, Anemia was observed in both drugs. However, thrombocyto-penia was more prevalent in Lecanemab, while platelet dysfunction and myelosuppression were more frequently observed in Aducanumab. Additionally, hospitalization and mortality rates were higher for Aducanumab compared to Lecanemab.ConclusionThis study compared the ADRs of Lecanemab and Aducanumab, revealing that ARIA was the most common AE for both drugs. However, Lecanemab showed a lower risk of ARIA, cerebral hemorrhage, and severe events. These findings emphasize the need for further clinical research to clarify the long-term safety and efficacy of both drugs

Measuring charge distribution of molecular cations by atomic Coulomb probe microscope

Imaging the charge distributions and structures of molecules and clusters will promote the understanding of the dynamics of the quantum system. Here, we report a method by using an Ar atom as a tip to probe the charge distributions of benzene (Bz) cations in gas phase. Remarkably, the measured charge distributions of Bz cation (QH =0.204,QC=-0.037)and dication (QH =0.248,QC=0.0853)agree well with the calculated Mulliken distributions,and the structures of Bz dimer is reconstructed by using the measured charge distributions. The structures of two Bz dimer isomers (T-shaped and PD isomers) can be resolved from the measured inter-molecular potential V(R) between two Bz ions, and the structures of Bz dimer agree well with the theoretical predictions.Comment: 7 pages, 3 Figure

A case report of rare pancreatic lymphoma: wide range of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma located in the body and tail of pancreas

BackgroundPancreatic lymphoma is a rare pancreatic malignancy that is challenging to differentiate from diseases such as pancreatic cancer (PC). Although pathological examination of specimens obtained through surgery or endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) can aid in diagnosis, factors such as the occasional need for surgery and the variability in specimen quality from EUS-FNA complicate the diagnostic process. Misdiagnosis of pancreatic lymphoma as PC often leads to unnecessary surgery. In addition, surgical intervention may be necessary as a second-line treatment option for pancreatic lymphoma patients presenting with severe gastrointestinal symptoms. However, an optimal postoperative treatment strategy remains undefined, particularly in cases with extensive invasion, thereby impacting long-term survival. This lack of consensus underscores the need for further research to establish evidence-based therapeutic protocols.Case DescriptionWe present the case of a 55-year-old patient (abdominal pain for over one month, intensified for two weeks). Imaging studies suggested a hypodense mass in the tail of the pancreas with ill-defined margins extending to the spleen, as well as a hypodense lesion within the spleen. The patient underwent surgical intervention, and postoperative pathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Following surgery, the patient was initially treated with a short-term C2PET oral chemotherapy regimen, which was subsequently transitioned to the R-CHOP regimen. This therapeutic approach resulted in a favorable outcome, with the patient achieving a 5-year survival period. As far as we know, this may be the first reported case of pancreatic lymphoma with such a widespread involvement, in which patient underwent surgery and postoperative chemotherapy and obtained a 5-year survival period.Literature ReviewWe reviewed previously reported cases of the DLBCL pancreatic lymphoma located in the body and tail of pancreas, and conducted a comparative analysis.Purposes and Clinical RelevanceOur objectives are twofold: first, to highlight the critical role of preoperative EUS-FNA and positron emission tomography–computed tomography in the diagnostic evaluation for patients with pancreatic mass and suspected lesions in immune-associated organs; and second, to propose evidence-based recommendations for postoperative chemotherapy in cases of DLBCL involving the pancreas

Nuclear mass table in deformed relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov theory in continuum, II: Even-ZZ nuclei

The mass table in the deformed relativistic Hartree-Bogoliubov theory in continuum (DRHBc) with the PC-PK1 density functional has been established for even-$Z$ nuclei with $8\le Z\le120$, extended from the previous work for even-even nuclei [Zhang $\it{et.~al.}$ (DRHBc Mass Table Collaboration), At. Data Nucl. Data Tables 144, 101488 (2022)]. The calculated binding energies, two-nucleon and one-neutron separation energies, root-mean-square (rms) radii of neutron, proton, matter, and charge distributions, quadrupole deformations, and neutron and proton Fermi surfaces are tabulated and compared with available experimental data. A total of 4829 even-$Z$ nuclei are predicted to be bound, with an rms deviation of 1.477 MeV from the 1244 mass data. Good agreement with the available experimental odd-even mass differences, $\alpha$ decay energies, and charge radii is also achieved. The description accuracy for nuclear masses and nucleon separation energies as well as the prediction for drip lines is compared with the results obtained from other relativistic and nonrelativistic density functional. The comparison shows that the DRHBc theory with PC-PK1 provides an excellent microscopic description for the masses of even-$Z$ nuclei. The systematics of the nucleon separation energies, odd-even mass differences, pairing energies, two-nucleon gaps, $\alpha$ decay energies, rms radii, quadrupole deformations, potential energy curves, neutron density distributions, and neutron mean-field potentials are discussed.Comment: 394 pages, 17 figures, 2 tables, published in Atomic Data and Nuclear Data Tables, data file in the TXT form is available for download under "Ancillary files