Masked Transformer for Electrocardiogram Classification

Electrocardiogram (ECG) is one of the most important diagnostic tools in clinical applications. With the advent of advanced algorithms, various deep learning models have been adopted for ECG tasks. However, the potential of Transformers for ECG data is not yet realized, despite their widespread success in computer vision and natural language processing. In this work, we present a useful masked Transformer method for ECG classification referred to as MTECG, which expands the application of masked autoencoders to ECG time series. We construct a dataset comprising 220,251 ECG recordings with a broad range of diagnoses annoated by medical experts to explore the properties of MTECG. Under the proposed training strategies, a lightweight model with 5.7M parameters performs stably well on a broad range of masking ratios (5%-75%). The ablation studies highlight the importance of fluctuated reconstruction targets, training schedule length, layer-wise LR decay and DropPath rate. The experiments on both private and public ECG datasets demonstrate that MTECG-T significantly outperforms the recent state-of-the-art algorithms in ECG classification

Large amplitude and multiple stable periodic oscillations in treatment–donation–stockpile dynamics

A transmission–treatment–donation–stockpile model was originally formulated for the 2014–2015 West Africa Ebola outbreak in order to inform policy complication of large scale use and collection of convalescent blood as an empiric treatment. Here we reduce this model to a three dimensional system with a single delay counting for the duration between two consecutive donations. The blood unit reproduction number R0 is calculated and interpreted biologically. Using the LaSalle’s invariance principle we show that the zero blood bank storage equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable if R0 1, the system has a non-zero equilibrium with potential occurrence of Hopf bifurcations. The geometric approach previously developed is applied to guide the location of critical bifurcation points. Numerical analysis shows that variations of the single delay parameter can trigger bi-stable large amplitude periodic solutions. We therefore suggest that this time lag must be carefully chosen and maintained to attain stable treatment availability during outbreaks

Large amplitude and multiple stable periodic oscillations in treatment-donation-stockpile dynamics

A transmission-treatment-donation-stockpile model was originally formulated for the 2014-2015 West Africa Ebola outbreak in order to inform policy complication of large scale use and collection of convalescent blood as an empiric treatment. Here we reduce this model to a three dimensional system with a single delay counting for the duration between two consecutive donations. The blood unit reproduction number $R_0$ is calculated and interpreted biologically. Using the LaSalle's invariance principle we show that the zero blood bank storage equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable if $R_01$, the system has a non-zero equilibrium with potential occurrence of Hopf bifurcations. The geometric approach previously developed is applied to guide the location of critical bifurcation points. Numerical analysis shows that variations of the single delay parameter can trigger bi-stable large amplitude periodic solutions. We therefore suggest that this time lag must be carefully chosen and maintained to attain stable treatment availability during outbreaks

MTHFR C677T and MTR A2756G polymorphisms and the homocysteine lowering efficacy of different doses of folic acid in hypertensive Chinese adults

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This study aimed to investigate if the homocysteine-lowering efficacy of two commonly used physiological doses (0.4 mg/d and 0.8 mg/d) of folic acid (FA) can be modified by individual methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T and/or methionine synthase (MTR) A2756G polymorphisms in hypertensive Chinese adults.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 480 subjects with mild or moderate essential hypertension were randomly assigned to three treatment groups: 1) enalapril only (10 mg, control group); 2) enalapril-FA tablet [10:0.4 mg (10 mg enalapril combined with 0.4 mg of FA), low FA group]; and 3) enalapril-FA tablet (10:0.8 mg, high FA group), once daily for 8 weeks.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>After 4 or 8 weeks of treatment, homocysteine concentrations were reduced across all genotypes and FA dosage groups, except in subjects with MTR 2756AG /GG genotype in the low FA group at week 4. However, compared to subjects with MTHFR 677CC genotype, homocysteine concentrations remained higher in subjects with CT or TT genotype in the low FA group (<it>P </it>< 0.05 for either of these genotypes) and TT genotype in the high FA group (<it>P </it>< 0.05). Furthermore, subjects with TT genotype showed a greater homocysteine-lowering response than did subjects with CC genotype in the high FA group (mean percent reduction of homocysteine at week 8: CC 10.8% vs. TT: 22.0%, <it>P </it>= 0.005), but not in the low FA group (CC 9.9% vs. TT 11.2%, <it>P </it>= 0.989).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study demonstrated that MTHFR C677T polymorphism can not only affect homocysteine concentration at baseline and post-FA treatment, but also can modify therapeutic responses to various dosages of FA supplementation.</p

A conceptual model for optimizing vaccine coverage to reduce vector-borne infections in the presence of antibody-dependent enhancement

Abstract Background Many vector-borne diseases co-circulate, as the viruses from the same family are also transmitted by the same vector species. For example, Zika and dengue viruses belong to the same Flavivirus family and are primarily transmitted by a common mosquito species Aedes aegypti. Zika outbreaks have also commonly occurred in dengue-endemic areas, and co-circulation and co-infection of both viruses have been reported. As recent immunological cross-reactivity studies have confirmed that convalescent plasma following dengue infection can enhance Zika infection, and as global efforts of developing dengue and Zika vaccines are intensified, it is important to examine whether and how vaccination against one disease in a large population may affect infection dynamics of another disease due to antibody-dependent enhancement. Methods Through a conceptual co-infection dynamics model parametrized by reported dengue and Zika epidemic and immunological cross-reactivity characteristics, we evaluate impact of a hypothetical dengue vaccination program on Zika infection dynamics in a single season when only one particular dengue serotype is involved. Results We show that an appropriately designed and optimized dengue vaccination program can not only help control the dengue spread but also, counter-intuitively, reduce Zika infections. We identify optimal dengue vaccination coverages for controlling dengue and simultaneously reducing Zika infections, as well as the critical coverages exceeding which dengue vaccination will increase Zika infections. Conclusion This study based on a conceptual model shows the promise of an integrative vector-borne disease control strategy involving optimal vaccination programs, in regions where different viruses or different serotypes of the same virus co-circulate, and convalescent plasma following infection from one virus (serotype) can enhance infection against another virus (serotype). The conceptual model provides a first step towards well-designed regional and global vector-borne disease immunization programs

The prevalence and clinical characteristics of diabetes mellitus in Chinese inpatients with chronic schizophrenia: a multicenter cross-sectional study

Background. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is common among patients with schizophrenia. However, information on patients comorbid DM and schizophrenia is limited in China. The present study investigated the prevalence of DM and its clinical characteristics in Chinese inpatients with chronic schizophrenia. Methods. A cross-sectional study was performed in Chinese inpatients with chronic schizophrenia. Diagnosis of Diabetes was established using World Health Organization diagnostic criteria for diabetes mellitus (persistent fasting glucose levels >= 126 mg/dl or 2-h plasma glucose >= 200 mg/dL after a 75-g Oral Glucose Tolerance Test). Patients were also measured height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, triglyceride level, and cholesterol level. Patients' psychiatric symptoms were measured by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the associated demographic and clinical variables in chronic schizophrenia. Results. A total of 988 inpatients (64.6% male, average age of 47.19 +/- 12.55) was recruited. The prevalence of DM in Chinese patients with chronic schizophrenia was 13.8% (95% CI [11.6-15.9]%). Logistic regression analysis showed that overweight (OR = 1.90, 95% CI [1.20-3.03], p = 0.006), obesity (OR = 1.85, 95% CI [1.07-3.21], p = 0.028), comorbid hypertension (OR = 2.14, 95% CI [1.34-3.42], p = 0.002), and course of schizophrenia (OR = 1.03, 95% CI [1.01-1.06], p = 0.040) were significantly associated with the DM risk in patients with schizophrenia. Conclusion. The findings indicated that diabetes mellitus was non-negligible in patients with chronic schizophrenia. Patients with schizophrenia should be regularly monitored for DM. Overweight/obesity, long duration of schizophrenia, and comorbid hypertension possibly were risk factors for diabetes

REDH: A database of RNA editome in hematopoietic differentiation and malignancy

Abstract. Background:. The conversion of adenosine (A) to inosine (I) through deamination is the prevailing form of RNA editing, impacting numerous nuclear and cytoplasmic transcripts across various eukaryotic species. Millions of high-confidence RNA editing sites have been identified and integrated into various RNA databases, providing a convenient platform for the rapid identification of key drivers of cancer and potential therapeutic targets. However, the available database for integration of RNA editing in hematopoietic cells and hematopoietic malignancies is still lacking. Methods:. We downloaded RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data of 29 leukemia patients and 19 healthy donors from National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and RNA-seq data of 12 mouse hematopoietic cell populations obtained from our previous research were also used. We performed sequence alignment, identified RNA editing sites, and obtained characteristic editing sites related to normal hematopoietic development and abnormal editing sites associated with hematologic diseases. Results:. We established a new database, "REDH", represents RNA editome in hematopoietic differentiation and malignancy. REDH is a curated database of associations between RNA editome and hematopoiesis. REDH integrates 30,796 editing sites from 12 murine adult hematopoietic cell populations and systematically characterizes more than 400,000 edited events in malignant hematopoietic samples from 48 cohorts (human). Through the Differentiation, Disease, Enrichment, and knowledge modules, each A-to-I editing site is systematically integrated, including its distribution throughout the genome, its clinical information (human sample), and functional editing sites under physiological and pathological conditions. Furthermore, REDH compares the similarities and differences of editing sites between different hematologic malignancies and healthy control. Conclusions:. REDH is accessible at http://www.redhdatabase.com/. This user-friendly database would aid in understanding the mechanisms of RNA editing in hematopoietic differentiation and malignancies. It provides a set of data related to the maintenance of hematopoietic homeostasis and identifying potential therapeutic targets in malignancies

KHSRP combines transcriptional and posttranscriptional mechanisms to regulate monocytic differentiation

RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are widely involved in the transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation of multiple biological processes. The transcriptional regulatory ability of RBPs was indicated by the identification of chromatin-enriched RBPs (Che-RBPs). One of these proteins, KH-type splicing regulatory protein (KHSRP), is a multifunctional RBP that has been implicated in mRNA decay, alternative splicing, and miRNA biogenesis and plays an essential role in myeloid differentiation by facilitating the maturation of miR-129. In this study, we revealed that KHSRP regulates monocytic differentiation by regulating gene transcription and RNA splicing. KHSRP-occupied specific genomic sites in promoter and enhancer regions to regulate the expression of several hematopoietic genes through transcriptional activation and bound to pre-mRNA intronic regions to modulate alternative splicing during monocytic differentiation. Of note, KHSRP had co-regulatory effects at both the transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels on MOGOH and ADARB1. Taken together, our analyses revealed the dual DNA- and RNA-binding activities of KHSRP and have provided a paradigm to guide the analysis of other functional Che-RBPs in different biological systems