Green Synthesis of Magnetite Nanoparticles (via Thermal Decomposition Method) with Controllable Size and Shape

Magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles with controllable size and shape were synthesized by the thermal decomposition method. In contrast to previously reported thermal decomposition methods, our synthesis method had utilized a much cheaper and less toxic iron precursor, iron acetylacetonate (Fe(acac)3), and environmentally benign and non-toxic polyethylene oxide (PEO) was being used as the solvent and surfactant simultaneously. Fe3O4 nanoparticles of controllable size and shape were prepared by manipulating the synthesis parameters such as precursor concentrations, reaction durations and surfactants

Generalized motion and edge adaptive interpolation de-interlacing algorithm

This paper presents a generalized motion and edge adaptive de-interlacing framework, which offers a structured way to develop de-interlacing algorithm. The framework encompasses many typical de-interlacing algorithms, ranging from simple interpolation based algorithms, to more complex edge dependent and motion adaptive algorithms. Based on this framework, we develop a new de-interlacing algorithm which is efficient and artifacts-free. The proposed algorithm was evaluated by five video sequences, namely, "Akiyo", Mother and Daughter", "Silent", "Foreman" and "Stefan". Experimental results confirm that the proposed algorithm performs, both objectively and subjectively, much better than other similar algorithms. These promising results indicate that the proposed framework has good potential for realizing even better de-interlacing algorithms.postprin

Motion and edge adaptive interpolation de-interlacing algorithm

This paper presents a new motion and edge adaptive de-interlacing algorithm, which is efficient and artifacts-free. It is novel in the sense that it introduces a way to properly interpolate the two (odd and even) field images according to the information provided by the simplest form of motion detection and edge orientation estimation methods. The proposed algorithm was evaluated by three video sequences, namely, 'Akiyo', 'Silent', 'Foreman'. Experimental results confirm that the proposed algorithm performs, both objectively and subjectively, much better than other similar algorithms. These promising results indicate that the proposed interpolation approach has good potential to realize even better de-interlacing algorithms, if more sophisticated motion detection and edge orientation estimation methods are employed.postprintThe 10th WSEAS international conference on Computers (ICCOMP'06), Athens, Greece, 13-15 July 2006. In Proceedings of ICCOMP, 2006, p. 1030-103

Motion and edge adaptive interpolation de-interlacing algorithm

This paper presents a new motion and edge adaptive de-interlacing algorithm, which is efficient and artifacts-free. It is novel in the sense that it introduces a way to properly interpolate the two (odd and even) field images according to the information provided by the simplest form of motion detection and edge orientation estimation methods. The proposed algorithm was evaluated by three video sequences, namely, 'Akiyo', 'Silent', 'Foreman'. Experimental results confirm that the proposed algorithm performs, both objectively and subjectively, much better than other similar algorithms. These promising results indicate that the proposed interpolation approach has good potential to realize even better de-interlacing algorithms, if more sophisticated motion detection and edge orientation estimation methods are employed.postprintThe 10th WSEAS international conference on Computers (ICCOMP'06), Athens, Greece, 13-15 July 2006. In Proceedings of ICCOMP, 2006, p. 1030-103

PRENATAL DIAGNOSIS OF MOS45,X/46,X,+MAR IN A FETUS WITH NORMAL MALE EXTERNAL GENITALIA AND A LITERATURE REVIEW

[[abstract]]Objective: Prenatal diagnosis of mos45,X/46,X,+mar is difficult in genetic counseling. Patients with the presence of a Y-derived marker may manifest male or female external genitalia. Here, we report a fetus with phenotypically male external genitalia of mos45,X/46,X,+mar. In addition, the cases with prenatally detected mos45,X/46,X,del(Y)(q11.2) and normal male external genitalia are reviewed. Case Report: A 30-year-old, primigravid woman was referred for amniocentesis because of an abnormal Down syndrome screening result at 20 weeks' gestation. Cytogenetic analysis showed mos45,X/46,X,+mar without a normal Y chromosome. Prenatal ultrasound detected symmetric intrauterine growth restriction and normal male external genitalia. After termination of the pregnancy, a phenotypically normal male fetus was delivered smoothly without apparent structural defects. Based on conventional G-banded analysis, the marker chromosome appeared as a Y chromosome that originated with a deleted Yq, designated as del(Y)(q11.2). Conclusion: Based on a literature review, the addition of fluorescence in situ hybridization and molecular analysis to the conventional cytogenetic techniques can provide more accurate identification of a Y chromosome aberration in the prenatal detection of mos45,X/46,X,+mar, thus allowing more appropriate genetic counseling for the family. [Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol 2009;48(3):292-295

Altered Heart Rate Variability During Mobile Game Playing and Watching Self-Mobile Gaming in Individuals with Problematic Mobile Game Use: Implications for Cardiac Health

Shih-Ching Chin,1,* Yun-Hsuan Chang,2– 6,* Chih-Chun Huang,6,7 Ting-Hsi Chou,1 Chieh-Liang Huang,8 Hsiu-Man Lin,9 Marc N Potenza10 1Department of Psychology, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan; 2Institute of Gerontology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; 3Institute of Behavioral Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; 4Department of Psychology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; 5Institute of Genomics and Bioinformatics, College of Life Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan; 6Department of Psychiatry, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Douliou Branch, Yunlin, Taiwan; 7Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan; 8Department of Psychiatry, Tsaotun Psychiatric Center, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Nantou, Taiwan; 9Department of Child and Adolescent Development and Mental Health, China Medical University Children’s Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; 10Psychiatry, Child Study and Neuroscience, Center of Excellence in Gambling Research, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Yun-Hsuan Chang, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Institute of Gerontology, College of Medicine; Department of Psychology, National Cheng Kung University, No. 1., University Road, Tainan, Taiwan, Email [email protected]; [email protected]: The surge in mobile gaming, fueled by smartphone and internet accessibility, lacks a comprehensive understanding of physiological changes during gameplay.Methods: This study, involving 93 participants (average age 21.75 years), categorized them into Problematic Mobile Gaming (PMG) and non-problematic Mobile Gaming (nPMG) groups based on Problematic Mobile Gaming Questionnaire (PMGQ) scores. The PMGQ is a 12-item scale developed in Taiwan to assess symptoms of problematic mobile gaming. The research delved into heart rate variability (HRV) alterations during real-time mobile gaming and self-gaming video viewing.Results: Results showed that the PMG group significantly presents a lower root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD), and High Frequency (lnHF) than does the nPMG group (F=4.73, p=0.03; F=10.65, p=0.002, respectively) at the baseline. In addition, the PMG group significantly displayed elevated HF and low-frequency to high-frequency (LF/HF) in the mobile-gaming (F=7.59, p=0.007; F=9.31, p=0.003) condition as well as in the watching self-gaming videos (F=9.75, p=0.002; F=9.02, p=0.003) than did the nPMG.Conclusion: The study suggests targeted interventions to mitigate autonomic arousal, offering a potential avenue to address adverse effects associated with problematic mobile gaming behavior. The PMG group displayed increased craving scores after real-time mobile gaming and watching self-gaming video excerpts, unlike the nPMG group. Elevated LF/HF ratios in frequent gaming cases heightened autonomic arousal, presenting challenges in relaxation after mobile gaming. These findings contribute to a nuanced understanding of the complex interplay between mobile gaming activities, physiological responses, and potential intervention strategies.Keywords: addictive behaviors, video games, internet addiction, autonomic nervous system, craving, heart rate variability, self-regulatio

The recency ratio assessed by story recall is associated with cerebrospinal fluid levels of neurodegeneration biomarkers

Recency refers to the information learned at the end of a study list or task. Recency forgetting, as tracked by the ratio between recency recall in immediate and delayed conditions, i.e., the recency ratio (Rr), has been applied to list-learning tasks, demonstrating its efficacy in predicting cognitive decline, conversion to mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers of neurodegeneration. However, little is known as to whether Rr can be effectively applied to story recall tasks. To address this question, data were extracted from the database of the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. A total of 212 participants were included in the study. CSF biomarkers were amyloid-beta (Aβ) 40 and 42, phosphorylated (p) and total (t) tau, neurofilament light (NFL), neurogranin (Ng), and α-synuclein (a-syn). Story Recall was measured with the Logical Memory Test (LMT). We carried out Bayesian regression analyses with Rr, and other LMT scores as predictors; and CSF biomarkers (including the Aβ42/40 and p-tau/Aβ42 ratios) as outcomes. Results showed that models including Rr consistently provided best fits with the data, with few exceptions. These findings demonstrate the applicability of Rr to story recall and its sensitivity to CSF biomarkers of neurodegeneration, and encourage its inclusion when evaluating risk of neurodegeneration with story recall

A comparison of diagnostic performance of word-list and story recall tests for biomarker-determined Alzheimer’s disease

BACKGROUND: Wordlist and story recall tests are routinely employed in clinical practice for dementia diagnosis. In this study, our aim was to establish how well-standard clinical metrics compared to process scores derived from wordlist and story recall tests in predicting biomarker determined Alzheimer’s disease, as defined by CSF ptau/Aβ42 ratio. METHODS: Data from 295 participants (mean age = 65 ± 9.) were drawn from the University of Wisconsin – Madison Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC) and Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer’s Prevention (WRAP). Rey’s Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT; wordlist) and Logical Memory Test (LMT; story) data were used. Bayesian linear regression analyses were carried out with CSF ptau/Aβ42 ratio as outcome. Sensitivity analyses were carried out with logistic regressions to assess diagnosticity. RESULTS: LMT generally outperformed AVLT. Notably, the best predictors were primacy ratio, a process score indexing loss of information learned early during test administration, and recency ratio, which tracks loss of recently learned information. Sensitivity analyses confirmed this conclusion. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that story recall tests may be better than wordlist tests for detection of dementia, especially when employing process scores alongside conventional clinical scores

A metabolite-derived protein modification integrates glycolysis with KEAP1-NRF2 signalling.

Mechanisms that integrate the metabolic state of a cell with regulatory pathways are necessary to maintain cellular homeostasis. Endogenous, intrinsically reactive metabolites can form functional, covalent modifications on proteins without the aid of enzymes1,2, and regulate cellular functions such as metabolism3-5 and transcription6. An important 'sensor' protein that captures specific metabolic information and transforms it into an appropriate response is KEAP1, which contains reactive cysteine residues that collectively act as an electrophile sensor tuned to respond to reactive species resulting from endogenous and xenobiotic molecules. Covalent modification of KEAP1 results in reduced ubiquitination and the accumulation of NRF27,8, which then initiates the transcription of cytoprotective genes at antioxidant-response element loci. Here we identify a small-molecule inhibitor of the glycolytic enzyme PGK1, and reveal a direct link between glycolysis and NRF2 signalling. Inhibition of PGK1 results in accumulation of the reactive metabolite methylglyoxal, which selectively modifies KEAP1 to form a methylimidazole crosslink between proximal cysteine and arginine residues (MICA). This posttranslational modification results in the dimerization of KEAP1, the accumulation of NRF2 and activation of the NRF2 transcriptional program. These results demonstrate the existence of direct inter-pathway communication between glycolysis and the KEAP1-NRF2 transcriptional axis, provide insight into the metabolic regulation of the cellular stress response, and suggest a therapeutic strategy for controlling the cytoprotective antioxidant response in several human diseases

Neuroimaging of tissue microstructure as a marker of neurodegeneration in the AT(N) framework: defining abnormal neurodegeneration and improving prediction of clinical status

Background: Alzheimer’s disease involves accumulating amyloid (A) and tau (T) pathology, and progressive neurodegeneration (N), leading to the development of the AD clinical syndrome. While several markers of N have been proposed, efforts to define normal vs. abnormal neurodegeneration based on neuroimaging have been limited. Sensitive markers that may account for or predict cognitive dysfunction for individuals in early disease stages are critical. Methods: Participants (n = 296) defined on A and T status and spanning the AD-clinical continuum underwent multi-shell diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging to generate Neurite Orientation Dispersion and Density Imaging (NODDI) metrics, which were tested as markers of N. To better define N, we developed age- and sex-adjusted robust z-score values to quantify normal and AD-associated (abnormal) neurodegeneration in both cortical gray matter and subcortical white matter regions of interest. We used general logistic regression with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and area under the curve (AUC) analysis to test whether NODDI metrics improved diagnostic accuracy compared to models that only relied on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) A and T status (alone and in combination). Results: Using internal robust norms, we found that NODDI metrics correlate with worsening cognitive status and that NODDI captures early, AD neurodegenerative pathology in the gray matter of cognitively unimpaired, but A/T biomarker-positive, individuals. NODDI metrics utilized together with A and T status improved diagnostic prediction accuracy of AD clinical status, compared with models using CSF A and T status alone. Conclusion: Using a robust norms approach, we show that abnormal AD-related neurodegeneration can be detected among cognitively unimpaired individuals. Metrics derived from diffusion-weighted imaging are potential sensitive markers of N and could be considered for trial enrichment and as outcomes in clinical trials. However, given the small sample sizes, the exploratory nature of the work must be acknowledged