Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Ikram Mohout, Seyed Ali Elahi, Amir Esrafilian, Bryce A. A. Killen, Rami K. K. Korhonen, Sabine Verschueren, Ilse Jonkers
Summary: This study used a multi-scale in silico modeling approach to evaluate the mechanoregulatory factors indicative of collagen degradation and proteoglycans depletion in knee osteoarthritis (KOA). The results showed that these factors could distinguish between healthy individuals and KOA patients, and predict the risk of disease progression.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Guanshi Zhang, Rupasri Mandal, David S. Wishart, Burim N. Ametaj
Summary: This study aimed to investigate metabolite fingerprints in the urine of pre-ketotic, ketotic, and post-ketotic cows to identify potential metabolite alterations and metabolic pathways involved in ketosis development. Differential metabolites were identified between ketotic and healthy control cows at different stages, and promising metabolite panels were found to effectively separate ketotic cows from controls. Multiple urinary metabolite alterations were identified in cows at different ketosis stages, indicating the potential for future identification of susceptible cows.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Mengliang Zhang, Yifei Wang, Roderick Moore, Roy Upton, Peter de B. Harrington, Pei Chen
Summary: A metabolomic ratio rule-based classification method was developed for automated differentiation of cinnamon species. The method achieved high accuracy in classifying cinnamon species and offered great value for the authentication and evaluation of cinnamon samples.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Review
Orthopedics
Ming Liu, Nafiza Haque, Jingyi Huang, Guangju Zhai
Summary: This article presents the advances in metabolite/protein biomarker research for osteoarthritis (OA) over the past year. Many studies validated previously reported biomarkers, and several new biomarkers and biomarker panels were reported. Additionally, the number of studies on OA clustering is increasing.
OSTEOARTHRITIS AND CARTILAGE
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Jessica L. Oster, Aaron K. Covey, Corey R. Lawrence, Max G. Giannetta, Jennifer L. Druhan
Summary: Karst systems are valuable for studying variations in Critical Zone processes, as they offer insight into interactions between water and various geological features. This study focuses on trace element variations in cave seepage waters, with Mg/Ca and Sr/Ca affected by limestone dissolution and calcite precipitation, while Ba/Ca values are influenced by effective rainfall, serving as a consistent metric for limestone dissolution and calcite precipitation in the cave system.
GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA
(2021)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Jikai Zhang, Carlos Santos, Christine Park, Maciej A. Mazurowski, Roy Colglazier
Summary: The study aimed to develop an automated labeling approach to improve the image classification model for diagnosing knee abnormalities. The researchers trained the labeler on a small set of labeled data and used BioBERT and EfficientNet as the feature extraction backbone. The proposed approach significantly enhanced the performance of image classification for radiographic knee diagnosis.
JOURNAL OF DIGITAL IMAGING
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Wei Li, Jiaxin Feng, Dantian Zhu, Zhongli Xiao, Jin Liu, Yijie Fang, Lin Yao, Baoxin Qian, Shaolin Li
Summary: A nomogram model combining radiomics signatures with age was developed and evaluated for the accurate diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Logistic regression model showed the best classification performance among the four radiomics models. Although statistically insignificant, the nomogram model performed better than the radiomics model in testing cohort.
EXPERIMENTAL GERONTOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Panagiotis Balaskas, Katarzyna Goljanek-Whysall, Peter D. Clegg, Yongxiang Fang, Andy Cremers, Aibek Smagul, Tim J. M. Welting, Mandy J. Peffers
Summary: Osteoarthritis, the most common degenerative joint disorder, was studied using microarray analysis to identify differentially expressed microRNAs in cartilage. The role of miR-107 and miR-143-3p in chondrocyte mechanisms regulating proliferation, hypertrophy, and protein translation was confirmed through experiments in human primary chondrocytes.
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Inceoglu Feyza, Deniz Serdar, Yagin Fatma Hilal
Summary: Health literacy is an increasingly important concept for the effective use of health systems. This study used machine learning methods to determine the main factors affecting health literacy and identified the most important variables. Results showed significant differences in health literacy levels based on gender, age, class, family education, place of residence, economic situation, and covering health expenses.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INFORMATICS
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Software Engineering
Amit Krishan Kumar, Nguyen Ngoc Mai, Shuli Guo, Lina Han
Summary: This paper explores the concepts of quantum steering and quantum entanglement between two observers, and applies them to a multi-view computer vision system. By comparing the recognition accuracy of multiple cameras, the arrangement of cameras in gesture recognition and classroom organization applications is improved. Additionally, an entanglement-based ranking technique is proposed to enhance the classification rate, and the principles of entanglement are used to optimize the camera position for visibility of hidden features. Experimental results demonstrate that this approach achieves high recognition rates with static cameras and low error rates when switching to other applications.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Juan Feller, Alejandro F. Mac Cawley, Jorge A. Ramos-Grez, Ivan La Fe-Perdomo
Summary: This study presents a robust model that optimizes equipment investing decisions and finds the optimal production plan, taking into account historical demand information and physical parameters of laser cutting equipment. The model is transformed into a robust optimization model to consider demand uncertainty. A case study validates the effectiveness of the proposed model and proves the robustness of the solution, showing that the optimal robust solution can increase expected profits by 6.4% for the company in the specific application.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Anukrati Goel, Kishore Gajula, Rakesh Gupta, Beena Rai
Summary: This study presents a framework for identifying potential sweeteners from a large database of natural molecules, resulting in the selection of 60 candidate molecules with no toxicity and acceptable oral bioavailability. The framework utilizes both data-based and structure-based approaches for screening and classifying sweet molecules.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Diego Hernandez-Saavedra, Christina Markunas, Hirokazu Takahashi, Lisa A. Baer, Johan E. Harris, Michael F. Hirshman, Olga Ilkayeva, Christopher B. Newgard, Kristin I. Stanford, Laurie J. Goodyear
Summary: It has been well established that maternal and paternal exercise can improve the metabolic health of adult offspring. However, little is known about how parental exercise affects the tissue and serum metabolites of offspring. In this study, researchers fed male and female breeders a high-fat diet and housed them with or without running wheels before breeding (for males) and before and during gestation (for females). The sedentary and chow-fed offspring were categorized into different groups based on their parents' exercise levels. The results showed that offspring from all parental exercise groups exhibited similar improvements in glucose tolerance and hepatic glucose production. Targeted metabolomics analysis revealed that offspring from different exercise groups had unique tissue metabolite signatures, with Mat+PatEx offspring showing an additive effect compared to MatEx or PatEx alone in some liver and muscle metabolites. The altered metabolites suggest that parental exercise enhances fatty acid oxidation. These findings provide valuable insights into tissue-specific adaptations and mechanisms underlying the improvement of offspring metabolic health induced by parental exercise, which may lead to the development of new therapeutic targets for metabolic diseases.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Jasmine Duchaine, Daniel Markel, Hugo Bouchard
Summary: This study proposes a new method for determining the energy and spot size of the electron beam incident on a linear accelerator using a maximum likelihood estimation. The accuracy of the method is validated by comparing simulated results with experimental measurements. This method is of great significance in the Monte Carlo modeling of radiotherapy units.
PHYSICS IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Li Liu, Yubo Guo, Chuan Chen, Igor Martek
Summary: Public-private partnership (PPP) has been widely utilized in China and other developing countries over the past decade. As new PPP projects move into the operational phase, the issue of refinancing becomes increasingly crucial. PPP-ABS plays a crucial role in refinancing PPP projects and identifying the critical success factors for PPP-ABS to succeed in the Chinese financial market.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Wei Zhang, Huiying Sun, Daphne P. Guh, Larry D. Lynd, Aidan Hollis, Paul Grootendorst, Aslam H. Anis
Summary: The study evaluated the impact of a tiered-pricing framework (TPF) for generic drugs on their entry into the Canadian market. The results showed that TPF accelerated the listing of generic drugs in small markets, while there was no significant difference in large markets.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH POLICY AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Anusha Ratneswaran, Jason S. Rockel, Daniel Antflek, John J. Matelski, Konstantin Shestopaloff, Mohit Kapoor, Heather Baltzer
Summary: This study aims to elucidate the molecular mechanisms driving the progression of TMOA by analyzing the biochemical profile of TMOA patients. The results demonstrate that circulating cytokines can distinguish the severity of TMOA disease, and identify IL-7 as a target capable of differentiating disease severity.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Area Studies
Xuejun Lian, Weiguo Zhang, Yongfang Jia, Yidan Zhu
Summary: This paper uses a remote village in Inner Mongolia as a case study to discuss how coordinated mobilization can establish a temporary grassroots-level emergency order in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The study finds that the order is established through a combination of state power, villagers' awareness of infection risks, and village self-management traditions. It also reveals that party members, elites, and villagers all make coordinated efforts to mobilize and combat Covid-19.
JOURNAL OF ASIAN PUBLIC POLICY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Weiren Zhang, Fan Yang, Siyuan Zhang, Yijie Bian, Peng Wang, S. A. Meguid
Summary: This paper presents a new multicellular design for effective energy absorption. Extensive experiments, simulations, and analysis were conducted to evaluate the performance of this design. The results show that a face centered square layout with an appropriately selected taper angle has excellent energy absorption and crashworthiness properties.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF STRUCTURAL STABILITY AND DYNAMICS
(2023)
Article
Gerontology
Jin Fan, Weiguo Zhang, Hong Mi
Summary: This study used data from middle-aged married individuals in China to examine the relationship between proximity to aging parents and depression. The results showed that a majority of adult children lived separately from their parents, and children living in different households had higher levels of depression compared to coresident children.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Jiajia Peng, Yongmei Lu, Li Chen, Ke Qiu, Fei Chen, Jun Liu, Wei Xu, Wei Zhang, Yu Zhao, Zhonghua Yu, Jianjun Ren
Summary: This study compared the prognostic value of various machine learning techniques and the statistical Cox regression model for different types of head and neck cancer. The results showed that the random forest model outperformed all other models in prognostic prediction, especially for major salivary gland cancer, oral cavity cancer, and oropharyngeal cancer. Age and tumor size were identified as the most important clinical variables in the random forest model.
Article
Rheumatology
Christie A. Costello, Jason S. Rockel, Ming Liu, Rajiv Gandhi, Anthony Perruccio, Y. Raja Rampersaud, Nizar N. Mahomed, Proton Rahman, Edward W. Randell, Andrew Furey, Mohit Kapoor, Guangju Zhai
Summary: A new metabolomic signature and metabolite ratios were found to be significantly associated with sustained knee pain after total knee arthroplasty (TKA), providing potential predictive biomarkers and drug targets for improving surgical response.
Editorial Material
Rheumatology
Jason S. Rockel, Mohit Kapoor
Summary: Research on the role of synovium and synoviocytes in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis has been overshadowed by studies focused on cartilage and chondrocytes. However, there is an increasing recognition of the influence of synoviocytes in the progression of the disease. The question remains whether all synoviocytes contribute equally to disease progression.
NATURE REVIEWS RHEUMATOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Rheumatology
Noah Fine, Starlee Lively, Cheryle Ann Seguin, Anthony V. Perruccio, Mohit Kapoor, Raja Rampersaud
Summary: This review discusses the similarities and differences between intervertebral disc degeneration and osteoarthritis of the facet joint, arguing that both diseases should be viewed as part of the same molecular disease spectrum.
NATURE REVIEWS RHEUMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Lixia Yang, Kesaan Kandasamy, Ling Na, Weiguo Zhang, Peizhong Wang
Summary: This study examined the association between sociodemographic factors and perceived and experienced anti-Chinese discrimination, as well as the role of discrimination in predicting psychological distress and loneliness among Chinese Canadians. The results showed that both perceived and experienced discrimination were associated with higher levels of psychological distress and loneliness. These findings highlight the detrimental impact of discrimination on the mental health of Chinese Canadians.
PSYCHOLOGY HEALTH & MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Yujia Kong, Lance Garrett Shaver, Fuyan Shi, Lixia Yang, Weiguo Zhang, Xiaoling Wei, Eleen Zhang, Sara Ozbek, Andem Effiong, Peizhong Peter Wang
Summary: This study investigated the knowledge, protective behaviors, and psychological impact of COVID-19 on Chinese residents in Canada. The findings revealed that Chinese residents with dependent school-age children were more likely to report negative psychological impacts of the pandemic.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Lixia Yang, Linke Yu, Kesaan Kandasamy, Yiran Wang, Fuyan Shi, Weiguo Zhang, Peizhong Peter Wang
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened health inequalities and increased mental health risks for Mainland Chinese in Canada due to rising discrimination and barriers in accessing healthcare. This study aimed to assess non-pathological psychological distress towards COVID-19 and identify its sociodemographic risk factors among this population. The results showed that age, financial satisfaction, health status, and perceived/experienced discrimination were significant predictors of psychological distress. It is important to address these health inequities in order to mitigate mental health risks in minority groups.
Proceedings Paper
Computer Science, Hardware & Architecture
W. T. Cui, W. J. Zhang, J. Y. Liang, H. Nishio, H. Sumida, H. Nakajima, Yuan-Ta Hsieh, Hann-Huei Tsai, Ying-Zong Juang, Wen-Kuan Yeh, W. T. Ng
Summary: The switching transient of SiC power MOSFETs can be improved by using a dynamic gate driving scheme with optimized timing for R-G pattern.
2022 IEEE 34TH INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON POWER SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES AND ICS (ISPSD)
(2022)
Article
Rheumatology
Shabana Amanda Ali, Osvaldo Espin-Garcia, Andy K. Wong, Pratibha Potla, Chiara Pastrello, Madison McIntyre, Starlee Lively, Igor Jurisica, Rajiv Gandhi, Mohit Kapoor
Summary: This study aims to identify circulating microRNAs that distinguish fast-progressing radiographic knee osteoarthritis (OA) by applying microRNA-sequencing. The miR-320 family is associated with fast-progressing knee OA and may serve as potential biomarkers and mechanistic drivers of the disease.
THERAPEUTIC ADVANCES IN MUSCULOSKELETAL DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Gerontology
Weiguo Zhang
Summary: This study investigates the specific perceptions of filial piety and parental expectations of filial duty among older Chinese immigrants in Canada. The findings show that while the perceptions of filial piety varied, almost all participants had reduced expectations of their children. However, they still valued and expected emotional care from their children. The study suggests that changes in institutional settings, social policies, and welfare systems in the host society define parents' support needs and affect their expectations, while norms and institutional settings in the place of origin influence their perceptions of filial piety.