Learning from vertically distributed data across multiple sites: An efficient privacy-preserving algorithm for Cox proportional hazards model with variable selection.

Objective: To develop a lossless distributed algorithm for regularized Cox proportional hazards model with variable selection to support federated learning for vertically distributed data.

Methods: We propose a novel distributed algorithm for fitting regularized Cox proportional hazards model when data sharing among different data providers is restricted. Based on cyclical coordinate descent, the proposed algorithm computes intermediary statistics by each site and then exchanges them to update the model parameters in other sites without accessing individual patient-level data.

Fine-mapping and replication of EWAS loci harboring putative epigenetic alterations associated with AD neuropathology in a large collection of human brain tissue samples.

Introduction: Our previous epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in human brain identified 71 CpGs associated with AD pathology. However, due to low coverage of the Illumina platform, many important CpGs might have been missed.

Methods: In a large collection of human brain tissue samples (N = 864), we fine-mapped previous EWAS loci by targeted bisulfite sequencing and examined their associations with AD neuropathology.

Progress of artificial intelligence in diabetic retinopathy screening.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide, and the limited availability of qualified ophthalmologists restricts its early diagnosis. For the past few years, artificial intelligence technology has developed rapidly and has been applied in DR screening. The upcoming technology provides support on DR screening and improves the identification of DR lesions with a high sensitivity and specificity.

Brain tocopherol levels are associated with lower activated microglia density in elderly human cortex.

Introduction: Higher brain tocopherol levels have been associated with lower levels of Alzheimer's disease (AD) neuropathology; however, the underlying mechanisms are unclear.

Methods: We studied the relations of α- and γ-tocopherol brain levels to microglia density in 113 deceased participants from the Memory and Aging Project. We used linear regression analyses to examine associations between tocopherol levels and microglia densities in a basic model adjusted for age, sex, education, apolipoprotein E ()ε4 genotype (any ε4 allele vs.

Neuroprotective effects respond to cerebral ischemia without susceptibility to HB-tumorigenesis in VHL heterozygous knockout mice.

The von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) tumor suppressor gene plays a prominent role in the development of hemangioblastomas (HBs) within specific regions of the human' central nervous system (CNS). Alterations in VHL gene are rarely observed in the more common features of human VHL-related tumors in animal models, and VHL heterozygous knockout (VHL+/-) mice do not develop HBs. We tested whether VHL heterozygous knockout mice exhibited genetic predisposition to the development of HBs and conferred a selective advantage involving growth of blood vessels to its carrier.

An Analysis of Two Genome-wide Association Meta-analyses Identifies a New Locus for Broad Depression Phenotype.

Background: The genetics of depression has been explored in genome-wide association studies that focused on either major depressive disorder or depressive symptoms with mostly negative findings. A broad depression phenotype including both phenotypes has not been tested previously using a genome-wide association approach. We aimed to identify genetic polymorphisms significantly associated with a broad phenotype from depressive symptoms to major depressive disorder.

Long-term clinical outcomes of laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy versus open distal gastrectomy for early gastric cancer: A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized control trials.

The objective of this study was to compare long-term surgical outcomes and complications of laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) with open distal gastrectomy (ODG) for the treatment of early gastric cancer (EGC) based on a review of available randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluated using the Cochrane methodology.RCTs comparing LADG and ODG were identified by a systematic literature search in PubMed, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, and the China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database, for papers published from January 1, 2003 to July 30, 2015. Meta-analyses were performed to compare the long-term clinical outcomes.

Cytomegalovirus infection and risk of Alzheimer disease in older black and white individuals.

Background: Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) is prevalent in older adults and has been implicated in many chronic diseases of aging. This study investigated the relation between CMV and the risk of Alzheimer disease (AD).

Methods: Data come from 3 cohort studies that included 849 participants (mean age [±SD], 78.