Browse Articles

Author Correction: Serum vitamin D levels and their correlation with pro-inflammatory prostaglandins in Acute myeloid leukemia: a cross-sectional analysis

Negative trend in total solar irradiance over the satellite era

Linear trends in total solar irradiance (TSI) between different reconstructions of the satellite era, defined as 1978 to 2023, disagree by up to 0.17 W/m 2 per decade. Furthermore, high-quality satellite radiometer observations of the most recent solar cycle, 24, systematically differ from estimates that rely on TSI proxies for reasons that have been unclear. Using a Bayesian Kalman filtering approach to estimate TSI from both satellite-based observations and proxies gives two complementary explanations: recent satellite-based observations of TSI contain unaccounted-for positive linear drifts, and regression-based reconstructions are affected by commonly used solar magnetic proxies becoming less sensitive to TSI variations at low values. After accounting for satellite instrument drifts and reduced sensitivity, direct and proxy observations come into agreement and together indicate a linear trend in overall TSI of −0.15 W/m 2 per decade with a 95% CI of −0.17 to −0.13 W/m 2 per decade between 1980 and 2023.

Deep image features sensing with multilevel fusion for complex convolution neural networks & cross domain benchmarks

Efficient image retrieval from a variety of datasets is crucial in today's digital world. Visual properties are represented using primitive image signatures in Content Based Image Retrieval (CBIR). Feature vectors are employed to classify images into predefined categories. This research presents a unique feature identification technique based on suppression to locate interest points by computing productive sum of pixel derivatives by computing the differentials for corner scores. Scale space interpolation is applied to define interest points by combining color features from spatially ordered L2 normalized coefficients with shape and object information. Object based feature vectors are formed using high variance coefficients to reduce the complexity and are converted into bag-of-visual-words (BoVW) for effective retrieval and ranking. The presented method encompass feature vectors for information synthesis and improves the discriminating strength of the retrieval system by extracting deep image features including primitive, spatial, and overlayed using multilayer fusion of Convolutional Neural Networks(CNNs). Extensive experimentation is performed on standard image datasets benchmarks, including ALOT, Cifar-10, Corel-10k, Tropical Fruits, and Zubud. These datasets cover wide range of categories including shape, color, texture, spatial, and complicated objects. Experimental results demonstrate considerable improvements in precision and recall rates, average retrieval precision and recall, and mean average precision and recall rates across various image semantic groups within versatile datasets. The integration of traditional feature extraction methods fusion with multilevel CNN advances image sensing and retrieval systems, promising more accurate and efficient image retrieval solutions.

Identification of hub genes between moderate to severe asthma and early lung adenocarcinoma through bioinformatics analysis

Physical proximity drives gay discrimination in the gig economy

Despite legal protections, discrimination based on sexual orientation remains difficult to detect and measure in labor markets. We present evidence from a field experiment ( N = 1,128) conducted in Australia on a major gig economy platform that allows users to outsource everyday tasks. By manipulating both the sexual orientation of job posters (gay vs. straight male) and physical proximity requirements of tasks (inside vs. outside the home), we identify discrimination against gay profiles and demonstrate a specific mechanism for its emergence: physical proximity. Gay profiles received fewer offers and less engagement, and attracted workers with significantly lower quality ratings, but only for tasks requiring close physical proximity. Additional exploratory analysis further suggests that the results are driven by an anti-gay bias rather than an anti-men or pro-women bias and that discrimination is stronger for tasks with a higher degree of interaction between worker and job poster. Our findings demonstrate how digital labor platforms can perpetuate traditional forms of discrimination, while shedding light on physical proximity as one important mechanism. These results have important implications for users of the gig economy, a sector of increasing importance due to its rapid growth and comparatively lax regulatory frameworks.

Active versus restrictive approach to isolated hypotension in preterm neonates: A Systematic Review, Meta-analysis and GRADE based Clinical Practice Guideline

Objective Isolated hypotension (IH) without any clinical or biochemical features of poor perfusion is a common occurrence in very preterm infants (VPTI). There exists no recommendations guiding its management.The objective of this review was to compare the effect of active vs. restrictive approach to treat IH in VPTI. Methodology Medline, Embase and Web of Science were searched until 1st April 2024. RCTs and non-RCTs were included. Mortality, major brain injury (MBI) (intraventricular hemorrhage >  grade 2 or cystic periventricular leukomalacia), mortality or neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) at 18–24 months’ corrected age were the critical outcomes evaluated. Results 44 studies were included: 9 were synthesized in a meta-analysis and 35 studies in the narrative review. Clinical benefit or harm could not be ruled out for the outcomes from the meta-analyses of RCTs. Meta-analysis of 3 non-RCTs suggested that active treatment of IH in VPTI of <  24 hours of life possibly increased the odds of MBI (aOR: 95% CI 1.85 (1.45; 2.36), very low certainty). Meta-analysis of 2 non-RCTs that had included VPTI <  72 hours indicated a possibly decreased risk of MBI (aOR: 95% CI 0.44 (0.24; 0.82), very low certainty) and NEC ≥  stage 2 (aOR: 95% CI 0.61 (0.41; 0.92), very low certainty) with active treatment of IH. Active treatment of IH in the first 24 hours possibly increased the risk of mortality or long-term NDI (aOR: 95% CI 1.84 (1.10; 3.09), very low certainty) and the risk of hearing loss at 2 years (aOR: 95% CI 3.60 (1.30; 9.70), very low certainty). Clinical benefit or harm could not be ruled out for other outcomes. There was insufficient evidence with respect to preterm neonates of ≥  32 weeks. Conclusions IH may not be treated in VPTI in the first 24 hours. However, IH occurring between 24 hours - 72 hours of life may be treated. The evidence certainty was very low.

Evaluation of protein quantity and protein nutritional quality of protein bars with different protein sources

Abstract A comprehensive overview of commercially available protein bars, focusing on their protein content, protein source(s) and nutritional composition. Four protein bars were selected based on the quality of their protein sources; (i) plant only (pea and rice); (ii) animal only (milk proteins); (iii) mix of animal (milk and egg) and plant (soy); (iv) mix of animal (milk and collagen) and plant (soy) to assess the relationship between protein sources and protein nutritional quality. Data analysis was conducted on data from an online consumer-generated database (OpenFoodFacts.org). Indeces of protein nutritional quality, DIAAS and PDCAAS, were determined after in vitro digestion simulation using the Infogest method. Of the 1641 bars, 81% had sufficient protein to be classified as “high in protein” (protein content > 20E%). However, the results show that lower protein digestibility values (between 47 and 81%) were measured when the proteins were included as a component of the protein bar matrix than when the digestibility of the same proteins was evaluated in a pure format. All measured in vitro-DIAAS and PDCAAS values were relatively low with the highest DIAAS = 61(Trp) and PDCAAS = 62(Trp) obtained for a protein bar containing only milk proteins (WPC, MPC). Although most protein bars are labelled ‘high in protein’, their protein nutritional quality could be very low based on DIAAS. The low numbers are most probably due to application of lower-nutritional-quality proteins (such as collagen) and of other ingredients such as carbohydrates, fats and fibres, that might deteriorate the bioaccessibility of essential amino acids.

Cell extrusion drives neural crest cell delamination

Neural crest cells (NCC) comprise a heterogeneous population of cells with variable potency that contribute to nearly every tissue and organ throughout the body. Considered unique to vertebrates, NCC are transiently generated within the dorsolateral region of the neural plate or neural tube during neurulation. Their delamination and migration are crucial for embryo development as NCC differentiation is influenced by their final resting locations. Previous work in avian and aquatic species revealed that NCC delaminate via an epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), which transforms these progenitor cells from static polarized epithelial cells into migratory mesenchymal cells with fluid front and back polarity. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms facilitating NCC delamination in mammals are poorly understood. Through time-lapse imaging of NCC delamination in mouse embryos, we identified a subset of cells that exit the neuroepithelium as isolated round cells, which then halt for a short period prior to acquiring the mesenchymal migratory morphology classically associated with delaminating NCC. High-magnification imaging and protein localization analyses of the cytoskeleton, together with measurements of pressure and tension of delaminating NCC and neighboring neuroepithelial cells, revealed that round NCC are extruded from the neuroepithelium prior to completion of EMT. Furthermore, cranial NCC are extruded through activation of the mechanosensitive ion channel, PIEZO1. Our results support a model in which cell density, pressure, and tension in the neuroepithelium result in activation of the live cell extrusion pathway and delamination of a subpopulation of NCC in parallel with EMT, which has implications for cell delamination in development and disease.

Exploring bidirectional causality between religion and mental health: A longitudinal study using data from the parent generation of a UK birth cohort

Relations between religion and mental health have been studied extensively, yet whether associations are causal remains uncertain. Here, we use longitudinal data from the parental generation of the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), based in the UK, to assess: i) whether religiosity may cause subsequent depression and anxiety; ii) whether depression and anxiety may cause subsequent religiosity; and iii) whether there are gender differences in the above associations. All analyses were pre-registered, and adjusted for baseline confounders, exposures and outcomes in an attempt to rule out reverse causality and confounding bias. We found little conclusive evidence that religiosity was associated with subsequent mental health, or that mental health was associated with subsequent religiosity. Some weak associations were reported, but effect sizes were small and largely consistent with null effects. Small differences by gender were found, with religiosity marginally associated with better mental health in women and worse mental health in men, but the inconsistency of the results and the wide margins of error mean that firm conclusions cannot be made. In sum, in this UK population we find little evidence for bidirectional causation between religion and mental health, or for large differences in these associations by gender.

Effect of hazard analysis critical control points system in the assembly of reusable medical devices

Earth greening and climate change reshaping the patterns of terrestrial water sinks and sources

While vegetation brings positive benefits for climate mitigation and adaptation, the impact of ongoing global greening remains controversial due to its uncertain effects on hydrological cycle. Here, we quantitatively assess the impact of vegetation dynamics on global water availability by proposing a comprehensive framework to quantify the terrestrial water sink and source scores associated with vegetation dynamics. These scores serve as indicators of whether large alterations in water resources have occurred in the lands due to either the greening or degradation of surface vegetation. We use multisource datasets from climate model projections, remote sensing, and local measurements to examine the impact of vegetation dynamics on water availability over the periods of 1982 to 2019 and 2015 to 2100. During historical observation periods, regions such as India and northern China experienced large depletion of water resources as a result of vegetation greening, leading to water scarcity. In the future, a shift is projected for India and northern China, transforming them into regions capable of meeting water demands arising from vegetation greening. This transition is largely attributed to wetting and warming climates. It indicates that trade-off effects between climate and underlying vegetation dynamics may result in strengthening regional hydrological resilience and ensuring the stable status of local water resources. Furthermore, tropical rainforests (except for the Amazon Rainforest) are experiencing greening with minimal impact on local water resources consistently. These insights are valuable for globally identifying optimal locations to implement ecological restoration, facilitating the balance of sustainable water resources and vegetation greening.

Time-of-day dependent promotion of keratinocyte differentiation by Cinnamomum cassia bark extract through the p38 MAPK Pathway

The skin serves as an essential barrier against pathogens and external insults, preventing moisture loss. Chronic skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis stem from impairments in skin barrier function. Circadian rhythms affect skin blood flow and barrier characteristics, which are significant for understanding atopic dermatitis. Cinnamomum cassia bark, commonly known as cinnamon, is extensively utilized in both modern and Traditional Chinese Medicine for its therapeutic properties in managing chronic diseases. This study aimed to investigate the potential use of Cinnamomum cassia bark in enhancing skin barrier function. We examined the impact of Cinnamomum cassia bark extract (CCBE) on circadian clock-mediated enhancement of the skin barrier. CCBE enhanced the expression of keratinocyte differentiation markers, including keratin 10, filaggrin, caspase 14, and calpain-1. CCBE also increased the production of hyaluronic acid protein. Additionally, CCBE improved the circadian rhythm of period circadian regulator 2 (PER2). Notably, CCBE upregulated the expression of keratinocyte differentiation markers and PER2 specifically during the morning hours. Furthermore, we discovered that siRNA-mediated PER2 knockdown diminished the increase in keratinocyte differentiation markers induced by CCBE. These findings demonstrate that CCBE can regulate the differentiation of keratinocytes in a time-of-day-dependent manner via the circadian clock. CCBE augmented phosphorylation of p38 and JNK, while the CCBE-induced enhancement in FLG expression and PER2 circadian rhythm was reduced by p38 MAPK inhibitors. These results suggest that CCBE can strengthen the skin barrier diurnally via the p38 MAPK pathway, representing a novel and more effective method for enhancing skin barrier function that accommodates daily variations in skin barrier properties.

Three-dimensional analysis of root canal curvature in maxillary premolars using CBCT images

Sequential evolution of resistance by western corn rootworm to multiple <i>Bacillus thuringiensis</i> traits in transgenic maize

Transgenic crops that produce insecticidal toxins derived from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are grown worldwide to manage insect pests. Western corn rootworm is a serious pest of maize in the United States and is managed with Bt maize. In the United States, the commercial cultivation of a Bt crop requires an accompanying resistance-management strategy to delay the evolution of Bt resistance. One of the primary resistance-management strategies consists of non-Bt refuges along with a Bt crop that produces two Bt toxins (i.e., a pyramid) that kill the same pest species. This approach delays resistance because individuals with resistance to one toxin are killed by the second. However, if a pest species is resistant to one toxin in a pyramid, the effectiveness of a pyramid to delay resistance is compromised, potentially leading to the evolution of resistance to both toxins. Here, we apply a meta-analysis to demonstrate the sequential evolution of resistance by western corn rootworm to Bt maize producing Cry3Bb1 followed by resistance to Gpp34/Tpp35Ab1 maize, with resistance to each Bt toxin increasing in a linear manner over time. Additionally, we show that Bt-resistant western corn rootworm imposed substantial feeding injury, in the field, to maize containing a pyramid of Gpp34/Tpp35Ab1 and Cry3Bb1. To minimize the risk of sequential evolution of resistance to multiple transgenic traits, an emphasis should be placed on developing transgenic pyramids not compromised by prior resistance, and in cases where resistance is already present, larger non-Bt refuges and more diversified pest-management approaches should be applied.

Retraction: Examining failure learning in online lending: Complete failure vs. incomplete failure

Optimizing recycled aggregate concrete performance with chemically and mechanically activated fly ash in combination with coconut fiber

Competition for shared resources increases dependence on initial population size during coalescence of gut microbial communities

The long-term success of introduced populations depends on both their initial size and ability to compete against existing residents, but it remains unclear how these factors collectively shape colonization dynamics. Here, we investigate how initial population (propagule) size shapes the outcome of community coalescence by systematically mixing eight pairs of in vitro microbial communities at ratios that vary over six orders of magnitude, and we compare our results to neutral ecological theory. Although the composition of the resulting cocultures deviated substantially from neutral expectations, each coculture contained species whose relative abundance depended on propagule size even after ~40 generations of growth. Using a consumer–resource model, we show that this dose-dependent colonization can arise when resident and introduced species have high niche overlap and consume shared resources at similar rates. Strain isolates displayed longer-lasting dose dependence when introduced into diverse communities than in pairwise cocultures, consistent with our model’s prediction that propagule size should have larger, more persistent effects in diverse communities. Our model also successfully predicted that species with similar resource-utilization profiles, as inferred from growth in spent media and untargeted metabolomics, would show stronger dose dependence in pairwise coculture. This work demonstrates that transient, dose-dependent colonization dynamics can emerge from resource competition and exert long-term effects on the outcomes of community coalescence.

Correction: Resolving fluorescent species by their brightness and diffusion using correlated photon-counting histograms

Life’s Crucial 9 and NAFLD from association to SHAP-interpreted machine learning predictions

Activation of proresolving macrophages in dorsal root ganglia attenuates persistent arthritis pain

Pain independent of disease activity is frequently reported by rheumatoid arthritis patients and remains undertreated. Preclinical evidence suggests that imbalance of neuroimmune proresolving interactions within dorsal root ganglia (DRG) rather than at the site of inflammation plays mechanistic roles in persistent arthritis pain. Here, we inhibited production of proresolving lipid mediators by silencing 12/15-lipoxygenase expression in CX3CR1 + monocyte/macrophages conditional knockout (cKO) mice. In an arthritis model, hind paw mechanical hypersensitivity is exacerbated in male and female cKO mice in association with DRG infiltration of neutrophils, which migrate in response to leukotriene B 4 released by macrophages through 5-lipoxygenase conversion of arachidonic acid provided by neuron-derived vesicles. Neutrophils apoptosis promotes primary macrophage efferocytosis which is defective in cKO macrophages. In wild-type (WT) and cKO mice, intrathecal injection of MerTK activating antibody, attenuates persistent hypersensitivity and polarizes DRG macrophages toward a proresolving phenotype with production of antinociceptive lipoxin A 4 . Thus, we delineate a neuron–macrophage–neutrophil bidirectional circuit that can be exploited to reduce persistent arthritis pain.