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Bioprinting of bespoke islet-specific niches to promote maturation of stem cell-derived islets
Investigation and evaluation of the efficiency of palm kernel oil extract for corrosion inhibition of brass artifacts
Abstract Brass (Cu–Zn alloy) used in the crescent of the Al-Maradani Mosque pulpit is subjected to corrosion under certain conditions, such as exposure to polluted air, oxidizing acids, and compounds containing sulphur or ammonia. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of palm kernel oil extract (PKO) as a green corrosion inhibitor for protecting brass artifacts. The crescent was analyzed using metallographic microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) to identify its alloy composition, microstructure and corrosion products. The analyses confirmed the crescent was made of a brass alloy (Cu–Zn) and formed by hammering, with corrosion layers composed primarily of cuprite and clinoatacamite, covered by dust containing calcite and quartz. The corrosion protection efficiency of the PKO was evaluated using brass coupons, simulating the artifact of the alloy. Electrochemical methods, including the open circuit potential (OCP), Tafel, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), were used to assess the performance of palm kernel oil on brass coupons at different concentrations (1, 3, 5, 7%). Electrochemical tests showed that corrosion inhibition efficiency increased with higher palm kernel oil concentrations, with the 7% concentration exhibiting the highest corrosion protection, up to 99.7%.
Single-cell atlas of human pancreatic islet and acinar endothelial cells in health and diabetes
Impact of type 2 diabetes mellitus on results in the animal naming test in patients with and without liver cirrhosis
Introduction and objectives Diabetes mellitus is a common comorbidity in patients with cirrhosis and is associated with the development of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) and cognitive dysfunction. The simplified Animal Naming Test (S-ANT1) has been established for detecting minimal HE (MHE). It is currently unknown whether S-ANT1 results are affected by diabetes mellitus in patients with and without cirrhosis. Materials and methods This study analyzed data from 268 patients with cirrhosis without signs of HE ≥ 1. MHE was defined using the psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score (PHES). All patients were also tested with S-ANT1. 14 patients with diabetes mellitus and diabetic foot syndrome but no cirrhosis, as well as 37 healthy controls, were also tested with S-ANT1 and served as controls. Results Type 2 diabetes mellitus was present in 79 (29.5%) patients with cirrhosis and MHE according to PHES was detected in 81 (30.2%) patients. In the total cohort, results in S-ANT1 did not differ between patients with and without diabetes mellitus (19 vs. 20 animals, p = 0.108). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, the only variables independently associated with performance in S-ANT1 were PHES-MHE, school education, sodium, and age, while diabetes mellitus was not. Patients with diabetic foot syndrome but no cirrhosis performed poorer in S-ANT1 compared to healthy controls, while patients with cirrhosis and MHE performed poorer than patients with diabetic foot syndrome. Conclusion S-ANT1 seems to be usable for screening for MHE in patients with cirrhosis and type 2 diabetes mellitus, while one might be more cautious when interpreting results in patients with diabetes-related complications.
Dietary and lifestyle indices for hyperinsulinemia and odds of MAFLD in overweight and obese children and adolescents
Endothelial SHANK3 regulates tight junctions in the neonatal mouse blood-brain barrier through β-Catenin signaling
Guinea grass (Megathyrsus maximus) agronomic performances in mixed cultivation using irrigation condition, North-Western Ethiopia
In this field experiment, the agronomic performance of Guinea grass was evaluated to assess the optimum planting spacing and harvesting age in mixed cultivation under irrigation conditions. These factors were arranged according to a 3*3 factorial setting, which was fitted to a randomized complete block design and replicated three times. This trial used three planting spaces (20, 30 and 40 cm) and harvesting ages (60, 90 and 120 days), grown in a mixed cropping system with Silver leaf desmodium using a furrow irrigation. The collected data includes plant height, leaves per plant, leaf length per plant, leaf to stem ratio, number of tillers per plant, number of roots per plant, root length per plant, and dry matter yield. The results of the study showed that age at harvest and planting space had a significant (P<0.001) effect on the morphological characteristics and dry matter yield of Guinea grass. The effect of these management practices was also affected the dry matter, crude protein and crude fiber contents of the grass. The maximum performances (high records) of the morphological characteristics and dry matter yield of Guinea grass were obtained by allocating a planting space of 40 cm and prolonging the harvesting period up to 120 days. However, harvesting at 90 days (11.48% of crude protein) resulted in the optimum nutritional contents. Therefore, in the area with irrigation facilities at midland agroecology, a planting space of 40 cm and a harvesting time of 90 days could be suggested through irrigation application in the study area and similar agro-ecologies.
Influence of tension cracks on moisture infiltration in loess slopes under high-intensity rainfall conditions
Multi-project wafer runs for electronic graphene devices in the European 2D-Experimental Pilot Line project
Abstract The commercialization of electronic devices based on graphene has not yet been successful, even 20 years after its first isolation. To this end, the European Commission is supporting research toward establishing a European experimental pilot line for electronic and optoelectronic devices based on graphene and related two-dimensional (2D) materials, namely the Experimental Pilot Line (2D-EPL) project. Here, we report the results obtained during the first and third multi-project wafer (MPW) runs completed at the end of 2022 (MPW run 1) and 2023 (MPW run 3) as an outcome of the 2D-EPL. Test devices were measured across the wafers to assess the device quality and variability before delivering the fabricated dies to the customers. Raman spectroscopy confirmed minimal structural changes in the graphene caused by the fabrication process, while electrical measurements of two different device types verified the device specifications defined in the process design kit.
Differential risk of cardiovascular complications in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus in Ghana: A hospital-based cross-sectional study
Aim To characterize clinically relevant subgroups of patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) based on adiposity, insulin secretion, and resistance indices. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted at Eastern Regional Hospital in Ghana from July to October 2021 to investigate long-term patients with T2DM. To select participants, a systematic random sampling method was employed. Demographic data was collected using a structured questionnaire and fasting blood samples were taken to measure glycemic and lipid levels. Blood pressure and adiposity indices were measured during recruitment. The risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) was defined using Framingham scores and standard low-density lipoprotein thresholds. To analyze the data, k-means clustering algorithms and regression analysis were used. Results The study identified three groups in female patients according to body mass index, relative fat mass, glycated hemoglobin, and triglyceride-glucose index. These groups included the obesity-related phenotype, the severe insulin resistance phenotype, and the normal weight phenotype with improved insulin resistance. Among male patients with T2DM, two groups were identified, including the obesity-related phenotype with severe insulin resistance and the normal weight phenotype with improved insulin sensitivity. The severe insulin resistance phenotype in female patients was associated with an increased risk of high CVD (OR = 5.34, 95%CI:2.11–13.55) and metabolic syndrome (OR = 7.07; 95%CI:3.24–15.42). Among male patients, the obesity-related phenotype with severe insulin resistance was associated with an increased intermediate (OR = 21.78, 95%CI:4.17–113.78) and a high-risk CVD (OR = 6.84, 95%CI:1.45–32.12). Conclusions The findings highlight significant cardiometabolic heterogeneity among T2DM patients. The subgroups of T2DM patients characterized by obesity and/or severe insulin resistance with or without poor glycemic control, have increased risk of CVD. This underscores the importance of considering differences in adiposity, insulin secretion, and sensitivity indices when making clinical decisions for patients with T2DM.
Perioperative Durvalumab in Bladder Cancer
Enhanced hunger games search algorithm that incorporates the marine predator optimization algorithm for optimal extraction of parameters in PEM fuel cells
Abstract This article introduces a novel optimization approach to improve the parameter estimation of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), which are critical for diverse applications but are challenging to model due to their nonlinear behavior. The proposed method, HGS-MPA, enhances the Hunger Games Search (HGS) algorithm by integrating Marine Predator Algorithm (MPA) operators, significantly boosting its exploitation capabilities and convergence rate. The effectiveness of HGS-MPA was validated on three commercial PEMFC datasets: 250-W stack, BCS 500-W, and NedStack PS6, using the Sum Squared Error (SSE) as the performance metric. Experimental results highlight that HGS-MPA achieves minimum fitness values of 0.33770, 1.31620, and 0.01174 for the respective datasets, outperforming other state-of-the-art algorithms. These findings underscore the method’s potential for accurate PEMFC parameter estimation, offering enhanced performance and reliability.
Replication-IDentifier links epigenetic and metabolic pathways to the replication stress response
Abstract Perturbation of DNA replication, for instance by hydroxyurea-dependent dNTP exhaustion, often leads to stalling or collapse of replication forks. This triggers a replication stress response that stabilizes these forks, activates cell cycle checkpoints, and induces expression of DNA damage response genes. While several factors are known to act in this response, the full repertoire of proteins involved remains largely elusive. Here, we develop Replication-IDentifier (Repli-ID), which allows for genome-wide identification of regulators of DNA replication in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. During Repli-ID, the replicative polymerase epsilon (Pol ε) is tracked at a barcoded origin of replication by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) coupled to next-generation sequencing of the barcode in thousands of hydroxyurea-treated yeast mutants. Using this approach, 423 genes that promote Pol ε binding at replication forks were uncovered, including LGE1 and ROX1. Mechanistically, we show that Lge1 affects replication initiation and/or fork stability by promoting Bre1-dependent H2B mono-ubiquitylation. Rox1 affects replication fork progression by regulating S-phase entry and checkpoint activation, hinging on cellular ceramide levels via transcriptional repression of SUR2. Thus, Repli-ID provides a unique resource for the identification and further characterization of factors and pathways involved in the cellular response to DNA replication perturbation.
Efficacy of acupuncture in treating chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment in breast cancer patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol
Background Chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) is a common adverse effect of chemotherapy in breast cancer patients, with a high incidence that significantly impacts treatment adherence and quality of life. Currently, there is no definitive and effective treatment for CRCI. Research indicates that acupuncture may serve as a promising intervention for CRCI. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating CRCI. Methods This study is guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P). From the time of database construction to October 2024, we will search seven literature databases, three clinical study registry databases, and three sources of gray literature. The restricted languages are English and Chinese. We will use the Participants-Interventions-Comparators-Outcome-Conclusion-Study Design (PICOS) criteria to identify included studies and the RoB2 tool to assess the quality of the included studies. Data synthesis and meta-analysis will be performed using RevMan 5.3. Discussion The results of this study will clarify the potential benefits of acupuncture in the treatment of CRCI and address existing disagreements about its efficacy. Furthermore, the findings will assist clinicians in making informed decisions regarding the treatment of CRCI. Trail registration PROSPERO registration number: CRD42024568093.
The Man Who Lives in the Cardboard Box
Formulation and characterization of CMPI nanoparticles for enhanced targeting of brain nicotinic receptors by positive allosteric modulator
Signatures of longitudinal spin pumping in a magnetic phase transition
Natural variation of OsWRKY23 drives difference in nitrate use efficiency between indica and japonica rice
Dry eye disease treatment improves subjective quality-of-life responses in patients with AMD, independent of disease stage
Purpose To determine the impact of severity of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) on subjective treatment response in patients treated for dry eye disease. Methods A total of 203 eyes diagnosed with evaporative dry eye disease (DED) due to meibomian gland dysfunction were treated using the LipiFlow or MiBoFlo systems. From this cohort, 40 eyes with stable dry AMD (early, intermediate, or late stages) were included. Each participant completed the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) and Standard Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness Questionnaire (SPEED) before treatment and at a 6-month follow-up. Changes in questionnaire scores were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) to assess differences between AMD severity groups. Results Improvement in SPEED and OSDI scores, including vision related OSDI scores were observed across all AMD stages, with no significant differences between groups (p<0.05). Conclusion Managing DED improved quality of life (QOL) in patients with AMD, regardless of retinal disease severity. This highlights the importance of treating coexisting ocular surface conditions to enhance patient outcomes, even in the presence of significant maculopathy.