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Data quality in centenarian research: The proxy-centenarian relationship and item nonresponse in the SWISS100 study

Background In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the investigation of very old individuals. However, various challenges arise when collecting data from this age group. Given potential health and cognitive impairments and the difficulty of retrieving accurate self-reported data, involving individuals knowledgeable of the target person as proxy respondents are an invaluable solution. The primary goal of this study is to explore the association between proxy-centenarian relationship and item nonresponse, a pivotal data quality measure. Data and methods We used data from the phone study conducted within SWISS100, a study on centenarians in Switzerland, focusing on a subsample of 94 centenarians and 75 proxy respondents. We compared characteristics of centenarians who provided self-reports with those interviewed through proxy respondents using descriptive analyses, and Firth’s regression models to investigate the association of different types of proxies (children, other relatives, and non-relatives) with item nonresponse. Results We noted differences between centenarians participating themselves in interviews and those represented by proxies, observing higher proportions of men and private home residents in the self-report group. There was a low prevalence of item nonresponse among proxy respondents. Proxy type significantly impacted item nonresponse, particularly with non-relatives showing notably higher unanswered question rates. A robust association between non-relatives as proxies and increased item nonresponse persisted even when controlling for potential confounding factors. Discussion and conclusions This study enhances the understanding of data quality, particularly item nonresponse, and highlights the impact of the proxy-centenarian relationship when studying the oldest-old. The findings stress the importance of carefully choosing proxy respondents, preferably children, to improve data quality and inclusivity for those individuals hard to reach or to interview. Future research should investigate various data quality indicators and rely on larger samples to enhance the representation and methodological rigour in the study of the oldest-old.

The interplay of uncertainty, relevance and learning influences auditory categorization

Optimized PCF architectures for THz detection of aquatic pathogens: Enhancing water quality monitoring

Waterborne bacteria pose a serious hazard to human health, hence a precise detection method is required to identify them. A photonic crystal fiber sensor that takes into account the dangers of aquatic bacteria has been suggested, and its optical characteristics in the THz range have been quantitatively assessed. The PCF sensor was designed and examined as computed in Comsol Multiphysics, a program in which uses the method of “Finite Element Method” (FEM). At 3.2 THz operating frequency, the proposed sensor performs better than the others in all tested cases, with a high sensitivity of 96.78% for Vibrio cholera, 97.54% for E. coli, and 97.40% for Bacillus anthracis. It also has a very low CL of 2.095 × 10−13 dB/cm for Vibrio cholera, 4.411 × 10−11 dB/cm for E. coli, and 1.355 × 10−11 dB/cm for Bacillus anthracis. The existing architecture has the potential to produce the sensor efficiently and scalable, opening the door for commercial applications. The innovation is in the optimization of structural parameters to increase the fiber’s sensitivity to bacterial presence, thereby improving the interaction between terahertz waves and bacterial cells. It targets bacterial macromolecule absorption peaks to increase sensitivity. Localized field augmentation, which concentrates THz vibrations where bacteria interact more, may arise from optimization. By improving scattering, structural alterations can help identify bacteria by their characteristic scattering patterns. These improvements improve the sensor’s trace bacteria detection. These factors increase the sensor’s aquatic germ detection when combined. In aqueous environments, this results in a more precise and efficient detection, which could facilitate the real-time monitoring of bacterial contamination. Public health and water quality control may be significantly affected by these developments.

Piezoelectric biosensor with dissipation monitoring enables the analysis of bacterial lytic agent activity

Abstract Antibiotic-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus pose a significant threat in healthcare, demanding urgent therapeutic solutions. Combining bacteriophages with conventional antibiotics, an innovative approach termed phage-antibiotic synergy, presents a promising treatment avenue. However, to enable new treatment strategies, there is a pressing need for methods to assess their efficacy reliably and rapidly. Here, we introduce a novel approach for real-time monitoring of pathogen lysis dynamics employing the piezoelectric quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) with dissipation (QCM-D) technique. The sensor, a QCM chip modified with the bacterium S. aureus RN4220 ΔtarM, was utilized to monitor the activity of the enzyme lysostaphin and the phage P68 as model lytic agents. Unlike conventional QCM solely measuring resonance frequency changes, our study demonstrates that dissipation monitoring enables differentiation of bacterial growth and lysis caused by cell-attached lytic agents. Compared to reference turbidimetry measurements, our results reveal distinct alterations in the growth curve of the bacteria adhered to the sensor, characterized by a delayed lag phase. Furthermore, the dissipation signal analysis facilitated the precise real-time monitoring of phage-mediated lysis. Finally, the QCM-D biosensor was employed to evaluate the synergistic effect of subinhibitory concentrations of the antibiotic amoxicillin with the bacteriophage P68, enabling monitoring of the lysis of P68-resistant wild-type strain S. aureus RN4220. Our findings suggest that this synergy also impedes the formation of bacterial aggregates, the precursors of biofilm formation. Overall, this method brings new insights into phage-antibiotic synergy, underpinning it as a promising strategy against antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains with broad implications for treatment and prevention.

Depression in adolescence and the understanding of health—A phenomenographic study

Health is multifaceted, with divergent interpretations in diverse cultures and groups of individuals. The ways individuals understand health might aid in developing future interventions. There is scant knowledge on how adolescents with depression conceptualise health. A descriptive qualitative design with a phenomenographic approach was used to describe the different ways adolescents with depression conceptualise health. Interviews were performed with adolescents 13–17 years old (n = 33) who participated in a randomised controlled trial evaluating the effects of aerobic group exercise versus leisure group activities for adolescents with depression. The results were interpreted into four metaphors to embody the understanding of health as described by adolescents with depression: 1) establishing sound routines by managing everyday life, 2) connecting to others by having access to social resources, 3) managing depression symptoms by having control over the mental illness, and 4) attaining inner drive by experiencing joy in everyday life. The various conceptions of health among adolescents with depression provide valuable insights for enhancing evidence-based treatments with person-centred care. Key aspects include establishing routines, fostering connections, finding strategies for symptom control, and incorporating joy through exercise. Given that adolescents highlighted these aspects as essential to health, future research could explore individualised health promotion, particularly focusing on routine-building, social connections, or finding an inner drive as an add-on to evidence-based treatments for adolescent depression.

Scrutinizing the untapped potential of emerging ABSe3 (A = Ca, Ba; B = Zr, Hf) chalcogenide perovskites solar cells

Abstract ABS3chalcogenide perovskites (CPs) are emerging as promising alternatives to lead halide perovskites due to their unique properties. However, their bandgap exceeds the Shockley-Queisser limit. By substituting S with Se, the bandgap is significantly reduced, shifting it from the visible into the near-infrared region. Hence, we have investigated the potential of Se-based absorbers with device structure FTO/TiO2/ABSe3 (A = Ca, Ba; B = Zr, Hf)/NiO/Au using SCAPS-1D. We analyzed the critical parameters impacting each layer of the solar cell. Notably, we achieved an enhanced light absorption (~ 26.5%) at an optimal absorber thickness (500 nm), intensifying carrier generation. Additionally, we observed an increase in VOC (1.03 V) due to improved quasi-Fermi level splitting and a reduction in energy loss (0.45 V) across all solar cells with an optimal absorber carrier concentration (1016  cm−3). Overall, the optimization resulted in improvements in PCE by the difference of 20.14%, 20.44%, 14.33%, and 14.56% for CaZrSe3, BaZrSe3, CaHfSe3, and BaHfSe3 solar cells, respectively. The maximum PCE of over 30% was attained for both CaZrSe3and BaZrSe3 solar cells, attributed to their narrow bandgap, enhanced light absorption (53.60%), high JSC (29 mA/cm2), and elevated generation rate of 1.19 × 1022 cm−2s−1. Thus, these significant outcomes highlight the potential of these absorbers for fabricating high-efficiency CP solar cells.

Melatonin influence on miRNA expression in sperm, hypothalamus, pre-frontal cortex and cerebellum of Wistar rats

Melatonin is a pineal hormone synthesized exclusively at night, in several organisms. Its action on sperm is of particular interest, since they transfer genetic and epigenetic information to the offspring, including microRNAs, configuring a mechanism of paternal epigenetic inheritance. MicroRNAs are known to participate in a wide variety of mechanisms in basically all cells and tissues, including the brain and the sperm cells, which are known, respectively, to present 70% of all identified microRNAs and to transfer these molecules to the embryo. MicroRNAs from sperm have been associated with modulation of embryonic development and inheritance of psychiatric symptoms, including autism. Given that microRNAs and melatonin are ubiquitous molecules with important roles in the organism, the aim of this study was to investigate the expression of specific microRNAs in sperm, brain and cerebellum of pinealectomized rats. For this study, Wistar rats had their pineal gland removed at 60 post-partum. Part of these rats received exogenous melatonin until the day of the euthanasia. The control group did not receive any treatment or manipulation. The sperm, hypothalamus, prefrontal cortex and cerebellum were collected for analysis of microRNA expression by RT-qPCR. The results suggest that melatonin absence caused by pinealectomy increases the expression of the target microRNAs in the sperm. Although the data suggest an alteration (increase or decrease depending on the region and microRNA) of expression levels of some microRNAs in the brain and cerebellum of pinealectomized rats, the differences were not statistically significant. This seems to be a consequence of the intragroup variation. Melatonin administration restored the levels of the target microRNAs in the sperm. Additional studies are needed to understand the impact of the alterations of microRNA expression to the pinealectomized rats as well as to their descendants.

Rural-urban transformation shapes oasis agriculture in Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains

Abstract Traditional agricultural activities and rural livelihoods in Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains are rapidly changing. This is triggered by increasing rural-urban interactions and new livelihood opportunities in cities. A typical example is the oasis of Tizi N’Oucheg in the country’s High Atlas Mountains, which over centuries was largely self-sufficient in food grain and livestock production. Improved infrastructure and better connections to distant urban centers have caused declining livelihood reliance on agricultural activities and enhanced dependence on remittances and the tourism sector in the region. Based on the case of Tizi N’Oucheg, this study aims at assessing the socio-economic and ecological implications of rural-urban transformation for ancient oasis systems in Morocco. Surveys on agricultural practices, census, and meteorological data were combined with GIS (Geographical Information System) -based analyses to examine land use and cropping pattern changes of 625 fields from 1967 to 2022. For the GIS analyses, historical aerial images, multispectral satellite images, and drone-based surveys were used to generate manually classified agricultural fields and NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) time series. Our results show a major decline in cultivated land from 13 ha to 6.8 ha over the past 50 years accompanied by an expansion of modern infrastructure since the 2000s. Land management has shifted from labor-intensive multiple cropping and natural fertilization to monocropping of barley for local livestock feeding and increased application of mineral fertilization. The challenging geography of the oasis increased the hardship of practicing traditional agriculture, and therefore largely determines the response of the community to rural-urban transformation. Our data also highlight the increased financial dependence of rural populations on urban centers and the demise of traditional, sustainable agriculture in Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains if policies on agricultural development are not adapted to rural circumstances.

Mechanism of Radix Bupleuri and Hedysarum Multijugum Maxim drug pairs on liver fibrosis based on network pharmacology, bioinformatics and molecular dynamics simulation

A number of studies demonstrate the therapeutic effectiveness of Radix Bupleuri (RB) and Hedysarum Multijugum Maxim (HMM) in treating liver fibrosis, but the exact molecular mechanisms remain unclear. This study aims to explore the mechanism of RB-HMM drug pairs in treating liver fibrosis by using network pharmacology, bioinformatics, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation technology and in vitro experiments. Totally, 155 intersection targets between RB-HMM and liver fibrosis were identified. In the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, the top 10 hub targets with the highest node connection values were TNF, IL-6, AKT1, EGFR, HIF1A, PPARG, CASP3, SRC, MMP9 and HSP90AA1. GO functional and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis involved 335 biological processes, 39 cellular components, 78 molecular functions, and 139 signaling pathways. The bioinformatics analysis indicated that TNF, IL-6, PPARG and MMP9 were promising candidate genes that can serve as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for liver fibrosis. Moreover, the molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulation of 50 ns well complemented the binding affinity and strong stability between the three common compounds MOL000098 (quercetin), MOL000354 (isorhamnetin) and MOL000422 (kaempferol) and four final hub targets (TNF, IL-6, PPARG and MMP9). Calculation of binding free energy and decomposition free energy using MM_PBSA and MM_GBSA also validated the strong binding affinity and stability of 12 systems. MOL000098 (quercetin) was selected via MTT assay and western blot assay verified MOL000098 (quercetin) treatments remarkably decreased the protein levels of TNF and IL-6 in TGFβ stimulated LX2 cells. In conclusion, RB-HMM drug pairs can affect the progression of liver fibrosis through multiple components, multiple targets and multiple pathways, and treat liver fibrosis possibly through anti-inflammatory and affecting cell apoptosis.

Author Correction: Contemporary survival outcomes of congenital systemic-to-pulmonary shunt in children with borderline pulmonary vascular resistant index compared to Eisenmenger syndrome

Association between lipid accumulation product and the risk of colon cancer in adults: A population-based study

Background The purpose of this study was to look into any potential connections between the occurrence of colon cancer and the condition of the body of lipid accumulation product (LAP) index. Methods Using data from the 2009–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), we performed a cross-sectional analysis with 24,592 individuals. Utilizing multivariate logistic regression modelling, the relationship between LAP levels and colon cancer risk was investigated. Subgroup analysis, trend test, interaction test, and stratified smoothed curve were also carried out. Results LAP levels and colon cancer risk were positively correlated after controlling for potential covariates (OR = 10.56, 95% CI: 2.40–46.53), the findings of trend tests are statistically significant. In particular groups, subgroup analysis revealed a positive connection between LAP levels and the risk of colon cancer. The association between LAP levels and colon cancer risk was shown to be M-shaped in the group under 60 years old, inverted V-shaped in the female and no-diabetes groups, and inverted L-shaped in the smoking and no-hypertensive groups, according to stratified smoothed curve fitting. Conclusions According to our findings, there is a strong correlation between LAP levels and the risk of colon cancer.

Squared diffusion-weighted imaging for improving the detection of clinically significant prostate cancer

Abstract Aim of this study was to proof the concept of optimizing the contrast between prostate cancer (PC) and healthy tissue by DWI post-processing using a quadrature method. DWI post-processing was performed on 30 patients (median age 67 years, prostate specific antigen 8.0 ng/ml) with PC and clear MRI findings (PI-RADS 4 and 5). Multiparametric MRI was performed at 3 Tesla. A multi-shot readout segmentation (rs-EPI) plus zoomed single-shot imaging (z-EPI) sequence was used in 15 patients (group 1) and a single-shot echo-planar imaging (ss-EPI) plus rs-EPI sequence in 15 patients (group 2). B-value images (b1000 and b1800/2000) were squared and then evaluated objectively software-based and subjectively using a 5-point. The squared DWI technique showed a significantly higher contrast ratio (CR) for ss-EPI b1800 (p < 0.001), rs-EPI b1000 (p < 0.001), rs-EPI b1800 (p < 0.001), z-EPI b1000 (p = 0.008) and for z-EPI b2000 (p < 0.001). After post-processing, a significant improvement in the subjective assessment of image quality was observed for rs-EPI b1000 (p < 0.001), rs-EPI b1800 (p < 0.001) and z-EPI b1000 (p < 0.001). The application of the square post-processing to DWI results in a significant improvement in the CR between PC and healthy tissue, especially at high b-values of ss-EPI or re-EPI. This method may help to improve the detection and differentiation of PC lesions.

Chemigenetic Ca2+ indicators report elevated Ca2+ levels in endothelial Weibel-Palade bodies

Weibel-Palade bodies (WPB) are secretory organelles exclusively found in endothelial cells and among other cargo proteins, contain the hemostatic von-Willebrand factor (VWF). Stimulation of endothelial cells results in exocytosis of WPB and release of their cargo into the vascular lumen, where VWF unfurls into long strings of up to 1000 µm and recruits platelets to sites of vascular injury, thereby mediating a crucial step in the hemostatic response. The function of VWF is strongly correlated to its structure; in order to fulfill its task in the vascular lumen, VWF has to undergo a complex packing/processing after translation into the ER. ER, Golgi and WPB themselves provide a unique milieu for the maturation of VWF, which at the level of the Golgi consists of a low pH and elevated Ca2+ concentrations. WPB are also characterized by low luminal pH, but their Ca2+ content has not been addressed so far. Here, we employed a chemigenetic approach to circumvent the problems of Ca2+ imaging in an acidic environment and show that WPB indeed also harbor elevated Ca2+ concentrations. We also show that depletion of the Golgi resident Ca2+ pump ATP2C1 resulted in only a minor decrease of luminal Ca2+ in WPB suggesting additional mechanisms for Ca2+ uptake into the organelle.

Simulation analysis of radiometer effect and outgassing based on molecular particle source perturbation

Optimal aspiration pressure of suction pump for oocyte retrieval in infertile patients undergoing in vitro fertilization

Background The oocyte retrieval is a critical step in assisted reproductive technologies, including in vitro fertilization and fertility preservation. Despite evolving techniques, the optimal aspiration pressure during retrieval remains debatable, with limited in vivo human studies. Existing studies, primarily in vitro and on animals, suggest that inappropriate aspiration pressures can impair oocyte quality. This study aims to compares the effects of two different aspiration pressures, 120mmHg and 150mmHg, on oocyte recovery, damage, and subsequent embryo development and pregnancy outcomes in infertile women undergoing transvaginal ultrasound-guided oocyte retrieval. Methods and findings This retrospective study analyzed data from 891 women at Seoul National University Hospital between May 2018 and August 2023. A total of 400 cycles were included, with 202 at 120 mmHg and 198 at 150 mmHg aspiration pressures. The primary outcomes were the number of retrieved, matured, fractured oocytes, embryos, and good-grade embryos. Pregnancy outcomes were evaluated by comparing the clinical pregnancy rates and live birth rates. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the relationship between aspiration pressure, clinical pregnancy, and live birth rates. There was statistically significant difference in the number of retrieved oocytes and mature oocytes between the 120 mmHg group and the 150 mmHg group (6.3±5.2 vs. 7.7±6.7, p = 0.018; 4.4±3.7 vs. 5.6±5.3, p = 0.011). The number of embryos and good grade embryos also differed significantly (3.3±3.1 vs. 4.2±3.9, p = 0.011; 1.0±1.6 vs. 1.5±2.6, p = 0.031). However, there were no significant differences in clinical pregnancy and live birth rates between the two groups in multivariate logistic regression analysis (adjusted OR = 0.725, p = 0.519; adjusted OR = 0.370, p = 0.170). Conclusions Increasing the aspiration pressure to 150mmHg led to a higher yield of oocytes and embryos than 120mmHg, without any negative impact on oocyte quality or live birth rates. These findings provide valuable insights for clinical decision-making in infertility treatments, suggesting that 150mmHg may be a more effective pressure for oocyte retrieval in in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer.

Dual-task-related gait patterns as possible marker of precocious and subclinical cognitive alterations in Parkinson disease

Classification of CT scan and X-ray dataset based on deep learning and particle swarm optimization

In 2019, the novel coronavirus swept the world, exposing the monitoring and early warning problems of the medical system. Computer-aided diagnosis models based on deep learning have good universality and can well alleviate these problems. However, traditional image processing methods may lead to high false positive rates, which is unacceptable in disease monitoring and early warning. This paper proposes a low false positive rate disease detection method based on COVID-19 lung images and establishes a two-stage optimization model. In the first stage, the model is trained using classical gradient descent, and relevant features are extracted; in the second stage, an objective function that minimizes the false positive rate is constructed to obtain a network model with high accuracy and low false positive rate. Therefore, the proposed method has the potential to effectively classify medical images. The proposed model was verified using a public COVID-19 radiology dataset and a public COVID-19 lung CT scan dataset. The results show that the model has made significant progress, with the false positive rate reduced to 11.3% and 7.5%, and the area under the ROC curve increased to 92.8% and 97.01%.

Utilizing large-scale human mobility data to identify determinants of physical activity

Intellectual capital, digital transformation and firms’ financial performance: Evidence from ecological protection and environmental governance industry in China

As the pace of enterprise digital transformation accelerates, intellectual capital (IC) has become a core driving force of gaining market competitive advantages and enhancing value creation capabilities. The paper aims to investigate the impact of IC and its components on financial performance of Chinese ecological protection and environmental governance companies during 2018–2021. In addition, the moderating effect of digital transformation between them is examined. IC is measured by the modified value added intellectual coefficient (MVAIC) model, and the measurement of digital transformation is based on text mining. The results suggest that IC can improve firm financial performance, especially during COVID-19. Physical capital, human capital (HC), and relational capital (RC) positively affect financial performance, while structural and innovation capitals have no significant impact. In addition, digital transformation strengthens the positive relationship between IC and its two elements (HC and RC) and financial performance. Heterogeneous analysis finds that the relationship between RC and innovation capital and financial performance is positive before COVID-19, and it is not significant during COVID-19. For highly leveraged companies, structural capital negatively affects financial performance, and RC has a positive impact. These impacts are not significant for low leveraged companies. This paper provides some new insights for managers who seek new ways to improve firm performance in the process of digital transformation.

Exogenous LEA proteins expression enhances cold tolerance in mammalian cells by reducing oxidative stress

Abstract Understanding the molecular mechanisms that confer cold resistance in mammalian cells might be relevant for advancing medical applications. This study aimed to exploit the protective function of Late Embryogenesis Abundant (LEA) proteins, known to provide resistance to low temperatures in extremophiles and plants, by their exogenous expression in mammalian cells, and compare their effects with the well characterized antioxidant, vitamin E. Remarkably, the expression of LEA proteins in mammalian cells exerted cold-protective effect similar to Vitamin E. LEA proteins preserved cell viability during cold stress and ensured a normal metabolic activity after warming. Their protective action was due to the mitigation of cold-induced mitochondrial stress and the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading in turn to enhanced cytoskeleton stability and decreased DNA damage. Our studies showed that plant-derived LEA proteins exhibit remarkable cold protection effects in mammalian cells through their potent antioxidant properties, which was found comparable to Vitamin E.