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Limitations of multiexponential T1 mapping of cortical myeloarchitecture
Neuropsychiatric malignancies frequently manifest at the level of individual cortical layers. The resolutions currently available for medical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) prevent the study of these pathologies at clinically available field strengths of 3 T. Previous studies have claimed to have overcome these issues by extensions of quantitative MRI. Following this, the feasibility of multiexponential T 1 relaxometry was assessed as a basis for in vivo delineation of cortical lamination. Three methods of non-linear least-squares-based multiexponential analysis were examined across key degrees of freedom identified in the literature. The methods employ a wide variety of ways to overcome the common pitfalls of multiexponential analysis, such as regularization, bound constraints, and repeated optimization from multiple starting points. A custom MRI phantom was 3D-printed and filled with various MnCL 2 mixtures that represent the spin-lattice relaxation times that commonly occur in neocortical gray and white matter at 3 T. A 96 × 96-voxel image consisting of a single slice was acquired using a FLASH sequence and used to create 10 composite datasets with known distributions of T 1 decay constants. The results showed that lowest relative error achieved across multiexponential models was approximately 20%. As achieving even this level of estimation accuracy requires either T 1 ratios that rarely occur in the cerebral cortex or knowledge of the number of relaxation components and their expected values to a degree that is seldom feasible, the visualization of cortical layers based on these estimates is unlikely to represent their true distribution. In conclusion, the current methodological approaches do not allow for sufficiently precise estimation of T 1 decay constants spanning the range of cortical gray and white matter.
Lung infection in orally inoculated SARS-CoV-2 hamsters
The digestive tropism of SARS-CoV-2 due to the presence of the same ACE2 receptor in the digestive system as in the respiratory system raised the question of the role of fecal-oral transmission in the pandemic. The aim of this study was to explore oral infection in hamsters model. SARS-CoV-2 inoculation via the oral and intranasal routes resulted in comparable infection in hamsters. In addition to implications for human health, oral infection could have implications for potential animal reservoirs.
Correction: Role of immune-related endoplasmic reticulum stress genes in sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy: Novel insights from bioinformatics analysis
Pancreatic cancer relies on opposing signalling pathways to drive its cellular diversity
Composition characteristics of soft coal seams with large inclination angles and mining heights and the deformation of roadway surrounding rocks
Stability of arterial blood gas samples after delayed analysis and mechanical stress
Purpose To investigate the effect of prolonged time before analysis and mechanical manipulation on pre-analytical stability of biomarkers and the validity of blood gas analysis results. Methods We collected blood samples from 240 ICU patients from May 18, 2022 to March 31, 2023. Samples were analyzed immediately per standard operating procedure, then the syringes were kept at room temperature for 60 min, subjected to standardized mechanical forces (repeated drops) and analyzed again. Thirteen typical blood gas analytes were measured. Bland–Altman plots were prepared to assess differences between initial and delayed analyses. Differences were compared against official accuracy limits specified in German quality assurance guidelines (Rili-BAEK). Results For hemoglobin, creatinine, glucose, and electrolytes (calcium, sodium, chloride, bicarbonate), agreement between immediate and post-delay analyses remained within the official acceptable ranges. For pH and potassium, deviations exceeded the Rili-BAEK accuracy limits but remained clinically acceptable. Only oxygen partial pressure and lactate levels changed so markedly that they would no longer be reliable for clinical interpretation. Conclusion Even after a 60-min delay and excessive mechanical stress, selected blood gas analytes such as hemoglobin, glucose, and electrolytes can be considered valid. Potassium and carbon dioxide partial pressure were altered but might be suitable for approximation purposes. Findings for oxygen partial pressure and lactate were generally invalid. In the future, these findings can aid in reducing unnecessary blood sampling. These findings may guide clinicians in deciding whether repeat sampling is necessary, potentially reducing unnecessary blood draws, while reinforcing that critical parameter (pO₂, pCO₂, pH) still require prompt analysis.
Cities are embracing nature for flood defence
Prevalence and interrelationships of cardiometabolic risk factors in Polish adults
How surface texture affects consumers’ willingness to pay: Evidence from smartphone covers
This study investigates the impact of tactile impressions on consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for smartphone covers with varying surface textures. While prior research has examined visual and auditory cues in consumer behavior, the commercial relevance of surface texture remains underexplored. Therefore, we analyze how WTP varies across texture types and reference price conditions and examine the demographic, socioeconomic, and behavioral factors influencing valuation. Data were collected from 387 respondents at a major shopping mall, where participants evaluated four surface textures (A–D) under two reference prices (100 yen and 1,000 yen). Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression was used to assess associations between consumer characteristics and WTP. The results show that WTP increases with higher reference prices, indicating a price anchoring effect. Men, unmarried individuals, and those exhibiting hyperbolic discounting demonstrated higher WTP for certain textures. However, risk preference, smartphone usage, and impatience were not significant predictors. These findings suggest that firms can position textured products at premium price points and employ sensory marketing strategies, such as in-store trials, to enhance consumer engagement. This study contributes to the literature by integrating tactile marketing with behavioral economic theory, offering novel insights into joint influence of sensory cues and time preferences on consumer valuation.
Why universities need to radically rethink exams in the age of AI
Combining the CryoCapsule, HPM live µ and R221 conductive resin to track endosome from live imaging to electron microscopy using high-pressure freezing
Effect of long-term use of treated wastewater and clean water mixtures on soil heavy metal accumulation: An assessment using pollution indices
The growing scarcity of clean water resources has driven increased interest in the use of treated wastewater (WW) as an alternative source for agricultural irrigation. While WW provides essential nutrients that can support plant growth and soil fertility, its long-term application may lead to the accumulation of heavy metals in soil, posing environmental and health risks. This study aimed to assess the effects of a four-year field experiment using different ratios of treated wastewater (WW) and clean water (CW) mixtures on soil heavy metal accumulation. Additionally, these effects were evaluated using widely accepted pollution indices, including the Contamination Factor (CF), Enrichment Factor (EF), Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo), and Pollution Load Index (PLI). A four-year field experiment was conducted using five irrigation regimes: W1 (100% WW), W2 (75% WW + 25% CW), W3 (50% WW + 50% CW), W4 (25% WW + 75% CW), and W5 (100% CW as control). The accumulation of Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Fe, and Pb was monitored. Results revealed that heavy metal concentrations increased with higher WW proportions and longer irrigation duration, but all levels remained below national and international regulatory limits. CF values approached moderate contamination levels for Pb, Fe, Zn, and Cd under W1, while Cr, Ni, and Cu indicated low contamination potential. EF values were mostly below 1.0, especially under mixed irrigation schemes, suggesting minimal anthropogenic enrichment. Igeo values were negative across all treatments, with the lowest values in the control group, classifying the soils as unpolluted. PLI values were consistently below 1.0, indicating an overall unpolluted status. The findings suggest that moderate blending ratios (25–50% WW) can limit heavy metal buildup while maintaining soil productivity. Therefore, the controlled use of treated wastewater in appropriate mixtures emerges as a promising approach for sustainable agricultural irrigation, balancing productivity with environmental protection.
Research on the automation of intelligent accounting information processing process driven by neural networks
Study on the health impacts of childhood asthma in China caused by air pollution
Asthma is one of the major disease burdens in children. Ambient air pollution is associated with the prevalence and exacerbation of childhood asthma. Over recent decades, China has exhibited a persistent upward trajectory in pediatric asthma prevalence. This epidemiological trend necessitates a comprehensive evaluation of the health impacts associated with childhood asthma attributable to ambient air pollution exposure. This study selected PM 2.5 , NO 2 , and O 3 as representative ambient air pollutants in China, and obtained exposure-response parameters required for health impact assessment through Meta-analysis. Then the study evaluated the health impacts of childhood asthma aged 0–14 years attributable to air pollution in 336 cities across China based on national real-time air quality monitoring data. Hypothetical scenarios were also constructed to predict the preventable childhood asthma disease burden under different air pollution control levels. The results showed that in 2019, air pollution caused 264,800–467,100 childhood asthma exacerbation cases and 622,800–1115,000 incident asthma cases among children, accounting for 7.1% − 12.5% and 31.4% − 56.2% of the total asthma children visits and incidence of childhood asthma in that year. The pollutant that has the greatest impact on childhood asthma is O 3 , followed by PM 2.5 and NO 2 . The health impacts of the three pollutants were spatially distributed to be higher in the central and southern regions of China, and lower in the southwestern, northeastern, and northwestern regions. Chongqing was the city most affected by three types of pollutants. When pollutant concentrations comply with the WHO guidelines, up to 267,900 cases of childhood asthma exacerbations and 873,900 new-onset childhood asthma cases could be averted.
Hemodynamic response to stent-induced aneurysm deformation in patient-specific internal carotid artery cases: A computational study
Trend and burden of ischemic stroke attributable to high body mass index in China from 1990 to 2021, with projection to 2044
Background Ischemic stroke (IS) poses a significant public health burden in China, with high body mass index (BMI) identified as a key risk factor. Despite this, the temporal trends and sex-specific burdens of IS attributable to high BMI remain insufficiently explored. This study examines the burden of IS linked to high BMI in China from 1990 to 2021 and projects future trends to 2044. Methods Drawing on data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021, we first employed correlation analysis to examine the association between high BMI exposure and IS incidence in China over a 30-year period. Subsequently, we quantified the mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) attributable to high BMI-related IS. Our analysis included comparative assessments with global and high-income country trends, complemented by sex-stratified and age-specific evaluations. Finally, we developed forecasting models to project disease burden trajectories through 2044. Results From 1990 to 2021, China’s age-standardized IS incidence initially rose before stabilizing, with males consistently exhibiting higher rates than females. High BMI exposure increased steadily and strongly correlated with IS incidence. Age-standardized mortality attributable to high BMI grew from 0.98 to 2.21 per 100,000, while DALYs more than doubled from 24.61 to 56.21 per 100,000, with males disproportionately affected. The elderly, particularly men, showed the steepest increases. Unlike global declines, China’s high BMI-attributable burdens rose. Projections suggest continued growth, reaching 4.05 (male) and 3.23 (female) mortality rates by 2044, with DALYs at 101.33 and 96.63 per 100,000 respectively. Conclusion High BMI contributes to a growing and sex-disparate burden of IS in China, with accelerated growth in older adults. Unlike high-income countries, China has not yet achieved declines in high BMI-attributable IS mortality and DALYs. Urgent public health interventions targeting BMI reduction, particularly in males and older populations, are needed to mitigate future burdens.
Great science happens in great teams — research assessments must try to capture that
Plasma 4-hydroxynonenal estimates severity and prognosis in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Rapid purification of brain protein complexes containing active and inactive forms of the G protein Gαo
Gα o is the alpha subunit of the most abundant heterotrimeric G protein of the brain and relays signals from G protein-coupled receptors to inhibit neural function. To date, no direct downstream effectors for Gα o have been well-characterized. Active Gα-GTP proteins should form stable complexes with their effectors, but identifying Gα o effectors by isolating such complexes is a challenge since the vast majority of Gα o in the brain is in its inactive, GDP-bound form. In this study, we developed methods to isolate microgram quantities of native Gα o -GTP protein complexes by immunoprecipitation from brain lysates. We found that native Gα o protein in crude detergent lysates of mouse brain rapidly binds and is activated by the slowly-hydrolyzable GTP analog GTPγS. Using size exclusion chromatography and tracking the Gα o -containing complexes by western blotting, we found that native Gα o in crude brain lysates exists in complexes that change size upon activation by GTPγS. We also identified a monoclonal antibody that can efficiently immunoprecipitate Gα o protein complexes from mouse brain lysates for downstream applications such as mass spectrometry and protein-protein interaction assays. Our results and methods enable further research into the Gα o signaling pathway.