Browse Articles
Discover research articles across all indexed journals
Association between initial diastolic arterial pressure and gastrointestinal dysfunction during the first ICU week in septic shock patients
Eye-sidedness does not drive differences in growth and maturation in the Indian halibut (Psettodes erumei) from the Western Arabian Gulf
Abstract The Indian halibut Psettodes erumei (Family Psettodidae), a primitive lineage of flatfishes exhibiting both sinistral and dextral morphs, provides a unique model for examining the evolutionary significance of morphological asymmetry in flatfishes. This study tested whether eye-sidedness influences somatic growth, body shape, and reproductive traits in P. erumei from the western Arabian Gulf. A total of 215 individuals were collected between 2020 and 2022, with sinistral and dextral morphs occurring in near-equal proportions. Model selection based on Akaike weights revealed that sex, rather than eye-sidedness, was the primary factor influencing length–weight relationships and growth, with females attaining significantly larger asymptotic lengths. Eye-sidedness had no detectable effect on gonadosomatic index patterns or length at 50% maturity. While Procrustes regression detected statistically significant differences in body landmarks and semilandmarks between morphs, these differences were minor and likely biologically negligible. Overall, the results support the hypothesis that eye-sidedness in P. erumei does not confer a measurable evolutionary advantage and imply that differences in developmental mechanisms, rather than adaptive advantages, played a primary role in fixing directional asymmetry in most flatfish lineages. Future research into the molecular and developmental pathways governing eye-sidedness will be essential for understanding why the vast majority of flatfish species exhibit monomorphic asymmetry.
Aesculetin (6,7-dihydroxycoumarin) enhances the differentiation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells into functional hepatocyte-like cells
Low tumoral Trefoil Factor 1 expression relates to aggressive tumor features and poor survival in young women with breast cancer
Abstract In young breast cancer (BC) patients, there is a need for additional biomarkers beyond those currently available. Trefoil Factor 1 (TFF1) is an estrogen-regulated protein with proposed prognostic relevance in BC. We assessed TFF1 protein expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in biopsies from patients with primary breast cancer diagnosed before age 50 and their paired axillary lymph node (LN) metastases within our in-house Bergen Young BC Cohort (n = 319). In addition, TFF1 mRNA levels and associated gene expression patterns were analyzed using publicly available datasets, including the Molecular Taxonomy of Breast Cancer International Consortium (METABRIC, n = 939) and the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (n = 47). Our aim was to investigate how TFF1 expression in primary tumors (PT) and paired LN metastases relates to age at diagnosis, clinico-pathological features, and disease-specific survival, and to explore TFF1-associated gene expression profiles. Low TFF1 protein and mRNA expression in PTs was associated with younger age, aggressive clinico-pathologic features, and poorer survival. Additionally, TFF1 mRNA expression was a strong predictor of the basal-like subtype, and TFF1-low tumors exhibited stem-like characteristics, upregulation of immune checkpoints, and higher proliferation scores. In LN metastases, low TFF1 protein expression was associated with aggressive tumor features. Notably, high TFF1 protein expression in LN metastases predicted poorer survival in patients under 40 years. Our results indicate that low BC TFF1 expression is associated with younger age and aggressive tumor features, on top of serving as a predictor of the basal-like subtype. High TFF1 protein expression in LN metastases may carry prognostic significance for younger patients.
Five-variable nomogram including PR interval and left atrial appendage flow velocity predicts atrial fibrillation recurrence after cryoballoon ablation
Abstract Cryoballoon ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) carries a non-negligible 1-year recurrence risk, and existing risk models often omit electrocardiographic and echocardiographic features. We aimed to develop and internally validate an AF recurrence prediction model that integrates the PR interval and echocardiographic measures—left atrial dimension (LAD) and left atrial appendage flow velocity (LAAFV)—with clinical characteristics. In this single-center retrospective cohort of 757 patients who underwent first-time cryoballoon ablation (2017–2023), participants were randomly divided into training (70%) and validation (30%) sets. Candidate predictors were selected via least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and random forest. Model performance was evaluated at prespecified 12- and 24-month horizons with time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration, decision curve analysis, and Kaplan–Meier estimates. Fiveindependently associated predictors were identified: female sex, persistent AF, prolonged PR interval, increased LAD, and reduced LAAFV. A multivariable Cox proportional hazards model was used to construct the nomogram. Head-to-head benchmarking against APPLE, SUCCESS, PAT2C2H, HATCH, BASE-AF2, and CHA₂DS₂-VASc was performed within the same participants via two-sided paired DeLong tests with Holm correction. The nomogram showed strong discrimination (AUC 0.81 and 0.83 in training; 0.82 and 0.80 in validation at 12 and 24 months, respectively) and outperformed all comparators at both horizons (Holm-adjusted P < 0.01). Risk stratification separated the low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups, with 24-month recurrence-free survival rates of approximately 80%, 45%, and 20%, respectively. By combining structural and functional atrial parameters with clinical features, this tool enhances the prediction of AF recurrence after cryoballoon ablation and may inform individualized postablation management. Prospective multicenter external validation is warranted.
Artificial intelligence and precision medicine
Integrated in vivo and in silico analysis of immune gene expression in cattle infected with Brucella abortus
Abstract Brucella abortus is an intracellular pathogen that causes infection in cattle, leading to reproductive losses and posing a zoonotic risk to humans. Understanding host immune responses at the molecular level is essential for developing targeted diagnostics and control strategies. This study aimed to investigate the expression of immune-related genes in Bos taurus naturally infected with Brucella abortus using integrated in vivo and in silico approaches. The infection was characterized as chronic based on persistent seropositivity and historical herd records of infection for 12–18 months prior to sampling. Gene expression analysis revealed significant upregulation of NOD2 and IL10 , indicating simultaneous activation of pro-inflammatory signaling and regulatory responses during chronic infection. In contrast, TLR9 was markedly downregulated, suggesting immune evasion mechanisms that suppress endosomal DNA recognition pathways. The expression levels of TLR5 and TLR6 remained unchanged, possibly due to the pathogen’s avoidance of flagellin and lipoprotein recognition. Venn diagram and protein–protein interaction (PPI) analyses highlighted functional overlaps among genes involved in infection response, Toll-like receptor signaling, and KEGG Brucella pathways. GO and KEGG enrichment further confirmed the involvement of the MyD88-dependent TLR signaling pathway, nitric oxide biosynthesis, and pathogen recognition mechanisms. These findings emphasize the complexity of the host immune response to chronic brucellosis, where the immune system attempts to control infection while being subverted by bacterial strategies. The identified gene expression patterns not only enhance our understanding of Brucella pathogenesis but also provide potential molecular markers that could guide future strategies for disease diagnosis and therapeutic intervention. Overall, this study contributes valuable insights into the host-pathogen interactions that define chronic Brucella abortus infection in cattle.
Real-time semantic segmentation of driving scenes via effective attention-based information fusion and hybrid encoder
Specification-compliant fracture parameter extraction and rock mass classification on tunnel faces with improved YOLOv8-seg
Timing of decompressive craniectomy and short-term outcomes in pediatric severe traumatic brain injury: a nationwide observational study in Germany
Abstract Decompressive craniectomy (DC) is a critical intervention for managing severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI) in children when medical therapy fails, but the optimal timing remains unclear. This study evaluated the association between different DC timing and short-term outcomes in pediatric sTBI in Germany. A retrospective cohort study of the German national hospital discharge database was conducted for cases < 18 years undergoing DC following sTBI were extracted from 2016 to 2022. Time from admission to DC were calculated as complete hours and data were compared between early (time to DC ≤ 2 h) and late DC (> 2 h). Hierarchical logistic regression models evaluated the association of DC timing with in-hospital mortality, functional outcomes (Pediatric Complex Chronic Conditions (PCCC) ≥ 2)), poor outcome (composite outcome of death or PCCC ≥ 2), length of hospital stay, days on mechanical ventilation (MV) and coding of seizures. Among 13,492,821 children hospitalized, 9,495 had sTBI. DC was performed in 598 cases and half of surgeries were performed within the first two hours after admission. Higher odds of death (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.89; 95% confidence interval [95%CI] 1.43–5.85) were observed in the early versus late DC groups. However, in survivors, early DC was linked to shorter durations MV and hospital stay. Sensitivity analyses across multiple thresholds of DC timing confirmed mortality and MV findings. Early DC in pediatric sTBI was primarily performed as an urgent intervention in critical injured patients, yet survivors showed faster recovery with few MV days and hospital stay.
Identifying the potential anti-lung cancer targets of Baicalein using a network pharmacology approach
Exciton-polariton photodiodes
A multi-method analysis of employee-driven green service innovation in hotels based on the ability-motivation-opportunity framework
A single valine to leucine switch disrupts Plasmodium falciparum AP2-G DNA binding and reveals GDV1’s role in ap2-g activation
Labour market patterns among women and men following the uptake of their first parental leave benefit in Sweden
Abstract This study identified long-term labour market patterns after taking the first parental leave benefit among women and men in Sweden and the socio-demographic, economic, and health-related characteristics among the identified patterns. We conducted a prospective cohort study, based on nationwide register microdata, including all women ( N = 43,959) and men ( N = 43,514) who had their first parental leave benefit uptake in 2010. Sequence analysis was used to explore their labour market patterns over 9 years after parental leave. We identified six labour market clusters for women: ‘ Quick return to employment/studies’ (32%), ‘ Ongoing employment/studies ’ (24%), ‘ Slow return to employment/studies’ (21%), ‘ Weak labour market attachment’ (11%), ‘ Increasing sickness absence/disability pension’ (9%) and ‘ Death/emigration/retirement’ (2%). Among men, there were five clusters: ‘ Ongoing employment/studies ’ (74%), ‘ Weak labour market attachment ’ (13%), ‘ Parental leave ’ (7%), ‘ Increasing sickness absence/disability pension ’ (4%), and ‘ Death/emigration/retirement ’ (2%). Although most were economically active at the end of follow-up, among both women and men, marginalized labour market patterns were characterized by socioeconomic disadvantage and prior morbidity.