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Structural equation modeling of exercise intention in patients recovering from stroke: a cross-sectional study
Heart failure promotes gingival inflammation and impairs periodontal remodeling
Abstract Observational studies suggest an association between impaired oral health and cardiovascular disease; however, the directionality and underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In particular, whether heart failure (HF) itself adversely affects oral and periodontal health has not been systematically investigated in large populations or experimental models.We examined the association between HF and self-reported oral health indicators in 502,387 participants of the UK Biobank, including 17,356 individuals with HF defined by ICD-9/10 codes. Multivariable logistic regression models adjusted for demographic factors, cardiovascular comorbidities, systemic inflammation, lifestyle, and socioeconomic status were applied. To explore causality and mechanisms, periodontal tissue remodeling and inflammation were assessed in a murine model of pressure overload–induced HF using transverse aortic constriction (TAC). Periodontal ligament (PDL) space and alveolar bone microarchitecture were quantified by micro-computed tomography, and gingival inflammatory gene expression was analyzed by RT–PCR.HF patients exhibited a significantly higher prevalence of oral health burden compared with controls (51% vs. 40%, p<0.001). HF was associated with a 1.6-fold increased risk of impaired oral health, which remained significant after full adjustment (adjusted OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.14–1.22; p<0.001). In mice, reduced left ventricular ejection fraction following TAC was strongly associated with expansion of the maxillary PDL space (R 2 = 0.63, p = 0.009) and alterations in alveolar bone microarchitecture (trabecular thickness R 2 = 0.41 p = 0.061, trabecular number R 2 = 0.38 p = 0.07). These structural changes were accompanied by increased gingival expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including Il1b (SHAM vs. TAC: 1.44 ± 1.02 vs. 3.39 ± 1.53, p = 0.06) and TNF-α (SHAM vs. TAC: 1.37 ± 0.86 vs. 5.71 ± 1.23, p = 0.002 predominantly in the maxilla.HF is independently associated with impaired oral health in a large population cohort and induces site-specific periodontal inflammation and remodelling in experimental HF. These findings support HF as an upstream driver of compromised oral-periodontal health, challenging the prevailing concept that oral disease primarily contributes to cardiovascular pathology.
Semantic-guided edge enhancement for graph self-supervised learning in network intrusion detection
Macular degeneration dependent on defense mechanisms conditioned by chemical elements and genetic polymorphism
Computational analysis of a fractional order tumor–immune model with cancer stem cell dynamics and chemotherapeutic memory
Washed microbiota transplantation is associated with short-term changes in selected spirometric parameters in patients with abnormal spirometry
Multidimensional clinical psychological and quality of life benefits of cyclosporine a therapy in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis
Cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD) underlies the orange lemma trait and lignin reduction in barley
Abstract Barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.) is one of the world’s major cereal crops and is widely used for feed, brewing, and food. Reducing lignin content in barley grain and straw is beneficial for improving forage digestibility and enhancing the efficiency of bioethanol production. The orange lemma mutation—characterized by orange pigmentation of husks and nodes—has long been associated with altered lignin metabolism; however, its genetic basis has remained unclear. We show that Cinnamyl Alcohol Dehydrogenase ( CAD ) is the causal gene underlying the orange lemma phenotype in barley. Genetic mapping using a ‘Haruna Nijo’ × ‘L053’ F₂ population and the Barley 50 K SNP array defined a candidate region on chromosome 6H containing the CAD gene. Sequence analysis revealed that all orange lemma mutants, including both naturally occurring and EMS-induced lines, carried nucleotide changes in the CAD gene, resulting in amino acid substitutions or premature stop codons. Furthermore, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of CAD in the cultivar ‘Golden Promise’ reproduced the orange lemma phenotype, providing functional validation. The knockout plants also showed significantly lower lignin content than wild-type plants. These findings resolve a long-standing question regarding the genetic basis of the orange lemma trait and demonstrate that disruption of CAD alters lignin accumulation in barley. This work provides a valuable genetic resource for breeding barley cultivars with improved biomass utilization for feed and bioenergy applications.
Bedtime rumination mediates the burnout-insomnia link and relates to shift adaptation in emergency department staff
Elucidating the tolerance mechanisms of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) to bean broomrape (Orobanche crenata Forssk.) infested soil
Abstract Bean broomrape is one of the most destructive parasitic weeds limiting faba bean production in many Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries. This study aims to investigate the susceptibility of Faba bean genotypes to Bean Broomrape infestation. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate nine Faba bean cultivars with diverse genetic backgrounds. The tested cultivars were Sakha 1, Misr 3, Mariout 2, Giza 429, Giza 843, Giza 716, Nubaria 1, Nubaria 3, and Wadi 1. Giza 429 had the highest plant (73 cm), and Nubaria 1 had the greatest root fresh weight (39.3 g). Giza 429 produced the highest seed yield (3.2 t/ha) and the lowest Bean Broomrape dry weight (40.3 g/m 2 ). In contrast, Nubaria 1 was the most susceptible, with severe yield reduction (0.87 t/ha) and high infestation (110.4 g/m 2 ). Physio-biochemical analyses revealed that resistant cultivars (Giza 429, Misr 3) had increased antioxidant activity and phenolic content, while showing reduced proline. Tolerant cultivars had larger vascular cylinder diameters, wider xylem vessels, and thicker phloem tissue, which enhances nutrient transport and structural resistance to Bean Broomrape. Susceptible cultivars displayed reduced vascular development and smaller xylem vessel areas. Giza 429 is a promising genetic resource for breeding programs aimed at enhancing tolerance to broomrape. The findings highlight the potential contributions of biochemical defense responses and root anatomical adaptations to tolerance mechanisms in faba bean under O. crenata infestation.
Exploring key genes and prognostic validation of prostate cancer through transcriptome-wide association study
Abstract Prostate cancer (PC) is one of the most common malignant tumors among men worldwide. Although treatment methods for localized PC are relatively well-established, challenges remain due to difficulties in early diagnosis and issues with treatment resistance. This study combines genome-wide association study (GWAS) data with tissue-specific expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) data through a transcriptome-wide association study (TWAS) to explore key genes associated with PC. The study also includes differential expression analysis and survival analysis to further verify these findings. A total of 46 candidate genes were identified, and survival analysis using the Cancer Genome Atlas Prostate Adenocarcinoma (TCGA-PRAD) dataset revealed that the upregulation of asparagine synthetase (ASNS) is associated with poor prognosis, while the downregulation of sulfatase modifying factor 2 (SUMF2) is linked to adverse prognosis. The results suggest that ASNS and SUMF2 play important roles in the progression of PC and may serve as candidate prognostic biomarkers associated with PC progression.
A color image encryption method based on a CML–ECA neurodynamic chaotic system and TV-BST architecture
Pan-cancer profiling of CDH2 and a GSK3β-sensitive anti-proliferative effect in K562 chronic myeloid leukemia cells
Roadside trees along school routes enhance foliar particulate-matter retention but increase children’s pedestrian-level exposure
Abstract Children’s school commutes represent microenvironments where exposure to traffic-related particulate matter (PM) occurs at breathing height. Roadside trees are often promoted to reduce PM by capturing particles on their leaves, but dense tree crowns can also limit ventilation, increasing concentrations at pedestrian level. We quantified these effects along frequently used access routes to primary schools in Łódź, Poland. In June 2022, we measured PM2.5 and PM10 at 1.4 m above ground during commuting periods (n = 242). We assessed tree crown structures using two indicators: horizontal crown density (leaf area index, LAI) and vertical crown density (the proportion of tree crowns obstructing visibility). Our mixed-effects models showed that greater vertical crown density was associated with higher airborne PM: each one percentage-point increase in vertical crown density corresponded to roughly 1.9% more PM at child height. Higher horizontal crown density (LAI), by contrast, improved foliar retention — a 1% increase in LAI was associated with 0.52% and 0.56% higher foliar PM₁₀ and PM₂.₅, respectively. Thus, while roadside trees offer particulate deposition benefits, they may also increase pedestrian exposure. Urban planning should consider the balance between horizontal crown density and vertical crown density to limit airflow obstruction, rather than assuming higher vegetation density always enhances air quality.
Characterizing the flow-pressure relationship for flexible and navigable suction ureteral access sheaths in retrograde intrarenal surgery
First evidence of nanoplastics in Antarctica soil
Abstract Plastic contamination has become a global concern, with evidence even in remote regions like Antarctica. While macro- and microplastics have been documented in Antarctic marine ecosystems, their presence in soils - particularly submicro- and nanoplastics - remains poorly studied. This study analyses soil samples from the McMurdo Dry Valleys collected on January 8th to 28th, 2023, and reports the first detection of nanoplastics - including polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, and tyre wear particles - using thermal desorption proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry. These plastics were detected at multiple topsoil sampling sites ( n = 13), with concentrations reaching up to 295 ng g⁻¹ with nanoplastics detected above polymer-specific method detection limits at 54% of sites (median: 26.6 ng g⁻¹). They were also detected at lower concentrations in deeper soil layers (> 20 cm; n = 4), where nanoplastics were present at 50% of the sampled sites (median: 1.95 ng g⁻¹). Lagrangian particle dispersion model FLEXPART suggested seasonal deposition patterns, with inputs from both local sources and long-range atmospheric transport. This evidence shows that soils in one of Earth’s most pristine environments are not exempt from plastic contamination, with the reported concentrations providing a crucial baseline for global pollution assessments. These findings also highlight the urgent need to study plastic fate, transport, and ecological impacts in polar regions.
Zero-shot classification of ECG signals using CLIP-based models
Abstract In this study, we present a comprehensive evaluation of Contrastive Language-Image Pre-training (CLIP) for zero-shot electrocardiogram (ECG) classification across multiple datasets and diagnostic classes. Traditional ECG classification models require significant labeled training data for every diagnostic class, limiting their adaptability to new or unseen classes. To address this limitation, we trained and evaluated 24 CLIP-based models, composed of one image encoder (CNN Base, CNN V2, CNN V3, RNN, ISIBrno) and one text encoder (BioBERT, Bio+ClinicalBERT, bert-case-uncased) on 27 seen classes on three datasets (PTB-XL, Ningbo, and Gerogia) and evaluated zero-shot classification performance on 11 unseen classes. We investigate the impact of training dataset size, encoder architectures, and pretraining effects on both in-distribution and out-of-distribution generalization performance. Our experiments included internal evaluation (Experiment A) and external validation on two independent datasets (SPH and CODE-15%, Experiment B). The top-performing models achieves a macro-averaged ROC-AUC of 0.70 for zero-shot out-of-distribution classification, 0.70 for zero-shot in-distribution classification, and 0.83 for out-of-distribution classification with classic training. These results demonstrate that CLIP-based models can meaningfully classify ECG conditions beyond the scope of their training, offering a flexible alternative to current ECG diagnostic systems where clinical needs are constantly evolving.
Serum vitamin D level in children with bronchiolitis
Mathematical modeling of peritoneal buffer transport and acidosis correction in patients on peritoneal dialysis
Abstract Assessing buffer base kinetics in dialysate using the three-pore model of peritoneal transport is not enough to predict changes to the acid-base equilibrium in blood during peritoneal dialysis (PD). We complemented the three-pore model with a model of acid-base homeostasis to evaluate differences between PD sessions using dialysis fluid buffered with lactate (PD4) or bicarbonate/lactate (B/L). Six patients underwent two 4-hour dwells with either B/L or PD4; blood and peritoneal fluid sampling was used to quantify intraperitoneal volume—using a radioiodinated albumin as volume marker—and solute concentrations. The integrated model describes CO 2 and O 2 transport across central circulation and tissues, predicting changes in acid-base equilibrium driven by peritoneal transport of bicarbonate, lactate, and dissolved CO 2 . The model accurately predicted dialysate concentrations of bicarbonate and dissolved CO 2 , with errors in the range 5–10% of measured values for both fluids, and with similar prediction errors for plasma concentrations despite tuning the model to dialysate data only. Estimated transport parameters fell into the expected ranges and were generally comparable between fluids. These results validate our understanding of transport kinetics and acid-base homeostasis during PD, demonstrating that different buffer compositions do not appear to impact small solute transport nor mechanisms of acid-base regulation.