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Risk factors of depressive and anxiety symptoms in Chinese adolescent girls: a cross-sectional study

Uricase deficiency in rats results in a variety of metabolic disorders, addition to gouty nephropathy

Clinical evidence suggests that hyperuricemia is frequently associated with hyperglycemia (diabetes), hyperlipidemia, and hypertension. However, this relationship has not been fully verified in experimental animals. The present study used uricase-deficient rats (KDY rats, n = 125) with spontaneously elevated levels of serum uric acid (SUA) as the model animals and investigated their metabolic conditions throughout their lifespan (626 days of age). The serum, urine and feces of the rats were collected, histological examination was performed using hematoxylin-eosin or Masson’s staining, and gene expression was determined using transcriptome high-throughput sequencing. Compared with wild type (WT) rats of the same age, the SUA levels in KDY rats were continuously high (approximately 70 μg/mL), and the body weight gain slowed after 45 days of age, followed by increased urine output, diabetes mellitus (hyperglycemia), high low-density lipoprotein, and hypercholesterolemia. Histological examination showed that gouty nephropathy appeared after approximately 45 days of age, before the rats developed medullary injury, medullary interstitial fibrosis, cortical glomerulus injury, and glomerular fibrosis. KDY rats also showed signs of atherosclerosis and hypertension in the late stage of their lifespan. The lifespan of KDY rats was significantly shorter than that of WT rats (more than 626 days). The expected lifespan of KDY rats is approximately 450 days, and the direct cause of the shortened lifespan is renal failure caused by gout nephropathy. The direct mechanisms of the lesions in KDY are related to the upregulation of various of inflammatory (immune) pathways. In conclusion, it demonstrated that hyperuricemia in KDY rats leads to type 2 diabetes mellitus (hyperglycemia), hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, and hypertension, in addition to gouty nephropathy.

Prevalence and correlates of smoked and smokeless tobacco use in Saudi Arabia: evidence from the 2021 national health survey

Ischemic duration determines extent of cardiac remodeling, and both early and delayed reperfusion prevent fatal cardiac rupture: Model comparison

High incidence of cardiac rupture in murine myocardial infarction (MI) model leads to a substantial loss before the study end-point. Selecting animal models with varying degrees of injury for different research purposes is crucial for cardiovascular research. Male C57 mice were subjected to ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) or permanent occlusion (MI) injury. The incidence of cardiac rupture, degree of myocardial injury, inflammatory responses, left ventricular (LV) remodeling and infarct myocardium healing were examined. Compared to MI mice, early reperfusion (1, 2 and 4h I/R) completely prevented cardiac rupture, while delayed reperfusion (12h and 24h I/R) significantly reduced incidence of cardiac rupture to 5.7% and 8.6%, respectively. In the acute phase, prolonged ischemia increased infarct size, myocyte apoptosis, and both systemic and regional inflammatory responses. These changes correspond to enhanced MMP-9 activity and a weakening of the tensile strength of the infarcted myocardium. Following ischemic insult, early reperfusion was associated with less extent of myocardial injury, inflammatory response and adverse cardiac remodeling, whereas, delayed reperfusion and MI groups exhibited severe myocardial damage and remodeling. Furthermore, both early and delayed reperfusion were associated with increased infiltration of type 2 macrophages and proliferation of endothelial cells during the early healing phase, thereby facilitating healing of the infarct myocardium. Delayed reperfusion resulted in a comparable and substantial degree of cardiac remodeling but with a lower risk of cardiac rupture in comparison with MI model. This feature makes it a feasible model for cardiac ischemia research.

Social relations and cellphone addiction mediate the relationship between sleep and quality of life in medical students residing in dormitories

Understanding the evolving treatment landscape of hidradenitis suppurativa: An analysis of All of Us

Background Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic skin condition with significant burden for affected patients. The development of new therapies in the last decade has brought hope for better patient outcomes, but understanding the use of these new drug classes is necessary to ensure patient access to care. Methods We analysed data from 2636 HS patients within NIH’s All of Us research program from June 2017 and October 1, 2023 to examine the likelihood of patients receiving certain classes of drugs based on socio-demographic factors and comorbid health conditions, as well as how these drug classes impact quality of life. We also examined trends in the number of prescriptions over time. Results Antibiotics were most frequently prescribed, with higher numbers administered to females. Small molecule inhibitors and biologic medications were prescribed at low levels. We found that socio-demographic factors such as ethnicity, income and insurance provider influence the types of drugs patients are most likely to receive, with African American individuals more likely to receive antibiotics and immunosuppressive drugs and less likely to receive small molecule inhibitors. We also found that comorbid conditions significantly influence the likelihood of patients receiving specific drugs, with higher odds of receiving biologics if a patient has a comorbid rheumatic/autoimmune disorder. Antibiotics and immunosuppressive drugs were associated with less favourable quality of life measures, as well as a higher likelihood of anxiety and depression. Conclusions This work uncovers the varied landscape of HS treatment in the US and highlights the factors that influence treatment choices and how these treatments impact quality of life. It also provides an understanding of the social disparities that some populations face when accessing HS care, informing future decisions and practices to reduce these inequities.

A pattern and lock strategy integrating acoustic patterning and hydrogel crosslinking for stable cell architectures

Effects of different blood flow rates on filter and circuit life in non-anticoagulation CRRT: Protocol for a three-arm, single-blind randomized controlled trial (the Flow-CRRT Study)

Background Non-anticoagulation is a commonly used strategy in continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) among patients with high-bleeding risk. However, the optimal blood flow rate (BFR) to maximize filter and circuit life remains uncertain. This study is designed to elucidate the impact of different BFRs on the durability of filters and circuits in CRRT without anticoagulation. Methods This single-center, prospective, three-arm, single-blind, randomized controlled trial (RCT) will involve adult patients requiring non-anticoagulation continuous veno-venous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF). A total of 486 filters and circuits will be enrolled and randomly assigned to one of three BFR groups: low (150 mL/min), medium (200 mL/min), or high (250 mL/min) BFR group. The outcomes will be analyzed by both intention-to-treat analysis and per-protocol analysis. The primary outcome is filter and circuit life, which is defined as the time from CRRT initiation to CRRT termination due to extracorporeal circuit clotting or other reasons, alongside the proportion of patent circuits at 24, 48, and 72 hours. Secondary outcomes encompass clinical outcomes and potential adverse events such as bleeding and hemodynamic alterations. Discussion This study is aiming at comparing the filter and circuit life under different BFR levels during CVVHDF without anti-coagulation. The results may add knowledge to the optimal BFR to prevent extracorporeal circulation clotting and prolong filter and circuit life in non-anticoagulation CRRT. Trial registration The study has been registered at https://www.chictr.org.cn (ChiCTR2400087819).

Effects of brief mindfulness meditation on compassion and personal distress using the socio-affective video task

Understanding the influence of marine nutrients on insectivorous and herbivorous reptiles in the Gulf of California islands

Marine subsidies in the extremely arid islands of the northern Gulf of California have been shown to be important enhancing primary productivity and fueling the terrestrial food webs. This effect has been proved in plants, insects, lizards and rodents. The aims of our study were first to determine whether insectivorous lizards from a wide array of islands, including some in the central and southern part of the Gulf, are consuming marine derived products, and secondly to assess its impact on herbivore lizards as well. We hypothesized that the availability and use of marine nutrients for lizards would vary depending on island aridity, island size, and the presence of seabird colonies nearby. To test the hypothesis, we analyzed the isotopic niches of 13 populations of insectivorous lizards (genus Uta) and 9 populations of herbivore iguanas (genera Dipsosarus, Ctenosaura, and Sauromalus) across 16 islands spanning 5 latitude degrees and 350 nautical miles. Our results showed that the proximity of seabird colonies play a key role in reinforcing the presence of marine origin nutrients in both insectivorous and herbivore populations. The ubiquity of seabird colonies on the northern islands combined with higher aridity in the northern part of the Gulf, creates a northward gradient in the importance of marine subsidies for both insectivorous and herbivore lizards, across the Gulf islands. δ13C variation in insectivorous lizards’ tissues was significantly correlated with island aridity/latitude, while the presence of significant seabird colonies nearby was significantly correlated with δ15N variation. The results were less clear in the herbivore group of species. Insectivorous and herbivorous share a large portion (70%) of their isotopic space. The incorporation of the highly enriched 15N to both type of lizards is happening for the two possible ways, the presence of guano, that may be driving plant fertilization, and the direct consumption of insects associated to the birds (or birds’ products, as eggs or corpses); but we could not differentiate between them. The size of the islands was not relevant in our results, possibly due to our sampling design. Additional isotopic analysis of plants and arthropods and in a gradient coast-inland could provide a more comprehensive view of the nutrient flow within these island ecosystems and the effect of the island size.

Optical soliton solutions, dynamical and sensitivity analysis for fractional perturbed Gerdjikov–Ivanov equation

Targeting the cyclin D/CDK4 Axis to unlock new therapeutic approaches to enhance cancer treatment

Dysregulation of the cyclin D/CDK complex is a common feature in various cancers, including colorectal, breast, and melanoma, leading to uncontrolled tumor growth and cell cycle progression. Targeting this complex has become a compelling therapeutic approach in oncology. FDA-approved CDK4/6 inhibitors, such as ribociclib, palbociclib, and abemaciclib, have demonstrated clinical efficacy, significantly improving patient outcomes. However, the development of resistance to these therapies emphasizes the urgent need for alternative strategies to overcome therapeutic limitations. The current study explores the potential of new inhibitors targeting the cyclin D/CDK axis by using virtual screening and molecular dynamics simulations. We conducted a virtual screening of the Zinc and PubChem databases, by utilizing a pharmacophore model generated by PocketQuery, to identify new candidate inhibitors of the cyclin D/CDK4 complex. The findings offer promising leads for further optimization, potentially paving the way for developing more effective treatments that circumvent resistance mechanisms and expand therapeutic options for cancer patients. Further experimental validation and in vivo studies are necessary to confirm the efficacy of these candidates and translate them into viable clinical treatments.

Nutritional profiling and sensory evaluation of hilsa Tenualosa Ilisha (Hamilton, 1822) eggs roe from three different locations of Bangladesh

Abstract Hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha) eggs roe is considered delicacy food products among consumers and has high potential due to its superior nutrients. This study, conducted in 2023, examined the nutritional profiling and sensory attributes of T. ilisha eggs roe from Cox’s Bazar, Chandpur, and Patuakhali regions in Bangladesh. Majority of the bioimetrical and morphometric parameters were significantly (P < 0.05) varied across distinct areas. The eggs roe proximate composition were significantly (P < 0.05) influenced by different areas. Significant (P < 0.05) variations were found in most of the amino acid contents in Hilsa eggs from distinct locations. Glutamic acid (14.20–14.60%) was the predominant amino acid in all locations, followed by alanine (12.77–13.03%), aspartic acid (8.60–9.50%), and leucine (8.43-9.00%). Among 22 identified fatty acids in Hilsa eggs roe, C16:0 (31.08–32.86%), C18:1n-9 (20.73–22.23%), and C22:6n-3(5.55–5.68%) dominated as major SFA, MUFA, and PUFA, respectively. Significantly (P < 0.05) the highest Σω-3 were detected in the egg’s roe from Patuakhali. The mineral composition showed significant (P < 0.05) differences across diverse locations. The eggs roe from Patuakhali had significantly (P < 0.05) increased taste and appearance. Hence, these findings suggested that eggs roe development from Patuakhali region could be better compared to other area for human health benefit in terms of nutritional point of view.

Determining post-orthognathic surgery profile: A validation study on the potential of modified chin point as a reliable predictor

Objectives To investigate the validity of the modified chin point (MCP) as a reliable predictor for post-orthognathic surgery profile. Materials and methods 136 three-dimensional (3D) facial images from 68 patients (28 males and 40 females; mean age 24.6 ± 5.3 years) were collected. An artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted in-house software program was developed to automatically localize landmarks, compute the MCP, and perform automated distance measurements. The Steiner’s S line and Ricketts’ E line were computed for each scan to assess lip positioning relative to the reference lines. Validity was established by comparing MCP measurements to those from the actual chin point (ACP). Results No significant differences (p > 0.01) were observed in upper lip (UL) and lower lip (LL) positions between post-surgery ACP and MCP. Mean error (ME) and mean absolute error (MAE) for UL and LL positions in relation to ‘S’ and ‘E’ lines were generally small. Strong positive correlations were observed between ACP and MCP variables for UL measurements, while moderate positive correlations were observed for LL measurements for both ‘S’ and ‘E’ lines. Additionally, MCP-based post-surgery aesthetic lip positions did not differ significantly (p > 0.01) across genders. Conclusions This study provides evidence supporting MCP’s effectiveness in guiding aesthetic lip positioning in patients undergoing orthognathic surgery (OS). MCP is reliable and consistent in estimating post-surgery UL position and moderately reliable in estimating post-surgery LL position, validating its use as a predictor for the post-orthognathic surgery profile. Clinical significance The MCP-based prediction model can be easily incorporated into pre-surgical planning, allowing orthognathic surgeons and orthodontists to make appropriate adjustments to treatment plans, ensuring optimal treatment outcomes.

Improved railway track faults detection using Mel-frequency cepstral coefficient and constant-Q transform features

Is the pay-for-performance program associated with better quality of life among type 2 diabetes patients, including those with gastrointestinal conditions, in Taiwan? A cross-sectional survey

Background Many studies have shown that Taiwan’s diabetes pay-for-performance (P4P) program can improve several patients’ clinical outcomes; however, it remains unclear whether P4P initiatives yield effects on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for all diabetes patients as well as those with comorbidities, especially comorbid gastrointestinal conditions. Purpose In this study, we evaluated the effects of the diabetes P4P program on QoL among all patients as well as the effects of this program on QoL among patients with comorbid gastrointestinal conditions. Methods Data were collected across 6 hospitals. We used the five-level version of the EuroQol-5 Dimension (EQ-5D-5L) to obtain scores for health disutility. The scores for these measures were subsequently predicted via a generalized linear model (GLM) with a gamma distribution. We also applied propensity score weighting (PSW) to adjust for potential selection bias. Results After PSW, P4P program participation was found to be significantly correlated with lower EQ-5D disutility scores among all patients (parameter = −0.169, [−0.325, −0.012], P = 0.034). Additionally, P4P program participation was significantly correlated with a lower EQ-5D disutility score among patients with comorbid gastrointestinal conditions (parameter = −0.604, [−0.891, −0.317], P < 0.001). Conclusion Our findings suggest that participation in the diabetes P4P program is associated with improved HRQoL among all patients with type 2 diabetes, including those with gastrointestinal comorbidities. A P4P model incorporating continuing education, coordinated care, and regular follow-up may be particularly beneficial in enhancing HRQoL for patients with gastrointestinal complications.

A hybrid ECC-AES encryption framework for secure and efficient cloud-based data protection

Fetal programming through early weaning shapes the metabotype of Nelore heifers

This study investigated the effects of fetal programming induced by early weaning (EW) of the previous calf on the serum metabotype of Nelore heifers. A 2 × 2 factorial design was employed, considering maternal category (multiparous vs. second-parity) and weaning strategy [EW vs. conventional weaning (CW)]. A total of 55 heifers were evaluated, including 25 born to cows subjected to EW (15 multiparous, 10 second-parity) and 30 born to cows subjected to CW (15 multiparous, 15 second-parity). Serum samples were collected from heifers at an average age of 14 months prior to the initiation pf the fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) protocol, and metabolomic profiling was conducted using ¹H-NMR spectroscopy. Data analysis was performed using R software and MetaboAnalyst 6.0. The effects of weaning strategy and maternal category were assessed through partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and differential abundance analysis, while enrichment analysis was applied to identify biological pathways associated with the observed metabolic changes. The results demonstrated significant effects of weaning strategy, maternal category, and their interaction on the serum metabotype. Heifers born to second-parity cows subjected to EW exhibited elevated concentrations of glutamate, acetate, citrate, and hippurate compared to those subjected to CW, whereas no significant differences between weaning strategies were observed in heifers born to multiparous cows. Weaning strategies modulated metabolic pathways related to energy metabolism, amino acid utilization, and gluconeogenesis. Furthermore, heifers born to multiparous cows displayed higher serum levels of phenylalanine, creatine phosphate, and glutamine, indicating enhanced nutrient availability for growth, development, and metabolic programming compared to their counterparts born to second-parity cows. These findings underscore the potential of EW to improve metabolic efficiency and nutrient reallocation, particularly under conditions of limited feed availability or heightened physiological demands. Overall, this study offers valuable insights into the metabolic programming of beef cattle, supporting strategies to optimize weaning protocols and enhance productivity in cattle production systems.

Optimization of clayey soil parameters with aeolian sand through response surface methodology and a desirability function

PLA2R1 and HLA-DQA1 SNP in patients with primary membranous nephropathy

Background Primary membranous nephropathy is a widely recognized autoimmune disease associated with podocyte antigens; the most important autoantigen is PLA2R1. PLA2R1 and HLA-DQA1 play important roles in the production of pathogenic antibodies. The purpose of this study was to observe the relationship between gene polymorphisms and primary membranous nephropathy and explore the clinical functional clues of PLA2R1 and HLA-DQA1 genes affecting treatment responsiveness. Method The study enrolled 89 patients with primary membranous nephropathy and 91 healthy people as a control. Single-nucleotide polymorphism loci (seven on PLA2R1 and two on HLA-DQA1) were identified using the PCR-Sanger technique. The patients were followed up until the 12th month, and relevant clinical data were collected. The relationship between these single-nucleotide polymorphism loci and primary membranous nephropathy remission was analyzed. Result Genotypic and allelic frequency distributions for six single-nucleotide polymorphisms within PLA2R1 (rs4664308, rs3792189, rs3792192, rs1870102, rs17831251, and rs35771982) and one in HLA-DQA1 (rs2187668) were associated with morbidity of primary membranous nephropathy. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms rs1870102, rs17831251, and rs2187668 were statistically significant in the genetic model analysis. The odds ratio for primary membranous nephropathy in patients carrying rs2187668 GG and rs1870102 AA was 52.875. We found that PLA2R1 single-nucleotide polymorphism rs36771982 was related to proteinuria remission at the 12th month, and found in further analysis that PLA2R1 single-nucleotide polymorphisms rs3792189, rs3792192, rs17831251, and rs35771982 were related to treatment response in the RTX group. Conclusion In this study, we found several PLA2R1 and HLA-DQA1 single-nucleotide polymorphism loci associated with primary membranous nephropathy morbidity and that some PLA2R1 single-nucleotide polymorphism loci were related to the treatment response of patients with primary membranous nephropathy.