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The relationship between oxLDL, sLOX-1, PCSK9 and carotid intima-media thickness in patients with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes

Optimized transmission of multi-path low-latency routing for electricity internet of things based on SDN task distribution

With the continuous development of 5G network, how to further improve the routing and transmission efficiency of electric power IoT has become a popular research at present. Facing the current problems of high data transmission delay, low efficiency, and large task volume in the electric power IoT, this research combines software-defined networking to design a multi-path low-latency routing and transmission model under the concept of task allocation. First, the grid data communication network model and network slicing technology in 5G power IoT are introduced. On this basis, considering the data transmission in the core network in the power IoT, a multi-path low-latency routing optimization transmission model based on software-defined network task allocation is designed by combining the software-defined network controller and task allocation concept. The results indicated that the average delay of the designed model is only 15.78ms when the transmission task size is 10KB and 23.38ms when the transmission task size is 50KB. In addition, the designed model was able to achieve a throughput of 298bps in the local area network and the lowest jitter and packet loss in the wide area network, which are 0.13ms and 0.001%. It can be concluded that the constructed multi-path low-latency routing and transmission model can not only provide theoretical guidance for the optimization of data transmission in the power IoT, but also lay the foundation for the in-depth application and development of software-defined networking in the power IoT and other fields.

Synergizing GIS and genetic algorithms to enhance road management and fund allocation with a comprehensive case study approach

Experimental study on in-situ simulation of rainfall-induced soil erosion in forest lands converted to cash crop areas in Dabie Mountains

Soil erosion is a pervasive global challenge and a significant ecological and environmental concern in China. Its occurrence frequently triggers ecological crises, including soil degradation and water contamination. It is of great scientific and practical significance to study the factors influencing the mechanism of soil erosion occurrence. Economic development in the Dabie Mountains of China has necessitated the conversion of vast tracts of forest land into economic crops, notably tea gardens and orchards, thereby disrupting soil structure and precipitating large-scale soil erosion. Rainfall serves as the primary catalyst for soil erosion in this region. Therefore, this study was designed to reveal the evolution characteristics of rainfall-induced slope erosion and the key influencing factors in the forest land converted to cash crop area in Dabie Mountains. It focused on a tea plantation slope of the Dabie Mountains, employing four rainfall scenarios, i.e. light rain, moderate rain, heavy rain, and heavy rain following drought, to conduct in-situ simulation experiments, mirroring the prevalent rainfall patterns in the study region. Monitoring stations for soil moisture content, slope runoff, and soil erosion were strategically positioned at varying depths across experimental plots with vegetation cover percentages of 20%, 40%, and 60%. Mathematical methods of descriptive statistics were used to analyze the monitored runoff, soil erosion and soil water content data, and to study the characteristics of their changes and response relationships. The findings underscore that rainfall prompts a swift surge in surface soil moisture, destabilizing the soil surface and culminating in slope erosion; thus, the rate of change in surface soil moisture content emerges as a pivotal indicator for predicting slope soil erosion. Furthermore, within the bounds of rainfall infiltration, preceding drought conditions followed by intense rainfall exacerbate soil erosion accumulation, highlighting the significance of initial soil moisture content as a critical factor. Lastly, for the economic crop cultivation zones in the Dabie Mountains, achieving a vegetation cover of 40% or more can significantly enhance soil water retention capacity and the overall soil and water conservation efficacy.

3,5,6,7,8,3’,4’- Heptamethoxyflavonoid inhibits TGF-β1-induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition by regulating oxidative stress and autophagy through MEK/ERK/PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway

Immunoinformatic strategy for developing multi-epitope subunit vaccine against Helicobacter pylori

Helicobacter pylori is a gram-negative bacterium that persistently infects the human stomach, leading to peptic ulcers, gastritis, and an increased risk of gastric cancer. The extremophilic characteristics of this bacterium make it resistant to current drug treatments, and there are no licensed vaccines available against H. pylori. Computational approaches offer a viable alternative for designing antigenic, stable, and safe vaccines to control infections caused by this pathogen. In this study, we employed an immunoinformatic strategy to design a set of candidate multi-epitope subunit vaccines by combining the most potent B and T cell epitopes from three targeted antigenic proteins (BabA, CagA, and VacA). Out of the 12 hypothetical vaccines generated, two (HP_VaX_V1 and HP_VaX_V2) were found to be strongly immunogenic, non-allergenic, and structurally stable. The proposed vaccine candidates were evaluated based on population coverage, molecular docking, immune simulations, codon adaptation, secondary mRNA structure, and in silico cloning. The vaccine candidates exhibited antigenic scores of 1.19 and 1.01, with 93.5% and 90.4% of the most rama-favored regions, respectively. HP_VaX_V1 and HP_VaX_V2 exhibited the strongest binding affinity towards TLR-7 and TLR-8, as determined by molecular docking simulations (ΔG = −20.3 and −20.9, respectively). Afterward, multi-scale normal mode analysis simulation revealed the structural flexibility and stability of vaccine candidates. Additionally, immune simulations showed elevated levels of cell-mediated immunity, while repeated exposure simulations indicated rapid antigen clearance. Finally, in silico cloning was performed using the expression vector pET28a (+) with optimized restriction sites to develop a viable strategy for large-scale production of the chosen vaccine constructs. These analyses suggest that the proposed vaccines may elicit potent immune responses against H. pylori, but laboratory validation is needed to verify their safety and immunogenicity.

Biological control of Schistocerca gregaria and Locusta migratoria migratorioides using Entomopathogenic bacteria

Abstract This study investigated the potential of indigenous entomopathogenic bacterial (EPB) strains from Egypt to control the two most prevalent locust species, Schistocerca gregaria (Forsskål) (Orthoptera: Acrididae), and Locusta migratoria migratorioides (Reiche & Fairmaire) (Orthoptera: Acrididae). To assess the efficacy of the EPB strains, experiments were conducted in the laboratory, semi field, and field. The results showed that Xenorhabdus nematophila (Thomas et Poinar) BA2 (Enterobacterales: Morganellaceae) and Photorhabdus luminescens (Thomas et Poinar) EGAP3 (Enterobacterales: Morganellaceae) were the most effective strains against S. gregaria and L. migratoria migratorioides in laboratory settings. Under semi-field conditions, X. nematophila BA2 recorded nymphal mortality rates of 89.31% and 85.00% against the 2nd and 5th nymph instars of S. gregaria, respectively, and P. luminescens EGAP3 showed nymphal mortality rates of 88.00% and 80.00% against the 2nd and 5th nymph instars of S. gregaria, respectively. In field trials, X. nematophila BA2 exhibited the highest nymphal mortality rate of 88.70% at 7 days after spraying. Overall, the findings of this study suggest that X. nematophila BA2 and P. luminescens EGAP3 are promising candidates for environment-friendly, safe locust pest management. Further research is needed to explore and develop these bacteria for commercial use in agriculture.

Evaluation of a pilot family planning educational seminar and subsequent attitudes towards family planning among Muslim communities in Tanzania

Evidence has demonstrated that uncertainty about compatibility with religious beliefs and limited health knowledge hinder uptake of family planning (FP), even among women who would like to prevent or delay childbearing. Empowering women and men to choose the number and timing of children is a global goal and enhances both maternal and child health. Building on data demonstrating the effectiveness of religious leaders in Tanzania to provide public health information in communities, the aim of this study was to understand whether and how an educational seminar about FP that was provided to Tanzanian Muslim religious leaders could be an effective means by which education about FP could reach members of their communities. This study employed a mixed-methods approach to pilot-test a one-day educational seminar about social, medical, and theological aspects of FP. The seminar was provided to Muslim religious leaders from two mosques in northwest Tanzania in April 2022. Six weeks after the seminar, the same religious leaders were invited to evaluate the seminar both by a quantitative survey assessing acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility, and in in-depth interviews. Interviews explored participants’ knowledge and perceptions of FP, views of its permissibility in Islam, and actions that they had taken since attending the seminar. Demographic and survey data was analyzed using R software. Thematic analysis using de-identified transcripts was performed using NVivo (Version 12). In June 2022, 48 Muslim religious leaders (26 women; 22 men) completed the quantitative survey and in-depth interviews. Participants rated the seminar as highly acceptable, appropriate, and feasible, with mean scores above 4.5 out of 5 for every statement. Participants viewed the seminar as enlightening and expressed that it improved their knowledge about FP and enabled them to consider FP from both medical and Islamic faith-based viewpoints. Others described having taught their communities about FP and described the positive impact the seminar had for enhancing couple communication and enabling FP uptake for those desiring to use it. Almost all participants recommended that the seminars return to their community more frequently and indicated the importance of allowing discussion time for men and women separately during part of the seminar. Muslim religious leaders reported feeling equipped by an educational seminar to teach about FP to their communities. These data highlight the high potential of trusted religious leaders to build knowledge about FP, which could address women’s current unsatisfied demand for FP and promote maternal and child health in Muslim communities in Tanzania.

Analysis of graphene coatings on various metallic/oxide crystal/composite material substrates using machine learning for enhanced solar thermal energy conversion

Direct detection and identification of viruses in saliva using a SpecID ionization modified mass spectrometer

The COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has led to a significant mortality globally and persistent health challenges in many survivors. Early accurate diagnosis, surveillance, identification of cohorts, and prophylaxis are considered essential measures to reduce the spread of infectious viral pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2. A reliable, fast, high-throughput screening method that can detect viral particles and identify the pathogenic virus in infected individuals could help to reduce the spread of the next viral threat through quick knowledge and implementation of appropriate prevention strategies. Since respiratory viruses are typically present in nasal and oral secretions, saliva is a good target for testing for viral infections. Saliva testing has slowly gained popularity in the diagnostics based on biomarkers and other constituents ranging from organic compounds ( e . g ., food additives), peptides, and even microorganisms. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) remains the gold standard for sensitive detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection in biological samples. However, while PCR testing for COVID is sensitive and widely used by hospitals, the method has a false-negative rate of 15–20% and is kit-based necessitating the development of alternative methods of detection that provide higher accuracy. This paper describes the use of a SpecID Mass Spectrometer that can detect the presence of viral particles in saliva at very low levels (<500 virions/0.5 ml). The main goal of this study was to demonstrate that our previously developed, portable, mass spectrometry based method, SpecID, could also be sued for detecting viruses in saliva, including but not limited to SARS-CoV-2; the SpecID method has the potential to provide a reliable solution that overcomes some of the challenges with molecular testing like PCR.

Real-world data of dacomitinib as first-line treatment for patients with EGFR-mutant non-small-cell lung cancer

Characterization of gene expression profiles in Alzheimer’s disease and osteoarthritis: A bioinformatics study

Background Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Osteoarthritis (OA) have been shown to have a close association in previous studies, but the pathogenesis of both diseases are unclear. This study explores the potential common molecular mechanisms between AD and OA through bioinformatics analysis, providing new insights for clinical treatment strategies. Methods The AD and OA-related datasets were downloaded from the gene expression database GEO. The datasets were analyzed to obtain differentially expressed gene (DEG) datasets for OA and AD, respectively. The intersection of these DEGs was analyzed to identify common DEGs (Co-DEGs). Subsequently, the Co-DEGs were enriched, and a protein-protein interaction network was constructed to identify core genes. The expression of these genes was validated in a separate dataset, and their diagnostic value for the diseases was analyzed. In addition, the core genes were analyzed using gene set enrichment analysis and single-gene genome variation analysis. Results Analysis of DEGs on gene chips from OA and AD patients revealed significant changes in gene expression patterns. Notably, EFEMP2 and TSPO, genes associated with inflammatory responses, showed lower expression levels in both AD and OA patients, suggesting a downregulation in the pathological backgrounds of these diseases. Additionally, GABARAPL1, which is crucial for the maturation of autophagosomes, was found to be upregulated in both conditions. These findings suggest the potential of these genes as diagnostic biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets. However, to confirm the effectiveness of these genes as therapeutic targets, more in-depth mechanistic studies are needed in the future, particularly to explore the feasibility and specific mechanisms of combating disease progression by regulating the expression of these genes. Conclusions This study suggests that AD and OA shares common molecular mechanisms. The identification of EFEMP2, GABARAPL1, and TSPO as key target genes highlights potential common factors in both diseases. Further investigation into these findings could lead to new candidate targets and treatment directions for AD and OA, offering promising avenues for developing more effective and targeted therapeutic interventions.

Numerical investigation of water droplet collision dynamics on moving surfaces

Association between wasting and inadequate breastfeeding practices among infants under six months in SNNPR and Somali regions of Ethiopia: A multilevel cross-sectional study

Background Wasting is a severe threat to children’s survival and development. Attaining optimal breastfeeding practices for infants under six months of age remains a significant challenge in low-income countries. This study assessed the association between wasting and breastfeeding practices among infants under six months of age in the SNNPR and Somali regions of Ethiopia. Methods The study used data from a large feasibility study conducted in the SNNPR and Somali regions of Ethiopia, from August-September 2021. This study involved 895 infants under six months of age with their mothers. The Poisson regression model with robust variance estimation was used to produce adjusted prevalence ratios (APRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results The prevalence of wasting was 16.5% (95% CI: 14.2, 19.2) among infants under six months of age. Non-exclusive breastfeeding (APR = 1.50; 95% CI:1.02, 2.21), delayed initiation of breastfeeding (APR = 1.52; CI:1.00, 2.30), being male infants (APR = 1.50; 95% CI:1.09, 2.07), and mothers who attained primary level (APR = 0.62; 95% CI: 0.40, 0.95) or secondary level education (APR = 0.30; 95% CI: 0.09, 0.99) were independently associated with wasting in the multivariable analysis. Conclusion This study indicates a high prevalence of wasting among infants under six months of age. Non-exclusive breastfeeding and delayed initiation of breastfeeding were the modifiable factors significantly linked to infant wasting. Strengthening breastfeeding promotion and support may help reduce wasting in infants under six months.

A hybrid machine learning model for intrusion detection in wireless sensor networks leveraging data balancing and dimensionality reduction

YouTube as an information source in deep margin elevation: Reliability, accuracy and quality analysis

The objective of this research was to assess the accuracy, quality, content, and demographics of videos on YouTube concerning deep margin elevation (DME). Initially, 100 videos for each of the three keywords were analyzed. The content categories of these videos were diverse, encompassing educational materials, teaching techniques, advertisements, and other types of content. The evaluation of the videos was carried out based on the Global Quality Scale (GQS), the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmark, and the modified-DISCERN questionnaire (m-DISCERN). Non-distributed data were analyzed using the Kruskal Wallis test and the Spearman correlation coefficient. The JAMA score was 1 for four videos, 2–3 for 38, and 4 for 14 videos; the GQS score was 1–2 for 18 videos, 3 for 11 videos, and 4–5 for 27 videos; and the m-DISCERN score was < 3 for 39 videos, 3 for four videos, and > 3 for 13 (for a total of 56 videos). Statistically significant differences were observed only for the JAMA scores when comparing the video source groups (p = 0.001). There were significant positive correlations between the GQS and m-DISCERN and m-DISCERN and JAMA scores (p < 0.001 and p = 0.049, respectively). The findings indicated that YouTube videos related to DME generally exhibited high-quality content but only moderate accuracy and poor reliability.

Metal oxides carbon xerogel nanocomposite for methanol oxidation fuel cell

Abstract The primary requirement for electrode materials in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC) is efficient electrocatalyst that exhibit high tolerance to methanol oxidation, excellent stability, and reasonable cost. The combination of distinct active materials with distinctive architectures may facilitate the attainment of this objective. The present study included the preparation of a Carbon Xerogel Doped with various metal oxides derived from Banana peels. The nanocomposites were thoroughly examined utilizing several characterization modalities including XRD, FTIR, and SEM. The electrocatalytic performance of Carbon xerogel doped with Iron (Fe3O4/CX), carbon xerogel doped with magnesium (MgO/CX), and carbon xerogel doped with Copper (CuO/CX) about the Methanol Oxidation Reaction (MOR) was investigated using electrochemical methods such as cyclic voltammetry, impedance spectroscopy, and chronoamperometry. The results showed that the Fe3O4/CX, MgO/CX, and CuO/CX are effective electrocatalysts with an onset potential of around 1.00 V and current densities of approximately 42.98 mA cm − 2, 28.2784 mA.cm − 2, and 6.60698 mA.cm − 2, respectively, in the optimized electrolyte for methanol oxidation. The stability of Fe3O4/CX, MgO/CX, and CuO/CX electrodes was examined using chronoamperometry and the Cyclic Stability method. The results revealed that the (Fe3O4/CX) electrode exhibited outstanding stability throughout the whole 60-minute chronoamperometry Technique and demonstrated great stability for 100 cycles in the Cyclic Stability technique. The remarkable electrochemical activity and stability may be attributed to the synergistic effect of Fe3O4/CX, which provided sufficient active sites for methanol electro-oxidation and reduced the equivalent series resistance, as shown by the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis. This work used environmentally friendly materials, which presents a novel opportunity to enhance the efficiency of methanol oxidation via the utilization of affordable catalysts. This study of the theoretical technique methods for establishing the route of methanol decomposition, and systematizes their confirmation with experimental data, within the methodological framework.

Optimized fertilization patterns increase foxtail millet biomass on the distribution and transformation in Loess Plateau of China

Organic manure or microbial fertilizers are essential sources of plant nutrients to supplement farmland soil, and organic and inorganic fertilizers are considered an effective way to achieve sustainable agriculture by improving the soil and increasing crop yields. This experimental material was used foxtail millet (Setaria italica) “Changsheng 07”and started in the growing season of 2017–2018 in a dry farming area of northern Shaanxi Province, with five different fertilizing patterns, and each four repetitions, including T1(N,45kg·hm-2),T2(N,60kg·hm-2; P2O5 30kg·hm-2),T3(N,90kg·hm-2;P2O5 45kg·hm-2),T4(N,60kg·hm-2;P2O5 40kg·hm-2,Organic matter 2000kg·hm-2),T5(N,60kg·hm-2;P2O5 40kg·hm-2; microbial fertilizer 5kg·hm-2). The results showed that: (1) the above-ground dry matter accumulation with T4 and T5 increased by 15.04% and 33.68% during the flowering and pustulation stages, and the root/shoot ratio of T4 increased by 9.32% and 12.46% over two experimental years, respectively. (2) the leaf water use efficiency (WUEL) of T4 increased by 15.61%, 0.51% in two stages, respectively, (3) the yields and water use efficiency (WUE) of T3 exhibited a significantly increased by 11.06% and 37.61%, 9.50% and 37.51%, and increased stably by 9.23%-35.17% and 8.73%-35.11% in T4 and T5 respectively, over two seasons. In summary, applying organic and inorganic manure could effectively regulate the accumulation and distribution of above-ground biomass of foxtail millet, and ensure the high and stable grain yield.

A comprehensive scoping review and meta-analysis of upper limb strength asymmetry

Impact of developmental state, p53 status, and interferon signaling on glioblastoma cell response to radiation and temozolomide treatment

Glioblastoma (GBM) tumors exhibit extensive genomic, epigenomic, and transcriptional diversity, with significant intratumoral heterogeneity, complicating standard treatment approaches involving radiation (RT) and the DNA-alkylating agent temozolomide (TMZ). In this study, we employed an integrative multi-omics approach, including targeted proteomics, transcriptomics, genomics, and DNA methylation profiling, to investigate the response of a representative panel of GBM patient-derived cancer stem cells (CSCs) to astrocytic differentiation and RT and TMZ treatments. Differentiated CSC progenies retained the expression of key stemness genes and survival pathways, while activating the BMP-Smad signaling pathway and upregulating extracellular matrix components. This was associated with increased resistance to TMZ, though not to RT, across all models. We identified TP53 status as a critical determinant of transcriptional response to both RT and TMZ, which was also modulated by the differentiation state and treatment modality in wildtype (wt) p53 GBM cells. Both mutant and wt p53 models exhibited significant activation of the DNA-damage associated interferon (IFN) response in CSCs and differentiated cells, implicating this pathway in the GBM response to therapy. We observed that activation of NF-κB was positively correlated with the levels of O-6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) protein, a direct DNA repair enzyme leading to TMZ resistance, regardless of MGMT promoter methylation status, further supporting the clinical potential for inhibition of NF-kB signaling in GBM treatment. Our integrative analysis of the impact of GBM cell developmental states, in the context of genomic and molecular diversity of patient-derived models, provides valuable insights for pre-clinical studies aimed at optimizing treatment strategies.