Browse Articles

In vivo regulation of the monocyte phenotype by Mycobacterium marinum and the ESX-1 type VII secretion system

Abstract Pathogenic mycobacteria require the conserved ESX-1 type VII secretion system to cause disease. In a murine Mycobacterium marinum infection model we previously demonstrated that infiltrating monocytes and neutrophils represent the major bacteria-harbouring cell populations in infected tissue. In the current study we use this model, in combination with scRNA sequencing, to assess the impact of M. marinum infection on the transcriptional profile of infiltrating Ly6C⁺MHCII⁺ monocytes in vivo. Our findings demonstrate that infection of infiltrating monocytes with M. marinum alters their cytokine expression profile, induces glycolytic metabolism, hypoxia-mediated signaling, nitric oxide synthesis, tissue remodeling, and suppresses responsiveness to IFNγ. We further show that the transcriptional response of bystander monocytes is influenced by ESX-1-dependent mechanisms, including a reduced responsiveness to IFNγ. These findings suggest that mycobacterial infection has pleiotropic effects on monocyte phenotype, with potential implications in bacterial growth restriction and granuloma formation.

Comparison of frailty instruments for predicting mortality and prolon ged hospitalization in acute coronary syndrome patients

Objective To evaluate the relative strengths of 3 frailty assessment instruments for predicting mortality and prolonged hospitalization in acute coronary syndrome patients. Design Prospective cohort study. Setting Acute cardiac care units in New Zealand. Participants 1174 patients >70 years of age hospitalized with an acute coronary syndrome. Interventions The Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS) and Fried Criteria (Fried), were completed during hospital admission following an acute coronary syndrome when the patient was clinically stable. Primary and secondary outcome measures All-cause mortality over the next ~5 years and hospitalization for >10 days in the next year determined from national administrative data. Results During median follow-up of 5.1 years there were 353 deaths. Harrell’s C-statistic for mortality for EFS was 0.663, Fried 0.648 and CFS 0.640 (p<0.001 for all). C-statistics for hospitalization >10 days (n = 267, 22%) were EFS 0.649, Fried 0.628, and CFS 0.584 (p<0.001 for all). Associations between increase in frailty scores and mortality were graded including in patients not classified as frail. The hazard ratio (HR) for mortality, adjusted for age and sex, for patients with an EFS score ≥9 (n = 197) compared to ≤2 (n = 331) was 5.0 (95% CI: 3.4–7.4). In models which included the Euroscore II or GRACE risk scores the EFS improved risk discrimination for both mortality and prolonged hospitalization more than the CFS and Fried. Conclusion In older patients assessed following an acute coronary syndrome the EFS discriminated the risk of all cause mortality and prolonged hospitalization better than the CFS and Fried tests, and improved risk discrimination when added to clinical risk scores.

Small fishing boat classification and recognition method based on GASF temporal graph coding and EMPViT model

Multi-dimensional perceptual recognition of tourist destination using deep learning model and geographic information system

Perceptual recognition of tourist destinations is vital in representing the destination image, supporting destination management decision-making, and promoting tourism recommendations. However, previous studies on tourist destination perception have limitations regarding accuracy and completeness related to research methods. This study addresses these limitations by proposing an efficient strategy to achieve precise perceptual recognition of tourist destinations while ensuring the integrity of user-generated content (UGC) data and the completeness of perception dimensions. We integrated various types of UGC data, including images, texts, and spatiotemporal information, to create a comprehensive UGC dataset. Then, we adopted the improved Inception V3 model, the bidirectional long short-term memory network (BiLSTM) model with multi-head attention, and geographic information system (GIS) technology to recognize basic tourist feature information from the UGC dataset, such as the content, sentiment, and spatiotemporal perceptual dimensions of the data, achieving a recognition accuracy of over 97%. Finally, a progressive dimension combination method was proposed to visualize and analyze multiple perceptions. An experimental case study demonstrated the strategy’s effectiveness, focusing on tourists’ perceptions of Datong, China. Experimental results show that the approach is feasible for studying tourist destination perception. Content perception, sentiment perception, and the perception of Datong’s spatial and temporal characteristics were recognized and analyzed efficiently. This study offers valuable guidance and a reference framework for selecting methods and technical routes in tourist destination perception.

Influence of Artocarpus hirsutus (AH) cellulose micro fiber, bamboo fiber in thermoplastic biocomposites

Abstract In this experiment Artocarpus hirsutus (AH) fiber was utilized as the filler material for bamboo fiber (NF)/polyethylene (PE) biocomposites. This was a waste to wealth approach by utilising biomaterial and also can reduce the use of PE plastics. The crystallinity index (Crl) of 45.1%, 56.4%, 67% was observed in AH, alkali treated (NaOH) and cellulose AH fiber respectively. The combination with 20 wt% NF/3 wt% cellulose AH filler observed better tensile and flexural strength. Agglomeration at 4, 5 wt% affects the flexural properties by lesser interfacial adhesion with filler/matrix phase, having properties reducing up to 20.3 MPa. Comparing to cellulose AH filler, both alkali treated and untreated AH filler combinations possess lesser flexural strength. The addition of natural fibers increases the tensile and flexural modulus property with better properties at 30 wt% NF/5 wt% cellulose AH filler combination. The Impact strength doesn’t observe high influence with filler incorporation. This AH fiber hasn’t been explored in detail for mechanical and hydrophilic properties with incorporation with PE matrix. This fabricated composite is suited for bioengineering applications.

Simulation of the electrolyte imbalance in vanadium redox flow batteries

The stack is the core component of large-scale flow battery system. Based on the leakage circuit, mass and energy conservation, electrochemicals reaction in porous electrode, and also the effect of electric field on vanadium ion cross permeation in membrane, a model of kilowatt vanadium flow battery stack was established. The electro chemical reaction parameters, ion concentration and temperature of each single cell in the stack were calculated respectively. The imbalance of vanadium ion concentration and the effects of current density and electrolyte temperature on the electrolyte imbalance in the stack were studied.

No closure of the linea alba cervicalis reduces complications in endoscopic thyroidectomy

The effect of SGLT2 inhibitor in patients with type 2 diabetes and atrial fibrillation

Background Sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors improve clinical outcomes in several populations including type 2 diabetes (T2D), chronic renal insufficiency, and heart failure (HF). However, limited data exist on their effects on atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the National Health Insurance Service database. A total of 4,771 patients with T2D and AF who were newly prescribed SGLT2 inhibitors or DPP4 inhibitors were selected and matched in a 1:2 ratio by propensity score with 37 confounding variables. We assessed the effect of SGLT2 inhibitors on the composite outcome of either HF hospitalization or death. Results Over a median follow-up of 31 months, patients on SGLT2 inhibitors were associated with a lower risk of hospitalizations for HF or mortality compared to those on DPP4 inhibitors (HR 0.61; 95% CI 0.44–0.85; P = 0.004). SGLT2 inhibitor use was also associated with a lower risk of mortality (HR 0.61; 95% CI 0.39–0.94; P = 0.025) and CV mortality (HR 0.43; 95% CI 0.21–0.86; P = 0.018), but not of MI (HR 1.22 [95% CI 0.72–2.09]; P = 0.461) or stroke (HR 1.00 [95% CI 0.75–1.33]; P = 0.980). The incidence of hospitalizations for HF, although statistically insignificant, tended to be lower in the SGLT2 inhibitor group (HR 0.63 [95% CI 0.39–1.02]; P = 0.062). Conclusion In a nationwide cohort of patients with T2D and AF, SGLT2 inhibitor was associated with a lower risk of mortality, which may suggest that SGLT2 inhibitors may be considered as the first-line antidiabetic medication in patients with T2D and AF.

Retention of locally injected human iPS cell-derived cardiomyocytes into the myocardium using hydrolyzed gelatin

Abstract This study explored the impact of hydrolyzed gelatin (HG) concentration on the retention and therapeutic efficacy of human iPS cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) when injected into the myocardium. The solubility of HG allows precise control over its concentration, influencing the distribution and leakage of injected solutions, which may affect therapeutic outcomes. Using both ex vivo and in vivo rat models, we investigated how varying HG concentrations affect the retention of solution and diffusion within the myocardium. In ex vivo static rat hearts, 10% HG minimized leakage but allowed significant diffusion. However, in pulsating in vivo hearts, 20% HG provided the best retention. In a rat myocardial infarction model, hiPSC-CMs suspended in 20% HG resulted in the highest cell retention. Echocardiogram showed a significant increase in the ejection fraction two weeks after transplantation compared to before transplantation. Additionally, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed that the ejection fraction was significantly higher than that of the sham group four weeks after transplantation. These findings suggest that optimizing HG concentration is crucial for enhancing the retention and therapeutic efficacy of hiPSC-CM transplants in treating heart disease.

Bruxism repercussions in muscular activation: Ultrasound differences in abdominal wall between women with and without bruxism. A cross-sectional study

Introduction Bruxism, often triggered by stress, induces temporomandibular alterations, increasing muscle activity and affecting dental occlusion. Prevalence of musculoskeletal conditions related to stress is higher in women, with craneo-cervical affectation being frequently reported. Moreover, some authors explore the relationship between temporomandibular disorders and postural alteration, affecting the trunk complex. This study aims to evaluate differences in abdominal muscle morphology between women with and without bruxism in Spain, and, secondarily, the effects of voluntary teeth grinding in abdominal muscle activation. Methodology An observational analytical cross-sectional study was conducted with 44 Spanish women (diagnosed with bruxism = 22, non-bruxism = 22). To ensure and corroborate the absence of bruxism from the control group, the Clinical Based Assesment questionnaire was used. Ultrasound measures of Transverse Abdominal, External Oblique and Internal oblique were recorded during rest and voluntary grinding. Results Grinding was associated with changes in abdominal muscle thickness in both groups, with statistically significant higher thickness values for all studied muscles. Moreover, the Bruxism group showed statistically significant higher values for all muscles in grinding conditions compared to the Non-Bruxism group. Significant differences in left transverse abdominal thickness were found between groups in resting condition. Further analysis using linear regression indicated that both Bruxism (t = -2.03, p = 0.049) and BMI (t = 3.13, p = 0.003) were significantly associated with muscle thickness, with BMI acting as a confounding factor. Age was not a significant predictor (p = 0.506), suggesting its limited role in this context. Conclusion The results of this study support the existence of an association between bruxism and the abdominal wall muscles structure and activation. This emphasizes the importance of considering bruxism in the evaluation of abdominal muscle function.

Impact of topical cetylated fatty acid cream on hand osteoarthritis: a randomized, double-blind clinical trial

Expression of Concern: Chaperone-Mediated Autophagy Targets IFNAR1 for Lysosomal Degradation in Free Fatty Acid Treated HCV Cell Culture

Older adults do not consistently overestimate their action opportunities across different settings

Abstract Am I still able to climb the ladder? Aging accompanies changes in physical constitution and a higher risk of injuries. At the same time, the judgment of action opportunities needs to be highly adaptive to the given task setting. We examined older adults’ (n = 40) judgment tendencies in four different tasks by use of a detection theory approach. The tasks’ setting differed in their boundaries’ proximity to the actor with either proximal (e.g., judging one’s hand fit into an opening) or distal boundaries (e.g., judging the reachability of a distant object). The older participants showed significantly more liberal judgments in tasks with distal boundaries. Body awareness and alertness were associated with the extent of judgment disparity between setting types. Subsequently, we compared a gender- and education-matched subsample of the group (n = 24) to a younger sample (n = 24). Older participants’ judgment tendencies were significantly more extreme, with stronger under- or overestimations depending on the type of setting. We discuss potential links between more extreme judgments in older adults and higher reliance on learned patterns. Future research is needed to further unravel these setting-dependent behavioral differences and the factors contributing to more extreme judgment tendencies with growing age.

Correction: Inter- and intradialytic fluid volume changes and vascular stiffness parameters in patients on hemodialysis

Application of deep learning algorithm for judicious use of anti-VEGF in diabetic macular edema

Factors affecting heat resilience of drone honey bees (Apis mellifera) and their sperm

Extreme temperatures associated with climate change are expected to impact the physiology and fertility of a variety of insects, including honey bees. Most previous work on this topic has focused on female honey bees (workers and queens), and comparatively little research has investigated how heat exposure affects males (drones). To address this gap, we tested body mass, viral infections, and population origin as predictors of drone survival and sperm viability in a series of heat challenge assays. We found that individual body mass was highly influential, with heavier drones being more likely to survive a heat challenge (4 h at 42°C) than smaller drones. In a separate experiment, we compared the survival of Northern California and Southern California drones in response to the same heat challenge (4 h at 42°C), and found that Southern Californian drones ― which are enriched for African ancestry ― were more likely to survive a heat challenge than drones originating from Northern California. To avoid survivor bias, we conducted sperm heat challenges using in vitro assays and found remarkable variation in sperm heat resilience among drones sourced from different commercial beekeeping operations, with some exhibiting no reduction in sperm viability after heat challenge and others exhibiting a 75% reduction in sperm viability. Further investigating potential causal factors for such variation, we found no association between drone mass and viability of sperm in in vitro sperm heat challenge assays, but virus inoculation (with Israeli acute paralysis virus) exacerbated the negative effect of heat on sperm viability. These experiments establish a vital framework for understanding the importance of population origin and comorbidities for drone heat sensitivity.

Impact of shear wave elastography and attenuation imaging for predicting life-threatening event in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease

Health-economic evaluation of the outpatient, inpatient, and public health sector in Germany: Insights from the first three COVID-19 waves

Aim The aim of this study is to quantify the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the outpatient and inpatient sectors (specifically intensive care units, ICUs) and local health departments in managing the first three waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. Methods The analysis is based on a modelling approach using secondary data. The effectiveness of each sector was measured by determining the reduction in the case fatality rate (CFR) of COVID-19 patients by May 7, 2021. A counterfactual scenario assuming the absence of each sector was used to quantify their effectiveness. Direct medical costs for each sector were calculated from a statutory health insurance perspective, utilizing reimbursement rates for both the inpatient and outpatient sectors. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were determined, representing the costs per death avoided. Results The ICUs achieved the greatest reduction in the CFR of COVID-19 patients during the first three waves (1.9%). The outpatient sector followed with a reduction of 1.4%, and the local health departments contributed to a 0.3% decrease in the CFR. In terms of spending, ICUs had the highest expenditures among the sectors, resulting in an ICER of €59,055 per death avoided. On the other hand, local health departments were costlier but less effective than the outpatient sector. Results remained consistent across various input assumptions. Conclusion During the first three waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany, the inpatient sector (ICUs) made the largest contribution to preventing deaths while also incurring the highest costs.

Characterization of paleodrainages in desert regions of Saudi Arabia multisatellite images with field based study

Abstract In Saudi Arabia, a number of linear geomorphological features with uncertain origin have been observed from space, but they do not belong to any existed drainage systems. They are ancient watercourses carried water in the past during the Holocene deluge, and they were affected by global climate change and geological processes turning them into dry and buried channels filled by sediments, and these are described as “Paleodrainages”. This study investigated these features primarily based on the integration of multi-satellite images including SRTM DEM for generating stream networks, ALOS-PALSAR which is capable to penetrate the surficial materials, and ASTER for detecting thermal differentiation in terrain surface. The novelty of this study includes the use of more than one satellite images (optical and microwave) with various spectral and optical characteristics, and this has been supported by field verification to investigate the lithological facies of stuffed materials into the detected paleodrainages, plus the classification performed for the detected paleodrainages and this has never been implemented in previous studies. Hydro-geomorphological-based categorization of these paleodrainages was carried out, indicating the majority of SW-NE trending and the presence of routes, unconsolidated sediments and rocks. From the hydrological point of view, these paleodrainages are potential for groundwater storage; and they can be also suitable sites for artificial groundwater recharge; be-sides they represent routs for saltwater intrusion on-land; and these science-based clues represent supportive element for better water resources management in Saudi Arabia.

Association between red blood cell distribution width-to-albumin ratio at admission and all-cause mortality in patients with acute pancreatitis based on the MIMIC-III database

Objective The association between red blood cell distribution width-to-albumin (RDW/ALB) ratio (RAR) and all-cause mortality in patients with acute pancreatitis has not been fully delineated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of RAR at admission on 28-day all-cause mortality in patients with acute pancreatitis. Design This investigation was conducted as a retrospective analysis utilizing data from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care (MIMIC)-III database. Participants Patients with acute pancreatitis were selected from the MIMIC-III database according to predefined eligibility criteria. Outcome The outcome was the all-cause mortality rates within 28 days. Results Upon screening and excluding ineligible participants, a total of 931 patients with acute pancreatitis who met the inclusion criteria were analyzed. The overall mortality at 28 days was 11.71%. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis indicated that RAR had a moderate predictive value for all-cause mortality at 28 days, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.669 (95%CI, 0.617–0.720; p<0.05), and the cutoff value was 4.39. Divide the patients into a high RAR group and a low RAR group based on the cutoff value. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated a statistically significant increase in 28-day mortality among patients in the high RAR group compared to those in the low RAR group. Multivariate analysis indicated that potassium levels, total bilirubin, blood urea nitrogen, lactate, partial thromboplastin time, neutrophil and RAR were independently associated with the 28-day mortality. Multivariate Cox regression analysis confirmed that an elevated RAR was independently associated with increased mortality at 28 day (HR, 2.72; 95% CI, 1.64–4.52; p < 0.001). Conclusions This study demonstrated that RAR at admission functioned as a significant prognostic indicator for mortality in patients with acute pancreatitis.