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Relative importance sampling for off-policy actor-critic in deep reinforcement learning

Relationship between cardio-ankle vascular index value and stroke in hypertension patients cardio-ankle vascular index ≧9

Backgrounds The cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) is a new index of arteriosclerosis. The present study investigated the relationship between CAVI value and stroke in hypertension patients, especially the prevalence of stroke in patients with CAVI ≧9. Methods 735 patients (M/F 293/442) with or without hypertension from Department of Vascular Medicine from 01/01/2012–31/21/2014 were divided into four groups: group 1: non-hypertension patients with CAVI<9, group 2: non-hypertension patients with CAVI ≧9, group 3: hypertension patients with CAVI<9, group 4: hypertension patients with CAVI ≧9. CAVI was measured by VS-1000 apparatus. Results Prevalence of stroke and coronary artery disease were significantly higher in group 2 than in group 1. And the prevalence of stroke and coronary artery disease were also significantly higher in group 4 than in group 3. In addition, the level of right intima-media thickness (RIMT) was significantly higher in group 4 than in group 3 (0.102±0.025 vs 0.094±0.023, p<0.05). Multiple linear regressions showed that CAVI and age were independent associating factors of stroke in all patients (β=0.268, p=0.040; β=0.135, p<0.001; respectively). CAVI was an independent associating factors of stroke in hypertension patients (β=0.398, p<0.001). Conclusion The prevalence of stroke was higher in hypertension patients with CAVI ≧9 than in hypertension patients with CAVI<9, with higher level of right intima-media thickness. CAVI was an independent associating factors of stroke in hypertension patients.

Childhood sports club experiences mitigate the association between childhood socioeconomic disadvantage and functional disability in older Japanese men

Mangrove consortium resistant to the emerging contaminant DEHP: Composition, diversity, and ecological function of bacteria

The continuous use of Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) in plastic products turns it into a ubiquitous contaminant in the environment. However, DEHP can cause harm to human beings, wildlife, and ecosystems due to its estrogenicity and toxicity. Thus, finding an efficient approach to removing this contaminant from the environment is crucial. The present study aimed to prospect and characterize a bacterial consortium (MP001) isolated from a neotropical mangrove for DEHP bioremediation. A laboratory experiment was performed with environmentally relevant DEHP concentrations (0.05, 0.09, 0.19, 0.38, 0.75, 1.50, 3.00, and 6.00 mg L-1) to determine the consortium resistance to this contaminant and high-throughput sequencing was accomplished to assess the bacterial composition, diversity, and potential ecological function of consortium MP001. The consortium MP001 presented a significant biomass increase throughout short-term incubations with increasing concentrations of DEHP (GLMs, p< 0.001). MP001 was constituted by Paraclostridium sp. (78.99%) and Bacillus sp. (10.73%). After 48 h of consortia exposure to DEHP, the bacterial population changed to Paraclostridium (50.00%), Staphylococcus sp. (12.72%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (10.40%) and Bacillus sp. (17.63%). In the negative control, the bacteria community was composed of Paraclostridium sp. (54.02%), Pseudomonas stutzeri (19.44%), and Staphylococcus sp. (11.97%). The alpha diversity of the MP001 consortium was not significant (Kruskall-Wallis; p > 0.05), and no significant difference was found between the DEHP treatment and the negative control. Furthermore, the potential ecological function found in the consortium MP001 with higher potential for application in bioremediation purposes was fermentation. The results found in this study highlight the potential of a bacterial consortium to be used in the bioremediation of DEHP-contaminated aquatic environments.

Healthier lifestyles can modify the air pollutants effect on cardiovascular disease among the middle-aged and elderly

The use of audio-visual aids to reduce delirium after cardiac surgery in intensive care units (DaCSi-ICU): A feasibility study protocol

Introduction Delirium can affect over 50% of patients following cardiac surgery in intensive care units (ICU), leading to an increased risk of long-term cognitive impairment, prolonged hospital stays and increased costs. Nurse-led auditory-visual stimulation to help prevent and manage ICU delirium is a novel, unexplored strategy in postoperative cardiac surgical patients but proven to be effective in other long-term conditions. The Delirium after Cardiac Surgery in the Intensive Care Unit (DaCSi-ICU) study aims to assess the feasibility and acceptability of implementing an innovative, family-focused auditory-visual intervention to reduce delirium in ICU patients following major cardiac surgery. Methods and analysis This is a pilot, mixed-methods, non-randomised feasibility study to be delivered in a university hospital cardiac ICU. The primary outcome is to explore the feasibility and acceptability of an innovative family-focused intervention to reduce ICU delirium rates in patients following cardiac surgery. Secondary outcomes are to: explore short-term post-surgical outcomes up to three months of hospital discharge; and investigate participants’ perspectives of taking part in the study. A total of 12 patients, alongside 12 family members or significant others and 6 ICU nurses will be recruited. Demographic data will be reported descriptively, and clinical data will be managed statistically through SPSS. Data collected from interviews will be transcribed full verbatim and analysed on NVIVO using framework analysis. This study has received Health Research Authority (HRA) approval (24/YH/0011). Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust is the sponsor for research governance purposes. This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06355570). Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed open-access journals and presented in national and international scientific meetings. Findings will also be shared with patients and the clinical team. Study results will determine the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention, facilitating the progression to a future controlled effectiveness trial.

Legendre based neural networks integrated with heuristic algorithms for the analysis of Lorenz chaotic model: an intelligent and comparative study

In vivo assessment of the effect of gel containing lactic acid and glycogen on vaginal microbiota and pH of asymptomatic women of reproductive age

Background Vaginal dysbiosis is considered a risk factor for the development of gynecological and obstetric complications. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of vaginal gel containing lactic acid on vaginal pH, microbiota composition, and Candida species in asymptomatic women of reproductive age. Methods: 55 menstruating women, with no gynecological complaints, participated in the study, using a gel containing lactic acid twice a week, for 8 weeks. Assessments were conducted before and after the intervention, including measurements of vaginal pH, Nugent score, vaginal microbiota characteristics (alpha diversity index and Community State Types [CSTs] classification), and identification of Candida species. Results: At baseline, 36.4% of women exhibited CST type IV vaginal microbiota, followed by CST type III (30.9%), with vaginal pH values ranging from 4 to 5. After the intervention, there was a significant reduction in vaginal pH (p = 0.0057) and Nugent scores (p = 0.0047). Furthermore, a statistically significant decline was observed in the prevalence of unfavorable taxonomic groups, including Prevotella amnii and Bacterial Vaginosis Associated Bacterium 1, while vaginal lactobacilli remained unaffected. Despite these positive changes, the intervention did not result in a statistically significant alteration in microbial diversity or CST composition (p = 0.12). The gel was well-tolerated, with a low incidence of mild adverse effects reported. Conclusions: The lactic acid-containing gel demonstrated a significant reduction in vaginal pH and Nugent scores in asymptomatic women, indicating possible improvement in vaginal health, that needs to be confirmed in a placebo-controlled study. Although the intervention did not influence microbial diversity and the type of vaginal microbiota at the end of the study, it was able to reduce the prevalence of some taxonomic groups after intervention with the vaginal gel.

Optimized machine learning mechanism for big data healthcare system to predict disease risk factor

Risk factors for emergent delivery before 36 weeks among pregnant women with placenta accreta spectrum disorder

Recent studies evaluating risk factors for emergent delivery in women with placenta accreta spectrum disorders have yielded insufficient results. A limited number of studies have evaluated prenatal ultrasound signs of the placenta accreta spectrum as risk factors and have reported inconsistent outcomes. This retrospective study included women with suspected prenatal placenta accreta spectrum who delivered between January 2007 and December 2022 at a tertiary hospital in Southern Thailand. Women who delivered electively or for conditions unrelated to the placenta accreta spectrum before 36 weeks of gestation were excluded. Women who underwent emergent delivery before 36 weeks and delivery after 36 weeks were compared using univariate and multivariable analyses. Overall, 174 women with placenta accreta spectrum were included; 45 (25.0%) underwent emergent delivery before 36 weeks of gestation. Women who delivered before 36 weeks had significantly more premature uterine contractions (41.7% vs. 7.0%, P<0.001), premature rupture of membranes (8.3% vs. 0%, P<0.05), antepartum hemorrhage (75.0% vs. 27.9%, P<0.001), and sonographic findings of placental bulging (45.8% vs. 23.3%, P=0.003) than those who delivered after 36 weeks. The number of premature uterine contractions and antepartum hemorrhage episodes (P<0.001) and more severe placenta accreta spectrum (P=0.003) were significantly associated with emergent delivery. Significant predictors of emergent delivery before 36 weeks were a history of preterm birth (odds ratio: 10.1, 95% confidence interval: 1.0–97.4), presence of premature uterine contractions (9.7, 2.9–31.5), antepartum hemorrhage (6.4, 2.2–18.3), severe placenta accreta spectrum (6.1, 1.5–25.0), and placental bulging (4.4, 1.3–14.2). In conclusion, the significant predictors of emergent delivery before 36 weeks of gestation among women with placenta accreta spectrum were a history of preterm birth, premature uterine contractions or antepartum hemorrhage before 34 weeks, placental bulging, and prenatal diagnosis of severe placenta accreta spectrum.

Preparation of graphene based composites using silane and Pyracantha fortuneana and their application in Metformin adsorption from aqueous solution

A broad-spectrum lasso peptide antibiotic targeting the bacterial ribosome

Lactobacillus johnsonii JERA01 activates macrophages and increases Th-1 T cell population in mouse small intestine

Lactobacillus johnsonii is a commensal bacterium isolated from the vaginal and gastrointestinal tracts of vertebrate hosts, including humans. It is a potential anti-inflammatory bacterium. As reported in many animal studies, L. johnsonii supplementation reduces inflammation in the intestine and enhances the epithelial barrier. However, in this study, we observed immunostimulatory effects of heat-killed L. johnsonii JERA01 (LJ) supplementation on antigen-presenting cells, such as dendritic cells and macrophages, in mice. LJ pretreatment increased the expression of maturation markers and TNF-α, IL-6, IL-12p40 production in bone marrow-derived dendritic cells and macrophages (BMDCs and BMDMs). Co-culture of LJ-pretreated BMDCs or BMDMs with lymphocytes enhanced IFN-γ production in vitro. Oral LJ (108 CFU) supplementation induced macrophage infiltration into the peritoneal cavity and Peyer’s patch at 12-h after administration, resulting in an increase in the population of IFN-γ-producing T cells in the Peyer’s patch. Our investigation revealed the effects of LJ, which activates macrophages and increases the Th-1 T cell population in the intestine, implying the possibility of using L. johnsonii as an immune stimulator.

A new method to improve the power quality of photovoltaic power generation based on 24 solar terms

Richard Fortey obituary: palaeontologist, author and TV presenter who traced continents through fossils

Genetic data suggest gene flow within a narrow hybrid zone between two recently separated species in the genus Parnassius (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae)

Length polymorphism analysis of six microsatellite loci for 540 Clouded Apollo butterflies from Italy and Switzerland revealed a clear separation between sister species Parnassius mnemosyne and P. turatii and provided updated limits for their respective ranges. Correspondence analysis and Structure clustering of a subset of 140 individuals from the Eastern Alps determined intermediate genetic makeup for three small samples collected in the mid Piave valley (northern Italy). The genotypes of the intermediate individuals are not consistent with F1 hybrids, hinting at clinal genetic variation. Our data indicate a narrow introgression zone with a shallow depth of 50–100 km in what is likely to be the only area of contact between the proposed species P. mnemosyne and P. turatii. Our findings indicate incomplete reproductive isolation between the two species, and are consistent with selection against hybrids or with a recent establishment of a secondary contact. The latter may result from slow recolonization of the Eastern Alps from glacial refugia or from very recent changes in traditional land management practices such as grazing and mowing at semi-natural grasslands.

Bridging the gap between haptic devices and cobots with highly geared magnetorheological actuators

Implementation of a high throughput automated platform for residual DNA quantitation

Host cell DNA is an impurity from cell-based manufacturing processes that must be controlled and monitored to ensure drug purity and safety. Conventional methods for measurement of residual host cell DNA in therapeutic protein require numerous preparations of plates, DNA extraction from the protein samples, followed by quantification of the extracted DNA using real-time PCR (qPCR). Preparation of plates for extraction is the most laborious step, including numerous manual steps such as sample dilution, standard curve preparation, as well as reagent and sample plate preparation. Additionally, much of the work needs to be performed in a biosafety cabinet to avoid contamination. In this study, a robotic platform using a Gilson liquid handler for plate preparation for rDNA extraction is presented. This automated workflow is not only high throughput, but also shows reproducibility that is equivalent or better as compared to manual workflows. Moreover, this approach is faster than traditional extraction and reduces the risk of human error and variability and eliminates the need for manual pipetting and plate preparation. In this study, automated and manual workflows were performed side-by-side in triplicate from different purification steps from bioreactor to ultrafiltration step. Day to day variability, matrix interference, and spike recovery were assessed to demonstrate the robustness of the automated workflow.

Effects of boundaries for high Reynolds number artificial swimmers

Abstract The spatial organization of active particles or swimmers may depend strongly on the nature of the interaction between the particles and the boundary. Here we use robotic fish of several centimeters dimensions that swim at high enough velocities to reach Reynolds numbers Re of order $$10^3$$ or $$10^4$$ . Under confinement in circular arenas filled with a shallow layer of water, these robots swim mostly near the walls and undergo a gradual transition from swirling motion near the boundaries to large cluster formation as the number of particles in the assembly is increased. This transition is highly dependent on the nature of the walls: for solid impermeable walls this transition occurs for small numbers of fish robots. For porous walls this transition is delayed and occurs at larger numbers. The main reason why the two boundaries affect the swimming differently is the alignment of the fish robots at the wall: for the impermeable boundary the fish robots align with a smaller angle to the wall while for the porous case, the fish robots align with a larger angle at the wall allowing the formation of linear clusters. We carry out numerical simulations of model fish in three dimensions to examine how such experimental results can be understood. The interest of these simulations is that they provide a direct and quantitative view of the properties of the flow engendered by the fish like objects. The interaction of this flow with other fish or with the boundaries is the crucial aspect behind the self organization. These simulations reproduce the main features of the behavior of the swimmers such as their swimming near the walls or their angle with respect to the boundary. By using flexible and free to move arenas in experiments and simulations, we show that the assembly of fish robots is capable of creating large deformations as well as induce mobility of the arenas through the self-organization of the robotic fish opening the possibility of making sub-aquatic flexible robots of robots.

Alterations in physiological and biochemical characteristics of Prunus sibirica seedlings raised from spaceflight seeds

The aim was to explore the alterations in growth traits, physiological and biochemical characteristics of Prunus sibirica seedlings raised from spaceflight seeds. The seedlings cultivated by the “Shenzhou XII” spacecraft carrying the seeds of superior clones of P. sibirica were used to observe their growth traits and determine physiological indicators. The results showed that plant height of Prunus sibirica seedlings raised from spaceflight seeds increased by 18–34% and internode length increased by 8–26%, but the number of primary branches, secondary branches, and leaves showed no significant change compared to the ground control. Leaf length and width of Prunus sibirica seedlings raised from spaceflight seeds were significantly higher than those of the ground control, with leaf length, width, and area increasing to 1.21–1.80 times higher than that of the ground control. Furthermore, the antioxidant and osmoregulatory capacities of P. sibirica seedlings raised from spaceflight seeds were altered. The peroxidase (POD) activity and Malondialdehyde (MDA) content were increased in ST28, ST207, and ST507, while they were reduced in ST1 and ST453. Compared with the ground control, the content of soluble sugar(SS), starch (St), and free proline (Pro) were significantly or highly significantly increased in all lines. The content of soluble protein (SP) was significantly increased in ST1, ST28, ST207, and ST507, while there was no significant change in ST453. P. sibirica seedlings raised from spaceflight seeds exhibited increased leaf pigment content, the interstitial CO2 concentration (Ci), net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs), transpiration rate (Tr). In conclusion, compared with the ground control, the growth indexes and physiological characteristics of Prunus sibirica seedlings raised from spaceflight seeds were changed, and the direction of change was different for different lines. This provided a foundation for subsequent germplasm improvement and variety selection.