Browse Articles

Efficacy of Quality and Quantity media-cultured mononuclear cells for promoting peripheral nerve regeneration in mouse model

This study aimed to assess the efficacy of Quality and Quantity media-cultured mononuclear cells (QQ-MNCs) for promoting nerve regeneration in a mouse sciatic nerve transection model. Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PB-MNCs) and QQ-MNCs derived from healthy volunteers were used/compared. The left sciatic nerve was surgically transected in 27 mice. After complete nerve transection was confirmed, end-to-end direct epineurial nerve repair was performed using 9–0 nylon. Fibrin glue was applied to the tissue around the injury site to limit diffusion of the study treatment followed by application of 0.5 ml phosphate buffered saline (PBS) or PB-MNCs (2x106 cells) or QQ-MNCs (2x106 cells) to the injury site. The skin was then closed using 6–0 nylon. Histomorphology, immunohistochemistry, electrophysiologic examination, and functional assessment were evaluated at 12-weeks followed by euthanasia and subsequent harvesting of the left sciatic nerves and the left and right gastrocnemius muscles for examination. QQ-MNCs mice exhibited significant improvement in all histomorphologic parameters (axon fiber diameter, myelin thickness, percentage of nerve density) and immunohistochemistry assays (S100, SOX10, GFAP, neurofilament, IL-1β, VEGF, anti-HNA, TNF-α, vWF) compared to PBS mice (all p < 0.05). QQ-MNCs mice also had a significantly higher Basso Mouse Scale score compared to PBS mice (p = 0.018). The percentage of nerve density adjacent to the injury site was significantly higher in QQ-MNCs mice than in PB-MNCs mice (p = 0.049). IL-1β expression was significantly lower in QQ-MNCs mice than in PB-MNCs mice (p = 0.01). QQ-MNCs mice demonstrated significantly better functional and histomorphologic outcomes of nerve regeneration compared to PB-MNCs mice and PBS mice.

Association of carotid atherosclerosis, perivascular adipose tissue, and stiffness by ultrasound assessment in young adults with ischemic stroke

Recent intensified riverine CO2 emission across the Northern Hemisphere permafrost region

Identifying putative substrates of Calpain-15 in neurodevelopment

Calpain 15 (CAPN15) is an intracellular cysteine protease belonging to the non-classical small optic lobe (SOL) family of calpains, which has an important role in developmental processes. Loss of Capn15 in mice leads to developmental eye anomalies and volumetric changes in the brain. Human individuals with biallelic variants in CAPN15 have developmental delay, neurodevelopmental disorders, as well as congenital malformations, including eye anomalies. However, the substrates of Capn15 are still unidentified. Here, using Capn15 KO P2 mice of both sexes, we have used RNA sequencing (RNA-SEQ), proteomics, and N-terminomics/terminal amino isotopic labelling of substrates (TAILS), to examine putative substrates of Capn15. There were few changes in the transcriptome profile, and we could not verify a protein change in one selected mRNA between Capn15-/- and WT mice, although a putative transcription factor linked to these changes, Pax2, did show a significant increase after the loss of Capn15. TAILS revealed a preference for cleavage at basic residues, and while no hits showed a significant change in cleavage, some were more abundant when Capn15 was removed. These included Doublecortin and Tubb3, and the Doublecortin predicted cleavage was at a lysine residue. Cleavages at lysine residues were enriched in peptides that were lost or reduced when Capn15 was removed, but not in cleavages that were unchanged when Capn15 was removed.

Numerical analysis and design methodology for steel frames with fuse system

Josephin Domain Containing 2 (JOSD2) inhibition as Pan-KRAS-mutation-targeting strategy for colorectal cancer

Explaining disparities in robot applications among nations and regions: A cross-level lens of cultural tightness-looseness

In this study, we aim to explain the large disparities among countries and regions on industrial robot application in terms of robot density and robot growth. Based on the premise that people in all cultures have the same potential for innovation, we propose a cross-level lens of cultural tightness-looseness to predict that, in the nascent robotics industry where rules and regulations are underdeveloped (i.e., a loose domain), people in tight cultures (e.g., Singapore, Japan, China) are more likely to innovate than those in loose cultures (e.g., the UK, U.S., the Netherlands) because their creativity is permitted in this or a few other loose domains only. We test this theoretical lens using multi-source longitudinal archival data on robot applications. Several significant findings emerge. First, there is a significant positive relationship between cultural tightness and robot application across 32 countries and territories from 1993 to 2022 (Study 1). Second, such a positive relationship also appears across 50 states in the United States from 1998 to 2022 (Study 2a), and across 31 provinces in China from 2008 to 2022 (Study 2b). Finally, the interaction effect between country- and region-level cultural tightness on robot application is significant (Study 3). These findings provide strong empirical support for our cross-level lens of cultural tightness and shed light on how cultural tightness at different levels interacts to affect incremental innovation (i.e., robot application) in a loose domain (i.e., the robotics industry). Moreover, these findings suggest that loosening tight control on certain domains of a tight culture would remarkably boost creativity and incremental innovation in these domains.

Attention LinkNet-152: a novel encoder-decoder based deep learning network for automated spine segmentation

Abstract Segmenting the spine from CT images is crucial for diagnosing and treating spine-related conditions but remains challenging due to the spine’s complex anatomy and imaging artifacts. This study introduces a novel encoder-decoder-based deep learning approach, named LinkNet-152, tailored for automated spine segmentation. The model integrates a modified EfficientNetB7 encoder with attention modules to enhance feature extraction by focusing on regions of interest. The decoder leverages a modified LinkNet architecture, replacing ResNet34 with the deeper ResNet152 to improve feature extraction and segmentation accuracy. Additionally, gradient sensitivity-based pruning is applied to optimize the model’s complexity and computational efficiency. Evaluated on the VerSe 2019 and VerSe 2020 datasets, the proposed model achieves superior performance, with a Dice coefficient of 96.85% and a Jaccard index of 95.37%, outperforming state-of-the-art methods. These results highlight the model’s effectiveness in addressing the challenges of spine segmentation and its potential to advance clinical applications.

Integrative proteogenomic characterization reveals therapeutic targets in poorly differentiated and anaplastic thyroid cancers

How can the United States make a great stride toward multiracial well-being?

In America and around the world, one’s chances for well-being depend on systems that are not yet built for everyone to thrive together. Knowing that life expectancy and life evaluation are far below their full potential, with stark injustices by race/ethnicity, we ask: how can the United States make a great stride toward multiracial well-being?. This study explores potential impacts of a federal plan for thriving people and places. We estimate the likely effects of 68 recommendations using ReThink Health’s Thriving Together Model (TTM), revised with new data and new features including a multisolving ratio that accounts for greater cost-effectiveness when a proposed action advances multiple goals at once. The TTM is a previously published system dynamics model that simulates changes over time when community assets (both funding and in-kind resources) are invested in four drivers of population well-being (i.e., Vital Conditions, Belonging and Civic Muscle, Fairness in System Design, and Urgent Services Capacity). All drivers work together through a dynamic structure that influences individual states of thriving, suffering, and life expectancy (overall and by race/ethnicity). The model specifies three reinforcing dynamics, including an “expanding the pie” loop that can increase available assets and improve all four well-being drivers over time. Results reveal a plausible scenario over 25 years in which thriving could rise 20 percentage points, suffering could drop 2.5 percentage points, and average life expectancy could grow by 2.6 years – all from equitable progress across racial/ethnic groups. Every subgroup improves, but the greatest gains would likely be among Black and Hispanic Americans. Sensitivity tests confirm that the model’s conclusions are robust across identified uncertainty ranges. The federal plan points the way toward a just transition for multiracial well-being. It does not require new appropriations or authorities: only the will and wherewithal to bring these recommendations to life.

A multimodal MRI-based machine learning framework for classifying cognitive impairment in cerebral small vessel disease

Probing nuclear quantum effects in electrocatalysis via a machine-learning enhanced grand canonical constant potential approach

Urban coyotes were observed rarely and retreated consistently from assertive approaches by volunteers in neighborhoods

Human-coyote conflict can arise when coyotes follow, pursue or attack pets or people. Although such attacks are rare, they are typically highly publicized, and leave residents concerned about the presence of coyotes in their neighborhoods. Wildlife managers often promote hazing to mitigate human-coyote conflicts, but this technique for intimidating animals has been studied in coyotes only recently and there are few guidelines for its implementation. We developed a community-based hazing program in Edmonton (Alberta, Canada) implemented by volunteers who patrolled their neighborhoods while recording coyotes and coyote attractants. When coyotes were observed, volunteers walked towards the coyotes and recorded their overt reaction and flight initiation distances. If coyotes did not retreat when volunteers were within 40 m of the animal, volunteers ran towards the coyote while shouting and throwing weighted tennis balls towards the animals. Over two field seasons, we recruited, trained, and engaged 120 volunteers from 71 neighborhoods, who conducted 1598 patrols, observed coyotes in 175 instances, and conducted hazing 23 times. Coyotes retreated before volunteers were within 40 m during 124 (71%) of the observations and retreated immediately from 22 (96%) of the hazing events. We found no evidence that hazing changed subsequent measures of overt reaction or flight initiation distances by coyotes, perhaps because it was implemented too rarely, and its effects on the number or timing of subsequent coyote reports by members of the public were inconsistent. Our study emphasizes the rarity of close encounters with coyotes and the high frequency with which they retreat from human approaches and even directed attention by people. Our study supports the use of community-based hazing to reassure members of the public while potentially promoting wariness in coyotes.

Efficiency optimization of lead-free CH3NH3SnI3-based perovskite solar cells through material and structural modifications

Pre-movement sensorimotor oscillations shape the sense of agency by gating cortical connectivity

Abstract Our sense of agency, the subjective experience of controlling our actions, is a crucial component of self-awareness and motor control. It is thought to originate from the comparison between intentions and actions across broad cortical networks. However, the underlying neural mechanisms are still not fully understood. We hypothesized that oscillations in the theta-alpha range, thought to orchestrate long-range neural connectivity, may mediate sensorimotor comparisons. To test this, we manipulated the relation between intentions and actions in a tetraplegic user of a brain machine interface (BMI), decoding primary motor cortex (M1) activity to restore hand functionality. We found that the pre-movement phase of low-alpha oscillations in M1 predicted the participant’s agency judgements. Further, using EEG-BMI in healthy participants, we found that pre-movement alpha oscillations in M1 and supplementary motor area (SMA) correlated with agency ratings, and with changes in their functional connectivity with parietal, temporal and prefrontal areas. These findings argue for phase-driven gating as a key mechanism for sensorimotor integration and sense of agency.

Empowering Obese Children in Physical Education: Exploring the Influence of Verbal Encouragement on Games Intensity, Mood States, and Physical Enjoyment during Passing Games

This study aimed to assess the impact of physical education teachers’ verbal encouragements on the psychophysiological aspects, physical enjoyment, and mood states of obese children (OC) in a physical education context. Sixteen OC students (mean age = 13.81 ± 0.73 years) from a preparatory school participated in two test sessions, conducted in a randomized order. Each session involved a series of passing games (games of 10 successive passes) with and without verbal encouragement, with a one-week interval between sessions. The games, formatted as 3 vs. 3 with two additional obese joker’ players, lasted 18 minutes. Each game comprised four 3-minute active periods interspersed with 2-minute passive recovery bouts, played on a 10 × 20-m pitch. Heart rate was continuously measured throughout each session. Additionally, the Brunel Mood Scale (BMS) was assessed before and after the PG. Furthermore, rating of perceived exertion (OMNI-RPE) and physical activity enjoyment (PACES) were assessed after the testing sessions. Video analysis was used to quantify technical actions during PG. PGs with VE induced higher HR (% maximum HR and mean HR), OMNI-RPE, and PACES scores than PGs without VE (ES=−1.51, ES=−0.78, ES=−0.73, ES=2.07, respectively). Compared with PGs without VE, SSGs with VE resulted in an increased percentage of successful passes, number of Goal (10 passes) and fewer lost balls (ES=O.70, ES=−0.54, ES=−0.86, respectively). The PGVE trial also showed higher vigor and lower total mood disturbance (TMD) compared to the PGNVE trial (ES = −1.11, d = 0.78, respectively). Physical education teachers are encouraged to incorporate joker exercises with verbal encouragement to enhance game intensity, mood state, physical enjoyment and technical performance during games among OCs.

Climate trauma from wildfire exposure impacts cognitive decision-making

Abstract Climate trauma refers to the chronic mental health sequalae of climate disaster events. We have previously shown evidence for such trauma with accompanying anxiety and depression symptoms after California’s 2018 Camp Fire wildfire. Here, we investigate whether this climate trauma also impacts cognitive decision-making and its neural correlates. One year after the wildfire, we recruited three groups - those directly exposed (n = 27), indirectly exposed (community members who witnessed the wildfire but not directly exposed, n = 21), versus non-exposed controls (n = 27). Participants performed a decision-making task that led to immediate and cumulative point rewards on each trial with simultaneous electroencephalography (EEG) recordings. We evaluated Win-Stay behavior in choosing to stay with the greater expected value (cumulative reward) option. Directly-exposed individuals showed significantly reduced Win-Stay behavior relative to the other groups. EEG analyses showed significantly greater parietal alpha activity for the selected choice and ensuing rewards in directly fire-exposed individuals, with an underlying cortical source of this activity in posterior cingulate cortex. Overall, these findings suggest that climate trauma may significantly impact neuro-cognitive processing in the context of value-based decision-making, which may serve as a useful biomarker target for future mental health interventions in climate change impacted communities.

Engineering electro-crystallization orientation and surface activation in wide-temperature zinc ion supercapacitors

Abstract Matching the capacity of the anode and cathode is essential for maximizing electrochemical cell performance. This study presents two strategies to balance the electrode utilization in zinc ion supercapacitors, by decreasing dendritic loss in the zinc anode while increasing the capacity of the activated carbon cathode. The anode current collector was modified with copper nanoparticles to direct zinc plating orientation and minimize dendrite formation, improving the Coulombic efficiency and cycle life. The cathode was activated by an electrolyte reaction to increase its porosity and gravimetric capacity. The full cell delivered a specific energy of 192 ± 0.56 Wh kg−1 at a specific power of 1.4 kW kg−1, maintaining 84% capacity after 50,000 full charge-discharge cycles up to 2 V. With a cumulative capacity of 19.8 Ah cm−2 surpassing zinc ion batteries, this device design is particularly promising for high-endurance applications, including un-interruptible power supplies and energy-harvesting systems that demand frequent cycling.

Taurine is a potential therapy for rheumatoid arthritis via targeting FOXO3 through cellular senescence and autophagy

Background Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease closely related to aging with unclear pathogenic mechanisms. This study aims to identify the biomarkers in RA, aging and autophagy using bioinformatics and machine learning and explore the binding stability of taurine to target utilizing computer-aided drug design (CADD). Methods We identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) for RA, then crossed with gene libraries for aging and autophagy to identify common genes (Co-genes). We performed Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of the Genome (KEGG), and ClueGO analysis for Co-genes. The Co-genes were subjected to support vector machine-recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE), Degree, and Betweenness algorithms to get hub genes, then verified by an artificial neural network (ANN). After continuing to perform least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) on Co-genes, the results were crossed with hub genes to obtain genes, which were imported into various validation sets for receiver operating characteristics (ROC) to identify key genes. We analyzed the microRNA/TF network, enriched pathways, and immune cell infiltration for key genes. The binding stability of taurine with the target protein was verified by CADD. Finally, we used Western blot for in vitro experimental verification. Results We obtained 74 Co-genes enriched in RA, cellular senescence, and regulation of programmed cell death. The model prediction of hub genes works well in ANN. The key genes (MMP9, CXCL10, IL15, FOXO3) were tested in ROC with excellent efficacy. In RA, FOXO3 expression was down-regulated while MMP9, CXCL10, and IL15 expression were upregulated, and FOXO3 was negatively correlated with MMP9, CXCL10, and IL15. Two miRNAs (hsa-mir-21-5p, hsa-mir-129-2-3p) and four TFs (CTCF, KLF, FOXC1, TP53) were associated with key genes. The immune cells positively correlated with MMP9, CXCL10, and IL15 expression and negatively correlated with FOXO3 expression were Plasma cells, CD8 T cells, memory-activated CD4 T cells, and follicular helper T cells, aggregating in RA. The binding stability of taurine with FOXO3 was verified by molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation. In vitro experiments have indicated that taurine can upregulate the expression of FOXO3 and treat RA through the FOXO3-Parkin signaling pathway. Conclusions MMP9, CXCL10, IL15, and FOXO3 are biomarkers of RA, cellular senescence, and autophagy. Taurine might be a promising drug against RA via targeting cellular senescence and autophagy through FOXO3.

Blind and endmember guided autoencoder model for unmixing the absorbance spectra of phytoplankton pigments

Abstract Hyperspectral sensing of phytoplankton, free-living microscopic photosynthetic organisms, offers a comprehensive and scalable method for assessing water quality and monitoring changes in aquatic ecosystems. However, unmixing the intrinsic optical properties of phytoplankton from hyperspectral data is a complex challenge. This research addresses the problem of non-linear unmixing hyperspectral absorbance data of concentrated water samples using Blind (BAE) and Endmember Guided Autoencoder (EGAE). We show that spectral unmixing using the EGAE model with different objective functions can effectively estimate the abundance of different optical components in spectral data. The EGAE model demonstrated a higher correlation between unmixed endmember abundances and ground truth for chlorophyll-a (chl-a) and fucoxanthin (fx) biomarker pigment concentrations compared to the BAE model, effectively unmixed the absorbance spectrum of cyanobacterial pigment phycocyanin (pc) and was robust to changes in network architecture. It can adaptively unmix various endmembers without impacting the abundance estimates of other pigments. Our results demonstrate that EGAE provided stable abundance estimates and improved the accuracy and reliability of identifying and quantifying pigments, allowing for more precise unmixing of hyperspectral data into their constituent endmembers. We anticipate that our study will serve as a starting point for targeted unmixing of specific photosynthetic pigments using EGAE.