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Associations between serum lipid levels and the macular retinal volumes in patients with diabetes
Purpose Macular retinal volumes can be measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT). However, the underlying pathogenesis was obscure. We compared the OCT and serum lipid data in participants with or without diabetes mellitus (DM) and diabetic retinopathy (DR) to explore the interpretation of the OCT data. Methods Data for eye examinations and blood tests in 41 eyes of 41 participants (23 men; mean age 49.1 ± 8.3) were analyzed. Eyes without macular lesions were included. Results Mean macular retinal volumes of ganglion cell layer (GCL) (P = 0.023) and neural retinal layers (NRL) including layers from internal to external limiting membranes (P = 0.013) were smaller in the DM without DR group than in the control group. Mean serum malondialdehyde-modified low-density lipoprotein (MDA-LDL) levels were higher in the DM without DR (P = 0.046) and with DR (P = 0.021) groups than in the control group. Serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) levels showed a negative correlation with GCL volume (P = 0.005), and trends of negative correlations with retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) (P = 0.060) and NRL volumes (P = 0.051) in the control group. However, in the DM with DR group, LDLC levels showed significant positive correlations with RNFL (P = 0.002), GCL (P = 0.034), and NRL (P = 0.002) volumes. The DR group also showed positive correlations between MDA-LDL levels and RNFL (P < 0.001) and NRL (P = 0.006) volumes. Conclusions Macular retinal volumes may decrease owing to DM and elevated serum lipid levels. However, the volume may increase as serum lipid levels elevate after DR development. Further studies are warranted to understand the pathogenesis.
Predicting breast self-examination awareness in Sub-Saharan Africa using machine learning
Epithelial GREMLIN1 disrupts intestinal epithelial-mesenchymal crosstalk to induce a wnt-dependent ectopic stem cell niche through stromal remodelling
Abstract In homeostasis, counterbalanced morphogen signalling gradients along the vertical axis of the intestinal mucosa regulate the fate and function of epithelial and stromal cell compartments. Here, we use a disease-positioned mouse and human tissue to explore the consequences of pathological BMP signalling dysregulation on epithelial-mesenchymal interaction. Aberrant pan-epithelial expression of the secreted BMP antagonist Grem1 results in ectopic crypt formation, with lineage tracing demonstrating the presence of Lgr5(−) stem/progenitor cells. Isolated epithelial cell Grem1 expression has no effect on individual cell fate, indicating an intercompartmental impact of mucosal-wide BMP antagonism. Treatment with an anti-Grem1 antibody abrogates the polyposis phenotype, and triangulation of specific pathway inhibitors defines a pathological sequence of events, with Wnt-ligand-dependent ectopic stem cell niches forming through stromal remodelling following BMP disruption. These data support an emerging co-evolutionary model of intestinal cell compartmentalisation based on bidirectional regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal cell fate and function.
Development of a patient/proxy-reported instrument for pediatric antibiotic-associated diarrhea
Objective To develop and validate a patient/proxy-reported measure of the incidence and severity of pediatric antibiotic-associated diarrhea (PAAD) in inpatient and outpatient settings. Methods A patient advisory group, consisting of five parents and two children, was engaged as a research partner. Instrument items were developed from three sources: relevant items from two previously validated instruments; relevant constructs from a newly developed core outcome measurement set; and outcomes identified by parents and clinicians as being the most important. In a prospective observational study, children (birth to 17 years old) newly prescribed antibiotics or on antibiotics for ≤ 7 days, were included and assessed at the time of presentation and daily thereafter until two weeks after antibiotic therapy was completed. Internal consistency and convergent validity of the instrument were examined. Results Of 78 patients who agreed to participate and met the eligibility criteria, 30(38%) were lost to follow-up; Data from the remaining 48 were analyzed. By applying four different definitions of diarrhea, we found a broad range of incidence risks of PAAD (27%−83%). PAAD was more likely to develop in younger age groups (≤ 3 years old). Cronbach’s α for the severity scale was less than 0.7. A high correlation was found between the PAAD severity score and numerical rating score of diarrhea severity reported by parents (r > 0.5). Conclusion The PAAD instrument is the first designed to measure the incidence and severity of PAAD. The instrument has content and construct validity. For reliability analyses of the severity scale, larger studies are required.
Development of a biodegradable α-TCP/PLA/nMgO composite for enhanced guided bone regeneration
Spatiotemporal assessment of renewable adequacy during diverse extreme weather events in China
Crop evapotranspiration and water productivity in Loess Plateau: A case study of Shanxi province based on SEBAL model
This study focuses on Shanxi Province, located in the typical rain-fed agricultural region of the Loess Plateau, where farmland water reserves are limited and water scarcity is a significant challenge. To achieve stable and high grain yields while addressing these constraints, the primary focus must be on reducing agricultural water use while balancing productivity with water conservation, provided that sufficient irrigation sources are available. The research utilized Landsat 8 satellite data and meteorological information to simulate crop evapotranspiration (ET) in Shanxi using the SEBAL model. Based on the simulated ET values and field survey data of crop yields, the study calculated crop water productivity (WP). It then analyzed the relationship between WP and natural factors such as elevation, air temperature, and precipitation. Key findings include: Crop ET in Shanxi generally increased from northeast to southwest, with simulation results closely aligning with FAO Penman-Monteith equation calculations (relative error of no more than 5%). Crop yields ranged from 386.794 to 754.896 kg/mu, with WP varying significantly across regions—from 0.824 kg/m3 in the Jindongnan district to 2.532 kg/m3 in the Jinnan district. Regional variations in crop WP were influenced by elevation, annual temperature, and precipitation patterns. Notably, the linear correlation between WP and these factors was weaker in the Lvliang mountainous area. These findings emphasize the importance of implementing appropriate field management practices (e.g., optimized irrigation scheduling, soil moisture management) to improve both crop yields and WP.
Research on collaborative filtering algorithm based on improved K-means algorithm for user attribute rating and co-rating
Néel domain walls with bistable chirality in a perpendicularly magnetized ferrimagnetic insulator
Acceptability of pre-exposure prophylaxis and associated factors among HIV-negative young men in Kagwara fishing community-Serere district, Uganda: A cross-sectional study
Background Despite the potential efficacy of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) in reducing HIV risk, Oral PrEP acceptability remains strikingly varied by populations and locations. We assessed PrEP acceptability and associated factors among at-risk HIV-negative young men. Methods A cross-sectional analytical study design was used. Data were collected among 409 at-risk HIV-negative young men aged 15–24 years living in Kagwara fishing community-Serere district, Uganda between August and October 2023. Quantitative data were collected on socio-demographic characteristics, sexual risk behaviors and concerns about PrEP. Data was analyzed using Stata version 15.0 statistical software. Summary statistics were computed and presented as tables, frequencies and proportions. Bivariate analysis was conducted using binary logistic regression to identify independent factors associated with PrEP acceptability. All factors that had p < 0.10 at the bivariate analysis and confounders were entered into the final logistic regression model. All factors with p < 0.05 were considered significantly associated with the primary outcome. Results The average age of 409 respondents was 21.8 (Standard Deviation [SD]=1.9) years. Majority, (97.8%, n = 393) had unprotected penetrative sex. PrEP acceptability was high as majority of the participants accepted to use PrEP based on the six constructs of acceptability (93.6%, n = 383). Participants with perceived risk of getting HIV infection had higher odds of PrEP acceptability, (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=4.23, 95%CI = 1.05–17.04). Participants who knew their partner’s HIV status (aOR=0.25, 95%CI = 0.07–0.88), those who felt embarrassed to ask for PrEP from the facility (aOR=0.12, 95%CI = 0.04–0.39), and those who had stigma associated with use of PrEP (aOR=0.13, 95%CI = 0.04–0.41) had reduced odds of PrEP acceptability. Conclusion We found a high level of PrEP acceptability among young men at risk of HIV acquisition in Kagwara fishing community. Improving access to PrEP services among high risk young men in the fishing communities may increase PrEP uptake in this population and across similar settings. The Ministry of health needs to use multiple approaches to provide PrEP such as peer-led models, drug distribution points, short message reminders for refills, pharmacies and retail drug shops.
Tunable wideband microwave photonic phase shifter and true time delay using a waveguide bragg grating
Reduction of SEM charging artefacts in native cryogenic biological samples
Abstract Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of frozen-hydrated biological samples allows imaging of subcellular structures at the mesoscale in a representation of their native state. Combined with focused ion beam milling (FIB), serial FIB/SEM can be used to build a 3-dimensional model of cells and tissues. The correlation of specific regions of interest with cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM) can additionally enable subsequent high-resolution analysis. However, the use of serial FIB/SEM imaging-based methods is often limited due to charging artefacts arising from insulating areas of cryogenically preserved samples. Here, we demonstrate the use of interleaved scanning to attenuate these artefacts, allowing the observation of biological features that otherwise would be masked or distorted. We apply our method to samples where inherent features were not visible using conventional scanning. These examples include membrane contact sites within mammalian cells, visualisation of the degradation compartment in the algae E. gracilis and observation of a network of membranes within different types of axons in an adult mouse cortex. The proposed alternative scanning method could also be applied to imaging other non-conductive specimens in SEM.
Dating ancient manuscripts using radiocarbon and AI-based writing style analysis
Determining by means of palaeography the chronology of ancient handwritten manuscripts such as the Dead Sea Scrolls is essential for reconstructing the evolution of ideas, but there is an almost complete lack of date-bearing manuscripts. To overcome this problem, we present Enoch, an AI-based date-prediction model, trained on the basis of 24 14C-dated scroll samples. By applying Bayesian ridge regression on angular and allographic writing style feature vectors, Enoch could predict 14C-based dates with varied mean absolute errors (MAEs) of 27.9 to 30.7 years. In order to explore the viability of the character-shape based dating approach, the trained Enoch model then computed date predictions for 135 non-dated scrolls, aligning with 79% in palaeographic post-hoc evaluation. The 14C ranges and Enoch’s style-based predictions are often older than traditionally assumed palaeographic estimates, leading to a new chronology of the scrolls and the re-dating of ancient Jewish key texts that contribute to current debates on Jewish and Christian origins.
RSTD-YOLOv7: a steel surface defect detection based on improved YOLOv7
Transient ultrafast and negative diffusion of charge carriers in suspended MoSe2 from multilayer to monolayer
Effects of cryotherapy on function, pain intensity, swelling, and dorsiflexion range of motion in acute ankle sprain: Protocol for the FROST randomised controlled trial
Background Cryotherapy is a low-cost treatment option recommended by clinical practice guidelines in acute ankle sprain. However, the current quality of the evidence that supports cryotherapy is still unclear. New high-quality randomised controlled trials are needed. The aim of the Freeze On Sprain Trial (FROST) is to investigate the effectiveness of cryotherapy on function, pain intensity, swelling and dorsiflexion range of motion in people with an acute episode of ankle sprain. Methods This is a protocol of a two-arm randomised controlled trial. Eighty-two participants over 18 years old presenting grade I or II ankle sprain up to 72 hours from the episode will be randomly allocated to Ice Group (i.e., home prescription to apply cryotherapy on the injured ankle with elevation plus non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication – NSAID) or No Ice Group (i.e., elevation plus NSAID). Our primary outcome is function measured by the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) questionnaire. Our secondary outcomes are pain intensity (11-point numerical rating scale), swelling (figure-of-eight method) and dorsiflexion range of motion (goniometry). Participants will be assessed at baseline, 24 hours, 7–10 days, and 12 weeks after allocation. The analysis will follow the intention-to-treat principle using linear mixed models. Discussion The results of this study will clarify the effectiveness of cryotherapy in acute ankle sprain for better clinical decision-making processes. Trial registration Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry (REBEC) RBR-8v9gr9c.
The narrow-band organic photodetectors based on organic photo-filtering layers using a transfer printing technology
Efficient generation of germline chimeras in a non-rodent species using rabbit induced pluripotent stem cells
Abstract Pluripotent stem cells have long been used to produce knockout mice via germline chimera technology. However, aside from the rat, this approach has not been successfully applied to other mammals. Here, we demonstrate that rabbit induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can be reprogrammed using KLF2, ERAS and PRMT6, enabling them to efficiently colonize embryos. These chimeric embryos can develop into fetuses and newborn rabbits, with iPSCs contributing up to 100 % to certain organs. Notably, female rabbits generated through this method are healthy and transmit the iPSC genome to their offspring with a high efficiency, demonstrating germline chimerism. This advancement establishes a foundation for developing rabbit models of human disease with complex genetic traits.
Production of probiotic garden cress (Lepidium Sativum) using Bifidobacterium Bifidum and its evaluation of nutritional value, biocontrol and growth rate ability
Probiotics are one of the most beneficial elements in human health. Several studies have confirmed the health benefits of probiotics. The consumption of fermented vegetables is widespread worldwide and represents an important component of the human diet for a growing global population. In recent years, consumers have become more aware of the relationship between food and health, which has led to an increase in interest in functional foods. The global market for probiotic foods is growing rapidly due to the increasing consumer awareness. Although leafy vegetables are well-endowed with bacteria, including potentially probiotic strains of Lactobacillus, so far, plant-derived products have only been considered as carriers of probiotic cultures. This study aimed to produce probiotic garden cress using Bifidobacterium bifidum and to investigate its nutritional value, biocontrol, and growth rate and this is a great approach due to the increase in vegetarianism, lactose intolerance and people allergic to dairy products. Bifidobacterium bifidum (bb12) was inoculated into sterile cress seeds and the probiotic plant culture was done on days 0 and 3 after harvesting, in a TOS medium containing Mupirocin (MUP) antibiotic. The chemical properties (such as pH, acidity, and dry matter) of both samples were determined and the comparison of growth rate, fat content, vitamin C, and organoleptic properties was done. Bacterial survival in simulated gastrointestinal (SGI) conditions and its antifungal effect on Rhizoctonia solani were also analyzed. The number of bacteria on days 0 and 3 was 4×1013 and 2.3 ×1011 Colony Forming Unit/gram (CFU/g) respectively, which confirms the probiotic nature of the product (>106 bacteria). Also, significant difference (P≤0.05) was observed in the physicochemical parameters. Bacterial viability was reported as 6.3 ×1010 CFU/g in simulated gastric condition and as 3×106 CFU/g in simulated intestine condition, and the antifungal effect of Bifidobacterium on R. solani was 15%. It can be concluded that production of other probiotic vegetables might be possible and that the plant based probiotics can be used to support the growth of human intestinal bacteria and also maintain high cell viability during storage.