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Proteomic profiling of small extracellular vesicles from bovine nucleus pulposus cells
Small extracellular vesicles (small EV) are a conserved means of communication across the domains of life and lately gained more interest in mammalian non-cancerous work as non-cellular, biological therapeutic with encouraging results in recent studies of chronic degenerative diseases. The nucleus pulposus (NP) is the avascular and aneural center of an intervertebral disc (IVD), home to unique niche conditions and affected in IVD degeneration. We investigated autologous and mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) small EVs for their potential to contribute to cell and tissue homeostasis in the NP niche via mass spectrometric proteome and functional enrichment analysis using adult and fetal donors. We compared these findings to published small EV databases and MSC small EV data. We propose several mechanisms associated with NP small EVs: Membrane receptor trafficking to modify signal responses promoting niche homeostasis; Redox and energy homeostasis via metabolic enzymes delivery; Cell homeostasis via proteasome delivery and immunomodulation beyond an association with a serum protein corona. The proteome signature of small EVs generated by NP parent cells is similar to previously published small EV data, yet with a focus on supplementing anaerobic metabolism and redox balance while contributing to the maintenance of an aneural and avascular microniche.
The awareness of chronic kidney disease in non-medical female university students: A cross-sectional in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Background Assessing the level of knowledge about Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is very crucial for society. Research on CKD knowledge can help to identify gaps in public understanding and develop targeted educational interventions to improve public awareness of CKD. Aim To assess the level of awareness of CKD among non-medical students in Riyadh region of Saudi Arabia. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted between February 2023 to November 2023 including 523 non-medical female university students in Riyadh region. A self-administer questionnaire was designed and used for collecting the required data. The information viz. age, nationality, residential area, university, educational level, study field, academic year, and income were obtained from each participant. Information for knowledge of CKD knowledge and associated risk factors were also obtained in the study. Results The study concluded non-medical female university students had an unsatisfactory level of knowledge regarding CKD. We found a significant association (p < 0.05) between the adequacy of general knowledge, knowledge of risk factors, complications, and active preventive measures regarding CKD with the sociodemographic characteristics of the participants. Conclusion The study found that most non-medical female students have an unsatisfactory level of knowledge regarding CKD, therefore, educational materials should be developed and distributed to inform people more about CKD risk factors, symptoms, and treatment options like organizations that can offer educational events and webinars on CKD. These events can be a great way to learn about CKD from experts in the field and to ask questions about specific concerns.
A model of the impact of land use change on its carbon sequestration capacity
Different land-use types have different carbon sequestration capacities, and changes in land-use type directly cause changes in carbon sequestration capacity. To understand the change trend of carbon sequestration capacity, it is necessary to quantify the specific quantity of the impact of land use change on carbon sequestration capacity to indirectly estimate the change in carbon sequestration capacity by monitoring the change in land use type. Based on the analysis of the changing trends of land use type data and ecological carbon sequestration data in the research area, this study establishes an impact model (IM) of land use change on ecological carbon sequestration capacity, quantifying the specific quantity of the impact of land use change on ecological carbon sequestration capacity from two aspects: the impact of land use type transition in and the impact of land use type transition out. Through verification of the accuracy of the model estimation, it is expected that the impact of land use change on carbon sequestration capacity in Sichuan mountainous areas in 2025 and 2030 will be -20754 tons and -30837 tons, respectively, and the total ecological carbon sinks will be 132 and 133 million tons, respectively. Based on the trend analysis of the total carbon sequestration and the IM estimation data, the impact of land use change on ecological carbon sequestration capacity tends to stabilize (the impact will fluctuate around -31156 tons), and the trend of a significant increase in total carbon sequestration is not obvious. The IM quantifies the specific quantity of the influence of land-use type change on carbon sequestration capacity and can dynamically analyze the external factors that cause the change in carbon sequestration capacity, which is of great significance for monitoring the change law of carbon sequestration capacity.
Targeted drug screening for autism based on Cav1.2 calcium ion channel
This study presents a targeted virtual drug screening approach for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), focusing on Cav1.2 calcium ion channels as potential therapeutic targets. ASD is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairments in social communication and behavior, with genetic factors playing a significant role. Cav1.2 channels have been implicated in the pathophysiology of ASD due to their role in regulating neuronal excitability and synaptic transmission. We employed computational methods to virtually screen a large database of compounds for their potential to modulate Cav1.2 channel function. Molecular docking simulations were used to identify potential Cav1.2 inhibitors, followed by pharmacokinetic modeling to assess drug-like properties. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed to evaluate the interactions of the top candidates with Cav1.2, and Molecular Mechanics/Poisson-Boltzmann Surface Area (MM/PBSA) analysis was employed to predict binding free energies. This approach identified several promising drug candidates, including ZINC000828320609, which exhibited strong binding affinity to Cav1.2, favorable pharmacokinetic properties, and no predicted toxicity. The virtual screening results provide a solid foundation for further experimental validation and potential drug development for ASD, offering a novel and efficient strategy to target Cav1.2 channels in the treatment of this complex disorder.
Spontaneous symmetry breaking and panic escape
Panic-induced herding in individuals often leads to social disasters, resulting in people being trapped and trampled in crowd stampedes triggered by panic. We introduce a novel approach that offers fresh insights into studying the phenomenon of asymmetrical panic-induced escape. Our approach is based on the concept of Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking (SSB), a fundamental governing mechanism in the Physical Sciences. By applying the principles of SSB, we conjecture that the onset of disastrous effects of panic can be understood as a SSB phenomenon, and we formulate the process accordingly. We highlight that this way of understanding panic escape leads to simple general measures of preventing catastrophic situations, by considering two crucial parameters: population density and external information. The interplay of these two parameters is responsible for either breaking or restoring the symmetry of a system. We describe how these parameters are set by design conditions as well as crowd control. Based on these parameters, we discuss strategies for preventing potential social disasters caused by asymmetrical panic escape.
Dual-task costs of listening while driving in older and younger adults
Age-related changes in hearing and cognition result in increased listening difficulties, which could affect the ability to perform common, complex, multitasking behaviours, such as listening while driving. However, there are very few realistic and controlled studies examining how the competing attentional demands of listening while driving affect performance and how performance may differ between younger and older adults. The primary objective of this study was to examine dual-task costs of listening while driving in older (N = 24, Mage = 68.29 years, 15 female) and younger (N = 24, Mage = 26.42 years, 12 female) licensed drivers with normal hearing, vision, and cognition. Participants completed a driving task in a high-fidelity driving simulator during simpler (Rural driving) and more complex (City driving) driving conditions. They also completed the Connected Speech Test (CST) at +4 signal-to-noise ratio (SNR; easier listening) and at 0 SNR (harder listening) conditions. Finally, they completed both tasks simultaneously to examine the dual-task costs of listening while driving. Results demonstrated that only older adults showed significantly poorer listening accuracy on the CST in the dual-task compared to the single-task condition, particularly during the more difficult driving conditions (City driving). Both older and younger adults showed poorer driving performance (greater variability in lane position) in the dual-task compared to the single-task condition, which was most pronounced under the most challenging conditions (City driving, 0 dB SNR listening). However, the magnitude of these dual-task costs during the most challenging conditions was greater in older adults than younger adults. Findings may inform mitigation strategies to reduce the effects of difficult listening conditions on driving performance by optimizing vehicle acoustics or by minimizing auditory distractions, particularly during more challenging driving conditions.
Walking versus running and GFR trajectory in healthy young adults
Background The effect of physical activity on the primary prevention of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is unclear. We assessed walking and running as exercise behaviors and their associations with individual-level risk for kidney function decline. Methods We conducted a historical cohort study in which we followed 20,976 young adults. Participants were interviewed periodically about their lifestyle, and clinical parameters were assessed. The decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) over time was divided into quartiles. Using logistic regressions, we estimated the odds ratio (OR) for being in the slowest declining quartile by consistency of running or walking. We also used Cox proportional hazards models to estimate the associations of physical activity with future eGFR < 90 ml/min/1.73m2. All models were adjusted for age, sex, smoking status, family history of kidney diseases, BMI, blood-pressure, baseline eGFR and serum cholesterol. Results During 9.5 years of follow-up, the eGFR decreased by 0.97 ml/min/1.73m2 per year. Participants who reported in two consecutive questionnaires on walking as a leisure time activity had an OR of 1.21 (95% confidence interval: 1.03–1.41) to have slow eGFR decline compared to those who were physically inactive. Participants who predominantly reported on running as their physical activity were less likely to be slow eGFR decliners (OR:0.81, 95% CI:0.71–0.93). Similarly, consistent walking was associated with decreased risk for future eGFR < 90 ml/min/1.73m2 in contrast to consistent running which was associated with an increased risk for reduced eGFR. All associations showed dose dependent effects in terms of the number of weekly activity sessions. Conclusions Consistent walking, as opposed to consistent running, was associated with slower eGFR decline compared to inactive participants. These associations start already within the normal GFR range.
Earliest amniote tracks recalibrate the timeline of tetrapod evolution
Abstract The known fossil record of crown-group amniotes begins in the late Carboniferous with the sauropsid trackmaker Notalacerta 1,2 and the sauropsid body fossil Hylonomus 1–4. The earliest body fossils of crown-group tetrapods are mid-Carboniferous, and the oldest trackways are early Carboniferous5–7. This suggests that the tetrapod crown group originated in the earliest Carboniferous (early Tournaisian), with the amniote crown group appearing in the early part of the late Carboniferous. Here we present new trackway data from Australia that challenge this widely accepted timeline. A track-bearing slab from the Snowy Plains Formation of Victoria, Taungurung Country, securely dated to the early Tournaisian8,9, shows footprints from a crown-group amniote with clawed feet, most probably a primitive sauropsid. This pushes back the likely origin of crown-group amniotes by at least 35–40 million years. We also extend the range of Notalacerta into the early Carboniferous. The Australian tracks indicate that the amniote crown-group node cannot be much younger than the Devonian/Carboniferous boundary, and that the tetrapod crown-group node must be located deep within the Devonian; an estimate based on molecular-tree branch lengths suggests an approximate age of early Frasnian for the latter. The implications for the early evolution of tetrapods are profound; all stem-tetrapod and stem-amniote lineages must have originated during the Devonian. It seems that tetrapod evolution proceeded much faster, and the Devonian tetrapod record is much less complete, than has been thought.
Identification and characterization of a target antigen recognized by the monoclonal antibody against Opisthorchis viverrini
Opisthorchis viverrini (Ov) infection caused opisthorchiasis, which posed an important risk for the development of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Therefore, it is crucial to focus on the primary prevention and control of opisthorchiasis in order to control CCA effectively in Thailand and other endemic regions. A recent diagnostic method of antigen detection using monoclonal antibody-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (mAb-ELISA) has the potential for rapid mass screening of opisthorchiasis. Nevertheless, the specific antigen(s) in Ov adult worms recognized by mAb have not been determined. In this study, we aimed to identify and characterize the target molecule of our in-house Ov-specific monoclonal antibody (mAb KKU505). The specific antigenic band formed by the reaction of Ov adult worm extract and mAb KKU505 was detected using western blot analysis. The protein band was identified as the myosin heavy chain of Ov using LC-MS/MS analysis. The reactivity of the recombinant full-length myosin heavy chain (rMHC) was comparable to that of the crude Ov antigen when evaluated using mAb-ELISA at similar protein concentrations. Moreover, the binding ability between Ov myosin head domain and mAb KKU505 was confirmed using in silico analysis. The results reported here indicate that rMHC could potentially substitute for Ov crude antigen in antigen detection by mAb-ELISA and as a positive control for Ov-strip in lateral flow assays, thereby avoiding the use of laboratory animals for the production of Ov adult worms.
Factors shaping giraffe behavior in U.S. zoos: A multi-institutional study to inform management
Giraffes are one of the most commonly housed megafauna in zoos. Variation across zoos (e.g., geographic location, housing, and husbandry), may be expected to influence giraffe behavior. However, past studies have typically focused on a small number of zoos, limiting generalizable conclusions. Here, we expand upon a recent report on the behavior patterns of zoo-housed giraffes to evaluate the influence of several factors on giraffe behavior. Data were recorded on 66 individuals housed across 18 zoos over a one-year period (n = 8,330 10-min observation sessions). Generalized linear mixed models were used to analyze influences on the following behaviors: browsing, extractive foraging, other feeding, ruminating, oral stereotypies, inactive, and locomotion. Behaviors were first compared across outdoor and indoor housing conditions, then models were built for each behavior and housing condition to evaluate how multiple factors influenced behavior: organizational (habitat size, herd size, presence of public feeding opportunities); environmental (temperature, weather); temporal (time of day); and individual (age, sex). Behavioral differences between outdoor and indoor conditions were observed but were minimal. Overall, environmental and temporal factors influenced giraffe behavior the most, but all factors significantly influenced at least one behavior. Several findings are relevant for giraffe management. For example, giraffes living at zoos with public feeding opportunities spent less time browsing, more time in other feeding behaviors, and showed a trend of increased inactivity, suggesting these programs may negatively influence giraffe behavior. Oral stereotypies were negatively correlated with the time spent browsing or extractive foraging and temperature. This supports husbandry efforts to increase natural foraging behaviors in giraffes and highlights the need to better understand thermal comfort. The amount of outdoor space available was not associated with the time spent locomoting, countering common assumptions. Overall, these findings can begin to inform management decisions and guide additional investigations to identify specific, evidence-based husbandry recommendations.
Bulk–spatiotemporal vortex correspondence in gyromagnetic zero-index media
Improving cancer detection through computer-aided diagnosis: A comprehensive analysis of nonlinear and texture features in breast thermograms
Breast cancer is a significant health issue for women, characterized by its high rates of mortality and sickness. However, its early detection is crucial for improving patient outcomes. Thermography, which measures temperature variations between healthy and cancerous tissues, offers a promising approach for early diagnosis. This study proposes a novel method for analyzing breast thermograms. The method segments suspicious masses, extracts relevant features, and classifies them as benign or malignant. While the chaotic indices, including Lyapunov Exponent (LE), Fractal Dimension (FD), Kolmogorov–Sinai Entropy (KSE), and Correlation Dimension (CD), are employed for nonlinear analysis, the Gray-Level Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM) method utilized for extracting the texture features. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is enhanced by integrating texture and complexity features. Besides, to optimize feature selection and reduce redundancy, a metaheuristic optimization technique called Non-Dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm (NSGA III) is applied. The proposed method utilizes various machine learning algorithms, including Support Vector Machine (SVM), K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), Pattern recognition Network (Pat net), and Fitting neural Network (Fit net), for classification. ten-fold cross-validation ensures robust performance evaluation. The achieved accuracy of 98.65%, emphasizes the superior performance of the proposed method in thermograms breast cancer diagnosis.
A study on fresh product supply chain management decisions considering subsidies and different transaction contracts
With the continuous improvement of people’s living standards and the increasing demand for high-quality fresh products, enhancing the quality of fresh products has become an urgent and crucial issue that requires attention. Existing studies have shown that strengthening the preservation capacity of fresh products at the origin can effectively improve product quality. Therefore, this paper starts from the perspective of enhancing the freshness preservation level at the origin, considering providing financial subsidies to the supplier from both the government and the retailer’s side, introducing the factor of supplier risk aversion behavior, and respectively constructing and solving the Stackelberg game models under wholesale price contract, cost-sharing contract, revenue-sharing contract, and transfer payment contract to explore how government subsidies and risk aversion affect the optimal decisions of members, the freshness of products, and the utility level of the supply chain. The research results indicate that: (1) The increase in government subsidies has a positive impact on the operation of the fresh product supply chain, which will raise wholesale prices, freshness preservation efforts, selling prices, and the overall utility level of the supply chain. (2) The risk aversion of supplier leads to a reduction in transfer payment costs, wholesale prices, and freshness preservation efforts, but this will, in turn, prompt retailer to lower selling prices, thereby enhancing the utility levels of both the retailer and the supply chain entity. (3) The freshness preservation effort by the supplier is higher in transfer payment contracts and cost-sharing contracts with a high cost-sharing ratio. Under transfer payment contracts, supplier and supply chain entity achieve the highest utility levels, while the most efficient utility level of retailer depends on the risk aversion threshold of supplier. When this threshold is exceeded, it will switch to cost-sharing contracts.
Effects of pesticide application on soil bacteria community structure in a cabbage-based agroecosystem in Ghana
Modern sustainable agriculture often relies on pesticide application, which may unintentionally affect non-target soil microorganisms. This study assessed the effects of commonly used pesticides in cabbage cultivation on bacteria diversity, composition, and abundance in soils from some farming communities in Bosome Freho District, Ghana. The pesticides included a neonicotinoid (acetamiprid), microbial agents (Pieris rapae granulosis virus+ Bacillus thuringiensis), avermectin (emamectin benzoate), and pyrrole (chlorfenapyr). Soil samples were collected from non-contaminated (NCS), abandoned pesticide-contaminated (AB-PCS) and actively pesticide-contaminated (AC-PCS) soils. Bacteria communities were analysed in the soil at phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species levels using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The soils were also analyzed for physicochemical properties. Our results showed a decrease in bacteria diversity and abundance in pesticide-contaminated soils in the following order: NCS > AB-PCS > AC-PCS. Sorensen’s coefficient of similarity indicated major shifts in bacteria taxa composition due to pesticide contamination. In NCS, Pseudomonas veronii, Bacillus sp., and Prevotella albensis were the most abundant species, while Rhodoplanes elegans and Nostocoida limicola dominated AB-PCS. In AC-PCS, R. elegans, Gemmata obscuriglobus, Nitrospira calida, and N. limicola were the most abundant species. The abundance of Bacillus sp., P. veronii, and P. albensis decreased in the contaminated soils, while the abundance of N. calida, Cystobacter sp., Pedomicrobium australicum and Byssovorax cruenta was higher in the contaminated soils. Key genera involved in nutrient cycling such as Clostridium, Bacillus, Prevotella, Pseudomonas, and Arthrobacter, declined in abundance in pesticide exposed soils. In contrast, an increase in abundance of various taxa such as Pedomicrobium, Hyphomicrobiaceae, Pirellulaceae, Comamonadaceae, Nitrospirales, Nitrospira, Anaerolineae, Planctomycetes, Acidobacteriaí and Nitrospirae was observed in the contaminated soils. These bacteria may possess bioremediation potential that could be exploited for environmental remediation. Soil physicochemical properties and nutrient levels varied across the three soil treatments, with potential implications for bacteria community structure.
Comparison of physical characteristics among english professional and semi-professional soccer players across different leagues
The purpose of the present study was to investigate if differences exist in neuromuscular qualities between different leagues in English male soccer. Twenty soccer players (age: 23.3 ± 5.2 years, stature: 180.3 ± 7.0 cm, mass: 82.5 ± 7.7 kg) from English football league two (EFL2). 34 soccer players (age: 25.8 ± 4.3 years, stature: 180.9 ± 5.6 cm, mass: 81.4 ± 8.6 kg) from National league (NL) and 23 soccer players (age: 27.5 ± 4.3 years, stature: 182.1 ± 5.5 cm, mass: 84.1 ± 8.0 kg) from National league North (NLN). Each player completed three to five repetitions of the countermovement jump (CMJ), countermovement rebound jump (CMJRJ) and isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP). Trivial to small differences were observed in CMJ jump height, CMJ momentum, relative average braking and propulsion force, time to take-off and modified reactive strength index (RSI) (p > 0.265, d = 0.05–0.55). However, moderate to large (p ≤ 0.009, d = 0.94–1.25) differences were observed in countermovement depth. Trivial to moderate differences were observed in absolute and relative peak net force and force at 100 and 250 ms (p ≥ 0.092, d = 0.13–0.63). Trivial to moderate differences were observed in CMJRJ rebound jump height and rebound jump momentum (p ≥ 0.440, d = 0.17–0.41). NLN players had longer rebound contact time and lower rebound RSI, rebound average relative braking and propulsion forces to a large magnitude (p ≤ 0.001, d = 1.18–1.85), with small differences between ELF2 and NL (p > 0.536, d = 0.11–0.39). Lower reactive qualities of NLN players could explain observed leagues, considering their relationship with match scoring situations. All players would be considered weak (<30 N/kg) and practitioners should prioritise lower limb strength across all leagues.