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Attention and stimulus structure interact during ensemble encoding of facial expression
Sex comparison of the association between weight-adjusted waist index and physical fitness index: a cross-sectional survey of adolescents in Xinjiang, China
Event recognition technology and short-term rockburst early warning model based on microseismic monitoring and ensemble learning
Enhancement of memory and emotional functions by long-term ingestion of protease-treated porcine liver extract in mice
Abstract The relationship between diet and brain functions has garnered attention. Previous studies have shown that ingesting a protease-treated porcine liver decomposition product (PLDP) improves cognitive function in humans. In this study, we investigated the effects of PLDP ingestion on cognitive and emotional functions in mice. Mice were fed a PLDP-enhanced diet for 16 weeks and subjected to various behavioral assessments. PLDP ingestion enhanced long-term memory in Barnes maze test. Moreover, mice fed the PLDP diet exhibited reduced anxiety- and depression-like behaviors as evidenced by their performance in open-field, elevated plus maze, marble-burying, and forced swim tests. They also increased locomotor activity. RNA sequencing analysis of the brain tissue revealed substantial changes in gene expression, particularly in pathways associated with learning, memory, and anxiety regulation. Collectively, these results suggest that PLDP induces changes in gene expression associated with brain function, potentially contributing to the enhancement of cognitive function and psychological health. Furthermore, our findings not only enhance our understanding of the relationship between nutrition and brain function but also indicate the potential of interventions utilizing dietary components, such as PLDP, to support cognitive function and psychological health.
Experimental-simulation analysis on mechanical degradation and energy evolution characteristics of sandstone under water-rock coupling effects
An interpretable deep learning framework using FCT-SMOTE and BO-TabNet algorithms for reservoir water sensitivity damage prediction
Enhancing the Cherenkov over scintillation ratio using dichroic filters in BGO and TlCl for TOF-PET
Abstract The Cherenkov emission in inorganic crystal scintillators has been shown to dramatically improve time resolution for time-of-flight positron emission tomography (TOF-PET) for in slow scintillators with a high refractive index such as bismuth germanium oxide (BGO). This is due to the faster nature of the Cherenkov emission (tens of picoseconds) with respect to scintillation (nanosecond). However, the presence of slower scintillation light and the inability of existing detectors to distinguish between Cherenkov and scintillation make it difficult for BGO to achieve a good CTR for all the detected coincidence events. In this paper, we exploit the difference between the Cherenkov and scintillation emission spectra and use dichroic filters to enhance the Cherenkov over scintillation ratio. Dichroic filters transmit or reflect photons based on their wavelength, with a photon attenuation lower than 10%. We investigate several shortpass and longpass dichroic filters in a single-photon configuration with BGO and find the optimal filter that maximizes the Cherenkov over scintillation ratio. We demonstrate that we can enhance the ratio of Cherenkov to scintillation photons by a factor of 2.17 ± 0.38 by employing a shortpass dichroic filter with a cut-off wavelength of 450 nm for BGO, and by a factor of 2.87 ± 0.40 using a longpass dichroic filter with a cut-on wavelength of 550 nm for iodine/beryllium-doped thallium chloride.
Dihydrotestosterone and 17β-estradiol modulate TMJ osteoarthritis development and reveal sex-specific differences in pathogenesis
Ophthalmologic and serologic predictors of positive minor salivary gland biopsy in suspected Sjögren’s disease
Abstract To examine the relation between histopathology, ANA subtypes, and high-resolution dry eye analysis in treatment-naive patients evaluated for Sjögren’s disease suspicion in a referral center. Between October 2022 and December 2023, 231 patients who underwent minor salivary gland biopsies were included in the study. Patients were grouped according to their Chisholm and Mason (CM) biopsy scores. Non-invasive ocular surface evaluations and ANA subtype analysis, according to the International Consensus on ANA Patterns (ICAP), were also conducted. Meibomian gland (MG) atrophy was significantly higher (p 0.02) in the positive biopsy group (OR 1.02), although it was a weaker predictor than other parameters. Anti-SSA positivity was markedly correlated with positive biopsy results. However, subtype analysis did not show any significant correlation. In predicting CM scores > 2, ANA positivity was 2.1-fold, SSA positivity was 3.6-fold, Schirmer positivity was 12, fivefold, positive ocular OSS scores were fourfold, limbal redness, and NiBUT less than 10 s were 2.4-fold more significant determinant factors. Our results confirm that the Schirmer test and classical serologic markers are still irreplaceable. We believe that novel measurement techniques that enable faster, non-invasive analyses with advanced technology will facilitate the differential diagnosis of Sjögren’s disease in patients with dry eyes.
Sex modified the association between cognitive impairment and 1-year mortality in older adults with hip fractures
Traditional Chinese herbal formulas modulate inflammatory mediators, antioxidant enzyme levels, and ruminal microbiota composition in postpartum female Yaks
Development and evaluation of a restaurant virtual reality training system for enhancing awareness and priority-setting skills
Abstract Characterizing trainees’ cognitive and decision-making processes presents a challenge for trainers, hindering effective on-the-job training (OJT) in the restaurant industry. Thus, objectively evaluating training effectiveness proves to be difficult. To support aspects that are difficult to address through the current OJT, we developed a job-training system based on virtual reality (VR). The system includes both a training mode and a scoring mode. In training mode, trainees wore a head-mounted display (HMD) and held the controller in both hands to perform operations in a virtual restaurant. In scoring mode, instructors could view replays of the trainees’ operations on a PC screen and provide comments. This system targets two elements that pose challenges in real-world scenarios: awareness and priority-setting. Given the importance of evaluating the training effectiveness and user usability of the training system, we designed and conducted an evaluation experiment with 50 novices and 20 experts. Although scores before and after training exhibited no significant differences in the tests using videos recorded in actual settings, both novices and experts highly praised the system’s utility.
Enhancing wind turbine blade damage detection with YOLO-Wind
Design and synthesis of reversible Vedic multiplier using cadence 180 nm technology for low-power high-speed applications
Possible break-down of redox homeostasis in Beals-Hecht syndrome
Optimizing copper phytoremediation and mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) yield through Sinorhizobium meliloti and Piriformospora indica inoculation
Prognostic value of NT-proANP levels on major cardiovascular outcomes in a 31-year follow-up study depends on baseline morbidity
Abstract In subjects with cardiovascular disease (CVD), higher N-terminal proatrial natriuretic peptide (NT-proANP) are associated with major cardiovascular outcomes, while in subjects without CVDs longitudinal data is largely lacking. Our aim was to assess cross-sectional associations between NT-proANP and key CVD factors (1044 subjects, 40–62 years, 51% hypertensive, 49% males) and to evaluate the predictive potential of NT-proANP for HF events, CVD events, CVD mortality, and total mortality over an up-to 31-year follow-up period. In subjects with CVDs, the high NT-proANP tertile had decreased kidney function, higher prevalence of CVDs and adverse echocardiographic measures but also the lowest fasting insulin levels, and in longitudinal analysis had an increased risk for HF events and CVD mortality. In subjects without CVDs the high NT-proANP tertile had the healthiest metabolic profile with the lowest BMI, fasting insulin levels and blood pressure, and in longitudinal analysis weaker evidence for increased risk for HF events and CVD mortality were observed. Regardless of CVDs, NT-proANP levels increased with age and were not independently associated with total mortality. In this middle-aged population, followed for up to three decades, the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of NT-proANP levels were largely dependent on population characteristics such as age and CVDs.
Co-differentiation and enrichment of corneal endothelial cells and keratocytes from human pluripotent stem cells
Abstract Corneal keratocytes (CK) and endothelial cells (CEnC) maintain corneal stromal transparency. Damage to these cell types can lead to visual impairment. Although corneal transplantation is effective, donor shortages limit its availability. Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC) offer a promising alternative for generating corneal cell types. While hPSC-derived epithelial cells and CEnC are well-studied, attempts to differentiate CK from hPSC have received less attention. This study investigates the differentiation of hPSC-CK using defined culture conditions and approaches to enrich both CK and CEnC. hPSC were cultured on laminin 521 (LN-521) coatings and differentiated using transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) and glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) inhibitors, along with retinoic acid (RA) with (mEn protocol) or without (En protocol) fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2). Differentiated cells were characterized using qPCR and immunofluorescence on days (D) 8, 10, and 13. CK enrichment utilized collagen-1-coated plates with keratocyte-specific media, while CEnC were purified through metabolic starvation. Results showed the formation of heterogenous cultures containing both CK and CEnC. CK-like cells expressed keratocan (KERA), lumican (LUM), paired box 6 (PAX6) and actin α2 (ACTA2) genes, with proteoglycan expression (lumican (LUM) and decorin (DCN)) increasing over time. En protocol however maintained a stable CK phenotype. Furthermore, enriched hPSC-CK were LUM+/DCN+/PAX6−/CD166− and hPSC-CEnC were CD166+/ZO-1+. Using xeno-free, defined conditions, we differentiated both CK and CEnC from hPSC using a single protocol with further optimized enrichment methods for hPSC-CK and hPSC-CEnC purification, advancing cell differentiation techniques.