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Coactivation patterns reveal the abnormality of dynamic state transitions between different psychiatric disorders

Telomere function and regulation from mouse models to human ageing and disease

Intranasal influenza virus-vectored vaccine offers protection against clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 infection in small animal models

Comparative efficacy and safety of high-dose versus low-dose tranexamic acid in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective The objective of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the comparative effectiveness and safety of high-dose versus low-dose tranexamic acid (TXA) in adolescents undergoing treatment for idiopathic scoliosis. Methods A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases up to March 2024. We sought to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and retrospective controlled studies (RCSs) assessing the impact of high-dose compared to low-dose TXA on perioperative blood loss and transfusion requirements in spinal fusion procedures for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. The study was registered in INPLASY (Registration number: INPLASY202480018). Results Our meta-analysis included data from six studies: two high-quality RCTs and four lower-quality RCSs, comprising a total of 611 participants. Subgroup analysis revealed that high-dose TXA significantly reduced intraoperative blood loss and transfusion rates in RCSs, whereas no significant differences were observed in RCTs. The combined findings showed that high-dose TXA was associated with a significant reduction in intraoperative blood loss [weighted mean difference (WMD) =  -215.48, 95% confidence interval (CI) (-367.58, -63.37), P <  0.001], as well as a decreased likelihood of transfusion [risk ratio (RR) =  0.40, 95% CI (0.30, 0.53), P <  0.001]. Operative time did not differ significantly, and no thromboembolic events were reported in either treatment group. The differences between high and low doses varied widely across studies. Conclusion This meta-analysis indicates that high-dose TXA does not significantly reduce intraoperative blood loss, transfusion rates, or operative time compared to low-dose TXA in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. While RCSs showed some benefit, our analysis places more emphasis on the results from RCTs, which did not show significant differences. Further high-quality RCTs are needed to confirm its effectiveness and safety.

Detection of kidney bean leaf spot disease based on a hybrid deep learning model

Photoredox cobalt-catalyzed asymmetric desymmetric reductive coupling of cyclobutenes with alkynes

The effect of nurses’ individual and occupational characteristics and perceptions of hierarchical career plateau on their turnover intention: A cross-sectional study

Career plateau is associated with undesirable work outcomes such as low job performance, motivation, work and organizational commitment, increased counterproductive work behaviors, and turnover intentions. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of nurses’ personal and professional characteristics and their perceptions of hierarchical career plateau on their turnover intentions. Hierarchical plateaus refer to points within an organization’s pyramidal structure where opportunities for career advancement become limited or cease entirely. Experiencing a career plateau can result in negative work outcomes, including decreased job satisfaction and reduced motivation. This cross-sectional study was conducted from March to June 2024 with 464 nurses working in hospitals across Türkiye. Participants were selected using a convenience sampling method. Data were collected using a Nurse Information Form, the Career Plateau Survey and Turnover Intention Scale. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to determine the effect of independent variables (individual and occupational characteristics and perceptions of hierarchical career plateau) on the dependent variable (turnover intention). This study was conducted in accordance with the STROBE checklist for cross-sectional studies. The findings indicated that nurses’ turnover intention increased as the level of hierarchical career plateau increased. Additionally, nurses working in private/non-profit healthcare organizations who had voluntarily chosen their profession exhibited statistically significantly lower turnover intentions. Interventions aimed at reducing career plateaus, tailored to the type of healthcare institution, and supporting nurses’ autonomy in career choice can reduce turnover intentions. It is recommended to regularly review promotion policies in healthcare institutions to align with the needs and expectations of current nurses, and to implements programs specific to their career development.

Preliminary findings from a retrospective comparative study on a novel hydrophobic C-loop monofocal intraocular lens

Molecular basis for the calcium-dependent activation of the ribonuclease EndoU

Editorial note: CRABP2 promotes myoblast differentiation and is modulated by the transcription factors MyoD and Sp1 in C2C12 cells

Identification of housekeeping gene for future studies exploring effects of cryopreservation on gene expression in shrimp

Abstract Few studies have investigated the subcellular effects of low temperature on gene expression in shrimp and most other crustaceans. Before gene expression analysis is conducted, suitable housekeeping genes (HKGs) must be confirmed to account for differences in reverse transcription process efficiency among samples. Thus, this study aimed to verify five frequently used HKGs, namely 18S ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA), ATPase, histone 3, β-actin, and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (gapdh) for use in experiments for assessing the molecular-scale effects of cryopreservation on coral banded shrimp (Stenopus hispidus) embryos. To conduct chilling studies, we subjected S. hispidus embryos to incubation at either 26 °C (control) or 5 °C for 0, 4, 8, 16, or 32 h. The software tools GeNorm, NormFinder, and Bestkeeper were employed to identify the most suitable HKG. GeNorm identified histone 3 and 18S rRNA as the most stable genes. By contrast, NormFinder determined that 18S rRNA is a stable gene for eye-formation and pre-hatch stage samples. Finally, Bestkeeper determined that gapdh and β-actin are the most suitable genes. This study is the first to identify suitable HKGs for studying shrimp embryos at low temperatures. Its findings can aid future research on evaluating the effects of cryopreservation on gene expression in crustaceans.

A genotype-first approach identifies high incidence of NF1 pathogenic variants with distinct disease associations

Employee informal coaching and job performance in higher education: The role of perceived organizational support and transformational leadership

The existing literature has not adequately explored the connection between informal coaching and employees’ job performance, particularly in higher education institutions (HEIs). Anchored in the social exchange theory, this study aims to investigate the impact of informal coaching practices on job performance, as well as the mediating and moderating roles of perceived organizational support and transformational leadership. Results from a time-lagged study of 768 participants in HEIs in Vietnam indicate that informal coaching from supervisors and peers is crucial in directly enhancing employee performance. Furthermore, the research indicates that perceived support from the organization plays a vital role in mediating the impact of informal coaching on individual job performance. Interestingly, the study suggests that high levels of transformational leadership strengthen the relationships between informal coaching from supervisors and employees’ job performance, as well as informal coaching from supervisors and perceived organizational support. However, contrary to expectations, transformational leadership does not moderate the influence of informal coaching from peers on job performance and perceived organizational support.

Associations and mediators between vitiligo and cardiovascular diseases: a Mendelian randomization study

Abstract Previous studies yielded conflicting results on the associations between vitiligo and cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This MR study aims to elucidate the underlying causal association between vitiligo and the risk of CVD, as well as the potential mediator. Using summary statistics from genome-wide association study (GWAS), we conducted a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis and mediation analysis to investigate the causal association between vitiligo and 13 CVD outcomes and potential mediators. The IVW method was the main MR analysis method, supplemented by MR-Egger, weighted median, and weighted mode methods. Multiple sensitivity analyses were applied to enhance the robustness of the results. Bioinformatics analysis involved Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network, Gene Ontology (GO) and GeneMANIA functional analysis analysis. MR analysis indicated that genetically predicted vitiligo was significantly associated with higher risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) (OR = 1.0199, 95% CI = 1.0024–1.0377, p = 0.026). There was no significant causal association between vitiligo and 12 other cardiovascular diseases. And reverse MR analysis found no causal effect of CVD on vitiligo. CCL11 was identified to partially mediate the association between vitiligo and CHD. GO and GeneMANIA suggested that CCL11 may mediate the association between vitiligo and CHD through chemokine-related functions and pathways. Our study revealed the potential causal association between vitiligo and CHD, with CCL11 as a potential mediator. Further studies are necessitated to elucidate the exact association and the mechanisms.

Integration of GWAS, QTLs and keratinocyte functional assays reveals molecular mechanisms of atopic dermatitis

Change in D3Cr muscle mass in oldest old men and its association with changes in grip strength and walking speed

Background The use of lean soft tissue (LST) mass as a surrogate measurement of skeletal muscle mass (SMM) has led to the conclusion that muscle loss is poorly related to functional decline. We hypothesized that when using a more accurate measure of SMM determined by D3-creatine dilution (D3Cr), longitudinal changes in SMM will be similar in magnitude to changes in strength and physical performance and that skeletal muscle mass will partially mediate the relationship of age with these outcomes. Methods We measured change in D3Cr muscle mass (kg), handgrip strength (kg), and 6m walk speed (m/s) in 208 men from the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men Study (85.2 ± 4.3 years) over an average of 6.1 years follow-up. Mixed linear effects models adjusted for potential confounders were used to examine the relationship of changes in D3Cr muscle mass with changes in grip strength and walking speed. Results Annual losses of D3Cr muscle mass, grip strength, and walking speed were 2.1%, 2.2%, and 2.6%, respectively (p < 0.001). Each additional kg loss in D3Cr muscle mass was associated with a 0.55 kg loss in grip strength and a 0.01 m/s loss in walking speed independent of changes in age (p < 0.001). 41.3% and 22.4% of the relationship between age and loss of grip strength and walking speed, respectively, was attributed to loss of D3Cr muscle mass (p < 0.001). Conclusion Skeletal muscle mass may have a more important role than previously considered and should not be overlooked as a potentially modifiable determinant in the loss of strength and performance in older age.

Climate variability and warming in Coastal Odisha: assessing interannual temperature trends and impacts

Targeting CCNE1 amplified ovarian and endometrial cancers by combined inhibition of PKMYT1 and ATR

Abstract Ovarian cancers (OVCAs) and endometrial cancers (EMCAs) with CCNE1- amplification are often resistant to standard treatment and represent an unmet clinical need. Synthetic-lethal screening identified loss of the CDK1 regulator, PKMYT1, as synthetically lethal with CCNE1 -amplification. We hypothesize that CCNE1 -amplification associated replication stress will be more effectively targeted by combining PKMYT1 inhibitor lunresertib (RP-6306), with ATR inhibitor camonsertib (RP-3500/RG6526). Low dose combination RP-6306 with RP-3500 synergistically increases cytotoxicity more so in CCNE1 -amplified compared to non-amplified cells. Combination treatment produces durable antitumor activity, reduces metastasis and increases survival in CCNE1 -amplified patient-derived OVCA and EMCA xenografts. Mechanistically, low doses of RP-6306 with RP-3500 increase CDK1 activation more so than monotherapy, triggering rapid and robust induction of premature mitosis, DNA damage, and apoptosis in a CCNE1 -dependent manner. These findings suggest that targeting CDK1 activity by combining RP-6306 with RP-3500 is an effective therapeutic approach to treat CCNE1 -amplifed OVCAs and EMCAs.

Purple potato extract modulates fat metabolizing genes expression, prevents oxidative stress, hepatic steatosis, and attenuates high-fat diet-induced obesity in male rats

Objective In this investigation, the significance of purple potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) extract treatment was assessed against oxidative stress and fat metabolizing transcription factors in the liver of high-fat (HF) diet-fed rats. Methods Wistar (male) rats were arranged into several groups and provided with a control and HF diet along with the purple potato extract. Body weights, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), insulin, plasma lipids, and oxidative stress-related indicators were analyzed in plasma and tissue samples. Additionally, real-time PCR was performed to evaluate the gene expression for oxidative stress and fat metabolism in the liver. Histological staining was also performed on pancreatic and hepatic tissues. Results Purple potato extract lowered body weights and improved glucose utilization in the OGTT test in HF diet-fed rats. Purple potato extract also suppressed HF-diet-induced oxidative stress in plasma and hepatic tissues. Purple potato extract also restored the Nrf-2 expression in the liver, followed by the improved expression of HO-1, HO-2, and other antioxidant genes in HF diet-fed rats. In addition, genes involved in lipid metabolism were also positively modulated due to purple potato extract treatment. Furthermore, histological examination revealed the reduction of lipid accumulation and amelioration of inflammation due to the consumption of purple potato extract. Conclusion This investigation revealed that antioxidant-rich purple potato extract can modulate the antioxidant and fat metabolizing genes expression, ameliorated oxidative stress and glucose intolerance as well as lowered blood lipids in male rats.

Oviposition behaviour of Rhagoletis completa on dead end host Cydonia oblonga

Abstract Host finding behaviour and host acceptance for oviposition is a rather complex process amongst insects; it is a major decision that will have a direct effect on the performance of offspring. It is not uncommon that herbivorous insects oviposit on unsuitable hosts. The level of insect-host specialisation correlates with the likelihood of mis-oviposition incidence; polyphagous herbivore insect species have a higher chance to lay eggs on unsuitable hosts compared to specialised monophagous ones. Over several seasons, large numbers of walnut husk fly adults were observed on the canopy and fruit of European quince. Males were engaging in behaviours like fighting, courting, mating, and guarding oviposition sites, while females copulated, oviposited, or rested. Oviposition marks were found on quince fruits, with unhatched eggs, chorions, and newly hatched maggots inside. Molecular identification confirmed the species as Rhagoletis completa. To investigate this unusual host interaction, electrophysiological recordings were conducted on the antennae and maxillary palpi of WHF adults using quince and walnut fruit and foliage volatiles. Behavioural experiments also explored any preference for quince. The results showed that WHF adults, especially females, exhibited a positive attraction to quince fruit volatiles, indicating that their peripheral detection of volatiles is not limited to host-specific compounds. Based on these findings, we conclude that WHF adults treated quince as a suitable host for oviposition in a natural condition.