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Expression of miRNA-338-3p/miRNA-1250-5p/miRNA-3065-5p clusters in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of ischemic stroke
AI accurately identifies targetable alterations in lung cancer histological images
Correction for Ganguli et al., A culture-free biphasic approach for sensitive and rapid detection of pathogens in dried whole-blood matrix
Exploring the prevalence of chronic diseases and health status among international Hajj pilgrims
Background and aims Pilgrims with pre-existing Chronic Diseases are at high risk of physical stress that can lead to unexpected health outcomes, including multiple visits to the hospital, organ failure, or even death. In addition, the risk of mortality related to Chronic Diseases increases during mass gatherings due to these same reasons. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the Prevalence of Chronic Diseases and clinical symptoms among pilgrims during Hajj 2024 in Saudi Arabia. Methods During the 2024 Hajj rituals, cross-sectional questionnaires were administered to pilgrims at the Jeddah International Airport. The questionnaire contained questions on sociodemographic information, the presence of Chronic Diseases, types of Chronic Diseases, and clinical symptoms. Results A total of 1920 pilgrims were included in the study, with a mean age of 52.03 ± 13.43 and a median of 53 years. Among those, 49.4% were males. The prevalence of Chronic Diseases (CDs) was 36.3% (n = 697). Among those, 16% (n = 308) of them reported hypertension, followed by diabetes 11.6% (n = 222), asthma (4%, n = 76), and cardiovascular diseases (3.4% n = 65). The most common symptoms associated with Chronic Diseases were cough (36.5%, n = 700), followed by fever (21.8%, n = 419), and sore throat (21.2%, n = 407). The presence of diabetes was significantly associated with gender (p = 0.019), while hypertension was more common among male pilgrims (n = 829) compared to female pilgrims (n = 783) (p = 001). Furthermore, the presence of coughing was significantly associated with the age and educational level of the pilgrims (p = 0.001). On the other hand, headaches were more common among females compared to male pilgrims (p = 0.001). Conclusion A considerable number of pilgrims suffer from Chronic Diseases, with hypertension being most common. Further interventions, such as education and management before Hajj, are recommended.
An examination of the effectiveness of mindfulness-integrated cognitive behavior therapy on depression, anxiety, stress and sleep quality in Iranian women with breast cancer: a randomized controlled trial
Rolling vesicles: From confined rotational flows to surface-enabled motion
Friction forces are essential for cell movement, yet they also trigger numerous active cellular responses, complicating their measurement in vivo. Here, we introduce a synthetic model designed to measure friction forces between biomimetic membranes and substrates. The model consists of a vesicle with precisely controlled properties, fabricated via microfluidics, encapsulating a single ferromagnetic particle that is magnetically driven to rotate. The rotation of the particle generates a confined rotational flow, setting the vesicle membrane into motion. By adjusting the magnetic field frequency and vesicle size, the rotation frequency of the vesicle can be finely controlled, resulting in a rolling vesicle that functions as an effective tribological tool across a wide frequency range. At low frequencies, molecular contact between the membrane and substrate dominates frictional interactions, which enables determination of the contact friction coefficient. At higher frequencies, lubrication becomes predominant, causing the vesicles to slip rather than roll. Adjusting membrane fluidity and incorporating specific ligand–receptor interactions within this model will enable detailed studies of frictional forces in more complex biomimetic systems, providing key insights into the mechanisms of cell movement and mechanotransduction.
The incidence and predictors of peripheral arterial disease among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients at Felege Hiwot Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia, 2023: A retrospective follow-up study
Background Peripheral arterial disease is a blockage or narrowing of arteries transporting blood from the heart to the legs and feet. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the second most common risk factor for peripheral arterial disease. This condition is associated with patient mortality and morbidity. However, there is limited evidence on the time to develop peripheral arterial disease, its incidence, and its predictors in the Amhara region, Ethiopia. Objective To assess the incidence and predictors of peripheral arterial disease among adult type 2 diabetes mellitus patients at Felege Hiwot Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia, 2023. Methods A retrospective follow-up study was conducted using data from 552 type 2 diabetes mellitus patients, selected by simple random sampling from January 2006 to December 2021. Data from patient charts and follow-up forms were extracted using a standardized tool, entered into Epi-Data version 3.1, and analyzed in STATA version 14. Kaplan-Meier curves, life table, and Cox regression model were used to assess survival times, survival probabilities, and identify independent predictors of peripheral arterial disease, respectively. Results The final analysis included 552 records. The median time for peripheral arterial disease was 13.5 years (95% CI: 11, 14.5). Being female (Adjusted Hazard Ratio (AHR) = 2.18, 95% CI: 1.36, 3.51), age above 65 years (AHR = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.06, 2.61), and fasting blood sugar of over 140 mg/dl (AHR = 3.34, 95% CI: 1.62, 6.90) were predictors for time to peripheral arterial disease in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. We observed an incidence rate of 29 cases of peripheral arterial disease per 1000 person-years of observation (95% CI: 24–36). Conclusion and Recommendation Most peripheral arterial disease occurs after 10 years of diagnosis of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The incidence rate of peripheral arterial disease was high. Female sex, older age, and elevated baseline fasting blood sugar predicted the time until peripheral arterial disease developed. Therefore, clinicians and other stakeholders shall emphasize those types of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients who are female, older age, and with raised fasting blood sugar.
Developing advanced datadriven framework to predict the bearing capacity of piles on rock
Cadonilimab is efficacious in HER2-negative advanced-stage G/GEJ adenocarcinomas
Structure of ATP synthase from an early photosynthetic bacterium <i>Chloroflexus aurantiacus</i>
F-type ATP synthase (F 1 F O ) catalyzes proton motive force-driven ATP synthesis in mitochondria, chloroplasts, and bacteria. Different from the mitochondrial and bacterial enzymes, F 1 F O from photosynthetic organisms have evolved diverse structural and mechanistic details to adapt to the light-dependent reactions. Although complete structure of chloroplast F 1 F O has been reported, no high-resolution structure of an F 1 F O from photosynthetic bacteria has been available. Here, we report cryo-EM structures of an intact and functionally competent F 1 F O from Chloroflexus aurantiacus ( Ca F 1 F O ), a filamentous anoxygenic phototrophic bacterium from the earliest branch of photosynthetic organisms. The structures of Ca F 1 F O in its ADP-free and ADP-bound forms for three rotational states reveal a previously unrecognized architecture of ATP synthases. A pair of peripheral stalks connect to the Ca F 1 head through a dimer of δ-subunits, and associate with two membrane-embedded a-subunits that are asymmetrically positioned outside and clamp Ca F O ’s c 10 -ring. The two a-subunits constitute two proton inlets on the periplasmic side and two proton outlets on the cytoplasmic side, endowing Ca F 1 F O with unique proton translocation pathways that allow more protons being translocated relative to single a-subunit F 1 F O . Our findings deepen understanding of the architecture and proton translocation mechanisms of F 1 F O synthases and suggest innovative strategies for modulating their activities by altering the number of a-subunit.
Correction: Cultural framing of giftedness in recent US fictional texts
Improved gated recurrent unit-based osteosarcoma prediction on histology images: a meta-heuristic-oriented optimization concept
Transanal TME noninferior to the laparoscopic approach
Matrix degradation enhances stress relaxation, regulating cell adhesion and spreading
In native extracellular matrices (ECM), cells utilize matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) to degrade and remodel their microenvironment. Accordingly, synthetic matrices have been engineered to permit MMP-mediated cleavage, facilitating cell spreading, migration, and interactions. However, the interplay between matrix degradability and mechanical properties remains underexplored. We hypothesized that MMP activity induces immediate mechanical alterations in the ECM, which are subsequently detected by cells. We observed that both fibrillar collagen and synthetic degradable matrices exhibit enhanced stress relaxation following MMP exposure. Cells responded to these variations in relaxation by modulating their spreading and focal adhesions. Furthermore, we demonstrated that stress relaxation and cell spreading can be precisely controlled through the rational design of matrix degradability. These findings establish a fundamental link between matrix degradability and stress relaxation, with potential implications for a broad spectrum of biological applications.
African Youth in Mind – Protocol of a Pilot feasibility trial of a brief psychological Intervention for older adolescents with depression delivered through senior high schools in Navrongo, Ghana
In Ghana, one in three adolescents are at risk of experiencing depression. However, access to treatment is limited due to the poor integration of mental health services into primary healthcare systems. Evidence-based interventions, especially psychological therapies and antidepressant medication, can restore health and functioning for depressed youth. Ghana currently runs a policy of free Senior High Secondary Education and aims to implement a national adolescent health policy. However, the mental health component is poorly developed. Our formative research informed the adaptation of a 6-session psychological intervention for depression, suitable for school-going youth aged 15-18 in Ghana. The aim of this study is to conduct a pilot trial of this ‘African Youth in Mind’ (Y-MIND) intervention, to answer questions of feasibility and acceptability before evaluating the intervention in a larger definitive trial. The Y-MIND intervention blends evidence-based problem-solving therapy with behavioural activation and psychoeducation. The intervention will be delivered by trained and supervised guidance and counselling coordinators. The study is a parallel arm cluster randomised controlled pilot trial. Six senior high schools will each be randomly allocated 2:1 to either the intervention condition or enhanced usual care (EUC). 60 adolescents aged 15 to 18 years in senior high schools who have scored have scored 10 or more on the locally validated Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) will be randomised. The feasibility, acceptability and appropriateness of the intervention will be assessed using short quantitative measures, and qualitative interviews with adolescents and guidance and counselling coordinators. Symptoms of depression will be measured at 5 months post baseline assessment. Outcomes for anxiety, fidelity to the intervention, and cost effectiveness evaluation will also be collected. This will be the first feasibility trial of a task-shifted psychological treatment (Y-MIND) for adolescents with depression delivered by Guidance and Counselling Coordinators in high schools in any African country. Clinicaltrials.gov NCT06740084.
Lysyl-tRNA synthetase 1 promotes atherogenesis via autophagy-related secretion and inflammation
International approvals of cilta-cel: a lens on CAR T cell regulation
Most Christian American religious leaders silently believe in climate change, and informing their congregation can help open dialogue
Religious leaders shape the attitudes and beliefs of their congregations. In a nationally representative sample of U.S. religious leaders ( N = 1,600), the majority of which were of a Christian faith, we find that nearly 90% believe in anthropogenic climate change to some degree. From this 90%, a total of 60% believe humans play a major role and an additional 30% believe they play a role, but a more minor one. Yet roughly half have never discussed it with their congregation, and only a quarter have mentioned it more than once or twice. In a sample of Christian Americans representative of the proportions of major national denominations ( N = 987), we find that Christians underestimate the prevalence of their leaders who believe in climate change by 39 to 45 percentage points. Conversely, having a religious leader who talks about climate change predicts greater willingness to discuss it with fellow churchgoers and attend climate events. In an experimental intervention on another sample matching major Christian American denomination ( N = 959), we find that providing the actual consensus level of religious leaders’ belief in climate change reduces congregants’ misperception of religious leaders, increases their perception that other church members believe in and are open to discussing climate change, and leads Christians to believe that taking climate action is consistent with their church’s values while voting for politicians who will not take climate action is not.
Experimental study of pore-scale flow mechanism of immiscible CO2 flooding under in-situ temperature-pressure coupling conditions
The flow mechanism of CO2 flooding serves as the theoretical foundation for examining the synergic integration of oil recovery and CO2 storage. Immiscible CO2 flooding has attracted considerable research attention due to its simplicity and cost-efficiency. However, minimal studies are available regarding the flow characteristics and EOR mechanism of immiscible CO2 flooding in in-situ temperature-pressure coupling conditions at the pore scale. Therefore, this study employed a modified high-temperature, high-pressure microfluidic system to simulate the in-situ CO2 and water injection processes in a combined temperature-pressure environment and analyze the multiphase flow characteristics in the pores. The injection rate, displacement pressure difference, displacement efficiency, and residual oil distribution were quantitatively analyzed at different pressures. The results indicated higher residual oil clustering after water flooding at the same injection rate. CO2 flooding significantly reduced residual oil clustering and enhanced the oil flooding effect. The multiphase flow dynamics, type of remaining oil in different injection conditions, and flow characteristics of immiscible CO2 flooding were determined. A higher confining pressure interrupted the CO2 flow, which destabilized the displacement front increased the recovery efficiency by 12.9%. Furthermore, a higher injection rate and displacement pressure increased the recovery efficiency by 24.9% and 6.1%, respectively.