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A copy number variation detection method based on OCSVM algorithm using multi strategies integration
Hidden artistic complexity of Peru’s Chancay culture discovered in tattoos by laser-stimulated fluorescence
Tattoos were a prevalent art form in pre-Hispanic South America exemplified by mummified human remains with preserved skin decoration that reflects the personal and cultural representations of their times. Tattoos are known to fade and bleed over time and this is compounded in mummies by the decay of the body, inhibiting the ability to examine the original art. Laser-stimulated fluorescence (LSF) produces images based on fluorescence emitted from within the target. Here, we present the first results of applying LSF to tattoos on human remains from the pre-Columbian Chancay culture of coastal Peru. We find that the preserved skin fluoresced strongly underneath the black tattoo ink yielding a high-contrast image that virtually eliminates the ink bleed, revealing the exceptionally fine details of the original artwork. The level of detail and precision of the artwork was found to be higher than associated pottery, textiles, and rock art suggesting special effort was expended by the Chancay on at least some of their tattoos. This suggests artistic complexity in pre-Columbian Peru was at a higher level than previously known, expanding the degree of artistic development found in South America at this time. LSF expands the scope of tattoo analysis and the level of detail this can yield providing a new technique to gain further insights into this important art form.
Bias-corrected serum creatinine from UK Biobank electronic medical records generates an important data resource for kidney function trajectories
Abstract Loss of kidney function is a substantial personal and public health burden. Kidney function is typically assessed as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) based on serum creatinine. UK Biobank provides serum creatinine measurements from study center assessments (SC, n = 425,147 baseline, n = 15,314 with follow-up) and emerging electronic Medical Records (eMR, “GP-clinical”) present a promising resource to augment this data longitudinally. However, it is unclear whether eMR-based and SC-based creatinine values can be used jointly for research on eGFR decline. When comparing eMR-based with SC-based creatinine by calendar year ( n = 70,231), we found a year-specific multiplicative bias for eMR-based creatinine that decreased over time (factor 0.84 for 2007, 0.97 for 2013). Deriving eGFR based on SC- and bias-corrected eMR-creatinine yielded 454,907 individuals with ≥ 1eGFR assessment (2,102,174 assessments). This included 206,063 individuals with ≥ 2 assessments over up to 60.2 years (median 6.00 assessments, median time = 8.7 years), where we also obtained eMR-based information on kidney disease or renal replacement therapy. We found an annual eGFR decline of 0.11 (95%-CI = 0.10–0.12) versus 1.04 mL/min/1.73m 2 /year (95%-CI = 1.03–1.05) without and with bias-correction, the latter being in line with literature. In summary, our bias-corrected eMR-based creatinine values enabled a 4-fold increased number of eGFR assessments in UK Biobank suitable for kidney function research.
Impact of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis on quality of life and locomotive syndrome in community-dwelling older adults: the Yakumo study
Experience with the implementation of central venous catheters by medical oncologists in a non-surgical setting
Essential and risk elements in horses affect haematology, serum biochemistry and oxidative status parameters
Enhancing spectral imaging with multi-condition image fusion
Hydrated cable bacteria exhibit protonic conductivity over long distances
This study presents the direct measurement of proton transport along filamentous Desulfobulbaceae , or cable bacteria. Cable bacteria are filamentous multicellular microorganisms that have garnered much interest due to their ability to serve as electrical conduits, transferring electrons over several millimeters. Our results indicate that cable bacteria can also function as protonic conduits because they contain proton wires that transport protons at distances >100 µm. We find that protonic conductivity (σ P ) along cable bacteria varies between samples and is measured as high as 114 ± 28 µS cm −1 at 25 °C and 70% relative humidity (RH). For cable bacteria, the protonic conductance (G P ) and σ P are dependent upon the RH, increasing by as much as 26-fold between 60% and 80% RH. This observation implies that proton transport occurs via the Grotthuss mechanism along water associated with cable bacteria, forming proton wires. In order to determine σ P and G P along cable bacteria, we implemented a protocol using a modified transfer-printing technique to deposit either palladium interdigitated protodes (IDP), palladium transfer length method (TLM) protodes, or gold interdigitated electrodes (IDE) on top of cable bacteria. Due to the relatively mild nature of the transfer-printing technique, this method should be applicable to a broad array of biological samples and curved materials. The observation of protonic conductivity in cable bacteria presents possibilities for investigating the importance of long-distance proton transport in microbial ecosystems and to potentially build biotic or biomimetic scaffolds to interface with materials via proton-mediated gateways or channels.
Generation of IgM+ B cell-deficient Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated IgM knockout
Abstract Infectious diseases pose significant challenges to Norwegian Atlantic salmon aquaculture. Vaccines are critical for disease prevention; however, a deeper understanding of the immune system is essential to improve vaccine efficacy. Immunoglobulin M (IgM) is the main antibody involved in the systemic immune response of teleosts, including Atlantic salmon. In this study, we used CRISPR/Cas9 technology to knock out the two IgM genes in Atlantic salmon. High-throughput sequencing revealed an average mutagenesis efficiency of 97% across both loci, with a predominance of frameshift mutations (78%). Gene expression analyses demonstrated significantly reduced membrane-bound IgM mRNA levels in head kidney and spleen tissues. Flow cytometry revealed a 78% reduction in IgM+ B cells in peripheral blood, and Western blot analyses showed decreased IgM protein levels in serum. Notably, an upregulation of IgT mRNA was observed, suggesting a potential compensatory mechanism. This work presents the first application of CRISPR/Cas9 to disrupt an immune-related gene in the F0 generation of Atlantic salmon, and lays the foundation for generating a model completely lacking IgM+ B cells which can be used to study the role of B cells and antibodies. This study has implications for advancing immune research in teleosts and for developing strategies to improve salmon health and welfare in aquaculture.
Betula pendula Roth. survival and growth in treeline is affected by genotype and environment
Mechanical properties of modern restorative “bioactive” dental materials - an in vitro study
Identification of biomarkers associated with coronary artery disease and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by bioinformatics analysis and machine learning
Retraction Note: Establishment of an Acanthamoeba keratitis mouse model confirmed by amoebic DNA amplification
The degree of cross-linking of polyacrylic acid affects the fibrogenicity in rat lungs
Abstract Polyacrylic acid (PAA) with different concentrations of cross-linker was instilled into the trachea of rats to examine the effect of PAA crosslink density on lung disorders. Methods: F344 rats were intratracheally exposed to low and high doses of PAA with cross-linker concentrations of 0.1, 1.0, and 5.0% (CL0.1%, CL1.0%, and CL5.0%, respectively). Rats were sacrificed at 3 days, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after exposure. PAA with different cross-linker concentrations caused an increase in neutrophil influx, cytokine-induced neutrophils, and chemotactic factor (CINC) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from 3 days to 1 week after instillation. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in BALF and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) release in lung tissue were higher in the CL0.1% exposure group during the acute phase. Lung histopathological findings also showed that severe fibrotic changes induced by CL0.1% were greater than those observed in CL1.0% and CL5.0% exposure during the observation period. CL0.1% was associated with more severe lung fibrosis, and a decrease in lung fibrosis was observed with increasing cross-linker concentrations, suggesting that the cross-link density of PAA is a physicochemical feature that affects lung disorders.
Multi-stage refinement network for point cloud completion based on geodesic attention
Machine learning models for predicting interaction affinity energy between human serum proteins and hemodialysis membrane materials
Radon on Mars and the Moon derived from Martian and lunar meteorites
Working capacity level defines the specific impairment profile of the comprehensive ICF core set for multiple sclerosis
Abstract Multiple sclerosis (MS) unfavorably affects working capacity. The Comprehensive International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Core Set for MS (cICF-MS), issued by the World Health Organization, has not yet been extended to evaluate working capacity level (WCL). To evaluate the relative importance of cICF-MS categories in relation to WCL. Persons with MS (PwMS), N = 129, who had been referred to Lithuania’s Disability and Working Capacity Assessment Office for WCL determination, were divided into three groups according to the percentage of remaining WCL (WCL1 had 0–25%, WCL2 had 30–40%, and WCL3 had 45–55%). Data regarding the cICF-MS categories were collected through telephone interviews and patient documentation. Using the fractional ranking method, the mean values of cICF-MS impairment were ranked from the most severely affected to the least affected (rank 1–93). Ranks with the 10 highest mean values of impairment severity in each WCL group were included in a descriptive analysis. In the WCL1 and WCL2 groups, the most-affected cICF-MS categories reflected disability related to gait and motor function. The WCL3 group presented with pain, fatigue, and impairments to visual acuity, psychic stability, urination, and memory. This study has identified specific cICF-MS impairment profiles based on remaining WCL.