Browse Articles

Minimal sourced and lightweight federated transfer learning models for skin cancer detection

Relative anterior spinal overgrowth in mild and moderate adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a retrospective study

Abstract To determine whether relative anterior spinal overgrowth (RASO) occurs regardless of scoliosis segments and severity, and to explore the pattern of vertebral body height changes in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). A total of 125 AIS and 179 non-scoliotic adolescents were enrolled. The anterior vertebral body height (VBHa) and posterior vertebral body height (VBHp) were measured on lateral spine radiographs, and the VBHa/VBHp ratio was calculated. The ratios were compared between the two groups and across scoliosis segments in the AIS group. The correlation between scoliosis severity and vertebral ratios, as well as the relationship between the apex vertebra’s ratio and Cobb angle, was analyzed. Results showed that the VBHa/VBHp ratios were higher in the AIS group than the control group from T6 to L5 (P < 0.001), with increasing ratios from T7 to T10 and L1 to L5. No significant differences were found across scoliosis segments. Pearson analysis showed positive correlations between scoliosis severity and ratios at T7, T8, and T11 (P < 0.05), and a negative correlation at L5 (P < 0.05). No correlation was found between the apex vertebra’s ratio and the Cobb angle. In conclusion, RASO is common in mild to moderate AIS and may help maintain spinal function.

Possible involvement of vitamin K insufficiency in the progression of cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament

Increased thyroxine levels of patients with allergic rhinitis

Tibetan–Chinese speech-to-speech translation based on discrete units

The effect of consuming bread contaminated with heavy metals on cardiovascular disease and calculating its risk assessment

Neonicotinoid exposure causes behavioral impairment and delayed mortality of the federally threatened American burying beetle, Nicrophorus americanus

Among the most immediate drivers of American burying beetle (Nicrophorus americanus Olivier) declines, nontarget toxicity to pesticides is poorly understood. Acute, episodic exposure to neonicotinoid insecticides at environmentally relevant concentrations is linked to negative impacts on beneficial terrestrial insect taxa. Beyond mortality, behavioral indicators of toxicity are often better suited to assess sublethal effects of residual concentrations in the environment. First, Nicrophorus spp. congeners were used to generate and identify a low-dose exposure rate (lethal dose 10%; LD10) from an acute, 24-hour exposure and the concentration-series was confirmed by LC–MS/MS. Next, we evaluated the effects of single and repeated low-dose (LD10 = 58.9 ng/beetle) imidacloprid exposure on N. americanus behavior (10 minutes post-dose) and mortality (10 days post-dose). Behavior parameters were analyzed using EthoVision-XT. Control N. americanus were significantly less mobile, demonstrating death-feigning, an anti-predator behavior. Single LD10 dosed N. americanus were hyperactive, traveling over 4 times farther (total distance; p = 0.03) and faster (mean velocity; p = 0.02) than controls. Single and repeated LD10 dosed N. americanus extended their wings without taking flight and flipped on their backs. All control N. americanus survived 10 days post-dose; single LD10 and repeated LD10 exhibited 30% and 50% mortality, respectively. A single LD10 exposure event was sufficient to significantly elicit greater movement and high predation risk behaviors, whereas repeated LD10 exposure did not worsen behavioral impairment but increased mortality over time. Collectively, generalized linear mixed effects models indicated that distance traveled, velocity, and extended wings were significant predictors of mortality. Recently reclassified, the federally threatened N. americanus may be at greater risk to insecticide exposure than previously thought and vulnerable to episodic, low-dose neonicotinoid exposure.

Optimal integration of photovoltaic sources and capacitor banks considering irradiance, temperature, and load changes in electric distribution system

Relationship between plasma uric acid levels, antioxidant capacity, and oxidative damage markers in overweight and obese adults: A cross-sectional study

Obesity, a complex metabolic chronic illness, is commonly accompanied by an excessive production of free radicals, which influences the development of its comorbidities. Uric acid is commonly linked to pro-oxidant effects on human health. Though recent evidence suggests its potential antioxidant properties, it is possible that the increase in circulating uric acid levels is an adaptive protective response against the detrimental effects of excess free radicals and oxidative stress present in obese individuals. Hence, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between antioxidant capacity and oxidative damage markers with uric acid levels in overweight and obese individuals who live at sea level. This cross-sectional study included 93 adult volunteers (28 men and 65 women) from the city of Machala, El Oro, Ecuador, divided into three study groups according to Body Mass Index (normal weight, overweight, and obese). Sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle elements, and physical measurements were evaluated, and blood samples were collected from all participants. Antioxidant and oxidant markers, including Radical-Scavenging Activity Assay (DPPH), Ferric Reducing Ability of Plasma (FRAP), Catalase (CAT) activity, Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS), and Protein Thiol Groups (SH groups), were assayed in the plasma samples. Coefficients of correlations and linear regression models were applied to evaluate the association between antioxidant/oxidant parameters and plasma uric acid levels. The antioxidant capacity, as measured by FRAP scavenging and CAT, was significantly higher in the obese group compared to the normal weight group, and uric acid levels presented a significant positive association with FRAP (b: 0.578, R: 0.459, p: 0.003) and CAT activity (b: 1.326; R: 0.432, p: 0.005) in overweight and obese individuals. Consequently, the presented evidence supports the potential antioxidant role of uric acid in the pathogenesis of obesity, contributing to our understanding of oxidative stress and inflammation that characterizes this illness.

Upstreamness and downstreamness in input–output analysis from local and aggregate information

Abstract Ranking sectors and countries within global value chains is of paramount importance to estimate risks and forecast growth in large economies. However, this task is often non-trivial due to the lack of complete and accurate information on the flows of money and goods between sectors and countries, which are encoded in input–output (I–O) tables. In this work, we show that an accurate estimation of the role played by sectors and countries in supply chain networks can be achieved without full knowledge of the I–O tables, but only relying on local and aggregate information, e.g., the total intermediate demand per sector. Our method, based on a rank-1 approximation to the I–O table, shows consistently good performance in reconstructing rankings (i.e., upstreamness and downstreamness measures for countries and sectors) when tested on empirical data from the world input–output database. Moreover, we connect the accuracy of our approximate framework with the spectral properties of the I–O tables, which ordinarily exhibit relatively large spectral gaps. Our approach provides a fast and analytically tractable framework to rank constituents of a complex economy without the need of matrix inversions and the knowledge of finer intersectorial details.

Effects of photobiomodulation combined with rehabilitation exercise on pain, physical function, and radiographic changes in mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled trial protocol

Background Photobiomodulation, specifically high-energy photobiomodulation therapy (H-PBMT), is gaining recognition as a promising non-invasive intervention for managing knee osteoarthritis (KOA). While H-PBMT has demonstrated effectiveness in reducing pain and improving physical function, most evidence to date focuses on short-term symptomatic relief. The potential for H-PBMT to offer sustained benefits and modify the underlying progression of KOA remains insufficiently explored, warranting further investigation. Objective This study aims to assess the short-term and sustained effects of H-PBMT combined with rehabilitation exercises in patients with mild to moderate KOA, focusing on knee radiographic morphological changes over a 3-month follow-up period. Methods This protocol outlines a parallel-group, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Fifty participants with mild to moderate KOA (based on the Kellgren-Lawrence classification) will be randomly assigned to either the active H-PBMT plus exercise group (H-PBMT+E, n = 25) or the placebo photobiomodulation plus exercise group (PL+E, n = 25). Both groups will undergo an 8-week intervention, consisting of conventional rehabilitation exercises paired with either active or placebo photobiomodulation. H-PBMT will be delivered using the BTL-6000 HIL device with a 1064 nm wavelength, providing a total energy dose of 3190 J per 15-minute session. The treatment protocol includes both pulse mode (25 Hz, 5 W, 190 J) for analgesia and continuous mode (5 W, 3000 J) for biostimulation. Participants will be blinded to their group allocation through the use of a placebo device that mimics the active treatment without emitting therapeutic energy. Additionally, the outcome assessors will be blinded to the group allocations to ensure unbiased evaluation of the trial outcomes. The primary outcome is the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score. Secondary outcomes include the Timed Up-and-Go test, Numerical Pain Rating Scale, and knee X-rays. Outcomes will be evaluated at baseline, immediately post-intervention (week 8), and at 3-month follow-up (week 20). Data will be analyzed according to the intention-to-treat principle, with a two-way repeated measures ANOVA used to assess time, group, and interaction effects. Conclusion This study is expected to provide valuable insights into the sustained effects and potential disease-modifying properties of combining H-PBMT with rehabilitation exercises in managing KOA. The findings could inform more effective treatment protocols, improving rehabilitation outcomes and patient quality of life. Trial registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12624000699561p).

FMCW-based contactless heart rate monitoring

Feasibility, safety and tolerability of estrogen and/or probiotics for improving vaginal health in Canadian African, Caribbean, and Black women: A pilot phase 1 clinical trial

Background A dysbiotic vaginal microbiome (VMB) is associated with clinical conditions such as bacterial vaginosis (BV) and an increased risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection. Considering the high prevalence of BV among African, Caribbean and Black (ACB) women, we conducted a prospective, randomized, open-label phase 1 clinical trial to determine the feasibility, safety and tolerability of administering low-dose estrogen, probiotics or both in combination to improve vaginal health and decrease HIV-1 susceptibility. Methods ACB women aged 18–49 from the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) were randomized to one of four study arms: intravaginal estradiol (Estring©; 7.5mg/day); a vaginal probiotic (RepHresh™ Pro-B™) administered twice daily; a combination of Estring© and vaginal RepHresh™ Pro-B™ (twice daily); or the Estring© and oral RepHresh™ Pro-B™ (twice daily), for a duration of 30 days. Feasibility was evaluated through enrolment, retention, and adherence rates, while safety and tolerability were determined by a pre- and post-treatment blood panel and reported adverse events (AEs). Results Overall, 63 ACB women were screened, 50 were enrolled and received the intervention while 41 completed the study, resulting in 80% enrollment and 82% retention rates. Overall adherence to the study protocol was high at 93%, with an adherence of 92% for RepHresh™ Pro-B™ and 97% for Estring©. A total of 88 AEs were reported by 29 participants which were mild (66/88; 75%) and largely resolved (82/88;93%) by the end of the study, with no serious AEs (SAEs) noted. In addition, a panel of safety blood markers measured pre- and post-intervention confirmed no clinically significant changes in blood chemistry or blood cell count. Conclusion Overall, the administration of intravaginal estrogen and/or probiotics in pre-menopausal ACB women is feasible, safe, and well tolerated. Trial registration The trial was registered with Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03837015) and CIHR HIV Clinical Trials (CTN308).

The influence of land surface temperature on Ghana’s climate variability and implications for sustainable development

Correction for Matsuzaki et al., Transcriptional drift in aging cells: A global decontroller

Extraction efficiency and bioactive evaluation of Tamarix nilotica and Arthrocnemum macrostachyum extracts for anti-cancer potential

This study aimed to evaluate the potential of phytochemicals from two native UAE plant species, Arthrocnemum macrostachyum and Tamarix nilotica, as anti-cancer agents. The plant extracts were obtained using two methods, maceration, and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), and were subsequently evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxicity against three cancer cell lines: breast (MDA-MB-231), colon (HCT-116), and lung (A-549). Results suggest that: 1) MAE is more efficient than maceration in recovering metabolites from plant biomass based on measurements of total phenolic content, radical scavenging activity, and bioactivity of extracts based on in vitro cytotoxicity. 2) Only T. nilotica extracts were found to be bioactive based on cytotoxicity measurements. 3) Cancer cell lines displayed differential sensitivity to T. nilotica crude extracts, with breast cancer cells being the most sensitive and lung cancer cells being the least sensitive. 4) Solid-phase fractionation of T. nilotica crude extract using different percentages of methanol resulted in several fractions that were 100-fold more cytotoxic compared to the crude unfractionated extract. The 30% and 70% methanol fractions exhibited the highest cytotoxicity towards breast and colon cancer cell lines, respectively. 5) Untargeted metabolomics using UHPLC-Q-ToF-MS of T. nilotica crude extracts revealed 909 molecular features, of which only 327 were annotated using MS/MS fragmentation. The results suggest that T. nilotica extracts have potential as anti-cancer agents and that MAE is an efficient method for extracting phytochemicals from plant biomass. The study also revealed that cancer cell lines exhibited differential sensitivity to the extracts and that solid-phase fractionation of crude extract using different percentages of methanol can yield fractions that are more cytotoxic than the crude extract.

Elucidating the molecular basis of salt tolerance in potatoes through miRNA expression and phenotypic analysis

Inhibition of the anti-apoptotic protein BCL2 in EML4-ALK cell models as a second proposed therapeutic target for non-small cell lung cancer

The anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) oncoprotein plays a crucial role in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by activating signaling pathways involved in cell proliferation and survival through constitutive phosphorylation. While first-line crizotinib can regulate phosphorylation, mutations in the ALK gene can lead to resistance against ALK inhibitors (ALKi) such as ceritinib and alectinib. On the other hand, overexpression of BCL2, a protein involved in cell death regulation, has been observed in NSCLC and is considered a potential therapeutic target. In this study, we propose to inhibit BCL2 as a secondary therapeutic target in EML4-ALK cell models to overcome resistance caused by ALK mutations. Four Ba/F3 EML4-ALK cell models (WT, C1156Y, L1196M, and G1202R) generated by site-directed mutagenesis exhibited varying levels of BCL2 expression. Both the WT and G1202R models showed overexpression of BCL2, while C1156Y and L1196M models approached baseline levels. We treated these cells with ABT-199, a selective BCL2 inhibitor, and found that models with high BCL2 expression exhibited resistance, while those with lower expression showed sensitivity to BCL2 inhibition. In addition, our analysis using bioinformatics indicated that ABT-199 not only targets BCL2 but also binds to the active site of all ALK mutants, it was contrasted by in vitro ALK kinase activity inhibition by ABT-199 (5.5 μM). This interaction was further supported by a significant decrease of ALK phosphorylation in single and combination treatment with 300nM ABT-199. Finally, when ABT-199 was combined with ALKi, we observed a wide range of synergistic effects in the WT and G1202R cell models, while the C1156Y and L1196M models showed limited synergy. In conclusion, our findings indicate that BCL2 targeting with ABT-199, in combination with ALKi, can significantly reduce tumor cell survival in Ba/F3 EML4-ALK cell models.

Thrush nightingales adjust the peak frequency and structure of their songs in response to different types of experimental noise

Abstract Animals employ various strategies to minimize the overlap of their vocalizations with other sounds, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of their communication. However, little attention has been given to experimentally examining how the structure of the acoustic signal changes in response to various kinds of disturbances in the soundscape. In this study, I experimentally investigated whether male thrush nightingales (Luscinia luscinia) adjust their singing rate, song frequency, and song type in response to different types of artificial sounds. While males did not reduce the intensity of their singing in noise, they did adjust the peak frequency of their songs—raising it in the presence of low-frequency noise and lowering it in response to high-frequency noise. These bidirectional changes were associated with selective use of phrases from their repertoire. The proportion of low- to high-frequency phrases was significantly reduced under low-frequency noise and increased under high-frequency noise. The results suggest that disturbing sounds can modify the peak frequency and structure of songbird vocalizations, at least in the short term. Birds may enhance the signal-to-noise ratio by selecting phrases from their repertoire that are less affected by noise. For species with a large repertoire, new sounds transmitted within a species-specific frequency range may play an important role in the process of cultural song transmission.

Antimicrobial proteins from oyster hemolymph improve the efficacy of conventional antibiotics

Discovering new antibiotics and increasing the efficacy of existing antibiotics are priorities to address antimicrobial resistance. Antimicrobial proteins and peptides (AMPPs) are considered among the most promising antibiotic alternatives and complementary therapies. Here, we build upon previous work investigating the antibacterial activity of a semi-purified hemolymph protein extract (HPE) of the Australian oyster Saccostrea glomerata. HPE showed antimicrobial-biofilm inhibitory activity toward laboratory and clinical strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Streptococcus pyogenes at 4.4 and 24.1 μg/mL total protein, respectively. In combination assays, the effectiveness of conventional antibiotics (ampicillin, gentamicin, trimethoprim and ciprofloxacin) was improved between 2 to 32-fold in the presence of HPE (1–12 μg/mL) against a range of clinically important bacteria including Streptococcus spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Moraxella catarrhalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus. Effective HPE concentrations are comparable to AMPPs currently approved for use or in clinical trials pipelines. Proteomics analysis of HPE identified a number of proteins including abundant known AMPPs. It was non-toxic to A549 human lung cells up to 205 μg/mL, demonstrating safety well above effective concentrations. Activity was retained with storage at -80°C and ambient laboratory temperature (~24°C), but declined after treatment at either 37°C or 60°C (1 h). This study is in agreement with growing evidence that AMPPs show specificity and a high capacity for synergism with antibiotics. The discovery of HPE provides great opportunities for both pharmaceutical and aquaculture industry development.