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Mechanistic modelling of allergen-induced airways disease in early life
AbstractAsthma affects approximately 300 million individuals worldwide and the onset predominantly arises in childhood. Children are exposed to multiple environmental irritants, such as viruses and allergens, that are common triggers for asthma onset, whilst their immune systems are developing in early life. Understanding the impact of allergen exposures on the developing immune system and resulting alterations in lung function in early life will help prevent the onset and progression of allergic asthma in children. In this study, we developed an in silico model describing the pulmonary immune response to a common allergen, house dust mite, to investigate its downstream impact on the pathophysiology of asthma, including airway eosinophilic inflammation, remodelling, and lung function. We hypothesised that altered epithelial function following allergen exposure determines the onset of airway remodelling and abnormal lung function, which are irreversible with current asthma therapies. We calibrated the in silico model using age appropriate in vivo data from neonatal and adult mice. We validated the in silico model using in vivo data from mice on the effects of current treatment strategies. The in silico model recapitulates experimental observations and provides an interpretable in silico tool to assess airway pathology and the underlying immune responses upon allergen exposure. The in silico model simulations predict the extent of bronchial epithelial barrier damage observed when allergen sensitisation occurs and demonstrate that epithelial barrier damage and impaired immune maturation are critical determinants of reduced lung function and asthma development. The in silico model demonstrates that both epithelial barrier repair and immune maturation are potential targets for therapeutic intervention to achieve successful asthma prevention.
Effect of gabapentin on solution surface properties and micellization behavior of betaine-based surfactant ionic liquids
AbstractThis study investigates the surface properties, micellization, and electrical conductivity of betaine-based ionic liquids (ILs) composed of [R-bet][Br] where R represents the C4, C6 and C8 (specifically [C4bet][Br], [C6bet][Br], and [C8bet][Br]) in aqueous gabapentin solutions at concentrations of (0.0000, 0.0100, 0.0300, and 0.0500) mol kg−1 at 298.15 K. The surface tension measurements revealed that increasing gabapentin concentration and alkyl chain length decrease surface tension, indicating significant hydrophobic and hydrophilic interactions. The related thermophysical micellization parameters, including critical micelle concentration (CMC) and minimum surface area per molecule (Amin), exhibited improved micellization and interfacial efficiency with longer alkyl chains. Thermodynamic analysis confirm the spontaneous nature of micelle formation, with more negative Gibbs free energy values for SAILs with longer alkyl chains. The electrical conductivity studies indicate lower limiting molar conductivity (Λ0) at higher gabapentin concentrations, due to increased viscosity and ion-ion interactions. Ion association constants (KA) and DFT-COSMO calculations support stronger hydrophobic interactions and molecular packing influenced by alkyl chain length and gabapentin.
Intracellular pressure controls the propagation of tension in crumpled cell membranes
Molecular Engineering of Direct Activated NIR-II Chemiluminescence Platform for In Vivo Chemiluminescence-fluorescence Duplex Imaging
Living alone predicts non-home discharge post elective hip arthroplasty: A matched-pair cohort study
The impact of home support and interaction with family members on recovery and perioperative outcomes remains unclear. We determined whether living alone was predictive of discharge disposition following total hip arthroplasty (THA). Data were from American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program participating hospitals in 2021. The primary endpoint was discharging disposition. A total of 1716 patients living alone and 3961 with others at home were identified. The 1:1 propensity-matched cohort included 3248 total patients (1624 in each group). On univariate analysis, living alone was associated with non-home discharge (22.0% [358/1624] vs. 10.5% [170/1623]; odds ratio [OR], 2.42 [95% CI, 1.98 to 2.94]; P < .001), need for services in those returning home (63.1% [799/1266] vs. 57.7% [839/1453]; OR, 1.25 [95% CI, 1.07 to 1.46]; P = .004), and increased length of hospital stay (2.05 vs. 1.72 days; mean difference, 0.34 [95% CI, 0.18 to 0.49]; P < .001). On multivariable analysis, living alone remained an independent predictor of non-home discharge (adjusted odds ratio, 2.84 [95% CI, 2.30 to 3.54]; c = 0.734). Thus, compared to propensity-matched THA patients with others at home, those living alone experience a much greater rate of non-home discharge and need for support.
A hybrid attention generative adversarial network for Chinese landscape painting
The role of user participation and psychological distance in consumer brand attitudes in gamified marketing
Alendronate partially rescues the periodontal defects in OIM mouse model of osteogenesis imperfecta
AbstractOsteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a fairly common generalized connective disorder characterized by low bone mass, bone deformities and impaired bone quality that predisposes affected individuals to musculoskeletal fragility. Periodontal ligament (PDL)-alveolar bone and PDL-cementum entheses’ roles under OI conditions during physiological loading and orthodontic forces remain largely unknown. In addition, bisphosphonates (e.g., alendronate) are commonly used therapeutics for the treatment of OI. Our knowledge, in terms of the affects of alendronate treatment on the PDL entheses in OI is also far from complete. In this study, we identified craniofacial skeletal defects in an osteogenesis imperfecta (oim) murine model of OI. Relative to wild-type littermates, oim mice were found to have decreased skull length, cranial height/width/length, nose length, nasal length, and frontal length. Next, we discovered that oim mice exhibited defects in several dental structures, including short roots and decreased volumes of the alveolar bone, dentin, and cellular cementum. Further, we specifically investigated periodontal defects in the oim mice. Alveolar bone loss in oim mice was primarily associated with elevated bone resorption due to an increased osteoclast number, along with reduced bone formation related to increased sclerostin (SOST) expression. PDL fibers in oim mice were disrupted and discontinuous, while Sharpey’s fibers at the PDL-bone entheses were reduced. Mechanism-based studies showed that catabolism of the PDL was elevated in oim mice, as revealed by an increase in MMP13 and CTSK expression. Meanwhile, the quality of the collagen fibers were impaired in oim mice due to a large accumulation of uncleaved collagen I fibers. With alendronate treatment, however, we could partially rescue these phenotypes. This study, for the first time, characterized periodontal defects in oim mice, detailed craniofacial defects and demonstrated the effectiveness of alendronate in partially restoring these defects.
Formation of individual stripes in a mixed-dimensional cold-atom Fermi–Hubbard system
AbstractThe relation between d-wave superconductivity and stripes is fundamental to the understanding of ordered phases in high-temperature cuprate superconductors1–6. These phases can be strongly influenced by anisotropic couplings, leading to higher critical temperatures, as emphasized by the recent discovery of superconductivity in nickelates7–10. Quantum simulators with ultracold atoms provide a versatile platform to engineer such couplings and to observe emergent structures in real space with single-particle resolution. Here we show, to our knowledge, the first signatures of individual stripes in a cold-atom Fermi–Hubbard quantum simulator using mixed-dimensional (mixD) settings. Increasing the energy scale of hole–hole attraction to the spin exchange energy, we access the interesting crossover temperature regime in which stripes begin to form11. We observe extended, attractive correlations between hole dopants and find an increased probability of forming larger structures akin to individual stripes. In the spin sector, we study correlation functions up to the third order and find results consistent with stripe formation. These observations are interpreted as a precursor to the stripe phase, which is characterized by interleaved charge and spin density wave ordering with fluctuating lines of dopants separating domains of opposite antiferromagnetic order12–14.
2D MoS2-based reconfigurable analog hardware
Transition metal vacancy and position engineering enables reversible anionic redox reaction for sodium storage
What are the hidden shortcomings of balance training research in older adults that prevent its transfer into practice? Scoping review
Background Although a lot of attention is paid to the flaws of balance training research in older adults, the low methodological quality and incomplete reporting of studies still limit the knowledge transfer between research and practice. These known shortcomings are considered also as barriers for creating recommendations for balance training in older adults. Despite the considerable efforts to improve the scientific quality of studies, such recommendations have not yet been formulated to date. Therefore, this scoping review aims (1) to analyze the literature that addresses balance training in older adults, (2) to identify and summarize gaps in the existing literature, and (3) to propose future research on this topic. Methods We focused on studies that evaluated the effect of balance training on balance control in apparently healthy older adults over 60 years of age. Results Out of 6910 potentially relevant studies, only 26 met the eligibility criteria. The identified shortcomings were as follows: missing a priori criteria for training session attendance and leisure-time physical activities, insufficiently described exercises and training load, and inappropriately chosen tests. Conclusions Among the shortcomings of the balance training research, the insufficiently described balance training program and inappropriately chosen tests can be considered the most important. For this reason, even with an excellently designed experiment, it is almost impossible for practitioners to apply the results of such studies into practice. Therefore, researchers should pay more attention to possible users of the acquired knowledge, which is more than desirable in the case of exercise programs for older adults.
Enhancing Persian text summarization through a three-phase fine-tuning and reinforcement learning approach with the mT5 transformer model
Protective effect of compound K against podocyte injury in chronic kidney disease by maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis
Neuromodulation of risk and reward processing during decision making in individuals with general anxiety disorder (GAD)
Demonstration of high-reconfigurability and low-power strong physical unclonable function empowered by FeFET cycle-to-cycle variation and charge-domain computing
Overcoming optical losses in thin metal-based recombination layers for efficient n-i-p perovskite-organic tandem solar cells
AbstractPerovskite-organic tandem solar cells (P-O-TSCs) hold substantial potential to surpass the theoretical efficiency limits of single-junction solar cells. However, their performance is hampered by non-ideal interconnection layers (ICLs). Especially in n-i-p configurations, the incorporation of metal nanoparticles negatively introduces serious parasitic absorption, which alleviates photon utilization in organic rear cell and decisively constrains the maximum photocurrent matching with front cell. Here, we demonstrate an efficient strategy to mitigate optical losses in Au-embedded ICLs by tailoring the shape and size distribution of Au nanoparticles via manipulating the underlying surface property. Achieving fewer, smaller, and more uniformly spherical Au nanoparticles significantly minimizes localized surface plasmon resonance absorption, while maintaining efficient electron-hole recombination within ICLs. Consequently, optimized P-O-TSCs combining CsPbI2Br with various organic cells benefit from a substantial current gain of >1.5 mA/cm2 in organic rear cells, achieving a champion efficiency of 25.34%. Meanwhile, optimized ICLs contribute to improved long-term device stability.
Substance use and disordered eating risk among college students with obsessive-compulsive conditions
Purpose College students are at higher risk for problematic substance use and disordered eating. Few studies have examined the comorbid risks associated with OCD despite the increased prevalence of OCD among young adults. This study examined substance use and disordered eating risk associated with OCD conditions among college students and how this association may vary by sex/gender. Methods Data were from 92,757 undergraduate students aged 18–24 enrolled in 216 colleges between Fall 2021 and Fall 2022, from the American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment III. Regression models were used to estimate alcohol, cannabis, tobacco, and disordered eating risk among those with OCD related conditions compared to those without conditions, overall and by sex/gender, while adjusting for covariates and school clustering. Results Students with OCD conditions displayed a higher prevalence of substance use and disordered eating risks. In adjusted models, OCD conditions were associated with increased odds of moderate/high tobacco (aOR = 1.12, 95% CI 1.05, 1.21), cannabis (aOR = 1.11, 95% CI 1.04, 1.18), alcohol (aOR = 1.14, 95% CI 1.05, 1.24) and disordered eating risk (aOR = 2.28, 95% CI 2.13, 2.43). Analyses stratified by gender revealed cis-female students with OCD conditions were at increased risk for moderate/high risk alcohol (aOR = 1.18, 95% CI 1.08, 1.29), tobacco (aOR = 1.12, 95% CI 1.03, 1.22), cannabis (aOR = 1.13, 95% CI 1.06, 1.23) and disordered eating (aOR = 2.30, 9%% CI 2.14, 2.47). Among TGNC students, OCD conditions were associated with increased risk for moderate/high tobacco risk (aOR = 1.24, 95% CI 1.05, 1.48) and disordered eating (aOR = 2.14, 95% CI 1.85, 2.47). OCD conditions was only associated with disordered eating among male students (aOR = 2.34, 95% CI 1.93, 2.83). Discussion Young adult college students with OCD conditions exhibit a higher prevalence of medium/high risk alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis use and disordered eating compared to their counterparts without such conditions, even after adjusting for stress, depression, and anxiety.