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FRET imaging of glycoRNA on small extracellular vesicles enabling sensitive cancer diagnostics
Potential effect of social support on perceived stress and anxiety in college students during public health crisis: Multiple interactions of gender
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected college students, leading to increased anxiety and emotional distress. This study investigated how perceived public health crises relate to anxiety levels in college students, and how social support and gender influence this relationship. Data from 3,165 college students from six universities in Shaanxi Province, China, were collected and analyzed by using AMOS and SPSS PROCESS 4.0. Results showed that perceived COVID-19 risk significantly impacted anxiety levels, and social support moderated this relationship. Gender also had multiple interaction effects with social support and perceived pandemic risk on anxiety. Overall, the study confirms that COVID-19 quarantine and perceived risk increase stress and anxiety in college students, with social support playing a buffering role, albeit with variations based on gender.
Pacific sub-decadal sea surface temperature variations contributed to recent Antarctic Sea ice decline trend
Retraction: Leadership empowering behaviour as a predictor of employees’ psychological well-being: Evidence from a cross-sectional study among secondary school teachers in Kohat Division, Pakistan
Connectomics of predicted Sst transcriptomic types in mouse visual cortex
Plasma-to-tumour tissue integrated proteomics using nano-omics for biomarker discovery in glioblastoma
Abstract Glioblastoma (GB) is the most lethal brain cancer, with patient survival rates remaining largely unchanged over the past two decades. Here, we introduce the Nano-omics integrative workflow that links systemic (plasma) and localised (tumour tissue) protein changes associated with GB progression. Mass spectrometry analysis of the nanoparticle biomolecule corona in GL261-bearing mice at different stages of GB revealed plasma protein alterations, even at low tumour burden, with over 30% overlap between GB-specific plasma and tumour tissue proteomes. Analysis of matched plasma and surgically resected tumour samples from high-grade glioma patients demonstrates the clinical applicability of the Nano-omics pipeline. Cross-species correlation identified 48 potential GB biomarker candidates involved in actin cytoskeleton organisation, focal adhesion, platelet activation, leukocyte migration, amino acid biosynthesis, carbon metabolism, and phagosome pathways. The Nano-omics approach holds promise for the discovery of early detection and disease monitoring biomarkers of central nervous system conditions, paving the way for subsequent clinical validation.
Fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) genetic polymorphisms contribute to fused roots in human molars
Fibroblast growth factors (FGFRs) signaling are required for human tooth development. Its dysregulation affects tooth formation and patients with FGFR2 mutations often present dental anomalies in the spectrum of the syndrome. This study aimed to investigate whether genetic polymorphisms in FGFR2 are associated with molar fused roots. The null hypothesis is that genetic variations in FGFR2 are not associated with isolated cases (non-syndromic) of molars fused roots. Panoramic radiographs of non-syndromic patients were used to assess the occurrence of fused roots in molars. Genomic DNA analysis was performed to investigate polymorphisms within the candidate gene. The association between fused roots and genetic polymorphisms was analyzed using allelic and genotypic distributions, and haplotype frequencies. Odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were calculated to assess the chance of presenting fused roots. The significance level was set at p < 0.05 for all the analysis. A total of 170 patients were included. Statistically significant differences in genotype distribution were observed in rs10736303 and rs2162540. Individuals carrying at least one G allele of rs10736303 had an increased chance to present fused roots. A total of 154 haplotype combinations demonstrated statistically significant associations. The polymorphisms rs10736303 and rs2162540 in FGFR2 were associated with fused roots in human molars.
Functional connectomics reveals general wiring rule in mouse visual cortex
Abstract Understanding the relationship between circuit connectivity and function is crucial for uncovering how the brain computes. In mouse primary visual cortex, excitatory neurons with similar response properties are more likely to be synaptically connected 1–8 ; however, broader connectivity rules remain unknown. Here we leverage the millimetre-scale MICrONS dataset to analyse synaptic connectivity and functional properties of neurons across cortical layers and areas. Our results reveal that neurons with similar response properties are preferentially connected within and across layers and areas—including feedback connections—supporting the universality of ‘like-to-like’ connectivity across the visual hierarchy. Using a validated digital twin model, we separated neuronal tuning into feature (what neurons respond to) and spatial (receptive field location) components. We found that only the feature component predicts fine-scale synaptic connections beyond what could be explained by the proximity of axons and dendrites. We also discovered a higher-order rule whereby postsynaptic neuron cohorts downstream of presynaptic cells show greater functional similarity than predicted by a pairwise like-to-like rule. Recurrent neural networks trained on a simple classification task develop connectivity patterns that mirror both pairwise and higher-order rules, with magnitudes similar to those in MICrONS data. Ablation studies in these recurrent neural networks reveal that disrupting like-to-like connections impairs performance more than disrupting random connections. These findings suggest that these connectivity principles may have a functional role in sensory processing and learning, highlighting shared principles between biological and artificial systems.
Customizable wave tailoring nonlinear materials enabled by bilevel inverse design
Abstract Passive wave transformation via nonlinearity is ubiquitous in settings from acoustics to optics and electromagnetics. It is well known that different nonlinearities yield different effects on propagating signals, which raises the question of “what precise nonlinearity is the best for a given wave tailoring application?” In this work, considering a one-dimensional spring-mass chain connected by polynomial springs (a variant of the Fermi-Pasta-Ulam-Tsingou system), we introduce a bilevel inverse design method which couples the shape optimization of structures for tailored constitutive responses with reduced-order nonlinear dynamical inverse design. We apply it to two qualitatively distinct problems—minimization of peak transmitted kinetic energy from impact, and pulse shape transformation—demonstrating our method’s breadth of applicability. For the impact problem, we obtain two fundamental insights. First, small differences in nonlinearity can drastically change the dynamic response of the system, from severely under- to outperforming a comparative linear system. Second, the oft-used strategy of impact mitigation via “energy locking” bistability can be significantly outperformed by our optimal nonlinearity. We validate this case with impact experiments and find excellent agreement. This study establishes a framework for broader passive nonlinear mechanical wave tailoring material design, with applications to computing, signal processing, shock mitigation, and autonomous materials.
Enhancing phylloquinone levels using ultraviolet-A radiation in indoor farming
Phylloquinone (Phyllo) or vitamin K1 is mostly available in plant-based foods such as spinach and lettuce. Because Phyllo absorption in the human gut is low, foods with significantly high levels of Phyllo can aid in maintaining adequate vitamin K levels when consumed. We conducted two experiments, i.e., monochromatic and broadband, to understand the effects of light quality on enhancing Phyllo levels in lettuce. Both experiments used green romaine lettuce and a customized indoor growth system with light emitting diode (LED) lights. We measured fresh weight (FW), dry weight, leaf area, leaf number, and Phyllo levels in both experiments. Photosynthesis (A)- photon flux density (PPFD) response curves were measured in the second experiment. In the first experiment, plants were grown under six monochromatic light treatments viz., ultraviolet (UV389), blue (B450), green (G521), red (R632), hyper-red (R662), and far-red (FR733) during the entire growth period. Phyllo level was higher in UV389 and not different among other treatments. Vegetative growth parameters trended in the order of R632 > R662/G521 > B450 > UV389 > FR733. These results suggested that UV389 can increase Phyllo levels but its addition can have a negative effect on vegetative growth. In the second experiment, plants were grown under two treatments viz., UV389 substituted in the broadband light (40% of total light) during the stationary growth stage (UVsub) and control (broadband light without substitution). Results indicated that FW was lower by 24% but Phyllo level increased by approximately 175% in the UVsub treatment compared to control. These results suggest that UV389 provided during the stationary growth phase can enhance Phyllo, however, further lowering the percentage of UV389 may be required to minimize the negative effect on vegetative growth. Analysis of A-PPFD curves indicated lower operating photosynthesis (AOP) and light use efficiency (LUE) in the UVsub compared to control. Analysis indicated that UV-A light provided during the stationary growth stage contributed little to AOP. This suggests that increased Phyllo levels from UV-A exposure did not enhance A but likely provided photoprotection by channeling excess excitation energy through alternate pathways.
Author Correction: Phosphorylation of Jhd2 by the Ras-cAMP-PKA(Tpk2) pathway regulates histone modifications and autophagy
The effect of air pollution on morbidity and mortality among children aged under five in sub-Saharan Africa: Systematic review and meta-analysis
Background Air pollution from indoor and outdoor sources constitutes a substantial health risk to young children in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Although some systematic reviews have assessed air pollution and children’s respiratory health in SSA, none have considered both ambient and indoor exposures. Methods This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the effect of air pollution (ambient and indoor) on respiratory hospitalization and mortality among children under five years in SSA. We retrieved relevant articles from PubMed, Embase, Scopus, African Journals Online (AJOL), Web of Science, and medRxiv. The protocol was registered with Prospero (CRD42023470010). We used guidelines from the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis (PRISMA-2020) to guide the systematic review process. Risk of bias was assessed using the Office of Health Assessment and Translation (OHAT) quality appraisal tool. For exposures where there were sufficient studies/data we conducted meta-analyses using random effects models and used Stata version 17 software for analysis. Results For the systematic review we screened 5619 titles and abstracts, reviewed 315 full texts, and included 31 articles involving 2,178,487 participants. Eleven studies examined exposure to solid fuel use in households and its association with all-cause mortality, while four studies explored the impact of passive smoking on mortality among children under five. Only two studies assessed ambient air pollution's effects on all-cause and respiratory-related mortality. Additionally, 13 studies reported varying associations between respiratory hospitalization and household tobacco smoke exposure. Meta-analyses on studies of solid fuel use and mortality and passive smoking and hospitalizations showed that children exposed to indoor solid fuels combustion had higher odds of mortality compared to non-exposed children (OR = 1.31; 95% CI: 1.16–1.47). The meta-analysis of exposure to second-hand smoke found an increased risk of respiratory hospitalization due to pneumonia, although the results were not significant (OR = 1.29; 95% CI: 0.45–3.68), and our certainty of evidence assessment indicated insufficient support to conclusively establish this association. Conclusion and Recommendation Our review reveals that solid fuel use and ambient PM2.5 exposure were associated with increased mortality risk in children under five years in SSA. The meta-analysis showed evidence of an increased risk of under-five years mortality associated with solid fuel use in households. Associations between secondhand smoke and pneumonia hospitalization were less clear. We conclude that significant research gaps remain in understanding the impact of discrete sources of air pollution on the causation of respiratory illness in young children living in SSA. Prioritizing interventions targeting indoor sources is essential, along with further studies which use standardized and objective exposure and outcome measures to study these associations.
Nitrate reduction to ammonia catalyzed by GaN/Si photoelectrodes with metal clusters
Overall success rate of permanent teeth pulpotomy using ProRoot MTA: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials
Introduction This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the success rate of pulpotomy in permanent teeth using ProRoot MTA. Methods An unrestricted search was carried out in 6 electronic databases, until August 2024. The selection of studies adhered to the PIOS criteria, encompassing only randomized clinical trials that assessed the success rate of pulpotomy in permanent teeth using ProRoot MTA through clinical and radiographic evaluations. Risk of bias was assessed using the RoB-2 tool, and meta-analyses were conducted through RevMan 5.3 and R software. To determine the quality of evidence, the GRADE tool was employed. Results The initial search yielded 971 studies. After removing duplicates, 468 studies underwent initial screening, and 32 studies were considered for eligibility. In the final selection, 26 studies were included, and among these, 14 were categorized as having high risk of bias. The analysis of pulpotomy in permanent teeth using ProRoot MTA revealed an overall success rate of 96%, 90%, and 96% at 6-, 12-, and 24-month follow-up periods, respectively, and an annual failure rate of 8%. Meta-analyses indicated a significantly higher success rate for pulpotomies in teeth with open apex. Upon applying the GRADE assessment, an overall moderate level of evidence was observed. Conclusion Pulpotomy in permanent teeth using ProRoot MTA yields a success rate exceeding 90%, even up to a 24-month follow-up period. Nonetheless, the certainty of evidence supporting these outcomes is moderate, highlighting the requirement for well-designed randomized clinical trials with extended follow-up durations. Registration This systematic review was registered in the PROSPERO database (registration number CRD42023451466).
Development and validation of prediction algorithm to identify tuberculosis in two large California health systems
Correction: Anti-inflammatory effects and beneficial effects of the feed additive Urtica cannabina L. in zebrafish
Decoding the selective chemical modulation of CYP3A4
Externalities in wild pig damages on U.S. crop and livestock farms: The role of landowner actions and landscape heterogeneity
Invasive wild pigs can impose significant economic costs on crop and livestock farms. Many factors influence the incidence and intensity of these losses, making efforts to reduce or eradicate these populations complex. While farm and ranch operators may perceive wild pigs as agricultural pests, other landowners often see them as wild game with recreational value. This study investigates the relationship between landowner practices that attract wild pigs and the likelihood of pig presence and damage on farm and ranch operations. It considers the farmers’ own actions that attract wildlife, neighboring landowner actions, the heterogeneity of the surrounding landscape, and county-level factors. The findings show a significant and positive associations between neighbors’ actions and the probability of wild pig presence and financial losses from wild pig damage. Additionally, increasingly heterogeneous landscapes may further exacerbate this challenge. This research indicates that the choices made by adjacent property owners can undermine the effectiveness of public and private efforts to manage wild pig populations. Conversely, the impacts of wild pig management likely extend beyond specific management areas. Holistic eradication or population control programs should consider these externalities to adequately and efficiently address their impacts.