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Impact of high-sensitivity flow cytometry on peri-transplant minimal residual disease kinetics in acute leukemia
<i>Notch1</i> is Required to Maintain Supporting Cell Identity and Vestibular Function during Maturation of the Mammalian Balance Organs
The inner ear houses both hearing and balance sensory modalities. The hearing and balance organs consist of similar cell types, including sensory hair cells and associated supporting cells. Previously we showed that Notch1 is required for maintaining supporting cell survival during cochlear maturation. To understand the role of Notch during vestibular maturation, we deleted Notch1 from the vestibular organs of both male and female mice at birth. Histological analyses showed a reduction of supporting cells accompanied by an increase in type II hair cells, indicating a conversion of supporting cells to hair cells. Analysis of mature sensory organs indicate the converted hair cells survive, despite a severe reduction of supporting cells. Vestibular sensory evoked potentials (VsEPs), thought to be generated within the striola regions of the maculae, were absent, indicating that NOTCH1 is critical for striolar function. Specialized type I hair cells in the striola failed to develop the complex calyces typical of these cells. Notch1 mutants did not exhibit vestibular behaviors such as circling and head shaking but showed difficulties with tests of balance and swimming. These results indicate that, unlike the cochlea, supporting cells in balance organs retain the plasticity to convert to hair cells which can survive into adulthood. Despite hair cell survival, vestibular function is compromised likely due to the loss of supporting cells and altered innervation.
Predicting creep failure life in adhesive-bonded single-lap joints using machine learning
Emergence of Categorical Representations in Parietal and Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex across Extended Training
How do the neural representations underlying category learning change as skill develops? We examined perceptual category learning using a prototype learning task known to recruit a corticostriatal system including the posterior striatum, motor cortex, visual cortex, and intraparietal sulcus (IPS). Male and female human participants practiced categorizing stimuli as category members or nonmembers (A vs not-A) across 3 d, with fMRI data collected at the beginning and end. Univariate analyses found that corticostriatal activity in regions associated with habitual instrumental learning was recruited across both sessions, but activity in regions associated with goal-directed instrumental learning decreased from Day 1 to Day 3. Multivoxel pattern analysis (MVPA) indicated that after training, the trained category could be more easily decoded from the IPS when compared with a novel category. Representational similarity analysis (RSA) showed development of category representations in the IPS and motor cortex. In addition, RSA revealed evidence for category-related representations including prototype representation in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex which may reflect parallel development of schematic memory for the category structure. Overall, the results converge to show how performance of category decisions and representations of the category structure emerge after extensive training across the corticostriatal system underlying perceptual category learning.
Temporal distribution shifts of Chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) with sea surface temperature changes at their southern limit in the North Pacific
Understanding the responses of marine organisms to environmental changes at their distribution limits is crucial for predicting climate-change associated habitat changes. This study analyzed the effect of sea surface temperature (SST) on the temporal distribution of Chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) in the eastern and southern coastal waters of Korea (ESCK) and on the southern limit of their distribution in the North Pacific. The temporal distribution of Chum in the ESCK and adjacent rivers was statistically compared based on three SST types (T1–T3). Chum were first caught in the northern and then in the southern area, with riverine migration occurring faster in the south than in the north. These migration patterns did not change with SST type. There was no significant difference in the coastal arrival timing of the Chum between T1 and T3, which respectively represented the entire region cooling either rapidly or slowly compared to an average year. In T2, in which the north cooled rapidly and the south cooled slowly, the coastal arrival timing was approximately 4 days earlier compared to T1 and T3. Moreover, as the SST type shifted from T1 to T3, the coastal residence time in the north became shorter, while in the south became longer. These findings help us to understand the adaptation strategies of Chum, and to predict changes in their distribution and resources in the North Pacific under climate change.
Machine learning-based prediction of distant metastasis risk in invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast
More than 90% of deaths due to breast cancer (BC) are due to metastasis-related complications, with invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) of the breast being the most common pathologic type of breast cancer and highly susceptible to metastasis to distant organs. BC patients who develop cancer metastases are more likely to have a poor prognosis and poor quality of life, so it is extremely important to recognize and diagnose whether distant metastases have occurred in IDC as early as possible. In this study, we develop a non-invasive breast cancer classification system for detecting cancer metastasis. We used Anaconda-Jupyter notebooks to develop various Python programming modules for text mining, data processing, and machine learning (ML) methods. A risk prediction model was constructed based on four algorithms: Random Forest, XGBoost, Logistic Regression, and SVM. Additionally, we developed a hybrid model based on a voting mechanism using these four algorithms as the base models. The models were compared and evaluated by the following metrics: accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score, and area under the ROC curve (AUC) values. The experimental results show that the hybrid model based on the voting mechanism exhibits the best prediction performance (accuracy: 0.867, precision: 0.929, recall: 0.805, F1-score: 0.856, AUC: 0.94). This stable risk prediction model provides a valuable reference support for doctors in assessing and diagnosing the risk of IDC hematogenous metastasis. It also improves the work efficiency of doctors and strives to provide patients with increased chances of survival.
Evaluation of Moore and grab sampling method for Salmonella Typhi detection in environmental samples in Ghana
Background Typhoid fever causes substantial mortality and morbidity in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) as a result of inadequate water, hygiene, and sanitation facilities. The gold standard for typhoid diagnosis is blood culture, however this method is expensive and mostly unavailable in LMICs. Environmental surveillance (ES) could offer a low cost alternative to identify circulation of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S.Typhi) and help inform public health interventions including vaccination. Methods We implemented standardized protocols for ES at 40 validated sites in peri-urban communities in Ghana from July 2022 to August 2023. Grab samples (GS) and Moore swabs (MS) were collected monthly for the initial 6 months and subsequently monthly MS were maintained for the rest of the study period. Wastewater samples were tested for S . Typhi target genes ( ttr, staG, tviB ) and a biomarker of human faecal contamination (Bacteroides HF183) using multiplex quantitative PCR (qPCR). Clinical surveillance for typhoid fever was performed by blood culture of febrile cases presenting to the local hospital who lived in the study area. Results For the first 6 months of wastewater ES, we observed a higher prevalence of S . Typhi in MS compared to GS [100/240 (42%; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 34-50% vs. 24/240 (10%; 95% CI: 6-16%)]; p-value < 0.001]. Overall, the detection of S. Typhi throughout the study period based on MS was 42.1% (202/480; 95% CI: 35-50%). The prevalence of S. Typhi in blood culture surveillance was 0.21% [12/5,576; 95% CI: 0.12-0.38%]. Precipitation (1.1 (95% CI: 1.02-1.10) and number of wet days (2.0 (95%CI: 1.40-2.88) were positively associated with an increased odds of S. Typhi detection in MS and GS. Conclusion Generally the proportion of S.Typhi detections in wastewater samples was less than blood culture-based detections. Limited detection of confirmed typhoid fever cases at the local hospital may reflect healthcare seeking behaviours, access as well as early treatment with over-the-counter antibiotics. Further work is required to confirm these qPCR detections with amplicon sequencing methods. Strategies also needs to be developed for integration of ES into public health decision making for the prevention of typhoid fever.
Comparison of two methods of measuring physical activity and its related components among middle age women: Pedometer versus self-report
Introduction Physical activity is essential for health maintenance across various dimensions; however, sedentary behavior remains widespread in numerous societies. Notably, women often exhibit higher levels of sedentary behavior than men, potentially exacerbating complications related to motherhood. This study aims to assess and compare physical activity levels in middle-aged women (30–45) using self-reported measures and pedometers while exploring associated factors in the context of reproductive health. Methods This study analyzed secondary data from a randomized controlled trial involving 91 women aged 30–45 from Semnan University of Medical Sciences. Participants completed a validated 12-item questionnaire and wore Omron Style Pro-2 pedometers for one week to assess physical activity levels. Women were categorized as active or inactive based on self-reports and pedometer data. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS version 27. Participants provided informed consent, ensuring confidentiality throughout the study. Results The study involved 91 women with a mean age of 27.4 years, of whom 82.6% were married. Only 11.7% self-reported as “low active,” while pedometer data revealed that 94.5% were inactive or had insufficient physical activity. A significant relationship was found between the number of children and physical activity levels, with women who had children being more active (p = 0.035). No correlation was observed between self-reported activity and pedometer measurements, indicating women often overestimate their physical activity levels. Discussion This study highlights the inaccuracies in self-reported physical activity assessments. Most women were found to be physically inactive, with the number of children influencing their activity levels. These findings underscore the need for interventions to increase women’s physical activity. Conclusion These findings bear important implications for health policy within communities. Further research involving larger sample sizes across various age and gender demographics is warranted to enhance our understanding of physical activity patterns and inform targeted interventions.
Performance evaluation of Cu2SrSnS4 based solar cell: effect of transition metal dichalcogenides buffer layer
Abstract The urgent demand for efficient renewable energy technologies has driven extensive research into quaternary chalcogenide materials, owing to their outstanding photovoltaic properties and potential for high performance. This study focuses on the design, performance optimization, and comparative analysis of Cu2SrSnS4-based solar cells, with particular emphasis on employing different transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) buffer layers, specifically MoS2 and WS2. By utilizing SCAPS 1-D simulation software, the research systematically examines the impact of critical parameters such as buffer layer thickness, doping concentrations, and operating temperatures on the solar cell’s efficiency and stability. The simulation results demonstrate that the ZnO/MoS2/Cu2SrSnS4 configuration attained the highest efficiency, reaching an impressive 35.6%, significantly surpassing its counterpart with WS2 as the buffer layer, which achieved an efficiency of 29.1%. The findings demonstrate the significance of buffer layer selection and parameter optimization in maximizing the potential of Cu2SrSnS4 solar cells. Ultimately, this research offers valuable insights into the development of high-efficiency, stable photovoltaic technologies, advancing the future of next-generation quaternary chalcogenide solar cells.
Greener skies? The quest for sustainable flying
Fusing temporal and structural information via subgraph sampling and multi-head attention for information cascade prediction
Urban groundwater supplies facing dual pressures of depletion and contamination in China
Groundwater is essential to urban water supplies throughout the world, but we do not understand how quantity and quality issues may jeopardize the ability of cities to meet their water needs. Here, we present a national analysis of both quantity and quality challenges facing China’s urban groundwater supply security, using high-resolution groundwater depletion modeling and a recently compiled dataset detailing quality violations in drinking groundwater sources. We estimate that 180 cities (about half of the prefecture-level-and-above cities), accounting for 311 million urban residents, face at least one groundwater pressure between 2016 and 2021. Cities that face dual quantity and quality pressures pinpoints hotspots of intense groundwater threats— Specifically, 40 cities, mainly situated in Northeast China and the middle to lower reaches of the Yellow River, are exposed to dual groundwater pressures. The results highlight the interconnected and possibly mutually reinforcing nature of groundwater depletion and quality issues. The logistic regression models indicate that groundwater depletion and quality violations are associated with natural water endowment and anthropogenic factors. Particularly, drinking groundwater quality issues are clustered in relation to socioeconomic gaps, with larger, wealthier cities being less prone to such problems. We argue that securing drinking water sources in small and poor cities through integrated groundwater management and economic assistance should be an important national priority for achieving groundwater supply sustainability.
Association of blood urea nitrogen to glucose ratio with 365-day mortality in critically ill patients with chronic kidney disease: a retrospective study
Transcriptomic insights into early mechanisms underlying post-chikungunya chronic inflammatory joint disease
Subfunctionalization and epigenetic regulation of a biosynthetic gene cluster in <i>Solanaceae</i>
Biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) are sets of often heterologous genes that are genetically and functionally linked. Among eukaryotes, BGCs are most common in plants and fungi and ensure the coexpression of the different enzymes coordinating the biosynthesis of specialized metabolites. Here, we report the identification of a withanolide BGC in Physalis grisea (ground-cherry), a member of the nightshade family ( Solanaceae ). A combination of transcriptomic, epigenomic, and metabolic analyses revealed that, following a duplication event, this BGC evolved two tissue-specifically expressed subclusters, containing several pairs of paralogs that contribute to related but distinct biochemical processes; this subfunctionalization is tightly associated with epigenetic features and the local chromatin environment. The two subclusters appear strictly isolated from each other at the structural chromatin level, each forming a highly self-interacting chromatin domain with tissue-dependent levels of condensation. This correlates with gene expression in either above- or below-ground tissue, thus spatially separating the production of different withanolide compounds. By comparative phylogenomics, we show that the withanolide BGC most likely evolved before the diversification of the Solanaceae family and underwent lineage-specific diversifications and losses. The tissue-specific subfunctionalization is common to species of the Physalideae tribe but distinct from other, independent duplication events outside of this clade. In sum, our study reports on an instance of an epigenetically modulated subfunctionalization within a BGC and sheds light on the biosynthesis of withanolides, a highly diverse group of steroidal triterpenoids important in plant defense and amenable to pharmaceutical applications due to their anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, and anticancer properties.
Clinical implications of early blood transfusion after kidney transplantation
Listen for a change? A longitudinal field experiment on listening’s potential to enhance persuasion
Scholars and practitioners widely posit that listening to other people enhances efforts to persuade them. Listening may enhance persuasion by promoting cognitive processing, reducing defensiveness, and improving perceptions of the persuader. However, empirical tests of this widely theorized hypothesis are surprisingly scarce. We review the case for and against this hypothesis, arguing previous research has not sufficiently attended to reasons why listening may not enhance persuasion. We test this hypothesis using a preregistered, well-powered field experiment in which trained professional canvassers, acting as confederates, had ∼10 min video conversations with U.S. participants ( N = 1,485) about unauthorized immigration, a salient topic of disagreement. We independently randomized whether confederates shared a persuasive narrative about an undocumented immigrant and whether they practiced high-quality nonjudgmental listening to participants’ opinions. We measured outcomes immediately after the conversation and again five weeks later. Sharing a persuasive narrative meaningfully and durably reduced prejudice and changed policy attitudes. The listening manipulation also successfully improved perceptions of the persuader and increased processing. Surprisingly, however, the listening manipulation did not enhance persuasion: Sharing a persuasive narrative was just as effective in the absence of high-quality listening. We discuss theoretical and practical implications.