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A study on the compressive strength of three-dimensional direct printing aligner material for specific designing of clear aligners
Enhanced effect of the immunosuppressive soluble HLA-G2 homodimer by site-specific PEGylation
Pioneering genome editing in parthenogenetic stick insects: CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene knockout in Medauroidea extradentata
Abstract The parthenogenetic life cycle of the stick insect Medauroidea extradentata offers unique advantages for the generation of genome-edited strains, as an isogenic and stable mutant line can in principle be achieved already in the first generation (G0). However, genetic tools for the manipulation of their genes had not been developed until now. Here, we successfully implement CRISPR/Cas9 as a technique to modify the genome of the stick insect M. extradentata . As proof-of-concept we targeted two genes involved in the ommochrome pathway of eye pigmentation ( cinnabar and white , second and first exon, respectively), to generate knockout (KO) mutants. Microinjections were performed within 24 h after oviposition, to focus on the mononuclear (and haploid) stage of development. The KOs generated resulted in distinct eye and cuticle colour phenotypes for cinnabar and white . Homozygous cinnabar mutants showed pale pigmentation of eyes and cuticle. They develop into adults capable of producing viable eggs. Homozygous white KO resulted in a completely unpigmented phenotype in developing embryos that were unable to hatch. In conclusion, we show that CRISPR/Cas9 can be successfully applied to the genome of M. extradentata by creating phenotypically different and viable insects. This powerful gene editing technique can now be employed to create stable genetically modified lines using a parthenogenetic non-model organism.
Investigating canonical size phenomenon in drawing from memory task in different perceptual conditions among children
Robust fault detection and classification in power transmission lines via ensemble machine learning models
Long-term outcomes and lymph node metastasis following endoscopic resection with additional surgery or primary surgery for T1 colorectal cancer
Proteomic analysis reveals the roles of silicon in mitigating glyphosate-induced toxicity in Brassica napus L.
Abstract Glyphosate (Gly) is a widely used herbicide for weed control in agriculture, but it can also adversely affect crops by impairing growth, reducing yield, and disrupting nutrient uptake, while inducing toxicity. Therefore, adopting integrated eco-friendly approaches and understanding the mechanisms of glyphosate tolerance in plants is crucial, as these areas remain underexplored. This study provides proteome insights into Si-mediated improvement of Gly-toxicity tolerance in Brassica napus. The proteome analysis identified a total of 4,407 proteins, of which 594 were differentially abundant, including 208 up-regulated and 386 down-regulated proteins. These proteins are associated with diverse biological processes in B. napus, including energy metabolism, antioxidant activity, signal transduction, photosynthesis, sulfur assimilation, cell wall functions, herbicide tolerance, and plant development. Protein-protein interactome analyses confirmed the involvement of six key proteins, including L-ascorbate peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, glutaredoxin-C2, peroxidase, glutathione peroxidase (GPX) 2, and peptide methionine sulfoxide reductase A3 which involved in antioxidant activity, sulfur assimilation, and herbicide tolerance, contributing to the resilience of B. napus against Gly toxicity. The proteomics insights into Si-mediated Gly-toxicity mitigation is an eco-friendly approach, and alteration of key molecular processes opens a new perspective of multi-omics-assisted B. napus breeding for enhancing herbicide resistant oilseed crop production.
Investigation of Scutellaria Barbata’s immunological mechanism against thyroid cancer using network pharmacology and experimental validation
Kindlin-1 promotes gastric cancer cell motility through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway
The impact of parameter variation in the quantification of forensic genetic evidence
Abstract Technological advancements have allowed the detection of increasingly complex forensic genetics samples, as minimum amounts of DNA can now be detected in crime scenes or other settings of interest. The weight of the evidence depends on several parameters regarding the population and sample-related analytical factors, the latter in a greater number when the DNA amount is considered. This led to the development of probabilistic genotyping software (PGS), able to deal with the associated complexities. This study aims to evaluate the impact on the evidence’s weighing, when different analytical threshold values are used, and when different models and/or estimates for analytical artifacts, such as stutters or drop-in parameters, are considered. To reach this goal, three PGS, based on different statistical models, were used to analyze real casework pairs of samples composed of a mixture with either two or three estimated contributors, and a single-source sample associated. The obtained results show that the estimation of these parameters must not be overlooked, as they may considerably impact the outcome. This underlines the importance of proper parametrization in the analysis of forensic genetics identification problems when using complex samples, and the understanding by practitioners of how probabilistic genotyping informatics tools work to use them accurately.
Central projections of nociceptive input originating from the low back and limb muscle in rats
Abstract Since clinical features of chronic muscle pain originating from the low back and limbs are different (higher prevalence and broader/duller sensation of low back muscle pain than limb muscle pain), spinal and/or supraspinal projection of nociceptive information could differ between the two muscles. We tested this hypothesis using c-Fos immunohistochemistry combined with retrograde-labeling of dorsal horn (DH) neurons projecting to ventrolateral periaqueductal grey (vlPAG) or ventral posterolateral nucleus of the thalamus (VPL) by fluorogold (FG) injections into the vlPAG or VPL. C-Fos expression in the DH was induced by injecting 5% formalin into the multifidus (MF, low back) or gastrocnemius-soleus (GS, limb) muscle. A double-labeled DH neuron showing both c-Fos-immunoreactive nucleus and retrogradely transported FG in the cytoplasm was considered as a nociceptive projection neuron. Consistent with DH somatotopy for proximal vs. distal cutaneous inputs, DH neurons with MF input were located in the most lateral area of laminae I − II (segments Th12 − L5), while those with GS input were located in the middle area of laminae I − II (L3 − L5). DH neurons projecting to the vlPAG were located in superficial DH, while those projecting to VPL were located in deep DH. Supraspinal projection derived from more spinal segments for MF input than for GS input. These data suggest that nociceptive input from low back muscles is integrated more in craniocaudal direction than for limb muscles, and that these signals are then forwarded to both PAG and thalamus and contribute to the different nature of muscle pain arising from the low back and limbs.
A pilot exploratory study for analysis of clinical features and plasma catecholamines in blepharospasm
FLT3 is associated with dendritic cell infiltration, tertiary lymphoid structure construction, and predict response to checkpoint inhibitors immunotherapy in solid cancers
Bilateral synchronous UBE for unilateral laminotomy and bilateral decompression as a potentially effective minimally Invasive approach for two-level lumbar spinal stenosis
Currently, Unilateral biportal endoscopy is widely used in the surgical treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis. To investigate the feasibility of bilateral synchronous UBE to unilateral laminotomy and bilateral decompression(BS-UBE-ULBD) for treating two-level lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). Sixty-four patients with two-level lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) treated with BS-UBE-ULBD from October 2022 to January 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were treated with BS-UBE-ULBD. All 64 patients successfully underwent surgery, and the duration of surgery was 95–180 min, with an average of 119.92 ± 14.79 min. The average number of fluoroscopy was 3.02 ± 0.92. The average blood loss during the surgery was 73. 44 ± 36.70 ml. Postoperative lumbar CT showed that the spinal canal and bilateral nerve roots were fully decompressed. There were no postoperative complications, such as infection, severe nerve root injury, and lumbar instability. Complete follow-up data were obtained for all 64 cases. The VAS score of low back and leg pain and the ODI of lumbar function significantly (P < 0.05) improved at each follow-up time point. MacNab evaluation at 6 months after the surgery showed that the results were excellent in 48 cases, good in 14 cases, and fair in 2 cases. The excellent and good rate was 96. 88% (62/64). So BS-UBE-ULBD is a minimally invasive, highly effective, and safe procedure for 2-level LSS. Degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) refers to clinical symptoms caused by the compression of the cauda equina, nerve root, and vascular complex. LSS can occur due to the abnormal shape and volume of the bony or fibrous structure after degenerative changes and the stenosis of the inner diameter of one or more lumens at a single level or multiple levels. It is a common cause of lumbago or lumbago and leg pain, which is common among middle-aged and elderly people1. LSS has become the most common cause of lumbar surgery among patients over 60 years of age2. However, traditional surgery necessitates extensive stripping of paraspinal muscles, which can easily lead to the ischemic injury of paraspinal muscles and atrophy after denervation. Therefore, traditional surgery may result in intractable back pain, stiffness, and discomfort after surgery3,4. Furthermore, as the posterior bone and soft tissue structures need to be extensively resected during the surgery, epidural scar and nerve compression are highly likely after the surgery. The high risk of general anesthesia cannot be ignored among elderly and weak patients2,5. Recently, with the rapid development of minimally invasive spine surgery, endoscopic surgery has been applied in the treatment of LSS6. Unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE ) is more popular in treating LSS and is a more flexible operation, with small trauma, quick recovery, and a gentle learning curve. In addition, many studies have proven the good clinical efficacy of unilateral biportal endoscopy7. Multilevel spinal stenosis can be done simultaneously. Previously, the same operator decompressed multiple segments in turn8,9, but the operation lasted longer, and the corresponding problems, such as bleeding, high risk of anesthesia, and fluoroscopy frequency, increased. From October 2022 to June 2024, our hospital pioneered the use of Bilateral Synchronous UBE-unilateral Laminotomy and Bilateral Decompression (BS-UBE-ULBD) for two-level degenerative LSS. Sixty-four patients with two-segment LSS were treated with BS-UBE-ULBD, and the results were satisfactory.
Analysis of the defect mode features in an asymmetric and symmetric acoustic system using expansion chambers
Incidence and risk factors for insulinoma diagnosed in dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK
Abstract Insulinoma is the most common pancreatic tumor diagnosed in dogs. This study aimed to report incidence risk, breed predispositions and other demographic risk factors for insulinoma diagnosed in dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK. The VetCompass Program supports research on anonymized electronic health records (EHRs) from dogs under UK veterinary care. This study included all VetCompass EHRs from dogs under primary veterinary care during 2019. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate demographic risk factors for insulinoma diagnosis. Of 2,250,741 study dogs, 278 were confirmed as insulinoma cases at any date. The estimated 2019 incidence risk was 0.003% (95% CI 0.002–0.004%). Compared to crossbreeds, predisposed breeds included Dogue de Bordeaux, German Pointer, Flat Coated Retriever, Boxer and West Highland White Terrier. The Labrador Retriever showed decreased odds for insulinoma diagnosis. Additionally, being a terrier breed and being a breed predisposed to other endocrine cancers were associated with increased odds for insulinoma diagnosis. Other risk factors associated with increased odds for insulinoma diagnosis included being female neutered, being 9 - <15 years of age, having an adult median bodyweight of 20 - <30 kg and having a bodyweight above the median for the sex/breed. This is the first study to report the epidemiology of canine insulinoma in dogs under primary veterinary care, resulting in crucial leads for further research in the epidemiology and etiology of canine insulinoma and possible links of canine insulinoma with other canine endocrine cancers. Additionally, the results can aid veterinarians to identify dogs at greater risk of insulinoma.
Brain gliomas new transcriptomic discoveries from differentially expressed genes to therapeutic targets
Comparative analysis of seasonal wind power using Weibull, Rayleigh and Champernowne distributions
Glacial Southern Ocean deep water Nd isotopic composition dominated by benthic modification
Abstract The deep Southern Ocean (SO) circulation plays a key role in the storage and release of CO2 in Earth’s climate system. The uptake and release of CO2 strongly depend on the redistribution of well and poorly ventilated deep ocean water masses. Recently, evidence was found for possible stronger Pacific deep water overturning and subsequent intrusion into the SO during periods of reduced AMOC. Here, we present new authigenic neodymium isotope data (ɛNd) from two sites within the Atlantic sector of the SO to assess the distribution of water masses during the past 150 ka. PS 1768-8 (3299 m) and ODP 1093 (3624 m) feature unradiogenic interglacial ɛNd-signatures, which are typical for present-day Weddell Sea sourced Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) (ɛNd ~ − 8.6). During peak glacial periods, radiogenic ɛNd-values ranging from ~ − 2.5 to − 3.5 are recorded. This may be the result of either a strong Pacific or benthic flux influence on the Nd budget in the Atlantic sector of the SO. However, an ocean circulation model indicates no stronger Pacific influence during glacials. Thus, we suggest that an increase in benthic flux influences the SO Nd budget, which is modulated by ACC strength. The more stratified and more sluggish deep water supports decreased vertical mixing and increased glacial carbon storage without the intrusion of poorly ventilated Pacific waters. The occurrence of highly radiogenic glacial bottom water or porewater signatures requires reassessment of the glacial Southern Hemisphere ɛNd-endmember for water mass sourcing reconstructions in the glacial Atlantic.