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Flow prediction in sound-based uroflowmetry
Genomic and phenotypic stability of fusion-driven pediatric sarcoma cell lines
AbstractHuman cancer cell lines are the mainstay of cancer research. Recent reports showed that highly mutated adult carcinoma cell lines (mainly HeLa and MCF-7) present striking diversity across laboratories and that long-term continuous culturing results in genomic/transcriptomic heterogeneity with strong phenotypical implications. Here, we hypothesize that oligomutated pediatric sarcoma cell lines mainly driven by a fusion transcription factor, such as Ewing sarcoma (EwS), are genetically and phenotypically more stable than the previously investigated adult carcinoma cell lines. A comprehensive molecular and phenotypic characterization of multiple EwS cell line strains, together with a simultaneous analysis during 12 months of continuous cell culture show that fusion-driven pediatric sarcoma cell line strains are genomically more stable than adult carcinoma strains, display remarkably stable and homogenous transcriptomes, and exhibit uniform and stable drug response. Additionally, the analysis of multiple EwS cell lines subjected to long-term continuous culture reveals that variable degrees of genomic/transcriptomic/phenotypic changes among fusion-driven cell lines, further exemplifying that the potential for reproducibility of in vitro scientific results may be rather understood as a spectrum, even within the same tumor entity.
Study of distribution and morphological characteristics of the trabecular bone in the uncinate process of the cervical spine using micro-computed tomography
The cervical uncinate process is a unique structure of the cervical spine that undergoes significant changes in its morphological characteristics with age, and these changes may be related to osteoporosis. This study aimed to observe the distribution of cancellous bone in the cervical uncinate process and its morphological features using micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT) to gain a deeper understanding of the morphological characteristics of the uncinate microstructure. We performed Micro-CT scans on 31 sets of C3-C7 vertebrae, a total of 155 intact bone samples, and subsequently used the measurement software with the Micro-CT system to obtain parameters related to the cancellous bone of the uncinate process. We found that the cancellous bone of the uncinate process was predominantly longitudinally cross-aligned and continuous with the cancellous bone within the vertebral body. Comparisons between the left and right sides of each parameter showed significant differences only in the bone surface area, and the peaks of each parameter were primarily concentrated in C4-C6. In this study, we found that the C5 uncinate process is the site of most significant stress in the cervical vertebrae, which leads to the earliest occurrence of osteoporosis, and this study provides experimental, theoretical bases for the prevention of cervical spondylosis and osteoporosis, and the diagnosis and treatment of related diseases.
Viral nucleic acid load in the milk of lactating mothers with COVID-19 and the prognosis of infants
Altered mitochondria-associated ER membrane (MAM) function shifts mitochondrial metabolism in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Recovery time and predictors of severe acute malnutrition in children aged 6–59 months via an outpatient therapeutic program in Borena zone: A prospective cohort study
Background Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) is a severe condition causing bilateral pitting edema or signs of wasting in children, with a high mortality risk. An outpatient therapeutic program is recommended for managing SAM children without complications, but there is limited information on recovery time and its determinants. Objective This study aims to assess the time to recovery and its predictors among children aged 6–59 months with SAM admitted to the Outpatient therapeutic program in the Borena zone, Oromia region, Southern Ethiopia in 2023. Methods A prospective follow-up study was carried out from March 1–30, 2023, on 322 children aged 6–59 months in health facilities in the Borena zone. After being collected using a structured questionnaire, the data was imported into Epi Data Manager version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 26 for analysis. Model fitness was assessed using the log rank test, and time-to-recovery from SAM was found to be predicted by Cox regression analysis. Lastly, the study used the Adjusted Hazard Ratio with a p-value < 0.05 and a 95% confidence interval to describe the connection. Results The median duration for recovery was found to be 42 days with an interquartile range of 35 to 49. Children who received Amoxicillin had a four-times higher recovery rate (AHR = 4.09; 95% CI: 2.75, 6.07). The presence of diarrhea prolonged the recovery time by 53.0% (AHR = 0.47; 95% CI: 0.36, 0.62), while vomiting prolonged the recovery time by 58.0% (AHR = 0.42; 95% CI: 0.32, 0.55). Edema reduced the chances of recovery by 48% (AHR = 0.52; 95% CI: 0.36, 0.62). Conclusion The study found that recovery time for children with severe acute malnutrition is consistent with prior research. Key factors influencing recovery duration include the prompt administration of Amoxicillin upon admission and the presence of symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, and edema. The findings emphasize the critical role of specific symptoms in predicting recovery times for children with SAM. By understanding these relationships, healthcare providers can enhance treatment strategies, improve resource management, and ultimately contribute to better health outcomes for affected children.
The effect of regional integration on the efficiency of enterprise resource allocation
Fluorine-expedited nitridation of layered perovskite Sr2TiO4 for visible-light-driven photocatalytic overall water splitting
Correction: Mitochondrial DNA barcoding of mosquito species (Diptera: Culicidae) in Thailand
Phylotranscriptomics resolved phylogenetic relationships and divergence time between 20 golden camellia species
3D-printed aberration-free terahertz metalens for ultra-broadband achromatic super-resolution wide-angle imaging with high numerical aperture
Analysis of the stability of a predator-prey model including the memory effect, double Allee effect and Holling type-I functional response
This study proposes and analyses a revised predator-prey model that accounts for a twofold Allee impact on the rate of prey population expansion. Employing the Caputo fractional-order derivative, we account for memory impact on the suggested model. We proceed to examine the significant mathematical aspects of the suggested model, including the uniqueness, non-negativity, boundedness, and existence of solutions to the noninteger order system. Additionally, all potential equilibrium points for the strong and weak Allee effect are examined under Matignon’s condition, along with the current state of conditions and local stability analysis. Analytical results are also provided for the necessary circumstances for the Hopf bifurcation initiated by the fractional derivative order to occur. We also demonstrated the global asymptotic stability for the positive equilibrium point in both the strong and weak Allee effect cases by selecting an appropriate Lyapunov function. This study’s innovation is its comparative investigation of the stability of the strong and weak Allee effects. To conclude, numerical simulations validate the theoretical findings and provide a means to investigate the system’s more dynamical behaviours.
Very low prevalence of Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich protein 2 (pfhrp2) gene deletion in the Brazil, Venezuela, and Guyana tri-border
Abstract Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) have been an important diagnostic tool for detecting P. falciparum malaria in resource-limited settings. Most tests are designed to detect the Histidine-rich Protein 2 (HRP2). Parasites lacking pfhrp2 and its homologous pfhrp3 have been reported in several regions, with prevalence reaching 100% in certain areas. To better characterize P. falciparum isolates circulating in the Brazil-Venezuela-Guyana tri-border region, we performed a comprehensive analysis of 365 samples collected between 2016 and 2018. Molecular and immunological methods were employed to detect HRP2 and confirm pfhrp2/3 deletions. Our findings point to a low prevalence (1%) of pfhrp2 -deleted parasites confirmed by the lack of HRP2 detection. Among false-negative HRP2-RDT tests (6%), most were attributed to low parasite densities. A merozoite surface protein 2 ( msp2 )-based intra-host diversity analysis suggested overall low genetic diversity. The pattern of HRP2 sequences resembled that has been previously described in areas along the Brazil and French Guiana border. In conclusion, we have found a low prevalence of pfhrp2 -deleted parasites in the north-central Guiana Shield, which contrasts with the findings reported at the Peru border. Continued surveys are necessary to monitor the prevalence of pfhrp2 deletion in this area characterized by a high number of cross-border malaria cases.