Three-dimensional computational musculoskeletal model for estimating force-impedance control during dynamic upper extremity movements.

The human neuromusculoskeletal system learns and adapts the upper limb impedance to new task dynamics, enhancing task performance and stability. This study aimed to develop and validate a realistic neuromusculoskeletal model of the upper limb capable of predicting stiffness modulation and motor adaptation to newly introduced environments and force fields. We employed an inverse task space dynamics approach with a multipriority task control framework for an existing upper limb model in OpenSim (Stanford, CA, USA).

Ex-vivo mechano-structural characterization of fresh diseased human esophagus.

The esophagus, the tube-like organ responsible for transporting food from the pharynx to the stomach, operates as a highly mechanical structure, exhibiting complex contraction and distension patterns triggered by neurological impulses. Despite the critical role of mechanics in its function and the need for high-fidelity models of esophageal transport, mechanical characterization studies of human esophagus remain relatively scarce. In addition to the paucity of studies in human specimens, the available results are often scattered in terms of methodology and scope, making it difficult to compare findings across studies and thereby limiting their use in computational models.

Global prevalence of hydrocele in infants and children: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Pediatric hydrocele is a congenital pathology commonly diagnosed in newborns. Also, untreated pediatric hydrocele can induce adverse permanent consequences in adulthood. This study aimed to investigate the global prevalence of pediatric hydrocele in infants and children, as a necessary factor for health policymakers.

Effect of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on cognitive functioning and the expression of APP and BDNF in the hippocampus of rats with streptozotocin -induced Alzheimer-like disease.

We aimed to investigate the potential therapeutic effects of the active substance of green tea, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), on behavioral phenotypes and markers of neurogenesis in an Alzheimer disease (AD) rat model. The groups included sham, AD, and three AD groups receiving orally EGCG with different doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg. The AD model was induced by intracerebroventricular (icv) injection of streptozocin (STZ) at a dose of 3 mg/kg.

Does the mantis shrimp pack a phononic shield?

The powerful strikes generated by the smasher mantis shrimp require it to possess a robust protection mechanism to withstand the resultant forces. Although recent studies have suggested that phononic bandgaps complement the mantis shrimp's defensive suite, direct experimental evidence for this mechanism has remained elusive. In this work, we explored the phononic properties of the mantis shrimp's dactyl club using laser ultrasonic techniques and numerical simulations.

Rational design, synthesis, in vitro, and in-silico studies of pyrazole‑phthalazine hybrids as new α‑glucosidase inhibitors.

This paper describes the design, development, synthesis, in silico, and in vitro evaluation of fourteen novel heterocycle hybrids as inhibitors of the α-glucosidase enzyme. The primary aim of this study was to explore the potential of novel pyrazole-phthalazine hybrids as selective inhibitors of α-glucosidase, an enzyme involved in carbohydrate metabolism, which plays a key role in the management of type 2 diabetes. The rationale for this study stems from the need for new, more effective inhibitors of α-glucosidase with improved efficacy and safety profiles compared to currently available therapies like Acarbose.

Isolation and characterization of the midgut microbiota of Aedes albopictus to identify suitable candidates for paratransgenesis.

Aedes albopictus is a widely recognized carrier of various pathogens. Its resilient characteristics enable it to easily spread across diverse climates. The microbiota in the midgut of mosquitoes plays a crucial role in the interactions between the host and pathogens and can either enhance or reduce the ability of the insect to transmit diseases.

Developing a comprehensive BACnet attack dataset: A step towards improved cybersecurity in building automation systems.

With the development of smart buildings, the risks of cyber-attacks against them have also increased. One of the popular and evolving protocols used for communication between devices in smart buildings, especially HVAC systems, is the BACnet protocol. Machine learning algorithms and neural networks require datasets of normal traffic and real attacks to develop intrusion detection (IDS) and prevention (IPS) systems that can detect anomalies and prevent attacks.

A Core of Keratocan-Negative Cells Survives in Old Corneal Scars.

Corneal scars originate from keratocyte-derived fibroblasts and myofibroblasts that are ultimately cleared through apoptosis or revert to keratocytes. A mouse model expressing the keratocyte lineage-specific reporter KeraRT/tetO-Cre/mTmG (I-KeramTmG) was used to elucidate cell phenotype dynamics during scar maturation. In this model, tdTomato (red) is expressed in all keratocan-negative cells, while enhanced green fluorescent protein (green) is expressed only by keratocytes.

Antibiotics-encapsulated nanoparticles as an antimicrobial agent in the treatment of wound infection.

Disruption in the wound-healing process is caused by the presence of bacteria and leads to major problems and delays in wound healing. The limitations of commonly used medicines for treating wound infections include drug toxicity, insufficient microbial coverage, poor penetration, and increased resistance. This study aimed to determine the effect of ciprofloxacin loaded in solid lipid nanoparticles (Cip-SLN) on and ampiciliin-vancomycin loaded in solid lipid nanoparticles (Amp-Van-SLN) on in wounds.

Preparation and Optimization of Hydrophilic Modified Pullulan Encapsulated Tetracycline for Significant Antibacterial and Anti-Biofilm Activity Against Stenotrophomonas maltophilia Isolates.

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (S. maltophilia), resistant to antibiotics, is a hazardous illness and a well-known worldwide public health issue. The present investigation included the preparation of formulations of tetracycline encapsulated in pullulan (referred to as HM-PULL-Tetracycline).

Coassembling Mesoporous Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks by Directed Reticular Chemistry.

Conventional microporous zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) face limitations in mass transfer and pore accessibility when dealing with large guest molecules. Here, we describe a technique for the synthesis of mesoporous ZIFs (MesoZIFs) using a strategy we term directed reticular chemistry. MesoZIF-8 was prepared through solvent evaporation-induced coassembly of polystyrene--poly(ethylene oxide) (PS--PEO), ZIF-8 building blocks, and acetic acid (AcOH), followed by amine-facilitated crystallization of ZIF-8 in the interstices of PS--PEO micelles.

Efficacy of Intraarticular Vancomycin in Preventing Infection in Patients Undergoing Hip Hemiarthroplasty.

Background: Hip fractures are among the top ten causes of disability in adults worldwide. Patients with hip fracture are at significant risk of mortality and morbidity and reduced quality of life. The use of intra-wound vancomycin has been reported to be effective in reducing the incidence of infection in orthopedic surgeries.

The correlation between rituximab dose reduction and acute relapses of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, lessons from COVID-19 epidemic.

Background: COVID-19 was a viral infection that led to a global pandemic in March 2020. At the beginning of the pandemic, clinicians encountered the challenge of how immunosuppressive treatments would affect the course of COVID-19 infection in people with autoimmune diseases. Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder is an autoimmune astrocytopathy that is caused by an inflammation in the CNS.

The nuclear exosome subunit HEN2 acts independently of the core exosome to assist transcription in Arabidopsis.

Regulation of gene expression is at the frontier of plant responses to various external stimuli including stress. RNA polymerase-based transcription and post-transcriptional degradation of RNA play vital roles in this regulation. Here, we show that HUA ENHANCER 2 (HEN2), a co-factor of the nuclear exosome complex, influences RNAPII transcription elongation in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) under cold conditions.

Demographic isolation and attitudes toward group work in student-selected lab groups.

Small group work has been shown to improve students' achievement, learning, engagement, and attitudes toward science. Previous studies that focused on different methods of group formation and their possible impacts mainly focused on measures of students' academic ability, such as GPA, SAT scores, and previous familiarity with course content. However little attention has been given to other characteristics such as students' social demographic identities in research about group formation and students' experiences.

Enhanced differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells in coral-incorporated PCL/elastin scaffold enables 3D defect healing in osteoporosis rat model.

In osteoporosis, bone quality adversely affects the tissue structural competence which increases the risk of a complicated fracture healing. In the present study highly potent scaffold containing natural coral particles was designed and considered for the healing of critical size bone defect in osteoporosis rat model. Scaffold morphological evaluation confirmed the porous nanofibrous structure.

Factors influencing the antimicrobial mechanism of chitosan action and its derivatives: A review.

Chitosan, a versatile amino polysaccharide biopolymer derived from chitin, exhibits broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against various pathogenic microorganisms, including gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, as well as fungi. Due to its ubiquitous use in medications, food, cosmetics, chemicals, and crops, it is an effective antibacterial agent. However, the antimicrobial performance of chitosan is influenced by multiple factors, which have been extensively investigated and reported in the literature.

The inhibiting factors of adaptation to urinary incontinence in community-dwelling older adult women: A qualitative study.

Urinary incontinence affects the physical, psychological, social and well-being of older adult women and requires adaptation. This study aimed to explain the inhibiting factors of adaptation to urinary incontinence in community-dwelling older adult women. A qualitative content analysis approach was adopted.

Leech, potato, and tomato carboxypeptidase inhibitors against Anopheles stephensi carboxypeptidase B1 and B2.

Carboxypeptidase B (CPB) in Anopheles spp. breaks down blood and releases free amino acids, which promote Plasmodium sexual development in the mosquito midgut. Our goal was to computationally assess the inhibitory effectiveness of carboxypeptidase inhibitors obtained from tomato, potato (CPiSt), and leech against the Anopheles stephensi CPBAs1 and CPBAs2 enzymes.

Photobiomodulation and mesenchymal stem cell-conditioned medium for the repair of experimental critical-size defects.

Orthopedic surgeons face a significant challenge in treating critical-size femoral defects (CSFD) caused by osteoporosis (OP), trauma, infection, or bone tumor resections. In this study for the first time, the application of photobiomodulation (PBM) and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-conditioned medium (BM-MSC-CM) to improve the osteogenic characteristics of mineralized bone scaffold (MBS) in ovariectomy-induced osteoporotic (OVX) rats with a CSFD was tested. Five groups of OVX rats with CSFD were created: (1) Control (C); (2) MBS; (3) MBS + CM; (4) MBS + PBM; (5) MBS + CM + PBM.