Estimating realized relatedness in free-ranging macaques by inferring identity-by-descent segments.

Biological relatedness is a key consideration in studies of behavior, population structure, and trait evolution. Except for parent-offspring dyads, pedigrees capture relatedness imperfectly. The number and length of identical-by-descent DNA segments (IBD) yield the most precise relatedness estimates.

Identification of cardiac wall motion abnormalities in diverse populations by deep learning of the electrocardiogram.

Cardiac wall motion abnormalities (WMA) are strong predictors of mortality, but current screening methods using Q waves from electrocardiograms (ECGs) have limited accuracy and vary across racial and ethnic groups. This study aimed to identify novel ECG features using deep learning to enhance WMA detection, referencing echocardiography as the gold standard. We collected ECG and echocardiogram data from 35,210 patients in California and labeled WMA using unstructured language parsing of echocardiographic reports.

Associations of resuscitation fluid load, colloid-to-crystalloid infusion ratio and clinical outcomes in children with dengue shock syndrome.

Background: Severe respiratory distress and acute kidney injury (AKI) are key factors leading to poor outcomes in patients with dengue shock syndrome (DSS). There is still limited data on how much resuscitated fluid and the specific ratios of intravenous fluid types contribute to the development of severe respiratory distress necessitating mechanical ventilation (MV) and AKI in children with DSS.

Methodology/principal Findings: This retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary pediatric hospital in Vietnam between 2013 and 2022.

Effect of daily alcohol intake on sex hormone levels among postmenopausal breast cancer survivors on aromatase inhibitor therapy: a randomized controlled crossover pilot study.

Background: Alcohol intake is associated with a higher risk of estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer (BC), presumably through its confirmed ability to increase sex hormone levels. Whether consuming alcohol within the recommended limit of one serving per day increases sex hormone levels among postmenopausal women taking aromatase inhibitors (AI) to inhibit estrogen production remains unknown. Therefore, we compared sex hormone levels following white wine to levels following white grape juice among ER + BC survivors taking AIs.

Hijacking the hyaluronan assisted iron endocytosis to promote the ferroptosis in anticancer photodynamic therapy.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) eradicates tumor cells by the light-stimulated reactive oxygen species, which also induces lipid peroxidation (LPO) and subsequently ferroptosis, an iron-depended cell death. Ferroptosis has a tremendous therapeutic potential in cancer treatment, however, the ferroptosis efficiency is largely limited by the available iron in cells. Through hijacking the CD44-mediated iron endocytosis of hyaluronan (HA), here PDT with enhanced ferroptosis was realized by a HA@Ce6 nanogel self-assembled from HA, a photosensitizer Chlorin e6 (Ce6) and Fe as cross-linkers.

Efficient counter electrode for quantum dot sensitized solar cells using p-type PbS@reduced graphene oxide composite.

This study developed a novel PbS-rGO composite counter electrode to enhance the performance of quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs). The composite was synthesized a hydrothermal method by anchoring PbS nanocubes onto reduced graphene oxide (rGO) sheets. The effect of the mass ratio of rGO to PbS (0.

Therapeutic Potential of Hydrogen as a Radioprotective Agent for the Prevention of Radiation Dermatitis.

Radiation dermatitis (RD) is a common side effect in patients receiving radiotherapy. Currently, clinical skincare approaches for acute RD vary widely among institutions and lack consensus. Hydrogen molecules, acting as radioprotective agents by selectively scavenging free radicals, have the potential to protect against RD.

Transcriptomic predictors of rapid progression from mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer's disease.

Background: Effective treatment for Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains an unmet need. Thus, identifying patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) who are at high-risk of progressing to AD is crucial for early intervention.

Methods: Blood-based transcriptomics analyses were performed using a longitudinal study cohort to compare progressive MCI (P-MCI, n = 28), stable MCI (S-MCI, n = 39), and AD patients (n = 49).

Utilization of artificial intelligence in the diagnosis of pes planus and pes cavus with a smartphone camera.

Background: Pes planus (flatfoot) and pes cavus (high arch foot) are common foot deformities, often requiring clinical and radiographic assessment for diagnosis and potential subsequent management. Traditional diagnostic methods, while effective, pose limitations such as cost, radiation exposure, and accessibility, particularly in underserved areas.

Aim: To develop deep learning algorithms that detect and classify such deformities using smartphone cameras.

High-Intensity Focus Ultrasound Ablation in Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review.

Prostate cancer (PCa) outcomes vary significantly across risk groups. In early-stage localized PCa, the functional outcomes following radical prostatectomy (RP) can be severe, prompting increased interest in focal therapy, particularly High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU). This study is to summarize the current clinical trials of HIFU on PCa.

Case Report: A novel hemizygous missense variant in a Vietnamese boy with pyruvate dehydrogenase E1-alpha deficiency.

A pyruvate dehydrogenase complex deficiency causes a reduction in adenosine triphosphate production and energy insufficiency, leading to neurological disorders. An abnormal E1-alpha protein originating from the gene with pathogenic variants is unable to communicate with E1-beta for the formation of the E1 enzyme, decreasing pyruvate dehydrogenase complex activity. In this study, we report a Vietnamese boy with lethargy, severe metabolic acidosis, increased serum lactate, hyperalaninemia, lactic acidosis, and globus pallidus lesions.

Association of gestational and childhood circulating C-peptide concentrations in the hyperglycemia and adverse pregnancy outcomes follow-up study.

Aims: This study examined the association of gravida C-peptide with progeny islet function and insulin sensitivity in the Hyperglycemia and Adverse Pregnancy Outcome Follow-up Study (HAPO FUS).

Methods: Pregnancy 3rd trimester oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), cord blood, and offspring OGTT glucose, C-peptide and insulin at age 10-14 years were analyzed for 4,121 mother-child dyads. Gravida fasting and 1-hour C-peptide concentration correlations with cord blood and childhood C-peptide, insulin, insulinogenic index and insulin sensitivity, and insulin resistance [HOMA-IR]), were assessed by multiple linear regression.

Protective effect of a novel smoke evacuation device during laparoscopic surgery: An experimental proof-of-concept study.

Background: Surgical smoke generated by energy devices poses health risks to medical staff. During laparoscopic surgery, the smoke aggregating around the camera obstructs the visual field, forcing surgeons to interrupt surgery, and may increase surgical risk. We propose a proximal smoke evacuation method to improve surgical quality by effectively eliminating surgical smoke.

Insulin clearance at randomisation and in response to treatment in youth with type 2 diabetes: a secondary analysis of the TODAY randomised clinical trial.

Aims/hypothesis: Insulin resistance and compensatory hyperinsulinaemia are core features leading to beta cell failure in youth-onset type 2 diabetes. Insulin clearance (IC) is also a key regulator of insulin concentrations, but few data exist on IC in youth-onset type 2 diabetes. In a secondary analysis of our Treatment Options for Type 2 Diabetes in Adolescents and Youth (TODAY) randomised clinical trial, we investigated potential sex-, race-, ethnicity- and treatment-related differences in IC in youth-onset type 2 diabetes and aimed to identify metabolic phenotypes associated with IC at baseline and in response to metformin, metformin plus a lifestyle intervention, and metformin plus rosiglitazone.

Incidence of patient-reported fatigue developing on palbociclib and endocrine therapy for advanced HR+ HER2- breast cancer.

Objectives: Fatigue is a common nonhematologic toxicity of the CDK4/6 inhibitor palbociclib in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients with prevalence rates of clinician-rated all-grade and grade 3/4 fatigue of 39.2% and 2.5%, respectively.

Identification of Salmonella enterica biovars Gallinarum and Pullorum and their antibiotic resistance pattern in integrated crop-livestock farms and poultry meats.

Due to consumer demand, many conventional poultry farms are now growing poultry without antibiotics or synthetic chemicals. In addition to this, pasture/organic poultry farms have increased significantly in the USA, and they are also antibiotic- and chemical-free. According to recent reports, both antibiotic-free conventional and pasture poultry farmers are facing the re-emergence of bacterial diseases.

A cross-sectional study applying the PRECEDE model to explore factors influencing epidemic prevention behaviors among preschool educators.

Background: This study investigates the epidemic prevention behaviors of preschool educators and the factors influencing these behaviors, applying the PRECEDE model as a framework for analysis.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 190 preschool educators from public and private institutions in Taipei City and New Taipei City. A 64-item self-developed questionnaire was used to assess epidemic prevention behaviors and their determinants.

Harnessing mixed-phase MoS for efficient room-temperature ammonia sensing.

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS), a notable two-dimensional (2D) material, has attracted considerable interest for its potential applications in gas sensing, despite its typically insulating characteristics, which have limited its practical use. In this study, we present the use of mixed phase MoS (1T@2H-MoS) to overcome sensing limitations of MoS material by enhancing its conductivity and demonstrating its high-performance characteristics for sensing ammonia (NH) at room temperature (20 °C). The 1T@2H-MoS was synthesized a hydrothermal process, and the coexistence of two different phases (the 1T and 2H phases) was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Raman spectroscopy.

Implementation of maternal death audits and changes in maternal health care in Cambodia, 2010-2017.

Objective: Cambodia is one of seven countries globally that met Millennium Development Goal 5A: reduction of maternal deaths by at least 75% between 1990 and 2015. The maternal death audit (MDA) was instituted in 2004 to support the improvement of maternal care. We evaluated progress in MDA implementation and maternal health services in Cambodia between 2010 and 2017.

Improving Redox Activity of Colloidal Plasmonic-Magnetic Nanocrystals by Chemical State Modulation.

Controlling the redox ability is crucial for optimizing catalytic processes in clean energy, environmental protection, and CO reduction, as it directly influences the reaction efficiency and electron transfer rates, driving sustainable and effective outcomes. Here, we report the plasma-electrified synthesis of composition-controlled FeAu bimetallic nanoparticles, specifically engineered to enhance the redox catalytic performance through precise tuning of their chemical states. Utilizing atmospheric-pressure microplasmas, FeAu nanoparticles were synthesized under ambient conditions without the need for reducing agents or organic solvents, thereby providing a green and sustainable approach.

Cannabidiol for Scan-Related Anxiety in Women With Advanced Breast Cancer: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Early evidence from studies outside of oncology has suggested that cannabidiol (CBD) may have anxiolytic effects without neuropsychiatric risks. An understanding of oral CBD in patients with cancer-related anxiety is urgently needed.

Objective: To determine whether a single 400-mg oral dose of a US Food and Drug Administration-approved CBD improves clinical anxiety in an oncologic population.

Lattice Modulation on Singlet-Triplet Splitting of Silver Cluster Boosting Near-Unity Photoluminescence Quantum Yield.

Developing thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF)-active silver clusters with near-unity quantum efficiency is of practical importance in cutting-edge optoelectronic devices, but remains a tremendous challenge due to the difficulty of de novo synthesis and uncertainty of properties. Herein, we demonstrate a lattice modulation on parent TADF- active silver cluster, achieving TADF-driven photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) from 12 % to near-unity. Systematic experimental and calculated results reveal that the lattice modulation effectively lowers the singlet-triplet splitting (ΔE) from 718 to 549 cm, thereby facilitating thermally activated reverse intersystem crossing: T→S, leading to extremely efficient TADF by surpassing both phosphorescence and non-radiative decay, thus boosting the near-unity PLQY.

Chest Wall Injury Society recommendations for long-term follow-up after nonoperatively and operatively managed traumatic rib and sternal fractures.

Therapeutic/Care Management; Level IV.

Awake prone positioning effectiveness in moderate to severe COVID-19 a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Awake prone positioning (APP) may be beneficial in patients with respiratory failure who are not receiving mechanical ventilation. Randomized controlled trials of APP have been performed during peak COVID-19 periods in unvaccinated populations, with limited data on compliance or patient acceptability. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and acceptability of APP in a lower-middle income country in an open-label randomized controlled trial using a dedicated APP implementation team and wearable continuous-monitoring devices.