Evaluation of Leg Joint Injury Risk Following Aerial Basketball Catching Movements.

The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the risk of lower-extremity injury during landing, after catching a basketball in the air for a rebound or a steal. A total of 32 (15 females and 17 males) recreational basketball players were asked to perform 4 different arm-reaching movements during the flight phase: no reaching, left (LAR), right (RAR), and bilateral (BAR) arm reaching. Knee and hip flexion and abduction angles at initial ground contact, peak ground reaction force within 100 milliseconds after contact, and peak moments for the hip and knee joints were analyzed.

Trimethylamine-N-oxide enhances drought tolerance in Eucalyptus by increasing photosynthesis.

Drought stress significantly reduces agricultural productivity, threatening global food security and timber production. Although trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) has been shown to enhance drought tolerance in plants such as Arabidopsis thaliana and tomato, the physiological and molecular mechanisms by which it regulates drought tolerance in plants remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the physiological and transcriptomic changes in Eucalyptus under drought stress following exogenous TMAO treatment.

Effects of tea polyphenols disinfectant on microbial communities and potential pathogenic bacteria in water.

The structural and abundance changes in water disinfected by tea polyphenols were investigated in high-abundance microbial communities (HAMC), medium-abundance microbial communities (MAMC), and low-abundance microbial communities (LAMC), also included the interactions within and between these communities. The antibacterial effect of tea polyphenols was observed at concentrations of 20-300 mg/L. If the tea polyphenols concentration is greater than or equal to 200 mg/L, it can continue to inhibit the growth of bacteria, and keep the total number of bacteria in 48 hours no more than100 CFU/ml, and this reflected the continuity of tea polyphenols disinfectant in the pipe network.

A Feature Engineering Method for Whole-Genome DNA Sequence with Nucleotide Resolution.

Feature engineering for whole-genome DNA sequences plays a critical role in predicting plant phenotypic traits. However, due to limitations in the models' analytical capabilities and computational resources, the existing methods are predominantly confined to SNP-based approaches, which typically extract genetic variation sites for dimensionality reduction before feature extraction. These methods not only suffer from incomplete locus coverage and insufficient genetic information but also overlook the relationships between nucleotides, thereby restricting the accuracy of phenotypic trait prediction.

Integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis of the anthocyanin regulatory networks in Lagerstroemia indica petals.

Background: Lagerstroemia indica is an ornamental plant with high economic and ecological values. However, the mechanism underlying the regulation of L. indica petal color variation remains unclear.

The relationship between time perspective and fear of cancer recurrence among Chinese gastric cancer patients: the chain mediating role of rumination and catastrophizing.

Purpose: Gastric cancer patients often experience significant fear of recurrence, impacting their physical and mental health. This study explores how time perspective influences fear of cancer recurrence, considering the roles of intrusive rumination and catastrophizing.

Methods: A cross-sectional design was employed with 394 gastric cancer patients.

Impacts of spring freeze events on a perennial tree fruit crop across the central and eastern USA.

This study uses a crop simulation model driven by 40 years (1981-2020) of daily gridded meteorological data from PRISM to assess the impacts of spring freeze events on cherry trees, a representative temperate perennial tree-fruit crop, across six regions of the central and eastern USA: the Northern and Southern Great Plains (NGP, SGP), Upper Midwest (UMW), Ohio Valley (OHV), New York-Pennsylvania (NY-PA), and Virginia-North Carolina (VA-NC). Freeze damage exhibits a clear latitudinal gradient, with damage frequency and severity decreasing from south to north. The most frequent and severe damage occurs in the SGP, followed by VA-NC, while the least is observed in the UMW and NY-PA.

A Novel Model for Cornea Power Shift in Eyes Wearing Orthokeratology Lenses With Different Back Optic Zone Diameters for Myopia Control.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to quantify the corneal power changes after wearing orthokeratology lenses of different back optic zone diameters (BOZDs) and to propose a novel 4-parameter model capable of revealing the associations between each parameter and axial length growth (ALG).

Methods: A prospective self-controlled study was conducted between June 2022 and December 2023. One eye in each subject (N = 33) was randomly assigned to wear a lens with a BOZD of either 5 mm (5 oz) or 6 mm (6 oz).

Mitochondrial-Mediated Platelet Activation in Polymyalgia Rheumatica.

Objective: Platelet activation is thought to participate in polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) pathogenesis. Upon platelet activation, mitochondria are expelled into the extracellular space. However, whether extracellular mitochondria are present in patients with PMR and whether they can induce platelet activation is not known.

Multimodal integration of liquid biopsy and radiology for the noninvasive diagnosis of gallbladder cancer and benign disorders.

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) frequently mimics gallbladder benign lesions (GBBLs) in radiological images, leading to preoperative misdiagnoses. To address this challenge, we initiated a prospective, multicenter clinical trial (ChicCTR2100049249) and proposed a multimodal, non-invasive diagnostic model to distinguish GBC from GBBLs. A total of 301 patients diagnosed with gallbladder-occupying lesions (GBOLs) from 11 medical centers across 7 provinces in China were enrolled and divided into a discovery cohort and an independent external validation cohort.

Influence and role of polygenic risk score in the development of 32 complex diseases.

Background: The polygenic risk score (PRS) has been perceived as advantageous in predicting the risk of complex diseases compared to other measures. We aimed to systematically evaluate the influence of PRS on disease outcome and to explore its predictive value.

Methods: We comprehensively assessed the relationship between PRS and 32 complex diseases in the UK Biobank.

Interfacing with the Brain: How Nanotechnology Can Contribute.

Interfacing artificial devices with the human brain is the central goal of neurotechnology. Yet, our imaginations are often limited by currently available paradigms and technologies. Suggestions for brain-machine interfaces have changed over time, along with the available technology.

Case Report: Damaged external limb of montgomery T-tube in a child: a rare complication.

Montgomery T-tubes (MT) are well tolerated with rare complications. Here, we report an unusual complication of damaged external limb of the MT in a child. Both physicians and patients should be aware of this possible complication, which can lead to potential fracture of the MT, resulting in unusual airway problems requiring emergency management.

OsCBL1 Modulates the Nitrate-Induced Phosphate Response by Altering OsNLP4 Cytoplasmic-Nucleus Shuttling.

Nitrate can directly activate phosphate (Pi) starvation signaling, ultimately promoting plant growth by enhancing phosphorus absorption and utilization and optimizing the balance of nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients. However, the complex mechanisms by which plants integrate complex nutrient signals from nitrogen to phosphorus are not well understood. This study highlights the importance of Calcineurin B-like protein-1 (OsCBL1), a calcium sensor, in coordinating nitrogen and phosphorus signaling in rice.

Ghrelin increases cis-platinum resistance and promotes aggressiveness of osteosarcoma by activating AKT and Wnt/β-catenin pathways.

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary bone malignancy because of its extra high tendency of metastasis. In-depth research is needed to uncover the pathogenesis of patients with OS cells. We collected 74 tissue samples from patients with OS cells and measured the expression levels of ghrelin by immunohistochemistry.

Time-restricted feeding mitigates HFD-induced sarcopenic obesity in aging mice through improving the sensitivity of FGF21.

Time-restricted feeding (TRF) is a dietary intervention that has been shown to have numerous health benefits. However, it is important to further investigate the potential effectiveness of TRF in addressing sarcopenic obesity (SO), which is characterized by a combination of age-related obesity and sarcopenia. In this study, 14-month-old C57BL/6J male mice were fed either regular chow diet or high-fat diet (HFD), and had either ad libitum or restricted access to food for 8 hours daily (Intervention for 7 months).

Exploring Psychological Trends in Populations With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease During COVID-19 and Beyond: Large-Scale Longitudinal Twitter Mining Study.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) ranks among the leading causes of global mortality, and COVID-19 has intensified its challenges. Beyond the evident physical effects, the long-term psychological effects of COVID-19 are not fully understood.

Objective: This study aims to unveil the long-term psychological trends and patterns in populations with COPD throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond via large-scale Twitter mining.

The COVID-19 Pandemic and Dementia: a Multijurisdictional Meta-Analysis of the Impact of the First Two Pandemic Waves on Acute Health-care Utilization and Mortality in Canada.

Background: Previous studies on the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on persons living with dementia (PLWD) were mostly conducted in a single jurisdiction or focused on a limited number of outcomes. Our study estimates the impact of the first two pandemic waves on emergency department (ED) visits (all-cause/ambulatory care sensitive conditions), hospitalizations (all-cause/30-day readmissions), and all-cause mortality in four Canadian jurisdictions.

Methods: Using administrative databases from Alberta, Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Quebec, we assembled two closed retrospective cohorts (2019/pre-pandemic control and 2020/pandemic) of PLWD aged 65+.

Serum CircCSPP1 is Correlated with the Occurrence and Severity of NAFLD in a Chinese Population.

The relationship between serum circCSPP1, circNIPSNAP3A, or circRFX8 and the occurrence and severity of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has yet to be fully elucidated. A total of 494 participants were divided into NAFLD and control groups, and clinical data, including demographic, physiological and biochemical parameters, were collected. Serum levels of circCSPP1, circNIPSNAP3A, and circRFX8 were measured using quantitative real-time PCR, and the severity of NAFLD was assessed by ultrasonography and quantitative computed tomography.

A rapid visual detection method for Sugarcane streak mosaic virus based on one-tube RPA-CRISPR/Cas12a.

Sugarcane is the most important crop for sugar production. Sugarcane streak mosaic virus (SCSMV) triggered sugarcane mosaic disease can lead to substantial reductions in both yield and sucrose content. In the process of disease prevention and control, target pathogen detection technology is indispensable.

Enhanced AtAAP1 endocytosis is correlated with calcium induced-proline hyper-sensitivity in Arabidopsis.

The calcium (Ca) could enhance the toxicity of exogenous proline and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, the molecular mechanism underlying calcium-enhanced proline toxicity (CEPT) is still elusive. Here, we find that CEPT depends on the presence of the amino acid permease 1 in Arabidopsis (AtAAP1), since CEPT was significantly attenuated in ataap1 mutant than in wild-type plants.

Microscopic Mechanism of the Intercalation Behavior of AlCl4- in Graphite Cathode Materials of Aluminum-ion Batteries.

Rechargeable aluminum-ion batteries with graphite as cathode material are highly attractive for energy storage due to their low cost, high abundance, and high capacity. Although some techniques have been employed to investigate intercalation/deintercalation behavior of AlCl4- in graphite materials, the microscopic mechanism remains ambiguous and controversial, leading to a question that needs to be answered. Therefore, direct and in-situ characterization of nanoscale variations in the z direction is a reliable avenue to finding the answer to the intercalation stage mechanism.

COVID-19 infection may reduce serum testosterone levels and increase the risk of erectile dysfunction: A two-sample Mendelian randomization study.

Purpose: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection may affect serum hormones levels and male sexual function. This study aims to provide evidence for the causal relationship between COVID-19 infection, serum testosterone levels and the risk of erectile dysfunction (ED) using a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) approach.

Materials And Methods: Summary-level data for serum testosterone levels (199,569 samples and 12,321,875 single nucleotide polymorphisms [SNPs]) were obtained from Rebecca's study, while data for ED (6,175 cases and 217,630 controls) were sourced from Bovijn's study.

Associations of Maternal Smoking During Pregnancy and Genetic Susceptibility with Incident Asthma from a Cohort Study.

Maternal smoking during pregnancy exhibited an adverse influence on asthma, but its joint effect with genetic factors remained elusive. Moreover, whether there existed a moderating role of genetic susceptibility in this effect on childhood/adolescent-onset asthma (COA) and adult-out asthma (AOA) was unknown. We employed the UK Biobank cohort to estimate the effect of maternal smoking during pregnancy on the risk of offspring asthma (41,828 AOA and 15,120 COA).

Human placental mesenchymal stem cells ameliorates premature ovarian insufficiency via modulating gut microbiota and suppressing the inflammation in rats.

The core objective of this study was to explore the effects and potential mechanism of human placental mesenchymal stem cells (PMSCs) in improving early-onset ovarian dysfunction (POI). Mesenchymal stem cells with multidirectional differentiation ability were isolated from human placenta tissue and a culture system of human PMSCs was constructed for this study. Subsequently, we successfully constructed POI rat models using cisplatin induction.