Brain-Cognition Fingerprinting via Graph-GCCA with Contrastive Learning.

Many longitudinal neuroimaging studies aim to improve the understanding of brain aging and diseases by studying the dynamic interactions between brain function and cognition. Doing so requires accurate encoding of their multidimensional relationship while accounting for individual variability over time. For this purpose, we propose an unsupervised learning model (called ntrastive Learning-based ph Generalized nonical Correlation Analysis (CoGraCa)) that encodes their relationship via Graph Attention Networks and generalized Canonical Correlational Analysis.

Fatty acid oxidation-induced HIF-1α activation facilitates hepatic urate synthesis through upregulating NT5C2 and XDH.

Dyslipidemia affects approximately half of all people with gout, and prior Mendelian randomization analysis suggested a causal role for elevated triglycerides in hyperuricemia (HU), but the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. We hypothesize that dyslipidemia promotes hepatic urate biosynthesis in HU and gout and fatty acid (FA) oxidation (FAO) drives this process. Here we developed a targeted metabolomics to quantify major metabolites in purine metabolic pathway in the sera of a human cohort with HU, gout, and normaluricemic controls.

Designing community-based strategies to reach non-household contacts of people with tuberculosis in Lusaka, Zambia: a rapid qualitative study among key stakeholders.

Background: In high-burden settings, most tuberculosis (TB) transmission likely occurs outside the home. Our qualitative study in Zambia explored the acceptability and preferences for designing TB active case finding (ACF) strategies to reach non-household contacts of people with TB.

Methods: We conducted 56 in-depth interviews with persons with TB ( = 12), TB healthcare workers (HCWs) ( = 10), TB lay HCWs ( = 10), and leaders/owners ( = 12) and attendees ( = 12) of community venue types identified as potential TB transmission locations.

Geochemical signatures and nanomechanical properties of echinoid tests from nearshore habitats of Florida: environmental and physiological controls on echinoid biomineralization.

The mechanisms that regulate minor and trace element biomineralization in the echinoid skeleton can be primarily controlled biologically (, by the organism and its vital effects) or by extrinsic environmental factors. Assessing the relative role of those controls is essential for understanding echinoid biomineralization, taphonomy, diagenesis, and their potential as geochemical archives. In this study, we (1) contrast geochemical signatures of specimens collected across multiple taxa and environmental settings to assess the effects of environmental and physiological factors on skeletal biomineralogy; and (2) analyze the nanomechanical properties of the echinoid skeleton to assess potential linkages between magnesium/calcium (Mg/Ca) ratios and skeletal nanohardness.

Machine learning Hubbard parameters with equivariant neural networks.

Density-functional theory with extended Hubbard functionals (DFT +  + ) provides a robust framework to accurately describe complex materials containing transition-metal or rare-earth elements. It does so by mitigating self-interaction errors inherent to semi-local functionals which are particularly pronounced in systems with partially-filled d and f electronic states. However, achieving accuracy in this approach hinges upon the accurate determination of the on-site and inter-site Hubbard parameters.

Towards Solid-State Batteries Using a Calcium Hydridoborate Electrolyte.

Solid-state batteries created from abundant elements, such as calcium, may pave the way for cheaper and safer electrical energy storage. Here we report a new type of solid calcium hydridoborate electrolyte, Ca(BH4)2·2NH2CH3, with a high ionic conductivity of σ(Ca2+) ~ 10-5 S cm-1 at T = 70 °C, which is assigned to a relatively open and flexible structure with apolar moieties and weak dihydrogen bonds that facilitate migration of Ca2+ ions in the solid state. The compound display a low electronic conductivity, providing an ionic transport number close to unity (tion = 0.

Environment, Climate, and Diabetes: An International Topic.

Every person with diabetes is affected by changes in the environment and climate. At the same time, the therapy of many people itself has a negative impact on these factors. One might assume that the relevant professional associations and health organizations, as well as health policymakers, have initiated appropriate activities.

Multi-disciplinary research will be the key to stop, restore, and end MS.

The past 25 years have brought extraordinary advances in our understanding of MS pathogenesis and the subsequent development of effective therapies. Collaborative genetics efforts have uncovered the association of 236 common DNA variants with disease susceptibility and the first association with disease severity, paving the way to more effective therapies, particularly for progressive forms of the disease. In parallel, and in addition to established environmental disease triggers or modifiers, new collaborative work has revealed new associations with components of the gut microbiome.

Aberrant Cytoplasmic INSM1 Expression in Erythroid Cells: A Potential Diagnostic Pitfall Versus Neuroendocrine Neoplasms.

Insulinoma-associated protein 1 (INSM1) is a relatively new immunostain used in the diagnostic assessment of tumors with neuroendocrine differentiation. While INSM1 positivity has been described in some non-neuroendocrine neoplasms, reactivity in red blood cells (RBCs) has only been anecdotally noted in one prior study without description of the degree/extent of staining. INSM1 staining in nucleated erythroid precursors has not been previously reported.

Extracting Housing and Food Insecurity Information From Clinical Notes Using cTAKES.

Objective: To assess the utility and challenges of using natural language processing (NLP) in electronic health records (EHRs) to ascertain health-related social needs (HRSNs) among older adults.

Study Setting And Design: We extracted HRSN information using the NLP system Clinical Text Analysis and Knowledge Extraction System (cTAKES), combined with Concept Unique Identifiers and Systematized Nomenclature for Medicine codes. We validated cTAKES performance, via manual chart review, on two HRSNs: food insecurity, which was included in the healthcare system's HRSN screening tool, and housing insecurity, which was not.

Oriented Cortical-Bone-Like Silk Protein Lamellae Effectively Repair Large Segmental Bone Defects in Pigs.

Assembling natural proteins into large, strong, bone-mimetic scaffolds for repairing bone defects in large-animal load-bearing sites remain elusive. Here this challenge is tackled by assembling pure silk fibroin (SF) into 3D scaffolds with cortical-bone-like lamellae, superior strength, and biodegradability through freeze-casting. The unique lamellae promote the attachment, migration, and proliferation of tissue-regenerative cells (e.

Ionic Mechanisms Involved in β3-Adrenoceptor-Mediated Augmentation of GABAergic Transmission Onto Pyramidal Neurons in Prefrontal Cortex.

Activation of the brain-penetrant beta3-adrenergic receptor (Adrb3) is implicated in the treatment of depressive disorders. Enhancing GABAergic inputs from interneurons onto pyramidal cells of prefrontal cortex (PFC) represents a strategy for antidepressant therapies. Here, we probed the effects of the activation of Adrb3 on GABAergic transmission onto pyramidal neurons in the PFC using in vitro electrophysiology.

Acetylation of alginate enables the production of inks that mimic the chemical properties of biofilm.

The reason why certain bacteria, , (PA), produce acetylated alginate (Alg) in their biofilms remains one of the most intriguing facts in microbiology. Being the main structural component of the secreted biofilm, like the one formed in the lungs of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, Alg plays a crucial role in protecting the bacteria from environmental stress and potential threats. Nonetheless, to investigate the PA biofilm environment and its lack of susceptibility to antibiotic treatment, the currently developed biofilm models use native seaweed Alg, which is a non-acetylated Alg.

GABA Receptor Modulation of Membrane Excitability in Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Sensory Neurons by Baclofen and α-Conotoxin Vc1.1.

GABA receptor (GABAR) activation is known to alleviate pain by reducing neuronal excitability, primarily through inhibition of high voltage-activated (HVA) calcium (Ca2.2) channels and potentiating G protein-coupled inwardly rectifying potassium (GIRK) channels. Although the analgesic properties of small molecules and peptides have been primarily tested on isolated murine dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, emerging strategies to develop, study, and characterise human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived sensory neurons present a promising alternative.

Utilization of a Solid Waste Inhibitor for the Clean Flotation Enrichment of Phosphate Ores.

The accumulation of phosphogypsum (PG) in the phosphorus chemical industry poses significant environmental challenges. Therefore, developing a harmless utilization method is crucial for alleviating these burdens and promoting sustainable industry practices. In this study, PG was used as a flotation inhibitor, enabling the flotation separation of apatite and dolomite based on the main components and dissolution behavior of PG.

Microwave-assisted synthesis of dual responsive luminomagnetic rare earth metal ions (Nd, Dy) co-doped nanohydroxyapatite for biomedical applications.

The existing demand for the development of innovative multimodal imaging nanomaterial probes for biomedical applications stems from their unique combination of dual response modalities, , photoluminescence (PL) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In this study, for the first time, neodymium (Nd) and dysprosium (Dy) rare earth (RE) metal ions were co-doped into a hydroxyapatite (HAp) crystal lattice using a simple microwave-assisted synthesis technique to incorporate the essential properties of both the lanthanides in HAp. Theoretical as well as experimental studies were performed on novel Nd:Dy:HAp nanoparticles (NPs) to understand their photoluminescence and magnetic behaviour.

Single-step, conformal, and efficient assembly of ligand-exchanged quantum dots for optoelectronic devices an electric field.

Quantum dots (QDs) are promising materials for optoelectronic applications, but their widespread adoption requires controllable, selective, and scalable deposition methods. While traditional methods like spin coating and drop casting are suitable for small-scale deposition onto flat substrates, and ink-jet printing offers precision for small areas, these methods struggle with conformal deposition onto non-planar, large area substrates or selective deposition onto large area chips. Electrophoretic deposition (EPD) is an efficient and versatile technique capable of achieving conformal and selective area deposition over large areas, but its application to QD films has been limited.

Integrating Machine Learning and Pharmacophore Features for Enhanced Prediction of H1 Receptor Blockers.

Introduction: Histamine Type I Receptor Antagonists (H1 blockers) are widely used to mitigate histamine-induced inflammation, particularly in allergic reactions. Histamine, a biogenic amine found in endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle, bronchial smooth muscle, and the hypothalamus, is a key player in these responses. H1 blockers are essential in cough syrups and flu medications and are divided into two generations: first-generation H1 blockers, which are sedating and have numerous side effects, and second-generation blockers, which are non-sedating and generally less toxic but may still exhibit cross-reactivity with other receptors.

Improved Visualization of Oropharyngeal Tumors Using Simple Maneuvers During Flexible Endoscopy.

Objectives: To describe patient positioning maneuvers that optimize visualization of the oropharynx during flexible endoscopy.

Methods: An institutional database of videos obtained from 2021 to 2023 during flexible endoscopy of patients with oropharyngeal carcinoma (OPC) was reviewed. Patients seen outside the specialty head and neck clinic, those with tonsillar primary tumors, and those only with videos of fiberoptic swallowing evaluations were excluded.

Considerable decline in prostate cancer mortality in Nordic countries after 2000.

Background And Purpose: In the late 1990s, the Nordic countries, with Norway at the top, were among the countries with the highest prostate cancer mortality in the world. We present updated mortality rates from the Nordic countries and discuss possible interpretations of changes in trends.

Material And Methods: Age-standardized rates for prostate-specific mortality in 1985-2022, estimated lifetime risk of death (0-84 years) and annual changes in mortality were obtained from the NORDCAN database.

Clinical Outcomes and Complications in Complex Closures Under Local Anaesthesia Post-Mohs Surgery.

Background: Mohs micrographic surgery offers high cure rates of cutaneous malignancies, but surgeons are often faced with large and complicated defects after tumour removal.

Objectives: To assess the safety and complication rates of large flaps and grafts (measuring ≥30 cm) and larger complex linear closures (CLC, ≥12.5 cm, as defined by the American Medical Association Current Procedural Terminology code set), when performed under local anaesthesia.

Evaluation by Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy of the Effects of Root Canal Instrumentation on the Radicular Dentine.

One area of technological advancement has been the shift from stainless steel hand tools to nickel-titanium (Ni-Ti) rotary tools. This paper aims to perform an in vitro comparative study to evaluate the efficacy of five endodontic manual and rotary instruments such as Kerr files, Orodeka Plex V, ProTaper Flydent NiTi super files, and ProTaper Flydent NiTi super files in combination with an ultrasonic endodontic E3D Diamantata EMS scaler used for root canal shaping. The following aspects were highlighted: effective removal of smear layer (SL) from the dentinal tubules in the coronal 1/3, middle 1/3, and apical 1/3 of the root canal, appearance of cracks in the dentinal walls by SEM analysis, and highlighting of dentin mineral content and remnant debris by EDX analysis.

High-throughput analysis of microbiomes in a meat processing facility: are food processing facilities an establishment niche for persisting bacterial communities?

Background: Microbial spoilage in meat impedes the development of sustainable food systems. However, our understanding of the origin of spoilage microbes is limited. Here, we describe a detailed longitudinal study that assesses the microbial dynamics in a meat processing facility using high-throughput culture-dependent and culture-independent approaches to reveal the diversity, dispersal, persistence, and biofilm formation of spoilage-associated microbes.

Chemotherapy in synergy with innate immune agonists enhances T cell priming for checkpoint inhibitor treatment in pancreatic cancer.

Background: The combination of conventional chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has been unsuccessful for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Administration of maximum tolerated dose of chemotherapy drugs may have immunosuppressive effects.

Methods: We thus tested, by using the preclinical model of PDACs including the genetically engineered mouse KPC spontaneous pancreatic tumor model and the pancreatic KPC tumor orthotopic implant model, the combinations of synthetic innate immune agonists including STING and NLRP3 agonist, respectively, and ICIs with or without chemotherapy.

Heterogeneity of Clostridioides difficile asymptomatic colonization prevalence: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Asymptomatic carriers significantly influence the transmission dynamics of C. difficile. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of toxigenic C.