Spongy-looking microfabrics in the earliest named stromatolite represent deep burial alteration and incipient metamorphism.

The earliest named stromatolite Cryptozoon Hall, 1884 (Late Cambrian, ca. 490 Ma, eastern New York State), was recently re-interpreted as an interlayered microbial mat and non-spiculate (keratosan) sponge deposit. This "classic stromatolite" is prominent in a fundamental debate concerning the significance or even existence of non-spiculate sponges in carbonate rocks from the Neoproterozoic (Tonian) onwards.

Mitochondrial epigenetics brings new perspectives on doubly uniparental inheritance in bivalves.

Mitochondrial epigenetics, particularly mtDNA methylation, is a flourishing field of research. MtDNA methylation appears to play multiple roles, including regulating mitochondrial transcription, cell metabolism and mitochondrial inheritance. In animals, bivalves with doubly uniparental inheritance (DUI) of mitochondria are the exception to the rule of maternal mitochondrial inheritance since DUI also involve a paternal mtDNA transmitted from the father to sons.

Safe Sexting, Sexual Orientation, and Gender: Risky Sexting in a Community Sample.

Among young adults, engaging in sexting (i.e., sharing sexually explicit materials of oneself with others) can be a healthy and normative sexual experience.

EAES rapid guideline: surgical management of complicated diverticulitis - with ESCP participation.

Background: The surgical management of complicated diverticulitis varies across Europe. EAES members prioritized this topic to be addressed by a clinical practice guideline through an online questionnaire.

Objective: To develop evidence-informed clinical practice recommendations for key stakeholders involved in the treatment of complicated diverticulitis; to improve operative and perioperative outcomes, patient experience and quality of life through a systematic evidence-to-decision approach by a diverse, multidisciplinary panel.

Surgical management of complicated diverticulitis: systematic review and individual patient data network meta-analysis : An EAES/ESCP collaborative project.

Background: We performed a systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) of individualized patient data (IPD) to inform the development of evidence-informed clinical practice recommendations.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central in October 2023 to identify RCTs comparing Hartmann's resection (HR), primary resection and anastomosis (PRA), or laparoscopic peritoneal lavage (LPL) among patients with class Ib-IV Hinchey diverticulitis. Outcomes of interest were prioritized by an international, multidisciplinary panel including two patient partners.

Spatial and temporal analysis of West Nile virus infection in mosquito and human populations based on arboviral detection testing data.

West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne zoonotic flavivirus which often causes asymptomatic infection in humans but may develop into a deadly neuroinvasive disease. In this study, we aimed to investigate variables potentially associated with human WNV infection using human and mosquito WNV surveillance and monitoring datasets, established over 20 years, from 2003 to 2022, across the province of Ontario, Canada. We combined climatic and geographic data, mosquito surveillance data (n = 3010 sites), blood donation arboviral detection testing data in the human population, and demographic and socio-economic data from Canadian population censuses.

Real-world evaluation of intracardiac echocardiography guided radio-frequency catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation: a retrospective cohort study.

Intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) has been used to guide radio-frequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for better catheter navigation and less radiation exposure in treating atrial fibrillation (AF). This retrospective cohort study enrolled 227 AF patients undergoing ICE- or traditional fluoroscopy (TF)-guided RFCA for AF in a tertiary hospital. ICE was used more often in patients with atrial tachycardia [odds ratio (OR) 3.

Investigating the effects of stereotactic body radiation therapy on pancreatic tumor hypoxia and microvasculature in an orthotopic mouse model using intravital fluorescence microscopy.

Despite decades of improvements in cytotoxic therapy, the current standard of care for locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) provides, on average, only a few months of survival benefit. Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT), a technique that accurately delivers high doses of radiation to tumors in fewer fractions, has emerged as a promising therapy to improve local control of LAPC; however, its effects on the tumor microenvironment and hypoxia remain poorly understood. To explore how SBRT affects pancreatic tumors, we combined an orthotopic mouse model of pancreatic cancer with an intravital microscopy platform to visualize changes to the in vivo tumor microenvironment in real-time.

Understanding the association between urban noise and nighttime light in China.

Nighttime light data partially reflects the process of urban modernization and its reaction to urban scale, but its correlation with noise remains unclear, especially over a long-term time series, remains unclear. To address this gap, we examine 31 provincial capital cities and municipalities in China as the study area, utilizing noise monitoring data and nighttime light data to explore their relationship in urban areas from 2012 to 2021. The results show that: (1) During the study period, the regional environmental noise and night light index of 31 major cities exhibited a consistent upward trend, with the average equivalent sound level of environmental noise in most urban areas fluctuating between 50.

Evaluating the feasibility of estimating particulate mass emissions of older-model diesel vehicle using smoke opacity measurements.

Real-world emissions of particulate matter (PM) and smoke opacity were studied for an older-model diesel pickup truck during four types of driving tests, namely fixed-point test, snap-acceleration test, road test, and hill road test (uphill/downhill). A portable emissions measurement system (PEMS) and an opacimeter were used to measure real-time concentrations of PM and smoke opacity, respectively, and simultaneously. Correlation analysis showed a significant positive association between PM and opacity, suggesting the feasibility of using an opacimeter to estimate PM mass emissions from diesel vehicles.

Infectious agent release and Pacific salmon exposure at Atlantic salmon farms revealed by environmental DNA.

The potential risk posed by infectious agents (IAs) associated with netpen aquaculture to wild fishes is determined based on the "release" of IAs from netpens into the environment, the "exposure" of the wild fish to those released agents, and the "consequence" for wild fish experiencing infection by those agents. Information available to characterize these three factors is often lacking, and the occurrence of transmission from aquaculture to wild fish as well as potential consequences of such transmission are difficult to observe. In this study, we utilized environmental DNA (eDNA) to characterize the release of dozens of IAs from, and exposure of Pacific salmon to, Atlantic salmon aquaculture.

Postoperative atrial fibrillation following cardiac surgery in severe obesity: the added value of waist circumference.

Introduction: Obesity is an independent risk factor for postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. POAF in patients with severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 35 kg/m) is less studied. Whether waist circumference (WC) improves prediction of POAF independently of BMI among patients with severe obesity remains unknown.

The role of C-reactive protein and ferritin in the diagnosis of HLH, adult-onset still's disease, and COVID-19 cytokine storm.

Cytokine storm syndromes such as hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), Adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD), and COVID-19 cytokine storm (CCS) are characterized by markedly elevated inflammatory cytokines. However clinical measurement of serum cytokines is not widely available. This study examined the clinical utility of C-reactive protein (CRP) and ferritin, two inexpensive and widely available inflammatory markers, for distinguishing HLH from AOSD and CCS.

Tunable and ultra-narrowband multifunctional terahertz devices using anisotropic graphene based hyperbolic metamaterials.

In this paper, we propose a novel structure of anisotropic graphene-based hyperbolic metamaterial (AGHMM) sandwiched as a defect between two one-dimensional photonic crystals (PCs) in the terahertz (THz) region. The proposed structure is numerically simulated and analyzed using the transfer matrix method, effective medium theory and three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain. The defect layer of AGHMM consists of graphene sheets separated by subwavelength dielectric spacers.

Concordance and test-retest consistency of sleep biomarker-based neurodegenerative disorder profiling.

Biomarkers that aid in early detection of neurodegeneration are needed to enable early symptomatic treatment and enable identification of people who may benefit from neuroprotective interventions. Increasing evidence suggests that sleep biomarkers may be useful, given the bi-directional relationship between sleep and neurodegeneration and the prominence of sleep disturbances and altered sleep architectural characteristics in several neurodegenerative disorders. This study aimed to demonstrate that sleep can accurately characterize specific neurodegenerative disorders (NDD).

Accelerated growth and local progression of radiorecurrent prostate cancer in an orthotopic bioluminescent mouse model.

Globally, prostate cancer is the second most common malignancy in males, with over 400 thousand men dying from the disease each year. A common treatment modality for localized prostate cancer is radiotherapy. However, up to half of high-risk patients can relapse with radiorecurrent prostate cancer, the aggressive clinical progression of which remains severely understudied.

PP2A-Tws dephosphorylates Map205, is required for Polo localization to microtubules and promotes cytokinesis in Drosophila.

Background: Mitosis and cytokinesis are regulated by reversible phosphorylation events controlled by kinases and phosphatases. Drosophila Polo kinase, like its human ortholog PLK1, plays several roles in this process. Multiple mechanisms contribute to regulate Polo/PLK1 activity, localization and interactions.

Towards a histological diagnosis of childhood small vessel CNS vasculitis.

Background: Primary small vessel CNS vasculitis (sv-cPACNS) is a challenging inflammatory brain disease in children. Brain biopsy is mandatory to confirm the diagnosis. This study aims to develop and validate a histological scoring tool for diagnosing small vessel CNS vasculitis.

Distinct network patterns emerge from Cartesian and XOR epistasis models: a comparative network science analysis.

Background: Epistasis, the phenomenon where the effect of one gene (or variant) is masked or modified by one or more other genes, significantly contributes to the phenotypic variance of complex traits. Traditionally, epistasis has been modeled using the Cartesian epistatic model, a multiplicative approach based on standard statistical regression. However, a recent study investigating epistasis in obesity-related traits has identified potential limitations of the Cartesian epistatic model, revealing that it likely only detects a fraction of the genetic interactions occurring in natural systems.

The association between social support and postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder.

Background: Postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating condition that can arise following childbirth. Despite a growing body of research on postpartum mental health, the relationship between social support and postpartum PTSD remains unclear. This study aimed to assess the association between social support and postpartum PTSD.

Bias in machine learning applications to address non-communicable diseases at a population-level: a scoping review.

Background: Machine learning (ML) is increasingly used in population and public health to support epidemiological studies, surveillance, and evaluation. Our objective was to conduct a scoping review to identify studies that use ML in population health, with a focus on its use in non-communicable diseases (NCDs). We also examine potential algorithmic biases in model design, training, and implementation, as well as efforts to mitigate these biases.

Four COVID-19 screening strategies for early case identification within the homeless shelter population: a cluster randomized controlled trial.

Background: To compare the effectiveness of four surveillance strategies for detecting SARS-CoV-2 within the homeless shelter population in Hamilton, ON and assess participant adherence over time for each surveillance method.

Methods: This was an open-label, cluster-randomized controlled trial conducted in eleven homeless shelters in Hamilton, Ontario, from April 2020 to January 2021. All participants who consented to the study and participated in the surveillance were eligible for testing by self-swabbing.

Multi-Energy Evaluation of Image Quality in Spectral CT Pulmonary Angiography Using Different Strength Deep Learning Spectral Reconstructions.

Rationale And Objectives: To evaluate and compare image quality of different energy levels of virtual monochromatic images (VMIs) using standard versus strong deep learning spectral reconstruction (DLSR) on dual-energy CT pulmonary angiogram (DECT-PA).

Materials And Methods: A retrospective study was performed on 70 patients who underwent DECT-PA (15 PE present; 55 PE absent) scans. VMIs were reconstructed at different energy levels ranging from 35 to 200 keV using standard and strong levels with deep learning spectral reconstruction.

A systematic review of the comparative effects of sound and music interventions for intensive care unit patients' outcomes.

Background: Despite syntheses of evidence showing efficacy of music intervention for improving psychological and physiological outcomes in critically ill patients, interventions that include nonmusic sounds have not been addressed in reviews of evidence. It is unclear if nonmusic sounds in the intensive care unit (ICU) can confer benefits similar to those of music.

Objective: The aim of this study was to summarise and contrast available evidence on the effect of music and nonmusic sound interventions for the physiological and psychological outcomes of ICU patients based on the results of randomised controlled trials.