Ensemble deep learning and EfficientNet for accurate diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) stands as a significant global cause of vision impairment, underscoring the critical importance of early detection in mitigating its impact. Addressing this challenge head-on, this study introduces an innovative deep learning framework tailored for DR diagnosis. The proposed framework utilizes the EfficientNetB0 architecture to classify diabetic retinopathy severity levels from retinal images.

Employing spectroscopic, calorimetric and structural bioinformatics approaches to decipher the binding mechanism of mangiferin with human transferrin.

In recent times, neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD) and others, represent a major global health challenge with increasing prevalence and significant socio-economic impact. These diseases, characterized by progressive neuronal loss, currently lack effective therapies. Phytochemicals offer promising therapeutic potential due to their diverse bioactive properties.

Staff and Providers' Perceptions of Patients' PrEP Candidacy, Acceptability, and Adherence in Methadone Clinic Settings.

Background: People who use drugs and patients in substance use treatment may be placed at high risk for HIV due to mixing sex and drugs, potential engagement in sex work, and injection drug use. However, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) adoption among these populations remains low. Methadone clinics, a main point of contact with the healthcare system for this population, are a missed opportunity to offer biomedical HIV prevention.

Establishment of a Quantitative Method for the Extraction of Nicotine and Cotinine in Gingival Tissue and Relationship Between Gingival Intoxication With Conventional Smoking Biomarkers: A Pilot Study.

Objectives: Smoking is considered a major risk factor for periodontitis genesis and progression. In clinical studies, specific indicators have been used to characterize the smoking status of the patient as the number of cigarettes consumed (NCC), the pack-years (PY), or Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND). However, available literature is missing on the relationship between cotinine gingival intoxication and smoking indicators.

A Comprehensive Analysis of Liver Lipidomics Signature in Adults with Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis-A Pilot Study.

Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) is the most common chronic liver disorder in Western countries, encompassing a range of conditions from steatosis to Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH), which can potentially progress to cirrhosis. Lipidomics approaches have revealed significant alterations in the hepatic lipidome associated with both steatosis and steatohepatitis, with these changes correlating with disease manifestation. While the transition from steatosis to MASH remains poorly understood, recent research indicates that both the quantity and quality of deposited lipids play a pivotal role in MASLD progression.

Study on Impact of Monomers Towards High Molecular Weight Bio-Based Poly(ethylene Furanoate) via Solid State Polymerization Technique.

In recent years, bio-based poly(ethylene furanoate) has gained the attention of packaging industries owing to its remarkable properties as a promising alternative to fossil-based polymers. It is necessary to synthesize high-molecular-weight polymers using effective and straightforward techniques for their commercialization. In this present work, poly(ethylene 2,5-furan dicarboxylate) (PEF) was produced with a high molecular weight of 0.

Ketogenic Diet and Neuroinflammation: Implications for Neuroimmunometabolism and Therapeutic Approaches to Refractory Epilepsy.

Refractory epilepsy, characterized by seizures that do not respond to standard antiseizure medications, remains a significant clinical challenge. The central role of the immune system on the occurrence of epileptic disorders has been long studied, but recent perspectives on immunometabolism and neuroinflammation are reshaping scientific knowledge. The ketogenic diet and its variants have been considered an important medical nutrition therapy for refractory epilepsy and may have a potential modulation effect on the immune system, specifically, on the metabolism of immune cells.

After the buzzer sounds: Adults unveil the consequences of concussions sustained during adolescence.

Concussions are commonly occurring injuries in sport. The short-term impacts of concussions, including symptoms and recovery trajectories, often are the focus of concussion research. However, limited studies have explored the long-term consequences of concussions, especially in adolescents.

Advance drought prediction through rainfall forecasting with hybrid deep learning model.

Drought is a natural disaster that can affect a larger area over time. Damage caused by the drought can only be reduced through its accurate prediction. In this context, we proposed a hybrid stacked model for rainfall prediction, which is crucial for effective drought forecasting and management.

Strain phylogroup and environmental constraints shape Escherichia coli dynamics and diversity over a twenty-year human gut time series.

Escherichia coli is an increasingly antibiotic-resistant opportunistic pathogen. Few data are available on its ecological and evolutionary dynamics in its primary commensal niche, the vertebrate gut. Using Illumina and/or Nanopore technologies, we sequenced whole genomes of 210 E.

Tough and circular glass fiber composites a tailored dynamic boronic ester interface.

Glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites are valued for their strength and cost-effectiveness. However, traditional GFRPs often face challenges for end-of-life recycling due to their non-depolymerizable thermoset matrices, and long-term performance due to inadequate interfacial adhesion, which can lead to fiber-matrix delamination. Here, we have designed dynamic fiber-matrix interfaces to allow tough and closed-loop recyclable GFRPs by utilizing a vitrimer, derived from upcycled polystyrene--poly(ethylene--butylene)--polystyrene (SEBS) with boronic ester (S-Bpin) and amine-based diol crosslinker.

Reasons for declining participation in inpatient research among historically minoritized racial and ethnic communities: A scoping review.

Background: To promote equitable recruitment for studies conducted in the inpatient hospital setting, we sought to characterize reasons why individuals, both from historically minoritized racial and ethnic groups and the broader patient population, refuse participation in clinical trials within inpatient settings.

Methods: An exhaustive search of the literature was conducted in Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, Embase, MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases to find relevant articles published from the inception of each database to April 30, 2023. Studies recruiting patients during their inpatient stay and reporting reasons for refusing participation in clinical trials met the inclusion criteria.

Evaluation of Currently Available Laboratory Methods to Detect Terbinafine Resistant Dermatophytes Including a Gradient Strip for Terbinafine, EUCAST Microdilution E.Def 11.0, a Commercial Real-Time PCR Assay, Squalene Epoxidase Sequencing and Whole Genome Sequencing.

Background: Terbinafine resistance in dermatophytes is an increasing problem worldwide. Several outbreaks of terbinafine-resistant dermatophytosis are currently occurring in India and surrounding countries, and these recent years, European countries have also been affected by this issue. Currently, antifungal susceptibility testing of dermatophytes is not routinely performed in clinical laboratories.

Stepwise molecular specification of excitatory synapse diversity onto cerebellar Purkinje cells.

Brain function relies on the generation of a large variety of morphologically and functionally diverse, but specific, neuronal synapses. Here we show that, in mice, the initial formation of synapses on cerebellar Purkinje cells involves a presynaptic protein-CBLN1, a member of the C1q protein family-that is secreted by all types of excitatory inputs. The molecular program then evolves only in one of the Purkinje cell inputs, the inferior olivary neurons, with the additional expression of the presynaptic secreted proteins C1QL1, CRTAC1 and LGI2.

Evaluating the Impact of Assistive Technologies on Individuals With Disabilities in Benin: Protocol for a Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: A significant proportion of individuals with disabilities in resource-limited countries require at least 1 assistive technology (AT) device to enhance their functioning and autonomy. However, there is limited evidence regarding the actual needs of AT users in these regions concerning the adequacy of ATs.

Objective: This research aims to assess the effects of ATs on AT users in a resource-limited country.

Metal (Au, Pt, Pd, Ni) Bis(dithiolene) complexes as dual-action agents combating cancer and trypanosomatid infections.

Cancer and infection diseases pose severe threats to public health worldwide stressing the need for more effective and efficient treatments. Thus, the search for broad-spectrum activity drugs seems justifiable and urgent. Herein, we investigate the anticancer and antitrypanosomatid (anti-Trypanosoma cruzi) activities of eight monoanionic metal bis(dithiolene) complexes, [PhP][M(R-thiazdt)] with M = Au, Pt, Pd, Ni, containing N-alkyl-1,3-thiazoline-2-thione dithiolene ligands (R-thiazdt) with different alkyl groups (R = Et, tBu).

Salt reduction strategies for dry cured meat products: The use of KCl and microencapsulated spices and aromatic plant extracts.

The World Health Organization set a goal of reducing salt intake by 30 % by 2025. This study investigates the impact of replacing 33 % NaCl with KCl and microencapsulated spices and aromatic plant extracts (ME) in a dry-cured meat sausage (CMS). Microbial, physico-chemical, and sensory analyses were conducted throughout processing and storage.

Chronic Intestinal Failure and Short Bowel Syndrome in Adults: The State of the Art.

Background: Short bowel syndrome (SBS) is a devastating malabsorptive condition and the most common cause of chronic intestinal failure (CIF). During the intestinal rehabilitation process, patients may need parenteral support for months or years, parenteral nutrition (PN), or hydration/electrolyte supplementation, as a bridge for the desired enteral autonomy.

Summary: Several classification criteria have been highlighted to reflect different perspectives in CIF.