MixtureFinder: Estimating DNA mixture models for phylogenetic analyses.

In phylogenetic studies, both partitioned models and mixture models are used to account for heterogeneity in molecular evolution among the sites of DNA sequence alignments. Partitioned models require the user to specify the grouping of sites into subsets, and then assume that each subset of sites can be modelled by a single common process. Mixture models do not require users to pre-specify subsets of sites, and instead calculate the likelihood of every site under every model, while co-estimating the model weights and parameters.

Innovative Dual Combination Cospray-Dried Rock Inhibitor/l-Carnitine Inhalable Dry Powder Aerosols.

This study introduces novel cospray-dried (Co-SD) formulations of simvastatin, a Nrf2 activator ROCK inhibitor, with l-carnitine as molecular mixtures in various molar ratios for targeted pulmonary inhalation aerosol delivery in pulmonary hypertension, optimized for excipient-free dry powder inhalers (DPIs). The two components were spray-dried at various molar ratios by using different starting feed solution concentrations and process parameters. In addition to comprehensive physicochemical characterization, in vitro aerosol dispersion performance as DPIs using two FDA-approved DPI devices with different shear stress properties, in vitro viability as a function of dose on 2D human pulmonary cellular monolayers and on 3D small airway epithelia human primary cultures at the air-liquid interface (ALI), and in vitro transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) at the ALI were conducted.

Predictors of Retention in the 1Florida Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC) Over Two Waves.

Attrition is a significant methodological concern in longitudinal studies. Sample loss can limit generalizability and compromise internal validity. Wave one ( = 346) and wave two follow-ups ( = 196) of the 1Florida ADRC clinical core were examined using a 24-month visit window.

Proteomics in Acute Heart Transplant Rejection, On Behalf of the GRAfT Investigators.

Background: Proteomic phenotyping can provide insights into rejection pathophysiology, novel biomarkers, and therapeutic targets.

Methods: Within the prospective, multicenter Genomic Research Alliance for Transplantation study, 181 proteins were evaluated from blood drawn at the time of endomyocardial biopsy; protein fold change, logistic regression, and pathway analyses were conducted, with protein discovery adjusted for a 5% false discovery rate.

Results: Among 104 adult heart transplant patients (31% female sex, 53% Black race, median age 52 y), 74 had no rejection, 18 developed acute cellular rejection (ACR), and 12 developed antibody-mediated rejection (AMR).

Effective optimal control of a wind turbine system with hybrid energy storage and hybrid MPPT approach.

This research paper discusses a wind turbine system and its integration in remote locations using a hybrid power optimization approach and a hybrid storage system. Wind turbine systems' optimization controllers operate MPPT strategies efficiently, optimizing the system's overall performance. The proposed approach is HTb(P&O/FLC), which combines the P&O and FLC methods.

Lactate dehydrogenase a-like 6B is not essential for spermatogenesis and male fertility in mice.

Lactate is recognized as a principal energy substrate for male germ cells. Lactate dehydrogenases (LDHs) catalyze the reversible conversion between pyruvate and lactate, which are required for male fertility. Among them, lactate dehydrogenase A-like 6B (Ldhal6b) has been identified as a testis-specific LDH gene.

Comparative analysis of Lox-1 and CD36 expression in human platelets and on circulating microparticles during ARDS-induced coagulopathy.

Introduction: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients are at risk of thrombosis through mechanisms implicating oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL). Endothelial cells, immune cells and platelets were reported to express scavenger receptors for oxLDL: Lox-1 and CD36. We hypothesized that platelets shed a soluble Lox-1 ectodomain (sLox-1) and release CD36-bearing procoagulant microparticles (MPs), that both become elevated in subjects with ARDS-induced coagulopathy.

The Mobile lifestyle intervention for food and exercise (mLife) study: Protocol of a remote behavioral weight loss randomized clinical trial for type 2 diabetes prevention.

Background: Emerging research has examined electronic and mobile health (e/mHealth) technologies for weight loss and manage of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but few studies have focused specifically on ways to target social support behaviors that have proven to be effective. While gamifying an mHealth behavioral weight loss intervention holds promise to promote and sustain social support, there has been very little research in this area. The mobile Lifestyle Intervention for Food and Exercise study (mLife) was designed to test if receiving points for social support is an effective way to promote sustained weight loss.

Methods for Quantifying Source-Specific Air Pollution Exposure to Serve Epidemiology, Risk Assessment, and Environmental Justice.

Identifying sources of air pollution exposure is crucial for addressing their health impacts and associated inequities. Researchers have developed modeling approaches to resolve source-specific exposure for application in exposure assessments, epidemiology, risk assessments, and environmental justice. We explore six source-specific air pollution exposure assessment approaches: Photochemical Grid Models (PGMs), Data-Driven Statistical Models, Dispersion Models, Reduced Complexity chemical transport Models (RCMs), Receptor Models, and Proximity Exposure Estimation Models.

Enhancing Antibacterial Properties of Titanium Implants through Covalent Conjugation of Self-Assembling Fmoc-Phe-Phe Dipeptide on Titania Nanotubes.

Bacterial infections and biofilm formation are significant challenges for medical implants. While titanium nanotube engineering improves biocompatibility, it cannot prevent bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation. Optimizing the biomaterial's surface chemistry is vital for its desired functioning in the biological environment.

Oxytocin in autism: Rethinking treatment and research through a neurodivergent perspective.

This perspective piece addresses critical challenges in oxytocin-based interventions for autism, drawing on neurodivergent perspectives to highlight key issues in research relevance and inclusivity. Although oxytocin has been posited to modulate social and routinized behaviors in autistic individuals, empirical findings on its efficacy remain inconsistent. We argue that these behavioral targets may reflect neurotypical biases, often disregarding autistic individuals' perspectives, thereby limiting intervention acceptability and efficacy.

Control of inflammatory lung injury and repair by metabolic signaling in endothelial cells.

Purpose Of Review: Sepsis-induced inflammatory lung injury includes acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). There are currently no effective treatments for ALI/ARDS, but clinical outcomes could be improved by inhibiting lung injury and/or promoting post-sepsis vascular repair. In this review, we describe studies of endothelial cell metabolic pathways in sepsis-induced ALI/ARDS and vascular repair and identify areas of research that deserve attention in future studies.

Geometrical impacts of platonic particles on nematic liquid crystal dynamics.

Platonic-solid-like particles in liquid crystals offer intriguing opportunities for engineering complex materials with tailored properties. Inspired by platonic solids' geometric simplicity and symmetry, these particles possess well-defined shapes such as cubes, tetrahedra, octahedra, dodecahedra, and icosahedra. When dispersed within nematic liquid-crystalline media, these particles interact with the surrounding medium in intricate ways, influencing the local orientational order of liquid crystal molecules.

Evaluation of deep space exploration risks and mitigations against radiation and microgravity.

Ionizing radiation and microgravity are two considerable health risks encountered during deep space exploration. Both have deleterious effects on the human body. On one hand, weightlessness is known to induce a weakening of the immune system, delayed wound healing and musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and sensorimotor deconditioning.

CardioGuard: AI-driven ECG authentication hybrid neural network for predictive health monitoring in telehealth systems.

The increasing integration of telehealth systems underscores the importance of robust and secure methods for patient data management. Traditional authentication methods, such as passwords and PINs, are prone to breaches, underscoring the need for more secure alternatives. Therefore, there is a need for alternative approaches that provide enhanced security and user convenience.

Effects of simulated space conditions on CD4+ T cells: a multi modal analysis.

Introduction: The immune system is an intricate network of cellular components that safeguards against pathogens and aberrant cells, with CD4+ T cells playing a central role in this process. Human space travel presents unique health challenges, such as heavy ion ionizing radiation, microgravity, and psychological stress, which can collectively impede immune function. The aim of this research was to examine the consequences of simulated space stressors on CD4+ T cell activation, cytokine production, and gene expression.