Fast vocal-motor tracking of escaping prey in echolocating bats.

Background: Echolocating bats face an intense arms race with insect prey that can detect bat calls and initiate evasive maneuvers. Their high closing speeds and short biosonar ranges leave bats with only a few 100 ms between detection and capture, suggesting a reactive sensory-motor operation that might preclude tracking of escaping prey. Here we test this hypothesis using greater mouse-eared bats (Myotis myotis) as a model species.

Dietary content and eating behavior in ulcerative colitis: a narrative review and future perspective.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) has experienced a steady increase in global incidence and prevalence recently. Current research into UC pathogenesis focuses on the complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors with the immune system and gut microbiome, leading to disruption of the intestinal barrier. Normally, the microbiome, intestinal epithelium, and immune system interact to maintain intestinal homeostasis.

Students' attitudes toward euthanasia and abortion: a cross-cultural study in three Mediterranean countries.

Introduction: Abortion and euthanasia are still one of the greatest bioethical challenges. Previous studies have shown that there are differences in attitudes towards these issues depending on socio-demographic characteristics and socio-cultural environment (country of residence). As part of the scientific research project EuroBioMed, we compared the attitudes of students from three Mediterranean countries towards abortion and euthanasia and examined them from the perspective of Mediterranean bioethics.

Identification of a novel heterozygous GPD1 missense variant in a Chinese adult patient with recurrent HTG-AP consuming a high-fat diet and heavy smoking.

Background: Glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase 1 (GPD1) gene defect can cause hypertriglyceridemia (HTG), which usually occurs in infants. The gene defect has rarely been reported in adult HTG patients. In the present study, we described the clinical and functional analyses of a novel GPD1 missense variant in a Chinese adult patient with recurrent hypertriglyceridemia‑related acute pancreatitis (HTG-AP), consuming a high-fat diet and smoking heavily.

Application of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) to describe the microbial characteristics of diabetic foot ulcers at a tertiary medical center in South China.

Background: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are characterized by dynamic wound microbiome, the timely and accurate identification of pathogens in the clinic is required to initiate precise and individualized treatment. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) has been a useful supplement to routine culture method for the etiological diagnosis of DFUs. In this study, we utilized a routine culture method and mNGS to analyze the same DFU wound samples and the results were compared.

Fracture resistances of heat-treated nickel-titanium files used for minimally invasive instrumentation.

Background: This study compared the torsional resistance, bending stiffness, and cyclic fatigue resistances of different heat-treated NiTi files for minimally invasive instrumentation.

Methods: TruNatomy (TN) and EndoRoad (ER) file systems were compared with ProTaper Gold (PG). Torsional load, distortion angle, and bending stiffness were assessed using a custom device AEndoS, and toughness was calculated using the torsional data.

Chronic inflammation in post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 modulates gut microbiome: a review of literature on COVID-19 sequelae and gut dysbiosis.

Background: Long COVID or Post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 is an emerging syndrome, recognized in COVID-19 patients who suffer from mild to severe illness and do not recover completely. Most studies define Long COVID, through symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, joint pain, and headache prevailing four or more weeks post-initial infection. Global variations in Long COVID presentation and symptoms make it challenging to standardize features of Long COVID.

Construction of a radiogenomic signature based on endoplasmic reticulum stress for predicting prognosis and systemic combination therapy response in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common tumors worldwide. Various factors in the tumor environment (TME) can lead to the activation of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS), thereby affecting the occurrence and development of tumors. The objective of our study was to develop and validate a radiogenomic signature based on ERS to predict prognosis and systemic combination therapy response.

Osteology and functional morphology of a transitional pterosaur Dearc sgiathanach from the Middle Jurassic (Bathonian) of Scotland.

Pterosaurs were the first vertebrates to evolve active flight. The lack of many well-preserved pterosaur fossils limits our understanding of the functional anatomy and behavior of these flight pioneers, particularly from their early history (Triassic to Middle Jurassic). Here we describe in detail the osteology of an exceptionally preserved Middle Jurassic pterosaur, the holotype of Dearc sgiathanach from the Isle of Skye, Scotland.

Incidence and outcomes of dysnatremia in crush injury patients admitted to Türkiye's largest hospital following the Kahramanmaraş earthquake.

Objectives: Dysnatremia is a critical electrolyte disturbance that can significantly impact the prognosis of trauma patients by influencing fluid balance, neurological function, and hemodynamics. Although sodium disorder is common in hospitalized patients, few studies have specifically examined the incidence of dysnatremia in patients presenting to the emergency department for post-earthquake trauma. The aim of this study is to evaluate the incidence of dysnatremia and the prognosis of patients with dysnatremia in trauma patients admitted to our center after the Kahramanmaraş earthquake.

Wing spot in a tropical and a temperate drosophilid: C = C enrichment and conserved thermal response.

Wings are primarily used in flight but also play a role in mating behaviour in many insects. Drosophila species exhibit a variety of pigmentation patterns on their wings. In some sexually dimorphic Drosophilids, a pigmented spot pattern is found at the top-right edge of the male wings.

Effects and function of citric acid on fermentation quality and microbial community in sugarcane tops silage with high and low water-soluble carbohydrate content.

Sugarcane tops silage (STS), as a source of roughage for ruminants, is rich in water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) content, which significantly affects silage quality. Citric acid (CA) is a low-cost natural antimicrobial agent that can inhibit undesirable microbes and improve silage quality. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of CA on the chemical composition, fermentation quality, microbial communities, and metabolic pathways of STS with high and low WSC contents before or after aerobic exposure.

Study on the relationship between indoor ventilation frequency and anxiety and depression symptoms in older persons: based on the data of 2018 CLHLS.

Background: To investigate the association between indoor ventilation frequency and symptoms of depression and anxiety in older persons.

Methods: A binary logistic regression model was used to analyze the effects of indoor ventilation frequency on depression and anxiety by using data from the 2018 Chinese longitudinal healthy longevity survey (CLHLS).

Results: A total of 9,690 older persons with an average age of (83.

Psychosocial working conditions and violence prevention climate in German emergency departments - a cross-sectional study.

Background: Emergency departments (EDs) are high pressure work environments with several psychosocial job demands, e.g., violence, and job resources, e.

Empowerment of volunteer nursing service providers during disasters: A qualitative study.

Background: Volunteers providing nursing services are among the first individuals to arrive at the scene after an incident; therefore, they must use their skills and capabilities to provide necessary care for the injured to prevent problems from worsening and complications from arising. Consequently, having structured empowerment courses for volunteers before disasters seems essential. This research aimed to determine the dimensions and components of empowering volunteer nursing service providers in disasters.

A novel framework for assessing causal effect of microbiome on health: long-term antibiotic usage as an instrument.

Assessing causality is undoubtedly one of the key questions in microbiome studies for the upcoming years. Since randomized trials in human subjects are often unethical or difficult to pursue, analytical methods to derive causal effects from observational data deserve attention. As simple covariate adjustment is not likely to account for all potential confounders, the idea of instrumental variable (IV) analysis is worth exploiting.

Chemical composition, and activity of the methanolic extract derived from against clinically relevant bacteria.

This study aimed to identify chemical compounds derived from Vassobia breviflora methanolic extract using ESI-ToF-MS and their antioxidant potential activity utilizing the following methods: total phenols, DPPH, and ABTS. The MTT assay measured cytotoxic activity, while DCFH-DA and nitric oxide assays were employed to determine reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) levels using African green monkey kidney (VERO) and human keratinocyte (HaCat) cell lines. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) were assessed in seven clinical isolates and nine ATCC strains.

Microscale Spatiotemporal Variation of Reactive Oxygen Species in the Charosphere: Underlying Formation Mechanism and Their Role in CO Emission.

Charosphere, a highly active zone between biochar and surrounding soil, is widely present in agricultural and wildfire-affected soils, yet whether reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced within the charosphere remains unclear. Herein, the production and spatiotemporal evolution of charosphere ROS were explored. In situ ROS capture visualized a gradual decrease in ROS production with increasing distance from the biochar/soil interface.

Destabilization of Soil Carbon After Saltwater Intrusion in Coastal Agricultural Soils.

Saltwater intrusion (SWI) is a concerning issue impacting agricultural production and soil C cycling, which can have a wider effect on the climate. Complex soil processes driving soil C cycling following saltwater intrusion have not yet been fully quantified. Agricultural fields with varying degrees of saltwater intrusion, unaffected control, and native tidal marsh were studied to understand the impacts of saltwater intrusion on soil properties and soil carbon dynamics.

Imidazole Cationic-Bridged Pillar[5]arene Polymer as a Recycle Adsorbent for Iodine Capture.

Developing efficient and recyclable iodine adsorbents is crucial for addressing radioactive iodine pollution. An imidazole cation-bridged pillar[5]arene polymer (P5-P5I) was synthesized via a salt formation reaction. P5-P5I exhibited a high iodine vapor capture capacity of 2130.

Recent developments in solar energy-based systems for essential oil extraction from aromatic and medicinal plants: an overview.

The present study summarises recent developments in solar-assisted extraction systems for distillation of essential oil from aromatic and medicinal plants. Various solar integrated essential oil extraction systems are compared based on performance parameters such as essential oil yield and system efficiency along with their potential effects on the domains of renewable energy. Solar steam distillation is an environmentally beneficial and energy-efficient technology of desalination that is especially ideal for areas with plentiful sun resources.

A novel genotype of Babesia microti-like group in Ixodes montoyanus ticks parasitizing the Andean bear (Tremarctos ornatus) in Ecuador.

Babesia species (Piroplasmida) are hemoparasites that infect erythrocytes of mammals and birds and are mainly transmitted by hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae). These hemoparasites are known to be the second most common parasites infecting mammals, after trypanosomes, and some species may cause malaria-like disease in humans. Diagnosis and understanding of Babesia diversity increasingly rely on genetic data obtained through molecular techniques.

Innovative microbial activators for enhanced bioremediation of oil-contaminated soils: mechanistic insights.

This paper developed an efficient microbial activator formula and conducted an in-depth study on its efficacy and mechanism in promoting the degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in oil-contaminated soil. A 60-day microbial remediation experiment conducted on oily soil revealed that the microbial activators significantly boosted the activities of dehydrogenase and catalase, subsequently speeding up the degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in the soil. The overall degradation rate reached as high as 71.

Fixation-related potentials during a virtual navigation task: The influence of image statistics on early cortical processing.

Historically, electrophysiological correlates of scene processing have been studied with experiments using static stimuli presented for discrete timescales where participants maintain a fixed eye position. Gaps remain in generalizing these findings to real-world conditions where eye movements are made to select new visual information and where the environment remains stable but changes with our position and orientation in space, driving dynamic visual stimulation. Co-recording of eye movements and electroencephalography (EEG) is an approach to leverage fixations as time-locking events in the EEG recording under free-viewing conditions to create fixation-related potentials (FRPs), providing a neural snapshot in which to study visual processing under naturalistic conditions.