What is the origin of the normal ranges of blood cell counts? An evolutionary perspective.

Background: The normal values of the complete blood count are part of the foundational medical knowledge that is seldom questioned due to their well-established nature. These normal values are critical for optimal physiological function while minimizing the harmful consequences of an excessive number of blood cells. Thus, they represent an evolutionary trade-off likely shaped by natural selection if they significantly influence individual fitness and exhibit heritability.

Observation of super-Alfvénic slippage of reconnecting magnetic field lines on the Sun.

Slipping motions of magnetic field lines are a distinct signature of three-dimensional magnetic reconnection, a fundamental process driving solar and stellar flares. While being a key prediction of numerical experiments, the rapid super-Alfvénic field line slippage driven by the 'slip-running' reconnection has remained elusive in previous observations. New frontiers into exploring transient flare phenomena were introduced by recently designed high cadence observing programs of the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS).

A luminous and young galaxy at = 12.33 revealed by a JWST/MIRI detection of Hα and [O iii].

The James Webb Space Telescope has discovered a surprising population of bright galaxies in the very early Universe (≲500 Myr after the Big Bang) that is hard to explain with conventional galaxy-formation models and whose physical properties are not fully understood. Insight into their internal physics is best captured through nebular lines, but at these early epochs, the brightest of these spectral features are redshifted into the mid-infrared and remain elusive. Using the mid-infrared instrument onboard the James Webb Space Telescope, here we present a detection of Hα and doubly ionized oxygen ([O iii] 4959,5007 Å) from the bright, ultra-high-redshift galaxy candidate GHZ2/GLASS-z12.

The redox aspects of lithium-ion batteries.

This article aims to present the redox aspects of lithium-ion batteries both from a thermodynamic and from a conductivity viewpoint. We first recall the basic definitions of the electrochemical potential of the electron, and of the Fermi level for a redox couple in solutions. The Fermi level of redox solids such as metal oxide particles is then discussed, and a Nernst equation is derived for two ideal systems, namely an ideally homogenous phase where the oxidised and reduced metal ions are homogeneously distributed and two segregated phases where the oxidised and the reduced metal ions are separated in two distinct phases such as observed, for example, in biphasic lithium iron phosphate.

Diagnosis and management of de novo non-specific spinal infections: European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS) Spine Section Delphi consensus recommendations.

Introduction: The management of de novo non-specific spinal infections (spondylodiscitis - SD) remains inconsistent due to varying clinical practices and a lack of high-level evidence, particularly regarding the indications for surgery.

Research Question: This study aims to develop consensus recommendations for the diagnosis and management of SD, addressing diagnostic modalities, surgical indications, and treatment strategies.

Material And Methods: A Delphi process was conducted with 26 experts from the European Association of Neurosurgical Societies (EANS).

The role of energy deposition on the luminescence sensitization in porphyrin-functionalized SiO/ZnO nanoparticles under X-ray excitation.

Hybrid nanoscintillators, which feature a heavy inorganic nanoparticle conjugated with an organic emitter, represent a promising avenue for advancements in diverse fields, including high-energy physics, homeland security, and biomedicine. Many research studies have shown the suitability of hybrid nanoscintillators for radiation oncology, showing potential to improve therapeutic results compared to traditional protocols. In this work, we studied SiO/ZnO nanoparticles functionalized with porphyrin as a photosensitizer, capable of producing cancer cytotoxic reactive oxygen species for possible use in radio-oncological therapeutics.

Liver transplantation in glycogen storage disease type III: A case-series.

Glycogen storage disease type III (GSD III) is a rare metabolic disorder characterized by a deficiency of liver and muscle amylo-1,6-glucosidase. This condition presents with severe hepatic symptoms in childhood, mostly hepatomegaly, hypoglycemia in half of patients, while muscular complications may predominate in adulthood. Hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are common complications in older patients.

Assessing the economic impact and healthcare resource utilization of inpatient pneumococcal disease among adults: a French national claims database study.

Introduction: Pneumococcal diseases (PD) caused by include invasive PD (IPD) and non-bacteremia pneumococcal pneumonia (NBPP). Current French vaccination guidelines FOCUS on patients with underlying medical conditions (UMC) who are at a higher risk of PD. This study describes the healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and economic burden of inpatient PD in French adults, to inform vaccination guidelines, especially among vulnerable subpopulations at increased risk of PD.

Efficacy, Safety, Pharmacokinetics, and Immunogenicity of ABBV-154 in Adults With Glucocorticoid-Dependent Polymyalgia Rheumatica: A Phase 2, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Objective: An unmet need exists for glucocorticoid-sparing treatments for patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). The antibody-drug conjugate ABBV-154 comprises adalimumab conjugated to a glucocorticoid receptor modulator. We evaluated ABBV-154 versus placebo in patients with glucocorticoid-dependent PMR.

Long-Term Post-Stroke Cognition in Patients With Minor Ischemic Stroke is Related to Tract-Based Disconnection Induced by White Matter Hyperintensities.

Over a third of minor stroke patients experience post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI), but no validated tools exist to identify at-risk patients early. This study investigated whether disconnection features derived from infarcts and white matter hyperintensities (WMH) could serve as markers for short- and long-term cognitive decline in first-ever minor ischemic stroke patients. First-ever minor ischemic stroke patients (NIHSS ≤ 7) were prospectively followed at 72-h, 6 months, and 36 months post-stroke with cognitive tests and brain MRI.

Negative gas adsorption transitions and pressure amplification phenomena in porous frameworks.

Nanoporous solids offer a wide range of functionalities for industrial, environmental, and energy applications. However, only a limited number of porous materials are responsive, the nanopore dynamically alters its size and shape in response to external stimuli such as temperature, pressure, light or the presence of specific molecular stimuli adsorbed inside the voids deforming the framework. Adsorption-induced structural deformation of porous solids can result in unique counterintuitive phenomena.

A complex interplay between histone variants and DNA methylation.

Nucleosomes, the chromatin building blocks, play an important role in controlling DNA and chromatin accessibility. Nucleosome remodeling and the incorporation of distinct histone variants confer unique structural and biochemical properties, influencing the targeting of multiple epigenetic pathways, particularly DNA methylation. This stable epigenetic mark suppresses transposable element expression in plants and mammals, serving as an additional layer of chromatin regulation.

Nutritional and functional outcomes in trials of nutrient-stimulated hormone-based therapy-A systematic mapping review.

Introduction: Currently, trials are investigating the efficacy of nutrient-stimulated hormone-based therapies (NuSHs) in promoting weight loss in people living with overweight and obesity. However, the extent to which nutritional and functional outcomes are evaluated remains uncertain. Thus, we conducted a systematic mapping to assess the presence of nutritional and functional outcomes in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating NuSHs.

Instar identification and weight prediction of (Guenée) larvae using machine learning.

The Asian corn borer, (Guenée), emerges as a significant threat to maize cultivation, inflicting substantial damage upon the crops. Particularly, its larval stage represents a critical point characterised by significant economic consequences on maize yield. To manage the infestation of this pest effectively, timely and precise identification of its larval stages is required.

Multiomic analyses direct hypotheses for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease risk genes.

Prions are assemblies of misfolded prion protein that cause several fatal and transmissible neurodegenerative diseases, with the most common phenotype in humans being sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD). Aside from variation of the prion protein itself, molecular risk factors are not well understood. Prion and prion-like mechanisms are thought to underpin common neurodegenerative disorders meaning that the elucidation of mechanisms could have broad relevance.

Whole genome sequencing of 10 families with optic disc drusen.

Introduction: Optic disc drusen (ODD) are believed to have a genetic predisposition, with autosomal dominant inheritance pattern with incomplete penetrance suggested through family pedigree analysis. ODD prevalence is higher in certain genetic disorders, such as pseudoxanthoma elasticum and retinitis pigmentosa. This study aimed to identify candidate genes potentially involved in the development of ODD.

Real-world treatment patterns and health outcomes for patients with myelofibrosis treated with fedratinib.

Aim: Assess real-world fedratinib (FEDR) treatment patterns and clinical outcomes in patients with primary or secondary myelofibrosis following discontinuation of ruxolitinib (RUX).

Patients & Methods: This study was a retrospective, noninterventional medical record review of patients in Canada, Germany, and the United Kingdom (UK). A total of 70 physicians (primarily hematologist-oncologists [78.

Oncogenic Human Papillomaviruses Drive One-Third of Sinonasal Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Are Not Mutually Exclusive for Gene Mutations.

Background: The detection rate of oncogenic human papillomaviruses (HPVs) in sinonasal squamous cell carcinomas (SNSCCs) varies among studies. The mutational landscape of SNSCCs remains poorly investigated.

Methods: We investigated the prevalence and prognostic significance of HPV infections based on p16 protein expression, HPV-DNA detection, and E6/E7 mRNA expression using immunohistochemistry, polymerase chain reaction, and in situ hybridization, respectively.

The New HLA-B*44:384 Allele Characterised by Two Different Sequencing-Based Typing Techniques.

The new allele HLA-B*44:384 differs from HLA-B*44:02:01:01 by one non-synonymous nucleotide substitution in exon 2.

Combined use of cleft and truncated triangle signs helps improve the preoperative MRI diagnosis of lateral meniscus posterior root tears in patients with ACL injuries.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate whether combining the analysis of different magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signs enhances the diagnostic accuracy of lateral meniscus posterior root tears (LMPRTs) in patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. We hypothesised that analysing the cleft, ghost and truncated triangle signs and lateral meniscus extrusion (LME) measurement together would improve the preoperative MRI-based diagnosis of LMPRTs.

Methods: This retrospective study used prospectively collected registry data from two academic centres, including patients undergoing primary or revision ACL reconstruction (ACLR) and LMPRT repair.