Underwater paddling kinematics and hydrodynamics in a surface swimming duck versus a diving duck.

Some duck species mostly swim on the water surface while others frequently dive underwater. We compared the paddling kinematics of mandarin ducks (Axis galericulata) that feed on the surface and diving ferruginous pochards (Aythya nyroca) that feed underwater. Both species were trained to perform the same horizontal, submerged swimming at 1m depth in a controlled set-up.

Predictors for long-term incomplete nidus obliteration following stereotactic radiosurgery for brain arteriovenous malformations: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: This study aimed to identify predictive factors for long-term incomplete nidus obliteration following stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs).

Material And Methods: A systematic search across the PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases identified observational studies reporting such factors. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed.

Liver Transplant Provider Perspectives on Posttransplant Management of Alcohol Use Disorder.

Background: Liver transplantation (LT) is the standard treatment for liver failure secondary to alcohol-associated liver disease, but limited literature and best practices exist for post-LT treatment of alcohol use disorder (AUD). This study explores current AUD management practices and providers' perceived barriers to effective post-LT AUD management.

Methods: A 45-item survey on post-LT AUD treatment practices was distributed to members of the American Society of Transplant Surgeons, the Association of Consult/Liaison Psychiatry Transplant Special Interest Group, and both the American Society of Transplantation's Liver and Intestine Community of Practice and Psychosocial and Ethics Community of Practice discussion boards, between December 2021 and April 2022.

Anterolateral Chest Reconstruction Using a Posterior Intercostal Artery Perforator-Based Latissimus Dorsi Musculocutaneous Flap.

Latissimus dorsi (LD) flaps are ideal for reconstructing deep and complex anterolateral chest defects because they provide both coverage and volume with relatively short surgery and acceptable donor-site morbidity. The LD flap is suitable for patients who have undergone lung surgery and should avoid prolonged or invasive reconstruction surgery. However, the LD main pedicle, the thoracodorsal artery (TDA), is often damaged in these patients.

Internal in-frame translation generates Cas11b, which is important for effective interference in an archaeal CRISPR-Cas system.

CRISPR-Cas is a sophisticated defence system used by bacteria and archaea to fend off invaders. CRISPR-Cas systems vary in their Cas protein composition and have therefore been divided into different classes and types. Type I systems of bacteria have been shown to contain the small protein Cas11 as part of the interference complex known as Cascade.

Predicting satisfaction with vocational status among people with serious mental illness in vocational services: the role of perceived skills and support.

Background: This study aimed to explore the role of perceived skills and support in satisfaction with vocational status to better address the vocational needs and recovery goals of individuals with serious mental illness (SMI). It focuses on three service types: individual placement and support (IPS), sheltered workshops, and vocational support centers.

Method: The study is a cross-sectional analysis of the nationwide Israeli PR-PROM project data.

The role of cerebrovascular reactivity on brain activation during a working memory task in type 2 diabetes.

Introduction: Impaired cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) is common in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients and is a risk factor for dementia. However, most prior functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies in T2D disregarded the impact of impaired CVR on brain activation patterns. This study investigated the relationship between CVR and brain activation during an fMRI task in T2D patients.

Predictors for desire, intention, and likelihood for more children among LGB parents through assisted reproduction.

Background: The global increase in families headed by lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) parents via assisted reproduction was accompanied by increased research on the parenthood aspirations of childfree LGB individuals. However, limited attention has been given to the aspirations of LGB parents for more children. This study explored the multifaceted factors associating with aspirations for additional children among Israeli LGB parents through assisted reproduction, investigating the contribution of sociodemographic variables, parental experiences, as well as social and cultural factors to these aspirations.

Diagnostics, reconstructive approaches, and outcomes in female urethroplasty patients.

Objectives: To gain further understanding of current outcomes regarding urethroplasty for female urethral stricture disease.

Methods: The European Association of Urology Section of Genitourinary Reconstructive Surgeons formed the Female Reconstruction Group to enhance multicentric collaboration, and to generate more evidence on the most effective treatment options for female patients with recurrent urethral stricture. Patients were eligible for inclusion if they had a urethral stricture and had undergone one of three reconstructive procedures, namely ventral onlay flap (VOFU), ventral onlay graft (VOGU) or dorsal onlay graft (DOGU) urethroplasty.

A Comparative Analysis of Scoring Systems and MRI for Diagnosing Acute Appendicitis in Pregnant Patients.

Introduction: Acute appendicitis (AA) represents the most prevalent indication for general surgical intervention during pregnancy. Despite the development of scoring systems for AA diagnosis, their validation in pregnant patient remains incomplete. Given the growing utilization of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), evaluating the accuracy of both scoring systems and MRI in diagnosing AA during pregnancy becomes essential.

Potential of Process-Induced Modification of Potato Starch to Modulate Starch Digestibility and Levels of Resistant Starch Type III.

Starch digestibility and the content of resistant starch (RS) play a crucial role in human health, particularly in relation to glycemic responses, insulin sensitivity, fat oxidation, and satiety. This study investigates the impact of processing methods on potato starch digestibility and RS content, focusing on two modification techniques: autoclaving and high hydrostatic pressure (HHP), followed by retrogradation at different temperatures. The research employs a comprehensive approach to characterize structural changes in starch samples using X-ray diffraction (XRD), attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

How Close Are We to the Production of Milk in Alternative Systems? The Fat Perspective.

The growing demand for sustainable food systems has led to significant advancements in developing alternatives to animal-derived products. Dairy products are an important dietary source of proteins and fats; however, their production raises environmental concerns, including greenhouse gas emissions, extensive land and water usage, and biodiversity loss. Therefore, there is a need to develop sustainable, scalable solutions that will enable the production of quality replacements for animal-based foods with reduced environmental impacts.

A Novel Strategy for Understanding What Patients Value Most in Informed Consent Before Surgery.

: To map and analyze patient expectations regarding communication in IC and identify communication that both heightens anxiety in the IC process and reduces anxiety in the IC process before surgery. : Ethics approval was granted. A power analysis indicated a required sample of 90 patients.

Patient Education on Exercise Prehabilitation Among Patients Receiving Neoadjuvant Therapy for Cancer Surgery in China: A Mixed-Methods Study.

: Patients undergoing neoadjuvant therapy have ample time to engage in exercise prehabilitation. This study aimed to describe the current status, facilitators, and barriers of exercise prehabilitation among this population. : This sequential explanatory mixed-methods evaluation was conducted at a general tertiary hospital in Beijing.

Correction: Peretz, E.; Musa, S. Design, Synthesis, and Characterization of Novel Cannabidiol-Based Derivatives with Potent Antioxidant Activities. 2024, , 9579.

In the original publication, there was a mistake in Figure 5D as published [...

Salivary Metabolomics as a Diagnostic Tool: Distinct Metabolic Profiles Across Orofacial Pain Subtypes.

Orofacial pain (OFP) includes chronic pain conditions categorized into musculoskeletal (MS), neurovascular (NV), and neuropathic (NP) pain types, encompassing temporomandibular disorders (TMD), migraines, trigeminal neuralgia (TN), post-traumatic neuropathies, and burning mouth syndrome (BMS). These conditions significantly affect quality of life; yet, their underlying metabolic disruptions remain inadequately explored. Salivary metabolomics provides a non-invasive method to investigate biochemical alterations associated with OFP subtypes.

Calcium Signaling Is a Universal Carbon Source Signal Transducer and Effects an Ionic Memory of Past Carbon Sources.

Glucose is the preferred carbon source for most cells. However, cells may encounter other carbon sources that can be utilized. How cells match their metabolic gene expression to their carbon source, beyond a general glucose repressive system (catabolite repression), remains little understood.

Cocaine Differentially Affects Mitochondrial Function Depending on Exposure Time.

Cocaine use is a rising global concern, and increased use is accompanied by a significant increase in people entering treatment for the first time. However, there are still no complete therapies, and preclinical tools are necessary to both understand the action of cocaine and mitigate for its effects. Cocaine exposure rapidly impacts cellular and mitochondrial health, leading to oxidative stress.

Impact of Estrogen on Purinergic Signaling in Microvascular Disease.

Microvascular ischemia, especially in the heart and kidneys, is associated with inflammation and metabolic perturbation, resulting in cellular dysfunction and end-organ failure. Heightened production of adenosine from extracellular nucleotides released in response to inflammation results in protective effects, inclusive of adaptations to hypoxia, endothelial cell nitric oxide release with the regulation of vascular tone, and inhibition of platelet aggregation. Purinergic signaling is modulated by ectonucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase-1 (NTPDase1)/CD39, which is the dominant factor dictating vascular metabolism of extracellular ATP to adenosine throughout the cardiovascular tissues.

Negative Selection in × Hybrids Indicates Incompatible Oxidative Phosphorylation (OXPHOS) Proteins.

Crossing () females with () males results in all-male progeny that are essential for effective tilapia aquaculture. However, a reproductive barrier between these species prevents commercial-scale yield. To achieve all-male progeny, the currently used practice is crossing admixed stocks and feeding fry with synthetic androgens.

Anion-π Type Polymeric Nanoparticle Dispersants for Enhancing the Dispersion Stability of Organic Pigments in Water.

High-performance water-based inkjet inks are critical for advancing inkjet printing technology. The performance of water-based inkjet inks depends largely on the dispersion stability of organic pigments. This imposes higher demands on the performance of polymeric dispersants.

Robotic Rectal Cancer Surgery: Perioperative and Long-Term Oncological Outcomes of a Single-Center Analysis Compared with Laparoscopic and Open Approach.

Robotic-assisted surgery is an attractive and promising option with unique advantages in rectal cancer surgery, but the optimal surgical approach is still debatable. Therefore, we aimed to compare the short- and long-term outcomes of the robotic-assisted approach with the laparoscopic-assisted and open approaches. A single referral center in Israel retrospectively reviewed all patients that underwent an elective rectal resection for primary non-metastatic rectal cancer between 2010 and 2020.

Spontaneous Formation of a Sustainable Antifreeze Coating by Peptide Self-Assembly.

The formation of ice and frost on surfaces poses significant challenges to aviation, crop protection, organ preservation, and other fields. This paper presents the formation of sustainable antifreeze coating by the self-assembly of short peptides. The peptide design is inspired by and combines different elements from distinct natural proteins: (i) a sequence of amino acids from an antifreeze protein and (ii) the amino acids 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) and lysine from mussel adhesion proteins that anchor the peptide to a surface.