Utility and clinical significance of endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition for diagnosing lymphadenopathies in biliary tract cancer.

Lymph node sampling with endoscopic ultrasound fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) may affect treatment options for biliary tract cancers. Our aim is to clarify its utility and clinical significance and the factors associated with FNA cytology positivity. Seventy-one consecutive patients with biliary tract cancer who underwent EUS-FNA to diagnose lymphadenopathies from April 2012 to July 2021 were enrolled retrospectively.

Determinants maintaining healthcare personnel's motivation during COVID-19 pandemic in Uganda.

Background: Maintaining the physical and psychological well-being of healthcare workers (HCWs) is crucial for health system resilience. In sub-Saharan Africa, particularly Uganda, HCWs faced significant challenges during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, compounded by pre-existing resource constraints. This study investigated challenges faced by HCWs at a designated COVID-19 hospital ('the Hospital') and explored determinants of maintaining healthcare personnel's motivation during the COVID-19 pandemic in Uganda.

NAD World 3.0: the importance of the NMN transporter and eNAMPT in mammalian aging and longevity control.

Over the past five years, systemic NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) decline has been accepted to be a key driving force of aging in the field of aging research. The original version of the NAD World concept was proposed in 2009, providing an integrated view of the NAD-centric, systemic regulatory network for mammalian aging and longevity control. The reformulated version of the concept, the NAD World 2.

A quantitative prediction method utilizing whole omics data for biosensing.

Omics data provide a plethora of quantifiable information that can potentially be used to identify biomarkers targeting the physiological processes and ecological phenomena of organisms. However, omics data have not been fully utilized because current prediction methods in biomarker construction are susceptible to data multidimensionality and noise. We developed OmicSense, a quantitative prediction method that uses a mixture of Gaussian distributions as the probability distribution, yielding the most likely objective variable predicted for each biomarker.

UAV selection for high-speed train communication using OTFS modulation.

Providing continuous wireless connectivity for high-speed trains (HSTs) is challenging due to their high speeds, making installing numerous ground base stations (BSs) along the HST route an expensive solution, particularly in rural and wilderness areas. This paper proposes using multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to deliver high data rate wireless connectivity for HSTs, taking advantage of their ability to fly, hover, and maneuver at low altitudes. However, autonomously selecting the optimal UAV by the HST is challenging.

PCMMD: A Novel Dataset of Plasma Cells to Support the Diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma.

Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a cytogenetically heterogeneous clonal plasma cell proliferative disease whose diagnosis is supported by analyses on histological slides of bone marrow aspirate. In summary, experts use a labor-intensive methodology to compute the ratio between plasma cells and non-plasma cells. Therefore, the key aspect of the methodology is identifying these cells, which relies on the experts' attention and experience.

Capacitance enhancement by ion-laminated borophene-like layered materials.

Atomically flat two-dimensional networks of boron are attracting attention as post-graphene materials. An introduction of cations between the boron atomic layers can exhibit unique electronic functions that are not achieved by neutral graphene or its derivatives. In the present study, we propose a synthesis strategy for ion-laminated boron layered materials in a solution phase, which enables the preparation of analogs by changing the alkali-metal species.

STAIG: Spatial transcriptomics analysis via image-aided graph contrastive learning for domain exploration and alignment-free integration.

Spatial transcriptomics is an essential application for investigating cellular structures and interactions and requires multimodal information to precisely study spatial domains. Here, we propose STAIG, a deep-learning model that integrates gene expression, spatial coordinates, and histological images using graph-contrastive learning coupled with high-performance feature extraction. STAIG can integrate tissue slices without prealignment and remove batch effects.

Biosynthetic characterization of bacillibactin in thermophilic Bacillaceae and its potential for in vitro mutational synthesis.

Bacillibactin (BB) is a microbial siderophore produced by Bacillus species. BB is biosynthesized from 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid (2,3-DHB), Gly, and L-Thr by nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) enzymes DhbE, DhbB, and DhbF. The biosynthetic gene cluster (dhb) is also conserved in some strains of thermophilic genera, Geobacillus, Anoxybacillus and Parageobacillus.

Comparative Population Genetics of Two Alvinocaridid Shrimp Species in Chemosynthetic Ecosystems of the Western Pacific.

Deep-sea shrimps from the family Alvinocarididae are prominent inhabitants of chemosynthesis-based habitats worldwide. However, their genetic diversity and population connectivity remain poorly understood due to limited sampling. To fill these knowledge gaps, we compared the population genetics of two vent- and seep-dwelling alvinocaridid species with overlapped geographic ranges between the South China Sea and the Manus Basin.

Brain state-dependent neocortico-hippocampal network dynamics are modulated by postnatal stimuli.

Neurons in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus discharge synchronously in brain state-dependent manner to transfer information. Published studies have highlighted the temporal coordination of neuronal activities between the hippocampus and a neocortical area, however, how the spatial extent of neocortical activity relates to hippocampal activity remains partially unknown. We imaged mesoscopic neocortical activity while recording hippocampal local field potentials in anesthetized and unanesthetized GCaMP-expressing transgenic mice.

Varicella-zoster virus meningitis with hypoglycorrhachia, presenting with painless occipital herpes zoster mimicking atopic dermatitis.

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is a known cause of meningoencephalitis, typically in immunocompromised inpatients. We report a case of meningitis caused by VZV in an immunocompetent man in his 20s. Diagnosis was delayed due to the atypical presentation of painless occipital zoster mimicking atopic dermatitis, and the presence of hypoglycorrhachia in his cerebrospinal fluid.

Restoration of G to A mutated transcripts using the MS2-ADAR1 system.

Site-directed RNA editing (SDRE) holds significant promise for treating genetic disorders resulting from point mutations. Gene therapy, for common genetic illnesses is becoming more popular and, although viable treatments for genetic disorders are scarce, stop codon mutation-related conditions may benefit from gene editing. Effective SDRE generally depends on introducing many guideRNA molecules relative to the target gene; however, large ratios cannot be achieved in the context of gene therapy applications.

Effects of a Procrastination Intervention for Japanese University Students With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Tendencies: An Interrupted Time Series Analysis.

University students, especially those with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), experience distress due to procrastination. However, the existing treatment for adult ADHD does not adequately address procrastination. A brief procrastination-focused cognitive behavioral therapy program was developed for the current study, and its effects on procrastination, depression, and life satisfaction were assessed.

Risk factors for pancreatic cancer in individuals with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms and no high-risk stigmata during up to 5 years of surveillance: a prospective longitudinal cohort study.

Background: Cyst size, its growth rate, and diameter of the main pancreatic duct (MPD) are all associated with pancreatic carcinoma prevalence in intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs).

Objective: To examine the above factors in relation to future risk of incident pancreatic carcinoma in individuals with IPMNs harbouring no high-risk stigmata.

Design: In a prospective longitudinal cohort, we analysed 2549 patients with IPMNs.

Growth inhibition by ppc deletion is rescued by isocitrate dehydrogenase mutations in Escherichia coli.

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase encoded by ppc catalyzes the anaplerotic reaction of oxaloacetate in the TCA cycle in Escherichia coli. Deletion of ppc does not prevent the cells from replenishing oxaloacetate via the glyoxylate shunt, but the ppc-deletion strain almost did not grow on glucose. In the present study, we obtained evolved strains by deleting both ppc and mutS to increase the mutation rate and investigated the mechanisms for improving growth by analyzing the mutated genes.

Original article: Efficacy and safety of single-dose suraxavir marboxil tablet in the treatment of acute uncomplicated influenza in adults: a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 clinical trial.

Objectives: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of suraxavir marboxil (GP681, abbreviated as suraxavir) in adults with uncomplicated influenza.

Methods: We conducted a multi-center randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 trial in 18 Chinese centers. Participants had to be aged 18-65 years with positive influenza test, presenting with at least one influenza systemic and respiratory symptoms in at least moderate severity within 48 hours of onset.

Compensatory mechanisms underlying arginine vasopressin regulation in transient polyuria during pregnancy.

Transient polyuria during pregnancy is reportedly caused by increased arginine vasopressin (AVP) degradation due to vasopressinase produced by the placenta. The mechanism underlying transient polyuria during pregnancy has not been established. In this study we measured urine volume, urine osmolality, and AVP transcriptional activity during pregnancy in wild-type and familial neurohypophysial diabetes insipidus (FNDI) mice.

Whole-brain gray matter volume and fractional anisotropy of the posterior thalamic radiation and sagittal stratum in healthy adults correlate with the local environment.

The impacts of air pollution, local climate, and urbanization on human health have been well-documented in recent studies. In this study, we combined magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain analysis with a questionnaire survey on the local environment in 141 healthy middle-aged men and women. Our findings reveal that a favorable environment is positively correlated with gray matter volume (GMV) in the frontal and occipital lobes, cerebellum, and whole brain, as well as with fractional anisotropy (FA) in the fornix (including the fornix stria terminalis), posterior thalamic radiation (PTR), sagittal stratum (SS), and whole brain.

A fatal case of enterovirus A71-induced meningoencephalitis following allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) is a major pathogen responsible for hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) in infants and children. EV-A71 infection represents an epidemic in the Asia-Pacific region, and can cause serious central nervous system (CNS) infections in immunocompromised patients that can result in paralysis, disability, or death. There have been few reports in the literature concerning EV-A71 CNS infections after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in adult patients.

The Apparent Diffusion Coefficient Color Map for Evaluating a Large Ischemic Core.

Introduction: Our previous work demonstrated that evaluating large ischemic cores using the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) could predict EVT outcomes, with the most frequent ADC (peak ADC) ≥520×10 mm/s associated with better clinical results. Since the degree of ADC reduction reflects the severity of ischemic stress, this study aimed to assess the utility of an ADC color map in visualizing this stress.

Patients And Methods: This retrospective cohort study included consecutive patients with a low Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score (ASPECTS) using diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) who underwent successful EVT recanalization between April 2014 and March 2023.

Involvement of nuclear atrophy of binucleated hepatocytes in the large micronucleus formation induced by rat hepatocarcinogen acetamide.

Acetamide is a hepatocarcinogen in rats. We previously revealed that acetamide induces characteristic large micronuclei in rat liver, suggesting the possible involvement of chromosome aberrations in acetamide-induced hepatocarcinogenesis. To elucidate the mechanism of large micronuclei formation, in this study we examined time-dependent changes in rat hepatocytes after administration of acetamide.