Genotoxicity evaluation of fucoidan-rich sporophyll.

Unlabelled: The aim of this study was to investigate genotoxicity of fucoidan-rich sporophyll (FUPS) using a three-component test battery. Our sulfate analysis method showed that FUPS extract contained 14% fucoidan sulfate. The reverse mutation assay showed that the FUPS extract did not increase the number of revertant colonies in any of the five bacterial strains tested, regardless of metabolic activation by S9 mix.

Evaluation of acute, repeated dose 28-day and 13-week oral toxicity and genotoxicity of a standardized fraction (HemoHIM) from .

HemoHIM is a functional food ingredient comprising a triple herbal combination of extracts from Nakai, Makino, and Pallas. It was developed to aid the recovery of impaired immune function. Although it is widely used to treat various immune disorders in Korea, its potential toxicity has not been extensively investigated.

First Indonesian Nasopharyngeal Cancer Whole Epigenome Sequencing Identify Tumour Suppressor CpG Methylation.

Introduction: Nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) is a multifaceted disease characterized by genetic and epigenetic modifications. While Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is a known risk factor, recent studies highlight the significant role of DNA methylation in NPC pathogenesis. Aberrant methylation, particularly at CpG sites, can silence tumour suppressor genes, promoting uncontrolled cell growth.

Highly versatile small virus-encoded proteins in cellular membranes: A structural perspective on how proteins' inherent conformational plasticity couples with host membranes' properties to control cellular processes.

We investigated several small viral proteins that reside and function in cellular membranes. These proteins belong to the viroporin family because they assemble into ion-conducting oligomers. However, despite forming similar oligomeric structures with analogous functions, these proteins have diverse amino acid sequences.

Case-Base Neural Network: Survival analysis with time-varying, higher-order interactions.

In the context of survival analysis, data-driven neural network-based methods have been developed to model complex covariate effects. While these methods may provide better predictive performance than regression-based approaches, not all can model time-varying interactions and complex baseline hazards. To address this, we propose Case-Base Neural Networks (CBNNs) as a new approach that combines the case-base sampling framework with flexible neural network architectures.

Left Bundle Branch Area Pacing Compared to Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Septal Pacing: Mid-term Results and Learning Curve.

Our study evaluated the efficacy and feasibility of left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) compared to right ventricular outflow tract septal pacing (RVOSP). We conducted a prospective, single-center, observational study involving 200 consecutive patients who required pacemaker implantation. The patients were divided into two groups (LBBAP and RVOSP), with 100 patients in each group.

The contribution of animal antibiotic use to antibiotic resistance in human infections: Panel evidence from Denmark.

Antibiotic use (ABU) in animals is postulated to be a major contributor to selection of antibiotic resistance (ABR) which subsequently causes infections in human populations. However, there are few quantifications of the size of this association. Denmark, as a country with high levels of pig production and strong ABR surveillance data, is an ideal case study for exploring this association.

Duodromic atrioventricular reentry tachycardia: a case report of a rare adenosine insensitive supraventricular tachycardia.

Background: Accessory pathways (AP) are associated with an increased risk of atrioventricular reentry tachycardia (AVRT), presenting as a wide QRS tachycardia if the mechanism is antidromic. Rarely, AVRT may not respond to adenosine, suggesting a duodromic mechanism if the patient has multiple APs. Herein, we present a case of a male patient with multiple APs, wide QRS complex tachycardia, and resistance to adenosine.

The impact of public policy on enterprise innovation performance: Panel data on financial subsidy policy.

This study examined the impact of government subsidies on enterprise innovation performance in China. The fixed effects model was used for empirical analysis, utilizing panel data from 17,670 observations of 3703 listed A-share companies between 2012 and 2022, and the findings indicate that government subsidies significantly enhance enterprise innovation performance, with R&D investment serving as a partial mediator. The enterprise scale, ownership nature, and regional economic differences influenced the effectiveness of the subsidy.

A potential eco-friendly degradation of methyl orange by water-ball (sodium polyacrylate) stabilized zero valent iron nanoparticles.

This study presents the synthesis and application of water-ball (sodium polyacrylate) stabilized zero-valent iron nanoparticles (wb@Fe) for the eco-friendly degradation of Methyl Orange (MO). The nanoparticles were prepared using a chemical reduction method using NaBH. Characterization techniques including Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) were employed to analyze the morphology, elemental composition, valent state and crystallinity of the nanoparticles.

Environmental factors affecting the BMI of older adults in the Philippines spatially assessed using machine learning.

This study aimed to assess the environmental variables affecting the Body Mass Index of older adults at neighborhood levels (1 ha) while mapping probability distributions of normal, overweight-obese, and underweight older adults. We applied a data-driven method that integrates open-access remote sensing products and geospatial data, along with the first nutritional survey in the Philippines with geo-locations conducted in 2021. We used ensemble machine learning of different presence-only and presence-absence models, all subjected to hyperparameter tuning and variable decorrelation.

Functional conservation and divergence of arabidopsis VENOSA4 and human SAMHD1 in DNA repair.

The human deoxyribonucleoside triphosphatase (dNTPase) Sterile alpha motif and histidine-aspartate domain containing protein 1 (SAMHD1) has a dNTPase-independent role in repairing DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) by homologous recombination (HR). Here, we show that VENOSA4 (VEN4), the probable ortholog of SAMHD1, also functions in DSB repair by HR. The loss-of-function mutants showed increased DNA ploidy and deregulated DNA repair genes, suggesting DNA damage accumulation.

Cognitive neurodynamic approaches to adaptive signal processing in wireless sensor networks.

In recent years, Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) have become vital because of their versatility in numerous applications. Nevertheless, the attain problems like inherent noise, and limited node computation capabilities, result in reduced sensor node lifespan as well as enhanced power consumption. To tackle such problems, this study develops a Modified-Distributed Arithmetic-Offset Binary Coding-based Adaptive Finite Impulse Response (MDA-OBC based AFIR) framework.

Optimal time-frequency localized wavelet filters for identification of Alzheimer's disease from EEG signals.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic disability that occurs due to the loss of neurons. The traditional methods to detect AD involve questionnaires and expensive neuro-imaging tests, which are time-consuming, subjective, and inconvenient to the target population. To overcome these limitations, Electroencephalogram (EEG) based methods have been developed to classify AD patients from normal controlled (NC) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) subjects.

Transformative Spinal Surgery: Lateral Position Unilateral Biportal Endoscopic Discectomy.

Introduction: Endoscopic spine surgery (ESS) is a minimally invasive technique that allows for direct visualization of spinal pathologies and has become a safe and effective alternative to traditional open spine surgery. Conventionally performed in the prone position, biportal endoscopy can also be done in the lateral position to avoid prone-associated complications. To our knowledge, the use of unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) in the lateral position has not been previously reported.

Burden of diabetes in correctional facilities: A global systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Diabetes mellitus presents significant public health challenges worldwide. While its prevalence and management in the general population have been extensively studied, comprehensive research on diabetes among incarcerated individuals is lacking. This study aims to conduct a systematic review and -analysis to determine the prevalence of diabetes within the prison population.

Sex-specific associations between self-reported sleep characteristics and 10-year cardiovascular disease risk in men and women of African descent living in a low socioeconomic status environment.

Background: Risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and sleep health are well-known to be sex- and race-specific. To build on the established relationship between sleep duration and CVD risk, this cross-sectional study aimed to describe sex-specific associations between CVD risk and other sleep characteristics (sleep quality, sleep timing and sleep onset latency) in low-income adults of African descent.

Methods: Self-reported sleep (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI], Epworth Sleepiness Scale [ESS], Insomnia Severity Index [ISI]), demographic and lifestyle data were collected in 412 adults (56 % women, 35.

Serum Periostin as a Potential Biomarker in the Evaluation of Allergic Rhinitis: A Pilot Study.

Purpose: Although periostin has recently emerged as a new mediator in chronic allergic diseases, particularly in upper airway disease, its significance as a biomarker for allergic rhinitis (AR) is still unclear. Therefore, we aimed to assess the potential of periostin as a novel candidate biomarker for diagnosing and assessing the severity of AR.

Patients And Methods: A total of 40 patients with AR and 22 healthy controls, all aged over 18 years, were recruited for the study.

Genomic characterization of Huntington's disease genetic modifiers informs drug target tractability.

Huntington's disease is caused by a CAG repeat in the gene. Repeat length correlates inversely with the age of onset but only explains part of the observed clinical variability. Genome-wide association studies highlight DNA repair genes in modifying disease onset, but further research is required to identify causal genes and evaluate their tractability as drug targets.

Layer-by-layer assembly yields thin graphene films with near theoretical conductivity.

Thin films fabricated from solution-processed graphene nanosheets are of considerable technological interest for a wide variety of applications, such as transparent conductors, supercapacitors, and memristors. However, very thin printed films tend to have low conductivity compared to thicker ones. In this work, we demonstrate a simple layer-by-layer deposition method which yields thin films of highly-aligned, electrochemically-exfoliated graphene which have low roughness and nanometer-scale thickness control.

Auricular dimensions in computed-tomography: Unveiling the relationship between ear dimensions, age, and sex using three-dimensional volume rendering reconstructions.

Background: The auricle, or auricula, defines the visible boundaries of the external ear and is essential in forensic investigations, including facial reconstruction and human remains identification. Beyond its forensic significance, auricular morphology attracts interest from various fields, such as medicine and industry. The size of the ears is culturally associated with health and longevity, while surgical techniques for ear reconstruction address both congenital and aesthetic concerns.

Increasing lung screening uptake: Exploring people who smoke and their family members' concerns and recommendations regarding screening invitations.

Introduction: Challenges with designing invitation materials and accessing high risk communities are all factors in encouraging attendance at lung screening. This study focused on ways to improve participation in those potentially eligible for lung screening.

Methods: A total of 50 qualitative interviews and 4 focus groups (n=17) were undertaken with people aged 50-75 years from East Midlands, UK.

Rapid, High-resolution and Distortion-free $R_{2}^{*}$ Mapping of Fetal Brain using Multi-echo Radial FLASH and Model-based Reconstruction.

Purpose: To develop a rapid, high-resolution and distortion-free quantitative $R_{2}^{*}$ mapping technique for fetal brain at 3 T.

Methods: A 2D multi-echo radial FLASH sequence with blip gradients is adapted for fetal brain data acquisition during maternal free breathing at 3 T. A calibrationless model-based reconstruction with sparsity constraints is developed to jointly estimate water, fat, $R_{2}^{*}$ and $B_{0}$ field maps directly from the acquired k-space data.

Grade Inflation in Generative Models.

Generative models hold great potential, but only if one can trust the evaluation of the data they generate. We show that many commonly used quality scores for comparing two-dimensional distributions of synthetic vs. ground-truth data give better results than they should, a phenomenon we call the "grade inflation problem.

Enhancing rare cancer care in developing countries through patient advocacy: insights from the Desmoid Tumor Brazilian Association.

Introduction: Desmoid tumors are soft-tissue neoplasms that can have profound impacts on the lives of people living with such diseases. As they are rare tumors, patients often have difficulty finding teams specialized in sarcomas and support networks. In low- and middle-income countries, the challenges are exacerbated due to a need for established networks and medication access.