Comparison of Two Field Deployable PCR Platforms for SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A and B Viruses' Detection.

Background: Respiratory viral infections are a major public health challenge and the most diagnosed medical condition, particularly for individuals living in close proximity, like military personnel. We compared the sensitivity and specificity of the Biomeme Franklin and Truelab RT-PCR thermocyclers to determine which platform is more sensitive and specific at detecting SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A and B viruses.

Methodology: RNA extracted from nasopharyngeal swabs of infected and uninfected individuals was tested on the Biomeme Franklin at Lackland and the Truelab at Wright Patterson Air Force bases.

Flaviviruses-Induced Neurological Sequelae.

Flaviviruses, a group of single-stranded RNA viruses spread by mosquitoes or ticks, include several significant neurotropic viruses, such as West Nile virus (WNV), Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV), and Zika virus (ZIKV). These viruses can cause a range of neurological diseases during acute infection, from mild, flu-like symptoms to severe and fatal encephalitis. A total of 20-50% of patients who recovered from acute flavivirus infections experienced long-term cognitive issues.

Integrating Remote Sensing and Soil Features for Enhanced Machine Learning-Based Corn Yield Prediction in the Southern US.

Efficient and reliable corn ( L.) yield prediction is important for varietal selection by plant breeders and management decision-making by growers. Unlike prior studies that focus mainly on county-level or controlled laboratory-scale areas, this study targets a production-scale area, better representing real-world agricultural conditions and offering more practical relevance for farmers.

LoRa Resource Allocation Algorithm for Higher Data Rates.

LoRa modulation is a widely used technology known for its long-range transmission capabilities, making it ideal for applications with low data rate requirements, such as IoT-enabled sensor networks. However, its inherent low data rate poses a challenge for applications that require higher throughput, such as video surveillance and disaster monitoring, where large image files must be transmitted over long distances in areas with limited communication infrastructure. In this paper, we introduce the LoRa Resource Allocation (LRA) algorithm, designed to address these limitations by enabling parallel transmissions, thereby reducing the total transmission time () and increasing the bit rate (BR).

Revolutionizing Cardiology: The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Echocardiography.

Artificial intelligence (AI) in echocardiography represents a transformative advancement in cardiology, addressing longstanding challenges in cardiac diagnostics. Echocardiography has traditionally been limited by operator-dependent variability and subjective interpretation, which impact diagnostic reliability. This study evaluates the role of AI, particularly machine learning (ML), in enhancing the accuracy and consistency of echocardiographic image analysis and its potential to complement clinical expertise.

Avoiding Chest Wall Morbidity in Outpatient Microvascular Free-Flap Breast Reconstruction.

Removal of the rib and adjacent cartilage is a common step for exposure of the recipient chest vessels in free-flap breast reconstructions. However, this adds both short- and long-term morbidity to the procedure. We describe our experience in avoiding rib removal in microvascular breast reconstruction.

Assessing Attitudes and Perceptions of High-Risk, Low-Resource Communities Towards Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Public-Access Defibrillation.

Layperson cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) use are vital for improving survival rates after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), yet their application varies by community demographics. We evaluated the concerns and factors influencing willingness to perform CPR and use AEDs among laypersons in high-risk, low-resource communities. From April 2022 to March 2024, laypersons in Northern Manhattan's Community District 12 completed surveys assessing their attitudes toward CPR and AED use before attending Hands-Only CPR training.

Restoration of Genuine Sensation and Proprioception of Individual Fingers Following Transradial Amputation with Targeted Sensory Reinnervation as a Mechanoneural Interface.

: Tactile gnosis derives from the interplay between the hand's tactile input and the memory systems of the brain. It is the prerequisite for complex hand functions. Impaired sensation leads to profound disability.

Peripheral Extracellular Vesicles for Diagnosis and Prognosis of Resectable Lung Cancer: The LUCEx Study Protocol.

Lung cancer is the primary cause of cancer-related deaths. Most patients are typically diagnosed at advanced stages. Low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) has been proven to reduce lung cancer mortality, but screening programs using LDCT are associated with a high number of false positives and unnecessary thoracotomies.

Retrospective Comparison of Stiff Wire-Based 2D3D, Traditional 3D3D Image Fusion, and Non-Image Fusion Techniques and Their Role in Thoracic Aortic Endovascular Repair.

: The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of stiff wire-based 2D3D, 3D3D image fusion (IF), and non-image fusion techniques for simple zone 2 and zone 3 TEVAR cases in terms of radiation exposure, contrast dose, and fusion and projection accuracy. : A single-center retrospective observational study was conducted based on data gathered from patients who underwent TEVAR between 2016 and 2023 at our tertiary aortic referral center. Those who underwent Z2 and Z3 TEVAR during the indicated period were included.

Conjugation of Short-Chain Fatty Acids to Bicyclic-Amines for Analysis by Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectroscopy.

Conjugation of short-chain fatty acids (SDFAs) to amines containing ring structures allows for better measurement by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectroscopy (LC-MS/MS). However, collision-induced dissociation (CID) results in breaking the conjugate back to the original SCFA and amine. We therefore set out to find an amine that would remain on the SCFA after CID and create a unique daughter for selectivity of measurement.

Hydrogen-Bonded Di(hydroperoxy)alkane Adducts of the Type CyP=O·(HOO)CHR (R = Alkyl).

Five representatives of a novel type of di(hydroperoxy)alkane adducts of phosphine oxides have been synthesized and fully characterized, including their solubility in organic solvents. The phosphine oxide CyPO () has been used in combination with the corresponding aldehydes to create the adducts CyPO·(HOO)CHCH (), CyPO·(HOO)CHCHCH (), CyPO·(HOO)CH(CH)CH (), CyPO·(HOO)CH(CH)CH (), and CyPO·(HOO)CH(CH)CH (). All adducts crystallize easily and contain the peroxide and phosphine oxide hydrogen-bonded in 1:1 ratios.

Preparation of a Silicon/MXene Composite Electrode by a High-Pressure Forming Method and Its Application in Li-Ion Storage.

The main component of high-capacity silicon-based electrodes is silicon powder, which necessitates intricate processing to minimize volume growth and powder separation while guaranteeing the ideal Si content. This work uses the an situ high-pressure forming approach to create an MXene/-Si/MXene composite electrode, where MXene refers to TiCT, and -Si denotes two-phase mixed nano-Si particles. The sandwich shape promotes silicon's volume growth and stops active particles from spreading.

Genetic Algorithm-Enhanced Direct Method in Protein Crystallography.

Direct methods based on iterative projection algorithms can determine protein crystal structures directly from X-ray diffraction data without prior structural information. However, traditional direct methods often converge to local minima during electron density iteration, leading to reconstruction failure. Here, we present an enhanced direct method incorporating genetic algorithms for electron density modification in real space.

Size Engineering of TiCT Nanosheets for Enhanced Supercapacitance Performance.

In this research, we synthesized a series of TiCT nanosheets with varying lateral dimensions and conducted a thorough investigation into the profound relationship between the electrochemical performance of TiCT materials and their lateral sizes. This study innovatively incorporates a clever combination of small-sized and large-sized TiCT nanosheets in the electrode preparation process. This strategy yields excellent results at low scan rates, with the fabricated electrode achieving a high volumetric capacitance of approximately 658 F/g.

The Gas-Sensing Properties of Ag-/Au-Modified TiCT (T=O, F, OH) Monolayers for HCHO and CH Gases.

Based on density functional theory calculations, this study analyzed the gas-sensing performance of TiCT (T=O, F, OH) monolayers modified with precious metal atoms (Ag and Au) for HCHO and CH gas molecules. Firstly, stable structures of Ag- and Au-single-atom doped TiCT (T=O, F, OH) surfaces were constructed and then HCHO and CH gas molecules were set to approach the modified structures at different initial positions. The most stable adsorption structure was selected for further analysis of the adsorption energy, adsorption distance, charge transfer, charge deformation density, total density of states, and partial density of states.

High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Ablation for Primary or Salvage Prostate Cancer Therapy: Initial Outcomes in the Veteran Healthcare Setting.

High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) provides comparable oncologic, erectile, and urinary outcomes to standard-of-care options for localized prostate cancer. This study reports the largest United States series of HIFU in veterans for both primary and salvage therapies. We retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of 43 veterans treated at the Michael E.

Modeling, Design, and Laboratory Testing of a Passive Friction Seismic Metamaterial Base Isolator (PFSMBI).

This paper focuses on the theoretical and analytical modeling of a novel seismic isolator termed the Passive Friction Mechanical Metamaterial Seismic Isolator (PFSMBI) system, which is designed for seismic hazard mitigation in multi-story buildings. The PFSMBI system consists of a lattice structure composed of a series of identical small cells interconnected by layers made of viscoelastic materials. The main function of the lattice is to shift the fundamental natural frequency of the building away from the dominant frequency of earthquake excitations by creating low-frequency bandgaps (FBGs) below 20 Hz.

Assessing Corrosion Effects on the Electrical Performance of Wearable Photovoltaic Cells: A Comparative Analysis of Current Consistency and Resistance.

Wearable photovoltaic (PV) cells offer a sustainable and lightweight solution for energy-harvesting applications, including safety gear and protective textiles. Despite their growing adoption, the application of PV cells in marine environments is limited due to the corrosive conditions that can degrade performance. This study evaluates the impact of corrosion on commercially sourced PV cells by analyzing maximum current and electrical resistance.

A Senescent Cluster in Aged Human Hematopoietic Stem Cell Compartment as Target for Senotherapy.

To identify the differences between aged and young human hematopoiesis, we performed a direct comparison of aged and young human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). Alterations in transcriptome profiles upon aging between humans and mice were then compared. Human specimens consist of CD34+ cells from bone marrow, and mouse specimens of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs; Lin- Kit+ Sca1+ CD150+).

Targeting Bacterial Cell Division with Benzodioxane-Benzamide FtsZ Inhibitors as a Novel Strategy to Fight Gram-Positive Ovococcal Pathogens.

The widespread emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a serious threat to global public health and among Gram-positive cocci, constitutes a priority in the list of AMR-threatening pathogens. To counteract this fundamental problem, the bacterial cell division cycle and the crucial proteins involved in this process emerged as novel attractive targets. FtsZ is an essential cell division protein, and FtsZ inhibitors, especially the benzamide derivatives, have been exploited in the last decade.

MicroRNAs in Plasma-Derived Extracellular Vesicles as Non-Invasive Biomarkers for Eosinophilic Esophagitis.

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic inflammatory esophageal disorder. The lack of non-invasive biomarkers currently results in dependency on endoscopy with biopsies for its diagnosis and monitoring. We aimed to identify potential non-invasive biomarkers using microRNAs (miRNAs) in plasma-derived extracellular vesicles (pEVs).

Dissecting the Binding Affinity of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Compounds to Human Transmembrane Protease, Serine 2: A Computational Study.

The human transmembrane protease, serine 2 (TMPRSS2), essential for SARS-CoV-2 entry, is a key antiviral target. Here, we computationally profiled the TMPRSS2-binding affinities of 15 antiviral compounds. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations for the docked complexes revealed that three compounds exited the substrate-binding cavity (SBC), suggesting noncompetitive inhibition.

Luminescence Properties of Hoechst 33258 in Polyvinyl Alcohol Films.

We report a comprehensive investigation of the photophysical properties of Hoechst 33258 (HOE) embedded in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) films. HOE displays a bright, highly polarized, blue fluorescence emission centered at 430 nm, indicating effective immobilization within the polymer matrix of PVA. Its fluorescence quantum yield is notably high (~0.

Enhancing Radiation Therapy Response in Prostate Cancer Through Metabolic Modulation by Mito-Lonidamine: A H and P Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Study.

Radiation therapy (RT) is the cornerstone treatment for prostate cancer; however, it frequently induces gastrointestinal and genitourinary toxicities that substantially diminish the patients' quality of life. While many individuals experience transient side effects, a subset endures persistent, long-term complications. A promising strategy to mitigate these toxicities involves enhancing tumor radiosensitivity, potentially allowing for lower radiation doses.