Detection, quantification, and characterization of airborne Aspergillus flavus within the corn canopy.

Aflatoxin contamination of corn can occur when developing kernels are infected by the plant pathogen Aspergillus flavus. One route of infection is from airborne conidia. We executed a series of experiments within the corn canopy during two growing seasons and in two states to document the abundance and dynamics of the airborne A.

Dementia Diagnosis Unawareness and Caregiver Burden in a Multi-ethnic Cohort.

Background: Previous reports suggest patient and caregiver lack of awareness of dementia. Little is known about how this varies by ethnicity and how informal (family) caregiver burden is associated with knowing a dementia diagnosis.

Objective: To investigate whether participants with probable dementia were aware of a diagnosis provided by a physician and how this differed among Mexican American and non-Hispanic White participants; whether having a primary care physician was associated with dementia diagnosis unawareness; and the association of dementia diagnosis unawareness with caregiver burden.

Advanced Markers for Hemodynamic Monitoring in Cardiogenic Shock and End-Stage Heart Failure: A Mini Review.

Right heart catheterization (RHC) provides critical hemodynamic insights by measuring atrial, ventricular, and pulmonary artery pressures, as well as cardiac output (CO). Although the use of RHC has decreased, its application has been linked to improved outcomes. Advanced hemodynamic markers such as cardiac power output (CPO), aortic pulsatility index (API), pulmonary artery pulsatility index (PAPi), right atrial pressure to pulmonary capillary wedge pressure ratio (RAP/PCWP) and right ventricular stroke work index (RVSWI) have been introduced to enhance risk stratification in cardiogenic shock (CS) and end-stage heart failure (HF) patients.

Electrochemical aptasensor based on zirconium/copper oxides embedded in mesoporous carbon derived from bimetallic metal-organic framework for ultrasensitive detection of miR-21.

A novel electrochemical aptasensor based on bimetallic zirconium and copper oxides embedded within mesoporous carbon (denoted as ZrOCuO@mC) was constructed to detect miRNA. The porous ZrOCuO@mC was created through the pyrolysis of bimetallic zirconium/copper-based metal-organic framework (ZrCu-MOF). The substantial surface area and high porosity of ZrOCuO@mC nanocomposite along with its robust affinity toward aptamer strands, facilitated the effective anchoring of aptamer strands on the ZrOCuO@mC-modified electrode surface.

Topical Caspofungin 0.5% Monotherapy for Filamentous Fungal Keratitis.

Purpose: To describe a case series of patients with 12 fungal keratitis treated with caspofungin 0.5% eye drops.

Methods: In this study, 12 patients diagnosed with fungal keratitis were treated with topical compounded caspofungin 0.

Sodium, the Vascular Endothelium, and Hypertension: A Narrative Review of Literature.

The vascular endothelium and its endothelial glycocalyx contribute to the protection of the endothelial cells from exposure to high levels of sodium and help these structures maintain normal function by regulating vascular permeability due to its buffering effect. The endothelial glycocalyx has negative surface charges that bind sodium and limit sodium entry into cells and the interstitial space. High sodium levels can disrupt this barrier and allow the movement of sodium into cells and extravascular fluid.

Single-cell phenotyping of extracellular electron transfer via microdroplet encapsulation.

Electroactive organisms contribute to metal cycling, pollutant removal, and other redox-driven environmental processes via extracellular electron transfer (EET). Unfortunately, developing genotype-phenotype relationships for electroactive organisms is challenging because EET is necessarily removed from the cell of origin. Microdroplet emulsions, which encapsulate individual cells in aqueous droplets, have been used to study a variety of extracellular phenotypes but have not been applied to investigate EET.

Kifunensine-sensitive ADP-ribosylation factor A1EG69R mutant revealed coordination of protein glycosylation and vesicle transport pathways.

Complex N-glycans are asparagine (N)-linked branched sugar chains attached to secretory proteins in eukaryotes. They are produced by modification of N-linked oligosaccharide structures in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi apparatus. Complex N-glycans formed in the Golgi apparatus are often assigned specific roles unique to the host organism, with their roles in plants remaining largely unknown.

Impact of Non-Hepatectomy Opioid Reduction Efforts on Post-Hepatectomy Opioid Prescriptions: Analysis of 2,005 Patients.

Introduction: Pathway-driven, post-pancreatectomy opioid reduction interventions have proven effective and sustainable and may have a "halo effect" on other major abdominal cancer operations. This study's aim was to analyze the sequential effects of expanding opioid reduction efforts from pancreatectomy on opioids prescribed after hepatectomy.

Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study utilizing data from the electronic health record and a prospective quality improvement database for consecutive hepatectomy patients (09/2016-02/2024).

Pre-emptive treatment for cytomegalovirus viraemia to prevent cytomegalovirus disease in solid organ transplant recipients.

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a significant cause of morbidity and death in solid organ transplant recipients. Pre-emptive treatment of patients with CMV viraemia using antiviral agents has been suggested as an alternative to routine prophylaxis to prevent CMV disease. This is an update of a Cochrane review first published in 2006 and updated in 2013.

A universal framework for design and manufacture of deterministic lateral displacement chips.

Despite being a high-resolution separation technique, deterministic lateral displacement (DLD) technology is facing multiple challenges with regard to design, manufacture, and operation of pertinent devices. This work specifically aims at alleviating difficulties associated with design and manufacture of DLD chips. The process of design and production of computer-aided design (CAD) mask layout files that are typically required for computational modeling analysis, optimization, as well as for manufacturing DLD-based micro/nanofluidic chips is complex, time-consuming, and often necessitates a high level of expertise in the field.

Minimally Invasive vs Open Surgery for Thoracolumbar Fractures Treatment: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials and Prospective Studies.

Study Design: Meta-Analysis.

Objective: The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to pool the available data comparing MIS to open surgery for thoracolumbar fractures and provide a more comprehensive assessment on this topic.

Background: There remains a debate over whether minimally invasive surgery (MIS) or open fixation provides superior outcomes for patients with thoracolumbar fractures.

Early Versus Delayed Antihypertensive Treatment After Acute Ischemic Stroke by Hypertension History.

Background: We performed a prespecified subgroup analysis of the CATIS-2 trial (China Antihypertensive Trial in Acute Ischemic Stroke II) to compare the effect of early versus delayed antihypertensive treatment on death and disability in patients with and without medical history of hypertension.

Methods: CATIS-2 is a multicenter randomized clinical trial conducted in 106 hospitals in China. The trial randomized 4810 patients with acute ischemic stroke within 24 to 48 hours of symptom onset and elevated systolic blood pressure between 140 and <220 mm Hg to receive antihypertensive treatment immediately after randomization or to discontinue antihypertensive medications for 7 days and then receive treatment on day 8.

Heart Rate and Blood Pressure Responses Vary Between Blood Flow Restriction Cuff Type.

The purpose of the study was to compare heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) following high load resistance exercise (HLRE) and blood flow restriction exercise (BFRE) with a knee wrap (kBFRE) and pneumatic cuff (pBFRE). Eleven men (N = 9) and women (N = 2) participated. HR, SBP, and DBP were collected at Rest, immediately post exercise (IP), 10-, 30-, and 45-minutes post exercise.

Randomized Pilot Study Examining an Online Diet Intervention to Increase Intake of Fruits and Vegetables Among Healthy Adults.

Intake of fruits and vegetables (F&V) is related to health outcomes. The purpose of the study was to test an online diet program promoting F&V intake among healthy adults. Twenty-three participants were randomly assigned to complete an 8-week intervention condition (#800gChallenge®) or wait-list control condition.

Acute Effects of Serial and Integrated Concurrent Exercise on Circulating microRNAs -126 and -222 in Sedentary Adults.

The purpose of this study was to compare changes in circulating microRNAs -126 (c-miR-126) and -222 (c-miR-222) following acute serial concurrent exercise (SCE) and integrated concurrent exercise (ICE) sessions among young, sedentary adults. Ten males and 9 females completed the study procedures. For SCE, participants performed resistance exercise (RE) followed by aerobic exercise (AE), without mixing the two.

The Influence of Hip Position on Neck Kinematics and Muscle Activity in Healthy and Non-Specific Neck Pain Subjects.

Neck pain is a widespread problem in society with many variables influencing its cause. The angle of the hip may influence the kinematics of the neck in addition to the myoelectrical activation of the surrounding musculature that contributes to the development of neck pain. The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in spinal inclination angles and muscle activity in the neck using a 10 deg wedge in a forward slope, neutral and rear slope seated position.

Ankle Stability and Single-Leg Balance Control in Collegiate Female Soccer Players versus Non-Soccer Players.

Ankle sprains are common in female soccer players. Ankle injuries have the potential to impact balance control, which can further contribute to recurrent injuries. This study aimed to examine if female collegiate soccer players exhibited worse ankle stability and single-leg balance than female non-soccer players, and whether there was a correlation between ankle stability and single-leg balance.

Supplementary motor area in speech initiation: A large-scale intracranial EEG evaluation of stereotyped word articulation.

Speech production engages a distributed network of cortical and subcortical brain regions. The supplementary motor area (SMA) has long been thought to be a key hub in coordinating across these regions to initiate voluntary movements, including speech. We analyzed direct intracranial recordings from 115 patients with epilepsy as they articulated a single word in a subset of trials from a picture-naming task.

One-Year Outcomes in Subjects Developing Macular Neovascularization While Undergoing Avacincaptad Pegol Therapy for Geographic Atrophy.

Purpose: To assess the 12-month outcomes in subjects developing macular neovascularization (MNV) during intravitreal avacincaptad pegol (IVA) treatment for geographic atrophy (GA) secondary to age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Methods: This research was conducted as a case-controlled, retrospective study of AMD subjects undergoing IVA treatment for GA from two private practice institutions. Subjects were divided into 1) a Study Group of patients who developed MNV and then underwent anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy during the study period, and 2) a Control Group of patients who were complication-free during the study period.

Organelle-Targeting Nanoparticles.

Organelles are specialized subunits within cells which carry out vital functions crucial to cellular survival and form a tightly regulated network. Dysfunctions in any of these organelles are linked to numerous diseases impacting virtually every organ system in the human body. Targeted delivery of therapeutics to specific organelles within the cell holds great promise for overcoming challenging diseases and improving treatment outcomes through the minimization of therapeutic dosage and off-target effects.

Bamboo-Inspired Hierarchically Hollow Aerogel MXene Fibers with Ultrafast Ionic Channels and Multiple Electromagnetic Wave Attenuation Routes Toward High-Performance Supercapacitors and Microwave Absorption.

2D materials feature large specific surface areas and abundant active sites, showing great potential in energy storage and conversion. However, the dense, stacked structure severely restricts its practical application. Inspired by the structure of bamboo in nature, hollow interior and porous exterior wall, hollow MXene aerogel fiber (HA-TiCT fiber) is proposed.

Tissue-Engineered Therapeutics for Lymphatic Regeneration: Solutions for Myocardial Infarction and Secondary Lymphedema.

The lymphatic system, which regulates inflammation and fluid homeostasis, is damaged in various diseases including myocardial infarction (MI) and breast-cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). Mounting evidence suggests that restoring tissue fluid drainage and clearing excess immune cells by regenerating damaged lymphatic vessels can aid in cardiac repair and lymphedema amelioration. Current treatments primarily address symptoms rather than underlying causes due to a lack of regenerative therapies, highlighting the importance of the lymphatic system as a promising novel therapeutic target.

Lipid nanoparticles deliver DNA-encoded biologics and induce potent protective immunity.

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for mRNA delivery have advanced significantly, but LNP-mediated DNA delivery still faces clinical challenges. This study compared various LNP formulations for delivering DNA-encoded biologics, assessing their expression efficacy and the protective immunity generated by LNP-encapsulated DNA in different models. The LNP formulation used in Moderna's Spikevax mRNA vaccine (LNP-M) demonstrated a stable nanoparticle structure, high expression efficiency, and low toxicity.

Scoring of swine lung images: a comparison between a computer vision system and human evaluators.

Cranioventral pulmonary consolidation (CVPC) is a common lesion observed in the lungs of slaughtered pigs, often associated with Mycoplasma (M.) hyopneumoniae infection. There is a need to implement simple, fast, and valid CVPC scoring methods.