Titanium Dioxide (TiO) Incorporation into Poly(ether sulfone) (PES) Hollow Fiber Membranes (HFMs) Improves Biocompatibility and Separation Performance for Bioartificial Kidney (BAK) and Hemodialysis Applications.

Hemodialysis and bioartificial kidney (BAK), which mimic both physical and biological functions, can significantly impact chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Here we report on Hollow fiber membranes (HFMs) with enhanced separation of uremic toxins along with enhanced hemocompatibility and biocompatibility that also promote the growth of kidney cells. The improvement arises from the addition of titanium dioxide (0.

Antimicrobial stewardship: a definition with a One Health perspective.

Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) is a commonly advocated approach to address antimicrobial resistance. However, AMS is often defined in different ways depending on where it is applied, such that a range of definitions is now in use. These definitions may be functional and well-structured for a given context but are often ill-adapted for collaborative work, creating difficulties for intersectoral communication on AMS and complicating the design, implementation, and evaluation of AMS interventions from a One Health perspective.

Hemoglobin Decrements are Associated with Ischemic Brain Lesions and Poor Outcomes in Patients with Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

Background: Acute ischemic lesions seen on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are associated with poor intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) outcomes, but drivers for these lesions are unknown. Rapid hemoglobin decrements occur in the initial days after ICH and may impair brain oxygen delivery. We investigated whether acute hemoglobin decrements after ICH are associated with MRI ischemic lesions and poor long-term ICH outcomes.

The Contribution of Adverse Childhood Experiences and Neighborhood Characteristics on Outcomes Experienced by Urban Dwelling Black Men After Serious Traumatic Injury.

Depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are serious consequences of physical injuries. Stress associated with living in urban neighborhoods with socioecological disadvantages and the cumulative burdens of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can lead to poorer psychological outcomes. Limited research has explored how ACEs and socioecological environmental exposures in childhood and adulthood, together, impact post-injury outcomes.

Caregiver report of infant behavior associated with autism likelihood in first year of life.

Background: Identification of prodromal indicators of autism in infancy has the potential to identify behaviors relevant to early autism screening.

Methods: We report on data from a prospective general population birth cohort with maternal reported measures at 9 and 12 months: the Survey of Well-Being of Young Children (SWYC; general developmental surveillance) and the First Year Inventory-Lite v3.1b (FYI-Lite; autism specific parent report research tool).

Di-berberine conjugates as chemical probes of Pseudomonas aeruginosa MexXY-OprM efflux function and inhibition.

The Resistance-Nodulation-Division (RND) efflux pump superfamily is pervasive among Gram-negative pathogens and contributes extensively to clinical antibiotic resistance. The opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa contains 12 RND-type efflux systems, with four contributing to resistance including MexXY-OprM which is uniquely able to export aminoglycosides. At the site of initial substrate recognition, small molecule probes of the inner membrane transporter (e.

Blockade of AR improved brain perfusion and cognitive function in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects more than 6.2 million Americans aged 65 and older, particularly women. Along with AD's main hallmarks (formation of β-amyloid plaques and tau neurofibrillary tangles), there are vascular alterations that occurs in AD pathology.

Evolution of intrinsic disorder in the structural domains of viral and cellular proteomes.

Intrinsically disordered regions are flexible regions that complement the typical structured regions of proteins. Little is known however about their evolution. Here we leverage a comparative and evolutionary genomics approach to analyze intrinsic disorder in the structural domains of thousands of proteomes.

Double-sided van der Waals epitaxy of topological insulators across an atomically thin membrane.

Atomically thin van der Waals (vdW) films provide a material platform for the epitaxial growth of quantum heterostructures. However, unlike the remote epitaxial growth of three-dimensional bulk crystals, the growth of two-dimensional material heterostructures across atomic layers has been limited due to the weak vdW interaction. Here we report the double-sided epitaxy of vdW layered materials through atomic membranes.

Kidney Function, Cognitive Impairment, and Trajectories: A Longitudinal Biracial Study.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with incident cognitive impairment (ICI) and disproportionately affects older adults and Black persons.

Objective: To determine (1) whether age or race differences exist in the association of CKD and ICI and (2) whether cognitive trajectories differ in people with and without CKD.

Design: Nationwide cohort study.

Joint Physical-Psychosocial Frailty and Risks of All-Cause and Cause-Specific Premature Mortality.

Background: The importance of integrating physical and psychosocial factors in assessing frailty -health outcomes has been increasingly acknowledged, while the related evidence is lacking. We sought to investigate the associations of joint physical-psychosocial frailty with risk of premature mortality and evaluate the relative importance of individual physical and psychosocial factors.

Design: A total of 381,295 participants with no history of cancer or cardiovascular disease (CVD) were recruited from the UK Biobank cohort.

Validating the RISE Communication Play Protocol as a Diagnostic Tool for Autism in Early Childhood: A Pilot Study.

There are few validated remote tools that can be used to assess for autism and to capture subtle changes in children's social communication over time. Recently, user-centered design principles were applied to develop a parent-mediated remote assessment, the Reciprocal Imitation and Social Engagement Child Play Protocol (RISE CPP) to enable researchers to capture micro-level behaviors in children, while promoting useability for researchers and families, reducing caregiver burden, and maintaining reliability. This paper describes a pilot study to validate the RISE CPP as a tool to support clinician diagnosis of autism.

Bibliometric and visual analysis of chronic stress in cancer research from 2014 to 2024.

Objective: In today's fast-paced society, stress has become a widespread phenomenon, garnering increasing attention for its impact on cancer. This study aims to investigate the current status and research hotspots of chronic stress in cancer research from 2014 to 2024, with the goal of providing valuable insights for future studies.

Methods: We retrieved 618 articles published between 2014 and 2024 from the Web of Science database and analyzed them using R software, VOSviewer, and CiteSpace.

Field-particle energy transfer during chorus emissions in space.

Chorus waves are some of the strongest electromagnetic emissions naturally occurring in space and can cause radiation that is hazardous to humans and satellites. Although chorus waves have attracted extreme interest and been intensively studied for decades, their generation and evolution remain highly debated. Here, in contrast to the conventional expectation that chorus waves are governed by planetary magnetic dipolar fields, we report observations of repetitive, rising-tone chorus waves in the terrestrial neutral sheet, where the effects of the magnetic dipole are absent.

Quantum-computing-enhanced algorithm unveils potential KRAS inhibitors.

We introduce a quantum-classical generative model for small-molecule design, specifically targeting KRAS inhibitors for cancer therapy. We apply the method to design, select and synthesize 15 proposed molecules that could notably engage with KRAS for cancer therapy, with two holding promise for future development as inhibitors. This work showcases the potential of quantum computing to generate experimentally validated hits that compare favorably against classical models.

Association between a body shape index and bone mineral density in US adults based on NHANES data.

The relationship between a body shape index (ABSI) and bone mineral density (BMD) remains uncertain, prompting further investigation. This study aims to elucidate the association between ABSI and BMD using data from the 2011-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), involving participants aged 20-60. ABSI was calculated using the formula: ABSI = 1000 × waist circumference (m)×weight (kg)×height (m).

E-cigarettes are not associated with post-acute COVID-19 syndrome among US adults.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in many survivors experiencing post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PCS) with symptoms including fatigue, breathlessness, and cognitive complaints. E-cigarette use has already been associated with increased susceptibility to COVID-19 because of its effects on ACE2 receptor expression and inflammation, raising concern that it might worsen the long-term outcomes of COVID-19, including PCS. While traditional smoking is associated with a higher risk of PCS, the role of e-cigarettes remains unclear due to conflicting evidence.

Hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis at 7-12 mbar by Methanosarcina barkeri under simulated martian atmospheric conditions.

Mars, with its ancient history of long-lived habitable environments, continues to captivate researchers exploring the potential for extant life. This study investigates the biosignature potential of Martian methane by assessing the viability of hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis in Methanosarcina barkeri MS under simulated Martian surface conditions. We expose M.

Structure and mechanism of biosynthesis of Streptococcus mutans cell wall polysaccharide.

Streptococcus mutans, the causative agent of human dental caries, expresses a cell wall attached Serotype c-specific Carbohydrate (SCC) that is critical for cell viability. SCC consists of a polyrhamnose backbone of →3)α-Rha(1 → 2)α-Rha(1→ repeats with glucose (Glc) side-chains and glycerol phosphate (GroP) decorations. This study reveals that SCC has one predominant and two more minor Glc modifications.

Association of domain-specific physical activity with nocturia: a population-based study.

Nocturia is the most prevalent lower urinary tract symptom (LUTS) and is closely associated with various diseases and social burdens. Research on the relationship between physical activity and various diseases has progressed significantly. However, the association between nocturia and physical activity has received limited attention in prior studies.

A lectin produced by a Streptomyces species targets mammalian pancreatic acinar cells in mice and humans.

Lectins are produced in almost all life forms, can interact with targets (glycans) in a cross-kingdom manner and have served as valuable tools for studying glycobiology. Previously, a bacterial lectin, named Streptomyces hemagglutinin (SHA), was found to agglutinate human type B erythrocytes. However, the binding of SHA to mammalian cell types other than human erythrocytes has not been explored.

Local polar order controls mechanical stress and triggers layer formation in Myxococcus xanthus colonies.

Colonies of the social bacterium Myxococcus xanthus go through a morphological transition from a thin colony of cells to three-dimensional droplet-like fruiting bodies as a strategy to survive starvation. The biological pathways that control the decision to form a fruiting body have been studied extensively. However, the mechanical events that trigger the creation of multiple cell layers and give rise to droplet formation remain poorly understood.

Metabolic interactions underpinning high methane fluxes across terrestrial freshwater wetlands.

Current estimates of wetland contributions to the global methane budget carry high uncertainty, particularly in accurately predicting emissions from high methane-emitting wetlands. Microorganisms drive methane cycling, but little is known about their conservation across wetlands. To address this, we integrate 16S rRNA amplicon datasets, metagenomes, metatranscriptomes, and annual methane flux data across 9 wetlands, creating the Multi-Omics for Understanding Climate Change (MUCC) v2.

Data on insect biodiversity in a Chinese potato agroecosystem from DNA metabarcoding.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is a staple crop important in global food security. As a leading potato producer, China faces significant challenges from insect pest infestations that compromise yield and quality. However, insect communities within Chinese potato fields remain poorly characterized.