Pathogen Detection and Resistome Analysis in Healthy Shelter Dogs Using Whole Metagenome Sequencing.

According to the Humane Society, 25 to 40 percent of pet dogs in the United States are adopted from animal shelters. Shelter dogs can harbor bacterial, viral, fungal, and protozoal pathogens, posing risks to canine and human health. These bacterial pathogens may also carry antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), serving as a reservoir for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) transmission.

Seroprevalence of in White-Tailed Deer () in New York State.

The parasitic protozoa, (), is a model organism for one health because of its wide-ranging impacts on humans, wildlife, and domestic animals. Intermediate hosts, including white-tailed deer (), have been implicated in its maintenance. Prior analysis of seroprevalence in New York State deer focused on rural areas; however, the high density of domestic cats () in urban areas has been implicated in its spread amongst deer.

Epidemiology of Chagas Disease in the United States of America: A Short Review and Some Comments.

The epidemiology of Chagas disease in humans has markedly changed within the past several decades in the United States of America. This report discusses autochthonous cases of Chagas disease as well as disease in immigrants from Latin American countries. Suggestions for epidemiology research and medical care are discussed given the evolving epidemiology of the disease in the United States of America.

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.

Exploring Effects of Mental Stress with Data Augmentation and Classification Using fNIRS.

Accurately identifying and discriminating between different brain states is a major emphasis of functional brain imaging research. Various machine learning techniques play an important role in this regard. However, when working with a small number of study participants, the lack of sufficient data and achieving meaningful classification results remain a challenge.

Image-Driven Hybrid Structural Analysis Based on Continuum Point Cloud Method with Boundary Capturing Technique.

Conventional approaches for the structural health monitoring of infrastructures often rely on physical sensors or targets attached to structural members, which require considerable preparation, maintenance, and operational effort, including continuous on-site adjustments. This paper presents an image-driven hybrid structural analysis technique that combines digital image processing (DIP) and regression analysis with a continuum point cloud method (CPCM) built on a particle-based strong formulation. Polynomial regressions capture the boundary shape change due to the structural loading and precisely identify the edge and corner coordinates of the deformed structure.

Performance Evaluation of Deep Learning Image Classification Modules in the MUN-ABSAI Ice Risk Management Architecture.

The retreat of Arctic sea ice has opened new maritime routes, offering faster shipping opportunities; however, these routes present significant navigational challenges due to the harsh ice conditions. To address these challenges, this paper proposes a deep learning-based Arctic ice risk management architecture with multiple modules, including ice classification, risk assessment, ice floe tracking, and ice load calculations. A comprehensive dataset of 15,000 ice images was created using public sources and contributions from the Canadian Coast Guard, and it was used to support the development and evaluation of the system.

Utilization Trends of Glucose-Lowering Medications Among Adult Kidney Transplant Recipients with Type 2 Diabetes in the United States.

To date, there are limited studies describing the use of glucose-lowering medications (GLMs) in adult kidney transplant recipients (KTRs), and the uptake of sodium glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP1RAs). Thus, we aimed to evaluate the use of GLMs, including SGLT2i and GLP1RA, among adult KTRs with type 2 diabetes (T2D). This is an ecologic study of adult KTR with T2D.

Plasma Endothelin-1 Levels: Non-Predictors of Alzheimer's Disease Reveal Age Correlation in African American Women.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related dementias (ADRD) disproportionately impact racial and ethnic minorities. Contributing biological factors that explain this disparity have been elusive. Moreover, non-invasive biomarkers for early detection of AD are needed.

National Trends in Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Mortality from Mechanical Complications of Cardiac Valves and Grafts (1999-2020).

: The volume of cardiac valve and coronary artery revascularization procedures is rising in the United States. This cross-sectional study explores ethnic disparities in mortality in cardiac surgery attributed to mechanical failures of implantable heart valves and coronary artery grafts. : We used the CDC Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research Multiple Causes of Death database to identify patients whose single cause of death was categorized by complications of cardiovascular prosthetic devices, implants, and grafts (ICD-10 code T82) between 1999 and 2020.

Early Autonomic Dysfunction in Traumatic Brain Injury: An Article Review on the Impact on Multiple Organ Dysfunction.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a complex condition and a leading cause of injury-related disability and death, with significant impacts on patient outcomes. Extracranial organ involvement plays a critical role in the outcome of patients following TBI. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and challenges in diagnosing patients with autonomic dysfunction after TBI.

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.

Localization of Microvascular Changes in Systemic Disease Without Retinopathy Using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA).

: This study aimed to evaluate the location of retinal fractal dimension (FD) abnormalities in individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension (HTN) without retinopathy. The annular zone of 6 mm × 6 mm OCTA images centered on the fovea was partitioned into thin annuli and analyzed using fractal analysis to measure FDs. The cohort ( = 114) had an average age of 55.

The Impact of Anxiety and Depression on Health-Related Quality of Life in Hyperlipidemic Adults in the United States.

Mental health issues can significantly affect the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of adults suffering from hyperlipidemia. Therefore, in this study, the aim was to examine how depression and anxiety are related to the HRQoL of adults with hyperlipidemia. Data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey for 2016 through 2022 were used to identify adult patients diagnosed with hyperlipidemia aged 18 or older.

Structural Modifications Reveal Dual Functions of the C-4 Carbonyl Group in the Fatty Acid Chain of Ipomoeassin F.

Ipomoeassin F (Ipom-F) is a plant-derived macrocyclic resin glycoside that potently inhibits cancer cell growth through blockage of Sec61-mediated protein translocation at the endoplasmic reticulum. Recently, detailed structural information on how Ipom-F binds to Sec61α was obtained using Cryo-EM, which discovered that polar interactions between asparagine-300 (N300) in Sec61α and four oxygens in Ipom-F are crucial. One of the four oxygens is from the carbonyl group at C-4 of the fatty acid chain.

Novel Approaches to Monitor Pharmacokinetics and Metabolism of Gemcitabine-Ibandronate Conjugate in Mice and Dogs.

Background: The use of the bone-seeking properties of bisphosphonates (BPs) to target the delivery of therapeutic drugs is a promising approach for the treatment of bone metastases. Currently, the most advanced example of this approach is a gemcitabine-ibandronate conjugate (GEM-IB), where the bone-targeting BP ibandronate (IB) is covalently linked to the antineoplastic agent gemcitabine (GEM) via a spacer phosphate group. In the present study, we describe the development of a new analytical platform to evaluate the metabolism and pharmacokinetics of GEM-IB in mice and dogs and the results of proof-of-concept studies assessing the pharmacokinetics of GEM-IB in dogs and mice.

Stereoelectronic Effect of Protecting Groups on the Stability of Galactosyl Donor Intermediates.

Using methods of DFT, we investigated the effect of electron withdrawing and electron donating groups on the relative stability of tentative glycosyl donor reaction intermediates. The calculation shows that by changing the stereoelectronic properties of the protecting group, we can influence the stability of the dioxolenium type of intermediates by up to 10 kcal mol, and that by increasing nucleophillicity of the 4--Bz group, the dioxolenium intermediate becomes more stable than a triflate-donor pair. We exploited this mechanism to design galactosyl donors with custom protecting groups on O2 and O4, and investigated the outcome of the reaction with cyclohexanol.

Reconcentrating the Ionic Liquid EMIM-HSO Using Direct Contact Membrane Distillation.

Adequate water supplies are crucial for missions to the Moon, since water is essential for astronauts' health. Ionic liquids (ILs) have been investigated for processing metal oxides, the main components of lunar regolith, to separate oxygen and metals. The IL must be diluted in the process.

HP0135 Is a Small Lipoprotein That Has a Role in Outer Membrane Stability.

is a Gram-negative bacterium and human pathogen that is linked to various gastric diseases, including peptic ulcer disease, chronic gastritis, and gastric cancer. The filament of the flagellum is surrounded by a membranous sheath that is contiguous with the outer membrane. Proteomic analysis of isolated sheathed flagella from B128 identified the lipoprotein HP0135 as a potential component of the flagellar sheath.

Post-Translational Modifications of Proteins Orchestrate All Hallmarks of Cancer.

Post-translational modifications (PTMs) of proteins dynamically build the buffering and adapting interface between oncogenic mutations and environmental stressors, on the one hand, and cancer cell structure, functioning, and behavior. Aberrant PTMs can be considered as enabling characteristics of cancer as long as they orchestrate all malignant modifications and variability in the proteome of cancer cells, cancer-associated cells, and tumor microenvironment (TME). On the other hand, PTMs of proteins can enhance anticancer mechanisms in the tumoral ecosystem or sustain the beneficial effects of oncologic therapies through degradation or inactivation of carcinogenic proteins or/and activation of tumor-suppressor proteins.

Harnessing Insect Chemosensory and Mechanosensory Receptors Involved in Feeding for Precision Pest Management.

Chemosensation and mechanosensation are vital to insects' survival and behavior, shaping critical physiological processes such as feeding, metabolism, mating, and reproduction. During feeding, insects rely on diverse chemosensory and mechanosensory receptors to distinguish between nutritious and harmful substances, enabling them to select suitable food sources while avoiding toxins. These receptors are distributed across various body parts, allowing insects to detect environmental cues about food quality and adjust their behaviors accordingly.

Associations of Voice Metrics with Postural Function in Parkinson's Disease.

Background: This study aimed to explore the potential associations between voice metrics of patients with PD and their motor symptoms.

Methods: Motor and vocal data including the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale part III (UPDRS-III), Harmonic-Noise Ratio (HNR), jitter, shimmer, and smoothed cepstral peak prominence (CPPS) were analyzed through exploratory correlations followed by univariate linear regression analyses. We employed these four voice metrics as independent variables and the total and sub-scores of the UPDRS-III as dependent variables.

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.

Influence of Process Parameter and Build Rate Variations on Defect Formation in Laser Powder Bed Fusion SS316L.

Laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) is an additive manufacturing process that has gained interest for its material fabrication due to multiple advantages, such as the ability to print parts with small feature sizes, good mechanical properties, reduced material waste, etc. However, variations in the key process parameters in LPBF may result in the instantiation of porosity defects and variation in build rate. Particularly, volumetric energy density (VED) is a variable that encapsulates a number of those parameters and represents the amount of energy input from the laser source to the feedstock.