Nose-clip use in semi-free ranging pigs reduces rooting without disrupting affiliative behaviour or causing prolonged stress.

Domestic pigs (Sus scrofa) raised under natural conditions can show their complete behavioural repertoire. However, rooting behaviour can have a great impact on the environment. In the context of the promotion of farm animal welfare and environmental concerns, this study investigated the potential of nose-clips as a less invasive alternative to nose-rings for the management of rooting behaviour of free-ranging pigs.

Intensive interdisciplinary specialized rehabilitation or regular physiotherapy for multiple sclerosis? A randomised controlled trial with economic evaluation.

Background: The benefits of Interdisciplinary Rehabilitation in an Outpatient Specialised Unit (IROSU) have not been determined.

Objectives: To compare the effects of IROSU and physiotherapy in the community on impairment, function and Quality Of Life (QoL) in people with Multiple Sclerosis (pwMS) and to determine the medico-economic impact.

Methods: Pragmatic, multicentre, parallel, randomized (centralised computer-generated randomisation) controlled trial.

The orientational structure of a model patchy particle fluid: Simulations, integral equations, density functional theory, and machine learning.

We investigate the orientational properties of a homogeneous and inhomogeneous tetrahedral four-patch fluid (Bol-Kern-Frenkel model). Using integral equations, either (i) HNC or (ii) a modified HNC scheme with a simulation input, the full orientational dependence of pair and direct correlation functions is determined. Density functionals for the inhomogeneous problem are constructed via two different methods.

Mechanistic determinants and dynamics of cA6 synthesis in type III CRISPR-Cas effector complexes.

Type III clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated (Cas) systems (type III CRISPR-Cas systems) use guide RNAs to recognize RNA transcripts of foreign genetic elements, which triggers the generation of cyclic oligoadenylate (cOA) second messengers by the Cas10 subunit of the type III effector complex. In turn, cOAs bind and activate ancillary effector proteins to reinforce the host immune response. Type III systems utilize distinct cOAs, including cyclic tri- (cA3), tetra- (cA4) and hexa-adenylates (cA6).

GENA-LM: a family of open-source foundational DNA language models for long sequences.

Recent advancements in genomics, propelled by artificial intelligence, have unlocked unprecedented capabilities in interpreting genomic sequences, mitigating the need for exhaustive experimental analysis of complex, intertwined molecular processes inherent in DNA function. A significant challenge, however, resides in accurately decoding genomic sequences, which inherently involves comprehending rich contextual information dispersed across thousands of nucleotides. To address this need, we introduce GENA language model (GENA-LM), a suite of transformer-based foundational DNA language models capable of handling input lengths up to 36 000 base pairs.

Cardiovascular outcomes of SGLT-2 inhibitors' subtypes in type 2 diabetes; an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Introduction: The effects of Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors on cardiac outcomes, cardiovascular mortality (CVM), and all-cause mortality (ACM) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients have been reported heterogeneously in different studies.

Methods: PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Scholar databases were searched with relevant MeSH terms from January 1, 2010, to November 14, 2023. The study used Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

New Potent Inhibitor of Transforming Growth Factor-Beta (TGFβ) Signaling that is Efficacious against Microsatellite Stable Colorectal Cancer Metastasis in Combination with Immune Checkpoint Therapy in Mice.

Blockade of the TGFβ signaling pathway has emerged from preclinical studies as a potential treatment to enhance the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibition in advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) and several other types of cancer. However, clinical translation of first-generation inhibitors has shown little success. Here, we report the synthesis and characterization of HYL001, a potent inhibitor of TGFβ receptor 1 (ALK5), that is approximately 9 times more efficacious than the structurally related compound galunisertib, while maintaining a favorable safety profile.

Cursorial ecomorphology and temporal patterns in theropod dinosaur evolution during the mid-Cretaceous.

Coelurosauria, including modern birds, represents a successful group of theropod dinosaurs that established a high taxonomic diversity and significant morphological modifications. In the evolutionary history of this group, a specialized foot morphology, the arctometatarsus, evolved independently in several lineages and has been considered an adaptation for cursoriality. While its functional significance has been extensively studied, the temporal pattern of this parallel evolution, as well as its origin and influencing factors, remains largely unresolved.

A synthetic methodology toward π-extended porphyrin-rylenediimide conjugates.

In this work, we present a straightforward synthetic route for the preparation of functionalized β--fused porphyrins, which are subsequently connected to rylendiimides. The resulting donor-acceptor-type conjugates exhibit intriguing optical properties, such as panchromatism and profoundly bathochromically shifted absorption curves. A better understanding of the molecules' electronic structure was gained through density-functional theory calculations, which unveiled small HOMO-LUMO gaps.

Choroid plexus-targeted viral gene therapy for alpha-mannosidosis, a prototypical neurometabolic lysosomal storage disease.

The choroid plexuses (CP) are highly vascularized structures that project into the ventricles of the vertebrate brain. The polarized epithelia of the CP produce cerebrospinal fluid by transporting water and ions into the ventricles from the blood and normally secrete a large number of proteins. We assessed the feasibility of selective CP transduction with recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) gene therapy vectors for treatment of lysosomal storage disease (LSD), a broad category of neurometabolic illness associated with significant burdens to affected patients and their families.

"Double-Use" Strategy for Improving the Photoelectrochemical Performance of BiVO Photoanodes Using a Cobalt-Functionalized Polyoxotungstate.

Doping and surface-modification are well-established strategies for the performance enhancement of bismuth vanadate (BiVO) photoanodes in photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting devices. Herein, a "double-use" strategy for the development of high-performance BiVO photoanodes for solar water splitting is reported, where a molecular cobalt-phosphotungstate (CoPOM = Na[Co(HO)(PWO)]) is used both as a bulk doping agent as well as a surface-deposited water oxidation cocatalyst. The use of CoPOM for bulk doping of BiVO is shown to enhance the electrical conductivity and improve the charge separation efficiency, resulting in the enhancement of the maximum applied-bias photoconversion efficiency (ABPE) by a factor of ∼18 to 0.

Behavior changes to promote preconception health: a systematic review.

Background: Preconception care is expected to prevent diseases, promote health, and improve pregnancy outcomes. Although a consensus exists on the efficacy of folic acid supplementation and preconception vaccination, evidence regarding comprehensive approaches to preconception care targeting the general population remains lacking. We aimed to identify and examine preconception care programs delivered to reproductive-aged women and men to promote behavioral change.

Tibial tubercle transfer SurgeRy and physiothErapy Versus physIotherapy only for chronic paTellofemorAL paIn: study protocol for a randomiSed controllEd trial (REVITALISE).

Background: Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is a common musculoskeletal disorder resulting in anterior knee pain. Physiotherapy is the current standard treatment, while surgical intervention (tibial tubercle transfer [TTT]) is reserved for chronic cases when nonoperative treatment has failed. TTT can result in clinically meaningful improvement in patients with patellofemoral maltracking without instability.

A Neuron-Like Cellular Model for Severe Tinnitus Associated with Rare Variations in the ANK2 Gene.

Tinnitus is the perception of sound without an external source, often associated with changes in the auditory pathway and different brain regions. Recent research revealed an overload of missense variants in the ANK2 gene in individuals with severe tinnitus. ANK2, encoding ankyrin-B, regulates axon branching and inhibits microtubule invasion.

Combined robotic/open pancreaticoduodenectomy in the young aged < 50 years.

Impact of age on surgical and survival outcomes after combined robotic/open pancreaticoduodenectomy (CR/OPD) has not been extensively studied. This study aimed to evaluate the surgical and survival outcomes of patients aged < 50 years who underwent CR/OPD. A comparative study was conducted on patients who underwent CR/OPD divided into two groups: the young (age < 50 years) and the old (age ≥ 50 years).

Single and multitarget stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) with single isocenter in the treatment of multiple brain metastases (BM): institutional experience.

Introduction: SRS for the treatment of limited brain metastases (BM) is widely accepted, but there are still limitations in the management of numerous BM. Frameless single-isocenter multitarget SRS is a novel technique that allows for rapid treatment delivery to multiple BM. We report our preliminary clinical, dosimetric, and patient´s shifts outcomes with this technique.

The clinical effect of bone perforations in periodontal regeneration and alveolar socket preservation: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

Objectives: The present systematic review aimed to evaluate if cortical bone perforation is effective in enhancing periodontal surgery and guided bone regeneration (GBR) in humans.

Materials And Methods: Electronic search was performed in PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane CENTRAL up to October 31st, 2023. Grey literature was also searched.

Reproductive and persistence strategy of the liverwort Arnellia fennica after the last glaciation in the area of disjunction in Central Europe (Polish Tatra Mountains, carpathians).

The liverwort Arnellia fennica has a circumarctic distribution with disjunct and scarce localities in the Alps, Carpathians, and Pyrenees. Within the Carpathians, it is only known from the Tatra Mountains (in Poland), where so far only four occurrences have been documented in the forest belt of the limestone part of the Western Tatras. The species is considered a tertiary relict, which owes its survival during the last glaciation period to low-lying locations in areas not covered by ice.

Treatment of patients with tumor/treatment-related hypothalamic obesity in the first two years following surgical treatment or radiotherapy.

Survivors of sellar/suprasellar tumors involving hypothalamic structures face a risk of impaired quality of life, including tumor- and/or treatment-related hypothalamic obesity (TTR-HO) defined as abnormal weight gain resulting in severe persistent obesity due to physical, tumor- and/or treatment related damage of the hypothalamus. We analyze German claims data to better understand treatment pathways for patients living TTR-HO during the two years following the index surgical treatment. A database algorithm identified patients with TTR-HO in a representative German payer claims database between 2010 and 2021 (n = 5.

Developing a brain inspired multilobar neural networks architecture for rapidly and accurately estimating concrete compressive strength.

Concrete compressive strength is a critical parameter in construction and structural engineering. Destructive experimental methods that offer a reliable approach to obtaining this property involve time-consuming procedures. Recent advancements in artificial neural networks (ANNs) have shown promise in simplifying this task by estimating it with high accuracy.

Chromosome-scale telomere to telomere genome assembly of common crystalwort (Riccia sorocarpa Bisch.).

Riccia sorocarpa Bisch., commonly known as common crystalwort, is a plant belonging to the Marchantiales order with a cosmopolitan distribution among a wide range of habitats: fields, gardens, waste ground, on paths, cliff tops, and thin soil over rocks or by water bodies. However, research into the genetic aspects of this species is limited.

Morphological and functional convergence of visual projection neurons from diverse neurogenic origins in Drosophila.

The Drosophila visual system is a powerful model to study the development of neural circuits. Lobula columnar neurons-LCNs are visual output neurons that encode visual features relevant to natural behavior. There are ~20 classes of LCNs forming non-overlapping synaptic optic glomeruli in the brain.

Mutational interference with oligomerization properties of OCP-related apo- and holoproteins studied by analytical ultracentrifugation.

In this study, the oligomerization pattern of apo- and holoforms of the Orange Carotenoid Protein (OCP) was examined under different conditions such as photoactivation state, concentration, and carotenoid embedment using analytical ultracentrifugation. Furthermore, studies were conducted on OCP constructs carrying point mutations of amino acid residues affecting OCP oligomerization. Our findings reveal that the concentration-dependent dimerization of dark-adapted OCP holoprotein from Synechocystis sp.

NMDA-induced lesions of the nucleus accumbens core increase the innately rewarding saccharin solution intake and methamphetamine-induced conditioned place preference but not conditioned taste aversion in rats.

The role of the nucleus accumbens (NAc) core in determining the valence of innately rewarding saccharin solution intake, methamphetamine (MAMPH)-induced conditioned taste aversion (CTA), and conditioned place preference (CPP) reward remains unclear. The present study utilized the "pre- and post-association" experimental paradigm (2010) to test whether the rewarding and aversive properties of MAMPH can be modulated by an N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) lesion in the NAc core. Moreover, it tested how an NAc core NMDA lesion affected the innate reward of saccharin solution intake.

Bioenergetic adaptations of small intestinal epithelial cells reduce cell differentiation enhancing intestinal permeability in obese mice.

Objective: Obesity and overweight are associated with low-grade inflammation induced by adipose tissue expansion and perpetuated by altered intestinal homeostasis, including increased epithelial permeability. Intestinal epithelium functions are supported by intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) mitochondria function. However, diet-induced obesity (DIO) may impair mitochondrial activity of IEC and consequently, intestinal homeostasis.