Application of deep learning for detecting implants in computed tomography scout images with multi-institution and multi-vendor for personal identification.

The identification of deceased individuals is essential in forensic investigations, particularly when primary identification methods such as odontology, fingerprint, or DNA analysis are unavailable. In such cases, implanted medical devices may serve as supplementary identifiers for positive identification. This study proposes deep learning-based methods for the automatic detection of metallic implants in scout images acquired from computed tomography (CT).

Vibration-induced drowsiness contours: New safety recommendations for the transport industry.

Introduction: Drowsiness is a significant cause of crashes in the various transport industries, including automotive, aviation, and rail. Our previous study investigated the differential induction of drowsiness in drivers caused by specific whole-body vibration (WBV) frequency ranges, with an amplitude of 0.2 m/s r.

Investigating the Relationship Between Mutations in and Genes and Resistance to Fluoroquinolones in Uropathogenic Isolates.

Fluoroquinolone resistance in , particularly uropathogenic (UPEC), is a growing concern worldwide. This study investigates the association between mutations in the and genes and fluoroquinolone resistance in UPEC isolates from Urine samples in Iran. In total, 150 UPEC isolates were collected, and then, 12 ciprofloxacin-resistant isolates were selected for molecular analysis.

Harnessing the potential of spatial statistics for spatial omics data with pasta.

Spatial omics allow for the molecular characterization of cells in their spatial context. Notably, the two main technological streams, imaging-based and high-throughput sequencing-based, give rise to very different data modalities. The characteristics of the two data types are well known in spatial statistics as point patterns and lattice data.

A Bimolecular Simultaneous Macrocyclization Strategy to Synthesize Cyclic Dinucleotide Analogues with Internucleoside Guanidinium Linkages.

Internucleoside guanidinium linkages are excellent mimics of phosphodiesters and have been used to improve the properties of oligonucleotides. Herein we reported a step economic bimolecular simultaneous macrocyclization (BSM) protocol to prepare cyclic dinucleotide (CDN) analogues with guanidinium linkages. Compared with the 26 steps protocol reported in literature, the current method could provide CDN analogues with internucleoside guanidinium linkages in 9 steps, and the key intermediate prepared in the first 3 steps could be shared to prepare CDN analogues with different nucleobases.

Oxymatrine attenuates the type 1 diabetes mellitus via negative regulation of the follicular helper T cells.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is an autoimmune disorder in which autoantibodies cause the immune system to attack and destroy pancreatic β-cells, leading to insufficient insulin production and impaired blood glucose control. T follicular helper (Tfh) cells are recognized as a group of CD4 T cells that help B cells to produce high-affinity antibodies. Our previous research found that oxymatrine (OMT) exhibits excellent immunomodulatory properties on Tfh cells in autoimmune diseases.

Understanding electromechanics of left bundle branch area pacing: association between electrical synchrony, mechanical synchrony, and myocardial work parameters.

Background: During left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP), several markers of electrical synchrony, (V6 R-wave peak time (RWPT), aVL-RWPT, and the V6-V1 interpeak interval), are commonly used to assess left bundle branch (LBB) capture. Nevertheless, the relationship between these electrocardiographic (ECG) measurements and mechanical synchrony remains poorly understood.

Objective: We aimed to analyze the association between electrical parameters from the paced QRS complex and mechanical performance assessed through 2D strain and myocardial work (MW) indices, following LBBAP implantation.

Excitatory cortical neurons from CDKL5 deficiency disorder patient-derived organoids show early hyperexcitability not identified in neurogenin2 induced neurons.

CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD) is a rare developmental and epileptic encephalopathy resulting from variants in cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) that lead to impaired kinase activity or loss of function. CDD is one of the most common genetic etiologies identified in epilepsy cohorts. To study how CDKL5 variants impact human neuronal activity, gene expression and morphology, CDD patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells and their isogenic controls were differentiated into excitatory neurons using either an NGN2 induction protocol or a guided cortical organoid differentiation.

Caseazins R-Y, cytotoxic podocarpane diterpenoids from Casearia kurzii.

In the present study, eight undescribed compounds, namely caseazins R-Y (1-8) were isolated from the twigs and leaves of Casearia kurzii (Flacourtiaceae). Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance methods, X-ray diffraction analysis, and ECD calculations. Compound 1 was characterized as a rare 2,3-seco podocarpane carbon skeleton.

Green engineering of polylactic acid/polymyrcene/cellulose nanocrystals films with tunable mechanical and UV-shielding properties for food packaging applications.

In the modern era, polymyrcene, a sustainable polymer made from renewable resources, offers a potential path towards the advancement of green products. Here, we successfully created and characterized the first-ever all-bio-based composite films using cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) made from agricultural waste, polylactic acid (PLA), and polymyrcene. Environmentally acceptable substitutes for traditional polymer composites have been made possible by incorporating CNCs into the PLA-Polymyrcene matrix, which produced materials with improved structural and functional qualities.

Biorelevant simulation of GI variability and its impact on the release behavior of non-disintegrating formulations: A case study using DHSI-IV (NERDT) system as a novel in vitro tool.

Gastrointestinal (GI) physiological variability significantly influences dissolution and bioavailability of non-disintegrating solid drug systems. This study employed the dynamic human stomach-intestine (DHSI-IV, branded as NERDT) system to characterize how gastric emptying kinetics and intestinal environmental dynamics affect drug release, using extended-release metformin matrix tablets (Glucophage XR®) and metformin osmotic pump tablets (Nida®) as model formulations. The DHSI-IV (NERDT) system accurately simulated three fasting-state gastric emptying profiles (30-120 min complete emptying) with excellent fit to the modified Elashoff model (R = 0.

Screening for anti-dysmenorrhea components of Wenjing Decoction: spectral-effect relationship analysis, and efficacy equivalence validation.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Primary dysmenorrhea (PD) is common and has a major impact on women's daily activities and quality of life. Wenjing Decoction (WD), a classic Chinese medicine formula, has been widely used for thousands of years in China to treat PD. However, the key pharmacodynamic substances in WD responsible for its anti-dysmenorrhea efficacy are still unclear.

Neural Dynamics of Constraint Relaxation and Problem Representation Changes in Single-Trial Insight Problem Solving: An fNIRS Study.

Insight problem solving involves overcoming an impasse when a solution seems unreachable, often experienced as an 'Aha!' moment. In such solving, shifting from an incorrect representation imposed by constraints to a correct representation through constraint relaxation is critical. Prior research compared brain activity when constraint relaxation and representation change occurred versus when they did not occur, but neural activity before and after such changes within trials has remained underexplored.

Validation of Cure Assumptions when Analyzing ZUMA-7 Follow-up Data of Axicabtagene Ciloleucel and Standard of Care Therapy in Second-Line Relapsed/Refractory Large B-cell Lymphoma.

Background: ZUMA-7 is the largest randomized controlled trial (RCT) for chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, which compared axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel) to historical standard of care (HSoC) for the treatment of relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (R/R DLBCL). Both arms of ZUMA-7 contained potentially curative treatments; however, differences in the treatment completion rate and timing to receive definitive treatment led to differences in the extent and timing of cure. Mixture cure modeling (MCM) has been suggested as a superior method in designing and powering clinical studies of curative therapies but also for extrapolation of long-term outcomes in simulation studies.

Impact of Gamma-Secretase Inhibition on Outcomes Following BCMA CAR-T Therapy in Multiple Myeloma: A Comparison of Two Phase 1 Trials.

Background: BCMA-directed chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy represents a major therapeutic breakthrough for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM), offering deep and durable responses in heavily pretreated patients. However, a subset of patients experience early relapse or fail to respond, highlighting the need for strategies to enhance efficacy. Gamma-secretase inhibitors (GSIs) have been shown to increase surface BCMA expression on malignant plasma cells and may potentiate the activity of BCMA CAR-T cells, particularly in patients with low baseline BCMA antigen density.

Electric Field-Induced Droplet Detachment and Transport on Biomimetic Superhydrophobic Surfaces with Beetle Elytra-Seta Composite Structures.

The regulation of droplet dynamics based on external electric fields and bioinspired functional surfaces has widespread applications in various fields. However, research on the coupling of these two factors to enhance oil-water separation efficiency is urgently needed. In this study, laser-induced and solvent treatment techniques were coupled to assemble a micronano setal and bioinspired beetle elytra textured substrate with the lotus effect, A "top conductive, bottom insulating" Desert beetle elytra micronano tuft composite texture (DBE) biomimetic superhydrophobic surface was fabricated.

Suppression of premature ventricular complexes with the PDE5 inhibitor sildenafil: First clinical experience.

The phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor sildenafil suppresses ventricular arrhythmias in a sheep model of drug-induced long QT. In that study, ventricular arrhythmias were abolished by reducing premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) and delaying PVC onset, thus preventing 'R-on-T' ventricular tachycardia. Evidence for effects in humans with arrhythmias is lacking.

Generalized thermal rectifier model with optimal thermal rectification ratio and its application to Ga2O3-based semiconductors.

Thermal rectification, arising from asymmetric heat transport under opposite temperature gradients, is essential for thermal management in electronics. We present a generalized optimization strategy for two-segment rectifiers based on Fourier's law, showing that the rectification ratio $R$, defined as the forward-to-reverse heat flux ratio, is maximized when the interface temperatures coincide in both directions. By expressing $R$ as a function of interface temperature and extending the analysis to arbitrary temperature-dependent thermal conductivities $\kappa(T)$, we develop an analytical framework to optimize rectifiers with dissimilar segments.

Impact of various reaction conditions of solvothermal synthesis on electrochemical properties of Ni-MOF materials.

A series of Ni-MOF materials were synthesized by a one-step solvothermal method under different reaction conditions, including metal source, organic ligand, reaction time and reaction temperature. The results demonstrated that the Ni-MOFs synthesized with Ni(NO3)2•6H2O as the metal source had higher crystallinity and a more uniform crystalline structure than those with NiCl2•6H2O. Different organic ligands led to the formation of Ni-MOFs in various morphologies.

Comparative analysis of bat immunoglobulin constant regions identifies adaptations of bat immunity.

Our understanding of bat immunoglobulins (Igs) and their functions remains limited despite the importance of Ig activation in both innate and adaptive immune responses. Positive selection is known to act on other immune genes needed to mount adaptive immune responses, suggesting that selection may also act on bat Ig constant regions. To test whether bat Ig constant regions have evolved adaptations related to immunity, we reconstructed the evolutionary relationships of the constant region of bat IgM, IgA, and IgG genes and analyzed their sequences for signs of selection.

Detection of heterogeneous resistance mechanisms to tyrosine kinase inhibitors from cell-free DNA.

Though there has been substantial progress in the development of anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) therapies to treat HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC) within the past two decades, most patients still experience disease progression and cancer-related death. HER2-directed tyrosine kinase inhibitors can be highly effective therapies for patients with HER2-positive MBC; however, an understanding of resistance mechanisms is needed to better inform treatment approaches. We performed whole-exome sequencing on 111 patients with 73 tumor biopsies and 120 cell-free DNA samples to assess mechanisms of resistance.

Real-time diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma by combining digestive endoscopy and optic fiber biosensors based on bile clusterin.

Background: Early diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) remains challenging, but liquid biopsy is emerging as a promising detection strategy. Here, we identified a novel bile biomarker for CCA and developed an optic fiber biosensor integrated with digestive endoscopy for real-time diagnosis in vivo.

Methods: A total of 583 subjects and two proteomic analyses were used to screen and validate biomarkers for CCA, and then the corresponding antibodies were generated to construct a surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-based optic fiber biosensor.

Chimeric infective particles expand species boundaries in phage-inducible chromosomal island mobilization.

Some mobile genetic elements spread among unrelated bacterial species through unknown mechanisms. Recently, we discovered that identical capsid-forming phage-inducible chromosomal islands (cf-PICIs), a new family of phage satellites, are present across multiple species and genera, raising questions about their widespread dissemination. Here, we have identified and characterized a new biological entity enabling this transfer.