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Abstract The driving force of a charge density wave (CDW) transition in quasi-two dimensional systems is still debated, while being crucial in understanding electronic correlation in such materials. Here we use femtosecond time- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy combined with computational methods to investigate the coherent lattice dynamics of a prototypical CDW system. The photo-induced temporal evolution of the periodic lattice distortion associated with the amplitude mode reveals the dynamics of the free energy functional governing the order parameter. Our approach establishes that optically-induced screening rather than CDW melting at the electronic level leads to a transiently modified potential which explains the anharmonic behaviour of the amplitude mode and discloses the structural origin of the symmetry-breaking phase transition.

Abstract We report on an ultrafast infrared optical parametric chirped-pulse amplifier (OPCPA), pumped by a 200-W thin-disk Yb-based regenerative amplifier at a repetition rate of 100 kHz. The OPCPA is tunable in the spectral range 1.4–3.9 $$\upmu $$ μ m, generating up to 23 W of < 100-fs signal and 13 W of < 200-fs idler pulses for infrared spectroscopy, with additional spectral filtering capabilities for Raman spectroscopy. The OPCPA can also yield 19 W of 49-fs 1.75- $$\upmu $$ μ m signal or 5 W of 62-fs 2.8- $$\upmu $$ μ m idler pulses with active carrier-to-envelope-phase (CEP) stabilisation for high-harmonic generation (HHG). We illustrate the versatility of the laser design, catering to various experimental requirements for probing ultrafast science.

This review provides an overview of explainable AI (XAI) methods for oncological ultrasound image analysis and compares their performance evaluations. A systematic search of Medline Embase and Scopus between 25 March and 14 April 2024 identified 17 studies describing 14 XAI methods, including visualization, semantics, example-based, and hybrid functions. These methods primarily provided specific, local, and post hoc explanations. Performance evaluations focused on AI model performance, with limited assessment of explainability impact. Standardized evaluations incorporating clinical end-users are generally lacking. Enhanced XAI transparency may facilitate AI integration into clinical workflows. Future research should develop real-time methodologies and standardized quantitative evaluative metrics.

Multi-dimensional interferometry of high harmonic generation is demonstrated using an inline Gouy interferometer. The rich data sets acquired with this technique, coupled with its inherent stability, enable robust phase analysis to be performed, allowing the delay in harmonic emission from a range of atomic and molecular gases to be measured relative to harmonic emission from argon with single-digit attosecond precision. Delays of $-78\pm6$ as, $-25\pm6$ as, $30\pm3$ as and $60\pm3$ as relative to emission from argon were measured for Xe, Kr, CO _2 and N _2 , respectively. The scheme can easily be incorporated in other high harmonic experiments, such as tomographic imaging of molecular orbitals, and provides an experimentally simple route towards probing ultrafast dynamics in molecular systems.

Since the eradication of smallpox, zoonotic poxviruses, such as the mpox virus (MPXV), continue to pose a threat to public health. Identifying drugs that reduce poxvirus infection and replication, as well as understanding their molecular mechanisms, is essential for epidemic control. Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) has been shown to facilitate vaccinia virus (VACV) infection and replication. This study confirms the effects of the PLK1 inhibitors HMN-214 and ON-01910 on VACV replication in A549 cells. Both viral titers and DNA loads were significantly reduced in treated cells after infection. Additionally, ON-01910 demonstrated broad-spectrum antiviral activity against the lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) and the infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus (IBRV) in vitro. PLK1 knockdown in A549 cells also led to a reduction in VACV protein expression, viral titers, and DNA levels. Further analysis showed that VACV infection leads to the accumulation of PLK1 near viral factories. However, despite its strong in vitro effects, ON-01910 did not significantly reduce VACV replication in mice. These findings highlight the critical role of PLK1 in VACV replication and its potential as a target for antiviral therapy against orthopoxviruses., (© 2025 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Oncolytic viruses are emerging as promising cancer therapeutic agents, with several poxviruses, including vaccinia virus (VACV) and myxoma virus, showing significant potential in preclinical and clinical trials. Modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA), a laboratory-derived VACV strain approved by the FDA for mpox and smallpox vaccination, has been shown to be incapable of replicating in human cells unless zinc finger antiviral protein (ZAP) is repressed. Notably, ZAP deficiency is prevalent in various cancer types. We hypothesized that MVA could selectively target and replicate in ZAP-deficient cancer cells. Our study examined MVA's replication across multiple cancer cell lines with varying ZAP expression levels, revealing that MVA replicates more efficiently in cells with lower ZAP expression. Additionally, we assessed MVA's oncolytic potential using a xenograft mouse model, where cancer cells were transplanted into immunodeficient mice. The data demonstrated that MVA significantly reduced tumors with lower ZAP expression without causing morbidity in nude mice. These findings suggest that MVA holds promise for further development as a targeted therapy for ZAP-deficient cancers., (© 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Research on mobile health (mHealth) applications has investigated how such technologies contribute to a responsibilisation of users/patients. This literature largely focuses on the individual responsibilities constructed by the apps and the neoliberal environments that enable the positioning of the user as responsible. With this focus, this scholarship is less attentive to the role of social relations in responsibilisation. In this article, I demonstrate how relational responsibilities are constructed in the communication of a North American self-testing app for "early changes in cognition". Through an analysis of qualitative expert interviews and images on the app's web presence, I show how social relations are, in fact, mobilised in the construction of the responsibilities to support the user in the test situation, to take the test for the sake of others, and to make others take the test. Based on this analysis, I argue that the role of social relations should receive more attention in the literature on responsibilisation, because they lead to additional, sometimes gendered responsibilities that a focus on individual responsibilities would miss., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethical Approval: The Swedish Ethical Review Authority approved this study (Ref. no. 2020-04970). Conflict of Interest: I declare no conflict of interest., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Adolescent obesity continues to be a public health challenge with poor quality diets contributing to its etiology. As part of the process to plan health promotion and policy interventions, understanding adolescents perceived facilitators and barriers to healthful eating is important. An integrative convergent mixed-methods systematic review was used to synthesize qualitative and quantitative evidence from studies among adolescents aged 10-19 years in high-income countries. Medline, Embase, PsycInfo, and Scopus were searched for peer-reviewed articles published between 2010 and 2023 and exploring adolescents' perspectives on healthful eating and contemporary contextual factors. Transformed quantitative data were integrated with qualitative data. Text was coded into subthemes and themes using an inductive approach. Key facilitators included health and physical appearance; motivation; taste; nutrition knowledge, awareness, and skills; nutrition education access; availability and accessibility of healthful foods; family; and social influences and digital media. Key barriers included taste and cravings for unhealthful foods; mood; lack of motivation, awareness, knowledge, and skills; high availability and low cost of unhealthful foods; peers and social influences; ineffective school policies; high density of fast-food outlets; unhealthful food advertising; digital influences; and time constraints. Social, behavioral, digital, and food environmental factors should be considered from an adolescent perspective in the design of education, health promotion, and policy interventions., (© 2024 The Author(s). Obesity Reviews published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of World Obesity Federation.)

Cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes are prevalent among UK South Asians. Langar is a Sikh religious food practice that could be important in dietary health promotion. This study explored perceptions of langar, its role in health, readiness and strategies for change and whether Gurdwaras (Sikh place of worship) are able to support change. Using an exploratory qualitative design, we conducted eight focus groups and one single interview with 28 Gurdwara attendees (12 males, 16 females), analysing transcripts using thematic analysis. Four themes were developed that described the meaning of langar, the understanding of health among Sikhs, the evolution of langar and implications for health and changing langar to protect health. It can be concluded that any change to langar needs to be gradual, respectful and widely supported. This research has scope to continue in light of the potential impact on health for the Sikh community., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Objectives: Radiation-induced dry mouth negatively impacts patients' oral health and quality of life. Currently, evidence-based recommendation for non-pharmacologic interventions is still lacking. This study aimed to systematically review clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of non-pharmacologic interventions in cancer patients with radiation-induced dry mouth., Methods: Randomized controlled trials from 2000 were searched from 4 databases, including MEDLINE, Cochrane, Embase via OVID, and SCOPUS, up to December 16th, 2022 (PROSPERO registration CRD42022378405). The risk of bias was assessed using the revised Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool., Results: Twenty-one studies were included: 11 on artificial saliva, 4 on electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), 2 on acupuncture, and one study each on low-level laser therapy, stem cells, chewing gum, and probiotics. Overall bias was low, medium, and high in 33%, 48%, and 19% of the studies, respectively. Certain artificial saliva products and TENS were shown to improve dry mouth symptoms and salivary flow rate (SFR). One study showed that stem cell transplantation significantly increased SFR., Conclusions: The evidence suggested that certain artificial saliva products and TENS are promising management. However, the evidence was still limited due to heterogeneity of interventions and outcome measurements. Thus, future studies using standard measurements and long-term follow-up are warranted., (© 2023 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Community-clinical linkage models (CCLM) have the potential to reduce health disparities, especially in underserved communities; however, the COVID-19 pandemic drastically impacted their implementation. This paper explores the impact of the pandemic on the implementation of CCLM intervention led by community health workers (CHWs) to address diabetes disparities among South Asian patients in New York City. Guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), 22 stakeholders were interviewed: 7 primary care providers, 7 CHWs, 5 community-based organization (CBO) representatives, and 3 research staff. Semi-structured interviews were conducted; interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. CFIR constructs guided the identification of barriers and adaptations made across several dimensions of the study's implementation context. We also explored stakeholder-identified adaptations used to mitigate the challenges in the intervention delivery using the Model for Adaptation Design and Impact (MADI) framework. (1) Communication and engagement refers to how stakeholders communicated with participants during the intervention period, including difficulties experienced staying connected with intervention activities during the lockdown. The study team and CHWs developed simple, plain-language guides designed to enhance digital literacy. (2) Intervention/research process describes intervention characteristics and challenges stakeholders faced in implementing components of the intervention during the lockdown. CHWs modified the health curriculum materials delivered remotely to support engagement in the intervention and health promotion. (3) community and implementation context pertains to the social and economic consequences of the lockdown and their effect on intervention implementation. CHWs and CBOs enhanced efforts to provide emotional/mental health support and connected community members to resources to address social needs. Study findings articulate a repository of recommendations for the adaptation of community-delivered programs in under-served communities during a time of public health crises., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Introduction: A healthy social–emotional functioning is vital for students' general development and wellbeing. The school environment is a major determinant of social–emotional functioning, yet little is known about school-level and student-level characteristics related to healthy social–emotional functioning. In this study, we examined school-level characteristics (school size, school disadvantage score, urbanization level, and school denomination) and student-level characteristics (grade, secondary school track, participation in a COVID-19-related catch-up program, and measurement moment - during or after COVID-19) as predictors of students' motivation for school, academic self-concept, social acceptance, and school wellbeing. Methods: In school year 2020–2021, just after the first Covid-19 outbreak, 3,764 parents of primary school students from 242 Dutch primary schools and 2,545 secondary school students from 62 secondary schools filled out online questionnaires, before and after a Covid-19 related catch-up program was implemented at their school. Reliable and validated questionnaires were used to assess students' motivation (Intrinsic Motivation Inventory), academic self-concept (Harter Self Perception Profile for Children; Self-Description Questionnaire-II), school wellbeing (Dutch School Questionnaire) and social acceptance (PRIMA Social Acceptance Questionnaire). School characteristics were derived from online databases. Student participation in a catch-up program and measurement moment (before or after the program) were taken into account. Data was analyzed via multilevel General Linear Mixed Models, separately for primary and secondary education. Results: Of the school-level factors, only school disadvantage score was a significant predictor, specifically for primary school students' motivation. Of the student-level characteristics, grade and catch-up participation were significant predictors of lower motivation, academic self-concept and school-wellbeing in primary school. In secondary school, students in higher grades had significantly lower motivation and school wellbeing; participants in catch-up program had a significantly lower academic self-concept; and perceived social-acceptance and school wellbeing were significantly lower just after COVID-19. Conclusion: School-level characteristics only played a minor role in explaining differences in students' social–emotional functioning. In both primary and secondary education, students in higher grades and participating in catch-up programs scored lower on their social–emotional functioning. Schools should be aware of students in higher grades being at risk for more problems in their social–emotional functioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mas-related G protein-coupled receptors (Mrgs) are a subset of GPCRs linked to pain modulation. MrgF was identified as an orphan Mrg whose function and ligand remain unclear. In this study, in addition to its expression in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG), the primary afferent center that transmits pain, we identified dense expression of MrgF, particularly concentrated in the Purkinje cell layer of the mouse cerebellum. Given the the important role of Purkinje neurons in both motor modulation and non-motor modulation, including pain processing, we established a MrgF knockout mouse (MrgF−/−) model and performed a battery of behavioral tests to explore motor performance and assess pain-associated responses. MrgF−/− mice exhibited no disturbances in coordination and motor balance during the rotarod, pole, balance beam, and treadmill tests, and normal cerebellar histology was retained. In hot plate assays, MrgF−/− mice displayed reduced pain-related behavioral responses to thermal stimuli, although no significance differences were found in tail flick assays between MrgF−/− and wild-type (wt) mice. Moreover, in formalin tests, MrgF−/− mice also showed decreased chemical-induced nociception. This was accompanied by a downregulation in the expression levels of genes associated with nociceptive modulation, such as c-fos, Runx1, Nav1.7, Nav1.8, and Nav1.9, within the DRG of MrgF−/− mice. Taken together, our findings suggest that MrgF may play a significant role in modulating pain sensitivity, thereby advancing the understanding of the functional characteristics of the Mrgs family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bereavement care in Europe varies in quality and availability. Through greater collaboration across Europe, there could potentially be an opportunity to improve care. This article discusses the inaugural European Grief Conference held in Denmark in 2022: "Bereavement and Grief in Europe – Emerging Perspectives & Collaborations". The conference was structured around a 4-tiered public health model of bereavement care needs. It included practice, research, policy, and educational perspectives. A total of 250 people from 27 different countries participated. To determine if the conference had appealed to a broad European audience of grief professionals and to assess how the conference was received by participants, we examined registration/submission data, the results of a one-word real-time feedback exercise, and the answers to an online satisfaction survey. The results indicated wide interest in greater information sharing and collaboration across Europe among bereavement care, research, and education professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A naturally occurring xanthone, mangostanin (1,3,6-trihydroxy-7-methoxy-2,8-bis(3-methylbut-2-en-1-yl)-9 H -xanthen-9-one), was isolated from Garcinia mangostana L. It demonstrates a range of pharmacological effects, such as antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activity. The α-mangostin's isoprenyl and benzopyrone skeleton side chains are crucial to its antibacterial activity. In this review, we review the current approach for the isolation of α-mangostin from plant sources and the recent report on its biological activity. The structure–activity relationship is discussed to demonstrate the pharmacophore of α-mangostin responsible for its anti-infective properties, including antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral activities. The potential approaches for developing α-mangostin for the treatment of infectious diseases are proposed as future perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella (MMAF) represent a severe form of sperm defects leading to asthenozoospermia and male infertility. In this study, we identified a novel homozygous splicing mutation (c.871-4 ACA>A) in the adenylate kinase 7 (AK7) gene by whole-exome sequencing in infertile individuals. Spermatozoa from affected individuals exhibited typical MMAF characteristics, including coiled, bent, short, absent, and irregular flagella. Transmission electron microscopy analysis showed disorganized axonemal structure and abnormal mitochondrial sheets in sperm flagella. Immunofluorescence staining confirmed the absence of AK7 protein from the patients' spermatozoa, validating the pathogenic nature of the mutation. This study provides direct evidence linking the AK7 gene to MMAF-associated asthenozoospermia in humans, expanding the mutational spectrum of AK7 and enhancing our understanding of the genetic basis of male infertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are non-viral nucleic acid delivery systems that show great potential in vaccine development and disease treatment. Although LNPs are particularly advantageous for in vivo delivery, the wide application of LNPs is impeded as their systemic delivery of nucleic acid drugs to extrahepatic tissues remains highly challenging. To address this issue, we developed lung-targeted polyzwitterionic LNPs with zwitterionic polymer poly(2-methyacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine) (PMPC) modified 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycerol lipid for the delivery of small interfering RNA (siRNA). Three libraries with 90 PMPC-LNPs@siRNA were established. The polyzwitterionic PMPC-LNPs had high siRNA encapsulation efficiency of about 90%. The findings revealed that polyzwitterionic PMPC-LNPs@siRNA absorbed protein corona with the main component of Vitronectin, mediating lung-targeted delivery of siRNA. With good cellular uptake and endo/lysosomal escape ability, in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that polyzwitterionic PMPC-LNPs with siRNA against tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) could significantly down-regulate the TNF-α in mRNA and protein levels, and improved the pathological features of lung inflammation. Polyzwitterionic PMPC-LNPs@siRNA achieved safe and efficient treatment of lung inflammation. Therefore, this work offered a promising siRNA therapeutic approach for lung diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The monkeypox virus (MPXV) has raised global health concerns due to its widespread transmission. This study evaluated the MPXV immunogenic antigens and the impact of vaccinia virus (VACV) vaccination and MPXV infection on cross-reactive antibody responses to conserved proteins from representative MPXV strains that reflected the evolutionary trajectory. Methods: Phylogenetic analyses were first conducted to reveal the evolutionary trajectory of MPXV from 1970 to 2024. A total of 84 serum samples were collected: 42 from VACV-vaccinated individuals, 12 from MPXV-infected participants in the early stage, 13 from the late stage, and 17 from naive individuals. Demographic data, MPXV and HIV status, as well as other clinical information were collected using standardized forms. Immunogenicity, cross-reactive antibody responses, and amino acid similarity to 15 MPXV surface proteins were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, VACV neutralization tests, and sequence alignment. Data analysis methods included analysis of variance, Mann–Whitney U test, binary logistic regression, Pearson correlation, and linear regression, with a significance threshold of P < 0.05. Results: The 186 complete genome sequences were classified into different clades and lineages, ranging from clade Ia to clade IIb C.1.1. Individuals infected with MPXV demonstrated strong antibody responses to antigens A35R, B6R, H3L, and E8L. VACV-vaccinated individuals exhibited broader cross-reactivity, particularly against A21L (P = 0.0003), A28L (P = 0.0028), A29L (P = 0.0324), G2R (P = 0.0003), and H2R (P = 0.0008), compared to MPXV-infected individuals. Pearson correlation analysis revealed significant associations (P = 0.0049) between antibody responses and the amino acid sequence similarity with other orthopoxviruses. Furthermore, MPXV-infected individuals exhibited greater neutralizing activity against VACV than those VACV-vaccinated individuals (P < 0.0001), while the vaccinated group retained cross-protective immunity even decades post-vaccination. Conclusions: A35R, B6R, H3L, and E8L are the main immunogenic antigens of MPXV. VACV-vaccination triggers a cross-reactive antibody response to MPXV surface proteins. Our findings suggest the need for targeted vaccines and antibody treatments for MPXV, as well as the reintroduction of smallpox vaccinations with booster doses for high-risk groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep-sea demersal fisheries in the Pacific have strong commercial, cultural, and recreational value, especially snappers (Lutjanidae) which make the bulk of catches. Yet, managing these fisheries is challenging due to the scarcity of data. Stereo-Baited Remote Underwater Video Stations (BRUVS) can provide valuable quantitative information on fish stocks, but manually processing large amounts of videos is time-consuming and sometimes unrealistic. To address this issue, we used a Region-based Convolutional Neural Network (Faster R-CNN), a deep learning architecture to automatically detect, identify and count deep-water snappers in BRUVS. Videos were collected in New Caledonia (South Pacific) at depths ranging from 47 to 552 m. Using a dataset of 12,100 annotations from 11 deep-water snapper species observed in 6,364 images, we obtained good model performance for the 6 species with sufficient annotations (F-measures >0.7, up to 0.87). The correlation between automatic and manual estimates of fish MaxN abundance in videos was high (0.72 – 0.9), but the Faster R-CNN showed an underestimation bias at higher abundances. A semi-automatic protocol where our model supported manual observers in processing BRUVS footage improved performance with a correlation of 0.96 with manual counts and a perfect match (R=1) for some key species. This model can already assist manual observers to semi-automatically process BRUVS footage and will certainly improve when more training data will be available to decrease the rate of false negatives. This study further shows that the use of artificial intelligence in marine science is progressive but warranted for the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The medical and preventive integration(MPI) brings significant and substantial benefits to chronic disease management (CDM). Evaluating the effectiveness of MPI is curial to promote the high quality development of CDM. However, such a tool is not available in this field. We aimed to develop an evaluation index system for assessing the regional performance management level of MPI in the CDM and provide suggestions for improving quality construction of CDM at the county level. Methods: The initial version of the performance evaluation index system was constructed based on literature analysis, panel discussions, and in-depth on-site interviews. The Delphi questionnaire was designed and 24 experts in the field of CDM were consulted in two rounds. The analytic hierarchy process method was employed to calculate the weight of indexes at the three levels. Results: The MPI performance evaluation index system at the county level includes five first-level indexes, 20 s-level indexes, and 69 third-level indexes. Among the five first-level indicators, "integration quality" (0.2060) ranked first, followed by "integration inputs" (0.2010), "integration effectiveness" (0.1982), "integration outputs" (0.1975), and "integration mode" (0.1973). Conclusion: The MPI performance evaluation indexes for CDM at the county level are scientific and reliable. This system can act as a useful tool for diversified subjects to find the loopholes and weak points in CDM. It also provides valuable experience for other national authorities to further improve their own CDM system by MPI evaluation. Strengths and limitations of this study: This study complements the gaps in the field of MPI questionnaires in China, but the sample size is small, and it is recommended that reliability and validity tests be carried out in multiple regions of the country in later stages to increase the practicality of the questionnaire. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Project Cheetah in Kuno National Park was initiated to establish a population of African cheetahs in India due to the Asiatic subspecies' extinction in the country since the 1950s. The project has received criticism from international conservationists for lacking conservation and scientific merit. Conservationists, particularly from India and South Africa, have raised concerns regarding the ecological criteria guiding its decision-making and concerns regarding a lack of scientific evidence in addition to potential political motivations. The concerns raised by the international community suggest that the project may not solely focus on conserving the African cheetah, which is classified as "Vulnerable" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), but could be guided by other agendas outside of conservation. Several cheetahs have died in the project's couple of years, raising ethical concerns regarding the cheetahs' welfare and high mortality rates demonstrated thus far, in addition to the perceived unjust social impacts on local stakeholders. In this perspective piece, we use Project Cheetah as a case study to exemplify broader issues applicable to rewilding and restoration projects that necessitate attention by proponents and authorities responsible for issuing the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) import and export permits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Advances in neuroimaging have significantly enhanced our understanding of brain function, providing critical insights into the diagnosis and management of disorders of consciousness (DoC). Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), with its real-time, portable, and noninvasive imaging capabilities, has emerged as a promising tool for evaluating functional brain activity and nonrecovery potential in DoC patients. This review explores the current applications of fNIRS in DoC research, identifies its limitations, and proposes future directions to optimize its clinical utility. Aim: This review examines the clinical application of fNIRS in monitoring DoC. Specifically, it investigates the potential value of combining fNIRS with brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) and closed-loop neuromodulation systems for patients with DoC, aiming to elucidate mechanisms that promote neurological recovery. Methods: A systematic analysis was conducted on 155 studies published between January 1993 and October 2024, retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection database. Results: Analysis of 21 eligible studies on neurological diseases involving 262 DoC patients revealed significant findings. The prefrontal cortex was the most frequently targeted brain region. fNIRS has proven crucial in assessing brain functional connectivity and activation, facilitating the diagnosis of DoC. Furthermore, fNIRS plays a pivotal role in diagnosis and treatment through its application in neuromodulation techniques such as deep brain stimulation (DBS) and spinal cord stimulation (SCS). Conclusion: As a noninvasive, portable, and real-time neuroimaging tool, fNIRS holds significant promise for advancing the assessment and treatment of DoC. Despite limitations such as low spatial resolution and the need for standardized protocols, fNIRS has demonstrated its utility in evaluating residual brain activity, detecting covert consciousness, and monitoring therapeutic interventions. In addition to assessing consciousness levels, fNIRS offers unique advantages in tracking hemodynamic changes associated with neuroregulatory treatments, including DBS and SCS. By providing real-time feedback on cortical activation, fNIRS facilitates optimizing therapeutic strategies and supports individualized treatment planning. Continued research addressing its technical and methodological challenges will further establish fNIRS as an indispensable tool in the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment monitoring of DoC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The immune system must carefully balance fighting pathogens with minimization of inflammation and avoidance of autoimmune responses. Over the past ten years, researchers have extensively studied the mechanisms regulating this delicate balance. Comprehending these mechanisms is essential for developing treatments for inflammatory conditions. Aim: This review aims to synthesize knowledge of immunoregulatory processes published from 2014–2024 and to highlight discoveries that provide fresh perspectives on this complex balance. Methods: The keywords "molecular mechanisms", "immune regulation", "immune signaling pathways", and "immune homeostasis" were used to search PubMed for articles published between 2014 and 2024, with a preference for articles published in the past three years. Results: Recent research has pinpointed the impact of factors such as cytokine signaling, T-cell regulation, epigenetic regulation, and immunometabolism on immune function. Discussion: New research highlights the intricate interactions between the immune system and other molecular elements. A key area of interest is the impact of non-coding RNAs and metabolic pathways on the regulation of immune responses. Conclusions: Exploring the mechanisms by which the immune system is regulated will provide new avenues for developing treatments to address autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fertilization is a critical process in sexual reproduction that involves the fusion of a capacitated sperm with a mature oocyte to form a zygote. Polyspermy, the fertilization of an oocyte by multiple sperm, leads to polyploidy and embryo lethality. Mammalian and non-mammalian oocytes have evolved mechanisms to prevent polyspermy, including fast and slow blocks. The fast block comprises membrane depolarization post-sperm fusion, temporarily preventing additional sperm fusion. The slow block, triggered by cortical granule (CG) exocytosis, involves the release of proteins that modify the zona pellucida to form a permanent barrier, avoiding the fertilization by additional sperm. The evidence shows that immature oocytes often fail to prevent polyspermy due to ineffective CG exocytosis, attributed to impaired intracellular calcium increases, lower content of this ion, and incomplete CG migration. The study of how genetic variations lead to observable phenotypes (phenogenetics) during the oocyte-to-embryo transition, have identified several maternal-effect genes in zebrafish involved in CG behavior. These genes regulate various stages of CG biology, including biosynthesis, maturation, and exocytosis. Mutations in these genes disrupt these processes, highlighting the maternal genetic control over CG properties. Zebrafish has emerged as a pivotal model for understanding the evolving genetic regulation and molecular mechanisms underlying CG biology, providing valuable insights into fertility and early embryonic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Converging evidence suggests that bipolar disorder (BD) involves mitochondrial dysfunction and prefrontal cortex (PFC) hypometabolism associated with cognitive impairment, which persists in remitted BD individuals. Transcranial infrared laser stimulation (TILS) provides safe, non-invasive brain stimulation that enhances PFC metabolism via photobiomodulation of mitochondrial respiration and tissue oxygenation. We tested the hypothesis that the neurocognitive deficits found in BD may be ameliorated by TILS treatments. Methods: This is the first study to explore neurocognitive effects of repeated TILS administration in BD. Using an open-label design, 29 individuals with remitted BD received six weekly TILS treatments. Working memory and attention were assessed with trail-making and 2-back tasks sensitive to TILS cognitive effects in individuals with BD. Changes in PFC network interactions were measured with functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) because this method can measure TILS effects on oxygen metabolism in the PFC of individuals with BD. Results: Participants reported no adverse effects from treatment, confirming the safety of this intervention in individuals with BD. Cognitive test results showed that in people with remitted BD, TILS was effective at improving cognition, i.e., enhanced speed and accuracy in tasks reflecting cognitive flexibility, working memory, and attentional control. Antipsychotic medication improved TILS cognitive effects. The fNIRS results showed a significant reduction in PFC network correlations of oxygenated hemoglobin changes driven by cognitive task performance. The right-hemisphere frontopolar cortex showed greater TILS effects than its left-hemisphere counterpart. Conclusions: Repeated TILS is a safe intervention to improve cognition in people with remitted BD. Continued antipsychotic medication may have contributed to the cognitive improvement. To confirm TILS efficacy, a sham-controlled, double-blinded randomized trial is needed. Clinical trial registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ , identifier NCT05354895. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent findings from photometric and spectroscopic JWST surveys have identified examples of high-redshift galaxies at z ≳ 10. These high- z galaxies appear to form much earlier and exhibit greater UV luminosity than predicted by theoretical work. In this study, our goal is to reproduce the brightness of these sources by simulating high-redshift galaxies with virial masses M vir = 109–1010 M ⊙ at z > 10. To achieve this, we conduct cosmological hydrodynamic zoom-in simulations, modifying baryonic subgrid physics, and post-process our simulation results to confirm the observability of our simulated galaxies. Specifically, we enhanced star formation activity in high-redshift galaxies by either increasing the star formation efficiency up to 100% or adopting a top-heavy initial mass function (IMF). Our simulation results indicate that both increasing star formation efficiency and adopting a top-heavy IMF play crucial roles in boosting the UV luminosity of high-redshift galaxies, potentially exceeding the limiting magnitude of JWST surveys in earlier epochs. In particular, the episodic starburst resulting from enhanced star formation efficiency may explain the high-redshift galaxies observed by JWST, as it evacuates dust from star-forming regions, making the galaxies more observable. We demonstrate this correlation between star formation activity and dust mass evolution within the simulated galaxies. Also, adopting a top-heavy IMF could enhance observability due to an overabundance of massive stars, although it may also facilitate rapid metal enrichment. Using our simulation results, we derive several observables such as effective radius, UV slope, and emission-line rates, which could serve as valuable theoretical estimates for comparison with existing spectroscopic results and forthcoming data from the JWST NIRSpec and MIRI instruments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To establish a combined radiomics-clinical model for the early prediction of a prostate-specific antigen(PSA) response in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer(mCRPC) after treatment with abiraterone acetate(AA). Methods: The data of a total of 60 mCRPC patients from two hospitals were retrospectively analyzed and randomized into a training group(n=48) or a validation group(n=12). By extracting features from biparametric MRI, including T2-weighted imaging(T2WI), diffusion-weighted imaging(DWI), and apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC) maps, radiomics features from the training dataset were selected using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO) regression. Four predictive models were developed to assess the efficacy of abiraterone in treating patients with mCRPC. The primary outcome variable was the PSA response following AA treatment. The performance of each model was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using Cox regression to identify significant predictors of the efficacy of abiraterone treatment in patients with mCRPC. Results: The integrated model was constructed from seven radiomics features extracted from the T2WI, DWI, and ADC sequence images of the training data. This model demonstrated the highest AUC in both the training and validation cohorts, with values of 0.889 (95% CI, 0.764-0.961) and 0.875 (95% CI, 0.564-0.991). The Rad-score served as an independent predictor of the response to abiraterone treatment in patients with mCRPC (HR: 2.21, 95% CI: 1.01-4.44). Conclusion: The biparametric MRI-based radiomics model has the potential to predict the PSA response in patients with mCRPC following abiraterone treatment. Clinical relevance statement: The MRI-based radiomics model could be used to noninvasively identify the AA response in mCRPC patients, which is helpful for early clinical decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulmonary gene delivery has demonstrated high specificity for respiratory diseases, offering great control on dosage of therapeutics and side effects. On the other hand, intrinsic barriers in pulmonary systems impose new challenges such as crossing the pulmonary surfactant and evading mucus entrapment. Differences in hydrophobicity of plasma membrane and pulmonary surfactant require different chemistries of gene carriers to improve efficacy. Large-scale coarse-grained (CG) molecular dynamics simulations would facilitate the screening of gene carriers and understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in pulmonary delivery. Among non-viral carriers, polyethyleneimine (PEI) has been a promising candidate that can be synthesized with various molecular weight, degree of branching, and functionalization. In this work, CG models are developed for PEI and its lipid-functionalized form, within the Martini framework, to provide a platform for exploring structure-function relationships of PEI-based pulmonary delivery systems. Special attention is focused on parameterizing the non-bonded interactions associated with CG PEI, to ensure compatibility with Martini proteins, short interfering RNA, and phospholipids that are essential components in pulmonary gene delivery. The non-bonded parameters are validated by comparing all-atom (AA) and CG potential of mean force (PMF) curves, where the root-mean-square deviations between the AA and CG PMF curves are shown to be comparable to or smaller than those reported in Martini literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) disproportionately affects individuals of South Asian descent. Additionally, diabetes distress (DD) may lead to complications with diabetes management. This study examines the prevalence of DD among foreign-born individuals of South Asian descent in New York City (NYC) and its association with sociodemographic and clinical factors. Methods: Baseline data was collected from the Diabetes Research, Education, and Action for Minorities (DREAM) Initiative, an intervention designed to reduce hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) among South Asian individuals with uncontrolled T2D at primary care practices in NYC. The Diabetes Distress Scale (DDS) measured DD, and Core Healthy Days Measures assessed physical and mental healthy days. Sociodemographic variables were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests assessed categorical variables, and Wilcoxon Rank Sum tests evaluated continuous variables (Type I error rate = 0.05). Logistic regression models examined associations between HbA1c, mental health, and other covariates with dichotomized DD subscales. Results: Overall, 414 participants completed the DDS at baseline (median age = 55.2 years; SD = 9.8). All were born outside of the US; the majority were born in Bangladesh (69.8%) followed by India, Pakistan, and Nepal (24.7%) and Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago (5.5%). High emotional burden, regimen-related distress and physician-related distress were reported by 25.9%, 21.9%, and 6.2% of participants, respectively. In adjusted analyses, individuals with ≥ 1 day of poor mental health had higher odds of overall distress (OR:3.8, p = 0.013), emotional burden (OR:4.5, p < 0.001), and physician-related distress (OR:4.6, p = 0.007) compared to individuals with no days of poor mental health. Higher HbA1c (OR:1.45, p = < 0.001) was associated with regimen-related distress; and lower emotional support was associated with overall distress (OR:0.92, p < 0.001) and regimen-related distress (OR:0.95, p = 0.012). Individuals born in Bangladesh had significantly lower odds of overall distress, emotional burden, and regimen-related distress compared to individuals born in Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago. Conclusions: Findings highlight the rate and risk factors of DD among individuals of South Asian descent living in NYC. Screening for DD in patients with prediabetes or diabetes should be integrated to address mental and physical health needs. Future research can benefit from a longitudinal analysis of the impact of DD on diabetes self-management and health outcomes. Trial registration: This study uses baseline data from "Diabetes Management Intervention for South Asians" (NCT03333044), which was registered with clinicaltrials.gov on 6/11/2017. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing affordable, rapid, and accurate biosensors is essential for SARS-CoV-2 surveillance and early detection. We created a bio-inspired peptide, using the SAGAPEP AI platform, for COVID-19 salivary diagnostics via a portable electrochemical device coupled to Machine Learning algorithms. SAGAPEP enabled molecular docking simulations against the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein's RBD, leading to the synthesis of Bio-Inspired Artificial Intelligence Peptide 1 (BIAI1). Molecular docking was used to confirm interactions between BIAI1 and SARS-CoV-2, and BIAI1 was functionalized on rhodamine-modified electrodes. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) using a [Fe(CN)6]3−/4 solution detected virus levels in saliva samples with and without SARS-CoV-2. Support vector machine (SVM)-based machine learning analyzed electrochemical data, enhancing sensitivity and specificity. Molecular docking revealed stable hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interactions with RBD, showing an average affinity of −250 kcal/mol. Our biosensor achieved 100% sensitivity, 80% specificity, and 90% accuracy for 1.8 × 10⁴ focus-forming units in infected saliva. Validation with COVID-19-positive and -negative samples using a neural network showed 90% sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. This BIAI1-based electrochemical biosensor, integrated with machine learning, demonstrates a promising non-invasive, portable solution for COVID-19 screening and detection in saliva. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine plankton include organisms driving multiple ecosystem services (ESs). In this study, we identified ESs provided by planktonic consortia worldwide from the analysis of scientific literature. We also mapped the identified ESs onto forty-nine plankton trophic networks derived from presence–absence data obtained from two coastal surveys in three areas along the coast of the Campania region in the Tyrrhenian Sea (NW Mediterranean). The systematic review evidenced that ESs associated with goods provision and ecosystem regulation were the most studied categories, while cultural ESs were the least considered. The mapping of ESs across the Campania coast revealed significant spatiotemporal variations in plankton-based ESs, which depend on seasonal variability and local environmental conditions. Among the ESs, those connected with the regulation and maintenance of marine ecosystems dominated both temporally and spatially, highlighting the crucial role of plankton in ecosystem stability and resilience. Moreover, although the direct provision of goods and materials was less represented, food provision to higher trophic levels was widespread within each coastal sector, highlighting the crucial role of plankton biodiversity in directly sustaining the whole marine ecosystem and related economic activities such as fisheries and aquacultures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cervical cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in women, and early diagnosis can significantly reduce mortality rates. However, cervical cancer screening rates have not reached the desired levels. The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between women's fatalistic tendencies and their attitudes toward the early diagnosis of cervical cancer. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2023 to March 2024 and included 385 women. Data were collected through an online survey, which featured a personal information form, the Attitudes Toward the Early Diagnosis of Cervical Cancer Scale (AEDCCS), and the Fatalistic Tendency Scale (FTS). Results: The mean scores for the AEDCCS and the FTS total scales were 101.2 ± 10.4 and 73.5 ± 9.3, respectively. Linear regression analysis revealed a statistically significant relationship between the AEDCCS total score and the superstition subscale of the FTS (t = -2.370; ß = -0.540) (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The results indicate that women's superstitious beliefs are predictors of their attitudes toward early detection of cervical cancer. It is recommended that health professionals consider women's fatalistic tendencies and superstitious beliefs when designing educational and informational programs to encourage participation in cervical cancer screening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study examined qualitative data from hospice clinicians' perspectives on language, surrounding end-of-life (EOL), to understand challenges and opportunities for constructing a trajectory of communication leading towards a good death experience. Findings from two focus groups with nine clinicians' and 12 individual interviews, four of which were follow up interviews after the focus groups, were guided by framework analysis and revealed three themes, constructing language choices, roles and responsibilities, and socio-cultural considerations. We used the Opportunity Model for Presence during the End-of-Life Process (OMP-EOLP) to make sense of the findings and discuss implications for language use throughout the EOL process. We argue additional efforts should be made in recognizing the value of presence checks, re-constructing advance care planning, and utilizing different forms of media as an educational tool and connection mechanism for clinicians with patients and families to achieve a timely engagement of EOL conversations for all healthcare participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates how CEO characteristics, board composition, and firm size influence the technical efficiency (TE) of energy firms. We aim to understand how these factors contribute to production inefficiencies, which may help explain fluctuations in oil prices. Using stochastic frontier analysis (SFA), we analyze data from 100 American energy firms over the period from 2006 to 2019. Our results show that inefficiencies in production are primarily driven by specific CEO traits, the size and structure of the board, and the overall size of the firm. Based on the findings of this study, we recommend focusing on the selection of executive managers with specific qualifications, particularly those with extensive experience in managing oil and gas companies. Leadership positions should prioritize seasoned managers with accumulated expertise in this sector, and preference should be given to candidates with advanced educational backgrounds. Encouraging CEOs to acquire equity stakes in the company can significantly boost the technical efficiency of oil and gas firms. Additionally, offering competitive salaries and performance-based bonuses may further enhance managerial effectiveness and drive technical improvements. In addition, expanding the size of boards of directors in oil and gas companies is also anticipated to positively influence their technical efficiency. Finally, pursuing mergers and acquisitions to grow the scale of oil and gas companies represents a strategic approach to improving operational efficiency while contributing to the stability of global energy prices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) imaging offers a promising avenue for measuring brain function in both healthy and diseased cohorts. However, signal quality in fNIRS data frequently encounters challenges, such as low signal-to-noise ratio or substantial motion artifacts in one or multiple measurement channels, impeding the comprehensive exploitation of the data. Developing a valid method to improve the quality of damaged fNIRS signals is crucial, particularly given the extensive use of wearable fNIRS devices in natural settings where noise issues are even more unavoidable. Here, we proposed a generative deep learning approach to recover damaged fNIRS signals in one or more measurement channels. The model captured spatial and temporal variations in the time series of fNIRS data by integrating multiscale convolutional layers, gated recurrent units (GRUs), and linear regression analyses. We trained the model on a resting-state fNIRS dataset from healthy elderly individuals and evaluated its performance in terms of reconstruction accuracy and functional connectivity matrix similarity. Collectively, the proposed model exhbited an excellent performance for the reconstruction of damaged fNIRS time series. In individual channel-level, the model can accurately reconstruct damaged fNIRS time series (mean correlation = 0.80 ± 0.14) while preserving intervariable relationships (correlation = 0.93). In multiple channel-level, the model maintained robust reconstruction accuracy and consistency in terms of functional connectivity. Our findings underscore the potential of generative deep learning techniques in reconstructing damaged fNIRS signals, providing a novel perspective for the efficient utilization of data in clinical diagnosis and brain research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]