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This meta-analysis evaluated the association between the Val66Met polymorphism of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and the susceptibility to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in the Chinese mainland population. Eligible documents were selected from online databases including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang and CBM (updated to 15 October 2023). The evaluation of study quality was conducted according to guidelines of Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Basic features of patients, OR and 95% CI were retrieved to assess the correlation between ADHD susceptibility and Val66Met polymorphism in four genetic models: allele genetic model (mutation (A) vs. wild-type (G)), additive genetic model (AA vs. GG and AG vs. GG), recessive genetic model (AA vs. AG+GG) and dominant genetic model (AA+AG vs. GG). This study included totally four studies for subsequent meta-analysis. The results indicated that the correlation between ADHD susceptibility and Val66Met polymorphism in A vs. G (OR = 0.8840, 95%CI: [0.6696–1.1672], p = 0.3846), AA vs. GG (OR = 0.8436, 95%CI: [0.5432–1.3102], p = 0.4490), AA+AG vs. GG (OR = 0.8602, 95%CI: [0.6497–1.1391], p = 0.2933), AG vs. GG (OR = 0.9132, 95%CI: [0.7810–1.0679], p = 0.2556) and AA vs. GG+AG (OR = 1.0315, 95%CI: [0.8789–1.2105], p = 0.7044) was not significant. Egger’s test and sensitivity analysis demonstrating the reliability and stability our conclusions, respectively. BDNF Val66Met polymorphism did not contribute to the susceptibility of ADHD in Chinese mainland population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuroblastoma (NB), a rare childhood cancer originating in nerve tissue. YTHDF3, a member of the YTH domain protein family, is involved in RNA m6A modification and cancer progression. Polymorphisms in YTHDF3 may influence its expression and biological function. Herein, this study estimated the association between YTHDF3 polymorphisms (rs2241753, rs2241754, and rs7464) and NB susceptibility in a multicenter study comprising 898 cases and 1734 controls. We genotyped YTHDF3 candidate polymorphisms by the TaqMan assay. Logistic regression analysis was applied to indicate the possible relationships between these polymorphisms and NB susceptibility, using odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Logistic regression analysis revealed that the rs2241753 GA versus GG decreased NB risk (Adjusted OR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.71–0.997, p = .047), while the rs7464 GG versus AA enhanced NB risk (Adjusted OR = 1.62, 95% CI = 1.20–2.18, p = .002). Additionally, rs7464 GG versus AA/AG showed a higher risk (Adjusted OR = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.24–2.22, p = .0006). Combination analysis showed that having 1–3 risk genotypes versus 0 was associated with increased NB risk (Adjusted OR = 1.28, 95%CI = 1.09–1.51, p = .003). The significance of rs7464 and the risk genotypes combination persisted across multiple subgroups, whereas rs2241754 was significant only in mediastinal NB. False‐positive report probability (FPRP) confirmed the reliability of results. Notably, the interaction between rs7464 and rs2241754 may increase NB risk dramatically. Our study demonstrated that YTHDF3 rs7464 A > G significantly affected NB susceptibility, warranting validation in larger sample sizes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Innate immune deficiencies can impair both cellular and humoral immune responses. In contrast, other immune functions may appear normal, leading to increased susceptibility to specific pathogens, such as severe viral infections or Mendelian Susceptibility to Mycobacterial Disease (MSMD). Studying these deficiencies is essential for understanding the pathophysiology of these infectious diseases. Main body: While primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs) generally cause vulnerability to multiple infections, innate immunodeficiencies increase susceptibility to specific pathogens, despite normal immune responses to others. Patients with these deficiencies show normal immunoglobulins and lymphocyte subpopulations, complicating diagnosis. This review highlights genetic susceptibility to mycobacteria, pneumococci, herpes simplex virus, and candidiasis, emphasizing recognizing this subset of PIDs. Conclusion: This review highlights the diverse spectrum of genetic mutations contributing to defects in innate and intrinsic immunity, including Mendelian susceptibility to mycobacterial disease (MSMD), chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis, and predispositions to invasive bacterial and viral infections. Identifying key mutations in pathprovideh such as TLR3, IFN signaling, and IL-17A/F immunity provides valuable insights into the pathogenesis of these conditions. Our findings underscore the need for early genetic diagnosis and targeted interventions, particularly in regions with high undiagnosed cases, to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with defects in innate and intrinsic immunity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class II molecules are critically involved in the pathology of acquired aplastic anaemia (AA) by regulating the immune response and autoreactive T cell‐mediated haematopoietic cell death. In the study, amino acid residue variation and molecular structure of HLA class II have been initially investigated in 96 patients with AA. The frequencies of residues 9 and 57 in pocket 9 (P9) in DQB1, and amino acid positions 9, 11, 13, 16, 26, 38, 67 and 71 in the P4, P6 and P9 pockets in DRB1 were more prevalent among AA patients. By applying a multivariate recursive approach, the DRβ‐Gln‐16 (OR = 3.003, 95% CI = 1.468–6.145, pc = 0.003), DRβ‐Ala‐71 (OR = 1.924, 95% CI = 1.233–3.002, pc = 0.004) in P4/P7 and DQβ‐Asp‐57 (OR = 3.483, 95% CI = 1.079–11.242, pc = 0.037) in P9, these critical residues were significantly discovered as risk amino acid residues on the onset of AA, as well as associated with PNH‐type cells and pathological somatic or cytogenetic mutations. In silico structural model analysis showed that identified DRβ‐Ala‐71 and DQβ‐Asp‐57 within the antigen‐binding groove interacting with a more variable antigenic segments, may impact the repertoire of peptides presented, influence the interface HLA‐antigen‐T‐cell receptor β (TCR β). These findings provided light on the immunogenetic pathophysiology of AA aetiology and their potential impact on upcoming immunotherapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate the significance of neuregulin 1 (NRG-1) gene rs35753505 polymorphism and changes of serum NRG-1 level in children with focal epilepsy. Methods Totally 101 children with focal epilepsy (epilepsy group) and 101 healthy children (control group) were selected. According to the curative effect, the children with epilepsy were divided into the effective group (n=71) and ineffective group (n=30). The polymorphism of NRG-1 gene rs35753505 was detected by polymerase chain reaction and ligase detection reaction, and NRG-1 was detected by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay. Multivariate Logistic regression model was used to analyze the effect of serum NRG-1 level on the efficacy of ASM. Results The CC genotype and allele C gene frequencies in the epilepsy group were higher than those in the control group (both P<0. 05), and the serum NRG-1 level was lower than that in the control group (P<0. 05). The risk of focal epilepsy was higher in CC genotype than in TT (OR=1. 658, 95 % CI : 1. 506-1. 957) and CT (OR= 1. 404, 95 %CI : 1. 205-1. 733) genotypes (both P<0. 05); the risk of focal epilepsy was higher in C allele than in T allele (OR=1. 872, 95 %CI : 1. 643-2. 892, P<0. 05). The CC genotype and allele C gene frequencies in the ineffective group were higher than those in the effective group (both P<0. 05), and the serum NRG-1 level was lower than that in the effective group (P<0. 05). The risk of invalid ASM was higher in CC genotype than in TT (OR=1. 358, 95%CI: 1. 1061. 537) and CT (OR=1. 274, 95%CI: 1. 075–1. 465) genotypes (both P<0. 05), and the risk of invalid ASM was higher in C allele than in T allele (OR=1. 572, 95%CI: 1. 465–1. 432, P<0. 05). The serum NRG-1 level in focal epilepsy children with CC genotype was lower than that of children with CT and TT genotypes (all P<0. 05), and there was no significant difference in serum NRG-1 level between CT and TT genotypes in children with focal epilepsy (P>0. 05). The proportions of abnormal EEG and family history of epilepsy in the ineffective group were higher than those in the effective group (both P<0. 05). Abnormal EEG and CC genotype were risk factors for the efficacy of ASM (P<0. 05), and high serum NRG-1 level was a protective factor (P<0. 05). Conclusion NRG-1 gene rs35753505 polymorphism and serum NRG-1 level affect the susceptibility of focal epilepsy and the efficacy of ASM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: One of the biggest threats to global health is the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in respiratory tract infections, which results in significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. This study aimed to decrease the prevalence of bacterial resistance in those suffering from pleuropulmonary infections. Methods: This Retrospective cross sectional study was conducted at the Chest Department and Chest ICU at Zagazig University Hospital on 120 patients with pleuropulmonary infections. During this study, Patients with pleuropulmonary infections were considered for analysis and identification of the clinical isolates. Results: The most common organisms isolated were gram-ve in 110 cases (79.7%), distributed as k. pneumoniae 58 (42.0%), E.coli 21 (15.2%), P.aeruginosa 20 (14.4%), acinetobacter baumannii 11 (7.9), while gram +ve organisms were isolated in 28 cases (20.2%), distributed as Staph Arouse 12 (8.6%) Coagulase -VE Staph 11 (7.9%), and Staph haemolyticus 5 (3.6%). K.Pneumonia, E. coli and P.aeruginosa were predominantly isolated from sputum 42.9%, 15.2%, 15.2% respectively, K.Pneumonia, Staph Aureus, P.aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii and Staph haemolyticus were predominantly isolated from infected Pleural fluid with 36.0%, 20, 12.0%, 12.0%, respectively. Conclusions: the most common organisms that isolated from our cases were k. pneumoniae, E.coli and P.aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii as a gram -ve were Susceptible for Carpenems, Colisten while resistance for Pipracillin, Ciprofloxacin, Levofloxacin and Ceftazidime, Cefipime. On the other hand, the gram + ve isolates were Coagulase negative staph, Staph.aureus and Staph haemolyticus found susceptible for Gentamycin, Vancomycin, Linezolid, while resistance for Flouroqoinolones and, Erthromycine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Women with endometriosis were deemed more prone to COVID-19 infection in some reports. Considering that endometriosis-related aberrant immune response, understanding how COVID-19 vaccination influences its clinical status is crucial. The aim of this meta-analysis was the evaluate the susceptibility to COVID-19 infection and modifications of symptoms following COVID-19 vaccination in women with endometriosis. Electronic searches on EMBASE, MEDLINE, Scopus, Cochrane at CENTRAL, Scielo.br, LILACS and other databases were searched from inception to March 2024. Studies were eligible if they analyzed the incidence of infection in endometriosis women or the changes in symptoms after two doses of COVID-19 vaccine and had a control group. Four studies (2249 women) were included. No increased susceptibility to COVID-19 infection due to presence or absence of endometriosis was retrievable (risk ratio (RR) 1.42 [95% CI 0.88 to 2.27]; I2 = 33%). Patients with endometriosis did not experience an overall worsening of symptomatology relative to controls (RR 1.58 [95% CI 0.67 to 3.75]; I2 = 94%). An increase in the risk of dysmenorrhea worsening was noted (RR 1.88 [95% CI 1.11 to 3.17]; I2 = 63%). No other differences regarding menstrual flow (RR 1.25 [95% CI 0.70 to 2.23]; I2 = 78%), intermenstrual bleeding (RR 1.14 [95% CI 0.83 to 1.56]; I2 = 39%) and pelvic pain (RR 2.55 [95% CI 0.65 to 10.05]; I2 = 80%) compared to controls was retrievable. Therefore, mRNA vaccines do not seem to lead to worsening of symptomatology in endometriotic women. However, a slight temporary increase in dysmenorrhea may be present. Moreover, endometriosis does not seem to increase the risk of contracting COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liriomyza sativae infestations pose a threat to horticultural crops like melon and tomato, causing economic losses of up to 30%, typically managed through insecticide applications. Despite the inherent risk of resistance development in populations, reported cases are still relatively low that may be associated with the practicality of the existing bioassay methods. To address the resistance phenomenon in a species, a practical and reliable method to generate susceptibility data should be used. This study aimed to refine existing bioassay method(s) for Liriomyza against different modes of action and set up the susceptibility status of field populations to cyantraniliprole and spinetoram in Brazil. Using the leaf disc immersion method, individual larvae on leaf discs were transferred to both bioassay trays and acrylic Petri dishes after treating them, and mortality was assessed 48 and 72 h after exposure. Susceptibility parameters varied with arena type, exposure duration, and insecticide. Bioassay tray arenas showed consistency of response compared to acrylic dishes and improved parameters at 72 h exposure among the modes of action assessed. Thus, survey of populations against cyantraniliprole and spinetoram using Bioassay tray arenas showed to be consistent and data suggested resistance evidence in L. sativae populations. Resistance ratio varied from 1.2- (MSR4) to 4.2- (BRN1) and from 1.6- (MSR5) to 7.9-fold (MSR2) for cyantraniliprole and spinetoram, respectively. Diagnostic concentration (10 mg/L) for both insecticides showed survival up to 10% (spinetoram) and 2% (cyantraniliprole). The bioassay tray method may be an alternative to existing methods for toxicological assessments and detection/documenting resistance to insecticides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in COL4A2 gene with risk and outcome of primary intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in the Chinese Han population remains unclear, which was investigated in this study. Primary ICH patients and non-stroke controls of Chinese Han ethnicity were enrolled. The genotypes of 8 tag-SNPs were determined using a custom-by-design 48-Plex SNPscan Kit. Poor 3-month outcome was defined as modified Rankin Scale score 4–6. Logistic regression was employed to examine association between COL4A2 variants and risk and poor outcome of primary ICH. 323 patients with primary ICH and 376 stroke-free controls were included. Compared to controls, the rs1049931 G and rs1049906 C alleles were associated with increased ICH risk (p = 0.027 and 0.033), and these two allele counts increased this risk after adjustments respectively (additive model: adjusted OR [aOR] 1.41, 95% CI 1.03–1.94, corrected p = 0.043; aOR 1.37, 95% CI 1.01–1.86, corrected p = 0.043). The rs1049931 AG/GG and rs1049906 CT/CC genotypes showed increased susceptibility to non-lobar hemorrhage (aOR 1.63, 95% CI 1.06–2.50, p = 0.025; aOR 1.63, 95% CI 1.07–2.47, p = 0.022). Haplotype analysis revealed an association between rs1049906-rs1049931 haplotype CG and ICH risk (OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.05–1.78, p = 0.021). Regarding clinical outcome, the rs3803230 C allele (dominant model: aOR 1.94, 95% CI 1.04–3.63, p = 0.037) and haplotype AC of rs7990214-rs3803230 (OR 1.98, 95% CI 1.13–3.46, p = 0.015) contributed to 3-month poor outcome. The COL4A2 polymorphisms are associated with an increased risk of primary ICH, mainly non-lobar hemorrhage, and with long-term poor outcome after ICH in Chinese Han population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

African swine fever (ASF) is endemic to Uganda and causes annual outbreaks. Some pigs survive these outbreaks and remain asymptomatic but are African swine fever virus (ASFV) positive. The potential heritability and genetic disparities in disease susceptibility among Ugandan pigs are not fully understood. In a 12-year study, whole blood and tissue samples were collected from 212 pigs across 19 districts in Uganda. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were used to determine ASFV infection status and genotyping was completed using a commercial porcine array. The point prevalence of ASF was calculated for each district, and breed composition origins were quantified for the sampled pigs by implementing established ancestry analyses. Genome-wide associated studies (GWAS) were conducted using all available domestic swine samples (full study population; n = 206) as well as a reduced dataset (farm-level study population; n = 129). This study revealed a greater number of ASFV-positive pigs in border districts than in non-border districts, a high level of admixture among domestic pigs sampled from Ugandan smallholder farms, and 48 loci that were associated with ASFV infection status. The discovery of 48 significant SNPs and 28 putative candidate genes may imply the possibility of heritability for resistance to ASFV. However, additional investigations in ASFV-endemic regions are required to fully elucidate the heritability of ASFV susceptibility among surviving pigs in Uganda. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to differences in their feeding behavior, sheep and goats are often assumed to respond differently to helminth infections. The present study compared Haemonchus contortus infection profile between sheep and goats under the same experimental setting. Experimental infection was conducted using a randomized block design in four groups of intact sheep (InfSH and ConSH) and goats (InfG, and ConG). Groups InfSH and InfG (N = 7 each) received 10,000L3 of H. contortus whereas the control groups ConSH and ConG (N = 7 each) remained uninfected. Faecal egg counts and PCV were measured from Day 0 to day 56 post infection (PI). On day 56 PI, animals were humanely slaughtered and abomasal contents were recovered to measure worm burden, worm length and in utero egg count. The findings show that: (1) Haemonchus infected animals showed an increase in FEC starting from day 21 PI, (2) progressive reduction in PCV was registered from day 7 PI and continued to the end of the experiment while this remained at pre-infection levels in control groups, (3) FEC was much higher (P < 0.001) and PCV was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in infected goats than in infected sheep, (4) at necropsy, total worm burden with worm establishment rates of 63% and 28.87% were registered respectively for infected goats and sheep with significant difference (P < 0.05), (5) Female worms were significantly longer (P < 0.05) in InfG (22.8(± 1.2) compared to InfSH (20.5 ± 0.67 mm) while (6) Mean worm fecundity was 974.8 ± 239.4 and 1162.5 ± 89.4 respectively for groups InfSH and InfG with no significant difference (P = 0.07), and (7) Parasite traits such as worm burden, FEC and female worm length were well correlated in sheep whereas few such patterns were observed in goats. In conclusion, under the same experimental infection, Arsi-Bale goats are more susceptible to H. contortus infection than Arsi-Bale sheep and hence deserve special attention when they are forced to live on grazing rather than browsing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Li-ferrite and graphene oxide (GO) nanocomposites, denoted as (Li 0.5-x/2 ZnₓFe 2.5-x/2 O 4 : x = 0.25), were produced through ultrasonication. The wet method generated Li-ferrite, while the Hummers' method synthesized the GO. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to validate the development of Li-ferrite and GO in the nanocomposites. The dimensions of the crystal were determined between 41 and 52 nm, and the porosity of the composites increased with the higher quantity of GO. The scanning electron micrographs (SEM) of ferrites illustrated the formation of uniform and well-defined grains with consistent shapes, exhibiting properties well-suited for effective microwave absorption. The electrical resistance of spinel ferrite was measured at approximately 3.34 × 1011 Ω-cm and significantly lowered as the fraction of GO increased at ambient temperature. As per Maxwell Wagner's model, the electrical permittivity exhibited interfacial polarization with distinct real and imaginary components. The AC conductivity exhibited a positive correlation with the GO content due to the conductive properties of GO and the improved charge hopping mechanism. The frequency exponent parameter's value falls from 0.36 to 0.95 b y the Jonscher's Power law. The magnetic susceptibility of all the samples exhibited a progressive decrease as the temperature increased. The choice of using lithium-based ferrite as filler is made to strengthen the ferrite/GO composites and improve their magnetic and electrical properties. This is undertaken to harness these composites for high-frequency applications, such as their use as microwave absorbers in microwave devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nucleotide excision repair (NER) system is one of the main ways to protect organisms from DNA damage caused by endogenous and exogenous carcinogens. NER deficiency increases genome mutations, chromosomal aberrations, and cancer viability. However, the genetic association between Wilms tumor and NER pathway gene polymorphisms needs to be further validated. We assessed the associations between 19 NER gene polymorphisms and Wilms tumor susceptibility in 416 cases and 936 controls from East China via the TaqMan method. We found that xeroderma pigmentosum group D (XPD) rs238406 and rs13181 significantly decreased the risk of Wilms tumor [adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.59, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.46–0.75, p <.0001; adjusted OR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.44–0.89, p = .009, respectively]. Furthermore, the rs751402 and rs2296147 polymorphisms in the xeroderma pigmentosum group G (XPG) gene were significantly correlated with an increased risk for Wilms tumor (adjusted OR = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.03–2.09, p = .034; adjusted OR = 2.14, 95% CI = 1.29–3.56, p = .003, respectively). Expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) analysis revealed that these four polymorphisms may affect the expression of genes that are adjacent to XPD and XPG. Our study provides evidence that XPD and XPG gene polymorphisms are associated with Wilms tumor risk. Nonetheless, these findings should be confirmed in a larger sample size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractInternational research documents the popularity of youth e-cigarette use and factors associated with consumption. However, less research has examined the behaviour in jurisdictions where such products are illegal. This study therefore investigated social and demographic factors associated with the use of e-cigarettes among youth in Thailand, where such products are prohibited. An online cross-sectional survey was conducted among middle and high school students (n = 6,111) to capture individual, interpersonal, organizational, and social factors potentially related to the behaviour. Multinomial logistic regression was used to assess associations with e-cigarette susceptibility and use. The prevalence of e-cigarette susceptibility was 15.9%, with 9.7% reporting current use. Risk factors, including lower GPA, current smoking, current substance use, and peer vaping, were associated with susceptibility (vs. non-susceptibility) and use (vs. susceptibility). Parental vaping was linked solely to current use, while middle school attendance, current alcohol use, exposure to e-cigarette use in school and exposure to online marketing, were linked to susceptibility. Negative attitude towards e-cigarettes and regular exposure to anti-e-cigarette activities in school were protective factors against both. High-risk perceptions and regular parental supervision were protective factors for susceptibility. Despite bans, a significant proportion of Thai youth engage in e-cigarette use or are susceptible to it. Unique factors influence susceptibility and use, highlighting the need for strengthening laws and adjusting prevention efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chefchaouen province, located in northern Morocco, is prone to landslides because of its geological features, climate change, and human activities. We investigated landslide dynamics in this mountainous province using a multi-criteria spatial approach and GIS, applying the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). Our findings identified 1267.877 km2 as low-risk, 1695.334 km2 as moderate-risk, and 904.2071 km2 as high-risk, mainly in the northern and northwestern regions. Forests were the most susceptible at 13.83%, followed by agricultural and bare lands, with water bodies least affected. Contributing factors include deforestation, wildfires, and agricultural practices. Our results highlight the need for targeted risk mitigation and continuous land use monitoring. Strategies like slope stabilisation and reforestation can improve landslide prediction and prevention, enhancing community resilience in Chefchaouen. This study’s innovative approach and insights into landslide prediction and prevention provide valuable knowledge to the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dengue is a serious public health problem worldwide, including Panama. During the last years, the number of dengue cases has increased. This may be due to the presence of mosquito populations resistant to insecticides. The aim of this study was to characterize the resistance status, its enzymatic mechanisms and Kdr mutations in wild populations of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Methods: Standard WHO bioassays were performed using insecticide-treated filter papers to determine resistance in populations Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus to pyrethroids insecticides, organophosphates, to the carbamate propoxur and to the organochlorine DDT. Biochemical assays were conducted to detect metabolic resistance mechanisms and real-time PCR was performed to determine the frequencies of the Kdr mutations Val1016IIe and F1534C. Results: The strains Ae. aegypti El Coco showed confirmed resistance to deltamethrin (78.5% mortality) and lambda-cyhalothrin (81%), Aguadulce to deltamethrin (79.3%), David to deltamethrin (74.8%) and lambda-cyhalothrin (87.5%) and Puerto Armuelles to permethrin (83%). Aedes aegypti El Empalme showed confirmed resistance to pirimiphos-methyl (62.3% mortality), chlorpyrifos-methyl (55.5%) and propoxur (85.3%). All strains of Ae. albopictus showed possible resistance to PYs and five strains to DDT. Only Ae. albopictus Canto del Llano showed confirmed resistance to pirimiphos-methyl (70% mortality) and malathion (62%). Esterase activity was variable across sites with the most frequent expression of α-EST compared to β-EST in Ae. aegypti populations. In Ae. Albopictus, the expressed enzymes were β-EST and MFOs. Through ANOVA, significant differences were established in the levels of enzymatic activity of α- and β-EST, MFOs and GST, with p < 0.001 in the Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus. The Kdr Val1016IIe mutation was detected in Ae. aegypti Aguadulce, El Coco and David. The odds ratio for the Val1016Ile mutation ranged from 0.8 to 20.8 in resistant mosquitoes, indicating the association between pyrethroid phenotypic resistance and the kdr mutation. Conclusion: The presence of a varied and generalized resistance, enzymatic mechanisms and the Val1016IIe mutation may be associated with the intensive use and possibly misuse of the different insecticides applied to control Aedes populations. These results highlight the need to develop a program for resistance management. Also, alternative approaches to mosquito control that do not involve insecticides should be explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Population activity of the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae (Koch) inhabiting cucumber plants was studied during two successive seasons of 2020 and 2021 at Manflout and Qusia districts, Assiut governorate, Egypt. The eight tested cucumber cultivars slightly differed in population densities of T. urticae stages (motile and immotile) in both seasons and areas. The obtained results showed that the spider mite T. urticae activity increased in summer plantation during the two studied seasons. Bahie and Barcoda cultivars showed the highest numbers of the pest all stages in Manflout during the summer of 2020, with an average of 30.86 individuals for Bahie cultivar and 40.47 individuals for Barcoda one. Meanwhile, 39 and Barcoda cultivars gave an average of 38.04 and 23.20 individuals at Qusia during both studied seasons. The current study found that all cucumber cultivars were sensitive to the infestation with the two-spotted spider mite, but the sensitivity varies from one cultivar to another. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Why do potentially traumatic events (PTEs) and substance use (SU) so commonly co‐occur during adolescence? Causal hypotheses developed from the study of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorder (SUD) among adults have not yet been subject to rigorous theoretical analysis or empirical tests among adolescents with the precursors to these disorders: PTEs and SU. Establishing causality demands accounting for various factors (e.g. genetics, parent education, race/ethnicity) that distinguish youth endorsing PTEs and SU from those who do not, a step often overlooked in previous research. Methods: We leveraged nationwide data from a sociodemographically diverse sample of youth (N = 11,468) in the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development Study. PTEs and substance use prevalence were assessed annually. To account for the many pre‐existing differences between youth with and without PTE/SU (i.e. confounding bias) and provide rigorous tests of causal hypotheses, we linked within‐person changes in PTEs and SU (alcohol, cannabis, nicotine) across repeated measurements and adjusted for time‐varying factors (e.g. age, internalizing symptoms, externalizing symptoms, and friends' use of substances). Results: Before adjusting for confounding using within‐person modeling, PTEs and SU exhibited significant concurrent associations (βs =.46–1.26, ps <.05) and PTEs prospectively predicted greater SU (βs =.55–1.43, ps <.05) but not vice versa. After adjustment for confounding, the PTEs exhibited significant concurrent associations for alcohol (βs =.14–.23, ps <.05) and nicotine (βs =.16, ps <.05) but not cannabis (βs = ‐.01, ps >.05) and PTEs prospectively predicted greater SU (βs =.28–.55, ps >.05) but not vice versa. Conclusions: When tested rigorously in a nationwide sample of adolescents, we find support for a model in which PTEs are followed by SU but not for a model in which SU is followed by PTEs. Explanations for why PTSD and SUD co‐occur in adults may need further theoretical analysis and adaptation before extension to adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Each life is challenged to adapt to an ever-changing environment with integrity—simply put, to maintain identity. We hypothesize that this mission statement of adaptive homeostasis is particularly poignant in an adaptive response, like inflammation. A maladaptive response of unresolved inflammation can seed chronic disease over a lifetime. We propose the concept of a molecular thumbprint: a biological signature of loss of identity as a measure of incomplete return to homeostasis after an inflammatory response. Over time, personal molecular thumbprints can measure dynamic and precise trajectories to chronic inflammatory diseases and further loss of self to cancer. Why is this important? Because the phenotypes and molecular signatures of established complex inflammatory diseases are a far cry from the root of the complex problem, let alone the initial seed. Understanding the science behind key germinating seeds of disease helps to identify molecular factors of susceptibility, resilience, and early dietary or drug intervention. We pilot this hypothesis in a rat colitis model that is well-established for understanding molecular mechanisms of colonic health, disease, and transition of colitis to cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A key issue for nano‐additive to effectively exert tribological function is to ensure its entrance to and adhesion on the frictional contact surfaces. But the adhesion of nano‐additive on the rubbed surfaces under oil lubrication faces the challenge of the competitive adsorption of lubricant base oil thereon. In this study, oleic acid–modified ultra‐small cerium oxide (OA‐CeO2) nanoparticle was synthesised by one‐pot liquid‐phase surface‐modification method in the presence of OA as the surface modifier. The susceptibility of non‐polar poly–alpha olefin 6 (PAO6) and polar diisooctyl sebacate (DIOS) base oils to the as‐prepared OA‐CeO2 nano‐additive was investigated, and the effect of the OA‐CeO2 nano‐additive on the friction‐reducing and anti‐wear abilities of the two kinds of base oils towards a steel–steel sliding contact was investigated with four‐ball friction and wear tester. Furthermore, the tribological mechanism of the adsorption and deposition of the OA‐CeO2 nano‐additive on the surface of friction steel and the competitive adsorption of base oil were discussed. Characterisations by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy demonstrate that the as‐prepared OA‐CeO2 nanoparticle is of a spherical shape and has an ultra‐small average size of 1.2 nm. As the lubricant additive in PAO6 and DIOS base oils, the OA‐CeO2 nano‐additive exhibits different tribological properties, which is attributed to the difference in the base oils' polarity. Namely, the CeO2 nanoparticle in the non‐polar PAO6 base oil is more easily adsorbed on the rubbed surface of the steel–steel sliding contact, thereby forming the CeO2 deposition film to improve the tribological properties of the base oil. However, the CeO2 nanoparticle added in polar DIOS base oil is difficult to form the CeO2 deposition film, because of the competitive and preferential adsorption of the polar base oil on the rubbed steel surface. Therefore, it is imperative to select the base oils with proper polarity to better exert the friction‐reducing and anti‐wear functions of the OA‐CeO2 nano‐additive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stilbocrea banihashemiana is a recently described species of ascomycete fungi (Bionectriaceae) that causes canker and dieback diseases on fig and barberry, and dieback on loquat trees. Previous studies suggested this pathogen might affect other trees including economically important fruit crops, such as almonds, apples, and olives. This study assessed the susceptibility of 40 tree species belonging to 20 plant families, including fruit-bearing, ornamental, and edible landscape plants, to S. banihashemiana. The assessment was conducted by wound-inoculating detached shoots and one-year-old saplings with the pathogen. Based on five parameters of induced lesions, we clustered the inoculated tree species using the principal component analysis approach. The results of the approach revealed four distinct groups of tree species based on their susceptibility traits. Almond, apricot, eucalyptus, poplar, and red mulberry clustered in one group as susceptible hosts. The majority of the species examined, which included both tropical and temperate trees, were categorized as moderately susceptible. Platanus and sweet orange were identified as non-host-resistant species, while Arizona cypress, garden privet, and olive were classified as low susceptible. Moreover, our findings suggest a correlation between temperature and the aggressiveness of S. banihashemiana. This study revealed that the emerging pathogen, S. banihashemiana, could have a broader host range than currently recognized. The accidental introduction of this pathogen through the global trade of live host plants may pose a significant threat to economically important trees in temperate and subtropical regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flash floods rank among the most catastrophic natural disasters worldwide, inflicting severe socio-economic, environmental, and human impacts. Consequently, accurately identifying areas at potential risk is of paramount importance. This study investigates the efficacy of Deep 1D-Convolutional Neural Networks (Deep 1D-CNN) in spatially predicting flash floods, with a specific focus on the frequent tropical cyclone-induced flash floods in Thanh Hoa province, North Central Vietnam. The Deep 1D-CNN was structured with four convolutional layers, two pooling layers, one flattened layer, and two fully connected layers, employing the ADAM algorithm for optimization and Mean Squared Error (MSE) for loss calculation. A geodatabase containing 2540 flash flood locations and 12 influencing factors was compiled using multi-source geospatial data. The database was used to train and check the model. The results indicate that the Deep 1D-CNN model achieved high predictive accuracy (90.2%), along with a Kappa value of 0.804 and an AUC (Area Under the Curve) of 0.969, surpassing the benchmark models such as SVM (Support Vector Machine) and LR (Logistic Regression). The study concludes that the Deep 1D-CNN model is a highly effective tool for modeling flash floods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transboundary Arun River Basin (ARB) spreads across Nepal and Tibet. Nearly 95% of the basin lies in Tibet through which the Pumqu River flows, forming the Arun River once it enters Nepal. The ARB has five large hydropower projects undergoing construction or planned for the future. Rainfall and earthquake‐induced landslides, landslide‐dammed lakes and landslide‐induced glacial lake outburst floods pose major risks to smooth operation of these projects. To safeguard upcoming hydropower projects, areas susceptible to landslides in the ARB must be identified. We used high‐resolution satellite imagery and open‐source tools to generate a multitemporal landslide inventory for the basin. The rigorously quality‐controlled inventory represents a yearly record of landslides from 2011 to 2020. A data‐driven approach was used to map areas susceptible to landslides within the ARB. The multitemporal landslide inventory combined with other readily available Earth observation‐based variables was used to create a landslide susceptibility map. The susceptibility analysis provides a valuable initial estimate of where landslides are likely to initiate. These landslide products could form the basis of more comprehensive local studies to inform hydropower project development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RNA editing is increasingly recognized as a post-transcriptional modification that directly affects viral infection by regulating RNA stability and recoding proteins. the duck hepatitis A virus genotype 3 (DHAV-3) infection is seriously detrimental to the Asian duck industry. However, the landscape and roles of RNA editing in the susceptibility and resistance of Pekin ducks to DHAV-3 remain unclear. Here, we profiled dynamic RNA editing events in liver tissue and investigated their potential functions during DHAV-3 infection in Pekin ducks. We identified 11,067 informative RNA editing sites in liver tissue from DHAV-3-susceptible and -resistant ducklings at three time points during virus infection. Differential RNA editing sites (DRESs) between S and R ducks were dynamically changed during infection, which were enriched in genes associated with vesicle-mediated transport and immune-related pathways. Moreover, we predicted and experimentally verified that RNA editing events in 3′-UTR could result in loss or gain of miRNA–mRNA interactions, thereby changing the expression of target genes. We also found a few DRESs in coding sequences (CDSs) that altered the amino acid sequences of several proteins that were vital for viral infection. Taken together, these data suggest that dynamic RNA editing has significant potential to tune physiological processes in response to virus infection in Pekin ducks, thus contributing to host differential susceptibility to DHAV-3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Theileria orientalis (Ikeda) was first detected in New Zealand in 2012, becoming endemic in most of the North Island, and can cause incidences of anaemia and death. Research has been performed in New Zealand on the incidence and severity of infection. Through this research anecdotal evidence has been found to suggest a potential genetic susceptibility component in the response of the host to the parasite. To investigate the genetic susceptibility of cattle to T. orientalis (Ikeda), 99 calves born in 2016 as part of a separate experiment and grown in six grazing herds, were examined for their response to the parasite. In addition to measuring live weight, two blood collections were taken in the first four months of life which were used to measure packed cell volume by haematocrit and qPCR to assess parasite load. Heritability was calculated and was low for parasite load, but the result indicates that there is some potential to increase resistance through selective breeding. The mechanisms of the differences in parasite load were not elucidated in this research; however, significant variation was found among herds and sires, indicating that both genetic selection and environmental management could be utilised to reduce parasite load in growing calves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Venous malformations are the most common congenital vascular malformations, and the incidence rate is high. Previous studies have confirmed that a variety of polymorphisms within the miRNA functional region are associated with tumor susceptibility. We examined the correlation between miR‐618 rs2682818 C>A and risk of developing venous malformation in a southern Chinese population (1113 patients and 1158 controls). TaqMan genotyping of miR‐618 rs2682818 C>A was conducted utilizing real‐time fluorescent quantitative PCR. The miR‐618 rs2682818 polymorphism was not correlated with susceptibility to venous malformation (CA/AA vs. CC: adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.00, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.81–1.25, p = 0.994; AA vs. CC/CA: AOR = 1.10, 95% CI = 0.73–1.65, p = 0.646). Stratified analysis of different subtypes of venous malformation revealed that there was no significant difference in the rs2682818 C>A polymorphism genotypes across these subtypes. Our results indicate that miR‐618 rs2682818 C>A polymorphism is not correlated with the susceptibility to venous malformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impurity models describe localized impurities interacting with the spins of electrons. Strong correlations lead to non-trivial behaviours of the model. In this work we present 3 different impurity models: (1) the single-impurity Kondo model; (2) the two-impurity Kondo model; (3) the two-channel Kondo model. For each model we present a spin chain emulation and utilize the density matrix renormalization group (DMRG). We study the magnetization and zero-temperature susceptibility of the impurity when a local magnetic field is applied. We get the expected relations theoretically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The formation and failure of landslide dams is an important and understudied, multi-hazard topic. A framework of landslide dam formation susceptibility evaluation was designed for large-scale studies to avoid the traditional dependence on landslide volume calculations based on empirical relationships, which requires comprehensive local inventories of landslides and landslide dams. The framework combines logistic regression landslide susceptibility models and global fluvial datasets and was tested in Italy and Japan based on landslide and landslide dam inventories collected globally. The final landslide dam formation susceptibility index identifies which river reach is most prone to landslide dam formation, based on the river width and the landslide susceptibility in the adjacent delineated slope drainage areas. The logistic regression models showed good performances with area under the receiver operating characteristics curve values of 0.89 in Italy and 0.74 in Japan. The index effectively identifies the probability of landslide dam formation for specific river reaches, as demonstrated by the higher index values for river reaches with past landslide dam records. The framework is designed to be applied globally or for other large-scale study regions, especially for less studied data-scarce regions. It also provides a preliminary evaluation result for smaller catchments and has the potential to be applied at a more detailed scale with local datasets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to determine the intra-site repeatability and cross-site reproducibility of T1 and T2* relaxation times and quantitative susceptibility (χ) values obtained through quantitative parameter mapping (QPM) at 3 T. This prospective study included three 3-T scanners with the same hardware and software platform at three sites. The brains of twelve healthy volunteers were scanned three times using QPM at three sites. Intra-site repeatability and cross-site reproducibility were evaluated based on voxel-wise and region-of-interest analyses. The within-subject coefficient of variation (wCV), within-subject standard deviation (wSD), linear regression, Bland–Altman plot, and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were used for evaluation. The intra-site repeatability wCV was 11.9 ± 6.86% for T1 and 3.15 ± 0.03% for T2*, and wSD of χ at 3.35 ± 0.10 parts per billion (ppb). Intra-site ICC(1, k) values for T1, T2*, and χ were 0.878–0.904, 0.972–0.976, and 0.966–0.972, respectively, indicating high consistency within the same scanner. Linear regression analysis revealed a strong agreement between measurements from each site and the site-average measurement, with R-squared values ranging from 0.79 to 0.83 for T1, 0.94–0.95 for T2*, and 0.95–0.96 for χ. The cross-site wCV was 13.4 ± 5.47% for T1 and 3.69 ± 2.25% for T2*, and cross-site wSD of χ at 4.08 ± 3.22 ppb. The cross-site ICC(2,1) was 0.707, 0.913, and 0.902 for T1, T2*, and χ, respectively. QPM provides T1, T2*, and χ values with an intra-site repeatability of <12% and cross-site reproducibility of <14%. These findings may contribute to the development of multisite studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pythium insidiosum is an important oomycete pathogen of mammals that causes pythiosis, an endemic disease in warm climates that stands out for its unfavorable prognosis, lethality in the affected species, and difficulties in treatment. This study evaluated in vitro anti-P. insidiosum potential of aqueous, hydroethanolic, and ethanolic extracts of indigenous wild mushrooms from southern Brazil. The extracts were prepared from Amanita gemmata, Amanita muscaria, Auricularia auricula, Gymnopilus junonius, Lactarius deliciosus, Laccaria laccata, Psilocybe cubensis, and Russula xerampelina. In vitro susceptibility assays employed the microdilution technique according to the M38-A2 protocol CLSI. The hydroethanolic and ethanolic extracts of R. xerampelina showed anti-P. insidiosum activity at minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 1.87--7.50 mg/mL. The other mushroom species extracts showed no inhibitory effects on growth of P. insidiosum. This is the first study to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of mushrooms on oomycetes, evidencing the antimicrobial potential of R. xerampelina on the pathogen P. insidiosum. So, the present study expands new perspectives, since the secondary metabolites produced by mushrooms can be potential targets for the development of new categories of medicines. However, considering the wide biodiversity of Brazilian mushrooms, we suggested that the search for other basidiomycetes species with anti-P. insidiosum action needs to be expanded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been proposed that the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus that spread through human populations as a pandemic originated in Asian bats. There is concern that infected humans could transmit the virus to native North American bats; therefore, the susceptibility of several North American bat species to the pandemic virus has been experimentally assessed. Big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) were shown to be resistant to infection by SARS-CoV-2, whereas Mexican free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) became infected and orally excreted moderate amounts of virus for up to 18 d postinoculation. Little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus) frequently contact humans, and their populations are threatened over much of their range due to white-nose syndrome, a fungal disease that is continuing to spread across North America. We experimentally challenged little brown bats with SARS-CoV-2 to determine their susceptibility and host potential and whether the virus presents an additional risk to this species. We found that this species was resistant to infection by SARS-CoV-2. These findings provide reassurance to wildlife rehabilitators, biologists, conservation scientists, and the public at large who are concerned with possible transmission of this virus to threatened bat populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the number of isolates and drug susceptibility testing of Acinetobacter baumannii at Taksin Hospital. Materials and Methods: A 3-year retrospective descriptive study was conducted between January 2019 and December 2021. Drug susceptibility testing of isolates to 13 drugs, which included amikacin, gentamycin, piperacillin/tazobactam, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, cefepime, three carbapenem drugs that were imipenem, meropenem, and doripenem, ciprofloxacin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, colistin, and tigecycline, were evaluated by standard disk diffusion method and automated microdilution method. Results: One thousand six hundred sixty-five non-duplicate A. baumannii isolates from different patients were detected and included 535 in 2019, 500 in 2020, and 630 in 2021. The patients' ages ranged from three days to 100 years. The median age of patients was 70 years with an interquartile range of 56 to 80 years. A. baumannii was mostly found in patients aged older than 50 years old at 83.6%. They were isolated from sputum in 72.3%, urine in 9%, pus in 6.3%, tissue in 6.3%, and blood in 5.2%. Overall, A. baumannii demonstrated 91.5% and 79.8% susceptibility to colistin and tigecycline, respectively, but less susceptible to other drugs tested, with a range of 0.4% to 32.6%. Drug susceptibility to carbapenem such as imipenem, meropenem, and doripenem were 19.5%, 20%, and 20.9%, respectively. The carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii (CRAB) was found at 77.6%, 80%, and 79.1% in 2019, 2020, and 2021, respectively. For total isolates tested, the mean of CRAB was 78.9±1.2%. Conclusion: The present study results suggested the importance of monitoring A. baumannii at a hospital in Bangkok. Colistin and tigecycline had the high percentages of drug susceptibility rates in vitro. The antibiogram of susceptibility helps provide guidelines for clinician to consider empirical treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have suggested that certain variants in immune-related genes may participate in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS), including rs17824933 in the CD6 gene, rs1883832 in the CD40 gene, rs2300747 in the CD58 gene, rs763361 in the CD226 gene, rs16944 in the IL-1β gene, rs2243250 in the IL-4 gene, and rs12722489 and rs2104286 in the IL-2Rα gene. However, the results remained inconclusive and conflicting. In view of this, a comprehensive meta-analysis including all eligible studies was conducted to investigate the association between these 8 selected genetic variants and MS risk. Up to June 2023, 64 related studies were finally included in this meta-analysis. The odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) calculated by the random-effects model were used to evaluate the strength of association. Publication bias test, sensitivity analyses, and trial sequential analysis (TSA) were conducted to examine the reliability of statistical results. Our results indicated that rs17824933 in the CD6 gene, rs1883832 in the CD40 gene, rs2300747 in the CD58 gene, rs763361 in the CD226 gene, and rs12722489 and rs2104286 in the IL-2Rα gene may serve as the susceptible factors for MS pathogenesis, while rs16944 in the IL-1β gene and rs2243250 in the IL-4 gene may not be associated with MS risk. However, the present findings need to be confirmed and reinforced in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: SQ109 is a promising candidate drug for the treatment of patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB). The purpose of this study was to investigate the activity of SQ109 against clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) from patients with multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) and pre-extensively drug-resistant TB (pre-XDR-TB), and to explore new drug-resistant mechanisms of SQ109. Methods: We evaluated the in vitro activity of SQ109 against clinical isolates from patients with MDR-TB and pre-XDR-TB using minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay. The drug-resistant gene, mmpL3 of SQ109-resistant strains was sequenced, and a quantitative real-time PCR assay was used to analyze 28 efflux pump genes in SQ109-resistant strains without mmpL3 mutations. The role of candidate efflux pumps mmpL5 and mmpL7 on the MIC of SQ109 was evaluated using recombinantly cloned MmpL5 and MmpL7 expressed in Mycobacterium smegmatis. Results: The MIC90, MIC95 and MIC99 values of SQ109 for 225 clinical isolates of MTB were 0.25 mg/L, 0.5 mg/L and 1.0 mg/L, respectively. Among the pre-XDR strains, six showed resistance to SQ109 despite the absence of gene mutations in mmpL3. In six resistant pre-XDR strains, the MIC of SQ109 decreased with the use of an efflux pump inhibitor, and there was significant upregulation of mmpL5 and mmpL7 in two strains after exposure to SQ109. The presence of MmpL7 in Mycobacterium smegmatis resulted in decreased susceptibility to SQ109, with the MIC increasing from 16 mg/L to 32 mg/L. Conclusions: Our data demonstrated that SQ109 exhibited excellent levels of in vitro activity against MTB. MmpL7 may be a potential gene for MTB resistance to SQ109, providing a useful target for detecting SQ109 resistance in MTB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animals may experience early negative (mechanical pain: being retrieved using an incisor by parents or attacked) or positive stimulation (being licked and groomed) that may affect emotional and social behaviors in adulthood. Whether positive tactile stimulation can reverse adverse consequences on emotional and social behaviors in adulthood resulting from chronic mechanical pain and underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study used a tail‐pinching model during development to simulate mechanical pain experienced by pups in high‐social mandarin voles (Microtus mandarinus). Subsequently, brush‐like positive tactile stimuli were applied to the backs of the mandarin voles. Various behavioral tests were used to measure levels of anxiety, depression, and sociability. The results showed that early tail‐pinching delayed the eye opening of pups, increased levels of anxiety, reduced levels of sociality in male mandarin voles, and impaired social cognition in females during adulthood. Brushing on the back reversed some of these effects. While mandarin voles that were exposed to tail‐pinching during development were exposed to sub‐threshold variable stress as adults, they were more likely to show a stress‐induced increase of anxiety‐like behavior, reduction of sociability, and impairment of social cognition, displaying heightened susceptibility to stress, particularly in males. However, back‐brushing reversed some of these effects, implying that these adults display enhanced stress resilience. In addition, tail‐pinching reduced levels of serum oxytocin and increased corticosterone levels in serum, but back‐brushing reversed these effects. Overall, it was found that positive tactile stimulation reversed increases in anxiety and impairments of social behavior induced by negative stimulation in male mandarin voles via alteration of oxytocin and corticosterone levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous studies have investigated the association between the haptoglobin rs72294371 polymorphism and coronary artery disease (CAD) risk, but the results are controversial and uncertain. Therefore, this study aimed to systematically review the literature on haptoglobin polymorphism and susceptibility to CAD. Methods: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Wanfang databases were used to identify relevant studies from their inception to April 2024. The pooled odds ratio (OR) with corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to assess the strength of the association. An OR value greater than one suggested an increased risk; otherwise, it suggested a protective risk. Results: A total of 15 studies comprising 8,632 individuals (2,988 cases and 5,644 controls) were included. In the current meta-analysis, a significant association between haptoglobin polymorphism and CAD was found under recessive model (OR:0.74, 95% CI:0.60-0.92), dominant model (OR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.71-0.95), homozygote model (OR: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.53-0.92), and allelic genetic model (OR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.69-0.94). In the analysis stratified by ethnicity, a statistically significant association was observed in Asians rather than Caucasian population. Conclusion: This meta-analysis indicates that haptoglobin polymorphism is associated with CAD susceptibility, especially in Asians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Breast cancer, as the most prevalent malignancy among women globally, continues to exhibit rising incidence rates, particularly in China. The disease predominantly affects women aged 40 to 60 and is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. This study focuses on the role of H19 gene polymorphisms, investigating their impact on breast cancer susceptibility, clinical outcomes, and response to treatment. Methods: We engaged 581 breast cancer patients and 558 healthy controls, using TaqMan assays and DNA sequencing to determine genotypes at specific loci (rs11042167, rs2071095, rs2251375). We employed in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry to measure the expression levels of LincRNA H19, miR675, MRP3, HOXA1, and MMP16 in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples. Statistical analyses included chi-squared tests, logistic regression, and KaplanMeier survival curves to evaluate associations between genetic variations, gene expression, and clinical outcomes. Results: Genotypes AG at rs11042167, GT at rs2071095, and AC at rs2251375 were significantly associated with increased risk of breast cancer. Notably, the AA genotype at rs11042167 and TT genotype at rs2071095 were linked to favorable prognosis. High expression levels of LincRNA H19, miR-675, MRP3, HOXA1, and MMP16 in cancer tissues correlated with advanced disease stages and poorer survival rates. Spearman correlation analysis revealed significant positive correlations between the expression of LincRNA H19 and miR-675 and specific genotypes, highlighting their potential regulatory roles in tumor progression. Discussion: The study underscores the critical roles of LincRNA H19 and miR675 as prognostic biomarkers in breast cancer, with their overexpression associated with disease progression and adverse outcomes. The H19/LincRNA H19/miR-675/MRP3-HOXA1-MMP16 axis offers promising targets for new therapeutic strategies, reflecting the complex interplay between genetic markers and breast cancer pathology. Conclusion: The findings confirm that certain H19 SNPs are associated with heightened breast cancer risk and that the expression profiles of related genetic markers can significantly influence prognosis and treatment response. These biomarkers hold potential as targets for personalized therapy and early detection strategies in breast cancer, underscoring the importance of genetic research in understanding and managing this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene polymorphisms were associated with coronary atherosclerosis and hypertension. However, the relationship between APOE polymorphisms and coronary atherosclerosis susceptibility in hypertensive patients is unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship. Methods: A total of 1713 patients with hypertension who were admitted to Meizhou People's Hospital from November 2019 to August 2023 were retrospectively analyzed, including 848 patients with coronary atherosclerosis and 865 patients without coronary atherosclerosis. The rs429358 and rs7412 polymorphisms of APOE were genotyped, and relationship between APOE polymorphisms and the risk of coronary atherosclerosis in hypertensive patients were analyzed. Results: There were 10 (0.6%), 193 (11.3%), 30 (1.8%), 1234 (72.0%), 233 (13.6%), and 13 (0.8%) individuals with APOE ɛ2/ɛ2, ɛ2/ɛ3, ɛ2/ɛ4, ɛ3/ɛ3, ɛ3/ɛ4, and ɛ4/ɛ4 genotype, respectively. The frequency of APOE ɛ3/ɛ4 was higher (16.4% vs. 10.9%, p = 0.001) in the patients with coronary atherosclerosis than controls. Logistic analysis showed that body mass index (BMI) ≥ 24.0 kg/m2 (24.0 kg/m2 vs. 18.5–23.9 kg/m2, odds ratio (OR): 1.361, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.112–1.666, p = 0.003), advanced age (≥ 65/<65, OR:1.303, 95% CI: 1.060–1.602, p = 0.012), history of smoking (OR: 1.830, 95% CI: 1.379–2.428, p < 0.001), diabetes mellitus (OR: 1.380, 95% CI: 1.119–1.702, p = 0.003), hyperlipidemia (OR: 1.773, 95% CI: 1.392–2.258, p < 0.001), and APOE ɛ3/ɛ4 genotype (ɛ3/ɛ4 vs. ɛ3/ɛ3, OR: 1.514, 95% CI: 1.133–2.024, p = 0.005) were associated with coronary atherosclerosis in hypertensive patients. Conclusions: Overweight (BMI ≥ 24.0 kg/m2), advanced age, history of smoking, diabetes mellitus, and APOE ɛ3/ɛ4 genotype were independent risk factors for coronary atherosclerosis in hypertensive patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This meta-analysis aims to clarify the association between the TNF-α -308G > A and − 238G > A polymorphisms and lung cancer risk. Method: A comprehensive search was conducted for relevant articles across databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, EMBASE, and CNKI, up to September 25, 2023. Lung cancer risk was assessed by calculating odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The Z-test was used to determine the significance of combined ORs, with P < 0.05 considered statistically significant. All analyses were performed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) 2.0 software. Results: The analysis included 19 case-control studies with 3,838 cases and 5,306 controls for the TNF-α -308G > A polymorphism, along with 10 studies comprising 2,427 cases and 2,357 controls for the − 238G > A polymorphism. The − 308G > A polymorphism showed no significant overall relationships, though in the Asian subgroup, the A allele was significantly reduced compared to G (OR: 0.831, p = 0.028) and the AA genotype showed significant reductions versus GG (OR: 0.571, p = 0.021), with no significant correlation in Caucasians. In non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the A allele was associated with increased risk compared to G (OR: 1.131, p = 0.049). For the − 238G > A polymorphism, the AA genotype significantly increased risk compared to GG (OR: 3.171, p = 0.014), while showing a protective effect in Caucasians (OR: 0.120, p = 0.024) and a heightened risk in Asians (OR: 7.990, p = 0.007). In small cell lung cancer (SCLC), the A allele conferred protective effects, whereas NSCLC showed increased risk for the AA genotype (OR: 11.375, p = 0.002). Conclusion: The − 308G > A polymorphism has no significant overall relationships but suggests a protective role of the A allele in the Asian subgroup. Conversely, the − 238G > A polymorphism presents a complex risk profile, increasing lung cancer likelihood in Asians while protecting Caucasians. Notably, the AA genotype significantly raises risk for NSCLC, indicating its potential as a risk factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Susceptibility map weighted imaging (SMWI), based on quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM), allows accurate nigrosome-1 (N1) evaluation and has been used to develop Parkinson’s disease (PD) deep learning (DL) classification algorithms. Neuromelanin-sensitive (NMS) MRI could improve automated quantitative N1 analysis by revealing neuromelanin content. This study aimed to compare classification performance of four approaches to PD diagnosis: (1) N1 quantitative “QSM-NMS” composite marker, (2) DL model for N1 morphological abnormality using SMWI (“Heuron IPD”), (3) DL model for N1 volume using SMWI (“Heuron NI”), and (4) N1 SMWI neuroradiological evaluation. Method: PD patients (n = 82; aged 65 ± 9 years; 68% male) and healthy-controls (n = 107; 66 ± 7 years; 48% male) underwent 3 T midbrain MRI with T2*-SWI multi-echo-GRE (for QSM and SMWI), and NMS-MRI. AUC was used to compare diagnostic performance. We tested for correlation of each imaging measure with clinical parameters (severity, duration and levodopa dosing) by Spearman-Rho or Kendall-Tao-Beta correlation. Results: Classification performance was excellent for the QSM-NMS composite marker (AUC = 0.94), N1 SMWI abnormality (AUC = 0.92), N1 SMWI volume (AUC = 0.90), and neuroradiologist (AUC = 0.98). Reasons for misclassification were right–left asymmetry, through-plane re-slicing, pulsation artefacts, and thin N1. In the two DL models, all 18/189 (9.5%) cases misclassified by Heuron IPD were controls with normal N1 volumes. We found significant correlation of the SN QSM-NMS composite measure with levodopa dosing (rho = −0.303, p = 0.006). Conclusion: Our data demonstrate excellent performance of a quantitative QSM-NMS marker and automated DL PD classification algorithms based on midbrain MRI, while suggesting potential further improvements. Clinical utility is supported but requires validation in earlier stage PD cohorts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Angiostrongylus cantonensis (A. cantonensis) has a complex life history and a variety of hosts, and is highly infectious and pathogenic, which poses a serious health threat. The invasion of exotic molluscs has become an important way for A. cantonensis to spread. More and more studies have been conducted on the infection of A. cantonensis by invasive mollusks, and the detection technology of A. cantonensis in the host has been improved gradually. However, the literatures on the infection of A. cantonensis with invasive mollusks are still scattered, there is still a lack of systematic analysis on the susceptibility characteristics and detection techniques of invasive mollusks infected with A. cantonensis. Therefore, the research on invasive mollusks infected by A. cantonensis in the last 20 years was reviewed, and the research progress on infection types, susceptibility, physiological response, genetic profile, host response and detection methods of A. cantonensis infection in invasive mollusks was systematically analyzed. At least 15 species of globally invasive mollusks that are susceptible to A. cantonensis have been reported so far. The larvae (L1-L3) could be parasitized by Pomacea canaliculata, Pomacea maculata/insularum, Achatina fulica, Cipangopaludina chinensis, and Corbicula fluminea. Nitrogen metabolism and oxidative metabolism of infected mollusks were enhanced after infection. The susceptibility of invasive mollusks to A. cantonensis was related to host species, developmental period, breeding environment, infection dose and infection duration. The morphological and molecular methods was often used to detect A. cantonensis. The accuracy of molecular detection method is higher than that of the morphological method. Angiostrongylus cantonensis can spread globally by hitchhiking on invasive mollusks. Simultaneously elucidated the dispersal mechanism of invasive mollusks and the parasitic behaviors of A. cantonensis can provide a useful reference for the prevention, control and management of A. cantonensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is critical to use a population of the pathogen that contains different strains to determine the resistance of grapevine varieties to the downy mildew pathogen Plasmopara viticola in a specific region. This study tested six local grape varieties (Çavuş, Kalecik Karası, Müşküle, Papaz Karası, Sultana and Yapıncak), eight Turkish registered varieties (Barış, Bozbey, Güzgülü, Özer Karası, Reçel Üzümü, Tekirdağ Çekirdeksizi, Trakya İlkeren and Yalova İncisi) and seven varieties of foreign origin (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cardinal, Chardonnay, Cinsault, Isabella, Semillon and Gamay) using detached leaf and leaf disc assays with pathogen populations collected from vineyards. There was a significant correlation for disease severity between the two assay methods. No sporulation was observed on the varieties Çavuş and Isabella in both assay methods. The variety Yapıncak had very low disease severity (2.00%) in the leaf disc assay, and the pathogen did not sporulate on this variety in the detached leaf assay. Cluster analysis was performed to determine the resistance level of the varieties against the pathogen, as different disease severities were observed in some varieties depending on the test method used, and the 21 varieties were classified into four clusters. Barış, Bozbey, Cardinal, Çavuş, Isabella, Semillon and Yapıncak in Cluster I exhibited the lowest disease severity mean (2.88%), while those in Cluster 3, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Güzgülü, Papaz Karası and Yalova Incisi, had the highest disease severity mean (56.75%). These varieties in Clusters 1 and 3 were considered highly resistant and highly susceptible, respectively. Leaf hair density, as reported in official variety descriptions, did not associate with reduced disease severity in the two assays. This study assessed the response of grapevine varieties to the P. viticola population in the region for the first time. The highly resistant and resistant varieties identified will provide new material for breeders and contribute to the improvement of organic viticulture in the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The establishment of a quantitative mudslide susceptibility evaluation method is of great significance for the prevention and control of mudslide disasters. Through the detailed survey and data compilation of 130 mudslide ditches in Hebei Province, the regional characteristics of mudslides in Hebei Province were analyzed and summarized. On this basis, evaluation factors were selected, the weights of evaluation factors were determined by introducing random forest classification method, the quantitative relationship between evaluation factors and mudslide susceptibility level was established by using Gaussian forward cloud model, and finally, the rationality of the new method was proved by engineering examples. The study shows that the mudflow hazard sites in western and northeastern Hebei Province are surrounded by 600 mm and 700 mm annual rainfall contours, respectively, while the mudflow hazard sites in northern areas are mostly located between 400 mm and 500 mm annual rainfall contours. The key factors of debris flow formation in Hebei Province are rainfall intensity, catchment area, loose material storage along the gully, slope of the gully bank, relative height difference of the watershed and specific drop of the gully. The type of debris flow in Hebei Province is mainly small and medium-sized gully storm-water and rock flow. The engineering example analysis shows that the evaluation results of the cloud model evaluation method of debris flow susceptibility based on random forest empowerment are consistent with the actual situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Landslides in the state of Mizoram result in damage to life and properties annually. The study focuses on landslide susceptibility zones by frequency ratio (FR), evidential belief function (EBF) and index of entropy (IOE) models. A total of 1,486 landslide points were used to build a relationship between 16 factors and landslide occurrences. The results reveal 14.44%, 19.64% and 3.55% of the area as very high susceptible zones in FR, EBF and IOE models, respectively. The AUC results support the adoption of the EBF model in land use planning and decision-making processes to enhance natural resource management and mitigate landslide risks in Mizoram. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cadmium sulfide thin films are deposited using the thermal evaporation technique and coated with 50 nm thick Sb nanosheets. Both the coated and uncoated films undergo structural, morphological, and optical investigations to explore potential modifications resulting from the Sb coating. The antimony nanosheets successfully increase the crystallite sizes from 28 to 34 nm and decrease the defect concentration from 4.36 × 1011 lines/cm2 to 3.02 × 1011 lines/cm2. The deposition of Sb nanosheets on CdS films induces the formation of nanowires with a length of 3.0 μm. Sb nanosheet coatings improve visible light absorption by more than nine times, redshift the energy band gap, suppress free carrier absorption in the infrared (IR) range, and increase the optical conductivity of CdS films. Additionally, as optical filters and waveguides, Sb-coated CdS films exhibit a terahertz cutoff frequency range of 0.47–32.06 THz as light energy increases from the IR to ultraviolet ranges. It is also observed that Sb coating alters the third-order nonlinear susceptibility of CdS, making it tunable, more polarizable, and suitable for nonlinear optical applications. Photocurrent measurements showed that Sb nanosheets improved the light responsivity by 330% and significantly enhanced the response time. The enhanced features of CdS achieved through Sb nanosheet coatings position CdS in the preferred group for nonlinear optical waveguides applicable in terahertz and nonlinear optical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetic Nephropathy (DN) stands as a primary cause of end-stage renal disease and its etiology remains unclear. Thus, this study aims to construct a genetic panel with potential biomarkers linked to the inflammatory pathway of DN associated with the pathology's susceptibility. Through a systematic review and meta-analysis, we selected observational studies in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, selected from the PubMed, SCOPUS, Virtual Health Library, Web of Science, and EMBASE databases. Additionally, a protein–protein interaction network was constructed to list hub genes, with differential expression analysis by microarray of kidneys with DN from the GSE30529 database to further refine results. Seventy-two articles were included, and 54 polymorphisms in 37 genes were associated with the inflammatory pathway of DN. Meta-analysis indicated a higher risk of complication associated with SNPs 59029 G/A, −511 C/T, VNTR 86 bp, −308 G/A, and −1031 T/C. Bioinformatics analyses identified differentially expressed hub genes, underscoring the scarcity of studies on CCL2 and VEGF-A genes in relation to DN. This study highlighted the intrinsic relationship between inflammatory activity in the etiology and progression of DN, enabling the effective application of precision medicine in diabetic patients for potential prognosis of the complications and contributing to cost reduction in the public health system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most high-mountain regions worldwide are susceptible to snow avalanches during the winter or all year round. In this study, a Universal Snow Avalanche Modeling Index is developed, suitable for determining avalanche hazard in mountain regions. The first step in the research is the collection of data in the field and their processing in geographic information systems and remote sensing. In the period 2023–2024, avalanches were mapped in the field, and later, avalanches as points in geographic information systems (GIS) were overlapped with the dominant natural conditions in the study area. The second step involves determining the main criteria (snow cover, terrain slope, and land use) and evaluating the values to obtain the Snow Avalanche Formation Index (SAFI). Thresholds obtained through field research and the formation of avalanche inventory were used to develop the SAFI index. The index is applied with the aim of identifying locations susceptible to avalanche formation (source areas). The values used for the calculation include Normalized Difference Snow Index (NDSI > 0.6), terrain slope (20–60°) and land use (pastures, meadows). The third step presents the analysis of SAFI locations with meteorological conditions (winter precipitation and winter air temperature). The fourth step is the modeling of the propagation (simulation) of other parts of the snow avalanche in the Flow-R software 2.0. The results show that 282.9 km2 of the study area (Šar Mountains, Serbia) is susceptible to snow avalanches, with the thickness of the potentially triggered layer being 50 cm. With a 5 m thick snowpack, 299.9 km2 would be susceptible. The validation using the ROC-AUC method confirms a very high predictive power (0.94). The SAFI–Flow-R approach offers snow avalanche modeling for which no avalanche inventory is available, representing an advance for all mountain areas where historical data do not exist. The results of the study can be used for land use planning, zoning vulnerable areas, and adopting adequate environmental protection measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessment of liquefaction susceptibility of sediments in alluvial plains is considered one of the first step for infrastructure planning, hazard mitigation, and land use management in seismically active regions. Subtle geomorphological features resulting from depositional processes could greatly contribute to estimating the liquefaction likelihood since they also dictate the type and distribution of sediments. Our case study is from the Piniada Valley (Greece), where widespread liquefaction phenomena were triggered by the 2021 Mw 6.3, Damasi earthquake. As we compiled a detailed geological map for the purposes of this investigation and correlated it to the spatial distribution of the earthquake-induced liquefaction phenomena, we observed that most of liquefaction surface evidence are related to point bars and abandoned river channels formed the last century. In particular, the areal liquefaction density was estimated at 60.7 and 67.1 manifestations per km2, for the point bars and abandoned channels, respectively. Following this outcome, we propose a refinement of the existing liquefaction susceptibility classifications by including point bar bodies as a distinct category, characterized by a very high susceptibility to liquefaction. In addition, we discuss the correlation between the observed liquefaction manifestations and the shallow lithofacies, sand or mud prone areas, within point bars. The outcome arisen by this research is that most of liquefaction phenomena (> 70%) occurred on the area covered by coarser materials deposited on the upstream part of high sinuosity meanders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The eastern Himalayan syntaxis (EHS) region is characterized by steep topography, strong tectonic activity, and strong disaster activity, and the disaster activity has a temporal correlation with the change of seasonal climate factors. Different from other disaster-prone areas, the disasters in the EHS area are more destructive and more susceptible to changes in climate factors. However, previous studies on disaster susceptibility in the region mainly focused on geohazard samples, regional topography, and geological conditions and seldom considered the characteristics of disaster activity and the characteristics of seasonal temperature and rainfall changes, which often led to an underestimation of disaster susceptibility in this region. Therefore, in this study, SBAS-InSAR technology and the GEE (Google Earth Engine) platform were used to identify 317 geological disasters and construct the spatial–temporal motion field and spatial-temporal background information of disasters in the last 5 years. Based on the random forest and optimized evaluation data model, the disaster susceptibility in the EHS area was quantitatively evaluated. The AUC value of the model was 0.89, indicating that the results have high reliability. The results showed that the high-susceptibility areas were mainly distributed in the riverbank and high-altitude areas. The SHAP model revealed that the factors of temperature, precipitation, slope, and elevation in the EHS area had a great negative influence on the disaster. The quantitative results of the influence of seasonal temperature and precipitation on disaster susceptibility showed that the area of susceptibility in summer was significantly higher than that in winter, and the area of high and very high susceptibility increased by about 13%. Finally, the dynamic failure process of typical landslide and glacier disasters in highly susceptible areas was quantitatively predicted, which provides a scientific basis for disaster prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]