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The green peach aphid, Myzus persicae Sulzer (Sulzer 1776) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is one of the most significant agricultural pests worldwide due to its wide host range and considerable impact on crop productivity. Among its hosts is sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.), a widely cultivated tuber crop recognized for its high nutritional relevance and low production costs. Furthermore, sweet potato plays a crucial role in food security and has attracted industrial interest due to its versatility and productivity. This study aimed to identify sweet potato cultivars tolerant to aphid attacks, providing an alternative strategy for integrated pest management. Seven commercial cultivars were evaluated (‘Beauregard,’ ‘INIA Arapey,’ ‘IAPAR 69,’ ‘BRS Amélia,’ ‘SCS367 Favorita,’ ‘SCS370 Luiza,’ and ‘SCS372 Marina’), focusing on the genetic effects on the biology and host-choice behavior of M. persicae, along with quantifying leaf trichome density. The results demonstrated that although the aphid was able to complete its development in all evaluated genotypes, the cultivar ‘SCS370 Luiza’ exhibited a high trichome density, which extended the aphid’s lifecycle, reduced its fecundity, and exhibited lower feeding preference by the insect. These findings suggest that the resistance observed in ‘SCS370 Luiza’ is linked to antibiosis and antixenosis mechanisms, emphasizing its importance for integrated pest management strategies and sweet potato breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the dissemination of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in water samples obtained during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic period, employing cross-assembly phage (crAssphage) as a fecal contamination biomarker and next-generation sequencing protocols to characterize SARS-CoV-2 variants. Raw wastewater and surface water (stream and sea) samples were collected for over a month in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Ultracentrifugation and negatively charged membrane filtration were employed for viral concentration of the wastewater and surface water samples, respectively. Viruses were detected and quantified by (RT-)qPCR applying TaqMan® system protocols. SARS-CoV-2 RNA signals were detected in 92.5% (37/40) of the wastewater samples and in 31.25% (10/32) of the stream water samples, but not in seawater samples. CrAssphage was detected in 100% of the wastewater samples, 93.75% (30/32) of the stream samples, and in 2/4 of the seawater samples. CrAssphage detection and high concentrations in stream surface waters (median 8.95 log10 gc/L) revealed diffuse contamination by domestic wastewater in a region with high sanitary coverage. The correlations detected between SARS-CoV-2 data and the moving averages of clinical cases per capita over the sampling period were moderate to strong when applying a 13-day offset, regardless of normalization by crAssphage data or not. Sequencing of the receptor-binding domain of the spike protein confirmed the detection of SARS-CoV-2, but did not characterize the circulating variant. On the other hand, the whole genome sequencing protocol identified circulation of the Gamma variant, corroborating the sampling period clinical data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Idiopathic left bundle branch block (iLBBB) is an uncommon finding. Its benignity has been increasingly questioned, though its natural history remains poorly clarified. Similarly, LBBB-cardiomyopathy (LBBB-CM) has been also increasingly recognized as a distinct entity, where electromechanical dyssynchrony seems to play a central role in left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) development. Still, it remains a scarcely studied topic. There is an urgent need for investigation and evidence reinforcement in these areas. Objectives: two main objectives: (1) to explore the natural history of "asymptomatic" iLBBB carriers; (2) to characterize the outcomes and therapeutic approach used in a "real-world" cohort of possible LBBB-CMP patients (pts). Methods: tertiary care centre retrospective study of pts with iLBBB and possible LBBB-CMP, screened from a large hospital electrocardiographic database from 2011 to 2017 (LBBB = 347). To assign the 1st objective, only pts with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥ 50% and available follow-up (FU) data were included (n = 152). Regarding the 2nd objective, possible LBBB-CMP pts were selected and defined as iLBBB pts with LVD (LVEF < 50%) and no secondary causes for LVD (n = 53). Data were based on pts' careful review of medical records. Results: focusing our 1st objective, 152 iLBBB carriers were identified. Median FU time were 8 years, and 61% were female. During FU, approximately 25% developed LVD, 20% needed ≥ 1 cardiovascular (CV) hospitalization, and 15% needed a cardiac device implantation. The majority (2/3) of pts with LVD on FU (n = 35) had no secondary causes for LVD, being classified as possible LBBB-CMP pts. Time-to-LVD analysis showed no differences between pts with a known cause for LVD vs LBBB-CMP pts (Log-rank = 0.713). Concerning the 2nd objective, 53 possible LBBB-CMP pts were identified. Median FU time were 10 years, and 51% were female. During the FU, 77% presented heart failure (HF) symptoms, and 42% needed ≥ 1 CV hospitalization, mainly due to HF. Half presented severe LVD at some point in time, and 55% needed a cardiac device, most of them a cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) device. Comparing CRT with non-CRT pts, no differences were found in terms of medical therapy, but better outcomes were observed in CRT group: LVEF improvement was higher (median LVEF improvement of 11% in non-CRT vs 27% in CRT; p < 0.001), and fully recovery from LVD was more frequent (50% of CRT vs 14% non-CRT; p = 0.028). Conclusion: our data strengthen current evidence on natural history of iLBBB, showing significant CV morbidity associated with the presence of iLBBB, and reinforces the need for a serial and proper FU of these carriers. Our data on "real-world" possible LBBB-CMP pts shows high rates of CV events, namely HF-related events, and supports the growing evidence pointing out CRT as this subgroup of pts' cornerstone of treatment. In conclusion, our work sheds additional light on these largely unknown topics and underlines the urgent need for larger and prospective studies addressing the identification of LVD development predictors in iLBBB carriers, as well as the establishment of diagnostic criteria and therapeutic approach for LBBB-CMP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficacy and safety of hybrid ablation (HA) for patients with non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) remain unclear. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing HA (endo-epicardial ablation) versus endocardial ablation (EA) for patients with persistent/long-standing persistent AF. Risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled. Our meta-analysis included 3 RCTs comprising 358 patients, of whom 233 (65.1%) were randomized to HA. Compared with EA, HA reduced the recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmias (RR 0.53; 95% CI 0.41–0.69; p < 0.01) but had no subgroup interaction according to AF type (p = 0.90). There was no significant difference in major adverse events (RR 1.22; 95% CI 0.46–3.25; p = 0.68). Trial sequential analysis indicates that the observed effects can be deemed conclusive. In conclusion, in patients with persistent/long-standing persistent AF, HA substantially reduced the recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmias. Notably, patients with long-standing persistent AF may benefit more from this ablation strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is a prevalent condition, with a risk of serious complications. Phototherapy is the standard treatment for significant cases, but its limitations highlight the need for additional options. Zinc sulfate has emerged as a potential adjunctive treatment. Our objective is to evaluate the efficacy of zinc sulfate as an adjunct to phototherapy in neonates with hyperbilirubinemia. PubMed, Embase, and CENTRAL were searched for studies published up to September 2024. Eligible studies were randomized clinical trials (RCTs) enrolling neonates with hyperbilirubinemia that evaluated the combined use of phototherapy and zinc sulfate. This study followed PRISMA guidelines, with independent extraction of data by two reviewers. Risk of bias was assessed using the RoB2 tool, and the quality of evidence was evaluated using the GRADE approach. Eleven RCTs comprising 1,349 neonates were included. A total of 690 (51.1%) neonates received zinc sulfate. Zinc sulfate significantly reduced bilirubin levels at 24 h (MD = -0.76 mg/dL; 95% CI = -1.30 to -0.22; P <.01; I2 = 82%), 48 h (MD = -0.88 mg/dL; 95% CI = -1.60 to -0.17; P = 0.02; I2 = 76%) and at 72 h (MD = -1.19 mg/dL; 95% CI = -2.29 to -0.09; P =.003; I2 = 94%). Subgroup analysis indicated that term neonates with normal birth weight benefited most from the intervention, while preterm and low-birth-weight infants showed no significant difference. Conclusion: Zinc sulfate effectively reduces serum bilirubin levels in neonates with hyperbilirubinemia when used alongside phototherapy, especially in term neonates. Trial registration number and date of registration: PROSPERO, CRD42024586259, 09/13/2024. The Impact of Zinc Sulfate on the Treatment of Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis”; CRD42024586259; Link: [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the great diversity of bats (64 species) in the State of Acre, northwestern Brazil, there are no studies on occurrence and diversity of Bartonella spp. in bats in this region. The present study investigated the occurrence and molecular identity of Bartonella spp. in spleen samples (n = 271) from bats of 30 different species from this region, within the Amazon biome. Twenty-one out of 208 (10.1%) samples positive in the PCR for the mammalian gapdh endogenous genes were positive in the qPCR for Bartonella spp. based on the nuoG gene. The two gltA Bartonella genotypes detected grouped with those previously identified in bats from other locations, expanding the diversity of genotypes associated with bats. This study provided the first molecular evidence of the presence of Bartonella spp. in bats in the state of Acre and in bats of the species Lophostoma silvicolum, Vampyressa thyone, Tonatia saurophila and Phyllostomus elongatus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The finger tapping test (FTT) is a neuropsychological test that measures motor speed and coordination. It involves tapping a designated surface with a specific finger as quickly as possible for a certain duration. Touchscreen of smartphones has been used as interface to record the tap, what enables to extract information about the taps. The present study represents an initiative of construction for a national Database of Smartphone-Based FTT, which includes data from 176 healthy male and female adults ranging in age from 18 to 74 years. Participants were asked to perform the FTT using one or both hands, tapping on a central area of a smartphone as many times as possible within a 30-second interval. Data were extracted using an Android application, encompassing details such as touch timing, spatial coordinates, sex, smartphone model, hand used, and age. A Python-developed web visualization tool for individual and averaged analysis. This database serves as informative foundation for a healthy adult sample and supports further exploration and international comparative analyses of FTT performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial infections spreading represents a challenging scenario worldwide, with remarkable demand for attention in food and heath fields. An increase in studies for the development of new biomaterials with the aim of decreasing or avoiding bacterial infections has been arising, and the natural polymers have been the focus of some studies. Alginate is an abundant natural polymer with potential for chemical modifications based on its chemical structure and, to the best of our knowledge, it was not modified for antimicrobial activity. This study aims to prepare a new biomaterial by chemical modification of alginate coupled with the cysteine, aiming to infer intrinsic antimicrobial activity to the resulting material, and also, situ gelation capability by the formation of disulfide bonds. The polymers were characterized by FTIR, NMR, thermal analysis, cross-linking test, rheological analysis, hydrolytic degradation, microbiological test (against E. coli and S. aureus) and cytotoxicity. The results of the chemical characterization, as evidenced by FTIR and NMR, indicated the success of the reaction and the increase in the viscosity of alginate-Cys due to the cross-linking of the material. The results showed no toxicity and demonstrated antimicrobial activity against the studied bacteria, indicating their potential for the development of materials for applications in the confection and coating of medical devices, aiming to decrease or avoid infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of photovoltaic panels for sustainable electricity generation is increasing worldwide. Hence, large solar power plants must be monitored to find defects quickly and easily, avoiding prolonged interruptions in electricity generation. The present study aims to analyse the incorporation of transfer learning in convolutional neural network models to classify defects in visible spectral images of solar panels. Deep learning with convolutional neural networks is known for their precise classification of images, but they need a significant volume of images and training time. Transfer learning is intended to help the training process become faster and more precise. In addition, a publicly available image dataset was constructed using 36,000 images containing three classes of defects and a class without defects to evaluate tested network models. In this study, 17 networks were tested as potential classification models. The best network exhibited an accuracy higher than 99%. This accuracy was obtained with the MobileNetV3 network, which was optimised with Nvidia Tensor RT to run on an edge device with low power consumption and low weight, enabling the real-time classification of the defects presented in this study and allowing the classification of an image in an average of 50 ms. This approach has yet to be explored in the literature, and this paper aims to contribute to this discussion. The presented work has the limitation of not making image segmentation, where the image obtained by the camera is directly classified. From experiments with a large dataset close to an in-field solar plant inspection, trained models successfully classified the defined classes. These findings help solar plant operation and maintenance teams make quick and accurate decisions about scheduled maintenance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Catheter ablation (CA) is a well-established therapy for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF); however, there is paucity of data for elderly patients. We aimed to assess long-term efficacy and safety of CA for elderly patients with AF. Methods: Medline, BVS, Cochrane, and Embase were searched through April 2023 to investigate comparative outcomes between elderly patients > 75 or 80 years, as per-study cutoff, and individuals ≤ 75/80 years, undergoing CA. Primary efficacy and safety endpoints (AF recurrence and procedure-related major complications) were pooled with the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis 3.0 software. Subgroup analyses were performed by age groups and type of procedure (radiofrequency vs. cryoballoon). Results: Four thousand eight hundred twenty-nine titles were screened, and 27 studies were included, being 26 observational and 1 randomized trial, comprising 117,869 patients, being 8714 (7.4%) elderly > 75/80 years, with follow-up from 11.7 to 72.3 months. In comparative studies (N = 17 studies), elderly > 75/80 years had a higher risk of AF recurrence compared to those ≤ 75/80: relative risk (RR) 1.16 (95% CI 1.05–1.27, p = 0.002. However, funnel plot indicated publication bias, and after imputation of 5 studies, the groups were similar (RR 1.07 (95% CI 0.97–1.19)). The rates of major complications (N = 14 studies) were higher in elderly > 75/80 years (RR 1.30 (95% CI 1.10–1.54), I2 = 0, p = 0.002), but were similar in cryoablation studies (N = 7) (RR 1.10, 95% CI 0.94–1.29, p = 0.24, I2 = 0.0). Results were similar when individual study arms (N = 27 studies) were pooled. Conclusion: AF ablation is feasible in elderly patients > 75/80 years, with success rates compared to younger individuals. Complication rates, however, were higher. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molluscs represent the second most diverse phylum on Earth and are among the most prevalent in freshwater ecosystems, exhibiting both high species richness and abundance/biomass. In addition, molluscs are one of the taxonomic groups with the highest number of non-native species in freshwater ecosystems. Many of these have significant ecological and economic impacts, and some also act as vectors for pathogens and parasites, affecting human and animal health. Here we provide a comprehensive list of all known freshwater mollusc species that have successfully established populations outside their native range, together with diversity pattern maps for both their native and invaded ranges. We also provide a brief overview of historical research investment, the main pathways of introduction, the ecological, economic and human health impacts of these species and the most effective strategies for the prevention of new introductions and for the control and possible eradication of already established populations. Finally, we highlight the gaps in our knowledge of the biology and management of non-native freshwater molluscs and future research needs and present a special volume dedicated to this topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Recent artificial intelligence (AI) advances can generate human-like responses to a wide range of queries, making them a useful tool for healthcare applications. Therefore, the potential use of large language models (LLMs) in controlled environments regarding efficacy, reproducibility, and operability will be of paramount interest. Objective: We investigated if and how GPT 3.5 and GPT 4 models can be directly used as a part of a GxP validated system and compared the performance of externally hosted GPT 3.5 and GPT 4 against LLMs, which can be hosted internally. We explored zero-shot LLM performance for named entity recognition (NER) and relation extraction tasks, investigated which LLM has the best zero-shot performance to be used potentially for generating training data proposals, evaluated the LLM performance of seven entities for medical NER in zero-shot experiments, selected one model for further performance improvement (few-shot and fine-tuning: Zephyr-7b-beta), and investigated how smaller open-source LLMs perform in contrast to GPT models and to a small fine-tuned T5 Base. Methods: We performed reproducibility experiments to evaluate if LLMs can be used in controlled environments and utilized guided generation to use the same prompt across multiple models. Few-shot learning and quantized low rank adapter (QLoRA) fine-tuning were applied to further improve LLM performance. Results and Conclusion: We demonstrated that zero-shot GPT 4 performance is comparable with a fine-tuned T5, and Zephyr performed better than zero-shot GPT 3.5, but the recognition of product combinations such as product event combination was significantly better by using a fine-tuned T5. Although Open AI launched recently GPT versions to improve the generation of consistent output, both GPT variants failed to demonstrate reproducible results. The lack of reproducibility together with limitations of external hosted systems to keep validated systems in a state of control may affect the use of closed and proprietary models in regulated environments. However, due to the good NER performance, we recommend using GPT for creating annotation proposals for training data as a basis for fine-tuning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG 8) promotes sustained economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work. This paper presents a complementary approach to standard systematic literature reviews and monitors the intended ex-ante research efforts on SDG 8. We introduce a large-scale research project analysis framework to trace and track the prevalence of SDGs within research funded by the European Union (EU) since 1984, underscoring the EU's significant role in promoting research on sustainable development. Using the publicly available CORDIS database, we identify the extent to which SDG 8 related targets have been represented in the titles and abstracts of projects funded by the EU's Framework Programmes. Our findings reveal that SDG 8-related research projects are dominated by four targets: economic growth, productivity, entrepreneurship and decent work, and full and decent employment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present a forensic perspective on classifying gunshot wound patterns using Deep Learning (DL). Although DL has revolutionized various medical specialties, such as automating tasks like medical image classification, its applications in forensic contexts have been limited despite the inherently visual nature of the field. This study investigates the application of DL techniques (59 architectures) to classify gunshot wounds in a forensic context, focusing on distinguishing between entry and exit wounds and determining the Medical-Legal Shooting Distance (MLSD), which classifies wounds as contact, close range, or distant, based on digital images from real crime scene cases. A comprehensive database was constructed with 2,551 images, including 1,883 entries and 668 exit wounds. The ResNet152 architecture demonstrated superior performance in both entry and exit wound classification and MLSD categorization. For the first task, achieved accuracy of 86.90% and an AUC of 82.09%. For MLSD, the ResNet152 showed an accuracy of 92.48% and AUC up to 94.36%, though sample imbalance affected the metrics. Our findings underscore the challenges of standardizing wound images due to varying capture conditions but reflect the practical realities of forensic work. This research highlights the significant potential of DL in enhancing forensic pathology practices, advocating for Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a supportive tool to complement human expertise in forensic investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Purpose: To investigate the test–retest repeatability of radiomic features in myocardial native T1 and T2 mapping. Methods: In this prospective study, 50 healthy volunteers (29 women and 21 men, mean age 39.4 ± 13.7 years) underwent two identical cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations at 1.5 T. The protocol included native T1 and T2 mapping in both short-axis and long-axis orientation. For T1 mapping, we investigated standard (1.9 × 1.9 mm) and high (1.4 × 1.4 mm) spatial resolution. After manual segmentation of the left ventricular myocardium, 100 radiomic features from seven feature classes were extracted and analyzed. Test–retest repeatability of radiomic features was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and classified as poor (ICC < 0.50), moderate (0.50–0.75), good (0.75–0.90), and excellent (> 0.90). Results: For T1 maps acquired in short-axis orientation at standard resolution, repeatability was excellent for 6 features, good for 29 features, moderate for 19 features, and poor for 46 features. We identified 15 features from 6 classes which showed good to excellent reproducibility for T1 mapping in all resolutions and all orientations. For short-axis T2 maps, repeatability was excellent for 6 features, good for 25 features, moderate for 23 features, and poor for 46 features. 12 features from 5 classes were found to have good to excellent repeatability in T2 mapping independent of slice orientation. Conclusion: We have identified a subset of features with good to excellent repeatability independent of slice orientation and spatial resolution. We recommend using these features for further radiomics research in myocardial T1 and T2 mapping. Key Points: QuestionThe study addresses the need for reliable radiomic features for quantitative analysis of the myocardium to ensure diagnostic consistency in cardiac MRI. FindingsWe have identified a subset of radiomic features demonstrating good to excellent repeatability in native T1 and T2 mapping independent of slice orientation and resolution. Clinical relevanceRadiomic features have been proposed as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in various heart diseases. By identifying a subset of particularly reproducible radiomic features our study serves to inform the selection of radiomic features in future research and clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Availability data are scarce and primarily retrospective in patients with brain metastasis (BM) from gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. The objective of this cohort was to determine prognostic factors for survival outcomes in patients with BM from GI cancers. Methods: METACER is a national multicentric prospective cohort study which included patients with BM diagnosis during a histologically proven digestive cancer follow-up between 2010 and 2014. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). The secondary endpoints were Progression-Free survival (PFS), prognostic factors, and BM-free survival as time from disease diagnosis to BM diagnosis. Results: METACER included 130 patients, with colorectal cancer (CRC) (N = 105) and eso-gastric (N = 25) cancer (EGC). The median OS was 6.6 months: 7.1 months (95%CI: 4.7–9.7) in CRC patients and 5.2 months, (95%CI: 1.9–7.6) in EG patients (p = 0.827). In multivariate analysis, cerebral BM location (versus cerebellar), BM surgery, performance status (0–1 versus 2), and a unique BM were significantly associated with prolonged OS. BM-free survival were 30.8 months (95%CI:25.2–36.9) in CRC patients and 7.8 months (95%CI:3.8–13.6) in EGC patients (p < 0.001). In synchronous metastatic disease, BM-free survival were 18.6 months (95%CI:13.1–25.2) in CRC patients and 3.7 months (95%CI:0.03–7.8) in EGC patients (p < 0.001). Conclusion: BM in GI cancers are of poor prognosis. BM surgery should be considered in case of unique brain lesion. In metastatic settings, EGC patients have shorter BM-free survival than CRC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Single motherhood is associated with increased psychosocial risks, affecting both mothers and their minor children. However, little is known about the specific psychosocial impact of maternal cancer in single mothers (SMs). This study compared psychological burden, quality of life, specific problems, and parental concerns between SMs and partnered mothers (PMs) affected by cancer and caring for minor children. Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from a multicenter, non-randomized, controlled trial in Germany (Family-SCOUT). SMs and PMs affected by cancer were assessed for psychological burden (anxiety, depression, distress), quality of life, practical, family, emotional, spiritual/religious, and physical problems and parental concerns. Results: A total of 54 SMs and 245 PMs were included. SMs reported more practical problems (p = 0.008, d = 0.44) and parental concerns than PMs (p = 0.011, d = 0.40). After controlling for demographic and clinical group differences, practical problems (p = 0.009, OR = 1.53) and parental concerns (p = 0.015, OR = 1.73) remained significantly associated with single motherhood. SMs and PMs did not differ in anxiety, depression, distress or quality of life. Overall, a large proportion of mothers reported clinically relevant elevated levels of anxiety (71.9%), depression (46.8%) and heightened distress (82.3%). Conclusion: In this sample, the psychological burden of mothers with cancer who care for minor children did not differ based on whether they were parenting alone or together with a co-parent. However, SMs reported more practical problems and parental concerns than PMs, emphasizing the need for targeted support in practical problem-solving and child care for SMs. Trial Registration Number: NCT04186923, 5. December 2019. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We establish necessary and sufficient conditions for the global hypoellipticity of G-invariant operators on homogeneous vector bundles. These criteria are established in terms of the corresponding matrix-valued symbols as developed by Ruzhansky and Turunen and extended in (Pseudo-differential operators on Homogeneous vector bundles over compact homogeneous manifolds, ) to homogeneous vector bundles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Backround: The use of flow diverting stents in the treatment of intracranial aneurysms is associated with a risk of neurological morbidity due to their thrombogenicity. To reduce this risk different surface modifications have been developed. The Derivo 2 Embolization Device (Acandis, Pforzheim, Germany) has proven to be a safe and effective flow diverter. To overcome the risk of thrombo-embolism, the device was modified by adding an anti-thrombogenic fibrin-heparin coating. We aimed to assess the safety and effectiveness of the Derivo 2 heal Embolization Device. Methods: Retrospective multicenter data from nine German neurovascular centers between February 2022 until December 2023 were used. Patients treated with the Derivo 2 heal Embolization Device for unruptured or ruptured intracranial aneurysms were included. Peri- and postprocedural adverse events, clinical outcomes, and angiographic follow-up results were evaluated. Results: 84 patients (73.8% female; mean age 58.7 years) with 89 aneurysms (mean size 9.8 mm) were included. 87.6% were located in the anterior circulation. Most of them were sidewall aneurysms (88.8%). 96 flow diverters were used. 99.0% were successfully implanted. An in-stent balloon angioplasty was performed in 6.0% of the cases. An additional coiling was performed in 28.6%. Technical difficulties were present in 12.0% of the cases. Thrombotic events occurred in 4.8% with no neurological sequelae. Mortality and morbidity were 0 and 1.2% respectively. Adequate aneurysm occlusion was achieved in 80.7% with a mean follow-up time of 6.6 months. Conclusion: The Derivo 2 heal Embolization Device showed a satisfying aneurysm occlusion and safety with a low rate of neurological morbidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This comprehensive review examines recent advancements in the integration of multiparametric ultrasound for diagnostic imaging of the urinary bladder. It not only highlights the current state of ultrasound imaging but also projects its potential to further elevate standards of care in managing urinary bladder pathologies. Specifically, contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and elastography show significant improvements in detecting bladder tumors and assessing bladder wall mechanics compared to traditional methods. The review also explores the future potential of ultrasound-mediated nanobubble destruction (UMND) as an investigational targeted cancer therapy, showcasing a novel approach that utilizes nanobubbles to deliver therapeutic genes into tumor cells with high precision. Emerging AI-driven innovations and novel techniques, such as microvascular ultrasonography (MVUS), are proving to be powerful tools for the non-invasive and precise management of bladder conditions, offering detailed insights into bladder structure and function. These advancements collectively underscore their transformative impact on the field of urology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synapse formation is a critical step in neuronal development. Current knowledge is largely based on altricial rodents where synapse formation and maturation proceed largely postnatally. In precocially born mammals such as guinea pig presynapse and spine formation start well before birth. Here, we analysed the developmental expression of proteins associated with synapse formation and maturation together with the development of basal dendritic spines of pyramidal neurons of visual and somatosensory cortex of the pig, an emerging translational model for human neurodegenerative disorders. A total of 23 selected proteins was quantified with Western blots. Most were detectable from midgestation embryonal day (E) 65 onwards. About half reached the expression level seen at postnatal day (P) 90 pig already two weeks before birth (gestation 114 days) in somatosensory, albeit not yet in visual cortex. For instance, major molecular components of synaptic plasticity such as GluN2B, CamKIIα, α-actinin-2, synaptopodin and T286 phosphorylated CamKIIα were expressed at E100 in somatosensory cortex. Dendritic spine type quantification with DiI-labeled material revealed an increase of total dendritic protrusions from E70 onwards. The increase was steepest in somatosensory cortex which had, at E110, a proportion of mushroom spines equal to the proportion present at P90. Together, matching the ungulate life history, a rapid development of functional synaptic connectivity in prenatal somatosensory cortex serves the somatomotor abilities essentially required by the newborn nest-fledgling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present paper we deal with stochastic semilinear partial differential equations L u = γ (u) + σ (u) Ξ ˙ of parabolic type with (t, x)-depending coefficients which may admit a polynomial growth with respect to the space variable. Under suitable assumptions on the coefficients of the parabolic operator L, on the initial data and on the stochastic noise Ξ (more precisely, on the spectral measure M associated with Ξ ) we prove existence of a unique (mild) function-valued solution for the associated Cauchy problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hypertension is a dangerous health condition, since it is responsible for many deaths worldwide. Nowadays, there are different classes of antihypertensives available to treat hypertension. However, these medications can present serious adverse effects that can lead to treatment abandonment, thus resulting in an inefficient treatment. Peptides with bioactive properties present as an alternative for the development of new therapeutic molecules. Purpose: In this work, we aimed to evaluate the antihypertensive potential of a new bioactive peptide. Methods: A bioactive peptide was identified from a virtual screening of an inhouse peptide library through molecular docking with Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE). Its ACE-inhibitory potential was evaluated through an ACE inhibition assay. The cytotoxic potential of the peptide was evaluated based on the MTT assay in Vero cells. Results: An initial screening to verify the enzyme's inhibition showed 65.57 ± 15.04% of inhibitory capacity at 100 µg/mL. The peptide presented an IC50 value of 6.6 µg/mL and presented no cytotoxicity when tested on Vero cells at 5 and 50 µg/mL. Conclusion: The peptide described here is a potential alternative for the development of new antihypertensive molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic urged policymakers to promote remote work. We showcase the impacts of remote working for the EU administrations in Brussels. Based on meticulous data collection and using an input–output multiplier approach, the paper calculates four scenarios on the socio-economic consequences of value-added and employment for Brussels and its neighbouring regions. Each scenario diminishes the time non-Belgian EU employees spend in Brussels. The estimates demonstrate a substantial contribution of the EU administrations in the regions of Belgium and highlight the impact of remote working, which is relevant for other cities’ economies known for being international hotspots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For a conditional process of the form (ϕ | A i ⊄ ϕ) where ϕ is a basic elementary determinantal process, we obtain new negative correlation inequalities. Our approach relies upon the underlying geometric structure of the elementary discrete determinantal processes by using the canonical representation of a pair of subspaces in terms of principal vectors and angles, as well as the classical cosine–sine decomposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Product lifecycle management (PLM) and digital twin are two interrelated ideas increasingly employed in today's manufacturing and engineering. Integration of digital twins with PLM provides various advantages, including collaboration, better productivity, improved product quality, increased innovation, and shorter time-to-market. Organizations may better identify and handle possible issues, enhance performance, and improve decision-making across the product lifecycle by utilizing digital twin technologies inside a PLM framework. Therefore, this article takes an approach to identify the main trends of the digital twin applied in the context of PLM, as well as to identify research gaps. The method used to conduct this systematic literature review was based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) with a total of 157 articles being considered for this research. In addition, this article identifies proposed models of digital twin architectures offered as a service and how the product design concept can be driven by the digital twin in decision-making. Another contribution to define how it may be possible to automate the search for product information using augmented reality and artificial intelligence. The prospects for the integration of digital twins and PLM systems are promising, given the continuous advancements in technology. A notable area of potential growth is the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to enhance the automation and optimization of processes within the digital twin framework. In conclusion, the integration of AI and machine learning with digital twins and PLM systems is ready to drive substantial innovations in manufacturing and engineering, promoting improved operational efficiencies and product performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Body mass index (BMI) is a key factor in the progression of breast cancer (BC), with conflicting evidence on its influence on pathological complete response (pCR) following neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). Despite these global findings, studies focusing on real-world Brazilian data remain scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of BMI on pCR rates, recurrence-free survival (RFS), and overall survival (OS) in Brazilian women with BC treated with NAC. A retrospective cohort of 1,751 patients with stage I–III invasive primary BC treated between January 2011 and December 2020 at two public healthcare centers Hospital Pérola Byington (HPB) and Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual (HSPE) in Brazil was analyzed. Data included BMI categories (normal, overweight, and obese) and their associations with pCR, RFS, and OS outcomes. Obesity was prevalent (35.5%) among the cohort, with most patients being postmenopausal (50.9%). Tumors were predominantly stage III invasive ductal carcinoma, with triple-negative and luminal B subtypes being the most common. Radical surgery was performed in 79.8% of cases, achieving a pCR rate of 22.3%, and 30.9% of patients experienced recurrence, predominantly systemic (27.7%). No significant differences in pCR, RFS, or OS were observed across BMI categories. BMI was not associated with pCR, RFS, or OS in this large Brazilian cohort, highlighting the need for further studies to explore BMI dynamics during treatment and its potential influence on therapeutic outcomes. Future investigations in diverse healthcare settings may provide additional insights into optimizing breast cancer management across BMI strata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clustering algorithms play a pivotal role in data mining, offering powerful tools for uncovering hidden patterns and structures within datasets. These algorithms aim to divide data points into coherent groups based on similarities or dissimilarities, making it easier to explore and understand complex data. Clustering algorithms typically rely on similarity measures to assess the likeness between data points. Consequently, selecting a suitable similarity measure is crucial for achieving satisfactory clustering outcomes. However, this decision can pose significant challenges, especially for non-experts, given the plethora of similarity measures available in the literature and their performance which is closely linked to the specific dataset, clustering algorithm, and cluster validity index employed. This difficulty is even more important when considering mixed data clustering. Mixed data refers to heterogeneous data characterized by both numerical and categorical attributes. In such a context, the same similarity measure cannot be used for both types of attributes due to their different nature. Commonly, two similarity measures are combined, one for numerical attributes and one for categorical attributes. This adds a layer of complexity to the problem since it requires the selection of two similarity measures instead of just one. This paper introduces SIMREC, a similarity measure recommendation system for mixed data clustering. The system uses meta-learning to mine the relationship between dataset characteristics and similarity measures performances for different mixed data clustering algorithms and cluster validity indices. Therefore, given a mixed dataset, a mixed data clustering algorithm, and a cluster validity index, the system can recommend suitable pairs of numerical and categorical similarity measures based on the characteristics of the dataset. We implemented the proposed system using 130 pairs of similarity measures (10 numerical and 13 categorical), 4 commonly used mixed data clustering algorithms (K-Prototypes, LSH-K-Prototypes, K-Medoids, and Hierarchical Clustering), and three cluster validity indices (Silhouette, Clustering Accuracy, and Adjusted Rand Index). Our experiments on 185 publicly available mixed datasets show that the pairs of similarity measures recommended by SIMREC outperform the baseline pairs, including classically used pairs of similarity measures in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sampling of S100B protein has been proposed as a screening tool to identify patients with a low risk of post-traumatic intracranial hemorrhage. Its performance for patients on antiplatelet agents or anticoagulants is still debatable. This exploratory study evaluates the diagnostic accuracy of S100B concentrations, measured within 3 h of head trauma, to rule out intracranial hemorrhage in adults on antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy. This prospective study enrolled adult patients presenting for head trauma within the last 3 h and under antiplatelets or anticoagulants. We hypothesized that a S100B concentration under 0,100 µg.L-1 rule out intracranial hemorrhage with a negative predictive value over 0,99. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were analyzed. From June 2020 to January 2023, 155 patients were included. 119 patients had a S100B level at 0,100 µg.L-1 or over. 8 had an intracranial hemorrhage. The sensitivity of S100B was 1 (95%CI 0,68–1), specificity was 0,25 (95%CI 0,18 − 0,32), positive predictive value was 0,07 (95%CI 0.03–0.13), negative predictive value was 1 (95%CI 0,90 − 1). This study suggests that when performed in a 3-hour period after mild head trauma, S100B measurement is an accurate screening tool to rule out intracranial hemorrhage in patients treated with antiplatelet agents or anticoagulants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Circadian rhythms, driven by biological clocks, help organisms align their physiological functions with environmental changes, promoting homeostasis. The central clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus coordinates peripheral clocks via neurohumoral feedback involving proteins like CLOCK, BMAL1, CRY 1/2, and PER 1–3. In the ICU, these circadian processes often face disruptions from constant lighting, noise, and irregular sleep–wake cycles, impairing sleep quality and worsening stress responses. These disruptions can lead to adverse clinical effects, including higher cardiovascular complication rates. This study examines how ICU stays affect circadian rhythm regulators and their association with cardiovascular outcomes. Results: Significant differences were identified in melatonin levels and the expression of BMAL1, PER1, RORA, and NR1D1 between ICU stays of ≤7 days and >7 days. The APACHE-II severity scale influenced melatonin and the expression of CLOCK, PER2, CRY2, and RORA. Nonlinear relationships were observed between melatonin, clock genes, heart rate, and blood pressure (systolic and diastolic). In certain groups, molecular and physiological data showed correlations exceeding 90%. Conclusions: These findings highlight a robust association between circadian disruption, as measured by melatonin and clock genes, and cardiovascular physiological rhythms in ICU patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During research on the diversity of fungi associated with plants in the Atlantic Forest areas in Brazil, four mycosphaerellaceous fungal isolates were recovered from leaf spot symptoms in Philodendron sp. The identification of the isolates was made by observation of morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses of LSU, RPB2, and ITS loci. Based on these data, a new genus of Mycosphaerellaceae was proposed as Atlanticus and a new combination as Atlanticus philodendri (Pat. & Gaillard) E.S.O. da Silva, J.A.S. Melo & A.R. Machado. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Headache conditions have a high prevalence worldwide. Office workers with high and demanding workload, but low physical activity levels are considered vulnerable for suffering from headache. This analysis examines whether exercise combined with health promotion at the workplace is effective for headache relief in office workers. Methods: This study reports the results of secondary outcomes of a stepped wedge cluster randomized controlled trial. Office workers (n = 120) were randomly assigned to a twelve-week supervised intervention period, consisting of neck and shoulder girdle exercises with health promotion interventions performed at the workplace. Secondary outcomes were analysed and modelled for headache occurrence, frequency, and the Headache Impact Test-6 (HIT-6), accounting for possible effects for the intervention, the period it had been introduced, and interactional and nested effects. Results: At baseline, 88 of the 120 participants reported ≥ one headache episode in the past four weeks, with a mean headache frequency of 3.58 days for that period. The mean HIT-6 score for the entire cohort amounted to 53.6 points. For headache occurrence and HIT-6, the simplest model with the intervention only, showed the best statistical fit with an odds ratio for headache occurrence of 0.46 (95% confidence interval: 0.25 to 0.84), and − 2.23 (95% confidence interval: -3.35 to -1.12) points on the HIT-6 questionnaire. For headache frequency, the model accounting for interaction effects (intervention x period) had the best statistical fit and showed an incidence rate ratio of 0.57 (95% confidence interval: 0.44 to 0.74) for the first period, but not for later ones. Conclusions: Neck exercises and health promotion had a positive impact on headache occurrence, headache frequency and HIT-6, with the latter not reaching clinical importance. Although only statistically significant for headache frequency, larger effects were found during earlier periods or shorter interventional exposure for all outcomes, necessitating refresher sessions at later periods. Trial registration: NCT04169646. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advancements in diagnostic imaging and surgical techniques have significantly evolved the treatment landscape of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The shift toward parenchymal-sparing approaches, such as segmentectomy for cT1a-bN0 tumors, is challenging the traditional lobectomy. This retrospective multicenter cohort study evaluates short-term outcomes of Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) and Robotic-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (RATS) in NSCLC patients using data from the French EPITHOR registry, enhanced by an in-depth quality audit. The audit ensured the completeness and accuracy of the data by monitoring and improving the quality of data entry at participating centers. We included patients who underwent mini-invasive lobectomy or segmentectomy between January 2016 and December 2020. The primary outcome was the length of hospital stay (LOS), with secondary outcomes including complications, 90-day rehospitalization, and mortality. A total of 5687 interventions were analyzed, including 3692 VATS and 1995 RATS procedures. The unadjusted mean LOS was slightly shorter for RATS (7.61 days) compared to VATS (8.04 days), though this difference was not statistically significant after adjustment (p = 0.073). No significant differences were found in secondary outcomes, including complication rates and 90-day mortality. The integration of a comprehensive quality audit allowed for a robust comparison of outcomes, ensuring reliable and accurate data across all centers. While RATS showed a trend toward shorter hospital stays, this study did not find statistically significant differences in short-term outcomes between RATS and VATS after adjusting for confounders. Both RATS and VATS are viable options for lung resections, with the choice potentially guided by surgeon expertise and institutional resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human and animal health rely on balancing cell division and cell death to maintain normal homeostasis. This process is accomplished by regulated cell death (RCD), whose imbalance can lead to disease. Currently, the most frequently used method for analyzing RCD is fluorescence microscopy. This method has limitations and potential side effects due to the presence of fluorescent labels. Furthermore, fluorescence often lacks specificity and may have side effects. In the quest to overcome such difficulties, label-free approaches have come into focus.Here, Raman microscopy in combination with machine learning is used to investigate RCDs, where biochemical molecular "fingerprints" are investigated with a focus on the vibrations of atoms in molecules. Three different and unique RCD types with different genetic and biochemical machinery, namely, ferroptosis is studied in comparison with apoptosis, and necroptosis in the murine fibroblast line L929sAhFas. Interestingly, during ferroptosis, a decrease in the wavenumber at 939 cm-1 was observed, which is associated with a potential reduction in the expression of collagen – a compound essential in multiple diseases. Data analysis was performed by machine learning (ML), here SVMs, where the model utilizing the spectra directly into a support vector machine (SVM) outperforms other SVM strategies correctly predicting 73% of all spectra. Other methods: PCA-SVM (principal component analysis-SVM), peak fitting-AUC-SVM (area under the curve) and peak fitting-spectral reconstruction-SVM rendered prediction accuracies of ~52%, ~43%, and 61%, respectively. Peak fitting has the additional benefit of enabling the biological interpretation of Raman scattering peaks by using the area under the curve, although at a loss of general accuracy. The potential of Raman microscopy in biology, in combination with machine learning pipelines, can be applied to a broader field of cell biology, not limited to regulated cell death. Verduijn et al show that utilizing machine learning with label-free Raman microscopy can be used to investigate different RCD modalities. This method allows the investigation of ferroptosis in comparison with apoptosis and necroptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 2012, Cameroon has introduced rapid molecular diagnostic tests for tuberculosis (TB). Despite this progress, WHO estimates indicate a TB diagnostic gap of 43% at the national level in 2019. This raises questions about the strategic allocation of available rapid molecular diagnostic tools to areas with lower TB notification. In a cross-sectional study, we combined Cameroon notification data on TB (2019), rifampicin-resistant (RR)-TB (2015–2019), as well as local TB risk factors, availability, intensity of use and accessibility of the Xpert MTB-RIF test with openly available geospatial datasets from OpenStreetMap and WorldPop. A mathematical model estimated TB and RR-TB incidence rates at the regional level. We compared these estimates with the number of reported TB cases to identify diagnostic gaps. Centre, East and Far North regions had the highest estimated TB incidence rates (400, 300 and 200 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, respectively), while South and Adamawa had the highest estimated RR-TB incidence rates (14.9 and 8.9 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, respectively). We report a national diagnostic gap of 53% and 50% for TB and RR-TB, respectively. These findings highlight the need to improve the allocation of diagnostic tools that follows the local disease burden in resource-limited settings to improve health equity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When experimental controls go wrong, it does not necessarily mean your experiment is flawed. It might well be the first sign of something unexpected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parasitic worm infections impose a significant public health burden, affecting over 2 billion people, particularly in low-income regions. The limited efficacy of current treatments highlights the urgent need for new anthelmintic agents. This study investigates the potential antiparasitic activity of 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione (phendione) and its metal complexes, [Cu(phendione)3](ClO4)2.8H2O and [Ag(phendione)2](ClO4), against Schistosoma mansoni, the causative agent of intestinal schistosomiasis, and Angiostrongylus cantonensis, responsible for eosinophilic meningitis in humans. Additionally, the compounds were tested on Caenorhabditis elegans, a model organism for drug discovery. All compounds exhibited strong antiparasitic activity, with Cu-phendione showing the greatest potency (EC50 = 2.3 µM for S. mansoni and 6.4 µM for A. cantonensis). Ag-phendione also demonstrated significant activity, achieving EC₅₀ values of 6.5 µM against S. mansoni and 12.7 µM against A. cantonensis. The lethal dose (LD50) values in C. elegans were over 40 times higher, indicating selective antiparasitic effects. Cytotoxicity assays using Vero cells revealed a low toxicity profile and a high selectivity index. Given the promising biological properties of phendione and its metal complexes, these findings contribute to the growing body of research seeking to address the urgent need for new anthelmintic therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Federated learning is a renowned technique for utilizing decentralized data while preserving privacy. However, real-world applications often face challenges like partially labeled datasets, where only a few locations have certain expert annotations, leaving large portions of unlabeled data unused. Leveraging these could enhance transformer architectures' ability in regimes with small and diversely annotated sets. We conduct the largest federated cardiac CT analysis to date (n = 8, 104) in a real-world setting across eight hospitals. Our two-step semi-supervised strategy distills knowledge from task-specific CNNs into a transformer. First, CNNs predict on unlabeled data per label type and then the transformer learns from these predictions with label-specific heads. This improves predictive accuracy and enables simultaneous learning of all partial labels across the federation, and outperforms UNet-based models in generalizability on downstream tasks. Code and model weights are made openly available for leveraging future cardiac CT analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding proton relaxation in the brain's white matter remains an active field of magnetic resonance imaging research. Models of varying complexity have been proposed to link measurements to tissue composition/microstructure, in particular myelination. Although the presence of multiple aqueous and nonaqueous proton pools is well established experimentally, so-called "quantitative MRI" is usually based on simpler models due to the large number of model parameters. In this work, a comprehensive set of parameters characterizing a four-pool model is obtained. A piece of fixed porcine spinal-cord WM was investigated at 3 T and temperatures between 21 and 35 °C. Measurements included a wide range of preparations of the spin system in combination with long echo trains to achieve sensitivity to all model parameters. The results allow the extraction of all intrinsic relaxation and exchange rates as well as assigning them to specific dynamic processes involving tissue water. A critical assessment indicates that simpler models often lack specificity to myelin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19, a complex multisystem disorder affecting the central nervous system, can also have psychiatric sequelae. In addition, clinical evidence indicates that a diagnosis of a schizophrenia spectrum disorder is a risk factor for mortality in patients with COVID-19. In this study, we aimed to explore brain-specific molecular aspects of COVID-19 by using a proteomic approach. We analyzed the brain proteome of fatal COVID-19 cases and compared it with differentially regulated proteins found in postmortem schizophrenia brains. The COVID-19 proteomic dataset revealed a strong enrichment of proteins expressed by glial and neuronal cells and processes related to diseases with a psychiatric and neurodegenerative component. Specifically, the COVID-19 brain proteome enriches processes that are hallmark features of schizophrenia. Furthermore, we identified shared and distinct molecular pathways affected in both conditions. We found that brain ageing processes are likely present in both COVID-19 and schizophrenia, albeit possibly driven by distinct processes. In addition, alterations in brain cell metabolism were observed, with schizophrenia primarily impacting amino acid metabolism and COVID-19 predominantly affecting carbohydrate metabolism. The enrichment of metabolic pathways associated with astrocytic components in both conditions suggests the involvement of this cell type in the pathogenesis. Both COVID-19 and schizophrenia influenced neurotransmitter systems, but with distinct impacts. Future studies exploring the underlying mechanisms linking brain ageing and metabolic dysregulation may provide valuable insights into the complex pathophysiology of these conditions and the increased vulnerability of schizophrenia patients to severe outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]