University Research Co (United States)

BackgroundRecent epidemiological data indicate that 30–50% of all malaria infections are asymptomatic, with parasite densities below the limit of detection of standard diagnostic tests. A highly sensitive rapid diagnostic test (hsRDT) was developed to detect these low-density Plasmodium falciparum infections. This study evaluated the diagnostic performance of both hsRDTs and conventional RDTs (cRDT) in reactive case detection (RACD) activities among individuals (contacts) living and/or working in proximity to an “index case” in Ann Township in Rakhine State, Myanmar.MethodsThis prospective community-based RACD study was conducted in 2017–2018 among residents aged at least five years old in 50 villages of Ann Township. We assessed the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of both a hsRDT (NxTek™ Eliminate Malaria Ag P.f) and a cRDT (SD Malaria Ag P.f/P.v) using an ultra-sensitive polymerase chain reaction (usPCR) diagnostic assay as the gold standard.ResultsA total of 1,990 participants, all contacts of 51 index P. falciparum cases, were recruited. Among them, 28 (1.4%) tested positive by cRDT, 78 (3.9%) by hsRDT, and 171 (8.6%) by usPCR for P. falciparum mono-infection. The sensitivity and specificity of the hsRDT were 27.9% (95% CI 18.2–39.6%) and 98.8% (95% CI 98.2–99.4%), respectively, while the sensitivity and specificity of the cRDT were 13.7% (95% CI 7.6–20.7%) and 100% (95% CI 100–100%), respectively. The differences in sensitivity and specificity between hsRDT and cRDT were statistically significant (p < 0.01 for both).ConclusionsAlthough hsRDTs identified more infected contacts than cRDTs during reactive case detection, they have low overall sensitivity compared to usPCR. In resource-limited settings, such as Myanmar, the use of hsRDTs in RACD should be guided by careful consideration of their field feasibility and cost-effectiveness to support malaria elimination efforts.(285 words).Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12936-025-05699-7.

Abstract The heart is an essential organ at the beginning and end of life. Cardiotoxicity directly related to life is emphasized as an absolute safety factor in drug development, so it is indispensable to evaluate it accurately. That is why establishing a novel platform that can precisely recapitulate human cardiophysiological properties is necessary. Here, we report a human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived cardiomyocytes-based heart-on-a-chip integrated with a customized multi-electrode array (cMEA), capable of actualizing a cardiac muscle fascicle and surrounding capillaries tridimensionally. The differences in experimental reproducibility, scale of field potential wave, and gene expression patterns according to the two-dimensional cell-level and three-dimensional tissue-level culture are confirmed. Excellent accuracy of drug efficacy/toxicity of the chip is also verified relative to other conventional cell culture platforms by looking at heart rate changes depending on drug type and concentration/time. Additionally, we checked that kinetic/electrophysiological/molecular biological analysis can be performed with our chip by applying motion tracking, cMEA, and RNA sequencing. Thus, our platform is expected to be used as a tool for more exact cardiotoxicity tests with high reproducibility and multi-angle analysis in line with new pharmacological safety assessments such as comprehensive cardiac arrhythmias assessment (CiPA).

Abstract Termites are pivotal ecosystem engineers in African savanna ecosystems where they significantly contribute to nutrient cycling and facilitate the success of many other organisms. Termites can also introduce atmospheric nitrogen into terrestrial cycling via symbiotic nitrogen‐fixing gut bacteria and potentially through fungus gardens maintained by the fungus‐growing (Macrotermitinae) species. In termite fungus gardens, a variety of microorganisms, including the symbiotic Termitomyces fungus and various bacteria, break down lignocellulose and recycle organic nitrogen from dead plant matter. However, the specific roles of these fungal and bacterial symbionts in the nutrition of termite hosts are not yet fully understood. Here, we investigate nutritional interactions between Kenyan Macrotermes michaelseni termites and their symbiotic fungi and bacteria using compound‐specific stable isotope analyses (δ13C and δ15N) of amino acids (CSIA‐AA). Microbial resource utilization varies across termite castes. Essential amino acids (EAAs) in eggs and larvae primarily originate from fungi (50%–67%), whereas bacterial contributions are most pronounced in workers (22%) and soldiers (16%–24%). The amino acid δ15N patterns indicate that biological nitrogen fixation occurs in both termite guts and their fungus gardens, and the fixed nitrogen heavily affects the amino acid δ15N values, especially in eggs and larvae. Concurrently, the relatively modest proportion of bacterially synthesized EAAs in the eggs and larvae (&lt;11%) suggests that the fixed ammonium is largely assimilated into amino acids within fungal or termite host cells. These findings underscore the intricate collaborative interactions among bacterial, fungal and insect metabolisms that support the protein supply within this symbiotic system. These interactions may have broader implications for introducing novel atmospheric nitrogen into nutrient‐deficient savanna ecosystems. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Abstract Histopathologic cancer detection is a critical task in modern mediciine, with deep learning emerging as a promising tool for automating diagnosis. This study presents a compre- hensive comparative analysis of seven deep learning models for histopathologic cancer detection: ResNet50, VGG16, VGG19, MobileNet, DenseNet, Xception, and InceptionsV3. Utilizing a large dataset of a total of about 300k images to train and evaluate these models, we asses the efficacy of each model in terms of accuracy, precision, recall and F1 Score. This study aims to provide valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of different deep learning architectures for histopathologic cancer detection.

Abstract Environmental degradation is a pressing global issue with far-reaching consequences for the health of our planet and the well-being of its inhabitants. It is characterized by the deterioration of Earth's natural systems due to factors such as pollution, deforestation, and climate change, leading to biodiversity loss and the depletion of natural resources. Addressing these challenges is essential for maintaining ecological balance and ensuring sustainable practices that mitigate environmental impacts and preserve the planet for future generations. This paper explores the key drivers and impacts of environmental degradation in Somalia, with a focus on economic growth, agricultural expansion, and population growth. Methods: The study employs the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) Model to examine both long- and short-run relationships between environmental degradation and variables such as economic growth, domestic investment, agricultural land, and population growth. The ARDL model, chosen for its robustness with small sample sizes and flexibility with variable integration, utilizes annual time series data from 1990 to 2020. The model was selected using log-likelihood and the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC). Results and Recommendations: The findings reveal that both long- and short-run estimates show agricultural land expansion as a significant contributor to environmental degradation in Somalia. Economic and population growth further exacerbate the issue, while domestic investment helps mitigate degradation. The study highlights the role of deforestation in biodiversity loss, soil degradation, and climate change. It recommends promoting sustainable agricultural practices such as conservation agriculture and agroforestry to curb deforestation and promote environmental sustainability.

Ribosome stalling during co-translational translocation at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) causes translocon clogging and impairs ER protein biogenesis. Mammalian cells resolve translocon clogging vial a poorly characterized translocation-associated quality control (TAQC) process. Here, we combine genome-wide CRISPR screen with live cell imaging to dissect the molecular linchpin of TAQC. We show that substrates translated from mRNAs bearing a ribosome stalling poly(A) sequence are degraded by lysosomes and the proteasome, while substrates encoded by non-stop mRNAs are degraded by an unconventional ER-associated degradation (ERAD) mechanism involving ER-to-Golgi trafficking and KDEL-dependent substrate retrieval. The triaging diversity appears to result from the heterogeneity of NEMF-mediated CATylation, because a systematic characterization of representative CAT-tail mimetics establishes an AT-rich tail as a "degron" for ERAD, whereas an AG-rich tail can direct a secretory protein to the lysosome. Our study reveals an unexpected protein sorting function for CAT-tailing that safeguards ER protein biogenesis.

Abstract Background: The incidence of thyroid malignancy among patients with multinodular goiter (MNG) varies widely across different regions. This study aimed to assess the incidence and types of thyroid malignancy in patients with MNG in Yemen, contributing to better understanding and management of the condition in this context. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the General Military Hospital in Sana’a, Yemen, from February 2021 to December 2023. Data from 143 patients who underwent thyroidectomy were analyzed. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize patient demographics and clinical characteristics. Results: The incidence of thyroid malignancy was 23.1% (33/143) among patients with MNG. Papillary carcinoma was the most common type of thyroid cancer, accounting for 72.2% of the malignant cases. Malignancy was more prevalent in females (84.8%) and in the 41–50-year age group (48.5%). Total thyroidectomy was the most frequently performed surgical procedure, undertaken in 79% of cases. Conclusions: The high incidence of thyroid malignancy in MNG patients, particularly among females and middle-aged individuals, underscores the need for comprehensive evaluation and management of this condition in Yemen. Total thyroidectomy is recommended as an effective treatment approach due to the significant risk of malignancy. Addressing misconceptions about FNAC and educating both patients and healthcare providers can improve early detection and treatment outcomes.

Abstract Background We aimed to investigate the differences in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) symptoms according to weight among flight and cabin attendants in Korea.Methods This study was designed as a cross-sectional survey, comprising 180 airline crew members.Results Out of 180 participants, 22 participants had no symptoms at the onset. Among the 158 participants who experienced symptoms, the most common ones were fatigue (79.7%), cough (63.9%), and myalgia (63.3%). Participants who did not currently smoke and drank less than once a month reported more symptoms of COVID-19. The number of COVID-19 symptoms was significantly higher in participants with normal weight compared to those who were overweight/obese (p = .004). The time taken to return to flight duties after completing COVID-19 treatment was significantly longer for participants with normal weight compared to those who were overweight/obese (p = .041).Conclusion Airlines should make efforts to manage fatigue in airline crew members infected with COVID-19. Additionally, smoking and weight have an impact on the severity of COVID-19 in young people; therefore, continuous management is necessary, even if the number of reported symptoms is small.

Abstract Background Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is recommended for the first six months of an infant’s life, but barriers to EBF persist due to socio-cultural, economic and health-related factors. Promoting optimal feeding practices, particularly EBF, in resource-constrained settings is essential for child growth and development. This study examines the association between feeding practices and malnutrition in a birth cohort in a rural district of Pakistan. Methods Data were collected from a cohort of over 2600 infants, up to six months of age, through routine household visits by community health workers. The study analyzed demographic characteristics, feeding practices, anthropometric, and health information of infants and their mothers. Results Breastfeeding practices varied, with exclusive breastfeeding being more common in the first month, while predominant breastfeeding (breastmilk with non-milk liquids) was most prevalent from 1 to 6 months. A total of 98.3% of infants had been breastfed at some point between birth and 6 months of age, with a significant proportion experiencing wasting (14.7%), stunting (36.7%), and being underweight (38.5%) at baseline. Early initiation of complementary feeding before four months was significantly associated with increased odds of wasting by six months of age (AOR = 4.14, 95% CI: 1.95–8.77; p &lt; 0.001). The early initiation of breastmilk alternatives/lower rates of EBF were identified as correlating factors with wasting and underweight status in infants. Conclusion Parents may have to resort to suboptimal complementary feeding practices before 6 months of age, when they observe their child’s failure to thrive on exclusive breastfeeding. Our findings indicate that a comprehensive, multi-faceted health and policy approach is required to promote optimal feeding practices and improved infant nutrition and growth in resource-constrained settings. Additionally, context-specific guidelines (beyond lactation counselling) and alternative feeding options are required to support mothers who are unable to exclusively breastfeed.