The sexually transmitted infections (STIs) gonorrhea and chlamydia are known to disproportionately affect impoverished communities and communities of color, especially in urban areas. Moreover, socioeconomic and demog...The sexually transmitted infections (STIs) gonorrhea and chlamydia are known to disproportionately affect impoverished communities and communities of color, especially in urban areas. Moreover, socioeconomic and demographic factors such as poverty and race/ethnicity may contribute to a difference in treatment setting choice as well as a delay in care seeking. In an urban metropolitan area such as Boston, the overall gonorrhea and chlamydia rates are higher than national rates, and such differences are even more marked in certain neighborhoods with greater proportions of individuals who are impoverished, young, and of color. Using a retrospective analysis of city wide data, we highlight the effects of socioeconomic and demographic variables on urban STI prevalence. High poverty rates, race/ethnicity and younger adult populations are linked to disproportionately high STI rates. Interestingly, STI rates do not appear to be influenced by the universal health care coverage offered to the whole Massachusetts’ resident populations. We examine the effects of these variables in Boston neighborhoods in conjunction to STI rates and hypothesize that the observed rates are underestimates of the true prevalence of infection. Future studies will investigate how these same socioeconomic and demographic factors influence which treatment settings are chosen and subsequently lead to a delay in treatment.展开更多
AIM To characterize the understanding of hepatitis B virus(HBV)and determine if outreach improves HBV understanding among Greater Boston Area immigrants.METHODS Six outreach sessions were held in various community ven...AIM To characterize the understanding of hepatitis B virus(HBV)and determine if outreach improves HBV understanding among Greater Boston Area immigrants.METHODS Six outreach sessions were held in various community venues in the Greater Boston Area.Verbal consent was obtained from participants prior to starting each session.Each session included a pre-session questionnaire,followed by a teaching session,and then a post-session questionnaire.In person interpreters were present for translation during the teaching session and assistance for questionnaire completion when needed.The questions were developed based on the HBV clinical experience of physicians who serve largely immigrant populations.Questionnaires included Likerttype scale,open-ended,and true-false questions.All results were anonymous.RESULTS One hundred and one people participated in this study.Participants were 30%male with ages ranging from 19 to 87 years.The study population included immigrants from 21 countries,as well as seven United States-born participants.The greatest numbers of participants were from Somalia(44%),Morocco(10%),and Cameroon(8%).Pre session questionnaires revealed that 42%of participants were unaware that HBV can cause cancer,and 50%were unaware that therapies for HBV exist.Our brief teaching intervention led to improved scores on post session questionnaires.For example,at baseline,58%of participants responded correctly to the question"HBV infection can cause scarring of the liver and liver cancer",whereas 79%of participants responded correctly after the teaching session(P=0.01).Furthermore,the mean of total correct answers in the true or false portion of the questionnaire increased from 5.5 to 7.6(P<0.001).CONCLUSION A teaching session targeting Boston Immigrants atrisk for HBV helped improve scores on HBV knowledge questionnaires.Outreach may empower at-risk patients to pro-actively seek HBV care.展开更多
This special issue of Current Zoology concerning the behavior, ecology, and evolution of fishes is comprised of the peer-reviewed Proceedings of the 2008 Ecological and Evolutionary Ecology of Fishes Biennial Conferen...This special issue of Current Zoology concerning the behavior, ecology, and evolution of fishes is comprised of the peer-reviewed Proceedings of the 2008 Ecological and Evolutionary Ecology of Fishes Biennial Conference that was held June 29 - July 3 at Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. The conference and its four symposia were organized by a local organization committee and scientific program committee which included Maria Abate, host at Boston University; Sigal Balshine, McMaster University; Michael Clancy, Boston University; Ronald Coleman, California State University, Sacramento; John Godwin, North Carolina State University; Les Kaufinan, Boston University;展开更多
Within the last few decades, increases in computational resources have contributed enormously to the progress of science and engineering (S & E). To continue making rapid advancements, the S & E community must...Within the last few decades, increases in computational resources have contributed enormously to the progress of science and engineering (S & E). To continue making rapid advancements, the S & E community must be able to access computing resources. One way to provide such resources is through High-Performance Computing (HPC) centers. Many academic research institutions offer their own HPC Centers but struggle to make the computing resources easily accessible and user-friendly. Here we present SHABU, a RESTful Web API framework that enables S & E communities to access resources from Boston University’s Shared Computing Center (SCC). The SHABU requirements are derived from the use cases described in this work.展开更多
When I was informed that I had been selected to be featured in Legends in Urology by the Canadian Journal of Urology,I was surprised and humbled.It was a honor to be included in that special group of urologists.To put...When I was informed that I had been selected to be featured in Legends in Urology by the Canadian Journal of Urology,I was surprised and humbled.It was a honor to be included in that special group of urologists.To put my life in perspective,you have to start with my parents.展开更多
Temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis(TMJ-OA) affects a significant proportion of the population worldwide.However,there has been no substantial progress in the development of FDA-approved drugs for treatment due to ...Temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis(TMJ-OA) affects a significant proportion of the population worldwide.However,there has been no substantial progress in the development of FDA-approved drugs for treatment due to a lack of understanding of the specific factors regulating key TMJ-OA molecular mechanisms.Lysyl Oxidase-Like-2(LOXL2) promotes knee joint cartilage protection and is down regulated in a TMJ-OA animal model.We evaluated the role of LOXL2 in TMJ cartilage,its molecular mechanism,and gene networks using in vivo Loxl2 knockout mice(Acan-Cre;Loxl2^(flox/flox)) and ex vivo goat TMJ cartilage.Our results show that Loxl2 knockout in mouse cartilage upregulates Il1b,Mmp9,Mmp13,Adamts4,and Adamts5,but reduces the levels of aggrecan and proteoglycan.Loxl2 deleted TMJ cartilage show a higher enrichment of inflammatory response,TNFA signaling via NF-κB,extracellular matrix(ECM),and collagen degradation pathway network.Conversely,LOXL2 treatment reduces interleukin-1beta(IL-1β)-induced expression of Mmp13,protects mitochondrial function,and ECM from degeneration.Importantly,LOXL2attenuates IL-1 β-induced chondrocyte apoptosis via the phosphorylation of NF-κB and expression of the pain-related gene PTGS2(encodes COX2).Taken together,Loxl2 knockout mice exacerbate TMJ-OA through cartilage/ECM degradation,mitochondrial dysfunction,chondrocyte apoptosis,and inflammatory gene expression,whereas LOXL2 treatment mitigate these effects.展开更多
Dear Editors,This letter,reflecting on my research career,is dedi-cated to Professor Qingshi Zhu for his 80th Birthday.Part of this letter is based on my comment“A 20-year journey on the invention of vibrational phot...Dear Editors,This letter,reflecting on my research career,is dedi-cated to Professor Qingshi Zhu for his 80th Birthday.Part of this letter is based on my comment“A 20-year journey on the invention of vibrational photothermal microscopy”published in the May 2025 Nature Meth-ods Focus Issue on Bond-Selective Imaging[1].展开更多
BACKGROUND While varices and variceal bleeds are well-known and feared complications of advanced cirrhosis and portal hypertension,omental variceal bleed are a rare sequala even in patients with known esophageal or ga...BACKGROUND While varices and variceal bleeds are well-known and feared complications of advanced cirrhosis and portal hypertension,omental variceal bleed are a rare sequala even in patients with known esophageal or gastric varices.While rare,omental varices pose a risk for hemoperitoneum if ruptured,which is a lifethreatening complication with high mortality rates despite surgical intervention.CASE SUMMARY This report reviews the case of a patient 36-year-old female with alcohol related cirrhosis decompensated by ascites,but no history of varices admitted for hemorrhagic shock from spontaneous rupture of omental varices requiring emergency surgery.She underwent the first documented successful orthotopic liver transplantation the same admission.CONCLUSION This case report and literature review stresses the importance of early consideration and identification of intraabdominal variceal sources in cirrhotic patients with refractory shock.展开更多
Sporadic or late-onset Alzheimer’s disease(LOAD)occurs in 1 of 10 people over 65 years of age and comprises 95%of all AD patients.Unlike early-onset AD,which is caused by defined single gene mutations,the mechanisms ...Sporadic or late-onset Alzheimer’s disease(LOAD)occurs in 1 of 10 people over 65 years of age and comprises 95%of all AD patients.Unlike early-onset AD,which is caused by defined single gene mutations,the mechanisms and events underlying risk for LOAD are not fully understood and no substantial disease-modifying interventions are currently available.Age is the most prominent risk factor for LOAD,and interacting age-related and LOAD-associated factors contribute to its pathogenesis.Among these factors are changes in bioenergetic cell functions,which metabolize substrates and produce energy stored in adenosine triphosphate.展开更多
Artificial intelligence(AI)is reshaping financial systems and services,as intelligent AI agents increasingly form the foundation of autonomous,goal-driven systems capable of reasoning,learning,and action.This review s...Artificial intelligence(AI)is reshaping financial systems and services,as intelligent AI agents increasingly form the foundation of autonomous,goal-driven systems capable of reasoning,learning,and action.This review synthesizes recent research and developments in the application of AI agents across core financial domains.Specifically,it covers the deployment of agent-based AI in algorithmic trading,fraud detection,credit risk assessment,roboadvisory,and regulatory compliance(RegTech).The review focuses on advanced agent-based methodologies,including reinforcement learning,multi-agent systems,and autonomous decision-making frameworks,particularly those leveraging large language models(LLMs),contrasting these with traditional AI or purely statistical models.Our primary goals are to consolidate current knowledge,identify significant trends and architectural approaches,review the practical efficiency and impact of current applications,and delineate key challenges and promising future research directions.The increasing sophistication of AI agents offers unprecedented opportunities for innovation in finance,yet presents complex technical,ethical,and regulatory challenges that demand careful consideration and proactive strategies.This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of this rapidly evolving landscape,highlighting the role of agent-based AI in the ongoing transformation of the financial industry,and is intended to serve financial institutions,regulators,investors,analysts,researchers,and other key stakeholders in the financial ecosystem.展开更多
In Alzheimer’s disease,perturbations of glutamate neurotransmission lead to synaptic dysfunction and synapse loss.Several studies have used glutamate transport inhibitors to demonstrate that soluble oligomers of amyl...In Alzheimer’s disease,perturbations of glutamate neurotransmission lead to synaptic dysfunction and synapse loss.Several studies have used glutamate transport inhibitors to demonstrate that soluble oligomers of amyloid-βinduce synaptic dysfunction by interrupting glutamate uptake mediated by glutamate transporter 1,the major glutamate transporter in the brain.The cellular targets of the synaptic effects of soluble amyloid-βoligomers,including the nature of any interaction with glutamate transporter 1,remain ill-defined.We have generated a conditional glutamate transporter 1 knockout mouse to investigate cell-type specific functions of glutamate transporter 1.Field excitatory postsynaptic potentials were examined in the CA1 region of mouse hippocampal slices.We confirmed that hippocampal long-term potentiation impairment is induced by both soluble amyloid-βoligomers and glutamate uptake inhibitors.Amyloid-βoligomers,including those isolated directly from the cortex of patients with Alzheimer’s disease,failed to inhibit hippocampal long-term potentiation in neuronal glutamate transporter 1 but not astrocytic glutamate transporter 1 knockout mice.The masking or occlusion of the effect of soluble amyloid-βoligomers by knockout of glutamate transporter 1 in neurons suggests that the metabolic or signaling consequences of knockout of glutamate transporter 1 in neurons and amyloid-βoligomer inhibition of synaptic plasticity show epistasis and thus share a similar molecular pathway.To extend these observations,we tested the effects of other types of manipulation of glutamate homeostasis on synaptic plasticity and the pathophysiology of soluble amyloid-βoligomers.Ceftriaxone,which upregulates glutamate transporter 1 levels,among other effects,prevented the impairment of long-term potentiation by soluble amyloid-βoligomers.Collectively,our findings suggest that the effects of amyloid-βon synaptic function are highly dependent on glutamate reuptake homeostasis and that the disruption of synaptic function by soluble amyloid-βoligomers is mediated by pathways linked to neuronal,not astrocytic,glutamate transporter 1.The findings of this study highlight the translational potential of targeting neuronal glutamate transporter 1 to counteract amyloid-β-induced synaptic dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease.By showing that glutamate transporter 1 upregulation(e.g.,via ceftriaxone)can prevent amyloid-β-related impairments,this research supports developing therapies aimed at modulating glutamate homeostasis to preserve synaptic function and combat cognitive decline in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.展开更多
Cells actively sense and transduce microenvironmental mechanical inputs into chemical signals via cytoskeletal rearrangements.During these mechanosensation and mechanotransduction processes,the role of the actin cytos...Cells actively sense and transduce microenvironmental mechanical inputs into chemical signals via cytoskeletal rearrangements.During these mechanosensation and mechanotransduction processes,the role of the actin cytoskeleton is well-understood,whereas the role of the tubulin cytoskeleton remains largely elusive.Here,we report the dynamic changes in microtubules in response to microenvironmental stiffness during chondrocyte mitosis.Mechanical stiffness was found to be coupled with microtubule generation,directing microtubule dynamics in mitotic chondrocytes.Refilin B was found to be a key regulator of microtubule assembly in chondrocytes in response to mechanical stiffness.It was found to play its role in microtubule formation via the p-Smad3 signaling pathway.Additionally,integrin-linked kinase(ILK),triggered by mechanical stiffness,was found to play an indispensable role in the process of microtubule dynamics mediated by refilin B.Our data emphasizes stiffness-mediated dynamic changes in the microtubules of chondrocytes in a quiescent state(G0)and at anaphase,which improves our understanding of the mechanical regulation of microtubule assembly during the chondrocyte cell cycle and provides insights into microenvironment mechanics during tissue maintenance,wound healing,and disease occurrence.展开更多
Background Maternal obesity during pregnancy can lead to increased risk for metabolic disease in offspring during adulthood,helping fuel the worldwide increase in obesity.Fortunately,studies in rodent models have esta...Background Maternal obesity during pregnancy can lead to increased risk for metabolic disease in offspring during adulthood,helping fuel the worldwide increase in obesity.Fortunately,studies in rodent models have established that female dams(F0)that perform voluntary wheel running exercise during pregnancy have first-generation(F1)offspring with improved glucose tolerance,suggesting a potential means to reduce the burden of generational metabolic disease transmission.We have shown that maternal exercise also affects F1 male offspring as sires,as their progeny(F2)have similarly improved metabolic health.Whether maternal exercise can affect F1 females in a manner that improves F2 offspring metabolism is not known.Here,we determined whether voluntary exercise by F0 grandmothers,via their F1 female progeny,produced F2 male and female offspring with an improved metabolic phenotype.Methods Six-week-old C57BL/6 N female mice(F0)were fed a chow diet and either kept sedentary or exercise trained by voluntary wheel running for 2 weeks preconception and during pregnancy.Chow-fed sedentary F1 female offspring at 8 weeks of age were bred with age-matched untreated virgin males to generate F2 offspring.F2 were kept sedentary and chow fed and studied up to 52 weeks of age.Metabolic parameters were assessed,including food intake,body weight,body composition,glucose tolerance,systemic glucose and insulin levels,and liver metabolism.Results Grandmaternal exercise did not significantly alter male and female F2 offspring body weights measured throughout the first year of life,nor was there an effect of grandmaternal exercise on F2 offspring fat mass or lean mass.Remarkably,despite the lack of effect on body weight parameters,grandmaternal exercise resulted in improved glucose tolerance and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance(HOMA-IR)in F2 offspring at 52 weeks of age,effects that were more pronounced in male F2 offspring.Conclusion Voluntary wheel running exercise in female mice during pregnancy leads to metabolic improvements in her grand offspring,despite no direct intervention of the intermediate maternal generation.Maternal physical activity during pregnancy may reduce metabolic diseases in later generations.展开更多
Spinal cord injury(SCI) often results in permanent dysfunction of locomotion,sensation,and autonomic regulation,imposing a substantial burden on both individuals and society(Anjum et al.,2020).SCI has a complex pathop...Spinal cord injury(SCI) often results in permanent dysfunction of locomotion,sensation,and autonomic regulation,imposing a substantial burden on both individuals and society(Anjum et al.,2020).SCI has a complex pathophysiology:an initial primary injury(mechanical trauma,axonal disruption,and hemorrhage) is followed by a progressive secondary injury cascade that involves ischemia,neuronal loss,and inflammation.Given the challenges in achieving regeneration of the injured spinal cord,neuroprotection has been at the forefront of clinical research.展开更多
The shared links between Alzheimer’s disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus:Alzheimer’s disease(AD)and type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)are two prevalent conditions that come with substantial daily struggles.Emerging evi...The shared links between Alzheimer’s disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus:Alzheimer’s disease(AD)and type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)are two prevalent conditions that come with substantial daily struggles.Emerging evidence highlights that these diseases share similar pathophysiological features,including insulin resistance and chronic inflammation,which contribute to their rapid progression(Chen et al.,2022).Insulin resistance,a hallmark of T2DM,has been suggested to exacerbate neurodegeneration in AD.Similarly,chronic low-grade inflammation in T2DM parallels with neuroinflammation,which is observed in AD,suggesting overlapping pathophysiological mechanisms in T2DM and AD.展开更多
BACKGROUND There has been an increasing focus in recent years on health-care disparities.Studies investigating return to work(RTW)or sports are often performed in large,urban areas.Relatively few studies have investig...BACKGROUND There has been an increasing focus in recent years on health-care disparities.Studies investigating return to work(RTW)or sports are often performed in large,urban areas.Relatively few studies have investigated rates of return to farming or other heavy labor that is of interest to patients in rural areas.AIM To evaluate the literature regarding RTW in farming or heavy labor after orthopedic hip,knee,or shoulder surgery.METHODS A search was performed in the PubMed and EMBASE databases using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.Studies were included if they reported patients employed in farming or heavy labor,RTW rates after orthopedic surgery of the hip,knee,or shoulder,and had a minimum 6-month follow-up.A meta-analysis of proportions using a random-effects model was performed on three single-arm observational studies to estimate the pooled RTW rate following arthroscopic shoulder surgery.RESULTS Ten studies were included,and 101 farmers were identified among 440 total patients.One study involved hip surgery,two studies involved knee surgery,and seven studies involved shoulder surgery.RTW rates across studies varied by type of surgery and follow-up interval,ranging from 24%to 100%.The RTW rate was only 53.6%at 1 year following total hip arthroplasty.No studies investigated RTW in farmers following total knee arthroplasty.Among non-comparative studies,meta-analysis revealed a pooled RTW rate of 89%following arthroscopic shoulder surgery,with low heterogeneity(I^(2)=30.1%).Among comparative studies,one study reported significantly higher RTW odds for patients undergoing anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty compared to reverse shoulder arthroplasty(odds ratio=5.45).Overall,surgical intervention for shoulder pathology was associated with a high likelihood of RTW across multiple techniques,with particularly favorable outcomes for anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty.CONCLUSION This systematic review highlights the high rates of RTW in farmers and heavy laborers after shoulder surgery.However,our findings also underscore the need for more rural-specific research to guide patient counseling,rehabilitation expectations,and shared decision-making in this underserved population,particularly for orthopedic surgery of the hip and knee.展开更多
Dear Editor,This letter presents a new approach to developing interpretable and reliable soft sensors for Industry 5.0 applications.Although sophisticated machine learning methods have made remarkable strides in soft-...Dear Editor,This letter presents a new approach to developing interpretable and reliable soft sensors for Industry 5.0 applications.Although sophisticated machine learning methods have made remarkable strides in soft-sensor predictive accuracy,ensuring interpretability and reliable performance across varying industrial operating conditions remains a challenge[1]–[4].This is precisely what Industry 5.0,proposed by the European Commission in 2021,advocates[5],[6].It integrates various cutting-edge technologies,such as human-machine interaction,digital twins,cybersecurity and artificial intelligence,to facilitate the development of better soft sensors.展开更多
Background:Health benefits have been reported for many physical activity(PA)interventions for improving fundamental movement skills(FMS)and cognitive function(CF),but the most effective type of PA interventions for em...Background:Health benefits have been reported for many physical activity(PA)interventions for improving fundamental movement skills(FMS)and cognitive function(CF),but the most effective type of PA interventions for emhancing FMS and CF in early childhood remain unknown.Thus,the study aimed to determine the effects of PA interventions in enhancing FMS and CF among young children and to establish the optimal types of PA interventions.Methods:Six electronic databases(PubMed,OVID,SPORTDiscus,Scopus,Web of Science,and Cochrane)were searched for studies from inception to March 17,2024.Randomized controlled trials(RCTs)were included in this study if they reported outcomes related to FMS,CF,or both associated with PA interventions.Effect sizes were calculated and performed as Hedges'g.The hierarchy of competing interventions was established using the surface under the cumulative ranking curve(SUCRA).Risk of bias was independently assessed using the Cochrane Riskof-Bias 2.Results:This analysis included 38 studies with 5237 young children,with sample sizes ranging from 32 to 897 participants.The types of PA interventions analyzed included active play/free play/unstructured PA(AP),general structured PA(GSPA),FMS-targeted PA programs(FMSprograms),cognitively-engaging PA programs(CPA),multilevel PA interventions(MPA),and exergaming.PA interventions had a large,pooled effect size for total FMS(g=0.96;95%CI:0.45-1.46;p<0.01;I^(2)=94%).For CF,a small-to-moderate pooled effect size was found(g=0.39;95%CI:0.18-0.60;p<0.01;I^(2)=88%).PA interventions longer than 3 months showed fewer benefits for FMS(p<0.01).The network meta-analysis showed that FMS-programs(standardized mean difference((SMD)=1.55,95%CI:0.98-2.11,SUCRA=98.3%)and GSPA(SMD=0.94,95%CI:0.05-1.85,SUCRA=69.8%)significantly improved total FMS compared to AP.For locomotor skills(LMS),exergaming ranked highest(SUCRA=79.3%),followed by FMS-programs(75.9%)and GSPA(61.6%).However,despite its top ranking,exergaming's effect estimate was not statistically significant(SMD=1.38,95%CI:-0.08 to 2.85).For object control skills(OCS),exergaming again ranked highest(SUCRA=91.9%)and showed the largest significant effect(SMD=2.38,95%CI:0.96-3.80),followed by FMS-programs(SUCRA=78.5%)and GSPA(SUCRA=53.7%).FMS-programs,GSPA,MPA,and UC also significantly improved OCS compared to AP.While no significant differences were observed across PA interventions for most CF domains,exergaming had a significant positive effect on working memory(SMD=1.41,95%CI:0.07-2.75).The certainty of evidence varied from low to moderate.Conclusion:These findings emphasize the importance of PA interventions in improving FMS and CF in early childhood.FMS-programs and GSPA appear to be the most effective approaches for enhancing total FMS,while exergaming showed the highest ranking for LMS and OCS,with a significant impact on OCS but uncertainty in LMS improvements.Additionally,exergaming had a positive effect on working memory,suggesting its potential cognitive benefits.展开更多
文摘The sexually transmitted infections (STIs) gonorrhea and chlamydia are known to disproportionately affect impoverished communities and communities of color, especially in urban areas. Moreover, socioeconomic and demographic factors such as poverty and race/ethnicity may contribute to a difference in treatment setting choice as well as a delay in care seeking. In an urban metropolitan area such as Boston, the overall gonorrhea and chlamydia rates are higher than national rates, and such differences are even more marked in certain neighborhoods with greater proportions of individuals who are impoverished, young, and of color. Using a retrospective analysis of city wide data, we highlight the effects of socioeconomic and demographic variables on urban STI prevalence. High poverty rates, race/ethnicity and younger adult populations are linked to disproportionately high STI rates. Interestingly, STI rates do not appear to be influenced by the universal health care coverage offered to the whole Massachusetts’ resident populations. We examine the effects of these variables in Boston neighborhoods in conjunction to STI rates and hypothesize that the observed rates are underestimates of the true prevalence of infection. Future studies will investigate how these same socioeconomic and demographic factors influence which treatment settings are chosen and subsequently lead to a delay in treatment.
文摘AIM To characterize the understanding of hepatitis B virus(HBV)and determine if outreach improves HBV understanding among Greater Boston Area immigrants.METHODS Six outreach sessions were held in various community venues in the Greater Boston Area.Verbal consent was obtained from participants prior to starting each session.Each session included a pre-session questionnaire,followed by a teaching session,and then a post-session questionnaire.In person interpreters were present for translation during the teaching session and assistance for questionnaire completion when needed.The questions were developed based on the HBV clinical experience of physicians who serve largely immigrant populations.Questionnaires included Likerttype scale,open-ended,and true-false questions.All results were anonymous.RESULTS One hundred and one people participated in this study.Participants were 30%male with ages ranging from 19 to 87 years.The study population included immigrants from 21 countries,as well as seven United States-born participants.The greatest numbers of participants were from Somalia(44%),Morocco(10%),and Cameroon(8%).Pre session questionnaires revealed that 42%of participants were unaware that HBV can cause cancer,and 50%were unaware that therapies for HBV exist.Our brief teaching intervention led to improved scores on post session questionnaires.For example,at baseline,58%of participants responded correctly to the question"HBV infection can cause scarring of the liver and liver cancer",whereas 79%of participants responded correctly after the teaching session(P=0.01).Furthermore,the mean of total correct answers in the true or false portion of the questionnaire increased from 5.5 to 7.6(P<0.001).CONCLUSION A teaching session targeting Boston Immigrants atrisk for HBV helped improve scores on HBV knowledge questionnaires.Outreach may empower at-risk patients to pro-actively seek HBV care.
文摘This special issue of Current Zoology concerning the behavior, ecology, and evolution of fishes is comprised of the peer-reviewed Proceedings of the 2008 Ecological and Evolutionary Ecology of Fishes Biennial Conference that was held June 29 - July 3 at Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. The conference and its four symposia were organized by a local organization committee and scientific program committee which included Maria Abate, host at Boston University; Sigal Balshine, McMaster University; Michael Clancy, Boston University; Ronald Coleman, California State University, Sacramento; John Godwin, North Carolina State University; Les Kaufinan, Boston University;
文摘Within the last few decades, increases in computational resources have contributed enormously to the progress of science and engineering (S & E). To continue making rapid advancements, the S & E community must be able to access computing resources. One way to provide such resources is through High-Performance Computing (HPC) centers. Many academic research institutions offer their own HPC Centers but struggle to make the computing resources easily accessible and user-friendly. Here we present SHABU, a RESTful Web API framework that enables S & E communities to access resources from Boston University’s Shared Computing Center (SCC). The SHABU requirements are derived from the use cases described in this work.
文摘When I was informed that I had been selected to be featured in Legends in Urology by the Canadian Journal of Urology,I was surprised and humbled.It was a honor to be included in that special group of urologists.To put my life in perspective,you have to start with my parents.
基金supported by an NIH grant R01 DE031413 (M.V.B.)。
文摘Temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis(TMJ-OA) affects a significant proportion of the population worldwide.However,there has been no substantial progress in the development of FDA-approved drugs for treatment due to a lack of understanding of the specific factors regulating key TMJ-OA molecular mechanisms.Lysyl Oxidase-Like-2(LOXL2) promotes knee joint cartilage protection and is down regulated in a TMJ-OA animal model.We evaluated the role of LOXL2 in TMJ cartilage,its molecular mechanism,and gene networks using in vivo Loxl2 knockout mice(Acan-Cre;Loxl2^(flox/flox)) and ex vivo goat TMJ cartilage.Our results show that Loxl2 knockout in mouse cartilage upregulates Il1b,Mmp9,Mmp13,Adamts4,and Adamts5,but reduces the levels of aggrecan and proteoglycan.Loxl2 deleted TMJ cartilage show a higher enrichment of inflammatory response,TNFA signaling via NF-κB,extracellular matrix(ECM),and collagen degradation pathway network.Conversely,LOXL2 treatment reduces interleukin-1beta(IL-1β)-induced expression of Mmp13,protects mitochondrial function,and ECM from degeneration.Importantly,LOXL2attenuates IL-1 β-induced chondrocyte apoptosis via the phosphorylation of NF-κB and expression of the pain-related gene PTGS2(encodes COX2).Taken together,Loxl2 knockout mice exacerbate TMJ-OA through cartilage/ECM degradation,mitochondrial dysfunction,chondrocyte apoptosis,and inflammatory gene expression,whereas LOXL2 treatment mitigate these effects.
文摘Dear Editors,This letter,reflecting on my research career,is dedi-cated to Professor Qingshi Zhu for his 80th Birthday.Part of this letter is based on my comment“A 20-year journey on the invention of vibrational photothermal microscopy”published in the May 2025 Nature Meth-ods Focus Issue on Bond-Selective Imaging[1].
文摘BACKGROUND While varices and variceal bleeds are well-known and feared complications of advanced cirrhosis and portal hypertension,omental variceal bleed are a rare sequala even in patients with known esophageal or gastric varices.While rare,omental varices pose a risk for hemoperitoneum if ruptured,which is a lifethreatening complication with high mortality rates despite surgical intervention.CASE SUMMARY This report reviews the case of a patient 36-year-old female with alcohol related cirrhosis decompensated by ascites,but no history of varices admitted for hemorrhagic shock from spontaneous rupture of omental varices requiring emergency surgery.She underwent the first documented successful orthotopic liver transplantation the same admission.CONCLUSION This case report and literature review stresses the importance of early consideration and identification of intraabdominal variceal sources in cirrhotic patients with refractory shock.
文摘Sporadic or late-onset Alzheimer’s disease(LOAD)occurs in 1 of 10 people over 65 years of age and comprises 95%of all AD patients.Unlike early-onset AD,which is caused by defined single gene mutations,the mechanisms and events underlying risk for LOAD are not fully understood and no substantial disease-modifying interventions are currently available.Age is the most prominent risk factor for LOAD,and interacting age-related and LOAD-associated factors contribute to its pathogenesis.Among these factors are changes in bioenergetic cell functions,which metabolize substrates and produce energy stored in adenosine triphosphate.
基金supported by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of North Macedonia through the project“Utilizing AI and National Large Language Models to Advance Macedonian Language Capabilties”。
文摘Artificial intelligence(AI)is reshaping financial systems and services,as intelligent AI agents increasingly form the foundation of autonomous,goal-driven systems capable of reasoning,learning,and action.This review synthesizes recent research and developments in the application of AI agents across core financial domains.Specifically,it covers the deployment of agent-based AI in algorithmic trading,fraud detection,credit risk assessment,roboadvisory,and regulatory compliance(RegTech).The review focuses on advanced agent-based methodologies,including reinforcement learning,multi-agent systems,and autonomous decision-making frameworks,particularly those leveraging large language models(LLMs),contrasting these with traditional AI or purely statistical models.Our primary goals are to consolidate current knowledge,identify significant trends and architectural approaches,review the practical efficiency and impact of current applications,and delineate key challenges and promising future research directions.The increasing sophistication of AI agents offers unprecedented opportunities for innovation in finance,yet presents complex technical,ethical,and regulatory challenges that demand careful consideration and proactive strategies.This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of this rapidly evolving landscape,highlighting the role of agent-based AI in the ongoing transformation of the financial industry,and is intended to serve financial institutions,regulators,investors,analysts,researchers,and other key stakeholders in the financial ecosystem.
文摘In Alzheimer’s disease,perturbations of glutamate neurotransmission lead to synaptic dysfunction and synapse loss.Several studies have used glutamate transport inhibitors to demonstrate that soluble oligomers of amyloid-βinduce synaptic dysfunction by interrupting glutamate uptake mediated by glutamate transporter 1,the major glutamate transporter in the brain.The cellular targets of the synaptic effects of soluble amyloid-βoligomers,including the nature of any interaction with glutamate transporter 1,remain ill-defined.We have generated a conditional glutamate transporter 1 knockout mouse to investigate cell-type specific functions of glutamate transporter 1.Field excitatory postsynaptic potentials were examined in the CA1 region of mouse hippocampal slices.We confirmed that hippocampal long-term potentiation impairment is induced by both soluble amyloid-βoligomers and glutamate uptake inhibitors.Amyloid-βoligomers,including those isolated directly from the cortex of patients with Alzheimer’s disease,failed to inhibit hippocampal long-term potentiation in neuronal glutamate transporter 1 but not astrocytic glutamate transporter 1 knockout mice.The masking or occlusion of the effect of soluble amyloid-βoligomers by knockout of glutamate transporter 1 in neurons suggests that the metabolic or signaling consequences of knockout of glutamate transporter 1 in neurons and amyloid-βoligomer inhibition of synaptic plasticity show epistasis and thus share a similar molecular pathway.To extend these observations,we tested the effects of other types of manipulation of glutamate homeostasis on synaptic plasticity and the pathophysiology of soluble amyloid-βoligomers.Ceftriaxone,which upregulates glutamate transporter 1 levels,among other effects,prevented the impairment of long-term potentiation by soluble amyloid-βoligomers.Collectively,our findings suggest that the effects of amyloid-βon synaptic function are highly dependent on glutamate reuptake homeostasis and that the disruption of synaptic function by soluble amyloid-βoligomers is mediated by pathways linked to neuronal,not astrocytic,glutamate transporter 1.The findings of this study highlight the translational potential of targeting neuronal glutamate transporter 1 to counteract amyloid-β-induced synaptic dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease.By showing that glutamate transporter 1 upregulation(e.g.,via ceftriaxone)can prevent amyloid-β-related impairments,this research supports developing therapies aimed at modulating glutamate homeostasis to preserve synaptic function and combat cognitive decline in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(grant numbers 81771047 to J.X.,11932014,12372315 to X.L.,and 82273837 to L.S.)Sichuan Science and Technology Innovation Talent Project(2022JDRC0044)。
文摘Cells actively sense and transduce microenvironmental mechanical inputs into chemical signals via cytoskeletal rearrangements.During these mechanosensation and mechanotransduction processes,the role of the actin cytoskeleton is well-understood,whereas the role of the tubulin cytoskeleton remains largely elusive.Here,we report the dynamic changes in microtubules in response to microenvironmental stiffness during chondrocyte mitosis.Mechanical stiffness was found to be coupled with microtubule generation,directing microtubule dynamics in mitotic chondrocytes.Refilin B was found to be a key regulator of microtubule assembly in chondrocytes in response to mechanical stiffness.It was found to play its role in microtubule formation via the p-Smad3 signaling pathway.Additionally,integrin-linked kinase(ILK),triggered by mechanical stiffness,was found to play an indispensable role in the process of microtubule dynamics mediated by refilin B.Our data emphasizes stiffness-mediated dynamic changes in the microtubules of chondrocytes in a quiescent state(G0)and at anaphase,which improves our understanding of the mechanical regulation of microtubule assembly during the chondrocyte cell cycle and provides insights into microenvironment mechanics during tissue maintenance,wound healing,and disease occurrence.
基金supported by NIH awards R01 DK101043 to LJG and P30 DK036836 to Joslin Diabetes Centersupported by American Diabetes Association Grant No.1-17-PMF-009+1 种基金supported by American Diabetes Association(Grant No.1-25-PDF-67)supported by fellowships from Sunstar Foundation,Japan Society for the Promotion of Science(JSPS),Kanae Foundation,and Meiji Yasuda Life Foundation of Health and Welfare.
文摘Background Maternal obesity during pregnancy can lead to increased risk for metabolic disease in offspring during adulthood,helping fuel the worldwide increase in obesity.Fortunately,studies in rodent models have established that female dams(F0)that perform voluntary wheel running exercise during pregnancy have first-generation(F1)offspring with improved glucose tolerance,suggesting a potential means to reduce the burden of generational metabolic disease transmission.We have shown that maternal exercise also affects F1 male offspring as sires,as their progeny(F2)have similarly improved metabolic health.Whether maternal exercise can affect F1 females in a manner that improves F2 offspring metabolism is not known.Here,we determined whether voluntary exercise by F0 grandmothers,via their F1 female progeny,produced F2 male and female offspring with an improved metabolic phenotype.Methods Six-week-old C57BL/6 N female mice(F0)were fed a chow diet and either kept sedentary or exercise trained by voluntary wheel running for 2 weeks preconception and during pregnancy.Chow-fed sedentary F1 female offspring at 8 weeks of age were bred with age-matched untreated virgin males to generate F2 offspring.F2 were kept sedentary and chow fed and studied up to 52 weeks of age.Metabolic parameters were assessed,including food intake,body weight,body composition,glucose tolerance,systemic glucose and insulin levels,and liver metabolism.Results Grandmaternal exercise did not significantly alter male and female F2 offspring body weights measured throughout the first year of life,nor was there an effect of grandmaternal exercise on F2 offspring fat mass or lean mass.Remarkably,despite the lack of effect on body weight parameters,grandmaternal exercise resulted in improved glucose tolerance and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance(HOMA-IR)in F2 offspring at 52 weeks of age,effects that were more pronounced in male F2 offspring.Conclusion Voluntary wheel running exercise in female mice during pregnancy leads to metabolic improvements in her grand offspring,despite no direct intervention of the intermediate maternal generation.Maternal physical activity during pregnancy may reduce metabolic diseases in later generations.
文摘Spinal cord injury(SCI) often results in permanent dysfunction of locomotion,sensation,and autonomic regulation,imposing a substantial burden on both individuals and society(Anjum et al.,2020).SCI has a complex pathophysiology:an initial primary injury(mechanical trauma,axonal disruption,and hemorrhage) is followed by a progressive secondary injury cascade that involves ischemia,neuronal loss,and inflammation.Given the challenges in achieving regeneration of the injured spinal cord,neuroprotection has been at the forefront of clinical research.
基金supported by grants from NIH T32(DK007260,to WC)the Steno North American Fellowship awarded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation(NNF23OC0087108,to WC).
文摘The shared links between Alzheimer’s disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus:Alzheimer’s disease(AD)and type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)are two prevalent conditions that come with substantial daily struggles.Emerging evidence highlights that these diseases share similar pathophysiological features,including insulin resistance and chronic inflammation,which contribute to their rapid progression(Chen et al.,2022).Insulin resistance,a hallmark of T2DM,has been suggested to exacerbate neurodegeneration in AD.Similarly,chronic low-grade inflammation in T2DM parallels with neuroinflammation,which is observed in AD,suggesting overlapping pathophysiological mechanisms in T2DM and AD.
文摘BACKGROUND There has been an increasing focus in recent years on health-care disparities.Studies investigating return to work(RTW)or sports are often performed in large,urban areas.Relatively few studies have investigated rates of return to farming or other heavy labor that is of interest to patients in rural areas.AIM To evaluate the literature regarding RTW in farming or heavy labor after orthopedic hip,knee,or shoulder surgery.METHODS A search was performed in the PubMed and EMBASE databases using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.Studies were included if they reported patients employed in farming or heavy labor,RTW rates after orthopedic surgery of the hip,knee,or shoulder,and had a minimum 6-month follow-up.A meta-analysis of proportions using a random-effects model was performed on three single-arm observational studies to estimate the pooled RTW rate following arthroscopic shoulder surgery.RESULTS Ten studies were included,and 101 farmers were identified among 440 total patients.One study involved hip surgery,two studies involved knee surgery,and seven studies involved shoulder surgery.RTW rates across studies varied by type of surgery and follow-up interval,ranging from 24%to 100%.The RTW rate was only 53.6%at 1 year following total hip arthroplasty.No studies investigated RTW in farmers following total knee arthroplasty.Among non-comparative studies,meta-analysis revealed a pooled RTW rate of 89%following arthroscopic shoulder surgery,with low heterogeneity(I^(2)=30.1%).Among comparative studies,one study reported significantly higher RTW odds for patients undergoing anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty compared to reverse shoulder arthroplasty(odds ratio=5.45).Overall,surgical intervention for shoulder pathology was associated with a high likelihood of RTW across multiple techniques,with particularly favorable outcomes for anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty.CONCLUSION This systematic review highlights the high rates of RTW in farmers and heavy laborers after shoulder surgery.However,our findings also underscore the need for more rural-specific research to guide patient counseling,rehabilitation expectations,and shared decision-making in this underserved population,particularly for orthopedic surgery of the hip and knee.
文摘Dear Editor,This letter presents a new approach to developing interpretable and reliable soft sensors for Industry 5.0 applications.Although sophisticated machine learning methods have made remarkable strides in soft-sensor predictive accuracy,ensuring interpretability and reliable performance across varying industrial operating conditions remains a challenge[1]–[4].This is precisely what Industry 5.0,proposed by the European Commission in 2021,advocates[5],[6].It integrates various cutting-edge technologies,such as human-machine interaction,digital twins,cybersecurity and artificial intelligence,to facilitate the development of better soft sensors.
文摘Background:Health benefits have been reported for many physical activity(PA)interventions for improving fundamental movement skills(FMS)and cognitive function(CF),but the most effective type of PA interventions for emhancing FMS and CF in early childhood remain unknown.Thus,the study aimed to determine the effects of PA interventions in enhancing FMS and CF among young children and to establish the optimal types of PA interventions.Methods:Six electronic databases(PubMed,OVID,SPORTDiscus,Scopus,Web of Science,and Cochrane)were searched for studies from inception to March 17,2024.Randomized controlled trials(RCTs)were included in this study if they reported outcomes related to FMS,CF,or both associated with PA interventions.Effect sizes were calculated and performed as Hedges'g.The hierarchy of competing interventions was established using the surface under the cumulative ranking curve(SUCRA).Risk of bias was independently assessed using the Cochrane Riskof-Bias 2.Results:This analysis included 38 studies with 5237 young children,with sample sizes ranging from 32 to 897 participants.The types of PA interventions analyzed included active play/free play/unstructured PA(AP),general structured PA(GSPA),FMS-targeted PA programs(FMSprograms),cognitively-engaging PA programs(CPA),multilevel PA interventions(MPA),and exergaming.PA interventions had a large,pooled effect size for total FMS(g=0.96;95%CI:0.45-1.46;p<0.01;I^(2)=94%).For CF,a small-to-moderate pooled effect size was found(g=0.39;95%CI:0.18-0.60;p<0.01;I^(2)=88%).PA interventions longer than 3 months showed fewer benefits for FMS(p<0.01).The network meta-analysis showed that FMS-programs(standardized mean difference((SMD)=1.55,95%CI:0.98-2.11,SUCRA=98.3%)and GSPA(SMD=0.94,95%CI:0.05-1.85,SUCRA=69.8%)significantly improved total FMS compared to AP.For locomotor skills(LMS),exergaming ranked highest(SUCRA=79.3%),followed by FMS-programs(75.9%)and GSPA(61.6%).However,despite its top ranking,exergaming's effect estimate was not statistically significant(SMD=1.38,95%CI:-0.08 to 2.85).For object control skills(OCS),exergaming again ranked highest(SUCRA=91.9%)and showed the largest significant effect(SMD=2.38,95%CI:0.96-3.80),followed by FMS-programs(SUCRA=78.5%)and GSPA(SUCRA=53.7%).FMS-programs,GSPA,MPA,and UC also significantly improved OCS compared to AP.While no significant differences were observed across PA interventions for most CF domains,exergaming had a significant positive effect on working memory(SMD=1.41,95%CI:0.07-2.75).The certainty of evidence varied from low to moderate.Conclusion:These findings emphasize the importance of PA interventions in improving FMS and CF in early childhood.FMS-programs and GSPA appear to be the most effective approaches for enhancing total FMS,while exergaming showed the highest ranking for LMS and OCS,with a significant impact on OCS but uncertainty in LMS improvements.Additionally,exergaming had a positive effect on working memory,suggesting its potential cognitive benefits.
