High Quality Research Articles

Content Analysis of Food and Beverage Advertisements on TV, Radio, and Billboards in Iran.

Food advertising may influence food preferences and consumption. Due to these advertisements' role in health, the present study has updated the data available on television and radio food advertisements in Iran until 2020. Meanwhile, food advertisements on billboards have been analyzed for the first time. All programs broadcast on two TV and radio channels were downloaded and saved 24 h daily for one week (November 10-16th, 2020). Also, on November 15th billboards located on the busy highways of Tehran were photographed. Validated protocols analyzed the advertisements. A total of 6026 advertisements were analyzed, including 4287 on TV, 1545 on radio, and 194 on billboards. The total duration of TV and radio advertising was 48.6 h. Food products were the most displayed advertisements on TV, radio, and billboards (33.6%). Overall, "condiments" and "desserts" were the most frequently advertised food products among all the studied media (20% and 17%, respectively). The most common advertising appeal included "High quality" on TV and billboards and "Stimulation of profiteering and profit-seeking" on the radio. Advertising violation based on Iran's regulations, Nutrient profile model for the marketing of food and non-alcoholic beverages to children in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region, and International Network for Food and Obesity / Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) Research Monitoring and Action Support (INFORMAS) was reported to be 13%, 74%, and 51%, respectively. Food products ranked the highest among all the advertisements. A clear violation of domestic and international advertising regulations was observed which given the high share of food advertising in the studied media, could endanger public health. This study supports the need for stricter regulations and adherence to international standards to improve nutritional status.

Ultra-low-dose coronary CT angiography via super-resolution deep learning reconstruction: impact on image quality, coronary plaque, and stenosis analysis.

To exploit the capability of super-resolution deep learning reconstruction (SR-DLR) to save radiation exposure from coronary CT angiography (CCTA) and assess its impact on image quality, coronary plaque quantification and characterization, and stenosis severity analysis. This prospective study included 50 patients who underwent low-dose (LD) and subsequent ultra-low-dose (ULD) CCTA scans. LD CCTA images were reconstructed with hybrid iterative reconstruction (HIR) and ULD CCTA images were reconstructed with HIR and SR-DLR. The objective parameters and subjective scores were compared. Coronary plaques were classified into three components: necrotic, fibrous or calcified content, with absolute volumes (mm3) recorded, and further characterized by percentage of calcified content. The four main coronary arteries were evaluated for the presence of stenosis. Moreover, 48 coronary segments in 9 patients were evaluated for the presence of significant stenosis, with invasive coronary angiography as a reference. Effective dose decreased by 60% from LD to ULD CCTA scans (2.01 ± 0.84 mSv vs. 0.80 ± 0.34 mSv, p < 0.001). ULD SR-DLR was non-inferior or even superior to LD HIR in terms of image quality and showed excellent agreements with LD HIR on the plaque volumes, characterization, and stenosis analysis (ICCs > 0.8). Moreover, there was no evidence of a difference in detecting significant coronary stenosis between the LD HIR and ULD SR-DLR (AUC: 0.90 vs. 0.89; p = 1.0). SR-DLR led to significant radiation dose savings from CCTA while ensuring high image quality and excellent performance in coronary plaque and stenosis analysis. Question How can radiation dose for coronary CT angiography be reduced without compromising image quality or affecting clinical decisions? Finding Super-resolution deep learning reconstruction (SR-DLR) algorithm allows for 60% dose reduction while ensuring high image quality and excellent performance in coronary plaque and stenosis analysis. Clinical relevance Dose optimization via SR-DLR has no detrimental effect on image quality, coronary plaque quantification and characterization, and stenosis severity analysis, which paves the way for its implementation in clinical practice.

Deep Feature Blend Attention: A New Frontier in Super Resolution Image Generation

Super Resolution (SR) images contain more useful information than Low Resolution (LR) images. Generally, SR images are highly preferred over LR images in the medical field due to their high quality. Generally, SR images are affected by many factors, like blur, noise, and decimation. Therefore, the present study proposes Deep Feature Blend Attention Mechanism for generating SR images with optimal outcomes. In this study, a Deep Learning (DL) based encoder-decoder is used to extract the detailed information from the LR image, assist in noise removal, and improve image quality. Using Gaussian blur, an LR image is produced, which is given as input to the encoder-decoder. The Attention mechanism with feature blending is performed to produce the reconstructed SR image. The low and high frequency component issues from feature map are improved using the attention mechanism. Also, feature blend attention mechanism is implied to reconstruct SR images from LR images. The present study utilizes the feature blend technique, which helps select the optimal features and blending to attain the optimal feature set. The study is performed with and without the feature blend technique in attention mechanism to expose the impact of the feature blend technique, and it is used to avoid overfitting issues and produce optimal results. The performance of the proposed system is assessed by using PSNR and SSIM to show the system's efficiency. The proposed system is compared with other state-of-the-art studies to expose the efficacy of the present system.

Corticosterone predicts double-brooding in female savannah sparrows (Passerculus sandwichensis).

Given that double-brooding (rearing two broods within a season) can increase annual fecundity, it is unclear why some females in multi-brooded populations rear only one brood per season. The Quality Hypothesis proposes that double-brooded females are high quality and, thus, have sufficient energetic resources available to bear the costs of rearing two broods per season. Glucocorticoids - endocrine hormones that have a critical role in energy regulation - could reflect female quality, and, therefore, also have the potential to indicate whether a female will rear a second brood. Using 12years of reproductive data on migratory Savannah sparrows (Passerculus sandwichensis) from a population in eastern Canada, we explored whether baseline corticosterone concentrations were correlated with measures of female quality (body condition and fat score) and whether a female's baseline corticosterone concentrations during her first brood would predict whether she attempted a second. We found weak evidence that baseline corticosterone was negatively correlated with female body condition and found strong evidence that baseline corticosterone was negatively correlated with fat score. There was weak evidence for a positive relationship between double-brooding and baseline corticosterone in females sampled during the first brood incubation stage. Additionally, there was moderate evidence to suggest that the probability of double-brooding was negatively related to baseline corticosterone in females sampled during the first brood nestling stage. Our results provide evidence that corticosterone can reflect female condition in the context of double-brooding and demonstrate the importance of considering breeding stage when assessing corticosterone concentrations in parents.

Exosome-derived miR-107 targeting caveolin-1 promotes gallstone progression by regulating the hepatobiliary cholesterol secretion pathway.

Cholesterol gallstone is a disease with high incidence and quality of life. This study aimed to investigate the function of exosome-derived miRNA in gallstone formation and its related molecular mechanism. Exosomes were extracted and isolated from patients with gallbladder stones and age- and gender-matched healthy controls, and exosomal miRNA expression was compared between the two groups. The function of exosomal miR-107 in gallstone formation was evaluated using a lithogenic fed-induced gallstone mouse model. We used a dual luciferase reporter assay to identify the miR-107 target gene. Expression of BSEP and CYP7A1 were detected using Western Blot and immunohistochemical staining to ascertain the role of miR-107 in bile acid transport and cholesterol synthesis. Bile acids, phospholipids, cholesterol and triglycerides were determined with the kit, and cholesterol saturation index was calculated. Liver cholesterol transport-related genes, phospholipid transport-related genes, liver bile salt transport-related genes, sodium-dependent bile acid transporters and organic solute transporters were detected by q-PCR. Exosomal miR-107 high expression was significant in people with gallstones. Inhibitor of miR-107 reduced lithogenic diet-induced gallstone formation in mice. MiR-107 directly inhibited caveolin-1 expression. Inhibition of caveolin-1 reduced the BSEP function. After treatment of miR-107 inhibitor, the expression of BSEP and CYP7A1 was significantly increased compared with gallbladder stones model, but the concentration of bile acid in gallbladder was significantly decreased. miR-107 altered biliary and liver lipid profiles and increased biliary cholesterol saturation index (CSI). Inhibited miR-107 promoted liver homeostasis-related cholesterol and the expression of bile acid transporters. This study revealed that exosome-derived miR-107 promoted gallstone progression by regulating the hepatobiliary cholesterol secretion pathway through targeting caveolin-1.

Characterization of cotton stalk as a lignocellulosic feedstock for single-cell protein production.

Cotton stalk, an important by-product of cotton farming, is challenging in lignocellulosic feedstock application due to the limited understanding of their compositional and lignin structural characteristics. This study elucidates the composition of lignocellulose components and fundamental lignin structural features of cotton stalk. Lignocellulosic hydrolysates were prepared from various cotton stalk parts and used for single-cell protein production. As a proof of concept, cotton stalk hydrolysates were successfully converted into single-cell protein using the superior microbial host, Candida utilis ACCC20060, owing to its favorable sugar consumption efficiency and high protein quality. The highest SCP concentration of 5.74g/L was obtained, yielding 0.23g/g from the lignocellulose-derived sugars released from cotton stalk roots. This study provides valuable references for cotton stalk utilization toward lignocellulosic feedstock application and introduces a promising microbial host for single-cell protein production from such feedstocks.

Spatial and Habitat Determinants of Small-Mammal Biodiversity in Urban Green Areas: Lessons for Nature-Based Solutions

In an increasingly anthropogenic world, urban green areas are critical for human well-being because of the ecosystem services they offer. However, the management of these areas often prioritizes economic, architectural, and aesthetic needs over ecological functionality, undermining the benefits they ought to provide. Actions to restore the functional ecological processes of urban green areas have thus become increasingly urgent. This study investigated the impact of urban green area characteristics on the community composition of an indicator animal group to inform Nature-Based Solutions (NBSs) for urban biodiversity and sustainability enhancement. We analyzed data on small mammal community composition from three Italian metropolitan cities (Milan, Florence, and Rome), focusing on the distribution pattern of synanthropic and non-synanthropic species. Small mammal surveys were carried out using hair tubes in sampled areas located along a gradient of green area size and fragmentation. Multiple Linear Mixed Models assessed the influence of spatial and habitat green area characteristics on species richness. Synanthropic species richness was positively associated with manicured urban parks, while non-synanthropic species richness was higher in woodland green areas characterized by high shrub cover. Through a Linear Mixed Model and NODF-based Nestedness analyses, we found that competitive exclusion and selective extinction/colonization processes did not significantly influence community composition. These insights emphasize the major influence of habitat composition in supporting functional communities of urban small mammals. To move toward resilient urban ecosystems, NBSs must primarily be implemented at a local scale by creating green patches with high habitat quality, and secondarily, they should be embedded in an interconnected and functional network at a city scale.

A novel green CeO2 polishing slurry and its chemical mechanical action mechanism for achieving atomic-level smoothing of fused silica glass surfaces

Pitch-based tools are integral to computer-controlled optical surfacing (CCOS) for polishing fused silica but face limitations such as low material removal rates (MRR) and challenges in achieving atomic-level smoothing while ensuring environmental sustainability. While chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) excels in processing planar surfaces, it struggles with complex freeform geometries. CCOS addresses this gap with specialized tool head designs that enable precise machining of intricate surfaces. This study introduces an eco-friendly CeO2-based polishing slurry suited for CCOS with pitch tools. By incorporating green reagents, such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) and ethylene glycol (EG), and minimizing harmful chemical usage, the slurry achieves significant breakthroughs in performance. Experimental results reveal a surface roughness (Sa) of 0.075nm, meeting atomic-level smoothing standards, alongside an MRR of 40.5 μm /h, marking substantial improvements over traditional methods. Physicochemical analyses of the CeO2 abrasives, including particle size, morphology, and Ce element content, revealed that abrasives with sharp edges and high Ce content are key factors for obtaining high surface quality and MRR. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations highlight the synergistic effects of the components, optimizing chemical-mechanical interactions to enhance surface quality. These findings demonstrate the potential of green polishing technologies in advancing the precision machining of fused silica, particularly for complex geometries. The study provides a sustainable and high-performance solution for achieving atomic-level smoothing, paving the way for broader applications in precision optics.

Genomic scans for selection and runs of homozygosity in southern Italian turkey populations.

Basilicata and Apulian (BAS-APU) turkeys, a native population in the Basilicata and Puglia regions of southern Italy, are known for their high meat quality and tolerance to local conditions. Understanding the genomic patterns of BAS-APU turkeys is critical for effective breeding and preservation strategies. In this study, we characterized runs of homozygosity (ROH), and selection signatures using the integrated haplotype score (iHS) and ROH approaches. A total of 73 BAS-APU turkeys from five populations were sequenced (12X). The inbreeding coefficients based on ROH ranged from 0.177 to 0.405. A total of 120,956 ROH were detected in BAS-APU populations. We identified 27 genomic regions that harbor 61 candidate genes in ROH islands in which single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) occur in more than 90 % of individuals. In addition, we detected 608 genomic regions under positive selection using the iHS method being 104, 98, 130, 102, and 174 for BAS, APU_C, APU_M, APU_PN, and APU_PS, respectively. For both methods, most of the genes within these regions are related to production performance, reproduction, immune responses, and adaptation. This study contributes significantly to our understanding of the genetic makeup of native turkey populations in southern Italy. The identified genes under selection can aid future breeding and conservations programs for southern Italian native turkeys. The results of inbreeding levels, especially in the absence of complete pedigrees or when only a few samples are available, which is often the case for local breeds, will help to avoid genetic relatedness in the mating plan in breeding and conservation plans for BAS-APU populations. Also, the detected genes in the selective sweep regions could be used as a marker-assisted selection to improve productive traits and adaptation of BAS-APU local populations.

Counter-diffusion studies of human transthyretin: the growth of high-quality crystals for X-ray and neutron crystallography

A crystallogenesis study of human transthyretin using the counter-diffusion method is described as an alternative to conventional convective vapour diffusion and batch approaches for protein crystallization. The X-ray diffraction results show systematic trends that exhibit unique patterns of crystallization and high crystal quality as well as a remarkable degree of coherence within extended crystal rods that wholly fill the capillaries used. Preliminary neutron diffraction data have been recorded from a number of these samples, validating the feasibility of this methodology for neutron crystallography.

Influence of zinc on electrochemical and photoluminescence properties of yttrium chromate nanoparticles

YCrO4: Zn (1-9 mol %) nanoparticles were synthesized using Aloe vera gel via a solution combustion method and subsequently calcined at 600 °C for 3 h. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed a pure tetragonal crystal structure, indicative of high material quality, while surface morphology revealed irregularly shaped and sized nanoparticles that varied with dopant concentration. The crystallite size, calculated using Scherrer’s method, decreased from 14 nm to 9 nm, and the optical energy band gap narrowed from 2.93 eV to 2.75 eV with increasing zinc doping. Photoluminescence emission spectra, recorded under 310 nm excitation, displayed peaks centered at 483, 525, and 628 nm, with the violet-blue emission attributed to the recombination of zinc interstitial (Zni) and zinc vacancy (VZn) energy levels. The presence of oxygen vacancies contributed to the green emission peak, while red emissions resulted from band transitions between zinc interstitial and oxygen interstitial (Oi) defect levels within the host matrix. The CIE coordinates fell within the 1713 K region, with an average color-correlated temperature of 1730 K, indicating a warm LED output. Electrochemical studies demonstrated that the specific capacitance of YCrO4:Zn (1-9 mol%) nanoparticles ranged from 86.94 to 130.27 F/g at a scan rate of 10 mV/s, underscoring the significant influence of dopant concentration on the material’s electrochemical properties, as higher concentrations of Zn2+ in YCrO4 enhanced the charge storage capability, suggesting its potential for improved performance in energy storage applications.

Recent drying technologies used for drying poultry litter (principles, advantages and disadvantages): A comprehensive review.

Wet poultry litter creates an environment that accelerates the growth of bacteria and pathogens, leading to increased ammonia release. A practical way to reduce these adverse effects is heat treatment (drying). This work evaluated different methods for poultry litter drying and presented their principles, advantages, and disadvantages. Oven dryers are not recommended for continual drying due to their low energy efficiency, but decreasing water activity can prevent microbial growth. Rotary dryers provide homogeneous drying, but they are not suitable for drying fragile materials. Freeze drying preserves heat-sensitive ingredients, but the drying duration is high and classified as a high-cost drying technique. Microwave drying technology surpasses conventional methods in achieving both high product quality and energy efficiency. Solar drying emerges as the most economically viable, practical, and environmentally sound method for poultry litter desiccation. However, improperly controlled mass and heat transfer throughout the drying process can compromise product integrity. The use of combined dryers has not been thoroughly evaluated, although they may be more effective due to their synergistic results. This study is helpful for researchers who aim to reduce the adverse effects of poultry litter and manage it more effectively using heat treatment methods.

Factors Associated with Increased Fluoroscopy Time During Elective Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair and its Utilization as an Indicator of Intraoperative and Postoperative Outcomes

ObjectivesThis study explores the impact of prolonged fluoroscopy time (FT) on outcomes in endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). While total operative time includes multiple variables, FT precisely captures the technical precision of the EVAR procedure. By examining the factors that extend FT, we aim to establish FT as a critical quality metric for evaluating surgical performance and predicting postoperative outcomes. MethodsA retrospective review of the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI) was conducted (2003-2021). The FT was studied based on a median dichotomy of ≤18 mins (Group I) and >18 mins (Group II). Primary outcomes of in-hospital mortality and discharge status were studied, along with numerous secondary outcomes pertaining to systemic complications. Factors associated with more extended FT were also measured. All the variables examined in multivariate analyses were estimated in odds ratios, and a p-value of <0.05 was deemed significant for all the analyses performed. Results41,841 patients were studied, of which 20,339 were categorized in Group I and 21,502 in Group II. The average fluoroscopy time in the selected patients was reported to be 23.2 minutes. Patients in Group II generally had overall poorer health status with multiple comorbidities and on various medications. Aortic aneurysm parameters can influence the FT, including the greater aorta-neck angle, neck angle, neck diameter, and neck length. Patients treated by high-volume surgeons were observed to have less likelihood of prolonged FT. On trends analysis, it was observed that the FT has been consistent over the study period. ConclusionVarious factors can influence the FT in patients undergoing EVAR, including the patient characteristics and the complexity of the aneurysm. Identifying the risk factors associated with prolonged FT can help prepare the surgeons and devise ways to ensure a high quality of care, better risk stratification, and enhanced safety, especially for more prolonged exposure to radiation and contrast volumes.

Hormonal induction and seasonal variation in male reproductive viability of the Southern Rocky Mountain boreal toad.

The Southern Rocky Mountain boreal toad (Anaxyrus boreas boreas) depends on both the rearing of wild-collected egg masses and a long-standing conservation breeding program (CBP), the latter of which heavily relies on assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) to support wild populations. Achieving consistent reproductive success in the CBP, however, remains a significant challenge. Natural breeding has not led to a sustained increase in reproductive capacity, prompting the exploration of exogenous hormone treatments as an alternative strategy. This study specifically examined male responses to the administration of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), a previously tested hormone, in combination with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-A), either individually or together, to evaluate their effects on sperm induction and viability across different seasons. Insights into how hormone treatments and seasonality influence sperm acquisition can guide managers in improving breeding outcomes within ex situ populations by enhancing their understanding of reproductive health, applying hormone treatments at the optimal time of year, and determining the best timing for high quality sperm collection. These advancements can increase reproductive capacity and support long-term genetic management through biobanking. Results indicated that combining hCG and GnRH-A yielded the highest sperm quantity and quality, although further optimization of hormone dosages could improve outcomes. Seasonal factors significantly influenced hormonal efficacy, with variations in sperm concentration and quality observed across months.

Fabrication of multilayer cellulose filters isolated from natural biomass for highly efficient air filtration for replacement of synthetic HEPA filters

Indoor air pollution can be extensively reduced by using a molecular air filtration system. However, widely utilized synthetic polymer-based filtration medium can lead to waste management difficulty after use. Consequently, this work aimed to synthesize highly efficient air nano-filters derived from renewable and biodegradable resources namely EFB and Pulp. The study successfully presented an air filter from 100% natural cellulose using a facile physical multilayer filter fabrication method. A combination of chemical and mechanical treatment was applied to prepare nanocellulose. The chemical composition analysis showed that 66-67% nanocellulose yield was efficiently isolated from both raw materials. The highest particle filtration efficiency (PFE) of 97.30% (0.3 μm particle size) greater than that of commercial HEPA filters was achieved from multilayer acid-derived microfiber@mechanically treated nanofibers from EFB with low-pressure drop of 11.56mm H2O. When %PFE and pressure drop were taken into consideration, all single-layer and multilayer-patterned fiber filters in this study provided high quality factor (QF) beyond 0.01Pa−1 which is the target of the air filter. The findings revealed that the pattern-layer filters through TBA-induced freezing-drying technique could achieve the removal of microbial model and Particulate Matters (PM1.0) represented as 0.1 and 0.3 μm particles, at the very low-pressure drop. Therefore, this study not only enhances the value of natural lignocellulosic wastes but also presents inspiring concepts for creating biodegradable cellulose-based air filters that will pave the way to more eco-friendliness and sustainability for synthetic filter replacement.

High quality surfaces of magnesium alloy AZ31 by adjusting appropriate electropolishing parameters

High quality surfaces of magnesium alloy AZ31 by adjusting appropriate electropolishing parameters

“They need Nurturance; they need to be Seen”: Early care and education for children exposed to intimate partner violence

Exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) can disrupt and impair children’s early development. Some evidence suggests that early care and education (ECE) participation may buffer some of these negative influences, but this area remains understudied. The current study draws on primary data from in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 17 IPV survivor mothers of young children and 6 ECE providers in New England to examine the ECE needs of children exposed to IPV and the supportive factors within ECE settings that can promote their resilience. Findings revealed that children’s IPV exposure tended to increase their needs from ECE providers and settings, and that ECE providers’ awareness of children’s IPV exposure and adequate understanding of IPV dynamics were important for supporting these needs. Participants reported key resilience-promoting features within ECE settings for children exposed to IPV: 1) risk focused factors, such as reduced exposure to IPV and prevention of IPV perpetrators’ unsafe contact with children, 2) resource-focused factors, including nurturance, stability, and facilitated access to therapeutic services, and 3) process-focused factors, including scaffolded opportunities to strengthen emotion regulation and social development. Results highlight the important role of high quality ECE for young children exposed to IPV and suggest its potential for promoting their resilience.

Predicting photovoltaic greenhouse irradiance at low-latitudes of plateau based on ultra-short-term time series

Accurate and reliable ultra-short-term prediction of solar irradiance in photovoltaic (PV) greenhouses at low-latitude plateau is essential to precisely control electricity consumption of greenhouse equipment and ensure high quality crop yields. However, the irradiance in the low-latitude plateau has problems such as poor data quality, limited short-term prediction accuracy, and insufficient ability to capture nonlinear characteristics. Therefore, in order to achieve efficient utilization of photovoltaic resources, this study proposed a new hybrid integrated model TTAO-CNN-BiGRU-Attention framework to predict ultra-short-term photovoltaic greenhouse irradiance in the region. Monthly and seasonal characteristics of irradiance in low-latitude plateau areas were analyzed by statistical methods. The performance of the proposed model was verified using 9 different models for 5 different data volumes and 4 different seasons. Comprehensive analysis results show that Total radiant instantaneous(TRI) demonstrates a seasonal trend, generally low in spring, high in summer and autumn, relatively stable in autumn and winter. The monthly trend initially increases and then decreases, reaching the highest value of the year in September. The scheme proposed in this paper makes full use of the advantages of CNN, BiGRU, Attention and TTAO, greatly improving the comprehensive prediction ability of the model. In predicting different data amounts, 1 year prediction performance was the best, with RMSE, MAE, MAPE and R2 reaching 70.61 W/m2, 31 W/m2, 9.3% and 95.84%, respectively. With regard to different seasons, autumn prediction performance was the best, with RMSE, MAE, MAPE and R2 reaching 66.27 W/m2, 31.02 W/m2, 8.37% and 95.87%, respectively. The TRI prediction curve of the proposed model was closer to the actual value than other comparison models. The study found that the TTAO-CNN-BiGRU-Attention model is more accurate and stable than many traditional models in predicting ultra-short-term TRI in low-latitude plateau photovoltaic greenhouses, which can provide a reference for the comprehensive performance of PV greenhouse irradiance prediction models and precise regulation of energy supply in the future.

Abstract 29: Non-gated Dual-source Photon-counting CT Angiography Can Detect Cardioembolic Sources Of Acute Ischemic Stroke At The Primary Investigation: A Retrospective Consecutive Cohort Study

Introduction: Early identification of the etiology of ischemic stroke is crucial for secondary prevention. Recent publications on dedicated ECG-gated cardiac CT showcase the potential to detect sources of cardiac embolism. Photon-counting CT (PCCT) uses semiconductors to convert X-ray photons into electrical signals directly. This allows for improved image quality and lower radiation dose compared to conventional CT. Exploiting PCCT technology with a high-pitch dual-source image acquisition may render an exceptionally high temporal resolution. We hypothesized that non-ECG-gated high-pitch dual-source PCCT angiography from the diaphragm to the brain might provide added clinical value in detecting cardiac stroke sources during initial stroke imaging while maintaining optimal brain and neck image quality. Methods: Consecutive patients with a clinical suspicion of acute stroke imaged with a PCCT system between October 4 th , 2023 and April 13 th , 2024 at a Swedish comprehensive stroke center were included. Diaphragm to brain coverage was obtained in an acquisition time of 1.3 seconds; on average, yielding a dose-length product of 360 mGy*cm for the study participants (2.34 mSv). Image quality was graded using a 4-point Likert scale. Images were assessed for cardiac stroke sources. Where available, reference standard echocardiography results were collected. Results: Of 249 consecutive stroke investigations, 193 included cardiothoracic imaging, which constituted the study population. 126 scans (65.3%) were cases with imaging confirmed ischemic stroke. The median age was 74 (IQR, 61-81) years, 99 were male (51.3%). In total, 39.4% underwent follow-up echocardiography. Image quality of the heart was excellent in 19 scans (9.8%) good in 97 (50.3%), moderate in 72 (37.3%), and poor in 5 scans (2.6%). Fourteen (7.3%) certain or probable interatrial septal defects were found in the study population. In the imaging-confirmed ischemic stroke subgroup, six certain or probable cardiac thrombi were found (4.8%). Additionally, a possible cardiac thrombus was found in 31 instances (24.6%). Three aortic valve vegetations were found (2.4%), all confirmed by echocardiography. Conclusions: Non-ECG-gated high-pitch dual-source PCCT angiography typically provides images of high quality, at virtually no time expense while maintaining a reasonably low radiation exposure. Non-gated PCCT angiography is a promising technique to be used as a primary screening method for cardioembolic stroke.

Exploring genetic diversity in apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) populations using SSR markers

The genetic diversity of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) germplasm in mid-hills of Himachal Pradesh was investigated using Simple Sequence Repeats (SSR) markers. Apricot, a fruit-bearing tree known for its high nutritional value, requires genetic diversity analysis for effective breeding and conservation efforts. Molecular characterization using 46 SSR markers produced a total of 974 alleles with an average of 33.59 alleles per locus and PIC values ranging from 0.16 to 0.50, indicating a high level of polymorphism. PCR products of 15 indigenous collections and ‘Shakarpara’ revealed unique bands that were sequenced and subjected to BLAST, showing a high degree of homology with Prunus dulcis. A high quality reference genome for apricot is still unavailable, thereby limiting the elucidation of phenotypic associations with genetic background. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the genetic diversity of apricot germplasm, crucial for sustainable breeding strategies, and need for integrating advanced genomic tools to further elucidate the genetic architecture of apricot.