Life Stages Research Articles

Physical Activity at Different Life Stages and Its Consequence on the Initial Immunization and Inflammatory Response Against COVID-19.

To evaluate the influence of previous physical activity (PA) during childhood, adolescence, and current PA practice on the production of antibodies and inflammatory response between the first and second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Fifty-nine men and 56 women were evaluated before the first vaccine, and 12weeks later, blood samples were taken to quantify production of anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 immunoglobulin G antibodies and cytokines. Previous PA during childhood and adolescence was self-referred, and current PA was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. A positive and significant association was observed only between PA practice during adolescence and an increase in antibody production in adulthood (β = 2012.077, 95% confidence interval, 257.7953-3766.358, P = .025). Individuals who practiced PA during adolescence showed higher production of antibodies between the first and second vaccine dose compared to nonpractitioners (P = .025) and those that accumulated ≥150minutes per week of current moderate-vigorous PA (MVPA), and presented higher antibody production in relation to who did <150minutes per week of MVPA (P = .046). Individuals that were practitioners during childhood produced higher G-CSF (P = .047), and those that accumulated ≥150minutes per week of current MVPA demonstrated lower IP-10 levels (P = .033). However, PA practitioners during adolescence presented higher G-CSF (P = .025), IL-17 (P = .038), IL-1RA (P = .005), IL-1β (P = .020), and IL-2 (P = .026) levels. Our results suggest that adults that accumulated at least 150minutes of MVPA per week or practiced PA during adolescence developed an improved immune and inflammatory response against COVID-19 vaccination.

Garbhopaghatakara Bhavas: A Conceptual Study

Abstract: न èğी समम ्र×नम ्There aren't any women who resemble jewels. Because they can bear children, women are extremely valuable. The reproductive stage is the most crucial of the various stages in a woman's life. Being a mother is an amazing dream. The most exciting and difficult time in a woman's life is when she becomes pregnant in order to have healthy children without experiencing any problems before, during, or after pregnancy. Pregnant women should follow the detailed instructions provided by acharyas such as Garbhini paricharya, Patya-apatya, Douhruda apamana, etc. to prevent difficulties and have healthy offspring. Pregnancy is not the time to engage in garbhopaghatakara bhavas. These are nothing but the daily activities and dietetics if followed by pregnant women lead to complications in the fetus like Garbha srava, Garbha vyapads, etc. Due to certain unknown errors of nature and lifestyle of pregnant women, it can take a bad U-turn in their life. Acharyas have explained in brief about Yonivyapad and acharya Kashyapa mentions Jathaharinis, relating to the abortion / fetal loss taking place in different stages of pregnancy. Critical analysis of these Garbhopaghatakara bhavas can guide towards the formulation of a better preventive plan for Garbha vyapads mainly abortions.

Distinct effects of phyllosphere and rhizosphere microbes on invader Ageratina adenophora during its early life stages.

Microbes strongly affect invasive plant growth. However, how phyllosphere and rhizosphere soil microbes distinctively affect seedling mortality and growth of invaders across ontogeny under varying soil nutrient levels remains unclear. In this study, we used the invader Ageratina adenophora to evaluate these effects. We found that higher proportions of potential pathogens were detected in core microbial taxa in leaf litter than rhizosphere soil and thus leaf inoculation had more adverse effects on seed germination and seedling survival than soil inoculation. Microbial inoculation at different growth stages altered the microbial community and functions of seedlings, and earlier inoculation had a more adverse effect on seedling survival and growth. The soil nutrient level did not affect microbe-mediated seedling growth and the relative abundance of the microbial community and functions involved in seedling growth. The effects of some microbial genera on seedling survival are distinct from those on growth. Moreover, the A. adenophora seedling-killing effects of fungal strains isolated from dead seedlings by non-sterile leaf inoculation exhibited significant phylogenetic signals, by which strains of Allophoma and Alternaria generally caused high seedling mortality. Our study stresses the essential role of A. adenophora litter microbes in population establishment by regulating seedling density and growth.

Experimental Evaluation of a Modular Electric Barrier for the Deterrence of Invasive Carp

Abstract We conducted a series of studies to assess the effectiveness of an electric barrier in deterring the movements of freshwater fish. Fish responses (detections⋅individual−1⋅hr−1 within the 3 m exclusion zone) were quantified for a mixed assemblage of native and non-native fishes within 0.4 ha ponds. Additionally, we mapped the surface voltages generated by the electric barrier in a nearby stream. The electric barrier (operated at 10 kW) was effective at deterring native and invasive fishes, as &amp;gt; 99% of all fish detections within the exclusion zone occurred while the electric barrier was off. However, some fish detections occurred while the system was operated at full power, indicating the electric barrier was not 100% effective. A follow-up study found that fish responses differed between low (3.6 kW), medium (6.6 kW), and high (10 kW) field strengths, with Smallmouth Buffalo Ictiobus bubalus exhibiting a greater sensitivity to the low setting than Bighead Carp Hypophthalmichthys nobilis and Silver Carp H. molitrix. Maps of the surface voltages within a nearby stream indicated that the electric barrier was strong enough to deter Silver Carp (&amp;gt; 1 V/cm). However, the surface voltages quickly dissipated upstream and downstream of the electrodes. Overall, the electric barrier appears to be an effective tool that can be used to combat the spread of invasive fishes in freshwater environments. However, more evaluations are needed to test how the system performs in different conditions and to identify whether fish of varying sizes or life stages respond similarly.

Integrative analyses on the ciliates Colpoda illuminate the life history evolution of soil microorganisms.

Microorganisms play a central role in sustaining soil ecosystems and agriculture, and these functions are usually associated with their complex life history. Yet, the regulation and evolution of life history have remained enigmatic and poorly understood, especially in protozoa, the third most abundant group of organisms in the soil. Here, we explore the life history of a cosmopolitan species-Colpoda steinii. Our analysis has yielded a high-quality macronuclear genome for C. steinii, with size of 155 Mbp and 37,123 protein-coding genes, as well as mean intron length of ~93 bp, longer than most other studied ciliates. Notably, we identify two possible whole-genome duplication events in C. steinii, which may account for its genome being about twice the size of C. inflata's, another co-existing species. We further resolve the gene expression profiles in diverse life stages of C. steinii, which are also corroborated in C. inflata. During the resting cyst stage, genes associated with cell death and vacuole formation are upregulated, and translation-related genes are downregulated. While the translation-related genes are upregulated during the excystment of resting cysts. Reproductive cysts exhibit a significant reduction in cell adhesion. We also demonstrate that most genes expressed in specific life stages are under strong purifying selection. This study offers a deeper understanding of the life history evolution that underpins the extraordinary success and ecological functions of microorganisms in soil ecosystems.IMPORTANCEColpoda species, as a prominent group among the most widely distributed and abundant soil microorganisms, play a crucial role in sustaining soil ecosystems and promoting plant growth. This investigation reveals their exceptional macronuclear genomic features, including significantly large genome size, long introns, and numerous gene duplications. The gene expression profiles and the specific biological functions associated with the transitions between various life stages are also elucidated. The vast majority of genes linked to life stage transitions are subject to strong purifying selection, as inferred from multiple natural strains newly isolated and deeply sequenced. This substantiates the enduring and conservative nature of Colpoda's life history, which has persisted throughout the extensive evolutionary history of these highly successful protozoa in soil. These findings shed light on the evolutionary dynamics of microbial eukaryotes in the ever-fluctuating soil environments. This integrative research represents a significant advancement in understanding the life histories of these understudied single-celled eukaryotes.

Current strategies for the management of psoriasis with potential pharmacological pathways using herbals and immuno-biologicals.

Psoriasis is an acute to chronic multifunctional inflammatory skin disorder mediated through T-cell activation, dendritic cell intervention, local vascular variations, atypical keratinocyte proliferation, and neutrophil activation, leading to a skin disorder with no permanent cure. This review aims to find a potent, secure, and dependable medication, with a more scientific examination of herbal resources and recent targeted immunobiological therapies. Reports evaluating the effectiveness of biologics & herbal remedies for the topical therapy of psoriasis against control therapies were taken into consideration (placebo or active therapy). The work examined cellular circuits involved in inflammation with its immunogenetic mechanism behind various options available for treating psoriasis in addition to the role of agents inducing psoriasis. The extent of psoriasis can range from small, localized spots to total body coverage, and it can happen at any stage of life. Several theories exist for clarification however, the exact cause of psoriasis is not entirely understood. Researchers have discovered genetic loci linkages, environmental changes, drug induction, lifestyle conditions, some infections, etc. resulting in this disorder. There are numerous known conventional medical treatments for psoriasis, ranging from topical and systemic medicines to phototherapy or combinations of both with recent immunobiological treatment. However, the majority of these treatments are ineffective and have a variety of side effects that limit their long-term usage, such as cutaneous atrophy, tissue toxicity, mutagenicity, and immunosuppression. Herbal extracts or isolated compounds can be considered as a substitute for conventional psoriasis treatment. Unfortunately, many investigations often provide a small amount of facts about the safety and effectiveness of topically applied herbal remedies for the treatment of psoriasis. Thus, further factual evidences and validations are needed to promote herbal options, which must be supported by rigorous animal studies or clinical trials using standardised materials and compositions.

Responsive feeding patterns during early childhood in urban areas. Argentina, 2018-2019.

Introduction. Dietary quality involves both the quantity and quality of food offered, the way and the setting in which it is offered, and the responses of the person offering it. The objective of this study was to identify behavioral patterns related to responsive feeding in children aged 6 to 23 months in urban areas from Argentina in 2018-2019. Population and methods. Secondary analysis based on data from the second National Survey on Nutrition and Health of 2018-2019 conducted in a multistage probability sample from urban areas of 5000 inhabitants or more in Argentina. A descriptive analysis and a principal component analysis were performed to identify responsive feeding patterns in 4379 children aged 6 to 23 months. Results. Five responsive feeding patterns were identified; the first 2 dimensions explained 71.1% of inertia (p = 0.013). The pattern with a prevailing possibility of experimentation, autonomy, interaction, and the absence of screens, rewards and distractions was associated with children older than 12 months from the central and south regions (Cuyo, Pampa, Greater Buenos Aires, and Patagonia), whereas the pattern related to a lower autonomy, experimentation, and self-regulation corresponded to children aged 6 to 11 months from the Northwest and Northeast regions. Conclusion. There is evidence of responsive feeding practices that correspond to distinguishable patterns, associated with different stages of life and with the region where the children live.

Effects of short-term high temperature at different life stages on reproductive fitness in Mythimna separata (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

Extreme heat events commonly occur under climate warming. All life stages of insects may experience the occurrence of extremely high temperatures. However, the effects of short-term extreme heat events on life-history traits remain unclear in most migratory pests. Here, we investigated the biological effects of short-term heat exposure (35 °C for 4h) at different life stages on Mythimna separata Walker (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), a typical migratory pest. We found that the reproductive sensitivity of pupae and adults was higher than that of 3rd-instar larvae. Increasing the frequency of heat exposure decreased the reproductive performance of M. separata at all life stages. Parental short-term heat exposures could cause transgenerational damage to offspring survival and reproductive fitness when the exposure frequency reached 3 times. Our results suggest that short-term exposure to extreme temperatures could impact reproductive fitness across different life stages in M. separata. This should be taken into consideration in the population prediction of migratory pests under climate change.

γδ intraepithelial lymphocytes acquire the ability to produce IFN-γ in a different time course than αβ intraepithelial lymphocytes.

An age-dependent increase in IFN-γ expression by intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) contributes to the acquisition of resistance to infection by pathogens. However, how IELs acquire the ability to produce IFN-γ remains to be elucidated. Here, we report that IELs in the small intestine acquire the ability to rapidly produce IFN-γ at two distinct life stages. TCRαβ+ IELs (αβIELs) started producing IFN-γ at 4 weeks of age, within 1 week after weaning. In contrast, TCRγδ+ IELs (γδIELs) started producing IFN-γ at 7 weeks of age. In mice lacking Eγ4, an enhancer of the TCRγ locus (Eγ4-/- mice), Thy-1+ Vγ5+ γδIELs, a major subpopulation of γδIELs, were specifically reduced and their ability to produce IFN-γ was severely impaired, whereas Vγ2+ γδIELs normally produced IFN-γ. In Eγ4-/- mice, TCR expression levels were reduced in Vγ5+ γδIEL precursors in the thymus but unchanged in the Vγ5+ IELs. Nevertheless, TCR responsiveness in Vγ5+ γδIELs was impaired in Eγ4-/- mice, suggesting that the TCR signal received in the thymus may determine TCR responsiveness and the ability to produce IFN-γ in the gut. These results suggest that αβIELs and γδIELs start producing IFN-γ at different life stages and that the ability of Vγ5+ γδIELs to produce IFN-γ in the gut may be predetermined by TCR signaling in IEL precursors in the thymus.

Occurrence of common frog (Rana temporaria) and common toad (Bufo bufo) adults and metamorphs in agricultural fields in Germany: Potential for exposure to plant protection products.

To characterize the potential for exposure of amphibian terrestrial life stages to plant protection products (PPP), we studied the occurrence and habitat use of adult and metamorph common frogs (Rana temporaria) and common toads (Bufo bufo) in an agricultural landscape in Germany. The four selected study sites were breeding ponds with approximately 80% agricultural land within a 1-km radius. Adults were monitored by radio tracking for two years, and metamorph numbers were assessed for one summer using pitfall traps alongside drift fences. The results demonstrate that adults were rarely present in arable fields at any of the sites (overall 0.5% and 4% of total observations for frogs and toads, respectively). Metamorph captures in arable fields were more variable, ranging from 1.2% to 38.8% (frogs) and from 0.0% to 26.1% (toads) across study sites. Unsurprisingly, most captures in arable fields for both toad and frog metamorphs occurred at the site where the pond was completely surrounded by arable fields. Overall, the presence of adult amphibians in arable fields was limited and, for the metamorphs, occurred primarily when crops were denser and PPP spray interception higher. Diurnal hiding behavior was observed with the highest activity recorded at night, further reducing the risk of dermal exposure from direct PPP overspraying. In addition, it appeared that alternative habitats, such as woody structures or water bodies in the broader surrounding area, were preferred by the animals over the arable areas. The use of buffer zones around water bodies in agricultural areas would be an effective risk mitigation measure to protect terrestrial adults and metamorphs residing there and would reduce spray drift entry into water bodies during PPP application. It is hoped that these results will contribute to the discussion of risk assessment and mitigation options for amphibians. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;00:1-13. © 2024 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).

The generation of stable transgenic lines in the human-infective nematode Strongyloides stercoralis.

The skin-penetrating gastrointestinal parasitic nematode Strongyloides stercoralis causes strongyloidiasis, which is a neglected tropical disease that is associated with severe chronic illness and fatalities. Unlike other human-infective nematodes, S. stercoralis cycles through a single free-living generation and thus serves as a genetically tractable model organism for understanding the mechanisms that enable parasitism. Techniques such as CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutagenesis and transgenesis are now routinely performed in S. stercoralis by introducing exogenous DNA into free-living adults and then screening their F1 progeny for transgenic or mutant larvae. However, transgenesis in S. stercoralis has been severely hindered by the inability to establish stable transgenic lines that can be propagated for multiple generations through a host; to date, studies of transgenic S. stercoralis have been limited to heterogeneous populations of transgenic F1 larvae. Here, we develop an efficient pipeline for the generation of stable transgenic lines in S. stercoralis. We also show that this approach can be used to efficiently generate stable transgenic lines in the rat-infective nematode Strongyloides ratti. The ability to generate stable transgenic lines circumvents the limitations of working with heterogeneous F1 populations, such as variable transgene expression and the inability to generate transgenics of all life stages. Our transgenesis approach will enable novel lines of inquiry into parasite biology, such as transgene-based comparisons between free-living and parasitic generations.

Differentially expressed morphological characters depend on sex and ontogenetic stage in the crab Goniopsis cruentata (Crustacea: Grapsidae)

The hypothesis of this study was that significant variations in the growth rates of Goniopsis cruentata are related to intersexual and age-related characteristics, particularly in areas identified as secondary sexual (pleon, carapace and chelipeds). From February 2019 to January 2020, a total of 713 individuals were captured, 378 males and 335 females, with a carapace width ranging from 0.42 to 6.59 cm. Males and females showed negative allometry (β0&lt;1) for all linear morphometric relationships, with an ontogenetic difference (p=0.0001) for all comparisons. In geometric morphometry, the dorsal view showed a significant difference in sexual comparisons (p=0.0001), in which males were wider in the posterior region than females. Furthermore, there was a significant difference in the abdominal region between young and adult females (p=0.0001), with the young ones being triangular and the adults oval, a characteristic brachyuran behaviour. We observed morphological separation in cheliped shape in sexual comparison (F×M) and laterality (R×L) (p=0.0001), with no ontogenetic variations (A×J). Goniopsis cruentata showed a noteworthy ontogenetic and sexual dimorphism. In addition, the discovery of cheliped variation was recorded for arboreal species that do not show a high degree of heterochely. Understanding these ontogenetic variations is crucial for effective conservation strategies because it allows specific life stages and their corresponding needs to be identified.

Migration patterns of the Japanese sardine in the Sea of Japan by combining the microscale stable isotope analysis of otoliths and an ocean data assimilation model

The Japanese sardine (Sardinops sagax melanostictus) is a small pelagic fish found in the Sea of Japan, the marginal sea of the western North Pacific. It is an important species for regional fisheries, but their dispersal and migration patterns during early life stages remain unclear. In this study, we analyzed the stable oxygen isotope ratios of otoliths of young-of-the-year (age 0) Japanese sardines collected from the northern offshore and southern coastal areas of the Sea of Japan in 2015 and 2016. The ontogenetic shifts of the geographic distribution were estimated by comparing the profiles of life-long isotope ratios and temporally varying isoscape, which was calculated using the temperature and salinity fields produced by an ocean data assimilation model. Individuals that were collected in the northern and southern areas hatched and stayed in the southern areas (west offshore of Kyushu) until late June, and thereafter, they can be distinguished into two groups: one that migrated northward at shallow layer and one that stayed around the southern area in the deep layer. A comparison of somatic growth trajectories of the two groups, which was reconstructed based on otolith microstructure analysis, suggested that individuals that migrated northward had significantly larger body lengths in late June than those that stayed in the southern area. These results indicate that young-of-the-year Japanese sardines that hatched in the southern area may have been forced to choose one of two strategies to avoid extremely high water temperatures within seasonal and geographical limits. These include migrating northward or moving to deeper layers. Our results indicate that the environmental variabilities in the southern area could critically impact sardine population dynamics in the Sea of Japan.

Living apart together in contemporary Spain: Diverse motivations across life stages

Living-apart-together (LAT) partnerships are gaining prominence in many high-income societies, prompting ongoing discussions about their significance and their role in the family formation process. This study provides a contemporary update on LAT relationships in Spain, with a specific emphasis on variations across different life stages. The study focuses on several key aspects: (1) recent trends in the prevalence of LAT relationships, (2) socio-demographic factors associated with being in a LAT relationship, (3) joint influence of both partners’ characteristics, and (4) short-term intentions to co-reside. Using data from the 2018 Spanish Fertility Survey, we employ logistic regression models to analyze the factors influencing individuals’ likelihood of being in a LAT relationship as opposed to a co-residential partnership. Our findings reveal a noticeable rise in LAT partnerships in Spain over the past two decades, except among the youngest age group. Personal motivations and socially attributed meanings of LAT relationships, however, differ depending on an individual's life stage. Among young adults, LAT partnerships largely serve as a transitional phase in the family formation process, preceding co-residence with a partner. In this early adulthood stage, unemployment and temporary work contracts – affecting any of the partners – often hinder household formation, but intentions to co-reside in the near future remain strong. In contrast, LAT partnerships in the mid-life stage often stem from a desire to maintain personal independence and are frequently linked to prior partnership and reproductive biographies.

Predictive models in Alzheimer's disease: an evaluation based on data mining techniques

The increasing prevalence of Alzheimer's disease in older adults has raised significant concern in recent years. Aware of this challenge, this research set out to develop predictive models that allow early identification of people at risk for Alzheimer's disease, considering several variables associated with the disease. To achieve this objective, data mining techniques were employed, specifically the decision tree algorithm, using the RapidMiner Studio tool. The sample explore modify model and assess (SEMMA) methodology was implemented systematically at each stage of model development, ensuring an orderly and structured approach. The results obtained revealed that 45.00% of people with dementia present characteristics that identify them as candidates for confirmation of a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. In contrast, 52.78% of those who do not have dementia show no danger of contracting the disease. In the conclusion of the research, it was noted that most patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's are older than 65 years, indicating that this stage of life tends to trigger brain changes associated with the disease. This finding underscores the importance of considering age as a key factor in the early identification of the disease.

Complex mitochondrial disease caused by the mutation of COX10 in a toddler: a case-report study

Introduction and importance: Cytochrome C oxidase (COX) deficiency is an uncommon inherited metabolic disorder. It is identified by a lack of the COX, also known as Complex IV. This enzyme plays a crucial role in the rate-limiting and oxygen-accepting step of the respiratory chain within the subcellular structures called mitochondria. The deficiency of COX can either be restricted to skeletal muscle tissues or can impact multiple tissues throughout the body. Case presentation: A 3-year-old girl was admitted due to muscle weakness and a decline in developmental milestones 7 days after a significant stressor. Leukodystrophy was observed in the brain magnetic resonance imaging, and genome sequencing identified a homozygous mutation in exon 1 and 7 of chromosome 17. This mutation led to a deficiency in COX10, which is a component of mitochondrial complex IV. Clinical discussion: In the medical field, inherited metabolic disorders can be complex to diagnose due to overlapping symptoms with other conditions. Mitochondria’s oxidative phosphorylation system, including the COX enzyme complex, plays a crucial role in energy production. Mitochondrial disorders, including COX deficiency, can present at various stages of life with diverse symptoms. Treatment options focus on supportive care and potential benefits from supplements like coenzyme-Q10 and small-molecule therapies targeting mitochondrial function. Identifying genetic mutations is key for advancing treatments in this area. Conclusion: This report presents a unique case of developmental regression and muscle weakness in a paediatric patient, which can be attributed to a rare occurrence of type 3 nuclear mitochondrial complex IV deficiency.

The role of integrating palliative care with systemic anticancer treatment at end-of-life: A single center experience.

e24067 Background: This study examines the utilization of systemic anticancer treatments, including chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, in advanced cancer patients. Specifically, it aims to underscore the impact of integrating palliative care in the administration of anticancer treatment during the last months of life. Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients who received chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy at Ramathibodi Hospital and passed away between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2022. Demographic data, cancer type, modality, intent, and route of anticancer therapy, as well as health scheme and referral to palliative care services, were collected. Information regarding systemic anticancer treatments administered at 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months preceding death underwent thorough analysis. Logistic regression was employed to assess odds ratios (OR) and 95% CIs for factors influencing decision-making regarding anticancer treatments. Results: Among the 542 deceased patients, 378 had received anticancer treatments within the last 6 months of life. The distribution of anticancer treatments categorized by timing—6 months, 3 months, 1 month, and 2 weeks before death—was 378 (69.7%), 388 (71.6%), 206 (38.0%), and 129 (23.8%), respectively. Older adults constituted nearly half of the population (45.2%). The utilization of anticancer treatments, particularly in the realms of targeted therapy and immunotherapy, at the terminal stages of life is showing a discernible upward trend. Palliative care consultations were present in 26.9% of cases during cancer care. The presence of palliative care consultation was significantly associated with lower odds ratios of receiving end-of-life anticancer treatments at 2 weeks and 1 month before death (OR: 0.55 [95% CI: 0.33 to 0.89], p = 0.016 and 0.54 [95% CI: 0.36 to 0.85], p = 0.004, respectively). Specifically, integrating palliative care reduced the use of chemotherapy in treatment at 2 weeks and 1 month before death (OR: 0.51 [95% CI: 0.27 to 0.98], p = 0.042 and OR: 0.55 [95% CI: 0.33 to 0.90], p = 0.019, respectively). However, the data showed a decrease in the number of patients; nonetheless, no statistically significant differences were observed in the utilization of targeted therapy and immunotherapy. In our analysis, we examine the factors influencing the utilization of anticancer treatments, reveal that there were no significant differences observed among other factors, including age, cancer type, and health scheme. Conclusions: Integration of palliative care into oncology services significantly correlated with a reduced risk of receiving anticancer treatments, particularly chemotherapy, within the last 30 days of life for advanced cancer patients. Insufficient evidence exists to ascertain the impact of palliative care on the utilization of targeted therapy and immunotherapy.

Constructing fine-grained spatiotemporal neonatal functional atlases with spectral functional network learning.

The early stages of human development are increasingly acknowledged as pivotal in laying the groundwork for subsequent behavioral and cognitive development. Spatiotemporal (4D) brain functional atlases are important in elucidating the development of human brain functions. However, the scarcity of such atlases for early life stages stems from two primary challenges: (1) the significant noise in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) that complicates the generation of high-quality atlases for each age group, and (2) the rapid and complex changes in the early human brain that hinder the maintenance of temporal consistency in 4D atlases. This study tackles these challenges by integrating low-rank tensor learning with spectral embedding, thereby proposing a novel, data-driven 4D functional atlas generation framework based on spectral functional network learning (SFNL). This method utilizes low-rank tensor learning to capture common functional connectivity (FC) patterns across different ages, thus optimizing FCs for each age group to improve the temporal consistency of functional networks. Incorporating spectral embedding aids in mitigating potential noise in FC networks derived from fMRI data by reconstructing networks in the spectral space. Utilizing SFNL-generated functional networks enables the creation of consistent and highly qualified spatiotemporal functional atlases. The framework was applied to the developing Human Connectome Project (dHCP) dataset, generating the first neonatal 4D functional atlases with fine-grained temporal and spatial resolutions. Experimental evaluations focusing on functional homogeneity, reliability, and temporal consistency demonstrated the superiority of our framework compared to existing methods for constructing 4D atlases. Additionally, network analysis experiments, including individual identification, functional systems development, and local efficiency assessments, further corroborate the efficacy and robustness of the generated atlases. The 4D atlases and related codes will be made publicly accessible (https://github.com/zhaoyunxi/neonate-atlases).

Developmental priorities shift with ontogeny during the early life stages of the American lobster Homarus americanus H. Milne Edwards, 1837 (Decapoda: Astacidea: Nephropidae)

Abstract The American lobster (Homarus americanusMilne Edwards, 1837) is an ecologically and economically valuable invertebrate in the Northwest Atlantic. Its geographic range is shifting northward due to ocean warming. While extensive research on the thermal tolerance of this species has been performed on adults and postlarvae, there have been few studies focused on its multiple early developmental stages. We applied transcriptomics to investigate transcriptional changes in laboratory-reared American lobster developmental stages I through V. Changes in gene expression were contextualized in the ontogenetic shifts in distribution that these different life history stages experience, with highly active stage IV exhibiting increased cellular metabolism and shell-building processes. We identified differential expression of transcripts related to thermal and UV stress in planktonic stages I-IV compared to benthic stage V, which suggests innate molecular defenses against these stressors. Together, these findings further our understanding of crustacean development in the context of climate change and can be used to inform population distribution modeling efforts. They also provide evidence for the need to investigate the potential trade-offs associated with responding to a changing environment on a stage-by-stage basis.

Performance of Malayalam Speaking Children Fitted with Hearing Aids on PEACH Scale

Abstract: Parental questionnaires impart a better understanding of hearing technology utilization by children with Hearing loss(HL). They provide insights into the functional abilities and accomplishments of children equipped with Hearing Aids (HA). The present study aimed to translate and adapt the PEACH questionnaire into Malayalam language and evaluating its effectiveness in discriminating the functional hearing abilities of Malayalam speaking children with HL fitted with HAs at various stages of life. The Malayalam PEACH questionnaire was aPdministered to parents/caregivers of 40 Malayalamspeaking children aged 3 to 6, divided into two groups based on whether they received HA before or after the age of 2. Results revealed that children fitted with HA before 2 years of age demonstrated superior performance in quiet, noisy, and overall situations compared to those fitted after 2 years of age highlighting the importance of early identification of HL in children. Additionally, the questionnaire exhibited high reliability upon retesting across all of the three hearing situations (quiet,noise and overall). Therefore, the Malayalam PEACH questionnaire emerges as a dependable and effective tool for evaluating and monitoring the functional hearing abilities and communication skills of children fitted with HA or Cochlear Implants (CI) in their everyday lives