Regional Genetic Structure in the Aquatic Macrophyte Ruppia cirrhosa Suggests Dispersal by Waterbirds

The evolutionary history of the genus Ruppia has been shaped by hybridization, polyploidisation and vicariance that have resulted in a problematic taxonomy. Recent studies provided insight into species circumscription, organelle takeover by hybridization, and revealed the importance of verifying species identification to avoid distorting effects of mixing different species, when estimating population connectivity. In the present study, we use microsatellite markers to determine population diversity and connectivity patterns in Ruppia cirrhosa including two spatial scales: (1) from the Atlantic Iberian coastline in Portugal to the Siculo-Tunisian Strait in Sicily and (2) within the Iberian Peninsula comprising the Atlantic-Mediterranean transition. The higher diversity in the Mediterranean Sea suggests that populations have had longer persistence there, suggesting a possible origin and/or refugial area for the species. The high genotypic diversities highlight the importance of sexual reproduction for survival and maintenance of populations. Results revealed a regional population structure matching a continent-island model, with strong genetic isolation and low gene flow between populations. This population structure could be maintained by waterbirds, acting as occasional dispersal vectors. This information elucidates ecological strategies of brackish plant species in coastal lagoons, suggesting mechanisms used by this species to colonize new isolated habitats and dominate brackish aquatic macrophyte systems, yet maintaining strong genetic structure suggestive of very low dispersal.Fundacao para a Cincia e Tecnologia (FCT, Portugal) [PTDC/MAR/119363/2010, BIODIVERSA/0004/2015, UID/Multi/04326/2013]Pew FoundationSENECA FoundationMurcia Government, Spain [11881/PI/09]FCT Investigator Programme-Career Development [IF/00998/2014]Spanish Ministry of Education [AP2008-01209]European Community [00399/2012]info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Prognostic role of KRAS mutations in Sardinian patients with colorectal carcinoma

The presence of mutations in the KRAS gene is a predictor of a poor clinical response to EGFR-targeted agents in patients affected by colorectal cancer (CRC), but its significance as a global prognostic factor remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of the KRAS mutational status on time to first metastasis (TTM) and overall survival (OS) in a cohort of Sardinian CRC patients. A total of 551 patients with metastatic CRC at the time of enrolment were included. Clinical and pathological features of the disease, including follow-up information, were obtained from medical records and cancer registry data. For mutational analysis formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples were processed using a standard protocol. The coding sequence and splice junctions of exons 2 and 3 of the KRAS gene were screened for mutations by direct automated sequencing. Overall, 186 KRAS mutations were detected in 183/551 (33%) patients: 125 (67%) were located in codon 12, 36 (19%) in codon 13, and 18 (10%) in codon 61. The remaining mutations (7; 4%) were detected in uncommonly-affected codons. No significant correlation between KRAS mutations and gender, age, anatomical location and stage of the disease at the time of diagnosis was identified. Furthermore, no prognostic value of KRAS mutations was found considering either TTM or OS. When patients were stratified by KRAS mutational status and gender, males were significantly associated with a longer TTM. The results of the present study indicate that KRAS mutation correlated with a slower metastatic progression in males with CRC from Sardinia, irrespective of the age at diagnosis and the codon of the mutatio

DApps Ecosystems: Mapping the Network Structure of Smart Contract Interactions

Data availability - The datasets analysed during the current study can be retrieved using the tool presented in Smart contracts data of Dapps are publicly available from their respective Github repositories [https://github.com/DerwenAI/disparity_filter]. To support future work in this area, we have made our dataset publicly available via the Zenodo repository https://zenodo.org/records/12731531 and https://zenodo.org/records/13772792.Preprint available on arxiv - https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2401.01991Decentralized applications (DApps) built on blockchain platforms such as Ethereum and coded in languages such as Solidity, have recently gained attention for their potential to disrupt traditional centralized systems. Despite their rapid adoption, limited research has been conducted to understand the underlying code structure of these applications. In particular, each DApp is composed of multiple smart contracts, each containing a number of functions that can be called to trigger a specific event, e.g., a token transfer. In this paper, we reconstruct and analyse the network of contracts and functions calls within the DApp, which is helpful to unveil vulnerabilities that can be exploited by malicious attackers. We show how decentralization is architecturally implemented, identifying common development patterns and anomalies that could influence the system’s robustness and efficiency. We find a consistent network structure characterized by modular, self-sufficient contracts and a complex web of function interactions, indicating common coding practices across the blockchain community. Critically, a small number of key functions within each DApp play a central role in maintaining network connectivity, making them potential targets for cyber attacks and highlighting the need for robust security measures.Ethereum foundation grant FY23-104

A Curated Solidity Smart Contracts Repository of Metrics and Vulnerability

Smart contracts (SCs) significance and popularity increased exponentially with the escalation of decentralised applications (dApps), which revolutionised programming paradigms where network controls rest within a central authority. Since SCs constitute the core of such applications, developing and deploying contracts without vulnerability issues become key to improve dApps robustness to external attacks. This paper introduces a dataset that combines smart contract metrics with vulnerability data identified using Slither, a leading static analysis tool proficient in detecting a wide spectrum of vulnerabilities. Our primary goal is to provide a resource for the community that supports exploratory analysis, such as investigating the relationship between contract metrics and vulnerability occurrences. Further, we discuss the potential of this dataset for the development and validation of predictive models aimed at identifying vulnerabilities, thereby contributing to the enhancement of smart contract security. Through this dataset, we invite researchers and practitioners to study the dynamics of smart contract vulnerabilities, fostering advancements in detection methods and ultimately, fortifying the resilience of smart contracts

Computer-Guided Evaluation of the Use of Two Different Devices in the Reduction of Inferior Tooth Crowding

Objective: Lower tooth crowding is considered one of the most common malocclusions in growing patients and due to the potential complications associated with it, it is recommended to intercept this condition as soon as possible. The purpose of this paper is to examine and compare the effectiveness of two different orthodontic devices (elastodontic device and clear aligners) in the treatment of anterior tooth crowding in the jaws of young patients. Materials and methods: Seventy patients aged between 10 and 16 years with anterior inferior tooth crowding were recruited into this study and divided into case and control groups. The former group comprised 35 patients (15 males and 20 females, average age 10.2 years) who were treated with elastodontic devices (EQ CP series, Eptamed), while the control group consisted of 35 patients (15 males and 20 females, average age 10.5 years) who received aligners (Invisalign). All patients underwent periodic visits after 6 months from the start of treatment (T1) and after 1 year (T2) in which the progress of therapy was evaluated by measuring the inferior intercanine distance using a digital caliper. A parametric ANOVA test was conducted for statistical analysis. Results: There is no statistically significant difference between the two groups at either T1 or T2 (p < 0.05), thus making the two treatment modalities comparable. Conclusions: Both elastodontic devices and aligners can be considered as effective tools to successfully conduct inferior expansive treatment for the resolution of tooth crowding; however, the elastodontic devices are considered more comfortable to wear and they are required to be worn for less time during the day

A Preliminary Analysis of Software Metrics in Decentralised Applications

This study examines software metrics in decentralized applications (dApps) to analyze their structural and behavioral characteristics as they grow in complexity. Sixty dApps were categorized into Small (3 to 29 contracts), Medium (30 to 46 contracts), and Large (47 to 206 contracts) based on their contract count. Initial analysis showed a non-normal data distribution, leading to the use of Spearman's correlation method. Findings revealed that Medium dApps have strong correlations between metrics like 'Average Local Variables' and 'Maximum Local Variables', while Large dApps show higher correlations between 'Number of Functions' and 'State Variable Count', indicating more complex contract structures. The higher Coupling Between Objects (CBO) in large dApps suggests increased interactions with other contracts or libraries, potentially elevating security risks. These insights are valuable for developers and stakeholders in the blockchain and IoT sectors, aiding in understanding how dApps evolve with increasing complexity and the implications on software metric relationships

Effects of trigeminal neurostimulation on heart rate variability: comparing cutaneous (Tragus) and tongue (Antero-Dorsal mucosa) stimulation

BackgroundTrigeminal neurostimulation of the dorsal anterior mucosal surface of the tongue has been proposed to treat a variety of pathologies and to promote neuro-muscular coordination and rehabilitation. Dental ULFTENS can also be considered a form of trigeminal neurostimulation applied to the skin surface bilaterally at the level of the tragus. It has been used for years in dentistry for practical and diagnostic purposes. Previous work has combined the two stimulation techniques showing an efficacy in improving HRV in healthy young women of dental ULFTENS applied to the mucosal surface of the tongue. This work sought to assess whether there is a difference in HRV in relation to the site of application of dental ULFTENS (tragus vs. tongue). If effective in reducing the activity of arousal circuits, this tongue-level stimulation technique could have new clinical applications.Material and methodA new intraoral device allowed electrical stimulation of the dorsal anterior mucosa of the tongue in 80 healthy young women divided into two groups: TUD group (ULFTENS stimulation on the mucosa of the tongue) and Tragus group (stimulation with ULFTENS bilaterally in the area of the tragus). The effects on HRV were monitored by photoplethysmographic wave (PPG). The HRV parameters studied were RMSSD, HF, LF, LF/HF.ResultsOnly the TUD group showed a significant change in selected HRV parameters that was maintained even in the epoch after the end of electrical stimulation. This effect can be considered as a vagal activation and an increased of HRV parameter. The Tragus group did not show significant change in the direction of increased HRV but showed an opposite trend. There were no undesirable or annoying effects of stimulation.ConclusionStimulation of the dorsal anterior (trigeminal) mucosal surface of the tongue with ULFTENS applied with an intraoral device was shown to be able to increase HRV while the same stimulation on tragus area, according to traditional dental ULFTENS procedure, did not show the same effects.Clinical implicationsThis stimulation technique could be an aid in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders characterized by autonomic disequilibrium such as, in the dental field, TMDs.Trial registration"Effects of Trigeminal Neurostimulation on Heart Rate Variability: Comparing Tragus and Tongue Stimulation". ID number: NCT06549205. Date of first registration: August 1st 2024. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06549205?id= NCT06549205&rank=1

Short-term effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on sleep bruxism:a pilot study

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on patients with sleep bruxism (SB). Twelve patients with SB were included in an open, single-intervention pilot study. rTMS at 1 Hz and an intensity of 80% of the active motor threshold was applied to the ‘hot spot' of the masseter muscle representation at the primary motor cortex bilaterally for 20 min per side each day for 5 consecutive days. The jaw-closing muscle electromyographic (EMG) activity during sleep was recorded with a portable EMG recorder at baseline, during rTMS treatment and at follow-up for 5 days. In addition, patients scored their jaw-closing muscle soreness on a 0–10 numerical rating scale (NRS). Data were analysed with analysis of variance. The intensity of the EMG activity was suppressed during and after rTMS compared to the baseline (P = 0.04; P = 0.02, respectively). The NRS score of soreness decreased significantly during and after rTMS compared with baseline (P < 0.01). These findings indicated a significant inhibition of jaw-closing muscle activity during sleep along with a decrease of muscle soreness. This pilot study raises the possibility of therapeutic benefits from rTMS in patients with bruxism and calls for further and more controlled studies