Browse Articles

Author Correction: The role of climate and population change in global flood exposure and vulnerability

Factors associated with contrast-associated acute kidney injury in an emergency department: A cohort study in Lebanon

Background Contrast-associated acute kidney injury (CA-AKI) is a common problem in hospitals, particularly in low-middle-income countries (LMIC), due to limited resources and a high prevalence of comorbidities. Kidney function evaluation using serum creatinine levels before contrast administration leads to increased length of stay and delayed patient care. This study aimed to identify factors associated with CA-AKI in emergency department (ED) patients in an LMIC. Identifying these factors is essential for enhancing patient care and guiding clinical practice by allowing for the early detection and management of patients at risk. Methods This study is a retrospective cohort study conducted at the largest tertiary care center’s ED in Lebanon between November 2018 and December 2019. The study included ED patients who underwent computed-tomography (CT) with contrast. Bivariate and logistic regression analyses were performed to compare the characteristics of patients who developed AKI with those who did not by using SPSS package. The Institutional Review Board (IRB) at the American University of Beirut (AUB) approved this study under protocol ID BIO-2020-0276, which was performed per the Declaration of Helsinki. The IRB waived the need to consent patients since many of them were not followed up at the time of the study. Results The study included 1832 patients, of whom 10.4% (n = 190) developed CA-AKI. Patients aged over 65 had a 1.6-fold higher risk of CA-AKI (aOR = 1.55, 95%CI:1.09-2.2). High blood pressure (≥140 mmHg), high respiratory rate ( ≥ 22), and chronic kidney disease were significantly associated with CA-AKI. The use of loop diuretics (aOR = 2.21, 95%CI:1.49-3.28), beta-lactams (aOR = 4.11, 95%CI:2.63-6.42), and allopurinol (aOR = 2.74, 95%CI:1.43-5.25) were significantly associated with CA-AKI. Conclusions Identifying factors associated with CA-AKI in an emergency setting, such as age, comorbidities, and home medications, can help identify patients at low risk of developing CA-AKI.

Author Correction: The anticancer activity of fucoidan coated selenium nanoparticles and curcumin nanoparticles against colorectal cancer lines

Nature exposure induces analgesic effects by acting on nociception-related neural processing

Abstract Nature exposure has numerous health benefits and might reduce self-reported acute pain. Given the multi-faceted and subjective quality of pain and methodological limitations of prior research, it is unclear whether the evidence indicates genuine analgesic effects or results from domain-general effects and subjective reporting biases. This preregistered neuroimaging study investigates how nature modulates nociception-related and domain-general brain responses to acute pain. Healthy participants (N = 49) receiving electrical shocks report lower pain when exposed to virtual nature compared to matched urban or indoor control settings. Multi-voxel signatures of pain-related brain activation patterns demonstrate that this subjective analgesic effect is associated with reductions in nociception-related rather than domain-general cognitive-emotional neural pain processing. Preregistered region-of-interest analyses corroborate these results, highlighting reduced activation of areas connected to somatosensory aspects of pain processing (thalamus, secondary somatosensory cortex, and posterior insula). These findings demonstrate that virtual nature exposure enables genuine analgesic effects through changes in nociceptive and somatosensory processing, advancing our understanding of how nature may be used to complement non-pharmacological pain treatment. That this analgesic effect can be achieved with easy-to-administer virtual nature exposure has important practical implications and opens novel avenues for research on the precise mechanisms by which nature impacts our mind and brain.

Impact of spaceflight on gene expression in cultured human mesenchymal stem/stromal cells

With technological advancements, human’s desire to explore space is growing and more people are staying longer at the international space station (ISS). The impact of microgravity on stem cells (SC) is not fully understood. We explored the impact of microgravity on gene expression profile of cultured mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) at the ISS. We also evaluated how the new knowledge gained sheds light on our understanding of human physiology on Earth. Primary cultures of MSCs were expanded at the ISS for 1 or 2 weeks and mRNA was isolated from samples of the cultured cells. Gene expression profiles were determined and compared with samples from real-time ground control cultures. Differential gene expression, gene set enrichment analysis and determination of key genes were performed that revealed for the first time the existence of potential “master regulators” coordinating a systemic response to microgravity. Cyclin D1 (CCND1), a protein-coding gene that regulates cell cycle progression and CDK kinases, was identified as the most connected regulator at week 1. Further analysis showed the impacted genes from cultured MSCs significantly correlated with known gene pathways associated with cell division, chromosomal segregation and nuclear division, extracellular matrix structure and organization, muscle apoptosis and differentiation. This study exemplifies the utility of space research to advance our understanding of human physiology both on Earth and in space.

Author Correction: Universal conditional networks (UniCoN) for multi-age embryonic cartilage segmentation with sparsely annotated data

Design and performance optimization of vehicle-mounted thermal snow-melting system

Snow clearing and melting vehicles do not need to transport snow out of the country, which helps to alleviate traffic congestion and has broad market prospects. In this study, a vehicle-mounted thermal snow-melting system was designed and the performance of the thermal snow-melting system was simulated. Then, the influences of the entry and exit modes, flow rate of the heat medium, and scraper speed on the snow melting rate were analysed. Studies have shown that thermal snowmelt systems are well designed and have good stability and availability. The speed of the scraper significantly affects the rate of snow melting. As the speed of the scraper increases from 0 r/min to 42 r/min, the time required for complete snow melting was reduced to approximately 1/25 of the original. The flow rate of the thermal medium has a small effect on the rate of snow melting. The time taken for the snow to melt completely under the internal inlet and external outlet method is 1.2 to 2.3 times longer than that of the external inlet and internal outlet method. The rank of influence degree was scraper speed>  entry and exit modes>  flow rate when the target was the maximum melting rate. This research provides a scientific basis for the manufacture of integrated snow clearing and melting equipment.

Alterations in nailfold videocapillaroscopy among patients with connective tissue diseases combined with pulmonary arterial hypertension: A cross-sectional study

Acute effects of commercial group exercise classes on arterial stiffness and cardiovagal modulation in healthy young and middle-aged adults: A crossover randomized trial

Background Arterial stiffness and cardiac autonomic function are crucial indicators of cardiovascular health. Acute exercise and age impact these parameters, but research often focuses on specific exercise activities, lacking ecological validity. Methods We examined the acute effects of commercially available group fitness classes (indoor cycling, resistance training, combined exercise) on arterial stiffness and vagal-related heart rate variability (HRV) indices in twelve young and twelve middle-aged adults. Participants attended four sessions, including exercise and control conditions, with measurements taken at rest and during recovery. Results Middle-aged, but not young adults, showed reductions in central and peripheral systolic blood pressure 20-min into recovery across all exercise modalities (range: -7 to -8 mmHg p < 0.05). However, arterial stiffness remained unchanged. Similarly, vagal-related HRV indices (range: -0.51 to -0.90 ms, p < 0.05) and BRS (-4.03, p < 0.05) were reduced immediately after exercise, with differences persisting 30 min into recovery only after indoor cycling. Resistance and combined exercise elicited similar cardiovagal modulation and delayed baroreflex sensitivity recovery to cycling exercise, despite higher energy expenditure during indoor cycling (+87 to +129 kcal, p < 0.05). Conclusion Acute group fitness classes induce age-dependent alterations in blood pressure, but not in arterial stiffness or cardiovagal modulation. While the overall cardiovascular effects were generally consistent, differences in autonomic recovery were observed between exercise modes, with prolonged effects seen after indoor cycling. This suggests that exercise prescription should consider both age and exercise modality, as well as recovery time. The findings also emphasize the importance of ecological validity in exercise interventions, highlighting that acute effects on cardiovascular health in real-world settings may differ from those observed in controlled laboratory environments (ID: NCT06616428).

Probiotic Bifidobacterium bifidum strains desialylate MUC13 and increase intestinal epithelial barrier function

Abstract Probiotic bacteria including Bifidobacterial species have the capacity to improve intestinal health, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are often not understood. Bifidobacteria are considered keystone species but have a relatively low abundance in the adult intestinal tract. Bifidobacterium colonization depends on degradation of host-derived carbohydrates, including human milk oligosaccharides and mucin-associated oligosaccharides. Specific Bifidobacterium strains can enhance intestinal barrier integrity and improve symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders. We previously reported that the transmembrane mucin MUC13 localizes to the apical and lateral membrane and regulates epithelial tight junction strength. Here, we screened probiotic bacterial strains for their capacity to modulate MUC13 and enhance intestinal barrier function. Of these probiotic bacteria, a Bifidobacterium bifidum strain uniquely degraded the MUC13 O-glycosylated extracellular domain. Further characterization of two probiotic B. bifidum strains (W23 and W28) and the type strain 20456 demonstrated that the W23 and W28 strains adhered strongly to the apical surface, had high sialidase activity, penetrated the mucus layer, and enhanced epithelial barrier integrity. These results underscore the strain-specific properties of these specific B. bifidum strains that most likely contribute to their probiotic effects in the intestinal tract.

The digestion time for salmon louse (Lepeoptheirus salmonis) in lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus) in relation to freshness, developmental stage, and temperature

Sea lice infestations cause significant economic losses in the Atlantic salmon aquaculture industry. To biologically control sea lice at farming sites, cleaner fish such as lumpfish are employed. However, the efficacy of lumpfish is under constant debate, primarily due to limited knowledge of digestion times, which makes it difficult to interpret the number of salmon lice found in the stomach contents of dissected lumpfish. The aim of this study was to provide quantitative estimates of the degradation of salmon lice over a period of 12 days. After an acclimation period of approximately one week, batches of eight lumpfish (average weight 94.3 g, SD ± 33.2) were fed salmon lice and arranged in tanks. Each batch received six large mobile lice and two adult female lice. Samplings were conducted at 24-hour intervals during the first four days and at 48-hour intervals over the remaining eight days. The experiment was conducted twice, each at a different temperature regime (6°C and 9°C), using live lice in both trials. To investigate if the freshness of the louse influenced degradation and digestion, the setup was replicated in the 9°C experiment with lice that had been stored frozen at -80°C, with an additional 12-hour sampling point for comprehensive observation. The analysis of salmon lice revealed expected digestion times of 6.4 days and 12.9 days for large mobile and adult female salmon lice, respectively. Temperature and lice freshness did not seem to influence digestion times, but the developmental stage of the lice did. The findings of this study can be used to estimate the cleaning efficacy of lumpfish based on the stomach contents.

The role of socioeconomic factors and third-party support in language development for children with cochlear implants

Inverse association of dietary consumption of n3 and n6 fatty acids with hyperuricemia among adults

Background The precise link between dietary consumption of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids and hyperuricemia remains equivocal. Accordingly, the purpose of the current investigation is to clarify any possible associations between the consumption of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids and hyperuricemia in the context of American adults. Materials and methods The present investigation employed a cross-sectional design, comprising a sample of 21,120 American adults above the age of 20 from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) waves between 2007 and 2016. The dietary consumption of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids was measured through two 24-h dietary recall interviews. To assess the relationships of dietary consumption of n3 and n6 fatty acids with hyperuricemia, we applied multivariable logistic regression, t tests, chi-square tests, and restricted cubic spline. To determine the robustness of our findings, sensitivity analyses were also carried out. Results The results of the multivariable logistic regression models indicated a significant correlation between dietary consumption of n3 and n6 fatty acids and hyperuricemia. The ORs with 95% CIs of hyperuricemia for the highest tertile versus lowest tertile of dietary consumption of n3 and n6 fatty acids were 0.76 (0.66, 0.88) (p < 0.001) and 0.72 (0.64, 0.82) (p < 0.001), respectively. Moreover, dose‒response analyses revealed a linear relationship between n-3 and n-6 fatty acid consumption and the risk of hyperuricemia. Conclusion The findings of this study indicate a significant inverse correlation between the dietary consumption of n3 and n6 fatty acids and hyperuricemia in the US adult population. Notably, there was no significant relationship between the n6:n3 ratio and hyperuricemia.

Causal effect of the 25-Hydroxyvitamin D concentration on ocular diseases: A Mendelian randomization study

COP30 must deliver binding mechanisms to address climate change, not empty promises

Diagnostic accuracy of multiplex real-time PCR for detecting viruses associated with encephalitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

Background Encephalitis is the most common infectious disease of the central nervous system and is associated with high morbidity, mortality, and disability. Therefore, rapid and accurate diagnosis is crucial to provide patients with timely and appropriate therapeutic intervention. In this study, a comprehensive systematic review with meta-analysis will be conducted to summarize the available data and evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the detection of viral encephalitis. Methods We will search PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science (WoS), Scopus and Cochrane Library databases for studies evaluating the diagnostic accuracy of multiplex PCR for the diagnosis of encephalitis caused by viruses from January 2014 to December 2024. Observational study designs with full text will be exported and included. Risk of bias will be assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS-2) tool. Analyses will be performed using the “mada” package of R software (R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria), and the Summary Receiver Operating Characteristic (SROC) will be calculated using the “midas” package of STATA version 15.0 (Stata Corp., College Station, TX, USA). Certainty of evidence will be performed using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) software. Results The results will provide clinical evidence for the diagnostic accuracy of the multiplex PCR assay for the detection of viruses that cause encephalitis, including sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), positive likelihood ratio (LR+), and negative likelihood ratio (LR-). Finally, we intent to submit this systematic review and meta-analysis to a peer-reviewed journal for publication. Conclusion This systematic review aims to provide current evidence for multiplex PCR assay for the diagnosis of viruses causing encephalitis. Importantly, this study focuses on the use of multiplex PCR for viral diagnosis and helps clinicians and patients to better understand its role in the diagnosis of CNS diseases. Systematic review registration PROSPERO registration number: CRD42023485942

Association between TyG-BMI and BPH in a national prospective cohort study

Fate of pistachio production in Iran holds lessons for the world

Retraction: L-Plastin Nanobodies Perturb Matrix Degradation, Podosome Formation, Stability and Lifetime in THP-1 Macrophages

Application of green pomelo peel essential oil-based carboxymethylcellulose coatings reinforced with nano chitosan and nano cellulose fibers during the drying process on dried silkworms

Abstract The application of edible coatings to dried products such as silkworms (Bombyx mori) is an innovative method for preserving nutrients during drying process. These coatings are made from safe, natural ingredients such as carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), nano cellulose fibre (NCF), nano chitosan (N-Ch), and varying concentrations of green pomelo peel essential oil (GPO). The results revealed that the addition of GPO into coating/film significantly changed the pH, viscosity, and TSS values of the coating solutions while reducing film weight loss, particularly in the CCG3 film (61.93%). CCG3 also showed the strongest antibacterial effect against “Staphylococcus aureus” and maintained lower silkworm moisture content compared to other samples. Metabolic analysis revealed that certain compounds, such as 2-Hydroxyglutaric acid-3TMS and malic acid-3TMS, were more robust in CCG3. X-ray CT image analysis using image processing technology showed high accuracy, with the porosity area in the CCG3 sample being greater. These findings highlighted the potential application of edible coating in drying process to protect the nutrients of dried products.