Browse Articles

Prevalence of diphtheria and antimicrobial-resistant wound infections among asylum seekers in Heidelberg, Germany, August–October 2024

Purpose In the second half of 2022 and 2023, an increase of diphtheria cases among asylum seekers was observed in Europe, with 120 cases reported in the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany. We aimed to determine prevalence of infection or colonization with toxigenic Corynebacterium among asylum seekers arriving between August and October 2024 in Heidelberg, Germany. In addition, we assessed antimicrobial-resistant wound infections and diphtheria immunity levels in this population. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study with a random sample of 1073 newly arrived asylum seekers. Consenting participants received a throat and, if applicable, wound swabs. Demographic, clinical and migration-related information was collected to identify potential risk groups. Throat swabs were tested for toxigenic Corynebacterium species, while wound swabs were additionally tested for other antimicrobial-resistant pathogens with relevance to therapeutic management. IgG antibody levels against diphtheria toxoid were quantified in serum samples of a random sub-sample. Results Of the participants, 75% were male (n = 804), and ages ranged from 15 to 60 years (median = 27 years). The most common nationalities were Syrian (n = 281), Turkish (n = 189) and Afghan (n = 117). No toxigenic Corynebacterium was identified. Thirty-seven participants carried inflamed wounds, of whom 18 (49%) had wounds infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), corresponding to 1.7% (95% CI 1.0–2.6%) of the entire study population. Overall, 38.0% (95% CI 33.3–44.8%) showed non-protective diphtheria antibody titers, while acceptance of the on-site diphtheria vaccination was high at 93% (n = 998). Conclusion While no toxigenic Corynebacterium was detected, low immunity levels and antimicrobial resistance findings underline the importance of early diagnosis, treatment and vaccination options in displaced populations.

Influence of a passive shoulder exoskeleton on drilling performance in women- a cross-sectional study

Abstract Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are common, especially among women performing repetitive overhead tasks. In a randomized 2 × 2 crossover study with 14 female participants, we investigated the effects of a passive upper-body exoskeleton during an overhead precision task, involving the tightening of 20 bolts into a sensor-based workstation, while muscle activation, task performance, and usability were assessed. The results showed significant reduced M. Trapezius muscle activations during arm lowering (p = .041, 73%), and lower target accuracy (p < .001, 100%) when using the exoskeleton. Subjective strain in the shoulders was significantly lower when using the exoskeleton (p = .035, 15%). The usability was rated as “unacceptable”, with users criticizing the complexity and learning effort. While the exoskeleton reduced muscle load, its mechanical limitations impaired precision and usability, especially for women. These results highlight the importance of sex-specific, ergonomic, and adaptive designs to improve exoskeleton effectiveness and acceptance.

Host methylglyoxal activates the <i>Listeria</i> virulence program, allowing bacteria to evade inflammatory phagocytes by cell-to-cell spread

Methylglyoxal is a reactive aldehyde produced by macrophages as part of their antimicrobial innate immune arsenal. Our prior work showed that Listeria monocytogenes relies on glyoxalase A (GloA) and bacterial glutathione to detoxify methylglyoxal and that loss of GloA severely impairs bacterial virulence in mice and results in a 100 to 1,000 increase in bacterial mutation frequency. Glutathione is required for both methylglyoxal detoxification and for allosteric activation of the master virulence regulator PrfA, underscoring its central, yet complicated role in pathogenesis. We previously demonstrated that mutations that lock PrfA in its active conformation (PrfA*) rescue the virulence of gloA mutants. Here, we show that PrfA* not only restores virulence but also rescues the elevated mutation frequency of gloA mutants independently of canonical DNA repair pathways. We hypothesized that a PrfA-regulated gene mediates a GloA-independent mechanism to avoid the toxic effects of methylglyoxal and found that the absence of ActA abolished the PrfA*-mediated rescue of gloA mutations. In addition, loss of ActA in a wild-type background also increased the in vivo mutation frequency of L. monocytogenes . Since the primary role of ActA is to mediate bacterial cell-to-cell spread, we hypothesized that ActA allows L. monocytogenes to migrate away from MG-rich inflammatory foci populated by activated macrophages. Indeed, antibody depletion of elicited macrophages and neutrophils rescued the virulence defect and reduced mutation frequency of gloA mutants. We propose a model in which ActA-mediated actin-based motility allows L. monocytogenes to spatially evade localized methylglyoxal production and hence outrun host defenses.

Expression of Concern: Computational modeling and analysis of medical resource shortages in hospital alliance: A simulation-driven approach

Mesoporous silica nanoparticle-mediated delivery of a synergistic 5-miRNA combination inhibits HSV-2 infection

Social cues drive the evolution of plastic pathogen virulence in spatially and temporally variable environments

Host–pathogen interactions are often characterized by spatial and temporal fluctuations in host density. Such variability may promote the evolution of phenotypic plasticity in pathogen virulence. However, it remains unclear how pathogens can reliably detect changes in host density. Here we show that some pathogens may exploit social cues, such as the presence of infected hosts, to gain indirect information about transmission opportunities when the density of susceptible hosts fluctuates. Our analysis demonstrates that virulence plasticity does not evolve in constant environments, but temporal and spatial variability can promote the evolution of reduced virulence in pathogens capable of detecting infected hosts. Selection for plasticity arises from the covariance between social cues and the availability of susceptible hosts. We compare the effects of temporal variation and spatial structure on the evolution of plasticity and clarify the ecological conditions under which communication systems based on social cues can emerge among viruses and other microbes. More broadly, this work provides a theoretical framework for understanding the adaptive value of plastic life-history strategies in pathogens facing variable environments.

What do youth need to know about puberty? A scoping review protocol to identify puberty education competencies

Introduction Puberty is a key transition point in adolescents’ lives that plays a foundational role in shaping health behaviors and outcomes across one’s life course. This period holds significant potential to empower adolescents and support autonomy in health and well-being, but limited puberty education curricula exist for early adolescents (age 8–14), and those that do exist vary in content. There is a paucity of evaluations of puberty competencies and limited consensus on what competencies should be measured to assess effectiveness or even how to measure these competencies. Objective The objective of this scoping review is to systematically map and characterize the outcomes, domains, and instruments used to evaluate puberty education curricula for early adolescents aged 8–14 years. In accordance with PRISMA-ScR and JBI scoping review guidance, this review does not synthesize effect sizes or assess intervention efficacy, but maps the breadth of evidence to identify conceptual gaps and inform future framework development. Methods The review protocol is registered with the Open Science Framework (OSF). We will search PubMed, CINAHL, PsycInfo, ERIC, Education Source, Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global, and OpenAlex for relevant sources. Two reviewers will independently screen and extract studies that meet inclusion criteria using our data extraction tool. Expected outputs Findings from the scoping review will be synthesized to create an overarching framework that can guide approaches to the development and evaluation of puberty curricula targeted to early adolescents. Focus group discussions with adolescents, parents, and school representatives will be conducted to assess the applicability and appropriateness of identified competencies and evaluation measures prior to broader dissemination. Insights from this scoping review will ultimately be used to inform the implementation and evaluation of puberty education.

Central auditory processing and interhemispheric integration: the relationship between speech sound coding disorder and articulation disorder

Abstract This study aims to demonstrate that speech sound disorders associated with central auditory processing disorder stem from a processing disorder in the central auditory pathways during listening, rather than from an articulation-based disorder. Included 25 children with articulation problems (WAP; 7 females, 18 males) and 25 typically developing children without articulation problems (WoAP; 10 females, 15 males), aged 5–8 years. Assessments comprised the Hacettepe Articulation Test, Scan-C subtests (Filtered Words, Auditory Figure-Ground, Competing Words, Competing Sentences), and the Denver II Developmental Screening Test. The Children in the WAP group scored low on the left ear only in the dichotic words and dichotic sentences tests. Left ear performance was significantly lower in the dichotic words test ( p  = 0.026, Cohen’s d = 0.609) and the dichotic sentences ( p  = 0.001, r = 0.427). These results suggest that articulation disorders may indicate a central auditory processing deficit, particularly a delay in right-hemisphere auditory maturation. It has been observed that in children with central auditory processing disorder, whatever speech sounds they process defectively during listening, they also produce those same sounds defectively. In this context, this study offers a new perspective on the relationship between articulation disorders and central auditory processing. Therefore, it is recommended that central auditory processing screening be conducted in children with articulation disorders to distinguish the underlying disorder.

Aerobic soil bacteria adapt to hypoxia by hybridizing fermentation with carbon storage

In soil ecosystems, aerobic bacteria survive oxygen deprivation (hypoxia) by entering nonreplicative persistent states. In contrast to the well-studied metabolism of obligate and facultative anaerobes, little is known about how obligately aerobic bacteria adapt their metabolism to stay viable during hypoxia. The model obligate aerobe Mycobacterium smegmatis maintains redox homeostasis during hypoxia by mediating fermentative hydrogen production. However, the fate of organic carbon during fermentation is unresolved. Here we systematically profiled the metabolism of M. smegmatis during aerobic growth, hypoxic persistence, and the transition between these states. By integrating a differentially 13 C-labeled glucose isotopologue assay with paired metabolomics and proteomics, we observed M. smegmatis rerouted central carbon metabolism through the pentose phosphate pathway and/or Entner–Doudoroff pathways during hypoxia, while excreting high levels of hydrogen and acetate. Lipid and cryoelectron tomography analyses suggest M. smegmatis also stores carbon as glycerides in lipid droplets during hypoxia, which serve as a major reductant sink. Gene knockouts and knockdowns revealed that, while M. smegmatis depends on its hydrogen-producing hydrogenase for hypoxic survival, it can compensate for the disruption of acetate production and glyceride synthesis by producing and excreting other organic acids. We confirmed through an extensive genomic survey and biogeochemical measurements that diverse aerobic soil bacteria can store organic carbon and mediate fermentation during hypoxia. Altogether, this hybrid fermentative metabolism likely provides a competitive advantage in soils and other resource-variable environments by enabling bacteria, such as M. smegmatis , to simultaneously dispose excess reductant and maintain carbon stores during hypoxia.

Knowledge embedded wind tunnel typical pressure vessel design optimization method research

Wind tunnels serve as an essential infrastructure for aerodynamic research and aerospace vehicle development, and pressure vessels are the most important type of structure in transonic and supersonic wind tunnels. Conventional structural design methodologies exhibit critical limitations including over-reliance on empirical specifications, computational inefficiency, and excessive conservatism. Although data-driven surrogate-based optimization approaches partially mitigate these issues, their generalizability variable operation condition remains limited. This study proposes a knowledge-embedded hierarchical Kriging (KEHK) framework that synergistically integrates the pressure vessel design specification with adaptive multi-fidelity modeling. The methodology introduces three key innovations: a knowledge-embedded sequential sampling method based on pressure vessel design specification, an adaptive hierarchical Kriging architecture incorporating multi-fidelity training samples, and a novel condition-mapping protocol to enhance cross-scenario generalizability. The experimental validation of a transonic wind tunnel acceleration section demonstrated a 26.2% structural weight reduction while maintaining operational integrity, coupled with a 150 × computational efficiency improvement over conventional finite element analysis for single-iteration simulations. Comparative evaluations revealed the KEHK model’s superior generalization capability, achieving a prediction error of &lt;15% across 0.1–2.0 the operational pressure ranges, significantly outperforming the conventional hierarchical Kriging, BPNN and nonadaptive KEHK variants. These advancements have established the framework as a robust solution for next-generation wind tunnel engineering applications, effectively bridging the gap between the computational efficiency and operational reliability.

Genomic and phenotypic characterization of indigenous violacein-producing Chromobacterium amazonense SAM215 from lake sediment in Bangladesh

Terephthalate, a plastic monomer, triggers phosphate metabolism rewiring in yeast

Plastic pollution poses an escalating global threat, demanding biological strategies capable of transforming waste into valuable products. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) can be hydrolyzed into its monomers, including terephthalate, but microbial valorization of these monomers is constrained by their intrinsic toxicity. Here, we define the cellular basis of terephthalate toxicity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by integrating genome-wide chemogenomic profiling, transcriptome, and physiological analyses. We identified an association of phosphate-dependent enzymes involved in threonine biosynthesis and glucose metabolism with yeast survival in terephthalate. Our data demonstrate that terephthalate reprograms phosphate metabolism, triggering a noncanonical activation of the phosphate regulon. This response is characterized by strong induction of the high-affinity Na + /phosphate symporter PHO89 and simultaneous repression of Pho4-dependent acid phosphatases. This rewiring elevates phosphate uptake 2.21 ± 0.14-fold, consistent with increased intracellular phosphate availability that supports phosphorylation-dependent control of glucose metabolism. Genetic perturbation experiments showed that PHO89 overexpression in a pho4Δ background enhanced yeast tolerance to 0.3 M terephthalate in a context-specific manner and that this pathway is specific to terephthalate toxicity under the conditions tested. Together, these findings reveal previously unexplored biological basis of terephthalate toxicity, showing that it alters phosphate signaling and the phosphorylation networks that depend on it. This mechanistic insight provides a foundation for engineering industrial yeast strains capable of converting hydrolyzed PET into value-added chemicals, and for enabling sustainable biosynthesis of terephthalate from renewable feedstocks.

Expression of Concern: ING5 is phosphorylated by CDK2 and controls cell proliferation independently of p53

Green preparation and evaluation of bentonite supported Bi2O3/polyester nanocomposites as gamma radiation shielding materials

Abstract In this work, a novel mixture of Bi 2 O 3 -NPs and bentonite was prepared using green synthesis method using olive leaves extract where Bi 2 O 3 -NPs were formed and loaded on the surface of bentonite layers to get homogeneous mixing between Bi 2 O 3 -NPs and bentonite. The successful preparation of this mixture was confirmed using TEM, IR and XRD. After that, unsaturated polyester nanocomposites with varying ratios (1, 5, 10, and 20 wt%) were prepared using this synthesized mixture. These composites were evaluated as shielding materials against gamma radiation, since different shielding parameters were measured at different energies (59, 661, (1173 and 1333 keV) from Am-241, Cs-137, and Co-60, respectively. Also, the thermal and mechanical properties were measured, where the 20 wt% sample only exhibits 50% weight loss after 402 °C, as opposed to 357 °C for pure unsaturated polyester. On the other hand, results of compressive strength showed slight enhancement with addition of bentonite compared to only Bi 2 O 3 nanocomposites. The results showed the improvement of shielding properties with increase of filler ratio, where the 20 wt% nanocomposite sample has highest LAC values among all samples where it has LAC values of 1.133, 0.126, 0.091, and 0.090 cm -1 at 59, 661, 1173, and 1333 keV, respectively. This demonstrates the importance of using these nanocomposites as radiation shields against low-energy photons, since it can achieve a shielding efficiency of 90% at 59keV.

Layerwise stratification and band reordering in twisted multilayer MoTe ₂

We introduce a physics-informed training-data generation strategy that efficiently captures the complete interlayer interactions in multilayer moiré systems, enabling a machine-learning force field transferable across layer numbers and stacking configurations, beyond twist angles. Applying this to multilayer twisted MoTe 2 (tMoTe 2 ), we identify a structural and electronic stratification: The two moiré interface (MI) layers retain substantial lattice reconstruction even in thick multilayers, while outer bulk-like layers show rapidly attenuated distortions. Surprisingly, this stratification becomes strongest not in the ultrasmall twist angle regime (≲1 ° ), where in-plane domain formation is well known, but rather at intermediate angles (2 to 5 ° ). Simultaneously, interlayer hybridization across the MI–bulk boundary is strongly suppressed, leading to electronic isolation. In twisted double bilayer MoTe 2 , this stratification gives rise to coexisting honeycomb and triangular lattice motifs in the frontier valence bands. We further demonstrate that twist angle and weak gating can create energy shift of bands belonging to the two motifs, producing Chern band reordering and nonlinear electric polarization with modest hole doping. Our approach allows efficient simulation of multilayer moiré systems and reveals structural–electronic separation phenomena absent in bilayer systems.

Longitudinal associations between perceived benefits and costs of internet gaming and internet gaming disorder in adolescent gamers: A cross‑lagged structural equation model

This longitudinal panel study aims to investigate the relationships between short/long-term benefits and costs of internet gaming and internet gaming disorder (IGD) in adolescents. First-year high school students with a convenience sampling were recruited from four high schools in central China, and 1032 (56% boys) finished baseline and one-year follow-up surveys. The percentage of IGD was 14.8% at T1 and 13.9% at T2. Cross-lagged structural equation modeling showed that higher levels of IGD symptoms predicted more perceived short- and long-term costs of gaming, while perceptions of short- and long-term costs or benefits did not significantly predict IGD symptoms. These findings suggest experiencing actual negative consequences of internet gaming could enhance perceived costs. Prospective associations between cognitive perceptions and IGD are highlighted and the implications for interventions are discussed.

First-principles molecular-level study of phosphonate-induced electronic modulation and visible-light response in a tungsten–oxo cluster

Mating-dependent lifespan cost of sterol depletion in male <i>Drosophila melanogaster</i>

Trade-offs between lifespan and reproduction are a central theme in evolution and ecology, often attributed to physiological constraints on the allocation of limiting resources. However, recent work suggests such trade-offs may depend on macro- and micronutritional context. We examined how macronutrient balance and cholesterol availability shape lifespan and reproductive performance in male Drosophila melanogaster , explicitly testing both unmated males and those permitted to mate freely throughout life—a design rarely applied. We found that cholesterol deprivation substantially reduced lifespan, but only in frequently mating males, indicating that sterols play a key role in mediating the lifespan costs of mating, consistent with their known role in sperm and seminal fluid. Conversely, the inclusion of dietary cholesterol reduced lifespan in unmated males maintained on low protein-to-carbohydrate diets, suggesting that male reproductive investment is sufficiently high to generate sterol-dependent costs to the soma. Lifespan was maximized at higher protein-to-carbohydrate ratios than previously estimated, while reproductive performance in aged males was favored by carbohydrate-biased diets, demonstrating a nutritional trade-off. Males preferentially consumed macronutrient ratios that promoted reproductive success rather than longevity and discriminated the presence of cholesterol in food. Together, these findings reveal sterols as a key mediator of male longevity, with effects that depend critically on both diet and reproductive context. More broadly, by integrating sterols, macronutrient balance, and sustained reproductive investment, our study adds to the growing evidence that male reproductive costs can be substantial and refines our understanding of the evolutionary basis of dietary trade-offs.

Boats on the rocks: Late prehistoric nautical iconography and landscape, from Northwest Iberia to Scandinavia

This paper offers a comparative analysis of prehistoric rock art boat depictions found across northwest Iberia and southern Scandinavia. We apply advanced digital documentation techniques, including high-resolution 3D recording and Geographic Information Systems (GIS)-based landscape analysis, to study the Iberian petroglyphs’ iconography and geographic placement in detail. The study identifies significant typological and iconographic parallels between Northwest Iberia and Nordic images, which provides a comparative basis to propose a Late Bronze Age chronology (c. 1300–800 BCE) for the Iberian examples. This shared iconography supports existing hypotheses concerning extensive long-distance connectivity and maritime trade networks across Atlantic Europe, particularly regarding the movement of metals like copper and tin. Furthermore, the GIS analysis confirms that nearly all Iberian sites, whether coastal or far inland, maintain a crucial visual or physical relationship with navigable waters, such as the ocean or major river systems. Ultimately, the authors propose that this rock art reflects both advancements in boat technology and the ritual and cosmological beliefs of maritime communities engaged in transregional exchange.

SOD-FE: a supervised outlier detection and feature engineering approach for student dropout prediction

Abstract Student dropout in higher education creates academic and socio-economic challenges for institutions and students. Effective early prediction models are essential to identify at-risk students and implement timely interventions. This paper proposes SOD-FE, a supervised machine learning approach that combines label-aware outlier detection with feature engineering to enhance dropout prediction. The approach integrates interquartile range (IQR) based outlier detection with mutual information and Pearson correlation to identify and mitigate the impact of outliers before constructing the final model. Then, a feature selection strategy is applied to refine the dataset. The approach is evaluated through experiments on two real-world datasets (Portugal and Slovakia) utilizing five classification algorithms, including Random Forest (RF) and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB). Performance improved markedly with the RF classifier, achieving F1 scores of 98.09% and 98.33% on the Portugal and Slovakia benchmark datasets, respectively, under 5-fold cross-validation. Furthermore, the SOD-FE approach outperformed the baseline RF models by 7.46% and 3.37% in F1 score across the two datasets, demonstrating highly competitive results that align with or exceed the highest reported performances in recent literature by up to 7.33%. The proposed approach also incorporates explainable AI techniques (SHAP) to enhance model transparency and support data-driven educational policy. These findings show the significant potential of the SOD-FE method for improving student retention and early intervention systems in educational institutions.