Browse Articles

Development of loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP)-based assay for rapid detection of fosfomycin resistance gene fosA

MRI-based deep learning radiomics model for automated classification of disc degeneration in the lumbar spine

Soil health and economic evaluations of direct seeded rice through metabolomic and biochemical fingerprinting

Effect of polymyxin resistance evolution on the fitness costs of Acinetobacter baumannii and the underlying mechanisms of polymyxin resistance

A metric for quantifying adaptation to successive disruptions

Metabolic subtypes and biomarkers in preterm and term neonates via targeted screening

Aluminum hybrid based on lignin from rice straw as a multifunctional additive for natural rubber composites with enhanced curing and thermo-oxidative stability

Abstract The rising growth of agricultural waste poses significant challenges to environmental sustainability, community health, and commercial stability. However, the development of multifunctional bio-based additives that simultaneously provide reinforcement and antioxidant performance in natural rubber (NR) composites remains limited. This study examines the potential of an aluminum (lignin/silica/fatty acid) hybrid (Al(LSF)), derived from rice straw black liquor, as a dual-functional additive with reinforcing and antioxidant properties in natural rubber (NR) composites. The Al(LSF) hybrid was analyzed by XRF, SEM-EDX, TEM, particle size analysis, and zeta potential measurements. Morphology, curing behavior, mechanical properties, and thermo-oxidative aging resistance of Al(LSF) in NR matrices were also investigated. Results showed that Al(LSF) exhibited nanoscale characteristics enabling uniform dispersion in the NR matrix. The incorporation of Al(LSF) (1–4 phr) improved curing properties, as evident by the decreased optimum curing time by approximately 18.3% as compared to TMQ/NR composites. Tensile strength of NR composites increased by approximately 45.4%, and elongation at break reduced by approximately 26.4% at 1 phr loading of Al(LSF) hybrid. The improvement in thermo-oxidative aging resistance of NR composites with Al(LSF) could be observed from th increased aging coefficient from 0.43 to 0.55 (approximately 27.9%). NR composites reinforced with Al(LSF) displayed better mechanical strength and aging properties than those filled with conventional fillers such as silica and sodium bentonite, depending on hybrid loading. Al(LSF)/NR composites can be explored for applications requiring improved long-term thermo-oxidative aging resistance and mechanical strength, such as tires, conveyor belts, gaskets, shoe soles, and other rubber products used outdoors exposed to extreme environmental conditions. Therefore, Al(LSF) hybrid could be considered as a potential multifunctional bio-additive to enhance mechanical strength and thermo-oxidative stability of NR while valorizing agricultural waste.

TLCD1 correlates with malignant progression of hepatocellular carcinoma and activation of the ERK signaling cascade

Native rhizobia nodulating soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) performs better than commercial strain across locations in South Ethiopia Region

Missed Opportunities for HIV Testing in Hospitalised Adults in Türkiye: Indicator Conditions and Testing Coverage in a National Multicentre Point-Prevalence Survey (HIV-ICs-TR)

Abstract To quantify the prevalence of HIV testing indications among hospitalised adults in Türkiye, assess HIV testing coverage when clinically indicated, and identify missed diagnostic opportunities in a national multicentre point-prevalence survey. We conducted a national multicentre cross-sectional point-prevalence survey across tertiary referral hospitals from all seven geographical regions of Türkiye. Adult inpatients present at 08:00 on a predefined index day were assessed for predefined HIV testing indications, including AIDS-defining conditions, indicator conditions associated with an expected undiagnosed HIV prevalence ≥ 0.1%, and conditions in which unrecognised HIV could substantially affect clinical management. Among 3,425 hospitalised adults without known HIV infection, 699 (20.4%) had at least one documented HIV testing indication. HIV testing was requested by the primary clinical team in 424/699 patients (60.7%). Testing was lowest in patients with indicator conditions associated with an expected undiagnosed HIV prevalence ≥ 0.1%, and these conditions were independently associated with higher odds of non-performance of HIV testing by the primary clinical team than AIDS-defining conditions (corresponding adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 3.05, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.67–5.81). In centres with a specialised HIV outpatient clinic, the odds of non-performance of HIV testing by the primary clinical team were independently lower among patients with an appropriate testing indication (corresponding aOR 0.64, 95% CI 0.43–0.95). Following study-team facilitation, overall testing coverage increased to 677/699 (96.9%). Three reactive screening results were identified, including two confirmed new HIV diagnoses. HIV testing indications were common among hospitalised adults in Türkiye, but non-performance of HIV testing by the primary clinical team remained frequent, particularly for non-AIDS indicator conditions. Strengthening indicator-condition-guided testing through structured clinical pathways and institutional HIV expertise may reduce non-performance and support earlier HIV diagnosis.

Machine learning-based screening model for Tic disorders comorbid with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and SHAP value interpretation: a retrospective observational study

Bifunctional epoxy coatings containing new nano-hybrid based on lignin for decoration and gamma radiation shielding

Abstract Recently, researchers focused on utilizing agricultural waste, such as rice straw, to prepare eco-friendly green compounds that have industrial applications, rather than burning it, which leads to environmental problems. In this study, a new Mn (lignin/silica/fatty acid) nano-hybrid Mn(LSF) was deposited from the black liquor of rice straw and then mixed with epoxy to prepare bifunctional epoxy coatings for decoration and gamma radiation shielding. The chemical structure and morphology of the Mn(LSF) nano-hybrid were confirmed by FTIR, XRF SEM, EDX, mapping, and TEM. After the synthesis, Mn(LSF) nano-hybrid was integrated into epoxy resin with three proportions (e.g., 2%, 4%, and 8%), and then each coating was painted on plastic substrates with three thicknesses (e.g., 100 μm, 150 μm, and 200 μm) to investigate the effect of the concentration and thickness on the degree of color and gamma radiation shielding. The results revealed that the evaluated Mn(LSF) nano-hybrid is synthesized in nanoscale and its main elements, such as manganese, silica, and carbon, are distributed homogenously in the lignin base. Moreover, the color measurements elucidated that the lightness decreases with increasing the concentration and the thickness; therefore, the darkness increases. Furthermore, the γ-ray shielding ability of the prepared coatings containing Mn(LSF) nano-hybrid throughout an energy range of 0.662, 1.173, and 1.332 MeV emitted by the radioactive sources Cs-137 and Co-60 was measured using the narrow beam transmission method and a NaI (Tl) scintillation detector. The measurements depict an enhancement in the linear attenuation coefficient with increasing the Mn(LSF) nano-hybrid substitution in the coatings. The linear attenuation coefficient increased by 17.83%, 18.30%, and 18.14% at 0.662 MeV, 1.173 MeV, and 1.332 MeV, respectively, as Mn(LSF) nano-hybrid rise across the concentration of 2% to 8%.

Innovation research on college students’ mental health management system based on internet of things technology

Novel pyridine-based chalcone analogs and triple negative breast cancer: potential therapy & molecular pathways

Abstract Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) represents one of its most aggressive subtypes, characterized by poor prognosis and resistance to conventional therapies. Given the urgent need for more effective treatment strategies, chalcone derivatives have attracted attention as versatile scaffolds with multitarget anticancer potential. In this study, we evaluated the anticancer efficacy of 14 novel pyridine-based chalcone analogs against TNBC cell lines (MDA-MB-231 and BT-20). Following initial screening, OH17 and OH25 showed promising activity and were selected for further evaluation alongside docetaxel (DTX), a standard chemotherapeutic control. Both OH17 and OH25 significantly reduced TNBC cell viability at low micromolar concentrations. Morphological analysis revealed apoptosis-like features, further supported by cell cycle analysis and Annexin V/PI staining, which demonstrated sub-G1 accumulation and induction of apoptosis. Molecular pathway analysis showed that the compounds upregulated the pro-apoptotic protein BAX while downregulating ERK1/2, with OH17 showing additional EGFR modulation. These effects translated into significant inhibition of cell invasion and colony formation, underscoring their potential to suppress key hallmarks of TNBC aggressiveness. Collectively, our findings highlight OH17 and OH25 as promising chalcone analogs with potent and mechanistically distinct therapeutic activity against TNBC. These results support further preclinical evaluation of pyridine chalcones as next-generation candidates for TNBC therapy.

Evaluating the predictive capacity of coral reef resilience assessments

Abstract Resilience assessments, which rely on ecological indicators to predict future ecosystem resilience across a management jurisdiction, are used to prioritize limited conservation resources toward “resilient” locations with the best chance of surviving climate change. While resilience assessments have been widely applied to inform management, particularly for coral reefs, their precision and accuracy have rarely been validated. We used a timeseries of coral reef 3D models to (1) conduct multiple resilience assessments of fixed sites over time, and (2) track the resistance and recovery of those same sites over a decade. This allowed us to compare resilience predictions across assessments (precision) and test whether resilience predictions aligned with observed patterns of resistance and recovery (accuracy). We found that resilience assessments are capable of generating consistent resilience predictions over time, but in our case those predictions were not correlated with observed resistance or recovery dynamics. We recommend modelling resistance and recovery as distinct processes, and emphasize the importance of validating predictions with long-term monitoring. We caution against using resilience assessments in isolation to drive conservation decision making. Instead, spatial prioritization should be driven by local community input, with management of priority sites informed by functional indicators of resistance and recovery.

Analysis of purines and pyrimidines across biospecimens: influence of storage temperature and duration

Effects of fluoroquinolone antibiotics on extracellular matrix-related phenotypes in tendon cells

A citizen-based assessment of European smart cites using a DP2 index

Abstract Despite the growing body of research on smart cities, existing studies tend to rely on objective indicators, often overlooking how citizens perceive the balance between key urban dimensions. To fill this gap, the present research analyzes the current development of 56 smart cities in Europe through a multidimensional assessment framework based on the non-compensatory Distance-Pena (DP2) method. While most assessments of smart cities use objective measures to gauge their performance, this research emphasizes citizens’ viewpoints by assessing perceptions concerning the infrastructural and technological dimensions of smart cities within five categories, namely health and safety, mobility, activities, opportunities, and governance. The results identify four different types of cities based on their respective levels of structural and technological performances. In some cases, there is equal development on both fronts, while in others, there is unequal development, characterized by a strong presence in either one aspect or another. These patterns generate heterogeneous configurations of perceived smart city performance. The findings provide a descriptive typology of smart cities based on citizen perceptions and offer insights into how different dimensions of urban performance can be evaluated. This study adds to the conceptual knowledge of smart cities and provides practical value for policymakers designing smart city strategies that align with citizen-centric views.

Influence of patients’ health beliefs on rehabilitation exercise adherence after knee replacement: the mediating role of exercise psychological needs satisfaction

Optimizing age-structured sampling for estimating the seroconversion rate in malaria seroepidemiology: a simulation study

Abstract Seroprevalence and the seroconversion rate (SCR) are key indicators of malaria burden, particularly in low-transmission settings. Optimizing age-based sampling may improve the efficiency and precision of SCR estimation, but this has not been systematically explored in malaria seroepidemiology. We employed Monte Carlo simulations to identify optimal age-based sampling strategies under varying assumptions by modifying (1) SCR, (2) seroreversion rate (SRR), and (3) whether SRR was known or unknown. Using the reverse catalytic model and its extension, we considered two transmission scenarios: a stable SCR and a reduction in SCR at a defined change point. Realistic ranges for SCR and SRR were selected based on previous reports, assuming serological responses to Plasmodium falciparum MSP1. In stable settings, sampling older individuals improved precision in low-transmission settings, whereas younger age groups were more informative in high-transmission settings when SRR was known. When SRR was unknown, sampling more younger individuals and maintaining a balanced age distribution yielded higher precision. Under changing transmission, sampling individuals born after the change point improved estimation of post-change SCR, while balanced sampling performed best when SRR was unknown. To illustrate the practical implications of these findings, we applied the framework to published malaria serological data from Sri Lanka. The original study employed an age distribution heavily skewed toward adults, resulting in reduced precision for the post-change SCR and limited statistical power to detect a change in transmission. Our simulations demonstrate that alternative age-based sampling strategies could substantially improve both precision and power under comparable conditions. These findings highlight the importance of careful sampling design in enhancing study efficiency, particularly in settings with limited personnel or financial resources, and emphasize that age-structured sampling strategies should be thoughtfully considered to ensure adequate precision when estimating SCR from a single cross-sectional malaria serological survey.