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A novel behavioral paradigm for odor-induced voluntary urination in mice

Patients’ perception and needs of spiritual care: A qualitative study in the context of prolonged hospitalizations

Spiritual care is recognized as a core component of holistic nursing, particularly for patients experiencing prolonged hospitalization. Extended hospital stays may intensify spiritual needs by disrupting daily routines, limiting engagement in religious practices, and increasing existential distress. However, empirical evidence on patients’ spiritual care needs and their perceptions of nursing practices remains limited. This study aimed to explore patients’ spiritual care needs during prolonged hospitalization and to examine their perceptions of spiritual care provided by nurses. A qualitative study with a descriptive phenomenological design was conducted. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were carried out with 12 patients hospitalized in internal medicine clinics for more than 14 days. Data were analysed using an inductive thematic analysis approach. Participants described spirituality as encompassing both religious practices and broader dimensions such as inner peace, psychological balance, and meaning making. Spiritual needs were frequently reflected in participants’ use of religious rituals, including prayer, ablution, and supplication, reflecting a desire for closeness to God. In addition, nurse–patient communication, empathetic attitudes, psychosocial support, and assistance with personal hygiene were identified as integral components of spiritual care. Environmental and institutional factors, including shared rooms, limited access to prayer spaces, and inadequate hygiene conditions, emerged as significant barriers to meeting spiritual needs. The findings demonstrate that spiritual care in prolonged hospitalization is a multidimensional process encompassing relational, physical, and environmental dimensions of care. Addressing spiritual needs requires both compassionate communication and supportive clinical environments that enable patients to sustain their spiritual practices. Integrating spiritual care into routine nursing practice may enhance patient experience and strengthen the holistic nature of care.

Analyzing digital consumer insights through RoBERTa LLM based sentiment analysis and topic modeling

Reappraisal of profibrotic phenotype and cell-cycle state of renal tubular epithelium after ischemia–reperfusion injury

Chronic kidney disease progression involves phenotypic changes in tubular epithelial cells, and recent studies have highlighted the relationship between such pro-fibrotic phenotypes and cell cycle arrest in injured tubular epithelial cells undergoing repair. We investigated these processes using a mouse unilateral ischemia–reperfusion injury model with γGT.Fucci2aR mice, which express fluorescent cell cycle markers, and in vitro experiments with human kidney-2 cells and public single-cell RNA sequencing data. In the unilateral ischemia–reperfusion injury model, mVenus-positive cells (S/G2/M phases) in the γGT.Fucci2aR mice peaked on Day 3 post-injury, then rapidly declined. In kidneys with progressive tubular atrophy and interstitial fibrosis between 7–12 days post-injury, S/G2/M phase cells were limited. These findings were corroborated by analysis using public single-cell RNA sequencing data from the same mouse models, which confirmed dynamic cell cycle changes in the acute phase post-injury but no significant G2/M phase cells in the chronic phase. In vitro experiments with human kidney-2 cells demonstrated that cellular communication network factor 2 and transforming growth factor-β expression increased significantly as proliferating cells reached confluence and cell cycle progression slowed. Pro-fibrotic phenotypes in tubular epithelial cells were not exclusively acquired by G2/M-arrested cells, as reported in previous studies, but can also be acquired by cells in the quiescent G0/G1 phase during normal cell cycling. To develop novel therapeutics for chronic kidney disease, regulating pro-fibrotic gene expression in injured tubular epithelial cells, independent of specific cell cycle phases, appears to be crucial.

Blind image quality assessment based on statistical features

Prevalence of fungal infections in a patient cohort in The Gambia: Identification and characterization of three priority fungal species in patients with symptoms suggestive of TB

Invasive fungal infections are an increasing global health concern, particularly in low-resource settings where diagnostic capacity is limited. In The Gambia, where tuberculosis is highly prevalent, fungal infections may be misdiagnosed as mycobacterial disease due to overlapping clinical symptoms and limited access to fungal testing. This study aimed to determine the presence of three priority fungal pathogens by the World Health Organization (WHO) classification system— Aspergillus species ( spp .), Histoplasma spp. , and Pneumocystis jirovecii —in patients with symptoms suggestive of tuberculosis, and to develop a molecular tool to support future surveillance. A multiplex quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay was developed and validated for simultaneous detection of Aspergillus spp. , Histoplasma spp. , and Pneumocystis jirovecii DNA in human sputum. The assay was applied to 273 stored sputum samples collected from adult patients presenting with respiratory symptoms concerning for tuberculosis in The Gambia. The multiplex assay demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity, detecting as few as ten DNA copies per reaction for each target. Among the 273 sputum samples analyzed, Aspergillus DNA was identified in five samples (1.8%), Pneumocystis jirovecii DNA in three samples (1.1%), and no samples were positive for Histoplasma . Cough and weight loss were the most frequently reported symptoms among participants with positive results. This study represents the first molecular detection of Aspergillus spp. and Pneumocystis jirovecii in adults in The Gambia. These findings suggest that fungal colonization or infection may occur in a small proportion of patients presenting with tuberculosis-like symptoms. The multiplex molecular platform developed here provides an accessible approach for fungal surveillance and may improve diagnosis and management of fungal infections in resource-limited settings.

Complete mitochondrial genome characterization and exploratory mitochondrial DNA modification signals in square-head catfish Chaca chaca

Protocol for a randomized pilot trial of COMPASS, an open‑source, culturally adapted cognitive behavioral therapy program for forcibly displaced Venezuelan adults in Peru

Task-sharing approaches have shown promise in low-resource settings, yet few culturally adapted interventions have been systematically evaluated for forcibly displaced populations. Since 2016, over 1.7 million Venezuelans have migrated to Peru, facing significant barriers to healthcare and elevated risks of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This protocol describes COMPASS (Cognitive-behavioral Open-source Mental-health Program Adapted for migrants, Sustainably delivered by lay providers and Supported by evidence). COMPASS is a transdiagnostic, open-source cognitive behavioral therapy program co-designed with forcibly displaced populations. This protocol describes the procedures for an ongoing randomized pilot trial with n = 90 forcibly displaced Venezuelan people (Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT06635486). COMPASS guides, or lay providers, trained through an intensive apprenticeship model, will deliver 6–12 weekly remote sessions. Primary outcomes include changes in anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms, assessed with validated Spanish-language measures. Secondary outcomes include feasibility (recruitment, retention, fidelity) and acceptability (therapist and participant ratings). Exploratory outcomes will examine integration, migration experiences, and demographic moderators of intervention effectiveness. Analyses will follow the intention-to-treat principle, using descriptive statistics and regression models to evaluate symptom trajectories across baseline, post-intervention, and 3- and 6-month follow-ups. This study represents the first effectiveness evaluation of an open-source, lay-delivered CBT program tailored for forcibly displaced people in Peru. Findings will inform feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of COMPASS, with potential to expand scalable, culturally relevant mental health services for forcibly displaced populations in resource-constrained settings worldwide.

Study on defect detection and identification of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels based on improved YOLO11

Targeted transferosomal delivery of cetirizine: A new approach to alopecia management

Introduction Androgenetic alopecia is common in males and females; its prevalence increases with age. It affects the social life of individuals worldwide. The main problem associated with conventional minoxidil treatment is the risk of facial hypertrichosis. Cetirizine (CET), an antihistamine, may induce hair growth by increasing prostaglandin E2 expression. Therefore, Objectives: This study aimed to incorporate several CET formulations into transferosomes (TFS) and determine their optimal physicochemical properties. The optimal formulation was evaluated for its growth-promoting potential in vivo. Methods The effect of CET-TFS was assessed by observing hair growth and quantifying insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA and protein levels in mice. Results CET-TFS significantly enhanced hair growth in mice and stimulated high IGF-1 and VEGF mRNA and protein levels. Conclusion These findings suggest that CET-TFS is a promising alternative to traditional hair growth medications. Additional toxicity and histopathological studies are required to confirm its suitability.

Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) impair mouse sperm function and fertilization potential

Associated factors of health-related quality of life in Indonesian Women with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A cross-sectional within-cohort analysis

Objective This study aims to determine the effects of sleep quality along with age, marital status, socioeconomic status, depression, anxiety, disease activity, pain scale, and dose of corticosteroids on quality of life in women with SLE. Methods Variables were assessed in 75 women with SLE using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Lupus Quality of Life (Lupus QoL), Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), and Mexican SLE Disease Activity Index (MEX-SLEDAI). Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine contributors to quality of life. Results Of 75 subjects, 35 (46.7%) patients had poor sleep quality. The mean QoL score for patients is 84.27. Poor sleepers had impaired QoL in physical health (p = 0.003), emotional health (p = 0.007), pain (p = 0.003), and planning (p = 0.006), with fatigue (p < 0.0001) as the most significantly impaired. Younger age (Mean ± SD = 81.1 ± 12.67; p = 0.014) and anxiety or depression (Mean ± SD = 56.66 ± 8.17; p = 0.006) were significantly associated with lower quality-of-life scores. The linear regression results showed an R-squared of 0.361, with anxiety (β = 21.402), sleep quality (β = 8.392), and age (β = 5.526) as the most significant variables. Marital status, socioeconomic status, disease activity, pain scale, and corticosteroid dose did not correlate with QoL. Conclusion Poor sleep quality, anxiety, and younger age were significant independent predictors of lower QoL in women with SLE, explaining 36.1% of the variance. These findings suggest that psychosocial and sleep interventions are crucial for improving well-being in this population, potentially more so than focusing solely on disease activity.

Muscle–tendon properties of the female athlete: a comparison between “power modulation” and “energy conservation” training exposures

Abstract Muscle–tendon function can be categorised into “energy conservation” or “power modulation” tasks. However, little is known about how female tendons adapt to these different loading demands. This study compared muscle–tendon unit morphological and mechanical properties in athletes who regularly undergo either energy conservation (14 runners) or power modulation (eight netballers) activities. Static ultrasound was used to measure Achilles’ and patellar tendon thickness, as well as the thickness, pennation angle, and fascicle length of the gastrocnemii and vastus lateralis muscles. Achilles’ tendon length and moment arm were also measured. Muscle–tendon mechanical measures included plantar flexion and knee extension isometric strength, and Achilles’ tendon elongation, strain, and stiffness. Netballers displayed significantly higher absolute tendon thickness ( p  = 0.004 for Achilles’, p  = 0.021 for patellar), but not when normalised to body mass. Netballers also displayed significantly higher Achilles’ tendon stiffness ( p  = 0.046) and isometric plantar flexion and knee extension strength (both p  < 0.001). No differences were detected in any other measure of muscle or tendon morphology. The results of this study provide evidence that power modulation activities promote different muscle–tendon unit properties to energy conservation activities in females, but that these adaptations may be body mass dependent.

Curability difference between autochthonous mouse tumors and their transplants in association with immune gene expression

Compared with transplanted tumors, autochthonous tumors are difficult to cure using experimental radiation therapy in mice. Here we analyzed differences in immune-related gene expression profiles between mouse fibrosarcomas subcutaneously induced by 3-methylcholanthrene (3MC) and their corresponding transplanted tumors. The immune genes examined were Pd1 , Pdl1 , Pdl2 , Cd3d , Cd8a , Cd8b , Ifnγ , Itga2 , Gzmb, and Foxp3 . Among 12 tumors, one was non-transplantable and showed a benign phenotype with an abundance of DX5 + natural killer cells and CD8 + T cells together with increased IFNγ expression and mRNA levels of all immune genes except for Itga2 . The other 11 transplantable tumors showed increased expression of Pd1 , Pdl1 , Pdl2 , Cd3d , Cd8b , and Ifnγ following transplantation into syngeneic mice. These effects of transplantation highlight the relevance of immune gene expression status to the curability of tumors.

Experimental investigation of semi-flexible pavement performance using optimized nano-silica and sugarcane bagasse ash modified grouts

BBR-n+ congestion control: Real-time performance with smart exit and advanced AQMs

The Internet is evolving rapidly, and billions of devices are being connected to it at the edge. Performance at the edge matters, and the role of the congestion control mechanism is important. Since the emergence of the Bottleneck Bandwidth and Round-trip propagation time (BBR) algorithm by Google, active research has been going on between BBR and TCP Cubic. BBR-v3 is the third version since its inception, and it has tried to address many of the shortcomings of its earlier versions. The issue of fairness with Cubic and Reno flows, the bandwidth overestimation issue in multi-flow scenarios, high packet transmission rate in shallow buffers, and queuing delays and packet losses during/after its startup phase. Not much research work is yet available on BBR-v3 evaluation with Cubic, especially in a variety of connectivity scenarios, such as wired and wireless together. In this paper, we evaluate BBR-v3 with Cubic and have proposed BBR-n+ (BBR Smart Exit) that refines the generic BBR’s (BBR-v3) startup exit by detecting receive window limitations and empirically evaluate its performance with the generic BBR (BBR-v3). The early exit issue of BBR-v3 from the startup phase when the congestion window is receiver-limited is probed, and the Smart Exit algorithm has been proposed. It is the continuation of our work on BBR-n, and we have evaluated it using various performance metrics. The role of modern AQMs has been explored with our testing on Common Applications Kept Enhanced (CAKE) and Flow Queue Controlled Delay (FQ_CoDel) AQMs. Through the experiments, we conclude that BBR-n+ in the receive window limitation test provides a 15–20% median throughput gain over BBR-v3 under different receiver window sizes. A 150 ms reduction in HTTP delay when compared with BBR-v3 and a ~ 300 ms reduction versus Cubic. 17% improvement in ping latency compared to BBR-v3 and 45% with Cubic in the wired scenario with a strenuous load of multiple streams. BBR-n+ outperforms BBR-v3 and Cubic in most of the tested scenarios, though it still exhibits limitations, particularly in achieving fairness when competing against Cubic flows when the number of concurrent streams is eight or more.

The impact of artificial intelligence-based emotional support tools on anxiety and stress levels in high-risk pregnant women

An optimized protocol for metabolic measurement in 3D tumor spheroids derived from primary and established glioblastoma cells

Tumors are characterized by a multitude of genetic and epigenetic alterations, including a deregulation of the metabolism, driving migration and infiltration. To mimic the energetic landscape of in vivo tumors, 3D models surpass traditional 2D cultures, by introducing regions of different nutrient and oxygen supply. Yet, the analysis of metabolic processes in 3D cultures, including the mitochondrial answer and extracellular fluxes is more challenging. The extracellular flux analyzer is a powerful tool for investigating cellular metabolism, offering valuable insights that can drive advancements in biomedical research, but protocols for analysis of 3D cultures are sparse. Here, we present a protocol for optimized extracellular flux analysis, starting from the choice of the 3D culture model, dependencies on 3D culture size and testing multiple normalization approaches for two different glioblastoma and two primary cell lines. It was demonstrated that our approach was feasible for different glioblastoma cell lines, showing cell type and spheroid size dependent responses to metabolic challenges. In addition, normalization approaches using essentially 2D characteristics of spheroids were found insufficient to account for different spheroid sizes and cell lines. The data showed that using bio-printed spheroids with magnetic beads, combined with normalization to the median values of an experiment and the initially seeded cell number, delivered the most reliable results. Thus, we provided an approach that enables a straightforward and reproducible generation of 3D cell cultures and offer strategies to optimize metabolic measurements within these cultures.

MLDiff: a VAE-integrated diffusion model with fourier filter for high quality line drawing generation of ancient murals

Mass casualty incident preparedness and response: A desk review of the Code Orange Plan and Assessment of Healthcare Workers’ Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices in a Lebanese Tertiary Government Hospital

Background Effective preparedness and response to mass casualty incidents (MCI) are essential for hospital safety, operational efficiency, and the delivery of timely, high-quality patient care during emergencies. This study assessed a tertiary government hospital in Lebanon’s Code Orange plan by reviewing documentation for alignment with international guidelines and evaluating staff knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding MCI preparedness. Methods Documents reviewed at Rafik Hariri University Hospital (RHUH) included the current Code Orange plan, relevant policies, and international guidelines. A comprehensive evaluation framework was used, focusing on preparedness, incident command systems, communication, and management. A comparison with established standards was conducted to identify gaps. Complementing this, a cross-sectional study was conducted using a convenient sample of medical and non-medical healthcare workers to evaluate their KAP regarding MCI preparedness. Results The desk review of the RHUH Code Orange plan identified both strengths and significant gaps in MCI preparedness. While the plan defines staff roles and resources for emergency response, it lacks detailed procedures for activation strategies, surge capacity, continuity of essential services, and triage processes. Additionally, post-event recovery protocols are insufficient or absent, and the importance of regular drills is not adequately emphasized. The KAP study revealed significant differences between medical and non-medical staff in terms of MCI knowledge, involvement, and training engagement, with medical staff reporting higher levels of familiarity and desire for participation. Conclusion The findings underscore the need to bridge knowledge and engagement gaps between medical and non-medical staff to enhance MCI response. Key actions include interdisciplinary training to build coordination, clear communication protocols to streamline information flow, and routine drills with defined roles to strengthen preparedness. Additionally, implementing performance monitoring during drills and real MCIs, along with conducting regular evaluations, will allow for continuous refinement of response strategies.