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Plasma aldosterone concentration and valvular heart disease in hypertensive patients: a large cross-sectional study

Massively parallel in-sensor skinomorphic computing

Mn-modified phosphomolybdates by hydrothermal route for pseudocapacitor application

In this study, hydrothermal method was used to synthesize Mn modified organic-inorganic phosphomolybdates, Product-1 and 2, as considered to be, [Mn x (Imi) y {PMo 12 O 40 }], [Mn x (Imi) y {P 2 Mn 2 Mo 12 O 50 }] with Product-3, which was considered to be mixed by-products, might have [Mn x (Imi) y {P 2 Mn 2 Mo 12 O 50 (Imi) 4 Na 4 (OH) 8 }(OH) z ] (majority) in its structure, (imi = imidazole). Product-1 was the main product, Product-2 and 3 were prepared from the by-product using only heating followed by concentrating technique. All products had high temperature resistance. According to XPS data, the percentages of Mo, Mn, C, O, P, N and Na were 3.91, 23.30, 13.54, 47.83, 7.9, 2.30, and 1.15%, 20.10, 2.39, 22.98, 41.53, 3.53, 6.83, and 2.6%, and 15.51, 1.06, 31.29, 43.56, 1.84, 5.58, and 0.58%, in Product-1, 2 and 3, respectively (by the no. of atoms), along with the average valency states of Mn were 2.26, 2.39, and 2.14, respectively. Product-1 was considered having polyoxo kegging clusters, Product-2 and 3 were considered having polyoxohexamolybdate units in their structures, as well as Product-2 was deliberately assumed to be the polymer or a derivative of Product-3. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) showed all three compounds having different reversible pseudo-capacitor character. At 2.0 Ag -1 current density, Product-1, 2 and 3@GCE showed specific discharge capacitance of 37.01, 380.45, and 635.37 Fg -1 , respectively. In galvanostatic charging-discharging (GCD), Product-1@GCE showed comparatively higher retention as compared to other electrodes.

Phase-TOF: single shot interferometric pulse laser ranging with nanometer accuracy

A principled basis for nonequilibrium network flows

Seed treatment combined with foliar application of oligosaccharides enhances seed germination and seedling growth in pepper and tomato under low-temperature stress

Low-temperature stress during early spring critically limits seed germination and seedling establishment in solanaceous crops. This study investigated the effects of seed treatment (ST) combined with foliar spraying of oligosaccharides (FSO) on improving seed germination and early seedling growth of pepper and tomato under constant 15°C conditions. The seed treatment (ST) involved soaking seeds in a tri-component oligosaccharides solution (0.11 g/L of a 1:1:1 ratio of chitosan oligosaccharide, D-cellobiose, xylo-oligosaccharide) for 24 h at 20°C, followed by solid matrix priming (SMP) with vermiculite (seed:vermiculite:water, 1:2:1.8, w/w/w) for 72 h at 20°C and subsequent air-drying. The treated and control seeds were germinated at 25°C for 3 days prior to being transferred to 15°C. Seedlings from treated seeds received two foliar sprays of the same oligosaccharides solution (0.11 g/L) at 14 and 18 days after sowing. The results showed that seed treatment (ST) significantly enhanced all emergence parameters and reduced the mean emergence time in both species compared to the untreated control. Statistical analysis indicated a significant species × treatment interaction for most emergence parameters, with a more pronounced promotive effect in pepper. The integrated ST + FSO treatment significantly improved seedling growth parameters. Significant species × treatment interactions were observed for stem diameter and fresh weight, with tomato exhibiting a greater relative increase in fresh weight. ST + FSO enhanced the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and increased soluble sugar content in both species. However, a significant increase in glutathione reductase (GR) activity and soluble protein content occurred specifically in pepper, highlighting a species-specific physiological response. In conclusion, the combination of seed treatment and foliar spraying of oligosaccharides (ST + FSO) is an effective strategy for enhancing low-temperature tolerance in solanaceous crops, although its efficacy and underlying physiological mechanisms exhibit significant species-specific variation.

Nonlinear dynamics of reverse osmosis high pressure high speed centrifugal pumps

De novo-designed ribozyme-controlled riboregulator for cell-free diagnostics

Abstract Cell-free systems have great potential for nucleic acid assays, yet universal onsite diagnostics without preamplification are limited. Here, a universal cell-free diagnostic platform termed TRACKer (Target-Responsive non-preAmplification Cell-free diagnostic Kit) has been developed for detecting multiple respiratory viral RNAs in laboratory and field settings. TRACKer integrates three modules: ribozyme allostery module, riboregulator activation module, and output module. The ribozyme allostery module enables universal target recognition through strand displacement-mediated ribozyme conformational switching. The riboregulator activation module achieves preamplification-free detection via cascade expression of reporter proteins. The output module provides swappable reporter templates for luminescent quantification and lateral flow visualization in diverse scenarios. TRACKer is a robust system that enables rapid ( < 70 min) nucleic acid detection without preamplification and demonstrates attomolar sensitivity (1-10 aM) for six respiratory viruses. Overall, TRACKer presents a promising approach to nucleic acid detection, offering a low-cost and scalable solution with potential applications in point-of-care diagnostics and beyond.

Correction: Gender and mental health of adolescents: A conceptual framework developed in a Delphi study

Age-associated changes in major lymphocyte subsets and sex-specific patterns in healthy Chinese adults

Solar-Driven Ammonia Synthesis over a Silver-Only Antenna–Reactor Catalyst

Neoadjuvant palbociclib and endocrine therapy versus chemotherapy in ER + /HER2- breast cancer: a randomized phase II trial

Abstract In PREDIX LumB patients with estrogen receptor positive and human epidermal growth factor receptor negative (ER + /HER2-) breast cancer > 20 mm and/or with lymph node metastasis were randomized 1:1 to receive either paclitaxel weekly for 12 weeks followed by palbociclib and endocrine therapy for 12 weeks (arm A), or the reverse sequence (arm B). Primary endpoint is objective radiologic response at 12 weeks (ORR 12 ), and key secondary endpoints are ORR 24 , pathologic complete response, event-free survival, safety and correlative studies of tissue and circulating biomarkers. Whole exome sequencing and RNA sequencing were performed on baseline fresh frozen tissue samples. In total, 179 patients comprise the intention-to-treat population. There is no statistically significant difference between the two arms in ORR 12 (59% vs 45%, p = 0.058). An exploratory gene expression analysis identified differentially expressed genes and gene sets between responders and non-responders at 12 weeks. A predictive signature, CDKPredX, comprising 31 genes related to proliferation, ER signaling and immune activity was developed to identify patients resistant to chemotherapy but responding to palbociclib plus endocrine therapy (p interaction =0.03). The predictive signature was independently validated in the CORALLEEN trial (p interaction =0.048). Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT02603679

Correction: Unveiling the biochemical potential of Acacia jacquemontii as a therapeutic agent in parkinson’s disease: A multi-model in Vitro, In Vivo, and In Silico Study

Surface colonization of Aureobasidium pullulans: a multimodal microscopy study toward living coating development

Abstract Recent advances in engineered living materials (ELMs), which integrate living cells into functional structural and protective systems, have accelerated interest in understanding microbial surface interactions at fundamental scales. In this context, Aureobasidium pullulans , a polymorphic and polyextremotolerant black yeast fungus, has emerged as a promising candidate for diverse biotechnological applications, including engineered living coatings. However, its microscale surface colonization dynamics remain insufficiently characterized, limiting predictive control over colonization of various surfaces. Complementary optical approaches, including VHX digital imaging, fluorescence observation, and quantitative fluorescence measurements, were used to characterize temporal colonization of fungus on plastic coverslips and pine wood, representing two contrasting substrates used in the building sector. On plastic substrates, initial attachment involved dispersed cells that rapidly proliferated and merged into a continuous layer. Quantitative fluorescence revealed a significant increase in signal from Day 1 to Day 3 (from 25,328 to 42,510 RFU; P  = 5.4 × 10⁻⁴) followed by a decrease by Day 6 (10,555 RFU). This decline may be associated with reduced dye penetration into the compact, melanized matrix rather than a reduction in biomass. On wood, colonization followed the native fiber orientation and progressed into cohesive multicellular structures. The results provide a new understanding of substrate-dependent colonization of A. pullulans and highlight methodological limitations in quantifying biomass on porous, heterogeneous materials. The multimodal microscopy framework established a robust comparative platform for analysing fungal-material interactions and enabled the rational development of fungal-based living coatings for protective and functional applications.

Managing Active Hydrogen Species on Ternary Copper-Based Catalyst for Efficient Electrochemical Ammonia Synthesis from Nitrate

Photochemical synthesis of oxiranes using DABSO-activated sulfinates and allylic peroxides

Concordance between self-report and six commonly used clinical estimates or serological measures: Insights from a Canadian healthy aging study

Objective To assess the concordance between self-reported and clinically assessed prevalence of selected chronic conditions and latent viral infections among women living with and without HIV. Methods Women (aged ≥ 16 years residing in British Columbia) enrolled in the BCC3 Study, a prospective cohort, between 2020 and 2024 were included in the cross-sectional analysis. Self-reported prevalence of six conditions/viruses (chronic kidney disease, liver disease, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV, HCV)), were compared to clinical estimates based on screening tools and serology. Agreement was assessed via Cohen’s kappa. Results In both women with (n = 220) and without HIV (n = 309), clinical estimate-based prevalence of depression and PTSD was higher than self-reported prevalence (all p < 0.001). Among women with HIV, clinical estimate-based prevalence of HBV was higher than self-report-based prevalence (p < 0.001). For both groups, there was no difference between the two prevalence estimates for chronic kidney disease. Among women without HIV, clinical estimate-based prevalence of liver disease was lower than self-report-based prevalence (p < 0.001), but this was not the case for women with HIV. In both groups, agreement between self-report and clinical estimate of prevalence was fair to poor for all conditions/viruses (all κ < 0.4), except for HCV, for which the agreement was near perfect (κ > 0.8). Conclusions Self-reported HCV history shows high concordance with serology, but the same is not true for HBV. The prevalence of liver disease, kidney disease, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder as reported by participants may differ from clinical estimates. Our findings highlight the complexity of aligning self-report data with clinical estimates and suggest that both types of data should be used for a comprehensive assessment of prevalence in research.

Alcohol intoxication and its influence on road traffic accidents: a hospital based study from Pondicherry, India

Abstract Background: Driving under the influence of alcohol has caused a substantial number of traffic accidents. Alcohol consumption is a well-known contributor to road traffic injuries worldwide. Pondicherry is a city with a high and rising rate of road traffic-related injuries. It has generally been regarded as a region with high alcohol consumption. Aims: To examine the relationship between alcohol consumption and road traffic accidents. Methods: This was a cross-sectional hospital-based study. From May 25, 2018, to August 22, 2018, treated in emergency rooms were analysed. A survey with a semi structured format was administered. During the study period, 329 patients involved in motor vehicle accidents were interviewed. The data were collected in ODK, exported to a spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel, and analysed via SPSS version 16. Various study variables are represented in the results as percentages. The chi-square test was used to analyse the relationship. Results: Among our patients, 54% consumed alcohol. Among the 329 patients, 117 (35.5%) had fatal injuries. There was a significant association between alcohol consumption and victimization (χ² = 12.84, p < 0.0003). An association between alcohol intake and accident outcomes (fatal and nonfatal) among drivers was observed (χ² = 29.88, p < 0.00001). There was a significant association between alcohol intake and accident outcomes (fatal and nonfatal) among nondrivers (χ² = 6.806, p < 0.009). Conclusion: Accidents involving motor vehicles were more prevalent among younger age groups and males. To increase the effectiveness of alcohol prevention interventions, a multifaceted strategy focusing on these dimensions should be implemented. The incidence of road traffic accidents can be reduced by emphasizing the use of seat belts, avoiding the consumption of alcohol by drivers, and ensuring that roads are adequately lit, all of which can reduce the incidence of road traffic accidents.

Bed nucleus of the stria terminalis connectivity during food cue and taste processing under stress

Premature utilization of MRI in the workup of mild hyperprolactinemia

Background Hyperprolactinemia is a common biochemical finding detected in primary care, and guidelines suggest confirmation with a second prolactin measurement to rule out spurious elevation prior to further workup. Premature magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a costly potential consequence of improperly worked-up hyperprolactinemia. We aimed to quantify the proportion of prematurely ordered MRI for isolated hyperprolactinemia without confirmation. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed between 2012–2021 in Alberta, Canada. We identified cases of mildly elevated serum prolactin (<100mcg/L, females ≥25.0mcg/L, males ≥21.0mcg/L) in patients >18 years who underwent MRI brain or sella following prolactin measurement. MRI was classified as “clinically appropriate” or “premature” based on clinical indication. Clinically appropriate and premature groups were compared based on patient age, sex, and scan year. Results We identified 1,730 cases meeting inclusion criteria with a single prolactin measurement prior to MRI; over half (56.1%, n = 970) were categorized as “premature.” Of the MRIs in the premature cohort, 39.4% (n = 382) reported at least one abnormal finding, most commonly microadenoma (n = 200). There was no statistically significant difference between premature and clinically appropriate groups for patient sex (p = 0.12) or year of MRI (p = 0.35), but patients in the premature group were significantly older (p < 0.01, mean difference 1.52 years, 95% CI:[0.45,2.49]). Conclusions MRI for investigation of mild hyperprolactinemia is often ordered prematurely without confirmation by repeat prolactin level and generates incidental findings of uncertain clinical significance to the presenting issue. To reduce patient stress and healthcare system burden, providers should ensure proper workup of hyperprolactinemia with repeat prolactin measurement prior to ordering MRI.