Browse Articles

pH-Dependent Fe(III) Speciation and Concerted Proton–Electron Transfer Mechanism Accelerated S(IV) Oxidation at the Air–Water Interface

Correction: Monitoring of Cd and GSH contents and Bn-OASTL expression in transgenic tobacco seedlings in response to Cd stress

Effect of initial stress on electro-magneto-thermoelastic semiconductor materials exposed to a pulsed lasers due to the interaction between electrons and holes

High-density lipoprotein cholesterol and cognitive impairment: A U-shaped relationship in China’s aging population

This study investigated the association between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels and the risk of cognitive disorders in older adults. Data were obtained from the 2011 Chinese Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study and included 7,509 participants. Cognitive function was assessed using a scale that measured episodic memory and mental status. Statistical analyses included multiple linear regression, restricted cubic splines, and threshold effect analysis to explore the relationship between HDL-C levels and cognitive scores. Compared with Q1 (<35 mg/dL), very high HDL-C was associated with lower cognitive scores (Q4: β = −0.622 [95% CI, −0.908 to −0.337]; Q5: β = −0.322 [−0.627 to −0.017]). A U-shaped association was observed, with a turning point at 67.43 mg/dL. Below the threshold, a 1-SD higher HDL-C was associated with a 0.08-SD higher cognitive score (β = +0.08; 95% CI, 0.06–0.11; p < 0.001), whereas above the threshold a 1-SD higher HDL-C was associated with a 0.07-SD lower score (β = −0.07; 95% CI, −0.14 to −0.01; p = 0.019). Therefore, the relationship between lipid profiles and cognitive health is nuanced and nonlinear. Understanding these complexities is crucial for developing strategies to maintain cognitive function in older adults.

Investigating developmental changes in susceptibility to temporal audiovisual illusions on balance and sensorimotor function in children

Predictors of employment attrition in Lebanon during multifaceted crises: The role of chronic diseases – a national cross-sectional study

The COVID-19 pandemic and Lebanon’s ongoing economic crisis exacerbated existing workforce and health disparities. This study explored the predictors of employment attrition during Lebanon’s concurrent crises and examined the association between chronic conditions and employment attrition. This cross-sectional study recruited adults aged 19–64 years residing in Lebanon through random digit dialing (January – July 2024). Data collected included socio-demographics, household characteristics, employment history and characteristics, and self-reported chronic conditions. The outcome was loss of paid employment (employment attrition) during the crises. Predictors were identified through a Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression, and model discrimination and calibration were assessed. Logistic regression models, adjusted for covariates identified through a directed acyclic graph, estimated the associations between the presence and types of chronic conditions and employment attrition. The effect modification by age on the association between chronic conditions and employment attrition was also assessed. Of 2103 participants employed prior to the onset of the concurrent crises (pre-2020), 72.7% were males, 70.1% were Lebanese, and 14.7% became unemployed during the crises. Predictors of employment attrition were: older age, female sex, non-Lebanese nationality, being married, having no formal education, having at least one of either CVD, diabetes, or musculoskeletal disorders, working in a private business or non-governmental institution, and having an oral agreement with employer. The prediction model had a moderate discriminative ability and good calibration. Pre-existing cardiovascular disease (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 2.15; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 1.27 to 3.64) and diabetes (aOR: 2.52; 95% CI, 1.43 to 4.45) were independently associated with employment attrition. The ORs of employment attrition comparing those with to those without musculoskeletal disorders significantly increased with age. This study underscores the importance to address life-course disparities that contribute to employment attrition and to consider proactive job protections to mitigate workforce disruptions during times of crises, particularly in contexts where social safety nets are absent.

Unexpected high subterranean biodiversity on rock glaciers threatened by global warming

Microalgal colony blot: A simple and rapid method for direct detection of recombinant protein production in microalgae colonies

Microalgae have emerged as a versatile biotechnological platform, promising to become an efficient source of commodities such as food, feed, and biofuels, but these organisms have also sparked profound scientific and commercial interest for their potential in producing high-value recombinant proteins. Recombinant gene expression is highly dependent on the loci in which the transgene integrates, and in green algae transgenes integrate randomly into the nuclear genome, mostly through non homologous end joining. Therefore, recombinant gene expression varies greatly among different algal transformants and many algal colonies must be screened before a suitable production strain can be found, which can be quite laborious and become a bottleneck in the recombinant strain production pipeline. Here we describe a method for mid-throughput screening of recombinant protein expression; the Microalgal Colony Blot. This screening method allows for the detection of recombinant protein expression in up to 100 algal colonies per petri dish, with each petri dish preparation taking only 20 minutes. A nitrocellulose membrane is layered on top of a petri dish containing agar media, and algal cells are inoculated on top of the filter in a liquid suspension using a micropipette. The colonies are allowed to grow for up to 7 days, with the colonies secreting recombinant protein (either through active secretion or through cell lysis) as they grow with the recombinant protein being immediately bound by the nitrocellulose membrane. After the incubation period, the membrane is treated like a regular western blot, with blocking, washing, antibody binding and visualization. In this manner, up to 1000 colonies can be comfortably screened per day by a single person. Knowing that in C. reinhardtii only about 5% of the transgenic colonies from a transformation produce significant recombinant protein expression, being able to screen 1000 colonies ensures that around 50 suitable candidates will be identified within a single day.

The spatiotemporal effects of electrification on China’s synergistic pollution and carbon reduction efficiency

Average egg price: Mean reversion and persistence in a time series approach

The evolution over time of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) is regarded as a key indicator of the general health and direction of any given economy. As the CPI continues to rise, the purchasing power of consumers decreases and their spending habits change significantly, making it imperative for policymakers to understand the underlying reasons that lead to such changes. A key component of the CPI basket is represented by the food and beverages items, within which eggs have undergone a significant price increase during the past years. Egg prices have a significant impact on consumers, given that eggs are a staple product, serving as the lowest cost protein alternative. This paper analyzes the long term behavior of the average egg price (cost per Dozen) in the U.S. by looking at the statistical properties of the series and using a methodology based on the concept of fractional integration. The primary goal is to determine whether the average egg price exhibits traits of long memory or mean reversion. Long memory describes the scenario where observations from a distant past have an influence on the present value of the series. Conversely, mean reversion refers to the phenomenon where data points eventually return to the long-term average after deviating from the mean for a certain period. The analysis also explores the relationship between egg prices and the Producer Price Index (PPI) through cointegration methods. Preliminary findings indicate that long memory takes place in both series and mean reversion in the PPI. Also, the two series seem to be cointegrated. This suggests the presence of a stable long-run equilibrium relationship between the Average Egg price and the Producer Price Index in the U.S., indicating a sustained co-movement between the two variables over time.

Sudanese pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) germplasm reveals genetic potential for carotenoid improvement and provitamin a biofortification

Abstract Pearl millet is a vital staple in Sudan’s arid and semi-arid regions and offers a promising platform for biofortification to alleviate provitamin A deficiency. This study evaluated the genetic variation in carotenoid content and grain color attributes of 116 Sudanese pearl millet accessions under field conditions at the Al Gezira Research Station. Carotenoid profiling (β-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, and total carotenoids) was performed using spectrophotometry and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Grain color traits were assessed using a Chroma Meter and CIE-LAB color space parameters. Highly significant differences were observed among the genotypes ( P  < 0.0001) across all traits. β-carotene ranged from 0.028 to 0.763 µg/g, lutein from 0.11 to 4.79 µg/g, and zeaxanthin from 0.05 to 1.69 µg/g, with total carotenoids reaching up to 9.15 µg/g. Grain color attributes, such as L*, a*, b*, ΔE, and BI, exhibited substantial variability, with strong correlations among b*, ΔE, and the browning index (BI). Broad-sense heritability estimates were high for all traits (> 94%), with β-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin exhibiting high genetic advancement as a percentage of the mean (GAM > 140%), indicating a strong selection potential. Stepwise regression identified lutein and a* as the major predictors of variation (R² > 11%). Cluster and principal component analyses revealed distinct groups of carotenoid-dense genotypes, with HSD12345, HSD12415, and HSD12516 ranking among the top for β-carotene content, respectively. The identified high-carotenoid accessions and color-linked traits provide valuable resources for biofortification and breeding programs to improve the nutritional quality of pearl millet in drought-prone regions.

The prevalence, prevention, and treatment of cardiovascular diseases in Twelve African Countries (2014–2019): An analysis of the World Health Organisation STEPwise approach to chronic disease risk factor surveillance

Introduction Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are responsible for nearly a third of deaths globally. We conducted this study to understand the prevalence of history of CVDs, their prevention and treatment in twelve African countries using the World Health Organization STEPwise Approach to Surveillance (WHO STEPS) data. Methods We used secondary STEPS data extracted from 12 African countries between 2014 and 2019. CVD was defined as a self-reported history of heart attack, angina, or stroke. Weighted percentages, counts, weighted odds ratios (OR), and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were computed using the R software. We fitted logistic regression models to select the predictor variables from a regression model for CVD prevalence, CVD prevention and CVD treatment binary endpoints. Results Amongst 60,294 individuals, the prevalence of CVD was 5%. The CVD prevalence was higher in older individuals, females, individuals with hypertension, smokers, people with high salt intake, and in certain countries. Eleven percent of the 23,630 individuals at high risk of CVD (≥40 years) but without a history of the disease received CVD prevention treatment. Amongst the 2,895 persons with CVDs, 22% received treatment and counselling for CVD: 34% (n = 215) receiving aspirin, 32% (n = 202) counselling for CVD risk factors, 11% (n = 66) statins, and 24% (n = 148) both statins and aspirin. The uptake of CVD treatment varied by hypertension status, sex, age and country. Conclusion The prevalence of CVD was relatively low and CVD treatment uptake was sub-optimal. Concerted efforts must be made to accelerate the diagnosis and expand treatment for CVDs in Africa if to curtail untimely deaths attributable to CVDs.

Analysis of adult men’s knowledge in the area of male fertility in relation to selected lifestyle factors

Abstract The aim of this study was to assess the level of knowledge among adult men regarding male fertility, with particular emphasis on selected factors connected with medical and lifestyle-related aspects of fertility. The results provide a strong basis for further research aimed at identifying knowledge gaps in male infertility and developing effective educational strategies. The study was performed in 156 men of reproductive age. An anonymous questionnaire developed by the authors was used, consisting of two sections: a demographic section and 25 single-choice questions assessing the subjects’ knowledge in the area of medical and lifestyle-related aspects of male fertility. The results revealed the existence of a weak positive correlation between the level of knowledge about male fertility and age. Moreover, the level of fertility-related knowledge was higher in those participants who had an education in a field connected with medicine as well as in men suspected of or treated for infertility. Another novel finding is that although many respondents expressed an interest in health—as evidenced in their declaring the use of dietary supplements—this was not reflected in their performance in the questionnaire. This highlights the gap between health-related decisions and limited fertility literacy. In general, the findings show that the participants’ level of knowledge concerning male fertility was inadequate in most areas—both medical and lifestyle-related—covered by the questionnaire. Based on the findings of the study, relevant recommendations for educational initiatives were proposed, which could potentially improve fertility awareness among men.

Graduate grade inflation at a U.S. research-intensive university: A 22-year longitudinal analysis

The phenomenon of grade inflation has been studied extensively at high school and undergraduate levels, yet little is known about its occurrence in graduate education. This study bridges this gap by examining graduate grade inflation using data from one U.S. research intensive university, covering two decades of admissions across 75 master’s programs ( N  = 24,815) and 78 doctoral programs ( N  = 15,701). Relying on both linear and ordinal multilevel models, we investigated the presence of grade inflation and potential variations by degree level and individual academic programs at the program level. Our findings provide preliminary evidence for the presence of graduate grade inflation and suggest that the magnitudes differ across individual academic programs. There is also evidence showing that the trend of grade inflation significantly differed across master’s and doctoral programs. This apparent inflation undermines the signaling value of grades for employers and admission decisions in the labor market and academic selection, as well as for research, feedback, and learning purposes. Future research should replicate our findings using multi-institutional samples and examine drivers of graduate grade inflation to more accurately estimate its magnitude.

Fortification of Daqu with the soy sauce-functional fungus Aspergillus oryzae CICC 2339: investigations into Daqu properties and Baijiu brewing outcomes

Development and validation of a prediction model for long-term cognitive frailty risk in stroke patients based on CHARLS data

Background This study aimed to develop and validate machine learning (ML) models for predicting the risk of cognitive frailty in community-dwelling elderly adults with stroke. Methods This study involved 2,325 stroke survivors from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), conducted between 2018 and 2020. We examined 22 behavioral variables, encompassing indicators from the sociodemographic, physical, psychological, cognitive, and social domains. LASSO regression was employed to identify predictive factors, and eight machine learning models—Logistic Regression, Decision Tree, XGBoost, Support Vector Machine, k-Nearest Neighbors, Naïve Bayes, Random Forest, and LightGBM—were utilized to ascertain the optimal model for predicting cognitive frailty among stroke survivors. SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) values were applied to interpret the contributions of the variables. Results A total of 2,325 stroke patients were included in the study, among whom 688 (29.59%) exhibited symptoms of cognitive frailty. Of the eight models evaluated, XGBoost (AUC = 0.810) and Random Forest (AUC = 0.795) demonstrated the highest predictive performance for stroke-related cognitive frailty. Key predictors identified were education, nutritional status, physical exercise, Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), and age, with corresponding SHAP values of 0.28, 0.18, 0.16, 0.21, and 0.32, respectively. The SHAP values indicated that age and education level are the most significant factors in predicting the risk of cognitive frailty in this population. Conclusion This study developed eight risk prediction models for post-stroke cognitive frailty utilizing machine learning, with the XGBoost algorithm demonstrating superior performance. Leveraging readily available clinical and demographic indicators, the optimized XGBoost model serves as a practical tool for the early screening of cognitive frailty risk among community-dwelling elderly stroke survivors, particularly within primary care settings. This model can aid clinicians in devising targeted intervention strategies to mitigate disease progression and establish a foundation for future prospective studies examining the mechanisms underlying cognitive frailty in stroke populations. Further external validation is necessary to confirm its generalizability across various clinical contexts.

Delay in seeking health facility and associated factors among tuberculosis patients in South Gondar Zone, Ethiopia, mixed methods study

Haemoglobin polymorphism in different blood levels of Ethiopian Zebu x Holstein Friesian crossbred dairy cattle

The present study aimed to investigate the biochemical polymorphism of haemoglobin (Hb) among three different blood levels (50%, 75%, and 87.5%) of Ethiopian Zebu x Holstein Friesian (HF) crosses at three milkshed locations by using horizontal agarose gel electrophoresis. To this effect, 117 crossbred lactating cows (39 cows per location namely Shashemene, Hawassa, and Dilla) were used. In each location, thirteen crossbred dairy cows were sampled from each blood level. The red blood cells were separated, washed and lysed following standard procedures. Then, the haemoglobin was typed using gel electrophoresis. The results indicated that the allelic frequencies of 0.89 and 0.11 for Hb A and Hb B , respectively. The corresponding genotype frequencies were 0.84, 0.11, and 0.05 for Hb AA , Hb AB , and Hb BB in the tested population, respectively. The Chi-square test revealed that the sampled population was not under Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The level of heterozygosity ranged from 0.03 in HF87.5% to 0.18 in HF50% in the studied milkshed dairy cows. The inbreeding coefficient (FIS) calculated for each subpopulation and then pooled across subpopulations, yielded values of 0.38 for blood-level groups and 0.41 for location-based groups, indicating substantial inbreeding within subpopulations. Although the Genetic differentiation (FST) value among subpopulations for blood level was numerically higher (0.06) than FST values for location (0.01), yet both estimates fall within the range typically interpreted as very low differentiation. In conclusion, the various genetic diversity measures and fixation indices revealed the existence of a reduced genetic diversity in the studied population at the biochemical level, which can be serve as foundational information to examine the breeding program for the crossbred dairy cattle in the studied milkshed.

Radiofrequency radiation-induced changes in Leydig cell function

Mapping the evidence on post-intensive care syndrome in paediatric populations: A scoping review protocol

Objective This scoping review aims to comprehensively map the primary literature on post-intensive care syndrome in paediatric populations (PICS-p), across all recognised PICS-p domains, with a focus on diagnostic methodologies, preventive and therapeutic interventions, and reported post-ICU outcomes among children aged 1 month–18 years. Introduction Post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) encompasses new or worsening physical, cognitive, psychological, or social impairments emerging after critical illness. While extensively studied in adults, its paediatric counterpart, PICS-p, remains under-recognised and inconsistently characterised. Children surviving paediatric intensive care may face long-term functional limitations, developmental challenges, and psychosocial difficulties, with substantial implications for families and caregivers. Existing evidence is fragmented across diverse clinical contexts, age groups, and outcome measures, and no comprehensive synthesis has mapped how PICS-p is assessed, managed, or monitored. A structured overview is needed to clarify current practice, highlight gaps, and inform future research and clinical pathways. Inclusion criteria We will include primary clinical studies involving paediatric patients aged 1 month–18 years who have survived admission to a paediatric or specialised intensive care unit. Eligible studies may evaluate diagnostic or screening tools, preventive or therapeutic interventions, or longitudinal outcomes related to PICS-p. Studies including mixed-age populations will be incorporated only when paediatric data are reported separately or can be disaggregated. Grey literature reporting primary clinical data will be included. Exclusions apply to neonatal-only cohorts, adult-only studies, abstract-only publications, non-clinical reports, and studies focusing solely on in-ICU outcomes without post-discharge assessment. Only English-language studies published from 1 January 2000 onward will be considered. Methods Following PRISMA-ScR and Joanna Briggs Institute guidance, this scoping review will conduct systematic searches across PubMed, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, ProQuest, CINAHL, medRxiv, and major clinical trial registries. Searches will be limited to English-language studies published from 1 January 2000 to the date of search. All records will be deduplicated in Zotero, and title/abstract and full-text screening will be performed independently by two reviewers using Rayyan, with discrepancies resolved by consensus or adjudication by a third independent reviewer. Data will be charted using a structured Microsoft Excel form and synthesised descriptively in tables and narrative summaries.