Browse Articles

Experiencing awe in daily life is linked to lower loneliness

Abstract Loneliness affects 55% of healthcare workers, putting them at risk for health problems. These include mental health issues (e.g., depression and anxiety) and physical ailments (e.g., inflammation, heart disease, and increased substance abuse). Despite the well-established link between loneliness and health, research on healthcare workers’ experiences of loneliness remains limited. To address this gap, we conducted a 22-day daily diary study to test whether daily awe predicts reduced loneliness in healthcare workers. Our within-person analyses showed that participants who experienced more awe than usual reported less loneliness on the same day. Notably, this association remained significant after controlling for other positive emotions known to benefit well-being and was replicated in a community sample. Further analysis showed that the sense of connectedness, central to awe, accounted for the link between awe and loneliness in both samples. These findings suggest that moments of awe can be an antidote to loneliness and its health costs.

Role of the ABCG2 transporter in the biodistribution of the food-borne uremic toxin p-cresyl sulfate

Intranasal insulin ameliorates prenatal LPS-induced learning and memory impairments in adolescent male rats: A behavioral, electrophysiological, and molecular study

Exploring the impact of the innovative compound 3-(3-(4-hydroxy-2-oxo-2H-chromen-3-yl)-5-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl) indolin-2-one on accelerating wound recovery

Abstract Wound healing represents a significant challenge within the field of medical science. Contemporary clinical practices increasingly favor the utilization of herbal compounds to facilitate the repair process. Among these compounds, coumarin-a phytochemical noted for its antibacterial and wound-healing properties-has garnered considerable attention. This study investigates the potential advantages of incorporating coumarin into wound dressings within an experimental model. Our synthesized target compound 3-(3-(4-hydroxy-2-oxo-2 H -chromen-3-yl)-5-(pyridin-3-yl)-1 H -pyrazol-1-yl) indolin-2-one ( CPPI ) demonstrated notable antimicrobial activity against the pathogenic Staphylococcus aureus MRSA, Bacillus cereus , and Pseudomonas aeruginosa . Moreover, both in vitro and in vivo experiments showed that CPPI significantly enhanced the migration of skin fibroblast cells and promoted the wound healing process. Furthermore, it facilitated complete re-epithelialization of the wounds. Histological analysis revealed the formation of well-structured granulation tissue and a reduction in indicators of wound infection, evidenced by a minimal presence of inflammatory cells in comparison to untreated wounds. Additionally, in silico molecular docking studies of CPPI indicated significant binding affinity within COX-2 active site along with a stable complex during molecular dynamics simulations. Collectively, the findings of this study suggest that CPPI can provide a protective effect against infections in cutaneous wounds, attributable to its antimicrobial properties.

Association between LDL-R (exon 8 C.1171 G > A) polymorphisms and response to antiviral therapy in hepatitis C virus infection

Abstract The entry of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) into liver cells is closely associated with its interaction with the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDL-R), which plays a crucial role in facilitating viral uptake. This study aimed to investigate the association between the LDL-R (exon 8 C.1171 G/A) gene polymorphism and response to antiviral therapy in patients infected with HCV. Participants were divided into three groups. Group I included 30 patients positive for both anti-HCV antibodies and HCV-RNA who did not respond to antiviral therapy. Group II consisted of 60 patients positive for anti-HCV but negative for HCV-RNA, indicating successful treatment response. and Group III comprised 50 healthy individuals negative for both anti-HCV antibodies and HCV-RNA, serving as controls. Diagnostic assessments included reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and standard biochemical tests. Genotyping for LDL-R (exon 8 C.1171 G/A) polymorphisms was conducted using allele-specific PCR on patients from both the responder and non-responder groups. Of the 376 infected patients receiving antiviral therapy, 345 (91.8%) exhibited a positive response to treatment, whereas 31 (8.2%) did not. A total of 90 patients (60 responders and 30 non-responders) were included for genotypic analysis. Among responders, the A/A genotype of LDL-R (exon 8 C.1171 G > A) was the most prevalent (61.7%), whereas the G/G genotype was predominant among non-responders (76.7%). Genotyping analysis demonstrated that hepatitis C virus genotype 4 was the most common, being detected in all 20 responders and in 10 of 20 non-responders. These findings indicate a significant association between LDL-R (exon 8 C.1171 G/A) genetic variants and the response to antiviral therapy in Egyptian patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Iron biofortification as a promising strategy to improve productivity and nutritional value of Arthrospira platensis (spirulina)

Abstract Arthrospira platensis (spirulina) is widely recognized as a nutrient-dense cyanobacterium. The present study is aimed at investigating the role of iron biofortification on the productivity and nutritional value of the biomass. The cyanobacterium was grown in the Zarrouk’s medium supplemented with certain iron concentrations (2, 8, 16, 32, and 64 mg L − 1 ). The biomass growth was assessed by measuring specific growth rate and yield and then analyzed for iron uptake, protein, carbohydrates, fatty acids, phycobiliproteins, and phenolics by different assays using UV/Vis spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Increasing iron levels in the media resulted in higher growth rate, biomass density, protein, carbohydrates, and reactive oxygen species. We only observed significant changes in fatty acids, phycobiliproteins, and phenolics at iron levels > 16 mg L − 1 . The highest unsaturated fatty acids and phycocyanin were observed at the moderate iron levels (~ 32 mg L − 1 ); while higher values increased phenolics, particularly benzoic and gallic acids (~ 2.5- to 7-fold). The moderate iron level is critical to increase biomass productivity, unsaturated fatty acids, and phycobiliproteins, to control anti-nutritional phenolics, and to minimize iron-induced oxidative stress.

Numerical simulation study on the cooperative movement of overburden and fracture healing mechanisms in shallow-buried coal seams

Enhancing strawberry maturity assessment using mid-infrared spectral analysis with advanced variable selection and supervised classification

Cannabidiol mitigates secondary genital injury after thoracic trauma by regulating systemic inflammation and hormone receptor signaling

Reconstitution of DNA fragments on HAC/MAC via the fragment-assembly system

Development of a UPLC-MS/MS method and its application for the pharmacokinetic analysis of regorafenib in rats

Guidance and absorption of internal energy in Vivaldi antennas using multiple slots, full-band dividers, metamaterials, and distributed resistors

Abstract In traveling-wave planar-technology antennas, only a certain portion of excitation energy contributes to expected radiation. The remaining significant portion, referred to as residual electromagnetic (EM) energy, has negative effects on overall antenna performance. A systematic design methodology to mitigate such degradation is presented in this paper. The design approach is based on an analysis of structural scattering and radiation mechanism, supported by near-field and partition far-field characterizations. The design process involves the arrangement of primary antenna scattering sections into a form of multi antipodal Vivaldi slots; the identification of desired and undesired EM flows of internal EM energy; the adjustment of radiation flows using inhomogeneous metamaterial structures; and the guidance and absorption of residual energy through dissipation paths with distributed resistors. The effectiveness of the method is demonstrated by the high-gain and wideband antenna performance. Additionally, novel full-band power dividers are proposed to efficiently feed both individual antenna and array.

From graph theory to chemoinformatics: modified bond-based indices and a hypothesis-driven multi-task QSAR/QSPR benchmark

Biointegration of a partially decellularized tracheal scaffold in a porcine model - preliminary results

Abstract Some pediatric tracheal pathologies remain therapeutic dead ends for which current palliative strategies are fraught with serious complications. With the aim of a tracheal replacement, our team has previously developed and patented a clinical grade partially decellularized trachea (PDT) from porcine tracheas. The aim of this work was to study and compare the biointegration mechanisms of this PDT in vivo , in a pig cervical muscle, with or without immunosuppressant. The secondary objective was to evaluate the optimal maturation time of the PDT in this heterotopic position. In total, 11 female Large White/Landrace pigs, weighing between 50 and 70 kg were included in this study. The mean age of the animals at the implantation was 4.8 months. The PDTs were implanted in a cervical muscle of pigs for either 28 days, with or without cyclosporin A treatment, or for 56 days without immunosuppression. Histological evaluation showed very good PDT biointegration, characterized by neovascularization and fibroblast colonization, and no detectabale infection. Additionally, tissue and blood analyses showed no signs of graft rejection or surrounding tissue necrosis. Immunosuppression did not show any superiority in terms of biointegration after 28 days of treatment. After 56 days of implantation, a more significant degradation of the cartilage. Therefore, the optimal condition for PDT maturation proved to be 28 days, without immunosuppression.

Depression risk after cochlear implantation compared with other rehabilitation strategies in severe hearing loss: a nationwide cohort study

In ovo sexing and genotyping using PCR techniques: a contribution to the 3R principles in chicken breeding

Abstract Early sex determination and genotyping of chicken embryos is crucial for ethical and resource-efficient animal research. We developed a reproducible workflow using whole genome amplification combined (WGA) with Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR (KASP) and standard endpoint PCR to perform in ovo sexing and genotyping from embryonic day 4 (ED4) to ED10. Across four study phases involving various chicken lines—including a genetically modified line, Araucana crossbreeds, and commercial layers (total n  = 819)—we evaluated methodological feasibility, accuracy, and hatchability. Both PCR methods demonstrated high success rates in yielding results (70–100%) and high identification accuracy (92–100%) throughout all developmental stages tested. While the overall efficiency improved with embryonic age, ED7 was identified as the optimal time point to balance reliable sampling with high hatchability. We conclude that this laboratory-scale, PCR-based protocol provides an accessible and precise method for research laboratories to identify sex and genotype simultaneously. This approach directly supports the 3R principles by preventing the hatching of surplus animals before the assumed onset of nociception (ED13).

Prevalence of stroke high-risk population and its associated factors in Neijiang

Multivariate analysis of Ixiolirion tataricum (Pall.) Schult. & Schult.f. based on morphological characteristics

Route optimization in urban waste management using locally adjusted discrete cuckoo search: a hybrid metaheuristic approach

Automated assessment of technological and financial drivers of greenhouse gas reduction in sustainable renewable energy systems

Abstract This study analyzes the capacity of renewable energy facilities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions using feature-based analysis approaches. The main goal is to identify the technological, economic, and environmental elements that most substantially influence emission reduction, serving as a basis for strategic planning and policy development. The dataset includes multiple renewable energy sources and financial variables. Predictive modeling was conducted via CatBoost Regression (CAT R) and Random Forest Regression (RFR), along with hybrid optimization via Transit Search Optimization (TSP) and Arithmetic Optimization Algorithm (AOA). Among the assessed configurations, the CAAO configuration not only achieved the highest predictive performance but also converged faster, demonstrating computational efficiency advantageous for real-time and large-scale energy planning. Feature analysis utilizing SHAP values, K-fold cross-validation, and sensitivity evaluation via the FAST method revealed that energy storage efficiency is the predominant factor, followed by financial incentives, underscoring the significance of both technological and economic aspects in emission reduction strategies. These findings offer an initial investigation and pragmatic suggestions rather than conclusive determinations. The findings indicate that feature-oriented assessments, when integrated with sophisticated predictive modeling, may substantially improve renewable energy planning and facilitate the formulation of context-specific, low-carbon policies. Importantly, by jointly employing variance-based global sensitivity analysis (FAST) and explainable machine learning (SHAP), the study reconciles an apparent discrepancy between structural system drivers (e.g., energy storage capacity) and predictive policy drivers (e.g., financial incentives). This dual-perspective analysis demonstrates that while storage dominates the physical response of emission reduction, incentive mechanisms primarily govern short-term predictive variability, offering a nuanced interpretability framework rarely achieved by single-method studies.