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Afuresertib plus fulvestrant for pretreated HR-positive, HER2-negative, advanced breast cancer: a phase Ib trial
A new anti-soiling approach based on oleic acid-modified Al₂O₃ nanocoatings for photovoltaic panels
Strong magnon–photon coupling enhanced by photonic lattice flat-bands
Randomised control trial on the sustained carry-over effects of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy for the treatment of Achilles tendinopathy
Abstract Achilles tendinopathy is a common musculoskeletal condition characterised by pain and functional impairment. Current treatments, such as eccentric exercises, are recommended as first-line options, but their success rates are often disappointing. Adjunctive novel treatments may help improve outcomes for these patients. This study aims to determine whether participants receiving active pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy combined with eccentric exercise experience sustained additional improvements compared to those receiving sham PEMF therapy combined with eccentric exercise. A total of 65 participants were recruited and randomly assigned to an 8-week programme of either active PEMF therapy or sham PEMF therapy. Additionally, all participants completed a standardised home-based eccentric exercise programme for 12 weeks. The Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment questionnaire was the primary outcome. The Numeric Pain Rating Scale and the Short Form 36 were selected as the secondary outcomes. An eight-week PEMF therapy, conducted alongside a twelve-week eccentric exercise regimen, resulted in notable improvements for both treatment groups across all outcomes. These improvements were maintained at the twenty-six-week follow-up. PEMF therapy constitutes an innovative, non-invasive therapeutic approach that shows potential for treating Achilles tendinopathy. Additional research into the optimal dosage of PEMF therapy is recommended to develop thorough future clinical trials. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05316961). Registered on 7th April 2022. Protocol Registration: The study protocol was published in Trials ( https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-023-07434-6 ).
Maternal and demographic factors influencing oral Candida albicans in infants: A stratified analysis using a novel partial linear semiparametric mixed-effects model
Candida albicans , a pathogenic fungus implicated in early childhood caries (ECC), plays a crucial role in oral health. While its colonization usually begins at birth, the extent of maternal involvement in yeast transmission to their offspring, particularly across different racial groups, remains unclear. Studies have shown elevated levels of C. albicans in both mothers and children, with genetically related fungal strains, suggesting maternal transmission, but the racial component, notably higher levels in Black children, lacks thorough investigation of underlying factors. Our research aimed to address this gap by investigating how maternal and demographic factors such as socioeconomic status and oral health affect C. albicans levels in infants across Black and non-Black populations. Employing a partial linear semiparametric mixed-effects model (PLSMM) with variable selection and race-based stratification, we identified predictors that have different effects depending on the infant’s race among a large pool of predictors. Through this stratified analysis, we aimed to discern crucial factors significantly contributing to C. albicans colonization while minimizing the impact of irrelevant or redundant variables. In this stratified analysis, exclusive breastfeeding ( β = − 1.06 , p < 0.0001 ) and maternal marriage ( β = − 1.09 , p = 0.01 ) were significant predictors among non-Black infants, while maternal employment ( β = − 1.55 , p = 0.03 ) and post-delivery maternal C. albicans ( β = 1.66 , p = 0.049 ) were significant among Black infants. Our findings highlighted race-specific associations between C. albicans levels in children and factors such as breastfeeding practices, marital status, maternal oral hygiene, and maternal C. albicans levels. Our study underscores the importance of race-specific considerations in understanding C. albicans colonization in infants, offering insights for tailored interventions and healthcare strategies, particularly for vulnerable populations.
FCHo2, not talin, enables inside-out activation of integrin ɑvβ5 in curved adhesions
Multi-modal and multi-agent reinforcement learning framework for urban traffic flow prediction and signal control optimization
Effect of race and sex on lupus diagnosis in primary care: A randomized factorial survey study
Background Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a heterogeneous autoimmune rheumatic disease whose epidemiology and clinical prognosis vary by race and sex. Observed disparities in SLE may be partly attributable to cognitive processes in clinical decision-making, which can influence diagnostic accuracy and clinical management. We aimed to examine variation in primary care physicians’ (PCP) diagnosis and management of SLE when all content of a clinical case is identical, apart from race and sex. Methods We distributed an online randomized factorial survey from 04/11/2024–06/10/2024 to PCPs across the US. Participants were presented with one of four possible SLE vignettes – Black female, White female, Black male, White male – for which all other clinical content was identical. Block randomization was used to randomly modify the race (Black/White) and sex (female/male) of the SLE “case”. Primary outcomes were correct text-based responses for SLE diagnosis at initial case presentation and after reviewing additional lab results. Secondary outcomes were participants’ review time and planned next steps (treatment, referral, tests) as a proxy for cognitive bias and certainty, respectively. We calculated descriptive statistics for all outcomes stratified by assigned randomized factor and used chi-square tests to evaluate between-group differences. Results 1031 PCPs (42.7% women, mean age 52.1 ± 12.1 years) completed the case. At initial presentation, 63.9% of participants correctly identified SLE as a differential diagnosis. An initial diagnosis of SLE significantly differed by the race and sex of the case (p < 0.001), with the highest proportion of correct diagnoses occurring for Black female cases (72.2%) and lowest for White male cases (55.3%). Median review time for correct initial diagnoses was longest for White male cases (175 s). After participants reviewed lab results, the overall proportion assigning a final diagnosis of SLE (63.9%) remained unchanged from the initial diagnosis. Conclusion A patient’s race and sex may influence diagnostic accuracy and clinical decision-making for SLE in primary care. The observed variation in diagnostic accuracy, which aligns with the descriptive epidemiology of SLE, highlights the need for targeted interventions to ensure equitable diagnostic processes.
Molecular basis of collagen galactosylation by GLT25D1
Next-generation compact antenna for robust defense and CubeSat communication
Abstract The article presents a miniaturized ultra-wideband (UWB) antenna tailored for modern defense and small satellite communication requirements. Designed and optimized using CST Microwave Studio, the antenna delivers superior electromagnetic performance across both Sub-6 GHz and millimeter-wave frequency ranges. Realized on an FR4 substrate with overall dimensions of 10 × 12 × 1.5 mm³, the prototype achieves an impressive operating bandwidth of 3.4–14 GHz, equivalent to an impedance bandwidth of 121.8%. The measured results highlight a peak gain of 4.56 dBi, a return loss of -28 dB, and a radiation efficiency of 82.9%, ensuring reliable performance over a broad spectrum. With an electrical size of 0.113λ × 0.136λ × 0.017λ, the proposed design demonstrates remarkable compactness while maintaining stable radiation patterns and high efficiency. These characteristics make the antenna a strong candidate for resilient, interference-resistant, and high-performance applications in defense systems and CubeSat missions.
Transmission matrix of a multimode fiber: In-line vs off-axis holography
Multimode fibers (MMFs) hold great promise for a variety of imaging applications. However, controlling the complex propagation of light through thousands of modes in MMFs remains a challenging task. To enable precise wavefront control, the MMF transmission matrix (TM) must be accurately measured. In this paper, we compare in-line and off-axis holography as phase retrieval techniques for TM measurement within a single optical setup. The quality of wavefront shaping is analyzed for different target shapes, including single-mode and complex free-form projections. Our findings reveal a trade-off in wavefront shaping: while in-line holography achieves superior focus quality for single-mode targets, off-axis holography excels in projecting complex-shaped targets. These experimental findings provide a basis for choosing and optimizing holographic techniques in MMF-based imaging setups.
Enhanced meropenem activity by a microbiome derived peptide targeting oxacillinase 48 carbapenemase in carbapenem resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates
IL-22 inhibits ferroptosis and attenuates ischemia-reperfusion-induced acute kidney injury: Association with activation of the P62-Keap1-Nrf2 signaling pathway
Acute kidney injury (AKI) remains a major clinical challenge due to its high morbidity and mortality, with ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) as one of its primary causes. Severe IRI-associated AKI (IRI-AKI) can progress to irreversible renal failure, yet no effective therapies are currently available. Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent regulated cell death, has recently been implicated in the pathogenesis of IRI-AKI. Moreover, IL-22 may alleviate AKI by modulating the ferroptosis process through regulation of the P62-Keap1-Nrf2 signaling axis. In this study, we examined the protective role of the immune cytokine interleukin-22 (IL-22) in IRI-AKI and its mechanistic association with ferroptosis. Using a murine IRI model and an HK-2 cell hypoxia/reoxygenation system, we systematically assessed the impact of IL-22 treatment. IL-22 administration significantly enhanced renal function, reduced histological injury, and limited both reactive oxygen species accumulation and ferroptotic cell death. Further mechanistic studies demonstrated that IL-22 suppresses ferroptosis in vitro through an Nrf2-dependent mechanism and is associated with activation of the P62-Keap1-Nrf2 signaling pathway. These findings offer experimental evidence supporting IL-22 as a potential therapy for IRI-AKI and highlight ferroptosis modulation as a promising therapeutic strategy.
A real-world, multicentre, epidemiological study in Czech and Slovak adults with spinal muscular atrophy treated with risdiplam
Bronze Age non-elite mobility in Denmark examined through a new human-based bioavailable strontium isotope range
Strontium isotope analysis is now a key method for investigating ancient human mobility, leading to a rapid expansion of available ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr datasets. Owing to the relatively homogeneous surface geological conditions across present-day Denmark (excluding Bornholm) and the growing number of regional datasets, it is now possible to construct statistically defined ranges of bioavailable strontium directly from archaeological human data. In this study, we compile 513 published strontium isotope values from tooth enamel and pars petrosa of individuals recovered from archaeological sites across present-day Denmark and add 115 new values. Using the Median Absolute Deviation (MAD) method to identify outliers in this comprehensive and diachronic database of 628 human ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios, we define the first statistically constrained, human-based range of bioavailable strontium isotope values for Denmark to ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr = 0.7089–0.7117. We interpret this range as representing typical bioavailable strontium signatures in prehistoric Denmark. We then apply it, for the first time, as one of the reference frameworks for investigating the mobility of non-elite individuals from the Nordic Bronze Age in present-day Denmark. In total, we conducted 34 strontium isotope analyses on individuals from two sites: fourteen analyses from six inhumations at Kalvehavegård on Funen, and twenty analyses from cremated individuals at Sølager on Zealand. We compare the individuals’ strontium isotope values both to established baselines relevant for past mobility studies and to the new human-based range defined in this study. The results indicate that mobility during the Nordic Bronze Age was not restricted to elite social groups but also encompassed some non-elite individuals, offering new insights into social dynamics during this formative period of European prehistory. Moreover, the new strontium dataset presented here represents the first accessible, country-wide compilation of human-derived Sr data for Denmark, providing a robust platform for future comparative studies and mobility research in the region.
Spatiotemporal dynamics of land use transition impacts on carbon emissions in the pearl river delta
Development of niosomal nanoparticles loaded with cisplatin and vorinostat combination for cancer therapy
Cisplatin (CIS) remains a cornerstone of chemotherapy but is limited by resistance and systemic toxicity. Combining DNA-damaging agents with epigenetic modulators such as vorinostat (VOR) offers a promising strategy to enhance efficacy. However, the co-delivery of these drugs is challenging due to their distinct physicochemical properties. The aim was to develop and characterize niosomal nanoparticles co-loaded with CIS and VOR (NIO-CIS-VOR) and to assess their physicochemical characteristics and in vitro anticancer activity. Niosomes were prepared using ethanol injection, with CIS entrapped in the aqueous core and VOR in the lipid bilayer. Characterization included particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), and zeta potential by DLS, morphology by TEM, and encapsulation confirmation by FTIR. Encapsulation efficiency (EE%) and drug release were determined by HPLC. Cytotoxicity, caspase-3/7 activation, colony formation, and wound healing assays were conducted in HT-29, A549, and PANC-1 cancer cell lines. Optimized NIO-CIS-VOR nanoparticles exhibited a mean diameter of 152.7 nm, PDI of 0.12, and zeta potential of –9.79 mV, with spherical morphology. Encapsulation efficiency of NIO-CIS-VOR reached 89.3% for CIS and 52.1% for VOR. The formulation showed sustained release over 72 h, with cumulative release of 62% (CIS) and 38% (VOR) at 6 h. Cytotoxicity assays demonstrated markedly reduced IC50 values for NIO-CIS-VOR compared with free drugs: 1.8 µM vs. 4.47 µM (CIS) and 3.4 µM (VOR) in HT-29; 0.95 µM vs. 3.8 µM and 3.1 µM in A549; and 2.37 µM vs. 13.9 µM and 3.66 µM in PANC-1. Enhanced apoptosis and reduced colony formation further confirmed superior anticancer activity.In Conclusion the Co-loaded niosomes achieved efficient co-delivery, sustained release, and synergistic anticancer effects, highlighting NIO-CIS-VOR as a promising nanocarrier for combination cancer therapy.
A temperature- and impedance-aware LSTM–PINN framework for physically consistent battery SOH prediction
Identification of antimicrobial compounds in Dipsacus inermis via phytochemical profiling, in vitro assessment, and advanced computational techniques
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a major challenge in treating infections such as pneumonia and typhoid fever, necessitating novel therapeutics. Plant-derived natural products provide a promising alternative. This study evaluated dichloromethane (DCM) and methanol (MeOH) extracts of Dipsacus inermis against six bacterial strains: Staphylococcus aureus , Bacillus subtilis , Escherichia coli , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Salmonella typhi , and Enterobacter aerogenes . Antibacterial activity was assessed following standardized CLSI guidelines for both zone of inhibition (ZOI) and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assays. The DCM extract demonstrated superior activity, with ZOI values of 17.87 ± 0.23 mm ( S. aureus and E. aerogenes ) and 16.83 ± 0.29 mm ( S. typhi ), and MICs of 1.562 mg/mL ( B. subtilis and E. aerogenes ) and 12.5 mg/mL ( S. aureus , S. typhi , E. coli , and P. aeruginosa ). One-way ANOVA followed by pairwise post-hoc comparisons confirmed significant differences among extract concentrations and relative to the reference control, highlighting dose-dependent potency. GC-MS and HPLC analyses identified multiple bioactive compounds, primarily terpenoids and steroids. All identified compounds were subjected to in silico studies against DNA gyrase B, tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase, PBP2X, PBP4, and DHFR. Compounds DI10 and DI31 emerged as potent multi-target leads, while DI22 exhibited selective activity against PBP4. ADMET profiling indicated favorable pharmacokinetics, high intestinal absorption, and minimal toxicity risks. DFT and MESP analyses revealed electronic features and reactive sites critical for ligand-protein interactions. Molecular dynamics simulations confirmed stable protein-ligand complexes, with RMSD stabilizing at 1.5-2.5 Å, compact conformations (Rg: 16.3-21.6 Å), persistent hydrogen bonds, and favorable binding free energies (−45 to −52 kcal/mol) via MM-PBSA. These integrated in vitro and in silico findings indicate that DCM-derived compounds, particularly DI10 and DI31, are primarily responsible for the observed antibacterial activity and represent promising candidates for antimicrobial drug development.