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Correction: Transition rates to schizophrenia and early intervention effectiveness in substance-induced and brief psychotic disorders: a randomized controlled trial

Bioimpedance-assessed volume overload predicts interdialytic hypertension and disrupted circadian blood pressure rhythm in maintenance hemodialysis patients

Objective Hypertension and abnormal circadian blood pressure (BP) rhythm are prevalent in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients, and are closely associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and increased all-cause mortality. Volume overload represents a critical factor in effectively controlling hypertension. Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) has been validated as an accurate method for assessing volume status. This study aimed to investigate the predictive value of BIA-derived volume indicators for hypertension and circadian BP rhythm abnormalities in MHD patients, providing a theoretical basis for optimizing volume control and BP management. Methods We used body composition monitor to assess pre-dialysis volume status and employed 44-hour interdialytic ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) to obtain BP parameters. Comparative analyses were conducted between controlled vs. uncontrolled ABPM groups, and normal vs. abnormal circadian BP rhythm groups. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify correlations and independent predictors, with receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves determining optimal predictive cut-off values. Results Patients in the uncontrolled ABPM group exhibited higher levels of intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), post-dialysis serum creatinine (Post-HD Scr), post-dialysis urea nitrogen (Post-HD BUN), overhydration (OH), extracellular water (ECW), body surface area-adjusted ECW (ECW/BSA), ECW to total body water ratio (ECW/TBW) and ECW to intracellular water ratio (ECW/ICW), but lower Kt/V and URR. The abnormal circadian BP rhythm group showed higher iPTH, OH, ECW, ECW/BSA and ECW/ICW. Significant correlations were observed: 44h SBP correlated positively with iPTH, OH, ECW/TBW, ECW/ICW, and negatively with Kt/V, URR; 44h DBP correlated positively with iPTH and OH; nocturnal systolic BP decline rate (NSDP) showed negative correlations with iPTH, OH. Multivariate logistic analysis identified OH > 2.35L, ECW/ICW > 0.945 and iPTH > 240.6 pg/ml as independent predictors for hypertension, while OH > 1.55L and iPTH > 203.75 pg/mL predicted abnormal circadian BP rhythm (all p  < 0.05). Conclusion BIA-derived indicators of volume overload, particularly OH and ECW/ICW, can guide ABPM management in MHD patients and improve long-term outcomes.

Author Correction: Divalent anion-driven framework regulation in Zr-based halide solid electrolytes for all-solid-state batteries

Design, optimization and controllability analysis of an improved sulfur recovery unit based on SuperClaus process

From awareness to action: Health Belief Model-based educational intervention to improve breast self-examination practice among college teachers in Pakistan (CRCT)

Background Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy among women globally, with Pakistan showing similar trends. Teachers, especially female college teachers, are influential in health promotion. This study assessed the effectiveness of a Health Belief Model (HBM)-based educational intervention in improving breast self-examination (BSE) knowledge, beliefs, and practices. Methodology A parallel cluster-randomized controlled trial was conducted among 114 female teachers from four colleges in Hyderabad, Pakistan, with colleges as the unit of randomization. The intervention group received multimedia presentations, survivor testimonials, pamphlets, breast models, gamified quizzes, and reminders, while the control group was offered the session after study completion. Data was collected at baseline, 1-month, and 3-month follow-ups using validated Urdu questionnaires. Analyses included descriptive statistics, bivariate tests, and Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE), using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 29. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Baseline characteristics were comparable across groups. Following the intervention, BSE practice improved significantly in the intervention group. At 1 month, participants were 5.7 times more likely to practice BSE (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 5.724, p < 0.001), rising to 26.5 times at 3 months (AOR = 26.500, p < 0.001). Knowledge scores also increased significantly (p < 0.001). Significant between-group differences were observed in perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers, self-efficacy, and cues to action (all p ≤ 0.001). Conclusion HBM-based intervention effectively enhanced BSE knowledge, beliefs, and practices while reducing barriers. Findings emphasize the value of structured educational interventions in promoting preventive health behaviors among female educators.

An X-ray-emitting protocluster at z ≈ 5.7 reveals rapid structure growth

Ultra-fast self-gelling self-expanding self-propelling high-adhesion procoagulant hemostatic powder for non-compressible hemorrhage hemostasis in pigs

Author Correction: ZDHHC9 promotes osteosarcoma progression via KRAS-associated enhancement of the RAS/MAPK signaling pathway

Retrospective analysis of neurofilament-light chain in patients with inflammatory bowel disease – A pilot study

Background Chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, encompassing Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, are characterized by persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. While traditionally regarded as confined to the gut, the systemic nature of inflammatory bowel disease has been increasingly recognized. The nervous system has garnered particular attention due to molecular and clinical evidence suggesting a potential interplay between inflammatory bowel disease and neurodegenerative diseases. Inflammatory bowel disease patients have a higher risk of developing neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, all-cause dementia, and multiple sclerosis. Still, causative molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. Neurofilament light chain (NfL) has been established as a disease-independent biomarker of axonal damage reflecting neurodegeneration. Methods In this pilot study, we assessed molecular evidence of neurodegeneration by measuring serum NfL in a single-molecule array using the HD-X SIMOA platform (Quanterix, MA, USA) and employing correlation with clinical data in forty-nine patients with histopathologically confirmed inflammatory bowel disease. In total, 24 Crohn’s disease patients, 25 ulcerative colitis patients, and 23 controls, aged 18–79 years, were included. Results We found an age-dependency of serological NfL levels, however, no apparent differences between disease groups and controls. Crohn’s disease patients showed a slower age-dependent incline in serological NfL compared to control subjects (p = 0.03). No correlation of NfL with disease duration, disease severity, or inflammatory bowel disease treatment was found. Conclusions A slower age-dependent increase in serological NfL levels was found in Crohn’s disease patients compared to control subjects. Larger studies assessing additional markers of neurodegeneration may be instrumental in addressing this question in the future.

Estimation and mapping of the missing heritability of human phenotypes

Prenatal Zika virus exposure disrupts social-emotional development and cortical visual function in infant macaques

Optimization of parameters for electro Fenton degradation of anion resin by response surface methodology

Association between uric acid and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with hypertension

Serum uric acid (UA) is linked to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but its role in hypertensive populations remains unclear. This cross-sectional study investigated their association in 1,058 patients with hypertension. Multivariate logistic regression analysis confirmed that UA was independently correlated with NAFLD, whether as a continuous variable or a categorical variable. According to the fully adjusted model, the risk of NAFLD increased by 0.2%, 347.2% and 91.7% for each unit increase in UA, Log 10 UA and LnUA, respectively (P < 0.05). Multivariate stratified analysis revealed that UA increased the risk of NAFLD in specific subgroups, including males, individuals aged 70–79 years, non-smokers, those without diabetes, and obese individuals (P < 0.05). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis indicated that UA could not only predict the occurrence of NAFLD but also improve the predictive value of the baseline model for NAFLD (UA, AUC: 0.588; baseline model, AUC: 0.770; baseline model + UA, AUC: 0.772). In conclusion, UA is significantly associated with NAFLD in patients with hypertension and may serve as a predictive risk indicator.

Act now to clean up air

IFITM3 deficiency drives SARS-CoV-2 adaptation while preserving variant-specific traits

Swimming is superior to running in inducing physiological cardiac hypertrophy and enhancing myocardial performance

Factors contributing to Korean road accidents based on insurance records

This study aims to identify the key factors contributing to the severity of road accidents in Korea, analyzing more than 3,000 motor vehicle insurance records using the generalized ordered logit model (GOLogit). The model addresses the limitations of the parallel regression assumption, which ignores the differences between adjacent discrete levels of injury severity. The variable “Vehicle type (including pedestrian) with less liability”, which has been rarely examined in previous studies, demonstrated that individuals in the less responsible and more vulnerable position tend to suffer more severe injuries in South Korea. Consistent with this, the GOLogit estimates showed particularly high log-odds for severe injuries among pedestrians (4.912) and non-motorized cyclists (4.746), while speed-limit violations substantially increased the likelihood of fatal outcomes (2.456). In contrast, population density exhibited a protective effect, reducing injury severity (scaled log-odds = −1.055). This pattern is similar to broader societal trends, where economically disadvantaged regions tend to experience more severe traffic-related injuries. Specific road structures, such as the traditional right-angled crossroads, access roads to arterial roads, speedbumps on curved roads, and junctions between motor vehicle roads and sidewalks, pose significant safety challenges. Based on these findings, government policies on road safety should emphasize lowering the speed limits in residential areas, expanding the implementation of international pedestrian protection safety standards, and investing equitably in the safety of poor, low-population-density regions and older adults.

Electroacoustic alignment of robust and highly piezoelectric nylon-11 films

Model for the description of interactions between ellagitannins and Fe(II) ions

Optimization of a natural fermentative medium for submerged mycelial culture of Ganoderma lucidum and the nutritional and bioactive composition of the cultured food-grade mycelia

Ganoderma lucidum is a famous traditional Chinese medicinal fungus with health-promoting and pharmacological properties. The present study aimed to provide a liquid medium for G . lucidum submerged fermentation suitable for safely utilizing the mycelia and broth and as a solution to potentially improve the process’ economy. For this, a natural medium was formulated and optimized. The nutritional and bioactive composition of the mycelia cultivated in the optimized medium and a nutrient-rich (NR) medium were also determined. The one-variable-at-a-time experiments indicated that among various tested carbon sources, sucrose was favorable for mycelial growth. The supplementation of corn flour in the medium promoted mycelial growth and its optimal level was 7.0 g/L. A further study by response surface methodology obtained an optimal medium comprising of 300 g/L potato (use its extract), 25 g/L sucrose, and 7.5 g/L corn flour. Using the optimized medium, the mycelial yield reached 7.51 g/L. The crude ash (10.43%) and fiber (10.51%) content of the mycelia cultivated in the optimal medium was higher than those (ash 5.75% and fiber 5.93%) of the mycelia grown in the NR medium, while the proteins content and all examined amino acids were lower than those of the mycelia cultivated in the NR medium. The mycelia contained 32.24 mg/g triterpenoids and 3.42% intracellular polysaccharides, which is higher than those (triterpenoids 20.35 mg/g and intracellular polysaccharides 2.03%) of the mycelia cultivated with the NR medium. These findings indicated that the cultured food-grade mycelia had the potential for use in the pharmacological industry. Meanwhile, the broth had the potential for safe use in foods due to free of chemicals. The present study provides a reference for improving the economy of G . lucidum submerged culture by using a natural medium, and its industrial fermentation may be economically viable.