Browse Articles

Therapeutic mechanisms of genistein in ischemic stroke: A systematic review of in vivo and in vitro studies

Genistein is an isoflavone phytoestrogen that is considered a nutraceutical compound found in soybean. The mimicking of estrogen effects includes the ability to bind to the intracellular and cell membrane receptors of estrogen and exert biological functions like antitumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and antiproliferative properties. With more studies focusing on the therapeutic effect of genistein, both in vitro and in vivo , it is evident that genistein acts through multiple pathways including anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidative. As the effects of stroke are affecting more people and causing devastating repercussions, this warrants genistein to be utilized as a therapeutic drug. Therefore, further studies are due on the effects of genistein on humans so that clinical trials can be carried out for long-term benefits. This review encompasses various studies regarding the potential neuroprotective effects of genistein on cerebral stroke, examining both in vitro and in vivo experimental models. Four database searches: Web of Science (WoS), Scopus, PUBMED and Science Direct were searched from 1 st January 1999 until 31st October 2025. The initial datasets identified through the database search yielded a total of 549 publications and 341 publications were finalized after removing duplicates. In the initial screening, a total of 293 studies were excluded due to their irrelevance to the main objective of this study. After assessing the suitability of the studies and following the PRISMA guidelines, a total of 31 articles were found to be suitable and systematically reviewed. Findings demonstrated the major mechanistic pathways involved in the therapeutic action of genistein are anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidative. Each of these mechanisms is governed by specific pathways, which will be thoroughly discussed, indicating that genistein can be effective as a therapeutic drug in ischemic stroke.

Duration of recovery from severe acute malnutrition and associated factors in children aged 6–59 months: a retrospective cohort study

Abstract Malnutrition, particularly severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in children under five, is a global crisis affecting 25–35 million children, especially in Africa and Southeast Asia. In Ethiopia, 21% are underweight, 36% stunted, and 7% wasted. This study assesses recovery time from SAM in children admitted to public hospitals in Jimma Town. We conducted a retrospective study with 323 participants, collecting data from medical charts and analyzing it in Stata version 15. Used Kaplan-Meier for survival analysis and Cox regression for predictors of hospital stay, considering p-values < 0.05 as significant. A total of 81.1% of children with severe acute malnutrition recovered, with a recovery rate of 6.8 per 100 person-days and a median recovery time of 12 days. The predictors of nutritional recovery time were: unvaccinated (AHR = 1.630, 95% CI: 1.444, 1.894), having medical complications (AHR = 1.335, 95% CI: 1.195, 1.576), tuberculosis (AHR = 1.565, 95% CI: 1.395–2.809), pneumonia (AHR = 2.668, 95% CI: 2.405–2.769), being non-edematous (AHR = 1.880, 95% CI: 1.278, 2.765), marasmic kwashiorkor (AHR = 2.000, 95% CI: 1.254, 3.486), and hospital-acquired infections (AHR = 1.459, 95% CI: 1.315, 1.669). The study found optimal median recovery time influenced by vaccination status, comorbidities, and medical complications. Improved vaccination coverage, timely treatment, and infection control reduce hospital stays for severe acute malnutrition.

Experience and coping strategies of parents of children with autism: A qualitative study

Background The neurodevelopmental disorder known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects people of all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Although the study of autism is burgeoning with important implications both for public health and society, there is little research exploring the experiences of raising a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) from the Parent’s perspectives. The aim of this study was to explore experiences and coping strategies of parents of children with ASD in Nepal. Methodology A descriptive phenomenological design explored the lived experiences of nine parents raising children with ASD in Nepal. Participants were purposively selected from the Pediatric OPD of Patan Academy of Health Sciences. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews in Nepali and analyzed using Colaizzi’s method. The interview guide, adapted from Batchelor (2017) and the Chronic Sorrow Instrument, explored emotional, social, financial, and caregiving experiences. Researcher bias was minimized through bracketing and reflexive journaling, and trustworthiness ensured via member checking, audit trails, and peer debriefing. Ethical approval was obtained from the PAHS Ethical Review Board, with informed consent and confidentiality maintained. Results Five major themes emerged: psychological impact (emotional burden, hope and uncertainty, guilt), physical impact (fatigue, sleep deprivation, safety concerns), social impact (isolation, stigma, family sacrifices), career impact (job loss, reduced opportunities), and financial impact (high costs, limited resources). Coping strategies included crying, listening to religious music (bhajans), meditation, and practicing positive thinking. Some parents reframed their experience as an opportunity to help others. Conclusion Parents raising children with autism in Nepal face profound emotional strain, physical fatigue, social isolation, career disruption, and financial pressure. These challenges were especially evident among mothers, who formed the majority of caregivers. Despite early diagnosis and continued care, families reported limited resources and persistent social stigma. Yet, many parents showed determination and resilience in supporting their children’s development. These findings emphasize the need to strengthen family-centered support, accessible services, and community awareness to better address the lived realities of caregivers.

Effect of Er, Cr: YSGG laser–activated final irrigation on gingival crevicular fluid RANKL/OPG levels

CCTO–TiO2 nanoparticle composite based PVA/PTFE multilayer triboelectric nanogenerator for energy harvesting and methylene blue (MB) dye degradation

Nonclassical features of an open qubit cavity QED system

Warming substantially amplifies Antarctic coastal polynyas as key carbon sinks

The Southern Ocean plays an important role in the global carbon cycle by absorbing atmospheric CO 2 , aiding climate change mitigation. Antarctic coastal polynyas (ACPs) are key CO 2 uptake areas, yet whether this CO 2 is effectively sequestered as organic carbon (OC) in marine sediments, and the spatiotemporal dynamics and drivers of this process, remains unclear. Here, we reconstruct a high-resolution record of Holocene (~12,000 y BP) to present-day OC accumulation fluxes and sources in ACP sediments using existing data as well as our measurements. We find that despite covering only 3% of the Southern Ocean, ACPs account for approximately 42% of the modern OC accumulation across the Southern Ocean. Since the Holocene, OC accumulation has increased ninefold due to climate warming, largely driven by marine primary production. Structural equation modeling reveals that warming enhances the biological carbon pump and OC accumulation efficiency by expanding and prolonging open water areas in ACPs, with larger ACPs showing stronger feedback. Furthermore, basal melt from ice shelves releases fine particulate matter, further boosting OC accumulation. Our findings highlight that climate warming has greatly amplified ACPs’ carbon-sequestration efficiency, making them rapidly expanding and crucial carbon sinks in the Southern Ocean, with the potential to provide strong negative feedback in future climate change.

MicroRNA and target gene dynamics in potato under nitrogen deficiency

Synthesis of terbium and silica modified graphene quantum dots for targeted bioimaging of breast cancer cells using folate receptors

Probing the activity of cysteine cathepsins in inflammatory bowel diseases

Abstract Cathepsin S is a cysteine protease that has been implicated in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) for its ability to promote visceral pain. Given its pro-inflammatory roles, we hypothesized that cathepsin S would drive other symptoms associated with IBD. Using activity-based probes, we investigated cysteine cathepsin activation in human and murine colitis. We observed a significant increase in fecal cathepsin S in patients with ulcerative colitis compared to healthy controls, while cathepsin S in mucosal biopsies was unchanged. Mice with experimental colitis exhibited a modest increase in mucosal activity of both cathepsin S and X compared to naïve mice. Luminal secretion of cathepsin S was dramatically increased upon colitis induction, although differences between mouse colonies were observed. To investigate the contribution of cathepsin S and cathepsin X to colitis, we induced colitis in cathepsin-deficient mice. Cathepsin X-deficient mice exhibited no clear differences in disease indicators compared to wild-type mice. While cathepsin S-deficient mice exhibited less rectal bleeding, less splenomegaly and marginally improved histological scores, weight loss, diarrhea, colon shortening, and myeloperoxidase activity were not significantly different from wild-type mice. To determine whether pharmacologic inhibition of cathepsin S activity would ameliorate symptoms of colitis, a reversible inhibitor LY3000328 was administered to mice at the initiation of colitis. LY3000328 provoked a clear upregulation of cathepsin S and L activity in the mucosa, most likely through a compensatory mechanism. This increase in protease activity was associated with exacerbated histological scores and slight splenomegaly. Collectively, these results suggest that cathepsin S, but not cathepsin X, may contribute to some of the symptoms of experimental colitis. While cathepsin S has potential to be a therapeutic target in colitis, improved strategies to sustain its inhibition are required in future.

Red light-driven enhancement of calycosin biosynthesis in Astragalus membranaceus via functional characterization of AmI3’H

Integral Betti signatures of brain, climate and financial networks compared to hyperbolic, Euclidean and spherical models

Abstract This paper extends the possibility to examine the underlying curvature of data through the lens of topology by using the Betti curves, tools of Persistent Homology. We show that low-dimensional Betti curve approximations effectively distinguish not only Euclidean, but also spherical and hyperbolic geometric matrices, both from purely random matrices as well as among themselves. We proved this by analysing the behaviour of Betti curves for various geometric matrices – i.e distance matrices of points randomly distributed on manifolds given by the Euclidean space, the sphere, and the hyperbolic space. We further show that the standard approach to network construction gives rise to (spurious) spherical geometry, and document the role of sample size and dimension to assess real-world connectivity matrices. Finally, we observe that real-world datasets coming from neuroscience, finance and climate seem to exhibit a hyperbolic character. The potential confounding “hyperbologenic effect” of intrinsic low-rank modular structures is evaluated.

SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks in long-term care facilities during the Omicron era in Québec, Canada

Abstract Residents of long-term care facilities (LTCFs) are at a high risk of severe COVID-19. Our study analyzed the COVID-19 outbreaks, associated cases and case fatality ratio (CFR) in LTCFs from May-2022 to September-2024 in Québec, Canada. An ecological analysis was conducted including all active LTCFs during the study period ( n  = 471). Regression analyses using generalized estimating equations were used to model odds of an active COVID-19 outbreak, confirmed COVID-19 cases incidence rate ratio (IRR) and ratio of CFR over different periods (wave 7, 2022-23 season, 2023-24 season), regions and LTCF bed capacity. A total of 2,501 outbreaks were recorded, corresponding to 39,089 COVID-19 cases (among residents and health care workers). The odds of an active outbreak, IRR of COVID-19 cases, and ratio of CFR declined significantly during the 2023-24 season compared to wave 7 (-35%, -39% and -24%, respectively; p-values  < 0.0001). While larger LTCFs (≥ 40 beds) were up to 7 times more likely to have an active outbreak vs.10–39 beds, COVID-19 IRR and ratio of CFR were comparable across LTCFs’ bed-capacity. In summary, the burden of COVID-19 on LTCF residents has declined from May 2022 to September 2024. Bed capacity seems to predict outbreak occurrence but not virus transmission within LTCFs.

BT-11 targets the LANCL2 pathway to attenuate cognitive deficits and hippocampal pathology in Alzheimer’s transgenic rats

A discrete model for analyzing the free vibrations of a non-uniform 2D-FGM beam under elastic foundations and different support conditions

Abstract This paper proposes a discrete physical model (DPM) for the transverse free vibrations of non-uniform bi-directional functionally graded (2D-FGM) beams. The material properties vary in both the axial and thickness directions according to exponential laws, and the beam rest on a spatially variable elastic foundation and satisfy general support conditions. In the proposed formulation, the continuous beam is replaced by a multi-degree-of-freedom chain of lumped masses connected by bars and linear rotational and vertical springs. An adaptive discretization strategy is employed to construct consistent mass, stiffness, and foundation matrices. By applying Hamilton’s principle, the governing equations are reduced to an algebraic eigenvalue problem, from which nondimensional natural frequencies and associated mode shapes are obtained. Comparison with published results confirms the accuracy and reliability of the DPM. Owing to its simplicity and low computational cost, the model is well suited for extensive parametric studies and design-oriented analyses, including frequency tuning through geometric parameters, the material gradation exponents $$(n_x, n_y)$$ , the taper ratio $$\gamma$$ , and foundation characteristics (position $$\chi$$ , intensity $$\eta$$ ) under various boundary conditions. The proposed approach provides a practical and efficient tool for analyzing and optimizing complex FGM beam structures.

Correction: A meta-analysis of the effects of mindfulness meditation training on self-reported interoception

Effect of thickness ratio on uniaxial mechanical behavior of soft-hard composite rock masses: experimental analysis and modeling

Multimodal inverse kinematics significantly improves IMU-based biomechanical analyses

Abstract In musculoskeletal simulations, IMU-based approaches are often compromised by errors such as joint angle drift and offset errors due to calibration inaccuracies. These errors can compromise the accuracy of both kinematic and dynamic outcomes. This study presents a simulation-based investigation that uses synthetic inertial and positional data to systematically assess the potential of integrating spatial reference information into IMU-driven inverse kinematics analyses. Optical motion capture data was captured and error-free kinematic and dynamic data was created based on the optical motion capture data. The error-free data was then used as a reference. Based on this reference data, synthetic orientation and position data was created, incorporating a range of error types and magnitudes (e.g., sensor noise, drift, misalignment). To create the IMU-based analysis results, we calculated relative quaternions based on the orientation data which were then converted into Euler angles. We then conducted a sensitivity analysis to determine the spatial accuracy required in the position data to effectively compensate for typical IMU errors. Across all error types and magnitudes, the multimodal inverse approach (using both synthetic IMU and positional data) yielded significantly more accurate results than solely IMU-based analyses. Specifically, the mean joint angle RMSE decreased by $${63}{\%} (\sim {5}^{\circ })$$ , the mean joint torque RMSE by $${80}{\%} (\sim {17}\,\hbox {Nm})$$ , the mean residual force RMSE by $${25}{\%} (\sim {9}\,\hbox {N})$$ , and the mean residual torque RMSE by $${70}{\%} (\sim {26}\,\hbox {Nm})$$ . Future research will evaluate the effectiveness of the multimodal inverse kinematics approach when applied to real-world measurement data.

An improved Grey Wolf Optimizer based on mutation operator, evolutionary population dynamics, and nonlinear population size reduction strategy

A constitutive relationship for jointed rock mass considering the change of roughness and its application

Abstract The mechanical behaviors of rock joints plays a vital role in controlling the stability of layered rock slopes. Most existing constitutive models for jointed rock masses assume a constant initial roughness, ignoring its evolution during shearing and leading to inaccurate descriptions of shear deformation. To address this limitation, a new constitutive model for jointed rock masses is proposed, which explicitly considers the dynamic evolution of joint surface roughness based on the stress–displacement characteristics obtained from direct shear tests. The proposed model quantitatively links shear displacement with joint roughness degradation, providing a more accurate representation of shear stiffness evolution under loading. The proposed joint model was implemented into the numerical software and validated using laboratory shear test data under different normal stresses, showing close agreement in both peak and residual strength. Furthermore, slope stability simulations demonstrated that this model can realistically reproduce the progressive failure process and yield higher accuracy in predicting safety factors than the traditional Mohr–Coulomb joint model. The results confirm that incorporating roughness evolution enhances the reliability of numerical analysis for the deformation and failure of layered rock slopes.