Browse Articles

Feasibility of a 4-week combined supervised and home-based exercise program for patients with nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease: a single-center, single-arm feasibility study

Assessment of the quality attributes and oxidative stability of fish balls with the addition of fig powder during frozen storage

This study evaluated the oxidative stability and physicochemical attributes of fish balls made from Pangasius pangasius (Pangus) by the addition of natural antioxidant Ficus carica (Fig fruit) and other synthetic antioxidants, Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and Ascorbic Acid (AA), and the fish balls were stored under freezing conditions for two months. Four different types of fish balls were made with or without antioxidants: 1) T0 (without antioxidants); 2) T1 (0.02% BHT); 3) T2 (0.05% AA); 4) T3 (1% fig powder). Incorporating antioxidants significantly retained ( p  < 0.05) lower TBARS, pH, and yellowness while holding higher DPPH and redness values throughout storage. The addition of fig powder (FP) significantly ( p  < 0.05) reduced oxidation, free radical scavenging activity, and pH values. The fig’s antioxidant potential was non-significantly ( p  > 0.05) different from BHT and AA. Moreover, the fig retained a significantly higher moisture content ( p  < 0.05), essential for maintaining fish ball quality. Furthermore, the cooking loss increased non-significantly ( p  > 0.05) among treated samples due to lower moisture and fat loss. Sensory assessment regarding color values of all treated and non-treated samples, FP showed a significantly ( p  < 0.05) higher redness value and a significantly ( p  < 0.05) lower yellowness when compared to control samples throughout the storage period. Therefore, adding FP as a natural antioxidant could reduce oxidation and maintain the others physicochemical characteristics of fish balls under freezing conditions.

Microtubules provide a mechanical link for YAP/TAZ signalling

Long non-coding RNA enhances SARS-CoV-2-mediated apoptosis through epigenetic repression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2

Bayesian network-GIS-based livability assessment of rural settlements in the Upper Min River Basin, China

Prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease and its associated risk factors among the adult population of Mthatha, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Epidemiological data on gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) reveal variations in prevalence rates and risk factors, which are still to be elucidated in the South African setting. Population-specific data are needed to contribute to the understanding of the pathophysiology of GERD. This study aims to determine GERD’s prevalence and associated risk factors among Mthatha residents. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out with a systematically sampled 353 adults attending the outpatient department of a secondary health care facility using the standardized GERD questionnaire (GerdQ) for screening and diagnosis. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed with the aid of SPSS version 26. The prevalence of GERD was 32.0 percent (CI: 27.3% to 37.0%). Only 6.5 percent had an 89% likelihood of having GERD. Over half (53.1%) had GERD with little effect on day-to-day activities. The most common symptoms were heartburn at 49.6 percent, sleep disturbance at 34.8 percent, chest pain at 32.3 percent, and regurgitation at 32.3 percent, and were mild in most of them. Hypertension (OR = 3.0, CI: 1.5–6.4, p = 0.003) and eating more than three meals a day (OR = 4.2, CI: 1.9–9.2, p < 0.0001) were the major risk factors for GERD. The GERD rate of one in every three people is higher than the global rate of one in every six. The association of GERD with hypertension requires consideration of screening for GERD in patients with hypertension. Community education on proper dietary habits and the consequences of excess daily meals is needed to interrupt the development of GERD in the current population.

Decoding ubiquitin signals inside cells

Non-catalytic UBL2 domain directs deubiquitinase USP11 toward K48-linked polyubiquitin chains

Identification of Indigenous fish species in lake Tana using deep learning

Global trends in Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias: A comprehensive analysis of incidence, socio-demographic variations, and future projections

Background Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias (ADRD) are significant global health concerns, with rising incidence rates and substantial social and economic implications due to population aging. Methods We investigated trends in ADRD incidence from 1992 to 2021 across age, sex, and socio-demographic index (SDI) regions, utilizing data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 platform. An age-period-cohort (APC) model was employed to analyze the effects of age, period, and birth cohort on ADRD incidence, and a Bayesian age-period-cohort (BAPC) model was used to predict future trends. Results Globally, the age-standardized incidence rates (ASIR) remained relatively steady. However, the total number of ADRD cases witnessed a remarkable 141.25% increase, with 9,837,056 cases (95% UI: 8,620,519–11,163,700) in 2021. High SDI regions exhibited higher ASIR, whereas high-middle SDI regions showed the greatest growth, particularly among females. The net drift of ADRD incidence ranged from 0.43% per year in China to −0.68% per year in Denmark. Age effect was consistent across SDI regions, increasing exponentially with age. The 60–64 age group experienced the fastest annual incidence growth. High-middle SDI regions faced unfavorable period and cohort effects. Conclusion Although progress in ADRD globally, significant regional and sex disparities persist. Strengthened surveillance and management of adults over 60 are urgently needed. Targeted public health policies and interventions are essential to address the escalating global dementia burden.

A new rapid-degradation system combined with super-resolution microscopy

Phylogenetic and biochemical analysis of the evolution and interdomain modularity of bifunctional L-fucokinase/GDP-fucose pyrophosphorylases

Valuing South American sea lions through ecotourism: a case study from a protected natural area in Argentine Patagonia

The evolution of birth-order-specific son preference and compulsory primary education: Evidence from Vietnam

This paper examines birth-order-specific son preference and the effect of compulsory primary education on the male-skewed preference. Using four waves of Vietnamese decennial censuses from 1989 to 2019, the study finds that a desire to have a son at the first birth order—referred to as son-starting behavior—has emerged over time, particularly among small families. Exploiting a disproportionate increase in education in ethnic minorities triggered by the compulsory primary education law in 1991, difference-in-differences estimates suggest that female primary education reduces son-starting behavior by 3.13 percentage points. While this does not fully lead to gender neutrality across all birth orders, the magnitude is economically meaningful to mitigate the skewed preference for the first-born child. Mechanism analysis suggests that the effects could be mediated through an increased likelihood of marrying more educated husbands.

The secretory pathway gets a molecular framework

Type II polyketide synthases: Impact on human health, current knowledge, and future directions

Integrative bioinformatic and clinical validation reveals dynamic regulation of circulating microRNAs before and after antiretroviral therapy in HIV-positive patients

Activating Co ²⁺ /Co ³⁺ Redox Couple Mediated‐Electrooxidation of 5‐Hydroxymethyl Furfuryl Under Low Potentials

Abstract Cobalt‐based electrocatalysts are promising candidates for electrochemical 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural oxidation reaction (eHMFOR). However, the activity origin for eHMFOR on most cobalt‐based electrocatalysts is the Co 3+ /Co 4+ redox couple at the high‐potential window, instead of the Co 2+ /Co 3+ redox couple at the low‐potential window, thus leading to a high onset potential above 1.3 V. Herein, we developed F‐V O ‐CoMoO 4 catalyst containing abound oxygen vacancies and lattice fluorine (F) heteroatom, which activates the Co 2+ /Co 3+ redox couple for eHMFOR at the low‐potential window, e.g., 1.15 V. Oxygen vacancies prompt the electrochemical generation of Co 3+ ‐OH ads at low potentials, and meanwhile, lattice F heteroatoms enhance the electrophilicity of Co 3+ ‐OH ads . Benefiting by those unique structure, F‐V O ‐CoMoO 4 catalyst effectively electro‐synthesizes 2,5‐furandicarboxylic acid from 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural, with a high yield (95.3%) and Faradaic efficiency (96.1%). This work provides an intelligent strategy for achieving the low‐potential eHMFOR mediated by the Co 2+ /Co 3+ redox couple, unlocking significant potential for reducing the energy consumption in biomass conversion.

Second-line treatment strategies of ulcerative colitis after conventional therapy failure: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Purpose This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of pharmacotherapies for ulcerative colitis (UC), promoting more precise management of refractory ulcerative colitis. Methods Relevant randomized controlled trials involving refractory UC patients were systematically searched in electronic databases, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library. Data were independently extracted by three investigators. Risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for key outcomes: remission, response, mucosal healing, and serious adverse events using random-effects models. Network meta-analysis, utilizing a frequency model, established comparative rankings, with surface under cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) determining optimal treatments. Results A total of nineteen studies, containing 5,450 patients, were included. In the induction phase, Qing-Chang-Hua-Shi emerged as the most effective drug for remission (RR vs placebo 0.78, 95% CI 0.64–0.95; SUCRA, 0.89). Cyclosporine showed the most promising effect for treatment response (RR 0.22, 95% CI 0.07–0.67; SUCRA, 0.90). Tacrolimus was most effective in terms of mucosal healing (RR 0.57, 95% CI 0.44–0.73; SUCRA, 0.89). Recombinant interferon-β-1a exhibited the lowest risk of serious adverse events (RR 0.08, 95% CI 0.01–0.62; SUCRA, 0.94). Conclusion No single drug demonstrated consistent superiority across all four evaluated outcomes for refractory ulcerative colitis. Treatment strategies should therefore be individualized according to specific clinical objectives and the quality of available evidence.

Cis-regulatory elements that tune transcriptional responses in liver drug metabolism and outcomes