Browse Articles

Inequity in the transmission of malaria infection among children and adolescents: a cohort study in rural Guinea

Abstract Malaria remains a major health concern in rural Guinea, where children face fivefold higher infection risk compared to urban areas. While disparities between rural and urban regions have been documented, inequities within rural areas remain unexplored. Socioeconomic factors influence malaria risk, which varies according to season. Understanding seasonal variations in socioeconomic factors is crucial for developing equitable and targeted interventions. This cohort study was conducted in Mafèrinyah, Guinea, with participants aged 1–19 years of age. Data were collected through monthly home visits over nine months, capturing malaria infection (via blood smears), sociodemographic factors, and household characteristics. Equity analysis was guided by the PROGRESS (place of residence, race/ethnicity/culture/language, occupation, gender/sex, religion, education, socioeconomic status, and social capital) framework. Statistical analyses included concentration index (CI) calculations to assess socioeconomic-related inequality across dry and rainy seasons, binary mixed-effects logistic, and decomposition of CI to identify contributing factors. Malaria infection varies according to season, age, and household characteristics. Children in households with older heads (50–77 years) had higher malaria odds during the dry season (OR = 3.44), whereas adolescents in the rainy season were more vulnerable in middle-aged-headed (OR = 15.78) and single-parent households (OR = 4.52). Concentration indices showed modest pro-rich inequity among adolescents in both seasons (CI = 0.059–0.085) and mixed patterns among children. Among children, secondary education (246.8%) and older age of household head yield strong malaria prevention dividends, but these benefits are currently captured by the better off, while primary education had strong pro-poor effects (among poorer households whose heads had only primary education). Among adolescents, middle-aged heads and older heads (− 419.3%), and unemployment (− 184.2%) reduced inequity. Male-headed households reversed roles by season, contributing − 67.2% to inequity in the dry season and + 19.5% in the rainy season. This study revealed significant seasonal and socioeconomic disparities in malaria transmission among children and adolescents in rural Guinea. Key equity drivers include the household head’s age, education, gender, and occupation, which have distinct seasonal effects. These findings highlight the need for targeted, equity-sensitive interventions that address structural vulnerabilities and seasonal dynamics to reduce the malaria burden and promote health equity.

Perceptions of influenza and SARS-CoV-2 vaccination among health care personnel in Thailand, 2024

Background Influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations are recommended for health care personnel (HCP) in Thailand, but uptake depends on HCP perceptions and motivations. Methods To assess factors associated with self-reported influenza vaccination in the most recent season and intention to receive future COVID-19 vaccination annually, HCP from 16 hospitals across eight Thailand provinces were surveyed during December 2023 through January 2024. Additional survey variables included demographic and occupational characteristics, prior experiences with vaccination, perceptions of disease severity and vaccine safety and effectiveness. Multilevel mixed effect multivariable logistic regression was used, accounting for variability at provincial and hospital levels. Results Overall, 2,180 HCP were surveyed. Three-quarters (74.8%) reported influenza vaccination in the most recent season, and 58.1% intended to receive COVID-19 vaccination annually in the future. Previous influenza vaccination was strongly associated with reported vaccination in the current season (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.94, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.68–3.23). For future COVID-19 vaccination, perceived vaccine safety was strongly associated (aOR 3.49, 95% CI 3.18–3.84). Perceived disease severity was higher for COVID-19 than for influenza, but perceived vaccine safety and effectiveness were higher for influenza than for COVID-19. The most common barrier to influenza vaccination was insufficient time to get vaccinated (23.7%); whereas the most common barrier for COVID-19 vaccination was vaccine safety concern (30.0%). Conclusions Improving vaccination coverage among HCP might need different approaches for influenza and COVID-19 vaccines. Improving convenience might be especially important for increasing influenza vaccination coverage, whereas providing reassurance about COVID-19 vaccine safety might be especially important for COVID-19.

How to RSoXS

Resonant Soft X-ray Scattering (RSoXS) has emerged as a powerful technique for investigating compositional and orientational heterogeneity in organic thin films. By exploiting the variation in optical constants near atomic absorption edges, RSoXS enables unprecedented contrast between organic materials and unique sensitivity to molecular orientation. Despite its growing importance over the past 15 years, particularly in organic electronics research, detailed guidance on proper implementation and analysis has been limited. This tutorial provides a comprehensive introduction to the technique, starting with the fundamental principles of near edge x-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy and RSoXS contrast mechanisms. Using multi-walled carbon nanotubes as an illustrative example, we walk through best practices for sample preparation, measurement procedures, and data analysis. We present both model-free analysis approaches and detailed modeling using the open-source NIST RSoXS simulation suite. We intend this tutorial to serve as a practical resource for both new practitioners and experienced researchers, enabling quantitative analysis of molecular-scale structure in soft materials.

N,N-Diethylacetamide and N,N-Dipropylacetamide inhibit the NF-kB pathway in in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo models of inflammation-induced preterm birth

Isolation, biochemical characterization, and greenhouse authentication of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) rhizobia collected from some major chickpea growing areas of Woldia, North Wollo, Ethiopia

Chickpea ( Cicer arietinum L. ) is a vital legume crop worldwide, valued for its high nutritional content and significant contribution to food security and soil fertility through biological nitrogen fixation. Despite its importance, chickpea yields remain suboptimal in many regions, including Ethiopia, primarily due to constraints such as poor soil fertility and inadequate use of effective rhizobia inoculants. This study aimed to isolate and characterize native Rhizobium strains from chickpea root nodules collected from fields in the Woldia region and to assess their potential to promote plant growth. A total of 41 bacterial isolates were obtained, of which 12 were presumptively identified as Rhizobium based on growth characteristics on Congo red and bromothymol blue media. These isolates were further characterized morphologically and biochemically. Five biochemically promising isolates were selected for evaluation in a controlled 45-day greenhouse experiment under sterile conditions. Inoculation with these isolates significantly enhanced seed germination and early seedling growth compared to uninoculated controls. The symbiotic effectiveness of the isolates ranged from 74.3% to 121.9%, with isolates WUSFDG-23, WUSFMC-31, and WUSFMC-23 demonstrating high effectiveness, isolate WUSFDG-23 markedly increased nodulation and biomass accumulation. This study highlights the potential of native Rhizobium isolates from Woldia chickpea fields, especially WUSFDG-23, as effective bio-inoculants to promote sustainable chickpea production and reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers.

A direct diabatic states construction method with consistent orbitals for valence and Rydberg states

This work presents a novel methodology termed Direct Diabatic States Construction (DDSC), which integrates fragment wavefunctions into an anti-symmetric wavefunction for the entire system. Using fragment-localized state-consistent molecular orbitals, this approach enables direct construction of all diabatic states at the same root. Each diabatic state is formed as a linear combination of a set of diabatic configurations. The validity and effectiveness of DDSC have been demonstrated through its application to the LiH and (C2H4)2+ molecules. The results show that this method is suitable for constructing both valence and Rydberg diabatic states. One of the key advantages of DDSC is its ability to directly compute diabatic couplings, which can be converted to non-adiabatic coupling vectors along the reaction coordinate. The DDSC method efficiently builds the diabatic potential energy matrix, especially for systems with clear fragment partitions and weak inter-fragment interactions, such as charge transfer reactions.

In Silico evaluation of phytoconstituents from Carica Papaya and its anti-hyperglycemic activities on high sucrose-induced oxidative stress in Drosophila melanogaster

Integrated gene network analysis and experimental validation identify key hub genes in potato response to Potato Virus Y infection

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is a staple food crop that supports global food security, ranking as the world’s third most important food crop after rice and wheat in terms of human consumption, and it is threatened by Potato virus Y (PVY), which causes severe yield losses. This study integrates bioinformatics analysis and experimental approaches to elucidate molecular defense mechanisms against PVY infection. Using transcriptomic data from PVY-infected potato plants, we constructed protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks and identified hub genes central to defense responses. The qPCR validation showed that three hub genes (NAD1, NAD2, NAD3) were upregulated in resistant Sante plants but downregulated in susceptible Agria. Among these, NAD2 showed a striking 5.58-fold increase in Sante, highlighting its critical role in stress signaling and antiviral defense. Network analysis revealed interactions with microRNAs (miRNAs), including stu-miR8015-5p and stu-miR396-5p, suggesting complex regulatory networks. Codon usage bias analysis highlighted adaptive codon preferences optimized for translational efficiency, supporting potential strategies like codon deoptimization to impair viral fitness. Promoter motif analysis identified stress-responsive cis-regulatory elements linked to abscisic acid signaling, critical for antiviral responses. This comprehensive study establishes a framework for targeting hub genes and miRNAs to engineer PVY-resistant cultivars, thereby offering a sustainable solution.

Timescales for stochastic barrier crossing: Inferring the potential from nonequilibrium data

Kramers’s rate theory forms a cornerstone for thermally activated barrier crossing. However, its reliance on equilibrium quantities excludes the analysis of nonequilibrium dynamics at early times. Most studies have thus focused on obtaining rates and transition time and path distributions in equilibrium. Instead, here we consider early-time nonequilibrium dynamics in a model system of a particle with overdamped dynamics hopping over the barrier in a double-well potential, using the Smoluchowski equation (SE) and stochastic path integral (SPI) mapping of the Langevin equation. We identify several key timescales relevant to nonequilibrium dynamics and quantify them using the SE and SPI approaches. The shortest timescale corresponds to equilibration in a well at time t ≪ τB, where τB is the Brownian diffusion time. The second important timescale is when an inflexion point appears in the effective potential constructed from the density at t ⪅ τB. Shortly after, the existence of a second potential well can be inferred from sufficient sampling of the dynamics. Interestingly, this timescale decreases with increasing barrier height. We find significant deviations from the equilibrium limit unless t ≫ τB. We further calculate the current at the barrier for bistable and asymmetric potentials and find that it crosses over to that from equilibrium rate theory at a time that does not appear to depend on the barrier height. Our results have important implications for controlling activated processes at finite times and demonstrate the importance of reaching long enough times to faithfully construct potential landscapes from experimental or simulation data.

Nonlinear relationship between digital and intelligent transformation and energy conservation and emission reduction in China

Shredder species identity over diversity: Insights into litter decomposition in ponds

Many freshwater ecosystems rely on the decomposition of organic matter as a key process for nutrient cycling and energy flow. Small lentic freshwater ecosystems, such as ponds, often derive a large amount of energy from allochthonous detritus due to their close connection with the terrestrial environment. However, the process of leaf litter decomposition in ponds remains poorly understood. We conducted a microcosm experiment in a pond environment to investigate intra- and inter-specific variation in organic matter processing by three shredders (Tipula sp., Sericostoma sp. and Gammarus fossarum) and to assess the effects of shredder community characteristics on the mass loss of black alder (Alnus glutinosa) leaf litter. We developed a novel approach to quantify functional traits directly related to litter processing. Detailed gut content analysis revealed significant inter- and intra-specific variation in the organic matter particles ingested by individual shredder taxa. Our results showed that neither taxonomic nor functional diversity reliably predicts leaf litter decomposition rates in ponds. Instead, the keystone shredder Sericostoma showed a pronounced effect on decomposition rates driven by their unique feeding behaviour and density-dependent shifts in particle size preferences. These findings highlight the importance of a detailed understanding of species-specific functional traits and behaviour in shaping ecosystem processes, as the role of keystone species can outweigh the contributions of overall diversity measures in driving ecosystem processes.

Microscopic insights into the solvation of polyethylene glycol chains in water: A machine learning potential approach

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is a structurally simple, nontoxic, and water-soluble polymer widely utilized in medical and pharmaceutical applications. Notably, when a PEG chain is immersed in water, the surrounding water molecules play a key role in driving conformational changes of this macromolecule. In this study, we explore the solvation behavior of PEG under mechanical strain using molecular dynamics simulations, with an interatomic potential obtained from machine learning. Our focus is on the transition from the favored coil-like conformation to an extended one under external force. Through analyses of radial distribution functions, hydrogen bonding, and solvation dynamics, we uncover how mechanical stretching influences the local hydration environment. Moreover, we disentangle the enthalpic and entropic contributions to the conformational stability of PEG in water. Surprisingly, our neural network potential model identifies dewetting of PEG C-atoms, and not water H-bonding with PEG O-atoms, as the main enthalpic driving force for the coiling of PEG in water.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice among non-breast cancer women towards breast cancer screening with a focus on economic factors

Risk stratification for the prediction of skeletal-related events in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer with bone metastases

Skeletal-related events (SREs) are common in patients with bone metastases from castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Despite advances in prostate cancer treatment, clinically validated predictive models for SREs in CRPC patients with bone metastases remain elusive. This gap in prognostic tools hinders optimal patient management and treatment planning for this high-risk population. This study aimed to develop a prediction model for SRE by investigating potential risk factors and classifying them into different groups. This model can be used to identify patients at high risk of SREs who need close follow-up. Between 2004 and 2013, 68 male patients with bone metastases from CRPC who were treated at our institute were evaluated for survival without SREs and survival without SREs of the spinal cord. The study analyzed clinical data at enrollment to identify risk factors for initial and spinal SREs. Multivariate analysis revealed that a high count of metastatic vertebrae, along with visceral or lymph node metastases, were significant risk factors. Patients were categorized into four subgroups based on the number of vertebral metastases and presence of visceral or lymph node metastases: 1) extensive vertebral and both types of metastases, 2) extensive vertebral without additional metastases, 3) some vertebral with other metastases, 4) some vertebral without additional metastases. The first SRE and spinal SRE occurred significantly sooner in the first subgroup compared to others. Incidence rates at 12 months for the first SRE were 56%, 40%, 27%, and 5%, and for the first spinal SRE were 47%, 40%, 27%, and 0% respectively. Patients with extensive vertebral and additional metastases require vigilant monitoring to mitigate SREs.

Theoretical investigation of the photolysis mechanism of fluorinated Criegee intermediate HFCOO

Hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) have emerged as promising alternatives for ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) due to their drastically shorter atmospheric lifetimes (days to weeks vs years to decades for CFCs and HCFCs) and significantly lower global warming potential. While HFOs’ rapid degradation minimizes their direct environmental accumulation, the ecological risks posed by their reactive degradation intermediates—particularly hydrofluorocarbonyl oxide (HFCOO), a fluorinated Criegee intermediate generated via HFO-ozone reactions—require urgent mechanistic clarification. The atmospheric persistence and chemical reactivity of HFCOO are intrinsically governed by its excited-state dynamics, where competing photochemical pathways determine whether it undergoes ultrafast dissociation or survives to mediate secondary pollutant formation. In this paper, we examine the deactivation mechanism of HFCOO by employing high-level electronic structure calculations and on-the-fly surface hopping dynamic simulations. Our results reveal that the first excited singlet state (S1) of HFCOO is a dark state populated via nπ* transitions, while the second excited singlet state (S2), accessed through ππ* transitions, is crucial for O–O bond cleavage. We find that both syn- and anti-configurations of the S2 state exhibit rapid O–O bond dissociation, producing hydrofluorocarbonyl (HFCO) and excited oxygen atoms within 30 and 50 fs, respectively. Our study underscores the ultrafast photodissociation dynamics of HFCOO in the atmosphere, contributing valuable insights into the environmental safety assessment of HFOs and improving atmospheric models for predicting their ecological impacts.

Diverse behavior clustering of students on campus with macroscopic attention

Comparative proteomics of HepG2 cells reveals NGLY1 as an important regulator of ferroptosis resistance and iron uptake

NGLY1 deficiency is a rare genetic disorder caused by mutations in the NGLY1 gene. This disorder presents a wide range of clinical symptoms, and its severity varies among affected individuals. Previous studies have focused on understanding the influence of NGLY1 on energy metabolism, revealing dysregulation in lipid metabolism following NGLY1 deletion. In this study, we investigated the consequences of the loss of NGLY1 on ferroptosis and iron homeostasis using human hepatocellular carcinoma cells, HepG2. Comparative proteomics analysis revealed significant alterations in protein quantities in NGLY1 -deficient HepG2 cells, indicating that these cells are under “pro-ferroptotic” stress state. Moreover, dysregulated iron uptake and increased reactive oxygen species production were observed in the absence of NGLY1, indicating a novel perspective on the consequences of the loss of NGLY1 . These findings provide important insights into the molecular pathways affected by NGLY1 deletion and may contribute to the development of potential therapeutic strategies for individuals with NGLY1 deficiency.

Influence of NH⋯N and OH⋯N hydrogen bonds in the aggregation of flexible molecules: A combined experimental and computational study

Hydrogen bond formation is an important mechanism of molecular aggregation and, therefore, its understanding is crucial to modeling this fundamental process. While extensive literature exists regarding the OH⋯O interaction, NamineH⋯N interactions have been more occasionally studied in gas phase. Here, we study the formation of those two interactions in the context of dimerization of flexible molecules. Using supersonic expansions, we created the conditions to form 2-phenylethylamine homodimers and 2-phenylethylamine⋯2-phenylethanol heterodimers. Structural information was then extracted using mass-resolved excitation spectroscopy. The experimental data were interpreted on the light of computational predictions carried out at the B3LYP-D3(BJ)/def2-TZVP level. Both dimers present a collection of interactions, in addition to the formation of hydrogen bonds. Clearly, the OH⋯N interaction is stronger than the NH⋯N interaction due to the better donor character of the hydroxyl group. However, despite the difference in hydrogen bond strength, both dimers present similar behavior and structure. Comparison with other systems based on similar interactions helps in understanding these results.

Effect of ultrasound-microbubble exposure on acute myeloid leukemia cancer cell proteome

Visuospatial information transfer and task self-assessment within and between autistic and non-autistic adults

Previous research has demonstrated that autistic people transmit verbal information as effectively as non-autistic people; however, when autistic and non-autistic people interact less information is transmitted. We tested whether these findings generalised to a task requiring the transmission of primarily visual information and examined how accurately participants self-assessed their performance. 310 adults (154 autistic) were allocated to one of three, six-person diffusion chain conditions: (i) autistic, (ii) non-autistic, (iii) mixed autistic and non-autistic. Participant 1 in each chain watched a video of an experimenter creating a dog shape from a puzzle toy that could be manipulated. Participant 1 showed Participant 2 how to make a dog shape, Participant 2 showed Participant 3, and so on until the end of the chain. Objective Performance was scored as the number of puzzle pieces in the correct location; self-assessment was measured on a 100-point scale, and the similarity of this self-assessment was calculated by comparing it to Objective Performance. Analyses indicated no difference in the amount of information transmitted between autistic, non-autistic, or mixed chains, or in self-assessment ratings and the similarity of these. Both autistic and non-autistic participants shared information with others and evaluated their performance similarly, aligning with previous work on the transmission of verbal information. However, the predicted breakdown in information sharing in the mixed chains did not occur. It is possible that a mismatch in neurotype may not impact information transmission that is less-verbal and more visuospatial. The heterogeneity of the sample may also have overshadowed any effect of neurotype.