Browse Articles

E-commerce recommender system design based on web information extraction and sentiment analysis

The research proposes an e-commerce recommendation system based on web page information extraction and sentiment analysis. Through the improved S-PageRank algorithm and the dynamic topic library generation strategy, the precision rate of cross-platform commodity information extraction has been significantly improved to 90%, which is superior to the traditional S-PageRank algorithm. The template-based web page information extraction method performs well, with a precision rate 10% higher than that of the method based on the document object model. In terms of sentiment analysis, the comprehensive attention mechanism model combining the topic model and the bidirectional long short-term memory network has achieved the precise calculation of the sentiment scores of each topic in the customer evaluation. When the number of topics of the LDA model is 7, the prediction accuracy reaches its peak, and the model outperforms previous methods in terms of accuracy, recall rate and F-score. The experimental results show that this recommendation system performs excellently in the prediction of sentiment trends and the analysis of the reasons behind emotions. Its prediction accuracy and analysis accuracy are both superior to existing recommendation systems such as Amazon and Netflix. This system can provide users with more accurate and personalized product recommendation services, and at the same time offer merchants deeper insights into users’ emotions.

Improving the efficacy of anti-SSEA4 antibody in pancreatic cancer immunotherapy with glyco-optimization and immune checkpoint blockade

Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most lethal malignancies with limited therapeutic options. Among the alternative targets explored for pancreatic cancer, the glycolipid stage-specific embryonic antigen-4 (SSEA4) has been extensively studied. We have previously demonstrated that the chimeric anti-SSEA4 antibody with alpha-2,6-sialylated complex type biantennary glycan (SCT) or its 3-fluorosialyl derivative (FSCT) attached to the Fc-Asn297 residue exhibited enhanced binding to the Fc-receptors FcγRIIIA and FcγRIIA which are responsible for antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and phagocytosis as well as vaccinal effect. Here, we found that high-SSEA4 expression correlates with increasing tumor proliferation and sensitivity to the glyco-optimized antibodies (anti-SSEA4-SCT and anti-SSEA4-FSCT) which preferentially recruit NKG2D-expressing natural killer cells and FcγRIIA-bearing macrophages with enhanced target killing activity. We also uncovered an immune evasion mechanism involving the interaction of sialoglycans on the cancer cell with Siglec-9 on NK cells or Siglec-10 on macrophages to block the antibody-mediated effector functions, and this immune checkpoint inhibition can be suppressed with the removal of sialic acid on cancer cells or blockade of Siglec recognition. In xenograft models, the glyco-optimized antibodies exhibited superior inhibition of tumor growth with high-SSEA4 expression compared to the wild-type antibody and persistent antitumor activity without additional antibody administration. These findings support anti-SSEA4 antibodies with enhanced effector functions and blockade of Siglec-mediated immune checkpoint as a promising therapeutic strategy for pancreatic cancer.

Liver-specific glucagon dysfunction promotes PP-cell hyperplasia and formation of glucagon and PP double-positive cells

Understanding the mechanisms that regulate cell identity acquisition and cell proliferation is crucial, not only for elucidating cellular functions but also for clarifying the pathogenesis of various diseases, including neoplasms. Pancreatic endocrine cells typically express a single hormone, and their numbers are tightly regulated. Contrary to this general principle, in this study, we found that proglucagon-deficient mice exhibit a significant increase in the number of glucagon (GCG) and pancreatic polypeptide (PP) double-positive cells (GCG+ PP+ cells), together with the hyperplasia of both PP and α cells. Similarly, glucagon receptor-deficient mice displayed PP-cell hyperplasia and an increased number of GCG+ PP+ cells, with PP-cell replication implicated in this process. mTOR signaling was activated in GCG+ PP+ cells, suggesting its involvement in endocrine differentiation. Furthermore, impaired hepatic GCG signaling led to elevated plasma amino acid levels, which in turn promoted pancreatic endocrine cell proliferation and disrupted the maintenance of cellular identity in mice. Moreover, we found that increased glutamine levels promote GCG+ PP+ cell formation via mTOR signaling, revealing a novel regulatory mechanism underlying pancreatic endocrine cell plasticity. These findings provide new insights into endocrine cell regulation, and may contribute to a better understanding of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor development, as well as the identification of novel therapeutic strategies.

High-resolution tephrochronology resolves stratigraphic complexities in archaeologically significant Nariokotome tuffs, Turkana Basin

The Turkana Basin is a renowned paleoanthropological region in Kenya and Ethiopia and is famous for discoveries of numerous hominin fossils and their associated cultural technologies. The Plio-Pleistocene sedimentary sequences hosting these important remains are interbedded with volcanic ash (tuff) beds that provide crucial bracketing age constraints. The Nariokotome Tuff Complex, comprising the Upper, Middle, and Lower Nariokotome Tuffs, preserves deposits that cover an important time interval during the late Early Pleistocene that saw milestone events for Homo erectus and associated technological development. Unfortunately, characterization of these tuffs has been hampered by a) overlapping published eruption ages and b) indistinguishable major element compositions. In addition, fluvial reworking of feldspar-bearing pumice clasts (the target rock for age determinations) from older volcanic deposits into younger tuff layers complicates correct age assignments. Here, we use multiple tephrochronological correlation tools, including high-resolution 40 Ar/ 39 Ar geochronology and grain-specific major- and trace-element geochemistry, to establish a well-characterized geochemical and geochronological framework for the Nariokotome tuffs. Utilizing a modern-generation mass-spectrometer, we report distinct ages for the Upper Nariokotome Tuff at 1,233.1 ± 1.3 ka (± 1.9 ka, 2σ; including external uncertainties), the Middle Nariokotome Tuff at 1,263.4 ± 1.2 ka (± 1.9 ka) and the Lower Nariokotome Tuff at 1,285.8 ± 1.0 ka (± 2.1 ka). In addition, high-spatial resolution Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Mass Spectrometry trace element compositions provide distinct characterization of each tuff, aiding intrabasin correlation of these units. This combined methodology demonstrates the potential to resolve the stratigraphic complexities associated with assigning ages to key paleoanthropological sites.

Facing distortion: Impact of spatial distortions on upright and inverted face identification

Face identification is a critical activity of daily living that may be impaired by blur or distortions caused by vision loss or prosopometamorphopsia. In this study, we examine the face inversion effect as a benchmark for understanding how distortions impact the identification of upright and inverted faces. Bandpass-filtered noise (Fpeak@1–32 cycles/face) was used to generate pixel shifts to distort calm and neutral faces from a standardized face database. The amplitude of distortion was varied using an adaptive staircase. 8 normally sighted subjects were given unlimited time to identify which of 4 distorted faces matched the identity of an undistorted reference face, each presented in a 6.5°-9.8° ellipse in a 2*2 grid. Image cues were removed from each face by equalizing them to the luminance distribution and chrominance of the average face. There was a significant interaction between face orientation and distortion frequency (F5,35 = 2.72, p = 0.0354), where sensitivity as a function of distortion frequency monotonically increased for inverted faces but was asymetrically U-shaped with a vertex at 4–8 cycles/face for upright faces. For upright faces, thresholds were lowest at mid spatial frequencies, with significant differences (p < 0.05) observed at the highest frequencies (16 and 32 cpi), supporting an asymmetric U-shaped tuning profile. In contrast, thresholds for inverted faces increased progressively across spatial frequencies, consistent with a monotonic trend. These results suggest that upright face recognition is most impacted by distortions at mid frequencies, whereas inverted face recognition declines more linearly as spatial frequency increases. The peak distortion frequency is correlated with the distance between the eyes, consistent with a critical role for eye geometry in upright face identification. These results suggest that the face inversion effect for distortion is selective for high-frequency bands.

Agro-morphological and molecular characterization of Amaranthus genotypes

Amaranth is a climate-resilient indigenous leafy vegetable that has the potential to contribute to global food security. Owing to its high protein, essential amino acid, mineral and vitamin contents, amaranth can thrive under diverse environmental conditions including marginal soils and drought-prone areas. This study characterized 21 Amaranth accessions using a combination of agro-morphological and molecular markers to identify promising genotypes for breeding programs. Characterization was carried out at two locations using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Six SSR and four ISSR primers were used to assess molecular diversity. The combined analysis of variance revealed significant differences in the majority of traits measured. Frequency distribution analysis revealed the predominance of many branches, green leaf pigmentation, lanceolate and elliptical leaf shapes, and smooth leaf vein prominence. Phylogenetic association analysis grouped the genotypes into three distinct clusters. The SSR and ISSR markers significantly identified the diversity among the amaranth genotypes, with higher gene diversity values averaging 0.579 and 0.711 for SSR and ISSR, respectively. Heterozygosity average values of 0.723 and 0.601 and the polymorphism information content (PIC) average values of 0.512 and 0.665 for SSR and ISSR, respectively, were observed. The number of primary branches positively correlated with the total number of leaves (r = 0.574**) and marketable leaves (r = 0.591**). Eleven promising trait-specific genotypes were identified with respect to leaf yield, primary branches, and delayed flowering. This research revealed broad phenotypic and genotypic diversity among the amaranth genotypes and identified promising genotypes that can be exploited for the genetic improvement of Amaranthus spp. germplasm in Ghana. These findings provide valuable insights into the genetic and phenotypic diversity of Amaranthus, facilitating the selection of high-performing genotypes to harness the contribution of Amaranthus spp. in addressing food and nutrition security challenges.

Intention judgments are not a reliable measure of intuitive preferences

Experimental characterization and machine learning modeling of leakage-induced soil fluidization in water distribution systems

Leakage in water distribution systems poses a global challenge, not only due to resource loss but also through soil erosion and sinkhole formation, which risk infrastructure collapse. This study investigates the mechanisms of soil fluidization, a process in which pressurized pipeline leakage generates turbulent water-soil mixtures, forming expanding fluidized zones. Experimental tests using a custom leakage simulation apparatus, combined with dimensional analysis, were conducted to identify key factors influencing fluidization dynamics. Empirical equations were developed to predict fluidized zone height and area (R² = 0.753–0.915) for both upward and downward leakages. These models were validated against 150 experimental datasets from current and prior studies, covering a wide range of leakage rates and soil types. Three ensemble machine learning models—Random Forest, XGBoost, and a Stacking model integrating support vector regression, multilayer perceptron, and linear regression—were employed to enhance predictive accuracy and stability. The results of evaluation metrics (R2, RMSE and correlation coefficient) showed that although XGBoost outperformed other models regarding accuracy (with R2 = 0.91 in test splits), this model exhibited the lowest stability in predicting dimensionless height and area of fluidized zone (with ΔR² = 0.07–0.08). The Random Forest model had the lowest accuracy (R2 = 0.907–0.912 in train phase) though the most capability in generalization through the minimum differences between train and test splits (with ΔR² = 0.02–0.04). Regarding Stacking model, both accuracy and stability maintained in balanced conditions with moderate performance. The conclusion from findings of all evaluation metrics were the same as deterministic coefficient. The equations derived from dimensional analysis, especially equations for downward leakage direction, also showed comparable performance with the most accurate ensemble model like XGBoost (with R² up to 0.915). Temporal analysis revealed the progression of fluidization through seven distinct stages over approximately 75 seconds. Fluidization initiated at a specific discharge rate, beginning with the formation of a 2 cm cavity and culminating in vortex bifurcation and dimensional stabilization. Critical pore pressure thresholds, observed around 20 seconds, induced suspended particle states and fountain flow, while vertical cavity growth predominated between 25 and 65 seconds. Sensitivity analysis highlighted the densimetric Froude number and soil uniformity as dominant factors, with their omission reducing model R² by up to 84.1% and 71.3%, respectively. In contrast, the particle size-to-leak area ratio exhibited marginal effect (<10% reduction). These findings provide critical insights into sinkhole risk mitigation, offering practical tools for infrastructure vulnerability assessment.

Engineering a serum response factor superactivator of smooth muscle gene expression with a condensate-forming domain

Differentiation of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) is driven by the activation of a set of genes controlled by serum response factor (SRF), a ubiquitous transcription factor with limited intrinsic transcriptional activity. Myocardin (MYOCD) is a strong transcriptional coactivator that orchestrates smooth muscle differentiation through its association with SRF. MYOCD forms nuclear condensates via its intrinsically disordered transcription activation domain (TAD), whereas SRF is diffusely distributed in the nucleus. MYOCD recruits SRF into these condensates, thereby activating the smooth muscle gene program. We engineered a “superactivator” of smooth muscle genes by replacing SRF’s weak TAD with that of MYOCD, thereby enabling SRF to form nuclear condensates and reprogram fibroblasts into SMCs. Using protein proximity labeling, quantitative proteomics and superresolution confocal microscopy, we show that condensates formed by the MYOCD TAD aggregate chromatin remodelers, RNA polymerases, and mRNA processing factors to drive smooth muscle gene expression. These findings provide insights into the mechanisms whereby nuclear condensates facilitate tissue-specific gene expression and highlight a strategy for engineering cell fate determinants by coupling condensate-forming domains to heterologous DNA-binding proteins.

Morphological differences in populations of Jacobaea erucifolia: Genetic differentiation, phenotypic plasticity or ecotypes?

Accurate taxonomic classification is essential for effective conservation strategies, especially for rare and endangered species. Traditionally based on morphology, such classifications may be challenged by recent advances in molecular tools that reveal hidden genetic structure or lack thereof. Jacobaea erucifolia is a declining species in Poland, primarily threatened by habitat loss, fragmentation, and competition with invasive species. Although two subspecies—erucifolia and tenuifolia—have been identified in Poland based on leaf morphology and ecological preferences, the taxonomic status of these forms remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the genetic variation within ten Polish populations of J. erucifolia and assess whether the observed morphological differences correspond to genetic divergence. Based on morphology, four populations were classified as subsp. erucifolia and six as subsp. tenuifolia. Reference populations of confirmed subspecies tenuifolia were included from Slovakia, Hungary, and the Netherlands. Genetic analyses were conducted using amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs), chloroplast DNA restriction fragments (RFLP), cpDNA, and nuclear internal transcribed spacer (ITS) ribosomal DNA sequences. The results revealed a high level of admixture and no significant genetic differentiation among Polish populations, regardless of their initial morphological classification. All Polish populations formed a single genetic group, distinct from foreign tenuifolia samples, although no diagnostic genetic markers were identified to separate these two groups (subspecies) of J. erucifolia definitively. Moreover, sequence data showed no differences among all analyzed individuals, further challenging the validity of subspecies differentiation. These findings suggest that the morphological variation observed within Polish populations likely reflects phenotypic plasticity rather than subspecies-level divergence. Consequently, subspecies tenuifolia does not appear to occur in Poland, and observed differences between Polish populations and those from neighboring countries may represent ecotypic variation. Our study underscores the necessity of integrating genetic and morphological data when resolving taxonomic ambiguities, especially in the context of conservation planning. Future research involving broader geographic sampling and deeper analysis of hybridization patterns will help clarify the evolutionary history and and population dynamics of J. erucifolia.

The power of bridging decision scales: Model coupling for advanced climate policy analysis

Climate policy faces increasingly complex challenges that span multiple human decision scales in nature–society systems. Contemporary climate policy models, while valuable and increasingly versatile in handling spatial and temporal scales, struggle to capture interacting multiscale decisions on the socioeconomic side. This perspective draws attention to the power of coupling among different modeling families, taking integrated assessment models (IAM), computable general equilibrium models (CGE), and agent-based models (ABM) as examples. Recent computational advances, maturity of models, availability of data, and interdisciplinary expertise make model coupling an increasingly feasible, effective, and useful tool for climate policy analysis. We examine the unique contributions of each modeling approach, highlight synergies from uniting their strengths, and discuss alternatives to and conditions for coupling. In addressing methodological challenges, we present examples of effective coupling of IAM–ABM–CGE, emphasizing the importance of maintaining model integrity while enhancing policy relevance. By bridging human decision scales and leveraging complementary strengths, coupled models can provide nuanced insights into climate–economy interactions, ultimately supporting effective and equitable—not just efficient and optimal—climate policies.

Correction: Vitamin D status in post-medieval Northern England: Insights from dental histology and enamel peptide analysis at Coach Lane, North Shields (AD 1711–1857)

Peritumoral macrophages recruit eosinophils to promote antitumor immune responses in breast cancer

Breast tumors harbor dynamic microenvironments, with multiple immune cell types playing opposing roles during tumor progression and/or response to therapy. Tumor-associated macrophages promote mammary tumorigenesis, whereas the role of mammary tissue macrophages (MTMs) remains incompletely understood. High-dimensional immunostaining of murine mammary tumor progression revealed that MTMs were localized in the peritumoral stroma and associated with eosinophils, which were previously shown to facilitate antitumor T cell responses. The depletion of MTMs accelerated tumorigenesis in both spontaneous and orthotopically transplanted mammary tumor models. Upon induction of a productive antitumor response via the depletion of regulatory T cells, MTMs assumed an alternatively activated state and expressed eotaxins, thereby attracting eosinophils to peritumoral regions. MTMs expressed the receptor for the alarmin IL-33, which induced both MTM activation and eosinophil recruitment. These results suggest that MTMs can sense IL-33 and recruit eosinophils to facilitate antitumor immunity, a mechanism that may operate during tumor progression and be further enhanced during productive antitumor responses.

How to achieve high-quality participation in voluntary environmental regulation: Influencing factors and decision mechanism

This paper aims to explore the influencing factors and their decision mechanism of high-quality participation in voluntary environmental regulation, so as to present an ideal situation of synergistic and effective promotion of voluntary environmental governance. For this purpose, a four-party evolutionary game model of “local governments, enterprises, certification institutions and consumers” is constructed under the framework of voluntary environmental regulation, the interaction laws and equilibrium strategies of the multi-subject behaviors are investigated, then numerical simulation and sensitivity analyses are carried out with the help of MATLAB 2023(a). It is found that: active promotion by local governments, legal certification by certification institutions and strong concern from consumers can all promote high-quality participation in voluntary environmental regulation. Among them, legal certification by certification institutions is the key factor, and consumers’ strong concern has the weakest effect. The environmental governance direction of “local government supervise certification institutions, certification institutions review enterprises” can be established by promoting legal certification. Subsidies increased by local governments will help enterprises choose the qualified application strategy more quickly; penalties by local governments and exposure by the media can help certification institutions choose the legal certification strategy faster. This paper will enrich the theoretical research of voluntary environmental regulation from the perspective of participation effectiveness, supplement the practical basis for the high-quality implementation of voluntary environmental regulation, create a new pattern of multiple co-governance, and consolidate the ecological foundation for high-quality development.

More 26S and 30S proteasomes are beneficial in proteinopathy

Despite the many studies on the ubiquitin–proteasome system, our understanding of the proteasome itself is limited. The balance and regulation of 26S and 30S proteasomes are not yet known. Here, we show that among the proteasome base assembly chaperones, only S5b/PSMD5 determines the levels of proteasome holoenzymes, especially the 30S proteasome, in mammals. In a variety of cell lines and mouse tissues, we found that apart from its role in yeast 19S proteasome assembly, loss of S5b/PSMD5 increased assembly toward the 26S and 30S proteasomes. During the process, we identified proteasome complexes that may represent alternative assembly intermediates, including the 19S base complex and 20S complexes harboring 19S subunits, eventually leading to a shift in the overall steady-state level of the 26S and 30S proteasomes. Intriguingly, the addition of the S5b/PSMD5 protein in vitro and its increase in cells efficiently disassembled the 30S proteasome into the 20S and 19S complexes. Increase in the 26S and 30S proteasomes over the 20S proteasome enhances the degradation of the aggregation-prone proteins and ubiquitinated proteins in cells and ameliorates cognitive impairment through the reduction of tau pathology in PS19 mice. These results suggest that 26S and 30S proteasomes are manipulated by S5b/PSMD5 and are beneficial for mitigating proteinopathy in mammals.

Genomic discovery of EF-24 targets unveils antitumorigenic mechanisms in leukemia cells

Curcumin, a polyphenolic compound derived from the plant Curcuma longa L., has demonstrated a wide range of therapeutic properties, including potential anticancer effects. However, its clinical efficacy is limited due to poor bioavailability and stability. To overcome these challenges, curcumin analogs like EF-24 have been developed with improved pharmacological properties. In this study, in order to improve our understanding of EF-24’s potential mechanisms of action, we used whole-transcriptome sequencing to identify genome-wide functional impacts of EF-24 treatment in leukemia cells. These results enabled the development of a testable model system for associating druggable genes with clinical disease targets related to EF-24 treatment. To develop our model of the transcriptional response to EF-24 treatment, we used four well studied model cell lines for leukemia research, specifically the chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cell line K-562 and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell lines HL-60, Kasumi-1, and THP-1. Cell viability was significantly decreased in all four of these leukemia models following EF-24 treatment as compared to untreated controls. We discovered that the genes ATF3, CLU, HSPA6, OSGIN1, ZFAND2A, and CXCL8, which are associated with reduced cell viability and proliferation, were consistently upregulated in all EF-24–treated cell lines. Further analysis of the tested cell lines revealed the activation of various signaling pathways, but notably the S100 family signaling pathway was consistently activated in all four cell lines. Our results provide critical insights into the molecular underpinnings of EF-24’s antitumor efficacy against leukemia subtypes, highlighting its multifaceted impact on signaling pathways and gene networks that regulate cell survival, proliferation, and immune responses in cell line models of myeloid leukemia subtypes.

Intron 1 of the <i>C9orf72</i> gene: The RNA that RAN

Anaemia and associated factors in people living with HIV on ART in Southern Province of Zambia

Background Anaemia remains a significant comorbidity among people living with HIV (PLHIV) on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), exacerbated by biological, sociocultural, and clinical factors. Despite known sex disparities, limited data exist on sex-specific determinants of anaemia in Zambia. This study evaluates anaemia prevalence, sex differences, and associated factors among PLHIV in Southern Province, Zambia. Methods A retrospective cohort study analyzed 2,840 PLHIV aged ≥15 years from 12 districts in Southern Zambia. Data were abstracted from medical records (November–December 2024). Anaemia was defined as haemoglobin &lt;13 g/dL (men) and &lt;12 g/dL (non-pregnant women). Multivariable logistic regression identified factors associated with anaemia. Results Anaemia prevalence was 15.7% (446/2,840), with marked sex disparity: females exhibited 21.8% prevalence (380/1,741) versus 6.0% in males (66/1,099). Adjusted odds of anaemia were 3.24-fold higher in females (95% CI: 1.98–5.31, p &lt; 0.0001). Widowed individuals had the highest prevalence (20.2%). Cotrimoxazole (CTX) prophylaxis reduced anaemia likelihood (14.3% vs. 18.3%, p = 0.005). Participants on INSTI-based ART had lower anaemia prevalence (11.9%) compared to protease inhibitors (26.5%) or other regimens (30.0%). Viral load was independently associated with anaemia (AOR: 1.00, p = 0.021). Advanced WHO stages (Stage 3: 50% anaemia) and lower creatinine levels correlated with increased risk. Conclusions Significant sex-based disparities in anaemia among Zambian PLHIV highlight the need for gender-responsive interventions, including nutritional support and INSTI-based ART. CTX prophylaxis demonstrates protective effects, advocating for broader integration into HIV care. Retrospective design and unmeasured confounders limit causal inference. Future research should prioritize longitudinal studies to refine anaemia management in high-burden settings.

An in vitro BRAF activation assay elucidates molecular mechanisms driving disassembly of the autoinhibited BRAF state

The RAF kinases (ARAF, BRAF, and CRAF) are essential components of the RAS-ERK signaling pathway, which controls vital cellular processes and is frequently dysregulated in human disease. Notably, mutations that alter BRAF function are prominent drivers of human cancer and certain RASopathy disorders, making BRAF an important target for therapeutic intervention. Despite extensive research, several aspects of BRAF regulation remain unclear. In this study, we developed an in vitro BRAF activation assay using purified autoinhibited BRAF:14-3-3 2 :MEK complexes. Our results show that fully processed, active-state KRAS alone can promote dimer-dependent BRAF activation. Moreover, we found that phosphatidylserine (PS)-containing liposomes synergized with KRAS to promote BRAF activation, achieving activity levels comparable to those observed with BRAF proteins that constitutively dimerize. In contrast, the SMP phosphatase complex had only a minimal effect on BRAF catalytic activity in this system but mediated the dephosphorylation of the negative regulatory pS365 14-3-3 binding site in a manner that was accelerated by the presence of KRAS alone or KRAS and 30% PS liposomes. Finally, we show that inhibitors blocking the BRAF RBD:KRAS interaction were able to suppress the in vitro activation of BRAF, underscoring the critical role of RAS binding in initiating the disassembly of the BRAF autoinhibited state. Thus, this assay provides valuable insights into the steps required for BRAF activation and can serve as an effective screening tool for identifying compounds that may inhibit this process and have therapeutic potential.

Effectiveness of the capability approach in rehabilitation for persons with neuromuscular diseases: A controlled before-after study

Background Rehabilitation of persons with neuromuscular diseases (NMD) requires a personalised approach that focuses on achieving and maintaining a level of functioning that enables them to be in a state of well-being. The capability approach states that well-being should be understood in terms of capabilities, which are the opportunities that people have to be and do things they have reason to value. The aim of this study is to investigate whether providing care inspired by the capability approach (capability care) has an effect on the well-being of persons with NMD. Methods In the Rehabilitation and Capability care for persons with NeuroMuscular Diseases (ReCap-NMD) study, 64 adults with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy or myotonic dystrophy type 1 were included in two groups, using a before-after controlled design with 6 months between the measurement moments. The first group received rehabilitation as usual, the second received capability care. This article reports on the primary outcome measure, the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) and secondary quantitative outcome measures (questionnaires on participation, capability well-being and health-related quality of life). Results There was no difference between capability care and usual care on the COPM and the secondary outcome measures. There was a similar improvement for both capability care and usual rehabilitation on the COPM at 6-month follow-up. This means that the effect of capability care is similar to usual rehabilitation. Conclusion This is the first study that explicitly developed, implemented and evaluated a clinical healthcare intervention inspired by the capability approach. We found no difference on the COPM between persons with NMD receiving capability care compared to usual rehabilitation. There is a need for further research on the clinical relevance and added value of the capability approach for rehabilitation and other fields in healthcare. Trial registration Trialregister.nl NL8946.