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Cooling phase organic fertilizer applied in saline soil increase the content of soil macro-aggregates and aggregate-associated carbon

Soil aggregate formation and stabilization are pivotal for remediating saline-alkali soils, but the potential of cooling-phase organic fertilizer (CPOF)—a transitional stage in composting—has been overlooked. This study systematically investigated the regulatory effects of CPOF on saline soil aggregate systems, focusing on two key objectives: (1) comparing the efficacy of CPOF with organic fertilizers from other composting phases (initial, thermophilic, matured) in enhancing macroaggregate proportion and stability; and (2) clarifying how CPOF’s unique organic components influence carbon speciation across aggregate size fractions. Our results demonstrated that CPOF outperformed other composting phases in improving soil physical properties and aggregate dynamics. It reduced soil bulk density by 18.5% and increased porosity by 22.3%, driven by three mechanisms: (1) dominant humification microorganisms (e.g., Actinobacteria) secreting extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) that bind soil particles; (2) a balanced ratio of labile and stable organic components, providing both immediate binding agents and long-term humic substances; and (3) enhanced microbial-mineral interactions via ligand exchange and cation bridging. In aggregate dynamics, CPOF significantly promoted macroaggregate (>0.25 mm) formation and stability, with peak effects at 180 days. This was attributed to fungal communities (e.g., Peniophora, Mucorales) producing glomalin-related soil proteins (GRSP) and calcium-mediated particle bridging. CPOF also increased organic carbon content in macroaggregates by 18–22% through labile carbon (supporting microbial activity) and transitional humic substances (facilitating long-term sequestration), with sustained stability over 540 days. These findings highlight CPOF as a time-sensitive amendment that synchronizes microbial activity with physical carbon protection, offering a scalable solution for saline soil rehabilitation. A proposed two-phase strategy—initial CPOF application for rapid improvement, followed by mature compost for long-term maintenance—could enhance carbon sequestration efficiency by 15–20% in regions like the Yellow River Basin, supporting climate-smart agriculture and global saline soil management.

Recovery of benthic macroinfauna six years after dredging

In soft-sediment communities, benthic macroinfauna can recover quickly (sometimes < 1 year) from dredging. However, it’s unclear how recovery is influenced if dredging dramatically changes abiotic factors. We determined recovery of benthic macroinfauna from dredging on a sandy shoal (Ship Shoal, Louisiana, USA), six years after dredging. Because the dredged area infilled with mud instead of sand and changed local abiotic conditions, we hypothesized that the benthic community had not recovered. Our results support this hypothesis. Although the dredged community had, on average, 160% greater density and 170% greater macroinfaunal biomass than the reference community, these increases were driven by the opportunistic and seasonally variable dwarf clam, Mulinia lateralis. Community structure differed starkly between the regions. Haustoriid amphipods and amphioxus (Branchiostoma floridae) dominated the reference community. However, these taxa were largely absent from the dredged community, which was dominated by opportunistic species such as M. lateralis and the fringe-gilled mudworm Paraprionospio pinnata. Community differences were largely driven by bottom-water dissolved oxygen and sediment grain size. Our results suggest that the dredged areas are still in a transitional phase of recovery after six years – dominated by opportunistic, hypoxia-tolerant species. Our results suggest that abiotic factors such as grain size and hypoxia are important in structuring benthic communities and their recovery rates. Thus, to achieve faster recovery of the biological community, dredging should be conducted in a way that minimizes long-term impacts on abiotic conditions.

Predicting severe renal dysfunction in alcohol-associated cirrhosis: Comparative performance of liver function scores and machine learning models

Background Renal dysfunction is a frequent and clinically relevant complication of cirrhosis, yet chronic kidney disease (CKD) often remains underrecognized, particularly in non-acute settings. Early identification of at-risk patients is essential to guide timely interventions. Although MELD, Child-Pugh Score (CPS), APRI, and FIB-4 are widely used to assess hepatic disease severity, their predictive value for advanced renal dysfunction is uncertain. Methods In this retrospective cohort study (2014–2021, Klinikum Stuttgart), we evaluated the ability of MELD, CPS, APRI, and FIB-4 to predict severe renal dysfunction (chronic kidney disease [CKD] stage ≥ 3, according to Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes [KDIGO] classification) in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis. Logistic and linear regression analyses were performed. In addition, machine learning (ML) models were trained to identify non-renal predictors of CKD stage ≥ 3. Results Among 131 patients (mean age 62.8 ± 11.3 years; 71% male), 33% met criteria for KDIGO stage ≥ 3. MELD was significantly associated with advanced CKD (OR = 1.379, p < 0.001), with prevalence increasing from 17% (MELD ≤ 9) to 80% (MELD ≥ 20). CPS showed an inverse association (p = 0.002), while APRI and FIB-4 were not predictive. The optimized Random Forest model, refined through ROSE oversampling and feature selection, achieved an AUC of 0.757, with 76% accuracy, 82% sensitivity (KDIGO < 3), and 63% specificity (KDIGO ≥ 3). Conclusion MELD was the most reliable conventional score for identifying advanced renal dysfunction in alcoholic cirrhosis. ML-based models incorporating routinely available clinical parameters further improved predictive performance and may support risk stratification in this high-risk population.

Assessment of the Quality of post-abortion care records in 20 Public Health Facilities in Uganda: What are the gaps and how can we improve quality?

Background Effective strategies for reducing maternal mortality depend on the accuracy of data. In sub-Saharan Africa, however, weak health systems often result in significant gaps in data collection and analysis. These gaps can lead to misreporting, missing data, or double-counting at health facilities, ultimately skewing the aggregated data reported by Ministries of Health. This is a big problem given that the data shapes planning and policy of the country. In this study, we assessed the data quality of Post-abortion Care (PAC) records across 20 health facilities in Uganda. Methods A two-stage design was employed. In stage 1, DHIS2 data from 80 public health facilities were reviewed for completeness, timeliness, and internal consistency (2018–2021). In stage 2, 20 facilities that met a predefined eligibility criterion (≥ 50% discrepancy or missing data during stage 1) were purposively selected for in-depth validation. Data were collected retrospectively from facility registers for the last 7 months of 2021 and prospectively for the first 6 months of 2022. Data quality was assessed using adapted WHO data quality review (DQR) metrics. Results Health facilities achieved a 100% timeliness rate for report submissions, with all documents provided by the 7th day of each month. Although a statistically significant positive correlation was observed between the number of women who received PAC and those who received post-abortion family planning (PAFP) (r = 0.083, p < 0.001), the association was very weak suggesting limited internal consistency between the two indicators and raising questions about the reliability of data linkages between care and follow-up services in routine reporting systems. Moreover, comparing facility records with DHIS2 data revealed that outpatient records were more accurate than inpatient records, with PAC data being more inaccurate than other maternal health indicators. Further analysis by facility type indicated a higher number of case-load outliers at Health Centre IIIs and IIs (1049) compared to hospitals and Health Centre IVs, highlighting disparities in data quality across different levels of healthcare facilities. Conclusion: Despite high submission rates, PAC data accuracy was notably low, highlighting the need for better data management and record-keeping, particularly in lower-level health facilities. Addressing these disparities is crucial for improving maternal health outcomes, emphasizing the necessity for targeted interventions to enhance data accuracy and reliability within Uganda’s health system.

An insight into Northern Wollo Monastery Forests: Examining plant species diversity, vegetation structure, and regeneration analysis of these relict ecosystems

Monastery forests in the Ethiopian highlands serve as cultural sanctuaries and critical refugia for Afromontane biodiversity. We conducted floristic inventories (n = 90 nested 20 m × 20 m plots) and demographic censuses (2039 woody stems) across five forest fragments (6.7–82.1 ha) to assess α- and β-diversity, evaluate population viability of key canopy species, and analyse the influence of topography and anthropogenic disturbance on community composition. Coverage-based rarefaction for species richness (Hill q = 0) estimated standardized estimate 32 ± 3.7 to 78 ± 5.2 species ha ⁻ ¹ while Shannon diversity (q = 1) ranged from 3.17 to 3.86 effective species. A Sørensen-based PERMANOVA confirmed significant compositional differentiation among forests (F₄,₈₅ = 3.66, P = 0.001), pair-wise turnover values (β_sim = 0.35–0.62, mean ± SE = 0.48 ± 0.05). Canonical correspondence analysis explained 17.6% of constrained variation, with slope (pseudo-F = 5.9, P = 0.004) and grazing intensity (F = 3.8, P = 0.012) and disturbance (F = 3.1, P = 0.018) emerging as the predominant, non collinear predictors of composition. Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata declined in two fragments (λ ≤ 0.91 yr ⁻ ¹) where seedling: adult ratios were ≤0.15, while Juniperus procera populations (λ = 1.03–1.11 yr ⁻ ¹) were predicted to remain stable to gradually increase by annual, stage-structured matrix models. We recommend a tiered stewardship strategy that combines livestock exclosures, enrichment planting of regeneration-limited taxa and participatory monitoring of vital rates. This study explains how local management modulates β-diversity across rugged terrain and establishes the first population-viability benchmarks for Ethiopia’s church forests by connecting floristic patterns with demographic processes and topographic context.

Neural tube defect among newborns in public hospitals of Tigray region, northern Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study

Background Neural tube defects are serious congenital abnormalities caused by abnormal neural tube closure that occur between third and fourth weeks of pregnancy. Globally, neural tube defect is one of the top causes of morbidity and mortality among children under the age of five years. Ethiopia bears the highest adjusted mortality rate attributable to neural tube defects among sub-Saharan African countries. Despite this burden, neural tube defects remain understudied in Tigray, a region recently devastated by conflict. Objective To assess the prevalence and factors associated with neural tube defect among newborns in public hospitals of Tigray, northern Ethiopia, 2024 Methods A facility based cross sectional study design was conducted among 1155 newborns in randomly selected public hospitals in the Tigray region from April 1 to May 30, 2024. Study participants were selected using a systematic random sampling technique. Data were collected through interviewer-administered, pretested, and structured questionnaires. Variables with a p-value of less than 0.25 in the bivariate logistic regression were included in the multivariable analysis to assess their independent effects. Associations between dependent and independent variables were considered statistically significant at a p-value < 0.05. Results The overall prevalence of neural tube defects in this study was 3%. Residence (AOR=3.37, 95% CI: 1.46-7.77), folic acid supplementation before and during pregnancy (AOR=0.14, 95% CI: 0.06-0.33), having no medical illness during pregnancy (AOR=0.10, 95% CI: 0.04-0.21), food consumption score (AOR=2.90, 95% CI: 1.10-7.82), and alcohol consumption during pregnancy (AOR=2.90, 95% CI: 1.30-6.45) were the determinants for neural tube defects. Conclusions The prevalence of neural tube defects is comparatively high among newborns born in Tigray’s public hospitals as compared to previous studies. Residing in rural areas, folic acid supplementation before and during pregnancy, having no medical illnesses during pregnancy, poor food consumption scores, and alcohol consumption during pregnancy were the determinants for neural tube defects. Preventive strategies, such as periconceptional folic acid supplementation, folate fortification, promoting healthy dietary practices, avoiding alcohol consumption, early maternal screening, and treatment of medical illnesses, are essential at both regional and national levels.

Modelling of performance prediction by analysis of elite swimmers’ anthropometry, peak performance age and age-related performance progression

In this study, anthropometry, age-related performance progression and peak performance age (PPA) in elite swimmers were analysed to develop a model to predict peak performance. The best seasonal performances of the world’s all-time top 20 male and female swimmers in 5 strokes/styles (FS: freestyle; BK: backstroke; BT: breaststroke; BF: butterfly; and MD: medley) and 17 individual events were considered. An event- and sex-specific model using dynamic panel data methods was used to calculate and present 95% confidence bands to formulate performance trends. We also analysed the historical changes in PPA, height and body mass by dividing these 20 top swimmers into two groups based on their YOB: former (n = 10) and recent (n = 10) swimmers. The height of male FS swimmers was significantly greater than that of BF and MD swimmers, and BK swimmers was greater than that of MD swimmers, and among females, height of MD swimmers was significantly smaller than that of FS, BK and BF swimmers. The PPA of BT swimmers was significantly higher than that of FS, BK and BF swimmers in males, and BF swimmers was significantly higher than that of MD swimmers in females. Both male and female more recent swimmers were shorter, lighter and, in particular, younger than their former counterparts in most events. Performance over the preceding 1 year in all events and 2 years in men’s 50m BT and women’s 100m BK, 100m BT, 200m BT and 200m BF, and weight in 100m BK were important for predicting future performance. Our models provide coaches with a practical tool for predicting PPA, performance records and appropriate benchmarks at different ages, which can be useful for talent identification, goal setting and evaluation of performance progression.

Evaluation of bee pollen by characterizing its botanical origin, total phenolic content, and microbial load for the formulation of apitherapy products

Bee pollen (BP) is a beehive product known for its therapeutic properties. In this study, we aimed to evaluate 38 BP samples harvested from January 2022 to September 2022 at apiaries located in 6 provinces of Iran. The botanical origin of BP samples was determined using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The total phenolic content (TPC) of BP samples was evaluated using the Folin_Ciocalteu method. The total aerobic mesophiles were observed using Plate Count Agar (PCA). Based on the predominant grains, most samples were classified as monofloral, identifying 23 plant families. The results indicated a direct relationship between the increased abundance of plant families Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Rosaceae, and Caryophyllaceae and the increased amount of TPC in BP samples, with the most significant positive influence of the Brassicaceae plant family. The mean value of TPC of methanol extracts of BP samples was 18.48 ± 1.97 mg of gallic acid equivalents per g (GAE/g). The mean value of the total aerobic mesophiles was 23,668.12 colony-forming units per g (CFU/g). The results were based on hygiene standards for human consumption. The current study is considered the first step toward standardizing Iranian BP.

Genomic characterization and fermentation study of the endophyte Stemphylium sp. (Aa22), a producer of bioactive alkyl-resorcinols

The genome of the previously described endophytic fungus Stemphylium sp. (strain Aa22) has been sequenced to near completion. Phylogenomic analysis placed strain Aa22 in close proximity to Stemphylium lycopersici. Strain Aa22 had been previously reported as the producer of the bioactive alkyl-resorcinol stemphol and derivative stempholones A and B in solid culture on rice. Genome mining for biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) identified 38 genomic regions predicted to encode secondary metabolites production. Among them, a single type III polyketide synthase (T3PKS) that shared similarity with other fungal T3PKSs was identified. T3PKSs are responsible for the biosynthesis of alkyl-resorcinols from fatty acyl-CoA substrates. This makes the identified T3PKS gene a likely candidate for stempholone biosynthesis and a target for future manipulation to enhance production of bioactive alkyl-resorcinols. We also studied the production of these compounds in solid rice media and in liquid PDB medium with or without the addition of talcum powder. The highest extract yield was obtained with PDB cultures, and GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of high levels of the bioactive compound stempholone A, along with two unidentified compounds. Addition of talcum powder suppressed stempholone A production and reduced chemical diversity, with accumulation of oleamide. In contrast, the rice solid media fermentation resulted in methylated fatty acids and oleamide, with no detectable stempholone.

Integrative transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses provide insights into the mechanism of autotoxicity of Pugionium cornutum (L.) Gaertn

Pugionium cornutum (L.) Gaertn., a functional vegetable with dual health benefits, faces significant constraints in sustainable industrial development due to autotoxicity-induced continuous cropping obstacles. This study investigates the molecular regulatory mechanisms underlying the response of Pugionium cornutum (L.) Gaertn. to phthalic acid, a representative autotoxic substance, through integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses under varying phthalic acid concentrations. The results revealed that phthalic acid stress significantly altered the abundance of 892 metabolites. Critical metabolites including MG(16:0/0:0/0:0)[rac] and 6-hydroxysphingosine were found to modulate differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in key pathways such as flavonoid biosynthesis, tropane/piperidine/pyridine alkaloid biosynthesis, glucosinolate metabolism, and ABC transporter activity. Comparative analysis demonstrated more pronounced molecular responses under high-concentration phthalic acid stress (10 mmol/L) compared to low-concentration treatment (0.1 m mmol/L), indicating intensified phytotoxic effects at elevated autotoxin levels. These findings provide novel insights into the autotoxicity response mechanisms of Pugionium cornutum (L.) Gaertn.and establish a theoretical foundation for developing sustainable cultivation strategies for this species.

PRAME-AS lncRNA, regulated by MZF1, modulates PRAME expression and cell stemness

PRAME is a member of the large cancer-testis antigens (CTA). In normal tissues, PRAME is mainly expressed in the testis. However, low levels of PRAME transcript are detected in the endometrium, ovary, and adrenal glands. Due to the tumor‐restricted expression of PRAME, some of its regulatory factors have been investigated; however, the role of lncRNAs remains unclear. In this study, we ablated the PRAME-AS gene and investigated the effects on PRAME expression, cell proliferation, migration, viability, and anchorage-independent growth. We further manipulated PRAME-AS expression through MZF1 overexpression and hypermethylation of its upstream regulatory region. Additionally, we assessed the ability of the PRAME locus regulatory region to drive PRAME-AS lncRNA transcription. Our findings show that PRAME-AS gene knockout diminishes PRAME transcript levels by about 37%. The PRAME-AS knockout cells showed a decrease in migration, proliferation, stemness, and viability. We discovered that MZF1 induces PRAME expression approximately twofold and increases PRAME-AS transcript levels by more than threefold. We found that hypermethylation of the upstream regulatory sequence of PRAME-AS results in an approximately 50% reduction in PRAME transcripts and an 18.5% decrease in PRAME-AS transcript levels. Moreover, based on our EGFP reporter assay, we conclude that the regulatory region of the PRAME locus—without PRAME transcription—is insufficient to drive transcription of PRAME-AS in the antisense direction. Taken together, our data support the conclusion that PRAME-AS lncRNA acts as a regulator of PRAME transcript levels, and that MZF1—and the methylation status of a shared CpG island— influence the expression of both genes.

Triage and hospitalization outcomes in the geriatric population of an emergency department: A retrospective cohort study comparing the manchester triage system and the emergency severity index

Introduction Elderly patients in emergency departments (EDs) are at increased risk due to nonspecific symptoms, multimorbidity, and elevated mortality. This study compared the predictive performance of the Manchester Triage System (MTS) and the Emergency Severity Index (ESI) for hospitalization and critical outcomes in geriatric patients and analyzed symptom patterns by age and clinical course. Methods This retrospective study included all patients aged ≥18 years admitted to a tertiary ED in northern Poland between January and June 2021. Each patient was concurrently assessed using both MTS and ESI. Data collected included triage level, age group (18–64, 65–79, ≥ 80), sex, mode of arrival, presenting symptoms, and outcomes including hospitalization and ten predefined critical events (e.g., sepsis, admission, urgent surgery). Logistic regression was used to assess associations. Results Among 1,063 patients, 475 (44.7%) were aged ≥65. Patients aged 18–64 most commonly presented with abdominal pain or polytrauma, while geriatric patients more frequently reported dyspnea, weakness, and altered mental status. Dyspnea was nearly twice as common in patients ≥80. Weakness (OR = 1.67) and abdominal pain (OR = 1.64) were significantly associated with hospitalization. Hospitalization and critical events were more likely in older adults (OR = 2.03 for ages 65–79; OR = 3.74 for ≥80). In both systems, higher triage urgency was independently associated with greater risk (MTS: OR = 0.51; ESI: OR = 0.43). ESI showed stronger alignment with physiological deterioration and predicted complications such as ICU admission and sepsis more consistently than MTS. Conclusions MTS and ESI show limited sensitivity in older patients, particularly with nonspecific presentations. ESI provided better discrimination of clinical urgency. Findings support revising triage systems to account for age, atypical symptoms, and geriatric vulnerability.

Biochemical description of ozonized propolis and its activity against pathogenic microorganisms, cancer cells, and inflammation with molecular docking interaction

Numerous experimental investigations conducted on different natural compounds; however, their effectiveness remains insufficient for overcoming the health problems. The effect of ozone on phytochemical characterization of propolis with its biological activities was investigated currently. HPLC showed that ozonized propolis (OP) contains several compounds with high concentrations like hesperetin, rosmarinic acid, coumaric acid, caffeic acid, and chlorogenic acid compared to non-ozonized propolis (NOP). Inhibition zones, killing kinetic time, MID and MBD indicated the effective role of OP against Salmonella typhi, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bacillus subtilis, and Staphylococcus aureus besides Candida albicans compared to NOP. Low IC50 value (9.91 ± 1.25 μg/mL) was attributed to OP while NOP provide IC50 value 26.05 ± 0.50 μg/mL as antioxidant agent via DPPH. Inhibition of protein denaturation as a marker of anti-inflammatory was recorded for OP with IC50 value of 6.46 ± 0.66 μg/mL compared to the IC50 value of NOP (11.32 ± 1.33 μg/mL). Caco-2 cells line was inhibited with morphological changes by either OP or NOP, however OP reflected excellent IC50 9.9 ± 2.98 μg/mL contrast NOP (IC50 41.43 ± 0.62 μg/mL). Flow cytometric analysis of Caco-2 cells documented the apoptosis caused by propolis particularly NOP. The current study adopts a computational method to investigate the possible antibacterial and anticancer properties of rosmarinic acid and hespertin as main constituents of propolis. Rosmarinic acid and hespertin were docked as ligands against K. pneumonia (PDB ID: 6T77) and Caco2 cells (PDB ID: 1M17) receptors.

Explaining solar forecasts with generative AI: A two-stage framework combining transformers and LLMs

Accurate and interpretable solar power forecasting is critical for effectively integrating Photo-Voltaic (PV) systems into modern energy infrastructure. This paper introduces a novel two-stage hybrid framework that couples deep learning-based time series prediction with generative Large Language Models (LLMs) to enhance forecast accuracy and model interpretability. At its core, the proposed SolarTrans model leverages a lightweight Transformer-based encoder-decoder architecture tailored for short-term DC power prediction using multivariate inverter and weather data, including irradiance, ambient and module temperatures, and temporal features. Experiments conducted on publicly available datasets from two PV plants over 34 days demonstrate strong predictive performance. The SolarTrans model achieves a Mean Absolute Error (MAE) of 0.0782 and 0.1544, Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) of 0.1760 and 0.4424, and R2 scores of 0.9692 and 0.7956 on Plant 1 and Plant 2, respectively. On the combined dataset, the model yields an MAE of 0.1105, RMSE of 0.3189, and R2 of 0.8967. To address the interpretability challenge, we fine-tuned the Flan-T5 model on structured prompts derived from domain-informed templates and forecast outputs. The resulting explanation module achieves ROUGE-1, ROUGE-2, ROUGE-L, and ROUGE-Lsum scores of 0.7889, 0.7211, 0.7759, and 0.7771, respectively, along with a BLEU score of 0.6558, indicating high-fidelity generation of domain-relevant natural language explanations.

The Social Stress Indicator (SSI)

Social media shapes perceptions, influences emotions, and fuels anxieties, yet its true impact on social stress remains difficult to measure. This study introduces the Social Stress Indicator (SSI) as a computational tool for quantifying social stress in real time by integrating sentiment analysis (SA), subjectivity (SUB), and information seeking behavior (ISB). The data used was synthetic, and no-real world data was used to test the context. To validate SSI, it was compared to an expert-labeled Social Stress Score (SSS), which assesses sentiment negativity, anxiety expression, engagement, misinformation, and help-seeking behavior. Results show that SSI moderately aligns with SSS but underestimates stress levels, especially during high-intensity events. Bland-Altman analysis confirmed a negative bias, suggesting SSI struggles to capture extreme stress. However, causality tests indicate SSI has predictive power, making it a potential early warning system for stress-related trends. Despite its promise, SSI faces limitations in detecting misinformation surges, crisis-driven anxiety, and nuanced social interactions. This study demonstrates the feasibility of computationally tracking social stress at scale but highlights the need for refinements. Future improvements should enhance sensitivity to extreme stressors, incorporate adaptive thresholding, and integrate contextual signals like network effects and linguistic nuances. This research advances infodemic intelligence, with implications for mental health monitoring, policy-making, and digital governance.

TRIM6 affects the prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and is associated with immune infiltration

Objective Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous disease with limited therapeutic options and poor prognosis for patients. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the potential value of TRIM6 as a prognostic marker in AML. Methods In this study, the low-expressed gene TRIM6 was obtained by analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA-AML) and Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) databases.The prognostic impact of TRIM6 was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curves, univariate COX, multivariate COX, and columnar plot models. The signaling pathways associated with TRIM6 were obtained using Gene Set Variation Analysis (GSVA) and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) methods. Infiltrating immune cells associated with TRIM6 expression were analyzed using the “CIBERSORT” method. Mutations in AML patients were characterized using relevant Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) data. The effect of TRIM6 expression on AML cell progression was further analyzed by qRT-PCR, CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry and Western blot. Results By analyzing TCGA-AML and GTEx data, TRIM6 was found to be under-expressed in AML patients, and Kaplan-Meier curves, one-way and multifactorial Cox regression models suggested that under-expression of TRIM6 had a poor prognosis. In addition, monocyte, M2 macrophage and memory B cell infiltration levels were found to be higher in the TRIM6 low-expression group than in the TRIM6 high-expression group based on the “CIBERSORT” method. Further mutational characterization showed that TRIM6 expression was positively correlated with NPM1 mutations and negatively correlated with mutations in RUNX1, TP53 and ASXL1. Enrichment analysis revealed that TRIM6 expression was associated with the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and immune response. In addition, in vivo and in vitro experiments further demonstrated that TRIM6 expression could inhibit AML progression via PI3K/AKT. Conclusion TRIM6 is expressed at low levels in AML, correlates with immune infiltration, and may affect AML progression through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Correction: The force at the implant cannot be assessed by the mallet force–Unless supported by a model

Estimating the clinical and economic burden of medically attended influenza in South Korea, stratified by age and comorbidity: A five-season hospital-based surveillance data, 2014/15–2018/19

Objectives This study aims to estimate the clinical and economic burden of influenza in South Korea across five seasons (2014/15–2018/19), stratified by age and comorbidity, using data from the Hospital-based Influenza Morbidity and Mortality (HIMM) network. Methods Data were gathered from eight university hospitals and included adults (≥ 20 years) with laboratory-confirmed influenza. The catchment population was estimated using hospital and national statistical data. Economic costs were evaluated from a societal perspective. Results The incidence of medically attended influenza ranged from 113.1 to 220.7 per 100,000 adults, with hospitalization rate of 35.5 to 76.8, intensive care unit admission at 4.2 to 9.2, and deaths at 1.4 to 3.6. Annual socioeconomic costs ranged from $156 to $316 million, primarily driven by indirect costs associated with early mortality. The highest cost was recorded in 2017/18, following the largest outbreak, particularly among older adults. Per capita socioeconomic costs ranged from $2,747 to $4,072 across the seasons, with peak values observed in 2018/19 and 2015/16. Among at-risk groups, per capita costs were 1.5–2.3 times higher than those of the general adult population. Conclusions Influenza imposes a significant clinical and economic burden on South Korea. Tailored strategies are essential to mitigate this burden, particularly among older adults and at-risk individuals not covered by the National Immunization Program.

Tick saliva protein fraction inhibits breast cancer by decreasing cell viability and promoting apoptosis in vitro

Tick saliva contains protein and non-protein bioactive molecules with potential therapeutic applications, including anticancer properties. In this study, the effects of protein and non-protein fractions of saliva from different tick species (Amblyomma spp. and Rhipicephalus sanguineus) at various concentrations (0.1–10 µg/mL) were tested on the viability, apoptosis, and necrosis of epithelial MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells and spontaneously immortalized HaCaT cell control. Chemical composition of tick saliva from A. parvum and A. sculptum was characterized by proteomics analysis. Cell viability was assessed using a calcein-based fluorescence method. Hoechst staining quantified the total number of cells per well, while apoptosis and necrosis were evaluated using Hoescht and propidium iodide assays, respectively. On MDA-MB-231 cancer cells, the protein fraction from A. parvum and R. sanguineus significantly reduced cell viability at the highest concentration (10 µg/mL), whereas A. sculptum and non-protein fractions showed no significant effect. Hoechst staining revealed a significant reduction in cell attachment at 10 µg/mL for A. parvum and R. sanguineus. A modest apoptosis (3–8%) was induced by the protein fractions at concentrations as low as 0.1 µg/mL for R. sanguineus and 10 µg/mL for the non-protein fraction of A. sculptum. Necrosis was not observed, except for a slight increase (1%) with the protein fraction of R. sanguineus at 10 µg/mL. No effect of A. americanum tick saliva protein and non-protein fractions was observed in HaCaT control cells. The results of highly represented proteins identified in Amblyomma spp. correlated with effect of tick saliva protein fraction on cancer cells, highlighting the potential anticancer properties of tick saliva protein fraction, which can induce apoptosis and inhibit cell attachment in breast cancer cells. These findings provide a basis for future studies of tick saliva components as novel therapeutic agents and identifying active biomolecules and mechanisms of action.

Application of group-based trajectory models to evaluate the association of fetal growth trajectories and childhood overweight and obesity: A longitudinal study with 2-year follow-up

Objective This study investigated whether fetal growth trajectory (FGT) can predict adverse childhood growth outcomes. The correlation between maternal metabolic factors (e.g., body mass index (BMI), diabetes during pregnancy) and FGT was evaluated. Method 1525 women with singleton pregnancies were included in this study. Fetal growth was assessed at least three times at 20–24 weeks of gestation, 28–32 weeks, and ≥36 weeks. Children’s growth was monitored from birth to 2 years old. A population-based trajectory model was used to analyze the changes in FGT with gestational age and the association between FGT and overweight and obesity in children at 2 years old. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors affecting fetal growth trajectory. Odds ratio (OR) with its 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated. Results Among the 1525 participants, trajectory analysis identified three FGTs based on fetal estimated fetal weight: an “accelerated growth trajectory” (n = 278, 18.2%), “median growth trajectory” (n = 708, 46.4%), and a “faltering growth trajectory” (n = 539, 35.4%)”. The fetus in accelerating growth trajectory faced fourth the likelihood of being overweight or obesity at 2 years old (RR = 4.22, 95% CI = 2.23, 8.00). Advanced age (OR 1.07, 95%CI 1.0–1.11), high BMI (OR 1.10, 95%CI 1.05–1.14), gestational weight gain (OR 1.05, 95%CI 1.02–1.08)), diabetes during pregnancy (OR 1.74, 95%CI 1.14–2.65)) were risk factors for accelerating growth trajectory. Conclusion These findings suggested that accelerating growth trajectory was associated with overweight or obesity in early childhood, and differences in maternal metabolic factors may alter fetal growth trajectory. This study aids in the early identification of infants susceptible to overweight or obesity.