Browse Articles

Identification of CXCR4 as a potential preventive gene in clear cell renal cell carcinoma from machine learning and immune analysis

A systematic review and coordinate-based meta-analysis of resting-state fMRI in athletes from open and closed skills sports

Abstract The impact of prolonged sports training on athletes’ brain functional activity remains inconclusive. A systematic review and coordinate-based meta-analysis of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-MRI) is necessary to identify functional connectivity changes induced by prolonged sports training. A total of 31 studies were included in the systematic review, and 18 studies with 347 non-athletes and 327 athletes were analyzed using coordinate-based activation likelihood estimation (ALE) and seed-based d mapping with permutation of subject images (SDM-PSI) meta-analysis. Results revealed that greater functional connectivity in athletes in the paracentral lobule, medial frontal gyrus, precuneus, inferior parietal lobule, supramarginal gyrus, inferior frontal gyrus, Rolandic operculum, and median cingulate/paracingulate gyri (DCG). Consistent changes in the DCG were identified in closed-skill sports athletes. Furthermore, increased regional functional activity was observed in the posterior cingulate gyrus, lingual gyrus and cerebellum. Both meta-analytical methods emphasize altered functional activity within the default mode network (DMN), cerebellar network (CBN), ventral attention network (VAN), visual network (VA), and sensorimotor network (SMN). These findings suggest that long-term sport training optimizes connection strength and efficiency in brain regions associated with visual attention, cognitive and motor control in athletes. Overall, our study reveals shared neural adaptations across different types of athletes, offering new insights into the effects of long-term specific training on brain functional connectivity in specialists.

Multi-objective stochastic model optimal operation of smart microgrids coalition with penetration renewable energy resources with demand responses

HPV transmission and optimal control of cervical cancer in China

Abstract Cervical cancer (CC), the fourth most common female malignancy globally, is predominantly caused by persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) strains. China faces a particularly severe burden, exhibiting both the world’s second-highest CC prevalence and an alarming epidemiological trend characterized by steadily increasing incidence rates and younger age of onset. In response to the WHO’s global elimination strategy, China launched the Action Plan for Accelerated Elimination of Cervical Cancer (2023–2030). Aligned with national prevention and control objectives, considering two key interventions, that is widespread HPV vaccination and systematic CC screening, this study develops a novel two-sex, age-structured transmission model to characterize HPV transmission dynamics and CC progression, and implementation of intervention strategies. Through mathematical modeling analysis and simulation, we quantify age- and sex-specific risk profiles, predict long-term epidemiological trends. Using optimal control theory, we propose a supply-constrained vaccine allocation strategy for maximal population protection and a cost-effective screening implementation plan, which will provide evidence-based recommendations to support China’s national CC elimination goals.

High tree diversity exposed to unprecedented macroclimatic conditions even under minimal anthropogenic climate change

Tree species worldwide face increasing exposure to unprecedented macroclimatic conditions due to anthropogenic climate change, which may trigger biome shifts and ecosystem disruptions. We quantified climate change exposure–shifts to species’ currently unoccupied climate zones–for 32,089 tree species globally by 2100, assessing both species-level and local tree diversity risks. On average, 69% of species are predicted to experience macroclimatic shifts in at least 10% of their range, while 14% face exposure in over 50% of their range under a high-emission (4 °C warming) future scenario. This suggests that most species retain substantial climate refugia within their current range. However, local tree diversity exposure is predicted to be severe in vast regions, including Eurasia, the northwestern United States and Canada, northern Chile, and the Amazon Delta. Under a moderate (2 °C warming) scenario, high tree diversity exposure is mostly restricted to taiga regions in the Northern Hemisphere. These findings provide conservative estimates of climate-driven biodiversity risk, as our approach focuses solely on macroclimate and does not account for additional stressors such as land-use change or species interactions. Identifying tree species and areas of high macroclimatic shift exposure allows for targeted conservation strategies, including species stability monitoring, assisted migration, and the protection of climate refugia. Our results offer a foundation for prioritizing conservation actions in a rapidly changing climate, ensuring long-term ecosystem resilience.

Black tea rich in polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharides inhibits osteoporosis in ovariectomized mice through immune regulation and gut microbiota suppression

Enhancing intercultural competence in technical higher education through AI-driven frameworks

Comprehensive evaluation of bioactive properties and metabolomic profiling of probiotic bacteria Lactococcus lactis (MKL8)

Abstract This study evaluated the bioactivity and the metabolomics of Lactococcus lactis MKL-8, a probiotic bacterium that was isolated from Murraya koenigii; contributing to broadening the diverse ecological diversity of Lactococcus lactis. The primary objective of this study was to explore the multifunctionality of MKL-8 by bringing together its bioactive potential and its metabolomic profile to assess its suitability for probiotic use. Identification of probiotic strains demonstrating multifunctional therapeutic properties along with proven safety is the most significant challenge in meeting increasing demand for natural therapeutic substitutes to synthetic drugs. MKL-8 showed high antioxidant activity with 90.19% inhibition, exhibits an anti-diabetic effect with 60% inhibition of α-amylase, and anti-inflammatory activity with 99% inhibition of protein denaturation, demonstrating significant potential as a natural therapeutic agent. The strain also exhibited significantly high ability to form biofilm and synthesized a considerable amount of Exopolysaccharides (EPS). GC-MS analysis revealed bioactive metabolites which are reported in the literature to have, immunomodulatory effects, antioxidant, collagen synthesis, and wound healing properties. The presence of these compounds was further affirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy, further indicating the importance of MKL-8 as a multifunctional probiotic. This paper presents the isolation and versatile applications of MKL-8, demonstrating it is a valuable natural probiotic strain. Collectively, these findings establish MKL-8 having potential health benefits making it a promising choice for progressive probiotic applications both in the healthcare industry and the functional food sector.

Degradation of bisphenol a using zinc oxide decorated by nickel ferrite nanoparticles toward persulfate activation in the presence of ultraviolet radiation

Detecting existence of a hidden mediator between a pair of individual time series

Adverse experiences of women with undiagnosed ADHD and the invaluable role of diagnosis

Abstract Girls and women are disproportionately affected by delayed diagnoses of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but research on the impact of this is limited. Our study aimed to centre lived experiences of women with late-diagnosed ADHD to increase understanding of the impact of such delays. We employed a mixed methods survey to investigate the perspectives of 28 women with late-diagnosed ADHD. Results starkly demonstrate the criticism and lack of support participants faced from society and medical professionals, illustrating the negative consequences of delayed ADHD diagnosis on quality of life and mental health. Participants commonly reported internalising criticism and described disconcertingly low self-esteem; citing guilt, shame, and negative self-perception due to delayed diagnoses. Participants found diagnosis revelatory, their lives finally making sense; citing healing, improved self-esteem, and life feeling more worth living. The adversities faced from delayed diagnoses were described from early childhood, through adolescence, and adulthood. Participants reflected on ‘what could have been’, and described grieving the lives they could have led if diagnosed earlier. The negative impacts of missed ADHD diagnosis are broad and span life stages. With potential implications for public health policy, this work highlights the importance of increasing girls’ and women’s access to ADHD diagnoses to address avoidable detrimental hardship.

Experimental analysis of sequential water alternating CO₂ gas injection for enhancing oil recovery in X-field sandstone reservoir of Cambay basin

Remimazolam and propofol combination in ischemic cerebrovascular disease endovascular treatment: a randomized study

JunB–HBZ nuclear translocation by TGF-β is a key driver in HTLV-1-mediated leukemogenesis

The HTLV-1 bZIP factor ( HBZ ) gene, which is the only viral gene conserved and consistently expressed in all adult T-cell leukemia–lymphoma (ATL) cases, is critical for ATL oncogenesis. Although HBZ protein is found in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm, the dynamics of HBZ protein localization and its contribution to oncogenesis have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we analyzed the subcellular expression pattern of HBZ in primary HTLV-1–infected T cells from asymptomatic carriers and leukemic cells of ATL patients using the Proximity Ligation Assay. Nuclear localization of HBZ protein was significantly higher in fresh ATL cells than in HTLV-1–infected cells from carriers. Importantly, translocation of HBZ protein from the cytoplasm to the nucleus after TGF-β activation was observed in ATL patients, but not in HTLV-1 carriers. In ATL cells, the cellular transcription factors JunB and pSmad3 interact with HBZ and facilitate its nuclear translocation upon TGF-β stimulation. JUNB knockdown inhibits cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo and promotes apoptosis in ATL cells but not in HTLV-1–infected nonleukemic cells, indicating that JunB has important roles in maintaining ATL cells. In conclusion, TGF-β-induced nuclear translocation of HBZ–JunB complexes is associated with ATL oncogenesis.

Application effect of supportive psychological nursing combined with continuous nursing in patients with thyroid malignancy undergoing surgery

Risk factors of sentinel lymph node metastasis in early-stage invasive breast cancer

Prediction of thermodynamic properties of aqueous carbohydrates solution using the PHSC and ANN models

Abstract In this work the Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and the Perturbed Hard Sphere Chain (PHSC) equation of state (EoS) have been utilized to estimate the osmotic coefficient, activity coefficient, and water activity of aqueous sugar solutions containing glucose, fructose, fucose, xylose, maltose, mannitol, mannose, sorbitol, xylitol, galactose, lactose, ribose, arabinose, and sucrose. The PHSC model parameters have been adjusted using the osmotic coefficient experimental data. Then, the water activity and sugar activity coefficient were predicted. In the case of the ANN approach, six variables containing critical temperature (Tc), critical volume (Vc), molality, temperature, melting temperature (Tm), and melting enthalpy (∆Hm) of sugars have been considered as input layer. As well, 32 neurons are considered in one hidden layer. The Group Contribution (GC) method was utilized to estimate the critical properties of sugars. The training correlating coefficient (R2), and the Mean Square Error (MSE) have been obtained 0.999 and 2.06 × 10–6, respectively. The average relative deviation (ARD) value of osmotic coefficient, water activity, and sugar activity coefficient using the PHSC EoS and the ANN + GC model have been obtained 0.43%, 0.12%, 0.66%, and 2.1%, 0.89%,1.65%, respectively. The model’s performance has been evaluated using the prediction of sugar solubilities in water. The results show that the ANN + GC and PHSC model can predict the solubility data satisfactory. The ANN + GC method can be used to predict the thermodynamic properties of a new aqueous sugar solution using the molecular structure in the absence of experimental data.

Ultrasound assessment of low type intersphincteric perianal fistulas in Yemen

Family support and its determinants among older patients with chronic diseases in Guangzhou communities: a mixed-methods study

Brain glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid levels across COVID-19 lockdowns in patients with recurrent major depressive disorder and healthy individuals

Abstract The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) led to substantial social restriction measures. Social isolation has been demonstrated to promote psychiatric symptoms and to dysregulate gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate levels. The aim of this investigation was to observe brain GABA and glutamate concentrations and depressive symptom severity in association to lockdowns in patients with recurrent major depression disorder (rMDD) and healthy individuals (HI). In this longitudinal study, 18 patients with rMDD (11 female: 37.0 ± 10.0years) and 28 HI (16 female, 28.1 ± 5.0years) underwent three magnetic resonance spectroscopy imaging (MRSI) measurements over multiple lockdowns. Ratios of GABA+ (GABA + macromolecules) and glutamate + glutamine (Glx) to total creatinine (tCr) as well as GABA+/Glx ratios were calculated for subcortical regions and the insula. Depressive symptom severity and social support were assessed at each visit. Lockdowns did not significantly change neurotransmitter ratios in individual brain regions (all p corrected > 0.05). Further, no significant changes in Beck’s Depression Inventory II (BDI-II) scores occurred along the lockdowns (all p corrected > 0.05). Our results may be explained by ceiling effects of the beginning of the pandemic and the first lockdown, by good social support during the pandemic in HI and a small sample size. Patients with rMDD reported an insufficient social support, suggesting a special vulnerability to social isolation due to pandemics.