Browse Articles

Single-cell transcriptomic analysis of blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in progressive fibrosing interstitial lung diseases

Past exposure to PM10 and lung cancer risk in the EAGLE case–control study

Behavioral interventions and respiratory virus incidence in a two-cohort study

Analysis of anti-cancer treatment therapies based on TOPSIS method under fractional Diophantine fuzzy Muirhead mean operators

The chloroform fraction of Dracontium spruceanum modulates gene expression in gastric cancer stem cells

Abstract Gastric cancer is the fourth most common cancer globally and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Peru. Current synthetic treatments often fail to distinguish cancerous cells from healthy cells, resulting in severe side effects and drug resistance. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the chloroform fraction of Dracontium spruceanum bulb (DSBCl) on cancer stem cells (CSCs) from AGS and KATO III gastric cancer cell lines, which represent primary and metastatic cancers. The methanolic extract was prepared and characterized via thin-layer chromatography to isolate the chloroform fraction. CSCs were identified via the CD44 marker and isolated via magnetic assisted cell sorting. The cytotoxic effect of DSBCl was evaluated to determine the IC50, revealing its ability to modulate CSC markers and genes associated with tumorigenesis, chemoresistance, and metastasis. In AGS CSCs, DSBCl reduced CD24 expression and downregulated the expression of genes, including ID1, BCL2L2, ABCC2, NANOG, and OCT4, while it upregulated KLF17, BAX, and KLF4. In KATO III CSCs, DSBCl increased ID1 and MYC but decreased BCL2L1 and BAX. These findings suggest that DSBCl modulates critical markers and genes in gastric CSCs, highlighting its potential for gastric cancer treatment.

Adsorption of Bisphenol-A by banana biochar: kinetic, isotherms and thermodynamics

Myelin basic protein and occludin may be the biomarkers to diagnose leukoaraiosis and cognitive dysfunction

The Electronic Structure of the Superatom Au₃⁺

Trends in the incidence of nonmelanoma skin cancer of head, neck, and face in Southern Thailand

Comparative analysis of predictors of child mortality in Ethiopia via frequentist and Bayesian approaches

Abstract The child mortality rate is a leading factor in the well-being and development of a nation. It measures the quality of life for a given population. This study aimed to determine the effects of under-five child mortality in Ethiopia. The authors used a cross-sectional study design via the 2019 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey. For our study, we used 3837 births recorded by mothers in seven regions of Ethiopia. In this study, the author employed the Bayesian and classical logistic regression models. The study found that the household size, number of under-five children, Sex of child, twin, births in the last five years, and breastfeeding status are significant predictors of child mortality in Ethiopia. Consequently, governmental, non-governmental, and other concerned bodies should focus on targeted healthcare interventions for mothers and children by updating their health intervention policies. In addition, improved health services are needed for better health care for children and mothers. Education should be given to mothers during pregnancy and after birth. This helps improve health for mothers and children, along with addressing other risk factors.

Probing paper ageing by label-free fluorescence lifetime microscopy

Design of Antigen-Targeting Fluorogenic Probes Utilizing Intramolecular Addition Reaction of Protein-Dye Hybrids

Symmetry breaking of paracrystalline topology in amorphous silicon

Abstract The atomic structure of amorphous Si (a-Si) has traditionally been described by the continuous random network (CRN) model, which consists of the four-coordinated Si with a non-periodic structure. However, the paracrystalline model, consisting of strained nanocrystals embedded within a disordered matrix, has gained traction. This shift is largely driven by fluctuation electron microscopy observations, which reveal the distinct diffraction patterns that are inconsistent with the CRN model. However, the degree and nature of paracrystallinity remain unclear due to a lack of experimental approaches capable of revealing finite size effects. In this paper, we present the atomic structure of a-Si that appeared in a liquid quenched Ag-Si alloy. Fast Fourier transform and electron diffraction patterns exhibit excellent agreement with molecular dynamics simulations. Furthermore, nano-beam electron diffraction reveals distinct diffraction spots that support the paracrystalline model. Importantly, these diffraction spots violate the conventional crystallographic extinction rule, implying symmetry breaking within the paracrystalline structure. This is significant because the appearance of forbidden reflections offers direct evidence of local structural changes and provides new insight into the underlying disorder in a-Si.

Dynamic oxygen assessment techniques enable determination of anesthesia’s impact on tissue

Formation and Reactivity of an Elusive Monomeric Mn(IV)-Oxo Species Inside a Cavitand Pore

Concise Syntheses of Harziane Diterpenoids by Merging Local Desymmetrization and Radical Retrosynthesis

Response surface modelling of Fenton pre-treatment of slaughterhouse sludge for enhanced anaerobic digestion

Abstract Slaughterhouse sludge, a byproduct of meat processing, poses significant environmental risks if not properly treated, with potential impacts including water contamination and land pollution. Anaerobic digestion (AD) of this high-organic-content sludge offers a sustainable solution by facilitating biogas production, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and enabling resource recovery. However, the complex nature of sludge necessitates pretreatment to enhance its biodegradability. In this study, the Fenton process, utilizing hydroxyl radicals (•OH) for oxidative breakdown of organic matter, was employed to improve the digestibility of slaughterhouse sludge. A response surface methodology (RSM)-based optimization approach, specifically the central composite design (CCD), was applied to investigate the effects of key operational parameters—pH, ferrous ion (Fe2+) dosage, and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) dosage—on sludge disintegration. The response variables analyzed were soluble chemical oxygen demand (sCOD) and volatile suspended solids (VSS) reduction. The optimal conditions were identified as a Fe2+ dosage of 7.2 mg/g total solids (TS), a H2O2 dosage of 130.4 mg/g TS, and a pH of 3. Under these conditions, sCOD and VSS degradation increased by 37.5% and 40.5%, respectively, resulting in a 31% increase in methane yield over a 20-day AD period compared to untreated sludge. These findings demonstrate that Fenton pre-treatment enhances the biodegradability of slaughterhouse sludge, thereby improving the efficiency of AD and contributing to more sustainable waste management practices.

A multiple correspondence analysis towards understanding of public and self-stigma in mental health help-seeking among Malaysian university students

Deep learning for classifying imaging patterns of interstitial lung disease associated with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies

Performance of mental health chatbot agents in detecting and managing suicidal ideation