Browse Articles

Loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) as a rapid and portable diagnostic tool for the detection of pea root rot pathogens

Abstract Pea root rot, caused by soilborne pathogens such as Aphanomyces euteiches, various Fusarium species and Pythium ultimum, represents a significant challenge to global pea production. Current diagnostic methods are costly, time-consuming and require specialised laboratory setups, limiting their application for rapid decision-making in agricultural settings. To address this, we developed a Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) assay targeting the Internal Transcribed Spacer 1 (ITS1) region of these pathogens for rapid and in-field detection. The assay demonstrated high specificity and sensitivity, with detection limits as low as 0.02 ng of gDNA and an initial inoculum of 10 spores per sample in both soil and infected root tissue. Results were generated within 60 min, providing a practical alternative to conventional diagnostic methods. Validation with qPCR showed LAMP to be comparable or superior in accuracy, and field deployment with a portable LAMP device confirmed its effectiveness for on-farm diagnostics. This LAMP assay offers a robust, cost-effective and user-friendly tool for the early detection of pea root rot pathogens, enhancing disease management and potentially reducing crop losses.

Diabetes mellitus and associated factors among psychiatric patients receiving antipsychotic treatment at Wachemo University Nigist Elleni Hospital, South Ethiopia

Background Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common non-communicable diseases, and its epidemic proportion has placed it at the forefront of public health challenges currently facing the world. Patients with severe mental illnesses who receive antipsychotic treatment have a high risk of developing metabolic disturbances. Method and material A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 216 psychiatric patients on treatment were included and selected by consecutive convenient sampling techniques. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic, clinical, and behavioral characteristics. The levels of fasting blood glucose were measured by Cobas 4000 series Cobas c311Basel, Switzerland. The data were entered into Epi data version 4.6 and analyzed by SPSS version 25. Data were summarized by tables, graphs, and descriptive statistics. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used. P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result A total of 216 psychiatric patients were enrolled in this study. The overall prevalence of diabetes mellitus was 25(11.6%). Among participants with diabetes mellitus, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus was higher in females than males (17(68.0%) vs 8(32.0%). Female (AOR:6.483, 95% CI (1.647, 25.516), P- value = 0.007), longer duration of antipsychotic use (AOR: 7.876 (1.587–39.090), moderate physical activity (AOR: 0.220, 95% CI (.057-.85), P- value = 0.028), higher body mass index (11.869, 95% CI (2.188–64.374), P- value = .004), and high cholesterol(AOR:13.742. 95% CI (3.153–59.887), P- value = .000) were significantly associated to diabetes mellitus. Conclusion The finding of this study revealed that the prevalence of diabetes mellitus was 11.6%. Female sex, longer duration of antipsychotic use, moderate physical activity, overweight BMI, and high total cholesterol were significantly associated. Therefore, Health providers should regularly weigh patients and monitor long-term side effects of medication.

Evidence for enhancer activity in intron 1 of TNFRSF1A using CRISPR/Cas9 in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived macrophages

Abstract TNFα is a common drug target in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, with pro-inflammatory functions that are primarily mediated through its receptor, TNFRSF1A. TNFRSF1A has been genetically associated with many immune-mediated diseases including ankylosing spondylitis, multiple sclerosis, and inflammatory bowel disease. Many of the genetic variants within or near TNFRSF1A that have been associated with disease through genome-wide association studies (GWAS) lie in non-coding regions of the genome. Understanding the functional consequences of these genetic variants is limited by incomplete understanding of TNFRSF1A gene regulation, including for specific cellular contexts relevant to inflammation and immunity such as macrophages. This work used CRISPR/Cas9 in human induced pluripotent stem cells followed by differentiation into macrophages to investigate putative regulatory elements in the TNFRSF1A gene locus. Through gene editing, with functional genomic readouts including the assay for transposase-accessible chromatin using sequencing (ATAC-Seq), chromatin immunoprecipitation with sequencing (ChIP-Seq), and RNA-Seq to assess the consequences of these edits, we present evidence for an enhancer of TNFRSF1A contained within an intron of the gene. Understanding gene regulation and the genomic context in which GWAS variants lie could bring us closer to deconvoluting the genetic basis of common disease aetiology and uncover effective drug targets.

Relationship between Gut microbiome and brain volumes among Japanese Men

Evidence of preclinical interactions between the gut microbiome and brain health is accumulating. Studies of animal models and specific patient populations have suggested a relationship between gut microbiomes and brain volumes, but this association is understudied in apparently healthy humans. We conducted a population-based cross-sectional study of 623 Japanese men from the Shiga Epidemiological Study on Subclinical Atherosclerosis (SESSA). We performed 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing of stool samples collected during the follow-up stage (mean [SD] age, 68.0 [8.0] years; range, 46–83 years). All participants underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging and automated voxel-based morphometry. Principal coordinate analysis, linear discriminant, and multivariable linear regression analyses were performed. In multivariable linear regression analysis, after adjusting for age and total intracranial volume, only gray matter volume showed a positive association with alpha diversity (the Shannon index richness, q-value <0.01). However, no association was found after further adjustments for body mass index, physical activity, smoking, drinking, and hypertension. The weighted UniFrac distances (beta diversity) measured using principal coordinate analysis showed that lower and higher white and gray matter volumes formed distinct clusters (q < 0.01). In linear discriminant analysis and multivariable-adjusted linear regression analysis, several genera were significantly associated with gray and white matter volumes (q < 0.01); however, Lachnospiraceae, a butyrate-producing bacterium, was consistently related to a higher white matter volume in different statistical analysis models. Egarthellaceae, Bifidobacteraceae, and Selenomonadaceae showed a positive association with greater gray matter volume. Our findings support an association between gut microbiome diversity and brain volumes in middle-aged to older Japanese men. This study provides insight into the underlying effects of the gut microbiome on human brain volume.

Optimizing electricity consumption in direct reduction iron processes using RSM, MLP, and RBF models

FIB-4: A screening tool for advanced liver fibrosis in a cohort of subjects participating in a primary care weight-loss program

Systematic screening for liver fibrosis using FIB-4 score is recommended in primary care for patients with chronic liver disease risk factors. This study assesses the prevalence and characteristics of patients at risk for advanced fibrosis in a weight loss program. This multicenter retrospective cohort study includes obese and overweight subjects participating in a weight loss program across 110 French centers. 34 510 participants with baseline FIB-4 available were included, predominantly women (78.3%), median age of 54 years, 70% obese. Baseline FIB-4 values were <1.3, 1.3–2.67 or >2.67 in 80.9%, 18.1% and 1% of the participants, respectively. When moving from the lower risk category (<1.3) to the highest (>2.67), the rates of metabolic comorbidities such as diabetes rose (from 3.2% to 13.3%). After 5 (3–7) months, all anthropometric parameters improved. A follow-up FIB-4 value was available in 20.7% participants. Among high-risk, 43% changed classes, 4.6% moving to the lower risk-category.

The 2023 drought in West Africa and associated vulnerability to food insecurity

Longitudinal idiographic assessment of adolescent-dog relationships and adaptive coping for youth with social anxiety: The Teen & Dog Study protocol

The Teen & Dog Study is a longitudinal research project aimed at understanding the impact of youth-dog relationships on youth coping with social anxiety. The study will follow 514 United States adolescents (ages 13–17) with high social anxiety who live with dogs and their families, collecting longitudinal assessments of their physiological, emotional, and social well-being. With a focus on identifying the mechanisms by which youth-dog interactions may support adaptive coping, the study has three primary aims: (1) assess how the youth-dog relationship contributes to coping with social anxiety over time, factoring in individual, family, and peer influences; (2) investigate family-level processes that enhance youth-dog relationships and identify barriers to optimization; and (3) examine how dog interactions influence adolescents’ physiological responses, particularly in relation to anxiety. The study integrates quantitative and qualitative data, including surveys, interviews, ecological momentary activity, and continuous physiological monitoring, to assess strategies for optimizing youth-dog interactions in the context of social anxiety. This paper outlines the study protocol and presents characteristics of the study sample at baseline. Ultimately, the Teen & Dog Study seeks to inform interventions that harness the benefits of youth-dog relationships to improve mental health outcomes.

Strategic design of wind energy and battery storage for efficient and sustainable energy systems

Abstract The intermittent nature of renewable energy sources, particularly wind power, necessitates advanced energy management and storage strategies to ensure grid stability and economic viability. This study investigates the techno economic benefits of integrating Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) into wind power plants by developing and evaluating optimized hybrid operation strategies. Using real world Data from a 70 MW wind farm, ten distinct operational strategies were simulated, incorporating approaches such as peak shaving, time shifted dispatch, and imbalance cost minimization. The battery capacity was optimized in the range of 5–70 MW. Simulation results show that battery integration reduced imbalance costs by 15–40%, while increasing total revenue by approximately 8–10%. In certain strategies, net positive total profit reached up to 60,000 USD, and the combined benefit from imbalance and revenue gains exceeded 12,000 USD under optimal conditions. These findings highlight the strategic role of BESS in enhancing system flexibility and economic return. By quantifying the relationship between control strategies and profitability, the study provides actionable insights for renewable energy operators and policy makers. It bridges the gap between theoretical hybrid models and real world deployment, supporting more resilient and efficient renewable energy integration in liberalized electricity markets.

Retraction: Role of DNA Methylation in Cell Cycle Arrest Induced by Cr (VI) in Two Cell Lines

Retraction Note: Impacts of rice-husk biochar on soil microbial biomass and agronomic performances of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Uptake of intrauterine contraception after medical management of first trimester incomplete abortion: A cross-sectional study in central Uganda

Background Although intrauterine devices (IUDs) are readily available in Uganda, their utilization remains low, including within post abortion care. The level and factors associated with uptake of post abortion IUDs, are not well documented. We set out to determine the uptake and factors associated with uptake of post abortion IUDs after medical management of first trimester incomplete abortions in central Uganda. Methods Between February 2023 and September 2023, we conducted a cross-sectional study among women aged 15–49 years, who expressed interest in initiating post abortion intrauterine contraception, and were managed with misoprostol for first trimester incomplete abortions at five health facilities in central Uganda. Healthcare providers received extensive training in post abortion contraceptive counselling and service provision. Data from 650 participants were collected using interviewer administered questionnaires. The primary outcome was uptake of post abortion IUDs, defined as the actual insertion of the post abortion IUDs. Data were collected during a post abortion follow up visit. The determinants of post abortion IUD uptake were assessed using the modified poisson regression. Results The prevalence of post abortion IUD uptake among all women assessed was 370/1911 (19.4%; 95%CI 17.7–21.2). The prevalence of IUD acceptors among those who accepted any form of contraceptives was 370/650 (56.9%; 95%CI 53.1–60.7). Among the other available contraceptive choices, 121(18.6%) women opted for injectable Depo-Provera (DMPA), 116(17.9%) women opted for implants, 35(5.4%) women opted for oral contraceptive pills, 5 (0.8%) of the women opted for condoms, and 3 (0.5%) women for periodic abstinence. The median age of the participants was (27 ± IQR 30, 23) years. The majority of the participants who had had abortions were living with a partner (84.0%). A third of the participants who had had abortions, had 2−3 children. Nearly 60% of IUD users, opted for the copper IUDs. The post abortion IUD uptake was independently associated with religion- being a Pentecostal (Adjusted PR = 2.49, 95%CI= (1.19–5.23), p-value = 0.016), monthly earning > one million Ugx (270 USD) (Adjusted PR = 1.88, 95%CI= (1.44–2.46), p-value<0.001), and staying <5 kilometres from the health facility (Adjusted PR = 1.34, 95%CI= (1.04–1.72), p-value = 0.023). Women who were not cohabiting with their partners, were less likely to choose IUDs (Adjusted PR = 0.59, 95% CI= (0.44–0.79), p-value = 0.001). Conclusion The uptake of IUDs among post abortion women was nearly 60% emphasizing the potential impacts of integrated contraceptive services in Post abortion care. The impact of comprehensive and updated training on post abortion contraceptive counselling, is vital on the uptake of IUDs. Regardless of sociodemographic status, women seeking post abortion care in Uganda should be provided with high-quality integrated services by trained providers offering a range of contraceptive methods. Such efforts may not only prevent unintended pregnancies but also improve health equity across the country.

Production and radiochemistry of the in vivo PET generator 140Nd/140Pr as an imaging surrogate for F-block therapeutic radionuclides

Predicting the axillary lymph node tumor burden in breast cancer patients using ultrasonic radiomics nomogram model

Background Assessing axillary lymph node (ALN) tumor burden (low burden: < 3 positive ALNs; high burden: ≥ 3 positive ALNs) preoperatively is essential for guiding treatment strategies. This study aimed to develop a radiomics-based nomogram by integrating clinical data, serologic markers, ultrasound imaging features, and ultrasound-derived radiomics features to predict axillary lymph node metastatic burden in breast cancer. Methods A study was conducted on 234 breast cancer patients. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify independent risk factors from ultrasound imaging and clinical pathology, constructing a clinical model. Radiomics features were extracted from ultrasound images, and the best features were selected using the Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) algorithm to construct the Radiomics score. The Radiomics nomogram model was built by combining the Radiomics score and independent risk factors from the clinical model. The performance of the clinical model, radiomics model, and combined model in predicting axillary lymph node tumor burden was evaluated. Model performance was assessed by discrimination, calibration curves, and decision curves. Results Results showed that US-reported ALN status and CA153 were independent risk factors for high ALN tumor burden. The radiomics nomogram demonstrated good calibration and discrimination, with an area under the ROC curve of 0.815 (95% CI, 0.755–0.876) for the training set and 0.808 (95% CI, 0.678–0.938) for the testing set. Furthermore, compared to the clinical model and radiomics model, The differences in AUC between the nomogram model and the clinical model, as well as between the nomogram model and the radiomics model, were not statistically significant (nomogram model vs. clinical model: P = 0.2078; nomogram model vs. radiomics model: P = 0.4161). But the nomogram model provided greater net benefit for all patients in the probability threshold range of 0.05–0.70. Conclusions This study highlights the potential of an ultrasound-based radiomics nomogram as a robust and non-invasive predictive tool for evaluating ALN tumor burden, offering valuable guidance for personalized treatment planning in breast cancer.

SHAP-driven insights into multimodal data: behavior phase prediction for industrial safety applications

Cultural anchoring in cinematic digitalization: Stratified PCA reveals chromatic adaptation regimes in wuxia cinema evolution

This study decodes cultural chromatic evolution in wuxia cinema using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of 30 rigorously curated films across three epochs: Celluloid (1960–1979), New Wave (1980–1999), and Digital (2000–2024). Key findings reveal the following: Editing speed (PC1) dominates digital-era films, with cutting rates accelerating by 63% annually (β = 0.63, p < 0.01), fragmenting traditional narrative rhythms; Color stability (PC2) preserves core aesthetics through robust hue-value coordination (r = 0.62, p < 0.001), stabilizing cultural symbolism in wuxia visual motifs; and Saturation adaptation (PC3) activates under high editing intensity to counteract perceptual fragmentation. Crucially, 61% of digital-era films maintained cultural distinctiveness via strategic HSV manipulation, thus demonstrating that cinematic aesthetics actively resists technological homogenization. This reveals a paradigm shift from technological subjugation to chromatic sovereignty in cinematic heritage.

Antiproliferation, 3D-multicellular spheroid and VEGFR-2 inhibitory properties of spiroindolin-2-ones with phosphonate function

Abstract Spiroindolin-2-ones with phosphonate function 17a‒t (20 analogs, 96‒72% yield) were generated by microwave synthetic methodology using azomethine cycloaddition of the appropriate 3,5-bis(ylidene)-4-piperidone-1-phosphonate 14a‒g. Single crystal X-ray analysis of 17d confirmed the structure. Promising 2D-monolayer antiproliferation properties (MTT assay) were observed for some of the synthesized agents with no harm to normal (RPE1) cell line. Compound 17h (R = 4-ClC6H4, R′ = H; IC50 = 3.08 μM; 6.6- and 3.1-fold the standard drugs, 5-fluorouracil and sunitinib, respectively) is the most distinguished agent against colon/HCT116 cell line. Compound 17f (R = 4-FC6H4, R′ = Cl; IC50 = 5.252 μM; 3.2-fold the activity of sunitinib, the clinically approved standard drug) also has significant activity against pancreatic/PaCa2 cell line. 3D-multicellular spheroid (HCT116) testing was also performed. Notable VEGFR-2 inhibitory properties were evident for some of the synthesized analogs. Considerable activity against COX-1/-2 and TNF-α, relative to the established NSAIDs ibuprofen and indomethacin, was also detected. CAM testing evidenced the anti-VEGFR-2 observations and anti-angiogenic properties. Internal and external validated QSAR models explored the functions necessary for the antiproliferation potency. In conclusion, the designed spiroindolin-2-ones conjugated with phosphonate function can be useful for optimizing novel anti-cancer therapeutic agent(s) with anti-angiogenic (anti-VEGFR-2) mode of action after considering more needed advanced pharmacological studies.

An in vitro study on dentin abrasion comparing two sonic toothbrushes with and without a coating versus an ADA reference manual toothbrush

This in vitro study evaluated dentin abrasion and surface roughness caused by two sonic toothbrushes with different filament coatings compared with those caused by a standard ADA reference manual toothbrush. Standardized dentin samples (n = 8 per group) were prepared from bovine incisors, embedded in acrylic blocks, polished, and hardness-verified using the Vickers method. A central brushing area was created by masking two reference zones with adhesive tape. Brushing simulations were performed in a laboratory device for 10,000 cycles at a load of 1.5 N using a toothpaste slurry (RDA 129) that was prepared at a 1:1.6 water-to-paste ratio. The tested toothbrushes included the ADA reference manual toothbrush (uncoated nylon filaments), the Curaprox Hydrosonic Pro toothbrush (uncoated PBT filaments), and the Curaprox Hydrosonic Black is White toothbrush (charcoal-coated PBT filaments). Dentin loss was measured by noncontact optical profilometry, and surface roughness was assessed by determining the Ra, Rq and Sa values. Data normality was verified using the Shapiro–Wilk test, and differences among groups were analyzed by one-way ANOVA with Bonferroni correction (α = 0.05). Compared with the ADA reference manual toothbrush, both the sonic toothbrushes caused significantly greater dentin loss (p < 0.001), with no significant difference between the sonic models (p > 0.05). The changes in roughness followed a similar pattern. These findings suggest that, under standardized laboratory conditions, sonic toothbrushes, regardless of the use of a filament coating, cause more dentin wear than a manual reference brush. Moreover, greater dentin abrasion was associated with less roughness, indicating an inverse relationship between tissue loss and surface roughness.

Evaluating the role of monovalent and divalent salts on interfacial tension reduction using nitrogen doped carbon dots for enhanced oil recovery

Frizzled 7 drives amplification of cancer stem-cell subpopulations and the aggressiveness and poor differentiation of human hepatocellular carcinoma

FZD7 is one of the key players in the subset of WNT-TGFβ-activated hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC), but the consequences of its abnormal expression on hepatocarcinogenesis remain to be better understood. Herein, we aimed to investigate the role of the FZD7-mediated signaling in immature phenotype and aggressiveness of HCC. Firstly, 499 human HCCs were used for clinical and molecular comparisons regarding the expression of FZD7 and stemness-associated markers. We showed that FZD7 overexpression was associated with poor differentiation and, in combination with CD133, predicted a poor outcome of patients with aggressive recurrence. Next, the impact of WNT3/FZD7 signaling on the differentiation of hepatic cells was assessed in HCC cell lines, as well in the non-transformed progenitor HepaRG cell line and in primary human hepatocytes, transduced with WNT3 and FZD7-expressing lentiviruses. We demonstrated that the ectopic expression of WNT3 and FZD7 inhibited the differentiation behavior of HepaRG cells and human primary hepatocytes, amplified the pool of EpCAM(+), CD90(+) and CD133(+) subsets of HCC cell lines, and increased their cancer stem cell features. Moreover, we found that WNT3/FZD7-mediated stemness properties of cancer cells were independent of the stemness-associated marker NANOG. In conclusion, we identified the FZD7(+)/CD133(+) signature as a potential prognosis marker and molecular therapeutic target, and we strengthened the hypothesis for the involvement of FZD7 in the enrichment of a cancer stem cell pool in HCC.