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Unveiling the carbohydrates profile of anti-diabetic medicinal plants by a developed and validated high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with refractive index detector (HPLC-RID)
Programmable one-pot polymerase-mediated DNA synthesis via temperature control
A high centrifugal force-enhanced Ziehl–Neelsen method for improved detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Ziehl–Neelsen (ZN) smear microscopy remains central to tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis and treatment monitoring; however, its sensitivity is limited by incomplete recovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis during pre-analytical processing. This study evaluated whether modifying centrifugation force and duration improves bacillary recovery and ZN smear microscopy performance. Laboratory experiments were conducted using M. tuberculosis H37Rv suspensions and clinical sputum specimens. Following NALC–NaOH treatment, samples were centrifuged at 2,000, 3,000, and 6,000 × g for 40 min. The effect of centrifugation duration was assessed at 3,000 × g by comparing 20 and 40 min using the same M. tuberculosis H37Rv cultures and the same clinical sputum specimens at both time points, ensuring paired measurements within each sample type. Smear positivity and ZN smear grading were evaluated from replicate smears and analyzed using non-parametric statistical tests, with significance set at p < 0.05. In M. tuberculosis H37Rv suspensions, no significant differences in smear positivity or grading were observed across centrifugal forces ( p = 0.368 and p = 0.212, respectively). In clinical sputum specimens, smear positivity did not differ significantly across forces ( p = 0.716), whereas ZN smear grading increased significantly with higher centrifugal force ( p = 0.0051). At 3,000 × g, extending centrifugation time from 20 to 40 min did not significantly affect smear positivity in either sample type (both p = 1.000). In contrast, ZN smear grading increased from 1+ to 2+ in clinical specimens with extended centrifugation time ( p = 0.016), while no change was observed in M. tuberculosis H37Rv suspensions. These findings indicate that increasing centrifugal force may enhance bacillary concentration in clinical sputum, resulting in improved smear grading without a corresponding increase in detection rate. Extending centrifugation time has limited impact on smear positivity. Optimization of pre-analytical centrifugation parameters may improve ZN smear microscopy performance in clinical specimens.
Effect of different polishing systems on discoloration, surface roughness, and bacterial adhesion of contemporary composite resins
Abstract The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of different polishing systems on discoloration, surface roughness, and bacterial adhesion of universal composites with high chromatic adaptability. The study groups included four different composite resins (CR): Brilliant EverGlow (BEG), Clearfil Majesty Esthetic (CME), Neo Spectra ST HV (NST), and Omnichroma (OMN), with 48 specimens fabricated from each CR. Each group was further subdivided into four subgroups ( n = 12) based on the polishing systems: Mylar Strip (control) (C), OneGloss (OG), OptiDisc (OD), and Clearfil Twist Dia (CT). Following the application of the polishing systems, surface roughness was measured via a contact profilometer. To assess bacterial adhesion, Streptococcus mutans ( S. mutans ) adhesion was quantified by colony-forming unit (CFU) counting. The color change (Δ E ₀₀ ) of specimens polished using different polishing systems and immersed in a coffee solution for 12 days was calculated using a spectrophotometer with the CIEDE2000 formula. Additionally, one specimen from each subgroup was fabricated for examination under a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Data were analyzed using two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). CME exhibited the least discoloration among the CRs ( p < 0.001). The greatest discoloration in all tested composites was observed in the C subgroups ( p < 0.001), while no statistically significant differences were found among the OG, OD, and CT polishing systems. OMN demonstrated the lowest surface roughness among the CRs ( p < 0.001). Examining the bacterial adhesion results, the highest values were observed in the C subgroups for all CR groups ( p < 0.001). The polishing systems tested had a significant effect on the surface roughness values of the CRs. Application of polishing systems to the CRs resulted in a reduction in both discoloration and bacterial adhesion values compared to the control group. Within the limitations of this in vitro study, the results may provide clinicians with preliminary guidance in selecting polishing systems for contemporary composite resins. However, clinical extrapolation should be made with caution, as intraoral conditions cannot be fully simulated in vitro.
Thermally stable 2D YMnO3 enabling blue visible camouflage with mid-infrared transparency
Ketogenic diet therapies for the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy in children and adults: A systematic review
Epilepsy is a common treatable neurological condition characterized by recurrent involuntary brain activity manifested in seizures. It is estimated that around 30% of patients with this disease do not respond to initial pharmacological treatments, developing drug-resistant epilepsy. Among the non-pharmacological treatment options are ketogenic diet therapies (KDT) in its various forms. The objective of this study is to systematically review the randomized controlled trials investigating the use of KDTs in pediatric and adult drug-resistant epilepsy, according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The following databases: Embase, PubMed/Medline, LILACS, and the Cochrane Library, were searched and studies fitting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included for analysis. Randomized controlled trials (RCT) with a minimum follow-up of 28 days were included. There were 1193 articles retrieved after duplicates were removed and 17 met the inclusion criteria. Eleven studies included children (up to 12 yrs) and six included adolescents from 13 years old and adults. Follow-up ranged from 6 to 24 months. In children, 37% may achieve a reduction in seizure frequency of 50% or more with in any form of KDT (moderate-certainty evidence). In addition, about 6 more children per 100 may achieve a ≥ 90% reduction, although this is supported by low-certainty evidence. In adolescents and adults, KDT may lead to a ≥ 50% reduction in seizure frequency in 16 more individuals per 100 compared with usual care (moderate-certainty evidence), but its impact on a 90% or greater reduction is uncertain due to the limited number of reported events and imprecision in available studies. Side effects in children showed no significant differences compared to usual care (low certainty), while in adults, the impact remains uncertain (very low certainty). Adherence to treatment may be slightly lower with KDT in both children and adults/adolescents compared to usual treatment, though results are inconsistent. Regarding quality of life and cognitive and behavioral outcomes, studies are scarce, heterogeneous, and of very low certainty, limiting the ability to draw strong conclusions.
Integrating machine learning and structure-based simulations to prioritise Z4P as a mutation-resilient IRE1α inhibitor for breast cancer
Have people stopped trusting science? The data tell a surprising story
Structure-guided reprogramming of DELLA turnover for a sustainable Green Revolution in rice
The effect of auditors’ digital literacy on reduced audit quality behavior: A chain mediation model and the moderating role of prosocial behavior
Reduced audit quality behavior is prevalent in audit practice and poses a serious threat to overall audit quality. With the increasing adoption of digital auditing, auditors’ digital literacy has become essential not only for adapting to the modern audit environment but also for improving audit quality and curbing inappropriate audit practices. This study examines the effect of auditors’ digital literacy on reduced audit quality behavior by introducing digital self-efficacy and task performance as mediating variables and constructing a chain mediation model, while also exploring the moderating role of prosocial behavior. Empirical analysis based on 480 valid questionnaires revealed that digital literacy negatively influences reduced audit quality behavior. Digital self-efficacy and task performance partially mediate this relationship. Additionally, digital self-efficacy positively enhances task performance, resulting in a chain mediating effect. Prosocial behavior moderates these relationships, significantly affecting the mediating roles of digital self-efficacy and task performance. Accordingly, fostering a digitally enabled audit environment that enhances auditors’ analytical efficiency, judgment accuracy, and procedural compliance requires auditors to effectively leverage digital technologies to mitigate audit quality-threatening behavior.
Coral carbonate pH records show localized stability within Philippine waters
L-type pyocins inhibit the BAM complex to kill without cell entry
Morpho-biochemical diversity and phytochemical profiling of Rubus fruticosus L. landraces
The flora of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, is severely threatened by illegal harvesting of non-timber forest resources, resulting in the genetic loss of native plant species, including Rubus fruticosus L., a genetically diverse shrub of considerable economic and medicinal importance. The present study was designed to assess the morphological diversity, seed protein profiles, and phytochemical composition of fifteen landraces of R. fruticosus collected from different ecological zones of the Malakand Division, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Morphological characteristics were evaluated using the International Board for Plant Genetic Resources (IBPGR) descriptors, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative traits in a randomized complete block design. Seed protein diversity was assessed through sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), while phytochemical composition was quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV). Morphological traits exhibited significant variability, with a mean coefficient of variation (CV) of 36.72%. The most variable traits were single fruit weight (CV = 73.16%), five-fruit weight (CV = 64.38%), number of branches per plant (CV = 33.33%), plant height (CV = 31.31%), and stalk length (CV = 30.11%). Principal component analysis (PCA) explained 89.71% of the total variation, with plant height, leaflet number, and fruit weight contributing predominantly to landrace differentiation. SDS-PAGE analysis of seed proteins revealed 21 polymorphic bands (molecular weight range: 14.4–97.4 kDa), with high diversity indices recorded for markers B-03, B-06, B-08, B-12, and B-21 (Shannon diversity index H′ = 1.10–1.39; CV = 35.36–93.54%). HPLC-UV analysis identified twelve phenolic compounds in selected genotypes, including quercetin (5.12–8.74 µg/mL), morin (3.45–6.89 µg/mL), and epigallocatechin gallate (2.88–7.23 µg/mL). The morphological, biochemical, and phytochemical diversity observed among R. fruticosus landraces highlights their potential for conservation programs and future breeding initiatives.
MAFR-UNet: multi-scale adaptive feature reassembly network for aortic CTA segmentation
Coaxially nested component with asymmetric fiber resonant cavity and separation membrane for gaseous and dissolved gases detection
Data-driven prediction and thermodynamic performance assessment of industrial cooling towers using advanced machine learning algorithms
Cooling towers are an important part of the thermal system in industries, where they are used to remove unwanted heat and help maintain the proper performance of the machines. Four machine learning algorithms, namely random forest, support vector machine (SVM), decision tree, and AdaBoost are proposed in this paper for the performance forecasting of cooling towers. for the performance forecasting of cooling towers. These models were built in Python with the help of the following operational parameters: inlet water temperature (32–41°C), ambient air temperature (14–32°C), and relative humidity (35–92%). All the essential performance measures like outlet water temperature, water losses, the effectiveness, and the second law efficiency were predicted and assessed by statistical indicators such as coefficient of determination (R²), root mean square error (RMSE) and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE). The SVM algorithm had the best predictive accuracy and lowest prediction errors of all the tested models with a value of R 2 of 0.985 and RMSE of 1.25 kg/s. Parametric analysis had indicated that the increase in relative humidity between 35% and 92% decreased the evaporation losses by about 55–70% and makeup water demand by about 58–68%. Thermodynamic analysis further revealed that the second-law efficiency improved by approximately 65–75% as the ambient temperature increased. The results indicate that predictive modeling with machine learning offers a useful method in the optimization of cooling tower operation and minimizing water use in industrial systems.
Role of environmental variables and meteorology on California’s largest wildfires
Projected health benefits and cost offsets from the United States National Hepatitis C Elimination Initiative
Diabetes among Indigenous Orang Asli adults in Peninsular Malaysia: Prevalence and associated factors from Orang Asli Health Survey 2022
Background Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a growing public health problem globally, and in Malaysia. Orang Asli, the Indigenous population in Peninsular Malaysia, often experience a disproportionate burden of diabetes, driven by social disadvantage, lifestyle transitions, and limited access to healthcare. Given that no nationwide diabetes assessment has been conducted among this under-represented group, this study therefore aimed to determine the prevalence of diabetes and its associated factors among Orang Asli adults in Peninsular Malaysia. Methods The Orang Asli Health Survey (OAHS) 2022 was a nationwide cross-sectional survey with a complex sampling design conducted among Orang Asli adults living in non-institutional households across nine states of Peninsular Malaysia. A two-stage stratified sampling strategy was used, with locality (urban, fringe, remote) as the primary stratum and tribe (Senoi, Proto-Malay, Negrito) as the secondary stratum. Data were collected using structured interviewer-administered questionnaires and standardised clinical measurements. Diabetes was defined as self-reported physician-diagnosed diabetes or fasting blood glucose ≥7.0 mmol/L. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multiple logistic regression were performed using SPSS Version 20, accounting for the complex survey design. The adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported. Results A total of 9,206 Orang Asli adults participated in the diabetes module. The overall prevalence of diabetes was 16.1% (95% CI: 14.3–17.9). Diabetes prevalence was higher among the females (16.8%), those aged ≥60 years (28.1%), urban residents (21.1%), Proto-Malay (18.8%) and Senoi (14.0%) tribes, participants with no formal or incomplete primary education (19.1%), those with monthly household income ≥RM2000 (21.2%), obese individuals (21.1%), respondents with hypertension (24.2%) and those with high total cholesterol (21.7%). In multivariable analysis, diabetes was significantly associated with age 40–59 years (AOR 1.64; 95% CI: 1.35–1.99) and ≥60 years (AOR 2.14; 95% CI: 1.40–3.28), urban (AOR 1.73; 95% CI: 1.07–2.79) and fringe (AOR 1.63; 95% CI: 1.13–2.35) localities, Senoi (AOR 1.70; 95% CI: 1.08–2.68) and Proto-Malay (AOR 2.41; 95% CI: 1.50–3.86) tribes, incomplete primary education (AOR 1.28; 95% CI: 1.02–1.60), household income ≥RM2000 (AOR 1.47; 95% CI: 1.12–1.93), hypertension (AOR 1.42; 95% CI: 1.03–1.95) and hypercholesterolemia (AOR 2.17; 95% CI: 1.70–2.76). Conclusions Diabetes is common among Orang Asli adults in Peninsular Malaysia. Older age, urban and fringe residence, specific tribal groups, lower education, higher income, hypertension, and hypercholesterolaemia were associated with diabetes. These findings highlight the need for culturally appropriate diabetes prevention, screening, and management strategies tailored to Orang Asli communities, particularly for the elder subgroup and those living in urbanised settings.