Browse Articles

On the Sombor index of corona product of certain graphs and honeycomb networks

Abstract Topological indices are critical components in mathematical chemistry because they help in the determination of structure information that can be used in predicting physical and chemical attributes of molecules using the principles of QSAR/QSPR. Unlike the traditional indices such as the Randic index or Zagreb index, Sombor index has emerged popular due to its potential to quantify structural diversity through Pythagorean-based degree mixing. To facilitate modeling of complex structures with repeating patterns such as honeycomb lattices, which play an integral role in developing large-scale networks, this paper explores the characteristics of the Sombor index within the context of corona graph product. Such structures have proved critical in the field of studying allotropes of carbon, especially graphene and nanoribbons. For predicting the level of fractionalization and growth of these honeycomb structures, it is vital to move away from the analysis of individual replacements and conduct a complete structural analysis of the corona product. The computation of indices for these growths can be highly computational even though the corona product has an essential role in generating graph structures from smaller parts. In this research, it is demonstrated that there exists a general theorem that only considers the parameters of order, size, and degree sequence of the component graphs for calculating the Sombor index of the corona product. This result is a valuable model in chemical graph theory and machine learning as it presents a compact mathematical formulation for studying the structural characteristics of complex modules and honeycomb-like nano-structures.

Urate dysregulation (hyperuricemia and gout) among people living with HIV: A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction Approximately 39.9 million people are living with HIV worldwide, most in sub-Saharan Africa. Effective antiretroviral therapy has shifted attention to metabolic comorbidities, and emerging evidence links integrase inhibitors such as dolutegravir to elevated serum uric acid, yet the global burden of hyperuricemia and gout in this population is unquantified. Methods and analysis This protocol describes a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies (cross-sectional, cohort, and case-control) published from inception to May 2026. We will search PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and CINAHL. Studies involving adults (≥18 years) living with HIV that report the prevalence or incidence of hyperuricemia or gout will be included. Two independent reviewers will screen studies, extract data, and assess risk of bias using the Joanna Briggs Institute Prevalence Critical Appraisal Checklist and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Primary outcomes are the pooled prevalence of hyperuricemia and gout in PLHIV. Secondary outcomes include risk factors associated with urate dysregulation (ART regimen, Cluster of Differentiation 4 [CD4] count, viral load, metabolic comorbidities, and HIV duration), and gout as an immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) manifestation. A random-effects meta-analysis using the DerSimonian-Laird method with Freeman-Tukey double-arcsine transformation for prevalence data will be performed in R software. Heterogeneity will be assessed using the I 2 statistic and Cochran’s Q test. Subgroup analyses will explore variation by ART class (pre-ART, PI, NNRTI, INSTI/dolutegravir era), geographic region, CD4 category, and study quality. PROSPERO Registration Number CRD420261360734.

Novel natural hydrogel-based, 3D-printed biomimetic prosthesis for breast volume reconstruction

Simulation study on matrix acidification of heterogeneous reservoirs based on seepage-acid etching coupled discrete virtual internal bond

Matrix acidification is one of the important means for carbonate reservoir modification and permeability increase, and the growth behavior of wormhole determines the effect of matrix acidification. In order to have a deeper understanding of the expansion law of acidified wormhole, this paper carried out numerical simulation of matrix acidification based on the seepage-acid etching coupled discrete virtual internal bond model, and analyzed the influence of matrix acidification on the growth and evolution of acid etched wormhole during matrix acidification in heterogeneous reservoirs. It was found that the enhancement of the heterogeneity of matrix porosity will lead to an increase in wormhole branches and complexity in the acidification process, and the corresponding acid breakthrough time will also become longer. When the anisotropy of the reservoir is strong, there are obvious master wormhole growing perpendicular to the anisotropic direction, and the wormhole morphology is relatively simple. Natural cracks have a strong guiding effect on acid etched wormhole. The results of this paper further reveal the growth law of acid etched wormhole pores, which provides a theoretical understanding for the construction of on-site matrix acidification.

A one health analysis of the reemergence of dog-mediated human rabies in Peru

Abstract The 2023 reemergence of dog-mediated human rabies in Arequipa, Peru, after nearly a decade of absence, represents a critical failure in public health systems. Despite regional progress toward the “Zero by 30” strategy, this human rabies case highlights persistent systemic vulnerabilities. Here we investigate how this preventable death emerged, by integrating epidemiologic, socioecological, and policy data through a One Health lens. Using the Swiss cheese model, we identified multiple defensive layers—policies, outbreak response, system capacity building, and socio-geographical features—that aligned to permit transmission. We identified critical breaches, such as an 80% decrease in surveillance sampling, insufficient management of feral dog populations in urban corridors, and clinical misdiagnosis of the victim. These findings suggest that rabies persists not for lack of tools, but due to fragmented application and institutional amnesia. We propose a redesigned multisectoral framework to transform human rabies from a neglected tragedy into a true “never event”.

Association of urate-lowering therapies with abdominal aortic aneurysm growth and clinical events in men: A population-based cohort study

Objective Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) are potentially life-threatening if they rupture. Xanthine oxidase inhibitors have been suggested to reduce aneurysm growth via urate-lowering and antioxidative mechanisms, though their clinical efficacy remains uncertain. The primary objective of this prospective cohort study was to estimate potential associations between urate-lowering therapies and AAA growth, and secondarily risk of rupture, surgery, all-cause mortality, and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), in men aged 65–74. Design This population-based cohort study included data from two large cardiovascular screening trials. Methods The two Danish AAA male cohorts contributed with baseline characteristics, including AAA measurements through ultrasound and computed tomography scans. Participants were followed for five years through linkage with the Danish national health registries. Prescription records defined the exposure of urate-lowering therapies, and participants were categorised as users or non-users. Growth rate was examined using multivariate linear regression, and the secondary outcomes were evaluated using Cox regression. Results This study included 998 men, of whom 73 (7.3%) were exposed to urate-lowering therapies, with a mean defined daily dose of 0.377 per day. During 3 993 person-years, an insignificant mean difference of 0.28 mm/year (95%CI: −0.96–1.52, p = .66) in AAA growth was observed between users and non-users. No associations between urate-lowering therapies and risk of surgery, rupture, all-cause mortality, or MACE were observed. Conclusion The use of urate-lowering therapies was not associated with a reduction in AAA progression. These findings do not support a clinically meaningful effect of urate-lowering therapies on aneurysm progression in men with AAA.

Cross-linguistic evidence challenging linguistic relativism in numerical cognition

Cardiovascular adjustments during experimentally induced retraction and locomotion in the invasive terrestrial snail Cornu aspersum (Müller, 1774)

The coupled function of physiology and behavior is crucial for generating survival responses. Generally, the cardiovascular system undergoes rapid adjustments during scape behavior to increase oxygen delivery to muscle tissues. In contrast, passive antipredator responses such as retraction in snails may impose mechanical constraints on the circulatory system. Here, we evaluated the cardiovascular response underlying the scape response (through induced retraction) and the physical activity in the invasive land snail Cornu aspersum . We quantified heart rate and heart rate variability in adult snails using laser optocardiography under the two conditions. We found that heart rate increased from retracted to the moving state and was accompanied by changes in heart rate variability and reduction of cardiac irregularities. Also, we found that locomotion intensity and body size did not influence these cardiac parameters. Our results suggest that metabolic demands, neural regulation and mechanical configuration collectively alter heart rate and heart rate variability. Thus, cardiovascular function is strongly dependent on behaviorally induced mechanical shifts in the circulatory system and on a “fight-or-flight”-like response.

Correction: Rhizospheric glycosyltransferase repertoires as a resource for enabling sustainable bioprocessing and green biocatalyst discovery

Deep learning architectures for EEG-based classification of Dravet syndrome: A comparative study of pre-trained and non-pretrained hybrid CNN-LSTM models

Objective This study explores the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) using a hybrid deep learning Convolutional Neural Network–Long Short-Term Memory (CNN-LSTM) framework, for EEG-based classification and analysis of Dravet Syndrome (DS). Method The study cohort comprised nine pediatric patients with DS, confirmed through either a heterozygous pathogenic mutation in the SCN1A gene or a clinical diagnosis consistent with established diagnostic criteria. In addition, EEG recordings from age-matched healthy control subjects and pediatric patients with non-Dravet epilepsy (“abnormal” EEG) were included. Data on demographic information, seizure characteristics, developmental skills, cognitive functions, and genetic results were gathered from patient records. EEG recordings were analyzed using a subject-independent leave-one-subject-out validation strategy, spatial and temporal features by employing this model on preprocessed EEG data, effectively differentiating DS patients from Abnormal cases and healthy controls. Result Among the evaluated CNN-LSTM models, the pre-trained architecture achieved superior performance with improved stability across most subjects, with an overall accuracy of 85%, balanced accuracy of 85%, a macro-averaged F1-score of 0.85, and a macro-averaged ROC–AUC of 0.87, demonstrating stable performance for multi-class EEG classification of DS, Abnormal, and control subjects. The non-pretrained model showed reduced sensitivity and increased inter-class confusion, particularly for DS and Abnormal classes. Conclusion This study demonstrates that a pre-trained CNN-LSTM framework can support automated EEG-based classification of DS-related patterns as a proof-of-concept methodological approach, even in the context of limited subject availability. EEG-specific pretraining improves classification consistency and feature separability compared with training from scratch, highlighting the value of representation learning for rare epilepsy syndromes. Larger multi-center datasets and prospective validation will be required to assess robustness, generalizability, and clinical utility.

A hybrid Monte Carlo–LLM framework quantifies model- and architecture-dependent variability in synthetic-patient simulations

Global, Regional, and National Burden of chronic kidney disease in older adults from 1990 to 2021: Results from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background Drawing on data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 study, this research provides the first systematic assessment of the burden and trends of chronic kidney disease (CKD) among the global population aged 75 years and over between 1990 and 2021. Unlike previous studies covering the entire age spectrum, this study focuses on the age group with the highest concentration of disease burden and the greatest health vulnerability, with the aim of revealing the unique epidemiological patterns specific to this population. Methods The study methodology involved extracting data on the prevalence, incidence, mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for chronic kidney disease (CKD) among people aged 75 years and over in 204 countries and territories from the GBD 2021 database. All reported rates are age-standardized. We calculated estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) to analyze trends and examined the association between the disease burden and the Sociodemographic Index (SDI). Results The study found that in 2021, approximately 127 million people aged 75 years and over worldwide were living with CKD. Between 1990 and 2021, the age-standardized prevalence declined slightly (EAPC = −0.06%; 95% UI: −0.09% – −0.03%), whilst incidence, mortality and DALY rates all rose significantly (EAPCs of 0.50%; 95% UI: 0.47%–0.53%, 1.55%; 95% UI: 1.48%–1.61% and 1.07%; 95% UI: 1.02%–1.12%, respectively), demonstrating the key phenomenon of ‘prevalence–mortality trend divergence’. The relationship between the burden of disease and socio-economic development is complex: regions with low SDI bear the heaviest burden of mortality, whilst regions with high SDI have experienced the fastest growth in mortality rates. The study also revealed significant heterogeneity in the burden across age, gender and geographical regions. Conclusions The burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) among the global older adult population is rapidly shifting from a pattern of ‘high prevalence’ to one characterised by ‘high incidence, high mortality and high disability’, with the underlying drivers exhibiting fundamental differences across regions at various stages of development. This necessitates that public health strategies move beyond a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach and instead develop highly age-specific and contextually tailored interventions. This study provides a detailed map for understanding the epidemiology of CKD in the context of extreme population ageing, and offers crucial evidence for the allocation of resources and the formulation of policies.

Efficient mechanical casting defect detection based on state space modeling and multiscale attention

Cognitive-behavioral therapy focused on inhibitory learning, for adults with avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID): Study protocol of a prospective study

Objective Currently, there are no evidence-based treatments available for adults with avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). The present paper describes the design of a study evaluating a cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) protocol for adults with ARFID, with a focus on exposure using inhibitory learning principles. Method This multicenter study uses a prospective, uncontrolled, repeated-measures design. A total of 120 adults (aged ≥ 18 years) with ARFID will be included via 11 participating treatment centers throughout the Netherlands. Participants will receive a manualized treatment of 25 weekly sessions. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, post-treatment, and at 1- and 12-month follow-ups. The primary outcome is ARFID severity, measured by the Pica, ARFID, and Rumination Disorder Interview (PARDI). Session-level measures of fear and expectancies will be collected throughout the treatment to explore potential mechanisms of change. Treatment effects will be examined across ARFID profiles and comorbid disorders. Discussion This is the first large-scale study to investigate an outpatient CBT program for adults with ARFID. By examining outcomes across ARFID profiles and exploring underlying mechanisms of change, the findings are expected to inform treatment refinement and provide a foundation for future controlled trials. The study has been preregistered in AsPredicted (#212,212) and the trial was registered in the Overview of Medical Research in the Netherlands (NL-OMON6121).

Operational feasibility of drone based BVLOS transport for temperature sensitive oncosurgical specimens from a secondary to tertiary hospital corridor in India

Correction: Exploring motor variability in adults with severe athetoid or ataxic cerebral palsy: Impact on error-based and reward-based learning

Characteristics and patterns of sweetener use in ultra-processed food products available in Brazilian supermarkets

Abstract Sweeteners are non-sugar food additives that provide a sweet taste to products and, according to the Nova Classification, they are markers of ultra-processing. This study aimed to characterize the use of sweeteners in ultra-processed food products available for consumption in Brazil, pre-labeling-reform. Based on data from about 10,000 packaged products with lists of ingredients collected in Brazilian supermarkets in 2017, this study identified 910 products (9.2%) whose list of ingredients included sweeteners. The distribution of the number and types of sweeteners in the products was analyzed, and factor analysis was performed to identify the patterns of sweetener use. Sweeteners were used in products such as non-carbonated beverages, sweets in general, and sweetened dairy beverages; sucralose was the most prevalent sweetener (53%), followed by acesulfame potassium (50%) and sodium cyclamate (33%). These additives were mostly used together; that is, several products contained a combination of two or more types of sweeteners, and there were products that alone were formulated with four or more sweeteners. Factor analysis identified four different patterns of additive use, and sweet cookies, tabletop sweeteners, and cakes and sweet pies were the subgroups that stood out when associated with the patterns of sweeteners use.

Personality traits have an effect on pain-related psychological variables in patients with chronic low back pain

Introduction An association between personality factors and pain experience has been investigated. However, the direct contributions of personality traits by the Maudsley Personality Inventory to clinical pain outcomes in patients with chronic pain remain unclear. The Maudsley Personality Inventory is a self-report questionnaire used to assess extroversion, neurotic tendencies, and lying or exhibitionistic tendencies. The present study aimed to investigate whether personality traits influenced with the pain-related psychological variables in patients with chronic secondary low back pain (CLBP). Methods One hundred fifteen consecutive outpatients with CLBP were included. Personality traits were measured by using the Maudsley Personality Inventory to assess extroversion, neurotic tendencies, and lying or exhibitionistic tendencies. The association of Maudsley neurotic tendency score and pain-related variables was analyzed and then performed a path analysis. Eleven patients (9%) were the biased persons with frequent lying. Results The pain-related variables showed no significant differences between the persons with frequent lying and those with normal. The Maudsley neurotic tendency score was significantly associated with Pain Catastrophizing Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire, Athens Insomnia Scale, and EuroQol-5 Dimensions-3 level. The unstandardized coefficients for Maudsley neurotic tendency score were small, compared to pain-Numerical Rating Scale in each outcome. Conclusions These results suggest the presence of neurotic tendency could have an impact on the health outcomes in patients with CLBP, but the impact was small.

Screening of the antiproliferative activity of lycopene isomers in a panel of human cancer cell lines: Lycopene Z-isomers exhibit greater activity than the all-E-isomer

Abstract Lycopene occurs as multiple geometrical isomers, whereas most studies on its cancer-related effects have focused on the all- E -isomer or on preparations with an undefined isomer composition. In this study, the antiproliferative activities of all- E -isomer-rich lycopene preparation ( E -LYC) and Z -isomer-rich lycopene preparation ( Z -LYC) were compared using a panel of 102 human cancer cell lines under identical experimental conditions. Z -LYC showed a broader antiproliferative profile than E -LYC, with IC 50 values within the tested concentration range (3.16–31,600 nM) in 91 and 16 cell lines, respectively. Tissue sensitivity analysis indicated that lymphoid malignancies and leukemia were relatively sensitive to Z -LYC, with additional sensitivity observed in bone, soft tissue, ovarian, and testicular germ cell tumors. Phenotypic similarity analysis further showed broader correlations for Z -LYC than E -LYC with reference anticancer agents, suggesting a more distinct biological response profile at the cellular level. Preliminary molecular docking simulations also suggested that lycopene Z -isomers may interact more favorably than the all- E -isomer with selected cancer-related proteins. These findings indicate that lycopene Z -isomers exhibit broader antiproliferative activity than the all- E -isomer in this in vitro screening platform and warrant further mechanistic and in vivo studies.

Mixed feelings: Unintended consequences of HIV outreach care in Zimbabwe

Background Decentralization of antiretroviral therapy (ART) brought treatment to millions of people in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, the implications of such decentralization are still not fully understood. Methods The study included 60 semi-structured interviews with community leaders, healthcare providers, patients, and community members served by a rural mission hospital in Zimbabwe, conducted in January-March 2019. Interviews were transcribed and translated into English and coded using an iterative codebook. Coded extracts were grouped into themes and categories, systematically using QDA Miner qualitative analysis software. Findings The study reveals that treatment-for-all policies and decentralization of ART have indeed improved access to care (as experienced by the study participants). However, the study shows that these policies also had unintended negative consequences. Stigma and complex social relations significantly affect the practices and experiences of ART outreach care, for both patients and healthcare providers, and may hamper attempts to reduce stigma as well as increase physical and social barriers to accessing ART. Conclusions The study’s results highlight the need to understand the consequences of the decentralization of HIV care, as well as the barriers and facilitators associated with ART outreach in order to improve quality of care and provide true accessibility to HIV care for all.