Browse Articles

Association between air pollution and type II diabetes in Italy from clinical data and population-weighted exposure at the municipality level

Constructing pH-sensitive silica-sulfide hafnium dot nanotherapeutics for synergistically enhanced chemoradiotherapy

Automatic strip layout design in progressive dies using the grouping genetic algorithm

Abstract One of the most challenging topics in progressive die design is strip layout design. In the present study, a new method is presented for the automatic strip layout design for progressive dies using the Grouping Genetic Algorithm. A two-objective function is used in the optimization process. The first objective is minimizing the number of stations, and the second is achieving torque equilibrium. The proposed algorithm considers both the minimum number of stations and torque equilibrium simultaneously and is capable of balancing the die torque by adding additional stations (either active or idle) as needed. A software is developed in C# in the Solidworks environment to carry out the algorithm. The inputs to the software are the punch shapes and the constraints between the punches. The output is the strip layout design of sheet metal parts. The performance of the present algorithm is compared with the methods of other researchers and the results indicate that the proposed algorithm performance is improved in the tested cases.

Adapting foundation models for rapid clinical response: intracerebral hemorrhage segmentation in emergency settings

Redox metabolic disruptions in the honey bee brain following acute exposure to the pyrethroid deltamethrin

Abstract Deltamethrin is a widely used pyrethroid insecticide that has detrimental effects on the redox homeostasis of honey bee (Apis mellifera) brains. The decline of pollinating insect populations, including honey bee colonies, is a growing global concern. This problem results in serious ecological and economic concerns as well as veterinary- and animal health-related issues. In addition, exposure to agricultural pesticides is one of the major contributing factors. Adult worker honey bees were exposed to three sublethal concentrations of orally administered deltamethrin (1.975, 3.95, and 7.9 ng/bee/day; corresponding to LD50/40, LD50/20, and LD50/10) for 48 h. In this study, various redox markers, including glutathione concentrations, antioxidant enzyme activities, total antioxidant capacity, hydrogen peroxide concentrations and lipid peroxidation products, were monitored in brain homogenate samples from honey bees. The results revealed significant changes related to the glutathione system, as indicated by decreases in the GSH/GSSG ratio and GSH concentration in all treatment groups. The activities of the monitored enzymes, such as glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and xanthine oxidase (XO), were significantly decreased, highlighting the altered function of the enzymatic antioxidant defense system. Moreover, pronounced lipid peroxidation was detected in the highest-dose group, as indicated by increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels; however, H2O2 levels were unchanged, suggesting the effective activation of ROS-scavenging adaptation mechanisms. The present study provides valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms of deltamethrin toxicity in honey bees, suggesting that redox metabolism is negatively affected. Understanding the exact mechanism of action may contribute to the identification of new possibilities for effective intervention in cellular metabolic processes in the future through the targeted use of novel protective feed additives or other methods, which are of particular importance for animal health as well as for this field of veterinary medicine.

Imidacloprid soil drenches indirectly weaken the selection and predatory ability of the coccinellid predator Propylea japonica (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

SCAPS simulation and design of highly efficient CuBi2O4-based thin-film solar cells (TFSCs) with hole and electron transport layers

Abstract The continued rise in global temperatures and climate change has increased the demand for renewable energy sources. Recent developments in thin-layer photovoltaic cells have improved power output, affordability, and overall efficiency, spurred by the growing demand for renewable energy sources. In this study, numerical simulations of solar cells utilizing (SCAPS-1D) were employed to examine the efficiency of a CuBi2O4-based thin-film solar cell (TFSC). The CuBi2O4 absorber layer, known for its stability and optimal bandgap, was integrated with a Cu2O hole transport layer (HTL), CdS buffer layer, and TiO2 electron transference layer (ETL). Numerous constraints, including layer thickness, bandgap, and carrier concentration, were augmented to enhance the photovoltaic characteristics, such as fill factor (FF), open-circuit voltage (Voc), efficiency (η) and short-circuit current density (Jsc). The study differentiates itself with a device structure constructed from Au/Cu2O/CuBi2O4/CdS/TiO2/FTO, which has impressive characteristics such as an open-circuit voltage of 1.2 V, a short-circuit current density of 32.85 mA/cm2, a fill factor of 88.42%, and an efficiency of 34.98% at lower defect density, although this efficiency exceeds the theoretical limit established by Shockley-Queisser limit for single-junction solar cells, it is essential to recognize that limit does not consider real-world constraints such as nonradiative recombination. The reported power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 32.56% was obtained under idealized simulation conditions, characterized by minimal bulk and interfacial defect densities. These findings not only affirm the promise of CuBi2O4 as an eco-friendly, low-cost absorber material but also underscore the importance of accounting for both intrinsic and extrinsic defect mechanisms in simulation-driven photovoltaic design.

Predictive model for feeding intolerance in neonates with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy during therapeutic hypothermia

Ventilatory response and delirium risk in hospitalised patients with acute hypoxia due to COVID-19

Comparison of IL-10 gene promoter polymorphisms and haplotypes between high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions or cervical cancer and negative cervical cytology

Effect of iPS cell culture medium on the differentiation potential of induced cardiac tissues

Abstract The present study focused on the culture medium of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) prior to the use of cardiomyocytes differentiation induction medium (pre-culture medium). Seven types (Nos. 1-7) of StemFit AK03 medium (Ajinomoto) for clinical iPSCs with varying compositions were prepared as pre-culture medium. The cardiac muscle troponin T (cTnT) positivity of No. 1 (StemFit AK03 medium) was 84%, No. 3 (similar to E8 medium) was 89%, No. 2 (similar to E8 medium) was 91%, No. 5 (similar to EB Formation medium) was 95%, when using differentiation induction medium prepared with known components available for clinical cell production. The formation of cardiac tissues was assessed by evaluating the expression levels of specific markers, including cTnT, atrial natriuretic peptides (ANP), and pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (proBNP). The results demonstrated that cardiac tissue with high protein expression levels of cTnT and ANP was formed when similar to E8 medium as pre-culture medium.

Heatwave types and frequency alter multigenerational ecological response of wheat aphids

Abstract Heatwaves are predicted to become more frequent under climate change. However, how different heatwave types and frequencies are linked to multigenerational ecological response remains unclear. Thus, using three heatwave types (34 °C/180 min, 36 °C/30 min, and 38 °C/10 min) and three frequencies (1, 3, and 5 days), we tested the effects of heat stress on the life history traits of Sitobion avenae. Both heatwave type and frequency altered aphid fitness in a generation-specific manner. In maternal generations, at a 1-day frequency, 34℃/180 min exhibited the greatest effects on reproduction and longevity. However, as frequency increased, differences across various heat stress treatments diminished. Conversely, in offspring, 34℃/180 min had minimal effects on demographic parameters. Offspring performance was poorest at the 3-day frequency, indicating that a longer frequency for the mother does not necessarily mean a greater effect on the offspring. Changes in aphid fitness due to heatwave type and frequency are driven by asymmetric effects of heatwaves on aphid life history. Furthermore, understanding how heat stresses affect the life history of aphids is important for predicting the impacts of climate change at the generational level because climate effects on natural populations cannot be predicted simply through changes in mean temperature.

A sustainable Ru catalyzed aerobic oxidation based on high loading magnetic ionic nanoparticles network

Vitamin and trace elements imbalance are very common in adult patients with newly diagnosed Celiac disease

High-throughput sequencing-based study on bacterial community structure and functional prediction of fermented bean curd from different regions in China

Enzymeless electrochemical detection of hydrogen peroxide using NiO octahedron decorated 3D graphene hydrogel

Abstract Nowadays, electrochemical biosensors have gained extensive consensus to detect a wide variety of analytes such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), glucose, dopamine, uric acid, and so on. However, the detection of H2O2 is more and more important because H2O2 plays a vital role in our daily life. Hence, a new nonenzymatic H2O2 biosensor was developed by decorating NiO octahedrons on the 3-dimensional graphene hydrogel (3DGH). The NiO octahedrons were prepared using a mesoporous silica SBA-15 as a hard template. Then, different amounts of NiO octahedrons self-assembled with 3DGH during hydrothermal method. The performance of different prepared nanostructures as H2O2 biosensors electrodes was determined by the cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry tests. Various physicochemical methods such as FE-SEM, HR-TEM, XRD, TGA and Raman were utilized to characterize the morphology and structure properties of the as-prepared samples. The electrochemical sensing of H2O2 for the proposed biosensor electrodes are investigated, and the 3DGH/NiO nanocomposite electrode with NiO content of 25% displays high sensitivity with wide linear range and low detection limit, as well as good selectivity, reproducibility and long-term stability. Finally, the analytical utilities of the 3DGH/NiO25 proposed electrode were conducted to detect H2O2 in real products of milk samples.

School engagement and student burnout among medical and health science students in Saudi Arabia-cross-sectional study

Abstract School engagement and burnout are contributing factors influencing academic student performance. Student burnout is a serious concern in higher education, where it can result in poor mental and physical health and school dropout. Although recent studies indicate the significance of the relationship between academic engagement and achievement, little is known about how academic engagement and burnout affect medical sciences students in the Madinah region of Saudi Arabia. We aimed to assess the level of school engagement and student burnout among medical and health science students in Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Factors associated with school engagement and student burnout were also explored. A cross-sectional data of 297 students last year medical and health science undergraduate students who were recruited from Taibah University, Madinah. The online survey was shared with students to collect data on sample characteristics, school engagement (using the modified version of the University Student Engagement Inventory), and student burnout (using the modified version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory Student Survey). The data showed that 57.5% of medical science students in the sample were academically engaged, and 55.9% experienced burnout, indicating a moderate to high level of student engagement and burnout. However, there was no correlation between school engagement and student burnout (r = 0.27) among the sample in this study. Nevertheless, school engagement was affected by factors such as student living status (p = 0.036), dropout thoughts (p = 0.008), and cumulative GPA (p = 0.001). In addition to dropout thoughts and GPA, the student burnout level was also predicted by the college (p = 0.012), program duration (p < 0.001), sex (p = 0.016), and average sleeping hours per day (p = 0.019). These results imply that school engagement and burnout may not be directly related or opposites and can interact in a variety of ways depending on factors including student personality and lifestyle, as well as academic and institutional influences. Many factors were linked to school engagement and student burnout. Interventions that aim to reduce student burnout should be tailored based on many factors including program duration and sex of students.

The central lymph node dissection using carbon nanoparticle in transoral vestibular approach endoscopic thyroid surgery

HCF-1 as a key modulator of OGT function and O-GlcNAcylation in the liver

A multinational cross-sectional study on the prevalence and predictors of long COVID across 33 countries

Abstract The symptoms of long COVID (LC) can be debilitating and may be associated with anxiety, social stigma, and quality of life deterioration. Identifying patients at risk of LC is important to offer follow-up care and plan population-level public health measures. The current multinational study aimed to assess the prevalence and predictors of LC in the general population. We conducted an online, multinational, cross-sectional survey between April 2022 and January 2023, targeting participants 18 years and older with a previously confirmed COVID-19 infection. We used convenience sampling to recruit participants through an online Google form. We collected demographic data, past medical history, infection details, post-COVID-19 symptoms, and quality of life. Responses were then translated into English. LC was defined as per the World Health Organization. A single-variable analysis was conducted to identify factors significantly associated with LC development. Following the removal of multicollinear variables, a generalized linear model was established to estimate the contribution of different predictors to LC occurrence. A total of 11,801 respondents from 33 countries were included in the analysis. The mean age for participants was 32.7 ± 12.8 years, with 61% being females. BMI averaged 25.2 ± 4.8 across participants, and 14.8% of them were smokers. Seventy-eight percent of participants reported receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Respondents with PCR-confirmed COVID-19 were then categorized into those with LC (N = 2335, 19.8%) and without LC (N = 9466 individuals, 80.2%). Our model identified 25 significant predictors. The predictors of higher LC risk included ICU admission (OR 2.08; 95% CI 1.36, 3.18; P = 0.001), female sex (OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.61, 2.02; P < 0.001), fatigue during the infection (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.43, 1.78; P < 0.001), identifying as Hispanic (OR 1.53; 95% CI 1.26, 1.85; P < 0.001), and pre-existing gastrointestinal disease (OR 1.48; 95% CI 1.22, 1.8; P < 0.001). In conclusion, we identified key LC predictors, including ICU admission, female sex, and acute fatigue as primary risk factors, while African American and Asian ethnicities and receiving even one dose of vaccination demonstrated protective effects.