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Dynamic evaluation of winter wheat’s freezing resistance under different low-temperature periods and durations

Gamma activity concentration from building materials: Estimation of gamma absorption and indoor radon concentration in Katsina State, Nigeria

In this research, nineteen (19) samples were collected and analyzed with the following objectives: to evaluate the activity concentration of radionuclides, assess gamma absorption, determine indoor radon concentration, and evaluate the public health impact of building materials used in Katsina State, Nigeria. The study aimed to provide critical data that would inform safe construction practices and regulatory compliance. Samples were sourced locally from various quarry sites, while materials such as cement, paint, tiles, and ceiling materials were purchased from local markets. The methodology involved measuring radionuclide activity concentrations using gamma-ray spectroscopy with a Thallium-doped Sodium Iodide (NaI (Tl)) detector, a highly sensitive method suitable for detecting gamma emissions from radionuclides. Radon gas was identified as the primary radiation source. Results revealed varying activity concentrations of radionuclides across different building materials. Most samples, except for Gravel, Brown Clay (Zone A and C), Kaolin, and Fired Clay Bricks, were below the recommended limits for radionuclide. Similarly, for , except for Cement and Thatch, samples were generally below the average value of 35 Bq/kg. However, several samples including Gravel, Paint, Brown Clay (Zones A, B, C), Thatch, Mud Clay, Laterite, Neem tree, Limestone, Fired Clay Bricks, and Gypsum exceeded the average value of 30 Bq/kg for . The overall average activity concentrations across samples were : 232.421, : 11.791, and : 51.1858 all in Bq/kg. The average Radium equivalent and Gamma index was 113.8 Bq/kg and 0.22, respectively, with an alpha index of 0.11. The external and internal hazard indexes averaged 0.2292 and 0.3102, indicating that these materials pose no significant radiological health risk when used in construction, as all values are below international guidelines of 370 Bq/kg and 1 mSv/y. This study concludes with a recommendation for public awareness on the effects of radiation and the need for continued monitoring and regulation of radiation exposure. The significance of this study lies in its contribution to public health and safety, supporting regulatory compliance and helping to prevent potential health risks associated with construction materials.

Counterfactual explanations of tree based ensemble models for brain disease analysis with structure function coupling

Effects of mental fatigue on isometric mid-thigh pull performance and muscle activities

This study investigated the effects of mental fatigue on rate of force development (RFD) and peak force during an isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP), as well as its impact on muscle activation measured by electromyography (EMG) median frequency. Sixteen healthy, resistance-trained males completed two sessions: a control condition and a mentally fatigued state induced by a 30-minute modified Stroop task. IMTP performance and muscle activation were assessed before and after the mental fatigue task. Mental fatigue significantly reduced RFD in the later phase of force generation, specifically within the 20%-80% of maximum force interval (RFD2080) (p =  0.022, d =  0.638). In contrast, no significant changes were observed in RFD within the initial 0-100 milliseconds (RFD100) or 0-200 milliseconds (RFD200) of contraction, nor in peak force. Additionally, mental fatigue led to a significant increase in EMG median frequency for the rectus femoris during the initial 0-1 second interval (p =  0.040, d =  -0.609), with no significant changes in the medial gastrocnemius or other time intervals. These findings suggest that mental fatigue primarily impacts the later stages of force development, affecting the ability to sustain and develop force over time without compromising peak force. The increase in EMG median frequency for the rectus femoris indicates a possible compensatory response to mental fatigue, underscoring the complex influence of cognitive stress on neuromuscular function. This study highlights the importance of considering mental fatigue in activities requiring sustained or progressively increasing force production.

Inflammatory markers mediate the association between weight-adjusted waist circumference and mortality in patients with cardiometabolic syndrome

The impacts of product characteristics and regulatory environment on smokers’ preferences for tobacco and alcohol: Evidence from a volumetric choice experiment

Objective Concurrent use of alcohol and cigarettes is well-documented in the literature. However, it is unclear how e-cigarette regulations in a growing number of localities impact the use of tobacco and alcohol in the US. This study aims to evaluate the impacts of excise taxes, tobacco use restrictions in restaurants/bars, and availability of alcohol flavor in e-cigarettes on tobacco consumption, and their cross impacts on alcohol consumption. Method A total of 181 US adult smokers who were using e-cigarettes and consuming alcohol participated in online volumetric choice experiments and reported on the quantity they would purchase among cigarettes, closed-system e-cigarettes, beer, and one other alcohol product (wine/liquor) under varying policy scenarios. Results Estimated own-price elasticities of demand for beer, liquor/wine, and cigarettes were -0.10, -0.11, and -0.16, respectively (p <  0.001). Higher beer (cross-price elasticity =  0.13) and liquor/wine prices (cross-price elasticity =  0.05) increased e-cigarette consumption (p <  0.05). If e-cigarettes were allowed in bars/restaurants, their consumption increased by 2.4 units (p <  0.001), and if cigarettes were allowed in bars/restaurants, e-cigarette consumption increased by 1.9 units (p <  0.01), relative to the mean consumption level. Greater reported weekly spending on alcohol and/or tobacco was associated with higher consumption of all products (p <  0.001). Conclusions Higher taxes or prices may reduce the consumption of beer, liquor/wine, and cigarettes. E-cigarettes are economic substitutes for alcohol among smokers who are currently drinking and using e-cigarettes. Regulating tobacco indoor use will have an impact on e-cigarette consumption.

There is a linear negative correlation between lipoprotein(a) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Remote work and long-term sickness absence due to mental disorder trends among Japanese workers pre/post COVID-19

Aims The aim of this study was to ascertain whether there has been an increase in the number of workers with long-term sickness absence due to mental disorders (LTSA-MD) and determine the impact of remote work on new LTSA-MD cases. Methods A web-based questionnaire was sent to 2,552 company offices with 150 or more workers in Osaka Prefecture. Data were obtained on the number of workers with LTSA-MD between April 1, 2019, and March 31, 2020 (fiscal year 2019) and between April 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021 (fiscal year 2020), along with their MD diagnoses (adjustment disorder [AD], depressive disorder [DEP], etc.). The difference in the number of new LTSA-MD, LTSA-AD, and LTSA-DEP cases between the fiscal years was evaluated, as well as the number of LTSA-MD cases per 100 employees. An independent t-test was used to compare the groups. Results DEP was the most prevalent condition, followed by AD. The number of workers with LTSA-MD nominally decreased from fiscal 2019 to fiscal year 2020, with no significant difference. There were no significant differences between fiscal year 2020 and fiscal year 2019 regarding LTSA-MD, LTSA-AD, and LTSA-DEP in offices with and without a remote work model. Conclusions The number of non-public workers with LTSA-MD did not increase during the COVID-19 pandemic, with no significant difference observed between offices with and without a remote work model. This provides preliminary evidence of a potential protective effect of remote work against LTSA-DEP.

Lung cancer detection with machine learning classifiers with multi-attribute decision-making system and deep learning model

Conditioned medium of engineering macrophages combined with soluble microneedles promote diabetic wound healing

Diabetic wounds have a profound effect on both the physical and psychological health of patients, highlighting the urgent necessity for novel treatment strategies and materials. Macrophages are vital contributors to tissue repair mechanisms. Macrophage conditioned medium contains various proteins and cytokines related to wound healing, indicating its potential to improve recovery from diabetic wound. Engineering macrophages may enable a further improvement in their tissue repair capacity. Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) is a crucial growth factor that plays an integral role in wound healing process. And in this study, a stable macrophage cell line (engineered macrophages) overexpressing FGF2 was successfully established by engineering modification of macrophages. Proteomic analysis indicated that conditioned medium derived from FGF2 overexpressed macrophages may promote wound healing by enhancing the level of vascularization. Additionally, cellular assays demonstrated that this conditioned medium promotes endothelial cell migration in vitro. For the convenience of drug delivery and wound application, we prepared soluble hyaluronic acid microneedles to load the conditioned medium. These soluble microneedles exhibited excellent mechanical properties and biocompatibility while effectively releasing their contents in vivo. The microneedles significantly accelerated wound healing, leading to a marked increase in vascular proliferation and improved collagen deposition within a full thickness skin defect diabetic mouse model. In summary, we developed a type of hyaluronic acid microneedle loaded with conditioned medium of engineered macrophages. These microneedles have been demonstrated to enhance tissue vascularization and facilitate diabetic wound healing. This might potentially serve as a highly promising therapeutic approach for diabetic wounds.

Validity and reliability study of the Turkish version of the multidimensional outcome expectations for exercise scale (MOEES) in patients with cardiovascular diseases

cAmbly: A non-toxic cell-penetrating peptide derived from Amblyomin-X with targeted delivery to mitochondrial and cytoplasmic proteins

The effective delivery of drugs remains a major challenge in the development of new therapeutic molecules. Several strategies have been employed to address this issue, with cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) standing out due to their ability to traverse cell membranes with minimal cytotoxicity and their relatively straightforward synthesis when conjugated with other molecules. However, while CPPs can successfully enter the cytoplasm, they often lack specificity for particular organelles, leaving target engagement to the drug itself. In this study, we present cAmbly, a novel CPP derived from the antitumoral protein Amblyomin-X. Our findings demonstrate that cAmbly efficiently internalizes into T98G cells within 30 min of incubation and preferentially colocalizes with mitochondria, exhibiting a clear affinity for mitochondrial proteins. These results suggest that cAmbly could serve as a promising delivery vehicle for mitochondria-targeted drugs, such as BCL-2 or OXPHOS modulators, which are commonly employed in cancer treatment. Furthermore, we identified the C-terminal of cAmbly as the optimal site for conjugating molecules intended for intracellular delivery.

3D printing and pressureless sintering of Li2TiO3 for next generation dielectric resonator antennas

The territorialization of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome and its socioeconomic, demographic and public health policy risk factors in Belém, state of Pará, Eastern Amazon, Brazil: a cross-sectional and ecological study

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome is an important public health problem in Brazil due to the large number of cases. It has a high mortality rate related to risk factors that include systemic arterial hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, male gender and advanced age. This cross-sectional and ecological study analyzed the spatial distribution of this disease related to the evolution of COVID-19 cases and their epidemiological, demographic, socioeconomic and public health policy conditions in the administrative districts of Belém, state of Pará, in the eastern Brazilian Amazon, from 2021 to 2023. Data from the Ministry of Health, the National Institute for Space Research and the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics were used. The statistical and spatial analysis of the data used the chi-square test of equal expected proportions with a significance level of 0.05% and the techniques of ordinary multivariate linear regression and percentiles, with the results expressed by means of choropleth maps, using the Bioestat 5.4 and Arcgis 10.5.1 software. The epidemiological profile analyzed 3,511 cases, following the national pattern with statistical significance. The pathology was not distributed homogeneously in spatial terms and was associated with a territorial and socioeconomic segregation of the population in the neighborhoods and their administrative districts, with great differences in their demographic characteristics, living conditions and public services for treating the disease, especially when we consider the relationship between the outskirts and the center of the municipality. This has revealed unequal development, which has produced health inequalities in the study area. With that in mind, we emphasize the urgency of expanding these services in the places identified as most vulnerable, with a view to equal care access for the disease.

Age-specific assessment of initial hemoglobin levels and shock index for predicting life-saving interventions in pediatric blunt liver and spleen injuries

Prevalence and pattern of adverse events following COVID-19 vaccination among adult population in Sokoto metropolis, northwest, Nigeria

Background COVID-19 still poses a major public health challenge worldwide and vaccination remains one of the major interventions to control the disease. Different types of vaccines approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) are currently in use across the world to protect against the disease. This study assessed the prevalence and pattern of adverse events following immunization (AEFI) after receiving COVID-19 vaccine (the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine) among the adult population in Sokoto metropolis, North-west, Nigeria. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study among 230 adults in Sokoto metropolis who received COVID-19 vaccines. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire administered via personal phone calls to respondents who were selected via a systematic sampling technique. For data analysis, IBM SPSS version 25.0 was used. Results The majority of the participants [183 (79.7%)] experienced AEFI. The most common adverse events were body weakness [157 (85%)], fever [111 (60.3%)] and headache [103 (56%)]. Up to half of the respondents that experienced AEFI said it occurred within minutes and a few hours, whereas 75 (40.8%) said it was within 2-3 days. Up to 66.3% of the adverse reactions were mild and lasted between a few hours (37.5%) and one day (31.5%); however, 15.2% of the respondents had severe reactions of which 22.7% were admitted to a health facility. The development of AEFI was linked to the presence of an underlying medical condition (p = 0.001), a previous history of AEFI (p = 0.017), and a history of drug reaction (p = 0.005). Conclusion The majority of respondents reported adverse events following vaccination with the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine; body weakness, fever, and headache being the most common AEFIs. History of underlying medical condition as well as a history of adverse drug reactions were predictors of the development of adverse reactions following COVID-19 vaccination. Service providers at each COVID-19 vaccination point should always take the time to explain to vaccine recipients that adverse reactions are possible; however, they should reassure them that most ARs resolve within a few hours to a few days.

Physicochemical properties and heavy metals characteristics of building ceramsites with oil-based drilling cutting residues

Abstract Oil-based drilling cutting residues (OBDCRs) are among the primary solid wastes generated during shale gas exploration and development. Utilizing existing equipment to transform OBDCRs into ceramsites appears to be a feasible and resource-efficient approach. In this study, building ceramsites were prepared with OBDCRs incorporating with fly ash (a byproduct of coal combustion) as raw materials. The aim was to comprehensively and systematically investigate physicochemical properties and characteristics of heavy metals (HMs) in the ceramsites. Research shows that building ceramsites can indeed be prepared using OBDCRs, which exhibit good comprehensive properties and strong resistance to acid/ alkali. The main HMs found in ceramsite are barium (Ba), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg). During the calcination process, these OBDCRs, along with fly ash and foaming agent, underwent mutual melting, resulting in the formation of glass, anorthite and mullite. These newly formed phases effectively encapsulated HMs, resulting in varying degrees of enrichment of HMs such as As, Ba, Pb, Cr, and Ni, except for Cd and Hg. However, the leaching toxicity of these HMs in the ceramsite was significantly lower compared to that of the original OBDCRs. Further analysis revealed a significant increase in the proportion of Fe–Mn Oxides and Organic Matter in HMs such as Cr, Ni, As, Cd, and Pb, while the proportion of Exchangeable and Carbonates forms decreased markedly. This trend clearly demonstrated that the calcination process modified the physical and chemical properties of the ceramsite, and effectively stabilized HMs, i.e., migrated from an active state to a more stable form.

Retraction: Celastrol Inhibits Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated Rheumatoid Fibroblast-Like Synoviocyte Invasion through Suppression of TLR4/NF-κB-Mediated Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Expression

Environmental implications of Si2BN nanoflakes in pharmaceutical pollutant detection and removal: insights from first-principle calculations

Abstract Pharmaceutical pollutants, such as carbamazepine (CBZ), are emerging contaminants that pose significant environmental and health risks due to their persistence in aquatic ecosystems and incomplete removal by conventional wastewater treatments. This study leverages density functional theory (DFT), a gold-standard computational quantum mechanical modeling method, to evaluate the efficacy of Si2BN nanoflakes—a novel two-dimensional material—for CBZ adsorption and detection. Our first-principles calculations reveal thermodynamically stable interactions between CBZ and Si2BN, with adsorption energies of − 0.83 eV (edge) and − 0.82 eV (surface). The material’s responsive optical behavior is quantified through time-dependent DFT, showing a 138 nm blueshift in UV–Vis spectra upon adsorption, a hallmark of its sensing capability. Furthermore, DFT-calculated charge transfer (0.04–0.06 e) and Fermi-level shifts (− 4.52 to − 4.69 eV) underscore Si2BN’s enhanced electronic properties, enabling selective pollutant detection. By bridging atomic-scale insights (bond distortions, orbital hybridization) with macroscale environmental applications, this work demonstrates how DFT-guided design unlocks Si2BN’s dual functionality as a scalable adsorbent and optical sensor. These findings provide a quantum–mechanical foundation for advancing Si2BN nanoflakes as a scalable, stable, and effective material for addressing pharmaceutical pollutants in water, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional methods plagued by secondary contamination risks.

Low-dose ferric carboxymaltose vs. oral iron for improving hemoglobin levels in postpartum East Asian women: A randomized controlled trial

Ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) is widely used to correct anemia and replenish iron stores rapidly, particularly in Western populations. However, lower doses of FCM are typically used in East Asia, with limited research on their effectiveness, especially in postpartum women. This randomized controlled trial aimed to assess the efficacy of low-dose FCM compared with oral ferrous sulfate in increasing postpartum hemoglobin (Hb) levels and replenishing iron stores in East Asian women. Sixty postpartum women with Hb levels < 10 g/dL and serum ferritin ≤ 30 ng/mL were randomized to receive either intravenous FCM (500 mg at baseline and 2 weeks) or oral ferrous sulfate (210 mg daily for 4 weeks). The primary outcome was the increase in Hb levels at 2 weeks post-enrollment. Secondary outcomes included serum ferritin, transferrin saturation, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) score, and adverse events at 4 weeks. The FCM group demonstrated a significantly greater increase in Hb levels at 2 weeks (mean difference 0.42 g/dL; 95% CI: 0.12–0.72; P =  0.006), with markedly higher ferritin (adjusted mean difference 356.0 ng/mL; 95% CI: 321.0–403.0; P <  0.001) and transferrin saturation (adjusted mean difference 10.76%; 95% CI: 4.20–17.31; P =  0.002) at 4 weeks. Although there was no significant difference in final Hb levels at 4 weeks (mean difference 0.36 g/dL; 95% CI: -0.01–0.72; P =  0.055), the FCM group had a lower median EPDS score (median difference -3.0; 95% CI: -5.0 to -1.0; P =  0.002) and fewer gastrointestinal side effects, including constipation and nausea. Hypophosphatemia occurred asymptomatically in three patients in the FCM group. These findings suggest that low-dose FCM infusion is highly effective in increasing Hb levels at 2 weeks post-enrollment, with fewer gastrointestinal side effects and higher ferritin levels observed at 4 weeks post-enrollment compared with oral ferrous sulfate. This study was registered at the UMIN Clinical Trials Registry, which meets the requirements of the ICMJE, on December 1, 2021 (ID: UMIN000046049).