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Population-based trends and distributional characteristics in sit-ups performance among school-aged girls in urban China over three decades

Enzyme- and DNAzyme-Driven Transient Assembly of DNA-Based Phase-Separated Coacervate Microdroplets

The effect of early pregnancy ALT elevation on neonatal birth weight: The mediating role of gestational diabetes mellitus

Elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in early pregnancy and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are linked to an increased rate of large for gestational age (LGA) births. Additionally, elevated ALT levels raise the risk of developing GDM, but it remains unclear whether GDM mediates the effect of ALT on neonatal birth weight. This study examines whether GDM mediates this relationship. We conducted a retrospective cohort study with participants from Jinxin Women’s and Children’s Hospital who delivered single live births between 2020 and 2023. A multifactorial logistic regression model assessed the relationship between early pregnancy ALT levels, GDM incidence, and LGA births. A mediation model evaluated GDM’s role in the impact of elevated ALT on neonatal birth weight. Our study included 12,057 patients. After adjusting for confounders, the difference in LGA rates between elevated and normal ALT groups was significant (OR: 1.248, 95% CI: 1.001–1.556, P = 0.049). The GDM incidence difference between these groups was also significant (OR: 1.564, 95% CI: 1.306–1.873, P < 0.01), as was the LGA incidence difference between GDM and non-GDM groups (OR: 1.306, 95% CI: 1.129–1.511, P < 0.01). After adjusting for confounders, we found that elevated ALT levels in early pregnancy and GDM both affected neonatal birth weight. Specifically, elevated ALT levels had a direct impact on neonatal birth weight (β = 0.0291, 95% CI: 0.0100–0.0635), while GDM had an indirect effect (β = 0.0025, 95% CI: 0.0012–0.0056), with GDM accounting for 8.1% of the mediation effect. Our study shows that GDM partly mediates the effect of elevated ALT on neonatal birth weight, highlighting the importance of early ALT and glucose screening in routine prenatal care. Healthcare providers should consider including ALT testing in pregnancy protocols and focus on blood glucose control in patients with elevated ALT to reduce the risk of LGA births.

Pyrrole dicarboxylate substituted porphyrazine, microwave assisted synthesis and properties

Water-Assisted Microwave Synthesis of Imide-Linked Covalent Organic Frameworks in Minutes

Bridging the knowledge-practice gap: A cross-sectional survey assessing physician knowledge, attitude and practice toward complementary and alternative medicine

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is widely used in multiple countries, including Saudi Arabia, yet its integration into mainstream healthcare requires evidence-based guidance. However, little is known about the current level of awareness attitudes and practice of physicians regarding CAM in Jazan region, which is a predominantly rural region in the southwestern part of Saudi Arabia. This region is known for its diverse residents with unique cultural and healing practices. The study aimed to assess physicians’ awareness, attitudes, and practices regarding CAM in the Jazan region. We conducted a cross-sectional survey among physicians in five governorates of Jazan using convenience sampling. The structured questionnaire explored CAM-related awareness, attitudes, and practices. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics to identify associated factors. Of 159 responding physicians (58.5% male and 41.5% females), 81.1% were aware of CAM, but only 7.5% had received formal pre-service training. Attitudes towards CAM were generally positive, with a median attitude score of 23 (out of a total of 30), particularly towards the need for more research and education on CAM. However, despite the generally positive attitudes toward CAM, only 25.8% of physicians reported plans to integrate CAM into their practice, and 37.7% had previously recommended CAM therapies to their patients. Factors significantly associated with awareness and practice included age, gender, work experience, and healthcare setting. In conclusion, despite high awareness and positive attitudes towards CAM among Jazan physicians, there is a significant gap in formal training and limited integration into practice, a matter which underscores the need for further exploration of the factors influencing this discrepancy.

Compressive torsional hysteresis performance of concrete filled square CFRP steel tube

Abstract To study the mechanical performance of concrete-filled square CFRP steel tube under compressive-torsional hysteresis loads, 9 concrete-filled square CFRP steel tube to analyze the failure mode, torque angle curve, triaxial strain, and the synergistic effect of steel tube and CFRP on the specimen under cycle loading. The experimental results show that the steel tube and CFRP can work together. Based on the tests, a numerical simulation method is firstly proposed to estimate the concrete-filled CFRP steel tube compressive-torsional specimens under hysteresis loading, and then validated against the representative tests results. As the axial compression ratio increases(0 < n ≤ 0.45), the torsional displacement of the specimen is constrained, resulting in increase of bearing capacity By contrast, as n continuous increases, the initial stiffness of the component begins to decrease, and the bearing capacity also decreases when n > 0.45. In addition, the increase in steel content, CFRP layer, and specimen material strength has a significant impact on the bearing capacity and initial stiffness.

Click To Stack: Shape-Assisted Self-Assembly of Unflattened Macrocycles into Waveguiding Elastic Crystals

Pavement crack identification method based on IOtsu-Dd algorithm

Rapid identification of highway cracks is greatly significant for highway maintenance. In recent years, the use of unmanned aerial vehicles to collect images of road cracks for automatic recognition has become a topic of concern for many researchers. Based on this, to raise the accuracy and efficiency of crack recognition, a road crack recognition method based on unmanned aerial vehicle images and improved Otsu method is developed. Firstly, certain processing techniques are applied to the images captured by the unmanned aerial vehicle, such as grayscale and equalization, to reduce computational complexity and facilitate subsequent identification of image cracks. Subsequently, to improve recognition accuracy, the image is segmented and the Otsu method is introduced and improved. Finally, a pavement crack recognition model is constructed using damage density, achieving the extraction and recognition of pavement crack features from images. The experiment findings show that the raised recognition model has an average accuracy of 98.2%, a recall rate of 0.75, and an F1 score of 0.85 in crack recognition of unmanned aerial vehicle captured images. This denotes that the raised recognition model has strong effectiveness and high recognition accuracy, and the method can effectively recognize road cracks based on unmanned aerial vehicle images.

CLEVER-1 targeting antibody, bexmarilimab, supports HLA-DR expression and alters ex vivo responsiveness to azacitidine and venetoclax in myeloid malignancies

Abstract Treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) requires new therapy options, especially for patients uneligible for intense chemotherapy or with relapsed or refractory disease. CLEVER-1 is a myeloid checkpoint protein, which can be targeted with a therapeutic function blocking antibody, bexmarilimab. Bexmarilimab has shown clinical efficacy in different solid tumors. Here, we show preclinical data demonstrating expression of CLEVER-1 on immature malignant myeloid cells and their derivates in MDS and AML bone marrow samples and AML cell lines. Highest CLEVER-1 levels were observed in AML with monocytic differentiation. Ex vivo treatment of AML/MDS bone marrow samples with bexmarilimab led to an increase in antigen-presenting human leukocyte antigen DR isotype (HLA-DR) molecule expression. Combination of bexmarilimab with current standard-of-care (SoC) drugs, azacitidine and venetoclax, showed potential for HLA-DR induction and enhanced killing of leukemic cells, respectively. Our non-clinical findings support the feasibility of CLEVER-1 inhibition in AML/MDS to induce antigen presentating molecule expression and potentially, an anti-leukemic effect together with SoC. Therapeutic targeting of CLEVER-1 with bexmarilimab is currently undergoing clinical investigation in the BEXMAB trial (NCT05428969).

Self-Adaptive Release of Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes from a Multifunctional Hydrogel for Accelerating MRSA-Infected Diabetic Wound Repair

Physical activity interventions for the cardiac population: A generic logic model based on intervention mapping

Regular physical activity constitutes a crucial secondary prevention behaviour for people who have had an acute cardiac event. Nonetheless, sustained physical activity levels of the cardiac population are in need of improvement. Applying the Intervention Mapping approach, we describe a generic logic model for developing behavioural interventions to increase and maintain physical activity among those who have had an acute cardiac event. The development of the logic model was both data- and theory-driven, which enhances the effectiveness of the behavioural interventions developed using the logic model. The logic model may additionally be used to indicate research gaps, to solidify the underpinnings of already established behavioural interventions, and as a reflection tool for healthcare providers and individuals’ behaviour. A generic logic model like the one presented here can be developed for key behavioural outcomes related to preventing other highly relevant health problems. We further recommend that future empirical research focuses on determinants of social support provision for cardiac patients’ physical activity.

Monitoring and prevention of gas explosions in underground coal mines using a co-prototype design model for dynamic disaster response

Transcription-Coupled Template Reconfiguration of 8-Oxoguanine for Error-Prone Transcription Revealed by Time-Resolved X-ray Crystallography and Molecular Dynamics

Modeling protective meningococcal antibody responses and factors influencing antibody persistence following vaccination with MenAfriVac using machine learning

Meningococcal meningitis poses a significant public health burden in the meningitis belt region of sub-Saharan Africa. The introduction of the meningococcal PsA-TT vaccine (MenAfriVac®) has successfully eliminated Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A (NmA) cases in the region. However, the duration of post-vaccination immunity and the need for booster doses remain uncertain. To address this knowledge gap, we developed computational models using machine learning techniques to improve the effectiveness of modeling in guiding vaccination strategies for the African meningitis belt. Using serologic data from previous clinical trials of PsA-TT, we proposed a short-term and a long-term model that integrated demographic and medical variables (such as age, height and weight) with previous antibody titer levels and vaccination information to predict NmA antibody titer levels following vaccination. In the short-term model, we found moderately high performance (R-squared = 0.59) for out-of-training-data subjects and even better performance (R squared = 0.83) in the long-term evaluation. Our models estimated the half-life of the vaccine to be 13.9 years for the study population overall, similar to previously reported estimates. Machine learning techniques offer several advantages over previous approaches, as they do not require multiple readings from the same subject, can be rigorously validated using a subset of subject data not used for training. The proposed approach also facilitates the interpretation of the relationship between input variables and antibody levels at a population level. By incorporating subject-specific demographic and medical variables, our models could potentially be used to tailor vaccination schedules to at-risk populations.

Study on surface quality of GH4169 superalloy milling with ultrasonic synergistic nanofluid minimal quantity lubrication

Orientation-Driven Chirality Funnels in Chiral Low-Dimensional Lead-Halide Perovskite Heterostructures

Prevalence of family-based elder abuse and its associated factors in Gandaki Province of Western Nepal: A cross-sectional study

Background Elder abuse is a rarely discussed public health and human rights issue in Nepal, largely due to traditional values emphasizing reverence for parents. These cultural norms can discourage recognition and reporting, especially within families. Consequently, nationwide or large-scale data on this issue is lacking. This study aims to estimate the prevalence and explore the factors associated with family-based elder abuse in Gandaki province, western Nepal. Methods A cross-sectional design was conducted interviewing 612 participants (≥ 60 years) in household settings. The study areas, representing mountain, hill and tarai regions of Gandaki province, were randomly selected using multistage stratified sampling process. The dependent variable was measured using 17-item elder abuse scale. Multivariable logistic regression explored the factors associated with elder abuse. Results More than half of the participants were from Nawalpur (57.2%), urban residents (68.1%), female (57.2%), without education (79.8%), and lived in multigenerational households (73.0%). The overall prevalence of elder abuse was reported at 56.4%, with caregiver neglect (50.8%) being the most prevalent sub-type. The prevalence was higher among females (66.6%) than males (42.8%). In adjusted multivariable logistic regression, those who were female (AOR = 2.56, 95%CI: 1.64–4.01), older than 70 years (AOR = 1.53, 95%CI: 1.03–2.29), reluctant to disclose health issues to family members (AOR = 2.13, 95%CI: 1.36–3.34), believed in traditional healers (AOR = 1.89, 95%CI: 1.28–2.77) and lived in nuclear households (AOR = 1.85, 95%CI: 1.19–2.89) had higher odds of elder abuse. Those living in rural areas (AOR = 0.39, 95%CI: 0.25–0.61), having formal education (AOR = 0.31, 95%CI: 0.10–0.95), and having good self-reported health (AOR = 0.23, 95%CI: 0.12–0.46) were associated with lower odds of elder abuse. Conclusions The study highlights a high prevalence of elder abuse, particularly caregiver neglect, with a disproportionate impact on women. Policy recommendations include raising awareness, strengthening legal protections, and improving caregiver training to meet these challenges effectively.

The relationship between early life course air pollution exposure and general health in adolescence in the United Kingdom

Abstract Air pollution is associated with health in childhood. However, there is limited evidence on sensitive periods during the first 18 years of life. Data were drawn from the Millennium Cohort Study, a large and nationally representative cohort born in 2000/2002. Self-reported general health was assessed at age 17; number of hospital records were derived from linked health data (Hospital Episode Statistics) for consented participants. Residential history was linked to 25 × 25 m grid resolution annual PM2.5, PM10 and NO2 maps between 2000 and 2019; year-specific air pollution exposure in 200-m buffers around postcode centroids were computed. After adjusting for individual and time-variant area-level confounders, children exposed to higher air pollution in early (2–4 y) (n = 9137; PM2.5: OR = 1.06, 95% CI: 1.01–1.11; PM10: OR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.01–1.09; NO2: OR = 1.01, 95% CI: 1.00–1.02) and middle childhood (5–7) (n = 9171; PM2.5: OR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.00–1.07; PM10: OR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01–1.06) reported worse general health at age 17. Higher PM2.5 and NO2 exposure in adolescence increased the number of hospital episodes in young adulthood. Individuals from non-White and disadvantaged backgrounds were exposed to higher levels of air pollution. Air pollution in early and middle childhood might contribute to worse general health, with ethnic minority and disadvantaged children being more exposed.

Semiconducting Polyaromatic Covalent Organic Frameworks Constructed through Self-Aldol Condensation