Browse Articles

A novel hybrid fruit fly and simulated annealing optimized faster R-CNN for detection and classification of tomato plant leaf diseases

A qualitative systematic review of barriers and facilitators to the implementation of community-based molecular diagnostics for infectious diseases

Background Community-based molecular diagnostic testing for infectious diseases can bring equitable healthcare to resource-limited settings without hospital-based laboratories. Low-complexity molecular testing devices allow for unprecedented sensitivity and specificity for infectious disease diagnostics outside of a dedicated laboratory, which may facilitate timely initiation of therapeutics and other public health interventions in rural, remote and/or marginalized communities. Objective To identify barriers and facilitators to the implementation of community-based molecular testing. Methods A systematic search was conducted on MEDLINE Ovid, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health, Google Scholar, and reference lists. Original research that includes implementation of molecular testing systems at the community-level or at rural/remote health facilities with frontline healthcare workers and reports barriers and facilitators to implementation were included. Studies were assessed by the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Qualitative Checklist and underwent inductive thematic analysis. The review protocol was registered to Prospero prior to conducting the review (CRD42023397800). Results A total of 6 studies were included in the review. We found three main themes present across all six included studies: infrastructure, usability, and staffing considerations. Infrastructure emerged as a critical determinant, with challenges ranging from physical space constraints to issues with reliable electricity and internet connectivity. The usability of testing devices, encompassing factors like ease of use and testing quality, also played a pivotal role. Staffing considerations, including workload, training, and attitudes, significantly influenced implementation outcomes. Conclusion Our review highlights the importance of addressing infrastructural challenges, ensuring usability of testing devices, and adequately supporting staff through training and workload management to realize the full potential of this new opportunity. Future implementation should consider these factors to successfully integrate molecular diagnostics into community-level healthcare delivery, particularly in rural and remote areas.

How soundscape perception enhances the well-being of elderly recreational visitors in urban parks: a case study of Zhengzhou People’s Park

Nucleolar sequestration of cannabinoid type-2 receptors in triple-negative breast cancer cells

Multiple investigations have shown that the different types of cannabinoids, phytocannabinoids, synthetic cannabinoids, and endocannabinoids, possess antiproliferative and anticancer properties. The cannabinoid type-2 receptor (CB2R) has been proposed as a central player in tumor progression and has been correlated with the aggressiveness of breast cancer. Using immunocytochemistry and confocal microscopy, in the present work, we studied the expression level and subcellular localization of CB2R in two human triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines, corresponding to early (stage I, HCC-1395) and metastatic (MDA-MB-231) stages, and they were compared with a non-tumoral mammary epithelial cell line (MCF-10A). We found that although CB2R was detected at the plasma membrane, it was mainly localized intracellularly, with ~40-fold higher expression in both TNBC cell lines than in MCF-10A (P < 0.0001). Notably, double staining with DAPI or with the nucleoli-specific fluorescent marker (3xnls-mTurquoise2) showed that most of the CB2R overexpressed in the nucleoli of cancer cells. This finding is supported by the fact that CB2R expression was markedly lower in mitotic cells compared to interphase cells (P < 0.0001). Interestingly, exposure of cancer cells to the specific agonist HU-308 reversed the nucleolar sequestration of CB2R while increasing the presence of the receptor in the nucleoplasm and cytoplasm (P < 0.0001). In addition, we found that this agonist reduced both the cell migration (P < 0.05–0.0001) and proliferation (P < 0.001) of TNBC cells. It remains to determine the function and signaling ability of CB2R in the nucleolus. Although our study only includes cell lines (tumoral and non-tumoral), we consider that this feature of nucleolar sequestration of CB2R could be a potential diagnostic marker for TNBC from the early stage.

Recovery of ambulation in older adults undergoing fracture surgery for femoral metastasis: a multicenter retrospective cohort study

Sufficient dimension reduction on partially nonlinear index models with applications to medical costs analysis

Modeling medical costs is a crucial task in health economics, especially when high-dimensional covariates and nonlinear effects are present. In this study, we propose a partially nonlinear index model (PNIM) that integrates partially sufficient dimension reduction with a rapid instrumental variable pilot estimation method. Through simulations, we demonstrate that the proposed model excels at capturing significant nonlinear relationships. When applying the model to the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) dataset, we identify important nonlinear age effects on medical costs and highlight key factors such as hospitalization, cardiovascular diseases, and supplemental insurance coverage. These findings provide valuable insights for healthcare policy, including targeted interventions for specific age groups and enhanced management of chronic conditions. Overall, the proposed method offers a flexible and computationally efficient framework for analyzing complex medical cost data, with broad applicability in health economics.

Integrating experimental and numerical approaches to simulate viscous debris flows using an HBP-SPH framework

Unraveling the molecular mechanisms of paclitaxel in high-grade serous ovarian cancer through network pharmacology

Automatic CTA analysis for blood vessels and aneurysm features extraction in EVAR planning

Transcriptome enhanced rice grain metabolic model identifies histidine level as a marker for grain chalkiness

Genome wide population genetics and molecular surveillance of insecticide resistance in Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes from Awash Sebat Kilo in Ethiopia

Abstract Since the detection of the Asian mosquito Anopheles stephensi in Dijbouti in 2012, it has spread throughout the Horn of Africa. This invasive vector continues to expand across the continent and is a significant threat to malaria control programs. Vector control methods, including insecticide-treated nets and indoor residual spraying, have substantially reduced the malaria burden. However, the increasing prevalence of mosquitoes resistant to insecticides, including An. stephensi populations, undermines ongoing malaria elimination efforts. Understanding population structure, gene flow between populations, and the distribution of insecticide resistance mutations is essential for guiding effective malaria control strategies. Here, we generated whole genome sequencing data for An. stephensi sourced from Awash Sebat Kilo, Ethiopia ( n  = 27) and compared with South Asian populations ( n  = 45; India and Pakistan) to assess genomic diversity, population structure, and uncovering insecticide resistance mutations. Population structure analysis using genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms ( n  = 15,533,476) revealed Ethiopian isolates clustering as a distinct ancestral group, separate from South Asian isolates. Three insecticide resistance-associated SNPs ( gaba gene: A296S and V327I; vgsc L1014F) were detected. Evidence of ongoing selection was found in several loci, including genes previously associated with neonicotinoids, ivermectin, DDT, and pyrethroid resistance. This study represents the first whole genome population genetics study of invasive An. stephensi , revealing genomic differences from South Asian populations, which can be used for future assessments of vector population dispersal and detection of insecticide resistance mechanisms.

Monitoring subsurface soil displacement in karst collapse by designing a MEMS-based spherical monitoring device

Abstract To address challenges in monitoring subsurface soil displacement in karst collapse areas, a MEMS-based spherical monitoring device was developed to accommodate complex subsurface monitoring environments. Six sets of fixed-distance tests were designed to verify the flexibility of the spherical monitoring devices in moving with the sub-surface soil. Furthermore, four indoor model tests were conducted to acquire displacement data, which were developed from MEMS sensors and MEMS sensors with spherical shell arranged at identical positions. PIV was employed to analyze the monitoring accuracy of the MEMS spherical monitoring device and MEMS sensor in karst collapse model tests, to further evaluate the practicality of the spherical monitoring devices for monitoring in karst collapse. The results of the fixed-distance tests indicate that the spherical monitoring device effectively mitigates the influence of soil pressure on the monitoring cables. Model test results show that, in comparison to MEMS sensor, the MEMS spherical monitoring device exhibits a reduced average relative error of 23.09% in stable zone displacement measurements and 18.87% in the subsidence zone. This suggests that the MEMS-based spherical monitoring device better captures variations in sub-surface soil displacement. This paper provides a new insight for karst collapse monitoring and the application of MEMS sensors in geotechnical engineering.

Serum lipid metabolites predict the efficacy of intravenous immune globulin therapy in patients with pediatric dilated cardiomyopathy

Trends in active hepatitis B virus infection and associated risk factors among blood donor candidates from Luanda, Angola

The neural basis of intuitive approximate number system in board game Go (Baduk) experts

Effectiveness of peer-led health behaviour interventions on adolescent’s mental health and wellbeing: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Classification of multi-lead ECG based on multiple scales and hierarchical feature convolutional neural networks

Evaluating the impact of parameter variability on O2 control and model robustness in modified atmosphere storage for fresh produce

Abstract The effects of variation in product respiration, supply chain temperature, gas diffusion, product quantity, and storage volume on gas control in fresh produce storage remain unexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of such parameters on O 2 control, using broccoli as a case study under dynamic temperature profiles ranging from 1 °C to 20 °C. Sensitivity analysis of each parameter was performed using Monte Carlo simulations and one-factor-at-a-time method and the results were experimentally validated. The blower ON frequency (BOF) needed for O 2 control exhibited a mean of 47.8 ± 3.7 s, illustrating variability due to model parameter uncertainties. The product weight and respiration rate were the most influential parameters affecting the BOF. These parameters collectively accounted for over 80% of the BOF variability, highlighting the importance of prioritizing and incorporating non-linear relationships and parameter interactions for model robustness. Temperature variations affected BOF and respiration rates while maintaining overall O 2 and CO 2 concentrations stable over a longer period. However, O 2 and CO 2 concentrations exhibited temporary fluctuations because, at higher temperatures, the blower operated for longer durations compared to lower temperatures, leading to more pronounced O 2 fluctuations. The results of the validation experiment, using a 70-litre box containing 16 kg of broccoli, confirmed the stability of the model in effectively handling the parameters variation while maintaining the O 2 concentration at 3.5 ± 0.5% and CO 2 at 15.3 ± 1% during storage and transport of the fresh produce.

Failure mechanisms and reinforcement of pipe-framed solar greenhouses under snow loads

The association between urinary BPA concentrations and urinary incontinence in women

Abstract Urinary incontinence (UI) significantly impacts the quality of life and psychological well-being of female patients. Although emerging evidence suggests potential links between endocrine-disrupting chemicals and pelvic floor disorders, previous studies on the association between bisphenol A (BPA) exposure and UI in women have yielded inconsistent results. This study aimed to examine this potential association using data from the 2015–2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) (n = 467). Through multiple logistic regression analysis with three adjustment models: Model 1 (crude), Model 2 (adjusted for socio-demographic factors: age, race/ethnicity, education, marital status, and poverty ratio), and Model 3 (further adjusted for BMI, hypertension, diabetes, alcohol/smoking status, and delivery history), we assessed BPA exposure categorized into quartiles. No significant associations were observed between BPA exposure and either stress urinary incontinence (SUI) or mixed urinary incontinence (MUI) across all models (P > 0.05). However, participants in the highest BPA quartile (> 7.6 ng/mg creatinine) exhibited a significantly increased risk of urge urinary incontinence (UUI) in Model 1 (OR = 2.01, 95% CI [1.12–3.63]), Model 2 (OR = 2.04, 95% CI [1.08–3.85]), and Model 3 (OR = 2.48, 95% CI [1.18–5.20]). This study has several limitations, including its cross-sectional design, reliance on self-reported UI outcomes, single measurement of urinary BPA, and potential residual confounding from unmeasured factors. While these findings suggest that environmental BPA exposure may contribute to UUI risk in women, future longitudinal studies with repeated biomarker measurements and objective UI assessments are needed to confirm these observations and explore potential mechanisms. If validated, reducing BPA exposure through public health interventions could emerge as a novel preventive strategy for UUI.