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

PLoS ONE Mar 12, 2025 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0316421

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

Scientific Reports Nada Elbendary, Hazem Abdelsalam, Medhat A. Ibrahim et al. Mar 12, 2025 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-91078-w

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

PLoS ONE Takeshi Nagao, Ken Takahashi, Sho Takahashi et al. Mar 12, 2025 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0319795

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).

Efficacy of sialic acid supplementation in early life in autism model rats

Scientific Reports Xiaolei Yang, Hongjuan Wei, Jiyuan Li et al. Mar 12, 2025 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-93550-z

Inter-nesting area use, migratory routes, and foraging grounds for hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) in the Western Caribbean

PLoS ONE Stephen G. Dunbar, Daniel R. Evans, Lindsey R. Eggers et al. Mar 12, 2025 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0317778

The hawksbill turtle, Eretmochelys imbricata, has been at risk of extinction for more than 40 years and remains critically endangered. While nesting beach protection is important for hatchling production, identifying inter-nesting, migratory, and foraging habitats is crucial for mitigating threats to population recovery. We report the use of satellite telemetry to monitor movements of 15 hawksbill turtles in the Western Caribbean. Transmitters were deployed on nesting turtles in Honduras (2012 n =  2; 2017 n =  3), Costa Rica (2000 n =  2; 2014 n =  1; 2015 n =  1; 2018 n =  4; 2021 n =  1), and Panama (2017 n =  1). Hawksbill inter-nesting habitats ranged from 4-2,643 km2 (core 50% utilization distribution) for the 15–70 tracking days. Large inter-nesting area use may be a result of habitats adjacent to a narrow continental shelf with strong ocean currents, causing turtles to actively search for suitable habitats. Following nesting, these turtles engaged in migrations to foraging grounds that covered 73–1,059 km lasting between 5–45 days. During migrations, turtles regularly altered their direction relative to ocean currents, using with-current movement to counteract against-current movement. Hawksbills from multiple beaches congregated in the same foraging habitat, despite nesting in different years. Turtles in this study foraged along the coastal and continental shelves of Nicaragua, Honduras, Belize, and Mexico, with turtles from disparate nesting sites utilizing the Nicaragua Rise hotspot area. Foraging area use was generally smaller (n =  8, 6–705 km2) than inter-nesting area use, possibly indicating that foraging habitats provided necessary food and resting areas. These data help us better understand inter-nesting and foraging habitat locations, core area use, and post-nesting migrations. Together, this provides vital information to mitigate potential in-water threats to critically endangered adult hawksbills along Western Caribbean migration corridors.

Three-dimensional diamond planar spiral detectors

Scientific Reports Rebecca J. Watkins, Patrick S. Salter, Ralph J. Moors et al. Mar 12, 2025 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-93332-7

Abstract Diamond’s superior carrier transport properties and unparalleled radiation tolerance make it an ideal material for alpha/neutron detection. High performing diamond detectors are already commercially available. However, even high quality single crystal diamond can degrade after high doses of radiation, resulting in a reduction in carrier mean free path. It is well known that reducing the carrier collection distance, by decreasing the detector electrode spacing, makes radiation detectors more tolerant of mean free path reduction, and therefore more resilient to high radiation doses. One approach for thin device fabrication involves using thin diamond substrates, which can be fragile. In this work, a thin detector has been fabricated using a thick, highly resilient 300 μm diamond substrate by utilising a 3D network of laser-written nano-carbon network electrodes. An optimised femto-second laser write process, utilising specialised optical arrangements, is used to realise planar configured diamond detectors, comprising two Ti/Pt/Au spiral electrodes, connected to internal spiral nano-carbon network ’wall’ electrodes, which extend 20 μm below the surface and have a 50 μm separation. It was found that introducing the nano-carbon network electrodes greatly improved the detector resolution and Charge Collection Efficiency. With close to 100% charge collection efficiency and ns rise times demonstrated, achieving “thin” detector performance, in “thick”, structural substrates.

Transmission line faults detection and classification using new tripping characteristics based on statistical coherence for current measurements

Scientific Reports R. A. Mahmoud Mar 12, 2025 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-87577-5

Abstract Power transmission lines are critical components of a power system that connect power stations to consumers. To maintain reliability and stability of the system, faults should be correctly classified and cleared as soon as possible. In this article, a coherence-based protection scheme for faults detection and classification on transmission lines (TLs) is proposed. Besides, the scheme introduces a new model of tripping characteristics based on six coherence coefficients that are computed only for current waves measured at the TL sending end. The power network under test is simulated using the ATP software, and signals analysis and the performance evaluation of the technique are performed in the MATLAB environment. The protection performance is investigated under different fault conditions, such as fault type, fault location, fault resistance, fault inception angle and power flow angle. The extensive simulation cases have demonstrated that the suggested technique is successful in detecting and classifying all ten shunt faults in the transmission line within a half-cycle time. Moreover, the protection security, sensitivity, and response speed are amended by changing the numerical values of the coherence setting and data window. Furthermore, it is applicable in both conventional and smart grids, and it is independent of the specifications of the system equipment and current transformers.

Zebrafish identification with deep CNN and ViT architectures using a rolling training window

Scientific Reports Jason Puchalla, Aaron Serianni, Bo Deng Mar 12, 2025 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-86351-x

Machine learning analysis of integrated ABP and PPG signals towards early detection of coronary artery disease

Scientific Reports Amandeep Minhas, Subhash Chandra Pal, Karan Jain Mar 12, 2025 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-93390-x

Disease detection on exterior surfaces of buildings using deep learning in China

Scientific Reports You Chen, Dayao Li Mar 12, 2025 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-92112-7

Modified bentonite @ microwave for Mn(VII) removal with a simulation study

Scientific Reports Hend S. Abu Salem, Safaa S. Hassan, Fatma A. Refay et al. Mar 12, 2025 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-91906-z

Abstract A reasonably priced and easily available natural bentonite was used to remove Mn(VII) ion from polluted water. The purpose of this research is to investigate the structural and adsorption capacity changes of microwave-treated bentonite following Mn(VII) ion adsorption. The two forms of bentonite (natural and microwave-assisted) were characterized with respect to the chemical composition and structural morphology (XRD, EDX and FTIR) in addition to pore size distribution and surface area. The structure of the microwave-treated bentonite showed partial damage of the framework of silica, and new surface nucleation centers are developed during microwave treatment. Montmorillonite was deemed to be the prevailing phase. The total surface area and the average pore size distribution were changed from (277,624 m2/g and 4,9118 nm) to (327,085 m²/g and 4.1691 nm) after microwave treatment. BET surface area expanded, hence enhancing the adsorption ability of Mn(VII) ions approximately 18.0% more than that of the untreated bentonite B. FTIR and SEM morphology pointed out the Mn(VII) adsorption ions onto the microwave-treated bentonite.

Cadmium passivation induced negative differential resistance in cove edge graphene nanoribbon device

Scientific Reports Saurabh Kharwar, Farzan Gity, Paul K. Hurley et al. Mar 12, 2025 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-92735-w

Abstract Graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) have emerged as promising candidates for nanoelectronic devices due to their unique electronic and transport properties. In this study, we investigate the impact of passivation on cove-edge graphene nanoribbon (CGNR) using both cadmium (Cd) and hydrogen (H) atoms. Through a comprehensive density functional theory (DFT) analysis coupled with non-equilibrium Green’s function (NEGF) simulations, we explore the electronic transport properties and device behavior of these passivated CGNRs. Our results reveal a distinctive semiconductor-to-metal transition in the electronic properties of the Cd-passivated CGNRs. This transition, induced by the interaction between Cd atoms and the GNR edges, leads to a modulation of the bandstructure and a pronounced shift in the conductance characteristics. Interestingly, the Cd-passivated CGNR devices exhibit negative differential resistance (NDR) with remarkably high peak-to-valley current ratios (PVCRs). NDR is a phenomenon critical for high-speed switching, enables efficient signal modulation, making it valuable for nanoscale transistors, memory elements, and oscillators. The highest PVCR is measured to be 53.7 for Cd-CGNR-H which is x10 and x17 times higher than strained graphene nanoribbon and silicene nanoribbon respectively. These findings suggest the promising potential of passivated CGNRs as novel components for high-performance nanoelectronic devices.

A cross-sectional observational study of the association between biochemistry profiles and the risk of age-related macular degeneration

Scientific Reports Shuwei Bai, Lei Zhang, Weiming Yan et al. Mar 12, 2025 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-89121-x

Periplaneta americana extract improves recurrent oral ulcers through regulation of TLR4/NF-κB and Nrf2/HO-1 pathways

Scientific Reports Weijun Li, Yi Chen, Kailing Li et al. Mar 12, 2025 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-84703-7

Deep learning based automatic quantification of aortic valve calcification on contrast enhanced coronary CT angiography

Scientific Reports Daebeom Park, Soon-Sung Kwon, Yoona Song et al. Mar 12, 2025 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-93744-5

Incorporating soil information with machine learning for crop recommendation to improve agricultural output

Scientific Reports Hadeeqa Afzal, Madiha Amjad, Ali Raza et al. Mar 12, 2025 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-88676-z

Author Correction: Cep78 knockout causes sterility and oligoasthenoteratozoospermia in male mice

Scientific Reports Min Liu, Zongzhuang Wen, Dapeng Zhao et al. Mar 12, 2025 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-93292-y

Identification and validation of hub genes associated with biotic and abiotic stresses by modular gene co-expression analysis in Oryza sativa L.

Scientific Reports Izreen Izzati Razalli, Muhammad-Redha Abdullah-Zawawi, Rabiatul Adawiah Zainal Abidin et al. Mar 12, 2025 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-92942-5

Abdominal aortic aneurysm is a systemic and generalized arteriomegaly in mice and humans

Scientific Reports Zhaohua Cai, Liang Fang, Zhanying Wei et al. Mar 12, 2025 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-92599-0

Context-dependent modulations in zebra finch distance calls revealed by a novel goal-directed vocalization paradigm

Scientific Reports Zohreh Safarcharati, Amirreza Bahramani, Pouya Mokari Amjad et al. Mar 12, 2025 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-93105-2