Search Results (778)

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia, increasingly prevalent worldwide. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major chronic disorder and a significant risk factor for AF, contributing to high morbidity and mortality. Metformin monotherapy can contribute to the reduced occurrence of adverse cardiovascular outcomes in patients with T2DM, but its effects on AF are understudied. This meta-analysis evaluates the association of metformin with the risk of incident AF among patients with T2DM on metformin. Methods: Databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, and EMBASE, were screened through November 2024 for studies evaluating the association between metformin and new-onset AF in patients with T2DM. Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) version 4, by Biostat, Inc., utilizing a random effects model, was used to pool hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). A meta-regression analysis was also performed to identify factors that may have influenced the results. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of seven studies, comprising 4,017,929 patients with T2DM, having a mean age of 62.82 years and 52.5% males, were included. Metformin was associated with a statistically significantly lower risk of new-onset AF among patients with T2DM compared to other hypoglycemic agents (aHR: 0.85; 95% CI 0.76–0.94; p = 0.002). Meta-regression analysis identified age as a significant moderator of the treatment effect (β = −3.15, p = 0.001). Conclusions: Metformin is associated with a lower risk of new-onset AF among patients with T2DM compared to other hypoglycemic agents. Furthermore, age-related attenuation of this association was observed, with older patients with T2DM showing a weaker association. Full article

Rapid urbanisation and population growth call for more Industrialised Construction (IC) as a swifter, safer, higher-quality and affordable means of delivering housing and infrastructure. Meanwhile, rising global temperatures and extreme weather patterns call for immediate action to combat environmental degradation. The Building Construction Industry (BCI) is a leading contributor to global resource extraction and waste generation, posing a significant threat to our environment and planet. Design for Circular Manufacturing and Assembly (DfCMA) is an overarching design framework that synergises circularity (Design for Circularity (DfC)) and modularity (Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA)) by enhancing their shared values. This study explores the functional apparatus of DfCMA by identifying 21 DfMA constructs and 20 DfC constructs in the BCI through a rigorous literature review, first analysed descriptively, followed by Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Fuzzy Synthetic Evaluation (FSE) of the initial findings from a suitably focused questionnaire survey. The study findings confirm the significance of applying the 41 constructs above in advancing the concept of DfCMA in the BCI. This study thus adds value to research and practice, exploring the underlying mechanism of this novel DfCMA concept, which synergises two imperatives, promoting a Circular Economy (CE) and DfMA principles and practices in IC. Full article

The impact of encapsulating gemcitabine (GEM) into nanoparticles on its delivery remains underexplored, with the potential benefits of targeted drug delivery and stimuli-responsive release yet to be fully clarified. Herein, we designed a near-infrared (NIR) light-responsive polymeric nanoparticle, ZnPc@P(PEG-CMA-TKGEM), which integrates reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and cell imaging capabilities. The self-assembled polymeric micelles exhibit a hydrodynamic size of ~134 nm. Under NIR irradiation, the cumulative drug release rate reaches 51% within 48 h, which is three times higher than that of the non-irradiated control group. In cytotoxicity assays, the cell viability of the NIR-irradiated drug-loaded group is approximately 17%, while that of the NIR-irradiated blank group (without drug loading) remains above 80%. These results confirm that the nanocarriers successfully deliver GEM to target cells and achieve controlled drug release via NIR stimulation. Full article

Background: Syndromic forms of obesity are uncommon, complicated illnesses that include early-onset obesity along with other clinical characteristics such as organ-specific abnormalities, dysmorphic symptoms, and intellectual incapacity. These syndromes frequently have a strong genetic foundation, involving copy number variations, monogenic mutations, and chromosomal abnormalities. Methods: Using terms like “syndromic obesity,” “genetic diagnosis,” and “monogenic obesity,” a comprehensive literature search was conducted to find articles published between 2000 and 2025 in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Peer-reviewed research addressing the clinical, molecular, or genetic aspects of syndromic obesity were among the inclusion criteria. Conference abstracts, non-English publications, and research without genetic validation were among the exclusion criteria. The whole genetic, clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic domains were thematically synthesized to create a thorough, fact-based story. Research using chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA), whole-exome sequencing (WES), next-generation sequencing (NGS), and new long-read sequencing platforms was highlighted. Results: Despite the fact that molecular diagnostics, especially NGS and CMA, have made tremendous progress in identifying pathogenic variants, between 30 and 40 percent of instances of syndromic obesity are still genetically unexplained. One significant issue is the variation in phenotype across people with the same mutation, which suggests the impact of environmental modifiers and epigenetic variables. In addition, differences in access to genetic testing, particularly in areas with limited resources, can make it difficult to diagnose patients in a timely manner. Additionally, recent research emphasizes the possible contribution of gene–environment interactions, gut microbiota, and multi-omic integration to modifying disease expression. Conclusions: Syndromic obesity is still poorly understood in a variety of groups despite significant advancements in technology. Multi-layered genomic investigations, functional genomic integration, and standardized diagnostic frameworks are necessary to close existing gaps. The development of tailored treatment plans, such as gene editing and focused pharmaceutical therapies as well as fair access to cutting-edge diagnostics are essential to improving outcomes for people with syndromic obesity. Full article

Optimal camera placement (OCP) is a crucial task for ensuring adequate surveillance of both indoor and outdoor environments. While several solutions to this problem have been documented in the literature, there are still research gaps related to the maximization of surveillance coverage, particularly in terms of optimal placement of omnidirectional camera (OC) sensors in indoor and partially occluded environments via metaheuristic optimization algorithms (MOAs). In this paper, we present a study centered on several popular MOAs and their application to OCP for OC sensors in indoor environments. For our experiments we considered two experimental layouts consisting of both a deployment area, and visual obstructions, as well as two different omnidirectional camera models. The tested MOAs include popular algorithms such as PSO, GWO, SSO, GSA, SMS, SA, DE, GA, and CMA-ES. Experimental results suggest that the success in MOA-based OCP is strongly tied with the specific search strategy applied by the metaheuristic method, thus making certain approaches preferred over others for this kind of problem. Full article

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental condition often associated with genetic syndromes. Structural variants on the long arm of chromosome 15 (15q) are recurrently implicated in syndromic ASD, yet their phenotypic spectrum remains insufficiently characterized in diverse populations. We retrospectively analyzed clinical and molecular data from three patients with ASD treated at a Brazilian public reference center who also presented neurological and systemic comorbidities. Genetic investigations included G-banded karyotyping, chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA), methylation assays, and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) when indicated. Variants were classified according to ACMG guidelines and correlated with individual phenotypes. Case 1 showed an 8.4 Mb triplication at 15q11.2–q13.1 encompassing SNRPN, UBE3A, and GABRB3, which are associated with epilepsy, delayed neuropsychomotor development, and dysmorphic traits. Case 2 presented a 418 kb duplication at 15q13.3 involving CHRNA7 and OTUD7A, a variant of uncertain significance correlated with intellectual disability, speech apraxia, and self-injurious behavior. Case 3 demonstrated extensive loss of heterozygosity at 15q11.2–q13.1 and 15q21.3–q26.2, which is compatible with maternal uniparental disomy and Prader–Willi syndrome, manifesting hypotonia, seizures, and global delay. These findings underscore the potential involvement of the 15q region in syndromic ASD and related neurological comorbidities, highlighting the diverse pathogenic mechanisms and the importance of comprehensive genomic profiling for diagnosis, counseling, and individualized care. Full article

The use of hot mix asphalt (HMA) has several drawbacks, such as the emission of harmful gases into the atmosphere, difficulties in maintaining temperature over long distances, and the requirement for high energy consumption during preparation and installation. In order to solve these issues, this research aimed to produce High-Performance Cold Mix Asphalt (HP-CMA), in which Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) is used as a filler to replace limestone filler at 0%, 1.5%, 3%, 4.5%, and 6% of the aggregate weight. Indirect Tensile Stiffness Modulus (ITSM), moisture susceptibility, temperature susceptibility, and microstructural analysis tests were carried out. The results showed that the ITSM was considerably enhanced when OPC was utilized. When comparing HP-CMA with 3% OPC to the control HMA (100–150 pen), the ITSM increased by approximately 80% after three days. In contrast, HP-CMA with 4.5% OPC achieved the same ITSM as the control HMA (40–60 pen) after seven days. Moreover, the ITSM of the HMA 40–60 pen decreased by 91.93% when the temperature rose from 20 °C to 45 °C, whereas the ITSM of the HP-CMA with 6% OPC decreased by 42.47% over the same temperature range. This suggests that HP-CMA is more stable than the HMA 40–60 pen at elevated temperatures. The superior performance of the HP-CMA can be attributed to two essential factors: the improved binding effect due to the demulsification of the asphalt emulsion used as a binder, and the formation of hydration products from the added cement. Full article

Background: Chromosomal aneuploidy, characterized by an abnormal number of chromosomes, represents a significant cause of genetic disorders. While karyotyping and chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) are established diagnostic approaches, they are limited by cost and extended turnaround times. Advances in exome sequencing (ES) bioinformatics enable detection of chromosomal aneuploidy alongside single-nucleotide variant analysis. This study explores the utility of clinical ES for the detection of aneuploidies. Method: We analyzed exome sequencing data (2023–2024) from samples positive for Trisomy 21 (n = 27), Trisomy 18 (n = 4), Turner syndrome (n = 3), and Klinefelter syndrome (n = 2) from our clinical ES cohort (n = 10,000). Results: The results obtained were concordant with copy number variants (CNVs) identified by clinical testing. Conclusion: In conclusion, our findings suggest that exome sequencing offers a rapid and viable approach for the detection of chromosomal aneuploidy, potentially reducing turnaround time and associated costs. Full article

Background/Objective: Prenatal cytogenetic testing is essential for pregnant women who are at high risk of having a child with a chromosomal abnormality. While conventional karyotyping detects large aneuploidies and structural rearrangements (>5–10 Mb), chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) identifies smaller copy number variants (CNVs), increasing the diagnostic yield by approximately 5%. CMA is now recommended as the first-line test for evaluating fetal structural anomalies that are detected by ultrasound. Method: From March 2023 to September 2024, we analyzed 344 prenatal samples using conventional karyotyping and SNP-based CMA. Karyotyping was performed via flask culture, and CMA was conducted using the Infinium Global Screening Array Cyto (GSA-Cyto) on the Illumina iScan platform. We interpreted the CNVs using NxClinical v6.0 and curated databases including ClinVar, DECIPHER, OMIM, and ClinGen, among others. Our results aligned with the GRCh37/hg19 reference genome. Results: Chromosomal abnormalities were identified in 57/344 cases (16.5%). Of these, 39 cases were numerical chromosomal anomalies, and 18 cases were pathogenic or likely pathogenic CNVs. Notably, 11 CNVs (3.2%) were undetectable by conventional karyotyping, emphasizing the added value of CMA. Conclusions: CMA enhances the prenatal diagnostic accuracy by detecting submicroscopic CNVs that are not visible with conventional methods, supporting the routine use of this analysis in prenatal genetic evaluation. Full article

COPA is a notable authenticated online cipher and was one of the winning proposals for the CAESAR competition. Current works describe how to break the existentially unforgeable under quantum chosen message attack (EUF-qCMA) of COPA. However, these works do not demonstrate the confidentiality of COPA in the quantum setting. This paper fills this gap, considers the indistinguishable under quantum chosen-plaintext attack (IND-qCPA) security for privacy, and presents the first IND-qCPA security analysis of COPA. In addition, in order to effectively avoid the problems of quantum existential forgery attack and quantum distinguishing attack, we introduce an intermediate state doubling-point technology into COPA, restrict the associated data non-emptiness, and present an enhanced variant, called COPA-ISDP, to support the IND-qCPA and EUF-qCMA security. Our work is of great significance, as it provides a simple and effective post-quantum secure design idea to resist Simon’s attack. Full article

Background: Big data capability is a core strategic asset for enterprises, but existing studies on its relationship with enterprise value creation are fragmented, with inconsistent effect magnitudes and boundary conditions. This meta-analysis synthesized empirical evidence to clarify their overall relationship and the moderating roles of antecedent, mediating, and outcome variables. Methods: A systematic search (ending July 2025) across seven databases (CNKI, Web of Science, etc.) identified thirty-three empirical studies meeting criteria (clear sample size, correlation coefficients). Following PRISMA 2020 and OSF registration, two researchers extracted data independently. CMA 3.0 was used with a random effects model; effect sizes (Pearson’s r), heterogeneity (Q, I²), and publication bias (funnel plots, Egger’s test) were analyzed. Results: Involving 14,993 samples, big data capability showed a moderately significant positive correlation with enterprise outcomes (r = 0.486, 95% CI: 0.408–0.557, p < 0.001) with high heterogeneity (I² = 93.502). Subgroup analyses revealed: learning orientation (r = 0.883) as the strongest antecedent; organizational agility (r = 0.631) and innovation (r = 0.595) as significant mediators (resource integration not significant); enterprise innovation performance (r = 0.730) as the top outcome. No publication bias was found (Egger’s p = 0.284). Conclusions: Big data capability positively impacts enterprises, with learning orientation and innovation performance as key moderators. Enterprises should prioritize a learning culture and leverage organizational agility. Future research needs diverse samples and longitudinal designs to explore causality. Full article

This work presents an 80 Gbps photonics-aided millimeter-wave (mm Wave) wireless communication system employing 16-Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (16-QAM) and a 1 × 2 single-input multiple-output (SIMO) architecture with maximum ratio combining (MRC) to achieve robust 87.5 GHz transmission over 4.6 km. By utilizing polarization-diverse optical heterodyne generation and spatial diversity reception, the system enhances spectral efficiency while addressing the low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and channel distortions inherent in long-haul links. A blind equalization scheme combining the constant modulus algorithm (CMA) and decision-directed least mean squares (DD-LMS) filtering enables rapid convergence and suppresses residual inter-symbol interference, effectively mitigating polarization drift and phase noise. The experimental results demonstrate an SNR gain of approximately 3 dB and a significant bit error rate (BER) reduction with MRC compared to single-antenna reception, along with improved SNR performance in multi-antenna configurations. The synergy of photonic mm Wave generation, adaptive spatial diversity, and pilot-free digital signal processing (DSP) establishes a robust framework for high-capacity wireless fronthaul, overcoming atmospheric attenuation and dynamic impairments. This approach highlights the viability of 16-QAM in next-generation ultra-high-speed networks (6G/7G), balancing high data rates with resilient performance under channel degradation. Full article

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common condition characterized by repeated airway collapses during sleep, contributing to oxygen desaturation, arousals, and significant cardiovascular complications. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the association between blood ICAM-1 levels and OSA, exploring its potential as a biomarker for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and for identifying factors contributing to result heterogeneity. Following PRISMA guidelines, this meta-analysis addressed a PECO framework to assess circulating ICAM-1 levels in adults with OSA compared to controls. A systematic search was conducted across PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and CNKI until 23 April 2025, complemented by citation reviews and Google Scholar. Statistical analyses, including subgroup and meta-regression, were performed using RevMan, CMA 3.0, and TSA software to calculate mean differences, assess heterogeneity, and evaluate publication bias. Results were analyzed under random-effect models, with significance set at p < 0.05 for all metrics except publication bias (p < 0.10). This systematic review and meta-analysis included 34 articles. The pooled mean difference (MD) of ICAM-1 levels was 184.06 ng/mL (95% CI: 143.83 to 224.28; p < 0.00001), significantly higher in OSA patients with high heterogeneity (I² = 100%). Subgroup analysis highlighted larger MDs in Asians and plasma samples, as well as greater ICAM-1 elevations in severe OSA cases. Despite publication bias indicated by Begg’s (p = 0.036) and Egger’s (p = 0.016) tests, the findings remained robust, supported by sensitivity and meta-regression analyses. This meta-analysis underscores a significant association between elevated ICAM-1 levels and OSA, highlighting its potential as a biomarker for CVD risk stratification in OSA patients. Full article

Background: The renin–angiotensin system (RAS) is pivotal in regulating cardiovascular function, while cardio-genomics offers insights into genetic factors influencing cardiovascular disease (CVD) susceptibility. Aim: This study investigates the relationship between the angiotensin-converting enzyme insertion/deletion variant (ACE I/D) and the angiotensinogen gene M235T variant (AGT M235T) in Mediterranean, North African, and Middle Eastern populations. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis, encompassing studies until December 2023, were conducted utilizing the PubMed and Scopus databases. The study followed the PICO checklist to enroll in the review process. The meta-analysis results were obtained using CMA software V2. Results: An analysis of 12 studies (2984 participants) for ACE I/D and 7 studies (2275 participants) for AGT M235T revealed significant associations between these gene variants and increased CVD risk in Mediterranean and North African populations. Conclusions: These findings underscore the utility of cardio-genomics in delineating CVD susceptibility among these groups, emphasizing targeted interventions and personalized treatment strategies Full article

Fuzzy signature (${\mathsf{SIG}}_{\mathsf{F}}$) is a type of digital signature that preserves the core functionalities of traditional signatures, while accommodating variations and non-uniformity in the signing key. This property enables the direct use of high-entropy fuzzy data, such as biometric information, as the signing key. In this paper, we define the m-existentially unforgeable under chosen message attack ($\mathfrak{m}{-\mathrm{EUF}-\mathrm{CMA}}^{\ast }$) security of fuzzy signature. Furthermore, we propose a generic construction of fuzzy signature, which is composed of a homomorphic secure sketch ($\mathsf{SS}$) with an error-recoverable property, a homomorphic average-case strong extractor ($\mathsf{Ext}$), and a homomorphic and key-shift* secure signature scheme ($\mathsf{SIG}$). By instantiating the foundational components, we present a $\mathfrak{m}{-\mathrm{EUF}-\mathrm{CMA}}^{\ast }$ secure fuzzy signature instantiation based on the Computational Diffie–Hellman (CDH) assumption over bilinear groups in the standard model. Full article