Search Results (55,476)

Neonatal screening programs for inborn errors of metabolism are essential for early diagnosis and intervention. However, false-positive results can cause unnecessary psychological stress for caregivers. This study investigated the emotional impact on a small number of caregivers in Oita Prefecture in Japan, whose infants received false-positive screening results for very long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (VLCADD). Particular attention was given to caregivers’ concerns regarding episodes of transient fasting suggestive of nutritional deficiency, as well as their perspectives on appropriate feeding practices for newborns. Nineteen infants in Oita Prefecture were identified as having elevated acylcarnitines, which were later confirmed as false positives. Of these cases, 11 mothers consented to participate in a survey and long-term growth evaluation using health check records. Thirty children with normal screening results were included as controls. While no differences in physical growth were found between groups by 3.5 years of age, some mothers of false-positive infants reported persistent anxiety. Their concerns included regret for inadequate breastfeeding and latent adverse effects on long-term growth or development. Conversely, caregivers’ anxiety diminished over time as they directly observed their infants’ normal growth and development. No regret was expressed regarding breastfeeding, and concerns about VLDCAD were not observed. Caregivers’ responses may help reduce their psychological burden. Full article

Recently, the search for new antimicrobial compounds, including the secondary metabolites of basidiomycetes, has become increasingly important. Representatives of this division of higher fungi have high biosynthetic abilities, which contributes to their use as producers. In this work, extracts of culture liquids and submerged mycelia from 18 strains representing three different orders of basidiomycetes were studied. For this purpose, the submerged cultivation of strains, extraction of biological material, and evaluation of the extract’s antimicrobial activity using the agar well diffusion method were carried out. The minimum inhibitory concentration was determined for extracts with strong activity. The most promising ones were analyzed using HPLC-MS. As a result, it was found that 16 strains contained antimicrobial metabolites. Thus, the strains selected for further work were Hericium corraloides 4, which showed not only the antibacterial but also antifungal activity of cultural liquid and submerged mycelia extracts, and Fomitopsis betulina 3, Fomitopsis pinicola 2, Hericium erinaceus 1, and Laetiporus sulphureus 4, whose cultural liquid extracts exhibited high antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative test cultures. For these strains, metabolic profiles were obtained using the method HPLC-MS. Using this method, two metabolites were preliminary identified: hericerin in H. erinaceus 1 and sulfureuine H in L. sulphureus 4. Full article

Student exam pass prediction (EPP) is a key task in educational assessment and can help teachers identify students’ learning obstacles in a timely manner and optimize teaching strategies. However, existing EPP models, although capable of providing quantitative analysis, suffer from issues such as complex algorithms, poor interpretability, and unstable accuracy. Moreover, the evaluation process is opaque, making it difficult for teachers to understand the basis for scoring. To address this, this paper proposes an approximate belief rule base (ABRB-a) student examination passing prediction method based on adaptive reference point selection using symmetry. Firstly, a random forest method based on cross-validation is adopted, introducing intelligent preprocessing and adaptive tuning to achieve precise screening of multi-attribute features. Secondly, reference points are automatically generated through hierarchical clustering algorithms, overcoming the limitations of traditional methods that rely on prior expert knowledge. By organically combining IF-THEN rules with evidential reasoning (ER), a traceable decision-making chain is constructed. Finally, a projection covariance matrix adaptive evolution strategy (P-CMA-ES-M) with Mahalanobis distance constraints is introduced, significantly improving the stability and accuracy of parameter optimization. Through experimental analysis, the ABRB-a model demonstrates significant advantages over existing models in terms of accuracy and interpretability. Full article

Plants, as sessile organisms, rely on sophisticated gene regulatory networks (GRNs) to adapt to dynamic environmental conditions. Among the central components of these networks are the interconnected pathways of light signaling and circadian rhythms, which together optimize growth, development, and stress resilience. While light and circadian pathways have been extensively investigated independently, their integrative coordination in mediating climate change adaptation responses remains a critical knowledge gap. Light perception via photoreceptors initiates transcriptional reprogramming, while the circadian clock generates endogenous rhythms that anticipate daily and seasonal changes. This review explores the molecular integration of light and circadian signaling, emphasizing how their crosstalk fine-tunes GRNs to balance resource allocation, photomorphogenesis, and stress adaptation. We highlight recent advances in systems biology tools, e.g., single-cell omics, CRISPR screens that unravel spatiotemporal regulation of shared hubs like phytochrome-interacting factors (PIFs), ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL 5 (HY5), and CIRCADIAN CLOCK ASSOCIATED 1 (CCA1). Here, we synthesize mechanistic insights across model and crop species to bridge fundamental molecular crosstalk with actionable strategies for enhancing cropresilience. Moreover, we have tried to discuss agricultural implications in engineering light–clock interactions for the enhancement in crop productivity under climate change scenarios. Through synthesizing mechanistic insights and translational applications, this work will help underscore the potential for manipulating light–circadian networks to promote sustainability in agriculture. Full article

Objective: Root canal irrigation plays a critical role in achieving effective chemomechanical disinfection during endodontic therapy. Conventional syringe irrigation, typically using sodium hypochlorite, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, and chlorhexidine, is limited by its delivery method and often fails to adequately penetrate complex canal anatomies, compromising disinfection. Advancements such as ultrasonic and multisonic irrigation systems aim to address these limitations. This scoping review compares the clinical effectiveness of ultrasonic irrigation techniques with conventional syringe irrigation, focusing exclusively on in vivo studies conducted within the oral environment. Methods: A comprehensive scoping review was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Dentistry & Oral Sciences Source, and Google Scholar. Peer-reviewed, full-text articles published in English between 2015 and 2025 were screened by four independent reviewers based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Eligible studies were thematically analyzed. Results: Of 312 records screened, eleven studies met the inclusion criteria. Ultrasonic irrigation was associated with improved clinical outcomes, particularly greater reductions in bacterial load and endotoxins; however, findings regarding its effect on postoperative pain were inconsistent, with some studies reporting a benefit while others observed no significant difference. These outcomes were attributed to mechanisms such as acoustic streaming and cavitation, which enhance irrigant penetration, promote fluid dynamics, and facilitate debridement in anatomically complex regions. Conclusions: Ultrasonic irrigation appears to hold promise for enhancing the efficacy and efficiency of root canal treatment. Existing in vivo studies suggest potential clinical advantages over conventional syringe irrigation, underscoring the need for further high-quality clinical research to more definitively establish its benefits. Full article

Background: Failure to rescue (FTR), defined as death after major postoperative complications, is a critical quality indicator in pancreatic cancer surgery. Despite advances in surgical techniques and perioperative care, FTR rates remain high and vary across institutions. Methods: This systematic review uses a narrative synthesis followed by PRISMA 2020. A PubMed search (1992–2025) identified 83 studies; after screening, 52 studies (2010–2025) were included. Eligible designs were registry-based, multicenter, single-center, or prospective audits. Given substantial heterogeneity in study designs, FTR definitions, and outcome measures, a narrative synthesis was performed; no formal risk-of-bias assessment or meta-analysis was conducted. Results: Definitions of FTR varied (in-hospital, 30-day, 90-day, severity-based, and complication-specific cases). Reported rates differed by definition: average reported rates were 13.2% for 90-day CD ≥ III (G1); 10.3% for in-hospital/30-day CD ≥ III (G3); and 7.4% for 30-day “serious/major” morbidity (G8). Absolute differences were +3.0 and +2.9 percentage points (exploratory, descriptive comparisons). Five domains were consistently associated with lower FTR: (i) centralization to high-volume centers; (ii) safe adoption/refinement of surgical techniques; (iii) optimized perioperative management including early imaging and structured escalation pathways; (iv) patient-level risk stratification and prehabilitation; and (v) non-technical skills (NTSs) such as decision-making, situational awareness, communication, teamwork, and leadership. Among NTS domains, stress and fatigue management were not addressed in any included study. Limitations: Evidence is predominantly observational with substantial heterogeneity in study designs and FTR definitions; the search was limited to PubMed; and no formal risk-of-bias, publication-bias assessment, or meta-analysis was performed. Consequently, estimates and associations are descriptive/associative with limited certainty and generalizability. Conclusions: NTSs were rarely used or measured across the included studies, with validated instruments; quantitative assessment was uncommon, and no study evaluated stress or fatigue management. Reducing the FTR after pancreatic surgery will require standardized, pancreas-specific definitions of FTR, process-level rescue metrics, and deliberate strengthening of NTS. We recommend a pancreas-specific operational definition with an explicit numerator/denominator: numerator = all-cause mortality within 90 days of surgery; denominator = patients who experience major complications (Clavien–Dindo grade III–V, often labeled “CD ≥ 3”). Addressing the gaps in stress and fatigue management and embedding behavioral metrics into quality improvement programs are critical next steps to reduce preventable mortality after complex pancreatic cancer procedures. Full article

To overcome the production bottleneck induced by the high viscosity of extra-heavy oil and resolve the issues of limited efficiency in traditional thermal oil recovery methods (including cyclic steam stimulation (CSS), steam flooding, and steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD)) as well as the fragmentation of existing viscosity reducer evaluation systems, this study establishes a multi-dimensional evaluation system for the effectiveness of viscosity reducers, with stage-averaged remaining oil saturation as the core benchmarks. A “1D static → 2D dynamic → 3D synergistic” progressive sequential experimental design was adopted. In the 1D static experiments, multi-gradient concentration tests were conducted to analyze the variation law of the viscosity reduction rate of viscosity reducers, thereby screening out the optimal adapted concentration for subsequent experiments. For the 2D dynamic experiments, sand-packed tubes were used as the experimental carrier to compare the oil recovery efficiencies of ultimate steam flooding, viscosity reducer flooding with different concentrations, and the composite process of “steam flooding → viscosity reducer flooding → secondary steam flooding”, which clarified the functional value of viscosity reducers in dynamic displacement. In the 3D synergistic experiments, slab cores were employed to simulate the SAGD development process after multiple rounds of cyclic steam stimulation, aiming to explore the regulatory effect of viscosity reducers on residual oil distribution and oil recovery factor. This novel evaluation system clearly elaborates the synergistic mechanism of viscosity reducers, i.e., “chemical empowerment (emulsification and viscosity reduction, wettability alteration) + thermal amplification (steam carrying and displacement, steam chamber expansion)”. It fills the gap in the existing evaluation chain, which previously lacked a connection from static performance to dynamic displacement and further to multi-process synergistic adaptation. Moreover, it provides quantifiable and implementable evaluation criteria for steam–chemical composite flooding of extra-heavy oil, effectively releasing the efficiency-enhancing potential of viscosity reducers. This study holds critical supporting significance for promoting the efficient and economical development of extra-heavy oil resources. Full article

A rapid targeted screening method for 22 compounds, including flavonoids, glycosides, and phenolics, in Dendrobium officinale was developed using UHPLC–MS/MS, demonstrating good linear correlation coefficients, precision, repeatability, and stability. D. officinale from the Guangnan and Maguan regions can be effectively classified into two distinct categories using PCA. In addition, OPLS-DA discriminant analysis enables clear separation between groups, with samples forming well-defined clusters. The 22 chemical components provide valuable origin-related information for D. officinale. The compounds with VIP values of >1 included eriodictyol, vanillic acid, protocatechuic acid, gentisic acid, and naringenin. The difference in naringenin content between D. officinale from the two production areas was minimal. By contrast, eriodictyol and vanillic acid were relatively abundant in D. officinale from Guangnan, while gentisic acid and protocatechuic acid were more prevalent in D. officinale from Maguan. The pathways with higher Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment were primarily associated with lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis, fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. These findings suggest that D. officinale exhibits promising lipid-balancing properties and potential cardiovascular health benefits. Seven machine learning algorithms—Random Forest, XGBoost, Support Vector Machine, k-Nearest Neighbor, Backpropagation Neural Network, Random Tree, and CatBoost—demonstrated superior accuracy and precision in distinguishing D. officinale from the Guangnan and Maguan regions. The key compounds with higher weights—vanillic acid, chrysoeriol, trigonelline, isoquercitrin, gallic acid, 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, eriodictyol, sweroside, apigenin, and homoeriodictyol—play a crucial role in model construction and the identification of D. officinale from the Guangnan and Maguan regions. The quantification of 22 compounds using UHPLC–MS/MS, combined with PCA, OPLS-DA, and machine learning, enables effective discrimination of D. officinale from these two Yunnan production areas. Full article

Hepatic cancer is a world health concern due to its high lethality. The main risk factor worldwide is having hepatic cirrhosis. The etiology of hepatic cirrhosis has changed in recent years, with metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) becoming the leading cause, displacing hepatitis C and B viruses and alcoholic liver disease. It is of the utmost importance to develop screening programs in at-risk populations for early detection. The survival rate of HCC, as determined by a group of specialists or an interdisciplinary committee, is a challenge we have taken on in a public health hospital in Ecuador. This retrospective study identified 71 patients diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma, mostly middle-aged men with a history of liver cirrhosis. No significant association was found between the presence of cirrhosis, laboratory abnormalities, and survival. However, the identification by imaging vascular invasion and extrahepatic extension were associated. This study highlights that patients with liver lesions identified through HCC screening have a higher survival rate over a one-year follow-up period. Full article

Cellular senescence is a heterogeneous and dynamic state characterised by stable proliferation arrest, macromolecular damage and metabolic remodelling. Although markers such as SA-β-galactosidase staining, yH2AX foci and p53 activation are widely used as de facto standards, they are imperfect and differ in terms of sensitivity, specificity and dependence on context. We present a multifactorial imaging platform integrating scanning electron, flow cytometry and high-resolution confocal microscopy. This allows us to identify senescence phenotypes in three in vitro models: replicative ageing via serial passaging; dose-graded genotoxic stress under serum deprivation; and primary fibroblasts from young and elderly donors. We present a multimodal imaging framework to characterise senescence-associated phenotypes by integrating LysoTracker and MitoTracker microscopy and SA-β-gal/FACS, p16INK4a immunostaining provides independent confirmation of proliferative arrest. Combined nutrient deprivation and genotoxic challenge elicited the most pronounced and concordant organelle alterations relative to single stressors, aligning with age-donor differences. Our approach integrates structural and functional readouts across modalities, reducing the impact of phenotypic heterogeneity and providing reproducible multiparametric endpoints. Although the framework focuses on a robustly validated panel of phenotypes, it is extensible by nature and sensitive to distributional shifts. This allows both drug-specific redistribution of established markers and the emergence of atypical or transient phenotypes to be detected. This flexibility renders the platform suitable for comparative studies and the screening of senolytics and geroprotectors, as well as for refining the evolving landscape of senescence-associated states. Full article

Background/Objectives: The interplay between asthma and COVID-19 raises critical clinical questions, particularly regarding the risk of hematological complications in patients affected by both conditions. While COVID-19 is known to cause coagulopathy and thromboembolic events, it remains unclear whether asthma independently influences these risks. This systematic review aimed to synthesize existing evidence on hematological abnormalities—including D-dimer elevation, thrombocytopenia, and venous thromboembolism (VTE)—in asthmatic patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed and Web of Science databases for studies published between January 2020 and May 2025. Inclusion criteria were studies reporting hematologic outcomes in asthmatic patients with COVID-19. After duplicate removal, 139 unique articles were screened, with 40 studies meeting inclusion criteria. These included observational cohorts, retrospective analyses, and clinical investigations. Data were synthesized in a systematic review with qualitative synthesis due to heterogeneity in design and reporting. Results: The review identified variable patterns of D-dimer elevation and thrombotic events among asthmatic COVID-19 patients. Some studies reported a higher incidence of ICU admission, elevated inflammatory and coagulation markers, and increased thromboembolic risk in asthmatic individuals—particularly those with poor disease control or non-allergic phenotypes. However, findings were inconsistent and often limited by the absence of asthma stratification, standardized outcome measures, and prospective designs. Conclusions: Current evidence does not support a definitive link between asthma and increased thrombotic risk in COVID-19. Further research with prospective, phenotype-stratified methodologies and harmonized hematologic endpoints is needed to clarify whether asthma modifies the hematologic trajectory of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Full article

Soil erosion is an increasingly severe problem and a global focus. As one of the countries facing relatively serious soil erosion, China encounters significant ecological challenges. This study focuses on the carbon sink benefits of comprehensive soil and water conservation management in the red soil erosion area of southern China, conducting an in-depth analysis using the Ziyang small watershed in Shangyou County, Jiangxi Province, as a typical case. Research methods involved constructing an integrated monitoring approach combining basic data, measured data, and remote sensing data. Changes in soil and vegetation carbon storage in the Ziyang small watershed across different years were determined by establishing a baseline scenario and applying inverse distance spatial interpolation, quadrat calculation, feature extraction, and screening. The results indicate that from 2002 to 2023, after 21 years of continuous implementation of various soil and water conservation measures under comprehensive watershed management, the carbon storage of the Ziyang small watershed increased significantly, yielding a net carbon sink of 54,537.28 tC. Tending and Management of Coniferous and Broad-leaved Mixed Forest, Low-efficiency Forest Improvement, and Thinning and Tending contributed substantially to the carbon sink, accounting for 72.72% collectively. Furthermore, the carbon sink capacity of the small watershed exhibited spatial variation influenced by management measures: areas with high carbon density were primarily concentrated within zones of Tending and Management of Coniferous and Broad-leaved Mixed Forest, while areas with low carbon density were mainly found within zones of Bamboo Forest Tending and Reclamation. The increase in watershed carbon storage was attributed to contributions from both vegetation and soil carbon pools. Comprehensive management of soil erosion demonstrates a significant carbon accumulation effect. The annual growth rate of vegetation carbon storage was higher than that of soil carbon storage, yet the proportion of soil carbon storage increased yearly. This study provides a theoretical basis and data foundation for the comprehensive management of soil and water conservation in small watersheds in the southern red soil erosion region of China and can offer technical and methodological support for other soil and water conservation carbon sink projects in this area. Full article

Objectives: The aim of the study was to gauge the clinical usefulness of the Derkay scale in assessing the severity of voice dysfunction in patients with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP). Material and Methods: The study included 29 patients (8 women and 21 men) with a mean age of 40.2 years. To subjectively assess each patient’s voice, the Polish version of the Voice Handicap Index questionnaire was used. Acoustic parameters were calculated using the Multidimensional Voice Program, which included mean fundamental frequency (F0), frequency changes (% Jitter), amplitude changes (% Shimmer), noise-to-harmonic ratios (NHRs), and the soft phonation Index (SPI). The stage of RRP was assessed using the Derkay scale, together with the anatomical location of the lesion (from laryngeal endoscopy) and the impact RRP had on the general condition of the patient. Results: In women, Derkay clinical and total scores showed significant, positive, and strong correlations with almost all VHI-30 subscales (rho = 0.73–0.76). In men, the correlations were weaker (rho = 0.38–0.55) but were strong between the Derkay total score and F0 and total score and Jitter (rho = 0.63–0.65). Patients with human papilloma virus HPV-6 had significantly higher soft phonation index values (M = 11.97) compared to patients with HPV-11 (M = 6.91, U = 34.0; p = 0.019). Conclusions: The Derkay classification system correlates well with objective acoustic frequency measures and patient-reported voice outcomes. The system may be helpful in identifying patients at increased risk of voice dysfunction. It could be used to guide decisions about voice assessment and rehabilitation. Full article

We report a novel tablet-based reverse titration system for rapid, point-of-use measurement of water hardness, overcoming key limitations of conventional EDTA titration. Reagents are encapsulated in pullulan matrix giving two separate tablets. The first tablet contains the Eriochrome black T (EBT) and N-cyclohexyl-3-aminopropanesulfonic acid (CAPS) buffer, while the second encapsulates ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) disodium salt dihydrate. The system employs a trimodal detection strategy: qualitative screening via immediate color change with the EBT tablet, semi-quantitative estimation through combined tablet dissolution and adjusting the sample volume to a reference level, and quantitative determination using reverse titration, where water is gradually added until the red wine endpoint appears. This approach enhances interference tolerance from competing metal ions and improves accuracy over traditional methods. Testing with real water samples showed excellent agreement with standard titration. The tablets remain stable for over seven months, and the system eliminates the need for skilled personnel, laboratory equipment, or bulky instrumentation. This low-cost, user-friendly, and interference-tolerant platform enables rapid and accurate water hardness assessment at the point of use. Full article

Background: Following childbirth, up to 20% of women may have postpartum depression (PPD), which can adversely affect the mother’s health, the infant’s development, and familial connections. Numerous causes exist, although recent research indicates that micronutrient shortages are modifiable biological factors. This systematic review aims to consolidate existing knowledge regarding the relationship between micronutrient levels and the risk of PPD. Methods: This review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines and registered with PROSPERO. We reviewed every study published up to April 1, 2025, on PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Nineteen studies met the inclusion criteria. We employed the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale to assess bias. Results: Nineteen studies were included in the analysis. Vitamin D was the most extensively researched vitamin. The majority of the studies (9 out of 13) identified a significant correlation between low serum 25(OH)D levels and PPD symptoms. Individuals with diminished levels of vitamin B12 and zinc had an elevated risk of PPD. There was insufficient evidence for folate, magnesium, iron, and selenium. This was frequently due to methodological discrepancies, insufficient control of confounding variables, and variations in biomarker timing. The majority of the studies exhibit a low to moderate likelihood of bias. Conclusions: Increasing evidence suggests that deficiencies in specific micronutrients, particularly vitamin D, vitamin B12, and zinc, may contribute to the onset of postpartum depression. The results indicate that targeted nutritional screening and management may be beneficial in perinatal mental health care, notwithstanding the inability to ascertain the exact causative factors. There is a necessity for more rigorous longitudinal investigations and randomised trials to enhance our understanding of processes and assist physicians in making informed judgements. Full article