Background Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is common among parous women, yet community-level data from rural India remain limited. This study estimated the prevalence of SUI among relatively healthy, rural, reproductive-age parous women without major comorbidities. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 412 parous women (aged 25–40 years) using proportionate stratified random sampling across seven rural wards. SUI was assessed using the modified International Continence Society (ICS) Uniform Cough Stress Test (CST) with a standard bladder-fill protocol. Obstetric data were collected via a validated questionnaire. Bivariate and multivariable associations were analysed using modified Poisson regression with robust standard errors to estimate crude prevalence ratios (cPR) and adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR). Results The prevalence of SUI was 53.4% ( n = 220), yet 98.3% ( n = 405) of participants had no prior information regarding its management. The relatively high prevalence may reflect the use of an objective modified ICS-based cough stress test, which can identify previously unreported cases. Maternal age was independently associated with higher SUI prevalence in the adjusted modified Poisson regression model (aPR = 1.198 per year; 95% CI [1.168–1.229]; p < 0.001). Conclusion SUI affects more than half of relatively healthy, reproductive-age parous women in this rural setting; however, these findings represent associations within a clinically screened population and should not be interpreted as causal relationships or generalised to all rural women. Increasing maternal age was independently associated with higher SUI prevalence, supporting consideration of routine pelvic floor assessment and targeted community-based education within primary maternal healthcare services.
Background As individuals age, sitting time is increasingly recognized as a factor that undermines independence in daily living; however, the extent to which sitting time influences sarcopenia-related indicators and functional independence remains unclear. Methods A total of 200 community-dwelling older adults aged 65–96 years were categorized into three groups based on daily sitting duration: low (<6 h/day), moderate (6–8 h/day), and high (>8 h/day) groups. Sarcopenic measures—including calf circumference, grip strength, 5-time chair stand test, and appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM)—were evaluated. Functional independence was examined using assessments of activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to examine group differences across sitting time categories with adjustment for age and sex. Spearman’s correlation analysis was performed to examine associations between sitting time and sarcopenia-related indicators and functional independence variables, and separate simple linear regression were subsequently constructed with sitting time entered as the independent variable and sarcopenia-related indicators and functional independence variables included as dependent variables. Results Calf girth differed significantly by sex (η 2 = 0.995) and group (η 2 = 0.362). Grip strength showed a significant sex-by-group interaction (η 2 = 0.068), with a similar pattern observed for 5-time chair standing (η 2 = 0.069). ASM was primarily influenced by age (η 2 = 0.160), with no significant group or sex effects. Increasing sitting time was associated with greater functional decline in mobility-related ADL items, remaining significant after adjustment for age (η 2 = 0.077) and sex (η 2 = 0.286). Higher sitting time was also linked to poorer higher-level IADL functions (telephone use, housekeeping, transportation, and financial management), independent of age (η 2 = 0.023) and sex (η 2 = 0.243). ADL and IADL were strongly correlated (ρ = 0.812) and were significantly associated with sarcopenic indicators, including calf girth, grip strength, chair stand performance, and ASM. In regression analysis, sitting time was negatively associated with ASM (β = −0.415, p < 0.001), calf circumference (β = −0.442, p < 0.001), and grip strength (β = −0.385, p < 0.001), and positively associated with 5-time chair standing test (β = 0.465, p < 0.001), indicating poorer lower-extremity physical performance. In addition, sitting time was negatively associated with ADL sum score (β = −0.308, p < 0.001) and IADL sum score (β = −0.410, p < 0.001). Conclusion These findings suggest that longer sitting time may be broadly related to sarcopenia-related indicators and daily functional independence. However, because this study employed a cross-sectional design, these relationships should be interpreted as associations rather than causal effects.
Objective This study aims to explore the effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) on weight changes and the occurrence of adverse reactions in overweight or obese adults after drug withdrawal. Methods Computerized searches were conducted in evidence-based databases such as PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Scopus. The search period was from the establishment of the database to December 2025. Collect randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and controlled trials on GLP-1RAs, including tirzepatide, semaglutide, liraglutide, and dulaglutide, for the treatment of overweight or obese adult patients. The risk of bias in the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias V2.0 tool provided by the Cochrane Collaboration, and meta-analysis was performed using the R programming language. Results A total of 699 studies were initially retrieved. Eventually, six studies involving 8,993 patients were included in the quantitative analysis, comprising 5,553 patients in the discontinuation group and 3,440 in the continued treatment group. The results of the meta-analysis showed that, compared with the continued treatment group, the weight difference in the discontinuation group was mean difference (MD) = 17.90%, 95% confidence interval (CI) [14.11–21.69], P < 0.0001. It can be seen that there was a significant rebound in weight after drug withdrawal, and there was statistical heterogeneity among the studies ( P = 0.0082). Subgroup analysis further revealed that the weight rebound amplitude after discontinuation of tirzepatide was significantly higher than that of semaglutide. This result suggests that the differences in the mechanism of action of different GLP-1RAs may be the reason for the differences in weight changes after discontinuation. In addition, the percentage difference in body weight between after and before drug withdrawal was MD = 9.11%, 95% CI [7.91–10.30], P < 0.0001, further verifying the trend of weight rebound after drug withdrawal. The summary of adverse reaction reports analyzed and studied indicates that after drug withdrawal, the overall adverse reactions of patients decreased, gastrointestinal adverse reactions decreased, and the incidence of cardiovascular events was not affected by drug withdrawal. Conclusion There is a significant weight rebound phenomenon after discontinuation of GLP-1RAs, and the rebound magnitudes vary among different types of drugs. At the same time, there is a risk of adverse reactions during the use of such drugs.
Background Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a progressive respiratory disease characterized by epithelial injury, aberrant repair and excessive extracellular matrix deposition. Although the gut–lung axis is increasingly implicated in respiratory disorders, stage-resolved characterization of gut microbiota taxonomic and functional potential during PF development is limited. Methods We established a bleomycin-induced murine PF model and performed cross-sectional shotgun metagenomic sequencing of fecal samples from separate cohorts at three defined stages: baseline (control), day 7 (early fibrosis; M7), and day 14 (established fibrosis; M14). Microbial taxonomy, alpha/beta diversity, and predicted functional capacity were inferred using Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Carbohydrate-Active enZymes (CAZy) annotations; associations were assessed using Procrustes and Spearman correlation analyses. Results Histopathology and immunohistochemistry confirmed progressive fibrogenesis with increased TGF- β 1 and α -SMA expression. Compared with baseline, bleomycin-treated groups exhibited stage-specific shifts in gut microbial composition, including depletion of mucin-associated taxa ( e.g. , Prevotella, Akkermansia muciniphila ) and expansion of Muribaculaceae - and Clostridiaceae -affiliated taxa. Alpha and beta diversity metrics differed across groups. KEGG/CAZy-based annotations revealed predicted, stage-dependent changes in microbial metabolic potential, including early reductions in pathways related to amino acid and glycan metabolism (M7) and later increases in predicted starch/sucrose catabolism, phosphotransferase system (PTS) representation, and secondary bile acid biosynthesis (M14). Correlation analyses linked compositional shifts to these predicted functional changes. Conclusion In a stage-resolved, cross-sectional study, bleomycin-associated pulmonary fibrosis was accompanied by compositional and predicted functional alterations in the gut microbiota. These data identify candidate taxa and predicted pathways for follow-up mechanistic testing, but functional (metabolomic) and causality experiments are required to confirm whether and how microbial changes contribute to PF pathogenesis.
Background A systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the impact of long-term glucose variability (GV) on the risk of developing peripheral artery disease (PAD). Methods The protocol was prospectively registered in PROSPERO (ID: CRD420251148763). Relevant longitudinal studies were identified through comprehensive searches of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. The primary outcome was the risk ratio (RR) of PAD comparing participants with high versus low GV. Summary effect sizes were calculated using a random-effects model to account for between-study heterogeneity. Results Eleven cohorts were included. Higher GV showed a positive association with PAD risk (RR: 1.42; 95% CI [1.21–1.66] p < 0.001), although substantial heterogeneity was present ( I 2 = 91%). This association was consistent across subgroups defined by region (Asian vs. Western), study design, diabetic status, GV metrics, PAD diagnostic methods, and adjustment for HbA1c (all p for subgroup differences > 0.05), except for follow-up duration. Studies with follow-up < 8 years showed a stronger association than those with ≥ 8 years (RR: 1.64 vs. 1.19; p for subgroup difference = 0.006). Conclusions Elevated long-term GV appears to be associated with an increased risk of PAD. However, substantial heterogeneity across studies suggests that the magnitude of this association should be interpreted with caution.
Background Although plants play a crucial role in ecosystems and human well-being, public awareness of their ecological significance remains limited. Furthermore, no validated construct or instrument currently exists to systematically assess plant awareness. Methods This study presents an operationalisation and statistical validation of the plant awareness construct through a newly-developed assessment tool. Using confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) on data from 858 Austrian students across three school types and an expert group (botanists), this study is the first to validate plant awareness as a measurable psychological construct with distinct dimensions. Results Results provide evidence for the proposed construct’s dimensionality and show internal consistency within its dimensions (attention, knowledge, attitudes). Comparing the dimensions, we found that attitudes towards plants were generally positive, knowledge varied depending on educational exposure, and attention tended to be low. Conclusion Both the construct and the assessment tool offer initial insights into the structure of individual relationships with plants. By reliably distinguishing between individuals with varying levels of plant awareness, the tool demonstrates its applicability in research and education. The findings of this study provide a step towards a better understanding of human–plant relationships and pave the way for further research into connections with nature.
Agricultural biologicals utilize beneficial microorganisms to enhance crop health and productivity, representing a rapidly growing sector of sustainable agriculture, offering environmentally friendly alternatives to synthetic chemicals. A key determinant of their efficacy is the ability of inoculated microbes to navigate through complex soil environments and reach plant roots, a process that is challenging to study empirically. To address this, we developed and validated a flexible Agent-Based Model (ABM) that simulates microbial spatial dynamics in soil. Each agent is characterized by unique attributes, including age, location, and parameters describing its behavior and interactions with the surroundings. Microbial behavior is governed by two core mechanisms: (1) logistic-based birth-death processes for population dynamics, and (2) directional preference for movement. Directional preference is driven by resource attraction toward plant root exudates, modeled with an attraction strength parameter (σ), and density-dependent interactions, modeled with a repulsion intensity parameter (γ). Validation used both in silico simulation and laboratory growth experiments. Simulations confirmed that the ABM reproduced theoretical population dynamic curves and realistic environmental responses. Lower σ values produced tight clustering around resources, while higher γ values resulted in avoidance of high density area. Laboratory experiments confirmed preferential fungal growth toward nutrient sources, with simulated results best matching observed growth patterns at σ values between 2.5 and 3.5. This ABM provides a computationally tractable framework for investigating microbial behavior in agricultural systems, with potential applications in screening and optimizing microbial candidates for agricultural biological products.
A taxonomic revision of the native Pinus L. (Pinaceae) species in Thailand is presented. Two species, P. kesiya Royle ex Gordon and P. latteri Mason, are recognized and enumerated with updated morphological descriptions, photographs, and an identification key, together with notes on distribution, habitat and ecology, phenology, conservation status, etymology, vernacular names, uses, and specimens examined. Pinus kesiya is neotypified (second-step neotypification), and P. kasya Royle ex Parl., a synonym of P. kesiya, is lectotypified (second-step lectotypification). Pinus kesiya is assessed as Least Concern (LC), whereas P. latteri is assessed as Near Threatened (NT). Morphologically, the two species can be distinguished by bark fissuring pattern, thickness, and color; number of needles per fascicle; needle morphology (including rigidity, posture, and shape and diameter in transverse section); length/width ratio of seed cones when closed; apophysis shape and outline; seed scale thickness; relative length of seed wings; and presence or absence of a grass stage. The two species differ ecologically in elevational range and habitat preference, with P. kesiya occurring at higher, more humid montane sites and P. latteri at lower, drier habitats. Pinus kesiya and P. latteri differ in needle shape in transverse section, which is triangular in P. kesiya and semicircular in P. latteri. They also differ in resin duct number and position, with P. kesiya having 3-4 external resin ducts near the hypodermis, whereas P. latteri has 2-3 medial resin ducts between the endodermis and hypodermis. Pollen morphology is not diagnostic for species delimitation.
This study was designed as an exploratory analysis to compare carcass performance, meat quality traits, and gut microbiota of Neijiang pigs (NN), Yorkshire pigs (YY), and Yorkshire × Neijiang hybrid pigs (YN), with the goal of generating testable hypotheses regarding potential links between gut microbial composition and production phenotypes. Compared with NN pigs, YN hybrids exhibited improved carcass performance while inheriting the favorable meat quality characteristics of Neijiang pigs. The results of 16S rRNA sequencing analysis showed that the relative abundance of the microbiota was similar to that of NN pigs. LDA effect size (LEfSe) results showed that Streptococcus , Treponema , probable_genus_10 and Fibrobacter were the differentially enriched taxa in YN pigs ( p < 0.05). Correlation analysis was performed on carcass, meat quality and intestinal microbiota screened out by LEfSe. The results showed that Akkermansia tended to positively associate with body length and oblique length in YN pigs; Dialister correlated positively with dressing rate and pH 45min ; Treponema showed positive trends with a* 45min and a* 24h ( p < 0.05). Finally, the correlation network model preliminarily mapped associations among production traits, gut microbiota, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways for exploratory screening. Nine core microbial taxa exhibited close correlations with phenotypic indicators, which implied that these microbes might modulate metabolic pathways to shape pig performance. Overall, hybrids inherited superior parental carcass and meat quality but harbored unique gut microbial communities relative to purebreds—these preliminary correlative observations generate new hypotheses that gut microbiota may contribute to heterosis-associated phenotypic advantages, which require further targeted validation.
Background Vitiligo, a chronic autoimmune depigmenting disorder, substantially affects patients’ psychosocial well-being despite its benign physical course. Limited evidence from Saudi Arabia explores the quality-of-life (QoL) impact of vitiligo and its clinical correlates. Objective To assess QoL impairment among adults with vitiligo and to determine the relationship between disease characteristics and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scores. Methods A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted among 121 adults attending a tertiary dermatology center in Saudi Arabia. Data on sociodemographic and clinical variables were collected, and QoL was evaluated using the validated DLQI instrument (Arabic/English). Statistical analyses included descriptive measures, χ 2 tests, Pearson’s correlation, and one-way ANOVA, with p ≤ 0.05 considered significant. Results Higher DLQI scores were significantly associated with greater body-surface-area involvement, facial + body distribution, and bilateral lesions. Emotional distress, clothing limitations, and restricted social and leisure activities were the most affected domains. Conclusion Vitiligo markedly impairs QoL, particularly when lesions are visible and extensive. Incorporating routine DLQI screening and psychosocial support into dermatologic practice may improve holistic patient management.
Background The year-round migratory behaviour of Grey Herons ( Ardea cinerea ) breeding in Central Europe is recognized; however, individual consistency in their movement patterns remains poorly known. In this study, we present movements of three adult Grey Herons breeding in Northern Poland and Eastern German global positioning system (GPS)-tracked between 2012 and 2020. Methods We analyzed annual movement trajectories, focusing on migration distances, fidelity to breeding and wintering grounds, and the use of stop-over sites. We performed an Analysis of Variance from Summary Data (ANOVA) on summary data to compare migratory parameters across different Eurasian populations and age groups. Results We identified four main phases in the annual cycle of all studied individuals: breeding, wintering, spring and autumn migration. Our data reveal high inter-individual variation in migratory strategies. Although two individuals changed their wintering sites from year to year, all studied ones exhibited strict fidelity to the same breeding grounds across consecutive seasons. Migration distances ranged from 175 to 1,758 km; notably, the individual breeding in Eastern Germany covered the shortest distance (mean ± SD: 221 ± 51.8 km). We observed substantial inter-individual variation in winter site fidelity, migration distances, and stop-over numbers within this Central European Grey Heron population. The herons selected the shortest migration paths during spring, but not during autumn. While the broad migratory characteristics—specifically the number of stop-overs (3.0 ± 2.8), migration distance (1,220 ± 580.4 km), and migration duration (9 ± 9 days)—closely match findings from other populations, the tracked herons in our study made fewer stop-overs during autumn migration compared to the values reported in the literature. Conclusions We observed inter-individual variations in the annual movement patterns of the Grey Heron, encompassing the timing of the four annual cycle phases, the range of distances covered annually and the birds’ fidelity to areas used as breeding or wintering grounds. Our report provides the first long-term, high-resolution insights into the year-round movements of GPS-tracked Grey Herons from Central Europe, emphasizing that specific individuals employ diverse and flexible migratory strategies, even within the same breeding region.
Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) cause substantial global morbidity and mortality, with antimicrobial resistance presenting an increasing challenge to the effective management. Characterizing the differences in microbiome composition and antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) between upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) and lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) may inform site-specific diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. We retrospectively analyzed 1,340 URTIs samples (nasopharyngeal swab) and 699 LRTIs samples (bronchoalveolar lavage fluid) admitted to a single medical center to characterize the epidemiology of the respiratory microbes and ARGs using targeted next-generation sequencing (tNGS). Microbiome diversity, ARGs profiles, and coinfection patterns were compared between LRTIs and URTIs groups. Random forest machine learning was employed to identify discriminating species. LRTIs patients exhibited significantly higher microbiome abundance and ARGs diversity than URTIs patients (P < 0.001. Beta-lactam, multidrug, phenicol, and fluoroquinolone resistance genes were significantly more abundant in LRTIs (P < 0.01). Bacteria-virus coinfections predominated in both LRTIs (39.3%) and URTIs (54.6%). Thirty species were identified as potential discriminators between LRTIs and URTIs, with an Area Under Curve (AUC) of 0.852 in the training set. These findings reveal distinct microbial and ARGs profiles between URTIs and LRTIs patients, and provide a foundation for understanding site-specific microbial ecology in RTIs for clinical diagnosis and antimicrobial stewardship.
Background:Endodontically treated teeth are more prone to fracture and often require durable restorative solutions. Endocrowns offer a conservative alternative to conventional post-and-core systems. This in vitro study compared the fracture load and failure behavior of milled zirconia and 3D-printed resin endocrowns. Materials and methods:Eighteen extracted human molars were endodontically treated and standardized, then prepared for endocrown restorations using a uniform design (two mm occlusal reduction with a four mm intracoronal extension). Specimens were randomly assigned to receive either Computer-Aided Design (CAD)/ Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) milled zirconia (ZR) or 3D-printed resin-based endocrowns fabricated from VarseoSmile Crown Plus (VS) (n = 9 per group). Preparations were digitally captured with an intraoral scanner, restorations were designed using CAD software and fabricated by the respective workflows, and all units were cemented with dual cure self-adhesive resin cement. After controlled storage, specimens underwent compressive loading to failure; maximum fracture loads were recorded, and failure modes were categorized according to whether damage was confined to the restoration or involved the tooth structure. Data were assessed for normality and analyzed using an independent samples t-test with Welch correction at a significance level of p < 0.05. Results:Statistical analysis revealed a highly significant difference in fracture load between the two groups (p < 0.001), with ZR demonstrating higher strength (3,615.36 ± 792.74 N) compared with VS (1,395.09 ± 149.24 N). However, tooth structure involvement occurred in 8/9 ZR specimens (88.9%), of these, five specimens (55.6% of the total group) were classified as complex/destructive failure, whereas VS failures were simple and confined to the restoration in 5/9 specimens (55.6%), indicating a less severe and potentially repairable failure pattern. Conclusion:The ZR group showed substantially higher fracture load, but failures more frequently involved tooth structure. VS group exhibited lower strength, yet a higher proportion of simple, potentially repairable fractures confined to the restoration, highlighting a tradeoff between maximum load capacity and repairability. Within the limitations of this in vitro study, these findings support the use of 3D-printed resin endocrowns in selected clinical situations where a tooth preserving endocrown design and digital workflow efficiency are prioritized, and where less severe failure behavior is desirable.
Background Obesity and related metabolic complications are associated with adipose tissue (AT) dysfunction, which contributes to metabolic inflexibility. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Our previous studies demonstrated that a high-fat diet (HFD) induces weight gain, increased fat weight, as well as significant metabolite alterations in serum, liver, and cecum in mice. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effect of HFD on AT metabolites to elucidate their role in obesity progression. Methods To establish a diet-induced obesity model, nine female Kunming mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 16 weeks and compared with nine control mice maintained on a normal diet. Subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue samples (SAAT) were analyzed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) coupled with orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). Results By metabolic profiling, 48 significantly different metabolites were identified, including phosphatidylcholines (PCs), lysophosphatidylcholines (LysoPCs), O-phosphoethanolamine, linoleic acid, alpha-linolenic acid, proline betaine, and 3-dehydroxycarnitine. These obesity-associated metabolites were mainly involved in glycerophospholipid metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism, and biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids. Among these pathways, glycerophospholipid metabolism exhibited the most pronounced disruption. Conclusions These identified metabolites in SAAT may aid in understanding of the mechanism by which HFD promotes the progression of obesity and related diseases.
Pod shattering describes the sudden splitting of dried mature legume pods to eject seeds via mechanical tension. Though vital for wild legume reproduction, it severely hinders crop harvesting and causes heavy yield losses, making it an unfavorable trait for cultivation. Pod shattering exists in legumes, grasses and brassicas, yet it is most prominent in legumes and a primary focus of crop domestication and breeding. This review analyzes the mechanism of pod shattering in legumes from the perspectives of morphology, anatomy of the pod suture zone, pod valve physiology, and molecular biology, with the aim of providing references for exploring practical strategies to alleviate pod shattering and for breeding cultivars resistant to pod shattering. The relationship between morphology and pod shattering in legumes varies substantially among different varieties, whereas the twisting phenomenon in common bean with longer pods deserves attention. Pod shattering in legumes mainly takes place at the pod ventral suture, modulated by soybean ventral fibrous cap cells, common bean valve margin cells and mesocarp lignification. Endogenous hormones in the pod suture stimulate hydrolases to degrade cell walls within the dehiscence zone and trigger shattering, while susceptible pods exhibit more pronounced fibrosis and lignification. Many legume pod-shattering genes such as Pdh1, SHAT1-5, GmMYB26, PvPdh1 and PvMYB26 have been widely studied. To clarify pod shattering mechanisms, we need to combine genetic improvement, plant structure adjustment and field management. Future work should integrate structural and physiological analyses of dehiscence zones to discover more shattering-related genes and develop practical field mitigation strategies, supporting the domestication and breeding of shatter-resistant legumes.
Introduction The prevalence of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) and multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains worldwide has limited the ability of antimicrobial therapy to treat severe bacterial infections. The emergence and rapid global dissemination of carbapenemase-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) strains occluded the therapeutic use of carbapenems, the last resort of β-lactams. In Saudi Arabia, major outbreaks of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae have been reported, with approximately a 90% prevalence rate of CRKP strains. In this study, we aimed to delineate the prevalence and resistance patterns of the CRKP isolates in clinical samples from tertiary hospitals in the Eastern and Western regions of Saudi Arabia. Methods CRKP isolates were tested for carbapenem resistance using the disc diffusion method. Molecular screening and identification of these isolates for carbapenemase genes and conducted molecular genotyping using Enterobacterial Repetitive Intergenic Consensus Polymerase Chain Reaction (ERIC-PCR) DNA fingerprinting to map clonal relatedness. Results CRKP was identified in 112 clinical samples, all showing resistance to standard antimicrobials and at least one carbapenem. Molecular investigation of these CRKP isolates revealed a high epidemiological prevalence of Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC) (91.1%) along with Oxacillinase-48 (OXA-48) (a type of class D β-lactamase) (92.9%), while New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM) was only observed in the Western region. ERIC-PCR fingerprinting was able to group strains into 12 distinct clusters with more than 95% genetic similarity. Conclusion This may indicate the attainment of an endemic state of the KPC genes, highlighting the need for an urgent establishment of stringent containment policies. These findings indicate the broad distribution of carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in both regions, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced surveillance and strengthened infection control strategies. The molecular genotyping using ERIC-PCR showed a high level of genetic similarity among isolates, with limited genetic variability.
Background About eight million tons of plastic end up in the oceans every year, with negative impacts including effects on the marine biota, the accumulation of heavy metals and desorption of organic contaminants in marine sediments. Methods With the aim of quantifying and characterizing the microplastics (MP) in the marine-coastal and lagoonal environments of two sectors of the Colombian Caribbean, influenced respectively by the Magdalena and Sinú rivers, sediment samples were collected during the 2021 rainy season and the 2022 dry season. The MP pieces (<5 mm) were extracted manually and classified by size (0.3–1.4 mm and 1.4–5.0 mm) and shape (fibers, films, foams and fragments). Moreover, from a total of 2,970 particles, a subset of 54 particles of more than 1.4 mm of both sectors was analyzed via Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometer. Results In both the environments, in Magdalena the highest concentrations of MP were found in the dry season (275.56 ± 221.12 MP/kg and 217.78 ± 126.84 MP/kg in lagoonal and marine-coastal, respectively) while in Sinú it was the rainy season when the highest values were reported (208.89 ± 137.56 MP/kg and 135.56 ± 71.45 MP/kg in lagoonal and marine-coastal, respectively). The dominant shape of MP was fibers and the predominant polymer was polypropylene. Although there was no significant effect of season (Permanova, p = 0.0058) nor environment (Permanova, p = 0.0741) there were differences between some in size (Permanova, p = 0.0001) which was noticeable due particles measuring 0.3–1.4 mm exceeded those measuring 1.4–5.0 mm by an order of magnitude. It was not found a clear relation between particle size and MP concentrations.
Background Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a relatively common neurodevelopmental disorder that affects 5–6% of school-age children worldwide. This study evaluated the effects of video-based exergames on balance and agility in children with and without DCD. Methodology Four databases were searched, and the inclusion criteria include: 1. Children with DCD under 14 years old. 2. Randomized controlled trials. 3. The experimental group (EG) used video-based exergames. 4. Control group (CG) did not use exergames or typically developing (TD) children. 5. The test indicators before and after intervention included balance and agility. Use the Cochrane bias risk assessment tool to evaluate the quality of the selected study. Select standardized mean difference (SMD) as the appropriate effect scale index, and use Revman 5.4 software to analyze the mean difference of the selected article data (Registration number: CRD420261289081). Results The meta-analysis outcomes showed video-based exergames considerably enhanced the balance (SMD, 0.82 (0.53, 1.11), p < 0.05, I 2 = 45%) of children with DCD, rather than agility [SMD, 0.93 (–0.28, 2.14), p = 0.13, I 2 = 86%] compared to the no exergames group. The balance (SMD, 0.84 (0.61, 1.07), p < 0.05, I 2 = 0%) and agility [SMD, 0.47 (0.15, 0.78), p < 0.05, I 2 = 0%] of children with DCD of TD children were also considerably enhanced with exergames interventions. Conclusions Video-based exergames present potential benefits for improving the balance of children with DCD. Consequently, such interventions could be a potential non-pharmacological treatment for children with DCD.
Background:Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)-associated sarcopenia is a critical comorbidity associated with high morbidity and mortality, driven by chronic systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, and proteometabolic dysregulation. The Astragalus membranaceus-Ginseng (HQ-RS) herbal pair is a traditional remedy for consumptive diseases; however, its molecular mechanisms against this comorbidity remain undefined. Methods:We integrated transcriptomic data from four Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets (two discovery cohorts and two validation cohorts) for COPD and sarcopenia. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using the thresholds of P < 0.05 and -log2FC- ≥ 1. Active compounds of HQ-RS were screened using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) database (oral bioavailability (OB) ≥ 30%, drug-likeness (DL) ≥ 0.18). Candidate targets were identified by intersecting drug targets with shared disease targets (GeneCards relevance score > 20). A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed to identify hub genes using multi-centrality metrics. Molecular docking was performed with celecoxib as a positive control. Three independent 100 ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the FMNT-PTGS2 complex were then performed, and the trajectories were analyzed using the Simulation Interaction Diagram (SID) tool. Results:We identified 1,267 COPD-specific and 115 sarcopenia-specific DEGs, yielding nine shared DEGs. Intersection of drug targets with 279 shared disease targets identified 36 candidate targets. PPI network analysis highlighted PTGS2, CDKN1A, NFE2L2, NOS3, and MMP2 as key hub genes. Molecular docking revealed that formononetin (FMNT) exhibited the most favorable binding affinity to PTGS2 (-8.94 kcal/mol), comparable to the positive control celecoxib (-7.97 kcal/mol). Three independent 100 ns MD simulations of the FMNT-PTGS2 complex demonstrated that the system reached dynamic equilibrium after approximately 20 ns in all replicates, with the ligand maintaining a stable binding pose throughout the simulations. Molecular Mechanics Generalized Born Surface Area (MM-GBSA) calculations across three replicate simulations yielded a mean binding free energy of -47.82 ± 1.13 kcal/mol, supporting the thermodynamic favorability of the interaction. Protein-ligand interaction analysis identified sustained hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic contacts with key active-site residues. Conclusion:This study computationally predicts that the FMNT-PTGS2 interaction may represent a potential mechanism underlying the efficacy of the HQ-RS herbal pair in treating COPD-associated sarcopenia. This study is entirely computational and limited by small discovery cohort sample sizes (COPD n = 6, sarcopenia n = 51). These findings provide a multi-component, multi-target mechanistic hypothesis that requires experimental validation.
Background:The genus Anacyclus, distributed across the western Mediterranean Basin, has gained attention as a model system for studying reproductive biology and evolutionary genomics. The genus displays a remarkable diversity in capitulum morphologies, ranging from rayed to rayless forms, while also exhibiting substantial variation in genome size within a context of extensive homoploid hybridisation. However, previous studies are based on fragmented sampling, with the northern Iberian Peninsula underrepresented, and often rely on single individuals per species for genome size estimates. Methods:To generate a more comprehensive understanding of evolutionary patterns in Anacyclus, nuclear ITS and plastid rpL32-trnL and ycf1-rps15 sequences were analysed from 80 individuals representing 47 populations across the distribution range of the genus. Phylogenetic relationships were also reconstructed using complete plastomes and 35S rDNA sequences. Nuclear DNA content was estimated by flow cytometry in 258 individuals from 45 populations. Capitulum morphology was characterised in 75 individuals of A. clavatus, A. valentinus, and mixed populations. Sampling encompassed all eight recognised species, with particular emphasis on populations from northern Spain. Results:Re-examination of Anacyclus specimens previously identified as A. homogamos clarified the debated presence of this species in Catalonia (northeastern Spain), showing that these individuals belong to A. valentinus. Nuclear genetic clusters largely correspond to species or species' groups, although they fail to resolve intraspecific structure and allow only limited detection of hybrids. Genome size analyses confirmed substantial variation of 2C-values across the genus and identified two groups within A. clavatus that parallel genetic groups previously identified based on microsatellite data, although a direct correspondence cannot yet be confirmed. Phylogenetic reconstructions based on plastome and nuclear data were strongly discordant, likely reflecting extensive interspecific hybridisation. Conclusions:Our findings underscore the complexity of Anacyclus evolution and emphasise the importance of integrated, population-level studies that combine genomic and phenotypic approaches to better elucidate evolutionary processes in hybridogenic plant lineages.
