Search Results (2,205)

Background: There is an urgent need for novel treatment options for Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Methenamine is an interesting urinary antiseptic with a very low propensity to induce antimicrobial resistance. Methods: We assessed the MICs of methenamine-hippurate for 18 N. gonorrhoeae isolates. We then assessed the in vivo efficacy of methenamine-hippurate against N. gonorrhoeae using the Galleria mellonella infection model. Results: We found that all the gonococcal isolates had a methenamine-hippurate MIC of 300 mg/L. This MIC was not higher in isolates with higher ceftriaxone MICs. No toxicity of methenamine at the doses tested was found, and doses as low as 200 mg/kg were effective in the G. mellonella model. Conclusions: Further studies in mice and humans are required to assess if methenamine-hippurate could be used to treat gonococcal urethritis alone or in combination with other agents such as ceftriaxone. Full article

Pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy (PDE) represents a group of rare developmental and epileptic encephalopathies. The most common PDE is caused by biallelic pathogenic variants in ALDH7A1 (PDE-ALDH7A1; OMIM #266100), which encodes α-aminoadipate semialdehyde (α-AASA) dehydrogenase, a key enzyme in lysine catabolism. Affected individuals present with seizures unresponsive to conventional anticonvulsant medications but responsive to high-dose of pyridoxine (vitamin B6). Adjunctive lysine restriction and arginine supplementation have also shown potential in improving neurodevelopmental outcomes. Given the significant benefit of early intervention, PDE-ALDH7A1 is a strong candidate for newborn screening (NBS). However, traditional biomarkers are biochemically unstable at room temperature (α-AASA and piperideine-6-carboxylate) or lack sufficient specificity (pipecolate), limiting their utility for biomarker-based NBS. The recent identification of two novel and stable biomarkers, 2S,6S-/2S,6R-oxopropylpiperidine-2-carboxylate (2-OPP) and 6-oxo-pipecolate (oxo-PIP), offers renewed potential for biochemical NBS. We evaluated the feasibility of incorporating 2-OPP, oxo-PIP, and pipecolate into routine butylated FIA-MS/MS workflows used for biochemical NBS. A total of 9402 dried blood spots (DBS), including nine confirmed PDE-ALDH7A1 patients and 9393 anonymized controls were analyzed using a single multiplex assay. 2-OPP emerged as the most sensitive biomarker, identifying all PDE-ALDH7A1 patients with 100% sensitivity and a positive predictive value (PPV) of 18.4% using a threshold above the 99.5th percentile. Combining elevated 2-OPP (above the 99.5th percentile) with either pipecolate or oxo-PIP (above the 85.0th percentile) as secondary marker detected within the same multiplex FIA-MS/MS assay further improved the PPVs to 60% and 45%, respectively, while maintaining compatibility with butanol-derivatized method. Notably, increasing the 2-OPP threshold above the 99.89th percentile, in combination with either pipecolate or oxo-PIP above the 85.0th percentile resulted in both 100% sensitivity and 100% PPV. This study supports the strong potential of 2-OPP-based neonatal screening for PDE-ALDH7A1 within existing NBS infrastructures. The ability to multiplex 2-OPP, pipecolate and oxo-PIP within a single assay offers a robust, practical, high-throughput and cost-effective approach. These results support the inclusion of PDE-ALDH7A1 in existing biochemical NBS panels. Further prospective studies in larger cohorts are needed to refine cutoffs and confirm clinical performance. Full article

Obstructive sleep apnea is a highly prevalent respiratory disease linked to increased morbidity and mortality, a reduced quality of life, and increased economic costs if not treated. Oral appliances are an emerging treatment option for obstructive sleep apnea. This review concluded that many oral appliances marketed as “custom” include modifications and prefabricated items, and therefore do not meet the definition of “custom” oral appliances. This misclassification could hinder the accurate characterization, evaluation, and appropriate prescription of oral appliances. To better inform the clinical utilization of custom oral appliances and to more closely align sleep medicine with the benefits of personalized medicine, we propose that the custom oral appliance classification be further refined into semi-custom and precision-custom categories. Full article

To enhance social interaction of residents living with dementia and their (in)formal carers in nursing homes, we examined the effects of a digital, person-centred, Photo-Activity (PA) versus a conversation activity (control). An explorative randomized controlled trial was conducted in 81 resident-informal carer (IC) dyads and 51 formal carers (FC) with three measurements (pre/post-test, 2-week follow-up). Intervention effects were tested using Mann–Whitney U’s, and ANCOVA’s with pre-test scores as covariates. Interaction effects were examined between dementia severity (DS; less/more) and condition (PA/control). A post-test effect was observed in social interaction (INTERACT-subscale: Mood [p = 0.037, ηp² = 0.07]), with PA residents showing better mood than controls. Residents with less DS showed more positive effects of PA than residents with more DS (interaction effects: INTERACT-subscales Mood [p = 0.017, ηp² = 0.092], Stimulation Level [p = 0.011, ηp² = 0.106], and Need for Prompting [p = 0.013, ηp² = 0.099]). Higher QUALIDEM Positive Affect scores were observed in the PA group, post-test (p = 0.025, ηp² = 0.082), and follow-up (p = 0.042, d = 0.39). PA FC showed less empathy (IRI; p = 0.006, ηp² = 0.185;) than controls, but reported getting to know the residents better (p = 0.035, r = 0.299). PA improved mood and positive affect of residents with dementia and led to FC knowing the residents better. Less empathy was observed in FC providing PA, requiring further investigation. Full article

In today’s increasingly data-driven educational landscape, teachers are expected to use data to inform instructional decisions. However, effective data use depends not only on statistical competence but also on motivation, attitudes, and academic self-concept. This study examines how these factors influence student teachers’ readiness to engage with standardized assessment data. A survey of 164 Flemish primary education student teachers assessed their motivation, attitudes toward data use, and academic self-concept. Cluster analysis identified four distinct profiles, ranging from highly competent yet disengaged users to low-performing but externally motivated individuals, highlighting significant variability in data engagement. A pre- and post-test study design involving an e-course on basic statistical concepts demonstrated that targeted instruction can enhance perceived competence, particularly in areas such as box plot interpretation. Findings suggest that technical training alone is insufficient to promote sustained data use; fostering intrinsic motivation, positive attitudes, and a strong academic self-concept is essential for long-term engagement with data. Full article

Early medical traditions include those of ancient Babylonia, China, Egypt, and India. The roots of modern Western medicine, however, go back to ancient Greece. During the Renaissance, physicians increasingly relied on observation and experimentation to understand the human body and develop new techniques for diagnosis and treatment. The discovery of antibiotics, antiseptics, and other drugs in the 19th century accelerated the development of modern medicine, the latter being fueled further by advances in technology, research, a better understanding of the human body, and, most recently, the introduction of evidence-based medicine (EBM). The EBM model de-emphasized intuition, unsystematic clinical experience, and pathophysiologic rationale as sufficient grounds for clinical decision-making and stressed the examination of evidence from clinical research. A later EBM model additionally incorporated clinical expertise and the latest model of EBM patients’ preferences and actions. In this review article, we argue that in the era of precision medicine, major EBM principles must be based on (a) the systematic identification, analysis, and utility of big data using artificial intelligence; (b) the magnifying effect of medical interventions by means of the physician–patient interaction, the latter being guided by the physician’s expertise, intuition, and philosophical beliefs; and (c) the patient preferences, since, in healthcare under precision medicine, the patient will be a central stakeholder contributing data and actively participating in shared decision-making. Full article

Higher education institutions (HEIs) are increasingly called upon to both respond to and drive societal change. To better understand how HEIs can enhance their ability to innovate, an integrative literature review was conducted, examining the concept of innovative capacity. Key resources, such as social capital and leadership, that support innovative capacity were identified, and the ways in which these key resources interact to give rise to innovation outcomes were explored. The findings were synthesized in a conceptual framework that illuminates the pathways through which the capacity for innovation can be built and leveraged by HEIs. This framework serves as both a theoretical foundation for future research and a practical guide for HEI leaders and policymakers seeking to foster innovation. By leveraging these insights, HEIs can better navigate the challenges of a rapidly evolving society and reinforce their role as key drivers of knowledge creation and the complex societal transformations necessary for a sustainable future. Full article

Aims. In the present study, we investigated the associations between the three identity dimensions of Kaufman (Consolidated Identity, Disturbed Identity, Lack of Identity) and symptoms of personality disorders (PDs) in 176 female inpatients with an eating disorder (ED). We examined five aspects: the prevalence of categorical PD diagnoses in patients with EDs; the relationship between dimensional PD scores and identity dimensions as well as their relationships with age and ED subtype; and the unique variance in dimensional PD scores explained by identity dimensions, while controlling for age and ED subtype. Methods. To assess identity functioning, we made use of the Self-Concept and Identity Measure, and to assess PDs, we used the categorical and dimensional scores of the Assessment of DSM-IV Personality Disorders. Results. The findings showed that the avoidant, obsessive–compulsive, and borderline categorical PDs were the most frequently reported PDs. Age was negatively related to all Cluster B PDs and Disturbed Identity, and binge-eating/purging ED patients reported significantly more Cluster B PD features compared to restrictive ED patients. ED subtype and identity dimensions were unrelated. Correlational analysis showed that all dimensional PD scores were positively related to Disturbed Identity and Lack of Identity and negatively related to Consolidated Identity. The results of the hierarchical regression analyses showed that Cluster A PDs were significantly predicted by Lack of Identity, controlled for age and ED subtype. Additionally, Cluster B PDs were significantly predicted by Disturbed Identity. Finally, two of the three cluster C PDs were predicted by Lack of Identity (avoidant and obsessive–compulsive PD), whereas the dependent PD was explained by Disturbed Identity. Conclusions. The co-occurrence of identity issues in both PDs and EDs underscores the role of identity as a transdiagnostic feature. Accordingly, using identity-based interventions in treatment may have broad therapeutic benefits across these disorders. Full article

Background/Objectives: To evaluate diabetes risk perception in women with prior gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and prediabetes in early postpartum. Methods: Secondary analysis of a multi-center randomized controlled trial assessing the effectiveness of a mobile-based postpartum lifestyle intervention in women with prediabetes after GDM. Data were collected from the Risk Perception Survey for Developing Diabetes at baseline (6–16 weeks postpartum) and one year post-randomization. Logistic regression was used to analyze the difference between the intervention and control groups on diabetes risk estimation. Results: Among 165 women with prediabetes in early postpartum (mean age: 32.1 years, mean BMI: 27.3 kg/m²), 58.9% (96) adequately estimated their diabetes risk (moderate or high chance) at baseline. These women smoked less often [2.06% (2) vs. 10.3% (7), p = 0.034], reported less anxiety (11.6 ± 3.0 vs. 12.6 ± 3.5, p = 0.040), and reported fewer symptoms of depression [30.9% (21) vs. 15.6% (15), p = 0.023] compared to women who underestimated their risk. At one year, 58.3% (95) of all women adequately estimated their diabetes risk. In the intervention group, 50.6% (41) adequately estimated their risk at baseline, increasing to 56.8% (46) by the end of the intervention after one year (p = 0.638). In the control group, a higher proportion of women adequately estimated their risk at baseline [67.1% (55), (p = 0.039)], which decreased to 59.8% (49) at one year (p = 0.376), with no significant difference in risk perception between the groups at one year (p = 0.638). Conclusions: Almost 60% of this high-risk population adequately estimated their diabetes risk, with no significant impact of the lifestyle intervention on risk perception. Full article

Long-chain imidazolium-based ionic liquids (ILs) possess a broad-spectrum biological activity and are considered promising antifouling agents for protective coatings. A new hydrophobic IL, 1-dodecyl-3-methylimidazolium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (C₁₂C₁IM-DBS), has been synthesized, and a modified epoxy coating material containing 10, 20, and 30 wt% of this IL was prepared by dissolution of C₁₂C₁IM-DBS in commercial DER 331 epoxy resin, followed by a curing phase with diethylenetriamine. Infrared analysis revealed physicochemical interactions between the hydroxyl groups of the resin and the IL. Spectrophotometric studies showed no release of C₁₂C₁IM-DBS after 30 days of exposure of the modified coatings to water. The plasticizing effect of the IL on the epoxy resin was established by differential scanning calorimetry analysis. The introduction of 10 and 20% C₁₂C₁IM-DBS into DER 331 reduced its glass transition temperature from 122.8 °C to 109.3 and 91.5 °C, respectively. The hardness of epoxy resin decreased by approximately 26% after the introduction of the IL. Moreover, DER 331/C₁₂C₁IM-DBS coatings on steel substrates showed significantly improved impact resistance compared to neat resin. The antibiofilm efficiency of DER 331/C₁₂C₁IM-DBS coatings was evaluated by assessing the capability of two biofilm-forming model strains, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA01, to form attached biofilms on the surface. The IL effectively inhibited S. aureus surface-associated biofilm development even at the lowest content of 10%. On the contrary, an approximately 50% inhibition of biofilm metabolic activity was detected for DER 331/C₁₂C₁IM-DBS coatings containing 20% and 30% of the IL. Overall, the results of this study indicate that the hydrophobic IL C₁₂C₁IM-DBS is an efficient modifying additive for epoxy resins, which can significantly improve their operational properties for various industrial applications. Full article

Monolayer (ML) molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) is a typical valleytronic material which has important applications in, for example, polarization optics and information technology. In this study, we examine the effect of continuous wave (CW) laser pumping on the basic optoelectronic properties of ML MoS₂ placed on a sapphire substrate, where the pump photon energy is larger than the bandgap of ML MoS₂. The pump laser source is provided by a compact semiconductor laser with a 445 nm wavelength. Through the measurement of THz time-domain spectroscopy, we obtain the complex optical conductivity for ML MoS₂, which are found to be fitted exceptionally well with the Drude–Smith formula. Therefore, we expect that the reduction in conductivity in ML MoS₂ is mainly due to the effect of electronic backscattering or localization in the presence of the substrate. Meanwhile, one can optically determine the key electronic parameters of ML MoS₂, such as the electron density n_e, the intra-band electronic relaxation time τ, and the photon-induced electronic localization factor c. The dependence of these parameters upon CW laser pump intensity is examined here at room temperature. We find that 445 nm CW laser pumping results in the larger n_e, shorter τ, and stronger c in ML MoS₂ indicating that laser excitation has a significant impact on the optoelectronic properties of ML MoS₂. The origin of the effects obtained is analyzed on the basis of solid-state optics. This study provides a unique and tractable technique for investigating photo-excited carriers in ML MoS₂. Full article

Ice formation on critical infrastructure such as wind turbine blades can lead to severe performance degradation and safety hazards. This study investigates the use of hyperspectral imaging (HSI) combined with machine learning to detect and classify ice on various coated and uncoated surfaces. Hyperspectral reflectance data were acquired using a push-broom HSI system under controlled laboratory conditions, with ice and rime ice generated using a thermoelectric cooling setup. Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Random Forest (RF) classifiers were trained on uncoated aluminum samples and evaluated on surfaces with different coatings to assess model generalization. Both models achieved high classification accuracy, though performance declined on black-coated surfaces due to increased absorbance by the coating. The study further examined the impact of spectral band reduction to simulate different sensor types (e.g., NIR vs. SWIR), revealing that model performance is sensitive to wavelength range, with SVM performing optimally in a reduced band set and RF benefiting from the full spectral range. A multiclass classification approach using RF successfully distinguished between glaze and rime ice, offering insights into more targeted mitigation strategies. The results confirm the potential of HSI and machine learning as robust tools for surface ice monitoring in safety-critical environments. Full article

Background: Metabolic bariatric surgery is a highly effective and long-lasting treatment for obesity and related chronic conditions. Women of reproductive age represent the largest group undergoing these procedures. Observational studies suggest an increased risk of preterm birth and impaired foetal growth in this population, though the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. A key hypothesis is that altered glucose metabolism, characterised by frequent hypoglycaemia and glycaemic fluctuations, may contribute to these adverse outcomes. While glycaemic variability following metabolic bariatric surgery has been documented, its pattern during pregnancy and impact on pregnancy outcomes are still underexplored. Methods: In this Belgian multicentre prospective cohort study, we will investigate glycaemic patterns during pregnancy in women who have undergone metabolic bariatric surgery. Women aged 18–45 years with a confirmed singleton pregnancy up to 11 weeks and 6 days and a history of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy will be eligible for inclusion. Women with pregestational diabetes or those taking medication known to interfere with glucose metabolism will be excluded. All participants will receive blinded continuous glucose monitoring (Dexcom^® G6) for a 10-day period at four time points throughout the pregnancy. Foetal body composition and growth will be measured during routine ultrasound; skinfolds will be measured in the neonate. The primary outcome is the association between mean glycemia and glycaemic variability on continuous glucose monitoring and birth weight. The planned sample size is ninety-five women. Linear mixed models for repeated measurements will be used for analysis. Confounders such as smoking, micronutrient deficiency, and surgery-to-conception interval will be added to the model as covariates. In a second exploratory phase, each participant in the surgical group will be matched with a control participant—without a history of metabolic bariatric surgery—based on pre-pregnancy BMI and age. Control participants will undergo the same study procedures, allowing for exploratory comparison of glycaemic patterns and other study outcomes. Discussion: This prospective longitudinal study will be the largest study using continuous glucose monitoring to investigate glucose metabolism during pregnancy after metabolic bariatric surgery and its impact on foetal growth and newborn body composition. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05084339. Registration date: 15 October 2021. Full article

Grass-covered levees commonly protect river and estuarine areas against flooding. Climate-induced water level changes may increasingly expose these levees to overflow events. This study investigates whether grass-covered levees can withstand such events, and under what conditions failure may occur. Between 2020 and 2022, full-scale overflow tests were conducted at the Living Lab Hedwige-Prosperpolder along the Dutch–Belgian Scheldt Estuary to assess erosion resistance under varying hydraulic conditions and vegetation states. A custom-built overflow generator was used, with instrumentation capturing flow velocity, water levels, and erosion progression. The results show that well-maintained levees with intact grass cover endured overflow durations up to 30 h despite high terminal flow velocities (4.9–7.7 m/s), without structural damage. In contrast, levee sections with pre-existing surface anomalies, such as animal burrows, slope irregularities, surface damage, or reed-covered soft soils, failed rapidly, often within one to two hours. Animal burrows facilitated subsurface flow and internal erosion, initiating fast, retrograde failure. These findings highlight the importance of preventive maintenance, particularly the timely detection and repair of anomalies. Once slope failure begins, the process unfolds rapidly, leaving no practical window for intervention. Full article

In this review article, statistical mechanisms of oxidative modification reactions in various organic compounds under the influence of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) are investigated and analyzed based on reactive molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. As an efficient and hygienic advanced oxidation technology, CAP demonstrates tremendous potential in fields such as biomedicine and environmental protection. Through simulations, this paper provides a detailed analysis of the interaction mechanisms between ROS and components of biological tissues and environmental toxins. In this paper, we review the reactions involving four major ROS (OH radicals, O atoms, ${\mathrm{O}}_3$ molecules, and ${\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_2$ molecules) and organic compounds, including proteins, DNA, polysaccharides, fatty acids, antibiotics, and mycotoxins. Atomic-level analysis reveals various oxidative modification reactions induced by ROS and their resulting products, including dehydrogenation reactions, bond-formation reactions, oxygen-addition reactions, and bond-cleavage reactions. Additionally, the study elucidates the role of active functional groups in various organic compounds, the presence of special elements, and the specific reactive nature of ${\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{O}}_2$. Furthermore, the influence of different ROS species and concentrations on reaction types is explored, aiming to provide a solid theoretical foundation for the application of CAP technology in biomedicine and environmental remediation. Full article