Search Results (944)

Background/Objectives: Cognitive impairment in older adults has emerged as a growing public health concern, particularly in relation to COVID-19 infection and its associated neuropsychiatric symptoms. The identification of modifiable risk factors may contribute to the development of targeted preventive strategies. This study aimed to assess predictors of cognitive impairment in older adults with and without recent SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted from June 2023 to March 2024 at a tertiary hospital in western Mexico. Adults aged 65 years or older with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection within the previous six months, along with uninfected controls, were enrolled. Cognitive function (Mini-Mental State Examination), depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (Geriatric Anxiety Inventory), insomnia (Insomnia Severity Index), functional status (Katz Index and Lawton–Brody Scale), and laboratory markers were evaluated at baseline, three months, and six months. The primary outcome was cognitive impairment at six months. Independent predictors were identified using a multivariable generalized linear mixed-effects model. Results: Among the 111 participants, 20 (18.8%) developed cognitive impairment within six months. Low serum magnesium (adjusted risk ratio [aRR] 2.73; 95% CI 1.04–7.17; p = 0.041) and depression (aRR 5.57; 95% CI 1.88–16.48; p = 0.002) were independently associated with a higher risk. A significant synergistic among COVID-19, depression, and hypomagnesemia was observed (RR 44.30; 95% CI 9.52–206.21; p < 0.001), corresponding to the group with simultaneous presence of all three factors compared to the group with none. Conclusions: Depression and hypomagnesemia appear to be independent predictors of cognitive impairment in older adults with recent COVID-19 infection. These findings suggest potential targets for prevention and support the implementation of routine neuropsychiatric and biochemical assessments in this population. Full article

Heart failure (HF) is a major global health challenge, characterized by high morbidity, mortality, and frequent hospital readmissions. Despite the advent of guideline-directed medical therapies (GDMTs), the burden of HF continues to grow, necessitating a shift toward comprehensive, multidisciplinary care models. Heart Failure Disease Management Programs (HF-DMPs) have emerged as structured frameworks that integrate evidence-based medical therapy, patient education, telemonitoring, and support for social determinants of health to optimize outcomes and reduce healthcare costs. This review outlines the key components of HF-DMPs, including patient identification and risk stratification, pharmacologic optimization, team-based care, transitional follow-up, remote monitoring, performance metrics, and social support systems. Incorporating tools such as artificial intelligence, pharmacist-led titration, and community health worker support, HF-DMPs represent a scalable approach to improving care delivery. The success of these programs depends on tailored interventions, interdisciplinary collaboration, and health equity-driven strategies. Full article

Schistosoma mansoni infection is associated with hepatic inflammation and fibrosis, but its systemic metabolic effects remain poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate changes in the serum lipidomic profile associated with S. mansoni infection and parasite load in individuals from an endemic area. This cross-sectional analysis was nested within a longitudinal cohort study conducted in northeastern Brazil. Parasitological diagnosis and quantification were performed using the Kato–Katz technique. A total of 45 individuals were selected and divided into three groups: high parasite load (HL), low parasite load (LL), and uninfected controls (NegE). Serum samples were analyzed using mass-spectrometry-based lipidomics. The most abundant lipid subclasses across all groups were phosphatidylcholines (PC), triacylglycerols (TAG), and phosphatidylethanolamines (PE). However, individuals in the HL group exhibited distinct lipidomic profiles, with increased levels of specific phosphatidylinositols (PI) and reduced levels of certain TAG species compared to the NegE group. These changes may reflect host–parasite interactions and immune–metabolic alterations driven by intense infection. Our findings suggest that S. mansoni infection, particularly at higher parasite burdens, can influence the host’s serum lipid profile and may contribute to metabolic disturbances in endemic populations. Full article

Background: Cognitive decline is a growing public health concern in Latin America, driven by rapid aging, widespread micronutrient inadequacies, and socioeconomic disparities. Despite the recognized importance of nutrition, many older adults struggle to meet daily dietary micronutrients requirements, increasing the risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). This study aimed to establish expert consensus on the role of Multivitamin and Mineral supplements (MVMs) in promoting cognitive healthy aging among older adults in Latin America. Methods: A panel of nine experts in geriatrics, neurology, and nutrition applied a modified Delphi methodology to generate consensus statements. The panel reviewed the literature, engaged in expert discussions, and used structured voting to develop consensus statements. Results: Consensus was reached on 14 statements. Experts agreed that cognitive aging in Latin America is influenced by neurobiological, lifestyle, and socioeconomic factors, including widespread micronutrient inadequacies (vitamins B-complex, C, D, E, and minerals such as zinc, magnesium, chromium, copper, iron and selenium), which were identified as critical for global cognitive function and brain structures, yet commonly inadequate in the elderly. While a balanced diet remains essential, MVMs can be recommended as a complementary strategy to bridge nutritional gaps. Supporting evidence, including the COSMOS-Mind trials, demonstrate that MVM use improves memory and global cognition, and reduces cognitive aging by up to 2 years in older adults. Conclusions: MVMs offer a promising, accessible adjunct for cognitive healthy aging in Latin America’s elderly population, particularly where dietary challenges persist. Region-specific guidelines, public health initiatives, and targeted research are warranted to optimize outcomes and reduce health inequities. Full article

Due to the effect of room acoustics on musical interpretation, a musician’s rehearsal may be greatly enhanced by leveraging virtual and augmented reality technology. This paper presents a preliminary study on a rehearsal tool designed for musicians, enabling practice in a virtual acoustic environment with audience-positioned playback. Fourteen participants, both professional and non-professional musicians, were recruited to practice with the rehearsal tool prior to performing in an unfamiliar venue. Throughout the rehearsal, the subjects either played in a virtual environment that matched the acoustics of the performance venue or one that was acoustically different. A control group rehearsed in an acoustically dry room with no virtual acoustic environment. The tool’s effectiveness was evaluated with two 16-item questionnaires that assessed quality, usefulness, satisfaction with the rehearsal, and aspects of the performance. Findings indicate that rehearsing in a virtual acoustic environment that matches the performance venue improves acoustic awareness during the performance and enhances ease and comfort on stage compared to practising in a different environment. These results support the integration of virtual acoustics in rehearsal tools to help musicians better adapt their performance to concert settings. Full article

Natural compounds, particularly flavonoids, have emerged as promising anticancer agents due to their various biological activities and no or negligible toxicity towards healthy tissues. Among these, isorhamnetin, a methylated flavonoid, has gained significant attention for its potential to target multiple cancer hallmarks. This review comprehensively explores the mechanisms by which isorhamnetin exerts its anticancer effects, including cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, suppression of metastasis and angiogenesis, and modulation of oxidative stress and inflammation. Notably, isorhamnetin arrests cancer cell proliferation by regulating cyclins, and CDKs induce apoptosis via caspase activation and mitochondrial dysfunction. It inhibits metastatic progression by downregulating MMPs, VEGF, and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers. Furthermore, its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties mitigate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and pro-inflammatory cytokines, restricting cancer progression and modulating tumor microenvironments. Combining isorhamnetin with other treatments was also discussed to overcome multidrug resistance. Importantly, this review integrates the recent literature (2022–2024) and highlights isorhamnetin’s roles in modulating cancer-specific signaling pathways, immune evasion, tumor microenvironment dynamics, and combination therapies. We also discuss nanoformulation-based strategies that significantly enhance isorhamnetin’s delivery and bioavailability. This positions isorhamnetin as a promising adjunct in modern oncology, capable of improving therapeutic outcomes when used alone or in synergy with conventional treatments. The future perspectives and potential research directions were also summarized. By consolidating current knowledge and identifying critical research gaps, this review positions Isorhamnetin as a potent and versatile candidate in modern oncology, offering a pathway toward safer and more effective cancer treatment strategies. Full article

Background: The Malnutrition Screening Tool (MST) is commonly used to identify malnutrition risk; however it has demonstrated poor sensitivity to detect malnutrition in inpatients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and kidney replacement therapy (KRT) populations. Gastrointestinal symptoms, such as poor appetite, may better detect malnutrition. The accuracy of MST or other nutrition-related parameters to detect malnutrition in ambulatory patients with CKD stages 4–5 without KRT has not been evaluated. Methods: A single site retrospective audit of outpatient records from May 2020 to March 2025 was conducted. Patients with eGFR < 25 mL/min/1.73 m² without KRT who had both MST and a 7-point Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) within 7 days were included. Sensitivity, specificity, and ROC-AUC analyses compared nutritional parameters against SGA-defined malnutrition. Nutritional parameters tested included MST, hand grip strength, upper gastrointestinal symptom burden, poor appetite and a combination of some of these parameters. Results: Among 231 patients (68.8% male, median age 69 years, median eGFR 15), 29.9% were at risk of malnutrition (MST ≥ 2) and 33.8% malnourished (SGA ≤ 5). All potential screening tools had AUC ranging from 0.604 to 0.710, implying a poor-to-moderate discriminator ability to detect malnutrition. Combining HGS ≤ 29.5 kg or MST ≥2 demonstrated high sensitivity (95.5%) and negative predictive value (93.3%), but low specificity (33.3%) for detecting malnutrition, indicating this approach is effective for ruling out malnutrition but may over-identify at-risk individuals. Conclusions: MST and other tested tools showed limited overall accuracy to identify malnutrition. Using combined nutritional markers of HGS or MST score was the most sensitive tool for detecting malnutrition in this advanced CKD without KRT population. Full article

The environmental detriments of the growing global production and overconsumption of beef, including greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and biodiversity loss, are well-documented. However, public awareness of how dietary choices affect the environment remains limited. This study examines sustainability views on beef consumption and the potential for behavioral change as a step toward more sustainable intake levels. An observational web-based survey was conducted (n = 1367) to assess respondents’ current beef intake frequency, views on beef consumption related to planetary health, tropical deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, and climate change, and willingness to modify beef consumption behavior. Chi-square tests were used for group comparisons, and weighted average scores were applied to rank levels of resistance to reducing beef intake. Environmental concern related to beef consumption was associated with greater beef cutback intentions and lower long-term intake reduction resistance amongst beef eaters. Beef eaters who strongly agreed that global beef consumption negatively impacts the environment were considerably more likely to express intentions to reduce their long-term beef intake compared to those who strongly disagreed (94.4% vs. 19.6%). Overall, 76.6% of beef eaters indicated wanting to eat less beef or phase it out entirely (30.7% reduce, 29.4% minimize, 16.6% stop), with only 23.4% of them intending to keep their consumption unchanged. Compelling messages that help translate awareness into action, such as the #NoBeefWeek concept explored in this study, may support individuals in adopting more sustainable food choices. These cross-national findings provide evidence for a ‘knowledge–intent’ gap in sustainable diet research, with relevance for health communicators and policymakers. Future research could examine the factors and motivations influencing decisions to modify beef consumption, including the barriers to achieving sustainable consumption levels and the role of suitable alternatives in facilitating this transition. Full article

The Paratethyan South Caspian and Mediterranean Levant basins relate to the significant hydrocarbon provinces of Eurasia. The giant hydrocarbon reserves of the SCB are well-known. Within the LB, so far, only a few commercial gas fields have been found. Both the LB and SCB contain some geological peculiarities. These basins are highly complex tectonically and structurally, requiring a careful, multi-component geological–geophysical analysis. These basins are primarily composed of oceanic crust. The oceanic crust of both the South Caspian and Levant basins formed within the complex Neotethys ocean structure. However, this crust is allochthonous in the Levant Basin (LB) and autochthonous in the South Caspian Basin (SCB). This study presents a comprehensive comparison of numerous tectonic, geodynamic, morphological, sedimentary, and geophysical aspects of these basins. The Levant Basin is located directly above the middle part of the massive, counterclockwise-rotating mantle structure and rotates accordingly in the same direction. To the north of this basin is located the critical latitude 35° of the Earth, with the vast Cyprus Bouguer gravity anomaly. The LB contains the most ancient block of oceanic crust on Earth, which is related to the Kiama paleomagnetic hyperzone. On the western boundary of the SCB, approximately 35% of the world’s mud volcanoes are located; the geological reasons for this are still unclear. The low heat flow values and thick sedimentary layers in both basins provide opportunities to discover commercial hydrocarbon deposits at great depths. The counterclockwise-rotating mantle structure creates an indirect geodynamic influence on the SCB. The lithospheric blocks situated above the eastern branch of the mantle structure trigger a north–northeastward movement of the western segment of the Iranian Plate, which exhibits a complex geometric configuration. Conversely, the movement of the Iranian Plate induced a clockwise rotation of the South Caspian Basin, which lies to the east of the plate. This geodynamic ensemble creates an unstable geodynamic situation in the region. Full article

Choline has been recognized as an essential nutrient involved in various physiological functions critical to human health. Adequate daily intake of choline has been established by the US National Academy of Medicine in 1998, considering choline requirements for different ages, sex differences and physiological states (e.g., pregnancy). By serving as a precursor for acetylcholine and phospholipids, choline is important for cholinergic transmission and the structural integrity of cell membranes. In addition, choline is involved in lipid and cholesterol transport and serves as a methyl donor after oxidation to betaine. Extracellular choline is transported across the cell membrane via various transport systems (high-affinity and low-affinity choline transporters) with distinct features and roles. An adequate dietary intake of choline during pregnancy supports proper fetal development, and throughout life supports brain, liver, and muscle functions, while choline deficiency is linked to disease states like fatty liver. Choline has important roles in neurodevelopment, cognition, liver function, lipid metabolism, and cardiovascular health. While its signaling role has been considered mostly indirect via acetylcholine and phosphatidylcholine which are synthesized from choline, emerging evidence supports a role for choline as an intracellular messenger acting on Sigma-1R, a non-opioid intracellular receptor. These new findings expand the cell signaling repertoire and increase the current understanding of the role of choline while warranting more research to uncover the molecular mechanisms and significance in the context of GPCR signaling, the relevance for physiology and disease states. Full article

The electrodynamics of current provide much of our technology, from telegraphs to the wired infrastructure powering the circuits of our electronic technology. Current flow is analyzed by its own rules that involve the Maxwell Ampere law and magnetism. Electrostatics does not involve magnetism, and so current flow and electrodynamics cannot be derived from electrostatics. Practical considerations also prevent current flow from being analyzed one charge at a time. There are too many charges, and far too many interactions to allow computation. Current flow is essential in biology. Currents are carried by electrons in mitochondria in an electron transport chain. Currents are carried by ions in nerve and muscle cells. Currents everywhere follow the rules of current flow: Kirchhoff’s current law and its generalizations. The importance of electron and proton flows in generating ATP was discovered long ago but they were not analyzed as electrical currents. The flow of protons and transport of electrons form circuits that must be analyzed by Kirchhoff’s law. A chemiosmotic theory that ignores the laws of current flow is incorrect physics. Circuit analysis is easily applied to short systems like mitochondria that have just one internal electrical potential in the form of the Hodgkin Huxley Katz (HHK) equation. The HHK equation combined with classical descriptions of chemical reactions forms a computable model of cytochrome c oxidase, part of the electron transport chain. The proton motive force is included as just one of the components of the total electrochemical potential. Circuit analysis includes its role just as it includes the role of any other ionic current. Current laws are now needed to analyze the flow of electrons and protons, as they generate ATP in mitochondria and chloroplasts. Chemiosmotic theory must be replaced by an electro-osmotic theory of ATP production that conforms to the Maxwell Ampere equation of electrodynamics while including proton movement and the proton motive force. Full article

Genetic factors play an important role in the risk of developing lung cancer, a disease that disproportionately affects African American (AA) individuals who smoke. Accumulating evidence suggests that specific ancestry-informative genetic markers are predictive of lung cancer risk in AA individuals who smoke. Although testing for, and communication of, genetic risk to patients should impact health and screening, results are mixed. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of genetic risk communication that also included ancestry-specific risk information among African American individuals who smoke. Using an experimental design, African American individuals who smoke (n = 166) were assigned randomly to receive hypothetical genetic test results that indicated (1) low vs. high genetic risk for lung cancer (“Risk”) and (2) European vs. African Ancestry (“Ancestry”). We hypothesized that participants who had been told that they were both at high risk for lung cancer based on genetic markers prominent in African persons at risk of lung cancer, and that they have African ancestry, would exhibit increases in cognitive (perceived lung cancer risk), emotional (cancer worry and psychological distress), and motivational (motivation to quit smoking) factors shown to predict longer-term health behavior change. Results revealed significant and moderate-to-large effects of Risk for all outcomes. There was also a significant Ancestry effect on perceived lung cancer risk: increased risk perceptions among participants who learned that they have high African genetic heritage. Path analytic modeling revealed that cognitive and emotional factors mediated the effects of both Risk and Ancestry feedback on motivation to quit smoking. Findings further highlight the importance of incorporating ancestry-specific genetic risk information into genetic counseling sessions, especially in underserved populations, as doing so may impact key cognitive, emotional, and motivational factors critical to behavior change. Full article

The absence of skin color information in skin cancer datasets poses a significant challenge for accurate diagnosis using artificial intelligence models, particularly for non-white populations. In this paper, based on the Monk Skin Tone (MST) scale, which is less biased than the Fitzpatrick scale, we propose MST-AI, a novel method for detecting skin color in images of large datasets, such as the International Skin Imaging Collaboration (ISIC) archive. The approach includes automatic frame, lesion removal, and lesion segmentation using convolutional neural networks, and modeling normal skin tones with a Variational Bayesian Gaussian Mixture Model (VB-GMM). The distribution of skin color predictions was compared with MST scale probability distribution functions (PDFs) using the Kullback-Leibler Divergence (KLD) metric. Validation against manual annotations and comparison with K-means clustering of image and skin mean RGBs demonstrated the superior performance of the MST-AI, with Kendall’s Tau, Spearman’s Rho, and Normalized Discounted Cumulative Gain (NDGC) of 0.68, 0.69, and 1.00, respectively. This research lays the groundwork for developing unbiased AI models for early skin cancer diagnosis by addressing skin color imbalances in large datasets. Full article

Electrically conductive hydrogels are gaining attention owing to their applications in biosensing, cellular interfaces, and tissue engineering. However, conventional hydrogels often lack adequate electrical conductivities. Here, we present two novel conductive alginate-based hydrogels designed for extrusion-based 3D bioprinting: (i) covalently synthesized alginate–polypyrrole (alginate–PPy) via EDC/NHS-mediated conjugation with 3-aminopropyl pyrrole, and (ii) nanoparticle-reinforced alginate blended with polypyrrole nanoparticles (alginate@PPy-NP). Both systems exhibited shear-thinning behavior, tunable viscoelasticity, and excellent printability. Alginate@PPy-NP demonstrated superior compressive strength and shape fidelity, whereas alginate–PPy showed enhanced elastic moduli (G′/G″), reflecting a more uniform gel network. Electrical conductivity increased with increasing pyrrole content in both formulations. Optimization of the composition and printing conditions enabled the fabrication of fibroblast-laden constructs with high structural integrity. This work highlights the potential of alginate–polypyrrole hydrogels as customizable, conductive bioinks for 3D bioprinting in regenerative medicine. Full article

Neoadjuvant immunotherapy is changing the treatment paradigm for patients with advanced cutaneous melanoma. This systemic approach leverages the presence of tumor antigens to generate a robust and durable antitumor immune response compared to traditional adjuvant therapy. The comprehensive review highlights contemporary clinical trials shaping the landscape of melanoma treatment algorithms. Single-modality agents and combination regimens are outlined along with response-adapted strategies, which aim to balance efficacy and toxicity. These novel neoadjuvant immunotherapy strategies promise to further refine treatment in a personalized manner, ideally offering patients the opportunity for greater response, reduced treatment toxicity, and improved long-term survival. Full article