Search Results (270,359)

Background/Objectives: Current evidence regarding the association between the temporal bone and paranasal sinus pneumatization remains limited. This study aims to investigate the potential morphological association between zygomatic process pneumatization and sphenoid sinus pneumatization using three-dimensional cone-beam computed tomography. Methods: Cone-beam computed tomography images from 573 individuals aged 16 to 87 years (170 males, 403 females) were evaluated in this study. Zygomatic process pneumatization was assessed in two forms: pneumatized glenoid fossa (a radiolucent defect on the glenoid fossa roof) and pneumatized articular eminence (a radiolucent defect within the articular eminence). The sphenoid sinus was classified into four major pneumatization types: conchal, presellar, sellar, and postsellar. The postsellar configuration was additionally divided into four subtypes—subdorsal, dorsal, occipital, and combined—according to its posteroanterior orientation. Lateral sphenoid sinus pneumatization was categorized into pterygoid, greater wing, full lateral (combining pterygoid and greater wing), lesser wing, and anterior types. Results: The analysis revealed a significant relationship between zygomatic process pneumatization and sphenoid sinus pneumatization (p < 0.001), where the former was detected in 64.0% of participants. The postsellar type represented the most frequent form of sphenoid sinus pneumatization (55.5%), whereas the conchal type was the rarest (1.2%). Conclusions: A significant correlation was observed between the zygomatic process and sphenoid sinus pneumatization, with individuals exhibiting the former tending to display more extensive sphenoid sinus pneumatization Full article

Forest soil constitutes a critical reservoir within terrestrial carbon pools. Understanding the dynamics of soil organic carbon (SOC) in coniferous forests is crucial for enhancing ecosystem carbon sequestration capacity, yet systematic quantification of SOC characteristics and their driving factors remains limited across critical bioclimatic zones. This study examined SOC features in topsoil and driving factors across eight representative coniferous forest types in Longnan—an ecologically significant transition region of northwestern China. SOC concentrations ranged from 31.76 to 80.86 g·kg⁻¹, where Abies fargesii var. faxoniana exhibited significantly higher concentrations than other conifers. Fungal necromass dominated SOC formation (29%–45% contribution) versus minimal bacterial necromass inputs (3%–5%). Redundancy analysis identified that soil total nitrogen, C/N ratio, and tree evenness showed significant correlations with SOC concentrations and their fractions. Partial least squares path modeling revealed that tree species exerted a direct positive impact on soil total nitrogen, while having an adverse effect on soil pH. Lower soil pH and higher total nitrogen were associated with higher microbial-derived carbon and SOC concentrations. In contrast, plant-derived carbon exerted no direct influence on SOC concentrations, operating exclusively through microbial-derived carbon pathways. These results indicated that coniferous tree species-induced shifts in soil total nitrogen and pH facilitate the accumulation of microbial necromass carbon, rather than plant residues, and thus promote SOC sequestration. A. fargesii var. faxoniana can be regarded as a key strategic tree species for SOC sequestration and sustainable forest management, and its cultivation should be prioritized due to improvements in total nitrogen and microbial-derived carbon. Full article

Burkholderia pseudomallei, the causative agent of melioidosis, presents significant challenges in both treatment and environmental decontamination. Bacteriophages, or phages, are increasingly being explored as potential diagnostic, therapeutic, and biocontrol agents against this bacterial pathogen. Our recent investigation has shown that most B. pseudomallei genomes contained prophage(s) associated with specific tRNA gene loci, prompting us to explore these detectable prophages as sources of temperate phages for further applications. Transcriptomic profiling of B. pseudomallei Bp82, a model strain that possesses three different prophages, revealed high expression levels of the integrase and certain transcriptional regulatory genes within its prophages during normal exponential growth. Using one of its temperate phages, namely φBP82.2, a P2-like phage, as a model, we investigated the lysogenic–lytic control mechanisms. Mutagenesis of the integrase gene, phiBP82.2_gp51, did not improve killing activity compared to the wildtype phage. In contrast, deletion of phiBP82.2_gp38, a putative transcriptional regulatory gene, and two downstream hypothetical protein genes, phiBP82.2_gp36 and phiBP82.2_gp37, resulted in significant lytic improvement. We conclude that these genes play a crucial role in the lysogenic–lytic switch of φBP82.2, suggesting a new avenue for engineering temperate phages for future applications. Full article

Background: Accurate dietary assessment is vital for preventing malnutrition in aging populations, particularly in home-care settings. Although Large Multimodal Models (LMMs) for nutrient estimation are evolving, their nutrient-specific accuracy requires rigorous validation. Methods: Fifteen standardized hospital meals were photographed under controlled conditions (90-degree angle, 500 lux). Ground truth values were determined by direct weighing. Estimates for energy and macronutrients were performed by 10 registered dietitians (RDs) and 10 AI models (including ChatGPT-4o and Gemini 1.5 Pro). Accuracy was assessed using Pearson’s correlation, Mean Absolute Error (MAE), and Bland–Altman analysis to quantify systematic bias. Results: For energy and carbohydrates, RDs and top-performing AI models (notably ChatGPT-4o and Gemini 1.5 Pro) demonstrated practical accuracy (r > 0.8, frequently within ±10% range). However, accuracy for protein and lipids was significantly lower across all AI models. Specifically, all AI models exhibited a substantial systematic overestimation of lipids (Mean Bias > +20%, p < 0.01), highlighting a critical “invisible nutrient” bias. Conclusions: Current AI tools show potential for caloric and carbohydrate monitoring but struggle with lipid and protein density. These findings emphasize the need for human–AI collaboration (“human-in-the-loop”) and the integration of cooking metadata to improve clinical utility in geriatric nutrition. Full article

Ziziphus jujuba Mill. is a characteristic resource with both medicinal and edible values. At present, its lactic acid bacteria-fermented products are plagued by ambiguous variety selection and low added value. To clarify the variety-specific regulatory effects of Z. jujuba cultivars on metabolic profiles during lactic acid bacteria fermentation, this study analyzed the metabolic characteristics of fermented broths of Tan jujube, Jun jujube, and Ban jujube under a unified fermentation system using LC-MS untargeted metabolomics technology. Significantly differential metabolites were screened with the criteria of p < 0.05 and VIP > 1, and the metabolic regulatory mechanisms were further elucidated, combined with KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. The results showed that a total of 570 metabolites were identified in the three fermented broths. Tan jujube was enriched in linolenic acid, Ban jujube was rich in D-xylitol and dethiobiotin, and Jun jujube had prominent contents of S-adenosylmethionine and pyridoxine. All the aforementioned metabolites are involved in important physiological processes such as anti-inflammation and intestinal homeostasis maintenance. The differential metabolites were mainly enriched in 6 key pathways, including central carbon metabolism, ABC transporters, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, among which central carbon metabolism and ABC transporters were the core regulatory pathways. This study constructed an association network of Z. jujuba variety–differential metabolite–key pathway, systematically elucidated the metabolic differentiation mechanisms of fermented broths from different Z. jujuba cultivars, and provided a scientific basis for the precise selection of Z. jujuba varieties dedicated to fermentation and the targeted development of high-value-added functional fermented foods. Full article

Micropropagated plantlets, after removal from controlled laboratory conditions, require an acclimatization period. Adaptation to the new environment induces anatomical and physiological changes controlled by cellular processes. This study investigated the involvement of the primary proton transport systems of total membranes in pineapple root colonization by diazotrophic bacteria and in the development of plantlets treated with different nitrogen doses, allowing an understanding of nutrient absorption and accumulation dynamics. The experiment followed a randomized block design (RBD) in a factorial scheme (2 × 3 × 2), with two inocula (a mixture of diazotrophic bacteria containing Burkholderia sp. UENF 114111, Burkholderia silvatlantica UENF 117111, and Herbaspirillum seropedicae HRC 54, and another without bacteria), three urea doses (0, 5, and 10 g L⁻¹), and two evaluation (90 and 150 days) and bacterial counting times (30 and 150 days), with three blocks. Diazotrophic bacterial populations were lower in older plantlets. H⁺ transport mediated by P H⁺-ATPases changed with acclimatization time. Inoculation did not induce transport; however, the F_max of V H⁺-ATPase was lower without nitrogen fertilization. Nitrogen fertilization affected V H⁺-ATPase proton transport activity in root membranes. The presence of diazotrophic bacteria did not induce proton transport. On the other hand, nitrogen fertilization and acclimatization time affected the proton transport activity mediated by H⁺-ATPases isolated from roots of micropropagated pineapple. Full article

Background: There is escalating concern about patient safety among healthcare workers (HCWs) due to the alarming number of deaths and disabilities. Objective: The main aim of this study is to explore the perceptions of patient safety culture (PSC) among HCWs in two major cities in Saudi Arabia, compare the findings with those of international studies, and highlight the major strengths and challenges that affect the incorporation of PSC in these two cities. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used to assess PSC among HCWs in hospitals in Dammam and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This study utilised the Saudi Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSPSC), which is commonly used by HCWs in the Ministry of Health, and the results were compared with those from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Chi-square tests were used to assess the association between patient safety ratings and the reporting of patient safety events. An independent t-test was used to examine differences in mean scores of study variables between the two cities. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Out of 737 participants, 357 completed the survey. Physicians were the most common (27%), followed by nurses (11.9%), in Dammam. In Jeddah, nurses were first (20%), followed by transporters and security (12.7 and 11.6%, respectively). Overall, error reporting and supervisor support were areas of strength, while management commitment, teamwork, and incident reporting were identified as areas needing improvement. More than 94% of employees rated patient safety positively. Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of HCWs’ perceptions of PSC in Dammam and Jeddah. Overall, patient safety ratings among participants were highly positive (94%), reflecting favourable views of teamwork, supervisor support, and hospital management’s commitment. Although event reporting and teamwork were recognised as major strengths, it is still necessary to implement regular patient safety training programmes and formal patient safety policies to address existing gaps. Overall, PSC ratings were more positive and significantly higher in Dammam than in Jeddah. These findings may help policymakers and managers enhance patient safety and develop more robust systems to protect both patients and HCWs. Full article

Background: The UCP1 A-3826G polymorphism, located in the gene’s regulatory region, is associated with obesity and altered fat metabolism. Because UCP1 plays a central role in thermogenesis, variation in its expression may influence metabolic efficiency and dietary fat preference. Methods: We examined associations between the A-3826G polymorphism and food preferences in healthy young Japanese adults (50 males, 48 females). Preferences for high-fat and basic-taste foods were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire, with sweet foods classified as low- or high-fat. Genotypes (AA, AG, GG) were analyzed using a two-way mixed-design ANOVA to evaluate genotype × fat level interactions. Results: Preference scores for basic tastes did not differ significantly among genotypes in either sex (except for sour taste in males). In males, no significant genotype × fat level interaction was observed, although AA carriers preferred high-fat to low-fat sweet foods (p < 0.05). In females, a significant genotype × fat level interaction was detected (p < 0.01), with AG carriers showing lower preference for high-fat sweet foods. Conclusions: These findings indicate that the UCP1 A-3826G polymorphism may modulate preference for high-fat sweet foods in a sex-dependent manner, suggesting a link between thermogenic genetic variation and dietary fat preference relevant to obesity prevention. Full article

The longitudinal study investigated the impact of age at first mating (AFM) on milk yield (MY) across the productive lifespan of Alpine goats born between 2005 and 2018. Data from 740 animals across three herds and 3200 lactations were analyzed. The AFM of the studied population ranged from 7 to 23 months. The impact of AFM on MY was estimated using a linear mixed model, accounting for the fixed effects of parity, litter size, season, herd, and suckling and milking durations, with the individual goat included as a random effect to control for repeated measures. The impact of AFM on lifetime production was estimated by regressing total milk yield (TMY) and number of lactations (TNL) on AFM, while accounting for herd effect. The study revealed a notable shift in productivity patterns across the animal’s life. Every additional month of AFM significantly increased milk yield in the first lactation (13.28 kg; p < 0.001), but this influence vanished in subsequent parities (p > 0.05). These higher initial yields were insufficient to compensate for the losses caused by a shortened productive lifespan. Specifically, each month of mating delay resulted in a loss of ~0.08 TNL and 34 kg TMY, totaling ~1 lactation and ~400 kg of milk for a 12-month delay. Results suggest that earlier mating may improve lifetime productivity under intensive production systems. Full article

Purpose: HER2-targeted therapy has been incorporated into the standard neoadjuvant treatment (NAT) regimen for HER2-positive early-stage breast cancer, yet a subset of patients have shown a limited pathological response. This study aimed to evaluate clinicopathological factors associated with NAT sensitivity and to develop a predictive model. Methods: This retrospective study included 13,004 HER2-positive breast cancer patients from the National Cancer Database (2010–2022) who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus HER2-targeted therapy. Pathological complete response (pCR) was defined as no residual invasive carcinoma in the breast and axillary lymph nodes (ypT0/is, ypN0). NAT sensitivity was additionally defined using clinical-to-pathologic stage migration according to the AJCC 8th edition criteria. Baseline characteristics and overall survival (OS) were compared between NAT-sensitive and NAT-insensitive groups. A multivariable logistic regression model was developed based on age, clinical T stage, clinical N stage, histologic subtype, tumor grade, and hormone receptor (HR) status. Model performance was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and calibration curves. Results: Among the patients included, 3660 (28.1%) achieved pCR. Based on the predefined stage-based criteria, 10,451 (80.4%) were classified as NAT-sensitive and 2553 (19.6%) as NAT-insensitive. NAT-insensitive patients were older and more likely to present with clinical T1c and node-negative disease, whereas NAT-sensitive patients more frequently had higher clinical T and N stages. HR-positive and lower tumor grades were significantly associated with treatment insensitivity. NAT-insensitive patients demonstrated significantly worse OS compared with NAT-sensitive patients (p < 0.001). The predictive model showed acceptable discrimination with AUCs of 0.762 in the training cohort and 0.776 in the validation cohort, demonstrating good calibration. Conclusions: NAT sensitivity in HER2-positive early-stage breast cancer exhibited substantial biological and clinical heterogeneity in real-world practice. A younger age, higher clinical stage, invasive ductal histology, higher tumor grade, and HR-negative status were associated with improved responses. A predictive model based on routinely available baseline variables demonstrated reasonable performance for estimating treatment sensitivity, supporting its potential utility for baseline risk stratification pending external validation. Full article

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by pathogenic variants in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene and primarily affects the respiratory, digestive, and reproductive systems. Globally, CF is most prevalent among European ancestry, with an incidence rate of approximately 1/2500 to 1/3500. In China, the incidence is about 1/128,000. However, CF is not extremely rare in the Chinese population; rather, its prevalence is significantly underestimated. The CFTR mutation spectrum in China is highly unique, characterized by an extremely low frequency of p.Phe508del. Instead, region-specific mutations such as p.Gly970Asp, p.Ile1023Arg, and p.Arg553Ter predominate, alongside a high proportion of splicing variants and complex rearrangements. A significant proportion of Chinese CF patients primarily present with CF-like phenotypes within the CF-related disease spectrum (such as congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens and pseudo-Bartter syndrome), exhibiting overlapping features with classic CF but lacking typical respiratory-dominant symptoms. This review examines how these atypical symptoms deviate from the diagnostic pathways established in Western countries. Establishing localised data and functional platforms is a prerequisite for achieving precision medicine. Achieving a transition from symptom-focused care to defect-correcting therapy will require coordinated multicenter collaboration and sustained infrastructure development. Full article

Emergency Departments (EDs) are the primary hospital interface during disasters and mass-casualty incidents, yet surge capacity assessments predominantly emphasize workforce and logistics while overlooking measurable spatial determinants. Observations from five tertiary hospitals in India indicate that circulation bottlenecks, incompatible functional adjacencies, and contamination risks can compromise safety and operational performance. This study develops and validates the Spatial Surge Capacity Assessment Framework (SSCAF) to operationalize spatial resilience as a quantifiable dimension of healthcare infrastructure preparedness. A sequential mixed-methods design was applied across five tertiary hospitals using structured spatial walkthroughs; architectural and disaster-planning document review; and focus group discussions involving 81 clinicians, administrators, and facility planners. The outcome of this thematic analysis produced 42 spatial indicators, refined through three Delphi rounds with a multidisciplinary expert panel. Consensus retained 30 key performance indicators (median ≥ 4/5; IQR ≤ 1; Kendall’s W = 0.855; χ² = 297.42; p < 0.001). Content validity was strong (I-CVI 0.75–1.00; S-CVI/Ave = 0.93), and reliability was high (ICC 0.82–0.91), structured into eight operational domains. The resulting weighted scoring matrix standardizes the measurement of spatial surge preparedness. The SSCAF provides an evidence-based audit and planning tool supporting resilient hospital infrastructure. It aligns with the Sendai Framework, enabling governance audits, guiding ED retrofitting, and supporting performance-based evaluation for planners and architects. Full article

Background: Nigella sativa (black cumin) seeds are renowned for their ethnomedicinal significance and are rich in bioactive phytochemicals, which contribute to food preservation and the prevention of various diseases through their antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Accordingly, this study aimed to characterize the phytochemical composition of N. sativa seed extracts, isolate thymoquinone, and assess their antibacterial, antibiofilm, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic activities. Methods: Nigella sativa seed extracts were prepared using solvents of increasing polarity and analyzed for phytochemical content. Metabolite profiling was performed using UHPLC/QTOF-MS. Thymoquinone, the major constituent, was isolated via thin-layer chromatography (TLC), further purified using semi-preparative reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), and evaluated in vitro for antibacterial, antibiofilm, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic activities. Results: Extraction yields ranged from 5.5% to 8.4% (w/w), with methanol yielding the highest phenol (6.34 ± 0.31 mg GAE/mL) and flavonoid (5.12 ± 0.26 mg QE/mL) contents. UHPLC/QTOF-MS revealed a chemically diverse profile dominated by thymoquinone (58% relative abundance), alongside p-cymene, carvacrol, longifolene, and nigellidine. Thymoquinone (Rf = 0.56) was initially isolated from the methanolic extract with a yield of 270 mg/g and further purified from preparative TLC fractions using semi-preparative RP-HPLC, affording 82 mg of >95% pure compound with a 68.3% recovery, suitable for subsequent biological assays. It inhibited Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, with MICs of 62.5 µg/mL against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, and Listeria monocytogenes; 125–250 µg/mL against Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium; and 500 µg/mL against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Thymoquinone reduced biofilm formation (>80% at 25–50 µg/mL; MBIC₅₀ ≈ 5.4–11.6 µg/mL), exhibited antioxidant activity (DPPH IC₅₀ = 52.3 ± 2. 1 µg/mL; ABTS IC₅₀ = 41.6 ± 1.9 µg/mL), stabilized erythrocyte membranes (IC₅₀ ≈ 14.8 µg/mL), and inhibited carbohydrate-hydrolyzing enzymes, with stronger inhibition of α-glucosidase (~92%) than α-amylase (~84%) at 128 µg/mL. Conclusions: Thymoquinone is a major bioactive constituent of N. sativa seeds, exhibiting consistent multi-target in vitro activity. These findings highlight its functional relevance and in vivo investigations to establish therapeutic potential. Full article

Background/Objectives: Chronic venous disease (CVD) is a prevalent condition marked by valve dysfunction and increased pressure in lower limb veins. The trans-nodal veins in the inguinal region and Scarpa triangle, which connect the superficial and deep venous systems, provide new insight into venous insufficiency pathways. While they function normally in healthy individuals, they can become dilated in chronic venous disease or following surgery. The purpose of this study was to provide an ultrasonographic anatomical description of intranodal varicose veins and to assess possible changes in the stiffness of varicose, dilated inguinal lymph nodes. Methods: The study comprised 92 participants, including 69 women and 23 men, who underwent Doppler ultrasound examinations of the lower-limb venous system, focusing on the groin from both a descriptive morphological and an elastographic perspective. The diagnosis of lymph node varices was made according to established criteria, its severity was assessed using an original classification system, and shear-wave elastography (SWE) values were recorded. Results: More than 83% of patients with operated CVD had lymph node varicose veins. Patients with lymph node varicose veins had larger groin lymph node diameters than patients with CVD without lymph node varicose pathology. The mean shear wave elastography values were significantly lower in the group with lymph node varices compared to the group without (12.2 ± 1.1 kPa vs. 20.1 ± 2.3 kPa; p < 0.05). Elastographic values correlate with lymph node diameter (p = 0.039) and with varicose vein grade (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Intranodal varices may indicate disease progression. These vascular abnormalities impact SWE measurements by altering tissue mechanics. It is imperative to consider the interactions between the lymphatic and venous systems in the management of CVD to improve patient outcomes. Full article

Chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium) is a globally significant ornamental plant, whose growth, development, and ornamental quality are frequently impaired by salt stress. DOF (DNA-binding with one finger) family transcription factors extensively act as crucial regulators in medicating reactions to environmental pressures on plants. But their specific functions in regulating salt stress tolerance in chrysanthemum still remain largely elusive and require further investigation. Here, we isolated CmDOF2, a DOF family transcription factor from chrysanthemum, whose expression was up-regulated in chrysanthemums under salt stress. Functional analysis demonstrated that CmDOF2 functions as a nuclear-localized transcriptional activator. Comprehensive phenotypic and physiological characterization showed that heterologous expression of CmDOF2 in Arabidopsis thaliana conferred markedly increased salt stress tolerance, as reflected by higher chlorophyll, leaf relative water, and proline content; lower leaf relative electric conductivity and malondialdehyde content; and increased activities of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase. Furthermore, qRT-PCR analyses confirmed that stable expression of CmDOF2 in Arabidopsis led to increased transcript levels of key salt-responsive genes, including stress marker genes (AtRD29A, AtRD29B), components of the SOS signaling pathway (AtSOS1, AtSOS2, AtSOS3), genes involved in osmotic adjustment (AtP5CS1, AtP5CS2), and genes encoding antioxidant enzymes (AtSOD1, AtPOD34, AtCAT3). Collectively, our data demonstrate that CmDOF2 serves as a nuclear-localized transcriptional regulator with activation activity and positively regulates salt stress tolerance by mediating the transcript levels of stress-related genes in multiple signaling pathways. Full article