Search Results (14,795)

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are major foodborne pathogens that can cause severe human disease. Identifying molecular markers associated with pathogenicity is essential to improve detection and to better understand virulence mechanisms. In this study, 35,828 E. coli genomes available in a public database were analyzed with the purpose of identifying STEC genes encoding proteins secreted to the outer membrane or into the extracellular space. The strains belong to six different sequence types (STs): ST442, ST297, ST1131, ST2217, ST2387, and ST2520. Comparative genomics allowed identification of 155 genes that were initially evaluated as potential virulence-associated candidates. Among these, a hydrolase-encoding gene showed a wide distribution and a significant association with STEC genomes versus non-STEC genomes (81.6% in the STEC group and 15.8% in the non-STEC group). The protein product is predicted to be released into the extracellular space and, according to examples in other bacterial pathogens, may contribute to STEC virulence. Altogether, our findings highlight this hydrolase as a relevant molecular marker that could complement current genetic screening schemes and support the design of novel control strategies against STEC infections. Full article

Red light suppresses melatonin and helps in improving reproductive efficiency in donkeys during the non-breeding season (November–February). In this study, the effects of red, blue, and white LED light were assessed. For this purpose, 40 adult Dezhou donkeys were divided into 4 groups, each receiving equal treatment for 40 days. All groups received 8 h of natural light. Additionally, the red group received 6 h of 50 lux of red LED light (468 nm) directed at a single eye. The blue group received 6 h of 50 lux of blue LED light (468 nm). The white group received 6 h of 50 lux of white LED light (468 nm), and the control group received only 8 h of natural sunlight. Blood samples were collected on the 21st, 28th, 34th, and 40th day of the experiment to analyze plasma hormone concentrations of progesterone (P4), Inhibin B (INH-B), Testosterone (T), Activin-A, Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Antimullerian Hormone (AMH), and Melatonin. In conclusion, red LED light directed at one eye showed the most promising results, elevating plasma hormone concentrations of testosterone (T), Activin A, LH, FSH, AMH, and melatonin. Full article

The rapid growth of electric vehicle (EV) deployment has created a strong demand for charging systems capable of handling higher power levels while preserving grid stability and maintaining satisfactory energy quality. In this work, a fast-charging architecture for 400 V battery systems is developed using a Vienna rectifier on the AC front end and a DC–DC buck converter on the DC stage. To enhance the performance of this topology, two complementary control techniques are combined: the Crystal Structure Algorithm (CryStAl), used for offline optimization of switching behavior, and a Random Decision Forest (RDF) model, employed for real-time adaptation to operating conditions. A clear, step-oriented derivation of the converter state–space equations is included to support controller design and ensure reproducibility. This control framework improves the key performance indices, including Total Harmonic Distortion (THD), ripple suppression, efficiency, and power factor correction. Specifically, the Vienna rectifier works on input current shaping and enhances the power quality, while the buck converter maintains a constant DC output appropriate for reliable battery charging. The simulation studies show that the combined CryStAl–RDF approach outperforms the conventional PI- and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO)-based controllers. The proposed method achieves THD less than 2%, conversion efficiency higher than 97.5%, and a power factor close to unity. The voltage and current ripples are also significantly reduced, which justifies the extended life of the batteries and reliable charging performance. Overall, the results portray the potential of the combined metaheuristic optimization with machine learning-based decision techniques to enhance the behavior of power electronic converters for EV fast-charging applications. The proposed control method offers a practical and scalable route for next-generation EV charging infrastructure. Full article

Temperature is a fundamental property of water that determines its quality and the course of both biotic and physical processes. Therefore, the distribution and future changes in thermal conditions are crucial for the functioning of the hydrosphere. In this study, a hybrid air2water model was used to determine the course of the sea surface temperature, which allows for its prediction using a minimal set of input data based on the air temperature. The widespread availability of air temperature measurements worldwide offers broad potential for the model’s application, which is especially important in coastal zones—the most dynamic and diverse areas of marine ecosystems, and simultaneously the most exposed to anthropogenic pressure. The study analyzes four hydrological stations in the southern part of the Baltic Sea, where the results confirm the high predictive capabilities of the air2water model for sea surface temperature. Depending on the adopted climate change scenarios, the average rate of sea surface temperature increase by the end of the 21st century is projected to be 0.15 °C per decade (SSP2-4.5) and 0.33 °C per decade (in the case of the SSP5-8.5 scenario). If these projections come true, they should be considered unfavorable, and such a situation will require taking into account changes in the thermal regime in the functioning of the Baltic Sea. More broadly, this simple yet effective method for predicting thermal conditions may be applied in interdisciplinary research as well as in the management of coastal marine zones. Full article

Background: Human polyomavirus JC (JCV) causes progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a deadly brain demyelinating illness stemming from oligodendrocyte lytic infection in immunocompromised patients, especially those with untreated HIV infection. Methods: We conducted a case series report on patients with HIV/AIDS who presented progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy and were hospitalized at the “St. Parascheva” Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases in Iasi, northeastern Romania, to emphasize the comorbidities of HIV/AIDS cases. Hospital medical data from 10 January 2025 to 30 September 2025 served as the basis for this investigation. Results: We examined three cases that presented neurological symptoms (ataxia, aphasia, language comprehension, and expression disorders). The cases were evaluated imagistically via nuclear magnetic resonance, and we conducted a polymerase chain reaction test on the spinal fluid to confirm the presence of JCV. It was necessary to take a multidisciplinary approach with a neurologist or pneumologist. All cases were evaluated immunologically, revealing low Ly T CD4 levels and increased HIV viremia levels. Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy is an AIDS-defining disease, manifesting in immunocompromised patients, including late presenter cases, and patients who are non-adherent to their antiretroviral treatment. Therefore, it is important to test every patient who has mild to severe neurological symptoms for HIV. Furthermore, some cases require a multidisciplinary approach to ensure a better quality of life. Conclusions: Treating a patient with HIV requires a multidisciplinary strategy that includes a neurology specialist and access to antiretroviral treatment. To boost ART uptake, we must identify and remove barriers that impact patients and the healthcare system. Full article

Placental abruption (PA) without vaginal bleeding is known to be associated with severe outcomes when compared to symptomatic cases; the presence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) is an additional negative prognostic factor. According to guidelines, severe HDP are indications for prompt delivery after maternal–fetal stabilization. Considering gestational age, parity and clinical obstetric examination, the induction of labor should be prioritized to avoid additional risks associated with cesarean section. However, since only a minority of cases of PA may be detected by ultrasonography (US), findings consistent with this suspicion should contribute to the establishment of an appropriate mode of delivery. We present two cases affected by severe HDP, eclampsia and HELLP syndrome, admitted to St. Luke Catholic Hospital, Wolisso, Ethiopia. In both cases, obstetric point-of-care (POC) US revealed a live premature fetus and a solid heterogeneous placental mass, raising the suspicion of concealed placental abruption. To expedite delivery, cesarean section was promptly offered. PA was confirmed in both cases; the first had stillbirth and postpartum hemorrhage, while the second ended up with healthy mother and newborn. In conclusion, POC-US imaging could play a role in optimizing delivery mode and timing for patients with HDP in low-resourced settings. Additional research is warranted to determine the impact of this technique in the management of obstetric emergencies. Full article

Background and Objectives: Controlled breathing can influence autonomic regulation and haemodynamics; however, the role of its timing relative to exercise remains unclear. Materials and Methods: Fourteen healthy, physically active men (mean age 21.8 ± 0.7 years; body mass index within the normal range) participated in this randomised crossover study. Each session consisted of five 5 min cycling bouts at 50% of heart-rate reserve, interspersed with 3 min passive recovery periods. The three conditions were: control (no structured breathing), 30 s hyperventilation (approximately 30 breaths·min⁻¹) performed before each bout, and the same hyperventilation performed after each bout. Resting heart rate variability spectra (low-frequency [LF], high-frequency [HF]) were assessed pre- and post-session; arterial blood pressure was measured stage-wise; quadriceps muscle oxygen saturation (StO₂) was monitored using near-infrared spectroscopy; and a discriminant co-integration index (Dsk) was calculated to integrate multisystem responses. Results: Compared with baseline, LF power increased and HF power decreased after exercise in the control and post-exercise hyperventilation conditions (p < 0.05), whereas pre-exercise hyperventilation attenuated these shifts. Post-exercise hyperventilation blunted the rise in systolic blood pressure and reduced diastolic blood pressure compared with control (p < 0.05). Both breathing interventions accelerated StO₂ recovery, with higher early recovery StO₂ following pre-exercise hyperventilation and sustained advantages after post-exercise hyperventilation (moderate-to-extensive effects). Dsk values were consistently highest after exercise, indicating stronger and more coherent multisystem coupling. Conclusions: In this acute crossover study of healthy young men, hyperventilation performed before or after exercise induced distinct short-term cardiovascular and muscular responses, reflecting respiratory-driven modulation of haemodynamic and autonomic processes. The timing of hyperventilation influenced these responses, suggesting that deliberate hyperventilation may acutely modify exercise-related regulatory mechanisms. Full article

This study aims to assess how climate change will affect the intensity of soil erosion in the Vistula River basin by the mid-21st century. A simulation framework based on the SWAT–MUSLE model was applied, calibrated, and validated against observed streamflow data and driven by climatic forcings from the EURO-CORDEX ensemble (the RACMO22E, HIRHAM5, and RCA4 models forced by EC-EARTH GCM) under the RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 scenarios. Simulations were conducted at a daily time step for the years 2021–2050 and compared to the reference period 2013–2018. The analysis included the decadal and seasonal aggregation of the sediment yield (SYLD, t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹). The results indicate that, relative to the baseline value (~1.84 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹), the SYLD increases under both scenarios. In RCP 4.5, the rise culminates during 2031–2040 and then stabilizes in 2041–2050. Under RCP 8.5, a continuous upward trend is observed, with the highest values projected for 2041–2050, particularly for the HIRHAM5 realization. The largest relative increases occur in summer (JJA) and, in the final decade, also in autumn (SON); in the early horizon, autumn may locally exhibit declines that later shift to increases. The spread among RCM realizations remains significant and should be interpreted as an expression of projection uncertainty. The practical implications include prioritizing soil protection measures in sub-catchments with high LS factors and soils susceptible to water erosion, strengthening runoff and sediment control in summer, and planning maintenance of small-scale retention infrastructure. Study limitations arise from the inherent structure of the MUSLE model, bias correction procedures for climate data, and the representation of extreme events. Therefore, greater emphasis is placed on the direction and seasonality of changes rather than absolute numerical values. Full article

Background and Objectives: Patients with a prior history of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) who present with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) represent a complex, high-risk subgroup due to advanced comorbidity burden and challenging coronary anatomy. Whether an invasive strategy offers meaningful benefit over conservative management in this population remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to compare long-term outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) versus medical therapy in NSTEMI patients with previous CABG and to identify independent predictors of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and all-cause mortality. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 286 NSTEMI patients with prior CABG (PCI: 112; medical therapy: 174). Baseline demographic, clinical, laboratory, and angiographic characteristics were assessed. The primary endpoint was MACE, while the secondary endpoint was all-cause mortality. Kaplan–Meier analysis evaluated survival differences, and multivariable Cox regression identified independent predictors. Results: During follow-up, MACE rates were comparable between PCI and medical therapy (14.3% vs. 18.9%; p = 0.305). All-cause mortality was likewise similar (9.8% vs. 10.3%; p = 0.541). Kaplan–Meier analysis showed no survival benefit with PCI (log-rank p = 0.334). Hypoalbuminemia independently predicted both MACE and mortality, while CKD and HF were major determinants of long-term mortality. Conclusions: In NSTEMI patients with prior CABG, no long-term superiority of PCI over medical therapy was observed with respect to MACE or mortality. Prognosis appears more closely linked to hypoalbuminemia, CKD, and HF than to the chosen management strategy. These findings underscore the importance of individualized and risk-adapted clinical decision-making in this complex population. Full article

Osteoporosis develops silently and is strongly influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. This study investigated whether three well-established osteoporosis-related polymorphisms—SOST rs1513670, LRP5 rs3736228, and ESR1 rs6929137—derived from a commercial genetic testing panel (HelloGene™) were primarily associated with osteoporosis prevalence and/or incidence and secondarily with bone-related biochemical markers in a Korean population. A total of 843 adults who completed genetic testing at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital and subsequently underwent bone mineral density (BMD) assessment were included. Logistic and linear regression models were applied to evaluate associations between genotypes, osteoporosis diagnosis, and serum calcium and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels. None of the examined SNPs showed significant associations with osteoporosis status. However, the SOST variant demonstrated a statistically significant association with serum vitamin D concentration (β = −4.836, p = 1.7 × 10⁻⁶), with TC and CC genotype carriers exhibiting markedly lower vitamin D levels than TT carriers. LRP5 and ESR1 variants showed no significant relationships with either osteoporosis or vitamin D. These findings suggest a hypothesis-generating finding between SOST-mediated WNT signaling and vitamin D metabolism, even in the absence of measurable effects on clinical osteoporosis. Full article

Background and Objectives: To evaluate the occurrence of retinal displacement using blue-fundus autofluorescence (BFAF) imaging in eyes treated for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) and its associations with clinical factors, including macular status, detachment extent, baseline visual acuity, high myopia, postoperative visual recovery, and metamorphopsia. Materials and Methods: This retrospective observational study included 98 patients who underwent surgery for primary RRD at a single center. Surgical approaches included pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), phacovitrectomy, or scleral buckling, with tamponade agents such as SF₆ gas (20%), silicone oil (≈1300 cSt), or air. Postoperative BFAF imaging assessed retinal displacement. Demographic and clinical data were recorded. Results: Macula-off detachments occurred in 56.1% of cases, while 43.9% were macula-on detachments. Phacovitrectomy was performed in 41.8%, simple vitrectomy in 33.7%, and scleral buckling in 24.5%. SF₆ gas was the most used tamponade, while silicone oil was used in 13.3%. Retinal displacement was detected in 16.3% of cases, predominantly downward (81.25%) and less commonly upward (18.75%). Macula-off detachments were significantly associated with displacement (81.2% vs. 51.2%, p = 0.027). No significant associations were found with other parameters. Metamorphopsia was reported in 12.5% of patients with displacement and 4.9% without, though the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusions: Retinal displacement can occur after primary RRD repair, irrespective of tamponade, though it tended to be less frequent with silicone oil and in macula-on detachments. It is significantly more common in macula-off cases, even with immediate postoperative prone positioning. These findings emphasize the need to refine postoperative positioning protocols to reduce displacement and its sequelae. Further studies should explore the impact of retinal displacement on visual function, particularly metamorphopsia, in patients with preserved best-corrected visual acuity. Full article

Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis) is a major pathogen responsible for bovine respiratory disease, mastitis, and arthritis, causing significant economic losses to the cattle industry worldwide. To elucidate the genetic and biological characteristics of M. bovis circulating in Yunnan Province, China, twenty PCR-positive bovine respiratory samples were collected from cattle farms in Kunming; three isolates—M.bo-YNXD-1, A1, and A8—were successfully cultured and identified through colony morphology, biochemical assays, and molecular characterization. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing showed that M.bo-YNXD-1 exhibited multidrug resistance to six antibiotics, including ciprofloxacin and lincomycin, while A1 and A8 were resistant to one or two agents, respectively. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) analysis revealed that isolates M.bo-YNXD-1 and M.bo-YNXD-A8 belonged to sequence type ST52, whereas isolate M.bo-YNXD-A1 was assigned to ST90, indicating the coexistence of distinct genetic lineages in this region. Virulence gene screening showed that isolate M.bo-YNXD-A8 was positive for VspX and p81, whereas all three isolates were positive for p48 and Vpam. A SYBR Green I-based quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay targeting the oppD/F gene was established, exhibiting high specificity, a detection limit of 10 copies/μL, and intra-/inter-assay variation below 3%. Validation using clinical samples demonstrated superior sensitivity compared with conventional PCR. Taken together, these findings indicate the presence of distinct MLST genotypes and virulence-associated genetic heterogeneity among regional Mycoplasma bovis isolates, and introduce a rapid, sensitive, and reliable qPCR assay for early detection and epidemiological surveillance. This study provides critical insights for rational antimicrobial use and targeted control strategies against M. bovis infections. Full article

Despite successful revascularization, patients with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) remain at higher risk of mortality and morbidity. Accurately predicting mortality risk in this cohort can improve outcomes through timely interventions. This study for the first time predicts 1-year all-cause mortality in an NSTEMI cohort using features extracted primarily from the aortic pressure (AP) signal recorded during cardiac catheterization. We analyzed data from 497 NSTEMI patients (66.3 ± 12.9 years, 187 (37.6%) females) retrospectively. We developed three survival models, the multivariate Cox proportional hazards, DeepSurv, and random survival forest, to predict mortality. Then, used Shapley additive explanations (SHAP) to interpret the decision-making process of the best survival model. Using 5-fold stratified cross-validation, DeepSurv achieved an average C-index of 0.935, an IBS of 0.028, and a mean time-dependent AUC of 0.939, outperforming the other models. Ejection systolic time, ejection systolic period, the difference between systolic blood pressure and dicrotic notch pressure (DesP), skewness, the age-modified shock index, and myocardial oxygen supply/demand ratio were identified by SHAP as the most characteristic AP features. In conclusion, AP signal features offer valuable prognostic insight for predicting 1-year all-cause mortality in the NSTEMI population, leading to enhanced risk stratification and clinical decision-making. Full article

Inquiry-based learning (IBL) is a rapidly growing pedagogical model that uses a learner-centered educational approach to address the needs of the 21st century. Relating to the sustainability of teaching, this approach addresses the systematic and complementary learning dimensions (e.g., cognitive, epistemic, and affective) relevant to the evolving needs of students, curricula, and technology. This study uses adaptive management as a theoretical model which views teachers as dynamic learning managers to investigate the integration of IBL in sustainable education targeting Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4) (Quality Education). With the participation of 11 physics teachers, this phenomenological study delves into the inquiry-based learning implementation and experiences of physics teachers in building a sustainable learning culture in Türkiye’s public schools. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews to elicit teachers’ perceptions of the sustainability of the inquiry ecosystem, and thematic analysis was utilized to interpret and convey the essence of teaching experiences. The findings reveal that the use of adaptive management mechanisms for IBL reinforces students’ conceptual understanding and the long-term sustainability of teaching practices in physics education. The results also highlight the applicability of adaptive inquiry-based paradigms across disciplinary contexts to offer insights for the integration of new educational technology. This study suggests practical implications for teachers, school leaders, and teacher training programs for sustainable and flexible pedagogies. Full article

Ship-to-ship (STS) transfer has become a major concern for maritime security and regulatory authorities, as it is frequently exploited for smuggling and other illicit activities. Accurate and timely identification of STS events is therefore essential for effective maritime supervision. Existing monitoring approaches, however, suffer from two inherent limitations: AIS-based surveillance is vulnerable to intentional signal shutdown or manipulation, and remote-sensing-based ship detection alone lacks digital identity information and cannot assess the legitimacy of transfer activities. To address these challenges, we propose a Multi-source Observation framework with SAR and AIS (MOSA), which integrates SAR imagery with AIS data. The framework consists of two key components: STS-YOLO, a high-precision fine-grained ship detection model, in which a dynamic adaptive feature extraction (DAFE) module and a multi-attention mechanism (MAM) are introduced to enhance feature representation and robustness in complex maritime SAR scenes, and the SAR-AIS Consistency Analysis Workflow (SACA-Workflow), designed to identify suspected abnormal STS behaviors by analyzing inconsistencies between physical and digital ship identities. Experimental results on the SDFSD-v1.5 dataset demonstrate the quantitative performance gains and improved fine-grained detection performance of STS-YOLO in terms of standard detection metrics. In addition, generalization experiments conducted on large-scene SAR imagery from the waters near Panama and Singapore, in addition to multi-satellite SAR data (Capella Space and Umbra) from the Gibraltar region, validate the cross-regional and cross-sensor robustness of the proposed framework. The effectiveness of the SACA-Workflow is evaluated qualitatively through representative case studies. In all evaluated scenarios, the SACA-Workflow effectively assists in identifying suspected abnormal STS events and revealing potential AIS inconsistency indicators. Overall, MOSA provides a robust and practical solution for multi-scenario maritime monitoring and supports reliable detection of suspected abnormal STS activities. Full article