Search Results (10,219)

Background: Essential oils, obtained from plants, are an alternative for controlling ectoparasites, particularly lice, mites and ticks, due to the problems posed by chemical insecticides, such as insect resistance, environmental impacts and concerns related to human and animal health. This study aims to investigate and compare the insecticidal activity of essential oils from Origanum floribundum and Eucalyptus citriodora against the louse Bovicola limbatus. Methods: The chemical composition of the two oils obtained by hydrodistillation was determined by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and a flame ionisation detector (FID-MS). To determine insecticidal activity, the essential oils were tested at different concentrations (0.05–0.8 µL/mL), with mortality recorded after 15 min, 30 min, 1 h, 2 h and 4 h of exposure. Results: A corrected mortality rate of 100% was achieved for concentrations of oregano and eucalyptus essential oils of 0.8 µL/mL and 0.4 µL/mL, respectively. The LC₅₀ values were 0.11 and 0.10 µL/mL for oregano and eucalyptus, respectively, after 2 h of treatment. The LC₉₀ values observed are 0.31 and 0.24 µL/mL for oregano and eucalyptus, respectively. Conclusion: Both essential oils have similar and promising insecticidal potential and could be an alternative to chemical insecticides in a control strategy that is more respectful of human and animal health and the environment. Full article

Objectives: Recent studies have shown that highly aspheric lenslets (HAL) are effective in slowing myopia progression. Moreover, research indicates that an enhancement in choroidal thickness might serve as a biomarker for evaluating the efficacy of myopia control treatments. Therefore, this study examined the short-term effects of HAL and full-field +3.00 diopters (D) myopic defocus on sub-foveal choroidal thickness (SFCHR). Design: Prospective experimental study. Participants: Twenty-five participants aged 20–30 (mean 24.56 ± 2.467) years with a refraction error of emmetropia to −5.0 D (mean −2.255 ± 1.514 D). The contralateral non-dominant eye was used as control for each participant. Methods: The participants watched a movie projected at 6 m for 90 min on two separate occasions while wearing HAL or +3 D full-field myopic defocus lenses on their dominant eye. The control eye wore only a single-vision contact lens with the best-corrected distance vision. Three measurements of AL and SFCHR were captured before defocus, and after 60 and 90 min of defocus for both eyes. The main outcome measures were changes in SFCHR and AL over time. Results: Exposure to HAL and +3 D myopic defocus significantly increased SFCHR in the defocused eyes compared to the baseline (p < 0.001). The increase in SFCHR was 6.62 ± 6.32 µm with the HAL intervention and 7.36 ± 8.83 µm with the +3 D intervention. The difference between the two interventions was not statistically significant (p = 0.595). A significant mean difference of 3.176 ± 1.318 µm in SFCHR increase was observed with +3.00 D full-field defocus in the defocused eyes compared to the control eyes over the measurement period (p = 0.020). Conclusions: Short-term exposure to full-field myopic defocus increased choroidal thickness, which was comparable with that observed in peripheral myopic defocus with HAL, although the effect appears less pronounced. Full article

Light quality is a recognized driver of plant growth and secondary metabolism in Coleus blumei, a valuable source of rosmarinic acid (RA) and quercetin (QU), whereas its combination with salinity stress represents a potential strategy that still requires further investigation. We evaluated four LED spectra, red–blue (RB) (6:1, control), blue (B), red (R), and RB + Far-Red, under both control (0 mM NaCl) and moderate salt stress (120 mM NaCl), measuring biomass (dry weight) and RA/QU in leaves and roots after three (T1) and five weeks (T2). Blue light produced the greatest root biomass, while the leaf dry weight under B did not differ significantly from RB or RBfr. RA peaked at T2 under B in leaves and under R in roots; QU was maximal under B in leaves and under RB in roots. Extending exposure from T1 to T2 markedly increased both metabolites’ yield. Salinity had little effect on biomass, increased the total QU yield, and did not enhance the total RA yield. These results indicate that targeted LED regimes and longer exposure can raise the yields of bioactive compounds, and that combining specific spectra with moderate salinity is an effective strategy for selectively increasing quercetin accumulation in indoor-grown C. blumei. Full article

Background: Personalizing adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) after curative resection in early-stage NSCLC remains unmet because prior ACT-biomarker findings rarely reproduce across studies. Key barriers are platform and preprocessing heterogeneity, dominant batch effects, and incomplete ACT annotations. As a result, many signatures that perform well in a single cohort fail during external validation. We created an open, harmonized meta-database linking gene expression with curated ACT exposure and survival to enable fair benchmarking and modeling. Methods: A PRISMA-guided search of 999 GEO studies (through January 2025) used LLM-assisted triage of titles, clinical tables, and free text to identify datasets with explicit ACT status and patient-level survival. Eight Affymetrix microarray cohorts (GPL570/GPL96) met eligibility. Raw CEL files underwent robust multi-array average; probes were re-annotated to Entrez IDs and collapsed by median. Covariate-preserving ComBat adjusted platform/study while retaining several clinical factors. Batch structure was quantified by principal-component analysis (PCA) variance, silhouette width, and UMAP. Two quality-control (QC) filters, median M-score deviation and PCA leverage, flagged and removed technical outliers. Results: The final meta-database comprises 1340 patients (223 (16.6%) ACT; 1117 (83.4%) observation), 13,039 intersecting genes, and 594 overall-survival events. Batch-associated variance (PC1 + PC2) decreased from 63.1% to 20.1%, and mean silhouette width shifted from 0.82 to −0.19 post-correction. Seven arrays (0.5%) were excluded by QC. Event depth supports high-dimensional survival and heterogeneity-of-treatment modeling, and the multi-cohort design enables internal–external validation. Conclusions: This first open, rigorously harmonized NSCLC transcriptomic database provides the sample size, demographic diversity, and technical consistency required to benchmark ACT-benefit markers. By making these data openly available, it will accelerate equitable precision-oncology research and enable data-driven treatment decisions in early-stage NSCLC. Full article

Hexaflumuron, a benzoylurea insecticide, exhibits high toxicity against various insect pests. Sublethal doses of hexaflumuron significantly impair nymphal development and subsequent fecundity in the resulting Apolygus lucorum (Meyer-Dür) adults. However, the effects on adults of A. lucorum that are exposed to sublethal concentrations of hexaflumuron are not known. In this study, we evaluated the toxicity of hexaflumuron to 1st- and 3rd-instar nymphs, as well as one-day-old adults, of A. lucorum using an artificial diet with hexaflumuron incorporated. Acute toxicity bioassays determined the median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) for 1st- and 3rd-instar nymphs of A. lucorum to be 0.311 and 0.337 mg/L. In contrast, the LC₅₀ level for one-day-old adults of A. lucorum was 13.193 mg/L. To evaluate the sublethal effects of hexaflumuron on 3rd-instar nymphs, we used LC₁₀, LC₂₀, and LC₅₀ concentrations (0.018, 0.127, and 0.337 mg/L), fed for 48 h. The exposure of 3rd-instar nymphs to the LC₅₀ concentration significantly reduced the fecundity of adults. We also exposed one-day-old adults to LC₁₀, LC₂₀, and LC₅₀ dietary concentrations (0.089, 4.587, and 13.193 mg/L) for 48 h. Exposure to the LC₁₀ and LC₂₀ concentrations caused significant reductions in longevity and fecundity in adult females. The LC₅₀ concentration also caused a significant reduction in the longevity of adult males and the egg hatching rate. An understanding of these sublethal impacts can facilitate the development of effective control strategies targeting A. lucorum. Full article

Background: Zoonotic fascioliasis and schistosomiasis, caused by trematode parasites transmitted by freshwater snails, are neglected tropical diseases of both medical and veterinary importance. There are critical knowledge gaps regarding the transmission dynamics of these infections in humans and animals, particularly in endemic African communities. Therefore, the current study aimed to determine the burden of human zoonotic schistosomiasis and fascioliasis among different age groups, focusing on the Lake Victoria zone and the Southern Highlands of Tanzania. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among preschool-aged children, school-aged children, and adults. A total of 1557 stool and urine samples were collected, 400 from preschool children, 804 from school-aged children, and 353 from adults. Stool samples were processed using the Kato–Katz technique and the formol-ether concentration method to detect Schistosoma mansoni and Fasciola spp., respectively. Urine samples were examined for Schistosoma haematobium infection using the urine filtration method. Data were analyzed using Stata version 17. The t-tests or one-way ANOVA were used to assess statistical differences in the mean egg counts of S. mansoni and S. haematobium between exposure groups. Results: The overall prevalence of S. haematobium was 4.9%, S. mansoni was 1.2% with no significant differences across age groups, but with a statistically significant difference between sexes 1.8%. Males had a higher prevalence of both S. haematobium and S. mansoni infections compared to females. The prevalence of Fasciola infection was 0.9%, with the highest prevalence found in adults (≥18 years). Conclusions: Zoonotic schistosomiasis and fascioliasis are prevalent in the study area, affecting individuals across all age groups. This is the first study to report the presence of Fasciola infection in both the Lake Victoria zone and the Southern Highlands of Tanzania. These findings call for the Ministry of Health, through the Tanzania NTD Control Program, to recognize fascioliasis as a high-priority disease and include it in the national master plan. Full article

Background: Chronic pain affects nearly one in five adults worldwide and is increasingly recognized not only as a disease but as a potential risk factor for neurocognitive decline and dementia. While some evidence supports this association, existing systematic reviews are static and rapidly outdated, and none have leveraged advanced methods for continuous updating and robust uncertainty modeling. Objective: This protocol describes a living systematic review with dose–response Bayesian meta-analysis, enhanced by artificial intelligence (AI) tools, to synthesize and maintain up-to-date evidence on the prospective association between any type of chronic pain and subsequent cognitive decline. Methods: We will systematically search PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and preprint servers for prospective cohort studies evaluating chronic pain as an exposure and cognitive decline as an outcome. Screening will be semi-automated using natural language processing models (ASReview), with human oversight for quality control. Bayesian hierarchical meta-analysis will estimate pooled effect sizes and accommodate between-study heterogeneity. Meta-regression will explore study-level moderators such as pain type, severity, and cognitive domain assessed. If data permit, a dose–response meta-analysis will be conducted. Living updates will occur biannually using AI-enhanced workflows, with results transparently disseminated through preprints and peer-reviewed updates. Results: This is a protocol; results will be disseminated in future reports. Conclusions: This living Bayesian systematic review aims to provide continuously updated, methodologically rigorous evidence on the link between chronic pain and cognitive decline. The approach integrates innovative AI tools and advanced meta-analytic methods, offering a template for future living evidence syntheses in neurology and pain research. Full article

This study investigated the occupational hazard effects of heavy metal(loid)s (HMs) from soil in several critical mining activity areas at the Majdanpek copper mine in Serbia. Soil contamination and associated ecological and health risks to workers were evaluated through an apportionment of sources and a quantitative evaluation of ecological and health risks. The majority of soil samples had increased concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, Hg, As, Mo, and Sb. The results of the multivariate statistical analysis suggested the existence of multiple sources. The positive matrix factorization further explained these associations between HMs and defined three main pollution sources: natural (Factor 1), mixed source (Factor 2), and mining pollution (Factor 3). According to the RI, the average value was 1215, with more than half of the samples (57.4%) showing very high pollution levels, while 3.3% of the samples had an RI lower than 150. The ecological risk was dominated by Cd, Cu, and Hg, with Factor 3 contributing the most to the RI values. Assessment of worker exposure to soil revealed that outdoor workers had a higher potential for adverse health effects, with mean HI and TCR being 0.18 and 2.9 × 10⁻⁵, respectively. The identified sources had similar impacts on non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks, with a decreasing trend: Factor 3 > Factor 2 > Factor 1. Indoor workers were exposed to neither non-carcinogenic or carcinogenic risks, whereas outdoor workers suffered from possible health issues regarding TCR. Source-specific health risk assessment indicated mining pollution as the only risk contributing factor. A Monte Carlo simulation of risks revealed that the probability of developing carcinogenic issues for outdoor workers was within the safety threshold (TCR < 10⁻⁴). The findings of this study emphasize the need for regulation and control strategies for worker health risks from HM-contaminated soil in mining areas. Full article

Broiler chickens are commonly reared in closed housing systems with limited exposure to sunlight, thereby relying entirely on dietary sources of vitamin D. The hydroxylated metabolite 25-hydroxycholecalciferol [25(OH)D₃] has been proposed as a more potent form than native vitamin D₃ (cholecalciferol). This study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with vitamin D₃ alone or in combination with 25(OH)D₃ on growth performance, bone characteristics, and cecal microbiota in Ross 308 broilers. A total of 952 one-day-old male chicks were allocated to four treatments: a negative control (no vitamin D₃), a positive control (vitamin D₃ according to Ross 308 specifications), and a positive control supplemented with 25(OH)D₃ at 1394 or 2788 IU/kg, in a randomized design with 17 replicates per treatment and 14 birds per replicate. Over a 40-day feeding trial, diets containing vitamin D₃ (positive control) or supplemented with 25(OH)D₃ significantly improved final body weight, weight gain, average daily gain, and feed conversion ratio compared with the negative control (p < 0.01), with no significant differences among the positive control and 25(OH)D₃-supplemented groups, with a clear linear dose-dependent response. Although tibia ash and bone-breaking strength were not significantly affected, linear responses indicated a slight numerical trend toward improved skeletal mineralization with increasing 25(OH)D₃. Microbiota analysis indicated that 25(OH)D₃ affected cecal microbial ecology: low-dose inclusion showed reduced species richness and evenness, whereas high-dose inclusion restored richness to levels comparable to the positive control and enriched taxa associated with fiber fermentation and bile acid metabolism while reducing Lactobacillus dominance. In conclusion, supplementation with 25(OH)D₃ in addition to vitamin D₃ enhanced growth performance and selectively shaped the cecal microbiota of broilers, with suggestive benefits for bone mineralization. These findings highlight 25(OH)D₃ as a more potent source of vitamin D than cholecalciferol alone and support its practical use in modern broiler nutrition to improve efficiency, skeletal health, and microbial balance. Full article

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease treatment is being reevaluated, since a residual cardiovascular risk (RCR) persists even in patients who achieve optimal LDL-C values. Underlying causes are metabolic dysfunction, lipoprotein(a), inflammation, and triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and their remnants. Dietary treatment options like time-restricted eating (TRE) are becoming more widely acknowledged for their potential advantages in metabolic health and weight control, as a treatment of atherosclerosis expanding beyond LDL-C medication. Beyond weight loss, TRE (which restricts meals to a window of 6 to 8 h) appears as the most accessible treatment, and has been shown to improve blood pressure, lipid profiles, and glucose regulation through mechanisms like metabolic switching and circadian synchronization. We hypothesize, and will present our arguments, that a key mechanism underlying the cardiovascular and weight-related benefits of TRE is its impact on the circadian regulation of angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPTL4) activity within adipose tissue. Additionally, lipolysis is accelerated by ANGPTL4 activation. TRE, via its actions on ANGPTL4, therefore not only inhibits adipose fatty acid uptake but stimulates their release as well. Additionally, TRE may increase intravascular very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) catabolism by muscle due to the reduced exposure of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) to competing chylomicrons, known to slow the rate of VLDL catabolism. During the prolonged fasting, VLDL residence time is thus shortened, limiting the exposure to endothelium and hepatic lipases and thus reducing the amount of atherogenic remnant particles. Larger, longer-term randomized controlled studies in a variety of groups are required to further clarify TRE’s function in RCR prevention and therapy. As knowledge of triglyceride lipoprotein (TRL) metabolism expands, a comprehensive strategy for the management of RCR emerges, and a broader spectrum of LPL regulator-based therapeutics is created. Consequently, it is advisable to prioritize further research into the influence of TRE on LPL modulation via ANGPTL4 and ANGPTL8, which provides a natural, accessible, and low-cost alternative. Full article

The glyoxalase pathway intermediate S-d-lactoylglutathione was recently implicated in protein post-translational modifications in animal systems. Here, we examined the spontaneous modification of the Arabidopsis thaliana cytosolic glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase C1 (GAPC1) by this compound. Incubation of GAPC1 with S-d-lactoylglutathione resulted in the inhibition of enzyme activity. The inhibitory effect was concentration dependent and increased at alkaline pHs. Furthermore, the inhibition of GAPC1 by S-d-lactoylglutathione was favored by oxidative conditions and reversed by reduction with dithiothreitol. Analyses of the S-d-lactoylglutathione-treated protein by nanoLC-MS/MS revealed S-glutathionylation of its two Cys residues and N-lactoylation of six Lys residues. Protein structure predictions showed that the double S-glutathionylation is accommodated by the GAPC1 catalytic pocket, which likely explains enzyme inhibition. N-lactoylated sites overlap partially with previously reported N-acetylated sites at the surface of the GAPC1 tetramer. The efficiency of cytosolic glutaredoxin and thioredoxin isoforms was tested for reversing the S-d-lactoylglutathione-induced modification. In these assays, recovery of GAPC1 activity after inhibition by S-d-lactoylglutathione treatment was used as indicator of efficiency. The results show that both types of redoxins were able to reverse inhibition. We propose a model describing the mechanisms involved in the two types of post-translational modifications found on GAPC1 following exposure to S-d-lactoylglutathione. The possible involvement of these findings for the control over glycolytic metabolism is discussed. Full article

Stealth attacks targeting industrial control systems (ICS) exploit subtle sequences of malicious actions, making them difficult to detect with conventional methods. The OPC Unified Architecture (OPC UA) protocol—now widely adopted in SCADA/ICS environments—enhances OT–IT integration but simultaneously increases the exposure of critical infrastructures to sophisticated cyberattacks. Traditional detection approaches, which rely on instantaneous traffic features and static models, neglect the sequential dimension that is essential for uncovering such gradual intrusions. To address this limitation, we propose a hybrid sequential anomaly detection pipeline that combines Markov chain modeling to capture temporal dependencies with machine learning algorithms for anomaly detection. The pipeline is further augmented by explainability through SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) and causal inference using the PC algorithm. Experimental evaluation on an OPC UA dataset simulating Man-In-The-Middle (MITM) and denial-of-service (DoS) attacks demonstrates that incorporating a second-order sequential memory significantly improves detection: F1-score increases by +2.27%, precision by +2.33%, and recall by +3.02%. SHAP analysis identifies the most influential features and transitions, while the causal graph highlights deviations from the system’s normal structure under attack, thereby providing interpretable insights into the root causes of anomalies. Full article

Modern societies are increasingly experiencing limited contact with nature, a phenomenon referred to as the “nature deficit.” The article presents a systematic review of the literature on this issue, with particular emphasis on the role of forests in mitigating its effects. The analysis, based on the Scopus and Web of Science databases, synthesizes the current state of knowledge on the consequences of nature deficit for physical, mental, and social health, while also highlighting the potential of forests as spaces supporting human well-being. The review process followed a systematic methodology, using precisely defined keyword combinations and multi-stage screening. From an initial pool of 88 publications, a critical selection process led to 11 articles that met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed in depth. The findings show that regular contact with nature reduces stress, anxiety, and ADHD symptoms, supports cognitive development, and im-proves concentration, creativity, and social skills. At the same time, there is a lack of consistent tools for clearly diagnosing nature deficit, and existing studies face significant methodological limitations (small samples, subjective measurements, lack of laboratory control). The article also identifies research gaps, particularly in the context of sustainable forest management, cultural differences, and the long-term health effects of exposure to nature. Full article

Background: Demoralization, anxiety, irritability, and depression are common among hospital patients and are associated with poorer outcomes and greater healthcare burden. Early identification is essential, but simultaneous screening across multiple domains is often impractical with questionnaires. Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) offers a solution by tailoring item administration, reducing test length while preserving measurement precision. The aim of this study was to develop and validate FRIDA (Four-factor Rapid Interactive Diagnostic Assessment), a freely accessible, web-based CAT for rapid multidimensional screening of psychopathology in hospital patients. Methods: We analysed data from 472 medically ill in-patients at a University Hospital. Item calibration was performed using a four-factor graded response model (demoralization, anxiety, irritability, depression) in the mirt package. CAT simulations were run with 1000 virtual respondents to optimize item selection, exposure control, and stopping rules. The best configuration was applied to the real dataset. Criterion validity for demoralization was evaluated against the Diagnostic Criteria for Psychosomatic Research (DCPR). Results: The four-factor model showed good fit (CFI = 0.947, RMSEA = 0.080). Factor correlations were moderate to high, with the strongest overlap between demoralization and depression (r = 0.93). In simulations, the CAT required, on average, 7.8 items and recovered trait estimates with high accuracy (r = 0.94–0.97). In real patients, mean test length was 11 items, with accuracy of r = 0.95 across domains. FRIDA demonstrated good criterion validity for demoralization (AUC = 0.816; sensitivity 80%, specificity 67.5%). Conclusions: FRIDA is the first freely available, multidimensional CAT for rapid screening of psychopathology in hospital patients. It offers a scalable, efficient, and precise tool for integrating mental health assessment into routine hospital care. Full article

The aim of this work was to investigate the evolutionary mechanisms of an artificial sedimentary agglomerate formed by cathodic polarization in natural seawater during its abandonment to a natural environment. Previous studies indicate that the mineralogical evolution of the material is controlled by kinetic factors and/or the local precipitation of aragonite on the brucite surface. However, the observation of the precipitation of metastable phase precipitation during the initial immersion of this material (in powder form) has suggested the possibility of a more complex mechanism. The present study builds upon previous experimental work and includes thermogravimetric analysis and infrared spectrometry. The results are analyzed using numerical experimentation to evaluate the proposed hypotheses. Findings show that the transformation mechanism is characterized by the precipitation of metastable calcium carbonate phases. Under supersaturation conditions, these hydrated phases form on the brucite surface, limiting the mineral’s contact with the solution. The subsequent transformation of these amorphous phases into aragonite further reduces brucite–solution interaction, which explains the persistence of brucite both in the residual powder after 120 h of immersion and in the consolidated material after more than 20 years of exposure to natural seawater. Full article