Search Results (606)

Effective flood management in agricultural fields has become increasingly important due to the rising frequency and intensity of rainfall events driven by climate change. This study investigates the applicability of urban flood analysis models—SWMM (1D) and K-Flood (2D)—to irrigated agricultural fields with artificial drainage systems. A case study was conducted in a rural area near the Sindae drainage station in Cheongju, South Korea, using rainfall data from an extreme weather event in 2017. The models simulated inland flooding and were validated against flood trace maps provided by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS). Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis showed a true positive rate of 0.565, a false positive rate of 0.21, and an overall accuracy of 0.731, indicating reasonable agreement with observed inundation. Scenario analyses were also conducted to assess the effectiveness of three improvement strategies: reducing the Manning coefficient, increasing pump station capacity, and widening drainage channels. Among them, increasing pump capacity most effectively reduced flood volume, while channel widening had the greatest impact on reducing flood extent. These findings demonstrate the potential of urban flood models for application in agricultural contexts and support data-driven planning for rural flood mitigation. Full article

Per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are man-made compounds involved in compositions of many industrial processes and consumer products. The largest-volume man-made PFAS are made up of refrigerants and fluoropolymers. Major concerns for our society related to these substances are their contribution to global warming as greenhouse gasses and the potential for adverse effects on living organisms, particularly by long-chain perfluoroalkyl acid derivatives. Restrictions on manufacturing and applications will increase in the near future. The full remediation of historical and current contaminations of air, soil and water remains problematic, especially for ultra-short PFASs, such as trifluoroacetic acid. Future monitoring of PFAS levels and their impact on ecosystems remains important. PFASs have become integrated in the lifestyle and infrastructures of our modern worldwide society and are likely to be part of that society for years to come in essential applications by closing the fluorine loop. Full article

Background/Objectives: Acne vulgaris is a widespread, chronic inflammatory skin condition that significantly impacts patients’ quality of life. Although oral isotretinoin remains the most effective treatment, recent evidence suggests that H₁-antihistamines such as desloratadine and levocetirizine may enhance acne therapy. This study assesses whether combining H₁-antihistamines to isotretinoin enhances treatment efficacy in acne vulgaris compared to isotretinoin alone. Methods: Our analysis included 10 randomized controlled trials involving 675 patients collectively, predominantly from Asia and the Middle East. Data were extracted by two independent reviewers, with discrepancies resolved by a third. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2 tool. Analyses were performed using RevMan 5.4 with random-effects models, and heterogeneity was evaluated via I² and Q tests. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess result robustness. Results: Combination therapy with isotretinoin and desloratadine showed a significantly greater reduction in GAGS (Global Acne Grading Scale) score by week 12 (p < 0.00001; MD 2.68, 95% CI 1.60 to 3.75; I² = 0%) while earlier timepoints showed non-significant or borderline results. For inflammatory lesions, significant improvements with desloratadine emerged at weeks 4, 8, and 12 after excluding an influential outlier, with low heterogeneity and consistent direction of effect. Non-inflammatory lesions did not differ significantly at weeks 4 or 8. At week 12, a significant reduction was seen in the desloratadine subgroup (OR 2.61, p = 0.003, I² = 11%) and in overall pooled analysis (OR 2.77, p < 0.0001, I² = 2%). Among side effects, acne flare-ups, pruritus, and cheilitis were significantly reduced in the desloratadine group, as well as in pooled analysis. Xerosis did not consistently differ between groups. Overall, desloratadine improved tolerability and reduced mucocutaneous adverse events more than levocetirizine. Conclusions: Current evidence suggests that combining oral antihistamines with isotretinoin may offer therapeutic benefits in acne management, particularly in enhancing tolerability and potentially improving clinical outcomes, as reflected by significant reductions in GAGS scores and mucocutaneous adverse effects such as cheilitis, pruritus, and acne flare-ups. Full article

This article highlights the importance of the discourse on sound media for the development of so-called “cosmic music” in Germany in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Already the slogan of the Ohr record label “Macht das Ohr auf” (Open up your ears) testifies to the awareness of Rolf-Ulrich Kaiser, the founder of the label, and the bands gathered around him about the impact of media on everyday practices and the reflection on the physiological effect of sound. In particular, this article focuses on the figure of Kaiser and his Buch der neuen Pop-Musik (1969), where the author stresses the emancipatory potential of popular music starting from the considerations put forward by H. Marcuse, T. W. Adorno and M. McLuhan. On the basis of these suggestions, Kaiser envisages the possibility of a ‘functional transformation’ of sound media, placing himself in a long German tradition of reflections on the relationship between man and technology, in which it is possible to identify a line that proposes a progressive and socialist use of technical reproduction apparatuses (Benjamin, Brecht, Enzensberger) and another line that questions the connection between media and mystical experience (Mann, Hesse). In this sense, this paper explores the intellectual and literary context of the media anthropology on which the sound aesthetics of German cosmic music was founded. Full article

Flooding due to dam failures is a critical issue with significant impacts on human safety, infrastructure, and the environment. This study assessed the potential flood hazard that could be generated from breaching of the Alacranes dam in Villa Clara, Cuba. Thirteen reservoir breaching scenarios were simulated under several criteria for modeling the flood wave through the 2D Saint Venant equations using the Hydrologic Engineering Center’s River Analysis System (HEC-RAS). A sensitivity analysis was performed on Manning’s roughness coefficient, demonstrating a low variability of the model outputs for these events. The results show that, for all modeled scenarios, the terrain topography of the coastal plain expands the flood wave, reaching a maximum width of up to 105,057 km. The most critical scenario included a 350 m breach in just 0.67 h. Flood, velocity, and hazard maps were generated, identifying populated areas potentially affected by the flooding events. The reported depths, velocities, and maximum flows could pose extreme danger to infrastructure and populated areas downstream. These types of studies are crucial for both risk assessment and emergency planning in the event of a potential dam breach. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic’s rapid shift to working from home has fundamentally challenged residential acoustic design, which traditionally prioritises rest and relaxation rather than sustained concentration. However, a clear gap exists in understanding how acoustic needs and the subjective evaluation of soundscape appropriateness (SA) differ between these conflicting activities within the same domestic space. Addressing this gap, this study reveals critical differences in how people experience and evaluate home soundscapes during work versus relaxation activities in the same residential spaces. Through an online survey of 247 Chinese participants during lockdown, we assessed soundscape perception attributes, the perceived saliencies of various sound types, and soundscape appropriateness (SA) ratings while working and relaxing at home. Our findings demonstrate that working at home creates a more demanding acoustic context: participants perceived indoor soundscapes as significantly less comfortable and less full of content when working compared to relaxing (p < 0.001), with natural sounds becoming less noticeable (−13.3%) and distracting household sounds more prominent (+7.5%). Structural equation modelling revealed distinct influence mechanisms: while comfort significantly mediates SA enhancement in both activities, the effect is stronger during relaxation (R² = 0.18). Critically, outdoor man-made noise, building-service noise, and neighbour sounds all negatively impact SA during work, with neighbour sounds showing the largest detrimental effect (total effect size = −0.17), whereas only neighbour sounds and outdoor man-made noise significantly disrupt relaxation activities. Additionally, natural sounds act as a positive factor during relaxation. These results expose a fundamental mismatch: existing residential acoustic environments, designed primarily for rest, fail to support the cognitive demands of work activities. This study provides evidence-based insights for acoustic design interventions, emphasising the need for activity-specific soundscape considerations in residential spaces. As hybrid work arrangements become the norm post-pandemic, our findings highlight the urgency of reimagining residential acoustic design to accommodate both focused work and restorative relaxation within the same home. Full article

Xylanase is an essential industrial enzyme for degrading plant biomass, pulp and paper, textiles, bio-scouring, food, animal feed, biorefinery, chemicals, and pharmaceutical industries. Despite its significant industrial importance, the extensive application of xylanase is hampered by high production costs and concerns regarding the safety of xylanase-producing microorganisms. The utilisation of renewable polymers for enzyme production is becoming a cost-effective alternative. Among the prospective candidates, non-pathogenic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are promising for safe and eco-friendly applications. Our investigation revealed that Pediococcus pentosaceus G4, isolated from plant sources, is a notable producer of extracellular xylanase. Improving the production of extracellular xylanase is crucial for viable industrial applications. Therefore, the current study investigated the impact of various medium components and optimised the selected medium composition for extracellular xylanase production of P. pentosaceus G4 using Plackett–Burman Design (PBD) and Central Composite Design (CCD) statistical approaches. According to BPD analysis, 8 out of the 19 investigated factors (glucose, almond shell, peanut shell, walnut shell, malt extract, xylan, urea, and magnesium sulphate) demonstrated significant positive effects on extracellular xylanase production of P. pentosaceus G4. Among them, glucose, almond shells, peanut shells, urea, and magnesium sulphate were identified as the main medium components that significantly (p < 0.05) influenced the production of extracellular xylanase of P. pentosaceus G4. The optimal concentrations of glucose, almond shells, peanut shells, urea, and magnesium sulphate, as determined via CCD, were 26.87 g/L, 16 g/L, 30 g/L, 2.85 g/L, and 0.10 g/L, respectively. The optimised concentrations resulted in extracellular xylanase activity of 2.765 U/mg, which was similar to the predicted extracellular xylanase activity of 2.737 U/mg. The CCD-optimised medium yielded a 3.13-fold enhancement in specific extracellular xylanase activity and a 7.99-fold decrease in production costs compared to the commercial de Man, Rogosa and Sharpe medium, implying that the CCD-optimised medium is a cost-effective medium for extracellular xylanase production of P. pentosaceus G4. Moreover, this study demonstrated a positive correlation between extracellular xylanase production, growth, lactic acid production and the amount of sugar utilised, implying the multifaceted interactions of the physiological variables affecting extracellular xylanase production in P. pentosaceus G4. In conclusion, statistical methods are effective in rapidly assessing and optimising the medium composition to enhance extracellular xylanase production of P. pentosaceus G4. Furthermore, the findings of this study highlighted the potential of using LAB as a cost-effective producer of extracellular xylanase enzymes using optimised renewable polymers, offering insights into the future use of LAB in producing hemicellulolytic enzymes. Full article

Background/Objectives: Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is associated with significant renal complications, affecting disease progression and patient outcomes. Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have emerged as a key therapeutic strategy, offering cardiovascular and renal benefits in these patients. However, interindividual variability in response to dapagliflozin underscores the role of pharmacogenetics in optimizing treatment efficacy. This study investigates the influence of genetic polymorphisms on renal outcomes in HFrEF patients treated with dapagliflozin, focusing on variations in genes such as SLC5A2, UMOD, KCNJ11, and ACE. Methods: This prospective, observational cohort study was conducted at the National Heart Institute, Cairo, Egypt, enrolling 200 patients with HFrEF. Genotyping of selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) was performed using TaqMan™ assays. Renal function, including estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), Kidney Injury Molecule-1 (KIM-1), and Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) levels, was assessed at baseline and after six months of dapagliflozin therapy. Results: Significant associations were found between genetic variants and renal outcomes. Patients with AA genotype of rs3813008 (SLC5A2) exhibited the greatest improvement in eGFR (+7.2 mL ± 6.5, p = 0.004) and reductions in KIM-1 (−0.13 pg/mL ± 0.49, p < 0.0001) and NGAL (−6.1 pg/mL ± 15.4, p < 0.0001). Similarly, rs12917707 (UMOD) TT genotypes showed improved renal function. However, rs5219 (KCNJ11) showed no significant impact on renal outcomes. Conclusions: Pharmacogenetic variations influenced renal response to dapagliflozin in HFrEF patients, particularly in SLC5A2 and UMOD genes. These findings highlighted the potential of personalized medicine in optimizing therapy for HFrEF patients with renal complications. Full article

This study presents a scenario-based, two-dimensional flood modeling approach to assess the potential downstream impacts of a piping-induced dam failure triggered by seismic activity. The case study focuses on the Doğantepe Dam in northwestern Türkiye, located near an active branch of the North Anatolian Fault. Critical deformation zones were previously identified through PLAXIS 2D seismic analyses, which served as the physical basis for a dam break scenario. This scenario was modeled using the HEC-RAS 2D platform, incorporating high-resolution topographic data, reservoir capacity, and spatially varying Manning’s roughness coefficients. The simulation results show that the flood wave reaches downstream settlements within the first 30 min, with water depths exceeding 3.0 m in low-lying areas and flow velocities surpassing 6.0 m/s, reaching up to 7.0 m/s in narrow sections. Inundation extents and hydraulic parameters such as water depth and duration were spatially mapped to assess flood hazards. The study demonstrates that integrating physically based seismic deformation data with hydrodynamic modeling provides a realistic and applicable framework for evaluating flood risks and informing emergency response planning. Full article

Preeclampsia (PE) shares common pathophysiological mechanisms with cardiovascular diseases, including endothelial dysfunction and exacerbated inflammatory response. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) has been suggested as a biomarker for cardiovascular risk, and its circulating levels are contradictory in PE. Elevated levels of MPO can promote host tissue damage and trigger vascular injury. MPO gene polymorphisms affect circulating MPO levels under different conditions. To date, no studies have investigated whether MPO polymorphisms influence MPO levels in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. In this study, we examined the impact of two specific MPO polymorphisms—rs2243828 and rs2071409—and their associated haplotypes on MPO levels. We also explored their potential association with gestational hypertension (GH) and preeclampsia (PE). Our study included 136 healthy pregnant women (HP), including 118 with GH and 140 with PE. Genotyping was performed using TaqMan allele discrimination assays, and MPO levels were quantified using an ELISA assay. The TT genotype of the rs2243828 polymorphism was associated with lower MPO concentration in GH, and the CC genotype presented a higher frequency in the GH group than the HP group. The AC+CC rs2071409 polymorphism was associated with lower MPO concentration in GH. We also found that the ‘C, C’ haplotype was less frequent and was associated with lower MPO concentration in PE. Our findings suggest that both rs2243828 and rs2071409 polymorphisms might contribute to MPO levels in GH and that the haplotype ‘C, C’ formed by them may protect against PE. Full article

Background/Objectives: Doxorubicin (DOX), a widely used anthracycline chemotherapeutic agent, is recognized for its efficacy in treating various malignancies. However, its clinical application is critically limited due to dose-dependent cardiotoxicity, predominantly induced by oxidative stress and compromised antioxidant defenses. Photobiomodulation (PBM), a non-invasive intervention that utilizes low-intensity light, has emerged as a promising therapeutic modality in regenerative medicine, demonstrating benefits such as enhanced tissue repair, reduced inflammation, and protection against oxidative damage. This investigation sought to evaluate the cardioprotective effects of PBM preconditioning in human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived ventricular cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-vCMs) subjected to DOX-induced toxicity. Methods: Human iPSC-vCMs were allocated into three experimental groups: control cells (untreated), DOX-treated cells (exposed to 2 μM DOX for 24 h), and PBM+DOX-treated cells (preconditioned with PBM, utilizing 660 nm ±10 nm LED light at an intensity of 10 mW/cm² for 500 s, delivering an energy dose of 5 J/cm², followed by DOX exposure). Cell viability assessments were conducted in conjunction with evaluations of oxidative stress markers, including antioxidant enzyme activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Furthermore, transcriptional profiling of 40 genes implicated in cardiac dysfunction was performed using TaqMan quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), complemented by analyses of protein expression for markers of cardiac stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. Results: Exposure to DOX markedly reduced the viability of hiPSC-vCMs. The cells exhibited significant alterations in the expression of 32 out of 40 genes (80%) after DOX exposure, reflecting the upregulation of markers associated with apoptosis, inflammation, and adverse cardiac remodeling. PBM preconditioning partially restored the cell viability, modulating the expression of 20 genes (50%), effectively counteracting a substantial proportion of the dysregulation induced by DOX. Notably, PBM enhanced the expression of genes responsible for antioxidant defense, augmented antioxidant enzyme activity, and reduced oxidative stress indicators such as MDA levels. Additional benefits included downregulating stress-related mRNA markers (HSP1A1 and TNC) and apoptotic markers (BAX and TP53). PBM also demonstrated gene reprogramming effects in ventricular cells, encompassing regulatory changes in NPPA, NPPB, and MYH6. PBM reduced the protein expression levels of IL-6, TNF, and apoptotic markers in alignment with their corresponding mRNA expression profiles. Notably, PBM preconditioning showed a diminished expression of BNP, emphasizing its positive impact on mitigating cardiac stress. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that PBM preconditioning is an effective strategy for reducing DOX-induced chemotherapy-related cardiotoxicity by enhancing cell viability and modulating signaling pathways associated with oxidative stress, as well as inflammatory and hypertrophic markers. Full article

Vitamin D plays a crucial role in bone health and immune function, with serum 25(OH)D levels influenced by genetic, dietary, and metabolic factors. Background/Objectives: This study investigated the impact of VDR rs731236, CYP2R1 rs10741657, and GC rs2282679 polymorphisms, body mass index (BMI), and dietary vitamin D intake on vitamin D status. Methods: A total of 230 adults were classified into four BMI categories: normal weight (NW), overweight (OW), obesity class I (OB), and obesity class II/III (OP). Participants completed a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and a 7-day Food Frequency Diary (FFD). Genotyping was performed using TaqMan assays, and serum 25(OH)D was quantified via spectrophotometry. Statistical analyses included ANOVA and multiple linear regression. Results: The VDR rs731236 CC genotype, CYP2R1 rs10741657 AG/GG, and GC rs2282679 AC/CC were associated with lower serum vitamin D levels. A higher BMI was significantly correlated with reduced serum 25(OH)D (p < 0.001), with BMI emerging as the strongest predictor of vitamin D status. FFQ-based dietary intake showed a modest positive correlation with 25(OH)D (r = 0.47, p < 0.001). Conclusions: BMI and genetic variants in VDR, CYP2R1, and GC significantly influence vitamin D metabolism. Personalized interventions addressing genetic predispositions and weight management may improve vitamin D status. Full article

Background/Objectives: Ibrutinib is a selective Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). This drug exhibits significant variability in response and toxicity profile, possibly due to genetic polymorphisms in drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters. The aim of this observational study is to address interindividual variability in the efficacy and safety of ibrutinib treatment in 49 CLL patients. Methods: Genotyping of nine polymorphisms was performed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) using a ViiA7^® PCR Instrument and TaqMan assays, and ibrutinib plasma concentrations were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a tandem mass spectrometry detector (HPLC-MS/MS). Results: Our study confirmed a high response rate, with 62% of patients achieving complete remission (CR), 9% CR with incomplete hematologic recovery (CRi), and 24% partial remission (PR). The impact of genetic polymorphisms on the CR rate was evaluated, revealing no statistically significant associations for CYP3A4, CYP3A5, ABCB1, ABCG2, and SLCO1B1 variants. However, a tendency was observed for patients carrying ABCB1 rs1128503, rs1045642 T/T, or rs2032582 A/A genotypes to achieve a higher CR rate. Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were frequent, with vascular disorders (39%) and infections (27%) being the most common. Genetic polymorphisms influenced ibrutinib toxicity, with CYP3A4 *1/*22 appearing to be protective against overall ADRs. Conclusions: The unexpected association between CYP3A4 *1/*22 genotype and lower ADR incidence, as well as the trend toward improved treatment response in patients carrying ABCB1 genotypes, suggests compensatory metabolic mechanisms. However, given the small sample size, larger studies are needed to confirm these findings and their clinical implications, while also aiming to uncover other non-genetic factors that may contribute to a better understanding of the variability in treatment response and toxicity. Full article

Promoting environmental stewardship among youths is crucial for inspiring collaborative, multi-generational actions to tackle long-term environmental challenges. This research study explores the impact of an environmental education (EE) field trip, which highlighted wastewater management and renewable energy technology, on high school students using the revised new ecological paradigm (NEP) scale as a key metric in a pre-post survey, which uses traditionally pro (NEP) and anti (dominant social paradigm, DSP) conservationist statements to measure beliefs towards the environment. When applying the Wilcoxon signed-rank test (null hypothesis t = 0, no change) to the series of environmental stewardship action questions “___ is an extremely important part of protecting the environment”, we identified ten out of the thirteen scale questions to show significant change, all of which were positive. Additionally, the overall impact score was positive and significant (p ≤ 0.05). This finding demonstrates that respondents felt more strongly that these variables played a role in protecting the environment after experiencing the field trip. This suggests that exposure to environmental management intervention strategies utilizing man-made infrastructure and technology may enhance human capability to positively influence the environment and mitigate environmental threats, potentially alleviating concerns about environmental issues. These results suggest that environmental stewardship in youth needs to be reconceptualized in an increasingly STEM-focused world, and a new metric should be developed to assess environmental beliefs. Full article

Recent research suggests a link between KRAS mutations and the effectiveness of ICIs, as KRAS-driven tumors may possess unique immunogenic features that influence the tumor microenvironment. These mutations can increase tumor mutation burden (TMB) and neoantigen load, potentially leading to improved responses to ICIs. This meta-analysis aims to consolidate existing evidence on the impact of KRAS mutations as a predictive factor for survival and treatment outcomes in patients with advanced NSCLC treated with ICIs. A comprehensive search strategy was designed by a biostatistician and pulmonologist, targeting PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases up to May 2022. The outcomes assessed included overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), reported as log hazard ratios (HRs) with corresponding standard errors (SEs). A pooled estimate of the HR effect size was calculated using Review Manager (RevMan, Cochrane Collaboration, London, UK). Heterogeneity among studies was evaluated using the Cochran Q test and the I² statistic. Ultimately, 10 articles were deemed suitable for inclusion in the systematic review from a total of 8722 screened titles and abstracts. The presence of KRAS+ mutations had a significant prognostic factor for better OS in NSCLC patients treated with checkpoint inhibitors (HR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.79–0.99) and for better PFS in NSCLC patients treated with checkpoint inhibitors (HR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.59–0.87). In conclusion, our study indicates that KRAS mutations may serve as a potential positive predictive biomarker in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer treated with immune checkpoint inhibitor monotherapy. Full article