Search Results (11,609)

Background: The spread of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Klebsiella is an emerging public health concern presenting severe clinical impacts. This problem is particularly severe in developing countries where irrational use of antibiotics makes the treatment of such infections more challenging. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we investigated antibiotic resistance among clinical Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates from 256 patient specimens from Al-Diwaniyah hospitals, using standard microbiological methods followed by PCR. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing identified resistance rates and proportions of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) strains. Carbapenemase genes were detected by multiplex PCR and sequencing. Mutations were characterized, and their functional significance was predicted using in silico prediction tools. Results: Fifty Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates were recovered, exhibiting high resistance rates (42–100%) to penicillins, cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones and carbapenems, with 62% classified as MDR and 38% as XDR. Carbapenemase genes were highly prevalent (blaOXA-48 56%, blaIMP 44%, blaVIM 30%, blaKPC 28%, blaNDM 26%), with 60% of isolates co-harbouring ≥ two genes. Most mutations were predicted to be structurally tolerated, while active-site-proximal substitutions (H120L in NDM-52 and V120L in OXA-48) were predicted to affect enzyme activity. However, docking analysis suggested no significant alteration in carbapenem binding affinity. Conclusions: Our results highlight a very high prevalence of MDR/XDR Klebsiella pneumoniae, associated with diverse carbapenemase genes and resistance-related polymorphisms that may indicate potential functional impacts. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study in Iraq to combine carbapenemase gene mutation analysis with structural modelling and molecular docking. This study emphasizes the urgent need for effective antimicrobial resistance surveillance in Iraq. Full article

Developing fiber-shaped supercapacitors (FSCs) with high capacitance, high energy density, and exceptional rate performance is crucial for reliable, stable and high-performance wearable electronics. Here, a polyaniline (PANI) @ MXene Ti₃C₂T_x/graphene (PTG) aerogel fiber was rationally fabricated via a confined hydrothermal method followed by freeze-drying treatment. The graphene sheets construct the skeleton of the aerogel fiber, which possesses a porous and interlinked structure, providing interconnected diffusion channels and a high specific surface area that promote electrolyte migration and abundant ion adsorption sites. Moreover, the covalent modification between PANI nanoparticles and Ti₃C₂T_x sheets can significantly improve interfacial coupling and provide abundant redox sites, resulting in a reduced energy barrier of electron transfer, good interfacial stability and superior H⁺ storage capability. As a consequence, the PTG aerogel fiber electrode delivers an excellent specific mass capacitance of 484.8 F g⁻¹, impressive rate properties (244.4 F g⁻¹ at 10 A g⁻¹) and exceptional cycle ability (85.2% after 5000 cycles). Additionally, the fabricated symmetrical FSC exhibits considerable electrochemical performance, including high capacitance and good energy density. This work depicts a novel route to prepare a graphene fiber-based electrode for high-performance FSCs in an intelligent wearable system. Full article

Given the widespread contamination of water bodies by diverse pollutants, particularly heavy metal ions and organic dyes, there is an urgent need to develop efficient and sustainable biomass adsorbents. Lignin is rich in active groups such as phenolic hydroxyl and carboxyl groups, making it a natural adsorbent. However, its application is still hindered by limitations, including restricted solubility and low reactivity. Converting lignin into three-dimensional porous hydrogels not only overcomes the inherent structural brittleness of lignin-based materials but also accelerates the diffusion kinetics of pollutants through well-developed pore structures, thereby fully exposing the active adsorption sites. This paper systematically reviews the latest progress in lignin-based hydrogels for water treatment and discusses in depth the underlying logic of “structure construction–micromorphology–adsorption performance.” First, this review summarizes synthesis strategies ranging from molecular-level modification to morphology regulation, including nano-reinforcement, magnetic functionalization, and interpenetrating polymer networks. It then provides a pollutant-specific analysis of the adsorption mechanisms of lignin-based adsorbents. For heavy metal ions, such as Pb²⁺ and Cr(VI), removal is mainly associated with coordination/complexation, ion exchange, and redox reactions. For typical organic dyes, adsorption is primarily driven by π–π interactions, hydrogen bonding, and electrostatic attraction. The effects of environmental factors, such as pH, are also systematically discussed. Finally, considering current challenges related to mechanical strength, regeneration performance, and practical application, this review outlines future research directions for the development of multifunctional, integrated, and stimuli-responsive lignin-based adsorbents. Full article

Food contaminants, including plasticizers, pesticide residues, heavy metals, and biotoxins, pose persistent risks to food quality and human health. Their diverse sources, complex migration pathways, and potential long-term toxicity make removal difficult. Conventional removal technologies, such as physical treatment, chemical degradation, adsorption, membrane separation, and biological methods, can reduce contaminant levels to varying degrees. However, they often show limited selectivity, matrix interference, harsh operating requirements, or losses of nutritional and functional components. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are synthetic recognition materials with binding sites tailored to a target contaminant. Their template-induced cavities provide complementarity in size, shape, and functional-group arrangement, enabling selective adsorption in complex matrices. Recent studies apply MIPs to the enrichment, detection, and removal of plasticizers, pesticide residues, heavy metals, and biotoxins. Unlike recent surveys centered on MIP-assisted analysis and sensing, this review uses contaminant removal as the organizing problem and compares MIP-based strategies with conventional decontamination across four hazard classes. MIPs offer tunable selectivity, chemical stability, and reusability, but practical food applications still face template leakage, slow mass transfer, incomplete safety evaluation, matrix dependence, and scale-up limitations. Future work should prioritize green synthesis, surface imprinting, magnetic recovery, and systematic validation in real food matrices. To prevent analytical extraction from being conflated with remediation, the evidence is classified from proof-of-binding and analytical cleanup to edible-matrix treatment and process validation, and representative studies are compared using capacity, removal or recovery, equilibration time, selectivity, reuse, and matrix validation. Recent evidence also reveals substantial gaps for PFAS, microplastics, and nanoplastics: selective recognition is advancing, but food-safe removal remains largely unvalidated. Full article

Water inrush in deep excavations in water-rich karst is difficult to control because concealed cavities and fractures can preserve local hydraulic connections after regional grouting. This study analyzes a deep metro-station excavation and develops a closed-loop framework comprising source–pathway diagnosis, regional treatment, post-treatment anomaly screening, targeted reinforcement, and monitoring feedback. Nine major inflow incidents occurred near the third strut level; the principal inflow was initially approximately 110 m³/h and stabilized at 40–60 m³/h. Borehole logs, hydrochemistry, and coupled groundwater responses linked the inflow to confined karst water, connected cavities and fractures, incompletely sealed boreholes, and diaphragm-wall defects. Regional treatment combined cavity-filling grouting, a jet-grouted basal blanket, deep external curtain grouting, and local joint sealing. A post-treatment sonar survey in 14 boreholes identified 17 measurements above 1.0 × 10⁻³ cm/s in Boreholes 12, 11, 14, and 7, mainly at depths of 19–31 m. These site-specific relative anomalies guided repeated sleeve-valve-pipe grouting and joint reinforcement. Subsequent construction was completed without another concentrated inrush of comparable magnitude. The adjacent wall point ZQT5, however, increased from 27 to 83 mm, demonstrating that hydraulic remediation and retaining-structure response must be controlled together. The framework improves the spatial focus of post-grouting verification, while the sonar results remain screening indicators rather than independently validated Darcy velocities or universal risk thresholds. Full article

Leishmaniasis remains a major neglected tropical disease with limited therapeutic options, increasing drug resistance, and significant treatment-associated toxicity. Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), which plays an essential role in polyamine synthesis and survival of parasites, is a potential molecular target for the discovery of anti-leishmanial agents. In this study, 49 natural products with bioactive properties, such as cannabinoids, terpenoids, flavonoids, polyphenols, and alkaloids, are evaluated against ODC using computational approaches like molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. During molecular docking analysis, some compounds showed good affinity binding to the ODC catalytic site, namely Sanguinarine (−8.53 kcal/mol), Rutin (−8.15 kcal/mol), Evodiamine (−7.83 kcal/mol), Cannabinol (−7.58 kcal/mol), and β-sitosterol (−7.56 kcal/mol). Analysis of protein-ligand complex interactions showed that these compounds formed hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic interactions, π-alkyl contacts, π-cation contacts, and van der Waals forces in the vicinity of the active-site amino acid residue. For further analysis, MD simulations were performed for 100 ns on the best-docking complexes. Comparative trajectory analysis of RMSD, RMSF, Rg, SASA, and hydrogen bonds was conducted, revealing that Rutin and Evodiamine exhibited relatively high structural stability and consistent interactions within the ODC binding cavity. Overall, this study indicates that the natural compounds analyzed here could be considered promising hit compounds for anti-leishmanial drug discovery against ODC. However, further investigations using experimental techniques are required to confirm their biological properties and efficacy. Full article

Background: With a rapidly ageing prison population in the United Kingdom (UK), an increasing number of people in prison are dying from chronic and life-limiting illnesses. Methods: A sample of 487 independent investigation reports into deaths from natural causes in UK prisons (2017–2020) was examined to explore palliative care referrals, appropriateness of restraints, applications for early release on compassionate grounds (ERCG), and equitable access to healthcare. Results: Most of the reports were based on male prisoners aged 60+, and the leading cause of death was cancer. While care was regarded as ‘equivalent’ in 83.7% of cases, several reports indicated delayed diagnosis, poor care coordination, and limited access to palliative care, particularly for people with non-malignant diseases. Restraints were regularly criticised as inappropriate or inhumane, and early release was not considered in 42% of cases, often due to delays or procedural issues. When viewed through Nussbaum’s Capability Approach, being unable to access healthcare ‘when needed’ represents a failure to secure the basic capability of bodily health, and reflects a profound restriction on practical agency. Conclusions: Delays in diagnosis, treatment, and referral are not merely inefficiencies but constitute structural barriers that constrain individuals’ real opportunities to achieve health and well-being. It is anticipated that older people in prison will experience layered capability inequalities, arising from age, health status, and custodial context. These findings suggest that prisons function as sites of punishment and environments in which capability deprivation is intensified towards the end-of-life. Full article

Camellia oleifera Abel. is a typical self-incompatible plant, yet its molecular mechanisms have not been comprehensively elucidated, which constitutes the principal cause underlying the relatively low natural fruit set rate in C. oleifera. S-RNase belongs to the RNase T2 gene family and represents a class of glycoproteins specifically expressed in the style with certain “cytotoxicities” capable of degrading ribonucleic acid (RNA) in their own pollen tube cells, thereby inducing programmed cell death in pollen tube cells. To identify pistil S genes participating in the self-incompatibility response of C. oleifera, nine RNase T2 family genes were identified based on transcriptomic and whole-genome sequencing data of the camellia oil tree and designated CoRNS1–CoRNS9. Systematic evolutionary analysis revealed that CoRNS5, CoRNS7, and CoRNS8 exhibit close phylogenetic relationships with S-RNases of the Camelliaceae family, whereas CoRNS6 shows closer affinity with S-RNases of the Solanaceae family. Analysis of promoter cis-acting elements revealed that RNase T2 family genes are regulated by multiple hormones, including abscisic acid, methyl jasmonate, cytokinin, auxin, salicylic acid, and gibberellin, and possess MYB transcription factor-binding sites. Expression analysis revealed that CoRNS6 is expressed exclusively in the ovary; CoRNS5 is expressed at the highest level in the style, followed by lower levels in the petals, anthers, filaments, receptacle, and ovary; CoRNS1 is expressed in all tissues except anthers; and the other genes are expressed across various floral tissues. Ex vitro pollen culture system experiments demonstrated that the CoRNS1 and CoRNS5 recombinant proteins significantly inhibited the elongated growth of autogamous pollen tubes, whereas CoRNS7 significantly reduced the pollen germination rate. Fluorescence labeling revealed that treatment of autogamous pollen tubes with the recombinant proteins CoRNS1, CoRNS5, and CoRNS7 induced microfilament skeleton depolymerization and increased the Ca²⁺ concentration within the pollen tubes. Additionally, treatment with the CoRNS5 recombinant protein increased the reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in autogamous pollen tubes. These findings suggest that RNase T2 family genes are involved in the self-incompatibility response in C. oleifera, with CoRNS1, CoRNS5, and CoRNS7 playing pivotal roles. Overall, our results not only offer a theoretical foundation for elucidating the regulatory network governing self-incompatibility in C. oleifera, but also furnish valuable genetic resources for future molecular breeding programs targeting improved self-compatibility and increased fruit yield. Full article

Background: Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE) is an emerging minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of pain due to knee osteoarthritis (OA) in patients who are not candidates for joint replacement surgery. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical and functional outcomes of GAE performed with a temporary embolic agent and the persistence of its benefits up to 6 months of follow-up. Methods: In this prospective study, 15 consecutive patients (mean age 64.5 ± 6.7 years) with Kellgren–Lawrence grade III–IV knee OA, severe pain refractory to conservative treatments, and not eligible for joint replacement surgery were enrolled. All patients underwent GAE with selective embolization of hypervascular genicular branches using an imipenem/cilastatin suspension as a temporary embolic agent. Patients were evaluated before the procedure, on the first postoperative day, and at 3 and 6 months of follow-up using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), the Oxford Knee Score (OKS), and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Results: All clinical scores showed a significant improvement over time (p < 0.05). WOMAC decreased from 55.6 ± 7.3 to 16.3 ± 4.1 at 6 months; KOOS increased from 40.7 ± 8.1 to 70.3 ± 6.4; OKS improved from 18.4 ± 4.2 to 38.9 ± 4.6; VAS decreased from 7.8 ± 1.0 to 1.5 ± 0.8. No major complications were observed. Two patients (13.3%) developed a subcutaneous hematoma at the femoral access site, which resolved spontaneously. In two patients, pain recurred at the 1-month follow-up. Conclusions: GAE with a temporary embolic agent appeared to be a safe and effective procedure in improving pain and function in patients with advanced knee OA who are not candidates for joint replacement surgery. The clinical benefit was progressive and sustained up to 6 months, supporting the role of synovitis modulation as a therapeutic target. Full article

Background/Objective: Intraoperative local photodynamic therapy (PDT) using talaporfin sodium (TS) and photodynamic diagnosis (PDD) with 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) are valuable adjuncts in the treatment of malignant brain tumors. Although their concomitant use was previously contraindicated due to photosensitivity concerns, a 2022 regulatory revision permitted their combined application. Transient postoperative hyperintensity on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) at the irradiation site serves as a biomarker for PDT effects, but the radiological and clinical impact of combining 5-ALA and TS remains unclarified. To compare and evaluate postoperative DWI findings and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing TS-PDT with or without concomitant 5-ALA-guided PDD. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed 34 patients with recurrent primary malignant brain tumors who underwent TS-PDT between January 2019 and November 2025. Patients were divided into a TS alone group (n = 19) and a TS + 5-ALA group (n = 15). Postoperative DWI hyperintensity thickness and minimum apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values at the laser irradiation site were measured. Adverse events including photosensitivity were also compared. Results: No significant differences were observed between the TS alone and TS + 5-ALA groups in DWI hyperintensity thickness (3.71 mm vs. 3.90 mm; p = 0.703 or median ADC values (601.0 × 10⁻⁶ mm²/s vs. 527.0 × 10⁻⁶ mm²/s; p = 0.205). Furthermore, there were no significant differences in the incidence of photosensitivity and liver enzyme elevation. Conclusion: Concomitant use of 5-ALA-PDD and TS-PDT can be used without worsening DWI findings at the PD laser irradiation site. Full article

Paraffin wax precipitation and deposition significantly hinder crude oil production and transportation by reducing flow efficiency, increasing operational downtime, and requiring costly remediation procedures. Conventional wax mitigation methods commonly rely on environmentally unfriendly chemicals and energy-intensive thermal or mechanical treatments. This study investigates the use of a natural polymer from Swietenia macrophylla (Mahogany), modified with metal nanoparticles (MNPs), namely silver oxide (Ag₂O), zinc oxide (ZnO), and silver-doped zinc oxide (Ag-ZnO), for petroleum wax inhibition. Material characterization was conducted using FTIR, TGA and GC-MS analyses, while performance evaluation employed rheological measurements, Cross-Polarized Microscopy (CPM), and pour point testing. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of oxygenated fatty acid esters such as glycidyl oleate (59.61%) and glycidyl palmitate (16.86%). These compounds indicate the presence of hydrocarbon-compatible and surface-active constituents beneficial for wax crystal modification. FTIR spectra further confirmed carbonyl, aliphatic hydrocarbon, and ether functionalities associated with natural wax-mitigation compounds and effective MNP binding sites. The application of 2 wt% polymeric materials demonstrated significant wax inhibition performance. The unmodified polymer reduced the activation energy (Ea) for crude oil flow by 49.4 kJ·mol⁻¹ from the virgin crude oil value of 213.6 kJ·mol⁻¹. The polymer + ZnO formulation achieved the highest pour point reduction of 1.72 °C, while polymer + Ag-ZnO recorded the greatest viscosity reduction of 77.1% at 1 s⁻¹ and 91.6% at 200 s⁻¹. This study demonstrates, for the first time, the potential of Swietenia macrophylla-derived nanocomposite polymers as sustainable and effective wax mitigation agents for waxy crude oil systems. Full article

Closing yield gaps in wheat production requires optimized cultivar selection and nitrogen (N) management; however, the cultivar-specific responses to N fertilizer and soil fertility remain largely unquantified. Twenty-eight wheat cultivars were evaluated under three fertilization treatments (T) (CK, no-fertilizer; N1, 210 kg N ha⁻¹ as single basal application; and N2, split-N at 105 + 105 kg N ha⁻¹, applied only in 2022–2023 and 2023–2024) over three growing seasons in the Huang-Huai region. Two-way interactions (cultivar × T, cultivar × year, and T × year) and the three-way cultivar × T × year interaction were significant (p < 0.001), whereas the year main effect was not significant (p = 0.329). Fertilization accounted for the largest proportion of yield variance (η² = 0.589), followed by cultivar × year (η² = 0.244) and cultivar (η² = 0.141). Yield ranged from 3435 to 5231 kg ha⁻¹ (a 1.52-fold difference). Hierarchical clustering of basic soil productivity contribution rate (BSPCR) classified cultivars into high, moderate, and low soil fertility dependence classes, enabling fertility-based cultivar matching. Within-cultivar correlation analysis identified spike number as the predominant yield-limiting factor (71.4%). Based on composite scores integrating yield, stability, split-N response index (SNRI), and BSPCR, Tier I cultivars (C20, C1, C21, C14) are recommended for high-fertility fields with split-N application, combining high yield (5004–5231 kg ha⁻¹), strong N responsiveness (SNRI ≥ 1.10), and high BSPCR; Tier II cultivars (C7, C3, C18, C12, C22) offer a balanced performance in yield and stability. The proposed tiered system—prioritizing Tier I and Tier II cultivars according to field fertility and production goals—provides an exploratory, site-specific framework for closing wheat yield gaps in the Huang-Huai region. Full article

In this study, three-year-old seed-derived seedlings of Horsfieldia hainanensis Merr. were subjected to 0%, 25%, 50%, and 75% shade treatments in a nursery shade-net experiment from October 2025 to June 2026. Each treatment included three replicates, with three seedlings per replicate. The results showed that the light environment significantly affected growth. Seedlings under 0% shade showed severe wilting and mortality; therefore, this treatment was treated as a mortality outcome and excluded from subsequent statistical comparisons, which were conducted among the 25%, 50%, and 75% shade treatments. Within this range, plant height, ground diameter, crown width, leaf traits, and above- and belowground biomass increased with shade level, with the highest values observed under 75% shade. The 75% shade treatment was associated with higher maximum net photosynthetic rate (Pmax), apparent quantum yield (AQY), initial carboxylation efficiency (α), and CO₂-saturated net photosynthetic rate (Amax), together with lower light compensation point (LCP) and carbon dioxide compensation point (CDCP), indicating improved light- and CO₂-response performance within the tested shade range. Leaf thickness, epidermal thickness, and palisade and spongy parenchyma thicknesses increased with shade level, whereas variation in stomatal traits was mainly reflected in stomatal density. Chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoids increased under stronger shading, showing clear variation in pigment accumulation along the shade gradient. Growth, biomass, photosynthetic capacity, leaf anatomical traits, and pigment contents were positively correlated, whereas the light saturation point (LSP), LCP, carbon dioxide saturation point (CDSP), and CDCP were generally negatively associated with these traits. Among the surviving treatments tested, the 75% shade treatment produced the best seedling performance and may be suitable for nursery cultivation, although further validation at different sites and in different seasons is needed. These findings provide practical guidance for artificial propagation, seedling production, plantation establishment, and light-environment management of this species. Full article

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a highly prevalent malignancy worldwide. Moreover, ESCC remains poorly characterized at the molecular level, which contributes to limited therapeutic options and an overall poor prognosis. In this context, HMGA family members, which are overexpressed in tumors but almost absent in healthy adult tissues, seem to represent promising therapeutic targets. These proteins act by binding to AT-hook DNA-binding motifs and may regulate the expression of several genes associated with tumor progression. Therefore, integrating in silico, translational, and in vitro approaches, we investigated the functional consequences of blocking HMGA2–DNA interaction in ESCC tumor progression by using netropsin, a site-specific ligand for AT-rich DNA regions. Our results demonstrate that netropsin treatment significantly reduced cell viability, migration, and cell cycle progression, thereby promoting apoptosis. Furthermore, netropsin treatment was capable of partially reverting Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) activation associated with HMGA2 expression, by downregulating EMT activators, such as Slug and Twist. Finally, the netropsin treatment sensitizes ESCC cells to chemotherapeutic treatment with 5-Fluorouracil. Taken together, our findings highlight that AT binding-specific blockade could be correlated with the inhibition of HMGA2 and may reveal a promising approach to better understand ESCC progression. Full article

Background/Objectives: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive, multifactorial neurodegenerative condition characterized by neurofibrillary tangles, neuronal loss, cognitive impairment, and accumulation of β-amyloid plaques. Considering the limitations of current treatments, which present adverse effects and only alleviate symptoms without modifying disease progression, there is an urgent need for new therapeutic approaches. This study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective potential of synthetic derivatives of (1E,4E)-1,5-bis[(het)aryl]penta-1,4-dien-3-ones, focusing on the inhibition of the cholinesterase enzymes acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), targets directly related to the cholinergic deficit observed in AD. Methods: The compounds were initially synthesized by aldol condensation reactions, with subsequent physicochemical characterization. They were then subjected to in silico assays that demonstrated high binding affinity to the active sites of AChE and BChE. The derivatives were evaluated in vitro for their inhibitory activity on these enzymes and in vivo in an experimental model of AD induced by streptozotocin in Wistar rats. Results: The synthesized derivatives showed favorable predicted interactions with the active sites of AChE and BChE, supporting their potential as cholinesterase inhibitors. In vitro assays demonstrated inhibitory activity against both enzymes, with selected derivatives showing improved activity compared with the parent scaffold. In the in vivo model, treatment with the selected compounds was associated with neuroprotective effects, suggesting preservation of nervous tissue integrity under AD-like conditions. Conclusions: These findings indicate that derivatives may represent promising candidates for further investigation as multitarget agents for AD. The study reinforces the relevance of integrating organic synthesis, molecular modeling, enzymatic assays, and in vivo evaluation in the search for new therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases. Full article