Search Results (10,644)

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a global health concern, with over 150 million cases annually, primarily caused by Escherichia coli. Due to anatomical differences, females, especially children and postmenopausal women, are four times more susceptible. Crucially, E. coli has developed widespread antimicrobial resistance (AMR), including resistance to broad-spectrum agents and the emergence of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL)-producing strains. This retrospective study analyzed hospital records from 95 female patients with positive urine cultures at Siblin Governmental Hospital in 2024. Patients were stratified into three age categories: children (≤18 years), adults (18–64 years) and elderly patients (>64 years). Statistical analysis using SPSS focused on descriptive resistance patterns and differences across age groups. Overall, cephalothin (85.7%) and cefaclor (78.49%) exhibited the highest resistance rates. Conversely, tigecycline (97.22%) and ertapenem (91.67%) showed the highest susceptibility. Resistance patterns varied significantly by age. For instance, elderly patients showed high resistance to agents like Augmentin (52.5%) and cefixime (66.1%), while the pediatric group (≤18 years) displayed exceptionally high resistance to cefixime (90.0%). E. coli isolates show high resistance to conventionally used antibiotics, complicating UTI treatment. These findings highlight the need for continuous local surveillance, particularly focusing on third-generation cephalosporins and beta-lactamase production. Ultimately, age is a critical factor that must be considered when determining empirical antibiotic therapy for UTIs. Full article

Experimental characterisation of ex vivo specimens is limited by specimen availability and high costs, whereas 3D printing provides a cost-effective alternative for producing multiple replicas. This study aimed to develop a methodology for evaluating the individual and combined effects of material composition and geometry on the biomechanical performance of 3D-printed vertebrae. CT scans of healthy human vertebrae and with lytic metastases were segmented to fabricate synthetic models through Digital Anatomy Printing. Three types of 3D-printed models were produced: Healthy vertebrae, Metastatic vertebrae, and Healed vertebrae (metastatic geometry filled with healthy material). All models were tested under axial compression to measure the strength, stiffness, and strain. Repeatability across replicas was assessed as well as comparison of mechanical properties among the different vertebral types. Results showed excellent repeatability, with coefficients of variation below 5% for strength and stiffness-related parameters. The Metastatic models exhibited significant reductions in strength compared to Healthy ones, while stiffness remained similar, consistent with ex vivo data trends. Healed models highlighted the role of material composition in driving mechanical behaviour, independently of geometry. This work provides the first quantitative assessment of 3D-printed vertebrae with metastatic lesions, supporting their future potential as standardised alternatives to cadaveric testing. Full article

This study investigated the combined effects of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) fermentation and different milling methods (wet, semi-dry, and dry) on the physicochemical properties of glutinous rice flour (GRF) and the texture of the final product. A systematic analysis of rice samples treated with three LAB strains (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum CGMCC 1.12974, Limosilactobacillus fermentum CICC 22704, and Lactobacillus acidophilus CICC 22162) revealed that fermentation pretreatment created favorable conditions for subsequent physical milling by degrading the protein network and modifying the starch structure. The results demonstrated that fermentation combined with dry or semi-dry milling significantly improved the whiteness of GRF and the contents of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), total phenols, and total flavonoids, while reducing the contents of damaged starch (except in samples fermented with Lb. acidophilus) and protein by 2.91–12.43% and 17.80–32.09%, respectively. The functional properties of the GRF were also optimized: fermented flour exhibited higher peak viscosity, lower gelatinization temperature, and higher gelatinization enthalpy. Texture profile analysis revealed that glutinous dumplings prepared from fermented dry/semi-dry milled GRF, particularly those fermented with Lp. plantarum, showed significantly reduced hardness and chewiness, along with significantly improved cohesiveness and resilience. Consequently, their texture approximated that of high-standard wet-milled products. Correlation analysis based on the top ten discriminative features selected by random forest identified peak viscosity and breakdown viscosity as the most important positive factors associated with superior texture (high resilience, high cohesiveness, and low hardness), whereas damaged starch content and protein content were key negative correlates. In summary, this study confirms that the combination of fermentation and milling exerts a beneficial influence on the functional quality of GRF. Full article

Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.; Cannabaceae), traditionally cultivated for fiber, also represents a valuable source of nutrient-rich seed oil. In this study, cold-pressed hemp seed oils from three Romanian varieties (Teodora, Silvana, and Armanca) were evaluated for their fatty acid composition, minor bioactive constituents, antioxidant activity, growth-promoting property toward probiotic strains in vitro, and molecular docking interactions with probiotic targets. Gas chromatography revealed a fatty acid profile dominated by linoleic (49.4–51.9%), oleic (16.3–22.8%), and α-linolenic acids (9.8–14.4%), resulting in favorable PUFA/SFA ratios (5.17–6.39) and ω-6/ω-3 ratios (3.93–5.53). The oils also contained phenolics (118–160 mg GAE/kg), chlorophylls (6.18–8.31 mg/kg), and carotenoids (2.58–3.37 mg/kg), which contributed to their antioxidant activity (DPPH inhibition 35.92 µM TE/100 g–43.37 µM TE/100 g). Broth microdilution assays against Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG, L. paracasei ATCC BAA-52, and L. acidophilus ATCC 4356 demonstrated strain- and dose-dependent potential to promote probiotic growth under in vitro conditions. While L. rhamnosus and L. paracasei were inhibited at low concentrations and only mildly stimulated at higher levels, L. acidophilus showed robust growth promotion, reaching +54.7% effect and CP = 1.55 with Teodora oil at 16 mg/mL. Molecular docking highlighted strong binding affinities of γ-linolenic and linoleic acids with key metabolic enzymes involved in probiotic metabolism (hydratase, enolase, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, ribonucleoside hydrolase), forming stable hydrophilic and hydrophobic interactions which are explored in defining the stability of the ligand-protein complexes. These results indicate that both major fatty acids and minor bioactive constituents contribute to the nutritional and antioxidant value of Romanian hemp seed oils and reveal a potential to promote probiotic growth under in vitro conditions, as supported by complementary in silico evidence. Full article

Background: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a time-sensitive condition with variable clinical presentations and outcomes. Rapid risk stratification and appropriate triage are essential for optimizing treatment and patient outcomes. Artificial intelligence (AI) offers an opportunity to enhance clinical decision-making, yet its real-world applications remain limited. Objective: The objective of this study was to describe a single healthcare system’s implementation and early experience with an AI-enabled triage tool for pulmonary embolism patients across a multi-hospital network. Methods: This retrospective observational study evaluated the deployment of an AI-based clinical decision support system within a healthcare network. The AI tool detected PE and right ventricular (RV) strain and alerted the PE response team (PERT) to facilitate timely transfer and intervention. Three cohorts were evaluated: pre-AI, Year 1 post-AI, and Year 2 post-AI. Outcomes included transfer volumes, advanced therapy rates, and hospital length of stay (LOS). Results: A total of 183 PE transfer patients were analyzed: 36 pre-AI, 72 in Year 1 post-AI, and 75 in Year 2 post-AI. Transfers increased by 100% in Year 1 (p = 0.0005) and 108% in Year 2 (p = 0.011) compared to pre-AI. Catheter-based thrombectomy increased from 10 pre-AI to 18 in Year 1 (+80%, p < 0.0001) and 28 in Year 2 (+180%, p = 0.0006). After-hours diagnosis rose from 69.4% pre-AI to 70.8% in Year 1 (p = 0.027) and 77.3% in Year 2 (p = 0.088). Surgical embolectomy showed a borderline increase in Year 2 (p = 0.04), though case numbers were small. Conclusions: Implementation of an AI-assisted triage platform for PE was associated with sustained increases in interhospital transfers and advanced interventions, and a reduction in hospital length of stay. These findings support the potential for AI to standardize and expedite acute PE care in a multi-hospital health system. Full article

The increasing prevalence of the mobile tigecycline resistance gene tet(X) poses a severe global health threat, and the genus Acinetobacter is a major reservoir. This study aimed to develop a rapid and specific multiplex PCR assay for detecting the predominant tet(X)-positive Acinetobacter species. Through pan-genome analyses of 390 tet(X)-positive Acinetobacter genomes, a total of 20 tet(X) variants were identified in 24 Acinetobacter species, including 17 published lineages and seven taxonomically unresolved Taxa. Acinetobacter indicus (30.8%), Acinetobacter amyesii (17.2%), and Acinetobacter towneri (16.1%) were the top three hosts of diverse tet(X) variants. Species-specific signature genes were identified and used for primer design, yielding amplicons of 267 bp (tet(X)), 424 bp (A. indicus), 690 bp (A. amyesii), and 990 bp (A. towneri). The assay was rigorously adjusted for an optimal annealing temperature of 52.8 °C and a primer ratio of 1:1:1:1, demonstrating high sensitivity with a detection limit of 0.3 ng/μL DNA and excellent stability under −20 °C, 4 °C, 20 °C storage conditions. Validation experiments on 151 bacterial strains showed high accuracy for DNA templates (≥97.8%) and bacterial suspensions (≥93.5%) within two hours. This cost-effective and highly accurate multiplex PCR provides a powerful tool for proactive surveillance and control of the critical Acinetobacter sp. pathogens. Full article

Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) is a heme-containing oxidoreductase with extensive applications in biotechnology, medical diagnostics, and environmental protection. In this study, Pichia pastoris was utilized to produce HRP. Successfully, expression strains with 1–5 copies of HRP-C were constructed, and the strain with the highest expression level and activity of HRP-C was obtained. Different molecular chaperones (PDI1, HAC1, BIP1) were selected, and co-expression was carried out through co-induction and separate induction methods. The results showed that the yield of HRP increased approximately 1.4 times with the assistance of PDI1 and HAC1 molecular chaperones in the 3-copy Pichia pastoris expression strain, with enzyme activities increasing by 1.2-fold and 1.3-fold, respectively. High-density fermentation of the recombinant strain transformed with BDM-PDI1-HRP-C-3C was carried out in a 50 L fermenter, and after methanol induction for 72 h, a target protein expression level of up to 200 mg/L was achieved. The enzyme activity reached 1796 U/mL, which is nearly three times higher than that of shake-flask fermentation and is the highest reported in the literature to date. Full article

Cowpea Fusarium wilt (CFW) is a soilborne fungal disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. tracheiphilum (Fot), leading to substantial yield losses globally. This study evaluates the biocontrol potential of Bacillus velezensis HAB-2 and develops a microbial combination for effective disease management. B. velezensis HAB-2 suppressed F. oxysporum f. sp. tracheiphilum AIQBFO93 growth by 69.8% in vitro and exhibited multiple plant growth-promoting traits. Pot experiments demonstrated that HAB-2 alone achieved a 47.62% control rate against CFW. Furthermore, two compatible plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), Pseudomonas hunanensis HD33 and Enterobacter soli HD42, were isolated from the rhizosphere soil of cowpea previously treated with HAB-2. These two strains were combined with HAB-2 at different concentrations in 15 microbial combinations. The combined application of the three strains provided more consistent disease control, with the optimal combination demonstrating a 15.15% higher control rate than HAB-2 alone. Compared to the untreated control, this combination significantly increased cowpea fresh weight, leaf area, and plant height by 10.60%, 8.04%, and 7.81%, respectively, and upregulated the expression of defense-related genes, indicating enhanced resistance. These results confirm that B. velezensis HAB-2 is an effective biocontrol agent against wilt disease, and its synergistic application with functionally complementary PGPR strains provides a viable strategy for sustainable crop disease management. Full article

Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) of H10 subtype are able to circulate in domestic and wild bird populations but can also spill over and adapt to mammals, posing a continuous risk to biodiversity conservation, veterinary health, and public health. In the present study, we assessed the zoonotic potential of nine H10 AIVs isolated from waterbirds during surveillance and research studies carried out in Italy between 1994 and 2007. Overall, six H10NX strains from wild mallards (n. 1 H10N2, n. 5 H10N7), one H10N7 strain from domestic mallards, and two H10N8 strains from Eurasian coots were sequenced by next-generation sequencing (NGS). HA phylogenetic analysis indicated a marked divergence between viruses from these two sympatric waterbird species and showed a close relationship between three H10N7 strains from wild mallard and one H10N7 isolate of domestic origin. Sequence analysis revealed the presence of several molecular markers, associated with increased zoonotic potential, including the PB2-A588V mutation found in the Eurasian coot H10N8 viruses and previously linked to mammalian adaptation in H10 strains. Molecular analysis also showed that all H10 viruses were susceptible to the major approved classes of influenza antivirals (inhibitors of neuraminidase, matrix-2, and polymerase acid protein). Moreover, phenotypic assay confirmed their susceptibility to oseltamivir and zanamivir drugs. From an ecological perspective, we found that different H10 gene pools seem to be harboured in different waterbird species sharing the same environment; additionally, a bidirectional transmission of H10 mallard isolates occurred between natural and anthropic ecosystems. Overall, our findings account for the need of continuous monitoring of AIVs belonging to the H10 subtype. Full article

Optimal mechanical parameters for successful bone-healing remain unclear despite their critical influence on fracture outcomes, and the timing of post-surgery mobilization is still controversial despite many clinical observations and pre-clinical studies. In this bioreactor in vitro work, we investigate the effect of fundamental parameters such as timing, duration, and frequency of mechanical stimulation on the endochondral bone-healing paths, specifically on the hypertrophic chondrocyte differentiation of naïve human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs). Human MSCs encapsulated in Gelatin-Methacryloyl hydrogels (GelMa) were subjected to three different 10% strain protocols: P1 (168 long-break cycles spread over 14 days), P2ce (cycle equivalent: 168 short-break cycles condensed in 42-min stimulation followed by 14 days free swelling), and P2te (time equivalent—14 days continuous stimulation, 80′640 short-break cycles). In the free-swelling control group, samples were cultured for 14 days without any mechanical stimulation. Our results confirmed that 10% strain induces a robust hypertrophic chondrocyte differentiation of naïve MSCs in all three tested protocols, as demonstrated by enlarged cell size, rounded morphology, robust upregulation of hypertrophic markers (COL10A1, MMP13, RUNX2, ALP), and reduced glycosaminoglycan production. Of particular interest, we show that P2ce (early short stimulation) was as effective as the two extended stimulation protocols, suggesting that initial mechanical signals are sufficient to trigger cell differentiation toward a hypertrophic chondrocyte phenotype that continues even after stimulation ceases. These in vitro findings provide crucial insights into the cellular basis of endochondral ossification during the early phase of loading and show a beneficial long-term effect of early mechanical stimulation. By demonstrating that the cellular mechanobiology of hypertrophic differentiation responds to brief early stimulation, our findings provide a scientific foundation to guide future in vivo investigations on how rehabilitation protocols could influence fracture healing. Full article

The aim of this work is to investigate the effect of annealing (at temperatures ranging from 260 °C to 530 °C) of thin-walled Al-Mn-Mg-Ti-Zr samples manufactured by selective laser melting (SLM) on their tensile mechanical properties, hardness, and surface roughness. The results of this study may contribute to the development of post-processing modes for thin-walled products made of corrosion-resistant aluminum alloys with increased strength, manufactured using SLM technology. Hierarchical clustering methods allowed us to identify three groups of thin-walled samples with different strain-hardening mechanisms depending on the annealing temperature. The greatest hardening is achieved in the first group of samples annealed at 530 °C. Metallographic analysis showed that at this heat treatment temperature, there are practically no micropores (macrodefects) and microcracks. X-ray phase analysis showed the precipitation of Ti and Zr, as well as the formation of an intermetallic phase with a composition of Mg8Al16. At lower heat treatment temperatures, from 260 °C to 500 °C, the observed hardening is statistically significantly lower than at 530 °C. This phenomenon, combined with the formation of intermetallic phases and the precipitation of titanium/zirconium, contributes to the hardening of thin-walled Al-Mn-Mg-Ti-Zr alloy samples manufactured by SLM. The main results of this study show that the optimal strain hardening of thin-walled Al-Mn-Mg-Ti-Zr alloy samples manufactured by SLM is achieved by heat treatment at 530 °C for 1 h. The strengthening mechanism has two characteristics: (1) dispersion strengthening due to the formation of precipitates and (2) reduction in macrodefects at high temperatures. Full article

Background/Objectives: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Klebsiella pneumoniae poses a serious threat to healthcare, especially in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). To complement AMR infection control in Kenya, here, clinical and environmental genomes were investigated to determine the potential roles prophages play in K. pneumoniae pathogenicity. Methods: Prophages were extracted from 89 Kenyan K. pneumoniae genomes. The intact prophages were examined for virulence genes carriage, and their phylogenetic relationships were established. Results: Eighty-eight (~99%) of the genomes encode at least a single prophage, and there is an average of four prophages and 2.8% contributory genomes per bacterial strain. From the 364 prophages identified, 250 (68.7%) were intact, while 58 (15.9%) and 57 (15.7%) were questionable and incomplete, respectively. Approximately, 30% of the intact prophages encode 38 virulence genes that are linked to iron uptake (8), regulation (6), adherence (5), secretion system (4), antiphagocytosis (4), autotransporter (4), immune modulation (3), invasion (2), toxin (1) and cell surface/capsule (1). Phylogenetic analyses revealed three distinct clades of the intact prophages irrespective of their hosts, sources and locations, which support the plasticity of the genomes and potential to mediate horizontal gene transfer. Conclusions: This study provides first evidence showing the diverse prophages that are encoded in K. pneumoniae from SSA with particular focus on Kenyan strains. This also shows the potential roles these prophages play in the pathogenicity and success of K. pneumoniae and could improve knowledge and complement control strategies in the region and across the globe. Further work is needed to show the expression of these genes through lysogenisation. Full article

This study presents a Digital Image Correlation (DIC)-based experimental framework for the calibration of the Hosford-Coulomb (HC) and Modified-Mohr Coulomb (MMC) damage initiation criteria in an Advanced High Strength Steel (AHSS) DP1000. Three characteristic loading conditions in sheet metal forming—pure shear, uniaxial tension, and plane strain tension—were reproduced using flat specimens in a universal tensile testing machine, thus eliminating the need for costly and time-consuming tooling systems. An additional notch tension specimen was employed to validate the stress-state sensitivity of the proposed calibration approach. By integrating full-field strain data from DIC with tensile test results, stress–strain relationships were directly obtained without finite element modeling. The results confirm the effectiveness of dogbone, mini shear, and plane strain tension specimens in achieving proportional loading path histories up to fracture initiation, with constant stress state evolution during deformation. Comparison of the HC and MMC damage criteria reveals similar fracture loci, with the HC model exhibiting slightly higher resistance between shear and uniaxial tension conditions. This study discusses the suitability of a fully experimental DIC-based methodology for the calibration of stress-state-dependent damage initiation criteria. The results highlight the ability of the proposed methodology as a simplified and lower time-consuming alternative to traditional numerical assisted frameworks. Full article

The mechanical performance of cast iron is strongly governed by the morphology of its graphite phase, yet establishing a quantitative link between microstructure and macroscopic properties remains a challenge. In this study, a three-dimensional finite element method (FEM)-based micromechanical framework is proposed to analyze and predict the mechanical behavior of cast iron with representative graphite morphologies, spheroidal and flake graphite. Realistic representative volume elements (RVEs) are reconstructed based on experimental microstructural characterization and literature-based X-ray computed tomography data, ensuring geometric fidelity and statistical representativeness. Cohesive zone modeling (CZM) is implemented at the graphite/matrix interface and within the graphite phase to simulate interfacial debonding and brittle fracture, respectively. Full-field simulations of plastic strain and stress evolution under uniaxial tensile loading reveal that spheroidal graphite promotes uniform deformation, delayed damage initiation, and enhanced ductility through effective stress distribution and progressive plastic flow. In contrast, flake graphite induces severe stress concentration at sharp tips, leading to early microcrack nucleation and rapid crack propagation along the flake planes, resulting in brittle-like failure. The simulated stress–strain responses and failure modes are consistent with experimental observations, validating the predictive capability of the model. This work establishes a microstructure–property relationship in multiphase alloys through a physics-informed computational approach, demonstrating the potential of FEM-based modeling as a powerful tool for performance prediction and microstructure-guided design of cast iron and other heterogeneous materials. Full article

Background: The chronic manifestations of stroke are commonly multisystemic, affecting motor function, perception, cognition, and more. Conventional interventions have limitations when it comes to cost and their mundane nature, which are often perceived as boring. A high prevalence of risk factors has resulted in the adult population experiencing a stroke, many of whom require medical intervention, whose limitations strain both the patient and the healthcare system. Recently, extended reality (XR) has demonstrated promise as a rehabilitative aid for cognition, proprioception, and motor function following stroke without conventional therapy constraints. Methods: This case series explores the relationship between mixed reality (MR; one modality of XR) and cognitive performance in three post-stroke patients. Three post-stroke participants completed 12, one-hour MR training sessions over 4 weeks. Cognitive performance was assessed and changes were compared across three timepoints: baseline, immediately following the intervention, and following a 90-day washout period. Results: Participants demonstrated improvement in memory, executive function, and processing speed. Additionally, two out of the three participants demonstrated trends for improvement in attention and working memory. Conclusions: While these promising results tentatively suggest that 12 h of mixed reality training may yield cognitive improvement in post-stroke patients, a larger sample size is needed before drawing definitive conclusions. Full article