Individuals are stereotyped based on their perceived identities and there are rising concerns about ableism, ageism, and sexism in the United States. Cultural stereotypes of older adults (including older women and men) living with a disability (LWD) are understudied despite their negative stigmatizations and consequences in different contexts such as in healthcare and employment. In this study, we identified and assessed these stereotypes. Students from three U.S. universities ( N = 401) listed their understanding of the stereotypes of older adults LWD, older men LWD, older women LWD, older men, older women, older adults, persons LWD, men, and women. Data were analyzed using two established methodologies used in stereotyping research. Results revealed that stereotypes of older adults LWD and persons LWD contained shared elements, as the top stereotypes listed for both groups were negative and many overlapped (burdensome, dependent, devalued, “handicapped”, mean, physically slow, sad, unintelligent, unproductive, weak). Negative stereotypes of older adults LWD also included long-standing stereotypes listed of older adults (deteriorating, sick, mean). Gendered stereotypes also emerged for older men (financially stable, leader) and older women (nice) but stereotypes of older men LWD and older women LWD were more closely related to those of disability than of gender. Results also revealed unique stereotypes (e.g., persons LWD as abnormal). Results can help inform much-needed theoretical frameworks and prejudice reduction strategies aimed at improving attitudes toward diverse groups of older adults who may be facing poor health and discrimination due to experiences of ageism, sexism, and/or ableism.

Abbreviations:BH                                      Benjamini-Hochberg correction for multiple testingECM                                    Extracellular matrixGSVA                                 Gene Set Variation AnalysisDDA                                    Data-dependent AcquisitionDIA                                     Data-Independent AcquisitionEMT                                   Epithelial-mesenchymal transitionNedrex                             Network-based Drug Repurposing and explorationKeywords: common fibrotic signature, drug repurposing, extracellular matrix, fibrosis, publicly available proteomics dataTotal number of words: 3944Abstract:Fibrosis is characterised by inappropriate wound healing, that can occur in multiple organs and involves the development of excessive amounts of fibrous connective tissue, with increased deposition of the Extracellular Matrix (ECM), which can ultimately lead to organ failure [1]. Despite the high burden of fibrosis [2], treatment options only delay disease progression [2]. Therefore, leveraging publicly available proteomics data, we investigated whether common fibrotic proteins and pathways in different organs could be found, to define potentially core changes related to fibrosis. We identified a core set of 18 significantly upregulated proteins in heart and liver fibrosis, pointing towards increased ECM deposition and fibroblast activation. Within the proteins significantly altered in heart and liver fibrosis respectively, interacting proteins with a shared biological function were concordantly dysregulated, for example, proteins related to the ECM (upregulated) and proteins related to mitochondrial activity (downregulated). Finally, through drug repurposing, 26 compounds were proposed for further investigation, with 20 of them having demonstrated a promising anti-fibrotic effect. This approach can be generalised for other pathologies, improving the knowledge on the affected molecular pathways, and based on this, identifying potential drug candidates/compounds.Fibrosis is characterised by inappropriate wound healing and can manifest in multiple organs (such as liver, heart, kidney, lung), due to various tissue injuries [1]. Despite organ-specific differences, commonly in all affected organs, increased inflammation and deposition of ECM proteins are observed, eventually leading to organ failure [1]. The most frequently affected organs are liver (affecting 1 in 4 persons of the global population), kidney (affecting 1 in 6), heart (affecting 1 in 60) and lung (affecting 1 in 1,500) [2]. Despite the high burden of fibrosis [2], clinical treatment only delays disease progression [2], although recent progress has been made in the field of liver fibrosis [3]. Therefore, there is a high unmet need to better understand fibrotic disease mechanisms, driving evidence-based shortlisting of anti-fibrotic drugs [4]. To facilitate investigation of fibrosis on the molecular level we established a proteomics resource compiling existing relevant datasets retrieved following a systematic search. Using this resource, we investigated whether a common fibrotic protein signature which shared differentially regulated pathways in different organs (heart, liver) could be identified. Finally, we performed molecularly–driven drug repurposing, with further in silico verification of the biological relevance of the identified drug candidates. This approach can be generalized to different diseases, contributing to a better understanding of disease-associated molecular changes and leveraging that knowledge to propose drug candidates. Publicly available proteomics datasets from ProteomeXchange  and its repositories PRIDE and MassIVE  [5] were identified, focussing on chronic diseases associated with fibrosis in heart, liver or kidney. More details on inclusion criteria and employed keywords are provided in Supplementary Materials. In total, three datasets on heart (heart fibrosis dataset 1 (PXD008934) [6], heart fibrosis dataset 2 (PXD012467) [7], heart fibrosis dataset 3 (PXD054266) [8]), three datasets on liver (liver fibrosis dataset 1 (PXD001474) [9], liver fibrosis dataset 2 (PXD027722) [10] and liver fibrosis dataset 3 (MSV000094959) [11]) and two datasets on kidney fibrosis (PXD006339 [12] and PXD040617 [13]) were selected. Briefly, data was re-analysed using Proteome Discoverer v1.4 for Data-Dependent Acquisition (DDA) or DIA-NN v1.9.1 for Data-Independent Acquisition (DIA) data, as applicable. For datasets passing quality control, the protein exports are available in Supplementary Table 2. For the heart and liver datasets, after removal of samples and proteins with more than 70% missing values, Wilcoxon Rank Sum tests were used to identify differential protein expression, followed by Benjamini-Hochberg (BH) correction for multiple testing. The two kidney datasets were not considered for further analysis due to quality concerns (mainly blood contamination, details in Supplementary Materials). For the remaining datasets, proteins with a BH-adjusted p-value < 0.05 and nominal significance in at least one other dataset examining the same organ, as well as a consistent trend in log₂ fold change across all datasets for that organ, were considered significant. STRING network analysis [14,15] and Gene Set Variation Analysis (GSVA) [16] using MSigDB [17] on differential expressed proteins were further applied for pathway mapping. Finally, using Network-based Drug Repurposing and exploration (NedRex) [4] and Cytoscape version 3.10.3 [18] drug repurposing analysis was performed to shortlist interesting compounds targeting key proteins and pathways in fibrosis, independent of aetiology. In heart fibrosis, 124 proteins were shared among at least two out of three datasets (significant after BH correction in at least one dataset, nominally significant in at least one other dataset, with a concordant trend in log2 fold change across all heart datasets) (Supplementary Table 3). Similarly, four shared proteins were identified in early-versus-mild liver fibrosis (Supplementary Table 4), 135 in mild-versus-severe liver fibrosis (Supplementary Table 5), and 160 in early-versus-severe liver fibrosis (Supplementary Table 6). The low number of shared proteins in early-versus-mild liver fibrosis was reported earlier [19]. Moreover, it should be noted that all four proteins in the early-versus-mild comparison were significant after BH correction in liver fibrosis dataset 2 (PXD027722) and nominally significant in liver fibrosis dataset 3 (MSV000094959). Eighteen proteins were common between heart fibrosis and liver fibrosis and demonstrated concordant upregulation in fibrosis versus non-/early fibrosis stages, and are mostly ECM-related (n=14) (based on matrisomeDB annotation [20]) (Supplementary Table 7, also providing the results of the statistical analysis of each of the individual datasets), and are listed along with their role in heart and liver fibrosis in Table S2 (Supplementary methods), and graphically shown in Figure 1.

We introduce the Momentum-First (M-First) framework, which reconstructs relativistic physics from the foundational principle of momentum conservation. The framework posits that a particle's energy and its experience of time are emergent properties of its underlying momentum configuration. From a small set of postulates, the principles of special relativity are derived. We then extend the framework to gravity, which is treated not as a force, but as a kinematic modifier that alters a particle's on-shell condition. In its static limit, this leads to a universal, parameter-free prediction: a particle's effective rest mass is scaled by the local gravitational potential as $m_{\text{eff}} = m_0 \sqrt{-g_{00}}$. This modification to quantum kinematics enhances quantum tunneling rates, offering a quantitative, first-principles resolution to the long-standing neutron star shallow heating puzzle. The success of this prediction serves as a concrete validation for the framework's broader claims. The M-First principles are not posited ad-hoc; they are shown to be derivable consequences of M-Theory, for which the framework provides an interpretive 'Rosetta Stone'. Furthermore, this unified approach provides a common theoretical origin for resolving a range of other anomalies in astrophysics and cosmology. By deriving testable consequences from a new axiomatic foundation grounded in fundamental theory, M-First presents a compelling and falsifiable paradigm.

Background: Although ablation techniques for atrial fibrillation (AF) continue to evolve, many patients experience recurrent arrhythmia. Those who remain symptomatic despite medical therapy and are deemed ineligible for redo AF ablation are referred for pacemaker implantation and atrioventricular node ablation (AVNA), so-called pace-and-ablate therapy. Objectives: To characterize patients undergoing AVNA following recurrent AF after prior catheter ablation, and to evaluate the impact of pace and ablate therapy on unplanned hospitalizations for AF or heart failure (HF). Secondary objectives include the incidence of pacing-induced cardiomyopathy (PICM) and resumption of spontaneous AV node conduction. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort analysis of all patients undergoing pace-and-ablate therapy for recurrent AF following prior ablation at the McGill University Health Centre between June 2018 and January 2025. Results: Out of a total of 346 AVNA procedures, 32 patients underwent pace-and-ablate therapy for recurrent AF post catheter ablation, median age 77.7 years (IQR: 72.2, 81), 62.5% female, 96.9% hypertension, and 40.6% heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The baseline left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 49.9±13% and left atrial volume index 41.4±15 ml/m2. The majority had persistent AF (78.1%) and underwent an average of 1.4 ± 0.6 previous AF ablations. The median time from AF ablation to AVNA was 2.5 years (IQR 0.8, 6.1). Approximately 40.6% of the patients underwent RV pacing, 37.5% biventricular pacing, and 21.9% left bundle branch area pacing (LBBaP). The average number of hospital admissions pre-AF ablation, post-AF ablation, and post-AVNA was 1.7±1.1, 2.1±1.3, and 0.8±0.4, respectively, after a median follow-up of 1.7 years post-AVNA. This was consistent with an 81.3% reduction in hospitalization (Odds ratio: 0.0095, 95% CI: 0.0023–0.0395, P<0.001); number needed to treat (NNT) = 2 (for every 2 patients undergoing pace-and-ablate therapy, one hospitalization was prevented) . PICM was seen only in those who underwent RV pacing, and the risk of PICM from standard RV pacing was 7.7% Conclusion: Pace and ablate therapy is a safe and effective procedure in patients with recurrent AF after prior AF ablation. Earlier consideration of AVNA in patients with a higher number of comorbidities should be considered. Our findings suggest a potential trend toward improved outcomes with biventricular or conduction system pacing in the setting of AVNA, though the limited sample size precludes definitive conclusions.

To investigate the optimal stocking density for triploid rainbow trout seedlings in high-altitude environments, this study examined three different stocking densities: Low-Density group (LD) with 100 fish per barrel, Medium-Density group (MD) with 200 fish per barrel, and High-Density group (HD) with 300 fish per barrel, over a 60-day cultivation period. The results revealed that the final body weight (Wt) and specific growth rate (SGR) of the LD group were significantly higher than those of the HD group ( P < 0.05). Additionally, the survival rate of the LD group was significantly greater than that of the HD group ( P < 0.05). Variations were observed in the Alpha diversity of both water and gut microbiota at different stocking densities. PCA analysis indicated significant differences ( P < 0.05) in both the water and gut microbiomes among the different aquaculture densities. The dominant phyla in both aquatic and intestinal microbiomes were Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes. Notably, the proportion of Pseudomonas genera was significantly higher in the HD and MD groups compared to the LD group. Co-occurrence network analysis revealed a higher average degree in the LD and MD groups across all densities, suggesting that the microbiota environments of both the intestinal and aquatic ecosystems in these groups were more stable. In conclusion, low-density aquaculture is more suitable for plateau environments. These findings provide valuable insights for the ecological, efficient, and healthy aquaculture of triploid rainbow trout in high-altitude regions.

The glycoluril building blocks have only been connected via their NH sides in all the previously reported structures in porous material science, supramolecular chemistry, and many other fields. Here, we present the design and synthesis of a new glycoluril-based metal-organic framework (MOF) through the substitution of dibenzoic moieties in the methine positions of the glycoluril motif. Urea reacts with 4,4'-dioxo-[1,1'biphenyl]-3,3'-dicarboxylic acid (the 1,2-diketone derivative) to form 4,4'-(2,5dioxotetrahydroimidazo[4,5-d]imidazole-3a,6a(1H,4H)-diyl)dibenzoic acid (the glycoluril derivative). The reaction proceeds via cyclocondensation, yielding a rigid linker with four free NH groups, two terminal carboxylic acids, and a curved backbone suitable for MOF coordination and molecular recognition. The synthesis of NS-MOF (Zn or Zr) was successfully achieved using a solvothermal method involving the reaction of a glycolurilbased linker with zinc nitrate hexahydrate in dimethylformamide (DMF). The properties of the new MOF structures are discussed for potential applications from gas storage and separation to catalysis and biomedical delivery systems.

Invasive parasites are a major threat to naive, island hosts, who often deal with multiple parasite taxa (hereon, co-parasitism). These parasite taxa can positively or negatively affect each other through the host’s immune system, which can depend on the order of exposure (i.e., priority effects). Several parasite taxa, such as the avian vampire fly (Philornis downsi) and avian pox virus, were introduced to the Galápagos Islands and negatively affect endemic birds, such as Darwin’s finches. Although finches can be parasitized by both taxa, the effect of co-parasitism on finches and the dynamics between parasite taxa are unknown. For our study, we experimentally manipulated vampire fly abundance in the nests of small ground finch (Geospiza fuliginosa), then determined the effect of treatment on the prevalence of avian pox in nestlings. We also determined whether nestlings parasitized by flies and/or pox differed in body condition, hemoglobin levels (proxy for blood loss), and survival. We found that nestlings from fly-parasitized nests were less likely to test positive for pox than nestlings from nests with flies. Additionally, nestlings with low (0) and high (>40) fly abundances were more likely to test positive for pox compared to nestlings with intermediate abundances (10-30). Although co-parasitism did not affect nestling condition and survival, co-parasitized nestlings had lower hemoglobin levels than nestlings with no or only one parasite taxa. Overall, our study supports the presence of priority effects, in which flies help nestlings resist pox infection until fly numbers are too high for nestlings to defend themselves.

This work presents a non-geometrical navigation approach based on a purely topological understanding of underground environments. By conceptualizing subterranean scenarios as a set of tunnels that intersect with each other, and taking a navigation approach based on topological instructions, we simplify the navigation problem to the sequential execution of human-understandable instructions. This approach is built on top of a lightweight Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) that processes the readings of a 3D LiDAR sensor and produces an estimation of the angular positions of the surrounding tunnels with respect to the robot. As a result of this approach, our method can navigate these underground environments by only being provided with the necessary topological instructions, without the need for a map, or for building one during navigation. Additionally, it can also rely on a lightweight graph representation of the environment. This graph can be either defined by the user, generated during navigation or explicitly built in an exploration task. To showcase these capabilities, this article provides an experimental evaluation of the method both in simulation and in a real environment.

AbstractObjective: This article analyzes the crisis-generating interaction between macro financial-governance fragility and micro legal-procedural voids within Iran's health and social security system, examining its role in systemic erosion. Method: Using qualitative analysis and critical conceptual synthesis, pathologies at both macro and micro levels and the negative feedback dynamics between them (financial instability, governance weakness, legal deficits, trust erosion) were investigated. Findings: The crisis exhibits a dual architecture: The macro level grapples with severe financial and governance pressures limiting long-term capacity; the micro level suffers from legal gaps (in the therapeutic relationship, informed consent, documentation, accountability) undermining patient rights and trust. These levels interact in a vicious cycle, reinforcing each other; macro constraints weaken micro standards, while negative micro experiences jeopardize macro sustainability. Results: Piecemeal reforms are ineffective. Overcoming the crisis requires an integrated systemic paradigm that links fundamental macro financial and governance reforms with the effective guaranteeing of rights and responsibilities at the micro level of service delivery to achieve sustainable resilience. Keywords: Social Security Crisis, Health Governance, Patient Rights, Health System Resilience, Iran Health System Reform

While postglacial migration patterns have been well-studied in European plants and animals, the same is not true for microorganisms like fungi. This study investigates the postglacial history of the widespread wood-decay fungus Trichaptum abietinum in Europe, exploring whether it resided in multiple glacial refugia, as observed in many plants and animals, and its migration following the glacial retreat. Population genomic analyses suggest at least two glacial refugia: a southern refugium extending from Portugal to Caucasus, an eastern refugium and a potential third western refugium. Expansion from these refugia, followed by secondary contact, has led to a complex genomic pattern of what we call the Mediterranean, Boreal, Atlantic and Central European admixed groups. From the southern, and potential western, refugia there have likely been northwards expansions resulting in the Mediterranean and Atlantic groups, while the Boreal group probably expanded westwards from the eastern refugium. A contact zone is present in Central Europe, where the Mediterranean and Boreal groups are admixing. In these admixed individuals, the second half of their largest scaffold is entirely inherited from the Boreal group, indicating either strong selection or genomic incompatibilities. In Scandinavia, the Atlantic and Boreal groups are in close contact but with limited admixture. Tajima´s D and analyses of linkage disequilibrium decay support a recent history of contraction and expansion of this fungus in Europe. We conclude that the postglacial migration patterns in T. abietinum resemble those observed in several plants and animals, suggesting multiple glacial refugia followed by admixture during northward and westward expansions.

AbstractVeterinary Medical Education (VME) confronts intensifying global exigencies driven by intricate One Health imperatives, evolving societal norms regarding animal welfare and the human-animal bond, and acute workforce and fiscal pressures, mandating profound systemic transformation beyond traditional pedagogical models. Foundational to this essential metamorphosis are robust Knowledge Management/Knowledge Translation (KM/KT) architectures and sustainable, lifecycle-oriented Faculty Development and Talent Management strategies. However, significant systemic impediments, including cultural inertia, resource constraints, fairness concerns in assessment, and fragmented strategic approaches, obstruct their optimal actualization within Veterinary Education Establishments (VEEs) globally. This paper articulates a refined, integrated, multi-pillar strategic framework conceived to systematically address persistent, complex challenges within the interconnected domains of holistic faculty talent management, collaborative institutional knowledge ecosystems, adaptive organizational structures, and strategic technology integration critical to contemporary VME. Synthesized via a conceptual methodology involving thematic analysis of VME challenges (drawing on global reports like NAVMEC and WOAH), mapping of relevant theoretical models (e.g., Boyer, SECI, Talent Lifecycle, KM Maturity, Adaptive Governance, Dynamic Capabilities), and triangulation with practical educational guides, the proposed quadripartite framework interweaves Holistic Talent Management—encompassing differentiated academic pathways with equitable recognition, continuous professional development emphasizing pedagogical science and equity-minded wellbeing, rigorous yet fair evaluation methodologies addressing potential bias, and strategic recruitment/retention practices—with a Collaborative Knowledge Ecosystem leveraging advanced KM/KT strategies for explicit and tacit knowledge co-production, promoting verified open-access repositories (OSVER concept), exploring blockchain micro-credentialing, and structuring pathways for competence assurance and lifelong learning. Concurrently, it advocates for Adaptive Organizational Structures and Enhanced Global Collaboration, fostering institutional agility through dynamic capabilities and flexible governance, promoting equitable international partnerships grounded in One Health and cultural humility, and addressing psychological barriers to effective Interprofessional Education (IPE). Finally, it champions the Strategic and Ethical Integration of Technology, positioning tools like AI and learning analytics (aligned with learning sciences) as catalysts for evidence-informed decision-making, while acknowledging ethical imperatives and challenges like VR/AR skill transfer validation and digital competence development, all supported by robust data governance. While acknowledging the substantial leadership commitment, cultural adaptation, and resource mobilization required, this theoretically grounded, operationally focused construct provides a systemic blueprint intended to guide VEE transformation towards cultivating more resilient, adaptive, effective, culturally humble, and globally impactful educational systems, thereby reinforcing the veterinary profession’s vital contribution to planetary health, societal wellbeing, and patient safety.Keywords: Veterinary Medical Education (VME); Knowledge Management (KM); Faculty Development; Strategic Talent Management; Competency-Based Veterinary Education (CBVE); Continuing Professional Development (CPD); Organizational Agility.

Background: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by genetic variants in the CFTR gene, which causes a defective chloride channel and impaired chloride and water transport. CFTR modulators, including elexacaftor, tezacaftor, and ivacaftor (ETI), improved clinical outcomes by correcting the underlying defect in the CFTR protein. Pharmacokinetic parameters such the average concentration (Cavg) is useful for optimizing ETI therapy, but clinical research that requires intensive blood sampling is a significant barrier. This study evaluated the feasibility of using one or more timepoints to predict Cavg. Methods: Using data from an intensive ETI concentration dataset, we tested different approaches to predict Cavg from one or more samples. The parameters R2, bias, and precision were used to assess predictive performance. Results: For single timepoints, the 6-hour sample yielded the highest predictive accuracy for elexacaftor (R² = 0.91) and ivacaftor (R² = 0.92), while the 8-hour sample was optimal for tezacaftor (R² = 0.87). For two timepoints, the 2 and 6 hour combination yielded the best prediction for elexacaftor and ivacaftor (R² = 0.97), while the 0 and 8 hour combination was optimal for tezacaftor (R² = 0.93). The 0+6/8 hour combination provided reasonable balance across all measures for prediction. Multiple other single and double timepoints provided similar results, with modest reductions in precision and bias. Conclusion: Sparse sampling strategies can accurately estimate Cavg, reducing the need for more frequent sampling in clinical research. The findings support the use of fewer blood samples for future studies investigating clinical utility of modulator quantitation.

Polyphosphate (polyP) synthesis is ubiquitous in organisms, including microorganisms such as microalgae and yeasts, playing a crucial role in phosphorus (P) metabolism ( e.g., storage) and in other vital functions. Two mechanisms are broadly recognized for intracellular polyP accumulation: i) The first involves a response to experiencing P repletion following a period of P depletion, often described as an overplus response because cells accumulate P at levels above what is considered physiologically ‘normal’ if they had never experienced P depletion. PolyP accumulation likely occurs to maintain intracellular P homeostasis, with stored P supporting cell growth if extracellular P becomes depleted again. ii) Contrarily, the second mechanism of polyP accumulation is not directly related to a change in P supply but is triggered by other conditions, such as the depletion of another nutrient. Because its purpose is less clear, this mechanism is often called ‘luxury P uptake’. Here, we briefly review concepts in polyP synthesis in microalgae and yeast as reasoning for differentiating the mechanisms described above based on environmental P availability, polyP chemistry, genetics, or cellular function. Based on this knowledge, we suggest a common terminology to be used across the different fields to allow comparability and avoid misunderstandings.

Aim: Advances in radiotherapy (RT), chemotherapy (ChT), and prolonged survival have increased the incidence of second primary malignancies (SPMs) in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). This study evaluated NPC survivors’ SPM incidence and characteristics. Methods: Medical records of patients with NPC treated between 1990 and 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. SPMs were classified by organ, histopathology, and location (in-field or out-of-field RT). All SPMs were histopathologically confirmed. Cumulative SPM incidence was estimated, clinical associations were analyzed, and standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) were calculated. Results: Among 821 patients with NPC, 79 (9.6%) developed SPMs over a median follow-up of 90 months (interquartile range [IQR]:34–157). Independent risk factors included age >40 years (hazard ratio [HR]:4.02; 95% confidence interval [CI]:2.20–7.34) and female sex (HR: 1.73; 95% CI: 1.00–2.98). Synchronous SPMs occurred in 14 patients, while metachronous SPMs occurred in 65. Twenty-five (38.4%) of the 65 metachronous SPMs are located within the radiation field. The overall SPM risk was 73% higher than in the general population (SIR:1.73; 95% CI:1.69–1.77). SPMs were most frequently in the head and neck (n=25) and lungs (n=15). Excess cancer risks were significant for head and neck (SIR:34.69; 95% CI:33.49–35.89), sarcoma (SIR:14.18; 95% CI:13.03–15.33), esophagus (SIR:6.18; 95% CI:5.35–7.01), kidney (SIR:4.62; 95% CI:4.22–5.01), and pancreas (SIR:4.12; 95% CI:3.72–4.51). Conclusion: NPC survivors face an elevated risk of SPMs. Long-term follow-up should monitor both in-field and out-field malignancies. Decades-long comprehensive monitoring is recommended, with emphasis on neoplasms outside the irradiation field.

Colorectal cancer remains a major global health concern, with surgical intervention being a cornerstone of treatment. While laparoscopic surgery has demonstrated advantages over open procedures, robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) offers potential benefits. This systematic review and meta-analysis included 21 studies from 2018 to 2024, analyzing over 70,000 patients to compare RAS and conventional laparoscopic surgery (CLS) in terms of operative time, conversion rates, postoperative complications, and hospital stay. The findings indicate that RAS significantly reduces conversion to open surgery and reoperation rates but is associated with longer operative times. While RAS decreased complications in colorectal procedures, complication rates in rectal surgery were similar between techniques. However, CLS resulted in shorter hospital stays. These results suggest that RAS may be beneficial in select surgical cases, though its advantages must be weighed against increased operative duration.

Ornithogalum sandrasicum Yıld. is a species endemic to Turkey. Anatomical characteristics of the species have been the subject of study. Cross-sections of the root, stem, and leaf parts of the plant have been examined. The objective of this study was to identify distinctive anatomical characteristics that could serve as a taxonomic aid in distinguishing the O. sandrasicum species. The uniformity of crystal type and distribution can be regarded as a taxonomic character in the classification of species. Raphid crystals were observed in stem and leaf sections. The number of vascular bundles in the stem, the number of cortex and sclerenchyma layers, and the distinction of mesophyll type in the leaf can be used as diagnostic characters for Ornithogalum species.

This study aims to investigate the flow dynamics of hybrid nanofluids, where a micropolar fluid serves as the base fluid, subjected to hydromagnetic pulsations between vertical walls while incorporating the effects of thermal radiation and viscous dissipation. A key focus is on analyzing the distinctive heat transfer properties of SWCNT− MWCNT hybrid nanofluids, which exhibit superior thermal conductivity and flow stability. The motivation behind employing hybrid nanofluids lies in their potential to enhance the efficiency of various biomedical and engineering applications, including nano-drug delivery within arteries, magnetic bio-separation, artificial kidney development, pressure surge mitigation, magnetofection-based therapies, cancer treatment, and brain tumor management. By leveraging the advanced thermal and rheological properties of these nanofluids, the study aims to contribute to the optimization of heat and mass transfer processes in medical and biological systems. We transformed the governing equations Partial differential equations (PDEs) to Ordinary differential equations (ODEs) by utilizing perturbation method. These are then solved using the shooting method combined with the fourth-order Runge-Kutta algorithm, employing the bvp4c solver in MATLAB. A detailed graphical representation illustrates variations in velocity, microrotation, and temperature profiles, providing insight into the intricate behaviour of the fluid system under different physical constraints. Additionaly, we presente the contour plots of the heat transfer rate to identify the trends and regions of high or low thermal activity.

Ecological communities, and especially metacommunities, are complex and dynamic entities. Resolving the processes and mechanisms that shape these systems remains a central challenge in ecology. This challenge is compounded by the increasing entanglement of mechanisms, processes, and emergent patterns of biodiversity as scales of space, time, and biological organization expand. Here, we define and contextualize key issues, recent progress, and remaining challenges in interpreting basic metacommunity data and using predictive models to link processes to patterns. We find substantial progress in connecting pattern and process through improved data repeatability and scaling, enhanced analytical tools to quantify patterns, and increasingly sophisticated theoretical models that address ecological complexity. However, accurately matching observable patterns with process-oriented theory remains a persistent challenge. We identify potential pipelines connecting process and pattern and highlight areas for future progress.

Aim: Stains and cholesterol absorption inhibitors are frequently co-administered to treat patients with dyslipidemia. This study aimed to evaluate the pharmacokinetic (PK) interaction between atorvastatin and hybutimibe in healthy Chinese subjects. Methods: A randomized, open-label, three-treatment, six-period crossover study was conducted in 24 healthy Chinese subjects. Subjects received once-daily treatments for 14 days per period (14-day washout): atorvastatin 20 mg, hybutimibe 10 mg, or both combined. Geometric mean ratios (GMRs) and their 90% confidence intervals (CI) for the maximum plasma concentration (Cmax), and the area under the time-concentration curve (AUC) of atorvastatin, hybutimibe, and their metabolites between combination therapy and monotherapy were estimated. Furthermore, population pharmacokinetic (PopPK) analysis was conducted to evaluate the effect of combination therapy and other potential covariates on the PK parameters. Results: The GMRs and 90% CI of Cmax and AUC0-∞ were 0.899(74.63, 108.24) and 1.032(95.48, 111.61) respectively for atorvastatin at steady state. And the corresponding values for hybutimibe were 1.370 (116.95, 160.45) and 1.099(100.43-120.31) respectively. The PK profiles of hybutimibe and atorvastatin, as well as their metabolites were well described by the PopPK models. Covariate screening demonstrated that atorvastatin coadministration only selectively influenced hybutimibe’s apparent distribution volume (Vp/F). For atorvastatin, hybutimibe combination was included in the final model as a significant covariate on Vp/F of the parent drug with moderate difference (2620 L vs 2930 L). Conclusions: Considering the limited PK changes, therapeutic benefits and good safety profiles of the components, the interaction between atorvastatin and hybutimibe is likely to have no significant clinical impact.

Background: Pediatric patients with pelvic solid tumors often receive multi-modal treatment but the long-term effects of this treatment on lower urinary tract (LUT) function are not well-described. This prospective cohort study (NCT05818462) investigates the effect of EBRT on LUT function by comparing patient-reported outcome measures, non-invasive urodynamic studies, and post-void residuals (PVRs) amongst childhood cancer survivors (CCS). Methods: All subjects were CCS >1 year off-therapy for a pediatric solid tumor. Subjects were divided into two cohorts: a study cohort of patients who received pelvic EBRT and a control cohort who received only chemotherapy. Research subjects completed the Dysfunctional Voiding Scoring system (DVSS) survey, uroflow testing, and PVR bladder scan. Results: Thirty-two patients enrolled. Sixteen patients received pelvic EBRT. There were an equal number of patients exposed to alkylators (69%) in each cohort. The study cohort was more likely to have abnormal uroflow patterns (81% vs 56%, p=0.12). The flow pattern distribution differed between groups (p=0.03); the study cohort was more likely to have a “plateau” shaped curve (44% vs 6%) and abnormal PVR (OR 9.0, p=0.002). Exploratory conditional likelihood ratio models yielded potential associations between pelvic EBRT and LUTD, as well as a potential dose-response. There was no difference in DVSS scores between cohorts. Conclusion: EBRT appears to affect LUT function in CCS who received pelvic EBRT. DVSS does not appear useful as a screening tool in this population. Further study is needed to better appreciate the impact of EBRT on LUT function and develop more accurate screening tools.

Background and Objectives: Acute appendicitis is a common surgical emergency. Incidental discovery of appendiceal neoplasms during appendectomy, while rare, carries significant clinical implications. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of such incidental neoplasms in patients undergoing appendectomy for acute appendicitis at a university hospital in Brazil. Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study of 106 patients who underwent appendectomy for acute appendicitis at the Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital (HUCFF) between 2014 and 2023. Clinical and histopathological data were collected from electronic medical records. Results: Incidental appendiceal neoplasms were found in 2.83% (3/106) of patients. These included neuroendocrine tumors (n=1) and low-grade mucinous neoplasms (n=2). The mean age of patients with neoplasms was 54.67 years, with a female predominance (2/3). One patient with a neoplasm died postoperatively; one of the remaining two required a subsequent right hemicolectomy. Conclusions: Histopathological examination of all appendectomy specimens is crucial for identifying incidental appendiceal neoplasms. The prevalence in our institution (2.83%) was higher than some literature reports, potentially reflecting our patient population characteristics. Standardized record-keeping is essential, and further research could refine management strategies for these conditions. Keywords: acute appendicitis, appendectomy, incidental appendiceal neoplasm, neuroendocrine tumor, mucinous neoplasm.

Background: The Hepatitis C virus (HCV) poses a significant risk to public health. The Hepatitis C virus has emerged as the main cause of chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. Objective: This study focused on determining the distribution of HCV genotypes among infected persons in Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, examine their relationships with demographic variables, and evaluate the link between particular genotypes and serum viral load levels. Methods: The research comprised 120 individuals with verified HCV infection, assessed at the Public Health Laboratory in Erbil Province, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, from September 2024 to March 2025. Blood specimens were obtained, and serum was isolated for the identification of HCV antibodies, subsequently followed by the extraction of HCV RNA. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction was employed to measure the viral load, and the viral genotype was determined. Statistical analysis were performed to evaluate the correlation between genotype and viral load. Results: In the patient cohort study, genotype 1a was the most frequent, involving 33.6% of cases, followed by genotype 4 at 25.4% and genotype 3 at 17.2%. Genotype 3 had the greatest median viral load, recorded at 431,000,000 IU/mL in comparison to other genotypes. Genotype 1a was mostly detected in male patients, whereas genotype 4 was more prevalent in females. Statistical study revealed no significant correlation between HCV genotypes and patients’ sex, age, or viral load (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Genotypes 1a, 4, and 3 were the most prominent among individuals infected with HCV. Genotype 3 demonstrated the greatest median viral load. Statistical analysis indicated that there was no association between HCV genotypes and the patients’ sex, age, or viral burden. These findings enhance the comprehension of HCV epidemiology and may aid in the development of more effective ways for managing and preventing hepatitis C virus infection.

Accurately predicting protein subcellular localization is essential for understanding biological function and informing medical research. To address the limitations of traditional laboratory techniques, this study introduces two deep learning frameworks-ML-FGAT and ML-GRat-for multi-label protein subcellular localization (ML-PSL). ML-FGAT integrates seven diverse feature encoding schemes-DC, PsePSSM, CTD, GO, CT, DDE, and EBGW [5]-followed by Differential Evolution (DE)-based feature fusion and entropy-guided selection. To enhance representation quality, a self-attention-based feature recalibration (SAFR) module is introduced to emphasize biologically relevant features. A Feature-Generative Adversarial Network (F-GAN) then balances class distributions, and classification is performed using a Graph Attention Network (GAT). ML-FGAT achieved OAA scores ranging from 93.5% to 98.8% across five test datasets. ML-GRat uses DE for feature weighting and Canonical Correlation Analysis (CCA) for dimensionality reduction, followed by SAFR and a hybrid GAT-ResNet classifier. This model achieved OAA scores between 94.0% and 98.9% on six independent datasets, including SARS-CoV-2 and human proteins [6]. The proposed models demonstrate robust generalization, high predictive performance, and improved interpretability for ML-PSL tasks in computational biology.

CASE REPORTTitle: ABDOMINAL SARCOIDOSIS: A MYSTERY REVISITEDAuthors: Nidhi Paswan1, Lovenish Bains1, Soukat Ali Khan1, Shramana Mandal2