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학술

arXiv 등 학술 논문. CC-BY 라이선스로 자유 재사용 가능 — 출처표시 시 상업 사용 OK.

총 423건

Burden of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children and adolescents in low- and middle-income countries from 1990 to 2023 and projections to 2050: A systematic analysis from the global burden of disease study 2023

by Peng Liu, ZiXin Xu, Wenfu Song, Jianxiong Yang, Jianbao Li Background Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is the most common and curable malignancy in children and adolescents, yet it remains a significant health threat. Despite global survival improvements driven by new drugs and treatment protocols, comprehensive data on disease burdens and attributable risk factors across diverse socio-economic contexts remain limited. This study evaluated the epidemiological characteristics, temporal trends, and modeled attributable risk factors of ALL in LMICs from 1990 to 2023. Methods Using GBD 2023 data, we analyzed ALL incidence, mortality, and DALYs in children and adolescents (0–19 years), stratified by World Bank income groups. We assessed temporal trends via Joinpoint regression, projected burdens to 2050 using the Bayesian Age-Period-Cohort (BAPC) model, and evaluated risk attribution for occupational benzene and formaldehyde exposure. Results In 2023, LMICs reported 64,477 new ALL cases and 30,909 deaths, with a higher burden in males. While the age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) declined overall, absolute cases rose due to population growth. Although occupational benzene and formaldehyde exposure were the only modeled risk factors, their Population Attributable Fractions (PAFs) were negligible (<1%), indicating minimal contribution to the total burden. Projections suggest the age-standardized ALL burden will continue declining through 2050, with the sharpest decrease expected in low-income countries. Conclusion Globally, childhood and adolescent ALL mortality and DALYs are declining, yet the burden remains substantial in many LMICs, with the smallest improvements observed in low-income countries from 1990 to 2023. Occupational benzene and formaldehyde exposure contributed minimally to the total burden (PAFs < 1%), indicating that direct occupational exposure is rare in children. These findings suggest that the persistent burden in LMICs is primarily driven by healthcare system factors rather than occupational environmental exposures. Therefore, efforts to further reduce ALL mortality and DALYs in high-burden regions should address gaps in healthcare access and treatment delivery.

PLOS ONE

Exploring translator’s style in children’s literature: A case study of Nicky Harman’s English translations of Huang Beijia’s two works

by He He, Hongtao Wang Huang Beijia’s contemporary Chinese novels Wo Yao Zuo Hao Hai Zi (a contemporary realistic children’s novel, 1996) and Ye Feng Fei Wu (a historical novel for children, 2018), translated into English by Nicky Harman as I Want to Be Good (2020) and Flight of the Bumblebee (2023), offer valuable insights into translator’s style in rendering Chinese children’s literature for English readers. Building on Baker’s (2000) translator’s style in corpus-based translation studies (CTS) that manifests translator’s recurrent patterns, this study investigates Harman’s stylistic choices at the lexical, syntactic, and textual level to reveal how Chinese specific elements are represented for target readers. A self-built bilingual corpus (parallel and comparable; 398,531 words total) enables a mixed-methods approach, integrating quantitative metrics (such as keyword analysis, readability index by Qt Readability, etc.) with qualitative close reading. By analyzing typical translation examples and the para-texts of Harman’s translated works, this study aims to explore the reasons behind Harman’s translation style and the relationship between the translator’s views on translation and translation choices. The results reveal the existence of a distinctive translator’s style and show that vividness, purity and joy reflected in the original children’s literature as the ST style has been reproduced in Harman’s translation. A preference for contracted forms (’s,’ve, ’d, etc.) and more strategic and habitual use of certain collocations (such as the employment of “keep an eye on…”, “as far as the eye could see”, etc.), tentative efforts in balancing domestication and foreignization in the translation of Chinese four-character idioms, the multimodal interaction employed by Harman as her special consideration for the young readership, etc. have all contributed to Harman’s translator’s style in translating children’s literature. These findings will contribute to the study of translator’s style and deepen the research of the English translation and international dissemination of Chinese children’s literature under the methodology of corpus-based research.

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Economic barriers to diagnostic equity: A multi-country analysis of patient costs for rapid SARS-CoV-2 testing in sub-Saharan Africa

by Obinna Ekwunife, Collin Mangenah, Lucky Ngwira, Elizabeth Corbett, Karin Hatzold, Elvis Isere, John Bimba, Euphemia Sibanda, Frances M. Cowan, Godpower Omoregie, Gabrielle Bonnet While the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic has passed, understanding the economic barriers to diagnostic access remains critical for future pandemic preparedness and universal health coverage. Implementing efficient testing modalities is crucial to achieving optimal value for both clients and healthcare providers. This study examines the cost and affordability of various SARS-CoV-2 antigen rapid-diagnostic-test modalities in Nigeria, Malawi, and Zimbabwe from a client perspective, providing a blueprint for future diagnostic strategies in Sub-Saharan Africa. Testing was offered for free through professional testing and self-testing in government or NGO-led primary healthcare centers across all countries, and in community pharmacies and drug stores in Nigeria. Data were collected from October 2022 to May 2023 through a survey of a random sample of adults visiting participating sites. The survey collected patient costs, including transportation, medical and non-medical expenses, and productivity loss. Affordability was assessed by the incidence of catastrophic health expenditure (defined as costs exceeding 10% of household income). The unit patient cost of testing in Nigeria, Malawi and Zimbabwe was $4.2, $2.7 and $2.7, respectively. In Nigeria, testing in community pharmacies and drug stores was cheaper than in primary healthcare centers. Self-testing cost less than professional testing in Nigeria ($1.3 versus $9.8), but more in Zimbabwe ($3.2 versus $2.3). In Malawi, Nigeria and Zimbabwe 40.6%, 28.6%, and 5.7% of clients, respectively, faced catastrophic health expenditures. SARS-CoV-2 antigen testing imposes a significant financial burden on clients. Even “free” testing carries high indirect costs that threaten diagnostic equity. Diversified testing modalities, such as community pharmacies and drug stores, may offer lower-cost options for sustainable diagnostic integration.

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Modeling of solid oxide fuel cells and optimal parameter extraction at various operating data using an optimization method

by Amlak Abaza, Ragab A. El-Sehiemy, Rania M. Ghoniem, Mahana M. Elbana, Ahmed Bayoumi One promising technology for a clean and effective energy conversion option is the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) being developed for a broad, widespread role in mobile equipment power supply, and stationary power generation. In this endeavor, an optimal design model based on extracted unknown parameters of the SOFC stack, a dimensional nonlinear optimization problem, is developed using the Puma optimization algorithm (POA). The idea of predator-prey relationships in the natural world forms the basis of POA. By implementing innovative and powerful techniques at every stage of exploration and exploitation, this algorithm has enhanced its performance against a broad variety of optimization tasks. Additionally, a new class of intelligent mechanisms, which is a type of phase change hyper-heuristic, is proposed. There are four operating circumstances in which the stack model is tested: four temperatures in the range 923–1073 K and 3 bar, with two conditions for validation and the others for testing the model. The proposed POA is compared with several well-known algorithms. The findings of the simulation are contrasted with those from published works using the Marine Predator Algorithm (MPA), Moth Flame Algorithm (MFA), Sine Cosine Algorithm (SCA), and Grey Wolf Optimizer (GWO), demonstrating the superior performance of POA in comparison to these competitive algorithms. Under different operating conditions, the computed polarization curves, V-I and P-I, closely resemble the measured datasets. Statistical indices and the ANOVA test confirm that there are differences in the mean values among the optimizer groups, demonstrating the viability and robustness of the proposed optimizer in comparison to other recent complex optimizers. Finally, the proposed POA yields significantly improved parameters with good convergence rates across various SOFC operating conditions.

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Is resilience linked to stress response among anesthesia professionals? A prospective simulation-based study

by Yoann Zafiriou, Jean-Noël Evain, Barthélémy Bertrand, Guillaume Archer, Joris Botton, Julien Crozet, Ismaël Khediri, Mathieu Lefevre, Camille Marcel, Charline Sery, Anne Ego, Pierre Albaladejo, Julien Picard Objectives Anesthesiology is a stressful specialty characterized by high rates of burnout among its practitioners. Resilience, defined as a dynamic process of positive adaptation in the face of adversity, may serve as a protective factor. However, the relationship between resilience and the acute stress response remains poorly understood. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that higher resilience levels would be associated with attenuated physiological and psychological stress responses during a standardized anesthetic crisis simulation. Methods Participants included anesthesiologists, anesthesiology residents, nurse anesthetists, and nurse anesthetist students. Resilience was measured using the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC 10, range 0–40). Participants underwent a high-fidelity pediatric laryngospasm simulation. Physiological (heart rate variability) and psychological (self-reported stress) responses to acute stress were analyzed. Results Thirty-four professionals were included. The median resilience score was 29 [27 –32], ranging from 18 to 34. No significant association was found between resilience and physiological (p = 0.085) or psychological (p = 0.621) responses to acute stress. Resilience was not related to age, years of experience, or professional role. Conclusions Resilience scores were comparable to those reported in other studies. No significant association was observed between resilience and the acute stress response. These findings are consistent with theoretical frameworks that conceptualize resilience as a long-term adaptation process rather than an immediate reaction to stress. Direct measurement of resilience may therefore be more appropriate than relying on observable stress responses to identify professionals at psychosocial risk. Future studies using longitudinal designs and larger samples are needed to clarify these relationships.

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Hydrocarbon generation kinetics and history of source rocks in different salinity environments, Dongpu Depression, Bohai Bay Basin, China

by Chengfu Zhang, Jingyan Liu, Tianwu Xu, Jianhong Yang, Lishuang Lv The Dongpu Depression is a typical petroliferous depression characterized by remarkable variations in sedimentary salinity. To investigate hydrocarbon generation characteristics of source rocks in different salinity environments, 20 source rock samples were collected and analyzed for organic geochemical. Combining trace elements, Three representative samples were further selected for gold-tube pyrolysis experiments to obtain hydrocarbon generation kinetic parameters. Integrating constraints from kinetic parameters and thermal history, basin modeling was conducted to systematically compare the hydrocarbon generation characteristics of source rocks in different salinity environments. Results show that activation energy for gaseous hydrocarbon generation is widely distributed, while that for liquid hydrocarbon generation is relatively concentrated. Hydrocarbon yields follow the order: saline environment (SE)> brackish environment (BE)> freshwater environment (FE). High-quality source rock intervals with hydrocarbon generation intensity exceeding 2 × 10⁶ t/km² are recognized as key targets for subsequent oil and gas exploration in the region. This study provides valuable implications for hydrocarbon exploration and resource assessment in comparable saline lacustrine basins.

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The role and targeting potential analysis of angiogenesis-related target THY1 in DSS-induced acute colitis in mice

by Pengliang Zhang, Xianmin Liu, Shuang Chen, Yingjian Zhang Background Immune-driven inflammatory angiogenesis plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, the mechanism of chronic inflammation mediated by angiogenesis still remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the crucial role and specific mechanism of the angiogenesis-related target THY1 in the development of acute colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in mice. Methods Lentivirus-based systems were utilized to achieve both knockdown and overexpression of THY1 to explore the functional roles of THY1 in IBD development based on DSS-induced colitis mice model and co-culture system of intestinal epithelial cells and macrophages. Results THY1 significantly promotes DSS-induced colitis in the experimental mouse model. Silencing of the THY1 significantly reversed the inflammatory response, oxidative stress level, and angiogenic activity in DSS-induced colitis, whereas overexpression of THY1 further exacerbating the reactions related to inflammation, oxidative stress, and angiogenesis. Mechanism research showed that THY1 promotes the pathological process of DSS-induced colitis through inhibiting M2 macrophage polarization. In addition, THY1 promotes apoptosis through the Bcl-2/Bax/Cleaved caspase-3 pathway and promotes angiogenesis via upregulation of HIF-1α and VEGF expression in DSS-induced colitis. Conclusions THY1 promotes the occurrence and development of acute colitis induced by DSS in mice by regulating macrophage polarization, intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis, and inflammatory angiogenesis, providing a new perspective for the study of the pathogenesis of IBD. Furthermore, THY1 is expected to become a potential target molecule for the treatment of IBD.

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Identification and characterization of two new markers for differentiating fall armyworm strains across the Western Hemisphere

by Rodney N. Nagoshi, Ashley E. Tessnow, Robert L. Meagher The fall armyworm (FAW) (Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith)) is a major pest of corn and several other crops. Although native to the Western Hemisphere, established populations were detected in western Africa in 2016 and have since been found in most corn producing areas in the Eastern Hemisphere. FAW consists of two populations historically called “host strains” that are believed to be undergoing sympatric speciation with reproductive isolation being driven primarily by host plant use. The C- and R-strains are morphologically indistinguishable and so can only be identified by a small set of molecular markers with polymorphisms in a single locus, the Triosephosphate isomerase gene (Tpi), currently the most commonly used for population studies. This reliance on a single marker limits confidence in the accuracy of strain identification and the consequent extrapolations of strain characteristics, indicating a need for additional markers to test these findings. This paper describes two new strain markers that provide new genetic tools for strain analysis. The data provide support for earlier conclusions about the primacy of the Z-chromosome in strain identity, the strain divergence of the Z-chromosome as a single genetic unit and expand upon previous observations to quantify differences in how each strain is evolving. These markers will facilitate further studies on the population behavior of FAW in the Western Hemisphere and should advance our understanding of the global movements of this important agricultural pest.

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Can immersive virtual reality magnify treatment outcomes of computerized script training on Cantonese speakers with chronic aphasia? Protocol of a randomized controlled trial

by Winsy Wing Sze Wong, Donald Shi Pui Li, Kenneth Ngai Kuen Fong, Peter Hiu Fung Ng, Hoi Tsz Karen Kwok Background Aphasia persists in 20% of the stroke population. Speech therapy has been suggested to benefit the functional communication of people with aphasia (PWA). Virtual reality (VR) has been widely applied in motor/cognitive rehabilitation of stroke patients. The current proposal investigates the efficacy of VR-based computerized script training on the functional communication of PWA. Methods A three-armed assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial (RCT) will recruit 120 PWA. They will be randomly assigned to 1) VR-based computerized script training, 2) computerized script training without VR, or 3) no treatment control. In the VR condition, PWA will practice in VR depicting everyday contexts, while in the non-VR group, PWA will practice with static photos. PWA in the control group will be assessed without training. Outcomes on functional communication, aphasia severity, and quality of life will be compared before/after treatment. The findings will provide empirical evidence to inform the development of effective and ecologically valid interventions for PWA. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06722092

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Parenteral nutrition in advanced cancer: A qualitative study on decision-making and information needs of patients and carers

by Jennifer McCracken, Sally Wheelwright, Clare Shaw Objectives To identify the information needs of people with advanced cancer, and their carers, to make an informed decision to commence or discontinue parenteral nutrition (PN). Methods Semi-structured interviews with people who had advanced cancer and were receiving PN, and their informal carers were audio-recorded with consent and transcribed verbatim. Analysis was conducted using a framework analysis approach. Patients were recruited via four hospitals including a cancer centre and intestinal failure units. Carers were recruited via recruiting hospitals, advertisement on social media and support group forums. Results Interviews were conducted with five patients and six carers. Five overarching themes were identified: factors affecting the decision: lack of choice and the importance of hope and advocacy, communication and information: whose role is it?, tackling discussions around benefits, risks and challenges of PN, the reality of living with home PN and neglected conversations: stopping PN and advance care planning. Patients and carers suggested essential information provided should include how to recognise complications, what to expect with home PN, and the risks and benefits of PN. They also recommended ways to improve service delivery including identification of the professional responsible for PN, improving communication through multiprofessional meetings and establishing a clear home PN pathway and service specification. Conclusions This study has identified information that patients with advanced cancer and their carers need to make decisions around commencing and discontinuing parenteral nutrition. This knowledge can contribute to the development of decision tools to support shared decision-making among patients, carers and healthcare professionals.

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Expression of Concern: Regulation of PKC Mediated Signaling by Calcium during Visceral Leishmaniasis

by The PLOS One Editors

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Expression of Concern: The host-protective effect of arabinosylated lipoarabinomannan against <i>Leishmania donovani</i> infection is associated with restoration of IFN-γ responsiveness

by The PLOS One Editors

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Exploring primary care health professionals’ perceived influence of their communication on HPV vaccine acceptance: Results from a national survey

by Olufeyisayo O. Odebunmi, Anna Ilyasova, Assanatou Bamogo, Yeshaben Patel, Colleen Higgins, Erin Laurie, Lisa N. Mansfield, Sachiko Ozawa, Stephanie B. Wheeler, Lisa P. Spees Objective To evaluate primary care health professionals’ (PCHPs) perspectives on how their communication influences HPV vaccine acceptance, based on the self-perception theory. And to examine the factors associated with PCHPs’ perceived influence on HPV vaccine acceptance. Methods An online national survey was administered between May and July 2022 to PCHPs involved in HPV vaccination for children ages 9–12 years old. Survey items comprised of PCHPs’ demographics, clinic settings, and selected HPV communication measures, such as influence of vaccine communication, strategies and challenges, and past HPV vaccine communication training. Logistic regression models assessed factors associated with PCHPs’ perceived influence of their communication on HPV vaccine acceptance. Results The majority of PCHPs felt their communication greatly influenced HPV vaccine acceptance. Compared to PCHPs who thought that communication had little or some influence on HPV vaccine acceptance, PCHPs who thought their communication greatly influenced HPV vaccine acceptance were more likely to: 1) use presumptive recommendations (aOR: 1.32; 95% CI: 1.11, 1.57), 2) report parental concerns about HPV vaccination promoting sexual activity (aOR:1.26, 95% CI: 1.06, 1.51), and 3) have had HPV vaccine communication training on how to address parental HPV vaccine hesitancy (aOR:1.25; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.54). Conclusion This study demonstrates the pivotal role of vaccine communication in influencing HPV vaccine acceptance among PCHPs. Tailored vaccine communication training that involves the entire primary care team and equips them with effective communication techniques is essential to increase PCHP’s confidence in vaccine conversations and competence in making HPV vaccine recommendations. HPV vaccine communication should also include content that promotes the cancer preventive role of HPV vaccine and debunks the myth around HPV vaccination promoting sexual activity.

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A unified spatiotemporal–geometry framework for target classification and localisation in dual-static passive radar

by Hongmin Wang, Zhiyong Lei, Xing Liu Passive radar exploits ambient broadcast signals and requires no dedicated transmitter, making it attractive for covert surveillance and target monitoring. A fundamental difficulty arises at low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) or when targets move slowly: the class decision (static vs. dynamic) and the geometry-based position estimate are solved in two independent steps by most existing methods, which can lead to inconsistent outputs. We propose a joint spatiotemporal–geometry framework for a dual-static passive radar operating on DVB-T broadcast signals at 650 MHz. The framework combines a spatiotemporal encoder with dilated convolutions and cross-attention, and a Cramér–Rao-weighted Levenberg–Marquardt bistatic solver. The two components are coupled through an iterative optimisation loop: the encoder class probability steers a physics-consistent velocity penalty inside the solver, while the updated solver state feeds back into the next class decision. Unlike prior joint methods that either operate on sequential tracks or incorporate physics only at training time, the proposed framework enforces the exact bistatic delay and Doppler equations as hard constraints at every test-time iteration while the encoder class probability actively steers the geometry penalty within the same optimisation loop. Across 500 Monte Carlo trials per SNR point and five independent evaluation seeds, the proposed method achieves a mean classification accuracy of 93.7 ± 0.8% with a weighted F1-score of 0.937 ± 0.007. The mean localisation error at −6 dB SNR is 1.15 ± 0.09 km, a 28.1% reduction compared with a geometry-only baseline. The joint optimisation converges in a mean of 4.1 ± 0.8 outer iterations. A sensitivity analysis confirms that all results are stable across a factor-of-two variation in any single hyperparameter. Within the simulated dual-static passive radar environment considered in this study, the proposed iterative approach consistently outperforms seven evaluated baseline methods in both classification accuracy and localisation error.

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Validation and evaluation of diagnostic tests for <i>Schistosoma mansoni</i> in Brazil: The ValidaXisto study protocol

by Cristina Toscano Fonseca, Rosiane A. da Silva-Pereira, Roberta Lima Caldeira, Wilma Patrícia de Oliveira Santos Bernardes, Clarice Carvalho Alves, Taynãna César Simões, Wagnner José Nascimento Porto, Edward José Oliveira, on behalf of the ValidaXisto team The persistence of schistosomiasis as a serious public health problem can be attributed, in part, to the lack of more accurate diagnostic techniques, particularly in areas with low prevalence and low parasitic burden. Thus, an effective diagnostic tool with broad applicability for detecting active infections in both high- and low-prevalence settings, as well as for accurately monitoring cure after therapeutic interventions, represent an instrument of utmost importance for controlling disease transmission. Therefore, we propose evaluating different commercial tests for schistosomiasis diagnosis identified through a review of all tests registered to be used in Brazil by the Brazilian regulatory agency (ANVISA) and those registered by other regulatory agencies, as well as prototypes of tests under development. In addition, we propose the development and evaluation of molecular diagnostic methodologies for schistosomiasis using different biological samples (stool, blood, and urine) from individuals living in an endemic area. The Kato-Katz technique, with 18 slides per stool sample, will be used as the reference test for definition of schistosomiasis cases. The performance of the evaluated techniques will be compared with respect to sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive and negative likelihood ratios, agreement with the reference test, cost, time, and ease of execution. The effectiveness and feasibility of these diagnostic tests will be assessed to recommend their incorporation into the schistosomiasis surveillance actions of the Ministry of Health within the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) in the short to medium term, considering the conditions faced by surveillance programs within Primary Health Care.

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Hepatitis B vaccine uptake and associated factors among pregnant women attending antenatal care at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital, Northern Uganda

by Linda Mercy Akello, Jimmy Osuret, Jovan Galiwango, Amos Deogratius Mwaka, Christopher Garimoi Orach Background Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a global public health concern. Uganda has a high prevalence of HBV infection among pregnant mothers. This study aimed to determine HBV vaccine uptake and associated factors among pregnant women attending Antenatal Care (ANC) at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital (GRRH). Methods This was a cross-sectional study. Data were collected from 430 participants who were selected by systematic sampling. Data were collected using an electronic questionnaire built on the Kobo Collect server and analyzed using STATA version 16.0. Prevalence ratios (PR) were calculated using a modified Poisson regression analysis to determine the association between HBV vaccine uptake and the predictors. Results More than half (53%:229/430) of the pregnant mothers had received at least a dose of the HBV vaccine. Factors statistically significantly associated with HBV vaccine uptake included age (APR = 1.10, 95% CI: 1.02–1.18), knowledge about HBV (APR = 1.06, 95% CI: 1.01–1.10), and healthcare worker communication (APR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.04–1.32). Conclusion More than half of pregnant mothers had received at least a dose of the HBV vaccination. Age, knowledge, and healthcare communication influenced vaccine uptake. There is a need to provide adequate health education regarding the importance of completing the HBV vaccine to pregnant women and community members to improve vaccine outcomes.

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Integrating network toxicology, machine learning, and single-cell sequencing to reveal the FASN-mediated role of phenolic endocrine disruptors in water in promoting prostate cancer

by Xinyao Zhu, Qilong Wu, Yuqi Li, Zhiyu Liu, Yang Zeng, Zhiqiang Zeng, Yubo Zhou, Lunhong Zou, Xiaochun Wu, Dan Zhao, Qingfu Deng, Tao Zhou Background Phenolic endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) like nonylphenol (NP) and octylphenol (OP) are widespread water pollutants. Their estrogen-like properties are suspected contributors to prostate cancer, but their precise molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Methods We employed a multidimensional framework to investigate this link. Potential NP/OP targets were predicted using SwissTargetPrediction, SEA, and CTD databases and cross-referenced with prostate cancer-associated genes from GeneCards and OMIM. Differential expression analysis of the GSE46602 dataset (36 tumor vs. 14 benign samples) identified candidate genes, which were refined to core genes using Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) and Support Vector Machine-Recursive Feature Elimination (SVM-RFE) algorithms. Their diagnostic power was evaluated via an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model and validated in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort. Single-cell RNA sequencing data from six prostate cancer samples (GSE137829) were analyzed to reveal cell-type-specific expression patterns. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations assessed binding stability between pollutants and target proteins. Results We identified 143 overlapping genes between NP/OP targets and prostate cancer-associated genes, significantly enriched in lipid metabolism and prostate cancer pathways (adjusted P 1, adjusted P via FASN, potentially activating a pro-oncogenic network, which warrants future experimental validation.

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Associations between body composition and gut microbiota in female college students with and without dance training

by Caifang Qiu, Hui Wang, Ran Liu Physical activity has been associated with gut microbiota variation and body composition phenotypes, but evidence in female dance students remains limited. This study compared body composition profiles and gut microbiota characteristics between female university students majoring in dance and those from non-dance majors. Seventy students were included (n = 35 per group). Body composition was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis (InBody 970), and fecal samples were analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Dance students exhibited significantly lower adiposity related parameters and central fat accumulation indices, including PBF, BFM, FMI, VFA, VFL, WC, WHR, WHtR, ABSI, and conicity index (P P P > 0.05). Gut microbiota composition differed between groups, with differential taxa observed across multiple taxonomic levels. Notably, Faecalibacterium and Lachnospiraceae_ND3007_group showed negative correlations with adiposity related indices and positive correlations with muscle and hydration related parameters, whereas Peptoniphilus, Ezakiella, and Fenollaria were positively correlated with adiposity related indices. In addition, Fusobacterium and Escherichia Shigella were positively associated with central adiposity measures. These findings indicate that female dance students exhibit distinct body composition profiles, while microbiome-related differences and associations appear modest and exploratory, warranting further validation in larger and well-controlled studies.

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Behavioral barriers in the management of spinal muscular atrophy: The role of procrastination, regret, and burnout

by Jorge Maurino, Laura Carrera-García, Paz Castro-Fernández, Ignacio Málaga, Andrés Nascimento, Gustavo Saposnik Background Decision-making in complex medical conditions is a cognitively demanding task influenced by clinician-specific behavioral factors. Procrastination, the voluntary delay of intended actions despite foreseeable adverse outcomes, is a self-regulation failure often exacerbated by high-stress clinical environments. This study evaluated the prevalence of procrastination among healthcare professionals (HCPs) managing spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and analyzed its associations with burnout and healthcare-related regret. Methods We conducted a non-interventional, cross-sectional, web-based study of HCPs recruited through the Spanish CuidAME registry. Participants were assessed using a battery of validated instruments: the Pure Procrastination Scale (PPS), the Regret Intensity Scale (RIS-10), the Evidence-Based Practice Attitude Scale (EBPAS), and a single-item burnout measure. In addition to multivariate logistic regression, we employed a regression-based mediation analysis with bootstrap resampling to explore potential indirect effects of burnout on procrastination via regret intensity. Results Thirty-seven HCPs completed the study. Moderate-to-high procrastination was identified in 35.1% of the cohort. PPS scores correlated significantly with burnout (rho = 0.49, p = 0.002) and regret intensity (rho = 0.43, p = 0.007). Multivariate analysis identified burnout as the single independent factor associated with procrastination (OR: 8.17; 95%CI: 1.60–41.62; p = 0.011). Although burnout significantly predicted increased regret intensity, mediation analysis confirmed no significant indirect effect (beta = 0.98; 95%CI: −1.74 to 3.79). Burnout maintained a robust association with procrastination, independent of the mediator (beta = 5.11, p = 0.039). Conclusions Procrastination is a prevalent behavioral trait in SMA care. While procrastination correlates with healthcare-related regret, burnout serves as its primary independent predictor of this behavior. These exploratory findings suggest that targeted interventions to mitigate clinician burnout may facilitate the optimization of decision-making processes in complex neuromuscular care.

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Carbon emission governance and public health efficiency in transitional China: Regional differences and spatial aggregation

by Yiwen Wei, Lingxiao Guo, Qunshan Tao, Hua Wei Background With the coordinated advancement of China’s “dual carbon” goals and the Healthy China strategy, the harmonious development of carbon emission governance and public health service efficiency has emerged as a central issue in China’s sustainable transition. Methods This study takes 31 provincial-level administrative units in China over the period 2012–2023 as the unit of analysis, and constructs a systematic analytical framework encompassing “measurement–coupling–inequality decomposition–determinant identification.” Specifically, the entropy weight method is employed to assess the composite level of carbon emission governance; the DEA-SBM model is applied to evaluate public health service efficiency; the coupling coordination degree model is used to quantify the coordinated development level of the two systems; the Dagum Gini coefficient decomposition is then utilized to identify the sources of regional disparities; the Global Moran’s Index is adopted to track the evolution of spatial agglomeration; and a two-way fixed effects Tobit model is constructed to identify associated factors. Results The national coupling coordination degree (CCD) exhibited an overall trajectory of initial fluctuation followed by a sustained upward trend. During 2012–2017, the CCD of most provinces remained within the range of 0.44–0.63, rising broadly to the 0.54–0.72 interval after 2018. Inter-regional inequality consistently constituted the dominant source of total disparity throughout the study period. After 2018, the coordination gap between eastern and western regions continued to widen, while intra-regional disparities among western provinces simultaneously intensified, with both trends jointly driving an increasingly pronounced pattern of regional divergence. The Global Moran’s Index rose from 0.227 to 0.497, indicating a continuous strengthening of spatial agglomeration. The associated factors exhibited significant regional heterogeneity: R&D investment intensity demonstrated a significant positive association with CCD in central and western regions; urban population density exerted a significant inhibitory effect on coordination degree in western provinces; and the direction of the association between economic development level and CCD was opposite in eastern and central regions. Conclusions Institutional time lags, factor endowment disparities, and spatial polarization mechanisms constitute the core structural barriers constraining the coordinated development of the two systems. There is an urgent need to establish a differentiated, region-specific, and phase-based policy intervention framework to promote balanced and coordinated regional development.

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