Psychometric evaluation and derivation of the Kannada version of the modified (29-item model) Indian Vision Function Assessment Questionnaire.

Background/aims: India's linguistic and cultural diversity necessitates a region-specific validated Visual Functioning Questionnaire. The objective of this study was to translate the Indian Vision Function Questionnaire-33 (IND-VFQ-33) into the Kannada language and test its psychometric properties, underlying factor structure, and model fit.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 330 participants, and basic psychometric properties (reliability, convergent, discriminant, construct validity, responsiveness, etc.

The 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine: microRNA Takes Center Stage.

The Journal Editorial Board Members would like to congratulate Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun, who were jointly awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their groundbreaking discovery of microRNAs and the role of microRNAs in post-transcriptional gene regulation, uncovering a previously unknown layer of gene control in eukaryotes [...

Lactoferrin as a Versatile Agent in Nanoparticle Applications: From Therapeutics to Agriculture.

Nanoparticles (NPs) have emerged as a potent choice for various applications, from drug delivery to agricultural studies, serving as an alternative and promising methodology for future advancements. They have been widely explored in delivery systems, demonstrating immense promise and high efficiency for the delivery of numerous biomolecules such as proteins and anticancer agents, either solely or modified with other compounds to enhance their capabilities. In addition, the utilization of NPs extends to antimicrobial studies, where they are used to develop novel antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral formulations with advanced characteristics.

Innovative One-Step Sustainable Process to Produce Simonkolleite Nanoparticles.

The aim of the present paper is to propose an innovative, one-step and sustainable process allowing us to obtain almost 10 kg/week of pure and crystalline simonkolleite nanoparticles (SK NPs) in only 8 min of reaction, working in water, under ambient conditions of pressure/temperature, guaranteeing at the same time low environmental impact and a high yield of NP production. In addition, the obtained NPs can also act as ZnO precursors at ambient temperature, and this result supports the sustainability of the process considering that, generally, the production of ZnO from SK occurred via annealing at high temperatures. The SK NPs appeared pure and crystalline, characterized by a highly uniform hexagonal lamellar feature.

Chemical Diversity of Mediterranean Seagrasses Volatilome.

Background/objectives: Biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs), extensively studied in terrestrial plants with global emissions around 1 PgC yr, are also produced by marine organisms. However, benthic species, especially seagrasses, are understudied despite their global distribution (177,000-600,000 km). This study aims to examine BVOC emissions from key Mediterranean seagrass species (, , , and ) in marine and coastal lagoon environments.

Structural and Functional Integration of Tissue-Nonspecific Alkaline Phosphatase Within the Alkaline Phosphatase Superfamily: Evolutionary Insights and Functional Implications.

Phosphatases are enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of phosphate esters. They play critical roles in diverse biological processes such as extracellular nucleotide homeostasis, transport of molecules across membranes, intracellular signaling pathways, or vertebrate mineralization. Among them, tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP) is today increasingly studied, due to its ubiquitous expression and its ability to dephosphorylate a very broad range of substrates and participate in several different biological functions.

Singlet Oxygen-Induced Mitochondrial Reset in Cancer: A Novel Approach for Ovarian Cancer Therapy.

: This study explores the generation of singlet oxygen (SO) through methylene blue (MB) activation as a metabolic intervention for ovarian cancer. We aimed to examine the role of SO in modulating mitochondrial function, cellular metabolism, and proliferation in ovarian cancer cell lines compared to control cells. : The study utilized two ovarian cancer cell lines, OV1369-R2 and TOV1369, along with ARPE-19 control cells.

Evaluation of a New Tandem Mass Spectrometry Method for Sickle Cell Disease Newborn Screening.

In France, sickle cell disease newborn screening (SCD NBS) has been targeted to at-risk regions since 1984, but generalization to the whole population will be implemented from November 2024. Although tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) is already used for the NBS of several inherited metabolic diseases, its application for SCD NBS has not been widely adopted worldwide. The aim of this study was to evaluate a dedicated MS/MS kit (Targeted MS/MS Hemo, ZenTech, LaCAR Company, Liege, Belgium) for SCD NBS and to compare the results obtained with those from an NBS reference center using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight (MALDI-TOF) and cation-exchange high-performance liquid chromatography (CE-HPLC, Variant NBS, Biorad Laboratories, Inc.

RETRACTED: Zulfiqar et al. Obesity and Frailty Syndrome in the Elderly: Prospective Study in Primary Care. 2022, , 38.

The journal retracts the article titled "Obesity and Frailty Syndrome in the Elderly: Prospective Study in Primary Care" [...

Epidemiology, Clinical, Radiological and Biological Characteristics, and Outcomes of Mucormycosis: A Retrospective Study at a French University Hospital.

Purpose: Mucormycosis is a rare but emerging and life-threatening infection caused by environmental mold, with a mortality rate of 30-70% despite progress in management. A better understanding could improve its management.

Method: We conducted a single-center retrospective study of all cases of mucormycosis observed over a decade at the University Hospital of Caen.

Fungi and Fungal Metabolites for the Improvement of Human and Animal Life, Nutrition and Health.

Fungi: 1, 2, 3, [...

Biotransformation of the Fluoroquinolone Antibiotic, Levofloxacin, by the Free and Immobilized Secretome of .

Antibiotics play a crucial role in human and animal medical healthcare, but widespread use and overuse of antibiotics poses alarming health and environmental issues. Fluoroquinolones constitute a class of antibiotics that has already become ubiquitous in the environment, and their increasing use and high persistence prompt growing concern. Here we investigated a fungal secretome prepared from the white-rot fungus , which is able to effectively degrade the environmentally persistent fluoroquinolone, levofloxacin.

Epicardial Fat Volume Assessed by MRI in Adolescents: Associations with Obesity and Cardiovascular Risk Factors.

: In adults, epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is associated with metabolic syndrome (MS) and coronary artery disease. EAT thickness is increased in obese youth, but total EAT volume and its correlation with cardiovascular risk factors have not been studied. : To determine EAT volume in adolescents and its association with obesity and cardiovascular risk factors.

Effects of Explosive vs. Strength Resistance Training on Plantar Flexor Neuromuscular and Functional Capacities in Institutionalized Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objectives: To compare the effects of explosive and strength resistance training on neuromuscular and functional parameters in older adults and to analyze the relationship between changes in walking speed and improvements in plantar flexor (PF) neuromuscular parameters following interventions.

Methods: In total, 40 participants were randomly assigned to either an explosive resistance training group (EXG, n = 18; age = 80.41 ± 10.

Does Trunk Self-Elongation Instruction Lead to Changes in Effective Trunk Height and Spino-Pelvic Parameters? A Radiographic Analysis.

Background/objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in trunk height and variations in spino-pelvic parameters during trunk self-elongation. Two populations were studied: non-athletes and gymnasts, who differ in their engagement with core-strengthening exercises.

Methods: EOS biplanar radiographs were taken on 14 non-athletes and 24 gymnasts in both neutral and trunk self-elongation positions.

Spine Kinematics Behavior During the Handstand Posture: A Biplanar Radiographic Analysis.

The handstand is an exercise performed in many sports, either for its own sake or as part of physical training. Unlike the upright bipedal standing posture, little is known about the sagittal alignment and balance of the spine during a handstand, which may hinder coaching and reduce the benefits of this exercise if not performed correctly. The purpose of this study was to quantify the sagittal alignment and balance of the spine during a handstand using radiographic images to characterize the strategies employed by the spino-pelvic complex during this posture.

Optimization of Cocoa Pods Maturity Classification Using Stacking and Voting with Ensemble Learning Methods in RGB and LAB Spaces.

Determining the maturity of cocoa pods early is not just about guaranteeing harvest quality and optimizing yield. It is also about efficient resource management. Rapid identification of the stage of maturity helps avoid losses linked to a premature or late harvest, improving productivity.

State-of-the-Art Deep Learning Methods for Microscopic Image Segmentation: Applications to Cells, Nuclei, and Tissues.

Microscopic image segmentation (MIS) is a fundamental task in medical imaging and biological research, essential for precise analysis of cellular structures and tissues. Despite its importance, the segmentation process encounters significant challenges, including variability in imaging conditions, complex biological structures, and artefacts (e.g.

A Comparative Review of the SWEET Simulator: Theoretical Verification Against Other Simulators.

Accurate luminance-based image generation is critical in physically based simulations, as even minor inaccuracies in radiative transfer calculations can introduce noise or artifacts, adversely affecting image quality. The radiative transfer simulator, SWEET, uses a backward Monte Carlo approach, and its performance is analyzed alongside other simulators to assess how Monte Carlo-induced biases vary with parameters like optical thickness and medium anisotropy. This work details the advancements made to SWEET since the previous publication, with a specific focus on a more comprehensive comparison with other simulators such as Mitsuba.

Multimodal Machine Learning for Predicting Post-Surgery Quality of Life in Colorectal Cancer Patients.

Colorectal cancer is a major public health issue, causing significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Treatment for colorectal cancer often has a significant impact on patients' quality of life, which can vary over time and across individuals. The application of artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques has great potential for optimizing patient outcomes by providing valuable insights.

Identification and Characterization of Two Aryl Sulfotransferases from Deep-Sea Marine Fungi and Their Implications in the Sulfation of Secondary Metabolites.

Sulfation plays a critical role in the biosynthesis of small molecules, regulatory mechanisms such as hormone signaling, and detoxification processes (phase II enzymes). The sulfation reaction is catalyzed by a broad family of enzymes known as sulfotransferases (SULTs), which have been extensively studied in animals due to their medical importance, but also in plant key processes. Despite the identification of some sulfated metabolites in fungi, the mechanisms underlying fungal sulfation remain largely unknown.

Chondroitin Sulfate Nanovectorized by LC-PUFAs Nanocarriers Extracted from Salmon () by Green Process with Decreased Inflammatory Marker Expression in Interleukin-1β-Stimulated Primary Human Chondrocytes In Vitro Culture.

Chondroitin sulfate (CS), a glycosaminoglycan, supports health through various physiological functions, including tissue protection, bone growth, and skin aging prevention. It also contributes to anticoagulant or anti-inflammatory processes, with its primary clinical use being osteoarthritis treatment. This study presents the results of the valorization of lipids and CS, both extracted from salmon co-products through enzymatic processes.

Chemical Composition, Free Radicals and Pathogenic Microbes in the Extract Derived from : In Silico and In Vitro Approaches.

Marine algae are renowned for their health benefits due to the presence of functional bioactive compounds. In this context, this study aims to valorize the extract of a seaweed, (), through phytochemical characterization using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS), as well as in vitro and in silico evaluation of its biological activities (antioxidant and antimicrobial). Phytochemical characterization revealed that the ethanolic extract of (DdEx) is rich in phenolic compounds, with a total of 22 phycocompounds identified.

GenAI Creativity in Narrative Tasks: Exploring New Forms of Creativity.

This study examined generative artificial intelligences (GenAIs), as popularized by ChatGPT, in standardized creativity tests. Benchmarking GenAI against human performance, the results showed that ChatGPT demonstrated remarkable fluency in content generation, though the creative output was average. The random nature of AI creativity and the dependency on the richness of the training database require a reassessment of traditional creativity metrics, especially for AI.

Adult Outcomes of Childhood Wheezing Phenotypes Are Associated with Early-Life Factors.

While the phenotypic diversity of childhood wheezing is well described, the subsequent life course of such phenotypes and their adult outcomes remain poorly understood. We hypothesized that different childhood wheezing phenotypes have varying longitudinal outcomes at age 26. We sought to identify factors associated with wheezing persistence, clinical remission, and new onset in adulthood.