From river to groundwater: Antibiotics pollution, resistance prevalence, and source tracking.

The extensive use of antibiotics has led to their frequent detection as residues in the environment. However, monitoring of their levels in groundwater and the associated ecological and health risks remains limited, and the impact of river pollution on groundwater is still unclear. This study focused on the highly urbanized Maozhou River and its groundwater.

Demonstrating performance in scaled-up production and quality control of polyhydroxyalkanoates using municipal waste activated sludge.

Significant progress has been made over the past decade with pilot scale polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) production by direct accumulation using municipal waste activated sludge (WAS). However, industrial upscaling experiences are still lacking in the research literature. In this study, a demonstration scale (4 m) PHA production process was operated using industrially relevant equipment and compared favourably to those from parallel pilot scale (200 L) production runs.

Muscle imaging in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy research: A scoping review and expert recommendations.

Clinical trial readiness is an important topic in the field of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). As FSHD is a slowly progressive and clinically heterogeneous disease, imaging biomarkers have been proposed to complement clinical outcome measures. Muscle magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) have been used to measure disease severity, activity and progression.

Probabilistic learning of the Purkinje network from the electrocardiogram.

The identification of the Purkinje conduction system in the heart is a challenging task, yet essential for a correct definition of cardiac digital twins for precision cardiology. Here, we propose a probabilistic approach for identifying the Purkinje network from non-invasive clinical data such as the standard electrocardiogram (ECG). We use cardiac imaging to build an anatomically accurate model of the ventricles; we algorithmically generate a rule-based Purkinje network tailored to the anatomy; we simulate physiological electrocardiograms with a fast model; we identify the geometrical and electrical parameters of the Purkinje-ECG model with Bayesian optimization and approximate Bayesian computation.

Accumulation of metals in resident blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) and exposed Asian clams (Corbicula fluminea) along the Scheldt estuary: A spatial and temporal investigation.

Metals are micropollutants of significant concern in the aquatic environment, requiring continuous monitoring to assess their distribution and environmental risk. This study investigated metals in water, sediment, and bivalves at different locations along the Scheldt estuary (the Netherlands-Belgium). The distribution of metals generally decreased from upstream to downstream in each matrix, with exceptions.

Designing Health Recommender Systems to Promote Health Equity: A Socioecological Perspective.

Health recommender systems (HRS) have the capability to improve human-centered care and prevention by personalizing content, such as health interventions or health information. HRS, an emerging and developing field, can play a unique role in the digital health field as they can offer relevant recommendations, not only based on what users themselves prefer and may be receptive to, but also using data about wider spheres of influence over human behavior, including peers, families, communities, and societies. We identify and discuss how HRS could play a unique role in decreasing health inequities.

Long-term Double-J stenting is superior to short-term Single-J stenting in kidney transplantation.

Background And Objectives: Urological complications after kidney transplantation, due to the ureteroneocystostomy, are associated with significant morbidity, prolonged hospital stay and even mortality. Ureteral stents can minimize the number of complications but are not consistently used, as previous studies were retrospective in nature. We aim to prospectively determine the most effective stenting approach.

Ancient genomics and the origin, dispersal, and development of domestic sheep.

The origins and prehistory of domestic sheep () are incompletely understood; to address this, we generated data from 118 ancient genomes spanning 12,000 years sampled from across Eurasia. Genomes from Central Türkiye ~8000 BCE are genetically proximal to the domestic origins of sheep but do not fully explain the ancestry of later populations, suggesting a mosaic of wild ancestries. Genomic signatures indicate selection by ancient herders for pigmentation patterns, hornedness, and growth rate.

The impact of visual fidelity on screen-based virtual reality food choices: A randomized pilot study.

Objective: To understand the impact of fidelity and perceived realism on virtual reality food choices, and task motivation, engagement, and interest.

Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Online.

Introduced substrates trigger colonization by reef-associated fish in a degraded coastal system.

Coastal reefs benefit the survival and growth of mobile organisms by providing shelter and increased food availability. Under increasing pressure from human activities, the coverage of subtidal reefs has decreased along the world's coasts. This decline is motivating efforts to restore these important habitats by re-introducing hard substrates into the coastal zone.

Linking citation and retraction data reveals the demographics of scientific retractions among highly cited authors.

Retractions are becoming increasingly common but still account for a small minority of published papers. It would be useful to generate databases where the presence of retractions can be linked to impact metrics of each scientist. We have thus incorporated retraction data in an updated Scopus-based database of highly cited scientists (top 2% in each scientific subfield according to a composite citation indicator).

In vitro cytotoxicity (irritant potency) of toothpaste ingredients.

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the cytotoxicity (irritant potency) of toothpaste ingredients, of which some had known to have sensitizing properties.

Materials: From the wide variety of toothpaste ingredients, Xylitol, Propylene glycol (PEG), Sodium metaphosphate (SMP), Lemon, Peppermint, Fluoride, Cinnamon, and Triclosan and Sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) have been selected for evaluation of their cytotoxic properties.

Methods: Reconstructed human gingiva (RHG) were topically exposed to toothpaste ingredients at different concentrations.

Obesity phenotypes and dyslipidemia in adults from four African countries: An H3Africa AWI-Gen study.

Introduction: The contribution of obesity phenotypes to dyslipidaemia in middle-aged adults from four sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries at different stages of the epidemiological transition has not been reported. We characterized lipid levels and investigated their relation with the growing burden of obesity in SSA countries.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa.

Multimodal integration of blood RNA and ctDNA reflects response to immunotherapy in metastatic urothelial cancer.

Background: Previously, we demonstrated that changes in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) are promising biomarkers for early response prediction (ERP) to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC). In this study, we investigated the value of whole blood immunotranscriptomics for ERP-ICI and integrated both biomarkers into a multimodal model to boost accuracy.

Methods: Blood samples of 93 patients were collected at baseline and after 2-6 weeks of ICI for ctDNA (N=88) and immunotranscriptome (N=79) analyses.

recovered from hospital patients, livestock and dogs in Nigeria share near-identical genome sequences.

Genomic data on from the African continent are currently lacking, resulting in the region being under-represented in global analyses of infection (CDI) epidemiology. For the first time in Nigeria, we utilized whole-genome sequencing and phylogenetic tools to compare isolates from diarrhoeic human patients (=142), livestock (=38), poultry manure (=5) and dogs (=9) in the same geographic area (Makurdi, north-central Nigeria) and relate them to the global population. In addition, selected isolates were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility (=33) and characterized by PCR ribotyping (=53).

Studying gender in the experiences of patients with heart failure: A scoping review of qualitative studies and methodological recommendations.

Background: Considering how gendered experiences play a role in the lives of patients with heart failure (HF) is critical in order to understand their experiences, optimise clinical care and reduce health inequalities.

Objectives: The aim of our study was to review how gender is being studied in qualitative research in HF, specifically to (1) analyse how gender is conceptualised and applied in qualitative HF research; and (2) identify methodological opportunities to better understand the gendered experiences of patients with HF.

Eligibility Criteria: We conducted a systematic search of literature, including qualitive or mixed-methods articles focussing on patients' perspectives in HF and using gender as a primary analytical factor, excluding articles published before 2000.

Ring Augmentation of the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: A Propensity Score Matched Analysis of 5-Year Follow-Up Results.

Background: The ring-augmented Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (raRYGB) has been reported to result in higher long-term weight loss compared to regular Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). However, the type of ring used varied within studies, leading to heterogeneity in reported results. Therefore, this study compares the 5-year results of RYGB with and without ring augmentation using a specific prefabricated gastric ring.

Experiences of Disclosure, Resilience and Viral Suppression among People Living with HIV in Ghana.

Support for people living with HIV (PLHIV) as they disclose their HIV status can impact continuity of HIV treatment and adherence to antiretrovirals. In the presence of multi-level adversities, resilience among PLHIV can promote health-seeking behaviors and better health outcomes. However, few studies have examined how disclosure experience and resilience work together to impact HIV treatment outcomes among PLHIV.

Measuring adaptive expertise and adaptive performance in (becoming) healthcare professionals: a scoping review of measurement instruments.

Professional work in healthcare is increasingly disruptive, requiring professionals to be flexible and adaptable. Research on adaptive expertise and adaptive performance in healthcare has grown, and operationalisation and measurement of these concepts are crucial to meet professionals' evolving needs. This study provides an overview of measurement instruments for adaptive expertise and adaptive performance in (becoming) healthcare professionals, including an evaluation of their operationalisations and the amount of evidence supporting their quality.

Revision of the genus Canalirogas van Achterberg & Chen (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) from India with description of four new species and a key to the Indian species.

The Indian species of the genus Canalirogas van Achterberg & Chen, 1996 are revised. Four new species, Canalirogas multinigratus Gupta & van Achterberg sp. nov.

Artificial intelligence for segmentation and classification in lumbar spinal stenosis: an overview of current methods.

Purpose: Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a frequently occurring condition defined by narrowing of the spinal or nerve root canal due to degenerative changes. Physicians use MRI scans to determine the severity of stenosis, occasionally complementing it with X-ray or CT scans during the diagnostic work-up. However, manual grading of stenosis is time-consuming and induces inter-reader variability as a standardized grading system is lacking.

Diet, lifestyle and telomere length: using Copula Graphical Models on NHANES data.

Telomere length has been related to human health and ageing in multiple studies. However, these studies have analyzed a small set of variables, according to pre-formulated hypotheses. We used data from NHANES 1999-2002 to perform a preregistered cross-sectional analysis.

Validation of a Pretransplant Risk Prediction Model for Early Allograft Dysfunction After Living-donor Liver Transplantation.

Background: Early allograft dysfunction (EAD) affects outcomes in liver transplantation (LT). Existing risk models developed for deceased-donor LT depend on posttransplant factors and fall short in living-donor LT (LDLT), where pretransplant evaluations are crucial for preventing EAD and justifying the donor's risks.

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed data from 2944 adult patients who underwent LDLT at 17 centers between 2016 and 2020.