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Harmonizing and integrating the NCI Genomic Data Commons through accessible, interactive, and cloud-enabled workflows

Cancer data is widely available in repositories such as the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Genomic Data Commons (GDC). These datasets could serve as controls or comparisons in compendium analyses with user data, avoiding the expense and time of generating additional datasets. However, the user must be able to process their new data in the same manner for these comparisons to be useful. This can be non-trivial. Although the executables themselves are usually available in repositories, the GDC pipelines that describe that entire analysis workflow are currently published as text-based standard operating procedures (SOPs). It is difficult to document a computational workflow to the level of detail and accuracy required to reproduce the results. Discrepancies between versions and exclusions of details accumulate as the documentation inevitably lags behind code revisions. Our goal is to enhance the utility of the GDC by converting the SOPs into an accessible and executable format. Specifically, we converted the GDC DNA sequencing (DNA-Seq) and the GDC mRNA sequencing (mRNA-Seq) SOPs into reproducible, self-installing, containerized, and interactive graphical workflows. These can be applied to reproducibly process user data and to harmonize datasets across repositories. Using our publicly available graphical workflows, we harmonize raw RNA-Seq datasets from the GDC and the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) project that were originally processed using different methodologies to illustrate the importance of uniform processing of control and treatment data for accurate inference of differentially expressed genes. By disseminating the analytical methodology in a reproducible and executable form, we greatly increase the utility of the GDC by enabling researchers to uniformly process custom data and datasets across multiple repositories to enhance data interpretation. Our approach and open-source executable workflows of making the analytical process as readily available as the data can be applied to other data repositories to increase their impact on scientific research.

Effect of weight loss intervention for adults with severe intellectual disability by their mothers: A cluster randomized controlled trial

While adults with intellectual disabilities have a high prevalence of obesity, few weight loss interventions exist for them, and those that do exist target people with mild or moderate disabilities. To address obesity in adults with severe intellectual disabilities who are highly dependent, we developed the “Conflict-Free Weight Loss Program for Adults with Severe ID and Autism” to support their mothers and piloted the program, and the results showed that it was effective for weight loss. This study aimed to determine the feasibility of day center nurses and dieticians implementing the “Conflict-Free Weight Loss Program for Adults with Severe ID and Autism” and whether this would support effective weight loss in adults with severe intellectual disabilities, both with and without autism. A cluster randomized controlled trial per day center was registered at UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (UMIM-CTR ID;UMIN000047478) and was conducted with 31 adults with severe intellectual disabilities in Aichi, Japan. The seven-month trial consisted of a four-month intervention and a three-month follow-up; 15 adults in the intervention group and 13 in the control group completed the follow-up. Primary outcomes included the adults’ weight and waist circumference, and differences between groups were analyzed using the Friedman tests. The secondary outcomes were mothers’ implementation, adults’ scores for inflexible adherence, and daily intake of target food. The intervention group showed significantly reduced weight (median; baseline 1, post-intervention 0.975, follow-up 0.983, p <  0.001), and slightly reduced waist circumference (median; baseline 1, post-intervention 0.975, follow-up 0.975, p =  0.226); however, the control group showed no change. Adults’ resistance was minimal, maternal implementations were high, and daily food intake decreased. Our findings indicate that our program was feasible for day center nurses and dietitians to implement and has the potential to reduce the weight of adults with severe intellectual disabilities.

A new trauma severity scoring system adapted to wearable monitoring: A pilot study

Wearable technologies represent a strong development axis for various medical applications and these devices are increasingly used in daily life as illustrated by smart watches’ popularisation. Combined with new data processing methods, it constitutes a promising opportunity for telemonitoring, triage in mass casualty situations, or early diagnosis after a traffic or sport accident. An approach to processing the physiological data is to develop severity scoring systems to quantify the critical level of an individual’s health status. However, the existing severity scores require a human evaluation. A first version of a severity scoring system adapted to continuous and real-time wearable monitoring is proposed in this article. The focus is made on three physiological parameters straightforwardly measurable with wrist-wearables: heart rate, respiratory rate, and SpO2, which may be enough to characterise continuously hemodynamic and respiratory status. Intermediate score functions corresponding to each physiological parameter have been established using a sigmoid model. The boundary conditions have been defined based on a survey conducted among 54 health professionals. An adapted function has also been developed to merge the three intermediate scores into a global score. The scores are associated with a triage tricolour code: green for a low-priority casualty, orange for a delayable one, red for an urgent one. Preliminary confrontation of the new severity scoring system with real data has been carried out using a database of 84 subjects admitted to the intensive care unit. Colour classification by the new scoring system was compared with independent physicians’ direct evaluation as a reference. The prediction success rate values 74% over the entire database. Two examples of continuous monitoring over time are also given. The new score has turned out to be consistent, and may be easily upgraded with the integration of additional vital signs monitoring or medical information.

Fairness in the multi-proposer-multi-responder ultimatum game

The Ultimatum Game is conventionally formulated in the context of two players. Nonetheless, real-life scenarios often entail community interactions among numerous individuals. To address this, we introduce an extended version of the Ultimatum Game, called the Multi-Proposer-Multi-Responder Ultimatum Game. In this model, multiple responders and proposers simultaneously interact in a one-shot game, introducing competition both within proposers and within responders. We derive subgame-perfect Nash equilibria for all scenarios and explore how these non-trivial values might provide insight into proposal and rejection behaviour experimentally observed in the context of one vs. one Ultimatum Game. Additionally, by considering the asymptotic numbers of players, we propose two potential estimates for a “fair” threshold: either 31.8% or 36.8% of the pie (share) for the responder.

Proof of concept pilot study to assess the utility of magnetic resonance extra-cellular volume quantification to diagnose advanced liver disease in people with Cystic Fibrosis

Background Current diagnostic tools are limited in their ability to diagnose cystic fibrosis liver disease (CFLD) as disease is often focal in nature. Magnetic resonance extracellular volume quantification (MRI ECV) in the liver may have diagnostic utility in CFLD as a more selective liver volume is assessed and can be performed using equipment readily available in clinical practice on a standard MRI protocol. Methods Healthy volunteers (HV), CF participants with no liver disease (CF-noLD) and CF participants with cirrhosis (CF-C) aged 18 years and above had MRI ECV measured using a 3T Siemens scanner. An additional retrospective analysis was performed to calculate MRI ECV in individuals who had available images obtained using a 1.5T Siemens scanner from a previous study. Results 16 individuals had MRI ECV measured using a 3T Siemens scanner. Mean (SD) MRI ECV was 0.316 (0.058) for HV (n  =  5), 0.297 (0.034) for CF-noLD (n  =  5) and 0.388 (0.067) for CF-C (n  = 6 ). Post-hoc analysis showed a significant difference between CF-noLD and CF-C (p  =  0.046). Of 18 individuals with available images using a 1.5T scanner, mean (SD) MRI ECV was 0.269 (0.048) in HV (n  =  8), 0.310 (0.037) in CF-noLD (n  =  8) and 0.362 (0.063) in CF-C (n  =  2). Conclusions Liver MRI ECV quantification was feasible in adults with CF with no significant difference in results between 1.5T and 3T obtained images suggesting applicability across different types of MRI scanner. A higher MRI ECV was demonstrated in CF participants with cirrhosis suggesting potential utility as a diagnostic tool for those with advanced CFLD. Further evaluation in larger cohorts is warranted.

Exploring biophilic building designs to promote wellbeing and stimulate inspiration

Biophilic designs aim to promote health and wellbeing by incorporating nature-based features into internal and external built environments. Three theories have previously been proposed (i.e., Recovery, Attention Restoration, Refuge, and Prospect) regarding the impact of biophilic features on psychological and physiological health, but with little empirical evaluation. This current study tests these three existing theories, alongside a novel biophilic theory proposed in this paper, as that biophilic environments stimulate inspiration. A public survey was conducted, and participants completed an online stress-induction task followed by images of building interiors that systematically varied in perceived biophilic quality—ranging across four levels (from 0 = no clear biophilic features to 3 = very high biophilic features). Participants rated their psychological states associated with each of the proposed theories before and after each trial’s stress-induction and biophilic phases. Results support a positive effect of exposure to biophilic design on self-reported psychological states (including inspiration), whilst designs without biophilic quality tended to have an adverse effect on psychological states. Furthermore, findings support the extension of the current three theories to include the impact of biophilic designs on stimulating inspiration.

An enhanced genetic-based multi-objective mathematical model for industrial supply chain network

The multi-objective supply chain needs a full look at enterprise costs, coordinated delivery of different products, and more fluidity and efficiency within the network of the supply chain. However, existing methodologies rarely delve into the intricacies of the industrial supply chain. Therefore, in the emerging industrial supply chain network, a model for the multi-objective problem was made using a meta-heuristic approach, specifically the improved genetic algorithm, which is a type of soft computing. To create the initial population, a hybrid approach that combines topology theory and the random search method was adopted, which resulted in a modification of the conventional single roulette wheel selection procedure. Additionally, the crossover and mutation operations were enhanced, with determining their respective probabilities determined through a fusion of the elite selection approach and the roulette method. The simulation results indicate that the improved genetic algorithm reduced the supply load from 0.678 to 0.535, labor costs from 1832 yuan to 1790 yuan, and operational time by approximately 39.5%, from 48 seconds to 29.5 seconds. Additionally, the variation in node utilization rates significantly decreased from 30.1% to 12.25%, markedly enhancing resource scheduling efficiency and overall balance within the supply chain.

Exploring the achievements and forecasting of SDG 3 using machine learning algorithms: Bangladesh perspective

Background Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3), focusing on ensuring healthy lives and well-being for all, holds global significance and is particularly vital for Bangladesh. Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR), Under-5 Mortality Rate (U5MR), Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) and Death Rate Due to Road Traffic Injuries (RTI) are considered responsible indicators of SDG 3 progress in Bangladesh. The objective of the study is to forecast these indicators of Bangladesh up to 2030 and compare these forecasts with predetermined 2030 targets. The data is obtained from the World Bank’s (WB) website. Method For forecasting, time series models were employed, specifically Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average- ARIMA (0,2,1) with Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) 94.6 for NMR and ARIMA (2,1,2) with AIC 423.2 for U5MR, selected based on their lowest AIC values. Additionally, Machine Learning (ML) models, including Bidirectional Recurrent Neural Networks (BRNN) and Elastic Neural Networks (ENET), were employed for all the indicators. Results ENET demonstrates superior performance compared to both BRNN and ARIMA in the context of NMR, achieving a Root Mean Absolute Error (RMAE) of 0.603446 and a Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 0.451162. Furthermore, when considering U5MR, MMR, and Death Rate Due to RTI, ENET consistently exhibits lower error metrics compared to the alternative models. Following the time series and ML analyses, a consistent trend emerges in the forecasted values for NMR and U5MR, which consistently fall below their respective 2030 targets. This promising finding suggests that Bangladesh is making significant progress toward meeting its 2030 targets for NMR and U5MR. However, in the cases of MMR and Death Rate Due to RTI, the forecasted values exceeded 2030 targets. This indicates that Bangladesh faces challenges in meeting the 2030 targets for MMR and Death Rate Due to RTI. Conclusion The analyses underscore the importance of SDG 3 in Bangladesh and its progress towards ensuring healthy lives and well-being for all. While there is optimism regarding NMR and U5MR, more focused efforts may be needed to address the challenges posed by MMR and Death Rate Due to RTI to align with the 2030 targets. This study contributes valuable insights into Bangladesh’s journey toward sustainable development in the realm of health and well-being.

The modern pattern of insect herbivory predates the advent of angiosperms by 60 My

Modern ecosystems display complex associations of plants–insects that underwent a long evolutionary process since the appearance of mid-Paleozoic vascular plants. Although several major hypotheses explain the evolution of these plant–insect associations, the initial pattern of modern insect herbivory is poorly understood. To understand the antiquity of modern patterns of terrestrial arthropod herbivory, functional feeding group–damage type (FFG-DT) data were used to analyze a 305 My interval from Late Pennsylvanian to present, in which 134 plant assemblages were used to assess turnover (replacement of some species by other species between sites) and nestedness (difference in composition when no species are replaced between sites) in pairwise comparisons of DTs. Results of beta diversity analyses indicate that the prototype pattern for modern insect herbivory was established on gymnosperm-dominated plant assemblages by late Middle Jurassic, antedating angiosperm dominance by 60 My. Turnover among plant groups and FFGs declined in earlier late Paleozoic, whereas during the later Cenozoic, nestedness generally increased. Insect feeding on gymnosperms showed one pattern of change with low turnover and high nestedness, whereas a bimodal pattern characterized angiosperms. Ferns and angiosperms exhibited less DT functional breadth (host-plant “specificity” by herbivores) than gymnosperms, reflecting major differences in links between insect herbivores and their host plants. This fundamental trophic shift is consistent with the Mid-Mesozoic Parasitoid Revolution, implying top–down control of herbivores by their consumers rather than bottom–up regulation of food sources that shaped the modern herbivory pattern. These findings provide a data-rich account of the ecological origins of modern herbivory.

Apolipoprotein and sphingolipid measurements: Can be used in the clinical practice of atrial fibrillation diagnosing and evaluating the cryoablation effectiveness?

Atrial fibrillation (AF) has become the most common arrhythmia of clinical importance. A well-established and recommended therapeutic option for AF is the balloon-based cryoablation (CBA) method. There are still no sensitive biomarkers for AF prediction and cryoablation effectiveness assessment, therefore in our prospective study, we examined the plasma content of apolipoproteins (Apo) and sphingolipids, as well as the distribution of selected sphingolipids among lipoprotein fractions. The study included 33 patients with AF on admission and 24 h after cryoablation therapy, while 20 healthy volunteers were recruited to the control group. Plasma Apo concentrations were determined using a multiplex assay kit measuring fluorescence signal, whereas the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method was applied to assess the total plasma sphingolipid levels as well as their content in isolated lipoprotein fractions. Our results showed that cryoballoon ablation in AF patients markedly reduced the level of almost all Apo compared to the individuals from the control and Pre-CBA groups (Apo-A1: −25.9% and −20.0%, Apo-A2: −19.9% and −17.3%, Apo-B: −26.8% and −14.4%, Apo-C1: −20.3% and −13.4%, Apo-D: −15.9% and −22.2%, Apo-E: −18.3% and −14.3%, and Apo-J: −36.4% and −21.5%, p < 0.05, respectively). Importantly, the area under the curve of Apo-J (AUC 0.81; 95% CI, 0.71–0.92) indicates that it might be a useful biomarker of cryotherapy success in AF patients. Moreover, we also observed a pronounced increase in sphinganine (Sa; +33.5%), sphingosine (So; +24.6%), sphinganine-1-phosphate (Sa1P; +34.3%), and sphingosine-1-phosphate (So1P; +22.3%) concentrations in the Pre-CBA group in comparison with controls. This is the first study that evaluates such a broad panel of Apo and sphingolipids in patients with AF undergoing the CBA procedure, however, to confirm whether any of these parameters could be a clinically useful biomarker for predicting AF or assessing the effectiveness of treatment, further research will be necessary due to limitations of the study.

Correction to Supporting Information for Melo et al., Small molecule enoxacin is a cancer-specific growth inhibitor that acts by enhancing TAR RNA-binding protein 2-mediated microRNA processing

Cold spray as a powder metallurgy process for production of nickel aluminium bronze

Nickel aluminium bronze (NAB) alloys are known for their excellent strength and corrosion resistance, making them suitable for maritime and industrial applications. NAB is producible by Powder Metallurgy (PM) but typically requires high compaction pressure. The objective of this study is to investigate the manufacturing of NAB using the cold spray additive manufacturing (AM) process and to compare its properties to those produced by traditional methods such as casting and PM. Cold spray is a solid-state coating technique that accelerates powdered metal and carrier gas to supersonic speeds, enabling bonding through plastic deformation. Binary aluminium bronze (AB) and NAB alloys were produced using powders by cold spraying powders into 3D printed parts, and heat treating the resulting parts. The AB alloy contained blended 9.9% aluminium alloy (Al6061) powder and copper powder, while the NAB alloy included 11% Al6061 powder, 5.8% nickel powder, 6.8% iron powder, and copper powder. Powders were mixed under controlled conditions and deposited using a LightSPEE3D printer and compressed air. Post-deposition heat treatments, such as homogenisation, aging, and/or hot isostatic pressing (HIP), were applied to enhance material properties. The results indicate that the cold spray process, combined with appropriate heat treatments, can produce NAB alloys with desirable microstructures containing fine κ phases and mechanical properties with above 280 MPa yield strength, above 500 MPa tensile strength and 20% elongation which are comparable to those achieved by traditional cast methods which yield strength of 240 MPa, tensile strength of 580 MPa and 15% elongation, and superior to PM methods. This study demonstrates the viability of cold spray AM to enhance the production of complex high-strength alloys, offering significant advancements for maritime and industrial applications.

Sea urchin waste as valuable alternative source of calcium in laying hens’ diet

Annually, 3000–3500 tons of sea urchins are harvested in the Mediterranean Sea, with only their gonads being consumed (10–30% of the total weight), leaving the rest as waste. This waste, consisting of the skeleton, is rich in biominerals, mainly calcium with a small amount of magnesium, and contains potent antioxidant compounds. Considering the issues of resource overconsumption, and in line with the circular economy concept, this study explored the potential of replacing limestone-derived calcium with sea urchin waste in the diet of laying hens, which require this element to produce eggs. The experiment involved two groups of hens: one receiving a control diet containing limestone-derived calcium, and another fed an experimental diet containing sea urchin waste as alternative source of calcium. Parameters such as egg production, animal welfare, egg quality, and bone breaking strength were assessed. Additionally, the antioxidant activity and carotenoid content of the diets were evaluated, revealing no significant differences between the two groups. Both groups exhibited similar egg production rates; however, the treated group had a lower percentage of discarded eggs and fewer lesions on the head, back, and tail, indicating better animal welfare. The treated group produced eggs with significantly thicker shells, though no significant differences were observed in eggshell weight, breaking strength, ultrastructure. There were also no differences in yolk colour or antioxidant activity between the two groups. Similarly, no significant differences were found in tibia breaking strength, confirming that sea urchin waste can provide bioavailable calcium without compromising bone quality. In conclusion, substituting limestone-derived calcium with sea urchin waste in laying hens’ diets positively affected animal welfare and improved eggshell thickness without compromising egg quality, suggesting that sea urchin waste can be recycled as a valuable alternative to limestone-derived calcium in laying hens’ feed. However, further research is necessary to confirm these findings.

Effect of Triphala on growth, immunity, related gene expression and intestinal morphometry of yellow perch (Perca flavescens)

The current study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation of Triphala (TR) on yellow perch (Perca flavescens) growth performance, immune response, related gene expression, and intestinal histological structure. The experimental design included four groups: one control group (0% TR/ kg diet) and three TR-supplemented groups with 2, 4, and 6%/kg diet for four weeks and each group was allocated in triplicates with 30 fish each. Sampling included three fish from each replicate for evaluating immune response and gene expression. Findings showed that Triphala markedly improved growth performance, Immunoglobulin M (IgM) levels, lysozyme activity, and Nitric Oxide (NO) activity with the most significant (p < 0.05) results for 6% TR/kg diet group. The TR groups also showed significantly decreased glucose and cortisol concentrations with the lowest values for the 6% TR/kg diet group. Moreover, TR-incorporated groups revealed significantly upregulated expression (p < 0.05) of growth [Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1)] and immune [Alpha 2 Macroglobulin (A2M), Serum Amyloid A (SAA) and Complement Component C3 (CCC3)] genes in incorporated groups, specially the 6% TR group. Moreover, the intestinal morphometric histological analysis revealed that villus length was increased in a dose-dependent manner, coping with other enhanced parameters. Current results endorse the positive effects of Triphala incorporation on yellow perch farming as a safe alternative option to enhance growth performance, immune response, related gene expression, and intestinal histology.

Fetal outcomes and associated factors of antepartum hemorrhage in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Antepartum hemorrhage (APH) is a significant obstetric complication characterized by bleeding from the genital tract before the onset of labor. It poses serious risks to both maternal and fetal health, with potential outcomes including preterm birth, low birth weight, and increased perinatal mortality. In Ethiopia, where access to comprehensive prenatal care and emergency obstetric services may be limited, the impact of APH on fetal outcomes is a pressing concern. Despite the gravity of this condition, there is a lack of synthesized evidence on its prevalence and the associated risk factors specific to the Ethiopian context. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to consolidate existing research on the fetal outcomes of APH and identify the key factors contributing to its incidence and severity in Ethiopia. Methods Following the PRISMA checklist guidelines, this study concentrated on research undertaken in Ethiopia. Comprehensive searches across multiple databases Google Scholar, Google, Web of Science, and PubMed yielded six pertinent studies. Data were systematically gathered using a structured checklist and analyzed with STATA version 14. The Cochrane Q test and the I² statistic were utilized to assess heterogeneity. Additionally, publication bias was examined using Egger’s weighted regression, a funnel plot, and Begg’s test. Results This study reviewed 525 research articles that included a total of 22,914 participants. Our meta-analysis revealed that the pooled prevalence of perinatal mortality due to antepartum hemorrhage in Ethiopia is 21.79% (95% CI: 12.32–31.25). Key factors influencing perinatal mortality associated with antepartum hemorrhage included living in rural areas (OR =  1.62, 95% CI: 1.33–1.98), delays in seeking medical care for over 12 hours (OR =  5.43, 95% CI: 1.01–29.14), prematurity (OR =  9.00, 95% CI: 5.39–15.03), and experiencing severe vaginal bleeding prior to arrival at a medical facility (OR =  7.04, 95% CI: 2.14–23.13). Conclusion The study reveals a high perinatal mortality rate of 21.79% associated with antepartum hemorrhage in Ethiopia. Contributing factors include rural residence, delays in seeking care, prematurity, and severe vaginal bleeding. To reduce mortality, improve rural healthcare, strengthen emergency systems, and enhance prenatal care. Public education on early intervention and specialized care for premature infants are also essential. Collaboration among healthcare providers, government, and NGOs is crucial for effective, sustainable solutions.

Comparison of clinical presentation and treatment response among youth with atypical anorexia nervosa and anorexia nervosa

Objective Atypical anorexia nervosa (AAN) is an eating disorder that shares all symptoms with anorexia nervosa (AN) except “significantly low weight.” Here, we aim to further understand the potential similarities and differences between AN and AAN in a clinical sample of patients receiving family-based treatment (FBT) for AN or AAN. The objectives of this study were to 1) compare clinical presentations among adolescent and young adult patients with AN and AAN; and (2) evaluate and compare treatment response to FBT among these patients. Method Clinical data from 1,438 patients (M = 15.3 years, SD = 2.51) undergoing virtual augmented family-based treatment (FBT) who met research specified criteria for AN or AAN were analyzed. To provide the most robust comparison, four common definitions of AAN identified in previous research were retroactively applied to create comparison groups and assess possible differences in symptom presentation and treatment response. Results The percentage of patients classified as AAN ranged from 20%–81.3% depending on definition. Patients with AAN presented with slightly higher eating disorder and depression symptomatology in half of the definitions. All AAN groups gained weight more slowly throughout treatment; other symptom improvement was similar between groups. Conclusions Results show more similarities than differences in presentation and treatment response among patients with AN and AAN and confirm previous pilot studies showing FBT is effective for AAN. Although currently diagnostically distinct, apparent differences between AN and AAN were not found in this study, suggesting a re-consideration of this diagnostic separation.

Correction for Schmidt et al., Conformation and dynamics of the kinase domain drive subcellular location and activation of LRRK2

Prevalence and associated factors of microbial water quality from drinking water in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

Purpose To determine the pooled prevalence and associated contributing factors of microbial water quality, especially the most recent fecal contamination indicator, fecal coliforms, from drinking water in Ethiopia. Method The review will be conducted per the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and PRISMA-P and registered in PROSPERO CRD42024537804. The studies will be identified from peer-reviewed literature, grey literature, and expert submissions. To identify peer-reviewed literature, “microbial water quality” will be combined with terms to restrict the search for drinking water and measure the prevalence and/or associated factors of microbial water quality. We further restricted the search in Ethiopia. The following databases will be used: PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Worldwide Science, and Science Direct. Two independent reviewers will identify studies, extract data, assess the risk of bias, and assess methodological quality. The studies included will be determined in terms of quality based on the criteria listed in the Goanna Bridge Institute quality parameters. Statistical techniques like Higgins I2 will be used to investigate heterogeneity among the included studies. Sensitivity and subgroup analysis will be carried out to evaluate how reliable the results are. A funnel plot will be used to evaluate reporting publication bias, and Begg’s and Egger’s assessments will be used to check funnel plot balances. Discussion This review and meta-analysis will thoroughly discover and integrate the data available on the prevalence and associated factors of fecal coliforms contamination in drinking water. The findings from this systematic review and meta-analysis will be compared and discussed with those from other studies. Conclusion Our systematic review and meta-analysis will help to develop specific recommendations for identified fecal coliforms contamination and associated factors in drinking water in Ethiopia. Moreover, this study will identify research gaps and guide future research and public health measures.

The binding modes of brazilin and hematein from Caesalpinia sappan L. to Cutibacterium acnes lipase: Simulation studies

The growing concern over antimicrobial resistance in Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) has spurred interest in alternative acne treatments, particularly herbal medicines. This study evaluates the binding affinities of established anti-acne agents—ketoconazole (KET) and tetracycline (TET)—alongside natural compounds, brazilin (BRA) and hematein (HEM), derived from Caesalpinia sappan L. (C. sappan), to C. acnes lipase. Through molecular docking and dynamics simulations, we demonstrate that the asymmetric lipase dimer operates independently. Bulky compounds such as KET and TET inhibit lipase activity via π-π interactions, primarily targeting the lid domain. In contrast, smaller ligands BRA and HEM exhibit unique binding modes: BRA mirrors TET by localizing near the lid domain, while HEM shows dual interactions with both the lid and catalytic sites. These results underscore the potential of BRA and HEM as promising anti-acne agents, indicating that C. sappan could be an effective herbal remedy for acne. This study provides a foundation for further exploration of natural products in combating acne and mitigating antimicrobial resistance.

Multisensory stimuli facilitate low-level perceptual learning on a difficult global motion task in virtual reality

The present study investigates the feasibility of inducing visual perceptual learning on a peripheral, global direction discrimination and integration task in virtual reality, and tests whether audio-visual multisensory training induces faster or greater visual learning than unisensory visual training. Seventeen participants completed a 10-day training experiment wherein they repeatedly performed a 4-alternative, combined visual global-motion and direction discrimination task at 10° azimuth/elevation in a virtual environment. A visual-only group of 8 participants was trained using a unimodal visual stimulus. An audio-visual group of 9 participants underwent training whereby the visual stimulus was always paired with a pulsed, white-noise auditory cue that simulated auditory motion in a direction consistent with the horizontal component of the visual motion stimulus. Our results reveal that, for both groups, learning occurred and transferred to untrained locations. For the AV group, there was an additional performance benefit to training from the AV cue to horizontal motion. This benefit extended into the unisensory post-test, where the auditory cue was removed. However, this benefit did not generalize spatially to previously untrained areas. This spatial specificity suggests that AV learning may have occurred at a lower level in the visual pathways, compared to visual-only learning.