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Season of birth has long been associated with variation in the timing of sexual maturation. However, the specific prenatal environmental mechanisms underlying this relationship remain unclear. We aimed to examine the association between prenatal maternal sunshine exposure and age at menarche, accounting for season of birth and relevant biological and socioeconomic factors. The study included 1,635 Polish female university students aged 19-25 years. Age at menarche was retrospectively reported. Prenatal sunshine exposure was estimated using national meteorological data on average monthly sunshine duration in Poland and calculated separately for each trimester of pregnancy. Generalized linear models assessed associations between trimester-specific sunshine exposure, season of birth, and age at menarche, with progressive adjustment for birthweight, parental education, urbanization level, number of siblings, and birth order. Sequential multiple regression analyses evaluated independent trimester effects. The mean age at menarche was 12.70 ± 1.17 years. In unadjusted analyses, summer and autumn birth were associated with earlier menarche; however, these associations were fully attenuated after adjusting for prenatal sunshine exposure. Higher maternal sunshine exposure during the second trimester was consistently and robustly associated with earlier menarche across all models (e.g. for the final model β=-0.145, 95% CI -0.21, -0.08; adj. R2 = 0.256). Prenatal maternal sunshine exposure, particularly during the second trimester of pregnancy, is a significant predictor of age at menarche independent of season of birth. These findings strongly support the role of gestational sunlight exposure - likely reflecting maternal vitamin D status - in the developmental programming of female pubertal timing.

Seasonal variation in metabolic risk may be associated with meteorological factors, with potential implications for the prevention and control of metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, evidence on these patterns in large populations remains limited. This study included 2,913,636 health checkup records from insured adults aged 35-74 years in Fukushima, Japan, between April 2012 and March 2022. Descriptive time-series analyses were conducted to examine seasonal variation in MetS prevalence and metabolic components. Generalised estimating equation models were used to assess associations of season with MetS status and metabolic components, while generalised additive models were applied to evaluate non-linear associations between meteorological factors and MetS status. Overall, 26.3% of men and 8.9% of women had MetS. Compared with spring, after adjustment for meteorological factors, the odds of having MetS were 3% and 7% higher in autumn and winter in men, and 7% and 7% higher in women, respectively. Lower temperatures were associated with higher odds of having MetS in both sexes. Sunshine duration showed sex-specific associations: both shorter and longer sunshine duration were associated with lower odds of having MetS in men, whereas longer sunshine duration was associated with higher odds of having MetS in women. Waist circumference was significantly associated with temperature in women but not in men, and showed an approximately linear association with sunshine duration in men and a J-shaped association in women. Non-linear associations between meteorological factors and other metabolic components were also observed in both sexes. In particular, temperature was inversely associated with systolic and diastolic blood pressure and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, moderately associated with fasting plasma glucose, and showed an approximately U-shaped association with triglycerides. MetS status and metabolic components showed seasonal variation and were associated with meteorological conditions, particularly ambient temperature. These findings may help inform seasonal strategies for metabolic risk prevention and control.

COVID-19 remains a leading infectious cause of death and hospitalisation globally. Coinfections with SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory pathogens may result in more severe illness, however the prevalence of coinfection in Australia is unknown. This Australian study aimed to determine the prevalence and microbiology of respiratory and bloodstream coinfections, antimicrobial use, and outcomes in hospitalised patients with moderate to severe COVID-19. This was a retrospective cohort study of adult patients with moderate to severe COVID-19, admitted at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital from February to July 2022. Data regarding patient characteristics, comorbidities, microbiological results, hospital length of stay, intensive care unit admission, and mortality were compared between the coinfection and no-coinfection groups. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with coinfection. Coinfection was documented in 23 (12%) of the 190 patients admitted with moderate-severe COVID-19. Bacterial infections were the most common (54% of coinfection episodes), followed by fungal (32%), and viral (14%). Antibiotics were prescribed for 74% of patients, for a median duration of 6 days (IQR 4-8 days). Patients with coinfection had a median length of stay of 9 days (IQR: 4-19.5) compared to 6 days in the no-coinfection group (IQR: 3-9; p = 0.047). There was no mortality difference between the two groups. Patients admitted to intensive care had higher odds of coinfection compared to patients not admitted to intensive care (OR 3.39, 95% CI 1.19-9.66, p = 0.02). Severe COVID-19 and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent were also associated with coinfection. The causal nature of these relationships requires further interrogation. The prevalence of respiratory and bloodstream coinfection was low in our cohort of hospitalised COVID-19 patients. Despite non-standardised microbiological testing, antibiotic use was disproportionately high. Further work is required to define risk factors and improve diagnosis of COVID-19-associated coinfection, to better inform antimicrobial stewardship.

Physical activity (PA) is essential for physical and mental health, yet remains insufficient across populations. Environmental factors, such as air pollution (AP), are increasingly recognized as dynamic influences on daily PA behavior. This study investigated within-person relationships between AP (particulate matter PM₁₀) and device-based PA (step counts) over 14 days in a sample of 693 adults living in an industrial region in the Czech Republic (9702 daily observations; 47.2% women; Mage = 38.78, SD = 12.28). The sample was recruited using non-probabilistic quota sampling. Using multilevel Bayesian modeling, we found that on days when PM₁₀ was higher than a participant's average across the 14 days, step counts were lower (b = -0.027; 95% CI = [-0.047, -0.006]), while controlling for the effects of temperature, sunshine, and precipitation. Specifically, a 1-SD increase in PM₁₀ was linked to 361 fewer steps. Self-reported AP monitoring tendency did not moderate the within-person relationship between AP and step counts (b = -0.003; 95% CI = [-0.044, 0.038]). Findings highlight the importance of capturing short-term environmental exposures in PA research and underscore the public health relevance of behavioral adaptation under conditions shaped by climate change, including AP. Results may inform individual-level digital interventions focused on adaptive behavior change as well as policy-level urban planning strategies that promote PA under varying environmental conditions.

The National Volume-Based Procurement (NVBP) policy was implemented in China in 2018 to address escalating pharmaceutical expenditures. This study aimed to describe long-term price trends, regional variations in bid-winning drug prices, and supply stability during the 2018-2024 implementation period. Data were obtained from the Shanghai Sunshine Pharmaceutical Procurement Platform and the Comprehensive Service Platform for NVBP. Price trends of bid-winning and alternative drugs were analyzed using monthly procurement data for Batches 1-7, excluding the insulin-specific sixth batch.Laspeyres, Paasche, and Fisher price indices were calculated using January 2018 as a common index anchor to standardize long-term price comparisons, rather than as a batch-specific pre-policy baseline. Regional disparities in bid-winning drug prices were examined using official bid-winning results for Batches 1-5 and Batches 7-10, with purchasing power parity indices estimated by the national product dummy method. Supply shortages were measured as monthly regional order-delivery gaps during the first post-implementation year of each included batch and classified into five severity levels. Bid-winning drugs showed substantial price declines after implementation, with Laspeyres, Paasche, and Fisher indices decreasing by approximately 55%-85%, 60%-85%, and 50%-80%, respectively. Prices remained stable at low levels without obvious rebound. Alternative drugs showed smaller and more fluctuating declines of approximately 5%-40%, 5%-40%, and 10%-40%, respectively. Supplementary interrupted time-series analysis of the Fisher index showed significant negative immediate level changes for bid-winning drugs across all included batches, whereas alternative drugs showed smaller and less consistent immediate changes. Regional PPP point estimates were generally lower in economically developed regions than in the western region, although many individual batch-region comparisons were not statistically significant. First-year supply shortages ranged from approximately 17% to 33% across batches. Lower-priced drugs were more frequently observed in higher shortage-severity categories, with drugs priced below 0.5 CNY accounting for 77.6% of severe shortages. This nationwide descriptive study documented sharp and sustained price declines for bid-winning drugs, smaller and heterogeneous declines for alternative drugs, persistent regional price disparities, and supply shortages under China's NVBP. These findings suggest a policy tension between price reduction, regional equity, and supply security.If these descriptive associations reflect underlying procurement mechanisms, future policy refinements may consider regional price-differential monitoring, dynamic price-adjustment mechanisms for extremely low-priced drugs, supply guarantee requirements, and reward-penalty mechanisms for procurement participants.

To prevent vitamin D deficiency subgroups are advised to daily take a vitamin D supplement. Knowledge on the compliance with this recommendation is limited. For young children, women over 50 yrs, and elderly, the supplementation recommendation is independent of sunlight exposure. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate compliance with the supplementation recommendation for these groups. Data on young children (1-3 yrs, n = 703), women (50-69 yrs, n = 451), and elderly (70-79 yrs, n = 331) from the Dutch National Food and Consumption Survey (DNFCS) 2019-2021 were analysed for vitamin D-containing supplement use. With a general questionnaire (GQ) information was collected on frequency of use of sub-types of supplements (e.g. vitamin D, vitamin D & calcium, multivitamin, multivitamins-minerals). In two 24-h dietary recalls, use of supplements was reported in detail; e.g. type and dosage. 71% of young children, 38% of women, and 40% of elderly reported use of vitamin D-containing supplements (GQ: 80%, 55%, and 50%, respectively). Among supplement users, 70% of young children, 30% of women, and 35% of elderly used exactly the advised dosage. Compliance with vitamin D supplementation recommendation was high in young children and could be improved most among women over 50 years and elderly. Further research is needed to identify effective strategies to improve compliance in these groups. In addition, to ensure that the supplementation recommendations are effective in achieving adequate vitamin D status, regular monitoring of vitamin D status and related health outcomes in all target groups is warranted.

The quality of video content published by oncology media outlets is poorly characterized. We analyzed short form videos discussing oncology trials to determine the methodological rigor of their reporting, whether content invoked shared decision-making principles, and the prevalence of relevant financial conflicts of interest (FCOIs) among speakers. Videos discussing oncology trials published by Oncology Live TV [OncLive TV], Targeted Oncology, and the Video Journal Oncology [VJ Oncology] between January and April 2024 were analyzed. Abstracted data included whether study characteristics, therapy characteristics, treatment recommendations, and shared decision-making principles were discussed. Speakers' general payment data from 2021-2023 were extracted from the U.S. Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services Open Payments database. A majority of the 97 identified videos did not mention inclusion criteria (72%), exclusion criteria (95%), study limitations (81%) and strengths (91%), standard of care (75%), cost (96%), or shared decision-making (91%). Nearly one in five (18%) made specific treatment recommendations, of which only 13% invoked shared decision-making principles. Over half (52%) had speakers who received general payments from an entity with a financial interest in the discussed therapy. Digital coverage of oncology trials has gaps in the transparency, methodological rigor, and disclosure of FCOIs, and rarely includes shared decision-making principles-representing a missed opportunity for outlets to disseminate patient-centered, evidence-based information to their audiences. Clear standards for reporting trial and therapy characteristics and FCOI disclosures among oncology media outlets would promote responsible dissemination of emerging evidence and further their mission to promote evidence-based, and patient-centered care.

Sustainable green radiochemistry is the result of current research, in which radiolabeling strategies are increasingly being developed in the direction of kit labeling. This includes the use of sunlight for reactions, but also tailor-made chelators allowing a to quantitative chelation of the corresponding radionuclide even at temperatures around 20 °C. The ultimate goal is to use these reaction conditions for labeling kit development in which only the radionuclide needs to be added and the reaction then occurs quantitatively in a sterile vial. Chelators such as HBED are already included in approved kits for the production of [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 (Locametz®, IsoPROtrace11®, and Illuccix®) and allow radiolabeling at 20 °C. This paper reports on the semi-automatic labeling method of macropa(mcp)-based PSMA derivatives with 225Ac, which was performed at 20 °C without heating and, according to subsequent quality control, is technically ready-to-use for patient applications. To further strengthen the green aspect, critical chemicals like environmental persistent trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) were considered to be replace against more eco-friendly chemicals. Furthermore, additives like ascorbic acid or DTPA, which are usually used for protection against radiolysis or scavenge free progenies were considered to be eliminated from the process due to the reason, that the mcp-based precursor might be able to rechelate free progenies, as soon as they are generated from their parent nuclide 225Ac. An iQS module was equipped with sterile single-use components and an already automated radiolabeling process was adopted to the semi-automatic system. Three validation batches for two different mcp-based PSMA derivatives were produced including quality control with criteria fulfilling clinical standards. Three consecutive validation batches were successfully produced for each mcp-M-PSMA and mcp-D-PSMA derivatives to evaluate the safety and robustness of the labeling method. Overall, the six batches reached radiochemical yields >80% and hit the quality parameters such as radiochemical purity of >95% for clinical application. Additionally, the replacement of environmental persistent TFA of the HPLC eluents with phosphoric acid (H3PO4) led to similar retention times combined with a higher resolution in the radio-HPLC chromatograms. The effect of rechelation was carefully evaluated using an excess amount of precursor. It was found that, with increasing concentration, a rechelation of free progenies occurred from 22 to 144 h. Either the reaction solution or the diluted product solution was analyzed by TLC and HPLC. The electroless synthesis of 225Ac-mcp-PSMA derivatives was successfully implemented to the iQS module, and the products fulfilled all criteria for patient application. H3PO4 has successfully replaced environmental persistent TFA within the HPLC eluents. With the use of mcp-based precursors, the addition of radiolysis protection agents was no longer mandatory. Rechelation of free progenies was observed at higher precursor concentration from 22 up to 144 h in the diluted product solutions. In future, this labeling method could be used for safe production of 225Ac-labeled macropa-containing peptides without electricity. Mcp-based precursors enable for electroless reactions at 20 °C yielding 225Ac-radiopharmaceuticals with 10× increased molar activity compared to DOTA- or DOTAGA-based precursors and diluted product solution leads to higher stability and lesser radiolysis due to the rechelation effect compared to the reaction solutions.

Solar-driven low-temperature reverse water-gas shift offers a sustainable route for CO2 conversion yet suffers from insufficient efficiency and unclear reaction mechanisms. Herein, we demonstrate that light drives the surface charge redistribution of a Pt cluster/CeO2 catalyst, unlocking synergistic dual pathways for enhanced CO production. Using light as the sole energy input (2.27 W/cm2), the catalyst surface reaches a localized temperature of ∼309°C while the reactor environment remains at only ∼54°C. In a continuous-flow system with cold inlet gases, this catalyst achieves a CO production rate of 846.9 mmol gcat -1 h-1, outperforming conventional thermal systems. Remarkably, comparable performance is achieved using natural sunlight alone, even under outdoor ambient temperature of -21°C. Mechanistic studies reveal that light-driven interfacial charge redistribution constructs the nonequilibrium Ptδ+-OV-Ce3+ structure, which promotes CO2 activation, triggering the carboxylate pathway and enhancing the formate route, giving rise to a cooperative effect that significantly accelerates the overall reaction. This stands in stark contrast to the single formate route that dominates conventional thermal catalysis. This work establishes light as a dynamic regulator for engineering catalytic sites, offering a promising strategy for efficient solar energy conversion.

The ocean is a globally important zone for the photochemical transformation of various organic contaminants. Its unique chemical composition, especially the high concentration of halide ions, can significantly alter the photochemical reactivity and fate of these contaminants. Herein, we systematically investigated the effects of marine constituents on the sunlight-driven photolysis of ambroxol (AMB), an expectorant drug extensively used following COVID-19 pandemic, and assessed its spatiotemporal persistence on a global scale. The results revealed that marine matrix significantly promoted AMB photodegradation in a halide-specific manner, where chloride drove such acceleration via photonucleophilic substitution, while bromide exerted an inhibitory effect. Differing from the pathways in pure water, the marine photolysis of AMB was dominated by photonucleophilic substitution, generating the primary chlorinated product with a substantial formation yield of ∼50.5%. Toxicity evaluation suggested that the halogen exchange reaction reduced the toxicity of the photoproducts, whereas other transformation pathways heightened the environmental risks of AMB. Utilizing the global-scale photolysis model GCSOLAR, this study further indicated that near-surface environmental persistence of AMB was strictly governed by geographic latitude and seasonal dynamics, where environmental half-lives remained minimal (1.24-1.83 h) in equatorial zones while rising to 34.77 h in high-latitude regions during winter. These findings highlighted the critical role of the marine matrix and global spatiotemporal variations in collectively reshaping the transformation landscape and intensifying the ecological risks of typical emerging contaminants.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive brain tumor with limited effective treatment options and poor patient outcomes. This study investigates the antitumor activity and underlying mechanisms of of host defense peptides caerin 1.1 (F1) and caerin 1.9 (F3) in glioblastoma models. F1/F3 treatment inhibited the proliferation of U87 cells and was associated with increased expression of ARHGAP26, suppression of β-catenin signaling pathway, and reduced the expression of downstream targets including MMP2, MMP7, and VEGFA. Cell death is primarily induced through apoptosis-related pathways, while pyroptosis-related and PI3K-related signaling showed more limited alterations. Notably, in immunodeficient NSG mice, F1/F3 altered the tumor immune microenvironment by promoting macrophage infiltration and M1-like polarization but did not significantly inhibit tumor growth. In contrast, in PBMC-humanized NSG mice, F1/F3 significantly suppressed U87 tumor growth and was associated with increased infiltration of macrophages and CD8+ T cells, together with reduced PD-L1 expression. These findings demonstrate that F1/F3 exerts both direct anti-tumor effects and immune-modulatory activities in glioblastoma models. The results support further investigation of caerin peptides as potential immunomodulatory therapeutics for glioblastoma.

Restrictive practices (RPs) encompass interventions that limit an individual's freedom, such as restraint, seclusion, and enforced treatment. While widely studied in acute mental health settings, their use within inpatient eating disorder services remains underexplored despite evidence of high prevalence. In addition to these formal restrictive interventions, eating disorder inpatient wards commonly employ structured behavioural rules as part of nutritional rehabilitation programs, including enforced rest periods, supervised meals, locked bathrooms, and limits on fluids or activity. A scoping review methodology following a five-step framework was implemented. Four databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE, Embase, and PsycInfo) were searched. The analysis involved both numerical and narrative synthesis in line with the framework. Thirty-six studies were included. Most originated from the UK, focused on anorexia nervosa, and used quantitative designs, with a substantial proportion conducted in child and adolescent inpatient settings. Common RPs included nasogastric tube feeding under restraint, involuntary admission, and physical restraint. Prevalence varied widely, with a small subset of patients accounting for most RP episodes. RPs were primarily applied in response to medical or nutritional risk rather than aggression, differentiating them from acute psychiatric contexts. Evidence regarding outcomes such as weight restoration, length of stay, and mortality was inconsistent, and RPs were frequently described by patients and staff as distressing, coercive, and potentially traumatic. Findings highlight the distinct nature of RP use in eating disorder settings and the need for context-specific policies, ethical guidance, and intervention strategies to minimize harm while ensuring patient safety.

Passive radiative cooling effectively reduces energy consumption but often suffers from winter overcooling. To address this challenge, we report a bioinspired rhombic-patterned vanadium dioxide (VO2) metasurface intelligent thermal radiative device (RITD) for self-adaptive all-weather building thermal regulation. Through tailoring of the synergistic coupling between the metal-insulator transition (MIT) of VO2 and the multiple resonances of a Fabry-Pérot (F-P) cavity and subwavelength periodic VO2 arrays, the RITD achieves a dynamic emittance modulation (Δε) of 0.65 (from 0.27 to 0.92) within the atmospheric transparency window (8-14 μm). Crucially, the bioinspired architecture maintains a stable, low solar absorptance (αsol = 0.23), effectively suppressing excessive solar heating and thus maximizing the net cooling power during intense sunlight exposure. With a tungsten-doped tunable phase-transition threshold (25-68 °C), the RITD demonstrates a daytime subambient cooling of ∼14 °C and a nighttime heat retention of ∼3 °C above the ambient temperature. Building energy simulations across multiple Chinese cities reveal that RITD-integrated roofs deliver substantial annual energy savings by simultaneously addressing cooling demands in summer and insulation needs in winter. This mechanism-driven design provides a scalable and robust strategy for advancing zero-energy buildings and sustainable thermal management technologies.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) features a complex tumor microenvironment (TME) where tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs) show significant plasticity. The role of aggrephagy-selective autophagy of protein aggregates-in shaping neutrophil heterogeneity and LIHC progression remains poorly understood. We integrated scRNA-seq (183,671 cells), spatial transcriptomics, and bulk datasets (TCGA, GSE39791). Neutrophils (n=12,547) were re-clustered into six subsets, and aggrephagy activity was quantified via UCell scores. Analysis included pseudotime trajectories, cell-cell communication, metabolic scoring, and machine-learning-based feature selection, followed by in vitro functional validation. Aggrephagy activity was significantly elevated in tumor tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues (P < 0.001) and showed strong cell-type specificity, with TANs among the most enriched populations. High-aggrephagy neutrophils exhibited an undifferentiated state, preferential tumor enrichment, and a positive correlation with transcriptomic risk scores. Trajectory analysis positioned these cells at an early differentiation branch and revealed dominant neutrophil-to-stroma signaling through the CCL3-CCR1, SPP1-CD44, and ANXA1-FPR1 axes. Metabolically, high-aggrephagy neutrophils displayed enhanced inflammatory and epithelial mesenchymal-transition programs alongside suppressed oxidative phosphorylation. Integrative network analysis identified a five-gene diagnostic panel (SQSTM1, WDFY3, DOCK4, CD177, LIMK2) with robust performance across bulk cohorts (AUC 0.83-0.91). Among these, LIMK2 marked a highly interactive neutrophil subset and functionally promoted tumor cell proliferation, survival, migration, and invasion in vitro. Aggrephagy is associated with a pro-tumorigenic, metabolically reprogrammed neutrophil state in LIHC. The LIMK2-centered gene panel provides a robust framework for subset identification and nominates candidate targets for future autophagy- and neutrophil-directed studies.

Recent theoretical and empirical advancements in well-being science can have meaningful implications for medical care when considering existential issues faced by people with incurable or life-limiting cancer diagnoses. We propose that certain elements of flourishing, such as meaning and purpose, deep personal relationships, and cultivating virtue, can be uniquely realized if targeted appropriately toward the end of life. Qualitative thematic analysis of semistructured interviews was conducted to explore the experiences and unmet psychological needs of people living with the blood cancer multiple myeloma and, precursor, smoldering myeloma to identify key themes related to the potential for flourishing at the end of life. Interview data was obtained from 25 participants (multiple myeloma n&#x2009;=&#x2009;24, smoldering myeloma n&#x2009;=&#x2009;4) and 10 health professionals with clinical expertise supporting or treating patients with multiple myeloma. Participants reported personal growth following their diagnosis through acceptance, meaning-making, and connection, yet reported the loneliness of dying with cancer with a desire to have discussions about death with their clinicians in addition to them maintaining treatment. On the contrary, health professionals were hesitant to discuss death with their patients, balancing hope in treatments with preparation for dying. We argue that the hesitation to discuss death thwarts the opportunity to flourish and that existing solutions such as dignity therapy, meaning-centered psychotherapy, early palliative care, and multidisciplinary support can close this gap without diminishing hope in treatments.

Soft actuators for flexible electronics and soft robotics have garnered significant interest, while achieving rapid actuation, mechanical robustness, and self-healing capacity within a single system remains challenging. Here we disclosed an interfacial supramolecular strategy by incorporating polydopamine (PDA) decorated Liquid metal (EGaIn) microdroplets into an aqueous polyurethane (WPU) matrix to construct a dynamic supramolecular interface. The formation of multiple hydrogen bonds and metal-catechol coordination markedly enhances interfacial adhesion and energy dissipation without sacrificing chain mobility. Consequently, the WLMP film achieves complete crack closure and mechanical recovery within 12&#xa0;h at room temperature, demonstrating autonomous self-healing. Moreover, the composites exhibit excellent strength (7.6&#xa0;MPa), low modulus (3.03&#xa0;MPa), high stretchability (1054.2%), and notch resistance. Furthermore, the broadband light absorption of PDA endows the composite with outstanding photothermal performance (96.2&#xa0;&#xb0;C in 240&#xa0;s) under simulated sunlight irradiation at 100&#xa0;mW&#xa0;cm-2, enabling NIR-driven actuators with rapid response and sophisticated biomimetic movement (0.5 and 1&#xa0;W&#xa0;cm-2). The proposed strategy has opened new avenues for the development of highly integrated, stimuli-responsive soft materials.

Sumyong Nature (SN) is a kimchi- and soybean-derived fusion-fermented microbial supernatant prepared from Lactobacillus acidophilus, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Weissella cibaria, and Bifidobacterium longum. This study examined the in vitro effects of SN on UVB-induced damage and skin-related cellular responses in human keratinocytes. Cell viability assays, gene expression analysis, luciferase reporter assays, immunoblotting, scratch wound-healing assays, and LC-Q-TOF-MS analysis were conducted. SN showed no significant cytotoxicity in HaCaT or HEK293T cells at concentrations up to 75 &#x3bc;g/mL. In UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells, SN improved cell viability, suppressed MMP-1 expression, increased HAS-1 expression, and modulated UVB-responsive stress-related markers, including SOD-1, Nrf2, and HO-1. SN also promoted wound closure in keratinocytes and was associated with changes in NF-&#x3ba;B-, AP-1-, CREB-, and MAPK-related signaling responses under the tested conditions. LC-Q-TOF-MS analysis tentatively identified several candidate constituents, including pectolinarin and aloeresin-related compounds. Collectively, these findings suggest that SN exerts multiple beneficial in vitro effects in keratinocyte-based assays, warranting further mechanistic investigation and validation in advanced experimental models.

To improve the diagnosis and treatment of urolithiasis in the conditions of the Far North. The study included 136 patients in whom stone analysis after surgical treatment was done. The patients underwent examination and treatment at Salekhard District Clinical Hospital and Outpatient Department No. 4 of University Clinical Hospital No. 2, Sechenov University. The mean age of the patients was 47.6+/-11 years. There were 89 men (65.4%) and 47 women (34.6%). Before surgical intervention, stones were located in a calyx in 31 patients (22.8%), in the renal pelvis in 28 (20.6%), in the upper third of the ureter in 17 (12.5%), in the middle third in 9 (6.6%), and in the lower third of the ureter in 51 patients (37.5%). Indications for surgery included frequent episodes of renal colic, hematuria, and chronic calculous pyelonephritis. Preoperatively, 29 patients (21.3%) had recurrent stone formation, whereas in 107 patients (78.7%) the stone was detected for the first time. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) was performed in 24 patients (17.6%), ureteroscopy with lithotripsy in 74 (54.4%), and percutaneous nephrolithotomy in 38 (27.9%). The mineral composition of the stones was characterized by diversity and variability in frequency. In 28 patients (20.6%), the stone consisted of two types of minerals, whereas in 108 (79.4%) it consisted of three types of minerals in different proportions. During the 24-month follow-up period after surgery, no recurrence of stone formation was observed in 45 patients (33.1%), whereas recurrence was diagnosed in 91 patients (66.9%). Cluster analysis identified four groups of observations that differed in sample size. Cluster 0 was characterized by a high whewellite content (65.612+/-12.456) with moderate variability of this parameter. The weddellite level in this group was intermediate (31.729+/-13.551), also with variable values. The key feature of this cluster was the complete absence of postoperative recurrence of urolithiasis: the recurrence rate was 0.000+/-0.000. Cluster 1 showed the highest whewellite content among all groups (68.798+/-11.669). At the same time, the weddellite level in this cluster was lower than in cluster 0 and amounted to 24.218+/-10.583. The most concerning characteristic of this group was the 100% rate of postoperative urolithiasis recurrence (1.000+/-0.000). Cluster 2 demonstrated the lowest whewellite content among the first three clusters (42.177+/-16.461), but at the same time had the highest weddellite level (47.983+/-21.185). In addition, this group showed an increased uric acid content (40.078), exceeding the corresponding values in the other clusters. The risk of urolithiasis recurrence in this group was extremely high: the mean value was 0.971+/-0.171, corresponding to a recurrence probability of 97.1%. Cluster 3 represented a distinct subgroup, the smallest one, with only 4 observations, and was characterized by a zero standard deviation. Its distinguishing feature was a markedly elevated level of uric acid dihydrate (30.000), which was 2-2.5 times higher than in the other groups. At the same time, the ammonium urate content (20.000) in this subgroup was lower than in the remaining patients. The course of urolithiasis is determined by the mineral composition of stones. The four-cluster model clearly demonstrated that the probability of recurrence after surgical treatment is associated with the ratio of mineral components within the calculi. Adaptation of these strategies to the harsh conditions of the Far North is of particular importance. Limited sunlight exposure, extreme temperatures, restricted access to fresh foods, and the remoteness of populated areas require careful control of hydration status, correction of vitamin D deficiency, implementation of telemedicine support, and consideration of local dietary traditions when developing dietary recommendations.

Photoreforming of biomass-derived furfuryl alcohol (FA) offers a green and economic route for the concurrent production of jet fuel precursor hydrofuroin (HF) and hydrogen. However, conventional FA photoreforming is generally hampered by low quantum yield and poor HF selectivity. Herein, an oxygen-doping strategy to modify the Zn2In2S5 (ZIS) photocatalyst is reported, which markedly enhances both quantum yield and HF selectivity. Oxygen dopants fulfill multiple critical roles: engineering shallow donor levels to facilitate photocarrier separation and extend their lifetime, accelerating the conversion of the furfural (FF) byproduct, and strengthening FA adsorption. Notably, the O-doped Zn2In2S5 (ZIS-O) achieves 95% HF selectivity under simulated sunlight alongside high apparent quantum yields (AQY) for HF: 37.6% at 380 &#xb1; 20&#xa0;nm and 12.4% at 420 &#xb1; 20&#xa0;nm. Pilot-scale tests under natural sunlight reveal a long-term average HF selectivity of 90% with a turnover number (TON) of 1390. Theoretical investigations confirm that oxygen dopants thermodynamically and kinetically favor the FA-to-HF conversion. These findings provide valuable mechanistic insights for the rational design of high-performance photocatalysts tailored for the selective conversion of biomass-derived platform molecules into value-added chemicals.