📋 Browse Articles

The major barrier to eradicate HIV-1 is its persistence in latently infected cells. Inducing deep latency to prevent HIV-1 reactivation in the absence of combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) remains a primary goal. Here, we evaluated the repurposing of lithium as an HIV-1 latency-promoting drug (LPA). We demonstrated that lithium attenuates virus reactivation in three cell models for HIV-1 latency. Lithium induced autophagy in CD4 Show less

Stroke is a leading cause of mortality and disability globally, with post-stroke depression and post-stroke anxiety being common and significant complications that hinder recovery and adversely affect quality of life. Although these conditions frequently co-occur, their heterogeneity remains poorly understood. This study integrates the Health Ecology Model (HEM) and employs Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) to identify distinct psychological profiles of depression and anxiety among patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS), as well as to investigate their multilevel determinants. Patients with AIS from a tertiary hospital in Guangdong Province, China, from January to November 2024 were included. Within one week of stroke onset, the data of sociodemographic, clinical characteristics, swallowing function, stroke severity, activities of daily living, resilience and social support were collected according to the HEM guidelines. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 were used to assess the depression and anxiety symptoms of the patients three months after stroke onset. LPA was employed to identify distinct psychological profiles, and variables with a A total of 551 patients with AIS were included in the study, 49 were lost to follow-up or withdrew, resulting in a final analytic sample of 502 participants (91.11%). Three distinct psychological profiles were identified: no depression-anxiety (67.93%), high-risk depression-anxiety (21.12%) and major depression-anxiety (10.95%). In the multivariate analysis, the results indicated that occupation (OR = 0.61, 95% CI [0.40-0.93]), National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS, OR = 1.60, 95% CI [1.06-2.42]), Barthel Index (BI, OR = 1.67, 95% CI [1.27-2.19]) and hypertension (OR = 2.37, 95% CI [1.29-4.35]) were independent predictors of the high-risk depression-anxiety profile, while NIHSS (OR = 2.33, 95% CI [1.42-3.85]), BI (OR = 2.65, 95% CI [1.62-4.35]) and resilience (OR = 0.92, 95% CI [0.87-0.98]) were significantly associated with the major depression-anxiety profile. This study reveals significant heterogeneity in psychological distress among AIS survivors. Key predictors of post-stroke emotional comorbidity include occupation, hypertension, stroke severity, activities of daily living and low resilience. Early identification of high-risk individuals can significantly enhance screening and intervention strategies, particularly by focusing on symptoms such as anhedonia and nervousness. Future research should focus on longitudinal designs and objective biomarkers to better understand the mechanisms behind post-stroke emotional comorbidity. Show less

Mental health among college students represents a significant and growing public health concern. Negative bias in prospection is closely related to depression and anxiety. Prospection bias (PB) encompasses increased negativity, reduced positivity and overgeneralization, which exhibit intricate co-occurrence patterns and exert a complex influence on mental health. However, the presence of distinct patterns of PB and their impact on mental health remain unknown. We recruited 1,030 Chinese college students to complete assessments of PB, depression, anxiety, stress and resilience. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to identify distinct PB profiles. Linear regression was then applied to examine their effects on mental health outcomes. The results suggested six profiles: (1) high levels of increased negativity and overgeneralization but a low level of reduced positivity (contradictory overgeneralizers), (2) low PB, (3) moderate low PB, (4) a high level of increased negativity but low levels of reduced positivity and overgeneralization (simple contradictory), (5) high PB, and (6) moderate high PB. Regression analyses demonstrated that high prospection bias predicted more severe stress, depressive and anxious symptoms, as well as lower resilience. Additionally, the results implied that handling increased negativity and reduced positivity of prospection might be potential ways to improve mental health. These findings may facilitate the early detection of mental health issues among college students and contribute to the refinement of future interventions. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12888-025-07732-0. Show less

Ischemic heart disease (IHD), particularly myocardial infarction (MI), ranks as a leading cause of death globally. While studies have associated physical activity (PA) with a decreased risk of MI, the extent of the global IHD burden attributable to LPA and the impact of PA on MI remain uncertain. This study accessed data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 and employed Mendelian randomization (MR) to evaluate these relationships. We analyzed the global age-standardized death rate (ASDR) for IHD attributable to LPA from 1990 to 2021. Additionally, we utilized the MR analysis to assess the relationship between PA and MI, using relevant data from GWAS databases. Within this framework, PA is defined based on the types of PA in the last 4 weeks, including other exercises such as swimming, cycling, keep fit, and bowling. From 1990 to 2021, the global ASDR for IHD attributable to LPA exhibited an upward trend (estimated annual percentage change [EAPC] = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.61 to 0.79). The MR analysis revealed an inverse association between PA and MI (IVW method: OR = 0.17, 95% CI: 0.04 to 0.68, This study highlights that LPA contributes significantly to the global burden of IHD, with an increasing trend in related mortality from 1990 to 2021. From a genetic perspective, MR analysis indicates that PA reduce the risk of MI, though further research using larger sample sizes and more robust genetic tools is required to definitively establish this relationship. Globally, promoting PA is essential for reducing the burden of disease and enhancing cardiovascular health. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12872-025-05453-6. Show less

Lepidic adenocarcinoma is a rare subtype of lung adenocarcinoma that develops from the terminal bronchiolar and acinar epithelia of the lung. Diffuse pneumonic lepidic adenocarcinoma is associated with a poor prognosis. We present the case of a male former smoker with diffuse pneumonic lepidic adenocarcinoma. Show less

The primary aim of this study is to explore distinct patterns of post-traumatic growth (PTG) and fear of cancer progression (FOP) among breast cancer patients through latent profile analysis (LPA). Additionally, we assessed the differences in demographic and disease-related factors among breast cancer patients with varying patterns. Finally, we examined the influence of socio-demographic, disease-related, social support, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) factors on the varying patterns, aiming to assist healthcare providers in developing more effective psychological care strategies for breast cancer patients. A questionnaire survey was conducted on 752 breast cancer patients. Latent profile analysis was employed to explore the patterns of post-traumatic growth and fear of cancer progression in these patients, and multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify the predictive factors for the different patterns. Based on the fit indices of latent class analysis, a three-class model was identified as the optimal solution, which included the Resisting group, Struggling group, and Growth group. In the Resisting group (24.33%), patients reported low levels of post-traumatic growth and high levels of fear of cancer progression; in the Struggling group (46.14%), patients exhibited moderate levels of post-traumatic growth and low levels of fear of cancer progression; in the Growth group (29.52%), patients demonstrated high levels of post-traumatic growth and moderate levels of fear of cancer progression. Additionally, the multiple logistic regression analysis reveals that marital status, place of residence, education level, disease stage, social support, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder levels in breast cancer patients serve as significant factors influencing the distinct patterns of post-traumatic growth and fear of progression. This study suggests that there is heterogeneity in the PTG and FOP patterns in breast cancer patients. It provides a research basis for promoting the psychological recovery of breast cancer patients and highlights the importance of focusing on the positive effects of PTG while mitigating the negative impact of FOP. Healthcare providers can implement targeted nursing interventions based on the different patterns observed in breast cancer patients. Show less

"Penumbra freezing" aims to extend vascular recanalization treatment to acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients beyond the standard time window by preserving the ischemic penumbra. Efficient biomarkers are crucial for identifying patients eligible for AIS treatment. This study enrolled 141 AIS patients who exceeded the conventional treatment window. Using CT perfusion imaging, patients were categorized into "penumbra freezing" and "non-penumbra freezing" groups based on the EXTEND criteria. Multiple regression analysis assessed the association of nine baseline factors and five blood lipid indicators with "penumbra freezing." Diagnostic accuracy was evaluated using ROC curves. Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis validated these findings using blood lipid indicators as exposures and penumbra biomarkers as outcomes. Among AIS patients beyond the treatment window, males exhibited better penumbra preservation (OR=0.243, 95% CI=0.072-0.813, p=0.022), while those with hyperlipidemia showed poorer preservation (OR=2.429, 95% CI=1.027-7.747, p=0.043). In the "penumbra freezing" group, ApoA1 levels were significantly lower (1.29 ± 0.03 g/L) compared to the "non-penumbra freezing" group (1.42 ± 0.06 g/L, p=0.034). Conversely, Lp(a) levels were significantly higher in the "penumbra freezing" group (304.63 ± 52.44 mg/L) than in the "non-penumbra freezing" group (110.26 ± 40.71 mg/L, p=0.034). Higher ApoA1 levels increased the likelihood of "non-penumbra freezing" beyond the time window (OR=3.206, 95% CI=1.034-9.938, p=0.044), while elevated Lp(a) levels reduced this likelihood (OR=0.075, 95% CI=0.007-0.848, p=0.036). MR analysis confirmed genetic associations of ApoA1 and Lp(a) with penumbra biomarkers. ApoA1 and Lp(a) may be linked to ischemic penumbra status, but further validation is needed due to limitations in sample size and study methodology. ApoA1 and Lp(a) are promising biomarkers for identifying AIS patients eligible for "penumbra freezing," suggesting the potential to extend the treatment window. Show less

In Latin America (LATAM), the level of awareness and clinical implementation of lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) testing among physicians remain largely unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, frequency of use, and clinical management practices related to Lp(a) among LATAM physicians. We conducted a cross-sectional, 36-item Spanish-language online survey using convenience sampling through medical societies in twenty LATAM countries. All items were mandatory. The questionnaire included two sections based on whether respondents requested Lp(a) testing and explored barriers among nonusers. A total of 512 physicians from various LATAM countries responded, with Mexico representing 75.4% of the participants. Overall, 36.7% of the physicians reported currently requesting Lp(a) testing, primarily in patients with premature cardiovascular diseases (CVD), familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), or recurrent events despite low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) at goal. Among those never ordering Lp(a) testing, the main barriers were lack of availability (57.4%) and high cost (33.6%). Knowledge gaps were identified: Only half of the respondents correctly identified Lp(a) risk thresholds or LDL-C targets. Despite this, most physicians who ordered the Lp(a) test reported taking active measures such as intensifying lipid-lowering therapy (LLT) (90%) and intensifying the management of other CV risk factors (68%) if Lp(a) was > 50 mg/dL or 125 nmol/L. Awareness and clinical use of Lp(a) testing among LATAM physicians remain limited and focused on high-risk scenarios. Improving test accessibility, providing clearer clinical guidelines, and reinforcing the evidence for Lp(a) as a therapeutic target may enhance its adoption and integration into cardiovascular risk assessment across the region. Show less

Fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of arthritis. However, the impact of small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) secreted by FLSs on osteoclastogenesis remains incompletely understood. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)- and lysophosphatidic acid (LPA)-activated FLSs in sEV-mediated release of osteoclastogenic miRNAs and elucidate their functional contribution to osteoclastogenesis. Stimulation of SW982 cells with LPA or TNF significantly increased sEV secretion. TNF upregulated autotaxin expression and promoted sEV release; however, small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown (KD) of LPAR1 attenuated the increase in sEV release induced by the TNF-autotaxin-LPA axis. Notably, stimulation with TNF or LPA elevated syntenin-1 expression without altering its mRNA level. Furthermore, KD of the syntenin-1 gene (SDCBP) suppressed the LPA-induced increase in sEV release, indicating that syntenin-1 may mediate sEV secretion induced by the TNF-autotaxin-LPA-LPAR1 axis. sEVs derived from TNF- or LPA-treated SW982 cells stimulated osteoclastogenesis. We identified miR-31-5p as an osteoclastogenic miRNA enriched in sEVs. Expression levels of miR-31-5p in sEVs from TNF- and LPA-stimulated rheumatoid arthritis (RA) FLSs were significantly higher than in those from unstimulated RA FLSs. Treatment with a miR-31-5p mimic enhanced osteoclastogenesis by targeting large tumor suppressor kinase 2 (LATS2), whereas treatment with its inhibitor suppressed the sEV-mediated promotion of osteoclastogenesis. These findings reveal a mechanism by which TNF- and LPA-activated FLSs may facilitate sEV-mediated delivery of osteoclastogenic miRNAs, such as miR-31-5p, to osteoclast precursors, thereby contributing to osteoclast formation and bone destruction. Show less

To compare components of the 24-hour movement behaviors (physical activity, sedentary behavior, sleep) across sex and race/ethnic groups among a diverse sample of adolescents to identity potential gaps and opportunities for intervention. The sample consisted of 704 adolescents (15.4 ± 0.6 years; 51% Black; 53% female) from year 15 of the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study. Twenty-four-hour movement behaviors were measured over a week-long period using waist- and wrist-worn accelerometry. Sex, racial, and ethnic differences in 24-hour movement behaviors were examined with chi-square and t-test analyses. Female adolescents, on average, spent less time in light physical activity (LPA) and in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) than male adolescents. Additionally, female adolescents spent more time in sedentary behavior and had longer daily total sleep time than adolescent males. Black adolescents had higher average LPA than White adolescents. Black adolescents also had higher average MVPA and LPA than Hispanic/Latino adolescents. Hispanic/Latino youth had longer total sleep time, and more sedentary time than Black youth. No other significant differences were observed across these demographic groups. There is a continued need for interventions to promote physical activity and sleep among adolescents, with a particular focus on increasing sleep duration among boys and physical activity among girls and Hispanic/Latino adolescents. Show less

We assess the error in three treatments of a critical electron beam diagnostic for laser-plasma acceleration (LPA) experiments: a permanent magnet electron spectrometer. Since LPA electron spectrometers are often difficult to calibrate due to the scarcity of well-characterized, tunable electron beam sources in the appropriate energy range and the mechanical complexity of electron spectrometers, the standard of calibration is Hall probe measurements. We first compare the electron spectrometer performance between SIMION calculations and the Hall probe measurements. We find up to a 60% (<8%) error in determining the absolute energy for electrons below (above) 80 MeV when using the SIMION-modeled magnetic field vs the measured magnetic field due to SIMION overpredicting fringe field strength. The difference in spectrometer energy resolution is within ∼10% between the modeled and measured fields. We then assess a simple block model, which is commonly used. We find that the simple block model presented here sufficiently captures the predicted as-built spectrometer performance for any application provided that the user can tolerate uncertainties on absolute energy determination up to 5% and errors on energy resolution up to 1%. Show less

This study examines how distinct Information and Communication Technology (ICT) engagement profiles impact life satisfaction among older adults, aiming to inform digital inclusion policies for aging populations. Cross-sectional data from 717 older adults in Central China were analyzed using latent profile analysis (LPA) to identify distinct ICT engagement profiles, followed by multinomial logistic regression to examine predictors of profile membership. LPA identified 3 profiles: Quiescent (39.75%), Compliant (42.96%), and Active (17.29%) Users. Active Users reported significantly higher life satisfaction ( Show less

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a progressive and fatal disease, and recent studies have revealed its key role in the autotaxin (ATX)-lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) signaling pathway, revealing the therapeutic potential of targeting ATX. Herein, starting from PAT-409, a series of novel ATX inhibitors containing the 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-7H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridin-7-one core were designed to improve the pharmacological activity and physicochemical properties. The most promising compound 19 exhibited potent ATX inhibition (IC Show less

Impaired glucose tolerance (IGM) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are associated with less optimal time spent in 24-hour movement behaviors (24 h-MBs) compared to people with normoglycemia (NG). We aimed to investigate how 24 h-MBs change over time and whether changes in 24 h-MBs differ between adults according to glycemic trajectories over time. Participants ( The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-025-33099-z. Show less

Adolescent psychological wellbeing is a critical determinant of lifelong health. Global data suggest a concerning decline in adolescent wellbeing. While the 24-hour movement behaviours, moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), light physical activity (LPA), sedentary time, and sleep, have been linked to mental health outcomes; their associations with specific domains of adolescent psychological wellbeing remain underexplored. This study used compositional data analysis (CoDA) to examine how time-use relate to domain-specific wellbeing in Australian secondary school adolescents. Data were drawn from 124 adolescents (aged 13–17 years) participating in the TransformUs Secondary effectiveness trial. Wrist worn Actigraph GT9X accelerometer captured 24-hour movement behaviour over at least three valid days (≥ 16 h/day). Wellbeing was assessed using the EPOCH Measure of Adolescent Wellbeing, which includes five domains: engagement, perseverance, optimism, connectedness, and happiness. CoDA was used to examine associations between the composition of daily movement behaviours and EPOCH domains using isometric log-ratio (ILR) transformations. A compositional time reallocation analysis (30-minutes) was also performed to explore hypothetical associations with wellbeing outcomes. The average daily time-use composition was 680.9 min (47.3%) sedentary time, 473.0 min (32.8%) sleep, 250.7 min (17.4%) LPA, and 35.3 min (2.5%) MVPA. Greater time spent in LPA relative to other behaviours was significantly associated with higher happiness scores ( Adolescent daily movement behaviour composition was associated with domain-specific psychological wellbeing, particularly happiness. LPA was a potential contributor to positive psychological wellbeing. These findings suggest that even modest changes in daily routines, such as replacing sedentary time and LPA, may support adolescent flourishing. Future research should confirm these findings longitudinally and employ in intervention studies. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s44167-025-00094-8. Show less

Endothelial dysfunction is a key pathological mechanism in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and methylglyoxal (MGO) has been identified as a major contributor to endothelial cell damage through its overabundance. In this study, the effects of MGO on atherosclerotic human endothelial cells were investigated. Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial cells (HUVECs) were first pre-treated with 1 mM palmitic acid (PA) for 24 h to induce lipotoxic conditions and then treated with 60 and 400 µM MGO for an additional 24 h. A total of six experimental groups were included: Control, 60 µM MGO, 400 µM MGO, PA, PA + 60 µM MGO, and PA + 400 µM MGO. Intracellular lipid accumulation was investigated using Oil-Red O staining. Apoptotic changes were assessed by flow cytometry, while nitric oxide (NO) levels were measured using the Griess assay. Gene expression patterns associated with angiogenesis, inflammation, lipoprotein, and cholesterol metabolism were investigated by real-time PCR. Based on findings, the distribution of lipid droplets was detected exclusively in the PA-treated group, while no such accumulation was observed in the MGO (60 and 400 µM)-treated groups. Furthermore, co-treatment with PA-MGO (60 and 400 µM) significantly reduced apoptosis, while PA with 60 µM MGO elevated NO levels (p < 0.05). HUVECs' exposure to MGO remarkably upregulated levels of LPL, LPA, IL-8, and IFN-γ (p < 0.05), whereas IL-6 levels were elevated only in the PA-MGO group (p < 0.05). The PA-MGO combination significantly altered the expression of angiogenesis-related genes (p < 0.05). MGO dose-dependently exacerbated the harmful effects of PA on HUVECs through increased inflammatory responses, impaired angiogenesis, and induction of nitrosative stress. Additionally, high concentrations of MGO altered the expression of genes related to lipid metabolism, including LPL and LP(a). Overall, the results indicate that MGO and PA may play a synergistic role in the occurrence of inflammation, lipid and angiogenesis disorders, and endothelial damage associated with CVDs. Show less

Low physical activity (LPA) significantly heightens the susceptibility of both type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and chronic renal disease. Nearly half of population diagnosed with T2DM globally worsen into diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Focusing on physically inactive populations, we aimed to comprehensively evaluate the trends over time and regional changes in T2DM-associated DKD attributable to LPA burden. We utilized data of the 2021 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study to initially assess the worldwide effects of T2DM-associated DKD attributable to LPA by computing the numbers and age-standardized rates (ASRs) of death, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), years of life lost (YLLs), and years lived with disability (YLDs), categorized by subtypes in 2021. Linear regression model was applied to analyze the illness burden from 1990 to 2021. Furthermore, cluster analysis was performed to assess the regional differences in disease burden across GBD regions. Lastly, to forecast the illness burden for the next 25 years, we utilized the autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) and Excess Risk (ER) models. In 2021, the fatalities attributed to T2DM-related DKD attributable to LPA amounted to 30835 (95%UI: 12346-51646) cases, with 698484 (95%UI: 275039-1158032) DALYs. The ASRs of death and DALYs were 0.38 (95%UI: 0.15-0.63) and 8.19 (95%UI: 3.21-13.6) per 100000 individuals, respectively. Between 1990 and 2021, there was a notable escalation in deaths, DALYs, YLDs, and YLLs, as well as their ASRs. The highest burden was observed among males, older adults (aged 70 years and above), and middle Socio-demographic Index (SDI). Significant differences were noted in the disease burden among various regions and countries as defined by the GBD study. Predictive analyses indicate a continued escalation of this burden by the year 2050. The global impact of DKD attributable to LPA remains considerable, with significant disparities noted across different genders, ages, and regions. To mitigate this burden, it is crucial to implement effective interventions aimed at addressing physical inactivity, specifically designed for targeted demographic groups. Show less

Nutritional care is essential in the treatment of critical patients, and the nutritional care competence among ICU nurses is a crucial skill in clinical practice of nutritional care for critically ill patients. Although previous studies have investigated the nutritional care competence of nursing staff, the investigation and heterogeneity analysis of nutritional care competence among ICU nurses in China are lacking. To investigate the current status of nutritional care competence among ICU nurses through latent profile analysis, identify potential subgroups and their population characteristics, and explore the factors that influence the potential subgroups. A cross-sectional and multi-center study of 561 ICU nurses in Anhui province was selected by convenience sampling method and surveyed with general information questionnaire and nutritional care competence scale for clinical nurses. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to identify potential subgroups among the nurses based on their competence in nutritional care. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the factors associated with membership in different latent profiles. The nutritional care competence among ICU nurses in Anhui Province was at an intermediate level and was categorized into three potential groups through latent profile analysis: low nutritional care competence group (31.73%), medium nutritional care competence group (48.84%), and high nutritional care competence group (19.43%). The results of logistic regression analyses showed that number of night shifts per month, job satisfaction, received regular nutritional care supervision, attended nutrition-related training, and received nutrition course education were the influencing factors of potential categories among ICU nurses’ nutritional care competence ( The nutritional care competence categorical characteristics among ICU nurses exhibit individual heterogeneity and could be categorized into three potential profiles. Nursing administrators should promptly identify and carry out targeted interventions according to the characteristics of nurses in different profiles to improve the overall quality of nutritional care. Show less

Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is recognized as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), but its characterization within the Japanese population remains unexplored. This systematic literature review synthesizes evidence on the association between Lp(a) levels and CVD in Japanese patients. To ensure comparability, the review focused on studies using the widely used LATEX-based immunoassay method. Most studies categorized patients into "high" and "low" Lp(a) groups; this review concentrates on findings from the "high" groups to evaluate the impact of elevated Lp(a). Although definitions of "high" Lp(a) varied, a consistent association between elevated Lp(a) and increased cardiovascular risk has been observed, aligning with international findings. Variability across studies was noted, likely due to differences in study design, endpoints, and follow-up durations. Although no approved therapies specifically target elevated Lp(a), several randomized controlled trials are currently ongoing. Continued research is essential to better understand the clinical implications of elevated Lp(a) among Japanese individuals. Show less

Robotic technology is transforming healthcare by delivering more precision, convenience, and efficiency, as seen in applications like blood collection robots. However, the full potential of such innovations hinges critically on patient acceptance. To systematically understand the drivers of intention to use, the concept of technological readiness-an individual's stable propensity to embrace new technologies-provides a valuable lens. Nevertheless, the demographic profile of technological readiness and its specific relationship with the intention to use nursing robots remain underexplored. This study aimed to identify profiles of technology readiness among patients, analyze the factors influencing these profiles, and investigate the relationship between different profiles and the intention to use blood collection robots. In this study, data on technology readiness and intention to use were collected from 331 patients between December 2024 and February 2025 through a cross-sectional survey. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was employed to assess population heterogeneity in patients' technology readiness, whereas logistic regression analysis was applied to identify factors associated with the intention to use blood collection robots. Potential profiling revealed three distinct technology readiness populations: conservative avoiders (47.7%), ambivalent adopters (18.5%), and active adopters (33.8%). The results of the three-profile classification are related to the intention to use blood collection robots. The results clearly show that the intention to use the blood collection robot by patients belonging to conservative avoiders (profile 1) was weaker and statistically significant than both active adopters (profile 3) and ambivalent adopters (profile 2). While profile 2 has a high intention to use, it also has a high level of insecurity and discomfort. Interestingly, the group of patients with low education levels is more likely to be attributed to active adopters. The results of the multiple regression analysis on patients' intention to use revealed significant differences in education level, experience with robots, and potential profiles. This study reveals the complex psychological characteristics of patient groups when encountering new technologies and their potential relationship with intention to use nursing robots. This suggests that clinical practice should account for patient heterogeneity from standardized procedures to a patient-centered approach. Targeted measures should be proposed to enhance the efficiency of technology implementation and improve patient experience. Show less

Retirement is a major life transition that can alter patterns of movement behaviors (physical activity, sedentary behavior and sleep). While some studies indicate an increase in physical activity post-retirement, others report a rise in sedentary behavior. However, evidence is lacking on how individuals re-allocate time among movement behaviors, particularly using analytical approaches that account for the co-dependence of 24-hour time-use data. Furthermore, little is known about how pre-retirement occupational physical activity (OPA) levels influence physical activity after retirement. This study examined changes in the relative time spent in sleep, sedentary behavior (SB), light physical activity (LPA), and moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) over retirement, and how these changes vary by pre-retirement OPA levels. Data were drawn from the Swedish Retirement Study, which followed 112 participants (47 men, 65 women; age: 60–72) at three timepoints during the retirement transition. Movement behavior and sleep data were collected over a week-long period using thigh-worn accelerometers and wrist-worn actigraphs. Compositional data analysis (CoDA) was employed to account for the co-dependent nature of 24-hour time-use data. Multivariable linear mixed models, adjusted for sociodemographic and health covariates, were used to evaluate the associations between retirement, OPA tertiles, and movement behaviors. In the overall sample, changes in movement behaviors mainly involved sleep. However, substantial variation was observed across OPA tertile groups. The sleep-to-wake time ratio increased in the high OPA group and, to a lesser extent, in the medium OPA group. Regarding physically active and sedentary time, a convergence between the high and low OPA groups was observed, as pre-retirement differences diminished. Specifically, the ratio of physically active time to SB decreased in the high OPA group and increased in the low OPA group. The findings indicate that pre-retirement OPA is a significant factor in understanding changes in movement behaviors during the retirement transition. The reduction in post-retirement physical activity among high-OPA workers may represent a healthier rebalancing rather than a decline, which aligns with the “physical activity paradox” and the “Sweet-Spot Hypothesis”. This evidence highlights the need for tailored interventions for retirees, particularly those from physically demanding occupations. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s11556-025-00395-6. Show less

Migration is a global phenomenon that significantly impacts individuals' psychological wellbeing. Migrants often face a range of psychological stressors due to displacement, adjustment challenges, and trauma. Understanding how mental health indicators cluster in this population is essential for developing effective interventions. This study aimed to identify latent psychological profiles among migrants in Türkiye based on positive (life satisfaction, psychological wellbeing, resilience) and negative (depression, anxiety, stress) mental health indicators and to examine the demographic predictors of these profiles. The study included 436 adult migrants aged 18 to 64 residing in various provinces of Türkiye. A purposive sampling method was used to ensure diversity in characteristics such as gender, age, socioeconomic status, education level, and geographic location. Participants completed validated self-report measures of life satisfaction, psychological wellbeing, resilience, depression, anxiety, and stress. Confirmatory factor analyses and reliability tests were conducted. Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) was used to identify distinct psychological profiles, and multinomial logistic regression was employed to examine demographic predictors of profile membership. Four distinct psychological profiles were identified: (1) Moderate wellbeing and moderate risk, (2) high wellbeing and low risk, (3) high risk, and (4) low risk but moderate wellbeing. Age, gender, socioeconomic status, and education level were significant predictors of profile membership, while marital status was not. Higher age and lower income increased the likelihood of being in the high-risk group, whereas higher education was associated with better psychological outcomes. The findings highlight heterogeneity in migrants' psychological adjustment and underscore the importance of considering demographic diversity in mental health interventions. Tailored, culturally sensitive approaches may enhance the wellbeing and resilience of migrant populations. Show less

Cardio-metabolic disease (CMetD) is a prevalent health issue among healthcare professionals, and suboptimal management of metabolic disorders places a burden on the healthcare system. The present study aimed to cluster the participants based on risk factors for the CMetDs using Latent Profile Analysis (LPA). This study was conducted on 500 healthcare providers, aged 18 to 75 years at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. LPA was used to explore the latent risk profiles based on age, blood pressure (BP), lipid profile, insulin, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference. The individuals were classified into three LPA-driven profiles: low (42.4%), intermediate (21.8%), and high (35.8%). The high-risk profile found in older age and higher BMI, insulin, fasting blood glucose (FBS), as well as higher levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglyceride. Furthermore, in the intermediate risk profile, elevated levels of systolic/diastolic BP and waist circumference were associated with higher levels of risk. Haemoglobin and hematocrit levels were significant predictors of low and intermediate latent profiles. Higher levels of hemoglobin and hematocrit were associated with lower odds of being in low and intermediate latent profiles, compared to the high-risk profile (all LPA-derived latent profiles and the specific predictors of profiles help find control and prevention measures in CMetDs; older individuals with poorer lipid profiles, and, elevated insulin, triglyceride, FBS, BP, and BMI levels should be screened more carefully. Show less

This study aimed to investigate the association between objectively and subjectively measured 24-hour movement behaviors and physical fitness, and explore how the reallocation of time between 24-hour movement behaviors is associated with changes in physical fitness in adolescents. A total of 690 adolescents aged 14-17 years (55% girls) were included in this cross-sectional study conducted in Foshan, China. Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), light physical activity (LPA), sedentary behavior, and sleep were assessed using accelerometers in combination with a questionnaire. Physical fitness was tested through body mass index, forced vital capacity, 50-m sprint, standing long jump, sit-and-reach, gender-specific 800/1000-m run, and pull-ups/sit-ups. MVPA was significantly associated with better performance in the 50-m sprint ( Show less

Repetition of physical activity (PA) contributes to the formation of PA habit. However, daily repetitions of PA of varied intensities might differ in their impact on PA habits. This study investigated the effect of daily variability in PA on various facets of PA habits: lack of intention (LOI), lack of control (LOC) and efficiency of PA. Daily time spent on light-, moderate- and vigorous-intensity of PA (LPA, MPA and VPA) were assessed for 14 consecutive days among 182 college students. PA habits were measured afterwards. The results of mixed-effects random location-scale model showed that LOI was negatively predicted by variability in daily LPA; and that LOC was negatively predicted by daily variability in LPA and MPA. These findings suggest interventions of PA habit formation should focus on different facets of PA habits and consider the impact of daily repetition of PA of varied intensities. Show less

The rapid detection of drug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis is essential for managing drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB). This study evaluated the performance of molecular assays compared to phenotypic drug susceptibility testing (pDST) and targeted next-generation sequencing (T-NGS). We retrospectively analyzed 40 presumptive pulmonary DR-TB cases in Rio de Janeiro from 2018 to 2022. Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra (Xpert Ultra) and Line Probe Assay (LPA; MTBDRplus = LPA-1, MTBDRsl = LPA-2) were performed directly on clinical respiratory specimens, with pDST serving as the reference standard. T-NGS was used to identify resistance mutations and clarify discordant results. Most samples (92.5%) were smear-positive. Xpert Ultra and LPA-1 demonstrated high sensitivity for detecting resistance to rifampicin (91.7% and 89.3%, respectively). However, LPA-1 exhibited lower sensitivity for isoniazid (81.5%). The performance of LPA-1 decreased in samples with cycle threshold (Ct) values ≥16, indicating low bacterial load (p = 0.001). T-NGS detected resistance to fluoroquinolones (22.5%) and injectables (15-20%) that was missed by LPA-2 and MGIT. Mixed infections were identified in 17.5% of samples and accounted for 27.8% of discordant results. Isoniazid heteroresistance was detected in 32.5% of samples by LPA-1 and in 7.5% by T-NGS. Xpert Ultra and LPA-1 are effective for the rapid detection of rifampicin resistance but have limitations for isoniazid and second-line drugs. T-NGS improved the detection of low-level resistance, heteroresistance, and mixed infections, supporting its implementation in reference laboratories for comprehensive DR-TB diagnosis. Show less

The association between exercise behaviors-including physical activity (PA), light-intensity PA (LPA), moderate-to-vigorous-intensity PA (MVPA), sedentary behavior (SB), and sleep-and muscle quality remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the association between 24-h movement behaviors and muscle quality, as assessed by bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy (BIS). A total of 294 participants were enrolled in the cross-sectional study. LPA, MVPA, and SB were objectively measured using a tri-axial accelerometer. Sleep duration was assessed through a validated self-reported questionnaire. Muscle quality, based on electrical properties, was evaluated using a BIS device including parameters such as phase angle, intracellular-to-extracellular water ratio, membrane capacitance, characteristic frequency. Associations between 24-h movement behaviors and muscle quality derived from electrical properties were examined using compositional multiple linear regression. Additionally, hypothetical time reallocations among different movement behaviors in relation to muscle quality were evaluated using compositional isotemporal substitution. The same analyses were also conducted among participants classified as non-regular exercisers. Longer durations of MVPA were significantly associated with better indicators of muscle quality. Theoretical time reallocation analyses suggested that 30 min from SB, LPA, or sleep to MVPA was associated with approximately 0.5-3.8% higher values of BIS-derived muscle quality indices. This association remained consistent among non-regular exercisers. These cross-sectional findings indicate that greater daily MVPA is associated with a more favorable BIS-derived muscle-quality profile. MVPA is a key component of daily movement that contributes to the maintenance and potential improvement of muscle quality, as evaluated through electrical properties measured using BIS in both regular and non-regular exercisers. Show less

Computer vision is increasingly used in farmers' fields and agricultural experiments to quantify important traits. Imaging setups with a sub-millimeter ground sampling distance enable the detection and tracking of plant features, including size, shape, and colour. Although today's AI-driven foundation models segment almost any object in an image, they still fail for complex plant canopies. To improve model performance, the global wheat dataset consortium assembled a diverse set of images from experiments around the globe. After the head detection dataset (GWHD), the new dataset targets a full semantic segmentation (GWFSS) of organs (leaves, stems and spikes) covering all developmental stages. Images were collected by 11 institutions using a wide range of imaging setups. Two datasets are provided: i) a set of 1096 diverse images in which all organs were labelled at the pixel level, and (ii) a dataset of 52,078 images without annotations available for additional training. The labelled set was used to train segmentation models based on DeepLabV3Plus and Segformer. Our Segformer model performed slightly better than DeepLabV3Plus with a mIOU for leaves and spikes of ca. 90 ​%. However, the precision for stems with 54 ​% was rather lower. The major advantages over published models are: i) the exclusion of weeds from the wheat canopy, ii) the detection of all wheat features including necrotic and senescent tissues and its separation from crop residues. This facilitates further development in classifying healthy vs. unhealthy tissue to address the increasing need for accurate quantification of senescence and diseases in wheat canopies. Show less

To identify risk factors for heart failure (HF) within one year after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and to develop a predictive nomogram model. A retrospective analysis was performed on 492 patients with ACS treated at Suzhou Municipal Hospital between January 2020 and October 2023. Patients were divided into the HF group and the non-HF group according to the occurrence of HF within one year after PCI. 70% of the cases were randomly assigned to the training set and 30% to the validation set. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to screen independent predictors, and a nomogram model was subsequently established. Model performance was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA). Among the 492 patients, the incidence of HF within one year after PCI was 26.42% (n = 130). Logistic regression identified type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), lipoprotein(a) [LP(a)], B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP) as independent predictors of HF, with odds ratios of 5.756, 0.904, 1.427, 1.012, and 1.666, respectively (all P < 0.05). The model demonstrated excellent discrimination, with areas under the ROC curve of 0.946 in the training set and 0.958 in the validation set. DCA indicated that the model provided greater net clinical benefit than the "treat-all" or "treat-none" strategies, and its predictive performance surpassed that of each individual factor (P < 0.05). The nomogram model incorporating T2DM, LVEF, LP(a), BNP and Hs-CRP provides an effective tool for predicting HF risk within one year after PCI in patients with ACS, offering valuable guidance for early clinical identification and risk stratification of high-risk individuals. Show less