Dual-channel synergistic conduction in layered potassium titanates for ppb-level H2S sensing and real-time leak localization.

pH/enzyme dual-responsive nanoparticles hitchhike neutrophils to enhance bacteria-induced acute lung infection treatment.

This special issue examines the genocide in Gaza as a critical lens for analysing a multidimensional crisis within the Global North. It argues that the genocide exposes deep structural contradictions embedded in Western political power, media systems, legal institutions, and liberal governance frameworks. Situated within a long-term settler-colonial trajectory, the violence in Gaza reveals how colonial logics continue to shape the Global North’s relationship with the Global South, while simultaneously undermining the international norms and moral claims the West asserts to uphold. Across the contributions, five interrelated dimensions of this crisis are examined: the complicity of Northern governments in facilitating mass violence through political, military, legal, and diplomatic support; the persistence of colonial power and the emergence of Global South challenges to imperial authority; the ethical failures of Western media and knowledge institutions; the erosion of the liberal rules-based international order through the selective application of international law and humanitarian governance; and an internal governance crisis within the Global North, marked by repression of dissent and constraints on academic freedom. Collectively, the contributions advance a structural, process-oriented understanding of genocide and situate Gaza at the centre of a broader global reckoning with power, legitimacy, and resistance.

Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), remains a global public health challenge. Rapid and accurate diagnostic methods are critical for effective TB control. In recent years, serological diagnosis has attracted growing attention with the continuous identification of novel biomarkers, owing to its simplicity, rapid turnaround, and cost-effectiveness, particularly for the diagnosis of extrapulmonary TB (EPTB) and in individuals who test negative by sputum culture and rapid molecular assays. In this review, we summarize current biomarkers used in TB serodiagnosis, discuss the integration of advanced diagnostic technologies, and highlight their potential to improve TB diagnosis across diverse clinical settings.

Nanoplastic-driven white pollution: Biochemical insights into ecosystem and human health impacts - a critical-interpretative narrative review.

Despite the availability of three effective opioid use disorder (OUD) medications, the ongoing opioid crisis now in its third decade continues to present global public health challenges. Thus, there is a need for basic and applied research to develop safer and more effective OUD medications to address current treatment gaps. Current OUD medications are clinically deployed based on the level of opioid dependence of the patient with the high intrinsic efficacy mu-opioid receptor (MOR) agonist methadone utilized in high opioid-dependent patients, the partial intrinsic efficacy MOR agonist buprenorphine utilized in moderate-to-low opioid-dependent patients, and the MOR antagonist naltrexone utilized exclusively in nonopioid-dependent patients. Thus, the degree of opioid dependence is an important consideration for both current OUD medications and candidate OUD medication preclinical research. Preclinical experimental design attributes that facilitate preclinical-to-clinical translation will be briefly reviewed before highlighting activity within each of three main categories of candidate OUD medication research targets: (1) medications that target addictive opioid distribution and pharmacokinetic factors such as opioid-targeted vaccines and monoclonal antibodies, (2) medications that directly target MORs such as novel low-efficacy MOR agonists or long-acting formulations, and (3) medications that target post-MOR signaling effects that include both reinforcing effects and non-reinforcing effects such as glucagon-like peptide 1 agonists and dopamine D3 receptor ligands. Future directions for continued OUD medication development are proposed to address the evolving illicit opioid environment that includes both ultrapotent MOR agonists and non-opioid adulterants.

When MicroRNAs meet hypoxic pulmonary hypertension.

Biochar enhances nitrogen removal and mitigates N2O emissions under salinity stress: Mechanism exploration and constructed wetland application.

Ultrasound model of depression in rodents: A comprehensive analysis of validity, pathogenic mechanisms, and potential for translation to humans.

Mitochondrial metabolic reprogramming in diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Myopia represents a major global public health challenge, with prevalence rising particularly among children in China, imposing a substantial socioeconomic burden. Premyopia, defined by the International Myopia Institute as spherical equivalent refraction ≤ +0.75 D and >-0.50 D, represents a pivotal intervention window. This review summarizes evidence on premyopia management in China, including (1) biometric predictors such as hyperopic reserve, axial length (AL), and AL to curvature radius ratio (AL/CR ratio); (2) interventions including outdoor time, optical interventions, low-concentration atropine (LCA), combination therapy of optical intervention and LCA, and repeated low-level red-light therapy; and (3) a risk-stratified clinical management framework integrating biometric parameters for individual interventions. Despite promising results, challenges remain with compliance, safety, and regulatory approval for some treatments. A structured, evidence-based approach combining biometric monitoring and tiered interventions is essential to curb the myopia epidemic in China.

CKD was undiagnosed in 56% of patients and linked to early mortality, kidney failure, and cardiovascular events despite milder disease. First-year mortality was two-fold higher among undiagnosed patients, emphasizing the short-term risks of missed diagnosis. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors were associated with better cardiovascular and kidney outcomes, yet their uptake remained low. CKD is a global public health challenge, yet underdiagnosis in routine care remains pervasive, leading to missed opportunities for early intervention. Evidence directly linking missed diagnosis to adverse outcomes in large, nationwide populations is limited. We conducted a nationwide, population-based cohort study including 640,217 adults meeting Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) laboratory criteria for CKD (eGFR<60 ml/min per 1.73 m 2 and/or urinary albumin-creatinine ratio >30 mg/g on at least two occasions ≥3 months apart) between 2000 and 2023. CKD underdiagnosis was defined as absence of a documented diagnosis in electronic medical records. The primary end point was a composite of all-cause mortality or KRT. Secondary end points included first-year mortality and time to all-cause mortality, KRT, and major cardiovascular events. Associations were assessed using multivariable Cox proportional hazards models, stratified by diabetes status, with additional propensity score-matched sensitivity analyses. Of 640,217 patients who met laboratory criteria for CKD, 359,805 (56%) lacked a documented diagnosis. Undiagnosed patients were younger, more often female, and disproportionately from minoritized populations. Absence of a CKD diagnosis was associated with a markedly shorter time to death or KRT (hazard ratio, 1.10; 95% confidence intervals [CI], 1.09 to 1.11). First-year mortality was higher in undiagnosed versus diagnosed CKD (8.0% [95% CI, 7.9 to 8.1] versus 4.1% [95% CI, 4.0 to 4.2]), despite less advanced disease at baseline. Use of renoprotective and cardioprotective medications was significantly lower in undiagnosed patients. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor therapy was independently associated with lower risks of death, kidney failure, and cardiovascular events, showing a consistent protective effect in both diabetic and nondiabetic subgroups. Findings were consistent across sensitivity analyses. In this real-world nationwide CKD cohort, underdiagnosis was common and associated with premature death, kidney failure, and cardiovascular morbidity. There was consistent association of SGLT2 inhibitors with better cardiovascular and kidney health outcomes.

The stress-myopia pathway: A pivotal hub in myopia pathogenesis.

Leveraging machine learning algorithms and explainable AI for predicting mental health disorder treatment at the workplace.

Impact of arid-zone abiotic stress on phytochemical bioactivity: Enhancing chemotherapeutic synergy in breast cancer and personalized therapeutic algorithms.

Counterfeit thyroid medications: A comprehensive analysis of the composition of products seized by law enforcement using liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry.

Lung cancer, the leading cause of global cancer-related mortality, is categorized into small-cell and non-small-cell subtypes. The heterogeneous non-small-cell lung cancer group is further subcategorized primarily into adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma, each underpinned by distinct molecular alterations. Although traditional serum biomarkers aid in subtype differentiation and treatment monitoring, their utility is limited by challenges such as poor specificity due to inflammatory confounders and the difficulty of dynamically tracking therapeutic resistance. Recent advances have identified emergent subtype-specific biomarkers that reflect metabolic reprogramming, epigenetic dysregulation, stemness signatures, and interactions within the immune microenvironment. By integrating analytes such as ctDNA, exosomal RNAs, and urinary DNA with multi-analyte panels and advanced imaging, liquid biopsies offer a promising avenue to enhance early detection accuracy, prognostication, and dynamic therapy monitoring. Nevertheless, the clinical adoption is hindered by several challenges, including incomplete validation, the need for technical standardization, intratumoral heterogeneity, and inter-ethnic variability. The convergence of artificial intelligence (AI)-enhanced multi-omics with biomarker-guided therapeutics represents a transformative strategy with the potential to overcome resistance, mitigate ethnic disparities, and ultimately transform lung cancer into a chronic, manageable disease. Therefore, prioritizing clinically validated AI-integrated platforms is pivotal to achieve precision oncology.

Children and adolescent (pediatric) obesity is a growing global health challenge, with traditional weight-loss strategies often proving ineffective. Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) is increasingly considered for pediatric patients with severe obesity. The International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO) published its latest recommendations on pediatric MBS in 2022. However, their adoption may vary across countries due to differences in healthcare systems, cultural norms, and resources. AIM: To assess global variability in indications, practices, and healthcare coverage for pediatric MBS among IFSO member countries, and to evaluate adherence to international guidelines. METHOD: A descriptive survey was conducted among IFSO-affiliated national societies using a 17-item online questionnaire covering indications for pediatric MBS, recommended techniques, referral pathways, and financial coverage. RESULTS: Of 76 societies, 66 (86.8%) responded. Most (75.8%) reported having national guidelines; 46.0% followed IFSO's BMI-based indications' criteria, while 14.0% applied stricter thresholds (BMI>40Kg/m2), and 8.0% did not recommend MBS outside clinical trials. Additionally, 31.8% required a minimum level of physical maturity on the basis of age, pubertal stage or bone growth. Sleeve gastrectomy was the most commonly recommended technique (69.2%). Pediatricians and parents were the most frequent referrers (35.0% and 33.0%, respectively). Some form of financial coverage was reported in 59.1% of countries, with significant disparities between regions. CONCLUSION: Despite international recommendations, significant variability persists in pediatric MBS practices worldwide. Standardizing criteria and improving access to careare essential to ensure equitable and evidence-based treatment for children and adolescents with severe obesity.

Schistosomal extracellular vesicles: Mechanisms of immune modulation and emerging clinical applications.

Dissection of crucial components of Chinese medicinal formula for COPD treatment by combining cell-based assays, animal studies, and lung organoid platforms.