New quaternary composite LDH /bayerite/nitratine/carbon in the hybrid matrix bimetallic NiAl LDH /carbon for CO 2 capture

Abstract BACKGROUND Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) is a leading greenhouse gas whose levels are perpetually rising. Therefore, the development of new innovative materials and economic CO 2 sequestration techniques is a crucial area of research. We fabricated the novel quaternary nanocomposite material comprising bimetallic NiAl LDH, bayerite, nitratine, and carbon via the hydrothermal method. RESULTS The results revealed that the quaternary composite LDH/Bayerite/Nitratine/Carbon formed in the solid. The formation of bayerite on the LDH/carbon matrix due to excess Al 3+ ions under hydrothermal and alkaline conditions. The nitratine species was in situ formed and trapped within the layered structure of LDH. The nitrogen (N 2 ) isotherm adsorption profile for all quaternary composites demonstrated consistency with mesoporous and lamellar features. The quaternary composite surface area ranged from 12.31 to 16.84 m 2 /g, pore diameters ranged from 30.96 to 43.55 nm, and pore volumes from 0.083 to 0.103 cm 3  g −1 . All composites have a layered configuration of superimposed flakes. The average particle size of the composites ranges from 31.92 to 54.02 nm. The composites reveal CO 2 adsorption capacities ranging from 35.18 to 45.73 mmol/g, exceeding those of most other LDH composites. CONCLUSION New quaternary composite demonstrates significant potential for CO 2 sequestration. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).

Macular Toxicity Following Intravitreal Clindamycin: A Case Report and Literature Review

To present a case of retinal toxicity following intravitreal clindamycin injection in a patient with toxoplasma retinochoroiditis and to review the relevant literature. A single case was evaluated, documented, and described. A 41-year-old woman with reactivated Toxoplasma retinochoroiditis in her right eye received intravitreal clindamycin (1 mg/0.1 mL) and dexamethasone (0.4 mg/0.1 mL). Regrettably, her visual acuity declined to hand motion one day post-injection. Fundus examination revealed extensive macular necrosis with retinal vascular occlusion, suggestive of retinal infarction. Despite high dose systemic steroid therapy, her condition progressed to macular atrophy and severe vision loss. Macular infarction is a rare but devastating complication of intravitreal clindamycin injection. This risk should always be considered when intravitreal therapy is planned for the treatment of ocular toxoplasmosis.

Re: “Weight Loss Outcomes Following Government‐Funded Conversion Gastric Bypass: Roux‐en‐Y Versus One‐Anastomosis—Does the Type of Bypass Matter?”

A Different Kind of Trust: Cross‐Cultural Evidence of Trust Through Self‐Expansion

ABSTRACT Extending prior research on cultural differences in interpersonal trust, we propose that the relationship between culture and trust is influenced by self‐expansion relative to the trust target. Across three studies with mixed methodologies, we assessed cultural differences in how the nature of the relationship between individuals shapes self‐expansion and interpersonal trust. In Study 1, building on the framework of cultural logics associated with honor, dignity, and face, our analysis of data from the World Values Survey showed that trust varies across cultures depending on the social relationship between trustor and a trustee ( N  = 64,167). In Study 2, we demonstrate that cultures differ in the extent to which they report self‐expansion with targets to which they hold different levels of social relationships and that these differences closely match the trust patterns established in Study 1. Finally, in a pre‐registered experimental study, we tie these findings together by showing that cultural norms predict levels of trust through the amount of self‐expansion people report with the trust target in a Trust game. Our research qualifies previous findings on cultural differences in interpersonal trust, especially in so‐called “low trust societies,” and contributes to our understanding of the role of self‐expansion in trust across cultures.

A Hybrid Framework for Enhancing VANET Network Security in Smart Cities Using Transfer Learning‐Based Threat Detection and Mitigation

ABSTRACT Instantaneous interaction and autonomous modes of transport are facilitated by Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks (VANETs), which play a crucial role in the development of smart cities. However, the flexible and autonomous architecture of VANETs poses significant security risks, including susceptibility to cyberattacks, privacy breaches, and information manipulation. These challenges are exacerbated by high node mobility and the large volume of heterogeneous data exchanged in modern urban environments. This study proposes a novel security framework that leverages transfer learning‐based threat detection and mitigation techniques to address these issues. By utilizing pre‐trained machine learning models fine‐tuned with VANET‐specific datasets, the approach reduces training time and computational costs while enabling efficient detection of anomalies and attacks. The objectives are to enhance network security, safeguard data integrity, and minimize latency in threat detection processes. Research findings indicate that the proposed framework outperforms traditional machine learning models in terms of scalability, resilience, and the ability to detect malicious activities. By providing a secure communication infrastructure for VANETs, this research contributes to the development of reliable and efficient smart city systems.

Comprehensive Analysis of Mango ( Mangifera indica  L.) Seed: Phytochemical Profile, Bioactivity, and Nutraceutical Potential

ABSTRACT Mango ( Mangifera indica L.) seeds, typically discarded as agro‐industrial waste, are rich in bioactive compounds with significant nutraceutical potential. This study comprehensively evaluated the phytochemical composition, cytotoxicity, antioxidant activity, nutritional profile, and safety of mango seed extract (MSE). Nutritional analysis revealed notable contents of crude protein (8.5% ± 0.01%), crude oil (13.5% ± 0.06%), carbohydrates (35% ± 0.01%), and energy (405 kJ/100 g) while mineral content indicates the presence of macrominerals in the following order: K > Mg > P > Ca > Na. GC–MS identified key bioactive compounds, including thiazole, silicic acid, and arsenic acid. MSE exhibited strong antioxidant activity, with 95.86% ± 2.31% DPPH and 89.36% ± 5.25% nitric oxide radical scavenging. Cytotoxicity assays against HepG2 liver cancer cells demonstrated dose‐dependent inhibition, with an IC 50 of 140 μg/mL. Nutritional analysis showed essential amino acids (lysine, leucine, valine) and vitamins A, C, E, and K. Molecular dynamic simulations (MDS) confirmed thiazole's binding affinity to estrogen‐β and progesterone receptors. Subacute oral toxicity tests indicated MSE's safety and beneficial effects on lipid profiles, significantly reducing cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides, and VLDL, while increasing HDL and RBC counts. Histopathology confirmed no organ damage. These results establish MSE as a safe, sustainable source of bioactive compounds with promising applications in nutraceuticals, antioxidants, and functional food industries, offering an eco‐friendly approach to mango seed waste valorization.

Functional Foods Enriched With Bioactive Compounds: Therapeutic Potential and Technological Innovations

ABSTRACT Functional foods have gained increasing attention for their dual role in providing essential nutrition and promoting health through the presence of bioactive compounds. These compounds, naturally found in a variety of plant and animal sources, include polyphenols, carotenoids, omega‐3 fatty acids, probiotics, prebiotics, alkaloids, and terpenoids. They exhibit a wide range of therapeutic effects, mediated through mechanisms such as antioxidant activity, anti‐inflammatory responses, modulation of gut microbiota, and enzyme inhibition. This review offers a comprehensive classification of these key bioactive compounds, detailing their natural origins with an emphasis on their mechanisms of action. Additionally, it explores their incorporation into diverse functional food matrices, including fortified beverages, dairy products, snack items, and dietary supplements. Modern biotechnological and AI‐driven approaches have revolutionized the precision, efficacy, and characterization of functional food products by enabling high‐throughput screening of bioactive compounds, predictive modeling for formulation, and large‐scale data mining to identify novel ingredient interactions and health correlations. Despite the growing popularity of functional foods, challenges persist in terms of the stability and bioavailability of bioactive compounds, regulatory hurdles, and consumer acceptance. Addressing these issues is critical to ensuring the efficacy and safety of functional food products. The review also highlights future perspectives in the field, emphasizing the need for innovative delivery systems and multidisciplinary research to enhance the bioavailability, functionality, and accessibility of these products. By highlighting the challenges and proposing possible solutions, this review serves as a foundational reference for bridging the gap among researchers, healthcare professionals, and stakeholders.

Investigation of ESR Values in the Diagnosis of Malignancies: A Cross‐Sectional Study

ABSTRACT Background and Aim Cancer is currently recognized as one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Given the limited understanding of the association between elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and solid tumors (STs), this study aimed to examine ESR values at the time of malignancy diagnosis. Methods This cross‐sectional study utilized data extracted from the medical records of cancer patients at Shahid Baghaei‐2 Hospital and Shafa Hospital in Ahvaz, Iran, from February 2020 to October 2021. Patients diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma, or multiple myeloma (MM) were excluded from the analysis. The ESR values, measured during the first hour at the onset of ST diagnosis, were documented. This is because in Iranian laboratories, ESR is checked during the first hour. Subsequently, patients were categorized based on age, gender, type of malignancy, and disease stage. Results Of the 428 cancer patients included, 259 (60.5%) were female. One‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed a statistically significant difference between the type of malignancy and ESR values at the time of ST diagnosis ( p  = 0.02). Notably, ESR levels were significantly elevated in patients with gastric and ovarian cancers compared to other cancer types. Additionally, a significant association was observed between ESR values and disease stage ( p  = 0.004). Conclusion This study demonstrated that ESR levels at the time of diagnosis were significantly associated with both the type and stage of STs. Higher ESR values were particularly evident in patients with gastric and ovarian cancers, as well as those in advanced disease stages, suggesting ESR may serve as a useful prognostic indicator in cancer assessment.

The Quality of Life in Kidney Transplant Recipients and Its Relation With the Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine: A Cross‐Sectional Study

ABSTRACT Background and Aims Kidney transplantation aims to enhance the quality of life (QOL) of individuals suffering from end‐stage kidney disease. The evaluation of the QOL and effective factors in improving the QOL is of particular importance in kidney transplant recipients. Some studies have reported the high prevalence of the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in these patients. This study aims to measure QOL in kidney transplant patients and its relationship with the use of CAM in southeast Iran. Methods A cross‐sectional and descriptive correlational study was performed on 209 kidney transplant recipients referred to the office of medical specialists and Shafa Hospital in Kerman city from February to August 2021. Data were collected using demographic and clinical questionnaire, Kidney Transplant Questionnaire (KTQ‐25) for the assessment of QOL and questionnaire on the use of CAMs. Results Over half of the participants (52.2%) reported using at least one form of CAMs. The mean score of QOL was 3.22 (1.21). The highest mean score was related to physical symptom subscale 3.65 (1.58) and the lowest mean score was related to appearance subscale 2.22 (1.29). A significant correlation was found in the quality‐of‐life score and physical symptoms subscale between CAMs users and non‐users ( p  < 0.05). Multiple linear regression models showed that socio‐demographic information including addiction, job, location, marital status and living condition predict 12% of the variance of QOL, and addiction is the best predictor ( p  < 0.01). Conclusions Many kidney transplant recipients had a low QOL. The most important socio‐demographic variables predicting and affecting the QOL in these patients included addiction, job, location, and marital status. Individuals who have received kidney transplants commonly use CAM. Users of CAM reported a higher QOL and fewer physical symptoms compared to non‐users.

Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity of Copper, Terbium Co-Doped Magnesium Ferrite@MXene for Degradation of Organic Compounds