Journals
2026 EN
Elshaar Samah · Zahraldin Khalid · Adel Ahmed
+3 more
ABSTRACT Background Asthma rates are rising globally, posing a significant public health challenge. In Qatar, childhood asthma affects 34.6% of children, making it a common chronic condition. The global scope of existing literature on the association between childhood asthma and perinatal and neonatal risk factors may not fully account for Qatar's distinctive socio‐cultural, genetic, and healthcare aspects. Therefore, this research aims to emphasize the importance of considering regional variations in health outcomes. Objectives To investigate the association between childhood asthma development and mode of delivery, gestational age, and birthweight in Qatar. Methods A hospital‐based case‐control study was conducted in Qatar across Hamad General, Al Wakrah, and Al Khor hospitals from January 2020 to July 2023, including 830 asthma cases and 1,512 non‐asthma controls aged 6–14 years. Secondary data from Electronic Medical Records were analyzed using logistic regression, with odds ratios (ORs) and adjusted odds ratios (aORs) calculated for each factor. Confounders were managed through Directed Acyclic Graphs (DAG), and multiple imputations addressed missing data. Results Asthma prevalence was 35.4%. Compared to controls, asthma cases were more likely to be males (65% vs. 41%) and have a family history of asthma (31.3% vs. 1.7%). In addition, Cesarean delivery (aOR 1.15, 95% CI 0.92, 1.44), preterm birth (aOR 1.07, 95% CI 0.79), and low birth weight (aOR 1.03, 95% CI 0.61, 1.73) showed slight increases in asthma risk. However, none of these associations reached statistical significance. Conclusion Despite non‐significant associations, findings underscore the importance of considering regional variations and context‐specific research.
Journals
2026 EN
Ghomash Baf Zadeh Rezvan · Roghani Tayebeh · Raisi Mostafa
+8 more
ABSTRACT Background and Purpose Functional abdominal bloating (FAB) is defined as a subjective sensation of increased abdominal pressure and is more common in females. Due to the proximity to the abdominal wall spinal related factors of curvature, abdominal muscle function may be related to FAB. This study aimed to compare spinal‐related musculoskeletal factors between females with and without FAB. Methods This was a case‐control study of 90 females aged 18–60 years categorized as FAB ( n = 45, mean age 39.24 ± 7.40 years) and control ( n = 45, mean age 38.56 ± 7.45 years) groups. Thoracic and lumbar curvatures, abdominal muscle force and endurance were measured and compared between the groups. Independent t ‐test was used to compare the musculoskeletal variables between groups. A logistic regression model was used to determine which variables associated with FAB. Results Spinal curvatures did not differ between groups ( p > 0.05), but abdominal muscle force and endurance were lower in the FAB group than the control group ( p < 0.05). Abdominal muscle force was associated with FAB ( p = 0.03). Discussion This case‐control study reported decreased abdominal muscle force and endurance in females with FAB and identified abdominal muscle force as a potential significant contributor to FAB. Further investigation of abdominal muscle strength as a possible target for managing FAB is warranted.
Journals
2026 EN
McElyea Kyle C. · Purtell James P. · Supernois Avery K.
+5 more
ABSTRACT Purpose Genetic testing is recommended but underutilized in advanced prostate cancer. Given known disparities affecting Black patients, we assessed genetic testing completion rates by race. Methods Henry Ford Health's electronic medical record was queried for new prostate cancer diagnoses (1/1/2017–6/30/2022). The primary outcome was completion of somatic and/or germline testing in stage IV cases. Secondary outcomes included genetic counseling referrals and attendance. Multivariable logistic regression assessed associations with baseline variables. Kaplan‐Meier analysis was used for exploratory survival comparisons. Results Among 452 stage IV patients (150 Black, 302 White), Black patients had higher somatic (30.7% vs. 18.9%, p = 0.00489) and comparable germline testing rates (16.7% vs. 21.2%, p = 0.255). In M1 cases ( N = 297), germline testing was lower among Black patients (14.8% vs. 25.4%, p = 0.0329) despite higher referral rates (32.0% vs 22.2%, p = 0.0241) and similar counseling attendance (45.8% and 43.3%, p = 0.786). No significant racial differences were seen in germline testing for N1 cases ( N = 155, 21.4% vs 14.2%, p = 0.274), or somatic testing for M1 (36.1% vs 25.9%, p = 0.0644) or N1 (16.7% vs 7.1%, p = 0.0728) subgroups. M1 patients that completed testing had improved survival ( p = 0.0352), while no survival difference by testing in N1 disease or race was observed. Conclusions Genetic testing uptake in this advanced prostate cancer cohort was low overall. Notably, Black patients had higher rates of somatic testing, an equitable finding given historically higher prostate cancer‐specific mortality. Germline testing was comparable overall but remained lower among Black patients with metastatic disease, indicating that additional decisional and systemic barriers persist beyond access to care and referrals to genetic counseling. Insurance disparities and lower census tract‐estimated income represent the largest structural differences between cohorts, with observed equity likely supported by broad coverage of commercial testing. Together, these results indicate that equitable testing utilization is achievable through consistent access frameworks, while residual disparities in germline testing warrant targeted intervention at both the patient and healthcare delivery levels.
Journals
2026 EN
Mourad Amira M.I. · Ibrahim Hanaa M.S. · Lück Stefanie
+2 more
Abstract Background Powdery mildew is one of the most devastating diseases affecting wheat‐growing areas worldwide. The most effective strategy for managing this disease is through the cultivation of resistant genotypes. Results In this study, early resistance was assessed in a set of 197 spring wheat genotypes using a novel Microphenomics approach. Parameters measured using this technique were: the number of micro‐colonies 48 h post‐infection (N48), the median colony area 72 h post‐infection (M72), and the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC). No significant correlations were found among these parameters. Single‐locus and multi‐locus GWAS revealed 57, 61, and 57 significant markers associated with N48, M72, and AUDPC, respectively. These markers were located within 29, 42, and 34 genes, respectively. Gene enrichment analysis uncovered 17 biological processes (BP), 13 cellular components, and one molecular function pathway. The 17 BP pathways formed a single network controlled by five gene models. Eight genotypes were identified as highly resistant based on all evaluation parameters. Conclusion Microphenomics is a cutting‐edge technique that facilitates large‐scale quantification of the early, often critical stages of plant‐pathogen interactions, providing unprecedented insights into the infection process and enabling the discovery of new resistance mechanisms. SL and ML‐GWAS, along with gene enrichment analysis, provided a deeper understanding of the genetic control of WPM early resistance. Genotypes from Oman and the UK were particularly notable as good sources for improving early resistance to wheat powdery mildew due to their superior response and the high genetic distance between them and the German genotypes. © 2025 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Journals
2026 EN
Cordes Henrik · Annaert Pieter · Balazki Pavel
+33 more
ABSTRACT Developed at Bayer Technology Services, PK‐Sim and MoBi transitioned into the Open Systems Pharmacology (OSP) Suite, released as free open‐source software in 2017. An active community with stakeholders from academia, industries, and regulators contributes to the continuous improvement of open‐source model‐informed drug development (MIDD). This perspective summarizes the latest advancements presented at the second OSP Community Conference (OSP‐CC) hosted from 29 to 30th of September 2025 at Sanofi Paris, that gathered over 100 attendees from more than 40 institutions.
Journals
2026 EN
Benomar Sarrah · Abdellaoui Ibrahim · Djani Hania
In this study, density functional theory (DFT) is employed to investigate the impact of halogenation on the m = 1 Aurivillius phase. Four phases are investigated: Bi 2 TiO 4 F 2 , Bi 2 TiO 4 Cl 2 , Bi 2 TiO 4 Br 2 , and Bi 2 TiO 4 I 2 . The structures in which halogens occupy the apical site in the tetragonal I 4 / mmm phase are focused here. Given the increasing atomic radii from fluorine to iodine, the structure extends along the c ‐axis. Several unstable modes are identified through phonon calculations. In contrast to conventional rotation and tilt instabilities typically observed in the oxide Aurivillius phases, these instabilities, along with the polar instability of the c ‐axis present in Bi 2 TiO 4 F 2 , disappear in Bi 2 TiO 4 Cl 2 , Bi 2 TiO 4 Br 2 , and Bi 2 TiO 4 I 2 . Electronic studies reveal that Bi 2 TiO 4 F 2 is a semiconductor with a direct energy gap and this character is maintained for Bi 2 TiO 4 Cl 2 , Bi 2 TiO 4 Br 2 , and Bi 2 TiO 4 I 2 , with however a significant narrowing of the bandgap, primarily attributed to the upward shift of the halogen 2 p ‐states in the valence band.
Journals
2026 EN
Islam Md. Rezaul · Rauf Abdur · Akter Happy
+12 more
ABSTRACT Lung cancer (LC) remains the leading cause of global cancer‐related death due to delayed diagnosis, poor therapeutic efficacy, and drug resistance. Traditional therapeutic methods like radiation, chemotherapy, and targeted medicines are often associated with high toxicity and often result in minimal survival improvements. Phytochemicals from medicinal plants are increasingly being considered as potential LC treatment agents due to their multi‐targeted action, safety, and accessibility. These have anticancer properties by regulating key molecular signaling pathways like PI3K/Akt/mTOR, MAPK/ERK, NF‐κB, STAT3, and apoptotic cascades. These compounds also promote apoptosis, increase chemotherapeutic medication sensitivity, and prevent tumor cell growth, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis. Phytochemicals have shown potential in reducing therapy‐induced side effects and combating multidrug resistance, potentially enhancing treatment effectiveness. Despite promising discoveries, challenges such as low bioavailability, limited pharmacokinetic stability, and lack of extensive clinical validation inhibit their widespread use. This review provides clinical insights into phytochemical‐based LC preventive and treatment approaches, focusing on their role in addressing molecular signaling pathways. It demonstrates the potential medicinal benefits, potential disadvantages, and potential applications of phytocompounds as supplementary or alternative treatments for LC.
Journals
2026 EN
Abouelmagd Alaa Abdrabou · Abofrekha Bahy · Al Zoubi Bashar M.
+7 more
ABSTRACT Catheter‐directed intervention (CDI) in patients presenting with pulmonary embolism (PE) is suggested to improve in‐hospital outcomes. We aimed to compare the effect of early versus late initiation of CDI on in‐hospital outcomes. A systematic review and meta‐analysis were conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase databases was performed from inception to May 2025. Data extraction was conducted independently by multiple reviewers. Statistical analysis was performed using R software version 4.3.2, and odds ratio (OR) and mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were combined using a random‐effects model. Six studies, including 53,472 patients, were included. Early intervention before 24 h significantly reduced mortality (OR 0.61, 95% CI [0.44–0.84]; I ² = 0%). Moreover, Early intervention before 24 h significantly reduced the all‐cause readmission in patients with acute PE (OR = 0.81 (95% CI: [0.73, 0.89]; I² = 0%). There was no significant difference in risk of major bleeding in early vs late intervention (OR = 0.82; 95% CI: [0.48, 1.39]; I² = 69.3%). Also, early intervention before 24 h significantly reduced the length of hospital stay (LOS) (MD = –3.11 days (95% CI: [–4.33, –1.89]; I ² = 0%). This meta‐analysis showed that early CDI, particularly within 24 h of presentation, is associated with a significant reduction in both mortality and all‐cause readmission in patients with acute PE, without increasing the risk of bleeding. These findings support the concept of “time‐is‐myocardium” and reinforce the need for structured protocols that enable early therapeutic intervention. Further randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these findings and to establish the optimal timing for this potentially life‐saving therapy.
Journals
2026 EN
Kultursay Barkin · Kaymaz Cihangir · Tokgoz Hacer Ceren
+17 more
ABSTRACT Intermediate–high‐risk (IHR) pulmonary embolism (PE) represents a heterogeneous group in whom guideline‐based criteria may insufficiently capture biologic and hemodynamic variability relevant to early deterioration. Data‐driven phenotyping may improve risk stratification and support individualized decisions regarding reperfusion therapy. In this retrospective cohort study (2012–2025), 553 guideline‐defined IHR PE patients were analyzed using unsupervised machine learning. Thirty‐six demographic, clinical, laboratory, echocardiographic, and CT variables were standardized and encoded as appropriate for clustering. Multiple algorithms were compared, and the optimal model was selected using silhouette width and stability metrics. Clinical characteristics, imaging findings, treatment patterns, and outcomes were compared across phenotypes. The primary outcome was in‐hospital mortality; secondary outcome was all‐cause long‐term mortality. Multivariable logistic regression and Cox models assessed associations with outcomes, and pre–post‐treatment changes were evaluated. Two phenotypes were identified using the k‐prototypes algorithm (silhouette width = 0.697). Cluster 1 (RV‐failure phenotype; n = 360) exhibited younger age, lower systolic blood pressure, more severe RV dysfunction, higher thrombotic burden, and lower baseline TAPSE/PASP ratios. Cluster 2 (comorbidity‐dominant phenotype; n = 193) comprised older patients with more cardiovascular/metabolic comorbidities but relatively preserved hemodynamics. In‐hospital mortality was 6.0% overall and lower in Cluster 2 (3.6% vs. 7.2%); Cluster 2 remained independently associated with reduced early mortality (OR: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.19–0.98). The CDT–cluster interaction term was not statistically significant. Both phenotypes demonstrated significant improvements in RV function after reperfusion, with greater gains—including TAPSE/PASP—in Cluster 1. Over a median follow‐up of 73.2 months, long‐term mortality did not differ significantly between phenotypes (log‐rank p = 0.11). Unsupervised ML revealed two clinically meaningful IHR PE phenotypes with divergent early risk but comparable long‐term outcomes. These findings suggest that phenotype‐based assessment may refine risk stratification and help guide individualized decisions regarding CDT and other reperfusion strategies in acute PE.
Journals
2026 EN
Azeeza Yousif Hussein · Omer Rebaz Anwar · Amin Hawraz Ibrahim M.
+3 more
ABSTRACT In this study, the TD‐DFT method using the B3LYP functional (and CAM‐B3LYP for UV–Vis analysis) and the 6‐311+G(d,p) basis set was used to compute the optical reactivity of synthesized Arylazo Sulfonates ( 1a–1j ) compounds in the gas phase, the solvent phase‐ethanol, water, and acetonitrile medium. The geometric parameters, electronic structure, spectroscopic, and topological properties were determined and analyzed to elucidate the optical reactivity and charge‐transfer behavior of the compounds. The energy gap, global hardness, Mulliken charges, softness, and Fukui functions were assessed to forecast reactivity changes in the 1j compound in the gas phase, suggesting that electron promotion from HOMO to LUMO is more difficult, which has implications for biological activity and charge‐transfer processes. Also, the electronic properties, including MEP, Fukui functions, UV spectroscopy, ELF, NLO, and RDG of the title compounds were thoroughly investigated to establish a comprehensive reactivity profile. The MEP revealed greener zones indicate an electrostatic potential of the examined compounds that is nearly neutral, exhibiting neither severe electrophilicity nor nucleophilicity; however, this neutral electrostatic potential does not exclude the presence of localized reactive sites. Based on NLO analyses, the 1a compound has a first hyperpolarizability about 15.2 times greater than that of urea (0.373 × 10 −33 esu), demonstrating its high potential for nonlinear optical applications.