Journals
2026 EN
Nomenoğlu Tuğçe · Yüksel İbrahim Mert · Mamuk Soner
+1 more
ABSTRACT Background Pattern recognition receptors (PRR) are responsible for detecting pathogens and danger signals in organisms. Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) recognizes lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and some danger‐associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). Activation of this receptor initiates sickness behavior. Fever is a hallmark of this process. Objectives We hypothesized that TLR4 signal inhibitors may have antipyretic activity. We evaluated the effect of TLR4 signal inhibitors on LPS or carrageenan‐induced fever in male Wistar rats. Methods Core body temperature was measured via telemetric implants. Fever was induced by injection of LPS ( E. coli O111:B4, 250 μg/kg, sc) or carrageenan (50 mg/kg, sc). For TLR4 signal inhibition, LPS from Rhodobacter sphaeroides (LPS‐RS), IAXO‐102, or naltrexone was used. Intracardiac blood samples were collected for measurement of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), an endogenous pyrogen cytokine in plasma, by ELISA during the initial phase of LPS‐induced fever. Results LPS‐RS pretreatment (25 or 100 μg/kg, sc) did not inhibit LPS‐induced fever and plasma IL‐6 elevation. Other alternative TLR4 signal inhibitors, such as IAXO‐102 (3 mg/kg, sc) or naltrexone (10 mg/kg, sc), also failed to abolish LPS‐induced fever. An intriguing finding is that LPS‐RS or naltrexone inhibited the fever caused by carrageenan. Conclusion Data show that TLR4 signal inhibitors have differential antipyretic activity on fever suggesting that some alternative or complementary mechanisms might be operational for LPS‐induced fever. Data also suggest that TLR4 signal inhibitors may be an alternative as a possible treatment option for DAMP‐mediated clinical pathologies.
Journals
2026 EN
Song Pilin · Li Wei · Serjouei Ahmad
+4 more
ABSTRACT Fatigue–creep damage‐induced mechanical degradation has been a significant failure mode of proton exchange membrane (PEM) for fuel cells, but the damage behavior and intelligent assessment method are not well understood. A multitask time‐series model is proposed to address this, which predicts fatigue–creep crack growth by incorporating in situ fatigue testing with mean stress effects. The results show that both fatigue and creep damage influence crack growth, with higher stress ratios accelerating it. The plastic zone size correlates with crack growth rate, highlighting the coupled fatigue–creep mechanisms. A damage assessment model is developed to quantify contributions from both factors. The approach, validated with K‐fold cross‐validation, demonstrates high predictive accuracy. SHAP analysis identifies stress ratio and stress intensity factor as key factors for creep and fatigue damage. This method improves prediction accuracy and enhances understanding of PEM degradation, offering insights for predictive maintenance and durable PEM design in fuel cells.
Journals
2026 EN
Ibrahim Muhammed Mustapha · Smith Pete · Peñuelas Josep
+4 more
ABSTRACT The stability of soil organic carbon (SOC) is critical for climate change mitigation and underpins key ecosystem services by regulating soil health, nutrient dynamics, and ecosystem resilience. While climate and nitrogen are well‐known factors of SOC content and composition, soil total phosphorus (STP) is positively correlated with SOC and exerts a strong but underrepresented control on its persistence. However, the mutuality and mechanisms of the SOC‐STP linkage remain insufficiently resolved, limiting its integration into predictive ecosystem C models. This review synthesizes global observational datasets and experimental evidence to evaluate the bidirectional linkage between SOC and STP (and STP pools). Predictive models indicate that SOC and STP are strong mutual predictors globally, reflecting shared controls and feedback due to coupled SOC‐organic P cycling. This coupling reflects constrained C:P stoichiometry, declining from 300:1–1300:1 in plant litter to 50:1–300:1 in soil organic matter. These patterns are regulated by plant and microbial P acquisition and utilization strategies, whose quantitative effects remain incompletely constrained. In contrast, predictive models indicate that the SOC‐inorganic P (Pi) pools associations are weaker and dynamic. While co‐stabilization by metal‐bridging regulates the positive SOC‐Pi correlation, competitive sorption can reduce Pi retention by 20%–60% and mobilize SOC by 20%–80%. Although these SOC‐Pi interactions may exert important local or short‐term influences on SOC dynamics, their quantitative ecosystem‐level controls remain insufficiently constrained, making them a key but uncertain component of the SOC‐STP linkage. Current models simulating SOC‐STP linkages remain limited by incomplete/oversimplified representations of plant‐microbe‐soil mineral feedbacks, challenges in partitioning P between multiple biotic and abiotic sinks, and scarce long‐term observations. We propose a dual‐pathway framework combining coordinated long‐term field studies in understudied ecosystems with next‐generation process‐based models that explicitly integrate stoichiometric constraints alongside geochemical feedbacks. These advances are essential to improve SOC projections and inform sustainable P management and climate change mitigation strategies.
Journals
2026 EN
Hyasat Asal Ali · Ibrahim Hanan
ABSTRACT This study presents a comparative analysis of Virginia Woolf's A Room of One's Own ( AROO ) (1929) and Alice Walker's The Color Purple ( TCP ) (1983), examining how each author, through distinct genres, portrays women's struggles to transform oppressive realities. Woolf's extended study stresses White women's need to be intellectually and financially independent within patriarchal systems, whereas Walker's epistolary novel demonstrates how Black women cannot address gender oppression in isolation from racial, social, and economic issues. Informed by their respective cultural and political backgrounds, both texts reveal diverse yet overlapping manifestations of patriarchal domination and multifaceted forms of female agency. By emphasizing political, social, and cultural obstacles to women's independence, this study offers important insights into the practices that can either improve or hinder women's empowerment. Thematic convergences and divergences in both texts illuminate how literary representations of women's multifaceted oppressive experiences contribute to broader discourses on women's autonomy and contextual priorities. The comparative approach is instrumental in developing strategic frames for gender equity in local and global organizations, facilitating structural reformations, intersectional policies, and more inclusive practices that empower all women.
Journals
2026 EN
Westerdorf Julian · Tretiakova Maria · Weiten Richard
+16 more
Background and aims Histological grading of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is an important part of diagnostic evaluation. Reproducibility of RCC grading using whole‐slide imaging (WSI) compared to glass‐slide microscopy is understudied. The aim of the study was a head‐to‐head evaluation of WSI‐based and glass‐based grading approaches in clear‐cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and papillary renal cell carcinoma (pRCC) subtypes. Methods Four cohorts of patient cases with glass slides and corresponding digitized WSI were included from two institutions (cases n , Institution 1 (I‐1): ccRCC 100, pRCC 89; Institution 2 (I‐2): ccRCC 97, pRCC 50). Nine board‐certified pathologists provided grades, with some pathologists evaluating both glass‐based and WSI‐based slides in the same cohorts. An interobserver and intraobserver (different modalities) analysis was carried out, including comparisons to majority vote and consensus grades using kappa statistics. Information on prognostic endpoint (overall survival) was available for cases from Institution 1. Results In ccRCC cases, interobserver pairwise comparison among pathologists showed low to moderate agreement, similar for glass‐based (kappa range 0.14–0.77) and WSI‐based (0.12–0.83) approaches, with in general similar results for pRCC subtype. Significant differences could be observed for datasets stemming from two institutions: ccRCC kappa average 0.73 and 0.54 for I‐1 and I‐2, respectively, for glass‐based, and 0.66 and 0.48 for the WSI‐based approach, revealing staining differences as a potential important confounder. Intraobserver (same pathologist, same cases, glass‐based vs. WSI‐based) analyses revealed significant differences in assigned grades with trends to both under‐grading and over‐grading. For ccRCC (I‐1: pathologists n = 5, I‐2: n = 3), the kappa range was 0.47–0.90 for I‐1 and 0.43–0.70 for I‐2. In the majority vote/consensus grade analysis, there was a clear general trend to over‐grading using the WSI‐based approach, with more cases scored as G4. Prognostic analysis showed the value of both WSI‐based and glass‐based approaches. Conclusions WSI‐based grading approach for RCC results in divergent grading outcomes, with a trend to over‐grading. The interobserver and especially intraobserver agreement present in low to moderate areas for both modalities warrants more standardization and exploring the potential of artificial intelligence for grading objectivization. Institute‐specific staining differences might be a confounder for less reproducible RCC grading. We open‐source all digital datasets and grades for education and research purposes.
Journals
2026 EN
Dortyol Ibrahim Taylan · Nalbant Merve · Guven Asli
ABSTRACT Body image concerns are a widely recognised and important health issue. Of particular concern is the potential association between selfie behaviours and body image, given the increasing focus on physical appearance in selfies and the tendency of individuals to portray an idealised version of themselves. To date, several reviews have provided valuable insights into selfie behaviours and their relationship with body image. However, they have certain limitations in terms of methodology, with studies tending to narrowly focus on a specific age group, gender, or topic. To address these limitations, a systematic review was conducted, comprising a total of 37 Web of Science (WoS) articles from 20 peer‐reviewed journals across a range of disciplines, including psychology, marketing, and media studies. This study was conducted following the Scientific Procedures and Rationales for Systematic Reviews (SPAR‐4‐SLR) protocol and guided by the Theory‐Context‐Characteristics‐Methodology (TCCM) frameworks to provide insights into the selfie behaviours within the body image literature. Further, the study introduced an integrated conceptual framework that identifies the independent, mediating, moderating, and dependent variables of the phenomenon examined in this review. Thus, the current review identifies certain overlooked areas that require further investigation and have the potential to significantly advance this field of study. This study has also significant implications for public policy and government strategies, which may be relevant to policymakers, practitioners, and individuals in assessing the impact of selfie behaviours on body image, particularly within the context of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well‐being).
Journals
2026 EN
Hussien Rasha Mohammed · Alasqah Ibrahim
ABSTRACT Psychological capital (PsyCap) is a valuable psychological resource that is associated with improved job performance and reduced stress in the workplace. Despite its importance, the relationship between nurses' PsyCap, perceived quality of care and adverse events (AEs) is poorly understood. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the effects of PsyCap on nurses' perceptions of the quality of care and AEs. A cross‐sectional survey was conducted at Buraidah Central Hospital in the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia, in which 169 nurses took part. The data were collected using sociodemographic data and working conditions, the Psychological Capital Questionnaire (PCQ‐12), self‐rated quality of patient care (5 items) and estimates of AEs. Pearson correlation and binary logistic regression were used to analyse the associations between study variables. A significant proportion of studied nurses reported high perceived quality of care, with 82.7% never making mistakes with negative consequences and 66.1% maintaining consistent care quality. The least reported AEs included patient falls (22.6%) and infusion/transfusion reactions (26.2%), while pressure ulcers (45.8%) and verbal abuse (42.3%) were the most frequent. Significant negative correlations were observed between PsyCap and AEs (e.g., pressure ulcers: r = −0.350, p < 0.001; medication errors: r = −0.405, p < 0.001). PsyCap was also positively related to indicators of quality of care ( p ≤ 0.001). Logistic regression showed that higher PsyCap was associated with a reduced odds of AEs such as pressure ulcers (OR = 0.927, 95% CI = 0.885–0.970) and medication errors (OR = 0.884, 95% CI = 0.835–0.937) ( p ≤ 0.001). The results show that higher PsyCap in nurses is associated with better perceptions of the quality of patient care and fewer reported AEs. Targeted interventions to improve psychological resources such as stress management programmes, self‐efficacy workshops and resilience training have significant potential to strengthen nurses' mental health, increase resilience in the workplace and improve the quality of patient care while reducing the incidence of AEs.
Journals
2026 EN
Ali Eman Abdeen · ElSayed Mona Metwally · Zoromba Mohamed Ali
+6 more
ABSTRACT Aim This study investigated the role of perceived stigma in predicting organizational commitment among nurses, examining job satisfaction as a potential mediating variable. Background Perceived stigma in the healthcare environment is increasingly recognized. However, the mechanisms linking stigma to organizational commitment, such as job satisfaction, remain underexplored. Methods A cross‐sectional study was conducted from March to June 2025 among 313 nurses from various healthcare settings in Egypt. Data were collected using validated instruments measuring perceived stigma, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment. Pearson correlation analyses were used, and a mediation analysis was performed using the PROCESS macro to determine the significance of indirect effects. Results Perceived stigma was negatively correlated with job satisfaction ( r = –0.140, p < 0.05) and its subscales and showed a weak correlation with the organizational commitment subdomains. Mediation analysis indicated that stigma significantly predicted lower job satisfaction (β = –0.312, p = .013), which in turn was positively associated with organizational commitment (β = 0.227, p < .001). The direct effect of stigma on commitment was positive and significant (β = 0.213, p = .028). In contrast, the indirect effect through job satisfaction was negative and significant (β = –0.071, 95% CI [–0.141, –0.015]), supporting a partial mediation model. Discussion These findings underscore that while stigma may have a complex direct influence, its negative effect on commitment operates significantly through the reduction of job satisfaction. Conclusion Job satisfaction partially mediates the relationship between perceived stigma and organizational commitment. Implications for nursing and health policy Healthcare policies and managerial interventions designed to reduce workplace stigma and proactively enhance job satisfaction are essential strategies for strengthening organizational commitment and improving nurse retention.
Journals
2026 EN
ElSayed Ahmed Abdelwahab Ibrahim · Younes Boshra Mostafa · Alsenany Samira Ahmed
+2 more
ABSTRACT Aim To examine how green organizational culture and nurses’ climate change skepticism influence hospitals’ eco‐capability, and whether climate skepticism moderates this relationship. Background Hospitals contribute significantly to environmental degradation, highlighting the importance of eco‐capability in achieving sustainable healthcare. Nurses play a central role in implementing environmental practices; however, their engagement may be hindered by skeptical beliefs about climate change. Methods A cross‐sectional survey was conducted among 564 nurses from five hospitals in Egypt. Validated Arabic versions of the Eco‐Capability in Healthcare Scale, the Green Organizational Culture Scale, and the Climate Change Skepticism Questionnaire were used. Multiple regression and moderation analyses were applied to test study hypotheses. Results Green culture was positively associated with eco‐capability, while climate change skepticism had a strong negative effect. Skepticism also moderated the culture–capability link. Eco‐capability was highest among nurses with low skepticism and lowest among those with high skepticism. Participation in climate training and involvement in initiatives independently predicted higher eco‐capability. Discussion The findings show that eco‐capability depends on the alignment between organizational culture and nurses’ beliefs. A supportive green culture encourages sustainable practice, but its influence is reduced when nurses hold skeptical views about climate change. Educational exposure and participation in environmental activities appear to strengthen engagement and help counter belief‐based barriers. Conclusion Eco‐capability can be enhanced when hospitals strengthen green culture and reduce climate skepticism among nurses. Implications for Nursing Integrating sustainability and climate content into nursing education and professional development can reduce skepticism and promote environmentally responsible practice. Implications for Nursing and Health Policy Policymakers should integrate eco‐capability benchmarks into accreditation standards, link sustainability indicators to nurse performance appraisal, and allocate resources for participatory initiatives that actively engage nurses.
Journals
2026 EN
Dagher Hiba · Hachem Ray Y. · Hakim Christopher
+16 more
ABSTRACT The aim in this human trial is to compare the efficacy and safety of polygalacturonic–caprylic acid (PG–CAP) ointment to MediHoney in chronic wounds at three international medical centres. In this prospective open‐label study, patients with chronic full‐thickness wounds were randomised to daily treatment with PG–CAP ointment or MediHoney. Assessments were obtained weekly for 6 weeks. The validated Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing (PUSH) score was used to track healing. Efficacies were compared using the Wilcoxon rank‐sum test for continuous variables and chi‐square or Fisher's exact test for categorical variables. Twenty‐six patients with chronic wounds were included. Baseline characteristics were comparable between the groups; however, the history of diabetes mellitus was higher in the PG–CAP group ( p = 0.011). All 13 PG–CAP patients showed improvement (100%), compared to only 69% of the 13 MediHoney patients ( p = 0.023). Half of the failures in the MediHoney arm were associated with death (15%). No failures, adverse events or deaths occurred in the PG–CAP arm. PG–CAP wound ointment is a novel combination of two plant‐based compounds that pose minimal risk of promoting antimicrobial resistance, was highly effective for eradicating wound‐pathogen biofilms in vitro and promoted chronic wound healing in vivo with minimal inflammatory reactions. Our findings support PG–CAP as safe, noninferior and possibly more effective than MediHoney in healing chronic contaminated wounds.