Authors: Neha Bakshi Vritti Loomba Arvinder S. Soin
Dietary and lifestyle choices have considerable effects on skin health, which reflects overall well-being. Nutrition is now a key component in the management and prevention of skin-related issues due to the increasing incidence of dermatological disorders and the growing demand for anti-aging remedies. This review examines the complex relationship between nutrition, diet, and skin aging, with a focus on the functions of probiotics, vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants. Evidence suggests that micronutrients like vitamins A, C, D, E, and B-complex, as well as trace elements like zinc, copper, selenium, and magnesium, are important for preserving skin structure, hydration, and elasticity while reducing inflammation and oxidative damage. Emerging insights into the gut-skin axis further underscore the contribution of probiotics and gut microbiota in modulating dermatological outcomes. Furthermore, dietary patterns that include foods high in antioxidants, low glycemic load, and a balanced intake of macronutrients are important in the treatment of diseases like atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and acne. Conventional systems like Ayurveda offer supplementary viewpoints and support holistic eating habits, which help to reduce oxidative stress and support collagen production. This review highlights nutrition as a safe, attainable, and effective method for enhancing skin health, delaying visible signs of aging, and enhancing quality of life by fusing contemporary scientific research with conventional dietary knowledge. ]]>Authors: Xin Qi Richard Tester
Excess dietary calories relative to energy expenditure lead to increased body weight, a problem now widely described as an epidemic because of its association with numerous disease states. Although free digestible sugars are to the most extent absorbed relatively easily from foods in healthy individuals, this is not the case for starches; where the physico-chemical properties control the rate and extent of enzymatic hydrolysis in the small intestine. Thus, even when the quantity of starch in a food product is known this may not reflect its calorie provision due to its digestibility. This short review explores this ‘glucose supply’ issue and its implication for dietary calorie management. In particular, how controlling the rate and extent to which glucose is absorbed from the diet impacts upon body weight and as a consequence health; with a particular emphasis on slowly digestible starch (SDS) as a preferred dietary glucose source. Many Western dietary patterns favour starchy foods that are digested rapidly, producing pronounced postprandial peaks and troughs in blood glucose concentrations. The focus towards slowly digestible starch within the diet offers a more favourable pathway for glucose entry into the circulation, supporting more stable metabolic utilisation. The evidence suggests that this control of glucose absorption from the gut into the blood stream can influence positively body weight, body mass index (BMI) and associated health conditions linked to body mass. These physical impacts associated with potential benefits on cognitive function. ]]>GERIATRICS 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2603340
Authors: Paolo Giacomoni Pier Francesco Morganti
Aging is defined as the accumulation of damage, and several factors have been recognized as “factors of aging”. A sensible holistic approach is appropriate to reduce the rate of accumulation of damage, while maintaining the well-being of the individual. The holistic approach of L-Raphael defines seven fields of intervention: Outdoor management, Physical management, Medical management, Nutritional management, Stress management, Aesthetic management, and Leisure management. These interventions apply to skin aging as well. Perhaps all of the known factors of skin aging induce the synthesis of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (I-CAM 1) in endothelial cells. I-CAM 1 molecules bind circulating immune cells, who then exit the blood vessels, enter the dermis, and initiate an inflammatory process, which entails three oxidative bursts and the release of proteolytic enzymes. The micro-inflammatory theory of skin aging describes the different factors that accelerate the rate of aging and recommends biochemical interventions. These biochemical interventions fit the seven holistic managements quoted above. The principal factor of skin aging is known to be solar exposure, which generates DNA damage that triggers an inflammatory reaction. Hence the importance of Outdoor management that recommends protecting against UV and using boosters of DNA repair such as Nicotinamide. Anoxia associated with stationary standing positions induces the synthesis of I-CAM and consequently of varicose veins and of spider veins. Well-managed physical exercise is therefore recommended to avoid the onset of anoxia. Medical management of cutaneous hygiene helps avoid the damage provoked by the response to local infections. Tailored targeting of the skin microbiome might be an additional tool in that sense. Glycated proteins induce I-CAM 1. The skin of people with diabetes is particularly affected, and nutrition management could avoid favoring conditions that facilitate protein glycation. Psychological stress provokes the release of I-CAM 1-inducing neuropeptides in the skin. Stress management is very important to maintain skin inflammation-free. The aesthetics of the skin suffer because of tobacco smoking. This is especially true when the skin is exposed to UV. Tobacco smoke is vasoconstrictive and reduces nutrient supply to the skin. Undernourished cells undergo necrosis and trigger inflammatory responses. Leisure management and balanced time use are crucial. Sleep deprivation does negatively affect skin health, and sleep is a necessary condition for global well-being. ]]>NEUROBIOLOGY 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2603341
Authors: Jamal Magantor
The proliferation of digital technology has introduced novel stressors that may disproportionately affect migrant adolescents and young adults, a growing demographic in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This study aimed to investigate the associations between digital stress, emotion regulation, sleep quality, and psychological well-being (depression and anxiety) in this population. A quantitative, cross-sectional study was conducted with 275 multinational migrant university students (≥18 years) residing in the UAE. Participants completed an online survey comprising the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS), the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire-Short Form (ERQ-SF), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, and multiple linear regression. The mean age of participants was 21.1 years (SD = 2.3), with 62.5% identifying as female. Significant positive correlations were found between digital stress (SAS scores) and symptoms of depression (PHQ-9; r = 0.58, p < 0.001) and anxiety (GAD-7; r = 0.55, p < 0.001). Poor sleep quality (PSQI scores) was also strongly associated with higher depression (r = 0.62, p < 0.001) and anxiety (r = 0.59, p < 0.001). Emotion regulation strategies showed varied associations, with expressive suppression being linked to poorer mental health outcomes. Multiple regression analysis revealed that digital stress (β = 0.34, p < 0.001) and poor sleep quality (β = 0.41, p < 0.001) were significant independent predictors of depressive symptoms, explaining 48% of the variance (R2 = 0.48, F(3, 271) = 83.1, p < 0.001). Digital stress and poor sleep quality are potent risk factors for adverse psychological well-being among migrant young adults in the UAE. The findings underscore the need for culturally sensitive, targeted interventions within university and community settings to mitigate the negative impacts of digital life and promote healthy coping mechanisms and sleep hygiene in this vulnerable population. ]]>Authors: Erina Rahmadyanti Danayanti Azmi Dewi Nusantara Ronny Durrotun Nasihien Dimas Nur Prakoso Sugeng Rifqi Mubaroq
Wastewater from stamped batik (batik cap) — the block-printing method that dominates micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) production across Southeast Asia — is commonly discharged without a transferable design basis for continuous-flow scale. This study links batch-scale electrocoagulation-filtration (EC-F) kinetics to operational current-density projections for a 1 m3/day wastewater treatment plant, complemented by techno-economic and carbon footprint assessments. A 2 × 3 factorial batch experiment with aluminium electrodes was conducted on real batik cap effluent. Six candidate kinetic forms — exponential saturation, pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, Langmuir-hyperbolic, Gompertz, and logistic — were compared via AIC; sigmoidal forms (Gompertz at 4 cm gap; logistic at 2 cm gap) provided substantially better description of the η versus Faraday aluminium-dose data than the exponential baseline (ΔAIC = 5–38). The spacing factor was retained after controlling for total charge as a covariate (ANCOVA p < 10-4 for all three parameters), confirming a genuine geometric-mass-transfer effect beyond the coulombic load. The laboratory optimum yielded chemical oxygen demand, biochemical oxygen demand, and total suspended solids removals above 92% at a specific energy demand of 4.5-10.5 kWh kg-1 pollutant. The continuous-flow projection — explicitly framed as a predictive scale-up framework rather than a validated solution — recommends an operational current density of ≈1.4 mA cm-2 (parameter-wise medians 1.28-1.36 mA cm-2; combined safety value 1.4), one order of magnitude below the batch range, with projected effluent compliant with national discharge standards. Operational cost of USD 1.05-1.75 m-3 (correlated Monte Carlo, n = 20,000) is most sensitive to the kinetic rate constant and the aluminium plate price; the carbon footprint is dominated by primary aluminium production (89% of 10.4 kg CO2 m-3) and can be reduced to 0.99 kg CO2 m-3 by combining recycled-aluminium electrodes with photovoltaic power. A trade-off analysis between removal efficiency and sludge generation is also reported. The framework provides an auditable, MSME-relevant design basis for EC scale-up in the Southeast Asian batik sector. ]]>Authors: Moa’ath Sa’ad Al-A’athal Qasem Abu Al-Haija
The increasing scale, speed, and sophistication of cyberattacks have rendered traditional rule-based intrusion detection systems (IDS) insufficient for modern network environments. While machine learning (ML)-based IDSs have significantly improved detection capabilities, their black-box nature limits trust, interpretability, and practical deployment in real-world security operations. To address this challenge, this paper proposes an explainable machine learning framework for network intrusion detection using the CICIDS2017 dataset. The framework integrates multiple supervised learning models, including baseline and ensemble classifiers, and evaluates them using standard performance metrics such as accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score, and ROC-AUC. To enhance transparency, Shapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) are employed to quantify feature contributions and provide both global and instance-level interpretability of model predictions. Experimental results demonstrate that ensemble models achieve superior detection performance while maintaining high interpretability. Furthermore, the explainability analysis reveals key traffic characteristics associated with different attack behaviors, providing deeper insight into attack behavior and supporting security analysts in interpreting intrusion alerts. The proposed approach improves detection accuracy, reduces false positives, and supports informed decision-making, thereby enhancing the transparency, trustworthiness, and practical applicability of intrusion detection systems. ]]>Authors: María Laura Gaetan Lucas Ernesto Peisino Rosana Gaggino
This study aims to determine the physical and mechanical properties of boards developed at the Centro Experimental de la Vivienda Económica (CEVE, Experimental Center for Economic Housing) from unshredded Tetrabrik waste. The boards were produced via thermo-compaction, using the polyethylene from the outer layers of Tetrabrik containers as a binder. Their intended application is as wall panels for social housing. The performance of these new boards was compared with that of conventional market-available boards of similar use - specifically, particleboard and OSB- in terms of flexural strength, water absorption, and fire resistance. The Tetrabrik specimens were molded at 110°C, 140°C, and 200°C. The best overall performance was achieved at 140°C. In flexural strength, boards pressed at 140°C reached 27 MPa, outperforming the best traditional board tested, which reached 16 MPa. In water absorption, the 140°C Tetrabrik boards absorbed 32% less water than particleboard and 69% less than OSB. In fire resistance testing, the Tetrabrik boards performed well thanks to their multilayered composition, in which the aluminum layer acts as a flame-retardant. These results demonstrate that it is possible to produce a construction material made entirely from Tetrabrik waste, offering clear technical advantages over the conventional boards studied. ]]>Authors: Moses Nyakuwanika Manoj Panicker
This study explored how organisations in Zimbabwe integrate climate risk into Environmental Management Accounting (EMA) and how this enhances sustainable value creation. The study adopted the Institutional Theory and the sensemaking lens. It employed an inductive, interpretivist, qualitative research design, utilising in-depth interviews with 11 senior professionals in accounting, operations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), sustainability, and regulatory positions. Climate risk awareness was found to be primarily driven by global investors and standards (normative and mimetic pressures), rather than by weak local coercive enforcement (coercive pressures). Although EMA practices are developing, their application remains fragmented, and their integration into basic accounting systems is only partial, with organisations employing techniques such as internal carbon pricing, environmental cost accounting, and material flow accounting. Key barriers to EMA-climate integration include weak regulatory enforcement, limited financial resources, insufficient data, and managerial attitudes. In addition, participants viewed EMA-enabled climate issues as strategic and linked them to improved resource efficiency and resilience, thereby creating long-term value. The findings of the study extend Institutional Theory by highlighting the depth of EMA-climate integration and the role of organisational sensemaking in this process. The findings of this study provide rare empirical contextual evidence on EMA-climate risk integration in a resource-constrained emerging economy. The study’s findings offer insights for policymakers to develop carbon accounting guidelines and for organisational management to formalise climate accounting and embed sustainability into decision-making. ]]>GENETICS 10.21926/obm.genet.2603349
Authors: Manel Chalbi Rahma Jrad Soumaya Kachti Mohamed Ali Chemli
Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a group of rare, genetically determined disorders characterized by blister formation, skin fragility, and mucocutaneous blisters and erosions following minimal trauma. Oral manifestations and dental involvement of EB vary in frequency and severity depending on the subtype. Dental management of children with EB is complex due to the high risk of iatrogenic soft-tissue injury and requires strict adherence to evidence-based preventive and minimally invasive protocols. Published clinical practice guidelines recommend a trauma-free approach, reinforced preventive strategies, careful behavioral management, and modifications of dental instruments and procedures to minimize friction and pressure on oral tissues. However, detailed clinical implementation of these recommendations in complex pediatric cases remains limited in the literature. A 6-year-old girl with dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa and growth retardation was referred to the Pediatric Dentistry Department. Clinical examination revealed microstomia, multiple oral bullous lesions, gingival inflammation, ankyloglossia, enamel hypomineralization, and multiple carious lesions. Radiographic assessment was performed using panoramic imaging due to limited mouth opening. Dental management was carried out under local anesthesia only, using 2% lidocaine with epinephrine 1:80,000, without sedation or general anesthesia. Behavioral management included the Tell-Show-Do technique and progressive chair acclimatization. Protective measures were applied during all procedures, including lubrication of lips with petroleum jelly and minimal-pressure suction and air usage. Treatment included multiple staged extractions of severely decayed primary molars, atraumatic restorative treatment of permanent and primary teeth using hand excavation and glass ionomer cement, and preventive care consisting of oral hygiene instruction and dietary counseling. A customized toothbrush adapted to the patient’s hand deformity was also provided. The patient was followed over multiple visits with good tolerance and no major complications. This case reinforces that with strict adherence to minimally traumatic, evidence-based protocols, necessary dental treatment can be safely performed in children with dystrophic EB. ]]>Authors: Yandiswa Mabhude Adewale Oluwaseun Fadaka Samantha Meyer Kwazikwakhe Bethuel Gabuza Abram Madimabe Madiehe Mervin Meyer Nicole Remaliah Samantha Sibuyi
Food and water are essential resources for human survival; however, the increasing global population, urbanization, and climate change have placed a significant strain on their availability and safety, with major implications for public health and economic stability. Microbial contamination of food and water remains a critical global challenge, with bacteria responsible for more than 90% of foodborne illnesses. In the past decade, pathogens such as Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Listeria have been the leading causes of outbreaks. In contrast, diseases such as listeriosis and cholera constantly affect several African countries, with rapidly escalating infection rates. Early detection of pathogens in food and water is essential to prevent the spread of infections and reduce associated morbidity and mortality. Although current laboratory-based and on-site detection methods are highly sensitive and reliable, they are often limited by long assay times, labor-intensive procedures, and the need for specialized equipment and trained personnel. These limitations highlight the urgent need for rapid, cost-effective, and user-friendly diagnostic tools suitable for point-of-care (PoC) applications, particularly in resource-limited settings. While recent studies have explored nanomaterial-based detection strategies, existing reviews largely provide descriptive summaries and often lack a critical comparison of emerging biorecognition elements and their practical applicability in low-resource environments. This review provides a comprehensive and critical evaluation of aptamer-integrated gold nanoparticles (AuNPs)-based colorimetric assays, with a particular focus on lateral flow assays (LFAs) for the rapid detection of food- and water-borne pathogens. Key aspects, including assay performance, advantages and limitations of aptamer-based systems, and their potential for deployment in low-income countries (LICs) are discussed. By highlighting current advances, existing challenges, and future perspectives, this review aims to support the development of accessible and scalable diagnostic platforms for improving food and water safety. ]]>GENETICS 10.21926/obm.genet.2603348
Authors: Elham Alimoradi Elaheh Emadi Parham Nejati Fatemeh Molavi Mohamad Javad Alibakhshi Reza Alibakhshi
SLITRK6 is essential for inner-ear neuronal survival and retinal development, and pathogenic variants in this gene cause syndromic sensorineural hearing loss (HL) with high myopia. This study aimed to identify the genetic basis of HL and myopia in a consanguineous Iranian family with two affected children and to characterize the molecular consequences of the detected variant. One sibling with bilateral congenital HL and myopia was evaluated using whole-exome sequencing (WES). Common variants (MAF >1%) were excluded, and rare exonic changes were prioritized. Variant pathogenicity was assessed according to ACMG guidelines, and segregation was confirmed by Sanger sequencing in two affected children and their parents. ProtParam was used to compare physicochemical properties of wild-type and truncated proteins, and STRING was applied to assess predicted protein-protein interactions. WES identified a novel homozygous nonsense variant in SLITRK6, NM_032229.3:c.1795C>T (p.Arg599Ter), located in exon 2. The parents were heterozygous carriers, and the variant was ultra-rare in public databases. In silico analyses predicted that the premature termination codon produces a truncated protein with loss-of-function effects. These findings are consistent with previously described SLITRK6-associated HL with myopia. We report a novel likely pathogenic SLITRK6 variant associated with congenital HL and myopia in an Iranian family. The predicted loss-of-function supports an important role for SLITRK6 in auditory and visual system development. Further studies are needed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying SLITRK6-related disorders. ]]>Authors: Valentin P. Shichkin Oleg V. Kurchenko
Thyroid disorders are an actual global health concern requiring diverse therapeutic strategies. Potentilla alba (P. alba), commonly known as White cinquefoil, has been used in folk medicine for its rich composition of microelements and pharmacologically essential phytocompounds. It has now also gained recognition in evidence-based medicine for its potential to treat thyroid dysfunction, particularly hypothyroidism and nodular goiter. However, the complicated composition of P. alba extracts makes it difficult to predict the final results of such treatment and to understand its therapeutic mechanisms. The review aims to synthesize the current knowledge of the phytochemical composition of P. alba extracts and to analyze the mechanisms underlying its complex effects on thyroid health. Additionally, the analysis reviews the efficacy and side effects of P. alba extracts in preclinical and clinical research, highlighting key challenges and proposing approaches to address them. ]]>GENETICS 10.21926/obm.genet.2603347
Authors: Elimkhan Jafarov Aladdin Tagiyev Mehriban Velijanova İntizar Zeynalova Gunel Gojayeva Anar Jafarov Lala Allahverdiyeva Shabnam Huseynova Nurlana Eminova
Seeds of cotton varieties Ganja-160, Ganja-182, and Ganja-183 were γ-irradiated with the isotope Co-60 at doses of 5, 10, 50, 100, 200, 300, and 400 Gy (at a dose rate of 0.342 rad/sec). Irradiated seeds, along with non-irradiated seeds (controls), were sown at the experimental base of the Center for Agricultural Sciences under open-field conditions in four replicates. The aim was to obtain mutant cotton lines with high quality and improved technological parameters, as well as resistance to various diseases and extreme environmental factors, and to use them as starting material for breeding. The nature of phenotypic changes occurring in four successive generations obtained by radiation mutagenesis was studied, and the economically valuable characteristics of mutant forms and fiber quality parameters were determined. Based on changes across four successive generations of plants, it was possible to identify mutant forms with 46 economically important traits, such as productivity, high fiber yield, and long, strong fiber, for breeding purposes. The results also showed that these plants not only exhibited high productivity but also had improved fiber parameters, such as fiber length and strength. The mutant cotton lines also exhibited improved technological parameters, such as fiber linear density, breaking strength, and staple length. The results demonstrated that γ- irradiation of seeds not only resulted in numerous phenotypic changes, high genetic diversity, and a wide spectrum of mutations in subsequent generations of these plants, but also enabled the development of mutant forms with several economically important traits. Based on these results, it can be concluded that radiation mutagenesis is an effective method for creating mutant plant libraries. ]]>Authors: Israel Rios-Castillo Leslie Landaeta-Díaz Karla Santos-Guzmán Laura Merelez-Ceuppens Alex Brito
Climate change, biodiversity loss, and malnutrition are interconnected global challenges that increasingly threaten food security, healthy diets, and environmental sustainability. Current dietary patterns characterized by high consumption of ultra-processed foods have negative environmental impacts, including increased greenhouse gas emissions, water and land use, malnutrition, and biodiversity loss. Sustainable and healthy diets that emphasize plant-based foods, minimize food waste, and promote ecosystem conservation can substantially reduce the environmental footprint of food systems, mitigate climate change, and help address the global obesity epidemic. The biodiversity-climate-nutrition nexus highlights the central role of food systems in supporting ecosystem functions, providing nutritious options, and mitigating the effects of climate change. Strategies to promote sustainable and healthy diets include public nutrition education, government policies, economic incentives, and technological innovation. Leveraging neglected and underutilized species, valorizing food by-products, and adopting climate-resilient agricultural practices can enhance biodiversity, improve nutrition, and build resilience to climate change. Critical research and policy gaps include better incorporating biodiversity data, examining trade impacts, and promoting multidisciplinary approaches. Coordinated actions among stakeholders are needed to develop integrated solutions addressing the interconnected challenges of biodiversity, climate change, and nutrition for long-term food security and environmental sustainability. ]]>Authors: Gustavo J. Nagy Nathalie Muñoz Isabel C. Olivares Isaías Lescher Soto
South America’s coastal ecosystems face increasing threats from multiple climatic stressors, including sea-level rise, ocean warming, intensifying heatwaves, shifts in ENSO patterns, ocean acidification, glacier melt, and more frequent extremes such as storms, droughts, and altered river discharges. These processes accelerate biodiversity loss, cause erosion, and deepen socio-ecological vulnerabilities. The literature review used a convergent mixed-methods approach with an embedded design, integrating quantitative bibliometric and statistical analyses with qualitative interpretation. One hundred open-access studies published between 2020 and 2025 were examined. The consulted literature revealed a concentration of scientific output in Brazil, an overrepresentation of mangrove and coral reef ecosystems, and a predominance of climate change and climatic variability as primary stressors, emphasising biogeophysical risks. To broaden the analytical scope, we conducted a Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA). It uncovered structural associations between stressor types, ecosystems, and risk categories. The MCA revealed coherent thematic nuclei and recurrent critical zones across all South American countries. Complementing this, a qualitative review of 35 case studies provided contextual depth. It illustrated how the convergence of climatic stressors with local pressures, such as urbanisation, land-use change, and environmental pollution, produces synergistic, spatially uneven risk configurations that transcend traditional analytical boundaries. Together, these methods expose a complex, interconnected web of climate-related threats affecting diverse coastal systems, from mangroves and wetlands to sandy beaches, estuaries, and fjords. The findings offer an integrated and comparative understanding of coastal risks in the region, providing evidence directly applicable to monitoring and adaptation strategies. Overall, this review shows that combining quantitative and qualitative approaches helps capture the multidimensional nature of compound climate risks and provides a robust foundation for strengthening the resilience of South America’s coastal socio-ecological systems. ]]>Authors: Weijie Yi Jiamei Lian Chao Deng
Risperidone is a commonly used antipsychotic drug in juveniles, but with serious metabolic side-effects. Previous evidence suggests that exercise mitigates risperidone-induced hypertriglyceridemia and adipose accumulation, yet the underlying hepatic mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, female juvenile rats were randomly assigned to four groups (n = 8/group): Vehicle + Sedentary, Risperidone (0.9 mg/kg, twice daily) + Sedentary, Vehicle + Exercise (3-hour voluntary access to a running wheel/day), and Risperidone + Exercise groups (n = 8/group). Following 4-week treatment, liver tissue was harvested for subsequent analyses. Risperidone increased hepatic expression of fatty acid synthase (FAS) and upstream stimulatory factor 1 (USF1), while exercise attenuated these changes and elevated the pAMPK/AMPK ratio, indicating suppressed lipogenesis. Risperidone also upregulated peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and CD36, promoting lipid uptake and storage; these effects were reversed by exercise, which additionally reduced FSP27 expression. Furthermore, exercise enhanced lipolytic and β-oxidative capacity, as evidenced by increased adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL), hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), and restoration of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1α (PGC1α) levels suppressed by risperidone. Collectively, risperidone promotes hepatic lipid accumulation by stimulating USF1/FAS-mediated lipogenesis and PPARγ/CD36-driven uptake while suppressing the PGC1α signaling pathway associated with β-oxidation. Voluntary exercise counteracts these alterations, thereby ameliorating risperidone-induced hepatic lipid dysregulation. ]]>Authors: Sofia Castelo Filipa Ferreira Miguel Amado
This paper analyses the first cycle of the Malaysia Adaptation Sharing Hub (MASH), an exploratory national knowledge-transfer and climate-adaptation acceleration network developed under the Penang Nature-Based Climate Adaptation Program (PNBCAP), the country’s first urban climate adaptation program. MASH was designed to address the lack of capacity in urban climate adaptation across Malaysian cities, including limited access to localized climate data and challenges in identifying and implementing adaptation measures. Through a structured, three-step framework combining scientific input, community engagement, peer-to-peer exchange, and policy accountability, the network supports local governments in identifying, designing, and committing to concrete adaptation initiatives. As the PNBCAP adopts a nature-based solutions (NbS) approach, these solutions are a particular focus of MASH. Drawing on evidence from the first MASH cycle (2024/2025), including follow-up engagements and online policy-announcement workshops involving ten local councils, this paper documents the types of adaptation initiatives advanced, the conditions enabled by the framework, the persisting barriers to implementation, and finally, the lessons learned. Findings show that structured, in-person, multi-sectoral engagement is effective in building trust, shared understanding, and stakeholder ownership. Follow-up one-on-one sessions are critical for translating dialogue into concrete adaptation initiatives. Cities respond best to practical, implementable tools rather than purely conceptual frameworks, and capacity needs are strongly oriented toward tailored expert support, access to climate finance, and monitoring indicators. However, the translation of commitments to implementation remains uneven. Persistent constraints, particularly in terms of staff capacity, political will, and budgets, limit progress, while leadership changes and institutional barriers disrupt continuity. Community awareness and engagement remain insufficiently addressed, despite their importance for long-term adaptation success. A total of 14 adaptation initiatives were announced, six of them adopting NbS. In addition, three local governments requested admission to the next MASH cycle (2026/2027) and were accepted, indicating growing institutional interest in and perceived value of the framework. ]]>Authors: Francis Mafuratidze Hagreaves Kumba David Ndiyamba Ackson Gondo
Unreliable electricity supply remains a significant barrier to economic development in sub-Saharan Africa, with Zimbabwe experiencing acute load-shedding that disrupts residential, commercial, and industrial activity. This paper presents a techno-economic feasibility assessment of a mini wind turbine for distributed urban energy generation in Zvishavane, Zimbabwe. Wind resource data were sourced from two independent platforms Weather Spark (30-year climatological record) and Meteoblue (high-resolution reanalysis) and analysed using both direct calculation and the Rayleigh statistical distribution model applied to monthly bin-frequency data at a measurement height of 10 m above ground level. Mean wind speeds at the measurement height range from 3.31 m/s (May) to 5.03 m/s (October), placing the site in the low wind power density class (Class 1: P/A ≤ 100 W/m2) under direct assessment. Application of the Rayleigh probability density function yields substantially higher mean power density estimates, a minimum of 78.98 W/m2 and a maximum of 277.15 W/m2, elevating the site into the fair-to-moderate resource class (150-200 W/m2). Boundary layer wind profile analysis using the logarithmic law indicates that the rated cut-in speed of 5 m/s is achievable at a minimum tower height of 27 m, while a tower of 63 m achieves the low-category power density threshold, both technically practicable. An annual energy production of 438-683 kWh/year is estimated for a representative 400 W rated mini turbine, yielding a levelised cost of energy (LCOE) of USD 0.143-0.224/kWh. At the grid-equivalent avoided cost of USD 0.10-0.15/kWh and with realistic capital expenditure assumptions, the simple payback period ranges from 8 to 14 years, which improves to 5-8 years under preferential financing conditions. The study demonstrates that, while Zvishavane is not a premium wind resource site, targeted turbine deployment at optimised tower heights is technically viable and approaches economic competitiveness under current tariff and financing conditions, particularly as an energy resilience measure against chronic grid outages. ]]>Authors: Thiago Soares Penha Romulo Davi Albuquerque Andrade Paulo Anselmo Ziani Suarez
Chewing gum, typically discarded indiscriminately, is a significant source of urban solid waste with waste that persist for long period. When in contact with notoriously recyclable materials, it can hinder their recycling processes due to its high post-consumer adhesion, leaving only the non-soluble phase. This gum base is commonly composed of polyvinyl acetate (PVAc). In this context, considering what is done for the recycling of other polymers, the pyrolysis of discarded chewing gum was conducted through a series of reactions to produce bio-oil. The influence of temperature, time, and pressure was studied to find the conditions that would favor the highest production of the liquid phase. The results demonstrated that temperature, reaction time, and pressure significantly influenced product distribution. The highest bio-oil yield was obtained at 350°C for 60 min, producing 2.20 g and 1.64 g of bio-oil at initial pressures of 15 and 70 bar, respectively. GC-MS analysis revealed acetic acid as the predominant compound, reaching a maximum concentration of 94.6% at 300°C for 40 min and 15 bar, while acetaldehyde was detected only under low-pressure conditions. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of converting discarded chewing gum into value-added chemicals through pyrolysis. ]]>Authors: Alexander Ye. Kaglyan Dmitri I. Gudkov Volodymyr V. Belyaev Sergiy I. Kireev Lyudmyla P. Yurchuk Sergiy P. Pryshlyak Natalya A. Pomortseva Olena O. Gupalo Mariya O. Men’kovska
The results of the assessment of the levels of radionuclide contamination of fish in the dammed, conditionally impermeable Yanivskyi backwater of the Pripyat River in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone (ChEZ) for the period 2008-2025 are presented. It was found that the activity concentration of radionuclides in representatives of the ichthyofauna of the backwater as of 2025 decreased compared to the beginning of our research of this water body in 2008, on average, by 1.6 times for the content of 90Sr, and by 1.4 times for the content of 137Cs (unlike closed water bodies such as lakes of the ChEZ, in which the activity concentration of 137Cs in fish also decreases, and the activity concentration of 90Sr - gradually increases). The activity concentration of radionuclides in fish from the studied water body exceeded the permissible levels (PL) for fish products adopted in Ukraine by 13-111 times for 90Sr and 2-15 times for 137Cs, with PLs of 35 and 150 Bq/kg, respectively. As of 2020-2025, the activity concentration of 90Sr in the prey fish (non-predatory) species from the Yanivskyi backwater of the Pripyat River mainly exceeds the activity concentration of 137Cs by 1.5-11.9 times, and in predatory fish, this indicator was only 0.3-2.6. For comparison, we present data on radionuclide activity concentrations in representatives of the ichthyofauna from several water bodies of the ChEZ. The total radiation dose rate for fish from the Yanivskyi backwater was also estimated, which is within 2.0-8.7 μGy/h. The recorded levels of the average total absorbed dose rate for practically all studied fish of the Yanivskyi backwater exceed the screening dose of 2 μGy/h and are lower than the safe level of 10 μGy/h recommended within the framework of the European Commission’s “PROTECT” project. ]]>