Authors: Rupesh Kumar Gupta Yash Kumar Tiwari Arpit Gupta Grinedge Yadav Swati Gupta
The rapid urbanisation in developing countries has not only intensified land transformation but also significantly altered surface temperatures, thereby increasing climate vulnerability. Ahmedabad, one of India’s fastest-growing cities, has witnessed substantial urban growth over the past two decades and therefore requires an integrated approach to analyse land-use change, thermal dynamics, and future growth patterns. This study aims to analyse the spatial and temporal patterns of land use/land cover (LULC) changes, examine their association with land surface temperature (LST) and urban thermal stress, and simulate future LULC patterns for the year 2045. Multi-temporal Landsat imagery from 2000 and 2020 was used to map LULC using a Random Forest classifier implemented on the Google Earth Engine platform, achieving an overall classification accuracy of approximately 89-93%. Urban thermal conditions were assessed using MODIS-derived LST data, and thermal stress was evaluated using the Urban Thermal Field Variance Index (UTFVI). The results indicate that built-up areas expanded from approximately 161 km2 in 2000 to 223 km2 in 2020, primarily due to the conversion of barren land, vegetation, and agricultural areas. LST patterns revealed a significant intensification of high-temperature zones, particularly in densely built-up and industrial regions. The UTFVI analysis shows that more than 60% of the city experiences moderate to high thermal stress, while areas with higher vegetation cover and water bodies consistently exhibit lower thermal stress. Future simulations suggest that built-up areas may exceed 300 km2 by 2045, further intensifying urban heat stress if current land-use trends continue. The integrated LULC-LST-UTFVI framework highlights the critical role of land-use planning in developing climate-responsive urban strategies and mitigating thermal stress in rapidly expanding cities. ]]>GENETICS 10.21926/obm.genet.2602343
Authors: Mahmood Shams Nader Safarian Samila Farokhimanesh Akbar Dorgalaleh
Congenital factor VII (FVII) deficiency is the most common rare bleeding disorder (RBD), presenting with various clinical manifestations. Given the heightened risk of life-threatening bleeding and fatal hemorrhagic complications, prompt detection of the disorder is critical, especially in cases with low FVII levels and a history of familial severe clinical presentations. In such cases, prenatal diagnosis (PND) emerges as a life-saving option. In this study, we reported two PNDs in a family with a positive family history of severe FVII deficiency (G (p.Met1Val) variant in exon 1 of the affected girl, who was homozygous for this variant in the F7 gene and had severe FVII deficiency (G variant, leading to termination of the second pregnancy. During the third pregnancy (Second PND), while the mother was being cared for for breast cancer, the homozygous child was born without complications, and the mother underwent mastectomy following delivery. Over the following two years, the child has remained asymptomatic, and the mother has also remained healthy after the mastectomy. Successful PND of severe FVII deficiency was achieved through c.1A>G variant detection, with coordinated multidisciplinary care enabling favorable maternal and fetal outcomes despite concurrent breast cancer treatment. ]]>TRANSPLANTATION 10.21926/obm.transplant.2602271
Authors: Duong Binh Tran Sinh The Pham Binh Xuan Luong Thi Cao
Aseptic femoral shaft nonunion represents a biologically compromised state in which impaired osteogenesis, insufficient vascularity, and inadequate mechanical stability prevent healing. Although mechanical revision is essential, achieving union often requires effective autologous bone tissue transplantation and biologic stimulation. This study evaluated a multimodal revision strategy integrating structural and cancellous autografts with mechanical reconstruction to restore both biological viability and stability at the nonunion site. Fifty-four patients with aseptic femoral shaft nonunion were retrospectively reviewed. Revision procedures included exchange nailing, augmentation plating with retained nail, plate replacement, or dynamization. All biologic strategies were based on autologous bone transplantation, including iliac crest cancellous bone grafting, cortical onlay strut grafts harvested from the iliac crest, and Judet osteoperiosteal decortication to enhance local vascularity. Union was assessed based on clinical and radiographic criteria during follow-up. The overall union rate was 96.3% (52/54). Hypertrophic and oligotrophic nonunions achieved 100% union, whereas atrophic nonunions achieved 83.3%. Both exchange nailing and augmentation plating resulted in 100% healing. The most favorable outcomes were observed in patients receiving combined autologous bone grafting (cancellous autograft ± cortical strut graft) together with Judet decortication, underscoring the importance of restoring osteogenic potential and biological activity in addition to mechanical rigidity. Multimodal revision combining stable fixation with autologous bone graft transplantation and biologic enhancement provides an effective treatment option for aseptic femoral shaft nonunion. These findings reinforce the principle that addressing biological insufficiency—through cancellous autografting, cortical strut transplantation, and decortication—is essential to achieving successful bone regeneration, particularly in atrophic nonunion. ]]>Authors: Alessandro Menotti Paolo Emilio Puddu
To study the relationship of dietary score versus age at death (AD) in an extinct cohort at 61 years of follow-up, based on an “inverse” procedure. Data from the Italian Rural Areas (IRA) of the Seven Countries Study of Cardiovascular Diseases, made up of 1712 middle-aged men followed for 61 years, were used. The “direct” approach means applying a dietary score to each subject of a cohort and, by means of a model, estimating the probabilities of events for different dietary score levels. The “inverse” approach, instead, compares the levels of the dietary score, separately, in subjects with an event versus those without it. In the “direct” approach, the factor scores from a Principal Components Analysis of 19 food groups were divided into 3 tertiles (more or less healthy than the central tertile), and the levels of AD were estimated and compared across the 3 dietary classes. In the “inverse” approach, the events were divided into 3 groups of different severity (that is different levels of AD) and the actual consumed food groups were computed for each of the 3 classes. Findings compared across the 3 AD classes of the “inverse” approach did not show substantial contradictions with the “direct” approach results, but only some differences with the “direct” approach that selects more statistically significant food groups than the “inverse” one. Plant foods, olive oil, and fish favored higher levels of AD in both approaches, while butter intake had an adverse effect. Mean levels of AD across 3 AD classes were 61.5, 75.1, and 87.2 years, and there were clearly significant trends in consumption of these critical food groups. Two approaches, i.e., “direct” and “inverse,” to study the relationship between dietary score and AD yielded similar findings, forming a reciprocal confirmation. ]]>Authors: Pham Van Dinh Pham Van Toi Tuan-Dung Hoang Leu Tho Bach Pham Tuan Hung
Municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills remain a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, leachate pollution, and land degradation, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where many sites operate beyond their design capacity. This study proposes an integrated and low-cost framework combining unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photogrammetry with environmental assessment to support landfill closure planning. Using the Da Mai landfill (Vietnam) as a case study, high-resolution orthomosaics and a digital surface model (DSM) were generated with a vertical RMSE of 5 cm. UAV imagery and terrain analysis revealed major operational problems, including uncontrolled filling, steep, unstable slopes, damaged leachate drainage, surface ponding, and inadequate daily cover. The landfill was estimated to contain 229,602 m3 of waste in the upper part, with elevations up to 8.5 m, exceeding the design limit by 1.5 m. Based on UAV-derived spatial parameters, potential greenhouse gas emissions and annual leachate generation were estimated at 62,710 tCO2e/year and 33,729 m3, respectively. These results indicate the need for early closure intervention at an elevation of 8.5 m. Compared with conventional surveying, the proposed approach improves spatial coverage, reduces field time, and provides practical engineering inputs. The study demonstrates that UAV photogrammetry can support both the diagnosis of landfill problems and closure planning. Additionally, further research should explore UAV applications in monitoring landfill operations pre- and post-closure. ]]>Authors: Veronica L. Martinez-Marignac Jose Luis Favant Leonel Mondragon Gloria Oertlin
ESSIAC tea is a traditional multi-herb infusion or decoction widely used by cancer patients as a complementary therapy. Originally employed in traditional Ojibwa medicine, it was later reformulated by a Canadian nurse. The classic ESSIAC infusion contains four main botanicals: burdock root (Arctium lappa), Turkish rhubarb root (Rheum palmatum), sheep sorrel (Rumex acetosella), and slippery elm bark (Ulmus rubra). Commercial variations (e.g., FlorEssence® and Genuine ESSIAC™) expand this list to include blessed thistle (Cnicus benedictus), kelp (edible Laminaria seaweeds), red clover (Trifolium pratense), and watercress (Nasturtium officinale). Although they are commercially available, human safety data are limited. We conducted an exploratory analysis registered at the Central Ethics Entre Ríos Provincial Committee Board, of the Provincial Minister, and Ethical Committee of CCT-CONICET Santa Fe (Committee Ref #: CES-00641) to evaluate the safety and DNA‐protective effects by comet assay of an 8-herb tea in healthy adults and compared it to a traditional infusion of mate cocido, of Ilex paraguariensis. Participants consumed 200 mL/day for 6 weeks; pre- and post-assessments included blood chemistry and an alkaline comet assay. Twenty‑four participants completed the study (12 per arm). Adherence was high, and no serious adverse events occurred. Laboratory indices remained within reference ranges in both groups, as well as for DNA damage, as the percent DNA comet tail declined from week 0 or baseline in both arms. Overall, daily ESSIAC tea was well tolerated and did not adversely affect laboratory indices. The observed genoprotective trend in both groups is consistent with the antioxidant phytochemicals present in the herbal infusion. These results support the safety of ESSIAC tea and justify larger trials to assess its complementary roles. ]]>GENETICS 10.21926/obm.genet.2602342
Authors: José A. Cedeño-Escudero Luis A. Sotillo-Bent Evelyn Medina-Batista Luis A. Méndez-Rosado
Hereditary Cardiomyopathies (HCs) are defined as genetically determined cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) that frequently exhibit a familial inheritance pattern. These conditions include cardiomyopathies (CMs), arrhythmias (ARs), and other inherited cardiovascular syndromes. In Panama, the national incidence of Hereditary Cardiomyopathies remains unknown. The objective was to identify genetic variants in Panamanian patients diagnosed with HCs or cardiac arrhythmias and subsequently to identify carrier families to provide genetic counseling. This was an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study. Patients clinically diagnosed with HCs or ARs were referred from various cardiology and pediatric services between 2019 and 2023. Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) was performed using a targeted panel of 128 associated genes. The sequencing was conducted on the Illumina MiniSeq platform using a capture-based technology assay. The sample consisted predominantly of patients from urban areas, with no ethnic distinctions made due to the high degree of genetic admixture characteristic of the country’s population. 91 patients were included, presenting with CM (75 cases), AR (12 cases), or both (11 cases). The overall diagnostic yield was 21% (17/81) for cardiomyopathies and 26.1% (6/23) for arrhythmias. In CM cases, all patients with identified Pathogenic (P) or Likely Pathogenic (LP) variants also had a confirmed family history of the disease. Conversely, CM patients without a family history only presented Variants of Uncertain Significance (VUS) or negative results. In AR cases, P/LP variants were identified in four patients with a family history and in two without. The study also reported the identification of four novel pathogenic genetic variants in the FLNC, TTN, DSC2, and LAMA4 genes. The identification of P/LP genetic variants associated with HCs in the Panamanian population has facilitated appropriate genetic counseling for affected families and enabled the active screening and identification of asymptomatic carriers within these high-risk lineages, which is essential for early intervention and prevention strategies. ]]>Authors: Rupesh Kumar Gupta
Rapid urbanization has remarkably altered land surface characteristics and thermal environments in Indian metropolitan cities, thereby increasing ecological pressure and urban heat risk. This study integrates assessments of land use and land cover (LULC) change and LST, and the UTFVI for Bangalore, India, using multi-temporal Landsat imagery and geospatial techniques, along with machine learning methods. LULC changes were studied and analyzed for 2000 and 2020, and a simulation to 2024 was performed, employing a Random Forest Classifier and a CA–ANN outline with the MOLUSCE model in QGIS. At the same time, seasonal LST and UTFVI patterns were studied for 2005, 2015, and 2025, and future thermal conditions were forecast for 2045 using Random Forest regression. The study’s outcomes show remarkable growth in the urban region, with the built-up area increasing from 277.93 km2 (12.64%) in 2000 to 501.89 km2 (22.83%) in 2020, projected to be 666.19 km2 (30.30%) by 2045. A sharp reduction in the areas of water bodies and vegetation cover accompanied this. The thermal analysis indicates a clear increase in warming during both summer and winter. There was also a consistent spreading pattern of moderate to high temperatures, ranging from 30-35°C and 35-40°C. According to the UTFVI, there is a shift in ecological thermal patterns, with a reduction in extreme “worst” levels of thermal stress zones and a considerable expansion of mid-levels. The study's results highlight the relationship between land-use dynamics and urban thermal dynamics. Specifically highlighting the pressing need for climate-sensitive approaches in land-use planning, focus on the preservation of green and blue spaces, and the adoption of sustainable urban growth paths. ]]>GENETICS 10.21926/obm.genet.2602341
Authors: Hicham Bouchahta Nada Benyahya Zhour EL Amrani Fatima Ouboukss Thomas Liehr Siham Chafai Elalaoui Isabel Marques Carreira Yassamine Doubaj Abdelhafid Natiq Laila Sbabou
Isolated duplications of the long arm of chromosome 3 (3q) are rare chromosomal abnormalities. To date, approximately 32 pure cases have been documented. Most reported 3q duplications arise from unbalanced translocations or inversion-loops mechanisms and are associated with additional chromosomal imbalances, making pure duplications particularly valuable for genotype-phenotype correlations. We report a 17-year-old female with a de novo pure tandem duplication of 3q26.33-q28 (~10.945 Mb). The clinical course was marked by neonatal distress with hypotonia, severe global developmental delay (independent walking at 24 months, language acquisition at 4 years), intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, and epilepsy. Dysmorphic features included esotropia, thin upper lip, high arched eyebrows, flat occiput, short neck, and generalized hirsutism. Notably, the patient exhibited increased birth weight (4000 g), contrasting with the growth retardation commonly described in 3q duplication syndrome, and no congenital cardiac anomalies were detected. Conventional R-banded karyotyping, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) were performed on peripheral blood samples from the patient and both parents. Karyotype analysis revealed 46, XX, add(3)(q?). CMA identified a duplication defined as arr[GRCh37] 3q26.33q28(179,659,847_190,604,567) × 3. FISH analysis confirmed the tandem configuration of the duplicated segment. Parental karyotypes were normal, supporting a de novo origin of the rearrangement. The duplicated region encompasses 31 OMIM morbid genes, including SOX2, IGF2BP2 and TP63. This case represents the first reported pure 3q duplication since a 2023 comprehensive review, which documented 31 cases. The phenotypic profile suggests region-specific contributions to the 3q duplication syndrome phenotype. This case provides a refined genotype-phenotype correlation and underscores the diagnostic value of an integrated cytogenetic approach combining conventional and molecular techniques. ]]>NEUROBIOLOGY 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2602337
Authors: Hatef Pourrashidi Alibogloo
This review explores the integration of cognitive neuroscience principles into communication education, focusing on how neuroscience-informed curricular designs enhance skill acquisition and transfer. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across primary scientific databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and ERIC, to identify relevant studies published between 2014 and 2025. Following a multi-stage screening process based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, 15 peer-reviewed scientific articles were selected for qualitative analysis. Advances in cognitive neuroscience illuminate the brain mechanisms supporting communication and learning. These insights enable educators to develop interventions such as working memory training, neurofeedback, and virtual reality simulations. Theoretical frameworks like Cognitive Load Theory and Social-Cognitive Neuroscience effectively guide curriculum design. However, despite reported cognitive improvements, evidence linking these neurological gains to real-world communication outcomes remains limited. This study underscores the importance of interdisciplinary approaches combining neuroscience, education, psychology, and technology. By embracing brain-based evidence, educators can manage cognitive load and deepen skill mastery, ultimately improving communication effectiveness across diverse contexts. ]]>Authors: Keith Tudor Maria Haenga-Collins
Positive mental health frameworks in Aotearoa New Zealand have largely been shaped by Western individualist assumptions and have given limited attention to Indigenous and bicultural understandings of wellbeing. This article examines positive mental health and its promotion in Aotearoa New Zealand, through a bicultural lens grounded in Te Tiriti o Waitangi. It reports on two cross-cultural mental health searches and discusses several models of health from te Ao Māori (the Māori world). Based on the view that positive mental health (and, indeed, health as a whole) is both constructed and contextual, our understanding of it in Aotearoa New Zealand must reflect the nation’s bicultural foundation and obligations. Māori models of wellbeing are advanced as offering holistic, culturally grounded, relational, and equity-oriented frameworks for understanding positive mental health, challenging Western atomism and individualism while aligning with international calls for inclusive, contextual, and culturally responsive approaches to wellbeing. Drawing on Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the article proposes a meta‑theoretical framework for positive mental health that is both locally grounded and globally relevant, suggesting that Tiriti-informed approaches may offer valuable insights for culturally responsive mental health thinking in other national and Indigenous contexts. ]]>Authors: Xiaying Wang Xiaoying Lv Kushal Malla Bingjun Chen Saroj Pradhan Ralf Bauder Yiming Li Michael Furian
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is often applied in isolated TCM practices, making rigorous research and standardized real-world data collection challenging. The purpose of this study was to implement the general consent (GC) in TCM practices, investigate the issue and the acceptance rate of the GC, and the influencing demographic factors. GC forms were distributed to patients before appointments and collected during their first visits. Logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate demographic factors influencing GC issue and acceptance rates, considering variables such as age, sex, age * sex, and months since implementation. The study enrolled 2,603 patients who sought TCM treatment, of whom 77.5% returned a GC document. Overall, the GC acceptance rate was 1,558/2,603 (59.9%); of those returning the GC, the acceptance rate was 1,558/2,018 (77.2%). The median [IQR] age of patients was 52 years [37, 64], and the number of female patients was around twice that of male patients. Logistic regression analysis showed no association with the GC issue rate for older age (odds ratio, OR: 1.01, 95% CI: 0.99-1.03, p = 0.474), female sex (OR: 1.31, 95% CI: 0.71-2.38, p = 0.387), the interaction between age and female sex (OR: 1.00, 95% CI: 0.98-1.01, p = 0.379), or months since GC implementation (OR: 1.00, 95% CI: 0.98-1.01, p = 0.615). Similarly, for the acceptance rate, no effects were observed for older age (OR: 1.02, 95% CI: 1.00-1.04, p = 0.120), female sex (OR: 1.25, 95% CI: 0.63-2.46, p = 0.516), or the interaction between age and female sex (OR: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.97-1.01, p = 0.243). Months since GC implementation was associated with a slight decrease in acceptance rate over time (OR: 0.98, 95% CI: 0.97-1.00, p = 0.034). In conclusion, this study successfully implemented the GC in TCM practices and paves the way for real-world studies in the field of TCM. Patient acceptance was high and remained consistent across sex and age. ]]>GENETICS 10.21926/obm.genet.2602340
Authors: Manal Hadi Ghaffoori Kanaan Ahmad M. Tarek Beom-Jin Lee Sura Saad Abdullah Chulhun Park Abdolmajid Ghasemian Steward Mudenda
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous hematologic malignancy with genetic and clinical characteristics. Recent advances in multi-omic technologies, including genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, immunomics, microbiome profiling, and both spatial and single-cell analyses, have greatly enhanced our understanding of AML pathobiology. Substantial multi-omic studies show that recurrent driver mutations not only impart traditional genomic lesions but also participate in chromatin restructuring, transcriptional and splicing program alterations, host metabolism, and immune evasion mechanisms. Transcriptomic subclassification has improved AML classification beyond cytogenetic and mutational systems, while proteogenomic profiling has elucidated the mechanisms of chemotherapy resistance and provided new druggable targets. The use of metabolomic and immunometabolomic approaches has illuminated nutrient dependencies and metabolic vulnerabilities, while spatial/single-cell multi-omics has revealed unprecedented detail about leukemic heterogeneity and bone marrow niche organization. Multi-omics has also helped establish or refine prognostic models, identify candidate biomarkers, develop patient stratification strategies, and design targeted and immune-based therapies. The multi-omics approach provides a mechanism to rationalize the complex molecular, cellular, and microenvironmental nature of AML and represents a pathway for precision medicine, provided that methodological harmonization, large-scale rigorous validation, and equitable clinical adoption of these approaches can be achieved. ]]>Authors: Peter Ebhodaghe Akhator Ufuoma Georgina Unueroh
Waste-derived briquettes offer a promising alternative to fossil fuels and are characterised by low production costs, high volumetric calorific value, robust mechanical strength, and excellent durability. To optimize their adoption, four variants of waste-derived briquettes were produced with different mass ratios of sawdust to polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic (100:0, 90:10, 80:20, and 70:30) using high-pressure compaction without binders. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and the Coats-Redfern method were employed to investigate the impact of PET content on the combustion behavior and kinetics. In contrast, the water-boiling test was employed to identify their fuel efficiency and energy consumption. The ash content of the briquettes decreased with increasing PET content, reatching 2.62% in BR-D (30% PET plastic). The plastic-based briquettes contained significant amounts of alkali metal oxides, which were synergistically active in catalysing the combustion of the briquettes as indicated by decreases in the ignition temperature of 6-25°C and the burnout temperature of 88-165°C. The briquettes met the European Pellet Council (EPC) requirements of densified solid fuels in terms of heavy-metal concentrations, except for the cadmium limit in BR-D, which was a little higher than the set limit. Moreover, the kinetic study indicated that briquettes containing PET exhibited lower activation energies (Ea) than those briquettes without PET. Notably, BR-D had the lowest Ea value of 18.67 kJ/mol. BR-D also had the highest energetic density (16.93 GJ/m3) and fuel value index (6.46 GJ/m3%), making it the most favourable for energy applications. This implies that blending waste PET plastics with sawdust could enhance the thermal efficiency and fuel quality of the resulting briquettes, making them potentially sustainable energy sources, both on their own and in combination with traditional fuels. ]]>GENETICS 10.21926/obm.genet.2602339
Authors: Havva Özgen Eyüpoğlu Hüseyin Çağsın Nedime Serakıncı
Cancer remains one of the major global challenges due to its complex and heterogeneous molecular nature across individuals. Recent advances in technology have enhanced the understanding of cancer’s molecular mechanisms, paving the way for the development of effective therapeutics. These include small-molecule inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies, used to interfere with the oncogenic signaling pathways. Immunotherapy has also emerged as a promising area in cancer therapy, with approaches such as immune checkpoint inhibitors, immune cell engagers, adoptive T-cell therapies, and cancer vaccines. Besides, stem cell-based approaches are also being assessed for their potential to modulate immune responses and promote tissue repair. Although these advances have improved cancer care, significant challenges remain. The major challenges in cancer therapy may include drug resistance, side effects, and systemic toxicity that diminish therapeutic efficacy. Moreover, the heterogeneous nature of tumors and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) in solid tumors further complicate treatment responses, especially in advanced or aggressive cancers. Hence, in this review, we highlight the latest approaches in cancer therapy and discuss the remaining gaps and challenges that hinder their full clinical potential. ]]>Authors: Primasetya Ramadhan Selvi Putri Zhafira Azzahra Naomi Azzahra Gracela Natalie Ocha Maharani Kristina Alma Isadora Fransiska Dyah Ayu Cahyaningtyas Esa Ghanim Fadhallah
The textile industry is a major source of environmental pollution due to the discharge of highly colored and chemically complex wastewater containing toxic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic compounds that are often resistant to conventional treatment. Although conventional chemical coagulants and flocculants such as alum and synthetic polymers are effective, their application raises concerns about excessive sludge generation, residual toxicity, and long-term environmental impacts. This short review critically evaluates the potential of cassava pulp (onggok) starch modified by graft copolymerization with polyacrylamide (PAM) as a bioflocculant for textile wastewater treatment. The review synthesizes current knowledge on textile wastewater characteristics, coagulation-flocculation principles, and the development of starch-based bioflocculants, with particular emphasis on cassava-derived starch and starch-g-PAM systems. Special attention is given to the underlying flocculation mechanisms, including charge neutralization and polymer bridging, as well as to reported performance in turbidity, color, and chemical oxygen demand removal. Furthermore, the environmental and economic advantages of valorizing cassava pulp waste into high-value bioflocculants are discussed in relation to sustainable wastewater management and relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Overall, this review provides a focused scientific framework and identifies key research directions to advance graft-modified cassava pulp starch as a low-cost and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional flocculants for textile wastewater treatment. ]]>Authors: Katherine Lucre Neil Clapton Paul Gilbert Chris Jones Alex Copello
Individuals who have early attachment trauma can be fearful and resistant to caring behaviour from others and for themselves. This is partly because stimulation of the caring motivational system ignites trauma attachment memory. As a consequence, these individuals are unable to access care-attachment systems, supported by neurobiological processes involving the vagus nerve, oxytocin, and the frontal cortex, for modulating threats and regulating interpersonal distress. This paper outlines a Compassion Focused Group Psychotherapy (CFGP) devised to address this issue through a slow paced, rolling psychotherapeutic program. 40 people with a history of attachment and relational trauma, who had been referred for psychotherapy to an NHS outpatient psychotherapy service, took part in a 12-month Compassion Focused Group Psychotherapy program (CFGP), with a 12 month follow up. 31 patients completed the program. From this group a cohort of 9 patients were invited to take part in individual interviews about their experience of CFGP and potential mechanisms of change. Qualitative data suggested that developing a sense of ‘safeness in the room’ with each other was one of the most important aspects and mechanism of change. This was coupled with the implicit and explicit cultivation of the ‘flows of compassion’, through the ‘structured components of the model’. These processes enabled patients to use the group as a safe haven and a secure base to undertake the ‘moments of change’, to begin to experience new compassion-based versions of themselves, their relationships and to manage ‘transitions and endings’. This study demonstrates that the slow, open and rolling nature of this group psychotherapy programme, and the explicit and implicit cultivation of compassionate competencies, gave the group members a positive experience of caring and compassion. The focus on developing affiliative connections offered new learning and was key to the cultivation of ‘safeness’ within and between groups members. The development of compassionate and caring motivational systems supported the group to become more able to use themselves and each other as sources and means of regulation. ]]>NEUROBIOLOGY 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2602336
Authors: Rajalaxmi Visvanathan Kavya Vembudurai Sridevi Gopathy Janaga Ranjani Sankar Sugasri Sureshkumar Meena Gupta Mohan Kumar Govindharaj
The study aimed to compare the effects of neurobic and aerobic approaches in Dementia care. Dementia is a progressive brain disorder that leads to a decline in cognitive abilities, including thinking, reasoning, and memory. In India, it is estimated that 74% of adults aged 60 and older are affected, totaling around 8.8 million individuals. Neurobics refers to exercises designed to enhance oxygen flow and invigorate the brain by engaging in novel activities, situations, or experiences. This may include attending live performances, trying a new sport, exploring new locations, or taking a different route home. Conversely, aerobic exercise, such as walking or jogging, focuses on oxygen consumption to satisfy the body’s metabolic needs. Both neurobics and aerobics support the elderly by fostering cognitive and physical health, respectively. This study seeks to raise awareness about how exercise can help prevent the onset of cognitive decline in older adults. This cross-sectional comparative study was conducted in elderly homes around Anakaputhur, Chennai, over 6 months, with an intervention duration of 12 weeks. A total of 50 participants aged 60 years and above were selected using simple random sampling. Both male and female participants were included in the study. Inclusion criteria: individuals with mild to moderate dementia as diagnosed by a neurologist on the Dementia severity scale score 18-36, the ability to follow simple instructions, the capability for light to moderate physical activity, and no history of psychiatric disorders. Exclusion criteria included severe dementia (Dementia severity scale score 37-54), severe cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled psychiatric conditions, mobility issues, and severe hearing or vision loss. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the participants were randomly divided into two equal groups of 25 each: one group underwent neurobics training, and the other underwent aerobics training. Both groups participated in 30-minute sessions, five times per week, for 12 weeks. The intervention aimed to enhance cognitive function and memory. Pre- and post-intervention assessments were conducted using standardized tools, including the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE), and the Digit Span Test. On comparing pre- and post-test within Group A and Group B, the Group B intervention was found to be more effective than Group A on IQCODE, MoCA, and Digit span test, with significant differences in mean values at P < 0.05. ]]>TRANSPLANTATION 10.21926/obm.transplant.2602270
Authors: Isrovanigoro Lolita Adnan Metalia Puspitasari Zijie Wang
Kidney transplantation is the preferred therapy for end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), but long-term success is greatly influenced by the selection and safety of immunosuppressants. Local data on prescribing patterns and the incidence of drug side effects in Indonesia are still limited. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate induction therapy patterns, immunosuppressant maintenance, and the incidence of drug-related side effects among kidney transplant recipients at a tertiary hospital in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Materials and methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of recipients aged ≥18 years who underwent outpatient follow-up between January 2017 and July 2024. Complete medical records were analyzed descriptively, with variables including recipient and donor characteristics, induction and maintenance immunosuppressive regimens, and adverse drug reactions such as infections and non-infections during the 12 months post-transplantation. A total of 57 among the 87 recipients met the inclusion criteria, comprising 70.2% male, 56.1% aged 18-39 years, 98.2% with a history of dialysis, 77.2% with hypertension, and all living donors. Basiliximab induction was administered to all recipients (100%) in combination with triple therapy of tacrolimus, mycophenolate sodium (MPS) or mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and steroids. Maintenance therapy was predominantly tacrolimus, MPS, steroids 43/57 (75.4%), and tacrolimus, MMF, steroids 14/57 (24.6%). The most common adverse drug events were urinary tract infections (31.6%), followed by cytomegalovirus (CMV, 5.3%) and herpes zoster (3.5%). Non-infectious events included diarrhea (7%), tremor (3.5%), dyslipidemia (3.5%), and new-onset diabetes after transplantation (NODAT) (3.5%). Basiliximab induction and tacrolimus-mycophenolate-steroid maintenance therapy were the predominant immunosuppressive regimens and were associated with an acceptable first-year safety profile. Close monitoring for opportunistic infections, optimization of tacrolimus levels, and structured pharmacovigilance are required to maintain graft function. ]]>NEUROBIOLOGY 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2602335
Authors: Valerio Massimo Magro Andrea Sorbino Concetta Ljoka Nicola Manocchio Calogero Foti
Patients with severe neurological sequelae often experience profound motor deconditioning that, combined with impaired mucociliary clearance, reduced lung volume, and the presence of tracheostomy, predisposes them to pulmonary infections and serious respiratory complications. A 24-year-old male with spastic quadriplegia secondary to childhood cerebral hemorrhage from an arteriovenous malformation, tracheostomy with a cuffed cannula under mechanical ventilation, and hydrocephalus treated with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt, presented to the emergency department with fever unresponsive to paracetamol and ceftriaxone. Laboratory tests showed markedly elevated inflammatory indices (C-reactive protein 249.3 mg/dl), and chest computed tomography revealed extensive consolidation of the left lower lobe with an air bronchogram and endobronchial obstruction, consistent with aspiration pneumonia. Fibrobronchoscopy confirmed the presence of endobronchial material, and culture grew Acinetobacter baumannii. Given the patient’s clinical and functional status, the physiatrists prescribed an Individual Rehabilitation Project (motor and respiratory re-educational programs, including passive mobilization of major joints, cautious trunk stabilization, and lung volume recruitment maneuvers) to support the effects of positive-pressure ventilation. The case underscores the dual challenge of neurological impairment and pulmonary vulnerability, where immobilization further exacerbates respiratory compromise and infection risk, fostering sarcopenia and poor quality of life. In patients with spastic quadriplegia of cerebrovascular origin on long-term mechanical ventilation, a synergistic approach combining NIV optimization and individualized motor-respiratory rehabilitation may represent an effective strategy to control recurrent infections and maintain clinical stability. In this area, there is currently insufficient evidence, and urgent future research is needed. ]]>