TRANSPLANTATION 10.21926/obm.transplant.2603273
Authors: Affan Faisal Zain Tariq Harshini Maheswaran Maheswaran Pitchaimuthu
Liver transplantation is the definitive treatment for end-stage liver disease, acute liver failure, and selected hepatic malignancies, but its success is limited by a persistent shortage of suitable donor organs. This has driven increased use of extended criteria donors (ECDs), including steatotic and donation after circulatory death (DCD) grafts, which are more susceptible to preservation injury and often inadequately supported by traditional static cold storage (SCS). Machine perfusion (MP) has emerged as a transformative strategy that enables organ preservation, viability assessment, therapeutic intervention, and graft optimization. This narrative review searched PubMed, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Library up to June 2026, including randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, meta-analyses, registry analyses, and translational studies in English, to evaluate MP modalities-hypothermic oxygenated perfusion (HOPE), normothermic machine perfusion (NMP), normothermic regional perfusion (NRP), and sequential approaches-integrating mechanistic insights into ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) with clinical evidence and critically appraising the limitations and heterogeneity of the supporting data throughout. MP mitigates IRI through improved oxygenation, modulation of mitochondrial function, and reduction of oxidative stress. HOPE reduces biliary complications and graft dysfunction, particularly in DCD grafts, while NMP maintains physiological metabolism, allows real-time functional assessment, and lowers graft discard rates, improving utilization of marginal organs. NRP reverses warm ischemic injury in situ with outcomes comparable to brain-death donors, and sequential strategies further enhance graft recovery. Emerging biomarkers, including flavin mononucleotide and syndecan-1, improve viability assessment, while MP also enables therapeutic interventions such as graft defatting and extends preservation time. Overall, MP has transformed liver transplantation into a controlled, data-driven process that expands the donor pool, improves outcomes, and introduces objective viability assessment. However, study heterogeneity, variable viability criteria, and high implementation costs remain as significant challenges. Ongoing advances in multi-omics, regenerative therapies, and artificial intelligence are expected to further refine this approach, address those challenges and establish it as standard care. ]]>Authors: İsmail Cem ÖZKURT
Increases in greenhouse gas emissions, a key indicator of climate change, pose significant risks and uncertainties for the agricultural industry. From a theoretical supply-side perspective, greenhouse gas emissions may be associated with agricultural productivity losses and, consequently, with potential upward risks for producer prices. However, the Toda-Yamamoto framework used in this study tests predictive Granger causality rather than the magnitude or sign of a structural price effect. This study examines the predictive Granger-causality relationship between total greenhouse gas emissions (CO2, CH4, N2O) and the agricultural producer price index (UFE), which represents the agriculture, forestry, and fishing sectors in Türkiye, using data for 1983 to 2024. The analysis first applies the standard Toda-Yamamoto and Bootstrap Toda-Yamamoto causality tests without dummy variables. These tests are then re-estimated by incorporating structural-break dummy variables to assess the sensitivity of the findings to major break periods. The clearest statistical evidence of predictive causality was obtained from the standard Toda-Yamamoto test without dummy variables; however, this evidence should be interpreted with caution. The Bootstrap Toda-Yamamoto result is only marginally significant at the 0.10 level, and the dummy-augmented specifications do not support a statistically significant causal relationship. This suggests that climate policies must not be viewed in isolation from agricultural and price stability policies. Concurrently, it highlights the significant role of measures designed to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. ]]>GENETICS 10.21926/obm.genet.2603352
Authors: Elisavet Kouvidi Georgios Boutsikas Marina Kalomiraki Maria Devetzoglou Foteini Drimaki Ioannis Anagnostopoulos Evangelia-Faidra Triantafyllou
The genetic hallmark of Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is the balanced reciprocal translocation t(15;17)(q24;q21), resulting in the PML::RARα fusion gene. Although the majority of APL patients carry the typical t(15;17), variant translocations involving three or more chromosomes have also been described. We report a case of a 59-year-old man showing clinical, morphologic, laboratory, and immunophenotypic findings of APL. Cytogenetic analysis revealed a variant complex 4-point break-three-way translocation involving chromosomes 8p, 15q and 17q. Dual-color dual-fusion fluorescence in situ hybridization (D-FISH) analysis showed a typical pattern with two PML::RARα fusion signals, one on the derivative chromosome 17 and one on the derivative chromosome 8. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for PML::RARα transcripts was negative. These results illustrate the usefulness of combining cytogenetic and molecular analysis to identify the PML::RARα fusion gene in all cases with strong suspicion of APL. ]]>Authors: Shivani Kohli Sujata Pandit Sharma Dolli Chauhan Nikita Singh
A Considerable amount of peel, rind, core, and fibrous residues are produced from the processing of Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.), which are generally discarded, though they contain valuable lignocellulosic components. Limited information is available on the composition of the combined jackfruit processing waste stream. Thus, the present study evaluates the physicochemical and lignocellulosic properties of jackfruit processing waste obtained from local markets and prepared with equal proportions of peel, rind, fibrous rags, and core. Proximate analysis revealed moisture, ash, crude protein, crude fat, crude fibre, and available carbohydrate contents of 8.18 ± 0.28, 4.18 ± 0.24, 8.50 ± 0.08, 3.10 ± 0.18, 13.50 ± 0.18, and 62.54 g/100 g, respectively. The lignocellulosic material was characterized by the cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin contents of 23.35 ± 0.68, 25.50 ± 0.72, and 18.32 ± 0.62 g/100 g, respectively. The measured values of neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), and acid detergent lignin (ADL) were 67.17 ± 1.17, 41.67 ± 0.92, and 18.32 ± 0.62 g/100 g, respectively. The maximum theoretical ethanol yield was calculated at 28.06 g per 100 g dry biomass or approximately 35.56 mL ethanol per 100 g biomass based on the structural carbohydrate composition. The results indicate that jackfruit processing waste contains large amounts of carbohydrate-rich biomass fractions and provide baseline compositional data for future studies on biomass conversion and resource recovery. The performance of this feedstock in bioconversion processes requires further experimental investigation. ]]>NEUROBIOLOGY 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2603345
Authors: Elham Amjad Babak Sokouti
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) poses a major mental health threat in the Middle East, where people experience ongoing conflict, displacement, and trauma. This study summarizes the use of computational and data-driven approaches, including machine learning (ML), biomarker identification, network analysis, and factor analysis, to understand, diagnose, and treat PTSD in the Middle East. A detailed search of the Scopus database led to the inclusion of only relevant original/research studies that met strict inclusion criteria for human subjects, geographical focus, and use of computational approaches. Studies have suggested that computational models can predict PTSD onset, biomarkers from biology and neuroimaging, complex symptoms, and comorbidity networks. They enable the development of precision psychiatry and culturally adapted diagnostic measures for conflict-affected displaced population samples. The relevance of multimodal pre-trauma screening, as well as the importance of consistent biological markers (inflammation, gene expression), is underscored by a comparative analysis of predictive models (AUCs of 0.73-0.92). Nonetheless, the cross-cultural validity of PTSD symptoms and the presence of computer resources in the region remain concerning. This article describes the revolutionary potential of computational psychiatry for improving mental health research and practice in the Middle East. It emphasizes the importance of culture-sensitive, scalable application with respect to resources. ]]>NEUROBIOLOGY 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2603344
Authors: Vincenzo Manca
This paper proposes a general theory of cognitive systems that inverts the conventional relationship between information and knowledge. While classical approaches define knowledge as the byproduct of processed information, we establish knowledge as a primitive concept and formulate information as a measure emerging from the process of assimilating knowledge. The epistemic measure of information provides a formal counterpart to Piaget’s assimilation-accommodation paradigm, expressed in terms of knowledge encoding costs. We present a general axiomatic definition of a cognitive system, along with its corresponding epistemic information measure, and demonstrate that Shannon’s source information, artificial neural networks, and formal logical theories are all concrete realizations of this unified framework. A central theoretical result is the proof of the Epistemic Inaccessibility Theorem, which establishes an intrinsic form of cognitive incompleteness. As a major consequence, we prove Gödel’s First Incompleteness Theorem for Peano Arithmetic directly from epistemic inaccessibility. Finally, we discuss the role of multi-level knowledge encodings, highlighting how artificial intelligence and Large Language Models suggest new avenues for modeling reflexivity, reasoning, and autonomous cognitive evolution. ]]>GENETICS 10.21926/obm.genet.2603351
Authors: Leena Rawal Vamshi Krishna Thamtam
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) represents a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of hematologic malignancies. Among the less frequently encountered cytogenetic abnormalities are jumping translocations (JTs), in which a segment from a donor chromosome relocates to multiple recipient chromosomes. Although uncommon, these events have been described in association with clonal evolution and, in some cases, more aggressive disease behavior. Here, we describe a 49-year-old man who presented with fatigue and generalized weakness and was subsequently diagnosed with AML harboring an inv(16)(p13.1q22)/CBFB::MYH11 rearrangement. In addition to the primary leukemic clone, cytogenetic evaluation identified three sideline clones demonstrating a jumping translocation involving chromosome 11 with the breakpoint at band 11q13. The 11q13 segment was observed on different recipient chromosomes, namely 16p13.1, 19p13.3, and 21q22, indicating a notable degree of clonal heterogeneity. While AML with inv(16) is typically associated with a favorable prognosis, the concurrent presence of a chromosome 11q13 jumping translocation in this case suggests added biological complexity. Such secondary cytogenetic changes may have implications for disease evolution and risk stratification. This case underscores the importance of integrating conventional cytogenetic analysis with next-generation sequencing to delineate clonal architecture better and support clinical decision-making in AML. ]]>NEUROBIOLOGY 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2603343
Authors: Giacomo Farì Sara Clelia Longo Morena Pitruzzella Francesco Quarta Marisa Megna Maurizio Ranieri Simone Della Tommasa Matteo Luigi Giuseppe Leoni Giustino Varrassi Francesco Agostini Andrea Bernetti
This narrative literature review aims to examine and hypothesize about the neurobiological effects of the Tesla Functional Magnetic Stimulation (FMS) chair through a comprehensive search of PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science, and arXiv databases. A critical finding emerged: published research specifically investigating the Tesla FMS chair and its neurobiological mechanisms is extremely limited. Among the papers identified and ranked by relevance, only one study directly examined a Tesla-branded FMS chair system, which investigated a 3 Tesla electromagnetic chair for treating female urinary incontinence. The vast majority of the retrieved literature pertains to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), a distinct neuromodulation technique that targets cortical brain regions rather than peripheral nervous system structures. This review also provides a detailed analysis of the available evidence on general FMS technology, contextualizes findings within the broader magnetic stimulation literature, and identifies critical gaps requiring future investigation. The limited evidence suggests FMS chairs operate through peripheral nerve depolarization and sacral neuromodulation, but comprehensive neurobiological characterization is lacking the published literature and requires more high-quality studies. This review should be interpreted as a hypothesis-generating narrative synthesis rather than as a definitive mechanistic or efficacy assessment. The comparison with TMS is used only as a conceptual framework. At the same time, the specific mechanisms of chair-based FMS remain to be directly demonstrated through dedicated peripheral, spinal, and supraspinal investigations. ]]>NEUROBIOLOGY 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2603342
Authors: Farida Arisanti Bejo Ropii Yunia Sribudiani Lisda Amalia Julia Patrick Engkasan Vitriana Biben
Post-stroke ambulation demands significant cognitive regulation, particularly in complex environments that require concurrent motor and cognitive processing. Challenges in the coordination between cognitive functions and motor skills lead to reduced adaptability in walking, an increased fall risk, and limitations in moving around the community among stroke survivors. To integrate recent evidence on dual-task gait training post-stroke, with particular focus on the neurological mechanisms underlying cognitive-motor interference and their relationship to functional walking outcomes. A structured literature search was conducted using PubMed and Scopus to identify studies published between January 2015 and December 2025. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and related keywords on dual-task walking training, cognitive-motor interference (CMI), and stroke rehabilitation were used to retrieve relevant evidence. The review focused on the neurological mechanisms underlying gait coordination and the effects of dual-task interventions on walking performance in stroke survivors. The Scale guided the methodological rigor of the narrative review for the Assessment of Narrative Review Articles (SANRA). The examined studies indicated that participation in dual-task gait training was positively correlated with enhancements in walking speed, stride parameters, stability, and overall walking performance, even under cognitive load. Neuroimaging and neurophysiological investigations consistently reported increased recruitment of prefrontal and premotor-supplementary motor networks during dual-task walking, reflecting compensatory cortical recruitment and diminished gait automaticity post-stroke. Training-related modifications in cortical activation patterns imply enhanced neural efficiency and adaptive reorganization of cognitive-motor control networks. The use of dual-task gait training is considered a neurologically validated strategy to diminish the cognitive-motor obstacles that occur after stroke. By focusing on executive control and cortical network activation during ambulation, dual-task paradigms may facilitate functional gait recovery across the stroke phases/Further investigation integrating neurophysiological measures with clinical outcomes is warranted. ]]>Authors: Rupesh Kumar Gupta Yash Kumar Tiwari Arpit Gupta Grinedge Yadav Swati Gupta
Urban thermal environments reflect the relationship between land surface temperature (LST) and anthropogenic activity. The present study analyses seasonal land surface temperature, the Urban Thermal Field Variance Index (UTFVI), and night-time radiance in Jaipur, India from 2014 to 2025 using Landsat 8 Collection 2 and VIIRS Day/Night Band datasets. The Summer (April-June) and winter (November-December) median composites were generated for continuous analysis and for classified assessment. In the study, five LST and UTFVI classes were used to examine spatial expansion with regression and correlation analyses. The mean summer LST ranged from 41.23°C to 50.62°C while winter LST varied between 19.01°C and 30.81°C. The regression results indicate interannual variability with no consistent linear warming trend over the study period. In contrast, the VIIRS radiance increased steadily from 19.06 to 26.57 nW·cm-2·sr-1. This result confirms sustained urban intensification. The Pearson correlation between VIIRS and summer LST was weakly negative during 2014-2018 (r = -0.286) and weaker during 2019-2025, while winter associations remained negligible. These findings indicate that increasing nighttime radiance does not directly correspond to proportional seasonal surface warming. The classified analysis shows a persistent dominance of high-summer LST classes, with extreme heat (Class 5, >45°C) accounting for more than 75% of the area in 2014 and 2019. The development of winter heat was episodic, with 2016 representing a pronounced anomaly. The UTFVI results of the study reveal sustained ecological stress with strong stress categories covering more than one-third of the urban area in most seasons. Maximum UTFVI values remained concentrated in dense built-up zones. The results of the current study demonstrate persistent summer heat, continuous radiance growth, and concentrated ecological stress in Jaipur. In the study period, the divergence between radiance expansion and LST response highlights the role of land surface composition and seasonal climate in moderating urban thermal behaviour. ]]>Authors: Ricardo H. Hernández-Figueroa Aurelio López-Malo Emma Mani-López
Cottage cheese is a promising matrix for delivering probiotic microorganisms due to its buffering capacity, high moisture content, and consumer acceptance. In this study, a probiotic cottage cheese incorporating Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5 was developed and evaluated against a control formulation and commercial products. Physicochemical properties, probiotic viability, acidification kinetics, and sensory acceptance were assessed during refrigerated storage. The formulation consistently maintains viable probiotic counts above 108 CFU/g for 24 days, meeting the minimum threshold for health benefits. Although gradual post-acidification was observed, changes in pH (a decrease ≈ of 0.79 pH units) and titratable acidity (from 0.32 to 0.46%) did not significantly compromise probiotic survival, indicating a protective effect of the cheese matrix. Sensory evaluation, including triangular discrimination and hedonic testing, demonstrated that incorporating probiotics did not significantly affect consumer perception (p > 0.05), with overall acceptability scores (7.20) comparable to those of the control (7.45) and commercial cheeses (6.95-7.45). These findings highlight cottage cheese’s potential as an effective probiotic carrier, delivering microbial doses while maintaining sensory and technological qualities. This study supports the development of functional dairy foods as alternatives to dietary supplements for gut health and well-being. ]]>Authors: Maksut Samedinov Gulsin Arslan Idris Sargin
Peroxymonosulfate decomposition is crucial for environmental remediation, especially in degrading organic pollutants. Peroxymonosulfate can be oxidized by transition metals, generating hydroxyl and sulfate radicals that degrade pollutants. In this study, a heterogeneous catalyst (Fe3O4@N-MWCNT, a composite of Fe3O4 with nitrogen-doped multi-walled carbon nanotubes) was prepared, characterized (FT-IR, TEM, XRD, DSC), and used as a peroxymonosulfate activator for the degradation of Methylene Blue and Methyl Orange dyes in aqueous media. The results indicated that Fe3O4@N-MWCNT could serve as an effective peroxymonosulfate activator, reducing degradation times from hours to seconds (Methylene Blue: >180 min. to 32 s; Methyl Orange: >20 min. to 6 s). Moreover, the Fe3O4@N-MWCNT catalyst maintained its activity over 5 cycles. This study demonstrated that Fe3O4@N-MWCNT can serve as a highly effective activator of peroxymonosulfate, thereby holding significant potential for remediating water sources contaminated with Methylene Blue and Methyl Orange dyes. ]]>Authors: Folayemi J. Isaac-Bamgboye Bukola S. Salami Daniel S. Ajewole Ireoluwa T. Isaac-Bamgboye
The unbalanced nutrient density and low microbiological quality of many complementary foods are still the primary causes of infant malnutrition in poorer countries. In this study, complementary food was produced using blends of grain amaranth, African yam bean, and carrot flour. The resultant complementary food was analysed for proximate, mineral, antinutrients, antioxidant compositions, vitamin C, beta-carotene, microbial properties, and sensory evaluations. Principal component analysis was also used to assess nutrient clustering and separate the nutrients into components. The samples demonstrated a rich nutritional profile, with protein content ranging from 4.07 to 26.45%, carbohydrates (53.90-87.66%), fibre (0.08-1.92%), moisture (4.94-7.17%), and energy values between 373.85 and 415.47 kcal/100 g. All the samples have a high mineral content and an Na/K ratio of ~1 or below. The antioxidant properties increased with increasing concentration, with values ranging from 62.98 to 73.09% and from 4.74 to 97.10 mg AAE/g for DPPH and FRAP, respectively. No fecal contamination was observed in any of the samples. The samples, except the control, had bacterial growth ranging from 1.41 to 1.60 log10 (CFU/g). The sample with higher inclusion of African Yam Bean Seeds and the control were more preferred in terms of sensory properties. The PCA showed that the vectors for sodium, potassium, vitamin C, and β-carotene pointed strongly toward the positive side of PC2. Overall, the formulated blends demonstrate strong potential as affordable, nutrient-dense, and microbiologically safe complementary foods for infant and young child feeding. ]]>Authors: Peter Shannon Paul Gilbert
Live music interventions are increasingly employed in healthcare settings through a range of models, including clinical music therapy and Arts-in-Health musician programs. This study examines patient responses to live music delivered by trained professional orchestral musicians within an outpatient chemotherapy infusion unit. Although a substantial body of research associates music with reductions in anxiety, pain, and distress, findings remain heterogeneous, and the mechanisms underlying these outcomes remain incompletely understood. This is particularly true in live music settings, where musical experience is inseparable from interpersonal encounters and contexts. The aim of this study was to explore whether Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), offers a useful interpretive framework for understanding patient experiences of live music delivered by Arts-in-Health musicians. Drawing upon qualitative patient reflections collected through a semi-structured interview, the study examines how processes associated with emotional regulation, social safeness, connection, comfort, and self-soothing may emerge within live musical encounters. Viewed through a compassion science perspective, patient accounts frequently reflected experiences of meaningful autobiographical connection, reduced isolation, emotional comfort, and feelings of being cared for. These observations suggest that some benefits of music in healthcare may arise not solely from acoustic properties of the music itself, but also from relational processes embedded within the musical encounter. The purpose of this study is not to apply CFT as an intervention, but to use it as an interpretive framework for examining patient experiences of live music within an oncology setting. Through this lens, the findings contribute to emerging discussions concerning music, compassion, and human connection within healthcare. ]]>GENETICS 10.21926/obm.genet.2603350
Authors: Sarah Ahmed Marwa M. Mohammed Hiba Mohammed Sana Magzoub Mona Ellaithi
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a multifactorial malignancy influenced by genetic susceptibility and environmental exposures. The XRCC1 Arg399Gln (rs25487) polymorphism has been associated with NPC risk in several populations; however, evidence from African populations remains scarce. This study investigated the association between the XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphism and NPC susceptibility in a Sudanese population. A case-control study was conducted including 71 patients with histopathologically confirmed NPC and 71 cancer-free controls recruited through the Upper Aerodigestive Tract Biobank. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples, and the XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphism was genotyped using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Associations between genotype distributions, genetic models, and NPC risk were evaluated using crude odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Environmental exposures, including cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, and intake of salted fish “Kajeek” , were also compared between cases and controls. Genotype frequencies did not differ significantly between cases and controls. Compared with the Arg/Arg genotype, neither the Arg/Gln genotype (OR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.34-1.54; P = 0.400) nor the Gln/Gln genotype (OR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.21-1.91; P = 0.410) was associated with NPC susceptibility. No significant associations were observed under dominant, recessive, or allelic genetic models. Cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption were not associated with NPC risk, while salted fish intake showed a borderline association (OR = 2.28, 95% CI: 0.99-5.23; P = 0.055). The study had approximately 80% power to detect an odds ratio of 2.6 or greater. No significant association was observed between the XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphism and NPC susceptibility in this Sudanese population. Although limited by sample size, this study provides the first data on the distribution of the XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphism among Sudanese patients with NPC. It contributes valuable baseline evidence from an understudied African population. ]]>Authors: Muhammad Hanif Othman Noor Zahirah Mohd Sidek Sharifah Syakila Syed Shaharuddin
Climate variability and environmental change have increasingly become critical challenges affecting agricultural sustainability and global food security. Rice yield is particularly sensitive to climate-related factors, including rainfall variability, temperature changes, and environmental pressure. In Malaysia, rice cultivation is central to national food security and rural livelihoods, yet it remains exposed to changing climatic and environmental conditions. This study examines the relationship between climate variability, environmental pressure, agricultural intensification, and rice productivity in Malaysia using annual time series data from 1980 to 2023. To avoid confounding climatic effects with changes in cultivated area, rice yield (output per hectare) is used as the dependent variable, and fertilizer consumption is included alongside rainfall, temperature, and carbon emissions as explanatory variables. The Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) bounds testing approach is employed to investigate both short- and long-run dynamics, and the robustness of the long-run estimates is verified using the FMOLS, DOLS, and CCR estimators. The results indicate that carbon emissions exert a positive and statistically significant long-run effect on rice yield, a relationship best interpreted as reflecting the parallel influence of economic development, energy use, and agricultural modernisation rather than a direct agronomic benefit of CO2. Rainfall, temperature, and fertilizer consumption do not exhibit statistically significant long-run effects, while the error correction term is negative and significant, confirming a stable long-run relationship. The findings suggest that structural and technological factors are more influential than direct climatic conditions in shaping rice productivity in Malaysia, with important implications for agricultural modernisation, water management, balanced fertilizer use, and the integration of environmental sustainability into agricultural policy. ]]>Authors: Dylan J. Stephens Evan B. Johnson Bradley J. Johnson
Berberine is an alkaloid chemical found in plants, including Berberidaceae, Coptis rhizomes, and Hydrastis canadensis. Berberine has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity, promote adipocyte loss, and is associated with higher levels of skeletal muscle protein synthesis. The purpose of this study was to examine berberine’s dose-dependent effects on C2C12 myoblast proliferation and 3T3L1 adipocyte differentiation. Cells were grown out over 3 weeks, and once confluent at 90%, they were treated with berberine to examine its effect on cell survival and growth. One-way ANOVA was used to analyze differences between groups. Results showed that a 10 µM dose of berberine had an optimal effect on C2C12 myoblast proliferation at 72 hours (p < 0.01). In contrast, after 48 hours of inoculation, 10 µM and 100 µM doses of berberine showed suppressive effects on 3T3L1 adipocyte cell counts (p = 0.00035). In conclusion, berberine appeared to be advantageous for C2C12 myoblasts’ survival, whereas 3T3L1 adipocytes suffered in its presence after 48 hours of inoculation. ]]>Authors: Will W. Dobud Daniel L. Cavanaugh Kat Sharp John Paul Healy Luke Elder Nevin J. Harper
This paper details an ongoing research study on practitioner and participant experiences in adventure therapy, informed by a progressive research program. To test the feasibility of this study, we present a contextual understanding of adventure therapy and explore the theoretical position informing an evolving research program. We use this theoretical orientation to propose a study intending to advance research in naturalistic settings, build knowledge, and to provide a framework for developing a robust person-centered evidence base for improving adventure therapy practices. Implications for future study are presented, along with opportunities for further collaboration and research based on the contextual model of adventure therapy presented. ]]>Authors: Emmanuel Ugochukwu Anaso
Sheep production systems in sub-Saharan Africa are largely constrained by seasonal fluctuations in feed availability and persistent shortages in both the quantity and quality of forages throughout the year. These limitations adversely affect growth performance and reproductive efficiency in sheep. In addition, the escalating cost of conventional feed ingredients used in ration formulation has intensified the search for alternative, affordable, and locally available feed resources that do not compete directly with human food systems. Particular attention has been directed toward the utilization of lignocellulosic agro-industrial residues, which often constitute environmental pollutants when improperly disposed of. The present study investigated the effects of replacing corn bran with biodegraded sugarcane scrapings (BSS) treated with Pleurotus ostreatus on the physiological and immunological responses of growing sheep. Twenty-one clinically healthy Yankassa ram lambs (7-8 months old; mean body weight 10.33 ± 0.42 kg) were randomly allotted to three dietary treatments in a completely randomized design: 0% (T1), 15% (T2), and 30% (T3) inclusion levels of BSS over a 14-week feeding period. The study specifically evaluated immune and physiological indices, including serum immunoglobulins (IgA, IgM, and IgG), triiodothyronine (T3), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and major antioxidant enzymes-superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione reductase (GR). The results demonstrated that dietary inclusion of BSS did not significantly influence these immunological or oxidative stress parameters, and all measured values remained within normal physiological ranges across treatments. The solid-state biodegradation of sugarcane scrapings enhanced their nutritive value, and incorporation at 15% supported adequate nutrient intake and maintained physiological equilibrium without impairing immune competence. Furthermore, the 30% inclusion level proved safe and did not compromise health status or adaptive responses in the sheep. ]]>TRANSPLANTATION 10.21926/obm.transplant.2603272
Authors: Vikash Chandra Mishra Dinesh Chandra Vimarsh Raina
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) offers a potentially curative option for a range of malignant and non-malignant hematological disorders. However, only approximately 25-30% of patients have access to a human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched related donor (MRD), necessitating alternative donor approaches, including matched unrelated donor (MUD) and haploidentical transplantation. Although advances in haploidentical HSCT have substantially improved donor availability, MUD HSCT continues to play an important role in selected high-risk hematological malignancies where optimal HLA matching may influence transplant outcomes. Volunteer stem cell donor registries (VSCDRs) were established to address this unmet need and have evolved into a globally interconnected network facilitating international donor searches and cross-border hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) exchange. According to recent World Marrow Donor Association (WMDA) reports, the global donor pool exceeds 44 million volunteer donors and 0.76 million cord blood units (CBUs). Despite this expansion, significant disparities persist for genetically diverse and underrepresented populations, particularly in South Asia. India faces unique challenges related to extensive HLA heterogeneity, limited indigenous donor representation, prolonged MUD search timelines, and donor attrition. Recent studies suggest that fully MUD probabilities for Indian patients remain substantially lower than those reported for populations of European ancestry. This review summarizes the global evolution of VSCDRs, examines the current landscape of Indian registries, and discusses key operational, economic, and infrastructural challenges affecting MUD HSCT in India. Potential strategies, including targeted donor recruitment, improved donor retention programs, national registry integration, and broader adoption of next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based high-resolution (HR) HLA typing, are also discussed as approaches to improve donor availability and equitable access to HSCT in India. ]]>