Abstract: connections is essential for zoned pollution control in closed coal mines. This study examined two outlets, S1 and S2, 174 m apart in the Chunjingwa closed coal mine area, Shanxi Province, China. Discharge dynamics, hydrochemistry, hydrogen–oxygen stable isotopes, and a goaf pumping test were combined. S2 showed 9.7 times the discharge variation of S1 and responded more rapidly to rainfall. Most contamination indicators had higher median exceedance levels at S2; isotopically, S1 overlapped with goaf boreholes ZK2 and ZK3, whereas S2 was heavier. During pumping, S1 discharge fell by about 91% and partially recovered, whereas S2 remained stable. The evidence identifies two distinct recharge–discharge systems on opposite sides of F2 and indicates limited cross-fault hydraulic communication at the tested scale and duration. F2 is interpreted as a structural divide, not a uniformly impermeable fault. S1 is regulated mainly by goaf-water storage to the south, whereas S2 is dominated by shallow-catchment, rapid-infiltration recharge to the north. The framework provides a practical alternative to artificial tracer tests for outlet-scale source identification and zoned remediation.

Abstract: Background and Objectives: Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage is the principal safety concern after intravenous alteplase, whereas site-specific extracranial bleeding is less consistently documented. This study described the frequency and anatomical distribution of gingival bleeding, hematuria, and upper gastrointestinal bleeding recorded after alteplase in older adults with acute ischemic stroke. Secondary exploratory analyses assessed unadjusted associations with pre-stroke antithrombotic exposure. Materials and Methods: This retrospective single-center cohort included 95 patients aged ≥65 years who received intravenous alteplase between 2020 and 2024. The selected-bleeding outcome indicated documentation of at least one of the three manifestations during hospitalization. Frequencies were reported with exact Clopper–Pearson confidence intervals; exploratory comparisons used Fisher’s exact tests, Mann–Whitney U tests, and exact odds ratios. Results: Median age was 77 years (interquartile range, 72–82). Selected extracranial bleeding was documented in 10 patients (10.5%; exact 95% confidence interval, 5.2%–18.5%): gingival bleeding in five, hematuria in four, and upper gastrointestinal bleeding in one. Odds ratios were 1.30 (0.20–6.37) for oral anticoagulant exposure, 1.29 (0.28–6.08) for antiplatelet exposure, and 1.18 (0.25–5.53) for either class. Exploratory comparisons did not identify a distinct clinical or in-hospital profile. Conclusions: Selected extracranial bleeding was documented in 10.5% of patients, with gingival bleeding as the most frequent of the three selected manifestations. Pre-stroke antithrombotic exposure was not significantly associated with the selected-bleeding outcome, although estimates were imprecise. Standardized site-specific documentation and larger prospective studies are needed.

Abstract: Background: Accurate identification of EGFR-mutant, KRAS-mutant, and triple-negative (TN) NSCLC driver mutation subtypes is essential for guiding targeted therapy decisions, yet standard molecular testing remains invasive and infeasible in a clinically relevant subset of patients. Gene expressionbased machine learning approaches offer a non-invasive alternative; however, existing models are largely restricted to binary classification tasks and lack cross-platform generalizability. Methods: We developed a multi-cohort, harmonized classification pipeline integrating ComBat batch correction, SHAP-driven feature selection, and a Bayesian optimized heterogeneous ensemble comprising five complementary learners, further extended with NSGA-II Pareto-optimal ensemble weight optimization. A strict leak-free cross-validation framework was applied throughout model development. Generalizability was assessed through independent external validation on an RNA-seq cohort with reference-batch cross-platform harmonization and class-specific probability threshold calibration on an internal validation subset. Results: The Pareto-optimized ensemble (ParetoVoting) achieved the best internal performance, with F1-macro= 0.736 and AUROC= 0.878 (5-fold cross-validation mean); this improvement over the SoftVoting ensemble (F1-macro= 0.735, AUROC= 0.877) was negligible (Cliff’s δ = 0.00). Given this equivalence, the simpler SoftVoting ensemble was carried forward for independent external validation. On external validation (TCGA-LUAD, n = 508), SoftVoting attained F1-macro= 0.680 and AUROC= 0.853. Ablation experiments confirmed that each pipeline component contributed independently to overall performance. SHAP interpretability analysis identified biologically coherent discriminative signatures consistent with known NSCLC oncogenic signaling. Conclusions: This study establishes a reproducible, cross-platform generalizable framework for simultaneous three-class driver mutation subtyping from transcriptomic data, providing methodological benchmarks for future work in this underexplored classification setting. The approach holds potential as a complementary decision-support tool in clinical contexts where tissue-based molecular profiling is not feasible.

Abstract: Epidemiological studies have identified the developing brain as a target of concern for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). In animal models, behavioral deficits caused by developmental exposure to PCBs have been associated with altered patterns of dendritic arborization in functionally relevant brain regions. In vitro studies revealed that PCB 95 promoted dendritic growth in primary rat hippocampal neuron-glia co-cultures via ryanodine receptor 1 (RYR1)-dependent Ca²⁺ signaling. However, it is not yet known whether RYR1 dysregulation contributes to disruption of dendritic morphogenesis in the intact developing brain, or whether PCB 95 affects translationally relevant behavioral endpoints in juvenile animals. To address these data gaps, we assessed Morris water maze (MWM) performance and dendritic arborization of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons in C57BL/6 mice heterozygous for the human R163C-RYR1 gain-of-function mutation (HET) and congenic wild-type (WT) littermates exposed to vehicle or PCB 95 at 0.1, 1.0, or 6.0 mg/kg/d in the dam’s diet from conception through weaning. MWM performance was not altered in HET vehicle controls relative to WT vehicle controls; however, compared to genotype-matched vehicle controls, spatial learning was impaired in WT and HET male and female weanlings in the 1.0 mg/kg/d PCB 95 dose group and WT males in the 6.0 mg/kg/d PCB 95 dose group. Spatial memory was altered only in WT females exposed to 1.0 or 6.0 mg/kg/d PCB 95. Sholl analyses of Golgi-stained hippocampal neurons in male and female WT and HET weanling from the 1.0 mg/kg/d PCB 95 and vehicle groups indicated that relative to WT vehicle controls, basal dendritic arborization was significantly increased in in HET vehicle controls and in PCB 95-exposed WT weanlings; however, PCB 95 did not alter basal dendritic growth in HET weanlings relative to genotype-matched vehicle controls. PCB 95 significantly reduced training-induced dendritic arborization in WT but not HET weanlings. Measurement of tritiated ryanodine ([³H]Ry) binding in cortical tissue from these same animals revealed interactions between genotype, PCB 95 exposure and dose altered [³H]Ry binding relative to WT vehicle controls. Quantitative analyses confirmed a dose-dependent increase in PCB tissue burden that was not significantly altered by genotype, MWM training, or sex. Serum levels of progesterone, estradiol, cortisol and thyroid hormone (TH), and brain transcript levels of TH-responsive genes were not significantly altered by genotype or PCB 95 dose. These data demonstrate that PCB 95 caused behavioral deficits coincident with altered patterns of basal and training-induced dendritic arborization. Furthermore, behavioral and dendritic responses to PCB 95 were altered by expression of the human R163C-RYR1 gain-of-function mutation, supporting a role for RYR-dependent mechanisms in PCB 95 DNT in vivo.

Abstract: Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme heat events, raising concern about prenatal thermal exposure as a potential risk factor for fetal brain development and offspring neurodevelopment. This systematic review aimed to synthesize evidence on prenatal heat exposure, placental inflammatory or stress-response pathways, and neurodevelopmental outcomes in offspring. A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar and Embase from database inception to 30 June 2026. Human observational studies, animal experiments and in vitro mechanistic studies were included when they examined prenatal or early-life heat exposure in relation to placental function, inflammatory or oxidative pathways, fetal brain development or offspring neurodevelopment. The included evidence linked prenatal heat exposure or maternal hyperthermia with neural tube defects, neurodevelopmental delay, language impairment, autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy and altered brain morphology. Early pregnancy appeared to be the most consistent vulnerability window, although later gestational exposure was also relevant. Experimental evidence suggested disruption of placental barrier function, glucocorticoid and serotonin signaling, inflammatory and oxidative pathways, myelination, apoptosis, and neural progenitor development. Prenatal heat exposure may contribute to neurodevelopmental vulnerability through a heat-related placenta–brain axis. Further prospective and mechanistic studies are needed.

Abstract: Reverse osmosis (RO) desalination is an energy-intensive process, with centrifugal pumps and their electric drives constituting a significant portion of total system power consumption. Accurate estimation of this energy demand during the design phase is critical for optimizing plant efficiency and operational costs. Existing models often overlook or simplify the contribution of electric drive losses, leading to less precise power consumption projections. This study presents a comprehensive Simulink-based model designed to estimate the total power consumption and efficiency of a centrifugal pump system within an RO desalination plant. The model integrates several key components, including an electric drive loss estimation module, a centrifugal pump, a pipeline network, a pressure regulation valve, a fluid reservoir, and the RO system, within a unified simulation environment. A defining feature of this work is the explicit inclusion of electric drive losses, which enables a more holistic and accurate calculation of overall system efficiency and power demand compared to models focused solely on hydraulic power. By simulating system performance, the model demonstrates its utility as a predictive tool. This allows us to optimize pump selection and control strategies at the early design stage, potentially leading to more energy-efficient and cost-effective RO desalination systems.

Abstract: Earthquake sequences can affect slope stability before recovery from an earlier event is complete, yet reduced-order models commonly treat successive earthquakes as independent inputs or prescribe cumulative damage through event-based increments. We introduce a bounded, response-generated memory state into a delayed two-block landslide model. The state reduces incremental friction, evolves exclusively through computed dissipative response, and heals continuously between earthquakes. Its critical value is derived independently from the characteristic roots of the delayed mechanical subsystem. Paired aftershock-only and mainshock–aftershock experiments use corrected accelerograms from the 2011 Redcliffs sequence as recorded inputs rather than calibration data. Across 1,255 admissible deterministic comparisons, a subcritical mainshock reduced the aftershock activation threshold in every parameter cell; 1,235 threshold intervals were strictly separated, while 20 converged to the aftershock-only limit under strong healing. Threshold reduction was almost entirely determined by retained memory (Spearman rank coefficient ρS = 0.999683). Under stochastic forcing, all 33 primary parameter cells showed the same direction of reduction, and 32 paired 95% bootstrap confidence intervals excluded zero. Independent 4,096-realization ensembles yielded reductions of 18.0–26.2% under white-noise and Ornstein–Uhlenbeck forcing. Resetting memory reproduced the aftershock-only response exactly, whereas removing displacement delay eliminated delayed activation. These results identify a causal mechanism by which a non-activating earthquake can transiently lower the activation threshold of a subsequent event, while distinguishing dimensionless model activation from physical landslide failure.

Abstract: Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of acute respiratory tract infec-tion and a major contributor to lower respiratory tract disease, hospitalization, and intensive care admission in young infants. The burden of severe disease is greatest during the first months of life, when active infant immunization is not yet feasible or may not provide sufficiently rapid protec-tion. The recent availability of prefusion F protein–based vaccines and long-acting monoclonal antibodies has transformed the RSV prevention landscape, making protection during early in-fancy an achievable public health objective. Methods: This consensus document summarizes and critically appraises updated evidence on RSV epidemiology, disease burden, seasonality, pre-ventive strategies, and implementation challenges, with a specific focus on maternal immuniza-tion. Evidence was reviewed in relation to infant protection, transplacental antibody transfer, optimal timing of vaccination during pregnancy, integration into antenatal care, and the posi-tioning of maternal vaccination alongside infant monoclonal antibody prophylaxis. Results: RSV imposes a substantial clinical and economic burden in infancy, including among previously healthy term infants, with the most severe outcomes concentrated in the first months after birth. Post-pandemic changes in RSV circulation have reduced the predictability of seasonal patterns, challenging prevention strategies based solely on traditional RSV seasons. Maternal RSV vac-cination provides passive protection to newborns through transplacental transfer of neutralizing antibodies and has demonstrated efficacy in reducing medically attended RSV-associated lower respiratory tract infection, severe disease, and hospitalization in early infancy. However, re-al-world effectiveness depends on several factors, including gestational age at vaccination, the interval between vaccination and delivery, prematurity, maternal immune response, vaccine uptake, and local RSV epidemiology. The coexistence of maternal vaccination and infant mono-clonal antibody prophylaxis requires clear, coordinated recommendations to prevent gaps in protection and support efficient resource allocation. Conclusions: Maternal immunization is a clinically relevant strategy to protect infants against RSV during their period of greatest vulner-ability. Successful implementation will require integration into routine antenatal care, adaptation to local epidemiology, coordination with monoclonal antibody programs, and continued sur-veillance of effectiveness, safety, uptake, and equity. A flexible prevention framework combining maternal vaccination and infant monoclonal antibody prophylaxis, according to local needs and individual risk, has the potential to substantially reduce RSV-associated morbidity, hospitaliza-tions, and healthcare burden in early infancy.

Abstract: Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 6 (PCSK6) is a proteolytic enzyme that acts on a broad spectrum of substrates, including growth factors, extracellular proteases, adhesion molecules, protease activated receptor 1, the prorenin receptor, and Corin. As a consequence of its broad spectrum substrate activity, PCSK6 is implicated in a wide range of pathophysiological processes like cardiovascular disease, neurological disorders, arthritis and cancer. Of special interest, PCSK6 has recently been shown to be highly expressed in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and PCSK6 was associated with reduced survival, providing the first evidence linking PCSK6 to pulmonary fibrosis. In this review, we summarize the molecular biology of PCSK6, including its structural features and major substrates, and outline its pathophysiological roles across various diseases. Furthermore, we propose and discuss the potential involvement of PCSK6 in pulmonary fibrosis to guide future research.

Abstract: This study aimed to evaluate the guidelines for the use of GenAI tools available on the websites of the world's top 200 universities. We collected all publicly available guidelines from the websites of the top 200 universities listed in the 2026 QS World University Rankings. These guidelines were evaluated using the same 24-item checklist developed for our 2024 survey of the top 50 universities worldwide. The assessment revealed that 180 institutions have publicly available guidelines. All universities permit the use of GenAI tools under specific conditions. These policies are primarily established by academic bodies that focus on teaching, learning, and innovation. Most guidelines emphasize using university-licensed options to enhance data security. The most cited GenAI tools included ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and Google Gemini (formerly Bard). More than 80% of the guidelines covered academic integrity, the limitations of GenAI tools, data privacy, the integration of GenAI in teaching and assessment, and the need to acknowledge its use. However, the operation of AI algorithms, reporting mechanisms for non-permitted use, documentation of prompts, and adoption of outputs were addressed in fewer than 40% of the guidelines. A comparison with our 2024 data for the subset of 50 universities re-evaluated in 2026 shows significant progress in guidelines coverage, reflecting institutions’ rapid responses to the evolving AI landscape.

Abstract: Background/Objectives: Pediatric palliative care is a highly demanding field that requires nurses to possess a high level of professional competence and emotional resilience. Continuous exposure to suffering and death places these healthcare workers at an increased risk of psychological distress. The objective of this study was to examine the levels of occupational stress, burnout, secondary traumatic stress, and compassion satisfaction among nurses working in pediatric palliative and terminal care in Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia, and to identify organizational and emotional factors related to their professional quality of life. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted involving 36 female nurses employed in a pediatric hospice, pediatric hemato-oncology department, and neonatology department. Data were collected using the Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) questionnaire and a custom questionnaire assessing organizational, educational, and emotional challenges. Results: Participants reported high levels of compassion satisfaction (M = 4.55, SD = 0.45), moderate levels of secondary traumatic stress (M = 3.02, SD = 0.68), and relatively low levels of burnout (M = 2.34, SD = 0.65). A significant negative correlation was found between compassion satisfaction and burnout (ρ = -0.542; p < 0.001). Favorable organizational conditions, such as sufficient time for rest (ρ = -0.567; p < 0.001) and emotional support from colleagues (ρ = -0.414; p = 0.012), were significantly associated with lower burnout levels. Although 63.9% of nurses lacked formal psychological support at the workplace, communication with families of terminally ill children remained a major emotional burden (M = 4.25, SD = 1.13), positively correlating with secondary traumatic stress (ρ = 0.460; p = 0.005). Conclusions: Despite the heavy emotional toll, nurses in pediatric palliative care maintain high compassion satisfaction. However, interventions emphasizing organizational improvements, collegial support, and formal psychological assistance are essential to prevent burnout and mitigate secondary traumatic stress.

Abstract: Public burn transcriptomic datasets remain difficult to compare because of differences in tissue source, study design, platform, annotation and statistical analysis. We developed BurnOmicsDB (https://peneapple.github.io/2026-BurnOmicsDB/), a curated and gene-centred web resource integrating six human burn-related Gene Expression Omnibus series comprising 1,013 public expression profiles. Dataset-specific quality control and differential-expression workflows were applied to 22 predefined contrasts across skin, wound margin, eschar, scar and blood, generating 448,735 standardized gene–contrast records. Gene identifiers and aliases were harmonized to support retrieval by official symbols, historical aliases, NCBI Gene IDs, Ensembl IDs and HGNC identifiers. Cross-tissue analysis showed that 564 of 1,444 genes with clear significant directions in both skin and blood exhibited opposite directions, highlighting the context dependence of burn-associated transcriptional responses. BurnOmicsDB enables code-free exploration and cross-study comparison of burn transcriptomic evidence for research and clinical reference, but is not intended for diagnosis or treatment decisions.

Abstract: The water unavailability crisis in South Africa significantly contributes to socio-economic challenges affecting some of its underdeveloped former homeland areas. Limpopo province, which is predominantly rural, is nuanced by these challenges. The province is characterised by limited surface and groundwater resources, unevenly distributed, already overallocated and overused with limited scope for further development. At the same time, the province desperately needs high impact development to improve the socio-economic conditions of its communities. Water is the key resource required for those development initiatives to materialize. This study evaluates the water resources yield across the Limpopo District Municipalities. The mapping of the province’s water yield patterns across the five districts provides an insight into the extent of its water challenges and the cascading effects of this on developmental potentials of the province. The Pitman and Water Resources Yield Models were employed to achieve this. The total historical firm yield was estimated at 160.20, 39.84, 72.24, 125.79 and 120.96 Mm³/a for Vhembe, Capricorn, Waterberg, Mopani and Sekhukhune districts respectively. This study provides an insight into approaches that could be deployed by the districts to determine local water resources availability to support planned developmental projects while ensuring sustainable provision of water services to their communities.

Abstract: Objective: To synthesize evidence on phenotypic non-susceptibility, antimicrobial-resistance genes (ARGs), genetic mobility, transferability, and oral-resistome effects associated with oral-care probiotic strains and products. Design: A focused narrative search of PubMed, Google Scholar, publisher platforms, and reference lists was conducted through 3 August 2026, covering product-level, strain-safety, oral-biofilm/resistome, regulatory, and mechanistic studies; non-oral probiotic data were treated as indirect evidence. Results: A survey of eight commercial oral probiotic lozenges reported non-susceptibility phenotypes and PCR-detected ARG-like sequences without demonstrated transfer to selected bacterial recipients. Strain-level assessments of Streptococcus salivarius K12, DB-B5, G7, and M18, and of Weissella cibaria CMU/CMS1, generally did not identify acquired transferable determinants. Limosilactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 illustrates risk mitigation: its parent strain's tet(W)/lnu(A) plasmids were removed by classical curing, and subsequent antibiotic-selected reduced erythromycin susceptibility was not linked to known transferable genes or transferred to Enterococcus faecalis. A three-dimensional oral biofilm study found a transient reduction in active ARG abundance during peak K12 colonization, with no increased putative mobilization. Transfer between non-oral probiotic donors and bacterial recipients has been demonstrated only after laboratory adaptation under high streptomycin pressure. Conclusions: No study identified in this review demonstrated donor-to-recipient ARG transfer from an oral-care probiotic during human use, though this absence of evidence should not be read as proof that transfer cannot occur. Several products, including the widely used ATCC PTA 5289, remain incompletely characterized, and long-term effects on the human oral resistome are unknown. Standardized whole-genome, phenotypic, mobility, finished-product, and longitudinal human assessments are needed.

Abstract: Film therapy has demonstrated potential to produce a range of therapeutic benefits, including reducing anxiety. Helping professionals, including psychology students in training, often experience stress and anxiety due to the emotional demands of working with, and studying, difficult issues. This paper explores how psychology students use film and television as self-care, and whether reflection using a questionnaire based on the MOVIE model can support this process. Responses explored students’ engagement with film and benefits. Reflexive thematic analysis of responses from 39 psychology students identified four key themes: benefits for wellbeing; relationships and connection; personal development through character identification; and promoting reflection within the individual Findings suggest that psychology students use film to manage stress and anxiety, experience relaxation and comfort, and select different genres to support wellbeing. The study highlights the potential for film watching, combined with a reflective process such as the MOVIE model, to be used by student services, therapists and clinical supervisors. Further research is needed to explore the use of film and television as self-care for psychology students and helping professionals, including how reflective models such as the MOVIE model may enhance engagement, wellbeing and personal reflection.

Abstract: This study develops and experimentally verifies nonlinear finite element models for carbon-fiber-reinforced (CFRP) confined concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) columns under axial compression. ABAQUS- based 3D models represent the steel tube, concrete core and CFRP wrap using C3D8R solid elements and S4R shell elements, respectively, with contact interactions to capture interface behavior. Concrete is modeled with the concrete damage velocity (CDP) model steel and (CFRP) adopt bilinear and orthotropic elastic – plastic/elastic constitutive laws. Validation uses an experimental database of 72 columns (18 CFST,54 CFRP- confined) varying steel thickness (1.8-3.8mm) concrete strength (20-40 MPa), and CFRP layers (0-3). Numerical load- shortening curves, ultimate loads and failure modes closely match tests (Nu, exp/Nu,FEM=0.83-1.08) parametric studies show that increasing CFRP layers raises peak load and ductility and smooths post-peak softening, but concrete strength and steel thickness exert equal or greater influence on axial capacity. Modeled stress field reveal that CFRP delay outward steel deformation, promotes uniform stress distribution and mitigates local buckling. The validated models quantify confinements effects and provide insight in to interaction mechanics among concrete, steel, and CFRP. Results support the use of the FE framework for design-oriented parametric studies and for developing practical predication tools for CFRP- strengthened CFST columns.

Abstract: Background/Objectives: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) has historically been associated with impaired linear growth and delayed pubertal development due to chronic insulin deficiency. Advances in intensive insulin therapy and glucose monitoring may have substantially reduced these effects. This study evaluated growth and pubertal development in children with T1DM treated with multiple daily injections (MDI) or continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) compared with healthy controls and investigated whether metabolic control was associated with anthropometric outcomes. Methods: This retrospective observational study included 177 children aged 3–18 years: 102 with T1DM (60 treated with MDI and 42 with CSII) and 75 healthy controls. Height SDS, BMI SDS, Tanner stage, biochemical parameters, and diabetes-related variables were analyzed. Comparisons, correlations and multiple linear regression analyses were performed to evaluate associations between metabolic control and anthropometric parameters. Results: No significant differences were observed between children with T1DM and healthy controls regarding height SDS, BMI SDS, or pubertal development. Likewise, no anthropometric differences were identified between the MDI and CSII groups. Fasting plasma glucose was significantly lower in the CSII group (p<0.001), whereas HbA1c was comparable between treatment modalities. Neither HbA1c nor other routinely assessed metabolic parameters showed significant associations with height SDS or BMI SDS in correlation or multivariable regression analyses. Conclusions: Children and adolescents with T1DM achieved growth and pubertal development comparable to healthy peers, regardless of insulin treatment modality. Routine markers of metabolic control were not independently associated with anthropometric outcomes, suggesting that contemporary intensive diabetes management is sufficient to preserve normal growth in most pediatric patients with T1DM.

Abstract: Background: The early postpartum period brings significant psychosocial changes. While breastfeeding difficulties can increase maternal emotional burden, social support may protect against postpartum distress. Objective: This study examined associations between breastfeeding difficulties, perceived social support, and baby blues symptoms among mothers in Croatia. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 1,378 women (≥18 years) who delivered within the previous year. The questionnaire assessed obstetric data, breastfeeding challenges, social support, and early postpartum emotional symptoms. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Breastfeeding difficulties within the first 14 days postpartum affected 79.3% of mothers, frequently involving sore nipples (25.7%) and latch problems (25.6%). Mothers experiencing breastfeeding difficulties reported significantly higher baby blues scores than those without (M = 3.28 vs. M = 2.72; p < 0.001). Furthermore, the emotional burden of breastfeeding positively correlated with baby blues intensity (r = 0.344, p < 0.001), whereas perceived social support had a protective, negative correlation (r = -0.263, p < 0.001). Regression analysis demonstrated that social support significantly mitigates the negative impact of breastfeeding difficulties on maternal emotional wellbeing (p = 0.033). Conclusions: Breastfeeding challenges exacerbate baby blues symptoms, but adequate social support buffers this negative effect. Early identification of feeding difficulties and proactive professional assistance are crucial for improving postpartum mental health.

Abstract: Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease whose molecular complexity complicates therapeutic stratification. Although PAM50 is a widely used molecular subtyping framework, discrete subtype assignments may underrepresent transitional molecular states and within-subtype heterogeneity. We therefore developed a biologically interpretable representation-learning framework that projects bulk RNA-seq profiles into nonlinear latent spaces and applies unsupervised clustering to investigate additional tumor structure. The pipeline integrates a variational autoencoder (VAE), t-SNE and UMAP visualization, agglomerative hierarchical clustering, and functional and immune characterization of the resulting clusters. The source dataset contained 19,131 transcriptomic profiles. An analytical cohort of 8,749 unique PAM50-labeled tumor and normal samples was used for downstream characterization, and label-informed oversampling generated 54,544 training records for VAE optimization. The VAE objective and clustering remained unsupervised, but the sampling scheme used known labels to balance representation during training. Three latent dimensions (Z = 10, 20, and 40) were benchmarked against a linear PCA baseline. Across internal analyses, the Z = 20 representation achieved the highest agreement with the reference labels (ARI = 0.5543) and identified seven clusters not resolved as clearly by PCA. These included a cluster spanning HER2-enriched and Luminal B samples, a highly proliferative cluster, and a B-cell/Treg-enriched group with a maximum inferred regulatory T-cell fraction of 0.711. The Z = 10 configuration yielded the highest prognostic discrimination among the tested representations (C-index = 0.553 versus 0.467 for the PAM50-based comparator), corresponding to an absolute difference of 0.086 and a relative increase of 18.4%. These internally derived findings suggest that nonlinear representations may capture complementary biological and prognostic structure, but independent-cohort and spatial or single-cell validation are required before clinical interpretation.

Abstract: Neuromuscular dysfunction during the sit-to-walk (STW) task in Parkinson’s disease (PD) remains poorly understood. We aimed to analyze surface electromyography (sEMG) signals across STW phases using explainable machine learning (ML) and deep learning approaches in PD. Individuals with PD (n = 102) and healthy controls (n = 50) performed a standardized STW task while sEMG signals were recorded bilaterally from eight lower-limb muscles. These signals were preprocessed and segmented into three phases in the STW task. Feature-based ML models were compared with convolutional neural networks (CNN) trained on wavelet-transformed sEMG spectrograms. Explainable artificial intelligence methods identified physiologically interpretable neuromuscular patterns. STW phase 1 was the most sensitive interval for detecting PD-related neuromuscular abnormalities. Feature-based models achieved high classification performance, identifying frequency-domain features and rectus femoris–biceps femoris short head co-contraction indices as key discriminants. CNN-based analyses revealed earlier and temporally concentrated activation patterns in individuals with PD, particularly in proximal muscles critical for momentum generation and postural stabilization. Our findings revealed impaired predictive neuromuscular control and maladaptive proximal muscle coordination during STW phase 1 as core features of PD. This approach provides a physiologically grounded foundation for developing interpretable digital neuromuscular biomarkers and timing-focused rehabilitation strategies in PD.