[This corrects the article on p. 1107 in vol. 25, PMID: 42517087.].

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a global health problem, and attention is focused on host immunometabolic pathways influencing antimicrobial immunity, tissue injury, and treatment response. This comprehensive review integrates evidence on the kynurenine pathway (KP) of tryptophan (TRP) metabolism in TB and evaluates its potential as a host-directed therapeutic target. Evidence from human cohorts, in vitro systems, animal models, and non-human primates indicates that Mycobacterium tuberculosis activates the KP across myeloid, antigen-presenting, non-hematopoietic lung, granulomatous, pleural, and central nervous system compartments. KP activation is shaped by interferon-γ signaling, mycobacterial burden, infection duration, strain virulence, and host regulatory mechanisms. Increased indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-related (IDO) activity, TRP depletion, kynurenine accumulation, and kynurenine-aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) signaling are associated with impaired T-cell proliferation and recruitment, suppressive myeloid phenotypes, and spatially restricted immunoregulatory niches within granulomas. Accumulated data indicate context-dependent protective effects of the KP manipulations, through restriction of excessive inflammation. Furthermore, the KP-related changes may have biomarker value. Integrated assessment of enzyme expression, kynurenine-to-tryptophan ratio (K/T ratio), downstream metabolites, and signaling pathways will be essential for translational studies. Future studies should therefore evaluate KP activity using integrated readouts, including IDO expression, metabolites and their ratios, and KYN-AhR signaling, and should determine whether context-specific pathway modulation can safely improve outcomes when combined with conventional anti-TB therapy.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12611.].

The decision by the co-Editor-in-Chief of Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, Prof. Martin van den Berg, to retract the 2000 review article by Williams, Kroes, and Munro has elicited widespread criticism within the scientific community. Issued in late 2025, the retraction decision cites procedural concerns including potential ghostwriting, undisclosed conflicts of interest, and omission of certain unpublished studies, invoking Committee on Publication Ethics guidelines despite lacking evidence of fraud or scientific flaws. This editorial argues that the retraction decision involves editorial overreach and misapplication of the guidelines. The alleged omissions stemmed from proprietary data access limitations that were disclosed in the original paper. Subsequent reviews by several independent expert panels and regulatory authorities with access to all glyphosate data, including the studies cited by the retracting editor, reached similar conclusions. Claims of ghostwriting were previously investigated and found lacking, including a declaration by EFSA as to the clarity of the conflict disclosures. The retraction's timing, reliance on litigation documents, and apparent biases that were not disclosed in the retraction notice raise questions of ideological interference. Absent substantive rebuttals based on scientific merit rather than speculative claims of inappropriate authorship and data access, this retraction decision sets a dangerous precedent for retroactive censorship, potentially chilling beneficial industry-academic collaborations and eroding trust in the integrity of scientific publishing. With the strongest conviction, we assert that retracting a paper without scientific flaws isn't protection-it is censorship. We therefore call for the immediate reversal of this flawed and unjustified retraction to preserve trust in peer-reviewed literature.

Aquaculture intensification is increasingly recognized as a strategic pathway to fight food insecurity. It is also harnessed to meet the rising global demand for high-quality animal protein. This has led to a growing need for fish seed and a heightened concerned for broodstock nutrition, reproductive efficiency, and quality of seeds. In the present study, reproductive responses of African catfish Heterobranchus bidorsalis broodstock were evaluated at graded levels of ethanolic Moringa oleifera leaf extract (EMOLE) as a phytogenic feed additive. A total of 84 broodstock (800.00 ± 150.00 g) were randomly assigned to 4 isonitrogenous (40% crude protein) diets containing 0.0% (control), 1.0%, 2.0% and 3.0% EMOLE in a completely randomized design with three replications. Fish were fed at 5% body weight, twice daily for 16 weeks. Reproductive indices assessed included milt motility, sperm morphology, milt volume and concentration, gonadosomatic index, egg diameter, fecundity, fertilization rate, hatching rate, and hatchling survival. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, one-way analysis of variance at α 0.05, using SPSS 20 software. Results showed that dietary EMOLE significantly improved reproductive performance. Fish fed 3.0% EMOLE exhibited the highest sperm motility (92.00 ± 2.31%), sperm concentration (225.33 ± 0.02 × 10[6] ml[-][1]), fecundity (6118.00 ± 200.70), fertilization rate (78.63 ± 0.51%), hatchability (78.20 ± 0.67%), and larval survival (78.07 ± 1.27%). Sperm abnormalities were significantly reduced in supplemented groups. These findings indicate that 3.0% EMOLE can serve as a natural phytogenic feed additive for improving gonadal development and reproductive performance in Heterobranchus bidorsalis broodstock. This further places Moringa as a natural, cost-effective phytogenic additive for enhancing broodstock performance and sustainable seed production.

Starch-based films have emerged as promising sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based food packaging owing to their biodegradability, renewability, abundance, low cost, and excellent film-forming properties; however, their widespread application is limited by poor mechanical strength, high moisture sensitivity, and inadequate barrier performance. This review summarizes recent advances in enhancing starch-based films through starch modification, biopolymer blending, nanoparticle reinforcement, and the incorporation of plant-derived bioactive compounds. Particular attention is given to integrated approaches that combine modified starch matrices with complementary biopolymers and mixed plant extracts to simultaneously enhance mechanical, physicochemical, thermal, barrier, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. The review further discusses the performance of these enhanced starch-based films in preserving a wide range of food products, highlighting their potential to improve food quality, safety, and shelf life. Finally, current challenges, knowledge gaps, and future research priorities are discussed, including formulation compatibility, nanoparticle migration and safety assessment, and controlled release of bioactive compounds. Overall, this review provides a comprehensive framework for the rational design of multifunctional, high-performance, and sustainable starch-based materials for next-generation food packaging applications.

Petroleum refining and byproduct production involve processes that utilize large volumes of water, which results in the generation of substantial amounts of effluents discharged into the environment. This study aimed to develop a non-chemical-dependent, eco-friendly, and cost-effective method for petrochemical wastewater treatment. Laboratory studies involved culturing Chlorella sorokiniana for seven days in five effluent concentrations: 100%, 75%, 50%, 25%, and 5% (v/v) by diluting petroleum wastewater with distilled water. The results showed that physico-chemical parameters and nutrient levels were higher in the untreated effluent than in the treated. Cultures with 5% and 75% effluent concentrations had 100% phosphate and nitrate removal, respectively. Those grown in 50% effluent produced the highest cell density of 2.99 × 10[4] cells/mL. Cultures grown in 100% effluents produced the highest chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b, and total chlorophyll levels at 0.45 pgcell[-1], 0.74 pgcell[-1], and 1.20 pgcell[-1], respectively. C. sorokiniana grown in 25% effluents, in which the highest lipid and protein levels were recorded, also showed low levels of glutathione transferase activity. Growing microalgae in petrochemical effluents is a natural wastewater treatment method for cultivating microalgae because of their beneficial biomass and biomolecules.

Our perception of pitch-the tonal quality of a sound at a fundamental frequency (F0)-is essential for musical melody, vocal communication, and attending to a voice in a crowded room. Pitch is distinct from simple frequency tuning. Although pitch perception can arise from either harmonic spectral structure or temporal regularity, it remains unclear how individual neurons represent these distinct cues. We recorded spiking activity in hundreds of ferret auditory cortical neurons while systematically varying harmonic and temporal pitch cues. A subset of neurons provided spike rate representations of F0 based on harmonic content, another subset based on temporal periodicity, and a third population exhibited invariant pitch tuning across both cue classes. These findings provide evidence of neurons in non-primates that are selectively tuned to pitch and demonstrate that the mammalian auditory cortex employs dual spectral and temporal mechanisms for extracting F0.

EXO-200 was a leading double beta decay experiment consisting of a single-phase, enriched liquid xenon time projection chamber filled with an admixture of 80.672% ^{136}Xe and 19.098% ^{134}Xe. The detector operated at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant between 2010 and 2018 and was designed to search for double beta decay of ^{136}Xe. Data were acquired in two phases separated by a period of detector upgrades. We report on the search for 0νββ and 2νββ decay of ^{134}Xe with Phase II EXO-200 data, with median 90% CL exclusion sensitivity to half-life T_{1/2}^{0ν}≥3.7×10^{23}  yr and T_{1/2}^{2ν}≥2.6×10^{21}  yr, respectively. No statistically significant signal is observed for either decay mode. We set a world-leading lower limit on the half-life of the neutrinoless decay mode of ^{134}Xe of T_{1/2}^{0ν}≥8.7×10^{23} (90% CL) and the second strongest constraint on the two-neutrino decay of T_{1/2}^{2ν}≥2.9×10^{21} (90% CL), a threefold improvement over the EXO-200 Phase I measurement. New constraints are also set for the 2νββ and 0νββ decays of ^{134}Xe to the lowest excited state of ^{134}Ba.

In wild birds, the breeding season involves a convergence of metabolically demanding life-history stages, including reproduction, moult, and immune defense. We investigated the relationships between microfilarial infection, moult, redox homeostasis, and plumage quality in breeding male village weavers (Ploceus cucullatus) at the Amurum Forest Reserve, Nigeria. We compared four groups (n = 148 total) sampled within 3 mins post-capture: infected-moulting (IM), infected-non-moulting (IN), non-infected-moulting (NM), and non-infected-non-moulting (NN). Physiological condition was assessed using the erythrocyte glutathione ratio (GSH:GSSG) and circulating glucose, while plumage reflectance traits were integrated into a composite quality axis (PC1). Microfilarial infections were present in 52.0% (n = 77) of individuals; mean parasite intensities were 6.13 ± 0.35 mf/µL (IN) and 6.45 ± 0.41 mf/µL (IM). Physiological indices varied strongly across groups. The GSH:GSSG ratio was reduced in infected birds, indicating altered redox balance (rs = -0.65). Circulating glucose was highest in the infected non-moulting group (IN) but substantially reduced in the infected moulting group (IM). Across physiological and ornamental traits, individuals experiencing both infection and moult (IM group) exhibited the strongest reductions relative to all other groups. However, this pattern reflects a statistically supported Infection × Moult interaction, rather than an untested synergistic or non-linear effect, as evidenced by significant IN vs. IM contrasts in glucose (Table 3; z = 33.43, P < 0.0001, d = 6.10) and plumage quality. This interaction was associated with reduced plumage hue and lower integrated signal quality. Our results suggest that microfilarial infection and moult impose overlapping physiological demands that constrain metabolic regulation and the expression of carotenoid-based ornaments. Intracellular redox balance emerges as a potential mechanistic link between physiological state and ornamental expression, supporting the hypothesis that village weaver plumage reflects variation in sustained physiological condition under natural ecological stress.

Despite the availability of conventional drugs, the use of medicinal plants for typhoid and malaria remains widespread in Nigeria. This study investigated the indigenous use of Cajanus cajan (pigeon pea) and Azadirachta indica (neem) in rural and urban Nsukka. We assessed: (i) socio-demographic factors influencing knowledge and use; (ii) the association between treatment practices and perceived efficacy; and (iii) socio-economic drivers of continued reliance on these herbal remedies. A cross-sectional survey of 400 respondents selected via stratified random sampling (200 urban, 200 rural) was conducted using structured questionnaires, where the primary outcome of this study was current herbal use, while knowledge was treated as a secondary outcome. Data were analyzed using generalized linear models (GLMs) and multinomial logistic regression (MLR) in R Statistical Software (version 4.3.0). Results indicated that rural residents relied more on herbal remedies due to accessibility, affordability, and family traditions, while urban respondents, despite higher education levels, also used herbal extracts and often alternated them with prescription drugs. Residence, occupation, and age were significant predictors of knowledge and use (P < 0.05), whereas education was not. Nonetheless, perceived efficacy and high prescription costs further sustained herbal use. While these findings highlight socio-cultural and economic factors sustaining herbal medicine use, they also support the need for public health education and integration of evidence-based traditional practices into primary healthcare to ensure safer use. However, the cross-sectional design limits causal inference. Future studies should combine questionnaire-based surveys with laboratory-based assessments.

Canine parvovirus (CPV) enteritis is a widespread infectious disease affecting dogs globally. While vaccination is an acceptable preventive measure, repeated cases of vaccination and immunization failures abound globally, posing a significant challenge to veterinary practice. Therefore, a clinic-based cross-sectional study of dogs presenting with acute gastroenteritis, aimed at identifying factors associated with CPV breakthrough infection in Nigeria was conducted. This study involved demographic with retrospective data of historical vaccination of gastroenteritis-presenting dogs from selected veterinary clinics. The dogs were sampled from 10 veterinary clinics from multiple locations in Nigeria, including Abeokuta, Abuja, Ibadan, Jos, Makurdi, Onitsha, and Warri. The cases were initially screened using an immunochromatographic assay and validated with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Data on signalment, vaccination history, and protocol compliance were collected from 158 cases between June 2016 and March 2018. Statistical associations were analyzed using Chi-square test and binary logistic regression to identify predictors of CPV-2 breakthrough infection. Result showed that among the gastroenteritis dogs, 93.7% (146/158) tested positive for CPV-2, with cases mostly affecting puppies aged 0-6 months (69.6%). Significant univariate predictors of infection included clinic location (p = .017) and vaccination status (p = .02). In vaccinated dogs, critical factors for breakthrough infection were the number of vaccine doses (p = .036), vaccination finish time (p = .002), and overall protocol compliance (p < .001). Logistic regression score test further identified breed (particularly Rottweilers, p < .001), age (p = .019), vaccine brand mixing within puppy primary series (p = .026), and the presence of concurrent infections (p = .026) as significant factors. However, due to quasi-complete separation and small effective sample size (n = 17), multivariable logistic regression results were unstable and are presented here for exploratory purposes only. Furthermore, clinical cases with single-, double-, triple-, and quadruple-dose protocol showed breakthrough infection rates in the following decreasing order, 31.0%, 17.1%, 12.0%, and 0.6%, respectively. This high rate of CPV-2 breakthrough infection suggests that vaccination protocols used in high-challenge environments may require review. Therefore, these findings show that completing the puppy primary vaccination series at or after 16 weeks of age was significantly associated with a lower rate of breakthrough infection compared to finishing earlier. Adherence to strict dosing intervals and consideration of breed-specific risks may be essential to reduce breakthrough infection rate in Nigeria. These results suggest potential gaps in vaccination timing and compliance and this may contribute to increased risk of CPV infection in Nigeria.

Selection problems arising in higher education admissions and medical waste management are inherently affected by uncertainty, imprecision, and hesitation, which complicate reliable decision analysis. Pythagorean fuzzy sets provide a flexible mathematical framework for modeling such uncertainties, and a variety of Pythagorean fuzzy distance measures have been developed for decision-making applications. Nevertheless, existing distance measures overlook the role of tendency coefficients, which are necessary for characterizing the inclination and relative influence of Pythagorean fuzzy parameters and for enhancing the discriminatory power of distance-based methods. In this paper, a novel Pythagorean fuzzy distance measure incorporating tendency coefficients of the complete Pythagorean fuzzy parameters is proposed. The mathematical properties of the proposed distance measure are established to ensure its validity and consistency. To demonstrate its applicability, the proposed measure is integrated into a multi-criteria decision-making framework and applied to the evaluation of students’ examination scores for higher education admission. In addition, the technique for order of preference by similarity to the ideal solution is employed to address the selection of medical waste management systems under a Pythagorean fuzzy environment. Comparative studies with existing Pythagorean fuzzy distance measures confirm the improved effectiveness, stability, and reliability of the proposed approach in handling uncertainty and supporting robust decision-making.

Traditionally in Malaysia, the leaves of Abrus precatorius, a flowering plant that belongs to the legume family, Fabaceae, are used to treat various ailments such as coughs, diarrhoea, wound healing and even as anticancer and antivirus remedy. The study aimed to identify the phytocompounds present in A. precatorius leaves using (1) different solvents and (2) two different extraction methods for each solvent. Additionally, we have also intended to investigate the anti-proliferative activity of those maceration-based extracts on selected cancer and normal cell lines. In this study, two extraction methods were used (maceration and Soxhlet extraction), using sequential solvents according to their polarity, starting with hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol. The phytocompounds were identified via the GC-MS technique. The findings reported that the ethyl acetate extract (obtained via Soxhlet extraction) contained the highest amount of terpenoids, while the methanol extract (obtained via maceration) contained the highest combination of terpenoids and phenolic compounds. The triple negative breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231 showed high sensitivity towards all A. precatorius leaf extracts (maceration-based). The hexane extract of A. precatorius leaves (maceration-based) showed the lowest IC[50] on MDA-MB-231 cells at 80.75 ± 64.0 μg/mL. In conclusion, potential anticancer phytocompounds were identified in the A. precatorius leaves extracts such as 1-octacosanol, neophytadiene and 4-vinylphenol. All maceration-based extracts exhibited non-cytotoxicity effect on both normal breast cell MCF-10a and fibroblast cell NIH (3T3). The MDA-MB-231 cell line was the most sensitive towards all maceration-based extracts, particularly hexane-maceration based.