Search Results (101)

Background: This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the dentoalveolar changes of miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion (MARPE) compared with conventional rapid palatal expansion (CRPE) in growing patients (≤16 years). Methods: A systematic and comprehensive literature search was carried out independently by two reviewers using both MeSH terms and free-text keywords across PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Embase, with studies published through February 2025 included. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane ROB 2.0 tool. The GRADE system was employed to determine evidence quality. Results: Of the 462 initially screened articles, 6 met the inclusion criteria and were selected for quantitative synthesis. Most studies had a low risk of bias with some concerns in reporting. The pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) for tooth inclination changes in CRPE compared with MARPE was 0.98 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.54 to 1.42; p < 0.01). The test for overall effect was significant (p < 0.01), but no significant differences were found between the subgroups. The pooled SMD for buccal bone thickness changes in CRPE compared with MARPE was 0.69 (95% CI, 0.37 to 1.00; p < 0.01). The test for overall effect was significant (p < 0.01), and there were substantial differences between the subgroups. The supporting evidence ranged in certainty from moderate to low. Conclusions: MARPE was more effective than CRPE in minimizing the buccal tipping and buccal bone loss of the maxillary first premolars and first molars. However, to further confirm these outcomes and guide evidence-based clinical practice, well-designed randomized controlled trials with long-term follow-up are necessary. Full article

Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) is known to increase in human cardiovascular, metabolic, and renal diseases. In human medicine, TMAO has recently been utilized as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for renal dysfunction, and research is ongoing regarding its potential as a therapeutic target. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic potential of TMAO as a supportive biomarker in dogs with chronic kidney disease (CKD). To assess its diagnostic utility, TMAO concentrations were compared between a CKD group (n = 32) and a healthy control group (n = 32). In addition, patients with CKD were subdivided into stages 2 (n = 12), 3 (n = 11), and 4 (n = 9) and compared individually with the healthy controls. For prognostic evaluation, the CKD group was monitored over six months, and the TMAO levels were compared between survivors (n = 18) and non-survivors (n = 14). The TMAO concentrations showed a highly significant difference between patients with CKD and healthy controls (p < 0.0001). Patients with each different CKD stage exhibited statistically significant differences compared with the healthy controls (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the median TMAO levels tended to increase with advancing CKD stage; however, the differences among stages were not statistically significant. In addition, within the CKD group, TMAO concentrations were significantly higher in non-survivors than in survivors at the six-month follow-up (p = 0.0142). This pilot study highlights the potential of TMAO as a supportive renal biomarker for diagnostic and prognostic evaluation in canine CKD. Full article

This study investigates how root color in soybeans affects isoflavone composition, rhizosphere bacterial diversity, total phenolics, total flavonoids, and antioxidant activity under a hydroponic cultivation system. Notably, soybean-brown roots (SBRs) accumulated significantly higher contents of isoflavones, exhibiting approximately a 14.9-fold increase in total glycosides (141.75 to 2121.59 µg/g), 7.3-fold increase in total malonyl-β-glycosides (127.52 to 930.45 µg/g), 2.8-fold increase in total aglycones (1825.90 to 5145.21 µg/g), and 3.9-fold increase in total isoflavones (2095.16 to 8197.26 µg/g) than soybean-white roots (SWRs). Isolated rhizosphere bacteria profiling revealed γ-Proteobacteria as the predominant class in both root types, constituting 77.6% and 73.9% of the bacterial community in SWRs and SBRs, respectively. However, SBRs supported a more diverse bacterial ecosystem, harboring thirteen genera compared to only eight genera in SWRs. Enhanced total phenolics, total flavonoids, and radical scavenging activity were also associated with the SBRs. These findings shed light on the dynamic interplay between root traits, bacterial interactions, and secondary metabolite biosynthesis in hydroponically grown soybeans. This work not only advances our understanding of plant root–microbiome–metabolite relationships but also offers a novel approach to exploring the potential of enhancing secondary metabolites in soybean plants through precision cultivation. Full article

Motivation: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is characterized by torsional nystagmus induced by changes in head position, where accurate quantitative assessment of subtle torsional eye movements is essential for precise diagnosis. Conventional videonystagmography (VNG) techniques face challenges in accurately capturing the rotational components of pupil movements, and existing automated methods typically exhibit limited performance in identifying torsional nystagmus. Methodology: The objective of this study was to develop an automated system capable of accurately and quantitatively detecting torsional nystagmus. We introduce the Torsion Transformer model, designed to directly estimate torsion angles from iris images. This model employs a self-supervised learning framework comprising two main components: a Decoder module, which learns rotational transformations from image data, and a Finder module, which subsequently estimates the torsion angle. The resulting torsion angle data, represented as time-series, are then analyzed using a 1-dimensional convolutional neural network (1D-CNN) classifier to detect the presence of nystagmus. The performance of the proposed method was evaluated using video recordings from 127 patients diagnosed with BPPV. Findings: Our Torsion Transformer model demonstrated robust performance, achieving a sensitivity of 89.99%, specificity of 86.36%, an F1-score of 88.82%, and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 87.93%. These results indicate that the proposed model effectively quantifies torsional nystagmus, with performance levels comparable to established methods for detecting horizontal and vertical nystagmus. Thus, the Torsion Transformer shows considerable promise as a clinical decision support tool in the diagnosis of BPPV. Key Findings: Technical performance improvement in torsional nystagmus detection; System to support clinical decision-making for healthcare professionals. Full article

Background: Alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) is widely used in clinical practice to prevent horizontal and vertical bone loss following tooth extraction. Conventional ARP uses a single coverage material with bone graft materials on a simple tooth extraction site. The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of a new double-layer ARP technique that additionally covers a collagen matrix at the top position, especially on the periodontally collapsed region following tooth extraction. Methods: In a clinical study process comparing our newly attempted ARP with the widely used conventional ARP, we discovered the clinical efficacy of our new ARP for specially selected cases. Because the extraction socket wall had collapsed and the entire ridge needed to be reconstructed, this procedure should be described as alveolar ridge augmentation. Results: Additional coverage of the collagen matrix protected the internal bone grafting and promoted external soft tissue regeneration and healing in sample cases. Conclusions: In conclusion, our procedure promotes the new generation of hard and soft tissues. It is particularly effective in regions requiring flapped surgery, such as areas with periodontal disease, long-span areas requiring multiple tooth extractions, and areas in which there is wide destruction of hard and soft tissues. Through this proof-of-concept case study, we aimed to standardize and evaluate this unprecedented surgical technique. Full article

SHEDs have demonstrated significant potential in cell therapy due to their superior proliferation rate, self-renewal and differentiation capacity (particularly neurogenesis attributed to their neural crest origin), and the less invasive procedure required for tissue collection compared to other stem cells. However, there is no established criterion to verify the minimum qualification to select one from numerous candidates, especially for SHEDs’ cultured FBS-free medium for clinic application. For that, we performed a characteristic analysis containing the growth rate, colony-forming unit (CFU) number, average colony size, and migration capacity with hPL-cultured SHEDs from 21 different donors, and we suggest the result as a minimum standard to filter out unqualified candidates. In addition, in the secretome analysis to predict the paracrine effect, it was found that upregulated proteins compared to the control were related to angiogenesis, immune response, and BMP signaling, and this was found to have a strong correlation only with protein concentration. This study presents a minimum standard for selecting cell therapy candidates and suggests the protein concentration of a conditioned medium as a cost-effective tool to expect the paracrine effect of SHEDs. Full article

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infections have increased in humans, animals, and the food industry, with ready-to-eat (RTE) food products being particularly susceptible to contamination. The prevalence of multidrug-resistant strains has rendered the current control strategies insufficient to effectively control STEC infections. Herein, we characterized the newly isolated STEC phage vB_ESM-pEJ01, a polyvalent phage capable of infecting Escherichia and Salmonella species, and assessed its efficacy in reducing STEC in vitro and food matrices. The phage, belonging to the Tevenvirinae, exhibits effective bacteriolytic activity, a short latent period, large burst size, and stability under a broad pH range and moderate temperatures. Moreover, the phage demonstrated strong anti-biofilm efficacy even at low concentrations. Genomic analysis revealed that the phage was similar to the well-characterized RB49 phage (T4-like phage) but possesses distinct host-specificity-related genes that potentially contribute to its extensive host range. The efficacy of phage vB_ESM-pEJ01 was evaluated in artificially STEC-inoculated green juice samples, where it significantly reduced STEC and the abundance of Shiga toxin-producing genes at 4 and 25 °C. Therefore, these results suggest that the polyvalent phage vB_ESM-pEJ01 is a promising biocontrol agent for foodborne pathogens in RTE foods such as fresh juices. Full article

Vibration testing is crucial for understanding structural dynamics, yet conventional modeling of bolt connections often leads to significant inaccuracies. This study systematically compares six bolt connection methods—bonded, adaptive bonded, joint, beam, screw, and fixed bolt—using a finite element analysis of a headlamp vibration test jig. The six bolt connection methods were selected based on approaches adopted in previous studies. The experimental results identified the joint connection method as the most accurate, minimizing deviations in natural frequency to 7.6 Hz compared to experimental tests at 493.2 Hz, while bonded methods overestimated the frequency at 544.1 Hz due to excessive stiffness assumptions. Efficiency analyses highlighted bonded methods as the most computationally streamlined, offering preprocessing times as short as 30 s and shorter overall analysis times. These findings emphasize the importance of selecting appropriate bolt connection methods in the early design phase to ensure accurate natural frequency predictions and mode shape representations. Although this study does not consider bolt preload forces, the work shows the possibility of offering practical guidelines for improving the reliability and efficiency of vibration test jig designs by bridging the gap between analysis and experimental results. Full article

A novel water-soluble root canal filling material based on sodium iodide (NaI) has been developed to overcome the limitations of existing iodine-based formulations. However, the biological stability of this approach in animal studies remains unverified. This study evaluated the biocompatibility of NaI compared to commercial root canal filling materials (Calcipex II and Vitapex^®) in pulpectomized canine teeth to assess its clinical applicability. Following a four-week observation period, none of the experimental groups exhibited tooth mobility or fistula formation. Radiographic and micro-CT analyses revealed no radiolucency in periapical lesions. Histopathologic evaluation demonstrated the absence of inflammatory responses in periapical regions across all material groups, with histological inflammation scoring 0. High-magnification histological examination of periapical areas showed well-preserved periodontal ligament tissue in all groups. Despite certain limitations of NaI-based fillings in the pulp cavity, including loss of radiopacity and tooth discoloration, NaI demonstrates potential as a safe and effective alternative for pulp filling material, particularly due to its minimal risk of root resorption and inflammatory response. Full article

Background/Objectives: Myeloid neoplasms encompass a diverse group of disorders. In this study, we aimed to analyze the clinical and genomic data of patients with myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN), myelodysplastic neoplasm (MDS), and their overlapping conditions, such as MDS/MPN and aplastic anemia (AA), to help redefine the disease classification. Methods: Clinico-genomic data of 1585 patients diagnosed with MPN (n = 715), MDS (n = 698), MDS/MPN (n = 78), and AA (n = 94) were collected. Patterns of 53 recurrent genomic abnormalities were compartmentalized into 10 groups using a Dirichlet process (DP). Results: These genomic groups were correlated with specific genomic features, survival outcomes, and disease subtypes. Groups DP1 and DP5, characterized by JAK2 and CALR mutations, respectively, showed very favorable prognoses among the patients with MPN. Groups DP2, DP7, and DP9 demonstrated very adverse prognoses across the disease subtypes. DP2 included patients with MDS harboring TP53 mutations and complex karyotypes; DP9 comprised patients with acute myeloid leukemia-related mutations, including NPM1; and DP7 included patients with SETBP1 mutations. Groups DP10 and DP8, linked to SF3B1 and DDX41 mutations or chromosome 1q derivatives, presented a favorable risk profile. Improved survival was observed with transplantation in groups DP2, DP7, and DP9. Conclusions: These findings highlight the role of genomic classifications in guiding personalized treatment strategies, ultimately enhancing the understanding and management of myeloid neoplasms. Full article

In recent years, assistive technology usage among the visually impaired has risen significantly worldwide. While traditional aids like guide dogs and white canes have limitations, recent innovations like RFID-based indoor navigation systems and alternative sensory solutions show promise. Nevertheless, there is a need for a user-friendly, comprehensive system to address spatial orientation challenges for the visually impaired. This research addresses the significance of developing a deep learning-based walking assistance device for visually impaired individuals to enhance their safety during mobility. The proposed system utilizes real-time ultrasonic sensors attached to a cane to detect obstacles, thus reducing collision risks. It further offers real-time recognition and analysis of diverse obstacles, providing immediate feedback to the user. A camera distinguishes obstacle types and conveys relevant information through voice assistance. The system’s efficacy was confirmed with a 90–98% object recognition rate in tests involving various obstacles. This research holds importance in providing safe mobility, promoting independence, leveraging modern technology, and fostering social inclusion for visually impaired individuals. Full article

The skin is an essential organ that protects the body from external aggressions; therefore, damage from various wounds can significantly impair its function, and effective methods for regenerating and restoring its barrier function are crucial. This study aimed to mass-produce wound-healing exosomes using a fragment of the fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2)-derived peptide (FP2) to enhance cell proliferation and exosome production. Our experiments demonstrated increased cell proliferation when Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJ MSCs) were coated with FP2. Exosomes from FP2-coated WJ MSCs were analyzed using nanoparticle-tracking analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and Western blotting. Subsequently, fibroblasts were treated with these exosomes, and their viability and migration effects were compared. Anti-inflammatory effects were also evaluated by inducing pro-inflammatory factors in RAW264.7 cells. The treatment of fibroblasts with FP2-coated WJ MSC-derived exosomes (FP2-exo) increased the expression of FGF2, confirming their wound-healing effect in vivo. Overall, the results of this study highlight the significant impact of FP2 on the proliferation of WJ MSCs and the anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effects of exosomes, suggesting potential applications beyond wound healing. Full article

In this study, the nutrients, phytochemicals (including isoflavone and ginsenoside derivatives), and antioxidant activities of cheonggukjang with different ratios (0%, 2.5%, 5%, and 10%) of mountain-cultivated ginseng (MCG) were compared and analyzed using microorganisms isolated from traditional cheonggukjang. The IDCK 30 and IDCK 40 strains were confirmed as Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis, respectively, based on morphological, biological, biochemical, and molecular genetic identification, as well as cell wall fatty acid composition. The contents of amino acids and fatty acids showed no significant difference in relation to the ratio of MCG. After fermentation, isoflavone glycoside (such as daidzin, glycitin, and genistin) contents decreased, while aglycone (daidzein, glycitein, and genistein) contents increased. However, total ginsenoside contents were higher according to the ratio of MCG. After fermentation, ginsenoside Rg2, F2, and protopanaxadiol contents of cheonggukjang decreased. Conversely, ginsenoside Rg3 (2.5%: 56.51 → 89.43 μg/g, 5.0%: 65.56 → 94.71 μg/g, and 10%: 96.05 → 166.90 μg/g) and compound K (2.5%: 28.54 → 69.43 μg/g, 5.0%: 41.63 → 150.72 μg/g, and 10%: 96.23 → 231.33 μg/g) increased. The total phenolic and total flavonoid contents were higher with increasing ratios of MCG and fermentation (fermented cheonggukjang with 10% MCG: 13.60 GAE and 1.87 RE mg/g). Additionally, radical scavenging activities and ferric reducing/antioxidant power were significantly increased in fermented cheonggukjang. This study demonstrates that the quality of cheonggukjang improved, and cheonggukjang with MCG as natural antioxidants may be useful in food and pharmaceutical applications. Full article

Designing drilling mud rheology is a complex task, particularly when it comes to preventing filter cakes from obstructing formation pores and making sure they can be easily decomposed using breakers. Incorporating both multiphysics and data-driven numerical simulations into the design of mud rheology experiments creates an additional challenge due to their symmetrical integration. In this computational intelligence study, we introduced numerical validation techniques using 498 available datasets from mud rheology and images from filter cakes. The goal was to symmetrically predict flow, maximize filtration volume, monitor void spaces, and evaluate formation damage occurrences. A neural-objective and image optimization approach to drilling mud rheology automation was employed using an artificial neural network feedforward (ANN-FF) function, a non-ANN-FF function, an image processing tool, and an objective optimization tool. These methods utilized the Google TensorFlow Sequential API-DNN architecture, MATLAB-nftool, the MATLAB-image processing tool, and a single-objective optimization algorithm. However, the analysis emanating from the ANN-FF and non-ANN-FF (with neurons of 10, 12, and 18) indicated that, unlike non-ANN-FF, ANN-FF obtained the highest correlation coefficient of 0.96–0.99. Also, the analysis of SBM and OBM image processing revealed a total void area of 1790 M µm² and 1739 M µm², respectively. Both SBM and OBM exhibited notable porosity and permeability that contributed to the enhancement of the flow index. Nonetheless, this study did reveal that the experimental-informed single objective analysis impeded the filtration volume; hence, it demonstrated potential formation damage. It is, therefore, consistent to note that automating flow predictions from mud rheology and filter cakes present an alternative intelligence method for non-programmers to optimize drilling productive time. Full article

Background and Objectives: We hypothesized that an individual’s personality traits would have an impact on the distress of subjective tinnitus. To investigate this, 32 participants were recruited; we followed up with this cohort. This study is a cross-sectional analysis of a part of this cohort, identifying how their personality traits make a difference in the severity of tinnitus distress. Materials and Methods: Thirty-two participants completed a personality test based on the Big Five theory, consisting of 160 items. Additionally, the severity of tinnitus was assessed using the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), and the accompanying level of depression was measured using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Audiometry tests, including pure-tone audiometry, were also conducted. Participants were categorized into the ‘mild group’ if their total THI score was 36 or below, and into the ‘severe group’ if their score was 38 or above. Results: In the traditional five domains of the Big Five Inventory (Openness, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Neuroticism), only the ‘Neuroticism’ domain showed a difference between the two groups (25.1 ± 21.0 in the mild group and 43.1 ± 18.2 in the severe group, p = 0.014). Among ego-related factors, the ‘Helplessness’ domain (26.3 ± 22.9 in the mild group and 62.3 ± 27.9 in the severe group, p < 0.001) and the communication-related factor of ‘Listening’ (58.7 ± 18.8 in the mild group and 37.8 ± 27.9 in the severe group, p = 0.020) showed differences between the two groups. In the multivariate analysis, ‘Helplessness’ (estimate 0.419, 95% confidence interval 0.249–0.589, p < 0.001), ‘Emotional Trauma’ (0.213, 0.020–0.406, p = 0.032), and ‘Pure-tone threshold at 2000 Hz’ (0.944, 0.477–1.411, p < 0.001) were identified as factors influencing the severity of tinnitus distress. Conclusions: Ego-related factors, particularly Helplessness and Emotional Trauma, can influence tinnitus distress and should be considered in the management of tinnitus. Full article