Saved Queries

by Ana G. Castillo-Olmos, Abigail Varela-Pérez, Hugo S. García-Galindo, Joaquín A. Quiroz-Mercado, Kimberly Castañeda-Gutiérrez, Carlos Amero, Enrique Rudiño-Piñera, Mizraim Morales-Mendoza and Cynthia Cano-Sarmiento

Biomolecules 2026, 16(8), 1166; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom16081166 (registering DOI) - 11 Aug 2026

Abstract

Cataracts are the leading cause of reversible blindness worldwide; this condition results from the aggregation of lens proteins. Currently, surgery remains the only treatment; however, there is growing interest in non-surgical approaches, including the use of bioactive compounds incorporated into nanostructured systems designed to enhance solubility, enable controlled release, and improve bioavailability and bioactivity. Among the bioactive compounds investigated, curcumin has attracted considerable attention due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, positioning it as a potential anticataractogenic agent. In the present study, curcumin-loaded nanoemulsion was developed via ultrasonication and characterized by average particle size, D90 percentile, ζ potential, and rheological behavior. In addition, its anti-cataract efficacy was evaluated both using an in vivo model in rats and an ex vivo model employing human cataract samples. The resulting curcumin-loaded nanoemulsion exhibited an average particle size of 152 ± 19.79 nm with a monomodal distribution, along with good physical stability over time. The nanoemulsion exhibited apparent viscosity between 30 and 25 mPa·s, at shear rate values (100 to 0 s⁻¹), indicating slight shear-thinning behavior. Regarding the effect on cataracts, in the in vivo model, cataract reversal was observed. Furthermore, ex vivo isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) analyses indicated exothermic heat exchange between the curcumin nanoemulsions and cataract fragments, consistent with binding interactions occurring within lens components, likely involving crystallin proteins. These findings provide biophysical and in vivo evidence that intravitreally administered curcumin-loaded nanoemulsions not only prevent but actively reverse lens opacity, positioning them as a promising non-surgical therapeutic approach for cataract treatment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Natural and Bio-derived Molecules)

►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

17 pages, 290 KB

Open AccessArticle

Basic Psychological Needs, Motivation, and Physical Self-Concept Among Preadolescents in Extracurricular Sports

by Marta Prado-Botana, Miriam Carretero-García, Lara Varela-Garrote and Raúl Fraguela-Vale

Youth 2026, 6(3), 113; https://doi.org/10.3390/youth6030113 (registering DOI) - 11 Aug 2026

Abstract

This study examines the extent to which participation in extracurricular sport activities (ESA) satisfies basic psychological needs (BPN) and the type of motivation generated in pre-adolescents (aged 9–12). A quantitative, cross-sectional and correlational study was conducted with 158 participants in sport activities (62 girls [39.2%] and 96 boys [60.8%]) from A Coruña, Spain, using three validated scales (Basic Psychological Needs in Exercise Scale, Perceived Locus Of Causality and Self-concept Form 5). The results indicated high scores for physical self-concept (PSC), as well as in the needs for competence and relatedness, while the need for autonomy was moderate. Autonomous motivations (intrinsic and identified) predominated over controlled ones and amotivation. Positive correlations were found between BPN satisfaction, PSC, and autonomous motivation, while the need for autonomy correlated negatively with amotivation. No gender differences were found in BPN or PSC; however, boys exhibited significantly higher levels of identified, introjected, and external regulations. Multiple regression analyses confirmed that these motivational differences were due to gender and not the type of sport practised. In conclusion, although ESA foster high PSC and autonomous motivation, there is a need to improve methodology and design programs that satisfy the need for autonomy to curb female dropout rates. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Leisure and Youth Development: Self-Management, Contexts, Perception of Guaranteed Rights and Wellbeing)

20 pages, 25861 KB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of La Geria-Inspired Microstructures (LGMs) on the Corrosion Behavior of Super Duplex Stainless Steel in Seawater and Desalination Brine Environments

by Juan Carlos Lozano-Medina, Cristina Jiménez-Marcos, Amparo Verdu-Vazquez and Julia Claudia Mirza-Rosca

Eng 2026, 7(8), 404; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng7080404 (registering DOI) - 11 Aug 2026

Abstract

Super duplex stainless steels are widely used in seawater desalination plants due to their high mechanical strength and excellent corrosion resistance in chloride-rich environments. However, during reverse osmosis processes, the salinity of the reject stream increases progressively, generating concentrated brines with concentrations close to 7 wt.% NaCl, which represent a chloride-rich service environment that may affect passive film stability and promote localized corrosion. This study investigates the effect of novel La Geria-inspired microstructures (LGMs) generated by laser surface texturing on the microstructure, microhardness, and electrochemical behavior of UNS S32750 super duplex stainless steel in 3.5 wt.% and 7.0 wt.% NaCl solutions, simulating seawater and concentrated desalination brine. Electrochemical results show that textured surfaces exhibit improved corrosion resistance, with more stable corrosion potentials, lower corrosion current densities, and higher impedance values. Microhardness measurements revealed a homogeneous mechanical response, confirming that laser texturing does not alter the mechanical integrity of the material. Microstructural observations showed reduced surface degradation and improved preservation of the duplex ferrite–austenite structure in textured samples after exposure to chloride solutions. These findings demonstrate that biomimetic laser surface texturing enhances corrosion resistance by modifying interfacial conditions and stabilizing the passive film, providing experimental evidence of the beneficial effect of LGMs in aggressive desalination environments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Metal Surface Engineering: Enhancing Durability, Performance, and Sustainability)

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 754 KB

Open AccessArticle

Modelling Health Benefits from COVID-19 Produced Cleaner Air in India’s Megacities

by Ankita S. Achanta, Ther W. Aung and Kevin Joshi

Air 2026, 4(3), 17; https://doi.org/10.3390/air4030017 (registering DOI) - 11 Aug 2026

Abstract

India has one of the highest public health burdens attributable to air pollution globally. Despite national air quality regulations and control policies, improvements in air quality have been limited, restricting opportunities to evaluate the health benefits of cleaner air under real-world conditions. COVID-19 lockdowns substantially reduced air pollution in India’s megacities, creating a natural experiment for assessing pollution-attributable health benefits. Using ambient PM_2.5 concentration data from United States Embassy and Consulate monitors in Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, and New Delhi during the 2020 and 2021 lockdowns, and World Health Organization AirQ+ software, we estimated the short- and long-term health benefits of maintaining lockdown-related improvements in air quality. PM_2.5 reductions ranging from 28–77% during the first lockdown, if sustained long term, would lead to about 42,778 fewer premature deaths in the short term and 132,000 fewer annual avoidable deaths from all causes under the modeled scenario across the five cities. We also estimated annual reductions of 11,100 deaths from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 3900 from lung cancer, 5500 from ischaemic heart disease, 3900 from stroke, and 1240 from acute lower respiratory infection. These findings support stronger air quality standards, emission controls, and policy enforcement to reduce air pollution-related mortality in Indian megacities. Full article

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

9 pages, 591 KB

Open AccessProceeding Paper

Techno-Economic Comparison of Carbon Capture Technologies with Exhaust Gas Recirculation in NGCC Power Plants

by Hulkar Abdusalomova, Azizbek Kamolov, Zafar Turakulov, Botir Usmonov, Qilichbek Safarov, Jaloliddin Eshbobaev, Sarvar Rejabov, Komil Usmanov, Yoldoshkhon Akramkhodjayev, Adham Norkobilov, Miroslav Variny and Marcos Fallanza

Eng. Proc. 2026, 147(1), 13; https://doi.org/10.3390/engproc2026147013 (registering DOI) - 11 Aug 2026

Abstract

Post-combustion amine absorption is the most mature CO₂ capture technology, while membrane separation is a promising alternative due to its modularity and operational simplicity. Process intensification through exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) has also gained attention for increasing flue gas CO₂ concentration and reducing capture energy demand. However, comprehensive techno-economic comparisons of absorption, membrane, and hybrid systems under EGR-integrated NGCC conditions remain limited. This study presents a techno-economic assessment of multiple CO₂ capture configurations for a 450 MW NGCC power plant. Process simulations were performed using Aspen Plus and Aspen Custom Modeler to evaluate absorption, membrane, and hybrid systems integrated with conventional and selective EGR. The analysis considers full steam cycle integration and compares energy consumption, net plant efficiency, levelized cost of electricity (LCOE), and CO₂ avoidance cost. The results show that EGR significantly improves carbon capture performance. Among all cases, selective EGR combined with amine absorption delivers the best performance, reducing the energy penalty by more than 30% compared with standalone absorption and by over 70% relative to membrane separation. This configuration achieves an LCOE of approximately 72 USD/MWh and a CO₂ avoidance cost of about 39 USD/tCO₂, outperforming the selective EGR–membrane system (77 USD/MWh and 51 USD/tCO₂). These findings demonstrate that integrating selective EGR with amine absorption is a highly promising strategy for improving the technical and economic feasibility of CCSU in NGCC power plants. Full article

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

24 pages, 2849 KB

Open AccessReview

Impact of Chronic Non-Cancer Pain on Daily Life in Older Adults: A Scoping Review

by Ana Crespo-Pérez, Elvira Suárez-Casado, Juan Manuel Fernández-Sarmiento and Rocío Cáceres-Matos

J. Gerontol. Geriatr. 2026, 74(3), 28; https://doi.org/10.3390/jgg74030028 (registering DOI) - 11 Aug 2026

Abstract

Chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) is a complex and highly prevalent condition among older adults that contributes to suffering and disability. It is frequently underestimated and normalized as part of aging. This scoping review aimed to identify and describe the consequences of CNCP on the daily lives of older adults. A scoping review was conducted following the Arksey and O’Malley framework and the PRISMA-ScR reporting guidelines. Searches were performed in five databases (CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and PubMed) and in grey literature between January and February 2026. The protocol was registered in the Open Science Framework (OSF). The level of evidence was appraised using the Center for Evidence-Based Medicine criteria. Forty-four articles were included that met the established inclusion criteria. CNCP exerted a multidimensional negative impact. Physically, it was associated with increased frailty, higher risk of falls, and disability in activities of daily living. Psychologically, it correlated with anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances. Socially, it contributed to isolation and created financial barriers that limited access to health services. CNCP represents a critical barrier to older adults’ wellbeing. Nursing should prioritize early detection and avoid the normalization of pain in clinical practice. Knowledge gaps remain regarding gender perspectives and mental health outcomes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Longevity)

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

26 pages, 1098 KB

Open AccessArticle

Preparing Future Social Educators for Artificial Intelligence: Perceived Use, Self-Reported Learning Competencies, and Professional Knowledge Requirements

by Pedro Alemán Ramos and Paula Morales Almeida

Educ. Sci. 2026, 16(8), 1281; https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci16081281 - 11 Aug 2026

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming higher education, requiring universities to prepare graduates who can use these technologies critically, ethically, and responsibly. However, socially oriented professions remain comparatively underexplored. This study examined preparedness for AI-mediated professional practice among Social Education students through a convergent mixed-methods design integrating perceived AI use, self-reported learning competencies, and professional knowledge requirements. Participants were 49 undergraduate students enrolled in a Social Education degree programme. Quantitative data were collected using a single self-report item assessing perceived AI use and the abbreviated Basic Learning Competencies Scale (COMPES), while qualitative data were obtained through an open-ended question analysed using the Reinert method with IRAMUTEQ. Participants predominantly reported low to moderate perceived AI use. The association between perceived AI use and the overall COMPES score was small and imprecise, r = 0.16, 95% CI [−0.13, 0.42], precluding firm conclusions. Lexical analysis identified six classes that reflected practical applications, professional knowledge, educational considerations, and ethical concerns related to AI-mediated socioeducational practice. The findings suggest that preparedness for AI-mediated practice may involve perceived AI use, self-reported learning competencies, ethical-professional judgement, and professional knowledge requirements. The study provides a preliminary integrative interpretation with implications for curriculum development in Social Education. Full article

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

24 pages, 17316 KB

Open AccessArticle

Integration of AI-Based Weed Detection and Robotic Actuation for Site-Specific Under-Canopy Spraying in Woody Crops

by Luis Sánchez-Fernández, Alessia Nizzoli, María Barrera-Báez, Orly Enrique Apolo-Apolo and Manuel Pérez-Ruiz

Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(16), 7982; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16167982 - 11 Aug 2026

Abstract

Weed management in woody perennial crops relies mainly on broadcast herbicide application, with well-documented costs to soil health, biodiversity, and crop physiology. Robotic platforms offer a path toward selective, site-specific control, but orchard environments present challenges such as irregular geometries, trunks, and strong illumination variability under the canopy that have limited fully integrated solutions. This work presents an autonomous robotic platform for selective under-canopy weed control in woody crops, combining multi-sensor perception, a six-degree-of-freedom robotic arm with a mechanical trunk-avoidance mechanism, and a precision spraying module with independently controlled nozzles. A weed image dataset tailored to Mediterranean orchard conditions was built from controlled-cultivation and commercial-orchard imagery under a two-phase training strategy, and the platform was evaluated in a commercial almond orchard in southern Spain. Field trials confirmed the platform’s ability to avoid tree trunks (presenting an average of 1.28% coverage near the tree trunks) and spray only selected targets under typical orchard operation but weed detection accuracy dropped substantially between winter conditions (mAP@0.5 = 93.5%) and summer conditions (mAP@0.5 = 47.8%), with uneven canopy lighting identified as the main cause. These results confirm the technical feasibility of integrating perception, navigation, and actuation into a single autonomous platform, while highlighting robust perception under canopy-induced illumination heterogeneity and tighter perception–navigation integration as the main remaining challenges. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Engineering Technologies for the Agri-Food Sector, 2nd Edition)

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

40 pages, 604 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Composite Quality Index and Multi-Criteria Decision-Support Framework for Evaluating Complaint Resolution Performance of Express Delivery Operators

by Nikola Knežević, Mladenka Blagojević, Aleksandar Čupić, Dragan Lazarević and Momčilo Dobrodolac

Future Transp. 2026, 6(4), 167; https://doi.org/10.3390/futuretransp6040167 - 11 Aug 2026

Abstract

The rapid expansion of the express delivery sector, driven by the growth of e-commerce, has increased the importance of effective complaint management as an integral component of service quality and consumer protection. Although operational service performance and complaint handling have been widely investigated, existing studies have generally assessed these dimensions separately, leaving a gap in integrated performance evaluation. This study proposes a comprehensive decision-support framework for evaluating complaint resolution performance of express delivery operators by integrating Service Failure Indicators (SFI), Complaint Resolution Indicators (CRI), an Entropy-based Composite Quality Index (CQI), and the MARCOS multi-criteria decision-making method. The proposed framework combines objective operational and complaint-related performance indicators within a unified evaluation model. The CQI is constructed by aggregating three complaint resolution indicators using objectively determined Entropy weights, while the MARCOS method is applied to rank operators according to both operational performance and complaint resolution effectiveness. The applicability of the framework is demonstrated through a case study involving five major express delivery operators in the Republic of Serbia using regulatory operational data. The results reveal meaningful differences in operator performance and show that integrating operational service failures with complaint resolution effectiveness provides a more comprehensive evaluation than evaluating either dimension independently. The proposed framework contributes to the literature by integrating operational service quality evaluation, complaint resolution performance, composite quality measurement, and multi-criteria decision-making into a unified evaluation framework. Furthermore, it provides an objective benchmarking tool that can support regulatory oversight, managerial decision-making, and continuous quality improvement in the express delivery sector. Full article

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 1944 KB

Open AccessArticle

Real-World Germline Testing Patterns and Clinical Implications of HRR-Associated Germline Variants in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

by Carmen Blanco Abad, Diego Casas Deza, Fátima Mocha Campillo, Natalia Pascual de la Fuente, Sofía Elena Ruffini Egea, Luis Gallart Caballero, Cristina Serrano Delgado, Carlos Alfonso Rivas Molina, María Dolores Miramar Gallart, María José Agustín Ferrández, Paula Gomila Pons, Sara Elena Campos Ramírez, Marta Gascón Ruiz, Eduardo Polo Marques and Roberto Antonio Pazo Cid

Cancers 2026, 18(16), 2580; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18162580 - 11 Aug 2026

Abstract

Background and Aim: Germline testing (GT) is increasingly relevant in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) because of therapeutic and familial implications. We evaluated real-world GT uptake, the diagnostic yield of pathogenic/likely pathogenic germline variants (P/LP), and their clinical implications. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 674 consecutive patients with PDAC. GT was performed using targeted single-gene testing or multigene panels. Survival analyses among patients receiving platinum-based chemotherapy according to P/LP germline variant status in HRR-associated genes were exploratory. Results: Overall, 28.9% of patients underwent GT, increasing to 45.9% in 2021–2025 (p < 0.001). Results were available for 194 patients; 28 (14.4%) harbored P/LP variants, most commonly BRCA2 (4.6%) and ATM (3.1%). P/LP variants were identified in 6.8% of patients who did not meet classical referral criteria. Among the 28 carriers, 12 (42.9%) harbored BRCA1/2 or PALB2, variants with established therapeutic relevance, while eight (28.6%) carried ATM, FANCA, or FANCM, variants with potential therapeutic relevance. Of these 20 patients, 11 (55.0%) received matched therapy, and treatment was modified because of the germline result in six (30.0%). In exploratory analyses, among platinum-treated patients, carriers of P/LP germline variants in HRR-associated genes had longer PFS than non-carriers (23.9 vs. 4.8 months; log-rank p = 0.017), although only six HRR-associated variant carriers were included in this platinum-treated survival analysis. Conclusions: GT remained underused despite increasing implementation. Early systematic GT may identify clinically relevant variants missed by selective referral strategies and inform treatment, genetic counseling, and cascade testing. Survival findings require prospective validation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Targeted Therapy in Gastrointestinal Cancer (2nd Edition))

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 2459 KB

Open AccessArticle

Acute Effects of Forefoot Wedges on Concentric Power Output During Loaded Back Squats in Elite Female Handball Players: A Randomized Crossover Study

by Álvaro Gómez-del Pino, Laura Carrasco-Fernández, Javier Benítez-Porres, Gabriel Gijón-Noguerón, Joaquín Páez-Moguer and Manuel García-Sillero

Sports 2026, 14(8), 347; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports14080347 - 11 Aug 2026

Abstract

The foot’s windlass mechanism (WM), engaged by hallux dorsiflexion, is a key determinant of lower-limb propulsive efficiency in explosive sports. This randomized within-subjects crossover study examined whether forefoot wedges of varying angulation, intended to facilitate the windlass mechanism, with or without real-time visual biofeedback, modify concentric power output during loaded back squats in elite female handball players. Seventeen professional athletes performed 3 × 3 back squats at 65% one-repetition maximum under six randomized conditions: three wedge angles (0°, 10°, and 30°) × biofeedback (present or absent). Peak concentric power (W) was the primary outcome; secondary outcomes included relative peak power (W·kg⁻¹), concentric force (N), and concentric velocity (m·s⁻¹), all recorded using dual force plates. The pre-specified two-way (3 × 2) repeated-measures ANOVA showed no significant main effects of wedge angle or biofeedback and no significant interaction for peak concentric power (all p > 0.05). A complementary exploratory Friedman analysis indicated an overall condition effect (χ² = 14.01, p = 0.016; Kendall’s W = 0.165), with the highest descriptive values observed for the 30° wedge without biofeedback. However, pairwise comparisons did not remain significant after correction and did not isolate an independent wedge effect. Taken together, these findings are exploratory and hypothesis-generating and do not confirm that forefoot wedging acutely enhances power output in this population. Larger, pre-registered trials with direct biomechanical verification of windlass activation and longer-term performance outcomes are needed before specific wedge-based applications can be recommended in elite handball practice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Strength, Power Responses and Adaptations to Resistance Training)

►▼ Show Figures

Graphical abstract

25 pages, 3732 KB

Open AccessArticle

Cost–Benefit Evaluation in Sustainable E-Commerce: Associations of eWOM with Purchase Intention and Self-Reported Expenditure

by Manuel Jesús Sánchez-González, Sergio Nieves-Pavón and Natalia López-Mosquera

Sustainability 2026, 18(16), 8199; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18168199 - 11 Aug 2026

Abstract

Sustainable e-commerce has become increasingly relevant, although the mechanisms through which online reviews are associated with purchase intention and consumers’ economic engagement require more precise explanation. This study examines a cross-sectional model in which positive and negative eWOM are associated with the cost–benefit assessment of sustainable online purchasing, and this assessment is related to purchase intention and the level of self-reported annual expenditure. The proposed model integrates Signalling Theory and Social Exchange Theory. Covariance-based structural equation modelling was used to analyse data from 520 consumers in Extremadura (Spain) with prior experience of sustainable online purchasing. Positive eWOM was associated with greater perceived benefits, while negative eWOM was associated with greater perceived costs. Benefits were positively related to intention, whereas costs were negatively related to it. Intention showed a positive association with higher expenditure categories, which was additionally tested using ordinal logistic regression. The findings show how eWOM valence is linked to distinct components of exchange assessment. Given the cross-sectional and self-reported nature of the data, the relationships should not be interpreted as causal or as a temporal conversion of current intention into expenditure reported for the preceding twelve months. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Eco-Friendly E-Commerce: Empowering Purchase Intentions for Sustainable Growth—2nd Edition)

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 1149 KB

Open AccessReview

The Prorenin Receptor: Multitasking Its Way Through Cardiovascular, Metabolic and Renal Diseases

by Andrea S. Marrero-Bras, Sarah E. Thomas, Joshua D. Parquet, Zoe Vallotton, Bolu Adewale, Brianna Crabtree and Minolfa C. Prieto

Receptors 2026, 5(3), 26; https://doi.org/10.3390/receptors5030026 - 11 Aug 2026

Abstract

The renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) is a fundamental regulator of blood pressure, electrolyte balance, fluid homeostasis, and tissue remodeling. The discovery of the prorenin receptor (PRR), the protein encoded by the ATP6AP2 gene, has substantially expanded the classical RAAS paradigm by demonstrating that prorenin possesses biological activity beyond its proteolytic conversion to renin. Binding of renin or prorenin to PRR enhances local angiotensin II (Ang II) generation while simultaneously initiating Ang II-independent intracellular signaling pathways, including ERK1/2, mitogen-activated protein kinases, PI3K/Akt, transforming growth factor-β, and nuclear factor-κB, thereby promoting inflammation, oxidative stress, fibrosis, cellular proliferation, and extracellular matrix accumulation. Beyond its receptor function, PRR serves as an essential accessory component of the vacuolar H+-ATPase (V-ATPase) complex, regulating vesicular acidification, lysosomal function, autophagy, protein trafficking, cellular metabolism, and Wnt/β-catenin signaling. These diverse functions explain its indispensable role in embryonic development, cell differentiation, and tissue homeostasis, as evidenced by the embryonic lethality associated with ATP6AP2 gene deficiency. PRR is predominantly localized to intracellular organelles, including the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, endosomes, lysosomes, and autophagic vesicles, although membrane-bound and soluble forms also contribute to physiological and pathological processes. Increasing evidence implies dysregulated PRR signaling in the development and progression of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, obesity, and other metabolic disorders. This review summarizes current advances in PRR and soluble PRR biology, discusses unresolved mechanistic and translational questions, and evaluates the potential of PRR as a biomarker and therapeutic target for cardiovascular, renal, and metabolic diseases. Full article

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 3238 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Lethal Pseudofilovirus Model in Ifnar1(-/-) Mice Using Recombinant Vesicular Stomatitis Viruses

by Anna V. Mamatkulova, Inna V. Shuliakova, Olga V. Zubkova, Dmitrii A. Reshetnikov, Anna A. Iliukhina, Ilya D. Zorkov, Daria M. Grousova, Daria M. Savina, Olga Popova, Denis I. Zrelkin, Polina P. Goldovskaya, Ekaterina G. Samokhvalova, Valentin V. Azizyan, Dmitry V. Shcheblyakov, Boris S. Naroditsky, Alexander L. Gintsburg and Denis Y. Logunov

Viruses 2026, 18(8), 878; https://doi.org/10.3390/v18080878 - 11 Aug 2026

Abstract

Filoviruses cause highly lethal infectious diseases with hemorrhagic symptoms and extremely high fatality rate (up to 90%). Although two vaccines against Ebola virus (EBOV) are licensed for application in endemic areas, vaccines against other filoviruses (SUDV, BDBV, MARV) are still at pre-clinical or clinical stages. The development of vaccines requires protective efficacy studies using animal models of infection. However, animal studies using wild-type filoviruses require maximum biosafety level (BSL-4), which hinders filoviral vaccine advancement. In this study, we developed a surrogate animal model of EBOV-, SUDV-, BDBV- and MARV- GP-mediated entry using Ifnar1-knockout (-/-) mice and recombinant vesicular stomatitis viruses (rVSVs), carrying a genetic sequence of filoviral glycoprotein (GP) and pseudotyped with correspondent GP. We showed that rVSV-EBOV-GP was 100% lethal for Ifnar1(-/-) mice after inoculation by multiple routes, and its active propagation was within 24 h post-infection. We performed dose-dependent lethality assessment in small groups to estimate median lethal doses for rVSV-EBOV-GP, rVSV-SUDV-GP, rVSV-BDBV-GP, rVSV-MARV-GP in Ifnar1-knockout mice and showed high viral load in liver and immune cell reservoirs. The developed models contribute to safe and effective research of filoviral vaccines and therapeutic antibodies under BSL-2 conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal Models in Emerging/Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases)

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

27 pages, 3384 KB

Open AccessArticle

Diagnostic Yield of Comprehensive Etiologic Evaluation in Young Adults with Ischemic Stroke: Toward a Phenotype-Driven Approach

by Aishah Ibrahim Albakr, Alia Alokley, Feras AlSulaiman, Mustafa Ahmed Alqarni, Saud A. Alnaaim, Ali Hafiz Alhashim, Mohammed Alshurem, Abrar J. Alwaheed, Safi G. Alqatari, Erum Sharif, Azra Zafar, Kawther Mohammed Hadhiah, Foziah Jabbar Alshamrani, Rizwana Shahid, Ammar S. Bukhamsin, Fahad Hammad F. Alrayes, Rahaf Marhoom Alsaadi and Farah Abdullah Alsaqr

J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(16), 6205; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15166205 - 11 Aug 2026

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Young-onset ischemic stroke shows substantial etiologic heterogeneity. However, the value and diagnostic yield of advanced cardiac and autoimmune evaluations in young adults remain uncertain. Methods: Patients aged 25–55 years admitted with acute ischemic stroke to King Fahd University Hospital in Saudi Arabia between January 2020 and December 2025 were included. Evaluation followed a multidisciplinary young-stroke pathway, incorporating neurovascular imaging, cardiac assessment, and targeted autoimmune and rheumatologic investigations. A Clinically Meaningful Diagnostic Yield (CMDY) was defined as a diagnostic finding that resulted in etiologic reclassification, management modification, or changes to secondary prevention strategy. Results: A total of 480 patients were included (median age, 40 years; 67.7% men). CMDY was observed in 200 (41.7%) patients. Among 79 patients initially classified as having embolic stroke of an undetermined source, 35 (44.3%) were assigned a determined etiologic mechanism following evaluation and follow-up. Patients with undetermined stroke etiology decreased from 16.5% after first-pass evaluation to 9.2% after diagnostic completion. Patent foramen ovale/atrial septal defect-associated stroke mechanisms were identified in 61 patients (12.7%), autoimmune/inflammatory stroke mechanisms in 26 patients (5.4%), and atrial fibrillation-related cardioembolic stroke in 18 patients (3.8%). Clinically relevant mechanisms were identified in 169 patients (35.2%) whose primary etiologic classification remained unchanged. Independent predictors of CMDY were hypertension, prior stroke or transient ischemic attack, multi-territory infarction, and cortical infarction. Conclusions: Etiologic evaluation yielded clinically meaningful findings in over two-fifths of young adults with ischemic stroke and influenced etiologic assessment, treatment, and secondary prevention. Diagnostic yield was greatest among patients with prior cerebrovascular events and cortical or multi-territory infarctions, supporting a selective, phenotype-driven approach that warrants prospective multicenter validation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ischemic Stroke: Diagnosis and Treatment)

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options Show export options

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Error

Oops... you haven't selected anything for export.

Displaying article 1-50 on page 1 of 2000.

Go to page 1 2 3 4 5

Search Results (179,031)

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI