Search Results (1,086)

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by alveolar bone loss driven by dysregulated immune responses. We previously showed that extracellular vesicles derived from retinoic acid-induced regulatory T lymphocytes (RA-Treg EVs) suppress pathogenic CD4⁺ T-lymphocyte responses and reduce alveolar bone loss during periodontitis. Herein, we investigated whether RA-Treg EVs also modulate macrophage and CD8⁺ T-lymphocyte responses during experimental periodontitis. Ligature-induced periodontitis was generated in mice, followed by local administration of RA-Treg EVs. Alveolar bone loss was analyzed by micro-computed tomography, and periodontal tissues and cervical lymph nodes were analyzed by flow cytometry to quantify antigen-presenting cells, macrophages, macrophage subsets, and CD8⁺ T lymphocytes. The direct effects of RA-Treg EVs on macrophage phenotype and CD8⁺ T-cell proliferation and activation were assessed in vitro. RA-Treg EV treatment attenuated alveolar bone loss and preserved trabecular microarchitecture. This effect was associated with reduced macrophage infiltration into periodontal tissues, modulation of macrophage polarization, and restoration of CD8⁺ T-cell abundance in periodontal tissues and draining cervical lymph nodes, without major changes in CD8⁺IFN-γ⁺ or CD8⁺RANKL⁺ cells. In vitro, RA-Treg EVs induced heterogeneous macrophage phenotypes distinct from the classical M1/M2 polarization states while markedly enhancing CD8⁺ T-cell proliferation and activation. These findings indicate that RA-Treg EVs preserve alveolar bone during experimental periodontitis while selectively modulating macrophage and CD8⁺ T-lymphocyte responses. Full article

High-plasticity clays (CH) are widely recognized in geotechnical engineering for their poor engineering behavior, including low shear strength, high compressibility, and swelling potential, yet their presence in infrastructure projects is often unavoidable. This study investigates a sustainable alternative to ordinary Portland cement (OPC) by evaluating the durability of soil–geopolymer mixtures (SGMs) incorporating quarry dust (QD), an industrial by-product from sand and gravel operations in the Philippines. Durability assessment was emphasized due to the country’s tropical climate, marked by alternating wet and dry seasons that may accelerate deterioration of stabilized soils. QD was activated using sodium silicate (SS) and sodium hydroxide (SH) and blended with CH to form SGMs. Index property tests were conducted to characterize raw materials and identify optimal mix proportions. After 28 days of curing, specimens were subjected to wetting–drying (WD) cycles consisting of 5 h of water submersion and 42 h of oven-drying at 70 °C. Mass loss and surface degradation were evaluated by brushing in accordance with ASTM procedures. The SGMs exhibited an average mass loss of 6.83% after 12 WD cycles, satisfying the Portland Cement Association (PCA) criterion of less than 7.00% for stabilized clays. These results demonstrate that QD-based geopolymers are a viable and sustainable stabilizer for CH soils in tropical environments. Full article

This study analyzes the combined effects of non-Newtonian rheology and electrostatics on the transient electroosmotic flow of Maxwell fluids in soft channels. The walls of the rigid channels are hydrophobic, ionically charged, and coated with a polyelectrolyte layer (PEL). This design is intended to regulate both the surface electric potential and the flow velocity. The mathematical model is based on modified Poisson–Boltzmann and momentum equations, which are solved numerically using a one-dimensional (1D) approach. The results indicate that high potentials, exceeding the Debye–Hückel limit, are achieved under conditions of thick polyelectrolyte layers, high surface charge density, and a higher concentration of fixed charges compared to the electrolyte ionic concentration. In this regime, steric effects increase the electric potential; however, this potential increase is limited by the formation of a Donnan potential. The hydrodynamic analysis demonstrates that the velocity magnitude is influenced not only by the wall potential but also by the spatial distribution of free charge density and electroosmotic force, which, in turn, are affected by steric effects. Additionally, changing the polarity and concentration of fixed charge in the PEL produces asymmetric flows, and while hydrodynamic slip enhances velocity, the drag parameter reduces it. Finally, the dimensionless parameters that control the time required to dampen the oscillatory flow induced by viscoelastic effects and reach steady-state are mainly the relaxation time, the drag parameter, the PEL thickness, and the electrokinetic parameter of the PEL, while the surface charge density and the external pressure gradient exert a comparatively minor influence. Full article

Water scarcity in Peru is increasingly shaped by competing sectoral demands, particularly between large-scale mining and agriculture. Both sectors rely heavily on limited freshwater resources in arid coastal and Andean basins, generating complex trade-offs between economic productivity, environmental sustainability, and social equity. This review synthesizes and critically evaluates current knowledge on water footprint (WF) dynamics within mining–agriculture systems, integrating hydrosocial theory, water–energy–food nexus thinking, and sustainability transition frameworks. Mining activities in Peru are characterized by high blue and grey water footprints, associated with intensive extraction processes and contamination risks, while agriculture exhibits diverse water footprints depending on crop type, irrigation efficiency, and climatic conditions. The interaction of these sectors creates hydrosocial conflicts driven by unequal water allocation, environmental degradation, and institutional fragmentation. This paper identifies key drivers of conflict and evaluates emerging pathways for sustainability transitions, including technological innovation, nature-based solutions, and participatory governance mechanisms. An integrative conceptual framework derived from a thematic synthesis of the reviewed literature is proposed. The findings provide actionable insights for policymakers and researchers seeking to reconcile economic development with water sustainability in resource-constrained environments. Full article

Students’ reading preferences and voices are increasingly relevant for informing teaching practices and strengthening students’ motivation and engagement with reading, thus making their reading experiences meaningful. However, in Chile, there is still little evidence regarding the reading preferences and perspectives of primary school students. Therefore, this study analyzes students’ preferences and perceptions of the texts assigned by their teachers, as well as the pedagogical practices for reading mediation applied across various subjects in the La Araucanía Region of southern Chile. To this end, using a qualitative, multiple-case study design, we conducted 9 discussion groups on reading mediation and discourse genres with 96 students in grades 3–6, each connected to one of 6 outstanding teachers. Thus, we applied an inductive content analysis, constructing categories through initial coding, focused coding, and interpretive analysis, all of which underwent triple review and calibration by team members. The findings show that, in general, students value the support and scaffolding their teachers provide to facilitate reading, comprehension, and participation. However, they express a desire for greater agency in selecting texts and for more opportunities to engage in dialogue around these texts, especially in subjects other than Language Arts. These results highlight the importance of reading mediation across subjects, including student text selection and dialogic interaction, to promote motivation and sustained reading practices in primary education. Full article

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is an aggressive tumor that, together with the cholangiocarcinomas, constitutes the spectrum of biliary tract cancer (BTC). These tumors are characterized by a frequently late diagnosis, marked genomic heterogeneity, variable response to cytotoxic therapies, and poor overall survival in advanced stages. Nevertheless, the characterization of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and the identification of actionable molecular targets have driven the development of biological therapies. This review summarizes current and emerging evidence on monoclonal antibodies, bispecific antibodies, and antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) in the management of GBC. The analysis addresses the early exploration of autoantibodies as potential diagnostic biomarkers, mechanistic hypotheses of immune evasion, and the clinical translation of targeted agents in the metastatic setting. Additionally, we critically discuss the extrapolation of data from global BTC trials to the specific GBC setting, the integration of population genetics into epidemiological studies such as the EULAT Eradicate GBC initiative, and the preliminary status of immunotherapy in perioperative scenarios. Full article

Approximately 16 per cent of the global population lives with a disability. Although there are no definitive figures, it is certain that a higher proportion of people with disabilities are poor compared with people who are living without disabilities. In the case of monetary poverty, evidence for their levels of poverty is not conclusive; however, it is well known that people with disabilities face direct and indirect costs associated with their condition, and therefore their levels of income and consumption are lower in comparison with those of persons without disabilities; but in some cases, monetary poverty lines do not capture those differences. This study aims to analyse the levels of poverty of people with disabilities after computing an equivalence scale to capture the needs of people with disabilities and their families. To achieve this objective, we used the Income and Expenditures Survey 2022 (ENAHO-2022) from Peru. We first tested whether the current poverty line in Peru captures the needs of people with disabilities. Then we analysed the consumption patterns of households with and without members with disabilities. Finally, we proposed to adapt the national poverty line for Peru using an equivalence scale that captures the extra costs of living with a disability in Peru. Using this equivalence scale, we recalculated the poverty rate for households with disabilities. The results revealed that the presence of a member with a disability in the household reduces household income and consumption. The estimation of the equivalence scale showed that a household of one member was equivalent to a household with two members without disabilities. When recalculating the incidence of poverty, the percentage of households with disabilities living in poverty increased from 35% to 50% or 760,000 people with disabilities and their families became poor. Full article

Modulating the physical crosslink architecture of gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogels without altering total polymer concentration or introducing exogenous components remains a central challenge in biomaterial design. Here, we present a source blending strategy in which porcine skin gelatin (PG) and salmon skin gelatin (SG), two gelatins with markedly different proline and hydroxyproline contents, are combined at seven compositional ratios (PG weight fractions 0–1.0) and subsequently functionalized to GelMA under standardized conditions (8% v/v methacrylic anhydride, 60 °C, 3 h). Near-complete degrees of substitution (95–98%) were achieved across all formulations, as confirmed by both TNBS and ¹H-NMR analyses. In the parent gelatin mixtures, increasing PG fraction progressively increased viscosity, elastic modulus (G′), gelation temperature (Tgel), and compression modulus at 4 °C, with DSC revealing independent SG (0–15 °C) and PG (20–40 °C) endothermic transitions that suggest partial hindrance of PG triple-helix formation by high SG fractions. These composition-dependent trends were preserved after functionalization to GelMA, albeit with attenuated physical crosslinking due to steric impairment by the methacrylate groups. Photocrosslinked GelMA hydrogels fabricated after pre-incubation at 4 °C exhibited systematically higher compression moduli and lower swelling degrees with increasing PG content, demonstrating that the PG/SG ratio provides an effective means for independently tuning hydrogel mechanics and mesh architecture. In vitro release assays using Rhodamine 6G further demonstrated that pre-incubation at 4 °C prior to photocrosslinking effectively modulates transport kinetics in SG-PG GelMA hydrogels. This strategy delayed characteristic release times and constrained Weibull shape parameters to the anomalous-transport regime (0.75 < β < 1), where diffusion is governed by network chain relaxation. This effect was most pronounced in the 0.4SG:0.6PG formulation, where lower SG content permitted unhindered triple-helix formation, as corroborated by DSC and compression studies. Ultimately, adjusting the pre-incubation temperature and gelatin source combination provides a straightforward, processing-additive-free strategy to achieve programmable release profiles via controlled matrix tortuosity. Full article

Patient-specific implants (PSIs) in orthognathic surgery offer optimal intraoperative accuracy. However, evidence regarding their postoperative skeletal stability, specifically comparing distinct fixation designs and segmentation patterns, remains limited. We present a retrospective cohort study that evaluated 64 adult patients undergoing customized maxillary orthognathic surgery between January 2020 and June 2025. The primary predictor variables were fixation design (conventional customized plates vs. minimally invasive plates) and maxillary segmentation (monoblock vs. multisegmental). The outcome variable was 3D skeletal stability, measured as linear displacement between preoperative planning and 6-month postoperative imaging. Non-parametric tests compared displacements and clinical instability rates (defined as ≥2.0 mm). Mann–Whitney tests compared landmark displacements, Fisher’s exact tests compared proportions with ≥2.0 mm displacement, and ORs with 95% CIs were computed (α = 0.05). Analysis of 64 patients revealed that median displacement across landmarks ranged from 0.7 to 4.28 mm and 28.1% exhibited displacement ≥ 2.0 mm, primarily in molar and canine regions. While overall instability rates did not differ significantly between single-segment and multisegmental osteotomies (p = 0.28), multisegmental cases showed significantly higher displacement at the left canine (p = 0.027). Plate design was not associated with skeletal instability (p = 0.88), suggesting that minimally invasive plates provide comparable stability to conventional designs. Customized maxillary plates provide reliable postoperative stability with median displacements within clinically acceptable limits (<2 mm). Minimally invasive PSI designs offer stability comparable to conventional extended designs. However, localized instability in multisegmental cases suggests a need for careful biomechanical management regardless of the fixation method used. Full article

We report a highly chemoselective N-sulfonylation of 3-(methylthio)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-amine with 4-nitrobenzenesulfonyl chloride promoted by N,N-diisopropylethylamine in acetonitrile under mild conditions. This transformation selectively affords N-(4-nitrophenyl)sulfonylation at the N1 position of the 1,2,4-triazole ring over the exocyclic amine functionality. The product was fully characterized by IR, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, as well as high-resolution mass spectrometry, unequivocally confirming its molecular structure. Full article

Bacteriophage-based products are gaining attention as effective tools to reduce harmful germs in food and combat antimicrobial resistance throughout the food production process. However, in South America, their use is still limited because of complicated regulations and inconsistent evidence requirements. This review aims to (i) explore the current scientific and technological landscape of using bacteriophages in South American food systems, (ii) identify main regulatory challenges that impact their classification, approval, and use, and (iii) highlight the need for consistent international guidelines, especially from Codex Alimentarius, to help safely and effectively incorporate phage-based products in food. Research on phage-based products is growing, but it is not consistent across different regions. There are more patents and advancements in biotechnology, but they are limited to certain areas. Although progress is being made, the regulatory frameworks are still unclear, especially when it comes to how these products are classified, labeled, and monitored for safety. To address these gaps, risk-based guidelines are needed. These should define product categories and claims, set safety standards, and include rules for tracking products and monitoring them after they hit the market. Creating a new Codex Alimentarius project on phage-based products could help establish global guidelines that promote safe use, reduce uncertainty in regulations, and improve trade in food markets around the world. Full article

Bacteria in concrete has been studied as an additive to repair microcracks and reduce permeability, as well as increase compressive strength. Within the broad spectrum of bacteria, two types promise to be effective agents against external sulfate attack: (i) Bacillus subtilis, which could indirectly prevent the entry of sulfates through the mechanism of sealing by calcium precipitation, and (ii) Bacillus licheniformis, which could encapsulate the sulfates that enter by diffusion and prevent the consequences of the pathology, such as expansion and loss of strength. This research evaluates the impact of B. subtilis and B. licheniformis on the performance of cementitious mixes against external sulfate attack, measuring compressive strength, expansion, permeability, and effects on the microstructure. Results show that both bacteria can produce compressive strength improvements of up to 20% at 28 days and 50% at 180 days. Moreover, in the presence of sulfates, improvements of up to 90% can be observed over control mixes. However, this result should be carefully evaluated because although B. licheniformis produces better results in the long term, it results in lower strength in the presence of sulfates in the short term. At the same time, B. licheniformis significantly reduces expansion against external sulfate attack, decreasing it by up to 80%, because it generates less ettringite and gypsum. Thus, B. licheniformis is an effective agent against external sulfate attack. Based on the results, it is estimated that both bacteria can be used to improve performance; however, care must be taken with concentration, which affects homogeneity or generates negative effects. In particular, it is noteworthy that calcium carbonate loss was observed from the mixes due to continuous curing and that calcium precipitation can generate negative effects against sulfates in the long term. Full article

Critical infrastructures (CI) are essential to modern society, providing vital services such as energy, water, and transportation. However, these systems are increasingly targeted by sophisticated cyberattacks, exploiting vulnerabilities in both IT (Information Technology) and OT (Operational Technology) environments, posing significant risks to safety, economic stability, and national security. Despite advancements, current anomaly detection models for CI often cannot effectively integrate diverse data sources or provide detailed attack classifications. To address these challenges, we propose a novel Graph Convolutional Network (GCN) model integrated with Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) layers for effective anomaly detection and attack classification in CI. The model leverages Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) and MITRE ATT&CK techniques, integrating network traffic and physical device data to enhance detection of sophisticated threats. Unlike approaches using binary classification, our model performs multiclass classification to recognize specific attack types, bridging the gap in understanding complex attack patterns within CI. By incorporating Indicators of Compromise (IoCs) from MISP (Malware Information Sharing Platform) with the SWAT (Secure Water Treatment) dataset, we developed a graph-based data structure where nodes represent entities like SCADA tags and IP addresses. The model processes this dynamic graph using convolutional layers for spatial feature extraction and LSTM layers for temporal dependencies. Results indicate a significant improvement over existing solutions, achieving a test accuracy of 99.04% and a macro F1-score of 0.9151. The integration of multiple data sources enhances the model’s capacity to handle evolving cyber threats, making it well-suited for protecting CI. Full article

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is associated with respiratory dysfunction, chronic inflammation, and oxidative stress, and can increase pulmonary tissue stress during exercise. Thus, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and nitrite (NO₂⁻) concentrations in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) were compared during an official wheelchair rugby match. 14 males and two females with SCI (33.3 ± 6.5 years), anthropometry, baseline spirometry, and the International Wheelchair Rugby Federation classification (IWRF) were recorded. Playing time (23.6 ± 7.49 min), Borg scale (4.3 ± 1.64), and [H₂O₂] EBC and [NO₂⁻] EBC were determined before and 20 min after the match. In the total sample, [H₂O₂] EBC and [NO₂⁻] EBC increased post-match (p = 0.0042 and p = 0.031, respectively). When segmented according to IWRF classification, the highest functional capacity, H group (>1.5 points; n = 11) increased its [H₂O₂] EBC per exercise (p = 0.0029) and showed a trend for [NO₂⁻] EBC (p = 0.09), while the lowest classification, L group (≤1.5 points; n = 5) showed a higher baseline concentration in both EBC markers with no changes per exercise. Baseline IWRF classification was inversely correlated with [H₂O₂] EBC, while body mass index (BMI) was positively associated with [NO₂⁻] EBC. In conclusion, in the sample analyzed, a short period of moderate intensity during a wheelchair rugby match increases H₂O₂ and NO₂⁻ in the airway with a potentially greater effect in SCI athletes with better functional capacity; it remains to be determined whether this phenomenon corresponds to a physiological or pathological process. Full article

Sustainability is a key competence in Spanish higher education and a central axis in initial teacher training. However, future teachers’ motivations have received limited attention. Using a mixed-methods approach, this study analyses the self-perception of knowledge, motivations, and opportunities for sustainability among first and fourth-year students of the bachelor’s degree in primary education at two Spanish universities. The quantitative phase included distributing a Likert-type questionnaire to 396 students, with scales validated through exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, while the qualitative phase was developed through 12 semi-structured interviews analysed via thematic analysis. The results show a high perception of conceptual knowledge, especially among final-year students, as well as a partial and predominantly environmental understanding of sustainability. With respect to motivations, intrinsic and transcendent motivation, linked to personal satisfaction and a commitment to the common good, stand out, while extrinsic and collective motivation carry less weight. Likewise, the participants identify numerous institutional and community opportunities for sustainability, although they recognise that leading a consumerist lifestyle is a major barrier. The findings reveal significant educational tensions in sustainability. Full article