Search Results (9,821)

Background: Robotic-assisted unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) enhances the precision of component alignment compared to conventional techniques. Although various robotic systems exist, direct comparisons assessing their relative clinical performance remain limited. The purpose of this study is to provide a comparison between image-based and imageless robotic UKA. Methods: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Five databases were searched: PubMed (via MEDLINE), Epistemonikos, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Scopus. Inclusion criteria were (1) studies comparing rUKA and cUKA with radiologic parameters and revision rates (prospective or retrospective), (2) human subjects, (3) meta-analyses for cross-referencing, and (4) English language. Data collected included (1) pre- and postoperative radiologic parameters, (2) radiologic outliers, and (3) revisions and their causes. A random-effects meta-analysis was employed to enable a generalizable comparison. Mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for continuous variables, and log odds ratios (LORs) with 95% CIs for binary outcomes. Results: Image-based robotic UKA was associated with fewer joint line height outliers (LOR = 3.5, 95% CI: 0.69–6.30, p = 0.015) using a 2° threshold. HKA outliers (thresholds 2–3°) were also reduced (LOR = 0.6, 95% CI: 0.09–1.19, p = 0.024). Posterior tibial and posterior femoral implant fit were significantly lower with image-based systems (LOR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.37–2.03, respectively, LOR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.29–1.91; p < 0.001 for both). No significant differences in revision rates were observed. Conclusions: Image-based robotic systems may result in fewer outliers in key radiologic parameters, including hip–knee angle, joint-line height, posterior tibial, and posterior femoral fit, though reporting remains highly heterogeneous. Full article

Atherosclerosis is highly prevalent among captive psittacine populations and is a frequent cause of veterinary consultations. Ante-mortem diagnosis remains challenging, but the serum lipoprotein analysis has been suggested as a useful tool for identifying associated risk factors and improving understanding of its pathogenesis. Unlike in humans, the relationship between lipoproteins and atherosclerosis in parrots has not been clearly established. This retrospective cohort study analyzed n = 1199 blood samples from 692 parrots across 14 genera to establish reference intervals for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) following ASVCP guidelines. Lipoprotein levels were evaluated in relation to factors such as genus, age, sex, diet, reproductive status, body condition score, and atherosclerosis prevalence (diagnosed by endoscopy and/or necropsy). The results demonstrated genus-specific differences and significant associations between LDL-C and atherosclerosis, with non-HDL-C showing a similar, less pronounced, trend. Higher LDL-C values were measured in the presence of moderate-severe atherosclerosis. Birds on seed diets had higher lipoprotein levels and were more likely to be diagnosed with atherosclerosis in comparison to birds fed a pelleted or extruded diet. The role of HDL-C remained less conclusively defined. The results of this study provide a foundational framework for the future use of lipoprotein analysis in parrot medicine, offering novel insights into the management of cardiovascular health in pet parrots. Full article

A typical Software-Defined Vehicular Network (SDVN) is open to various cyberattacks because of its centralized controller-based framework. A cyberattack, such as a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack, can easily overload the central SDVN controller. Thus, we require a functional DDoS attack recognition system that can differentiate malicious traffic from normal data traffic. The proposed architecture comprises hybrid Classical-Quantum Machine Learning (QML) methods for detecting DDoS threats. In this work, we have considered three different QML methods, such as Classical-Quantum Neural Networks (C-QNN), Classical-Quantum Boltzmann Machines (C-QBM), and Classical-Quantum K-Means Clustering (C-QKM). Emulations were conducted using a custom-built vehicular network with random movements and varying speeds between 0 and 100 kmph. Also, the performance of these QML methods was analyzed for two different datasets. The results obtained show that the hybrid Classical-Quantum Neural Network (C-QNN) method exhibited better performance in comparison with the other two models. The proposed hybrid C-QNN model achieved an accuracy of 99% and 90% for the UNB-CIC-DDoS dataset and Kaggle DDoS dataset, respectively. The hybrid C-QNN model combines PennyLane’s quantum circuits with traditional methods, whereas the Classical-Quantum Boltzmann Machine (C-QBM) leverages quantum probability distributions for identifying anomalies. Full article

Background: Gut microbiota dysregulation is increasingly recognized as a key contributor to the progression of liver cirrhosis and its complications, particularly hepatic encephalopathy. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has emerged as a novel therapeutic strategy aimed at restoring intestinal microbial homeostasis and modulating systemic inflammation. Methods: This prospective, single-center clinical trial evaluated the short-term safety and efficacy of FMT in patients with alcohol-related liver cirrhosis. Clinical assessment, liver stiffness (via elastography), steatosis (controlled attenuation parameter), inflammatory biomarkers, and extended biochemical panels were analyzed at baseline, one week and one month post-FMT. A control group receiving standard medical therapy was used for comparison. Results: FMT was associated with a significant reduction in hepatic encephalopathy severity (p = 0.014), sustained improvements in liver stiffness (p = 0.027) and decreased steatosis (p = 0.025). At one month, C-reactive protein and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio both declined significantly (p = 0.043), indicating a measurable anti-inflammatory effect. No serious adverse events were recorded. In comparison with controls, FMT recipients showed lower systemic inflammation and improved neuropsychiatric status. Conclusions: FMT demonstrated a favorable safety profile and yielded early clinical and biochemical benefits in patients with cirrhosis. These preliminary findings support the potential utility of microbiota-based interventions in chronic liver disease and warrant validation in larger, multicenter trials. Full article

Code smells are code structures that indicate a potential issue in code design or implementation. These issues could affect the processes of code testing and maintenance, and overall software quality. Therefore, it is important to detect code smells in the early stages of software development to enhance system quality. Most studies have focused on detecting code smells of a single programming language. This article explores TL for cross-language code smell detection, where Java is the source, and both C# and Python are the target datasets, focusing on Large Class, Long Method, and Long Parameter List code smells. We conducted a comparison study across two transfer learning approaches—instance-based (Importance Weighting Classifier, Nearest Neighbors Weighting, and Transfer AdaBoost) and parameter-based (Transfer Tree, Transfer Forest)—with various base models. The results showed that the instance-based approach outperformed the parameter-based approach, particularly with Transfer AdaBoost using ensemble learning base models. The Transfer AdaBoost approach with Gradient Boosting and Extra Trees achieved consistent and robust results across both C# and Python, with an 83% winning rate, as indicated by the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. These findings underscore the effectiveness of transfer learning for cross-language code smell detection, supporting its generalizability across different programming languages. Full article

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder associated with premature atherosclerosis and vascular impairment. However, the role of endocan, a biomarker of glycocalyx injury, is not completely clarified in the detection of vascular damage. Therefore, our aim was to investigate serum endocan in comparison with conventional inflammatory markers, arterial stiffness parameters, and carotid ultrasound findings in a cohort of young patients with SLE. Methods: We enrolled 47 clinically active young SLE patients (40 females and 7 males) in the study. Arterial stiffness indicated by augmentation index and pulse wave velocity (PWV) was measured by arteriography. Brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation and common carotid intima-media thickness were detected by ultrasonography. The serum concentrations of endocan, IL-6, MPO, MCP-1, MMP-3, -7, and -9, as well as TNFα, were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: We found significant negative correlations between serum endocan and both CH50 and C3. Serum endocan was higher in active SLE patients compared to inactive patients, however, the difference was not statistically significant (241.4 (183–295) vs. 200.3 (167–278) pg/mL; p = 0.313). Serum TNFα and hsCRP significantly correlated with PWV. However, we did not detect significant correlations between vascular diagnostic tests and serum endocan levels. Conclusions: Based on our results, serum endocan is associated with disease activity; however, further studies are needed to clarify the value of serum endocan in the cardiovascular risk estimation of SLE patients. Measurement of serum endocan, as well as the routine assessment of arterial stiffness parameters, should be integrated into the comprehensive management plans of young patients with SLE. Full article

In the micro-EDM blind-hole machining of C_f-ZrB₂-SiC ceramics, defects such as bottom surface protrusion and machining fillets are often encountered. The implementation of an electrode-assisted oscillating device has proven effective in improving machining outcomes. To unravel the fundamental reasons behind the optimization enabled by this auxiliary oscillating device, this paper presents fluid simulation research, providing a quantitative comparison of the differences in machining gap flow field characteristics and debris motion behaviors under conditions with and without the assistance of the oscillating device. Firstly, this paper briefly describes the characteristics of C_f-ZrB₂-SiC discharge products and flow field deficiencies during conventional machining and introduces the working principle of electrode-assisted oscillation devices to establish the background and objectives of the simulation study. Subsequently, this research established simulation models for both conventional machining and oscillating machining based on actual processing conditions. CFD numerical simulations were conducted to compare flow field differences between conditions with and without auxiliary machining devices. The results demonstrate that, compared to conventional machining, electrode oscillation not only increases the maximum velocity of the working fluid by nearly 32% but also provides a larger debris accommodation space, effectively preventing secondary discharge. Regarding debris agglomeration, oscillating machining resolves the low-velocity zone issues present in conventional modes, increasing debris velocity from 0 mm/s to 7.5 mm/s and ensuring continuous debris motion. Furthermore, the DPM was used to analyze particle distribution and motion velocities, confirming that vortex effects form within the hole under oscillating conditions. These vortices effectively draw bottom debris outward, preventing local accumulation. Finally, from the perspective of debris distribution, the formation mechanisms of micro-hole morphology and the tool electrode wear patterns were explained. Full article

Free-living amoebae (FLAs) are widely present in the environment and may be pathogenic for animals and humans. Studies on the prevalence of FLAs in European soils are few in number. This study aimed to molecularly identify the species and genotypes of FLAs occurring in soil from Southern Poland. Forty soil samples were collected in June 2024 in the Babiogórski National Park. Amoebae cultures and a thermal-tolerance test were conducted, and all strains grew at 37 °C. Five PCR protocols were applied for the amplification of FLA SSU rRNA fragments. The following FLAs, including potentially pathogenic ones, were detected: Acanthamoeba T4 and T13 genotypes in 79.1% of positive samples, Naegleria gruberi and Naegleria galeacystis in 25%, Vermamoeba vermiformis in 12.5%, and Paravahlkampfia sp. and Ptolemeba bulliensis in 8.3%. Species and genotype identification were determined by sequence comparison and phylogenetic analysis. This study reports, for the first time, the isolation of N. galeacystis from soil and N. gruberi and V. vermiformis from soil collected in Europe. The used primer sets have different usefulness for Naegleria species identification and their phylogenetic analysis. The primers applied in this study may not reveal the full diversity of amoebae in soil; therefore, it is necessary to design new primers for this purpose. Full article

With increasing wastewater treatment demands and decarbonization goals, synergistic reduction in pollutants and green house gas (GHG) emissions is crucial. High process emissions like N₂O pose significant challenges, yet optimized carbon reduction strategies for conventional plants are lacking. This study developed three mathematical models to quantify the impact of dissolved oxygen (DO), influent salinity, and C/N ratio on direct emissions (CH₄, N₂O) and indirect emissions. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) optimized these factors to minimize GHG emissions under three accounting scenarios: (1) plants with CH₄ reuse systems: salinity = 0.5 g L⁻¹, DO = 3.67 mg L⁻¹, C/N = 12.75; (2) plants focusing solely on direct emissions: salinity = 0.5 g L⁻¹, DO = 3.35 mg L⁻¹, C/N = 3; and (3) plants assessing total emissions: salinity = 0.5 g L⁻¹, DO = 2.5 mg L⁻¹, C/N = 7.18. Key findings indicated that increasing salinity exacerbated greenhouse gas emissions. Elevated DO levels in the aerobic stage reduced N₂O emissions but increased indirect emissions in the A²/O process. Higher C/N ratios promoted anaerobic CH₄ production, but sufficient carbon reduced N₂O by enabling complete heterotrophic denitrification. A 60−day continuous GHG emissions monitoring campaign was conducted at a WWTP to validate the actual emission reductions achievable under the identified optimal control conditions. An analysis and comparison of operational and economic costs were also performed. The findings provide practical insights into sustainable GHG emission management and offer potential solutions to advance the synergistic reduction in GHG emissions and pollutants. Full article

Nuclear processes are fundamental to the regulation of cellular, tissue, and organismal function, especially in complex multicellular systems. Central to these processes are lamins and lamin-associated proteins, which contribute to nuclear structure, gene expression, and chromatin organization. The discovery that mutations in genes coding for lamins and lamina-associated proteins give rise to rare disorders—collectively called laminopathies—has intensified interest in this field among cell biologists and medical scientists. While many practical and clinically relevant questions about phenotype development and potential treatments require mammalian models, key molecular mechanisms and interactions have also been effectively studied in both vertebrate and invertebrate systems. This review focuses on a discussion of Drosophila lamins, their major properties, functions, interactions and post-translational modifications, with comparison to mammalian lamins, and a discussion of the value of fly models in studies of lamins in muscle tissue development and function in comparison to mammalian lamin B-type and A/C-type. In this paper, we have discussed the overall impact of lamin Dm and lamin C level manipulations on overall phenotype, especially on larval and adult muscles. We have thoroughly discussed the conclusions, which may have been drawn from experiments with overexpression of lamin C mutants mimicking lamin A laminopathy mutations. We have presented and discussed the suggestion that the mechanisms underlying Drosophila muscle phenotype development are similar not only to human dystrophic laminopathies but also to classical human muscular dystrophies such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Hutchison–Gilford Progeria syndrome. We suggest that the activation of the stress response contributes to the laminopathic phenotype detected in Drosophila. Finely, this review discusses in depth the lamin Dm and lamin C interactomes, discrepancies between String-based interactome networks, and our map of interactomes based on manual verification of experimental data on Drosophila lamin interactions. Full article

Objective: Dinutuximab beta (DB) and naxitamab (NAXI) with GM-CSF are used for maintenance treatment of relapsed/refractory neuroblastoma. The objective of this study was to systematically assess comparative efficacy of the two therapies within their designated indications in accordance with established clinical guidelines. Methods: Relevant evidence was identified in systematic literature review. Individual patient data (IPD) from prospective clinical trials of DB were assessed and data on patients with disease in bone or bone marrow, as assessed in MRI, CT, mIBG or biopsy, with incomplete response to previous therapy were included. Patients with complete response, progressive disease and/or soft tissue disease were excluded. DB population was adjusted for sex, MYCN amplification, disease type (relapsed, refractory), and disease site (bone marrow and/or bone) to balance aggregated characteristics of NAXI population. More characteristics were included in sensitivity analyses, including DB treatment without interleukin-2, as currently recommended. Overall response rate (ORR) was assessed as best response. Results: Aggregated data for NAXI from Study 201 (n = 52) and Study 230 (n = 38) and IPD from DB studies (APN311-202, APN311-304, c = 77) met the inclusion criteria. Compared to NAXI, DB significantly extended progression-free survival (PFS): hazard ratio, DB vs. NAXI of 0.47 (95% CI: 0.26 to 0.87, p = 0.015). ORR was 60.1% (95% CI: 48.5% to 71.6%) for DB vs. 43.3% (33.1% to 53.6%) for NAXI (ORR odds ratio, DB vs. NAXI was 1.97, 95% CI: 1.02 to 3.80, p = 0.044). Sensitivity analyses and unadjusted comparisons supported the results. Conclusion: In the indirect comparison, dinutuximab beta significantly extended PFS and increased ORR compared to naxitamab. Full article

Mismanagement of rural wastewater can lead to environmental contamination with the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Fungi with bioremediating potential constitute a sustainable alternative to decontaminate such wastewater before its reuse. This study evaluated the ability of Aspergillus oryzae pellets to remove 2,4-D from natural and sterile rural wastewater (i.e., with/without native microbiota). The pellets were produced by incubating conidial solutions of A. oryzae strains RCA2, RCA4, RCA5, and RCA10 in synthetic wastewater for 21 days at 25 °C. The wastewater samples were characterized physicochemically and microbiologically upon arrival at the laboratory. Afterwards, they were supplemented with 1, 2.5, or 5 mmol L⁻¹ of 2,4-D and inoculated with the pellets. Physicochemical characterization was repeated throughout the experiment. Herbicide removal and the presence of 2,4-D degradation intermediate, 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP), were assessed through high-pressure liquid chromatography with UV/Vis detection (HPLC-UV) and mass spectrometry. At the beginning of the assay, the macro- and micronutrient content in the samples were suitable to sustain fungal growth. By the end, pH had increased and sodium and nitrate levels decreased in comparison with the control. RCA2, RCA4, and RCA10 removed over 80% of 2,4-D after 7 days of incubation, at the three herbicide concentrations tested. Moreover, wet fungal biomass had increased by the end of the assay. These findings demonstrate that RCA2, RCA4, and RCA10 can grow, form pellets, and remove 2,4-D in natural rural wastewater, which makes them potential candidates for bioremediation strategies aimed at improving the quality of water set to be reused. Full article

Background/Objectives: Motor difficulties are commonly reported in autistic individuals, but they are not currently part of the diagnostic criteria. A better understanding of how motor impairments are assessed in this population is critical to inform clinical practice and intervention. This systematic review aims to evaluate the existing literature on motor skill assessment in autistic children and adolescents, focusing specifically on studies that employed standardized and validated clinical motor assessment tools. Methods: Registered on PROSPERO (CRD42025637880), a systematic search was conducted on PubMed, Science Direct, and Web of Science until 31 December 2024. The review includes: (a) studies published in peer-reviewed journals; (b) randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies; (c) evaluations of motor difficulties using standardized and validated clinical assessments specifically designed to measure motor skills or coordination abilities; (d) participants diagnosed with ASD based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV or DSM-5) or the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-9 or ICD-10); and (e) participants aged ≤18 years; Results: Twenty-two studies met the inclusion criteria. Most studies reported significant motor impairments across various domains, including balance, manual dexterity, and coordination. However, there was substantial variability in the severity of motor deficits and in the assessment tools used. Methodological heterogeneity limited direct comparison across studies. Conclusions: Motor impairments are common in autistic children and adolescents; however, current assessment tools show limitations and require adaptations. The findings underscore the need for autism-specific motor assessments to improve diagnostic accuracy and guide personalized interventions. Full article

As a convolutional operation in a space domain, Gaussian filtering involves a large number of computational operations, a number that increases when the sizes of images and the kernel size also increase. Thus, finding methods to accelerate such computations is significant for overall time complexity enhancement, and the current paper proposes the use of partial sums to achieve this acceleration. The MPI (Message Passing Interface) library and the C programming language are used for the parallel program implementation of Gaussian filtering, based on a 1D kernel and 2D kernel working with and without the use of partial sums, and then a theoretical and practical evaluation of the effectiveness of the proposed implementations is made. The experimental results indicate a significant acceleration of the computational process when partial sums are used in both sequential and parallel processing. A PSNR (Peak Signal to Noise Ratio) metric is used to assess the quality of filtering for the proposed algorithms in comparison with the MATLAB implementation of Gaussian filtering, and time performance for the proposed algorithms is also evaluated. Full article

Probiotics containing Lactobacillus spp. have demonstrated immunological and gastrointestinal benefits and may aid in recovery from mood disorders. However, evidence of their mood-modulating efficacy remains inconsistent. Aim: To analyze the efficacy of probiotic interventions with Lactobacillus spp. in modulating mood in humans. A scoping review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. A systematic search of the PubMed and Scopus databases was performed using nine Boolean combinations of the terms “mental”, “mental diseases”, “mental disorders”, “gastrointestinal microbiome”, “gut microbiome”, “gut microbiota”, and “lactobacillus”. The search was limited to clinical trials published in English and limited to ten years of publication. Eligible studies met the following criteria: (a) probiotic interventions in adults, with or without mood disturbances; (b) the use of Lactobacillus spp., either alone or in combination; (c) mood assessment instruments applied pre- and post-intervention; and (d) reporting of probiotic concentrations. Trials involving populations with other psychiatric or neurological diagnoses or those combining probiotics with additional mood-modulating nutrients were excluded. From 3291 records, 17 clinical trials met the inclusion criteria. Data extracted included the author, year, population, country of origin, probiotic strain(s), dosage, intervention mode and duration, and outcomes related to the microbial composition, biomarkers, and microbial metabolites. Trials were categorized by probiotic type (single vs. multi-species) and participant profile (healthy individuals and those with depressive symptoms or specific physiological conditions). Preliminary evidence from single-strain interventions, particularly high-dose L. plantarum administered for ≥8 weeks, suggests potential improvements in anxiety, sleep quality, and inflammatory biomarkers. Multi-species formulations yielded reductions in depressive symptoms and changes in neurobiological markers. Nonetheless, substantial heterogeneity in strains, dosages, durations, and outcome measures limited cross-study comparisons. Lactobacillus spp. interventions show promising mood-modulating potential, especially with specific strains and prolonged administration. Standardized protocols, rigorous controls, and clearly defined clinical cohorts are needed to establish robust, evidence-based recommendations. Full article