Search Results (42,183)

Aim: To evaluate the leveling of the curve of Spee (COS) of the lower arch in deep-bite patients by using three different clear aligners: Invisalign^® Align Technology^® Inc. (Santa Clara, CA, USA), Spark™ Clear Aligner System Ormco™ (Brea, CA, USA) and Angel Aligner™ Technology Inc. (Shanghai, China). Material and Methods: Sixty-nine patients were selected based on specific criteria and subdivided in three different groups based on clear aligner systems used for their treatment: Invisalign^® Aligner (I group), Spark™ Clear Aligner (S group), and Angel Aligner™ (A group). All patients were treated from 2021 to 2025 by the same orthodontist with extensive experience in the aligner technique, following a standardized protocol for deep-bite resolution. The STL files of the lower arch were analyzed using MeshLab software at three specific time points: pre-treatment (ID), post-treatment (AC), defined as the result achieved after the first set of aligners, and digital planning (EC). In all three groups, the differences between AC-ID and EC-AC were examined by means of the T-test; intergroup variations were also compared using the ANOVA test. Results: The study revealed that aligners were only minimally effective at leveling the COS. The planned dental movements were not fully achieved, leading to a low accuracy of the treatment. The highest mean accuracy was detected in the Angel Aligner™ group (39%). Conclusions: The clear aligner treatment for leveling the COS presents limits in terms of biomechanics of the device. The study shows that no clinically and statistically significant differences emerged across the three systems used. Full article

CRISPR-Cas9 has transformed microbial biotechnology by enabling precise genome modifications; however, achieving high editing efficiency remains a challenge due to multiple determinants, including on-target specificity, off-target events, PAM sequence, sgRNA scaffold composition, and RNA secondary structure. Our review foresees how artificial intelligence (AI) can address those challenges by enabling automated identification as well as highly active guide RNA (gRNA) optimisation. We highlight the influence of a data-driven training strategy that is focused on high-quality, diverse, and accurately labelled microbial datasets—mainly, given the limitations of models derived from mammalian systems that are not directly transferable to microbial organisms. Moreover, we discuss the key role of FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) data principles and centralised, curated CRISPR-Cas databases as foundational elements for developing robust and predictive frameworks. Emerging directions are also explored, including generative AI approaches capable of supporting automated experimental planning. By considering the potential dual use of such technologies, the review further addresses bioethical considerations and regulatory frameworks necessary to ensure responsible genome engineering as a milestone, as well as the implementation of safeguards against misuse, particularly in pathogenic microorganisms. Furthermore, the convergence of standardised experimental data, specialised microbial datasets, and advanced AI architectures is paving the way to transform microbial biotechnology by accelerating metabolic engineering and synthetic biology applications. Full article

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is driven by oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and disruption of cytoprotective signaling pathways. This study aimed to evaluate whether poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)-based nanoparticle delivery enhances the chemoprotective efficacy of paeonol against 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced colorectal carcinogenesis, with a focus on modulation of the NRF2/HO-1 pathway. Sixty male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to six groups: control, paeonol (PNL), PNL-PLGA, DMH, DMH + PNL, and DMH + PNL-PLGA. CRC was induced using DMH over 10 weeks. Serum tumor biomarkers (AFP, CEA, CA19-9, CA125, CA15-3), oxidative stress markers (ROS, MDA, antioxidant enzymes), inflammatory cytokines, DNA damage, apoptosis- and autophagy-related gene expression, and hepatic and renal function were assessed. Histopathological and ultrastructural analyses of colonic tissues were performed. DMH exposure was markedly associated with increased tumor biomarkers, oxidative stress, and inflammatory mediators, DNA damage, and impaired liver and kidney function. It was also associated with the restoration of NRF2/HO-1 signaling, improved redox balance, suppression of inflammation, reduction in DNA damage, and preservation of regulated NRF2/HO-1 signaling, antioxidant defenses, autophagy markers, and apoptotic proteins, as well as severe histological and ultrastructural alterations. Free paeonol partially attenuated these changes. In contrast, PNL-PLGA was significantly associated with restoring NRF2/HO-1 signaling, improving redox balance, suppressing inflammation, reducing DNA damage, and preserving colonic architecture and ultrastructure. These findings demonstrate that a PLGA-based nanoformulation of paeonol markedly improves its chemopreventive efficacy against DMH-induced CRC, primarily by activating NRF2/HO-1 signaling and modulating oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and autophagy, highlighting its potential as a promising nanotherapeutic strategy for colorectal cancer. Full article

Background: Systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) induced by Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) is a well-established model characterized by nitric oxide (NO^●) synthase inhibition and vascular dysfunction. The transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) regulates Ca²⁺ flux and may contribute to mitochondrial homeostasis. We hypothesized that TRPV1 activation modulates mitochondria function and attenuates cardiac damage during SAH. Methods: Hypertension was induced in Wistar rats by administration of L-NAME (200 mg/L) for 40 days. During the last four days, hypertensive animals received capsaicin (5 mg/kg/day), capsazepine (6 mg/kg/day), or their combination. Cardiac function was evaluated in isolated hearts using the Langendorff perfusion system. Myocardial tissue viability was assessed by triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, and mitochondrial function was evaluated by measuring respiratory control and apoptosis-related proteins. Results: Capsaicin treatment was associated with significant cardioprotective effects in hypertensive rats. Although the findings are consistent with a role of TRPV1 activation in mediating these effects, the partial protection observed with capsazepine suggests that TRPV1-independent mechanisms may also contribute. Conclusions: TRPV1 activation contributes to cardioprotection in SAH, likely through preservation of mitochondrial function and redox balance. However, additional mechanisms beyond TRPV1 modulation may also participate in the observed protective effects. Further studies—including direct assessment of mitochondrial Ca²⁺ flux and the use of more selective or genetic approaches—are currently underway to clarify the underlying mechanisms. Full article

With the continuous expansion and increasing topological complexity of modern power grids, achieving high-precision fault localization under sparse measurement conditions has become a core challenge in the operation and maintenance of smart grids. Existing methods based on deep graph networks generally face complex spatiotemporal coupling between fault types and fault localization. To address this, this paper proposes a recognition method for fault localization based on sparse measurements and spatial configuration. A reinforcement learning algorithm with a Checking-Action mechanism, termed DQN-CA, is adopted to identify optimal PMU installation buses. In parallel, a dual-path spatio-temporal multi-task graph convolutional network, termed ST-MTGCN, is developed to decouple fault-type-related features from topology-sensitive fault-Localization features through a global feature dimensionality-reduction path and a K-hop spatial graph convolution path, thereby accomplishing the fault localization task. Experimental results on the IEEE 39-bus system show that ST-MTGCN achieves 99.68% fault type accuracy, 89.94% fault localization accuracy, and 88.62% accuracy for 185 joint fault type-Localization classes under the OPT13 configuration. Comparative experiments, PMU configuration sensitivity analysis, and ablation studies further demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed framework under sparse measurement conditions. Full article

Surface erosion of loess slopes in arid and semi-arid regions of China remains a critical geotechnical issue, requiring green and low-carbon stabilization techniques. This study investigated the effectiveness of enzyme-induced carbonate precipitation (EICP) for the surface spraying reinforcement of Q3 loess collected from a high-fill engineering site at Yan’an University. Single-factor tests, response surface methodology (RSM), surface strength tests, CT-based three-dimensional pore reconstruction, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were conducted to evaluate the effects of cementation solution concentration and spraying dosage. The cementation solution was prepared by mixing analytical-grade urea and anhydrous calcium chloride at a 1:1 molar ratio, and the specimens were compacted to a dry density of 1.4 g/cm³. The results showed that surface strength first increased and then decreased with increasing cementation solution concentration and spraying dosage. Spraying dosage had a more pronounced influence than cementation solution concentration; excessive spraying above 9 L/m² reduced surface strength because of the high water sensitivity of loess. Five replicate tests at the central point were conducted to evaluate experimental error. The optimal parameters were 1.5 mol/L for cementation solution concentration and 9 L/m² for spraying dosage. CT and SEM results showed that CaCO₃ precipitation filled large pores and cemented soil particles, reducing total porosity from 6.7% to approximately 4.0%. These findings indicate that EICP improves loess surface strength mainly through pore filling and particle cementation, providing guidance for the ecological protection of loess slopes. Full article

Current treatment options for hair loss remain limited. Therefore, this study compared a botanical extract derived from multiple plants with the pharmaceutical agent minoxidil for topical application. The evaluated parameters included inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α), growth factors (TGF-β, VEGF, KGF), and 5α-reductase type II (SRD5A2) expression in the human keratinocyte cell line HaCaT, as measured by ELISA. Both the botanical extract and minoxidil reduced IL-6 levels by 21% and 35%, and TNF-α levels by 13% and 35%, respectively. Treatment with the botanical extract and minoxidil increased VEGF expression by 50% and 85%, and KGF by 16% and 31%, respectively, while reducing SRD5A2 expression by 21% and 28%, respectively. Overall, the results of this in vitro study suggest that the botanical extract exhibits a response pattern similar to that of minoxidil, characterized by the suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and SRD5A2, along with enhanced expression of growth factors VEGF and KGF in HaCaT cells. These results provide a promising basis for further in vivo studies. Full article

Incremental automatic modulation recognition is essential for the awareness of complex electromagnetic environments but is prone to catastrophic forgetting. This is fundamentally precipitated by shortcut learning, a phenomenon where deep models prioritize stable but non-essential channel artifacts (e.g., noise, fading) over intrinsic modulation characteristics. Consequently, models rely on spurious correlations that collapse during incremental task updates or environmental shifts, leading to representation drift. To bridge this gap, we propose the ParalIMR framework, which integrates a parallel reconstruction architecture with the segment substitution (SS) strategy to decouple modulation signatures from environmental fingerprints. Specifically, the parallel branch utilizes a Denoising AutoEncoder (DAE) as a task-agnostic structural anchor, purifying feature representations and maintaining geometric consistency across varying signal-to-noise ratios without propagating noise-overfitting to the classifier. In the meantime, the SS strategy actively disrupts the temporal coupling between class labels and hardware fingerprints through random reorganization, forcing the model to extract modulation-invariant structural cues. Experimental results on the RML2016a datasets demonstrate that in a three-stage incremental setup, our method achieves an overall accuracy of 84.32% at 0 dB SNR, representing a 2.69% improvement over the iCaRL baseline. Notably, this advantage expanded to 4.46% on RML2018, demonstrating that ParalIMR effectively arrests catastrophic forgetting. Ultimately, this research provides a robust learning paradigm tailored for cognitive radio and electronic warfare in dynamic electromagnetic landscapes. Full article

Background/Objectives: Robotic-assisted bronchoscopy has emerged as an advanced technique for the evaluation of peripheral pulmonary lesions, offering improved navigation and targeting accuracy. While several studies investigating other diagnostic modalities have identified factors associated with higher diagnostic yield, such determinants remain poorly defined for shape-sensing robotic-assisted bronchoscopy (ssRAB). This study therefore aimed to identify predictors of diagnostic yield in robotic bronchoscopy. Methods: This retrospective single-center study included all consecutive patients who underwent ssRAB (ION^TM system, Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) between August 2024 and March 2026. Lung nodules undergoing marker placement only or procedures performed without cone-beam CT (CBCT) guidance were excluded. Collected variables included demographic characteristics, lesion size, lesion density (solid, part-solid, ground-glass), biopsy modality, and number of biopsy samples obtained. Diagnostic yield was defined as a definitive pathological diagnosis of the target lesion. Predictors of diagnostic success were assessed using univariable logistic regression. Results: In total, 111 pulmonary nodules were included in the analysis. The overall diagnostic yield was 88.3% (98/111). The mean patient age was 64.94 ± 7.9 years, with a predominance of female patients (58.4%). No significant associations were observed between diagnostic yield and lesion size (odds ratio [OR] 1.014 per mm; p = 0.764), lesion density (p = 0.892), or biopsy instrument (p = 0.835). However, an increased number of biopsy samples showed a positive association with diagnostic yield, showing a statistical trend (OR 1.22 per additional sample; p = 0.084). Conclusions: Robotic-assisted bronchoscopy provides a high diagnostic yield for peripheral pulmonary lesions. The number of biopsy samples appears to be the most relevant modifiable factor influencing diagnostic success, underscoring the importance of adequate tissue acquisition. In contrast, lesion characteristics and biopsy modality did not significantly affect outcomes in this cohort. Full article

Single-cell omics technologies have transformed the study of cellular heterogeneity, enabling high-resolution analysis of tissue development and complex traits. In sheep and goats, these approaches have been applied to skin, hair follicles, reproductive organs, metabolic tissues, and adipose tissue, revealing cell type-specific regulatory programs underlying traits such as wool quality, fertility, growth, and fat deposition. However, most studies rely on single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and are limited by incomplete genome annotation, insufficient coverage of production traits, and weak integration with population genetics, restricting their application in molecular breeding. This review summarizes advances in single-cell omics in sheep and goats, focusing on tissue development and trait formation. We further discuss emerging strategies that integrate single-cell multi-omics, spatial transcriptomics, and population genetics to resolve regulatory mechanisms in a cell type-specific and spatially informed context. Finally, we discuss CRISPR/Cas9-based validation to link genotype and phenotype, accelerating gene discovery and precision breeding in small ruminants. Full article

The Dead Sea, the Earth’s lowest major surface water body, serves as the terminal basin for surface and groundwater flow in its surrounding region. However, anthropogenic activities and natural processes contribute to significant alterations in the lake’s area. The scope and implications of these changes remain insufficiently documented, necessitating further investigation. The CA-Markov model was used to project the Dead Sea’s surface area for 2034 and 2050. Time series of observed and future climate data, especially temperature data, under Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) 4.5 and 8.5, were analyzed to track climate change. Statistical analyses of the Kendall correlation matrix were performed on the observed and predicted surface areas, water levels, and temperatures. This study revealed that the Dead Sea decreased by 41.8% from 1971 to 2022, and the sea level is expected to decrease by 12.63 m and 33 m by 2034 and 2050, respectively. In addition, there were significant inverse relationships between surface area, water level, and temperature, with correlations of r = −0.79 (p = 0.001) and r = −0.82 (p = 0.001), respectively. Notably, from 2022 to 2050, the mean annual temperature is expected to increase by at least 1 °C. The long-term strategic vision for stabilizing Dead Sea water levels involves a twofold approach: (1) augmenting natural inflow by introducing 300–400 million cubic meters (MCM) from manufactured sources and channeling them into the Jordan River, and (2) reducing water extraction by Dead Sea industries by a maximum of 330 MCM. Full article

Cardiovascular disease and cancer remain the leading causes of death worldwide. Although numerous cancer therapies have improved survival rates, they also increase the risk of cardiomyopathy, heart failure, and arrhythmias. These cardiovascular complications can limit treatment options and adversely affect the long-term quality of life of cancer survivors. Ca_V1.3, an L-type calcium channel encoded by CACNA1D, emerges as a central molecular mediator linking cardiovascular disease and cancer. It regulates calcium entry into cardiomyocytes and contributes to sinoatrial pacemaking and atrioventricular conduction. It also contributes to proliferation, migration, and therapy resistance in several cancers. Chemotherapy-induced oxidative stress, inflammatory signaling, hypoxia, and transcriptional changes can modulate the expression, gating, splicing, and trafficking of Ca_V1.3 channels. All these changes destabilize diastolic depolarization and impair conduction, thereby promoting arrhythmias in cancer patients. This review focuses on Ca_V1.3 biology in cardio-oncology, along with the mechanisms of chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity. It outlines the role of Ca_V1.3 as a key mediator linking cancer therapies to subsequent nodal dysfunction and increased arrhythmia susceptibility. It also expands on how patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes can model Ca_V1.3 dysregulation as well as support the development of targeted therapies. We propose that Ca_V1.3 represents a mechanistic bridge linking cancer therapy, calcium signaling, and cardiac electrophysiology, and that elucidating its pathophysiology may guide the design of targeted strategies in cardio-oncology. Full article

Prostate cancer (PCa) is among the highest incidence malignancies in men, with high rates of inevitable resistance development, relapse, and mortality. Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) continued to pose substantial therapeutic challenges, highlighting the urgent need for effective treatment options. This study assessed the marine cembranoid sarcophine activity against the progression and recurrence of the metastatic CRPC (mCRPC) in mouse xenograft models. Protein and phosphorylation levels were assessed by immunoblotting and mRNA expression by qPCR and RNA sequencing. The in vivo efficacy was evaluated through tumor progression over 3 weeks followed by primary tumor excision and recurrence monitoring over an 8-week course. Sarcophine significantly reduced the mCRPC CWR-R1ca tumor volume by 74.1% and suppressed the epigenetic regulators EZH2 and SMYD2; lineage plasticity factors ASCL1 and BRN2; Wnt/stemness signaling markers β-catenin and LGR6; AKT total expression and activation; and invasion-associated proteins TRPC4 and MMP2 in primary tumors. Sarcophine effectively prevented the mCRPC locoregional recurrence, as well as lung and spleen distant recurrences, and effectively reduced recurrence in other organs. Transcriptomics-RNA-Seq analysis of primary tumors identified 2697 downregulated and 3534 upregulated genes, indicating broad transcriptional reprogramming following sarcophine treatments. These findings demonstrate coordinated suppression of multi-oncogenic pathways and validate the therapeutic potential of sarcophine to control mCRPC. Full article

The practical application of Li–O₂ batteries is severely hindered by parasitic reactions on the cathode side, which generally lead to large charging over-potentials and degraded cyclic performance. To address this issue, it is essential to integrate high-efficiency catalysts into conventional carbon-based electrodes. Herein, we report a novel La_0.85Ca_0.15Cr_0.85O₃@Ru (LCC@R) hybrid catalyst with an ultralow Ru loading (6.55 wt.%), synthesized via a facile sol-gel combined with in-situ reduction-exsolution method. Mono-dispersed and ultrafine Ru nanocrystals (2–5 nm) are uniformly anchored on the LCC substrate and serve as the catalytically active sites. The Li–O₂ battery with the LCC@R catalyst exhibits a low charge potential of 3.75 V at a current density of 50 mAg⁻¹ with limited capacity of 500 mAhg⁻¹. Impressive cyclic stabilities of up to 80 cycles (at 1000 mAhg⁻¹) and 15 cycles (at 2000 mAhg⁻¹) are achieved. Moreover, a large specific capacity of 8630 mAhg⁻¹ is delivered at 50 mAg⁻¹. Mechanistic studies reveal that the intermediate discharge product LiO₂ can be absorbed on LCC@R, thereby inhibiting the parasitic reactions induced by LiO₂ attack on carbon. The as-prepared LCC@R hybrid material is a promising cathode catalyst for constructing long-cycle-life and low-over-potential Li–O₂ batteries. Full article

Sodium alginate was extracted from beach-cast Sargassum spp. collected along the coast of Puerto Progreso, Yucatán, Mexico, using two established pretreatment routes based on formaldehyde and ethanol. This study evaluates how extraction methodology controls alginate recovery, molecular structure, hydrogel rheology, macroscopic integrity, swelling behavior, and preliminary inorganic contaminant profiles. The ethanol-based route provided the highest extraction yield, reaching 19.87 ± 0.79% w/w for AE-5, whereas the formaldehyde route reached a maximum of 15.60 ± 0.62% w/w for AF-12; statistical analysis confirmed significant differences among extraction conditions (ANOVA, p < 0.05). Despite its lower yield, the formaldehyde route produced alginate with higher intrinsic viscosity (2.13 dL/g) and viscosity-average molecular weight (1.00 × 105 g/mol) than the ethanol-derived sample (1.33 dL/g and 0.62 × 105 g/mol), indicating better preservation of polymer chain length. ¹H NMR analysis showed that AE-5 had higher guluronic acid content (F_G = 0.60), lower M/G ratio (0.67), and higher G-block fraction (F_GG = 0.54), favoring Ca²⁺-mediated junction zone formation. Consequently, AE-5-derived hydrogels exhibited the highest storage modulus at 1 Hz (G′ = 23,650 Pa), compared with AF-12-derived hydrogels (13,160 Pa) and the commercial reference (14,480 Pa). However, visual inspection and swelling analysis showed that the higher small-amplitude stiffness of AE-5 did not translate into superior macroscopic integrity; these hydrogels showed greater fragmentation during handling and higher long-term swelling. In contrast, AF-12-derived hydrogels showed lower stiffness but better apparent cohesion and a more restricted swelling profile, consistent with enhanced long-range network connectivity derived from higher molecular weight. FTIR confirmed preservation of the characteristic functional groups of sodium alginate, whereas XRD provided qualitative evidence of residual crystalline inorganic phases. Selected-metal analysis by MP-AES detected Cu in both extracted alginates, while As was detected but not quantified only in AF-12; Cd and Pb were not detected under the analytical conditions employed. Overall, the results establish a route-dependent structure-property relationship in which extraction conditions govern yield, chain preservation, block architecture, viscoelastic response, swelling behavior, and preliminary contaminant profile. These findings support beach-cast Sargassum as a promising source of research-grade sodium alginate, while emphasizing that further purification, expanded contaminant profiling, arsenic speciation, biological evaluation, and direct mechanical testing are required before any food, biomedical, pharmaceutical, or environmental application can be proposed. Full article