Search Results (406)

Mountainous regions often experience a hydrological paradox where high monsoon rainfall coincides with severe dry-season water scarcity. The Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) of southeastern Bangladesh represent this challenge, as steep terrain, fractured geology, rapid runoff and limited monitoring constrain sustainable water-resource planning. This review critically evaluated water-resource characteristics, modeling approaches and decision-support strategies for the CHT. The literature shows that standalone models such as SWAT, MODFLOW and SWMM are useful for specific water-cycle components but do not adequately represent cross-domain processes including deep recharge, baseflow and stream–aquifer exchange in steep, complex terrain. International analogue studies indicate that coupled surface water–groundwater models can improve process representation when streamflow, groundwater-level, lithological and recharge data are available. However, their direct calibration and validation in the CHT remain limited by sparse groundwater monitoring and weak hydrogeological characterization. CHT-related and comparable Bangladesh studies indicate that machine-learning (ML) models can improve predictive suitability mapping when representative training data and independent validation are available; however, their relative advantage over the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is application-specific and depends on data quality, validation design, spatial autocorrelation, and model interpretability. The review identifies three key gaps: inadequate groundwater monitoring, absence of calibrated coupled modeling for fractured aquifers, and limited integration of socio-economic factors in rainwater-harvesting feasibility. Finally, a staged modeling pathway is proposed. Full article

This study investigates the integration of phase change materials (PCMs) and recycled textile fibers into cementitious composites to improve the thermomechanical performance and energy efficiency of building envelopes. Experimentally, eco-efficient mortars were developed by partially replacing sand with recycled textile fibers (0–40% by volume) and microencapsulated PCM (0–30% by volume) across sixteen distinct formulations. The fresh-state workability, apparent density, compressive strength, and flexural strength were systematically characterized after 28 days of curing. Results show that while PCM addition lowers composite density and mechanical resistance, textile fibers effectively mitigate compressive strength loss and enhance flexural strength by up to 70% through crack-bridging mechanisms. Numerically, an open-source conjugate heat transfer (CHT) framework was developed in OpenFOAM using the chtMultiRegionFoam solver and a temperature-dependent apparent heat capacity formulation to simulate the thermal response of concrete walls lined with an inner textile-reinforced mortar (TRM) skin. The numerical framework was experimentally validated against the literature’s benchmark data, reproducing diurnal surface temperature profiles with high fidelity. A parametric investigation of the inner composite skin thickness (2, 4, and 6 mm in the numerical model, corresponding to 20, 40, and 60 mm prototype layers) was conducted. The analysis reveals that incorporating a PCM-loaded TRM skin dampens internal thermal swings, lowers the required cooling demand, and reduces occupant thermal stress by over 20% compared to plain concrete. This integrated approach establishes an eco-efficient route for valorizing industrial textile waste while embedding passive thermal regulation directly within structural envelopes. Full article

Background: To evaluate structural and microvascular parameters in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) eyes, based on topographical location of neovessels (NVs). Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study including PDR eyes without clinically significant macular edema. Patients were stratified on NVs location: disc (NVD), elsewhere (NVE), both (NVD + NVE). Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT-angiography (OCTA) were performed to measure central macular thickness (CMT), choroidal thickness (ChT), retinal layer thicknesses, foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area, retinal perfusion density (PD) and choriocapillaris flow deficit (CC FD%). Results: Twenty-six PDR eyes from 26 patients (20 males, mean age 53.3 ± 14.2 years) were analyzed, 6 with NVD, 14 with NVE and 6 with NVD + NVE, respectively. No significant differences in CMT, ChT, PD and CC FD% between groups were found. OCT layer-by-layer analysis showed lower inner retinal layer thicknesses in NVE group. FAZ area was larger in NVD (p = 0.05). In presence of NVD, the regression analysis between FAZ and OCTA metrics showed a negative linear relationship with PD, and a positive relationship with CC FD%. Conclusions: In NVD group, a thickening of inner retinal layers and FAZ enlargement were found. These results support the hypothesis of a more pronounced ischemic damage in PDR eyes with NVs at the optic disc. Full article

A computational fluid dynamics and conjugate heat transfer (CFD+CHT) methodology is developed for the thermal simulation of a commercial prismatic ${\mathrm{LiFePO}}_4$ cell under charging and discharging operating conditions. The approach couples a three-dimensional representation of the battery, including a simplified description of its internal layered structure, with an electrochemical–thermal heat-generation model implemented as a temperature- and time-dependent volumetric source term. The heat source is applied within the active layers of the cell and updated during the transient simulation according to the local thermal state and to the evolution of the state of charge. The methodology is applied to 1C and 2C cycles under natural convection and forced-air cooling at free-stream velocities of $10\mathrm{m}{\mathrm{s}}^{-1}$ and $20\mathrm{m}{\mathrm{s}}^{-1}$. A dedicated wind-tunnel campaign is carried out on the same cell, instrumented with type-K thermocouples distributed over its external surfaces, to provide experimental data for model validation. The results show that the proposed framework accurately reproduces the main wall-temperature trends observed experimentally. Under natural convection, the temperature distribution remains nearly uniform, whereas forced convection produces more pronounced vertical and in-plane gradients. For the charge cycles, the comparison between CFD predictions and end-of-cycle measurements yields a mean absolute error (MAE) of ${0.66}^{\circ }\mathrm{C}$ and a root-mean-square error (RMSE) of ${0.82}^{\circ }\mathrm{C}$ over 168 measurement locations. The discharge cycles yield a comparable level of agreement (MAE ${0.65}^{\circ }\mathrm{C}$, RMSE ${0.81}^{\circ }\mathrm{C}$ over 168 probe points), confirming the predictive capability of the methodology for both operating modes. Full article

The swimming crab (Portunus trituberculatus) is a commercially important marine aquaculture species. After multiple generations of selective breeding, the third improved variety in China, “Huangxuan No 2” (HX2), was successfully developed in 2018. Compared to the original wild populations, HX2 exhibits enhanced resistance to low salinity stress and growth RATE. However, the genomic characteristics underlying these selected traits remain largely unexplored. To investigate the genetic variation associated with artificial selection, we genotyped 90 individuals from the HX2 strain and two wild populations (C and D) using a high-density SNP array. A total of 43,314 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified, which were evenly distributed across the genome in 1 Mb windows. Genetic diversity analysis showed that HX2 and wild populations were similar but overall low in diversity levels. Population structure analysis and fixation index (Fst) values revealed low-to-moderate genetic differentiation between HX2 and the wild populations, whereas no differentiation was observed between the two wild populations. Using the wild populations as a reference, we identified 24 genomic regions under potential selection in HX2 based on the Fst between populations and the nucleotide diversity ratio (π-ratio), encompassing 425 candidate genes. Enrichment analysis indicated that these genes are primarily involved in pathways related to immune response, infection, signal transduction, and metabolism. Notably, genes associated with stress tolerance (e.g., GPX3, HMGCS1, Duox), immunity (e.g., LAMB1, HSPG2), and growth (e.g., Cht5) were identified. These findings provide valuable insights into the genomic signatures of artificial selection and offer fundamental resources for further genetic improvement of P. trituberculatus. Full article

Introduction: Optimal systemic treatment for recurrent or advanced endometrial cancer (EC) remains uncertain, particularly in the second-line setting. While first-line chemotherapy with paclitaxel and carboplatin is widely used, its efficacy is limited. Recent evidence suggests that adding immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) to chemotherapy (ChT) can improve progression-free survival (PFS). In addition, hormonal therapies (such as progestins and aromatase inhibitors), targeted therapies and ICIs used alone or in combination are emerging as potential treatment options. Objectives: Our objective was to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of systemic therapies beyond standard ChT for patients with recurrent or advanced EC, focusing on progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs). Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), prospective studies, and retrospective studies up to June 2024 on PubMed, Embase, and CENTRAL. Studies evaluating systemic therapies—chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, targeted agents, and ICIs—in recurrent or advanced EC were included. Primary outcomes were PFS and OS; secondary outcomes included grade ≥ 3 treatment-related adverse events. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2 and MINORS tools, and GRADE was applied to evaluate the certainty of evidence. Results: Five RCTs evaluated the addition of ICI to conventional ChT. In mismatch repair-deficient (MMRd) patients, the addition of ICI significantly improved PFS and OS compared to the ChT-only group. In mismatch repair-deficient (MMRd) patients, the median PFS (mPFS) was 8.39 months in the ChT group and 22.73 months in the ICI group (HR: 0.34, p < 0.001). OS results were 26.48 and 41.36 months, respectively. In mismatch repair-proficient (MMRp) patients, mPFS was 9.4 months in the ChT group and 10.18 months at the ICI group (HR: 0.72, p = 0.002). OS was 27.37 and 27.79 months, respectively. We conducted several exploratory single-arm subgroup analyses and multiple individual patient data (IPD) meta-analyses across several clinically relevant subgroups, including patients treated with progestins, lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab, PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitor monotherapy, and PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitors in combination with aromatase inhibitors. Detailed descriptive analyses were performed for each subgroup. Conclusions: Combining chemotherapy with ICIs appears to show the most favorable survival outcomes, especially in MMRd tumors. Taking into account the methodological limitations inherent in the elaboration of lower-level evidence and IPD, hormonal and targeted therapies might be considered viable options, with efficacy and safety profiles dependent on tumor biology. Better stratification of the EC patient cohort is warranted. Full article

Bio-based coatings enriched with essential oils (EOs) represent a promising alternative to synthetic preservatives to extend strawberries’ shelf-life. This study evaluated the effects of chitosan (CHT) formulations containing three selected EOs (Illicium verum, Citrus sinensis, and Citrus limon) on the volatile profile, sensory quality, and antifungal activity of strawberry fruits. Volatile emissions were characterized by Headspace Solid Phase Micro-Extraction/Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, while sensory properties were assessed using Quantitative Descriptive Analysis. Antifungal activity was evaluated both in vitro and in vivo against Botrytis cinerea. Chitosan alone slightly modified the volatile profile, while EO-enriched coatings induced marked and concentration-dependent changes, reflecting the chemical composition of the incorporated EOs. Among the tested formulations, CHT combined with 1% C. sinensis EO provided the best balance between preservation of the characteristic strawberry aroma and overall sensory acceptance. In vitro assays showed that EO volatiles, particularly from C. sinensis and I. verum, significantly inhibited fungal growth, while diffusible compounds were less effective. In vivo, EO-containing coatings reduced disease incidence and severity by approximately 50%. These findings highlight the potential of CHT–EO coatings as sustainable options for postharvest preservation, although optimization of EO type and concentration is crucial to balance sensory quality and antimicrobial efficacy. Full article

Cigarette smoke is a major inducer of oxidative stress, promoting reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and contributing to the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer. Heated tobacco products (HTP) and e-cigarettes are promoted as reduced-risk alternatives; however, their impact on cellular redox regulation remains unclear. Here, we investigated the effects of conventional cigarette smoke extract (CSE), HTP, and e-cigarette extracts on hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) permeability mediated by aquaporins (peroxiporins) and on the activity of key antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase) in ATII-like cells. Eight aquaporins were detected at the mRNA level, and seven were confirmed at the protein level. CSE markedly inhibited H₂O₂ permeability across plasma, mitochondrial, and nuclear membranes. HTP extract impaired H₂O₂ transport across the plasma membrane and nuclear envelope, while mitochondrial permeability was preserved. Both CSE and HTP extract reduced superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities. In contrast, e-cigarette extract exerted minimal effects on membrane H₂O₂ permeability and selectively decreased superoxide dismutase activity. Overall, our findings identify a graded pattern of oxidative toxicity (CSE > HTP > e-cigarette) and highlight peroxiporins as critical regulators of intracellular redox homeostasis. Although less harmful than cigarettes, alternative nicotine delivery systems are not biologically inert. Full article

Background/Objectives: Perioperative chemo-immunotherapy (CHT-IO) has emerged as a standard treatment strategy for resectable stage II–IIIB NSCLC. However, data regarding surgical feasibility, mini-invasive surgery rates, perioperative outcomes, and postoperative complications in real-world single-center experiences remain limited. Methods: A retrospective single-center analysis was performed including consecutive patients with locally advanced NSCLC treated with perioperative chemo-immunotherapy between March 2024 and March 2026. Patients received platinum-based chemotherapy combined with pembrolizumab or durvalumab, followed by surgical resection with curative intent. Surgical, pathological, and postoperative outcomes were analyzed. Results: Thirty patients received neoadjuvant CHT-IO, of which 25 (83.3%) underwent surgical resection. Reasons for failure to proceed to surgery included treatment-related toxicity or deterioration in performance status (n = 3), disease progression (n = 1), and patient refusal (n = 1). Lobectomy was the most performed procedure (64%), while a minimally invasive approach (uniportal VATS) was adopted in 44% of cases. Moderate-to-severe pleural adhesions (64%) and hilar fibrosis (60%) were observed intraoperatively. Despite these technical challenges, conversion to thoracotomy was required in only one case (4%), no intraoperative complications occurred, and complete (R0) resection was achieved in 96% of patients. Pathological complete response and major pathological response were observed in 36% and 52% of cases, respectively. Postoperative complications occurred in 56% of patients, although most were Clavien–Dindo grade I–II. The presence of comorbidities was the only factor associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications (OR 10.00, 95% CI 0.99–100.46; p = 0.05). Median length of hospital stay was 5.65 ± 2.04 days. One postoperative death due to septic complications was recorded. Conclusions: In this real-world monocentric experience, the combination of perioperative CH-ICIs and surgical resection (including mini-invasive approach) was safe and feasible in patients with locally advanced NSCLC. High rates of complete (R0) resection and encouraging pathological responses were observed, consistent with outcomes reported in randomized trials. Although surgery was overall frequently technically demanding, these changes did not appear to compromise perioperative safety or oncological radicality, even when minimally invasive approaches were adopted. Larger studies with longer follow-up are needed to better define long-term oncological outcomes. Full article

Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) is a suitable candidate for use as a biomass resource, recognized for its large-scale breeding and the high nutritional value of its protein content. Feeding obese Zucker rats the cuticle of T. molitor enhances fatty liver metabolism through the mediation of gut microorganisms. Cuticular proteins are demonstrated to be pivotal in the formation of the insect cuticle throughout the developmental stage. The endocuticle structural glycoprotein (Abd) belongs to the RR-1 subclass, a major group of structural cuticular proteins characterized by the conserved Rebers–Riddiford (RR) motif. Nevertheless, there remains a paucity of research into the molecular properties and functions of SgAbd (endocuticle structural glycoprotein) in Coleoptera. In this study, we successfully identified and described the gene TmAbd5 in T. molitor. The coding sequence of TmAbd5 is 306 bp, corresponding to a 101-aa protein. The functional domain predicted that TmAbd5 consists of a signal peptide and a chitin-binding domain 4 (ChtBD4). Motif prediction analysis indicated that TmAbd5 belongs to the CPR (cuticular proteins with Rebers–Riddiford consensus) family with the RR-1 motif. Expression analysis revealed that TmAbd5 is upregulated in the integument, particularly during the first three days of development in the 13th instar stage. Although the RNAi-mediated silencing of TmAbd5 did not cause apparent phenotypic abnormalities and the insects successfully molted into pupae, histological examination revealed a substantial thickening of the endocuticle at 72 h post-pupation, along with a notable increase in lamellar spacing and a disrupted pore canal. In summary, TmAbd5 contributes to the formation and structural organization of the endocuticle, which provides a theoretical basis for the screening of target genes for cuticle development and for the effective utilization of cuticle resources in T. molitor. Full article

Background and Objectives: The optimal timing of surgery after preoperative fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin and docetaxel (FLOT) chemotherapy (ChT) in gastric cancer (GC) remains unclear. We aimed to evaluate the association between time to surgery (TTS) and pathological as well as survival outcomes in patients treated with perioperative FLOT. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 76 patients with locally advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma who underwent curative-intent surgery after preoperative FLOT at a single tertiary center. TTS was defined as the interval between completion of preoperative FLOT and surgery. Patients were categorized into two groups according to TTS: ≤4 weeks and >4 weeks. Pathological response (PR) was assessed using the Becker tumor regression grading system. The primary endpoint was PR, including tumor regression grade and pathological complete response (pCR). Secondary endpoint was overall survival (OS). Results: The median TTS was 31 days (IQR, 21–47). Forty-five (59.2%) patients underwent surgery within 4 weeks. Favorable PR was more frequently observed in the ≤4-week group. Becker TRG 0–1 was significantly more common among patients undergoing surgery within 4 weeks compared with those undergoing surgery after more than 4 weeks (26.2% vs. 6.5%, p = 0.03). Similarly, pCR was observed exclusively in the ≤4-week group (14.3% vs. 0%, p = 0.02). ypN0 status was numerically higher in the ≤4-week group (54.7% vs. 32.2%, p = 0.05). Postoperative complication rates did not differ significantly between groups (4.8% vs. 12.9%, p = 0.17). In multivariable Cox regression analysis, TTS was not independently associated with OS, whereas poor tumor differentiation remained an independent predictor of worse survival (HR 2.57, 95% CI 1.17–5.63, p = 0.01). Conclusions: Among patients treated with preoperative FLOT, surgery within 4 weeks was associated with improved PR without an apparent increase in postoperative morbidity. However, earlier surgery was not independently associated with improved OS. These findings suggest that prolonged delay after preoperative FLOT may not be necessary in clinically recovered patients and support the need for prospective multicenter studies to define the optimal surgical interval in FLOT-treated GC. Full article

Spray impingement cooling is a well-established heat removal technique employed across a wide range of industrial processes. A particularly significant cooling regime arises when the temperature of the cooled surface surpasses the Leidenfrost temperature of the spray. Developing an accurate numerical framework for this regime holds considerable potential for optimising industrial applications such as cryogenic machining and spray quenching. This paper presents a Eulerian–Lagrangian Conjugate Heat Transfer (CHT) model tailored for spray impingement under Leidenfrost conditions. Two heat transfer sub-models are incorporated to characterise droplet–solid thermal interaction: the first, developed by Breitenbach, is grounded in a theoretical analysis of the droplet impingement process, while the second, proposed by Deb, relies on a semi-empirical correlation. Both models were validated against an experimental correlation obtained from a literature study on orthogonal water spray impingement, yielding mean relative errors of 3.54% for the Deb model and 5.2% for the Breitenbach model across a broad range of operating conditions and surface temperatures. Full article

In this work, a partitioned coupling algorithm is developed by integrating the improved discrete velocity method (IDVM) with the lattice Boltzmann flux solver (LBFS) to address conjugate heat transfer (CHT) in microscale systems across all flow regimes. Specifically, the flow field is solved by the IDVM, generating a heat flux that acts as a Neumann boundary condition at the interface for the solid domain. Subsequently, the LBFS calculates the thermal distribution inside the solid, and the updated temperature at the interface is then applied to the fluid computations as a Dirichlet condition. The proposed framework effectively combines the strengths of the IDVM in modeling rarefied gas flows with the advantages of the LBFS in handling heat conduction in complex geometries. Crucially, the current approach implicitly captures temperature jump discontinuities at the conjugate boundary, bypassing the requirement for supplementary jump conditions. To evaluate its performance, several CHT test cases involving rarefied gas in microchannels were conducted. Computational evidence suggests that the scheme is robust across diverse flow regimes. Full article

Monochamus alternatus, the principal vector of pine wilt disease, poses a serious threat to pine forest ecosystems, and the identification of effective molecular targets is important for the development of environmentally friendly control strategies. In this study, a Group VII chitinase gene, MaCht-2, was identified in M. alternatus, and its developmental expression pattern, RNA interference (RNAi) efficiency, and RNAi-induced phenotypes were investigated using quantitative PCR, dsRNA injection, and transmission electron microscopy. MaCht-2 was highly expressed from the fifth-instar larval stage to the pupal stage, indicating a role in molting and metamorphosis. Silencing of MaCht-2 caused severe developmental defects across multiple life stages, including incomplete ecdysis, pupation failure, adult deformities, impaired locomotion, and high mortality. In third-instar larvae, injection of 5 μg of dsRNA resulted in mortality exceeding 50%. Ultrastructural analysis further showed that MaCht-2 silencing disrupted normal cuticle organization, causing thinning, wrinkling, and disordered lamellar structure. Compared with previously studied chitin-related genes, MaCht-2 produced stronger lethality and more stable RNAi effects. These results indicate that MaCht-2 is essential for normal development of M. alternatus and represents a promising target for RNAi-based pest management. Full article

Background and Objectives: The integration of chemotherapy (ChT) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has become a standard approach in oncology. Although the addition of ICIs to double-agent ChT regimens has demonstrated clinical benefit in multiple studies, other trials have reported no significant improvement. ChT is hypothesized to potentiate the effects of ICIs through multiple mechanisms, including tumor antigen release and modulation of the tumor microenvironment. This study aimed to evaluate whether nivolumab enhances the cytotoxic effects of cisplatin or paclitaxel in lung adenocarcinoma (A549) cell lines under immune-independent conditions. Materials and Methods: A549 lung alveolar carcinoma cell lines were treated with varying concentrations of nivolumab, cisplatin, and paclitaxel, individually and in combinations. Cytotoxicity and apoptosis were assessed using mitochondrial membrane potential analysis, cell viability assays, and morphological evaluation of cellular and nuclear alterations characteristic of apoptotic cell death. Results: Nivolumab alone exhibited no cytotoxic activity. The combination of cisplatin at its IC₅₀ (half-maximal inhibitory concentration) (3 µg/mL) with 13 µg/mL nivolumab yielded the most pronounced cytotoxicity (89%) compared to cisplatin alone (49%, p < 0.001). Paclitaxel combined with nivolumab increased cytotoxicity to 69% versus 51% for paclitaxel alone (p < 0.05). The enhancement effect was greater with cisplatin than with paclitaxel. Notably, adding nivolumab to the cisplatin–paclitaxel combination reduced cytotoxicity from 73% to 64%. Mechanistic analysis revealed a significant reduction in Rhodamine 123 fluorescence intensity in drug-treated groups versus controls (p < 0.001), indicating loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, a hallmark of intrinsic apoptotic activation, suggesting apoptotic priming. Conclusions: Nivolumab potentiates the cytotoxic effects of cisplatin and paclitaxel in A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells, with a more pronounced effect observed in combination with cisplatin. This enhancement is associated with mitochondrial membrane potential loss, supporting mitochondrial apoptotic priming as a potential underlying mechanism of drug synergy. Full article