Search Results (336)

Advances in pediatric oncology have markedly improved survival, shifting attention toward long-term treatment-related morbidity. Targeted agents and immune-based therapies are now widely used across pediatric malignancies and selected non-malignant conditions, often for prolonged periods and during critical windows of growth and development. Because many therapeutic targets regulate physiological pathways involved in growth, pubertal maturation, gonadal function, bone metabolism, and energy homeostasis, clinically relevant endocrine toxicity may emerge during treatment or become apparent only with extended follow-up. This narrative review summarizes pediatric evidence on endocrine and metabolic effects associated with major classes of targeted and immune-based therapies, including tyrosine kinase inhibitors, mTOR inhibitors, MAPK-pathway inhibitors (BRAF/MEK), TRK inhibitors, ALK inhibitors, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and immune effector therapies. Distinct patterns of endocrine vulnerability emerge across drug classes: growth impairment and bone–mineral alterations are most consistently reported with tyrosine kinase inhibitors; weight gain and metabolic changes predominate with MAPK-, TRK-, and ALK-targeted agents; immune checkpoint inhibitors are characterized by early, multi-axis immune-related endocrinopathies with a high likelihood of permanent hormone deficiency once established. In contrast, endocrine abnormalities observed after immune effector therapies largely reflect indirect effects of systemic inflammation, corticosteroid exposure, and prior hematopoietic stem cell transplantation rather than direct endocrine toxicity. Given the limited pediatric-specific data, frequent confounding by multimodal therapy, and the potential for delayed or irreversible endocrine sequelae, structured endocrine monitoring and long-term survivorship care are essential for children exposed to modern anticancer therapies. Full article

The prehistoric and historic Greek populations have a long and glorious history and could teach us significant lessons relevant to water resources and their management. Most Greek civilizations lived in harmony with the environment, with a profound understanding of environmental sustainability. The Minoan era, considered as Pax Minoica (or Minoan peace), was a time when palaces and other living places did not have defensive walls; in that time, human rights and power without a military aristocracy developed. During that time, hydro-structures with a high degree of security, which remained in operation for millennia, were developed, most of them established in predominantly arid areas for reasons of security, protection, and public health. The study presents important elements of the development and progress of these technological achievements provided by ancient civilizations throughout the prehistoric to modern period, in the context of revealing and highlighting potential lessons to understand and address current critical issues in the management of water resources. Furthermore, the methodology used and the technological structural advancement of water works, their infrastructure durability, and early water law principles are considered. Many modern systems are designed for operational lifespans of 50–100 years, whereas several ancient Greek hydraulic structures remained functional for centuries by relying on renewable natural resources—reflecting a fundamentally different design philosophy centered on longevity and robustness. Thus, terms such as “sustainability” and “water security/safety”, first taught by ancient civilizations, need to be reconsidered and adopted again nowadays to inspire policies, strategies, and actions against the increasing challenges. Full article

Modern genetic selection for high productivity has created a physiological conflict in ruminants, where the metabolic demands of lactation compete directly with the energy requirements of reproduction. This review provides a mechanistic synthesis of how key nutritional factors modulate the endocrine and cellular pathways governing reproductive success in cattle and sheep. Negative energy balance (NEB), characteristic of the early postpartum period, suppresses the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis by impairing the pulsatile secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), mediated through reduced kisspeptin signaling, growth hormone (GH) resistance, and decreased circulating insulin, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and leptin. At the macronutrient level, excess rumen-degradable protein elevates blood urea nitrogen and impairs the uterine environment, while omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids inhibit prostaglandin F2α synthesis to support corpus luteum maintenance. At the micronutrient level, selenium, copper, and zinc are essential antioxidant cofactors protecting gametes and embryos from oxidative stress, while vitamins A, D, and E regulate gene expression in reproductive tissues. Furthermore, maternal nutrition during critical gestational windows programs the reproductive capacity of offspring through epigenetic modifications, with profound implications for long-term herd fertility. Understanding these nutritional–reproductive interactions is crucial for developing precision feeding strategies that optimize herd fertility, improve animal welfare, and ensure the economic sustainability of livestock management. A thorough understanding of these nutritional–reproductive interactions is essential for developing precision feeding strategies that optimize fertility in high-producing ruminants. Full article

The origin of life is commonly discussed within two competing conceptual frameworks: the metabolism-first and information-first hypotheses. While each emphasizes a different defining property of early life, modern biochemistry reveals a fundamental interdependence between metabolic processes and genetic information transfer, leading to a persistent chicken-and-egg problem. In this study, we investigate a prebiotically plausible reaction system that enables the concurrent formation of molecular precursors associated with both frameworks. Under simulated Hadean hydrothermal conditions, acetylene, ammonia, cyanide, and carbon monoxide were reacted in aqueous solution in the presence of transition metal sulfides. Using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry combined with stable isotope labeling, we demonstrate the simultaneous formation of the nucleobase uracil and the amino acids alanine and aspartic acid. Isotopic incorporation patterns allow reconstruction of the underlying reaction pathways and confirm the contribution of all starting materials to product formation. While amino acids are produced continuously over the observed period in significantly higher yields than uracil, uracil formation exhibits a pronounced time-dependent maximum after three days. Variations in pH, reaction time, and metal sulfide catalysts modulate product yields but do not prevent the parallel emergence of both molecular classes. These findings support a scenario in which proto-metabolic chemistry and molecular precursors of genetic information could have arisen simultaneously within a shared geochemical setting. The results provide experimental support for a coupled origin of metabolism and transcriptional building blocks, offering a potential resolution to the dichotomy between metabolism-first and information-first models of early life. Full article

Millenarianism originated from apocalyptic literature in Judaism, emphasizing that the “Messiah” would establish a “millennial kingdom” on earth ruled by the Jews. This ideology became a theoretical weapon for Jews to resist imperial tyranny during classical antiquity and was later embraced by early Christian theology. By the early modern period, with the intense unfolding of the Reformation and social upheavals, the theory of the “millennial kingdom” re-emerged as a mainstream topic in Christian theology. Regarding the nature of the “millennial kingdom” and how it would be realized, early modern Christian factions split into two interpretive camps. One emphasized the spiritual attributes of the “millennial kingdom”, while the other stressed its material aspects, advocating the violent establishment of a political entity on earth ruled by Christians. These two distinct interpretive models ultimately converged on the issue of colonial expansion, transforming millenarianism into a theoretical tool to justify overseas expansion. Full article

Dental wear provides valuable evidence for reconstructing past human behaviour, including diet abrasiveness and non-masticatory activities such as the use of teeth as a “third hand”. This study investigates activity-induced dental modifications (AIDMs) in two adult human skeletons recovered from a 15th–19th-century necropolis at the St. Athanasius Church in Niculițel (Tulcea County, Romania). Dental remains and associated dental calculus were examined using low- and high-magnification optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Well-polished grooves with parallel striations were identified on the incisor crowns, consistent with repetitive extra-masticatory activities related to fibre drafting during spinning and textile production. Dental calculus analysis revealed the presence of plant and animal fibres, providing direct micro-contextual evidence for textile-related practices. These results offer new insights into the use of teeth as tools and contribute to the reconstruction of textile-related craft activities during the Ottoman and early modern periods in southeastern Europe. Full article

Extant birds and the earliest dinosaurs may share fundamental metabolic features essential for aerobic exercise, suggesting that the extraordinary physical performance typical of avian species originated when dinosaurs first appeared during the Carnian Pluvial Episode (CPE). This physiological adaptation is complemented by hyperactive mitochondria that exhibit high oxygen consumption and low reactive oxygen species production. Molecular genomics of fossils, the so-called “Jurassic Genome,” indicates that these early dinosaurs possessed compact genomes, 50–60% the size of the human genome, and small cells, implying a highly stringent metabolic regime. We suggest that hyperactive mitochondria, closely associated with compact genomes and small cells, drive theropod adaptation to the hot, dry, and hypoxic environments of the Late Triassic period, ultimately enabling their ecological dominance. Early dinosaurs such as Herrerasaurus are hypothesized to have possessed advanced physiological traits shared with modern birds, including hyperactive mitochondria, compact genomes, small cells, and a developing air-sac system. Collectively, these features most likely may have contributed to exceptional metabolic capacity, locomotor performance, and adaptation to the harsh environment of the CPE. Full article

Achievement of optimal nutritional status within the first 1000 days of life for a child with cystic fibrosis (CF) is of paramount importance, with an emphasis on favorable early life growth trajectories that best optimize pulmonary and extrapulmonary health. The ‘first 1000 days’ framework emphasizes that environmental, sociocultural and nutritional exposures during this period can have life-long consequences for physical, cognitive, social and emotional health and development. Optimal nutrition encompasses not just physical growth, but the provision of nutrients and optimal feeding throughout the preconception, pregnancy and first 1000-day period to ensure lifelong healthy development and aging. For children with CF (cwCF), the first 1000 days is marred by a myriad of complications, exposing a unique nutritional fragility within this critical developmental window. Conversely, as life expectancy increases for people with CF (pwCF), overnutrition is becoming increasingly prevalent and the widespread uptake of disease-modifying drugs challenges clinicians to take a nuanced and personalized approach to lifelong nutritional care. This review explores early disease manifestations of CF and their impact on early life growth and nutrition in the modern era of CF. This review also considers how we might theoretically view early life nutrition in CF from a lens which takes into consideration well-known frameworks such as ‘the first 1000 days’ and ‘developmental origins of health and disease’. Full article

From its esteemed place as the queen of the sciences in the medieval period, theology has suffered in the public eye in comparison to philosophy. While philosophy came to be more esteemed, especially in early modernity, theology was relegated to private, secondary status. In the modernist paradigm, theology was seen as too biased to be objective and fully rational. While theology and philosophy had worked hand in hand in the medieval period, in the modern period, they essentially went through a divorce. They became separated in terms of disciplines, methods, ethos, and even schools. The relationship often became hostile. The cracking of the modern framework in the last century, however, has reshaped both. New possibilities have emerged, yet not without continued strain, not unlike fractured families who continue to have ties that draw them together. Given that these two disciplines are foremost in the quest for truth and meaning, these new possibilities of an amicable relationship are what I would like to explore. Full article

Rotating stall and surge are complex, unsteady flow instability phenomena in aeroengine compressors that pose serious threats to the safety and reliability of both the compressor and the engine as a whole. As aeroengine performance continues to improve, the average stage total pressure ratio and stage loading have steadily increased, presenting significant challenges in designing compressors with sufficient stall margins. In this study, we review key advances in the understanding of axial compressor instability, organizing prior research into three representative historical periods. This chronological framework aims to clarify evolving theoretical insights into the relationship between flow instability and tip-region flow dynamics in modern axial compressors. We then summarize the development of casing treatments, including their discovery, major configurations, and applicability across different compressor types. Subsequently, we systematically examine research on slot-type casing treatments, covering early-stage performance investigations, structural optimization based on experimental and numerical methods, and the underlying mechanisms responsible for stability enhancement. Finally, we offer recommendations and outline future research directions to guide further advancements in this field. Full article

This article argues that the influential role played by the Reverend William Hechler in the early Zionist movement cannot be understood apart from the transnational evangelical networks within which he operated. Drawing on Herzl’s diaries, archival correspondence, and contemporary evangelical periodicals, the study situates the Herzl-Hechler encounter within the convergence of longstanding Christian and Jewish restorationist currents, rather than treating it as a purely coincidental meeting between isolated individuals. It shows that Hechler functioned not as a marginal enthusiast but as a strategically positioned mediator, whose engagement with Herzl reflected a broader trajectory of evangelical interest in Jewish restoration dating back to the 1880s and sustained patterns of mediation across religious and diplomatic contexts. Rather than claiming empirical novelty with respect to the existence of restorationist networks per se, the article offers an analytically disciplined reframing of Hechler’s role within a wider ideological and diplomatic field, highlighting mediation, chronological continuity, and network plausibility as key interpretive coordinates for understanding the religious and political infrastructures that shaped the formative phase of modern political Zionism. Full article

Background: The One Health framework emphasizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health and is closely linked with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study conducted a longitudinal bibliometric analysis of the Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi to assess how its scientific output from 2007 to 2024 reflects evolving One Health and sustainability-related research priorities. Methods: A total of 978 records covering the journal’s entire SCI-indexed period were retrieved from the Web of Science (WoS). Bibliometric analyses were conducted in R Studio (v4.5.1) using the Bibliometrix/Biblioshiny package. Keyword standardization, synonym harmonization, and clustering were applied to generate keyword co-occurrence networks, thematic maps, and multi-period thematic evolution analyses (2007–2013; 2014–2019; 2020–2024). WoS–SDG tagging was integrated and manually validated to evaluate alignment with sustainability and One Health domains. Results: The analysis revealed a clear thematic transition over time. Early publications focused on classical veterinary and production-oriented topics such as reproduction, physiology, nutrition, and livestock performance. During the mid-period, increasing emphasis was placed on epidemiology, pathogen detection, and antimicrobial resistance. In the most recent period, molecular diagnostics, infectious disease ecology, and environmental health emerged as central clusters. SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) remained dominant but declined from approximately 79% of publications in 2007–2014 to 69% in 2020–2024, while SDG 13 (Climate Action) increased markedly after 2019, reaching mean values around 10%, indicating diversification toward environmental sustainability. The growing integration of diagnostic terms such as Polymerase Chain Reaction, cytokines, and histopathology reflects increasing research capacity and methodological modernization consistent with One Health priorities. Conclusions: The journal has undergone a substantial evolution from a predominantly traditional veterinary focus toward a more integrative, interdisciplinary, and sustainability-oriented research agenda aligned with One Health and SDG frameworks. Full article

Hakuin Ekaku 白隠慧鶴, the reviver of the Japanese Rinzai school 臨濟宗, introduced Chinese Daoist cosmology and views on the body through the narrative persona of the immortal Hakuyūshi 白幽子 in works such as Yasen Kanna 夜船閑話 (Chats on a Night Boat). He elaborated on specific techniques of Daoist internal alchemy (nèidān 內丹), such as focusing the mind on the dāntián 丹田 (elixir field) and regulating the breath to enter a state of tranquility, as methods to address “Zen sickness” and nurture both body and mind. This approach to self-cultivation exerted a profound influence in Japan. From the late Meiji into the Taishō period (early 20th century), practitioners such as Futaki Kenzo 二木謙三, Fujita Reisai 藤田靈齋, and Okada Torajirō 岡田虎二郎 developed their own health methods based on their respective understandings, forming practices such as the “abdominal breathing method” 腹式呼吸法 and the “method of harmonizing breath and mind” 息心調和法. These contributions promoted the popularization of quiet sitting within Japanese society. Related books were subsequently translated and introduced to China, inspiring modern scholars such as Jiang Weiqiao 蔣維喬 to reinterpret Chinese traditional self-cultivation methods in a new language, leading to the publication of health-preserving works like The Yinshizi’s Method of Quiet Sitting 因是子靜坐法. At the same time, the Chinese self-cultivation community engaged in reflection on and correction of potential drawbacks in the practice of sitting meditation. By tracing this cross-religious and cross-regional process of cultural transmission and transformation, this paper reveals the enduring vitality of Daoist practices during East Asia’s modernization, as well as their universal significance beyond the confines of any single religious tradition. Full article

Barley is a marginalized crop subjected to several types of abiotic stress but need to intensify for future climate smart crop. This study investigated the drought resistance of barley landraces focusing on agro-morphological and physiological traits under controlled drought conditions. The experiment employed a two-factorial completely randomized design (CRD) with 14 barley landraces (of which 8 completed the maturity period examination) subjected to drought stress at three growth stages (CRI, tillering, and grain filling). Key parameters such as SPAD values (chlorophyll content), tiller number, and yield attributes were measured and analyzed using drought tolerance indices. Fourteen genotypes were initially tested, of which six failed to reach maturity; eight genotypes completed the full growth cycle and were used for yield and stress index analysis. Results revealed significant genotypic variation in drought response. Eight landraces exhibited higher SPAD values under drought, indicating better photosynthetic retention. Notably, AFU202501 demonstrated high yield stability (Stress Tolerance Index, STI = 1.782) under both stress and non-stress conditions, while Saptari Local showed exceptional drought avoidance (low Stress Susceptibility Index, SSI = −0.068) through early maturity and minimal yield reduction. In contrast, genotypes like Muktinath and NGRC 6010 were highly sensitive to drought, with significant yield losses (49–87%). Physiological traits such as chlorophyll retention and phenological plasticity (e.g., accelerated maturity under stress) were critical for drought adaptation. The findings highlight the potential of landraces like AFU202501 and Saptari Local as genetic resources for breeding climate-resilient barley varieties. The study underscores the importance of integrating traditional landraces into modern breeding programs to enhance food security in drought-prone regions. Full article

Archaeological research on Santiago Island (Cape Verde) offers a strategic framework for investigating ceramic material culture shaped by Iberian and African interactions during the early modern period. This study presents first-stage results from a non-destructive archaeometric analysis of pottery fragments recovered from early colonial sites and curated at the Museu de Arqueologia in Praia. Using portable X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (pXRF), low-fired, handmade vessels associated with African technological traditions were analysed to determine their elemental composition and potential provenance. The work also focused on sugar moulds, containers used in the refining of this product, one of the most important in Atlantic colonisation. The resulting geochemical data is compared with established reference groups from the Iberian Peninsula, Atlantic Africa, and Macaronesia. Elemental variability indicates the use of diverse clay sources and production techniques, reflecting hybrid technological practices shaped by cultural interaction and provisioning constraints. These results contribute to ongoing research within the CERIBAM (Iberian Atlantic Expansion in North Africa and Macaronesia) and Palarq-funded projects, which aim to reconstruct early colonial ceramic networks and sociotechnical dynamics. By integrating archaeometric data with archaeological and historical perspectives, this study aims to demonstrate the utility of non-invasive analytical protocols for understanding ceramic technology, intercultural exchange, and Atlantic material connectivity in early Creole formations while preserving the integrity of the collections. Full article