Search Results (16,835)

Kinesthetic motor imagery (KMI), the mental rehearsal of a motor task without its actual performance, constitutes one of the most common techniques used for brain–computer interface (BCI) control for movement-related tasks. The effect of neural injury on motor cortical activity during execution and imagery remains under investigation in terms of activations, processing of motor onset, and BCI control. The current work aims to conduct a post hoc investigation of the event-related potential (ERP)-based processing of KMI during BCI control of anthropomorphic robotic arms by spinal cord injury (SCI) patients and healthy control participants in a completed clinical trial. For this purpose, we analyzed 14-channel electroencephalography (EEG) data from 10 patients with cervical SCI and 8 healthy individuals, recorded through Emotiv EPOC BCI, as the participants attempted to move anthropomorphic robotic arms using KMI. EEG data were pre-processed by band-pass filtering (8–30 Hz) and independent component analysis (ICA). ERPs were calculated at the sensor space, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine potential differences between groups. Our results showed no statistically significant differences between SCI patients and healthy control groups regarding mean amplitude and latency (p < 0.05) across the recorded channels at various time points during stimulus presentation. Notably, no significant differences were observed in ERP components, except for the P200 component at the T8 channel. These findings suggest that brain circuits associated with motor planning and sensorimotor processes are not disrupted due to anatomical damage following SCI. The temporal dynamics of motor-related areas—particularly in channels like F3, FC5, and F7—indicate that essential motor imagery (MI) circuits remain functional. Limitations include the relatively small sample size that may hamper the generalization of our findings, the sensor-space analysis that restricts anatomical specificity and neurophysiological interpretations, and the use of a low-density EEG headset, lacking coverage over key motor regions. Non-invasive EEG-based BCI systems for motor rehabilitation in SCI patients could effectively leverage intact neural circuits to promote neuroplasticity and facilitate motor recovery. Future work should include validation against larger, longitudinal, high-density, source-space EEG datasets. Full article

Background/Objectives: Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is a lethal malignancy curable only by surgical resection in early stages (Tis, T1, T2). Significant controversy exists regarding the optimal extent of surgery. This review summarizes recent trends and evidence on surgical strategies for Tis, T1, and T2 GBC to guide practice and research. Methods: This narrative review synthesizes recent literature on surgical management of Tis, T1a, T1b, and T2 GBC based on American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) 8th edition staging. It examines simple vs. extended cholecystectomy (simple cholecystectomy (SC) vs. extended/radical cholecystectomy (EC/RC)), the role of lymphadenectomy (LND) and hepatectomy, and minimally invasive surgery (MIS). Results: Simple cholecystectomy is curative for Tis/T1a GBC. For T1b, regional LND is essential for staging/potential benefit, especially examining ≥5–6 nodes. Tumor size is critical; SC alone may suffice for T1b < 1 cm (low lymph node metastasis (LNM) risk), while EC/RC with LND is indicated for ≥1 cm (higher LNM risk). Routine hepatectomy for T1b lacks survival support. For T2 GBC, mandatory regional LND (≥6 nodes) is required for both T2a and T2b substages due to high LNM rates; T2b has higher LNM than T2a. Routine hepatectomy for T2 is debated; evidence suggests no routine benefit for T2a beyond LND, with conflicting findings for T2b. R0 resection is paramount. MIS is feasible for early stages in experienced hands. Conclusions: Management of early GBC is moving towards risk stratification. SC is standard for Tis/T1a. Adequate regional LND is crucial for T1b (especially ≥1 cm) and mandatory for T2 GBC. Routine hepatectomy, particularly for T2b, remains controversial. Tailored surgery prioritizes R0 resection and comprehensive LND, necessitating further standardized research. Full article

Background/Objectives: Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) is a rare and fatal genetic disease caused by a silent mutation in the LMNA gene, leading to the production of progerin, a defective prelamin A variant. Progerin accumulation disrupts nuclear integrity, alters chromatin organization, and drives systemic cellular dysfunction. While autophagy and inflammation are key dysregulated pathways in HGPS, the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in these processes remains poorly understood. Methods: We performed an extensive literature review to identify miRNAs involved in autophagy and inflammation. Through stem-loop RT-qPCR in aging HGPS and control fibroblast strains, we identified significant miRNAs and focused on the most prominent one, miR-181a-5p, for in-depth analysis. We validated our in vitro findings with miRNA expression studies in skin biopsies from an HGPS mouse model and conducted functional assays in human fibroblasts, including immunofluorescence staining, β-Galactosidase assay, qPCR, and Western blot analysis. Transfection studies were performed using an miR-181a-5p mimic and its inhibitor. Results: We identified miR-181a-5p as a critical regulator of premature senescence in HGPS. miR-181a-5p was significantly upregulated in HGPS fibroblasts and an HGPS mouse model, correlating with Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) suppression and induction of senescence. Additionally, we demonstrated that TGFβ1 induced miR-181a-5p expression, linking inflammation to miRNA-mediated senescence. Inhibiting miR-181a-5p restored SIRT1 levels, increased proliferation, and alleviated senescence in HGPS fibroblasts, supporting its functional relevance in disease progression. Conclusions: These findings highlight the important role of miR-181a-5p in premature aging and suggest its potential as a therapeutic target for modulating senescence in progeroid syndromes. Full article

Soil salinization is a major constraint to global crop productivity, highlighting the need to identify salt tolerance genes and their molecular mechanisms. Here, we integrated mRNA and miRNA profile analyses to investigate the molecular basis of salt tolerance of an elite Brassica napus cultivar S268. Time-course RNA-seq analysis revealed dynamic transcriptional reprogramming under 215 mM NaCl stress, with 212 core genes significantly enriched in organic acid degradation and glyoxylate/dicarboxylate metabolism pathways. Combined with weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and RT-qPCR validation, five candidate genes (WRKY6, WRKY70, NHX1, AVP1, and NAC072) were identified as the regulators of salt tolerance in rapeseed. Haplotype analysis based on association mapping showed that NAC072, ABI5, and NHX1 exhibited two major haplotypes that were significantly associated with salt tolerance variation under salt stress in rapeseed. Integrated miRNA-mRNA analysis and RT-qPCR identified three regulatory miRNA-mRNA pairs (bna-miR160a/BnaA03.BAG1, novel-miR-126/BnaA08.TPS9, and novel-miR-70/BnaA07.AHA1) that might be involved in S268 salt tolerance. These results provide novel insights into the post-transcriptional regulation of salt tolerance in B. napus, offering potential targets for genetic improvement. Full article

The growing demand for natural and sustainable skincare products has driven interest in plant-based active ingredients, especially from in vitro cultures. This placebo-controlled study investigated the impact of a facial cream containing 2% Kickxia elatine (L.) Dumort cell suspension culture extract on various skin biophysical parameters. The cream was applied to the cheek once daily for six weeks on 40 healthy female volunteers between the ages of 40 to 49. The evaluated skin parameters including skin hydration, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), erythema intensity (EI), melanin intensity (MI), skin surface pH, and skin structure, wrinkle depth, vascular lesions, and vascular discolouration. The results indicated that significant improvements were observed in skin hydration (from 40.36 to 63.00 AU, p < 0.001) and there was a decrease in TEWL score (14.82 to 11.76 g/h/m², p < 0.001), while the skin surface pH was maintained (14.82 to 11.76 g/h/m², p < 0.001). Moreover, the K. elatine cell extract significantly improved skin structure values (9.23 to 8.50, p = 0.028), reduced vascular lesions (2.72 to 1.54 mm², p = 0.011), and lowered skin discolouration (20.98% to 14.84%, p < 0.001), indicating its moisturising, protective, brightening, and soothing properties. These findings support the potential use of K. elatine cell extract in dermocosmetic formulations targeting dry, sensitive, or ageing skin. Full article

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) represents a neurobiological disorder with a high prevalence in the children’s population. The aim of the present review was to assess the current evidence on the use of salivary biomarkers for the early diagnosis of ASD. Materials and methods: A search was conducted on the electronic databases PUBMED/Medline, Google Scholar and Scopus for the retrieval of articles concerning the study topic. Results: A total of 22 studies have been included in the present review considering 21 articles identified from databases and 1 article included using a manual search. A wide range of biomarkers have been proposed for early detection of ASD diseases including nonspecific inflammation markers like interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), oxidative stress markers like superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, hormones such as cortisol and oxytocin, various microRNAs including miR-21, miR-132 and miR-137, and exosomes. The techniques used for biomarke detection may vary according to molecule type and concentration. Conclusions: salivary biomarkers could represent a potential useful tool for the primary detection of several systemic diseases including ASD, taking advantage of non-invasiveness and cost-effective capability compared to other biofluid-based diagnostic techniques. Full article

This study evaluated the effectiveness of eDNA metabarcoding in assessing fish communities in two urban lakes (First Lake and Second Lake) in Zagreb, Croatia, following IAS removal. Water samples were collected in April and June 2024 and analyzed using MiFish primers targeting the 12S rRNA gene. The results indicated that the cleanup efforts were largely successful, as several IAS previously recorded in these lakes were not detected (Ameiurus melas, Lepomis gibbosus, and Hypophthalmichthys spp.). However, some others persisted in low relative abundances, such as grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), topmouth gudgeon (Pseudorasbora parva), and prussian/crucian carp (Carassius sp.). Species composition differed between lakes, with common carp (Cyprinus carpio) dominating Maksimir First Lake, while chub (Squalius cephalus) was prevalent in Maksimir Second Lake. Unexpected eDNA signals from salmonid and exotic species suggest potential input from upstream sources, human activity, or the nearby Zoo Garden. These findings underscore the utility of eDNA metabarcoding in biodiversity monitoring and highlight the need for continuous surveillance and adaptive management strategies to ensure long-term IAS control. Full article

Diamond, renowned for its exceptional electrical, physical, and chemical properties, including ultra-wide bandgap, superior hardness, high thermal conductivity, and unparalleled stability, serves as an ideal candidate for next-generation high-power and high-temperature electronic devices. Among diamond-based devices, Schottky barrier diodes (SBDs) have garnered significant attention due to their simple architecture and superior rectifying characteristics. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in diamond SBDs, focusing on both metal–semiconductor (MS) and metal–interlayer–semiconductor (MIS) configurations. For MS structures, we critically analyze the roles of single-layer metals (including noble metals, transition metals, and other metals) and multilayer metals in modulating Schottky barrier height (SBH) and enhancing thermal stability. However, the presence of interface-related issues such as high densities of surface states and Fermi level pinning often leads to poor control of the SBH, limiting device performance and reliability. To address these challenges and achieve high-quality metal/diamond interfaces, researchers have proposed various interface engineering strategies. In particular, the introduction of interfacial layers in MIS structures has emerged as a promising approach. For MIS architectures, functional interlayers—including high-k materials (Al₂O₃, HfO₂, SnO₂) and low-work-function materials (LaB₆, CeB₆)—are evaluated for their efficacy in interface passivation, barrier modulation, and electric field control. Terminal engineering strategies, such as field-plate designs and surface termination treatments, are also highlighted for their role in improving breakdown voltage. Furthermore, we emphasize the limitations in current parameter extraction from current–voltage (I–V) properties and call for a unified new method to accurately determine SBH. This comprehensive analysis provides critical insights into interface engineering strategies and evaluation protocols for high-performance diamond SBDs, paving the way for their reliable deployment in extreme conditions. Full article

Elevated levels of atherogenic lipoproteins are known to be associated with an increased risk of incident and recurrent cardiovascular events. Knowing that the immediate post-acute coronary syndrome (ACS) period is associated with the maximum risk of recurrent events, the gradual escalation of therapy allows the patient to remain above the targets during the most vulnerable period. In addition, the percentage of lipid-lowering levels for each class of drugs is predictable and has a ceiling. Hence, it is prudent to immediately start with a combination of lipid-lowering drugs following ACS according to the baseline lipid levels. Multiple studies with injectable lipid-lowering agents (PCSK9 inhibitors) such as EVOPACS, PACMAN MI, and HUYGENS MI have shown the feasibility of achieving LDL-C goals by day 28 and beneficial plaque modification in non-infarct-related coronary arteries. Recently, a study from India demonstrated that an upfront triple combination of oral lipid-lowering agents was able to achieve LDL-C goals in a majority of patients in the early post-ACS period. This notion is also supported by a few recent lipid-lowering guidelines advocating for an upfront dual combination of a high-intensity statin and ezetimibe following ACS. Henceforth, the goal should not only be the achievement of lipid targets but also their early achievement. However, the impact of this strategy on long-term cardiovascular outcomes is yet to be ascertained. Full article

We report a case of catheter-associated bloodstream infection caused by a putative novel species in the genus Erwinia, identified using whole-genome sequencing (WGS). A female adolescent receiving long-term home parenteral nutrition via a central venous catheter (CVC) presented with a fever. Gram-negative rods were isolated from two CVC-derived blood culture sets, while peripheral cultures remained negative. Conventional identification methods, including VITEK 2, Phoenix M50, MALDI-TOF MS, and 16S rRNA and rpoB gene sequencing, failed to achieve species-level identification. WGS was performed on the isolate using Illumina MiSeq. Genomic analysis revealed a genome size of 5.39 Mb with 56.8% GC content and high assembly completeness. The highest average nucleotide identity (ANI) was 90.3% with Pantoea coffeiphila, and ≤85% with known Erwinia species, suggesting that it represents a distinct taxon. Phylogenetic analyses placed the isolate within the Erwinia clade but separate from any known species. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing showed broad susceptibility. This case highlights the utility of WGS for the identification of rare or novel organisms not captured by conventional methods and expands the clinical spectrum of Erwinia species. While the criteria for species delineation were met, the phenotypic characterization remains insufficient to formally propose a new species. Full article

Leptospirosis is a globally significant zoonosis affecting animal health, productivity, and the environment. While typically associated with tropical climates, its persistence in semi-arid regions such as La Laguna, Mexico—characterized by low humidity, high temperatures, and limited water sources—remains poorly understood. Although these adverse environmental conditions theoretically limit the survival of Leptospira, high livestock density and synanthropic reservoirs (e.g., rodents) may compensate, facilitating transmission. In this cross-sectional study, blood sera from 445 dairy cows (28 herds: 12 intensive [MI], 16 semi-intensive [MSI] systems) were analyzed via microscopic agglutination testing (MAT) against 10 pathogenic serovars. Urine samples were cultured for active Leptospira detection. Risk factors were assessed through epidemiological surveys and multivariable analysis. This study revealed an overall apparent seroprevalence of 27.0% (95% CI: 22.8–31.1), with significantly higher rates in MSI (54.1%) versus MI (12.2%) herds (p < 0.001) and an estimated true seroprevalence of 56.3% (95% CI: 50.2–62.1) in MSI and 13.1% (95% CI: 8.5–18.7) in MI herds (p < 0.001). The Sejroe serogroup was isolated from urine in both systems, confirming active circulation. In MI herds, rodent presence (OR: 3.6; 95% CI: 1.6–7.9) was identified as a risk factor for Leptospira seropositivity, while first-trimester abortions (OR:10.1; 95% CI: 4.2–24.2) were significantly associated with infection. In MSI herds, risk factors associated with Leptospira seropositivity included co-occurrence with hens (OR: 2.8; 95% CI: 1.5–5.3) and natural breeding (OR: 2.0; 95% CI: 1.1–3.9), whereas mastitis/agalactiae (OR: 2.8; 95% CI: 1.5–5.2) represented a clinical outcome associated with seropositivity. Despite semi-arid conditions, Leptospira maintains transmission in La Laguna, particularly in semi-intensive systems. The coexistence of adapted (Sejroe) and incidental serogroups underscores the need for targeted interventions, such as rodent control in MI systems and poultry management in MSI systems, to mitigate both zoonotic and economic impacts. Full article

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) are the most common pregnancy-related conditions resulting in adverse maternal and fetal complications. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), particularly miR-182-3p and miR-24-3p, are promising biomarkers as they act as regulatory elements in various diseases; however, their roles in GDM and IDA are unclear. The present study aimed to analyze the expression and functional relevance of miR-182-3p and miR-24-3p in GDM and IDA. Experimental validation via RT-PCR revealed significant upregulation of both miRNAs in GDM and IDA samples. We identified common target genes and signaling pathways associated with these miRNAs, using a combination of data mining, bioinformatic tools (miRDB, TargetScan, miRTarBase, and miRWalk), and differentially expressed gene (DEGs) analysis using the GEO, OMIM, MalaCards, and GeneCards datasets. GO and KEGG pathway analyses revealed that the shared miRNA–mRNA in target genes were enriched in insulin signaling, apoptosis, and inflammatory pathways—key mechanisms implicated in GDM and IDA. Furthermore, hub genes such as IRS1, PIK3CA, CASP3, MAPK7, and PDGFRB were identified, supporting their central role in metabolic dysregulation during pregnancy. These findings demonstrate the potential of miR-182-3p and miR-24-3p as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in managing GDM and IDA, offering new insights into the molecular interplay underlying pregnancy complications. Full article

In order to increase the effectiveness of model training, data reduction is essential to data-centric Artificial Intelligence (AI). It achieves this by locating the most instructive examples in massive datasets. To increase data quality and training efficiency, the main difficulty is choosing the best examples rather than the complete datasets. In this paper, we propose an effective data reduction strategy based on Pointwise $\mathcal{V}$-Information (PVI). To enable a static method, we first use PVI to quantify instance difficulty and remove instances with low difficulty. Experiments show that classifier performance is maintained with only a 0.0001% to 0.76% decline in accuracy when 10–30% of the data is removed. Second, we train the classifiers using a progressive learning strategy on examples sorted by increasing PVI, accelerating convergence and achieving a 0.8% accuracy gain over conventional training. Our findings imply that training a classifier on the chosen optimal subset may improve model performance and increase training efficiency when combined with an efficient data reduction strategy. Furthermore, we have adapted the PVI framework, which was previously limited to English datasets, to a variety of Chinese Natural Language Processing (NLP) tasks and base models, yielding insightful results for faster training and cross-lingual data reduction. Full article

Background: Pulmonary involvement is the most common prognosis-related organ involvement in idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM). Owing to the large number of antibodies, the evidence for lung involvement and rare antibodies is limited. In everyday clinical practice, the interpretation of positive myositis antibodies represents a challenge. Methods: This study is a retrospective monocentric analysis. The data collection regarding positive myositis antibodies and possible pulmonary involvement was carried out from July 2019 to May 2022. Data analysis revealed positive results for one of the following antibodies: EJ, PL7, OJ, PL12, Mi-2α, TIF1γ, MDA5, SAE, NXP2, SRP, Ku, PM-Scl100 and PM-Scl75. In our analysis, patients with IIM, patients with inflammatory rheumatic disease other than IIM and patients without inflammatory rheumatic disease are described. The results of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), pulmonary function tests, echocardiographic examinations and their associated clinical findings are examined. Results: In the entire cohort, 209 patients with positive myositis antibodies were detected. In total, 22 (10.5%) patients had interstitial lung disease (ILD) patterns on HRCT. In the subgroup of patients with IIM, a significantly higher proportion of patients with lung involvement (n = 13, 35.1%) was found than in the group with other inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRDs) (n = 6, 6.7%) or in the group without IRDs (n = 3, 3.7%). When the antibody groups were considered, the PL12-positive patients had the largest proportion of ILD (42%), followed by the MDA5-positive patients (40%). Conclusions: In patients with IIM, myositis antibodies are highly relevant for assessing the risk of lung involvement. In groups with other IRD or without IRD, antibody detection does not represent this high relevance for lung involvement. A differentiated assessment of the various MSAs or MAAs detected, as well as clinical parameters, allows for further important risk assessment for prognosis-relevant lung involvement. Full article

Root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) is a globally destructive plant-parasitic nematode that severely impedes the sustainable production of horticultural crops. Metabolic reprogramming in plant roots represents the host response to M. incognita infection that can also be exploited by the nematode to facilitate its parasitism. In this study, untargeted metabolomics was employed to analyze metabolic changes in cucumber roots following nematode inoculation, with the goal of identifying differentially accumulated metabolites that may influence M. incognita behavior. Metabolomic analysis revealed that M. incognita significantly altered the cucumber root metabolome, triggering an accumulation of lipids and organic acids and enriching biotic stress-related pathways such as alkaloid biosynthesis and linoleic acid metabolism. Among differentially accumulated metabolites, myristic acid and hexadecanal were selected for further study due to their potential roles in nematode inhibition. In vitro assays demonstrated that both metabolites suppressed egg hatching and reduced infectivity of M. incognita, while pot experiments indicated a correlation between their application and reduced root gall formation. Chemotaxis assays further revealed that both metabolites exerted repellent effects on the chemotactic migration of M. incognita J2 and suppressed the transcriptional expression of two motility-and feeding-related neuropeptides, Mi-flp-1 and Mi-flp-18. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the significant potential of differentially accumulated metabolites induced by M. incognita infection for nematode disease control, achieved by interfering with nematode chemotaxis and subsequent infection. This work also provides deeper insights into the metabolomic mechanisms underlying the cucumber-M. incognita interaction. Full article