Search Results (2,048)

Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is a key preservation-based intervention in pediatric dentistry. It can arrest many cavitated lesions, reduce treatment burden, and expand access for children who cannot receive conventional restorative care. This viewpoint article offers a reasoned, heuristic framework for calibrating SDF guidance to the strength of the underlying evidence. It does not present a systematic review or formal policy standards. Foundational trials support the clinical usefulness of 38% SDF. The 2017 AAPD guidelines provided conditional recommendations based on low-quality evidence. The current challenge is no longer whether to endorse SDF but how to calibrate guidance on its implementation. Later studies addressing intervals and implementation often have open-label designs, small samples, single centers, or overlapping data sources. Mechanistic and microbiome studies support biological plausibility, but policy should not treat them as definitive evidence. We propose a hypothesis-generating framework that separates claims about the existence of an effect (for which there is stronger directional support) from claims about its optimal conditions (which remain more uncertain), highlights dataset overlap, and matches recommendation strength to study quality. The framework supplements GRADE and provides illustrative upgrade pathways. The goal is to preserve SDF access while making guidelines more transparent, credible, and precise. Full article

We evaluated global radiotherapy practices in the management of early-stage (AJCC/UICC 8th edition stages I-II) glottic cancer (ESGC). A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in March 2025 across centers worldwide. Data was collected on clinical practices, including staging, CT simulation, target volumes delineation, organs-at-risk contouring, radiotherapy techniques, dose and fractionation schedules, treatment delivery techniques, and image guidance practices. A total of 181 responses were received, primarily from Asia (41.4%) and Europe (24.3%). Most respondents were from non-academic public centers (44.2%), with multidisciplinary team involvement reported by 84.5%. Head and neck CT scan was the most used staging modality (80.1%). Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy was the most common planning technique (82.9%). Hypofractionated radiotherapy schedules predominated for T1 (84%) and T2 (72.4%) disease. T1a was typically treated with whole-larynx target volume (72.4%). Use of ipsilateral involved vocal cord irradiation varied by geographical region (p = 0.015), being most common in North America (44.8%) and Europe (38.6%). Accelerated fractionation for T2 also differed significantly (p < 0.001), with the highest use reported in North America (41.4%). Daily Cone-Beam Computed Tomography was acquired by (58.2%). In total, 70% of respondents expressed interest in the results of a future phase III randomized trial comparing stereotactic body radiation therapy to conventional radiotherapy. Significant global variations in radiotherapy practices for ESGC were observed, likely reflecting disparities in access and differences in institutional protocols. The development and implementation of standardized, evidence-based global guidelines are essential to harmonize care, minimize toxicity, and improve outcomes for patients with ESGC. Full article

This article explores the complex interplay between the process of protein translation and DNA methylation, discussing their combined involvement in brain development. We will emphasize on DNA methylation and related proteins such as DNMTs, TETs, and MeCP2, the latter being the prototype of DNA methyl-binding proteins. Collectively, DNA methylation machinery may be involved in controlling the cell fate commitment of brain cells, as well as their neuronal and glial lineage specification. We aim to summarize current knowledge on the dynamics of protein translation, ribosome biogenesis, and relevant cellular pathways, including the mTOR signaling, in the context of brain development. Special attention is given to MeCP2 because of its unique role as an epigenetic factor that influences the chromatin states with a link to protein translation and its relevance to human disease. We also discuss the impact of DNA methylation-mediated chromatin regulation and protein translation in neurodevelopmental disorders. Our discussions include multi-omics techniques and integrative mechanisms that connect DNA methylation with protein translation. Full article

Background: Children and adults with Trisomy 21 are more likely to develop nutrition-related conditions and diseases. The nutrition-related health of Canadians with Trisomy 21 is unknown. We aimed to determine the nutrient intake and physical activity of school-aged children with Trisomy 21 in Manitoba, Canada. Methods: Mothers of 14 school-aged children (n = 7 female, average age 9 years old) with Trisomy 21 completed a 24 h dietary recall and a survey that included questions about their children’s nutrition and physical activity. Nutrient intake analysis was conducted to compare food and beverage consumption with dietary guidelines and nutrient recommendations. Data were analyzed descriptively. Results: Most children with T21 included in this study consumed an adequate average intake of daily protein, carbohydrate, and iron; an inadequate average intake of daily dietary fibre and calcium; and an excessive average daily intake of added sugars and saturated fat. Notably, all children consumed inadequate vitamin D and excessive sodium. Most children consumed a dietary supplement (10/14), engaged in moderate-intensity physical activity (10/14), and were active for more than 60 min per day (12/14). Conclusions: Most children with Trisomy 21 included in this study met daily physical activity recommendations. However, despite a variety of foods reportedly consumed across all food groups, nutrient intake among school-aged children with Trisomy 21 included in this study was mixed, as both deficiencies and excessive amounts of some nutrients were observed. There is a need to improve the nutrient intake of children with Trisomy 21 to reduce their risk of developing nutrition-related conditions and diseases. Full article

Breast cancer brain metastasis (BCBM) affects up to 30% of patients with metastatic disease and carries a median survival of only 4–18 months. Emerging evidence reveals that BCBM cells are not passive survivors, but active participants that hijack core neurotransmitter networks, GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) and glutamate, to fuel their growth. BCBM, particularly triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), frequently switch to a GABAergic mode utilizing brain-derived GABA as an oncometabolite. In parallel, BCBM cells can also form direct synapses with neurons, tapping into excitatory input through glutamatergic receptors to drive tumor cell proliferation and survival. Concurrently, reprogrammed astrocytes establish gap junctions, secrete growth factors, and provide metabolic support. Together, tumor cells, neurons, and astrocytes form a pathological partnership locked in feedback loops sustaining metastatic progression. This review focuses on the unique mechanisms employed by distinct breast cancer subtypes and maps the metastatic progression from pre-metastatic to mature brain metastatic niche formation of BCBM. We highlight opportunities to repurpose neurological drugs to disrupt these communication axes. Full article

Saskatoon berry (SB), a traditional food of Indigenous people, has been associated with cardiometabolic benefits in animal models; however, its effects on humans remain unclear. This study investigated the effects of dried SB consumption on cardiometabolic outcomes, gut microbiota, and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) profiles in healthy adults. In a 10-week, single-arm, and open-label trial, 20 healthy adults consumed 40 g/day of freeze-dried whole SB. Biochemical measures, physical exams, dietary records, participant feedback, and fecal samples were collected before and after the intervention. Gut microbiota composition and fecal SCFAs were profiled using 16S-rRNA sequencing and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, respectively. SB intake significantly reduced fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c), non-high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (non-HDL-c), systolic blood pressure, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, while increasing dietary fiber intake. Fiber intake was negatively correlated with TC, LDL-c and non-HDL-c (p < 0.05). The relative abundance of fecal Prevotellaceae increased after SB consumption and was positively correlated with multiple fecal SCFAs (p < 0.05–0.0001), while being negatively associated with lipid profiles and blood pressure. No adverse cardiovascular, hepatic, or renal dysfunction were observed; however, the significant increase in sugar intake may pose a risk for elevated blood glucose. Therefore, limiting other high-sugar foods during SB supplementation may be advisable for individuals with glucose intolerance. Overall, SB intake improved glucose and lipid metabolism and lowered blood pressure and inflammatory markers in healthy adults. These cardiometabolic benefits may be mediated by fiber and anthocyanins in SB and through modulation of gut microbiota and SCFA production; however, further confirmation is needed in subsequent randomized controlled trials. Full article

Bacillus species are extensively studied, utilized, and commercialized biocontrol agents, demonstrating significant effectiveness in managing a variety of plant diseases. Bacillus possesses a robust intrinsic biosynthetic ability, capable of producing a diverse array of antimicrobial metabolites, including dipicolinic acid (DPA; 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid), which exhibits antifungal properties and serves as a principal structural component of Bacillus spores. This study revealed that DPA exhibits significant antibacterial activity against the hazardous soybean pathogen Xanthomonas citri pv. glycines (Xcg), with an EC₅₀ value of 53.2 μg/mL. DPA inhibited Xcg swimming motility, extracellular protease activity, and biofilm formation, while inducing significant membrane irregularities in Xcg cells. DPA treatment downregulated the expression of several Xcg membrane integrity-related genes, including cirA, czcA, czcB, emrE, and tolC. The preventive and curative application of 500 μg/mL DPA reduced Xcg symptoms by 82.7% and 83.8%, respectively, and induced the accumulation of the isoflavone genistin in soybean leaves. DPA exhibited only weak toxicity in the zebrafish model, suggesting its potential suitability for agricultural commercialization. Overall, this study provides the first detailed characterization of the antibacterial mechanism of DPA against a phytopathogenic bacterium, Xcg, and identifies DPA as a previously underexplored antibacterial metabolite from Bacillus and Paecilomyces with potential for disease management. Full article

Understanding how oat (Avena sativa L.) cultivars differ in canopy development and competitive ability is essential for improving yield stability under increasing weed pressure. This study used unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based multispectral imaging to characterize the temporal spectral and structural traits of sixteen oat cultivars grown under weed-free and weedy conditions across two locations for two years. Weedy conditions involved natural weed populations and pseudo-weeds where canola (Brassica napus) seeded as a weed. Weekly drone imaging was carried out using a multispectral sensor, which provided vegetation indices (NDVI, NDRE, ExG) and canopy metrics (ground cover, height, volume). Logistic and Gompertz models were fitted to cultivar traits to describe growth trajectories and obtain dynamic growth parameters. Cultivars showed clear differences in early canopy expansion, maximum NDVI, and canopy volume, with forage types expressing aggressive growth and several grain types combining high early growth rate with high yield potential. Machine-learning models integrating static and dynamic UAV-derived plant traits identified early ground cover and NDRE at three weeks after planting as the strongest predictors of grain yield. Models accurately predicted both weed-free (MAE = 262, R² = 0.90) and weedy yield (MAE = 258, R² = 0.90), demonstrating that early-season UAV traits capture the physiological and structural characteristics associated with competitive ability and grain yield. These findings show that high-throughput UAV phenotyping can reliably identify traits linked to yield formation and weed tolerance, providing a scalable approach for selecting competitive oat cultivars without relying solely on labor-intensive weedy field trials. Full article

Background/Objectives: While doxorubicin (DOX) and trastuzumab (TRZ) improve overall survival in women with breast cancer, these two anti-cancer drugs increase the risk of developing heart failure. As a novel and largely unexplored approach, our aim was to evaluate whether the prophylactic use of the sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor empagliflozin (EMPA), with and without the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor perindopril (PER), is cardioprotective in preventing DOX + TRZ-mediated cardiotoxicity. Methods: In a chronic in vivo murine model, female mice received prophylactic treatment with PER (3 mg/kg), EMPA (10 mg/kg), or EMPA + PER via oral gavage for a total of 3 weeks as a run-in period prior to weekly administration of DOX + TRZ (8 mg/kg and 3 mg/kg, respectively) intraperitoneally for an additional 3 weeks (total of 6 weeks). Results: In mice treated with DOX + TRZ, the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) decreased from 75 ± 2% at baseline to 40 ± 4% at week 6. Prophylactic treatment with either PER, EMPA, or EMPA+PER improved LVEF to 58 ± 3%, 66 ± 3%, and 67 ± 4% at week 6, respectively (p < 0.05). Histological analyses confirmed significant disruption of myofibrils, vacuolization, and loss of sarcomere integrity in the DOX + TRZ-treated mice. Prophylactic administration with PER, EMPA, or EMPA + PER, however, improved myofibril integrity at week 6 in mice receiving DOX + TRZ. Finally, although the Bax/Bcl-xL ratio was significantly elevated by 1.5-fold in mice treated with DOX + TRZ, this marker of apoptosis was attenuated by prophylactic treatment with either PER, EMPA, or EMPA + PER. Conclusions: Prophylactic administration of EMPA mitigated adverse cardiovascular remodeling in a chronic in vivo model of DOX + TRZ-mediated cardiotoxicity. Full article

Objective: Electroencephalogram (EEG) measures electrophysiological activity in the cerebral cortex and is broadly used across diagnostic, research, and clinical contexts. Missing data gaps are a pervasive issue in EEG signal recording, resulting from sensor failures and sensor disconnections, amongst other sources. To preserve a continuous signal describing underlying electrophysiological processes, imputation must be used to reconstruct these gaps. The aim of this review is to examine the methods that have been developed for missing data gap imputation in EEG signals. Methods: A search of five databases was conducted based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. The search question examined existing algorithms for imputation in EEG signals. Results: The initial search yielded 17,490 results (an update included 1913 additional results). This review includes 16 articles presenting EEG gap imputation methods. These imputation methods were characterized as (i) tensor-based, (ii) machine learning and deep learning, and (iii) model-based and classical. Conclusions: Several of these methods achieved strong effectiveness for accurately reconstructing gaps in ‘ground truth’ EEG signals; however, the limited generalizability of many of the studies due to small datasets lacking adequate participant diversity as well as methodological differences made it impossible to describe a single leading method. Further, the reliance on full recordings for segment imputation in some methods could prove prohibitive to real-time imputation. Future study is required to rectify these limitations and to properly investigate computational latency and requirements. Significance: This work provides novel insights into existing methods for EEG gap imputation, as it identifies current shortcomings in the literature and paves a way for a more generalizable solution to be achieved through future work. Full article

Background: Rett Syndrome (RTT) is a progressive neurodevelopmental disorder caused by MECP2 gene mutations. MeCP2 protein binding to methylated DNA is involved in normal brain development and function. T158M is a common RTT-associated mutation, where a threonine is replaced with a methionine, affecting protein function and stability. RTT has recently been identified as a neurometabolic disorder, with metformin emerging as a potential candidate drug. Metformin is a safe and accessible drug, commonly used for Type 2 diabetes. Our team previously studied the regulatory role of metformin on the expression of RTT-related genes/proteins using in vitro and in vivo approaches. However, the phenotypical and behavioral impact of metformin in transgenic mice carrying the common T158M mutation was not explored. Methods: Wild type (WT) and mutant Mecp2^T158M (Mecp2^tm4.1Bird) male mice were subjected to daily intraperitoneal injection of metformin for 20 days. The control mice received a daily intraperitoneal injection of the solvent. The main RTT-like phenotypical criteria were assessed daily. Behavioral tests included the open field test and elevated plus maze. Results: Behavioral tests indicated no significant effect of metformin on the anxiety levels, locomotion, and exploratory behaviors in the hemizygous male Mecp2^T158M mice, despite our observation of increased anxiety levels in the WT counterparts. In hemizygous male Mecp2^T158M mice, metformin treatment showed beneficial effects on RTT-like phenotypes, including breathing irregularities, gait abnormalities, hindlimb clasping, and overall total score. The positive effect of metformin was also observed on the body weight in the hemizygous male Mecp2^T158M mice. Conclusions: Our findings provide evidence for potential therapeutic effects of metformin for MeCP2-associated neurological disorders. Full article

The practical application of protein hydrolysates as functional food ingredients is frequently obstructed by their inherent structural instability. To circumvent this limitation, liposomal encapsulation has emerged as a sophisticated strategy to bolster the bioactivity and integrity of cricket-derived proteins. In this study, varying concentrations (1–4% w/v) of defatted cricket protein hydrolysate (DCPH) were integrated into vesicles composed of soy lecithin and cholesterol. The highest encapsulation efficiency (EE) was observed at a 2% DCPH loading capacity, yielding a significant result of 88.18% (p < 0.05). Subsequent coating with sodium alginate (SA) at 0.1–0.3% (w/v) resulted in an increase in particle size and a more pronounced negative surface charge. When maintained at 4 °C over a 24-day duration, the SA-coated liposome (SA-L-2%DCPH) exhibited superior stability compared to its uncoated (L-2%DCPH) counterpart. Also, the digest derived from the SA-L-2%DCPH exhibited significantly enhanced transepithelial permeability across the Caco-2 cell monolayer, indicated by the higher protein content and ABTS radical scavenging activity. Thus, sodium alginate-coated liposomes serve as a promising delivery system for encapsulating DCPH both during storage stability and in the gastrointestinal digestion system. Full article

The roles of layer height, build orientation, and infill density in determining mechanical properties are well recognized in Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM). However, the combined influence of infill topology, density, and skin layer configuration on structural performance and resource efficiency has not been thoroughly investigated. This research presents a systematic multi-objective investigation of infill architectures, aiming to simultaneously maximize tensile strength and minimize printing time, material consumption, and energy usage. Six infill patterns (concentric, line, triangle, honeycomb, grid, and gyroid) were evaluated at three density levels (50%, 75%, and 90%) across multiple skin layer configurations using an L36 orthogonal experimental design. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) quantified the relative significance of process parameters on tensile performance. The results reveal that the infill topology strongly influences tensile strength, with continuous, load-aligned filament paths (concentric, linear, and gyroid) outperforming segmented lattice geometries. Notably, the concentric infill pattern achieved the highest tensile performance while simultaneously reducing printing time, material usage, and energy consumption. This performance is attributed to enhanced load transfer along continuous filament trajectories, which mitigates stress concentrations at filament junctions and interlayer interfaces. These findings provide a novel, design-oriented framework for optimizing FDM infill architectures and demonstrate that strategic topology selection can improve both mechanical efficiency and sustainability without relying solely on high-density infill. Full article

In this study, a generalized and advanced form of the near soft set theory (NST) framework is proposed for information aggregation (IA) processes. The primary motivation of the study is to address the lack of similarity-based uncertainty modeling in the literature by integrating the parametric structure of soft sets with the similarity-oriented structure of nearness approximation spaces. Within this framework, the AND-product and OR-product operations are introduced as the main methodological tools, and their algebraic structures are analyzed in detail. It is mathematically demonstrated that these operations satisfy fundamental properties such as idempotency, absorption, distributivity, and De Morgan identities. The principal original contribution of the study is the development of a novel Uni–Int-based decision-making mechanism that enables the systematic distinction between strong and acceptable alternatives. In addition, the boundary frequency indicator ($b_r$), which quantitatively evaluates the reliability of objects under perceptual uncertainty and is introduced for the first time in the literature, is proposed. The applicability of the proposed model is demonstrated through a real-estate selection problem, and a sensitivity analysis is conducted to reveal the determining effect of the nearness parameter r on decision granularity. The obtained findings indicate that the proposed NST framework provides a more flexible, more discriminative, and structurally robust decision-support model than classical approaches, particularly for similarity-based IA problems. Full article

Deep decarbonization strategies at the local level have been extensively documented for cities in the Global North, yet little is known about how cities in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) pursue climate mitigation amid infrastructure constraints, limited fiscal autonomy, and pressing developmental needs. Local governments worldwide are recognized as critical actors in addressing urban greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, SSA cities’ decarbonization efforts remain underexplored in academic and policy discourse, despite the region’s acute climate vulnerability and rapid urbanization. However, SSA cities’ decarbonization efforts remain underexplored in academic and policy discourse, despite the region’s acute climate vulnerability and rapid urbanization. This study examines how deep decarbonization pathways in four leading SSA cities (Accra, Addis Ababa, Lagos, and Nairobi) compare with those in the Global North. Using qualitative methods including document analysis and semi-structured interviews, we examine the technical pathways, institutional strategies, governance mechanisms, and actors involved in these cities’ climate mitigation efforts. Our findings reveal that while SSA cities pursue similar technical priorities to Global North cities (renewable energy, building efficiency, sustainable transport), their approaches diverge significantly in implementation. SSA cities innovate through decentralized waste-to-energy systems adapted to informal contexts, rely heavily on donor funding rather than municipal bonds, and uniquely leverage traditional institutions for community engagement. Governance structures are predominantly top-down and centralized, contrasting with the polycentric, multi-level governance observed in the Global North. These findings demonstrate that deep decarbonization in SSA must be reconceptualized not only as a form of climate mitigation but as an integrated strategy that addresses infrastructure gaps and building institutional capacity. This research contributes new knowledge on urban climate governance in developing regions and offers transferable lessons for cities facing similar constraints. Full article