Search Results (429)

Individuals often lack field-based tools to monitor exercise effectiveness. New sensing methods may allow for an improved measurement of the individualized response to exercise by monitoring oxygen kinetics directly in muscle tissue. This study aimed to validate a non-invasive wearable sensor capable of measuring muscle oxygen saturation (SmO₂) using continuous-wave near-infrared spectroscopy (CW-NIRS) against a laboratory-validated frequency-domain NIRS (FDNIRS) device. Ten physically fit adults performed an incremental cycling test until voluntary exhaustion. Devices were placed on contralateral rectus femoris muscles. SmO₂ was simultaneously measured continuously for the duration of the protocol. Time series alignment was performed using linear interpolation to enable direct comparison between devices at matched time points. Z-score normalization accounted for inter-individual differences in a group-level analysis. Individual subject validation showed strong correlations between the two devices (r = 0.792, range: 0.69–0.88, p < 0.001) with an RMSD < 5% for most subjects, a mean bias of 0.005 and low proportional bias (−0.199) between all paired measurements. Group-level analysis demonstrated a correlation of r = 0.788. Bland–Altman analysis revealed that 95% of all measurements fell between −8.1% and 7.6% SmO₂. The CW-NIRS device delivered reliable performance compared to the FDNIRS device, offering potential applications for real-time physiological monitoring during exercise and performance assessment. Full article

Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by atypical brain oscillatory dynamics and altered connectivity, impairing sensory integration, socio-communicative responsiveness, and behavioral regulation. Methods: Radio Electric Asymmetric Conveyer (REAC) technology delivers non-invasive neurobiological modulation through standardized, operator-independent protocols. The Brain Wave Optimization Neurodevelopment–Autism (BWO ND-A) protocol was designed to address oscillatory patterns frequently altered in ASD, aiming to promote network coherence and multidomain functional improvement. This retrospective pre–post single-arm study evaluated 39 children with ASD (31 males, 8 females; mean age 7.85 ± 2.90 years). All received one Neuro Postural Optimization (NPO) session to prime central nervous system adaptive capacity, followed by BWO ND-A (18 sessions, ~8 min each), administered 3–4 times daily over ~two weeks. The primary outcome was the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) total score; secondary outcomes were its four subscales. Results: Mean total ATEC decreased from 67.76 ± 16.11 to 56.25 ± 23.66 (mean change −11.51 ± 14.48; p < 0.0001; Cohen’s dz = 0.78). Clinically meaningful improvement (≥8-point reduction) occurred in 59% of participants. In 10.3% of cases, caregiver ratings indicated an apparent worsening (≥8-point increase). However, no objective deterioration or adverse effects were observed. This pattern was most likely related to a transient phase of functional re-adaptation, during which emerging changes may initially be perceived by caregivers as worsening before stabilizing into improvement. Conclusions: While these findings suggest promising short-term real-world efficacy and safety, the absence of a control group, lack of objective neurophysiological measures, and no long-term follow-up limit causal inference. Future controlled studies with neurophysiological monitoring are needed to confirm the targeted neuromodulatory action and durability of effects. Full article

Early warning of structural damage from induced seismic events requires rapid and reliable ground motion forecasting. This study presents a novel real-time framework that couples a deep learning approach with structural fragility assessment to generate immediate damage alerts following the onset of seismic shaking. Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) neural networks are employed to predict full S-wave accelerograms from initial P-wave inputs, trained and tested on accelerometric records from induced seismicity scenarios. The predicted S-wave motion is then used as input for a suite of fragility curves in real time to estimate the probability of structural damage for masonry buildings typical in rural areas of geothermal platforms. The proposed method captures both the temporal evolution of shaking and the structural response potential, offering critical seconds of lead time for automated decision-making systems. Results demonstrate high predictive accuracy of the LSTM model and effective early classification of structural risk. This integrated system provides a practical tool for early warning or rapid response in regions experiencing anthropogenic seismicity, such as those affected by geothermal operations. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed a considerable psychological burden on healthcare workers, potentially leading to increased burnout and anxiety. This study aimed to evaluate burnout and anxiety levels among healthcare workers compared to non-healthcare professionals during the pandemic. We initially recruited 438 adults; 351 (217 HCWs and 134 non-HCWs) provided complete responses across all three survey waves and were analyzed. Burnout was assessed using the Maslach Burnout Inventory, and anxiety with the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory. Data were collected through an online self-administered survey at three different time points during the pandemic, and analyzed with non-parametric tests and effect sizes. Healthcare workers exhibited significantly higher levels of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, overall burnout, and anxiety compared to non-healthcare workers across all three periods (p < 0.05). Of 438 consented individuals, 351 (80.1%) completed all waves, allowing within-population longitudinal comparisons. Within the healthcare worker group, women, individuals living alone, those working night shifts, and those considering a career change had notably higher burnout and anxiety scores. No significant differences were observed in personal accomplishment scores. Healthcare workers experienced greater psychological distress than non-healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Identifying vulnerable subgroups and implementing supportive strategies are essential to protect the mental health and well-being of healthcare professionals during pandemics and similar crises. Full article

Background/Objectives: Subjective well-being (SWB) in pre-adolescents declines with age due to rising school-related stress and boredom. Outdoor physical activity (PA) may mitigate these effects, yet age-specific associations remain understudied. This study investigated age differences in relationships between outdoor PA and school emotional well-being (stress and arguments) using multinational data. Methods: Cross-sectional secondary analysis of the International Survey of Children’s Well-Being (ISCWeB) third wave (2017–2019) involved 128,184 pre-adolescents (mean age 10.24 years, SD 1.70; 49.56% boys) from 35 countries, stratified by age (8, 10, 12 years). Outdoor PA was assessed on a 0–6 frequency scale; stress and arguments on 0–10 scales, with 8-year-olds’ responses harmonized from 5-point emoticons. Descriptive statistics and stratified Spearman correlations were calculated (p < 0.05). Results: Outdoor PA peaked at age 10 (mean 3.17, SD 1.62), while stress varied with age (mean 3.99, SD 0.50 at 8 years; 4.20, SD 2.50 at 12 years). Very small associations emerged: Weak negative stress correlations (r = −0.02 to −0.07, p ≤ 0.045; r² < 0.005) across ages, alongside positive argument associations (r = 0.03–0.08, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Outdoor PA modestly associates with lower stress in older pre-adolescents but may be associated with elevated peer conflicts. This dual effect adds nuance to interventions, highlighting supervision needs. Age-tailored, supervised school interventions could optimize emotional benefits during late pre-adolescence. Full article

Background: Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has revolutionized treatment of relapsed/refractory large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL), but its administration is often complicated by cytokine release syndrome (CRS). Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is widely used to monitor CRS, though its clinical value diminishes after tocilizumab administration. We aimed to evaluate serum amyloid A (SAA), a dynamic acute-phase reactant, as a treatment-independent biomarker of inflammation and toxicity in CAR-T recipients. Methods: This retrospective study included 43 adults with LBCL treated with axicabtagene ciloleucel. SAA and other inflammatory markers were assessed from lymphodepletion through day +11 post-infusion. CRS and ICANS were graded per ASTCT criteria. Statistical analyses included Mann–Whitney U tests, Spearman’s correlation, and ROC curve analysis to evaluate predictive performance. Results: SAA levels peaked at day +4 and normalized by day +11, displaying wave-like kinetics. Levels were significantly higher in patients with any-grade CRS at early timepoints but showed no association with ICANS. SAA correlated strongly with CRP, suPAR, sST2, fibrinogen, ferritin, procalcitonin, and IL-6. Compared to IL-6, SAA was more predictive of CRS at day +2 and +4, and unaffected by tocilizumab. Baseline SAA also correlated with the mEASIX score, suggesting linkage to endothelial stress. Non-responders at 3-month PET had higher baseline SAA than responders (196.0 vs. 17.7 mg/L, p = 0.036), with ROC analysis yielding an AUC of 0.74 and an optimal threshold of 79.8 mg/L. Conclusions: SAA is a robust and dynamic marker of systemic inflammation, with potential utility in both toxicity monitoring and response prediction in the CAR-T setting. Its independence from IL-6 modulation positions it as a promising biomarker for future integration into clinical algorithms. Full article

This paper investigates the influence of groundwater level fluctuations on the vibration response and isolation performance of saturated soil foundations under moving loads. A coupled model consisting of an overlying elastic layer and a saturated half-space is established, with water level variation simulated by adjusting the elastic layer thickness. Using Biot’s theory and Fourier transforms, the dynamic response is solved analytically and validated numerically via COMSOL6.0 simulations with perfectly matched layers. Results indicate that the groundwater level significantly affects wave propagation: deeper water levels lead to responses resembling an elastic half-space, while rising water levels amplify surface displacement due to wave reflection at the saturation interface. As water levels approach the surface, behavior converges to that of a fully saturated foundation. P-wave resonance at certain water levels reduces isolation effectiveness. Furthermore, isolation performance is sensitive to load frequency, soil permeability, and trench dimensions. These findings offer valuable insights for designing vibration mitigation measures in environments with variable groundwater conditions. Full article

To analyze the dynamic response of tension leg platform (TLP) tendons under irregular ocean wave action, the governing equations of coupled vibration between the platform and tendon under irregular wave action are established based on Hamilton’s principle and the Kirchhoff hypothesis. Using the spectrum representation–random function method, the power spectral density function of the irregular wave load is derived, and the lateral wave forces at different tendon locations are calculated. The coupled lateral and axial responses of the tendon system are obtained through the fourth-order Runge–Kutta method. Considering the parametric vibrations of both the platform and tendon, the extreme lateral deflection of the tendon is employed as the control index to derive the probability density curves of the tendon deflection under irregular wave load. The results show that the amplitude of the wave load increases gradually along the height of the tendon, with a faster growth rate at locations closer to the water surface. The tendon’s lateral deflection response changes more drastically due to coupled parametric vibration of the platform. Based on 628 complete samples of irregular wave loads, the probability density curve and cumulative distribution curve of the extreme lateral deflection of the tendon under irregular wave loads are obtained. Under typical sea state conditions generated from the P-M wave spectrum, the reliability of the tendon under irregular wave load increases with the initial tension force. Full article

Background/Objectives: Glutamatergic neurotransmission is essential for the normal functioning of the retina. Photoreceptor to bipolar and bipolar to ganglion cell signaling is mediated by L-glutamate, which is stored in and released from vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (VGLUT1) containing synaptic vesicles. VGLUT1 is expressed postnatally, P2 onwards, and is required for the glutamatergic retinal wave observed between P10 and P12 in the developing mouse retina. P9–P13 postnatal age is critical for retinal development as VGLUT1 expressing ribbon synapses activate in the outer and inner plexiform layers, and rod/cone mediated visual signaling commences in that period. Although it has been hypothesized that glutamatergic extrinsic signaling drives cell cycle exit and initiates cellular differentiation in the developing retina, it is not clear whether intracellular, synaptic, or extrasynaptic vesicular glutamate release contributes to this process. Recent studies have attempted to decipher VGLUT’s role in retinal development. Here, we investigate the potential effect of genetic loss of VGLUT1 on early postnatal histogenesis and development of retinal neural circuitry. Methods: We employed immunohistochemistry and electrophysiology to ascertain the density of glutamatergic, cholinergic, and dopaminergic cells, spontaneous retinal activity, and light responses in VGLUT1 null retina, and contrasted them with wildtype (WT) and melanopsin null retina. Results: We have demonstrated here that VGLUT1 null retina shows signs of age dependent retinal degeneration, similar to other transgenic mice models with dysfunctional photoreceptor to bipolar cell synapses. The loss of VGLUT1 specifically alters glutamatergic cell density and morphological maturation of retinal ganglion cells. Moreover, VGLUT2 expression is lost in the majority of VGLUT2 cones in the absence of VGLUT1 coexpression, except when VGLUT2 coexpresses transiently with VGLUT3 in these cones, or when VGLUT1 null mice are dark reared. Conclusions: We present the first evidence that synaptic or extrasynaptic postnatal glutamate release from VGLUT1 containing vesicles impacts histogenesis of glutamatergic cells, pruning of retinal ganglion cell dendrites and VGLUT2 expression in cones. Full article

Objective: Children with cleft lip and/or palate (CLP) commonly present with otitis media with effusion (OME), with increased referrals for newborn hearing screening (NHS). Auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing with OME may mimic sensorineural hearing loss. This study evaluated NHS and ABR findings on and optimal timing for ABR reassessment after tympanostomy in patients with CLP. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study reviewing 271 CLP cases at our institution. The data included the cleft type, NHS results, ABR findings, OME incidence, and tympanostomy rate. Subgroup analyses compared ABR results before and after tympanostomy and via postoperative timing. Statistical comparisons were performed using the Mann–Whitney U test and Fisher’s exact test. Results: The NHS referral rate was 14.0%, and the OME incidence was 48.7%. These cases occurred in patients with cleft palate involvement, with an OME prevalence of 73.4%. Tympanostomy was performed in 72.6% of cases. Among 36 ears tested pre- and post-tympanostomy, wave V thresholds improved from 61.67 ± 16.08 to 34.72 ± 6.54 dBnHL (p < 0.0001), and wave I latency decreased from 2.27 ± 0.36 to 1.76 ± 0.12 ms (p < 0.0001). Postoperative wave V thresholds were significantly better in the ≥15-day group (p = 0.037), with 65% (17/26) of ears showing thresholds <40 dBnHL compared to 25% (3/12) in the <15-day group (p = 0.035). No timing-related differences were found regarding wave I latency. Conclusions: Tympanostomy significantly improved the ABR results in children with CLP and OME. Reassessment on or after postoperative day 15 may yield more accurate results and may help to reduce parental anxiety. Full article

Approach or avoidance behaviors toward appetitive stimuli, such as alcohol and food, reflect the engagement of motivational states that are fundamental to adaptation of human behavior. Investigating early motor or neural responses to these stimuli provides valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms of these behaviors. This study employed an integrative approach combining postural and electrophysiological measures to explore the impact of alcohol consumption levels on early postural and neural responses to visual alcohol and food stimuli. The objective was to identify early automatic markers of approach or avoidance, and to examine correlations between motor and neural responses. Forty-six participants were divided into two groups (“Low” and “High”) according to their level of alcohol consumption (AUDIT scores). They were exposed to images of alcoholic beverages, non-alcoholic beverages, and appetitive or neutral foods. Postural responses were recorded using a force platform, and brain activity was measured via EEG. Displacement of the center of pressure along the anteroposterior axis, as well as the P100 and N100 components, were analyzed. “High” participants exhibited greater anterior postural displacement in response to alcohol during the first two seconds of stimulus exposure. In contrast, “Low” participants showed early avoidance responses. Significant correlations were found between event-related potential (ERP) wave latencies and postural displacement during the first second of exposure to alcohol-related stimuli. AUDIT scores were also positively correlated with early postural displacement and N100 latency following the viewing of alcoholic beverage images. Early perceptual and motor responses are modulated by alcohol consumption habits. These findings support the value of integrative EEG–posture approaches for identifying implicit motivational markers. Full article

Background: Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked recessive neuromuscular disorder that is characterized by progressive muscle weakness, musculoskeletal limitations, and pulmonary involvement, with cardiomyopathy and cardiovascular complications being a primary cause of morbidity and mortality. With advances in respiratory care, cardiac involvement has become the leading cause of death. There is growing interest in systemic inflammatory indices as potential predictors of cardiovascular involvement. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of inflammatory markers—neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), and pan-immune inflammation value (PIV)—in children with DMD and to explore their association with cardiac findings. Methods: In this retrospective study, 25 male patients diagnosed with DMD and 25 age-matched healthy male controls were evaluated between January 2021 and July 2024. Demographic and clinical data, hematologic and biochemical parameters, and inflammatory indices were recorded. Cardiovascular involvement was assessed using electrocardiography (ECG) and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). Group comparisons were performed using independent t-tests, while ROC and Pearson correlation analyses were used for diagnostic performance and associations. Results: Pathological Q waves were the most frequent ECG abnormality (24%), and 16% of patients had echocardiographic abnormalities. While most systemic inflammatory indices (NLR, MLR, SIRI, SII, PIV) did not significantly distinguish cardiovascular involvement, PLR demonstrated a strong positive correlation with Pro-BNP levels (r = 0.86, p < 0.05), suggesting a potential link between systemic inflammation and subclinical cardiac stress. Conclusions: Although the overall diagnostic utility of inflammatory indices in predicting cardiovascular complications in DMD was limited, PLR showed a correlation with Pro-BNP in our cohort. However, given the small sample size and limited number of patients with ventricular dysfunction, this finding should be interpreted with caution. PLR may warrant further investigation as a potential marker of cardiovascular involvement in DMD, but larger prospective studies are needed to validate its clinical significance. Full article

Motor impairments significantly affect individuals’ ability to perform activities of daily living, reducing autonomy and quality of life. In response to this, robot-assisted rehabilitation has emerged as an effective and practical solution, enabling controlled limb movements and supporting functional recovery. This study presents the development of an upper-limb exoskeleton designed to assist rehabilitation by integrating neurophysiological signal processing and real-time control strategies. The system incorporates a proportional–derivative (PD) controller to execute cyclic flexion and extension movements based on a sinusoidal reference signal, providing repeatability and precision in motion. The exoskeleton integrates a brain–computer interface (BCI) that utilizes electroencephalographic signals for therapy selection and engagement enabling user-driven interaction. The EEG data extraction was possible by using the UltraCortex Mark IV headset, with electrodes positioned according to the international 10–20 system, targeting alpha-band activity in channels O1, O2, P3, P4, Fp1, and Fp2. These channels correspond to occipital (O1, O2), parietal (P3, P4), and frontal pole (Fp1, Fp2) regions, associated with visual processing, sensorimotor integration, and attention-related activity, respectively. This approach enables a more adaptive and personalized rehabilitation experience by allowing the user to influence therapy mode selection through real-time feedback. Experimental evaluation across five subjects showed an overall mean accuracy of 86.25% in alpha wave detection for EEG-based therapy selection. The PD control strategy achieved smooth trajectory tracking with a mean angular error of approximately 1.70°, confirming both the reliability of intention detection and the mechanical precision of the exoskeleton. Also, our core contributions in this research are compared with similar studies inspired by the rehabilitation needs of stroke patients. In this research, the proposed system demonstrates the potential of integrating robotic systems, control theory, and EEG data processing to improve rehabilitation outcomes for individuals with upper-limb motor deficits, particularly post-stroke patients. By focusing the exoskeleton on a single degree of freedom and employing low-cost manufacturing through 3D printing, the system remains affordable across a wide range of economic contexts. This design choice enables deployment in diverse clinical settings, both public and private. Full article

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of COVID-19, spread rapidly across the globe in 2020, with most countries experiencing two distinct waves of infection. In Brazil, the second wave was marked by the emergence of the P.1 (Gamma) variant, which disproportionately affected younger individuals and was associated with increased mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the epidemiological profile and post mortem histopathological lung findings, correlate them with laboratory results, and compare the first and second waves of COVID-19. To investigate neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), we performed immunohistochemistry for citrullinated histone H3 (cit-H3) and myeloperoxidase (MPO). Our cohort included patients who died in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a single center in southern Brazil. The study included 42 patients, 24 from the first wave and 18 from the second, who died between March 2020 and August 2021. Laboratory data included complete blood counts and D-dimer levels. Histopathological analyses were conducted using H&E-stained slides and reviewed independently by two blinded pathologists. MPO and cit-H3 immunohistochemistry were performed to evaluate NETs markers. All cases exhibited varying degrees of inflammation and diffuse alveolar damage (DAD), with frequent microvascular thrombi. Neutrophilic infiltration was significantly higher in the second wave. Additionally, cases with intense neutrophilic infiltration showed a stronger association with thrombosis. NETs were identified in 10 cases. No significant correlation was found between histopathological findings, NETs, and laboratory blood count results. The histopathological findings were consistent with those reported globally. The second wave of COVID-19 showed higher neutrophilic infiltrate in the lung tissue. Neutrophils play a key role in the inflammatory response and NET formation might indicate an increased risk of mortality. Further studies can consider NET-targeted therapies as potential strategies. Full article

Branched glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers (brGDGTs) are promising molecular biomarkers widely applied in paleoenvironmental reconstructions, including temperature and pH. However, knowledge of the microorganisms responsible for brGDGT production in marine environments remains limited, which constrains the further development and application of brGDGT-based proxies for reconstructing past marine conditions. In this study, both ‘living’ intact polar lipid-derived brGDGTs (IPL-brGDGTs) and ‘fossil’ core brGDGTs (CL-brGDGTs), together with bacterial community compositions, were analysed in multiple sediment cores collected along a nearshore-to-offshore transect in the East China Sea (ECS). The potential correlations between brGDGT distributions and bacterial community compositions at varying sediment depths across an environmental gradient were also explored. Results revealed that IPL-brGDGTs were predominantly biosynthesised in situ, whereas CL-brGDGTs reflected a mixture of marine autochthonous production and terrestrial inputs. Potential brGDGT-producing bacteria in nearshore environments were primarily composed of chemolithoautotrophic taxa (e.g., Gammaproteobacteria and Dehalococcoidia) and chemoheterotrophic taxa (e.g., Alphaproteobacteria, Bacilli, and Actinobacteria). In contrast, offshore regions were dominated by chemoheterotrophic hypoxic bacteria (e.g., Anaerolineae and Phycisphaerae) and facultatively anaerobic chemolithoautotrophic bacteria (e.g., Gammaproteobacteria and Desulfobacteria). A significant difference in bacterial community composition and IPL-brGDGT distribution was observed at a depth of 17 cm, likely due to physical disturbance in near-surface sediments, such as wave action, tidal forces, and storm events. Variance partitioning analysis (VPA) revealed that the bacterial community composition alone accounted for 14.1% of the variation in IPL-brGDGTs and 6.5% in CL-brGDGTs, further suggesting that the distribution of brGDGTs is primarily influenced by the composition of the bacterial community in the nearshore-to-offshore sedimentary ecosystems of the ECS. These findings regarding the potential biosynthesis of brGDGTs in coastal habitats advance our understanding of the microbial mechanisms that regulate brGDGT distribution in marine ecosystems. Moreover, they emphasise the importance of considering physical disturbance effects when interpreting sedimentary brGDGT records for paleoenvironmental reconstructions in marginal seas, such as the ECS. Full article