Search Results (38)

Background/Objectives: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) therapies are limited by poor response, rapid resistance, and recurrence of aggressive disease. Sorafenib, a multi-tyrosine kinase inhibitor, can trigger β-catenin stabilization and activation, contributing to resistance. Overexpression of the chemokine receptor CXCR6 and its ligand CXCL16 and hyperactivation are implicated in HCC progression and β-catenin stabilization. We hypothesized that SBI-457, a small-molecule CXCR6 antagonist we developed, could disrupt CXCR6/β-catenin crosstalk and enhance sorafenib sensitivity. Methods: We tested SBI-457 alone and in combination with sorafenib in SK-Hep-1 xenograft models and a panel of human HCC cell lines. Tumor burden, β-catenin activation, and CXCR6 expression were assessed by tumor volume measurements, immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence. Soluble CXCL16 levels were quantified by ELISA, and cell death responses were evaluated using MTT assays. Results: In vivo, SBI-457 combined with sorafenib reduced normalized tumor volume by 55% compared to vehicle controls, modestly exceeding monotherapy effects, and attenuated sorafenib-induced β-catenin upregulation. In vitro, SBI-457 blocked nuclear accumulation of β-catenin and reversed sorafenib-induced increases in β-catenin levels. Enhanced cell death was observed in specific “responder” HCC cell lines (Hep-3B, SNU-398, JHH-5), which correlated with high intracellular β-catenin, secretion of soluble CXCL16, and expression of a high molecular weight form of CXCR6. In contrast, “non-responder” cell lines with conventional CXCR6 expression and low CXCL16 secretion showed no enhanced cell death response. Conclusions: CXCR6 antagonism with SBI-457 can modulate β-catenin activation and may help overcome sorafenib resistance in selected HCC models. These findings support further development of CXCR6 antagonists as single agents or combination therapies to improve treatment outcomes in HCC. Full article

The development of halogen-free flame-retardant formulations for wood-based panels is a promising strategy to improve both fire safety and environmental performance. In this study, oriented strand boards (OSB) were impregnated with aqueous solutions of sodium borate (SBo) and sodium bicarbonate (SBi) to evaluate their combined effects on fire resistance and mechanical properties. Fire performance was assessed using the ASTM D3806 small-scale tunnel test, while mechanical and physical properties were measured according to ASTM D1037. Significant improvements in fire performance were observed: mass loss (ML) during flammability testing decreased by 38% (from 6.9% to 4.3%), flame spread speed (FSS) was reduced by more than 50% (from 6.8 to 3.3 mm/s), and after-flame times (AFT) dropped from 17.2 s to 0 s. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) further confirmed enhanced thermal stability, with increased char residue (from 16.9% in untreated boards to 31.5% in treated ones). Mechanical testing revealed a 16% increase in internal bond (IB) strength (from 0.44 to 0.51 MPa), while modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) were only slightly affected (decreased by up to 4.2% and 3.6%, respectively). Interestingly, the two additives exerted contrasting effects: SBo reduced strength and bonding performance, whereas SBi improved internal bond strength and dimensional stability. The optimal balance was obtained with treatment P250-50 (250 g SBi and 50 g SBo), which combined enhanced fire resistance with acceptable mechanical integrity. Overall, the results demonstrate that the synergistic use of SBo and SBi offers an effective halogen-free approach to simultaneously enhance the fire resistance and mechanical performance of OSB panels, highlighting its potential for industrial applications. Full article

With the rapid advancement and widespread adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), AI-powered personalized product recommendation (AI-PPR) has become a core tool for enhancing user experience and driving monetization on short-form video platforms, fundamentally reshaping consumer behavior. While prior research has largely focused on impulse buying intention (I-BI)—purchases triggered by emotional and sensory stimuli—there remains a lack of systematic exploration of spontaneous buying intention (S-BI), which emphasizes rational and cognitively driven decisions formed in unplanned contexts. Addressing this gap, this study integrates the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) with a perceived evaluation perspective to propose and validate a dual-mediation framework: “AI-PPR → Perceived Usefulness/Perceived Trust → S-BI”. Using a large-scale survey of Generation Z users in mainland China (N = 754), data were analyzed via SPSS 26.0, including reliability and validity tests, regression analysis, and Bootstrap-based mediation analysis. The results indicate that AI-PPR not only has a significant positive direct effect on S-BI but also exerts strong indirect effects through perceived usefulness and perceived trust. Specifically, perceived usefulness accounts for 35.17% and perceived trust for 31.18% of the mediation, jointly constituting 66.35% of the total effect. The findings contribute theoretically by extending the boundary of purchase intention research, differentiating rational S-BI from emotion-driven impulse buying, and enriching the application of TAM in consumption contexts. Practically, the study highlights the importance for short-form video platforms and brand managers to enhance recommendation transparency, interpretability, and trust-building while pursuing algorithmic precision, thereby fostering rational spontaneous buying and achieving a balance between short-term conversions and long-term user value. Full article

Background: Serious bacterial infections (SBIs) in neonates present a significant diagnostic challenge due to nonspecific symptoms and immature immune responses. Early identification is essential to ensure timely treatment and prevent adverse outcomes. This study investigates clinical, laboratory, and epidemiological parameters associated with SBI in febrile neonates. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on neonates hospitalized for suspected SBI at University Hospital Split from 1 January 2023 until 31 December 2024). The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, Mann–Whitney U test and Chi-square test. Results: The study included 71 neonates hospitalized with suspected SBI, of whom 38 (53.5%) had a confirmed SBI. Neonates with SBI had a significantly longer hospital stay (p < 0.001). C-reactive protein (CRP) levels at admission were significantly higher in the SBI group (p = 0.020), while other laboratory parameters showed no significant differences. The most common diagnosis in the SBI group was urinary tract infection (50%). In urine analysis, abundant bacterial presence, strongly positive leukocyte esterase (3+), and positive nitrite findings were significantly associated with the presence of urinary tract infection (UTI). Conclusions: In neonates with suspected SBI, elevated CRP levels and prolonged hospital stay were significantly associated with confirmed SBI. Among specific diagnoses, UTI were most frequent, with urinalysis parameters (bacteria, leukocyte esterase, and nitrites) proving useful in identifying affected cases. However, individual clinical signs showed limited diagnostic value, highlighting the importance of combining clinical and laboratory data in early recognition of SBI. Full article

Background: This study investigated the prevalence and predictors of burnout among medical students at “Dunărea de Jos” University of Galați, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy. Methods: Burnout was measured using the School Burnout Inventory-U 9 (SBI-U 9), and potential predictors, including social media addiction (Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale—BSMAS), procrastination, age, gender, year of study, admission grade, last annual grade, hobbies, achievements, close friends, and relationship status, were assessed using appropriate instruments. Correlation and hierarchical multiple regression analyses identified predictors of burnout. Mediation analysis tested procrastination as a mediator between BSMAS and burnout, while moderation analysis examined whether procrastination moderated this relationship. Results: Social media addiction was an independent predictor of burnout. While younger age was correlated with higher burnout, it was not a significant predictor in the multivariate model. Procrastination did not significantly mediate the link between social media addiction and burnout but significantly moderated it. The effect of social media addiction on burnout was stronger for students with lower levels of procrastination. Conclusions: The study shows increased susceptibility to burnout among younger students and identifies social media addiction as a key risk factor. Procrastination moderates this relationship, indicating the need for interventions targeting both digital habits and time management in medical education. Full article

Background/Objectives: Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often face challenges in maintaining oral hygiene due to sensory sensitivities, behavioral difficulties, and limited access to specialized dental care. This study aimed to assess the oral hygiene status of children with ASD and compare it with neurotypical peers. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 74 children with ASD and 74 neurotypical children. Dental exams measured oral hygiene and caries prevalence using the DMFT/dmft, Oral Hygiene Index (OHI), and Sulcus Bleeding Index (SBI). Tooth brushing frequency and dental visits were also recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann–Whitney U test and Fisher’s exact test. Results: Children with ASD had significantly poorer oral hygiene and higher caries rates compared to controls. Boys with ASD had higher DMFT scores, indicating more caries. Additionally, ASD children brushed their teeth less often and had fewer dental visits. Preventive treatments were underutilized in this group despite a higher need. Conclusions: Children with ASD face notable oral health challenges, including poor hygiene, higher caries prevalence, and limited preventive care. These findings highlight the need for tailored interventions, improved parental education, and specialized dental care strategies for this population. Full article

Timber-clad facades, traditionally prevalent in North America and Scandinavia, are gaining popularity in central Europe and the UK for applications beyond low-rise buildings. Timber differs from typical cladding materials, such as masonry, due to its non-uniformity, combustibility, and moisture sensitivity, requiring unique design considerations to manage these characteristics. This paper investigates the fire hazards associated with timber cladding, particularly focusing on thermally modified timber, motivated by the 2019 Samuel Garside House fire in the UK. The study aims to address five key research questions: (1) the impact of thermal modification on external fire spread hazards, (2) the fire risk associated with slatted timber configurations, (3) the effectiveness of fire-retardant treatments, (4) the correlation between small-scale standard tests and large-scale behaviours, and (5) the adequacy of current fire safety guidance in addressing these hazards. The experimental campaign involved four timber sample variants: (i) virgin timber, (ii) new thermally modified timber, (iii) aged thermally modified timber, and (iv) fire-retardant-treated thermally modified timber. These samples were tested across four different methods, including the single-flame source test, mass loss cone test, single burning item (SBI) test, and an intermediate-scale test. Results indicated that thermal modification slightly increased the peak heat release rate (HRR) compared to virgin timber. The configuration of timber slats significantly impacted HRR, with vertically oriented slats demonstrating higher HRR than horizontally oriented flat cedar cladding. Fire-retardant treatments substantially reduced HRR, achieving Euroclass B in vertical slatted configurations. However, the long-term efficacy of these treatments under ageing and weathering conditions remains unexplored. This research underscores the need for clarifications in the guidance in timber cladding design, considering the observed fire hazards in different slat configurations and the efficacy of fire-retardant treatments. Full article

Limited research has examined the possible synergistic interrelationships between serious bacterial infections (SBIs) of the heart (i.e., endocarditis), bone, spine, brain, or joints (e.g., osteomylelitis) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. We examined whether syndemic interactions existed between SBI, HCV, and substance-use-related factors in rural communities, hypothesizing that injection-mediated risks elevated the likelihood for both SBIs and HCV infections, which could be exacerbated by synergistic biological–biological or biological and social interactions. We calculated the prevalence ratios (PRs) of past-year SBI associated with each risk factor in separate models. Effect modification among significant risk factors was assessed using multiplicative interaction. Among 1936 participants, 57% were male and 85% White, with a mean age of 36 years. Eighty-nine participants (5%) reported hospitalization for an SBI in the year prior to the survey. More than half tested HCV-antibody-positive (58%); 62 (5.6%) of the participants with a positive HCV antibody result reported past-year hospitalization with an SBI. Injection behaviors were correlated with other SBI risk factors, including multiple injections in the same injection event (MIPIE), injection equipment sharing, and fentanyl use. In adjusted models, MIPIE (PR: 1.79; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03, 3.11) and fentanyl use (PR: 1.68; 95% CI: 1.04, 2.73) were significantly associated with past-year SBI. Our analyses pointed to co-occurring epidemics of SBI and HCV, related to the cumulative health effects of fentanyl use contributing to frequent injections and MIPIE. Both the SBI and HCV epidemics present public health challenges and merit tailored interventions. Full article

Burnout is a psychological consequence of prolonged work-related stress. Previous studies have concluded that guilt feelings could explain the development of the burnout process and its relationship with other health disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the mediating role of guilt feelings in the relationship between burnout and psychosomatic problems. The sample comprised 714 Brazilian teachers (82.10% women). Burnout was assessed using the Spanish Burnout Inventory (SBI). The hypotheses were evaluated together using a path model to test the mediating role of guilt feelings in the development of burnout and its relationship with psychosomatic problems. Two models were constructed: the hypothesized model (i.e., indolence → guilt → psychosomatic problems) vs. the alternative model (i.e., indolence → psychosomatic problems → guilt). According to the results, the hypothesized model obtained a satisfactory fit to the data, whereas the alternative model’s fit was found to be inadequate. We concluded that the hypothesized model was a good representation of the relationship among burnout, guilt feelings and psychosomatic problems. We recommend taking into consideration feelings of guilt to improve the diagnosis of burnout. Full article

Background and Objectives: Fifty percent of individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD) experience self-harm. One of the crucial factors related to self-harm is feelings of emptiness. While inner strengths, such as the Five Precepts, meditation, and equanimity, have been identified as potential buffers against negative mental health outcomes in BPD, their role in mediating the relationship between feelings of emptiness and self-harm is not well-documented. This study aimed to explore how these inner strengths mediate the relationship between feelings of emptiness and self-harm in individuals exhibiting BPD symptoms. Materials and Methods: A total of 302 Thai participants exhibiting BPD symptoms completed several assessments: the SCID-II Personality Disorder Questionnaire for BPD to assess feelings of emptiness and self-harm, the Inner-Strength-Based Inventory (i-SBI) to evaluate the Five Precepts, meditation, and equanimity, and the Outcome Inventory Depression (OI-Depression) to assess depression. Mean and standard deviation were used for continuous variables, such as age and OI-Depression. A t-test assessed mean differences in continuous variables between the self-harm group and the non-self-harm group. Chi-square tests examined differences in categorical variables with three or more levels, such as education. Pearson’s correlation and linear regression analyzed relationships between continuous variables, including i-SBI and OI-Depression scores. Mediation analysis was performed using IBM SPSS and AMOS, with self-harm as the outcome variable, feelings of emptiness as the predictor, and inner strengths as mediators. Results: The participants had a mean age of 36.56, with 65.4% being female. The analysis showed that the Five Precepts, meditation, and equanimity significantly mediated the relationship between feelings of emptiness and self-harm, with a standardized coefficient of β = 0.534 (95% CI = 0.417 to 0.647, p < 0.001). The indirect effect of feelings of emptiness through these inner strengths was significant (β = 0.034, 95% CI = 0.009 to 0.075, p = 0.005). The mediation model explained 38% of the variance in self-harm with a 3% increase, albeit small but significant. Conclusions: This study highlights that inner strengths negatively mediate the relationship between feelings of emptiness and self-harm, indicating that as these inner strengths increase, the direct impact of feelings of emptiness on self-harm decreases. These findings suggest that targeting inner strengths as protective factors could be a valuable strategy in developing interventions aimed at reducing self-harm by addressing the underlying emotional challenges associated with BPD. Full article

In this study, a wear-resistant ultra-thin wear layer was fabricated with polyurethane as an adhesive to investigate its durability for pavement applications. Its road performance was investigated based on indoor tests. First, the abrasion test was performed using a tire–pavement dynamic friction analyzer (TDFA), and the surface elevation information of the wear layer was obtained by laser profile scanning. The relationship between the anti-skid properties of the wear layer and the macro-texture was analyzed. Second, a Fourier infrared spectrometer and scanning electron microscope were employed to analyze the evolution of polyurethane aging properties in the pull-out test and accelerated ultraviolet (UV) aging test. The results showed that the mean profile depth (MPD), arithmetic mean wavelength of contour (λa), surface wear index (SBI), stage mass loss rate (σ), and total stage mass loss rate (ω) of the abrasive layer aggregate had significant multivariate quadratic polynomial relationships with the skidding performance of the abrasive layer. The tensile strength of the polyurethane ultra-thin abrasive layer decreased by only 2.59% after 16 days of UV aging, indicating a minimal effect of UV action on the aggregate and structural spalling of the polyurethane abrasive layer. Full article

Background: MS patients experience gradual and progressive functional limitation, bulbar symptoms, cognitive dysfunction, and psychiatric disorders that can impinge on oral status. This study aimed to investigate the oral state, oral hygiene habits, and salivary cortisol levels in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) compared to healthy controls. It also evaluated systemic parameters: disease duration, type of Disease Modifying Therapy (DMT), disability score, professional activity, and smoking in the study group. Methods: This study included 101 patients (71 women and 30 men, aged 16–71 years) and 51 healthy volunteers (36 women and 15 men, aged 28–82 years). The oral examination assessed the number of teeth, type and number of dental fillings and prosthetic restoration, oral hygiene state, and salivary cortisol. Results: It was found that MS patients had significantly more professional activity, swallowing problems, pronunciation issues, dry mouth, and taste disturbances than the control group. They brushed their teeth twice daily significantly less often. The API was higher, while the SBI was lower in MS patients. Disease duration positively correlated with age and number of missing teeth. The Expanded Disability Status Scale positively correlated with age, disease duration, number of missing teeth, number of composite fillings, and right and left-hand Nine Hole Peg test scores, and negatively correlated with the Sulcus Bleeding Index. Salivary cortisol levels did not differ between groups and correlated only with the disability scale. Conclusions: MS patients require ongoing dental care and preventive measures to manage both general and oral health symptoms effectively. Full article

Lithium-ion battery state of health (SOH) estimation is critical in battery management systems (BMS), with data-driven methods proving effective in this domain. However, accurately estimating SOH for lithium-ion batteries remains challenging due to the complexities of battery cycling conditions and the constraints of limited data. This paper proposes an estimation approach leveraging partial incremental capacity curves and transfer learning to tackle these challenges. First, only partial voltage segments are utilized for incremental capacity analysis, which are then fed into a stacked bidirectional gated recursive unit (SBiGRU) network, and finally, transfer learning is utilized to address issues related to limited data availability and differing data distributions. The method is further enhanced through hyperparameter optimization to refine estimation accuracy. The proposed method is validated in two publicly available datasets. For the base model, the root mean square error is 0.0033. With the transfer learning method, which utilized only 1.6% of the target domain data, the root mean square error is 0.0039. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method can accurately estimate SOH and works well in training and testing over different voltage ranges. The results underscore the potential of the proposed SOH estimation method for lithium-ion batteries. Full article

Background and Objectives: Mammary gland surgery has become very common, but there are complications of these operations, including the concept of breast implant illness (BII) in women with silicone gel breast implants (SBI), who suffer from various symptoms such as myalgia, arthralgia, fatigue, fever, dry eyes, or dry mouth. Silicone biomaterials are synthetic polymers that have their own physical and chemical properties and can exert their effect at the site of use and possibly on the general status of the body, causing inflammation and oxidative stress signs. The aim of the study was to examine components of the blood antioxidant system (AOS) of the mastopexy and breast augmentation patients before the operation, on the first post-op day, and 6 months after surgery. Materials and Methods: Healthy breast surgery patients (women aged 31 to 60 years without visible pathologies) were selected for the study and formed 2 groups: breast lift—mastopexy without silicone biomaterials (I group, 30 patients) and breast augmentation using silicone biomaterials (II group, 28 patients). All patients underwent standard preoperative tests. Glutathione peroxidase (GPxSe) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) in blood, selenium (Se), selenium protein P (SelPP), and total antioxidant status (TAS) in plasma were measured as AOS parameters. The concentration of vitamin D was also determined. A total of 174 blood tests were performed. Results: Overall, there were no differences in both groups in measured antioxidant system indicators over time; neither changes in objective nor subjective status were observed. However, baseline activity of GPxSe was relatively high but restored to normal values 6 months after surgery. In the mastopexy group, GPxSe decreased from 12,961.7 U/L by 18.9% to 10,513.4 U/L, and in the breast augmentation group, from 15,505.0 U/L by 25.1% to 11,265.5 U/L, which is a decrease of 18.9% and 25.1%, respectively. The patients did not note any complaints; other indicators of standard biochemical tests were within normal limits. Conclusions: The two types of surgical interventions, breast mastopexy and augmentation of the mammary glands, do not significantly impact blood AOS and are physiological in nature. Full article

The enlargement of the prostate gland in the reproductive system of males is considered a form of prostate cancer (PrC). The survival rate is considerably improved with earlier diagnosis of cancer; thus, timely intervention should be administered. In this study, a new automatic approach combining several deep learning (DL) techniques was introduced to detect PrC from MRI and ultrasound (US) images. Furthermore, the presented method describes why a certain decision was made given the input MRI or US images. Many pretrained custom-developed layers were added to the pretrained model and employed in the dataset. The study presents an Equilibrium Optimization Algorithm with Deep Learning-based Prostate Cancer Detection and Classification (EOADL-PCDC) technique on MRIs. The main goal of the EOADL-PCDC method lies in the detection and classification of PrC. To achieve this, the EOADL-PCDC technique applies image preprocessing to improve the image quality. In addition, the EOADL-PCDC technique follows the CapsNet (capsule network) model for the feature extraction model. The EOA is based on hyperparameter tuning used to increase the efficiency of CapsNet. The EOADL-PCDC algorithm makes use of the stacked bidirectional long short-term memory (SBiLSTM) model for prostate cancer classification. A comprehensive set of simulations of the EOADL-PCDC algorithm was tested on the benchmark MRI dataset. The experimental outcome revealed the superior performance of the EOADL-PCDC approach over existing methods in terms of different metrics. Full article