Search Results (114)

Artocarpus heterophyllus (jackfruit) is widely distributed in subtropical and tropical regions, and some phytochemicals isolated from this species have demonstrated anti-proliferative effects. However, its impact on triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and HPV-related cervical cancer models remains unclear. This study evaluated the phytochemical profile and anticancer activity of an ethanolic extract from A. heterophyllus leaves (AHEE) in the TNBC cell line MDA-MB-231 and in the HPV-16⁺ murine cancer cell line TC-1. Phytochemical screening and spectroscopic analyses (UV-Vis, IR, ¹H, and ¹³C NMR) revealed the presence of tannins, alkaloids, steroids, coumarins, and flavone-type flavonoids, with a total phenolic content of 3.34 µg GAE/mg and flavonoid content of 0.44 mg QE/g extract. In 2D cultures, AHEE reduced cell viability by 49% in TC-1 and 24% in MDA-MB-231 at 300 µg/mL, inhibited colony formation and migration in TC-1, and impaired survival but not migration in MDA-MB-231. In 3D cultures, 250 µg/mL inhibited proliferation, migration, and anchorage-independent growth in both cell lines. Furthermore, the combination of AHEE with one-fifth of the IC₅₀ of doxorubicin or cisplatin produces an effect comparable to that observed with the full IC₅₀ of these drugs. These findings suggest that AHEE possesses anticancer activity with cell-type-specific effects and highlight its potential as an adjuvant therapy. Further studies are warranted to elucidate its mechanisms of action. Full article

The full-waveform spaceborne laser altimeter improves footprint geolocation accuracy through waveform matching, providing critical data for on-orbit calibration. However, in areas with significant topographic variations or complex surface characteristics, traditional waveform matching methods based on the Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC-Match) are susceptible to errors from laser ranging inaccuracies and discrepancies in surface structures, resulting in reduced footprint geolocation stability. This study proposes a terrain-constrained cross-correlation matching (TC-Match) method. By integrating the terrain characteristics of the laser footprint area with spaceborne altimetry data, a sliding “time-shift” constraint range is constructed. Within this constraint range, an optimal matching search based on waveform structural characteristics is conducted to enhance the robustness and accuracy of footprint geolocation. Using GaoFen-7 (GF-7) satellite laser footprint data, experiments were conducted in regions of Utah and Arizona, USA, for validation. The results show that TC-Match outperforms PCC-Match regarding footprint geolocation accuracy, stability, elevation correction, and systematic bias correction. This study demonstrates that TC-Match significantly improves the geolocation quality of spaceborne laser altimeters under complex terrain conditions, offering good practical engineering adaptability. It provides an effective technical pathway for subsequent on-orbit calibration and precision model optimization of spaceborne laser data. Full article

Somatotyping is essential for assessing body composition in sports science, anthropology, and medicine. Traditional methods, such as the Heath–Carter approach, rely on manual measurements, which can be prone to errors and variability. This study evaluates the validity and reliability of 3D body scanning as an alternative to manual somatotyping. A total of 117 participants (49 males, 68 females) aged 18 to 27 years were assessed using both traditional anthropometric methods and a full-body 3D scanning system (TC² NX-16). The three somatotype components (ectomorphy, mesomorphy, and endomorphy) were calculated using the Heath–Carter method. A custom-developed application processed the scanned data to compute somatotype values. The results were compared using statistical metrics, including intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and Bland–Altman analysis. The 3D scanning method showed high agreement (87.18%) with manual measurements. Minor discrepancies were observed particularly in the endomorphic component, which was slightly overestimated by 3D scanning. Mesomorphic and ectomorphic components exhibited minimal differences. Statistical analyses confirmed strong reliability with ICC values exceeding 0.87. Conclusions: Full-body 3D scanning is a viable, non-invasive, and efficient alternative to traditional somatotyping methods. Despite minor differences in endomorphy estimation, the overall accuracy and reliability supports its use in sports science, health monitoring, and anthropometric research. Future studies should refine predictive models for endomorphy estimation and integrate AI-driven classification techniques to enhance precision. Full article

Background: Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality, often diagnosed at advanced stages, where minimally invasive tissue sampling is essential for diagnosis and molecular profiling. Rapid On-Site Evaluation (ROSE) enhances the diagnostic yield of small biopsies, but is frequently limited by a shortage of pathologists and logistical constraints. Telepathology offers a potential solution by enabling remote real-time assessment. This study evaluates the feasibility, diagnostic accuracy, and efficiency of telecytology-assisted ROSE (TC-ROSE) using touch imprint cytology (TIC) during CT-guided transthoracic core needle biopsy (CNB) of pulmonary nodules. Methods: 50 patients underwent CNB. TIC samples were assessed and evaluated on-site or remotely via a fully remote-controlled microscope system (OCUS^®). TIC slide preparation was performed by pathologists (30 cases), radiologists (10), and trained assistants (10). The study analyzed diagnostic concordance between remote and on-site assessments, time efficiency, and the feasibility of involving non-pathologists in TIC preparation. Results: Diagnostic samples were obtained in 86% of TIC samples, with full concordance (100%) between TC-ROSE and traditional ROSE. The slides required approximately 140 s for scanning, and the overall evaluation time was around 3 min per case. Overall, 100% of TICs were adequately assessed by both pathologists and non-pathologists. No increased number of complications was recorded among patients with TCROSE, compared to those ROSE evaluated. The remote setup allowed pathologists to maintain routine workflows, improving time efficiency. Conclusions: The findings confirm that telecytology is a viable, accurate, and efficient approach to ROSE, offering a practical solution for overcoming workforce and logistical barriers, particularly in settings with limited pathology resources. Full article

The IEC 61108-7 standard focuses on the minimum performance required by shipborne receivers using satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) L1 signals to be compliant with the performance specified in IMO Resolution A.1046(27). Apart from the minimum performance requirements, the standard specifies the testing methods and a full set of scenarios with their pass/fail criteria. To verify the feasibility of the tests defined in the standard, a comprehensive test campaign was carried out in a joint effort by the European Satellite Services Provider (ESSP) and the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) under the coordination of the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA). This paper presents an assessment of the validity and appropriateness of the test scenarios and the minimum performance requirements specified in the IEC-61108-7 standard. To conduct the campaign, dedicated setups were designed and implemented at the JRC and ESSP laboratories, where live and simulated GPS+SBAS signals were used. For the analysis, all the test cases (TCs) described in the standard were implemented, and two commercial devices were tested. From the results, it emerged that all the TCs were properly designed and implemented, thereby confirming the feasibility of the tests defined in IEC 61108-7. Full article

In the current era, which is characterized by increasing demand for high-precision location and navigation capabilities, various industries, including those involved in intelligent vehicle systems, logistics, augmented reality, and more, heavily rely on accurate location information to optimize processes and deliver personalized experiences. In this context, the integration of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and inertial sensor technologies in smartphones has emerged as a critical solution to meet these demands. This research paper presents an algorithm that combines a GNSS with a modified downdate algorithm (MDDA) for satellite selection and integrates inertial navigation systems (INS) in both loosely and tightly coupled configurations. The primary objective was to harness the inherent strengths of these onboard sensors for navigation in challenging environments. These algorithms were meticulously designed to enhance performance and address the limitations encountered in harsh terrain. To evaluate the effectiveness of these proposed systems, vehicular experiments were conducted under diverse GNSS observation conditions. The experimental results clearly illustrate the considerable improvements achieved by the recommended tightly coupled (TC) algorithm when integrated with MDDA, in contrast to the loosely coupled (LC) algorithm. Specifically, the TC algorithm demonstrated a remarkable reduction of over 90% in 2D position root mean square error (RMSE) and a 75% reduction in 3D position RMSE when compared to solutions utilizing the weighting matrix provided by Google with all visible satellites. These findings underscore the substantial advancements in precision resulting from the integration of GNSS and INS technologies, thereby unlocking the full potential of transformative applications in the realm of intelligent vehicle navigation. Full article

Thyroid Cancer (TC) is one of the most prevalent endocrine malignancies, with early detection being critical for patient management. The motivation for integrating Machine Learning (ML) in thyroid cancer research stems from the limitations of conventional diagnostic and monitoring approaches, as ML offers transformative potential for reducing human errors and improving prediction outcomes for diagnostic accuracy, risk stratification, treatment options, recurrence prognosis, and patient quality of life. This scoping review maps existing literature on ML applications in TC, particularly those leveraging clinical data, Electronic Medical Records (EMRs), and synthesized findings. This study analyzed 1231 papers, evaluated 203 full-text articles, selected 21 articles, and detailed three themes: (1) malignancy prediction and nodule classification; (2) other metastases derived from TC prediction; and (3) recurrence and survival prediction. This work examined the case studies’ characteristics and objectives and identified key trends and challenges in ML-driven TC research. Finally, this scoping review addressed the limitations of related and highlighted directions to enhance the clinical potential of ML in this domain while emphasizing its capability to transform TC patient care into advanced precision medicine. Full article

Background and Objectives: Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is a well-established technique for evaluating myocardial perfusion and function in patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease. While conventional dual-detector SPECT scanners have limitations in spatial resolution and photon detection sensitivity, recent advancements, including full-ring solid-state cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) detectors, offer enhanced image quality and improved diagnostic accuracy. This study aimed to compare the performance of Veriton-CT, a full-ring CZT SPECT system, with GE Discovery 530c, a dedicated cardiac fixed-angle gamma camera, in myocardial perfusion imaging and their correlation with coronary angiography findings. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective study that analyzed 21 patients who underwent MPI at the Department of Nuclear Medicine, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kauno Klinikos. A one-day stress–rest protocol using 99mTc-Sestamibi was employed, with stress testing performed via bicycle ergometry or pharmacological induction. MPI was first conducted using GE Discovery 530c (GE Health Care, Boston, MA, USA), followed by imaging on Veriton-CT, which included low-dose CT for attenuation correction. The summed stress score (SSS), summed rest score (SRS), and summed difference score (SDS) were analyzed and compared between both imaging modalities. Coronary angiography results were retrospectively collected, and lesion-based analysis was performed to assess the correlation between imaging results and the presence of significant coronary artery stenosis (≥35% and ≥70% narrowing). Image quality and the certainty of distinguishing the inferior myocardial wall from extracardiac structures were also evaluated by two independent researchers with differing levels of experience. Results: Among the 14 patients included in the final analysis, Veriton-CT was more likely to classify MPI scans as normal (64.3%) compared to GE Discovery 530c (28.6%). Additionally, Veriton-CT provided a better assessment of the right coronary artery (RCA) basin, showing greater agreement with coronary angiography findings than GE Discovery 530c, although the difference was not statistically significant. No significant differences in lesion overlap were observed for the left anterior descending artery (LAD) or left circumflex artery (LCx) basins. Furthermore, the image quality assessment revealed slightly better delineation of extracardiac structures using Veriton-CT (Spectrum Dynamics Medical, Caesarea, Israel), particularly when evaluated by an experienced researcher. However, no significant difference was observed when assessed by a less experienced observer. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that Veriton-CT, with its full-ring CZT detector system, may offer advantages over fixed-angle gamma cameras in improving image quality and reducing attenuation artifacts in MPI. Although the difference in correlations with coronary angiography findings was not statistically significant, Veriton-CT showed a trend toward better agreement, particularly in the RCA basin. These results indicate that full-ring SPECT imaging could improve the diagnostic accuracy of non-invasive MPI, potentially reducing the need for unnecessary invasive angiography. Further studies with larger patient cohorts are required to confirm these findings and evaluate the clinical impact of full-ring SPECT technology in myocardial perfusion imaging. Full article

Photodegradation of antibiotics based on photocatalytic semiconductors is a promising option to alleviate water pollution. Despite its limitations, TiO₂-based photocatalysts are still the most widely studied materials for pollutant degradation. In this work, a pomegranate-like g-C₃N₄/C/TiO₂ nano-heterojunction was constructed using the hydrothermal–calcination method, consisting of interconnected small crystals with a dense structure and closely contacted interface. Low-crystallized carbon filled the gap between TiO₂ and g-C₃N₄, forming a large interface. The local in-plane heterostructures generated by C/g-C₃N₄ are further improved for carrier transport. As expected, the optimal sample calcined at 300 °C (GTC-300) efficiently eliminated tetracycline hydrochloride (TC-HCl, 20 mg L⁻¹), achieving a removal rate of up to 92.9% within 40 min under full-spectrum irradiation and 87.8% within 60 min under the visible spectrum (λ > 400 nm). The electron mediator, low-crystallized carbon, successfully promoted the formation of new internal electric fields via the widespread heterojunction interface, which accelerated the separation and migration of photogenerated carriers between g-C₃N₄ and TiO₂. These results confirm that the g-C₃N₄/C/TiO₂ nano-heterojunction exhibited outstanding photodegradation performance of TC-HCl. The electron mediator shows great potential in promoting carrier transfer and enhancing photocatalytic performance of heterogeneous photocatalysts in water treatment. Full article

Water scarcity in the Mediterranean significantly affects the sustainability of citrus cultivation in eastern Sicily, a key production area in Italy. Innovative monitoring approaches are crucial for assessing citrus water status and applying precise irrigation strategies. This study evaluates the potential of low-cost proximal sensors based on thermal infrared (TIR) (e.g., canopy temperature, T_c; ΔT; crop water stress index, CWSI) and visible near-infrared (VNIR) (e.g., normalized difference vegetation index, NDVI) data, combined with stem water potential (SWP), for determining citrus water status proxies across four fields under different water regimes (full irrigation, FI, and deficit irrigation, DI) and cultivar/rootstock combinations. Temporal and spatial differences were detected for most variables during the irrigation season. A 6% decrease in NDVI corresponded to higher T_c values in July (up to 37.6 °C). CWSI highlighted cumulative water deficits, reaching 0.65 ± 0.15 in September. More negative SWP values (−1.91 ± 0.38 MPa) were found under DI compared to FI (−1.70 ± 0.17 MPa) conditions. Microclimatic differences influenced ΔT, with lower values in fields 3–4, despite site-specific SWP, NDVI, and T_c variations. The use of VNIR and TIR tools provided valuable insights for describing the spatial and temporal variability of citrus water status indicators under Mediterranean conditions, supporting their sustainable irrigation management. Full article

The full Heusler alloys Ni₂MnZ (Z = In, Sn, Sb) exhibit ferromagnetic properties with a Curie temperature (T_C) above room temperature. The magnetic properties of Ni₂MnZ (Z = In, Sn, Sb) were studied through a combination of experiments and band calculations under ambient and elevated pressures. The main results of this study open up further prospects for controlling the magnetic properties of the multifunctional Heusler alloys Ni₂Mn_1+xZ_1−x (Z = In, Sn, Sb) and their practical application. Full article

Background/Objectives: Firefighters have an elevated risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). Thus, it is vital to determine areas of health associated with the development of CVD that need improvement in the firefighter population, such as circulating lipids and arterial stiffness. The purpose of this study was to assess the potential relationship of lipid and lipoprotein metrics with measures of arterial stiffness in full-time firefighters in the southeastern United States. Methods: Twenty male full-time firefighters underwent a fasted blood draw to assess circulating lipids. Resting arterial stiffness was then assessed via pulse wave velocity (PWV) using an aortic measure. To determine the linear relationships between arterial stiffness and lipid measures of interest, a series of bivariate correlations were conducted as appropriate. The outcome variable was PWV measured continuously in m/s. The predictor variables were total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), small dense LDL-C (sdLDL-C), and triglycerides (TG) measured in mg/dL. All analyses were carried out using SPSS version 29 (α = 0.05). Results: TG levels were positively and moderately correlated with PWV (r_s = 0.497, p = 0.026). No other significant relationships were detected between PWV and the remaining variables TC (r_s = 0.104, p = 0.664), HDL-C (r_s = −0.328, p = 0.158), LDL-C (r_s = 0.184, p = 0.436), or sdLDL-C (r_s = 0.330, p = 0.155). Conclusion: Higher TG levels are associated with higher PWV and thus, arterial stiffness. Management of circulating TG may be an important consideration in maximizing arterial health and minimizing CVD risk. Full article

This research includes modeling and studying the performance improvement of a hybrid renewable energy power plant using the modeling software Greenius in Idlib, Syria. The system consists of solar parabolic trough collectors and an anaerobic digester for generating biogas. This study included a practical experiment for generating biogas using five identical digesters operating at five different temperatures. The raw material was a mixture of 81% food waste and 19% human waste, and average temperatures were as follows: 49.6, 45.9, 43.5, 37.5, and 33.2 °C. Modeling operations were conducted for each case, as well as for the case corresponding to the highest growth rate of methanogenic bacteria theoretically. The modeling processes were conducted at 11 different values for the storage capacity from Full Load Hours (FLHs) 0 to 10 and by varying the solar multiple factor (SM) from 1 to 8. This study showed that when operating as a net solar plant, the lowest value for the cost of produced electricity (LCOE) was 0.1785 EUR/kWh at FLHs = 5 h and SM = 2, while the annual electricity production was 25.21 GWh. The maximum annual electricity production was 48.66 GWh, achieved at FLHs = 10 h, SM = 8, and the LCOE = 0.2896 EUR/kWh. It is possible to obtain annual electrical energy of 39.7 GWh, which was about 82% of the maximum possible annual production, at a cost of LCOE = 0.1864 EUR/kWh, which is less than 5% higher than the lowest possible cost. When operating as a hybrid plant with an annual capacity factor of 1 (full load), it is discovered that the lowest value of energy produced is in the third scenario at t_AD = 43.52 °C and t_c = 63.5 °C, with FLHs = 0 h and SM = 1, with the LCOE = 0.1283 EUR/kWh. Full article

Circulating tumor cells and cell-free nucleic acids are novel diagnostic, prognostic and predictive tools for non-invasive and cost-effective cancer detection in liquid biopsy. Carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) has been proposed as a biomarker in urogenital tumors and urine sediment. Our aim was to evaluate CAIX full-length percentage (CAIX FL%) in urine-cell-free RNA (cfRNA) and its relationship with tumor-cell-associated RNA (TC-RNA). CAIX FL% was quantified by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) in patients with prostate, kidney or bladder carcinoma. When cfRNA and TC-RNA were analyzed, CAIX FL% was significantly higher in urine samples from cancer patients than from controls. Using a 10% cutoff for CAIX FL%, specificity, sensitivity, positive and negative predictive values, as well as accuracy for TC-RNA were higher than for cfRNA in all urogenital cancers, but varied according to tumor type. CAIX FL% distribution in TC-RNA differed significantly (p < 0.001) between control and tumor samples (37.5% and 96.2%, respectively); similar results were obtained for each tumor type. Additionally, the 10% cutoff showed a 77.9% concordance between TC-RNA and cfRNA. In conclusion, urine is proposed as an alternative biofluid for investigating CAIX FL% in urogenital cancers, and this parameter can be reliably measured as cfRNA and TC-RNA with different predictive capabilities depending on tumor type. Full article

With the development of the micro electromechanical system (MEMS), which widely adopts micro differential pressure sensors (MDPSs), the demand for high-performance MDPSs had continuously increased. Pressure sensors realized using MEMS technology integrated with biomedical catheters are of significant importance in the detection and treatment of various biological diseases. Biomedical catheters used in low-Fr applications (1Fr = 0.33 mm outer diameter) require miniaturized sensors that do not compromise their performance. For instance, catheters (5Fr) used for central venous pressure (CVP) monitoring require the integration of high-performance sensors with total dimensions smaller than 1.65 mm along at least two directions (length, width, or height). In this paper, a silicon-on-insulator (SOI)-based MDPS was designed and fabricated for micro-pressure detection in the range of 0–1 kPa. The dimension of the sensor is only 1 mm × 1 mm × 0.4 mm, with a sensitivity of 3.401 mV/V/kPa at room temperature, nonlinearity of 0.376% FS (full scale), and an overall accuracy of 0.59% FS. The sensor operates normally when the temperature is even increased to 160 °C, and its temperature coefficient of zero output (TCO) and temperature coefficient of sensitivity (TCS) are 0.093% FS/°C and −0.144% FS/°C. The dimension and performance results of this MDPS demonstrate its potential to play a significant role in biomedical catheters. In addition, it is fabricated using an 8-inch MEMS process, which significantly reduces the cost. Full article