Search Results (184)

Background: The biological mediators for the epidemiologic overlap between osteoporosis and dementia are unclear. We undertook a scoping review of clinical studies to identify genetic and biological factors linked with these degenerative conditions, exploring the mechanisms and pathways connecting both conditions. Methods: Studies selected (1) involved clinical research investigating genetic factors or biomarkers associated with dementia or osteoporosis, and (2) were published in English in a peer-reviewed journal between July 1993 and March 2025. We searched Medline Ovid, Embase, PsycINFO, the Cochrane Library, the Web of Science databases, Google Scholar, and the reference lists of studies following the guidelines for Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Results: Twenty-three studies were included in this review. These explored the role of the APOE polymorphism (n = 2) and the APOE4 allele (n = 13), associations between TREM2 mutation and late onset AD (n = 1), and associations between amyloid beta and bone remodeling (n = 1); bone-related biomarkers like DKK1, OPG, and TRAIL as predictors of cognitive change (n = 2); extracellular vesicles as bone–brain communication pathways (1); and the role of dementia-related genes (n = 1), AD-related CSF biomarkers (n = 1), and parathyroid hormone (PTH) (n = 1) in osteoporosis–dementia pathophysiology. Conclusions: Bone-related biomarkers active in the Wnt/β-Catenin pathway (Dkk1 and sclerostin) and the RANKL/RANK/OPG pathway (OPG/TRAIL ratio) present consistent evidence of involvement in AD and osteoporosis development. Reports proposing APOE4 as a causal genetic link for both osteoporosis and AD in women are not corroborated by newer observational studies. The role of Aβ toxicity in osteoporosis development is unverified in a large clinical study. Full article

Objectives: The ability to efficiently regulate body temperature is crucial during endurance activities such as trail running, especially during competitive events in hot conditions. Over the past decade, passive hyperthermia exposure has grown significantly in popularity as a means of improving acclimatization and performance in hot environments. The present study aims to compare the physiological changes that occur in a group of professional athletes due to passive sauna exposure (80–90 °C) and their own response to maximal aerobic performance. Methods: Twelve professional trail runners (eight men and four women) were tested in three conditions: (i) baseline; (ii) before; and (iii) after (a) passive dry sauna exposure and (b) a maximal endurance test. In both cases, physiological parameters such as heart rate, tympanic temperature, arterial and muscle oxygen saturation, and blood concentrations of glucose, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and hemoglobin were measured. Results: Sauna exposure produced similar trends in cardiovascular and metabolic responses to those occurring during exercise, but at a much lower physiological level. Glucose and HDL levels were both significantly elevated (or tended to be so) after sauna and exercise (p < 0.03 and p < 0.01, respectively). Athletes who mobilized the sum of substrates (glucose and HDL) performed the exercise test faster (r = −0.76; p < 0.004). The response of arterial oxygen saturation (decreased) was similar during sauna and exercise, but opposite at the muscular level (increased during sauna and decreased during exercise). Additionally, inter-individual variability in responses was noted for most of the other parameters, suggesting the existence of ‘responders’ and ‘non-responders’ to thermal stimuli. Conclusions: The physiological responses of trained endurance athletes are moderately impacted by passive sauna use. However, individual changes could be correlated with endurance performance and optimizing individualization. Heat stimuli promote different physiological responses in terms of cardiac function, oxygen kinetics and substrate mobilization, albeit to a lesser extent than exercise. Greater substrate mobilization during maximal endurance exercise was found to be correlated with better performance. Further studies are needed to explore the concepts of metabolic flexibility, as described here, and how heat exposure may improve systemic health and performance. Full article

The aerodynamic optimization of the airfoil of vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWTs) is limited by the time-consuming nature of computational fluid dynamics (CFD), resulting in difficulty in the efficient implementation of multi-parameter optimization. In response to this challenge, this study constructed a collaborative optimization framework based on the Kriging surrogate model and the multi-island genetic algorithm (MIGA). Based on the NACA 0015 airfoil, 13 geometric variables (including 12 Bernstein polynomial coefficients and 1 installation angle) were defined through the Classification and Shape Transformation (CST) parameterization method. Through sensitivity analysis, seven key parameters were screened as design variables. Seventy training samples and ten validation samples were generated via Latin hypercube sampling to construct a high-precision Kriging surrogate model (R² = 0.91368). The optimized results show that the power coefficient of the new airfoil increases by 14.2% under the condition of the tip velocity ratio (TSR > 1.5), and the average efficiency of the entire working condition increases by 9.8%. The drag reduction mechanism is revealed through pressure cloud maps and velocity field analysis. The area of the high-pressure zone at the leading edge decreases by 23%, and the flow separation phenomenon at the trailing edge is significantly weakened. This research provides an engineering solution that takes into account both computational efficiency and optimization accuracy for the VAWT airfoil design. Full article

Objectives: Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) comprises rare systemic vasculitides that can present with cognitive dysfunction. However, data on the screening and characterization of cognitive dysfunction in AAV remain limited. Methods: Cognitive complaints in AAV patients were screened using self-report questionnaires. Objective cognitive impairment was assessed with a standardized neurocognitive test battery. Results were compared with clinical evaluations, brain MRI findings, treatment history, and neuropsychiatric symptoms. All test results were standardized for the overall population. Results: Twelve patients (five women, seven men) with a median [IQR] age of 68 [59–71] and a median [IQR] disease duration of 92 months [55–127] were included. None of the patients showed evidence of vasculitis activity on brain MRI. Cognition was assessed using a standardized neurocognitive test battery in all patients except one. Four patients (36%) were found to have cognitive impairment, defined as three or more altered tests. The most affected functions were attentional and executive, with the d2-R (4/4), Rey–Osterrieth Complex Figure Delayed Recall (3/4), and Trail Making Test Part B (3/4) showing the most frequent deficiencies. Objective cognitive disorders were not associated with self-reported cognitive complaints. No significant association was found between cognitive impairment and vasculitis activity or sequelae, corticosteroid and immunosuppressive treatments, or neuropsychiatric symptoms. Conclusions: This study highlights the presence of cognitive impairments in AAV, predominantly affecting attentional and executive functions, which may reflect vascular involvement. Early and tailored approaches to cognitive screening and management are essential to improve patient care and quality of life. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cognitive decline has been increasingly linked to cardiac autonomic regulation; however, its specific associations with cognitive domains, such as information processing speed and executive function, remain unclear. This preliminary study examined the relationship between cardiac autonomic modulation and cognitive performance in older adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 101 older adults (aged ≥60 years) attending a university hospital outpatient clinic. Participants were classified as without cognitive impairment (WCI) or cognitively impaired and not demented (CIND) based on neuropsychological assessments. Heart rate variability (HRV) was measured at rest, focusing on the time-domain parameters (SDNN, rMSSD, and pNN50). Trail making test parts A and B (TMT-A and TMT-B) were used to assess information processing speed and executive function, respectively. Analyses of covariance (ANCOVAs) were performed, adjusting for confounding variables including age, sex, and comorbidities. Results: Participants in the CIND group had significantly lower HRV indices than those in the WCI group (SDNN, p < 0.05, d = 0.44; rMSSD, p < 0.05, d = 0.39; pNN50, p < 0.05, d = 0.40), indicating reduced parasympathetic modulation. Higher HRV values were observed in individuals with preserved processing speed and executive function. Specifically, pNN50 was significantly associated with processing speed (p = 0.04), and SDNN was significantly correlated with executive function (p = 0.02). These associations persisted even after adjusting for confounding factors. Conclusions: Reduced cardiac autonomic modulation, especially lower parasympathetic activity, is significantly associated with cognitive impairment in older adults. Lower pNN50 values were correlated with slower information processing speed, and lower SDNN was associated with poorer executive function. These findings support the potential use of HRV as a physiological biomarker to detect cognitive changes during ageing. Full article

Background: The accuracy of measurement of cardiometabolic outcomes in terms of gaseous exchange and energy expenditure of individuals is crucial. The objective of this study was to compare the validity and reliability of the PNO$\overline{\mathrm{E}}$ in measuring cardiometabolic outcomes from the respiratory gaseous exchange of healthy individuals during treadmill walking exercise. Methods: A total of 21 healthy subjects (15 male and 6 female) aged 22.76 ± 3.85 years took part in this study. Oxygen uptake (VO₂), carbon dioxide production (VCO₂), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), metabolic equivalents (METs), tidal volume (VT), and energy expenditure (EE) were measured using the PNO$\overline{\mathrm{E}}$ and COSMED K5 portable systems during a twenty-eight-minute, four-stage incremental protocol, where speed increased from 1.7 mph to 4.2 mph with a 2% incline on a treadmill. Test–retest reliability was tested on separate days with trail repetition. Validity was evaluated by Bland–Altman plots, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and mean percentage difference. Results: ICCs showed that VCO₂ was in the good range (0.75–0.90). The ICC of the RER from stages 1 to 3 of the incremental protocol and the VT from stages 2 to 4 of the incremental protocol showed good to excellent reliability. No clear trend was seen for VO₂, VCO₂, and EE datapoints with variations in speed. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were moderately high (r = 0.60–0.79) between VO₂, VCO₂, RER, METs, VT, and EE measured by the PNO$\overline{\mathrm{E}}$ and K5 systems. All subjects, except for a few cases in VT, were within the upper and lower 95% confidence intervals of the acceptable range of the Bland–Altman plots. Conclusions: The PNO$\overline{\mathrm{E}}$ system is a valid and reliable measure of cardiometabolic outcomes and is comparable to the COSMED K5 system. Full article

Ocular graft versus host disease (oGVHD) is a common complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and may be associated with dry eye disease and chronic inflammation and fibrosis. Immune dysregulation, particularly the Th1/Th2 imbalance, plays a key role in the progression of oGVHD. This case study presents two oGVHD patients (a 20-year-old with acute oGVHD and a 59-year-old with chronic oGVHD), analyzing clinical dry eye parameters (Schirmer test I, tear film break-up time, Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), and kerato-conjunctival staining) alongside tear biomarkers. A 27-plex tear cytokine analysis was performed using the Luminex200 platform, assessing various biomarkers against a control group-defined normal range. Key biomarkers included beta2-microglobulin (β2-MG), complement components, chemokines, growth factors, and both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, as well a series of soluble ligand and receptors. The study identified distinct biomarker progression patterns during topical corticosteroid treatment in the acute oGHVD patient, suggesting potential shifts in Th1/Th2 responses as the disease progressed. Notably, the soluble CD27, TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) receptor 2 (TRAIL-R2), chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2), and IL-1β, initially elevated, normalized during treatment, while tear-soluble Fas remained highly elevated (>400-fold). Conversely, soluble TRAIL, which was initially at very low levels (100-fold lower), increased during treatment and reached normal tear levels, coinciding with improvements in the clinical ocular inflammation symptoms and OSDI score. This case study also highlights potential differences between acute and chronic oGVHD, particularly in the distinct patterns of novel tear biomarkers such as CD27, TRAIL/TRAIL-R2, and CCL2. Enhancing our understanding of biomarker dynamics may improve disease monitoring and pave the way for personalized management strategies to improve patient outcomes. Full article

Homebuilder ETFs provide investors with a diversified portfolio of residential construction and sales companies which reduces risks associated with individual stock selection in the sector. This study examines the net monthly returns of homebuilder exchange-traded funds (ETFs) through various performance evaluation models and market situations. The results reveal that these ETFs outperformed benchmark indices in absolute returns. Despite homebuilding being part of the real estate sector, the correlation between monthly returns of homebuilder ETFs and the Dow Jones US Real Estate Index, though positive, is not very high. The performance of ETFs varied across market conditions, demonstrating both outperformance and underperformance compared to U.S. stocks. During the COVID-19 pandemic, homebuilder ETFs displayed a decline, trailing behind U.S. equities in both absolute returns and risk-adjusted performance. This result emphasizes their vulnerability during economic crises. Utilizing a modified version of the Carhart factor model, significant exposure of real estate ETFs to the stock market was observed. Moreover, an assessment of ETF portfolio managers’ skills indicated proficiency in security selection but limited capabilities in market timing. Homebuilder ETFs pose higher downside risks than other indices, evident in their elevated Value at Risk (VaR) and Conditional Value at Risk (CVaR) values. Full article

Low-Reynolds-number propeller systems have been widely used in aeronautical applications, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and electric propulsion systems. However, the aerodynamic sound of the propeller systems is often significant and can lead to aircraft noise problems. Therefore, effective predictions of propeller noise are important for designing aircraft, and the different phases in aircraft design require specific prediction approaches. This paper aimed to perform a comparison study on numerical methods at different fidelity levels for predicting the aerodynamic noise of low-Reynolds-number propellers. The Ffowcs-Williams and Hawkings (FWH), Hanson, and Gutin methods were assessed as, respectively, high-, medium-, and low-fidelity noise models. And a coarse-grid large eddy simulation was performed to model the propeller aerodynamics and to inform the three noise models. A popular propeller configuration, which has been used in previous experimental and numerical studies on propeller noise, was employed. This configuration consisted of a two-bladed propeller mounted on a cylindrical nacelle. The propeller had a diameter of $D=9^{″}$ and a pitch-to-diameter ratio of $P/D=1$, and was operated in a forward-flight condition with a chord-based Reynolds number of $Re=4.8\times {10}^4$, a tip Mach number of $M=0.231$, and an advance ratio of $J=0.485$. The results were validated against existing experimental measurements. The propeller flow was characterized by significant tip vortices, weak separation over the leading edges of the blade suction sides, and small-scale vortical structures from the blade trailing edges. The far-field noise was characterized by tonal noise, as well as broadband noise. The mechanism of the noise generation and propagation were clarified. The capacities of the three noise modeling methods for predicting such propeller noise were evaluated and compared. Full article

Objectives: The effects of brain tumors located in the supplementary motor area (SMA) have so far been described mainly in the context of motor and speech disorders. There are few studies that have considered other cognitive domains, so this study aimed to fill this gap by focusing on examining attention and working memory in a population of patients with gliomas in the SMA region. Methods: This study included 50 patients diagnosed with gliomas located in the SMA who have not yet had any treatment and 57 demographically matched healthy individuals. A set of neuropsychological tests was conducted to assess attention and working memory: Digit Span from WAIS-R, Visual Elevator from TEA, Verbal Fluency Test (switching condition), and Color Trails Test (CTT). Results: The analyses showed that patients scored lower in most of the evaluated tests and indicators, namely in Digit Span-forward (t = −2.05; p = 0.022), Digit Span-backward (t = −2.63; p = 0.005), CTT-2 (t = 4.24; p = 0.001), CTT-interference (t = 2.31; p = 0.012), Visual Elevator-time (t = 1.83; p = 0.035), Visual Elevator-accuracy (t = −2.42, p = 0.010), and Verbal Fluency-switching (t = −3.41; p = 0.001). A significant relationship was also demonstrated between the grade of tumor malignancy and the results achieved in some of the neuropsychological tests. The lateralization of the tumor, the size of the lesion, and the presence of epilepsy did not prove to be particularly significant. Conclusions: Due to the significant decline in cognitive performance in terms of attention and working memory, we believe that every patient with a tumor in the SMA should undergo a detailed neuropsychological examination, which will profile their functioning and help tailor the best possible psychological care. Full article

Ultra-trail events (UTs) pose significant challenges to maintaining hydration and electrolyte balance, with risks of dehydration (DH), overhydration (OH), exercise-associated hyponatremia (EAH), and exertional rhabdomyolysis (ER). This study examined the effects of ad libitum (ADL) hydration on hydration status and muscle damage during a nine-stage UT (635 km, 40,586 m elevation gain). Four highly trained male athletes participated. Hydration was assessed via body weight loss (BWL), urine specific gravity (U_sg), and serum sodium ([Na+]), while muscle damage markers included creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and calcium (Ca), and liver damage biomarkers included aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Our results showed no cases of EAH or hypernatremia ([Na+] > 145 mmol·L⁻¹), with serum [Na+] maintained above 135 mmol·L⁻¹. BWL exceeded the 2% DH threshold in early stages (p = 0.029), and U_sg remained elevated (>1.020 g·mL⁻¹). LDH and CK significantly increased at all stages (p < 0.05), persisting for 48 h post-event. Correlations showed BWL aggravated muscle damage (r = 0.47 with CK) and hypocalcemia (r = −0.68 with Ca). Elevation gain/loss amplified fluid loss and muscle injury. While ADL hydration mitigated EAH, it did not fully address DH or muscle damage. Personalized hydration and recovery protocols are crucial to optimizing performance and health in UT events. Full article

Throughout Europe, including Poland, Ixodes ricinus ticks are the main vector of numerous pathogenic agents that pose a serious threat to public health. Southern Poland attracts many tourists with its scenic landscapes and abundant recreational opportunities. These areas are ideal habitats for wild fauna, which serve as the main reservoirs and hosts for these pathogens and ticks. The large population and biodiversity of these hosts facilitate the proliferation of ticks. The aim of this study was to determine the potential exposure of humans to ticks and tick-borne pathogens such as Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Babesia spp., along the nature-educational and tourist trails of the Poprad Landscape Park. From 2020 to 2021, ticks were collected using the flagging method on three tourist trails and nature-educational paths within the Poprad Landscape Park. DNA was isolated from 213 I. ricinus ticks using the ammonia method. To detect pathogens in ticks, PCR and nested PCR methods were used. To detect B. burgdorferi s.l. and A. phagocytophilum, two pairs of primers specific to the flaB gene fragment and 16S rRNA gene fragment were used, respectively. For Babesia spp. detection, primers specific to the 18S rRNA gene were used. The amplification products were separated electrophoretically and visualized under ultraviolet light. In total, among the 213 examined ticks, B. burgdorferi s.l. was detected in 31% of the samples. Neither A. phagocytophilum nor Babesia spp. were detected in the studied material. These results indicate a potentially high risk of ticks and tick-borne B. burgdorferi s.l. infections for residents and tourists in the recreational areas of the Poprad Landscape Park. Full article

Recombinant Adeno-associated virus (rAAV) is a popular vector for treating genetic diseases caused by absent or defective genes. rAAVs can be produced that contain a therapeutic transgene, i.e., a correct copy of the affected gene, which is then delivered into target cells. A further application of rAAV is to deliver pro-apoptotic genes such as TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) into cancer cells, leading to tumor regression. However, rAAV production is expensive and insufficient yields may hinder wide-spread adoption especially in systemic conditions. During rAAV production, the therapeutic transgene may be expressed in the producer cell line, and in the case of an oncolytic gene, this would likely lead to cell death thus reducing rAAV yields. Here we demonstrate that expression of TRAIL during rAAV production in HEK293F cells negatively impacts rAAV yield. A shRNA-based strategy was developed to suppress the expression of TRAIL in rAAV-producing cells specifically during the production process. Incorporating a TRAIL-targeting shRNA expression cassette within the backbone of the rAAV genome-encoding plasmid during triple-transfection of HEK293F cells reduced transgene expression and led to a 60% increase in the yield of rAAV-TRAIL compared to controls. Full article

Machine traffic during timber harvesting operations induces soil compaction, which is particularly evident in the formation of ruts. Visual inspection of rut formation is labor-intensive and limits the volume of data that can be collected. This study aims to contribute to the limited knowledge base regarding the extent of soil physical disturbance caused by machine traffic on steep slopes and to evaluate the utility of LiDAR and UAV photogrammetry techniques. The selected traffic trails included single-pass uphill, single-pass downhill, three-pass round trip, and five-pass round trip trails, with an average slope of 70.7%. Traditional methods were employed to measure rut depth using a pin board and to assess soil bulk density (BD) and soil porosity (SP) from soil samples. The results revealed that the average rut depth was 19.3 cm, while the deepest ruts were observed after a single pass (uphill: 20.0 cm; downhill: 22.7 cm), where BD and SP showed the most significant changes. This study provides a rare quantitative evaluation of the applicability of remote sensing methods in forestry by comparing surface height data collected via a pin board with that derived from a Mobile LiDAR System (MLS) and UAV photogrammetry using structure-from-motion (SfM). When compared to pin board measurements, the MLS data showed an R² value of 0.74 and an RMSE of 4.25 cm, whereas the SfM data had an R² value of 0.62 and an RMSE of 5.27 cm. For rut depth estimation, SfM (16.0 cm) significantly underestimated values compared to the pin board (19.3 cm) and MLS (19.9 cm). These findings not only highlight the potential and limitations of remote sensing methods for assessing soil disturbance in steep forest environments but also contribute to addressing the knowledge gaps surrounding the effects of soil compaction in steep terrain. Full article

Cavity flows have a wide range of low-speed applications ($M\le 0.3$), such as aircraft wheel wells, ground transportations, and pipelines. They induce strong flow oscillations which can substantially increase noise, drag, vibration, and lead to structural fatigue. In the current study, a steady jet was forced from the cavity trailing edge with different momentum fluxes (J = 0.11 kg/m·s², 0.44 kg/m·s², and 0.96 kg/m·s²). The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the steady jet on the time-averaged flow field and the cavity separated shear layer oscillations for an open cavity with a length-to-depth ratio of $L/D=4$ at $R{e}_{\theta }=1.28\times {10}^3$. Particle image velocimetry, surface oil flow visualisation, constant temperature anemometry, and pressure measurements were performed. The study found that increasing the jet momentum flux caused a significant increase in thickness and deflection of the cavity separated shear layer. Due to the counterflow interaction between the jet and cavity separated shear layer, the growth rate ($d{\delta }_{\omega }/dx$) of the cavity separated shear layer increased significantly from 0.193 for the no-jet case to 0.273 for the J = 0.96 kg/m·s² case. As a result, the return flow rate increased, causing the separation point on the cavity floor to shift upstream from $x/L\approx 0.2$ for the no-jet case to $x/L\approx 0.1$ for the J = 0.96 kg/m·s² case. Furthermore, increasing the jet momentum flux increased the broadband level of the cavity separated shear layer oscillations. Full article