Search Results (4,421)

Analysis of freely moving Drosophila captures complex movement behaviors. However, previous experiments have been limited by the inability to distinguish between falls and downward jumps (downjumps). Here, individual flies moving freely in a culture vial were recorded using a single 58 fps video camera. Upward jumps were readily identified by positive movement in the vertical direction. Several statistical and machine learning methods were used to distinguish between falls and downjumps, including Principal Component Analysis (PCA), K-Means Clustering, Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection (UMAP), Hierarchical Density-Based Spatial Clustering with Applications to Noise (HDBSCAN) and Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP). Falls were abundant and characterized by an initial velocity consistent with simple acceleration due to gravity. Downjumps were more rare, and were characterized by a greater initial velocity, indicating active propulsion by the fly. Aged flies took longer to resume movement after a fall, suggesting possible negative effects of falls. Falls in young w[1118]-strain flies exhibited mid-event velocities that were lower than expected, indicating some compensatory behavior that was reduced in aged flies. These methods should facilitate future studies of the effects of aging and neurodegenerative disease models on locomotor behaviors and falls, including the testing of potential interventions. Full article

Background: Over the past two decades, teleophthalmology has become an effective approach for glaucoma screening and follow-up, with its adoption markedly accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to explore and analyze the attitudes of ophthalmologists in Bulgaria toward the application of teleglaucoma, digital communication, and artificial intelligence in clinical practice. Methods: A cross-sectional survey study was conducted among 113 ophthalmologists between September 2024 and March 2025, representing 10.5% of all licensed ophthalmologists in Bulgaria (n = 1074). Results: Age, professional experience, and specialization influenced the level of involvement in managing glaucoma patients. The level of awareness regarding the term ‘teleophthalmology’ was higher among respondents with a specialization in ophthalmology and those holding a doctoral degree (p = 0.001). Among the ophthalmologists surveyed, 35.4% (n = 40) provided teleophthalmology services, while an additional 19.5% (n = 22) reported no prior provision of such services but planned to do so in the future. The most preferred method for conducting teleophthalmology consultations was telephone communication (n = 27; 67.5%), followed by communication via Skype, Viber, or Messenger (n = 23; 57.5%). Physicians with longer professional experience more frequently conducted remote consultations with patients they already knew (p = 0.006). A substantial proportion of respondents (85.0%, n = 96) expressed willingness to participate in training related to contemporary trends and the provision of remote medical services. More than half of respondents expressed positive attitudes toward the use of artificial intelligence in ophthalmology, although practical implementation remained limited. Conclusions: The present study outlined the current landscape of attitudes among ophthalmologists in Bulgaria toward teleglaucoma, digital communication, and the use of artificial intelligence in clinical practice. The findings indicated a moderately positive yet cautious stance—remote services were perceived primarily as complementary tools, particularly for the follow-up of previously known patients and for real-time collaboration between specialists. Full article

Background: Oxidative stress contributes significantly to premature skin aging and inflammatory dermatological conditions. While plant-derived antioxidants have demonstrated considerable promise in topical applications, Bougainvillea glabra Choisy remains underexplored in standardized pharmaceutical dosage form development despite its documented phytochemical richness. Objective: This study aimed to develop, standardize, and characterize topical cold cream formulations incorporating B. glabra ethanolic leaf extract, with HPTLC-based quantification of marker compounds, validated antioxidant assessment, and preliminary dermal safety evaluation. Methods: The ethanolic leaf extract was prepared by maceration and characterized by preliminary phytochemical screening and HPTLC fingerprinting with quantitative densitometric analysis of quercetin and pinitol. Three cold cream formulations were developed at 10% (F1), 20% (F2), and 30% (w/w) (F3) extract loading. Formulations were evaluated for organoleptic properties, pH, homogeneity, spreadability, and viscosity. Antioxidant activity was assessed using a validated methanol extraction procedure followed by DPPH radical scavenging and potassium permanganate reduction assays. Ex vivo skin permeation was evaluated using Franz diffusion cells with freshly excised goat skin. Accelerated stability was conducted at 40 ± 2 °C/75 ± 5% RH for 90 days with HPTLC-based marker retention monitoring. Primary dermal safety was assessed in Wistar albino rats (n = 6) following OECD Test Guideline 404. Results: Quantitative HPTLC confirmed quercetin (4.82 ± 0.14 mg/g dry extract) and pinitol (2.31 ± 0.09 mg/g) as marker compounds, with linearly increasing content across F1–F3. All formulations demonstrated acceptable physicochemical properties (pH 5.7–5.9, viscosity 440,000–460,000 cP, spreadability 11.8 ± 0.3 cm·g/s). F3 exhibited the highest DPPH scavenging activity (56.68 ± 1.05%) with IC₅₀ of 1.3 ± 0.1% w/v, demonstrating a 3.2-fold improvement over F1. Extraction recovery from the cream matrix was 96.4–97.1%, validating the antioxidant data. Ex vivo quercetin permeation through goat skin reached 51.3 ± 2.8 μg/cm² at 24 h for F3, following Higuchi diffusion kinetics (R² > 0.99). No dermal irritation was observed (Primary Irritation Index = 0). Accelerated stability confirmed ≥98.3% retention of both marker compounds and antioxidant activity after 90 days. Conclusions: B. glabra leaf extract was successfully incorporated into a physicochemically stable, non-irritating cold cream with demonstrated dose-dependent antioxidant efficacy and cutaneous delivery capability. The study establishes preliminary dermal safety and in vitro antioxidant efficacy warranting further controlled clinical evaluation. Full article

The growing use of wireless technology significantly increases the exposure of all living organisms to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF). However, the physiological effects of RF-EMF on plants have not yet been sufficiently researched. In this study, we investigated the effects of RF-EMF radiation in the frequency ranges 1890–1900 MHz (DECT) and 2.4 GHz plus 5 GHz (Wi-Fi) on photosynthetic performance of Tilia plants (Tilia tomentosa). The recorded fast chlorophyll fluorescence transients were used to analyze the structure and function of PSII by the JIP-test. The analysis of the fluorescence of chlorophyll a showed that the RF-EMF interfered with the electron transport processes of photosynthesis. Tilia plants exposed to RF-EMF induced decrease in photosynthetic efficiency (F_V/F_M) and inactivation of part of PSII reaction centers (RC/CS_O). Observations of leaf senescence and lifespan over a period of 102 days showed that RF-EMF-exposed Tilia plants exhibited accelerated aging. Full article

Background/Objectives: Hearing loss and dementia are highly prevalent conditions in older adults and represent a growing public health challenge. Over the past decade, a substantial body of epidemiological evidence has demonstrated a consistent association between age-related hearing loss and cognitive dysfunction, including incident dementia. However, the nature of this relationship remains incompletely understood. Methods: This narrative review provides a structured overview of current evidence, focusing on epidemiological findings, mechanistic pathways, and clinical implications. Hearing loss has been associated with both accelerated cognitive decline and increased dementia risk, with a clear severity–impact relationship. Results: Several interacting mechanisms have been proposed, including increased cognitive load, structural and functional brain changes, social isolation, and shared vascular and metabolic risk factors. Emerging concepts such as the “auditory brain” and central auditory dysfunction further suggest that hearing impairment may also represent an early manifestation of neurodegenerative processes. Intervention studies have yielded mixed results. While hearing rehabilitation improves communication and quality of life, randomized evidence has not consistently demonstrated a reduction in cognitive decline in the general population, but potential benefits may exist in higher-risk subgroups. Increasing attention has been directed toward the role of neuroplasticity, with evidence suggesting that delayed intervention may limit the effectiveness of rehabilitation due to long-standing auditory deprivation. Conclusions: Taken together, current evidence suggests that hearing loss may represent both a potentially modifiable risk factor and an early marker of cognitive decline. Early identification and timely management of hearing impairment may therefore play an important role in maintaining cognitive and brain health and improving quality of life in older adults. Full article

Wearable inertial sensing has considerable potential for process-level analysis of upper-limb function, but further evidence is needed to understand how it can be applied within ecologically structured immersive virtual reality (VR) tasks. Most VR-based functional assessments rely primarily on outcome-level indicators, such as task completion time, success rate, or error count, which may not fully capture how a task is executed. This exploratory study investigated whether wearable IMU signals collected during an immersive VR sushi-making task could support binary detection of a core upper-limb manipulation phase and provide additional information about task execution beyond global performance outcomes. A total of 45 participants contributed usable motion recordings for this study, with five Xsens DOT sensors placed on the hands, forearms, and waist. Three signal modalities were analysed, including acceleration (ACC), gyroscope angular velocity (GYR), and Euler angles. The downstream recognition problem was formulated as a binary classification task (Placing vs. Non-Placing), and a self-supervised learning (SSL) pretrain–fine-tune strategy was evaluated against conventional machine learning and from-scratch deep learning baselines using five subject-wise validation splits. The strongest overall performance was achieved with hand-mounted accelerometer signals, with LeftHand–ACC achieving a Macro-F1 of $0.712\pm 0.128$ and RightHand–ACC achieving $0.679\pm 0.118$. Under both hand-ACC settings, SSL fine-tuning showed higher mean Macro-F1 than the Balanced Random Forest baseline and the same deep architecture trained from scratch. Recognition performance varied substantially across sensor locations, signal modalities, and task segments, with distal upper-limb sensors generally outperforming waist-based configurations. Cross-age analyses further showed that within-cohort and cross-cohort performance did not fully align, indicating sensitivity to age-related distribution shift. Beyond classification, Log Dimensionless Jerk (LDLJ) derived from the Placing action showed a significant positive association with Cognitron motor control time cost ($r=0.636$, $p<0.001$). These findings suggest that wearable IMU sensing can provide preliminary process-level information during immersive VR functional tasks, including task-phase detection, sensing-configuration comparison, cross-cohort generalisation assessment, and exploratory motion-quality analysis. The results should be interpreted as evidence of feasibility rather than as a mature biomechanical or clinical assessment model. Full article

Chronic inflammation accelerates the aging process, and targeted clearance of senescent cells shows potential in alleviating age-related decline. PCC1, a potent senescent cell clearance agent in grape seed extract (GSE), has limited applications due to its low oral bioavailability. This study introduced a novel GSE formulation, Natural Senolytics PCC1 (NSPCC1), which significantly enhanced PCC1 absorption and metabolic characteristics. Validation in two mouse aging models demonstrated that oral administration of NSPCC1 markedly extended lifespan and promoted healthy aging. The formulation improved the capacity for hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell differentiation and reduced age-related myeloid cell bias. Comprehensive histological analysis revealed attenuated aging phenotypes in bone marrow and skin, improved peripheral blood erythroid parameters, and a partial increase in blood antioxidant capacity, alongside reduced M1 macrophage infiltration and fibrosis in liver, kidney, and lung tissues. These effects were validated through histological assessments, including H&E, Masson, F4/80, and iNOS staining. This study highlighted the pivotal role of hematopoietic stem cells in aging and established NSPCC1 as a promising natural intervention for age-related pathologies. Its enhanced efficacy lays the groundwork for deeper exploration of natural products in aging biology and provides crucial support for the development of safe and effective anti-aging therapies. Full article

Direct-seeded industrial tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) systems are highly vulnerable to early-season interference, yet the role of seed vigor as a competitive determinant remains under-quantified. This study evaluated the performance of high-vigor (HV; 91% germination) and accelerated-aged low-vigor (LV; 60% germination) tomato seeds against two weeds: green foxtail (Setaria viridis) and jimsonweed (Datura stramonium). While mean emergence timing was statistically comparable between HV and LV cohorts (6.0 vs. 7.2 days), LV seedlings entered the post-emergence phase with a numerical deficit in initial seedling dry weight (7.1 mg vs. 8.5 mg for HV; difference not statistically significant), suggesting a potential early competitive disadvantage. In replacement series experiments, HV tomatoes maintained stable leaf and root biomass within the 0.76–1.24 relative yield (RY) confidence interval when competing with jimsonweed. In contrast, LV plants were significantly suppressed at low weed proportions (25%), where root RY dipped below the 0.76 threshold. Against the aggressive below-ground strategy of S. viridis (which produced ~1200 mg of root mass by 40 DAE), LV tomato root RY collapsed to 0.10–0.15, whereas HV plants maintained significantly higher niche occupancy. Physical separation of above- and below-ground competition confirmed that HV seeds provide a “physiological buffer”; specifically, in below-ground treatments, HV plants achieved a root mass of 0.25 g/plant compared to only 0.15 g/plant for LV plants. These results identify seed vigor as a primary driver of the “priority effect” and suggest that high-vigor lots are essential for Integrated Weed Management (IWM) strategies to mitigate early-season resource pre-emption. These findings suggest that seed vigor assessment should be integrated into seed quality standards for direct-seeded tomato systems as a component of Integrated Weed Management. Future field-based studies are needed to validate these greenhouse findings under variable agronomic conditions. Full article

Deep eutectic solvent (DES) extraction is a green and efficient technology. As a substitute for organic reagents, DESs are widely used to extract active ingredients from traditional Chinese medicine. This study established an environmentally friendly and efficient method for extracting astaxanthin (AST) from Phaffia rhodozyma (PR) using ultrasound-assisted deep eutectic solvents (DESs-UAE). The astaxanthin content was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Six types of deep eutectic solvents composed of DL-menthol and selected hydrogen bond donors were prepared and evaluated, among which the DL-menthol–acetic acid system showed superior extraction performance. Response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize extraction parameters (ultrasonic power, time, and temperature), and the optimal conditions were determined as follows: ultrasonic power 420 W, ultrasonic time 20 min, and ultrasonic temperature 60 °C, achieving an AST extraction rate of 62% (2.49 mg/g). Compared with conventional organic solvent extraction, DESs exhibited a significantly higher AST extraction rate from PR, except for dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis demonstrated that DES-UAE treatment disrupted the cellular structure of PR, resulting in numerous surface pores; this facilitated the release of intracellular bioactive components and significantly improved AST extraction efficiency. The PR extract showed no significant cytotoxicity and could effectively promote L929 cell proliferation. It concentration-dependently increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) content in H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress L929 cells, thereby alleviating oxidative damage. Additionally, it concentration-dependently upregulated type I collagen expression in these cells, ameliorated the decline in collagen synthesis function, and exerted a protective effect against cellular oxidative damage. This study provides a green alternative to toxic solvents and offers important theoretical and chemical support for the extraction of natural products and the high-value utilization of Phaffia rhodozyma (PR). Deep eutectic solvents have emerged as promising green alternatives to hazardous organic solvents, yet hydrophobic DESs tailored for lipophilic astaxanthin extraction from Phaffia rhodozyma and the linkage between extraction performance and anti-aging bioactivity remain insufficiently explored. Here, an ultrasound-assisted hydrophobic deep eutectic solvent extraction strategy was constructed to acquire astaxanthin, aiming to overcome low efficiency and environmental risks of conventional organic extraction techniques. Six DL-menthol-based DESs were prepared and screened, and DL-menthol–acetic acid possessed the optimal extraction capacity. Key extraction parameters were optimized via response surface methodology, and the maximum astaxanthin extraction recovery reached 62% (2.49 mg/g) under 420 W ultrasonic power, 20 min treatment and 60 °C. This yield was markedly higher than that of most common organic solvents; though comparable extraction effect was obtained with DMSO, the adopted DES possessed outstanding low-toxic and biodegradable superiorities that DMSO cannot match. SEM characterization verified that the combined treatment destroyed yeast cell structure and formed porous morphology, which accelerated intracellular astaxanthin release and accounted for improved extraction efficiency. Biological assays proved the extract possessed good biosafety and proliferation-promoting effect on L929 cells. It effectively relieved cellular oxidative injury by elevating the SOD level and reducing MDA accumulation in oxidative damaged cells, and upregulated type I collagen expression to mitigate aging-related collagen loss. This work develops an eco-friendly and high-efficiency extraction route for lipophilic active substance, confirms the practical value of hydrophobic DES, and provides experimental basis for high-value utilization of Phaffia rhodozyma resources. Full article

The escalating global demand for renewable energy has positioned solar photovoltaics (PV) as a critical technology for achieving net-zero emissions. However, PV efficiency is strictly limited by thermal degradation, where elevated operating temperatures significantly reduce power output and accelerate material aging. This review systematically evaluates the integration of advanced phase change materials (PCMs) as a passive thermal management solution. We analyze the transition from material-level innovations—including nano-enhanced PCMs, 3D conductive frameworks, and shape-stabilization—to system-level hybrid architectures such as liquid—PCM, heat pipe-fin, and thermoelectric generator (TEG) integrations. Synthesis of recent empirical data (2024–2026) demonstrates that optimized PCM composites can achieve PV temperature reductions of up to 32 °C and electrical efficiency enhancements exceeding 19%. Furthermore, techno-economic assessments reveal that these systems can reduce the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) by 5–15% and achieve energy payback times as short as 1.5 years. Finally, this paper identifies critical research gaps in long-term outdoor durability, AI-driven predictive modeling, and sustainable bio-based encapsulation, providing a strategic roadmap for the commercialization of next-generation solar thermal management systems. Full article

This study investigates the effects and mechanisms of three mineral admixtures—fly ash (FA), silica fume (SF), and metakaolin (MK)—on the fresh, mechanical, and microstructural properties of Yellow River sediment (YRS)-based shotcrete. A comprehensive experimental program was conducted, including setting time determination, workability assessment, and mechanical strength evaluation, complemented by microstructural characterization using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicate that the incorporation of FA prolonged initial and final setting times and improved pumpability but reduced build-up thickness and compressive strength; splitting tensile strength at later ages remained comparable to the control. SF shortened the final setting time and reduced flowability but enhanced shootability, layer build-up, and medium- to later-age compressive and tensile strengths, with an optimal dosage of 5%. MK accelerated the final setting time, slightly reduced early-age compressive strength, but improved early-age splitting tensile strength and achieved 28-day compressive strength comparable to the control. Microstructural analyses revealed that FA participates in pozzolanic reactions forming C–(A)–S–H gel, while SF and MK promote the formation of dense C–S–H and carboalumination phases, enhancing matrix densification. Based on performance evaluation, the recommended dosages are FA ≤ 20%, SF ≤ 15%, and MK ≤ 15%. These results establish clear links between macroscopic performance and microstructural evolution, providing experimental guidance for the sustainable development of YRS-based shotcrete. Full article

This study investigated the effects of 7-day water storage as an accelerated aging condition on the mechanical properties of short fiber-reinforced resin composites (SFRCs) and a bulk-fill resin composite (RC). Two SFRCs (everX Flow Bulk, EXB; everX Flow Dentin, EXD) and one bulk-fill RC (SDR) serving as a control were evaluated. Specimens were stored in distilled water at 37 °C for either 1 or 7 days. Flexural strength, flexural modulus, and Vickers hardness were evaluated. Fractured surfaces were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). For statistical analysis, a two-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test were used (α = 0.05). After 7-day water storage, the flexural strength of SDR significantly decreased (p < 0.05), while SFRCs maintained their initial strength (p > 0.05). In contrast, the flexural modulus significantly decreased in all materials (p < 0.05). Vickers hardness remained unaffected by water storage for all groups (p > 0.05). SEM observation revealed fiber pull-out in SFRCs. Although water immersion induced matrix degradation reflected in a reduced flexural modulus, SFRCs demonstrated promising resistance to initial water aging by maintaining flexural strength after water storage. These findings suggest that SFRCs may be a promising option for biomimetic dentin replacement under short-term hydrolytic aging conditions. Full article

Essential tremor (ET) is a common movement disorder increasingly recognized as a complex syndrome with neurodegenerative features. While mitochondrial dysfunction and cellular aging are implicated in several neurodegenerative diseases, their role in ET remains unexplored. To investigate mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNA-CN) and telomere length (TL) in patients with ET and evaluate their potential as biomarkers of mitochondrial dysfunction and biological aging. In this cross-sectional case–control study, 68 ET patients (median age 66 years; 64.7% male) and 62 healthy controls (median age 70 years; 54.8% male) were enrolled. Relative mtDNA-CN and TL were quantified by quantitative PCR, measuring mitochondrial ND1 gene levels and telomere-to-single-copy gene (T/S) ratio, respectively, both normalized to β-actin. Associations with disease status were assessed using age- and sex-adjusted multivariable linear regression on log₂-transformed data, with statistical significance defined as p < 0.05 after false discovery rate (FDR)-corrected Wald tests. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and effect size (Cohen’s d) analyses were performed. ET patients showed significantly reduced mtDNA-CN (β = −2.785, 95% CI −3.700 to −1.869; p_FDR = 2.53 × 10⁻⁹) and TL (β = −2.073, 95% CI −2.758 to −1.388; p_FDR = 3.00 × 10⁻⁹), corresponding to ~6.9-fold and ~4.2-fold reductions, respectively. Age- and sex-stratified analyses confirmed consistent reductions, more pronounced in older individuals. Both biomarkers showed good discriminatory performance (mtDNA-CN: AUC = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.75–0.90; TL: AUC = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.68–0.85) and large effect sizes (Cohen’s d = |1.192| and |1.058|), respectively. Reduced mtDNA-CN and TL support the involvement of mitochondrial impairment and accelerated cellular aging in ET and may represent accessible peripheral biomarkers and provide a basis for future longitudinal and mechanistic investigations. Full article

Background/Objectives: Strategies to improve the Social Health Authority (SHA)’s equity can be identified by analyzing the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) 2022. This study reports evidence of determinants of health insurance coverage in Kenya. Methods: Household- and individual-level datasets from the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey conducted between February and July 2022 were combined to form the analyzed dataset. Proportions of individuals with and without health insurance were estimated. The associations between potential determinants and health insurance status were calculated using the Rao–Scott chi-square. Logistic regression was used to analyze the determinants of health insurance coverage. Results: Most of the 14,232 participants were literate (75%), relatively poor (56%), in good health (79%), connected to electricity (55%), and radio listeners (61%). About 34% had health insurance, with 93% of the insured covered by the NHIF. Twenty predictors (Adjusted F = 4.2–434.1, p < 0.0001) were included in the complex sample logistic regression model, but only nine were statistically significant predictors of health insurance coverage. The key predictors were education level; wealth index; ownership of a solar panel, television, smartphone, and computer; age; and recent outpatient care (11–80% differences in odds). Conclusions: Health insurance coverage remains low in Kenya due to low education levels, poor economic status, and disparities in access to media. The SHA can emphasize media campaigns in the informal sector to increase premium payments. Accelerating socioeconomic advancement and adopting tax-based funding could speed up Kenya’s progress towards UHC. Full article

Background/Objectives: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is increasingly viewed as a disorder of impaired cellular adaptation to chronic stress, involving oxidative injury, mitochondrial dysfunction, and accelerated cellular senescence. We investigated whether genetic variation in these pathways contributes to disease susceptibility, lung function impairment, and polygenic risk prediction. Methods: Thirty-three single-nucleotide variants were analysed in 747 patients with COPD and 703 controls. Associations with disease susceptibility and lung function parameters were assessed using regression models with correction for multiple testing. Weighted and unweighted polygenic scores were constructed from associated variants and evaluated using receiver operating characteristic and net reclassification improvement analyses. Results: Significant associations were identified in genes involved in antioxidant defence (NFE2L2, HMOX1, GSR), PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling (PIK3R1, PTEN), mitochondrial function (TOMM40), cellular stress responses (FOXO3A), and long non-coding RNA regulation (MEG3, CDKN2B-AS1). The strongest association was observed for PIK3R1 rs831125 (OR = 2.31, p = 2.53 × 10⁻¹⁰). Variants in NFE2L2, PIK3R1, MEG3, MALAT1, and SIRT3 were additionally associated with pulmonary function parameters. The weighted polygenic score demonstrated good discriminative ability (AUC 68.8%, 95% CI 65.9–71.7%) and substantially improved prediction when combined with age, sex, and smoking exposure (AUC 88.1%, 95% CI 86.3–89.8%; NRI = 0.62, p = 2.21 × 10⁻²⁸). Conclusions: The identified loci converge on interconnected pathways involved in cellular stress adaptation, mitochondrial homeostasis, and senescence, supporting their contribution to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease susceptibility and functional decline. Full article