Search Results (3,434)

Background: Patients in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) often develop non-thyroidal illness syndrome. Potentially, thyroid hormones may be removed during continuous veno-venous hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF), as their molecular size is smaller than the filter pores’ cutoff. The study’s main aim was to assess whether the serum concentration of thyroid hormones changes over time during CVVHDF. Methods: This was a prospective observational trial that included 30 patients treated in an ICU. All patients developed acute kidney injury (AKI) and had clinical indications for implementation of CVVHDF. Blood samples were collected before initiation of CVVHDF and at 1, 2, 3, 6, 9 and 12 days after. The last sample was collected three days after CVVHDF withdrawal. Thyroid function was evaluated by determining the serum concentration of TSH, thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), free triiodothyronine (fT₃), free thyroxine (fT₄), total triiodothyronine (tT₃), total thyroxine (tT₄) and reverse triiodothyronine (rT₃). We additionally calculated the total activity of peripheral deiodinases (G_D) using a mathematical model. Results: TRH and TSH levels remained mostly within normal ranges. fT4 and tT4 were in normal range or slightly below. In contrast, fT3 and tT3 were undetectably low in most patients throughout. Reverse T3 levels remained within normal limits. There were no statistically significant changes in any thyroid hormone levels over the CVVHDF treatment period. The calculated peripheral G_D activity was lower than normal, but importantly, it did not change significantly over time. Conclusions: Thyroid hormones are not lost due to hemodiafiltration. Decreased deiodinases activity is responsible for alterations in serum concentrations of thyroid hormones in patients during CVVHDF. Full article

Most research on domestic dog (Canis familiaris) behavior has focused on pets with restricted movement. However, free-ranging dogs exist in diverse cultural contexts globally, and their interactions with humans are less understood. Tourists can facilitate unrestricted dog movement into wilderness areas, where they may negatively impact wildlife. This study investigated which stimuli—namely, voice, touch, or food—along with inherent factors (age, sex, sociability) motivate free-ranging dogs to follow a human stranger. We measured the distance (up to 600 m) of 129 free-ranging owned and stray dogs from three villages in southern Chile as they followed an experimenter who presented them one of the above stimuli or none (control). To evaluate the effect of dog sociability (i.e., positive versus stress-related or passive behaviors), we performed a 30 s socialization test (standing near the dog without interacting) before presenting a 10 s stimulus twice. We also tracked whether the dog was in the company of other dogs. Each focus dog was video-recorded and tested up to three times over five days. Generalized linear mixed-effects models revealed that the food stimulus significantly influenced dogs’ motivation to follow a stranger, as well as a high proportion of sociable behaviors directed towards humans and the company of other dogs present during the experiment. Juveniles tended to follow a stranger more than adults or seniors, but no effects were found for the dog’s sex, whether an owner was present, the repetition of trials, the location where the study was performed, or for individuals as a random variable. This research highlights that sociability as an inherent factor shapes dog–stranger interactions in free-ranging dogs when food is given. In the context of wildlife conservation, we recommend that managers promote awareness among local communities and tourists to avoid feeding dogs, especially in the context of outdoor activities close to wilderness. Full article

To enhance the rapid and stable tracking of a specified trajectory by quadcopter drones, while ensuring a degree of resistance to external wind disturbances, this paper proposes an integrated control strategy that combines an optimization algorithm and fuzzy control. In this system, both the position and attitude loops utilize second-order Linear Active Disturbance Rejection Control (LADRC) controllers, supplemented by fuzzy controllers. These controllers have been optimized using a modified crayfish optimization algorithm (MCOA), resulting in a dual-closed-loop control system. In comparisons with both the dual-closed-loop LADRC controller and the dual-closed-loop fuzzy control LADRC controller, the proposed method reduces the rise time by 52.87% in the X-channel under wind-free conditions, reduces the maximum trajectory tracking error by 86.37% under wind-disturbed conditions, and reduces the ITAE exponent by 66.2%, which demonstrates that the newly designed system delivers excellent tracking speed and accuracy along the specified trajectory. Furthermore, it remains effective even in the presence of external disturbances, it can reliably maintain the target position and the attitude angle, demonstrating strong resistance to interference and stability. Full article

This paper proposes an intelligent power adaptation framework for Free-Space Optics (FSO) communication systems operating under different weather conditions exploiting a deep learning (DL) analysis of received eye diagram images. The system incorporates two Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) architectures, LeNet and Wide Residual Network (Wide ResNet) algorithms to perform regression tasks that predict received signal quality metrics such as the Quality Factor (Q-factor) and Bit Error Rate (BER) from the received eye diagram. These models are evaluated using Mean Squared Error (MSE) and the coefficient of determination (${\mathrm{R}}^2$ score) to assess prediction accuracy. Additionally, a custom CNN-based classifier is trained to determine whether the BER reading from the eye diagram exceeds a critical threshold of ${10}^{-4}$; this classifier achieves an overall accuracy of 99%, correctly detecting 194/195 “acceptable” and 4/5 “unacceptable” instances. Based on the predicted signal quality, the framework activates a dual-amplifier configuration comprising a pre-channel amplifier with a maximum gain of 25 dB and a post-channel amplifier with a maximum gain of 10 dB. The total gain of the amplifiers is adjusted to support the operation of the FSO system under all-weather conditions. The FSO system uses a 15 dBm laser source at 1550 nm. The DL models are tested on both internal and external datasets to validate their generalization capability. The results show that the regression models achieve strong predictive performance, and the classifier reliably detects degraded signal conditions, enabling the real-time gain control of the amplifiers to achieve the quality of transmission. The proposed solution supports robust FSO communication under challenging atmospheric conditions including dry snow, making it suitable for deployment in regions like Northern Europe, Canada, and Northern Japan. Full article

Climate change represents one of the main challenges of this century. The hazards generated by this process are various and involve territorial assets all over the globe. Hydrogeological risk represents one of these aspects, and the violence of rain precipitations has led experts to focus their interest on the study of geotechnical assets in relation to these dangerous weather events. At the same time, geospatial representation in 3D WebGIS based on open-source solutions led specialists to employ this kind of technology to remotely analyze and monitor territorial events considering different sources of information. This study considers the construction of a 3D WebGIS framework for the real-time management of geospatial information developed with open-source technologies applied to the dynamic mapping of precipitation in the metropolitan area of Palermo (Italy) based on real-time weather station acquisitions. The structure considered is a WebGIS platform developed with Cesium.js JavaScript libraries, the Postgres database, Geoserver and Mapserver geospatial servers, and the Anaconda Python platform for activating real-time data connections using Python scripts. This framework represents a basic geospatial digital twin structure useful to municipalities, civil protection services, and firefighters for land management and for activating any preventive operations to ensure territorial safety. Furthermore, the open-source nature of the platform favors the free diffusion of this solution, avoiding expensive applications based on property software. The components of the framework are available and shared using GitHub. Full article

Visual observation to record grass intake is time-consuming and labour-intensive. Technological methods, such as activity monitors, have been used but only record head position. This study aimed to evaluate sound recorders attached to headcollars to acoustically measure grass intake behaviour in horses as a low-cost alternative method. Pilot Study 1 assessed 6 × 11 min periods comparing bites/min and chews/min between video footage (VD) and sound recorders (SR). Grazing was identified audibly (SR_ear) and visually through soundwave pattern software (SR_wav). Chew rates (SR_ear: 47 ± 5 chews/min, VD: 43 ± 4 chews/min) were similar between methods. Pilot Study 2 compared hourly grass intake times between SR_wav and visual observation (VO) for two horses during a 3 h period. Results showed significant correlation between methods (rho = 0.99, p < 0.01, Spearman). The main study measured intake behaviour using SR_wav and VO methods for three free-ranging horses during 3 h observation periods over multiple days, adding up to 3 × 24 h in winter and in spring (n = 48). Mean differences per period between SR_wav and VO were 1.8% ± 3 s.d. Foraging duration per period measured with SR_wav closely matched VO (r² = 0.99, p < 0.001). Sound recorders accurately recorded grass intake time and chews in grazing horses during moderate weather conditions. Full article

Background: Pain is a complex phenomenon characterized by unpleasant experiences with profound heterogeneity influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors. According to the National Health Interview Survey, 50.2 million U.S. adults (20.5%) experience pain on most days, with the annual cost of prescription medication for pain reaching approximately USD 17.8 billion. Theranostic pain nanomedicine therefore emerges as an attractive analgesic strategy with the potential for increased efficacy, reduced side-effects, and treatment personalization. Theranostic nanomedicine combines drug delivery and diagnostic features, allowing for real-time monitoring of analgesic efficacy in vivo using molecular imaging. However, clinical translation of these nanomedicines are challenging due to complex manufacturing methodologies, lack of standardized quality control, and potentially high costs. Quality by Design (QbD) can navigate these challenges and lead to the development of an optimal pain nanomedicine. Our lab previously reported a macrophage-targeted perfluorocarbon nanoemulsion (PFC NE) that demonstrated analgesic efficacy across multiple rodent pain models in both sexes. Here, we report PFC-free, biphasic nanoemulsions formulated with a biocompatible and non-immunogenic plant-based coconut oil loaded with a COX-2 inhibitor and a clinical-grade, indocyanine green (ICG) near-infrared fluorescent (NIRF) dye for parenteral theranostic analgesic nanomedicine. Methods: Critical process parameters and material attributes were identified through the FMECA (Failure, Modes, Effects, and Criticality Analysis) method and optimized using a 3 × 2 full-factorial design of experiments. We investigated the impact of the oil-to-surfactant ratio (w/w) with three different surfactant systems on the colloidal properties of NE. Small-scale (100 mL) batches were manufactured using sonication and microfluidization, and the final formulation was scaled up to 500 mL with microfluidization. The colloidal stability of NE was assessed using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and drug quantification was conducted through reverse-phase HPLC. An in vitro drug release study was conducted using the dialysis bag method, accompanied by HPLC quantification. The formulation was further evaluated for cell viability, cellular uptake, and COX-2 inhibition in the RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line. Results: Nanoemulsion droplet size increased with a higher oil-to-surfactant ratio (w/w) but was no significant impact by the type of surfactant system used. Thermal cycling and serum stability studies confirmed NE colloidal stability upon exposure to high and low temperatures and biological fluids. We also demonstrated the necessity of a solubilizer for long-term fluorescence stability of ICG. The nanoemulsion showed no cellular toxicity and effectively inhibited PGE2 in activated macrophages. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first instance of a celecoxib-loaded theranostic platform developed using a plant-derived hydrocarbon oil, applying the QbD approach that demonstrated COX-2 inhibition. Full article

This study evaluates the efficacy of commercial clean-label additives, specifically fermentates, in inhibiting mold growth in vitro and extending the shelf life of preservative-free bread. The mold growth on selected bread was modeled using the time-to-growth approach. The pH, a_w, and moisture content of fresh bread were determined. In addition, selected fermentates were characterized physicochemically. Fermentates, defined as liquid or powdered preparations containing microorganisms, their metabolites, and culture supernatants, were tested at varying concentrations (1% to 12%) to assess their antimicrobial performance and impact on bread quality parameters, including moisture content, water activity, and pH. The results showed significant differences in fermentate efficacy, with Product A as the best mold growth inhibitor in vitro and a clear dose-dependent response. For Penicillium corylophilum, inhibition increased from 51.90% at 1% to 62.60% at 4%, while P. chrysogenum had an inhibition ranging from 32.26% to 34.49%. Product F exhibited moderate activity on both molds at 4%, inhibiting between 28.48% and 46.27%. The two molds exhibited differing sensitivities to the fermentates, with P. corylophilum consistently more susceptible to inhibition. Product A displayed a low pH (2.61) and high levels of lactic acid (1053.6 mmol/L) and acetic acid (1061.3 mmol/L). Product F presented a similar pH but lower levels of lactic and acetic acid. A time-to-growth model, validated by significant coefficients (p < 0.05) and high predictive accuracy (R² > 0.95), was employed to predict the appearance of mold on bread loaves. The model revealed that higher concentrations of fermentates A and F delayed mold growth, with fermentate A demonstrating superior efficacy. At 2% concentration, fermentate A delayed mold growth for 8 days, compared to 6 days for fermentate F. At 8% concentration, fermentate A prevented mold growth for over 25 days, significantly outperforming the control (4 days). Additionally, fermentates influenced bread quality parameters, with fermentate A improving crust moisture retention and reducing water activity at higher concentrations. These findings highlight the potential of fermentates as sustainable, consumer-friendly alternatives to synthetic preservatives, offering a viable solution to the challenge of bread spoilage while maintaining product quality. Full article

A novel acid-free oxygen pressure leaching for the extraction of zinc from hemimorphite was proposed in this study. Green vitriol (FeSO₄·7H₂O), as one of the important industrial by-products, was used as the leaching reagent to separate zinc from silicon and iron. The effect of leaching conditions, including Fe/Zn molar ratio, leaching temperature, pressure, and reaction time, on the leaching efficiency of zinc, Fe, and Si was investigated systematically. The results showed that the molar ratio of Fe/Zn and leaching temperature play a pivotal role in determining the leaching efficiency rate of Zn. Under the optimized leaching conditions (Fe/Zn molar ratio = 6:1, 150 °C, 1.8 × 10⁶ Pa, and leaching time of 2 h), the leaching efficiency of Zn reached 98.80% and the leaching efficiencies of Fe and Si were 0.76% and 16.80%, respectively. In addition, the shrinking core model was established to represent the relationship between the rate control step and the leaching conditions. The leaching process was controlled by chemical reaction and diffusion, and the activation energy of the leaching process is 97.14 kJ/mol. Full article

Capacitive sensors are platforms that enable label-free, real-time detection at low non-perturbing voltages. These sensors do not rely on Faradaic processes, thereby eliminating the need for redox-active species and simplifying system integration for point-of-care diagnostics. However, their sensitivity in high-ionic-strength solutions, such as bodily fluids, is limited due to a reduced Debye length and non-specific interactions. The present review highlights advances in material integration, surface modification, and signal enhancement techniques to mitigate the challenges of deploying capacitive sensors in biofluids (sweat, saliva, blood, serum). This work further expands on the promise of such sensors for advancing liquid biopsies and highlights key technical challenges in translating capacitive systems to clinics. Full article

Rehabilitation devices such as actuated lower-limb exoskeletons can provide essential mobility assistance for pediatric patients with gait impairments. Enhancing their control systems under conditions of user variability and dynamic disturbances remains a significant challenge, particularly in active-assist modes. This study presents a human-in-the-loop control architecture for a pediatric lower-limb exoskeleton, combining outer-loop admittance control with robust inner-loop trajectory tracking via a non-singular terminal sliding-mode (NSTSM) controller. Designed for active-assist gait rehabilitation in children aged 8–12 years, the exoskeleton dynamically responds to user interaction forces while ensuring finite-time convergence under system uncertainties. To enhance adaptability, we augment the inner-loop control with a twin delayed deep deterministic policy gradient (TD3) reinforcement learning framework. The actor–critic RL agent tunes NSTSM gains in real-time, enabling personalized model-free adaptation to subject-specific gait dynamics and external disturbances. The numerical simulations show improved trajectory tracking, with RMSE reductions of 27.82% (hip) and 5.43% (knee), and IAE improvements of 40.85% and 10.20%, respectively, over the baseline NSTSM controller. The proposed approach also reduced the peak interaction torques across all the joints, suggesting more compliant and comfortable assistance for users. While minor degradation is observed at the ankle joint, the TD3-NSTSM controller demonstrates improved responsiveness and stability, particularly in high-load joints. This research contributes to advancing pediatric gait rehabilitation using RL-enhanced control, offering improved mobility support and adaptive rehabilitation outcomes. Full article

Background: Anoectochilus roxburghii (Wall.) Lindl. (A. roxburghii) was widely used in traditional Chinese medicine and also as a health food in China. Gibberellins (GAs) are plant hormones that regulate various aspects of growth and development in A. roxburghii. Ent-kaurene synthase (KS) plays a crucial role in the biosynthesis of GAs in plants. However, there is limited functional analysis of KS in GA biosynthesis and its effect on salt tolerance, especially in A. roxburghii. Methods: The ArKS genes were cloned from A. roxburghii, and its salt tolerance characteristics were verified by prokaryotic expression. Under salt stress, analyze the regulation of KS gene on GA and active ingredient content by qRT-PCR and HPLC-MS/MS, and explore the mechanism of exogenous GAs promoting active ingredient enrichment by regulating the expression level of the KS under salt stress. Results: The ArKS protein was highly homologous to KSs with other plant species; subcellular localization of KS protein was lacking kytic vacuole. The transformants displayed a significant increase in salt tolerance under the stress conditions of 300 mM NaCl. And the expression of ArKS genes and the GAs accumulation was downregulated under the salt stress; among them, the contents of GA3, GA7, GA8, GA24, and GA34 showed a significant decrease. It was further found that there was an increase (1.36 times) in MDA content and a decrease (0.84 times) in relative chlorophyll content under the salt conditions from A. roxburghii. However, the content of active constituents was elevated from A. roxburghii under the NaCl stress, including polysaccharides, total flavonoids, and free amino acids, which increased by 1.14, 1.23, and 1.44 times, respectively. Interestingly, the ArKS gene expression and the chlorophyll content was increased, MDA content showed a decrease from 2.02 μmoL·g⁻¹ to 1.74 μmoL·g⁻¹ after exogenous addition of GAs, and the elevation of active constituents of polysaccharides, total flavonoids, and free amino acids were increased by 1.02, 1.09, and 1.05 times, implying that GAs depletion mitigated the damage caused by adversity to A. roxburghii. Conclusions: The ArKS gene cloned from A. roxburghii improved the salt tolerance of plants under salt stress by regulating GA content. Also, GAs not only alleviate salt tolerance but also play a key role in the synthesis of active components in A. roxburghii. The functions of KS genes and GAs were identified to provide ideas for improving the salt tolerance and quality of ingredients in artificial cultivation from A. roxburghii. Full article

Background/Objectives: The incorporation of bioactive molecules into mesoporous carriers is a promising strategy to improve stability, solubility, and therapeutic efficacy. In this study, we report for the first time the encapsulation of the synthetic chalcone 4-Cl into KIT-6 mesoporous silica and evaluate its cytotoxicity, toxicological profile, and pharmacological activities (antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and anxiolytic) using an in vivo zebrafish (Danio rerio) model. Methods: Zebrafish were orally dosed with 4-Cl, 4-Cl/KIT-6, or KIT-6 (4, 20, 40 mg/kg) and mortality was recorded for 96 h. For analgesia, zebrafish pretreated with 4-Cl, 4-Cl/KIT-6, KIT-6, or morphine received a tail stimulus (0.1% formalin). Locomotor activity (quadrant crossings) was monitored for 30 min to assess analgesia (neurogenic: 0–5 min; inflammatory: 15–30 min). For inflammation, abdominal edema and weight gain were assessed 4 h after intraperitoneal carrageenan (1.5%). Zebrafish (n = 6/group) received 4-Cl, 4-Cl/KIT-6, or KIT-6 (4, 20, 40 mg/kg, p.o.). Controls received ibuprofen (100 mg/kg, p.o.) or 3% DMSO. Weight was measured hourly for 4 h post-carrageenan (difference between baseline and hourly weights). Results: Physicochemical characterizations confirmed successful encapsulation without compromising the ordered structure of KIT-6, as evidenced by a significant reduction in surface area and pore volume, indicating efficient drug incorporation. In vivo assays demonstrated that the 4-Cl/KIT-6 formulation maintained the pharmacological activities of the free chalcone, reduced toxicity, and, notably, revealed a significant anxiolytic effect for the first time. Conclusions: These findings highlight KIT-6 as a promising platform for chalcone delivery systems and provide a solid basis for future preclinical investigations. Full article

Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) is a rapidly progressive and fulminant disease that affects the central nervous system caused by the free-living amoeba Naegleria fowleri. The adhesion to extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins is considered as one of the key steps in the success of the infection and could represent an interesting target to be explored in the prevention and treatment of the disease. In this work, the effect of two sesquiterpenes with proven anti-Naegleria activity on the adhesion of the parasite was evaluated using an in vitro ECM-based model, compared with the reference drugs amphotericin B and staurosporine. Both laurinterol and (+)-elatol inhibited the adhesion of the N. fowleri trophozoites to the main proteins of the ECM when treating them at different concentrations and exposure times. This work not only reinforces the therapeutic potential of laurinterol and (+)-elatol against N. fowleri infection but also introduces the application of ECM-based adhesion assays as a novel and valuable tool for screening candidate compounds that disrupt host–pathogen interactions critical to PAM pathogenesis. Full article

The search for artificial blood substitutes that are suitable for safe transfusion in clinical conditions and in extreme situations has gained increasing interest during recent years. Most of the problems related to donor blood could be overcome with hemoglobin sub-micron particles (HbMPs) that are able to bind and deliver oxygen. On the other hand, the length of the circulation time of HbMPs in the bloodstream strongly depends on their surface properties and can be improved with biopolymer coatings. The redox potential of HbMPs and HbMPs coated with biopolymers using the layer-by-layer technique (LbL-HbMPs) is related to the energy required for electron transfer upon transition from an oxidized to a reduced state. It can be used as a measure of the stability of Hb against oxidation, which is directly connected with its function as an oxygen carrier. The redox potential of Hb, HbMPs, and LbL-HbMPs was determined by a spectroelectrochemical method utilizing the shift of the Soret peak of Hb upon oxidation/reduction of the iron in the heme. The obtained results showed a slight shift in the redox potential of both particle types of about 17 mV towards more negative values compared to the free Hb in the solution. It was demonstrated that the free Hb and the cross-linked Hb in HbMPs and LbL-HbMPs undergo transitions from an oxidized to a reduced state and vice versa several times without Hb destruction. The LbL coating does not affect the redox properties of HbMPs. This ability, as well as the proximity of the obtained redox potentials of Hb, HbMPs, and LbL-HbMPs, indicates that the eventual oxidation of HbMPs in the bloodstream is reversible; thus, HbMPs can be active as artificial oxygen carriers for a longer period of time. Full article