Search Results (2,110)

Background: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) and lower extremity amputations are major contributors to morbidity and mortality in individuals with diabetes. Among patients undergoing active cancer treatment, the risks are compounded by immunosuppression, peripheral neuropathy, and vascular complications. Even minor foot infections or wounds in these patients can necessitate the suspension of cancer therapy, with potentially lifethreatening consequences. This study evaluated the impaqt of integrating symptom-focused patient education with coordinated podiatric care to reduce DFUs and amputations in this highrisk population with concurrent cancer and diabetes. Methods: A five-year retrospective review was conducted at a National Cancer Institute (NCl)designated comprehensive cancer center as part of the Novel Limb Preservation Initiative. The cohort included patients with Type II diabetes undergoing treatment for prostate, breast, colorectal, lymphoma, leukemia, thyroid, or lung cancers. Patients were assigned targeted educational modules based on self-reported diabetic foot symptoms. Podiatric care was individualized according to each patient's signs and symptoms, including routine diabetic foot examinations and close, timely monitoring when indicated. Results: The intervention yielded a DFU incidence of 2. 8% and an amputation rate of 0. 43%, both lower than national benchmarks. Enhanced patient engagement through diabetic foot symptom-focused education and earlier detection of foot complications-including diabetic foot ssues that may appear minor to laypersons-contributed to these improved outcomes. Conclusion: Integrating diabetic foot symptom-focused education with proactive podiatric monitoring significantly reduced DFUs and amputations in this high-risk population. This model, developed under the Novel Limb Preservation Initiative, offers a scalable strategy for broader implementation, particularly in high-risk communities, including Hispanic, African American, low socioeconomic, and rural populations across the United States. Full article

Enhancing soil nutrient content is fundamental to the ecological restoration of degraded soils. The application of microalgae represents a sustainable approach for soil remediation, as it contributes to environmental CO₂ sequestration while recycling nutrients into degraded ecosystems. Through a 105-day laboratory incubation experiment, this study investigated the impact of applying a mixed microalgal suspension containing active/inactive Chlorella ZJ and Anabaena azotica on the C and N fractions of an alkaline, degraded purple soil. The results showed that both active and inactive microalgae treatments (AM and IM) significantly decreased soil pH and increased soil moisture content (SMC). The AM treatment notably increased the proportion of large soil aggregates and enhanced soil structure. Both treatments significantly enhanced soil C and N fractions: dissolved organic carbon/nitrogen (DOC/DON) increased by 6.41/5.81 times (AM) and 4.22/4.76 times (IM) that of the control (without microalgae application); total organic carbon (TOC) rose by 147.07% (AM) and 138.73% (IM); and the contents of coarse particulate and mineral-associated organic C and N were also significantly elevated. Total nitrogen (TN) significantly increased only under the AM treatment. Soil C and N mineralization capacities were enhanced by 1.01–1.34 times and 7.56–8.43 times that of the control, respectively, indicating a more pronounced stimulation of N mineralization. Fluorescence analysis revealed that both AM and IM treatments increased the complexity and humification of dissolved organic matter. The application of microalgae significantly improved the soil structure and chemical characteristics of the degraded soil and enhanced the C/N pools, thereby creating favorable conditions for soil restoration. Full article

Bacillus and Paenibacillus species are common and widely distributed microorganisms in food systems, often implicated in food spoilage and quality issues. Bacillus subtilis, in particular, has been associated with gas production and package bulging in seasoned foods. In this study, we developed a rapid and visual detection method for Bacillus subtilis by integrating (Recombinase Polymerase Amplification) RPA with (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) CRISPR/Cas12a technology (designated as RPA-CRISPR/Cas12a). Specific RPA primers and probes were designed based on the conserved gyrB gene of Bacillus subtilis. Two sets of crRNA were designed according to the number of T-rich PAM sites on the RPA-amplified target sequence, and the reaction conditions were optimized in combination with the CRISPR/Cas12a trans-cleavage detection technology. Under optimized conditions, the crRNA3 guide (with a TT-rich PAM site) demonstrated superior cleavage efficiency compared to crRNA2 (TTT-rich PAM), while crRNA1 (TTTT-rich PAM) showed no activity. The assay achieved a detection limit of 150 pg/μL for genomic DNA and 5.5 CFU/mL for bacterial suspensions within 10 min at 37 °C. The method exhibited high specificity and sensitivity, providing a robust tool for early and on-site detection of Bacillus subtilis in food products. Full article

Based on Weibo big data, BERTopic, and dual-channel sentiment analysis model, a dynamic analysis framework of public perception and emotion evolution is constructed from the perspective of disaster chain and public response. The results show that (1) Due to the trust of information sources by the public, the efficiency of early warning information reaching the public and attracting attention is relatively high. Social media activity on related topics peaked several times in response to reports of major hazards, such as railway suspensions, passengers trapped in trains, and severe flooding in Miyun District, Beijing. (2) The evolution of topics of public attention strongly corresponds to the disaster process: From early warning and emergency risk avoidance, gradually move to disaster report and rescue coordination, and finally focus on the criticism of infrastructure vulnerability. (3) The emotional response presents phased characteristics. At the initial stage of the rainstorm red warning issued by the meteorological department, anxiety is dominant; after the release of rescue information, emotion rises briefly, and reflection and attribution tendencies generally appear after the disaster. (4) Elderly populations and those in remote areas exhibit characteristics of vulnerability, information isolation, and high dependency in response to disasters. Full article

Liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy (PH) is critically influenced by redox balance, which may be severely disrupted under drug-induced liver injury. This study evaluated oxidative stress parameters and inflammatory markers in rats subjected to 70% PH following acetaminophen (APAP)-induced toxicity and assessed the preventive effect of the microalga Desmodesmus armatus. Reactive oxygen species (superoxide anion, hydroxyl radical, and hydrogen peroxide), antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase), serum aminotransferases, bilirubin, and C-reactive protein were analyzed 0–168 h post-hepatectomy. APAP intoxication markedly increased mitochondrial ROS production, suppressed mitochondrial antioxidant enzyme activity, and prolonged elevations of ALT, AST, bilirubin, and CRP, accompanied by severe histological damage. Preventive administration of D. armatus suspension (10 mL/kg body weight at 1.5 × 10⁶ and 1.5 × 10⁷ cells/mL) attenuated oxidative stress in a dose-dependent manner. It significantly reduced ROS levels, restored mitochondrial antioxidant defenses, decreased cytolytic and cholestatic markers, and mitigated systemic inflammation. Overall, D. armatus exhibited hepatoprotective and redox-modulating properties, which may contribute to a more favorable microenvironment for liver recovery under toxic conditions. These findings highlight the potential of microalgae-based interventions as supportive strategies for reducing liver injury and improving recovery following acute liver injury. Full article

To address the pronounced self-aggregation of highly loaded silica in the aqueous phase and the substantial filler loss occurring during the flocculation stage of latex compounding, this study introduces disaggregated and activated sepiolite possessing a spatial confinement effect as both a suspension stabilizer and a synergistic reinforcing component. On this basis, a multiscale natural rubber (NR)/silica/sepiolite composite system was constructed via a latex compounding route. Rheological characterization combined with static sedimentation observations revealed that the percolation threshold of the sepiolite is approximately 0.8 wt%. When the sepiolite content exceeds 1.0 wt%, its fibrous morphology enables the formation of a continuous three-dimensional network, which physically constrains silica particles and effectively suppresses their sedimentation and self-aggregation in the aqueous medium. Guided by this percolation behavior, a stable silica/sepiolite hybrid slurry was subsequently wet-mixed with natural rubber latex, and the influence of sepiolite loading on silica retention during flocculation, as well as on the resulting composite properties, was systematically examined. The results demonstrate that incorporation of sepiolite reduces filler loss during flocculation, with the loss rate decreasing from 4.7% to 1.1%. The Payne effect, SEM, dynamic and static mechanical analyses indicate that an appropriate sepiolite dosage promotes dispersion of silica within the rubber matrix while simultaneously strengthening filler–rubber interfacial interactions. Accordingly, tensile and tear strengths are increased from 32.1 to 35.5 MPa and from 92.3 to 133.4 N·mm⁻¹, respectively, while wet skid resistance is preserved and both rolling resistance and wear resistance are further improved. The findings of this work establish a practical and efficient strategy for the wet preparation of high-performance NR/silica composites. Full article

Currently, poly- and monophenol antioxidants should be considered not only as inhibitors that interact with free radicals, but also take into account that they are biologically active substances that affect specific targets in cells and can induce the activity of certain genes or stimulate various signaling pathways. The phenols can directly influence different points of the apoptotic process, and/or the expression of regulatory proteins. In our present study the effect of two antioxidants, sterically hindered monophenols sodium anphene (ANa) and potassium phenosan (PhK), on cell apoptosis of splenocytes was studied by fluorescence and confocal microscopy. PhK has already been introduced into medical practice in the Russian Federation because it proved effective as an anticonvulsant and was useful in treating neonatal hypoxia. The study of ANa continues; it may be a promising anticancer drug for some types of tumors. The fluorescent and confocal microscopy methods demonstrate that ANa in combination with H₂O₂ enhances apoptosis in suspension of Lewis carcinoma cells and to a lesser extent in splenocyte culture. We also discovered that autofluorescence of FAD and immunofluorescence of NADPH enzymatic complexes (with the AV-FITC fluorophore) in splenocytes of normal cells increases symbatically. The autofluorescence of FAD in splenocytes of Lewis carcinoma cells significantly exceeded that of splenocytes of healthy animals. The exact distinctive result was obtained when using potassium phenozan. It turned out that PhK prevents the development of apoptosis in mouse splenocyte cell culture (F1(CBA×C57B)). The combined use of ANa and PhK had no effect on splenocyte apoptosis. We show that fluorescence and confocal microscopy allow observing and quantifying the apoptotic effect of ANa and hydrogen peroxide, and make it possible to visualize metabolic changes in the cell, increased FAD fluorescence in tumor cells and NADPH -oxidase complexes in splenocytes. The data obtained indicate the possibility of using ANa in combination with hydrogen peroxide as an antitumor drug acting on certain types of cells. The different effects of sterically hindered monophenols ANa and PhK on the level of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 in the cell were established. ANa acts to lower Bcl-2 levels, signaling apoptosis, while PhK prevents the development of apoptosis and induces repair processes. Full article

Surface-modified waste scallop shells were investigated as a solid flocculant for removing suspended particles, and a light transmission method was examined as a simple approach for evaluating flocculation behavior. Kaolin suspensions (3, 5, 10 g/L, pH 6.95–7.05) were used as model wastewater. Temporal changes in transmitted light intensity were monitored using a white LED–sensor optical system after agitation of the suspension was stopped. The transmitted light intensity, I, was normalized by the intensity measured for particle-free water (I₀), and an optical extinction index, A = −log₁₀(I/I₀), was used to describe the attenuation of light in the suspension. An apparent clarification rate (rate of change in optical extinction), v, was defined from the initial decrease in the optical extinction index and used as an operational kinetic parameter for comparing flocculation behavior under identical conditions. The results showed that the surface-modified scallop shell particles exhibited measurable flocculation activity toward kaolin suspensions, although the performance was lower than that of commercial polymer flocculants. The optical transmission method enabled continuous monitoring of the flocculation process and provided a practical index for comparing the flocculation performance of different materials. Full article

Background/Objectives: Enteric drug forms are developed to delay drug release to avoid drug degradation in the acidic environment of the stomach or to prevent irritation of the stomach mucosa. The bioavailability of posaconazole (POS) after oral administration depends on stomach pH and food intake. Delayed-release tablets and unmodified oral suspension are the POS formulations currently available on the market. The oral suspension formulation is characterized by highly variable bioavailability, which may significantly affect therapy effectiveness. Methods: In this study, multi-unit drug forms with delayed and sustained POS release were designed. Polymeric microparticles consisting of sodium alginate (ALG), methacrylic acid–ethyl acrylate copolymer (EUD), or both, were prepared using the spray-drying technique. The formulations that met the pharmacopoeia enteric release standards in the in vitro dissolution test were subjected to further in vitro evaluation via swelling and mucoadhesion assays, an antifungal activity test, attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), and thermal analysis. Results: It was shown that EUD formulations at concentrations of 5% and 6% provided enteric release, whereas ALG at 1.5% concentration exhibited a sustained, although not delayed, POS release profile. The optimal blended formulations (EAP15–EAP18), comprising 4% EUD with 1.5–2.0% ALG and either 1% or 4% POS, met the pharmacopoeia criteria for enteric dosage forms. Furthermore, these blends demonstrated the most favorable sustained-release profiles in the buffer phase, ranging from 2 to 3 h. The microparticles exhibited beneficial swelling and mucoadhesive properties, which are essential for prolonging contact with the intestinal mucosa; combined with antifungal properties. Conclusions: Obtained carrier may provide a promising preliminary basis for developing a multi-unit, sustained-release enteric dosage form for POS and future in vivo investigations. Full article

Ground-vehicle manufacturers and their suppliers must shorten development cycles to remain competitive. This paper presents a novel design framework that accelerates the traditional V-model development lifecycle by enabling digital twins and hardware-in-the-loop testing. As a case study, the design of active suspension actuators to address comfort shortfalls that hinder automated driving has been selected. A hybrid suspension architecture combining a continuously controlled hydraulic damper with an auxiliary electromechanical actuator has been proposed. The hybrid system achieves lower energy consumption than purely electromechanical suspensions while overcoming the bandwidth limitations of conventional hydraulic active suspensions. Control is implemented using the Triple Skyhook algorithm and benchmarked against a baseline strategy. Results demonstrate that the proposed framework accelerates actuator design iteration and that the proposed suspension delivers superior performance with improved efficiency and bandwidth. Full article

Deep soft-rock tunnels are prone to large deformations and structural damage. This study used the Guanyinping Tunnel as a prototype and conducted 1/50-scale progressive loading model tests under three support configurations: rock-bolt-free, equal-length rock bolts, and mixed long–short rock bolts. Rock stress, radial rock displacement (u), and rock bolt axial force (F_N) at the vault, arch shoulders, sidewalls, and wall feet were monitored to reveal reinforcement mechanisms and mechanical response. The results indicated that stress evolution in the bolt-free case exhibited significant spatial heterogeneity. The vault experienced horizontal stress concentration, while the arch shoulder underwent vertical stress concentration. u underwent a three-stage nonlinear progression: elastic linear growth, plastic linear growth, and plastic-accelerated growth. Displacement at the vault was markedly larger than that at other locations. Equal-length rock bolts substantially improved the rock mass stability by delaying stress concentration and fracture propagation. This reinforcement raised the elastic response threshold to 96 kPa and substantially reduced u. F_N at the vault and shoulder followed linear growth, accelerated growth, and then gradual decline, whereas F_N at the sidewalls and wall feet exhibited a steady linear trend. Combined long and short rock bolts produced a multi-level anchoring effect. Short bolts induced a shallow arching action, while long bolts provided deep suspension. This synergy raised the elastic response threshold to a maximum of 120 kPa and moderated the stress reduction process. Deep residual stresses increased to 74.3–88.4% of peak values. The displacement gradient between shallow and deep rock masses was significantly reduced. The coordinated deformation capacity within the anchoring zone was markedly enhanced. F_N distribution exhibited spatial differentiation: short bolts carried the load initially, followed by the activation of long bolts. Both anchoring schemes increased residual stress and mitigated rock mass deformation. The deformation control effect was stronger in shallow rock mass than in deep rock mass. Improvements at the vault and arch shoulders exceeded those at the sidewalls and wall feet. The mixed short–long bolt configuration was superior because it maximized the self-bearing capacity of the deep rock mass. The findings provide experimental data and theoretical guidance for the design and optimization of rock-bolt support in deep soft-rock tunnels. Full article

Ocular fungal diseases are associated with severe infection and pain and, in advanced stages, can lead to vision loss. Current treatment options are limited to the topical application of conventional drugs, and the bioavailability of these drugs is quite limited due to ocular barriers. In this study, a dual-drug nanodelivery system was developed to improve intraocular drug delivery by combining antifungal and anti-inflammatory therapies. Posaconazole (PSC), a broad-spectrum triazole antifungal agent, and dexketoprofen trometamol (DKP), a rapidly acting nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, were co-loaded onto polymeric micelles and then incorporated into electrospun poly(vinyl alcohol)/poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVA/PVP) nanofiber intraocular implants. DSC, XRD, FTIR, and FESEM analyses showed that both APIs were successfully converted into nanofiber form without disrupting the micelle structure. Comparative studies with DKP solution and PSC commercial oral suspension (Noxafil^® 40 mg/mL) showed that the produced micelle-loaded nanofibers provided sustained release and significantly increased ex vivo ocular permeation and penetration. In vitro antifungal activity tests demonstrated efficacy against Candida albicans, and HET-CAM toxicity tests showed that the micelle-loaded nanofibers were non-irritating and suitable for ocular application. Overall, the micelle-loaded electrospun nanofiber ocular inserts developed in this study represent a promising platform for combined antifungal and anti-inflammatory ocular therapy. Full article

Arid Central Asia (ACA) is a major source of atmospheric dust in the Northern Hemisphere; however, the evolutionary models and driving mechanisms of Holocene aeolian activity in this region remain debated. Based on 13 reliable AMS ¹⁴C dates from the Sayram Lake SLM2009 sediment core, this study reconstructs the Holocene sequence in aeolian activity through end-member modeling analysis (EMMA). It evaluates its relationship with regional atmospheric circulation. Four end-members were identified from base to top: EM1, with a modal grain size of 7.58 μm, represents low-energy suspension deposition; EM2 (26.30 μm) reflects lacustrine hydrodynamic processes; while EM3 (52.48 μm) and EM4 (416.86 μm) serve as proxies for regional aeolian activity. The results indicate that aeolian activity was relatively strong during the early Holocene (reaching peaks at 11.7–11.2 and 9.2–8.1 cal ka BP), significantly intensified during the mid-Holocene (7.3–5.3 cal ka BP), and gradually weakened in the late Holocene (since 4.0 cal ka BP). Comparison of the aeolian record from Lake Sayram with Greenland ice cores, North Atlantic ice-rafted debris events, and the GISP2 K⁺ record indicates that variations in aeolian activity in arid Central Asia are closely linked to the Northern Hemisphere climate system. We propose that these variations were primarily modulated by large-scale atmospheric circulation, driven by the synergistic interaction between the Siberian High and the mid-latitude westerlies. Full article

Construction and demolition activities generate over one-third of all waste produced within the European Union, with the largest fraction being mineral materials, and concrete representing up to 90% of this volume. In this context, the recycling of this type of waste is an important research topic with growing scientific and industrial relevance. While numerous studies have examined the influence of recycled concrete and other industrial waste on the technical performance of Portland cement-based composites, the antimicrobial resistance of these composites remains largely unexplored. Therefore, in this study we evaluate the effects of three different waste materials on the key properties of Portland cement mortar, as well as on its antimicrobial resistance; the investigated waste materials were fly ash (produced in thermal power plants), recycled concrete fines resulted from the mechanical processing of concrete waste generated in construction and demolition activities, as well as dried concrete slurry (a byproduct of concrete batching plants). The partial replacement of Portland cement with these concrete wastes slightly increased the mortar’s workability (up to 4.6%). However, it also led to an 11–12% reduction in compressive strength after 28 days of hardening. After 60 days of curing, the antimicrobial properties of these mortars were evaluated by assessing their effect on planktonic microbial growth and their anti-adherent capacity against the most common pathogenic strains (S. aureus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, C. albicans, and C. parapsilosis). Antimicrobial assays were performed at two different concentrations of microbial suspensions, and the mortars exhibited significant antibiofilm properties against all strains, especially against E. coli. The study identified mortar formulations in which partial replacement of cement with construction, demolition, and industrial waste materials resulted in compressive strength and antimicrobial resistance comparable to those of conventional reference mortars. These findings highlight the potential to integrate recycled waste into Portland cement-based materials, supporting both structural integrity and microbial resistance and advancing sustainable construction practices. Full article

The skyhook inertance (SHI) control strategy facilitates the real-time adaptation of inertance parameters to dynamic loading conditions, consequently enhancing vehicle ride comfort. It features a simple algorithm and strong robustness. However, traditional skyhook inertance systems only adjust the magnitude of the control force by changing the inertance, without regulating the control force phase, which limits the control effect of the SHI control strategy. To solve this problem, this study introduces a fractional-order skyhook inertance (Fo-SHI) control approach. This method substitutes the second-order differential terms appearing in the conventional equation of motion of the fractional-order skyhook inertance system with fractional-order derivatives of the displacement. Consequently, the proposed strategy enables continuous and independent tuning of both the amplitude and phase of the generated control force. To achieve a realistic representation of the Fo-SHI forces, a fractional-order model integrating an adjustable damper and an inerter was developed. This model was subsequently validated through prototype testing, and its parameters were identified via a fitting process. The results of Hardware-in-the-Loop experiments demonstrate that the semi-active suspension employing the Fo-SHI control strategy achieves significant performance improvements over the conventional SHI-controlled suspension: the root mean square of body acceleration is reduced by up to 18.12% under full-load conditions, while suspension working space and dynamic tire load also show favorable responses. These findings clearly underscore the advantages and rationale for incorporating fractional-order control into vehicle suspension systems. Full article