Search Results (310,421)

In developing countries, final disposal sites exhibit different levels of operational control, which influence their environmental performance. This study evaluated the environmental performance of four types of final disposal sites in Mexico: sanitary landfill with energy recovery (SLF+ER) and sanitary landfill with gas flaring (SLFGF), controlled site (CS), and open dump (OD), using life cycle assessment for 1 t of municipal solid waste. Biogas generation was estimated using the Mexican Biogas Model 2.0, and Ecoinvent processes were adapted to local conditions; six impact categories were assessed, and a sensitivity analysis was conducted. The SLF+ER scenario showed the lowest impact in global warming, followed by SLFGF and CS, while OD recorded the highest impact, mainly associated with biogas management. In contrast, scenarios with gas capture and treatment showed higher contributions in categories related to combustion processes. Normalized results indicated that freshwater eutrophication and human carcinogenic toxicity are the dominant impact categories. The sensitivity analysis confirmed the influence of the organic fraction on CH₄ generation without altering the relative ranking among scenarios. Overall, increasing the level of environmental control reduces impacts from fugitive emissions but introduces trade-offs across other impact categories, highlighting the need for comprehensive assessments to support decision-making. Full article

Background: Migraine is a highly prevalent neurological disorder associated with substantial disability and socioeconomic burden. Although pharmacological therapies remain the mainstay of treatment, their effectiveness may be limited by incomplete response and adverse effects. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has emerged as a non-invasive neuromodulatory technique that may modulate cortical excitability and pain-processing networks involved in migraine pathophysiology. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the current evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of rTMS compared with sham stimulation in individuals with migraine. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed (MEDLINE), PsycNet, and Ovid (including MEDLINE and Embase) from database inception to December 2025 in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Studies investigating rTMS in adults with migraine and including a sham comparator were eligible for inclusion. Data regarding study design, participant characteristics, rTMS parameters, outcomes, and adverse events were extracted using a predefined template. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool. Results: Seven studies comprising a total of 301 participants were included. Most trials evaluated high-frequency rTMS targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Across studies, rTMS was generally associated with reductions in migraine frequency and severity compared with sham stimulation, although results varied depending on stimulation parameters and study design. Treatment was consistently well tolerated, with only mild and transient adverse effects reported. However, considerable heterogeneity was observed in diagnostic criteria, stimulation protocols, outcome measures, and follow-up duration. Conclusions: Preliminary evidence suggests that rTMS may represent a promising and well-tolerated neuromodulatory approach for migraine management. Nevertheless, methodological variability, limited sample sizes, and concerns regarding risk of bias restrict definitive conclusions. Larger randomized controlled trials with standardized protocols and longer follow-up periods are needed to clarify the clinical role of rTMS in migraine treatment. Full article

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is a progressive stage of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease characterized by lipid dysregulation, oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrosis. Because these processes occur simultaneously, compounds targeting multiple pathways may offer therapeutic benefit. Naringin, a citrus-derived flavonoid, has reported antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, but its integrated effects in MASH remain unclear. In this study, the effects of naringin were evaluated using combined in silico analysis and in vivo experiments. Network pharmacology and molecular docking predicted targets related to lipid metabolism, oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrosis, which were validated in a methionine- and choline-deficient diet-induced mouse model. Naringin reduced hepatic lipid accumulation and improved serum AST and ALT levels. It modulated oxidative stress-related genes, attenuated inflammatory responses, and reduced fibrogenic markers. Naringin also decreased Ly6Chigh inflammatory monocytes and Kupffer cell activation, and reduced hypothalamic microglial activation. These findings suggest that naringin exerts multi-target effects across hepatic, systemic, and central pathways, supporting its potential as a therapeutic candidate for MASH. Full article

Fungal endophytes are symbiotic microorganisms that establish strong relationships inside plant tissues, providing potential advantages, especially in grasses, by enhancing tolerance to both abiotic and biotic stresses. This review investigates the molecular mechanisms through which fungal endophytes mediate stress tolerance, targeting host–pathogen interactions. By modulating pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), and effector proteins, fungal endophytes may contribute to priming the plant’s immune system, enhancing its resistance to pathogen invasion. Moreover, endophyte colonization regulates core processes such as osmotic regulation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) detoxification, and secondary metabolite biosynthesis that enable plants to tolerate environmental stresses like drought, heat, and salinity. The review highlights the impact of endophytes on immune priming, systemic acquired resistance (SAR), and the regulation of non-coding RNAs that regulate host gene networks associated with stress tolerance. Furthermore, the integration of advanced multi-omics techniques genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and fluxomics has revealed emerging insights into the genetic and metabolic pathways driving these symbiotic associations. However, grass-specific molecular datasets remain limited, and the consistency of endophyte-mediated tolerance across host species and environmental conditions is not yet fully resolved. Fungal endophytes increase grass stress resilience through coordinated pathogen recognition, RNA regulation, and metabolic reprogramming while AI-assisted multi-omics approaches are emerging as tools for identifying candidate regulatory networks, although empirical validation in grass–endophyte systems remains limited. Together, these advances highlight the potential for climate-smart and sustainable crop improvement. Future research integrating functional genomics, field validation, and biosafety assessment will be essential for translating endophyte-based strategies into reliable agricultural applications. Full article

Diarrhea is a common gastrointestinal disorder in animals, often worsened by antibiotic use. Pulsatilla chinensis (PC) is traditionally used for gastrointestinal issues, but its bioactive constituents and mechanisms remain unclear. This study investigated the preventive effects of PC in a canine model of antibiotic-associated diarrhea using an integrated multi-omics approach. LC–MS identified key constituents of PC, including anemoside B4, berberine, stigmasterol, and quercetin. In silico analyses predicted that stigmasterol and quercetin target EGFR and AKT1, modulating inflammation and epithelial repair via PI3K–Akt and IL-17 signaling pathways. In vivo, treatment with PC significantly reduced serum pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-6 and elevated immune markers including IgG and IgA compared to the control group. Furthermore, 16S rRNA analysis revealed that PC restored gut microbial diversity, reflected by increased Sobs and Chao1 indices, enriched beneficial Lactobacillus, and decreased the abundance of inflammation-associated taxa such as Proteobacteria, Desulfobacterota, and Escherichia-Shigella. These findings suggest that PC suppresses inflammation and remodels the gut microbiome, providing a mechanistic basis for its use as an herbal alternative to antibiotics. Future studies should include fecal microbiota transplantation and targeted metabolomics to establish causality and optimize therapeutic strategies. Full article

The stability of mold level fluctuations (MLFs) is crucial for product quality and process efficiency in continuous casting. Abnormal mold level fluctuations, which are typically associated with multiple factors including stopper rod opening, casting speed, and mold width, are known to lead to slab quality defects. In this paper, an Informer-based prediction framework is proposed for the early detection of abnormal MLF. A threshold-based labeling method is developed to quantify the future likelihood and severity of anomalies across different time horizons. Considering the importance of frequency-domain features in mold level prediction, power spectral density (PSD) features are incorporated and smoothed using the exponential moving average (EMA) to enhance predictive performance. Through the integration of temporal and processed spectral features, early indicators of abnormality can be captured, and proactive warnings can be issued. The proposed architecture is validated using approximately 32.5 million data points from a real-world continuous casting process. This approach provides a robust and data-driven solution for predicting and diagnosing abnormal MLF events in continuous casting. Experimental results show that the mean ROC-AUC and PR-AUC reach 0.821 and 0.418, respectively. Full article

Punch velocity is a key performance indicator in boxing and reflects effective coordination along the kinetic chain. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between punch acceleration and plantar pressure distribution using wearable sensing technologies. Twenty-four collegiate boxers (12 professional-level and 12 amateur-level athletes) performed jab and cross punches under controlled conditions. Punch acceleration was measured using a glove-mounted inertial measurement unit (IMU), while plantar pressure distribution was recorded using pressure-sensing insoles. Professional boxers demonstrated significantly higher punch acceleration (22–31%, p < 0.05) and greater forefoot plantar pressure (18–27%, p < 0.05) compared to amateur athletes. Correlation analysis revealed significant positive associations between forefoot pressure and punch acceleration (r = 0.62–0.71, p < 0.01), indicating that increased lower-limb force contributes to higher upper-limb striking performance. These findings demonstrate that combined wearable sensing provides a practical approach for quantifying punching biomechanics and identifying level-dependent kinetic-chain characteristics in boxing. Full article

Age-related decline in oocyte quality is closely associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative imbalance, which disrupt redox-sensitive meiotic signaling and compromise embryo developmental competence. Rescue in vitro maturation (r-IVM) enables the utilization of immature oocytes retrieved during conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. However, the developmental potential of r-IVM oocytes remains limited, particularly in women of advanced maternal age. This study evaluated whether transient caffeine supplementation during r-IVM improves the developmental competence of immature human oocytes in clinical assisted reproduction technology cycles. Immature oocytes obtained during conventional IVF were cultured with or without short-term caffeine exposure during r-IVM prior to standard culture conditions. After maturation, metaphase II oocytes underwent intracytoplasmic sperm injection, and embryonic development was assessed by fertilization rate, day 3 good-quality embryo formation, and blastocyst development. Although caffeine supplementation did not significantly affect nuclear maturation rates, it significantly increased fertilization efficiency and the proportion of good-quality embryos compared with controls. These effects were most pronounced in women aged ≥ 37 years. Time-lapse morphokinetic analysis further revealed more synchronized developmental kinetics in embryos derived from caffeine-treated oocytes, resembling those derived from in vivo-matured oocytes. Collectively, these findings suggest that transient caffeine exposure during r-IVM enhances post-fertilization developmental competence. The underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated, and future studies are required to determine whether redox-sensitive meiotic pathways and mitochondrial function are involved. Full article

Background. Post-intubation cicatricial laryngeal stenosis (PICLS) represents one of the most severe long-term complications of pediatric airway management. By systematically analyzing clinical and procedural variables across different grades of PICLS, this study addresses a critical gap in pediatric airway research and provides clinically relevant descriptive data on stenosis severity. Materials and methods. A retrospective single-center case-series study was conducted and included pediatric patients (0–18 years) treated for PICLS at a tertiary referral pediatric otolaryngology center between 2016 and 2024. Spearman correlation and multiple regression analyses were used to evaluate possible associations between clinical factors and stenosis grade. Results. Among 172 children with PICLS, severe forms of stenosis (Grades 3–4) were observed in 37.2%, with predominant subglottic localization (85.3%). Age at primary intubation (p = 0.02) and the type of intubation (emergency/elective; p = 0.04) were the only variables significantly associated with stenosis severity in this cohort, whereas sex, reintubation, comorbidities, and delivery-related factors showed no significant associations. Mild stenosis (Grades 1–2) more frequently followed intubation for elective surgery and infections, whereas severe stenosis was more commonly associated with intubation due to central nervous system pathology and infections. Conclusions. Age at primary intubation and the type of intubation (emergency/elective) were associated with stenosis severity in this cohort. These findings should be interpreted in light of the retrospective case-series design and the absence of a control group, but they may contribute to improved clinical characterization of PICLS severity in children. Full article

Accurate measurement of antigen-specific antibody responses is essential for evaluating antibody avidity and quantification. Traditional. Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), while widely used, is limited by lengthy procedures, dependence on secondary antibodies, and inconsistent reproducibility. In this study, biolayer interferometry (BLI) was established and validated for simultaneous quantification and avidity assessment of specific IgM in serum of Larimichthys crocea (Large yellow croaker) using Pseudomonas plecoglossicida outer membrane protein Omp-H as antigen. Sera from immunized and control fish were analyzed by both BLI and ELISA, with systematic comparison between platforms. Optimal serum dilutions were 1:128 for BLI and 1:1024 for ELISA. Validation with another outer membrane protein, Omp-W, confirmed the method’s broad applicability. BLI association signals and avidity indices correlated strongly with ELISA values, yielding consistent results for both antigens. BLI successfully captured specific antibody responses in infected sera and demonstrated superior inter-plate reproducibility compared to ELISA, which exhibited significant inter-plate variation. However, BLI required lower serum dilutions (hence larger volumes) to achieve comparable sensitivity. These findings establish BLI as a rapid, single-step method providing reliable quantitative and avidity data for teleost IgM, offering a reproducible alternative to ELISA with potential applications in vaccine evaluation and aquaculture infection detection. Full article

Background/Objectives: Tinnitus and reactions to the tinnitus are different dimensions that can be explored in research and in clinical settings. Notably, these dimensions can elucidate priorities and the most problematic areas for patient-centered approaches. The aim of this study is to determine how tinnitus is perceived and impacts people who have experienced tinnitus for different durations. Methods: People with tinnitus were invited to participate in a survey at the University of Iowa Tinnitus Website. 709 people responded and documented their perceived sound, problems experienced, and duration of tinnitus. We assessed correlations between the duration of tinnitus and the pitch rating, the loudness rating, and the Tinnitus Primary Function Questionnaire scores. Additionally, we performed a multiple linear regression analysis, considering the dependent variable ‘duration of tinnitus’, to explore associations between duration of tinnitus and the aforementioned factors. This was a cross-sectional study based on comparisons of responses from patients with different tinnitus durations, rather than examining the same patients longitudinally. Results: The analysis demonstrated that respondents with a longer duration of tinnitus reported higher loudness ratings (p = 0.010). However, their reactions to tinnitus (Tinnitus Primary Function Questionnaire) were associated with a decrease compared with a shorter duration of tinnitus (p = 0.048). There was no association between pitch rating and duration of tinnitus. Conclusions: Our findings indicated louder tinnitus was associated with a longer duration of tinnitus. However, in general, the functional impact of the tinnitus was associated with a decrease. Notably, there was considerable variability among individuals, suggesting that additional factors contribute to these relationships. These findings can be considered in treatment decisions and counseling strategies. Full article

Background: Sézary syndrome (SS) is an aggressive leukemic variant of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) with distinct clinical and biological features compared to rarer entities such as primary cutaneous CD8⁺ aggressive epidermotropic cytotoxic T-cell lymphoma (PCAECTCL). Although recurrent genomic alterations in CTCL have been described, comparative analyses at the pathway level across biologically divergent subtypes remain limited. Here, we leveraged a conversational artificial intelligence (AI) platform for precision oncology to enable rapid, integrative, and hypothesis-driven interrogation of publicly available genomic datasets. Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of somatic mutation and clinical data from the Columbia University CTCL cohort accessed via cBioPortal. Cases were stratified into SS (n = 26) and PCAECTCL (n = 13). High-confidence coding variants were curated and mapped to biologically relevant signaling pathways and functional gene categories implicated in CTCL pathogenesis. Pathway-level mutation frequencies were compared using Fisher’s exact tests, with effect sizes quantified as odds ratios. Tumor mutational burden (TMB) was compared using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Subtype-specific co-mutation patterns were evaluated using pairwise association analyses and visualized through oncoplots and network heatmaps. A conversational AI agent, AI-HOPE, was used to iteratively refine cohort definitions, prioritize pathway-level signals, and contextualize findings. Results: TMB was comparable between SS and PCAECTCL (p = 0.96), indicating no significant difference in global mutational load. In contrast, pathway-centric analyses revealed marked qualitative differences. SS demonstrated enrichment of alterations in epigenetic regulators, tumor suppressor and cell-cycle control pathways, NFAT signaling, and DNA damage response mechanisms, consistent with transcriptional dysregulation and immune modulation. PCAECTCL exhibited relatively higher frequencies of alterations involving epigenetic regulators and MAPK pathway signaling, suggesting distinct oncogenic dependencies. Co-mutation analysis revealed a more constrained and focused interaction landscape in SS, whereas PCAECTCL displayed broader and more heterogeneous co-mutation networks, indicative of divergent evolutionary trajectories. Notably, ERBB2 mutations were significantly enriched between subtypes (p = 0.031), highlighting a potential subtype-specific therapeutic vulnerability. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that SS is distinguished from PCAECTCL not by increased mutational burden but by distinct pathway-level architectures, particularly involving epigenetic regulation, immune signaling, and transcriptional control. These findings generate biologically grounded, testable hypotheses for subtype-specific therapeutic targeting and underscore the value of conversational AI as a scalable framework for accelerating discovery in translational cancer genomics. Full article

Background: Accurate knowledge of the pterygopalatine fossa (PPF) and the greater palatine canal/foramen (GPC/GPF) is clinically important for administering anesthesia through the canals and for planning surgical access to the posterior maxilla. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) enables evaluation of anatomic structures of interest in individual patients when two-dimensional imaging methods are inadequate. Methods: This cross-sectional study retrospectively analyzed 150 CBCT datasets from residents of Abha city in the Asir region of Saudi Arabia who visited a dental hospital from November 2025 to February 2026; of these, 65 datasets were included. Bilateral measurements of the PPF-GPC complex and the anteroposterior (AP) position of the GPF were taken; subject-level means were used to avoid non-independence. Multivariate models adjusted for age and sex were fitted. Curvature was assessed using a cluster logistic model. Results: The mean length of the PPF-GPC complex was 33.12 ± 3.07 mm (P5-P95 interval, 28.91–39.50). After adjusting for age and sex, males had a longer pathway (+2.25 mm; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.35–4.15; p = 0.020); pathway length decreased slightly with increasing age (−0.38 mm per decade; 95% CI, −0.73 to −0.03; p = 0.034). The mean distance from the ANS to the GPF was 47.28 ± 3.58 mm and increased with age by 0.67 mm per decade (95% CI, 0.23–1.11; p = 0.003). Curved canals accounted for 56.2% of the sides examined. No significant association was observed between sex and either curvature status or side. Conclusions: In this population, the length of the pathway from the palate to the PPF and the AP location of the GPF showed clinically relevant variations among individuals. Adjusted estimates indicated that sex and age can predictably influence the length of the pathway and the distance of the GPF from the ANS, supporting the use of patient-specific CBCT evaluations to identify landmarks for anesthesia through the canals or when planning posterior maxillary surgical procedures. Full article

Background: Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) accumulate in tissues with age and are associated with the risk of chronic diseases. However, evidence regarding lifestyle factors related to AGE accumulation in healthy adolescents is limited. The aim of this study was to explore dietary and lifestyle factors that may attenuate tissue AGE accumulation, using skin autofluorescence (SAF) as a noninvasive proxy marker, in healthy Japanese early adolescent girls. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 315 first-year junior high school girls aged 12–13 years from a private school in Japan. SAF was measured on the volar forearm using an AGE Reader MU. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated brief diet history questionnaire (BDHQ-15y). Lifestyle factors, including weekday sleep duration, were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. Health-related variables (including weight-loss dieting) were also collected. Associations between SAF and each factor were analyzed using generalized linear models and nonparametric tests, with multivariable adjustment for potential confounders. Results: The mean SAF was 1.06 ± 0.13 arbitrary units. No significant associations were observed between SAF and health-related characteristics, nutrient intakes, or major food-group intakes. Longer weekday sleep duration was significantly associated with lower SAF (p for trend = 0.019) and remained significant after multivariable adjustment (p for trend = 0.018). A similar association was observed for better perceived restorative sleep (p for trend = 0.033; adjusted p for trend = 0.048). Conclusions: In healthy early adolescent girls, longer weekday sleep duration and better perceived restorative sleep were associated with lower SAF, whereas dietary intake was not. Given the largely irreversible age-related accumulation of AGEs, promoting healthy sleep during adolescence may help attenuate AGE accumulation early in life and reduce long-term AGE-related disease risk. Prospective studies with more detailed dietary assessments are needed to clarify dietary influences and confirm temporality. Full article

Background: Trichosporon japonicum is a rare but highly lethal pathogen causing fungemia in immunocompromised patients. With the expanding use of chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy, the spectrum of opportunistic fungal infections is changing, yet data on T. japonicum infections in this setting remain scarce. Case Presentation: A 69-year-old man with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma developed catheter-associated fungemia after CAR-T cell reinfusion. He initially presented with neck pain and white oral mucosal patches, followed by fever four days later. T. japonicum was isolated from both peripheral blood and central venous catheter tip cultures, identified by microscopic examination, mass spectrometry, and molecular sequencing. Antifungal prophylaxis was initiated before fever onset based on close monitoring of white blood cell count, procalcitonin, interleukin-6, and C-reactive protein; treatment was subsequently adjusted according to species identification and antifungal susceptibility results. Infection was controlled within two weeks after catheter removal and immune recovery. The patient remained well at six-month follow-up. Conclusion: This case adds to the limited literature on T. japonicum fungemia in patients receiving CAR-T therapy. Our experience, together with a review of the literature, underscores that successful management requires prompt catheter removal, immune restoration, and combination therapy with voriconazole and amphotericin B, as echinocandin monotherapy should be avoided. Awareness of this pathogen in immunocompromised patients is critical. Full article