Search Results (355)

Background/Objectives: Establishing laparoscopic access remains a critical and complication-prone step in minimally invasive surgery. Previous work has shown that proximal vibroacoustic sensing can identify peritoneal puncture events in porcine cadavers. The present pilot study evaluated whether these findings translate to human anatomy under controlled, ex vivo conditions. Methods: A vibroacoustic sensing prototype was proximally attached to a standard Veress needle during 14 insertions into a fresh human body donor (within 48 h post-mortem). An endoscope was introduced laterally to provide visual ground truth of peritoneal entry. Vibroacoustic signals were recorded at the proximal end of the instrument. Time–frequency analyses, transient excitation detection, and statistical comparisons were performed to assess whether (1) peritoneal puncture can be identified in the vibroacoustic signal, (2) signal phases and dynamics correspond to those previously observed in porcine cadavers, and (3) peritoneal punctures can be statistically differentiated from non-peritoneal events. Results: All 14 peritoneal punctures were identifiable in the vibroacoustic signal under the experimental conditions. Characteristic signal phases previously described in porcine tissue, including transient excitation associated with cavity entry, were consistently reproduced with comparable temporal and spectral profiles. Statistical analyses demonstrated group-level differences between peritoneal and non-peritoneal events, and the peritoneal puncture was the highest-energy event of its insertion in 13 of 14 cases (92.9%). Conclusions: Under the controlled ex vivo conditions of this single-donor pilot study, vibroacoustic sensing was feasible for identifying peritoneal puncture in human tissue and reproduced signal dynamics observed in porcine models. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of the proximal vibroacoustic sensing concept on a human body donor and the first cross-species replication of the previously reported puncture phase structure, establishing an important translational stepping stone between animal cadaver studies and in vivo investigations. The study demonstrates feasibility rather than clinical reliability: the single-donor design and the retrospective annotation framework limit generalizability. Prospective validation in living patients, across multiple subjects and operators, is required before clinical deployment. Full article

Leptolegnia chapmanii is an oomycete pathogen of mosquito larvae. We investigated whether nutritional factors promoting cyst germination in vitro are associated with early infection events and instar-specific susceptibility in Aedes aegypti. Cysts of the Brazilian isolate ARSEF 12829 germinated rapidly in soybean seed extract, sunflower seed extract and minimal medium supplemented with yeast extract, whereas basal minimal medium did not promote germination. In sunflower seed extract, germination increased significantly with incubation time; in minimal medium, germination at 24 h was much higher with ≥0.2% yeast extract than with 0.1%. In third-instar larvae, a few cysts attached to the cuticle during the first 30–60 min, with no external germ tubes observed. At 3 h, melanized hyphal structures were detected in the midgut, and histological sections showed germinated and ungerminated cysts in the endoperitrophic space, with hyphae crossing the peritrophic matrix and midgut epithelium toward the hemocoel. Mortality increased with cyst concentration and exposure time and decreased with larval instar. At 3.3 × 10³ cysts/mL, final mortality reached 100% in L1–L3 and 91.2% in L4 larvae. These results link rapid cyst germination with early midgut invasion and high larvicidal activity. Full article

Glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchored wall transfer protein 1 (GWT1), a fungal-specific inositol acyltransferase, catalyzes the palmitoylation of GlcN-PI in GPI-anchor biosynthesis, crucial for mannoprotein trafficking and attachment, which are vital for cell wall integrity, biofilm formation, and virulence. More than 60,000 AI-generated molecules produced using REINVENT4 were screened using ADMET-AI and GNINA. DeepSA and PharmacoNet were used to select synthesizable and pharmacophorically rich molecules. The dynamic behaviour was explored using molecular dynamics (MD). Finally, molecular reactivity was assessed using density functional theory (DFT). After ADMET filtering, 6190 compounds were docked against GWT1, of which 315 showed better predicted binding energies than the co-crystal ligand. DeepSA identified 105 readily synthesizable candidates, and PharmacoNet retained 32 compounds with favourable pharmacophoric features, from which four final candidates (AF_M1, AF_M2, AF_M3, and AF_M4) were prioritized for further analysis. MD simulation suggested stable binding behavior towards GWT1. DFT analysis indicated favourable electronic properties, low HOMO-LUMO energy gaps, and stable optimized geometries. These molecules could serve as promising lead candidates and potential new therapeutic agents for invasive fungal infections, pending validation. Full article

Driver drowsiness detection has become an important application of sensor-based monitoring systems aimed at improving road safety. This review focuses on sensing technologies and physiological parameters used for real-time drowsiness detection in drivers. The surveyed approaches are categorized into physiological sensing methods, including electroencephalography (EEG), electrocardiography (ECG), galvanic skin response (GSR), and photoplethysmography (PPG), and mechanical sensing methods, including respiration rate, eye blinking, head movement, yawning, and steering wheel gripping force. Each method is analyzed from a sensor system perspective, considering signal acquisition principles, measurement location, and practical deployment constraints. In addition, the reviewed techniques are evaluated based on real-time capability, level of sensor attachment, cost, restriction of user movement, and suitability for standalone operation. The comparison highlights that mechanical sensing approaches provide non-invasive and cost-effective solutions; however, they are sensitive to environmental noise and behavioral variability. In contrast, physiological sensing methods offer more direct and earlier indicators of fatigue-related changes in biosignals, although they typically require wearable or contact-based sensors and more complex acquisition systems. The review further indicates that multimodal sensor fusion is increasingly being adopted to improve robustness and reliability in real-world driving conditions. Overall, this work provides a structured overview of sensing modalities and highlights key considerations for designing efficient, real-time driver monitoring systems. Full article

One-sided dorsal onlay urethroplasty (Kulkarni technique) aims to preserve urethral vascularity by limiting urethral mobilization to a single side of the corpus spongiosum while maintaining contralateral vascular attachments. Although the theoretical advantage of vascular preservation is widely accepted, direct postoperative visualization of perfusion at the branch level has rarely been demonstrated using non-invasive imaging. We present a single representative case of an 82-year-old male with a 54 mm anterior urethral stricture who underwent one-sided dorsal onlay urethroplasty. Representative postoperative images illustrating the vascular-preserving principle of this technique and its ultrasonographic assessment are shown. Postoperative evaluation was performed on postoperative day 4 using a high-frequency small-footprint linear probe (Hitachi L53K, ARIETTA ultrasound system), enabling high-resolution superficial imaging of the penile shaft. Color Doppler ultrasonography demonstrated preserved perfusion on the non-dissected side, including identifiable cavernous urethral shunt flow and distinct urethral and spongiosal arterial branches within the corpus spongiosum. In contrast, no detectable Doppler signals were observed on the dissected side, which may reflect reduced perfusion following surgical mobilization. In addition, peri-graft fluid collections were visualized as hypoechoic regions adjacent to the graft bed, which may represent expected early postoperative findings. These findings highlight the feasibility of bedside branch-level vascular and peri-graft assessment using high-frequency ultrasonography, suggesting its potential utility for early postoperative clinical interpretation after one-sided urethral reconstruction. Full article

Background: The aim of the present narrative review is to synthesize the available scientific evidence comparing periodontal endoscopy-assisted therapy with established surgical regenerative procedures for the treatment of intrabony periodontal defects. While regenerative surgery—including papilla-preserving techniques—remains the standard approach for achieving predictable clinical attachment gain, these procedures may potentially compromise papillary integrity and healing dynamics. Periodontal endoscopy enables enhanced visualization and debridement without surgical access. This review evaluates available studies and discusses whether endoscopy-assisted therapy can achieve outcomes comparable to surgical regeneration while reducing tissue trauma and preserving interdental anatomy. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using the electronic databases PubMed, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, and Scopus, supplemented by manual searching. The search was performed up to 1 November 2025. Results: Two studies were included. Overall, there is a substantial lack of RCTs directly comparing periodontal endoscopy-assisted therapy with surgical regenerative procedures. However, EASD (Endoscopic- assisted subgingival debridement) was found not to be inferior to papilla-preservation surgery (PPFS) for treating residual pockets in intrabony defects. Both PPFS and EASD were effective, although PPFS showed more consistent microbial modulation. Conclusions: Periodontal endoscopy-assisted therapy may be considered a promising minimally invasive approach for selected intrabony defects, potentially reducing surgical morbidity and preserving interdental tissues. Although early data suggest that endoscopy-guided approaches may offer comparable clinical improvements with less invasiveness, the evidence base is too small to support definitive recommendations. Robust, well-designed randomized trials are needed to define its clinical indications and compare it directly with established regenerative procedures. Full article

Reliable individual identification and minimally invasive tracking are essential for monitoring threatened snake populations. A relict high-altitude population of Vipera ursinii ursinii was studied in the Maiella National Park (Central Apennines, Italy) during two field seasons (2024–2025) to (i) validate dorsal head photo-identification against unequivocal PIT-tag identities and (ii) test a novel, non-invasive telemetry method based on externally attached harmonic diodes detected with a RECCO^® harmonic direction finder (HDF). All analysed snakes were PIT-tagged and photographed under standardised conditions. Manual photo-identification based on dorsal cephalic scale counts was performed independently by four blinded operators. In parallel, software-assisted photo-identification was conducted with two independent programmes (Wild-ID and Hotspotter). Both methods were evaluated exclusively against PIT-tag-confirmed identities. Manual identification achieved moderate-to-high overall accuracy (0.77–0.91) but showed marked inter-operator variability. Software-assisted matching appeared more consistent: Hotspotter identified 75% of true recaptures at first suggestion (85% within the top six suggestions), while Wild-ID identified 56% at first suggestion (88% within the top six). Correct matches were primarily supported by the distinctive pholidosis of the dorsal head region, especially apical, intercanthal and parafrontal scales—which were highly diverse but independent of sex and age class in the studied population. Externally attached HDF diodes enabled repeated short-term relocations with detachments occurring within hours to several days and mostly associated with ecdysis. The method was minimally invasive, supporting its applicability for monitoring small-bodied animals with low-density populations and restricted ranges. Full article

Malaria, caused by Plasmodium parasites, remains a global health crisis, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies targeting host–parasite interactions. During liver-stage infection, parasites exploit host vesicular trafficking machinery, particularly SNARE (soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor) proteins that mediate membrane fusion. Using a CRISPR/Cas9 knockout system in HeLa cells combined with advanced microscopy of Plasmodium berghei-infected HeLa cells, we identified specific endolysosomal SNAREs including Vesicle-Associated Membrane Protein 7 (VAMP7), Vesicle-Associated Membrane Protein 8 (VAMP8), Vesicle Transport Through Interaction With T-SNAREs 1B (Vti1B), and Syntaxin 7 (Stx7) to be recruited to the parasitophorous vacuole membrane (PVM) with distinct temporal profiles. This demonstrates the parasite’s precise manipulation of host endolysosomal trafficking pathways. VAMP7 and Vti1B were localized to the PVM within 30 min post-infection, suggesting potential roles during invasion, while VAMP8 and Stx7 appeared later around 24 h post infection (hpi), coinciding with increased nutrient acquisition. Single gene deletions showed minimal impact, but combinatorial knockouts (KO) revealed critical redundancy. VAMP7-VAMP8 as well as VAMP7–Vti1B double KO significantly reduced parasite infection and growth, with Vti1B playing a dominant role. Triple KO phenotypes mirrored VAMP7-Vti1B disruption, underscoring Vti1B’s dominant role. SNARE depletion also impaired the lysosome–PVM association and LAMP1 positive vesicle recruitment. Our findings indicate Plasmodium hijacks a coordinated host SNARE network to fuse lysosomes with the PVM for nutrient uptake. Targeting Vti1B-containing complexes disrupts this pathway without host cell toxicity, offering a promising host-directed antimalarial approach. Full article

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is one of the most powerful non-invasive methods for cancer diagnostics. To enhance image contrast and, therefore, diagnostic accuracy, contrast agents (CAs) are widely used in clinics. For decades, the clinical standard has been metal-based CAs, primarily gadolinium- and manganese-based chelates, or iron oxide nanoparticles. However, metal-based CAs possess sub-effects, toxicity, and associated adverse health effects, such as nephrogenic systemic fibrosis. As an alternative, metal-free organic radical CAs (ORCAs), based on nitroxides, have been developed. ORCAs are widely used as primary ¹H-MRI agents and offer many advantages, including high biocompatibility, biodegradability, and easy functionalization. Attachment of nitroxides to natural or synthetic polymers enables the development of constructs with prolonged systemic circulation time and tumor-targeted delivery. Furthermore, MR-signal amplification can be achieved through physical hyperpolarization techniques, such as dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) and Overhauser-enhanced MRI (OMRI), in which nitroxide radicals serve as hyperpolarizing agents, yielding signal enhancements. This review summarizes low-molecular-weight nitroxides, polymeric, and biomacromolecular platforms for ¹H-MRI, focusing on physicochemical properties, preclinical evidence in tumor imaging, and current limitations. One section highlights the use of nitroxides as hyperpolarizing agents for tumor metabolism analysis or OMRI. The review addresses ongoing challenges and outlines future perspectives for the clinical translation of ORCAs in cancer diagnostics. Full article

Periodontitis is a multifactorial inflammatory disease characterized by dysbiotic microbial communities and progressive destruction of the supporting periodontal tissues, ultimately leading to alveolar bone loss. Achieving predictable periodontal regeneration remains a major clinical challenge because of the complex interplay between inflammation, microbial burden, and tissue remodeling. In this context, hyaluronic acid (HA), a naturally occurring component of the extracellular matrix (ECM), has gained increasing attention as a bioactive adjunct in periodontal therapy. This narrative review aims to describe current evidence regarding the biological properties, molecular mechanisms, and clinical applications of HA in periodontal therapy, with a particular focus on its immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, and regenerative potential. Available data indicate that HA exerts molecular weight–dependent effects, ranging from anti-inflammatory and extracellular matrix–stabilizing actions to osteogenic and immunostimulatory responses. Clinically, HA has been investigated as an adjunct in both nonsurgical and surgical periodontal therapies, as well as in minimally invasive regenerative approaches, as it has favorable effects on inflammation control, soft tissue healing, and clinical attachment gain. Recent advances in materials science have further expanded the role of HA through the development of engineered hydrogels and hybrid delivery systems incorporating nanoparticles, bioactive glass, growth factors, or antimicrobial agents, which have demonstrated promising osteogenic and antibacterial outcomes in preclinical models. However, the interpretation of existing evidence is limited by heterogeneity in HA formulations, short follow-up periods, and inconsistent reporting of periodontal defect morphology. Future research should focus on standardized, well-designed preclinical and clinical studies integrating histological, radiographic, immunological, and microbiological assessments to distinguish true periodontal regeneration from repair and to optimize HA-based strategies tailored to specific defect configurations. Full article

Embryo implantation presents a cell biological paradox: contact formation between the trophoblast of the blastocyst and the epithelial lining of the endometrium contradicts typical epithelial cell behaviour, as does the subsequent invasion needed for placenta formation in most species (including the human). Explaining this conundrum became a challenge for investigation since its recognition about 40 years ago and it receives increasing interest because implantation failure appears to be a major cause for low success in assisted reproduction. The present article reviews the main findings that have directed attention of researchers on epithelial cell polarity and on the theoretical concept of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). Apart from trophoblast attachment competence, a special focus is on endometrial receptivity. Comparison with epithelial fusion processes (EFPs) in development and with tumour cell invasion has been and is still considered helpful in order to take advantage of the progress made in those fields. Concerning the mechanisms involved, it must be emphasized that trophoblast and uterine luminal epithelium (ULE) do not undergo a complete switch to a mesenchymal programme (do not undergo a complete EMT) but make use of partial changes in the epithelial programme. The large number of data accumulated recently should allow us to now make progress in identifying what these partial programme changes are exactly and how they are regulated; also, they may offer chances for obtaining deeper insights into the regulation of implantation. Full article

Background: Influenza A virus is an acute respiratory virus that spreads quickly, affects a broad range of populations, and can lead to many complications and mortality. Artemisia L. species are widely used in traditional medicine, but their antiviral potential against H1N1 remains uncertain. Methodology: Network pharmacology and molecular docking were used to computationally explore their potential function in this domain, and to investigate how their invasion mechanisms and adsorption occur. UPLC-MS/MS analysis identified the main components of the extracts. The anti-H1N1 mechanism of Artemisia L. extracts was studied in vitro. Results: Network pharmacology identified 95 key targets between Artemisia L. and IAV, with quercetin and luteolin as core active compounds. Molecular docking predicted strong binding affinities between these compounds and influenza virus proteins. UPLC-MS/MS analysis identified 75, 100, and 64 chemical components in ACBE, AALE, and ACTE, respectively, mainly flavonoids and terpenoids. Artemisia L. extracts exhibited both preventive and therapeutic effects against H1N1, reducing progeny virus NP mRNA and protein levels. In vitro experiments showed that higher concentrations of the extracts prevent virus attachment to MDCK cells by denaturing the HA protein. NA plays an essential role in progeny virus release. We found that a high concentration of ACTE can inhibit NA up to 85%, and ACBE showed a low inhibitory effect on NA. Conclusions: In terms of therapeutic effects, Artemisia L. extracts can regulate intracellular inflammatory factors via the TLR4/NF-κB/MyD88 signaling pathways and reduce the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, TLR4, NF-κB, p65, and MyD88 at the mRNA level, thereby inhibiting H1N1 virus replication. These results suggest that bioactive components in Artemisia L. extracts may inhibit H1N1, potentially leading to the development of natural-product-based anti-influenza agents. Full article

Foreign matter accumulating on catheters during ascites paracentesis in cancer patients can interfere with the procedure. The paracentesis site must be visually inspected by patients or medical staff. We propose a monitoring method using sensors, as they enable real-time, automatic status detection. The proposed design integrates a sensor into the drainage tube to detect liquid flow using the Lorentz force. The sensor consists of a permanent magnet, a yoke, and a signal processing circuit. Mu-metal shields the magnet to prevent interference with surrounding circuits. Physiological saline solution is used as a substitute for bodily fluids. Sensor performance was evaluated via finite element analysis. The Lorentz force generated an average voltage of 11.07 μV when liquid was present, enabling detection of the flow status. The proposed sensor is non-invasive and features a clip design, allowing attachment and detachment from the drainage tube for reuse. Non-invasiveness ensures safety from infection, and reusability can reduce medical costs. This study proposes a sensor for monitoring peritoneal puncture status. By detecting liquid flow using the Lorentz force, the system enables real-time monitoring during the procedure. Full article

The recreation of the tumor microenvironment remains a significant challenge in the development of experimental cancer models. The present study constitutes an investigation into the interconnection between tumor, endothelial and stromal cells in heterotypic breast cancer spheroids. The generation of models was achieved through the utilization of MCF7, MDA-MB-231, and SK-BR-3 tumor cell lines, in conjunction with endothelial TIME-RFP cells and either cancer-associated (BrC4f) or normal (BN120f) fibroblasts, within ultra-low attachment plates. It was established that stromal cells, most notably fibroblasts, were conducive to the aggregation of tumor cells into spheroids and the formation of pseudovessels in close proximity to fibroblast bands. In contrast to the more aggressive tumor models MDA-MB-231 and SK-BR-3, microenvironment cells do not influence the migration ability of MCF7 tumor cells. Heterotypic spheroids incorporating CAFs demonstrated a more aggressive and immunosuppressive phenotype. Multiplex immunoassay analysis of cytokines, followed by STRING cluster analysis, was used to identify key processes including angiogenesis, invasion, stem cell maintenance, and immunosuppression. Furthermore, a cluster of cytokines (LIF, SDF-1, HGF, SCGFb) was identified as potentially involved in the regulation of PD-L1 expression by tumor cells. This finding reveals a potential mechanism of immune evasion and suggests new avenues for therapeutic investigation. Full article

This study characterizes the chemical defense system of the invasive longhorn beetle Aromia bungii, a destructive pest of Prunus trees, addressing the limited understanding of chemical defensive mechanisms in Cerambycidae. High-speed cameras, environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), dissection, and micro-CT imaging were used to investigate defensive behavior, and the structure of the defense system, in this beetle. Both sexes of A. bungii possess a pair of triangular, sac-like defensive glands symmetrically located in the metathorax, attached to the metasternum. Upon mechanical stimulation, white liquid defensive substances are rapidly ejected through a pair of slit-shaped openings (~200 µm) at the metasternum corners, without gland eversion, reaching over 50 cm. The average weight of substances ejected in first sprays was 7.95 ± 0.79 mg for females and 8.62 ± 2.13 mg for males (mean ± se), with no significant difference between sexes. However, the weight in second sprays after 10 days was significantly lower, at 2.93 ± 0.54 mg for females and 2.22 ± 0.40 mg for males (mean ± se), suggesting that the beetles cannot re-synthesize the substances soon after spray. The weight of ejected substances had no correlation with beetle body weight. Our findings represent the first detailed morphological and functional description of a chemical defense system in Cerambycidae, revealing a specialized metasternal gland and spray mechanism. The substantial but likely non-renewable defensive substances reflect an adaptive trade-off in energy allocation between reproduction and defense in this species that exhibits high fecundity but a short lifespan at the adult stage. Full article