Search Results (4,829)

Oil spill simulation models are essential for predicting the oil spill behavior and movement in marine environments. In this study, we comprehensively reviewed a large and diverse body of peer-reviewed literature obtained from Scopus and Web of Science. Our initial analysis phase focused on examining trends in scientific publications, utilizing the complete dataset derived after systematic screening and database integration. In the second phase, we applied elements of a systematic review to identify and evaluate the most influential contributions in the scientific field of oil spill simulations. Our analysis revealed a steady and accelerating growth of research activity over the past five decades, with a particularly notable expansion in the last two. The field has also experienced a marked increase in collaborative practices, including a rise in international co-authorship and multi-authored contributions, reflecting a more global and interdisciplinary research landscape. We cataloged the key modeling frameworks that have shaped the field from established systems such as OSCAR, OIL-MAP/SIMAP, and GNOME to emerging hybrid and Lagrangian approaches. Hydrodynamic models were consistently central, often integrated with biogeochemical, wave, atmospheric, and oil-spill-specific modules. Environmental variables such as wind, ocean currents, and temperature were frequently used to drive model behavior. Geographically, research has concentrated on ecologically and economically sensitive coastal and marine regions. We conclude that future progress will rely on the real-time integration of high-resolution environmental data streams, the development of machine-learning-based surrogate models to accelerate computations, and the incorporation of advanced biodegradation and weathering mechanisms supported by experimental data. These advancements are expected to enhance the accuracy, responsiveness, and operational value of oil spill modeling tools, supporting environmental monitoring and emergency response. Full article

Introduction: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic condition affecting several organs and systems, including the pancreas, colon, respiratory system, and reproductive system. The detection of a growing number of CFTR variants and genotypes has contributed to an increase in the CF population which, in turn, has had an impact on the overall statistics regarding the prognosis and outcome of the condition. Given the increase in life expectancy, it is critical to better predict outcomes and prognosticate in CF. Thus, each person’s choice to aggressively treat specific disease components can be more appropriate and tailored, further increasing survival. The objective of our narrative review is to summarize the most recent information concerning the value and significance of clinical parameters in predicting outcomes, such as gender, diabetes, liver and pancreatic status, lung function, radiography, bacteriology, and blood and sputum biomarkers of inflammation and disease, and how variations in these parameters affect prognosis from the prenatal stage to maturity. Materials and methods: A methodological search of the available data was performed with regard to prognostic factors in the evolution of CF in children and young adults. We evaluated articles from the PubMed academic search engine using the following search terms: prognostic factors AND children AND cystic fibrosis OR mucoviscidosis. Results: We found that it is crucial to customize CF patients’ care based on their unique clinical and biological parameters, genetics, and related comorbidities. Conclusions: The predictive significance of more dynamic clinical condition markers provides more realistic future objectives to center treatment and targets for each patient. Over the past ten years, improvements in care, diagnostics, and treatment have impacted the prognosis for CF. Although genotyping offers a way to categorize CF to direct research and treatment, it is crucial to understand that a variety of other factors, such as epigenetics, genetic modifiers, environmental factors, and socioeconomic status, can affect CF outcomes. The long-term management of this complicated multisystem condition has been made easier for patients, their families, and physicians by earlier and more accurate identification techniques, evidence-based research, and centralized expert multidisciplinary care. Full article

Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathies (ACMs) are a phenotypically and etiologically heterogeneous group of myocardial disorders characterized by fibrotic or fibro-fatty replacement of ventricular myocardium, electrical instability, and an elevated risk of sudden cardiac death. Initially identified as a right ventricular disease, ACMs are now recognized to include biventricular and left-dominant forms. Genetic causes account for a substantial proportion of cases and include desmosomal variants, non-desmosomal variants, and familial gene-elusive forms with no identifiable pathogenic mutation. Nongenetic etiologies, including post-inflammatory, autoimmune, and infiltrative mechanisms, may mimic the phenotype. In many patients, the disease remains idiopathic despite comprehensive evaluation. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging has emerged as a key tool for identifying non-ischemic scar patterns and for distinguishing arrhythmogenic phenotypes from other cardiomyopathies. Emerging classifications propose the unifying concept of scarring cardiomyopathies based on shared structural substrates, although global consensus is evolving. Risk stratification remains challenging, particularly in patients without overt systolic dysfunction or identifiable genetic markers. Advances in tissue phenotyping, multi-omics, and artificial intelligence hold promise for improved prognostic assessment and individualized therapy. Full article

Purpose: To present the findings of our preliminary experience using daily image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) supported by implanted fiducial markers (FMs) in the radiotherapy of the vaginal cuff, in a cohort of post-surgery endometrial cancer patients. Methods: Patients with vaginal cuff cancer requiring adjuvant radiation with external beams were enrolled. Five patients underwent radiation therapy targeting the pelvic disease and positive lymph nodes, with doses of 50.4 Gy in twenty-eight fractions and a subsequent stereotactic boost on the vaginal vault at a dose of 5 Gy in a single fraction. One patient was administered 30 Gy in five fractions to the vaginal vault. These patients underwent external beam RT following the implantation of three 0.40 × 10 mm gold fiducial markers (FMs). Our IGRT strategy involved real-time 2D kV image-based monitoring of the fiducial markers during the treatment delivery as a surrogate of the vaginal cuff. To explore the potential role of FMs throughout the treatment process, we analyzed cine movies of the 2D kV-triggered images during delivery, as well as the image registration between pre- and post-treatment CBCT scans and the planning CT (pCT). Each CBCT used to trigger fraction delivery was segmented to define the rectum, bladder, and vaginal cuff. We calculated a standard metric to assess the similarity among the images (Dice index). Results: All the patients completed radiotherapy and experienced good tolerance without any reported acute or long-term toxicity. We did not observe any loss of FMs during or before treatment. A total of twenty CBCTs were analyzed across ten fractions. The observed trend showed a relatively emptier bladder compared to the simulation phase, with the bladder filling during the delivery. This resulted in a final median Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) of 0.90, indicating strong performance. The rectum reproducibility revealed greater variability, negatively affecting the quality of the delivery. Only in two patients, FMs showed intrafractional shift > 5 mm, probably associated with considerable rectal volume changes. Target coverage was preserved due to a safe CTV-to-PTV margin (10 mm). Conclusions: In our preliminary study, CBCT in combination with the use of fiducial markers to guide the delivery proved to be a feasible method for IGRT both before and during the treatment of post-operative gynecological cancer. In particular, this approach seems to be promising in selected patients to facilitate the use of SBRT instead of BRT (brachytherapy), thanks to margin reduction and adaptive strategies to optimize dose delivery while minimizing toxicity. A larger sample of patients is needed to confirm our results. Full article

The use of Internet of Things (IoT) for sports innovation has transformed the way athletes train, compete, and recover in any sports activity. This study performs a bibliometric analysis to examine research trends, collaborations, and publications in the realm of IoT and Sports. Our analysis included 780 Scopus articles and 150 WoS articles published during 2012–2025, and duplicates were removed. We analyzed and visualized the bibliometric data using R version 3.6.1, VOSviewer version 1.6.20, and the bibliometrix library. The study provides insights from a bibliometric analysis, showcasing the allocation of topics, scientific contributions, patterns of co-authorship, prominent authors and their productivity over time, notable terms, key sources, publications with citations, analysis of citations, source-specific citation analysis, yearly publication patterns, and the distribution of research papers. The results indicate that China and India have the leading scientific production in the development of IoT and Sports research, with prominent authors like Anton Umek, Anton Kos, and Emiliano Schena making significant contributions. Wearable technology and wearable sensors are the most trending topics in IoT and Sports, followed by medical sciences and artificial intelligence paradigms. The analysis also emphasizes the importance of open-access journals like ‘Journal of Physics: Conference Series’ and ‘IEEE Access’ for their contributions to IoT and Sports research. Future research directions focus on enhancing effective, lightweight, and efficient wearable devices while implementing technologies like edge computing and lightweight AI in wearable technologies. Full article

Background: Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) with static cages is a frequently performed procedure. Larger series focusing on the use of expandable TLIF spacers are less common. Methods: This retrospective, single-center observational cohort study reviewed consecutive patients treated by TLIF using expandable titanium interbody implants (ALTERA™, Globus Medical Inc., Audubon, PA, USA) for degenerative pathologies from L2-S1 between 11/2018 and 09/2023. Surgical parameters, adverse events, radiological outcomes (fusion rate, segmental lordosis, spinopelvic parameters), and clinical outcomes were analyzed through a mean postoperative follow-up of 12 months. Results: This study identified 270 patients (mean age 65 years, 50.4% female) who underwent TLIF with expandable interbody spacers at 324 levels. Clinical outcomes were good or excellent in 74.1% of patients at 3 months and 71.8% at 12 months. Radiographic fusion was achieved in 73.1% of assessable segments at 12 months. Segmental lordosis increased significantly from 17.8° preoperatively to 20.0° at 12 months (p < 0.001). Adverse event (AE) rates were acceptable across all timepoints, with no device failures or device-associated complications observed. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that TLIF with expandable titanium interbody implants was safe, associated with high fusion rates, and enabled significant restoration of segmental lordosis that was maintained during follow-up. Full article

Background: During infection with the cytomegalovirus (CMV), the membrane system of the infected cell is remodelled into a megastructure called the assembly compartment (AC). These extensive changes may involve the manipulation of the host cell proteome by targeting a pleiotropic function of the cell such as ubiquitination (Ub). In this study, we investigate whether the Ub system is required for the establishment and maintenance of the AC in murine CMV (MCMV)-infected cells Methods: NIH3T3 cells were infected with wild-type and recombinant MCMVs and the Ub system was inhibited with PYR-41. The expression of viral and host cell proteins was analyzed by Western blot. AC formation was monitored by immunofluorescence with confocal imaging and long-term live imaging as the dislocation of the Golgi and expansion of Rab10-positive tubular membranes (Rab10 TMs). A cell line with inducible expression of hemagglutinin (HA)-Ub was constructed to monitor ubiquitination. siRNA was used to deplete host cell factors. Infectious virion production was monitored using the plaque assay. Results: The Ub system is required for the establishment of the infection, progression of the replication cycle, viral gene expression and production of infectious virions. The Ub system also regulates the establishment and maintenance of the AC, including the expansion of Rab10 TMs. Increased ubiquitination of WASHC1, which is recruited to the machinery that drives the growth of Rab10 TMs, is consistent with Ub-dependent rheostatic control of membrane tubulation and the continued expansion of Rab10 TMs. Conclusions: The Ub system is intensively utilized at all stages of the MCMV replication cycle, including the reorganization of the membrane system into the AC. Disruption of rheostatic control of the membrane tubulation by ubiquitination and expansion of Rab10 TREs within the AC may contribute to the development of a sufficient amount of tubular membranes for virion envelopment. Full article

Background: The prevalence of cardiogenic shock (CS) resulting from the progression of heart failure (PHF) is increasing and remains associated with high mortality. This study aimed to compare the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients who developed CS due to PHF versus those whose CS was caused by other aetiologies (non-PHF). Methods: We retrospectively analysed 280 patients admitted to a Polish tertiary care centre between January 2021 and April 2024. The cohort was divided into two groups: PHF (n = 84, 30%) and non-PHF (n = 196, 70%). Results: Compared to the non-PHF group, PHF patients more frequently had chronic kidney disease (30% vs. 15%, p < 0.01), and significant valvular disease (30% vs. 13%, p < 0.01). PHF patients exhibited significantly lower white blood cell counts (9.4 [6.9–16.4] vs. 13.3 [10.4–17.6], p < 0.01) and troponin T levels (188 [61–1392] vs. 10,921 [809–45,792], p < 0.01). In-hospital mortality was significantly lower among PHF patients (52% vs. 65%, p = 0.04). Although the overall use of mechanical circulatory support (MCS) did not differ between groups, significant differences in the types of MCS applied were observed (p < 0.01). Additionally, PHF patients underwent fewer coronary revascularisation procedures (15% vs. 70%, p < 0.01). Conclusions: Patients with PHF-related CS exhibit distinct clinical profiles and may experience lower in-hospital mortality when appropriately diagnosed and treated with a personalised approach. Further prospective, multicentre studies are warranted to optimize the management of this growing subgroup of CS patients. Full article

Acetate may act as a signaling molecule, regulating Paracin 1.7 production via quorum sensing (QS) in Lacticaseibacillus paracasei HD1.7. The “acetate switch” phenomenon requires mechanistic exploration to optimize Paracin 1.7 production. The “acetate switch” phenomenon delays with higher glucose levels (30 h, 36 h, and 96 h). Before the occurrence of the “acetate switch”, the ATP content increases and peaks at the “acetate switch” point and the NAD⁺/NADH ratio decreases, indicating energy changes. Moreover, the QS genes used for the pre-regulation of bacteriocin, such as prcKR, comCDE, were highly expressed. After the “acetate switch”, the ATP content decreased and the QS genes for the post-regulation of bacteriocin were highly expressed, such as rggs234 and sigma70-1/70-2. The “acetate switch” could act as an energy switch, regulating bacterial growth and QS genes. Before and after the “acetate switch”, some metabolic pathways were significantly altered according to the transcriptomic analysis by HD1.7 and HD1.7-Δpta. In this study, acetate was used as an input signal to regulate the two-component system, significantly influencing the bacteriocin expression system. And this study clarifies the roles of acetate, energy, and quorum sensing in promoting Paracin 1.7 production, providing a theoretical basis for optimizing the bacteriocin fermentation process of HD1.7. Full article

Neutrophils play a key role in autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, contributing to tissue damage through rapid recruitment and activation. In this study, we investigated the regulatory properties of two receptor-like tyrosine phosphatases (RPTPs), CD45 and CD148, in inflammatory arthritis. Using an in vivo mouse model of K/BxN serum transfer-induced arthritis, we found that CD45 and CD148 feature distinct regulatory properties during inflammatory arthritis. CD45 is required for neutrophil infiltration, cytokine release, and reactive oxygen species production, whereas CD148 deficiency leads to a delayed onset of arthritis but unaltered overall neutrophil infiltration and reduced ROS production. Furthermore, we could demonstrate that activation of Src family kinases in neutrophils is differentially regulated by CD45 and CD148 in a stimulus-dependent manner. Summarizing, our results suggest that CD45 is positively involved, while CD148 is positively and negatively involved in neutrophil recruitment and function during inflammatory arthritis. Full article

The intersection of sports and natural forests and green spaces represents an emerging interdisciplinary field with implications for public health, environmental science, and sustainable land management and refers to the variety of cultural ecosystem services demanded by people from ecosystems. This manuscript presents a systematic bibliometric and thematic analysis of 148 publications for the period 1993–2024 identified through Web of Science and Scopus, aiming to evaluate the current state of research on sports activities conducted in natural forest environments. Findings indicated a marked increase in scientific interest of this topic over the past two decades, with key contributions from countries such as England, Germany, China, and the United States. Researchers most frequently examined sports such as hiking, trail running, mountain biking, and orienteering for their capacity to provide physiological and psychological benefits, reduce stress, and enhance mental well-being. The literature analysis highlights ecological concerns, particularly those associated with habitat disturbance, biodiversity loss, and conflicts between recreation and conservation. Six principal research themes were identified: sports in urban forests, sports tourism, hunting and fishing, recreational sports, health benefits, and environmental impacts. Keyword and co-authorship analyses revealed a multidisciplinary knowledge base with evolving thematic focuses. In conclusion, the need for integrated approaches that incorporate ecological impact assessment, stakeholder perspectives, and adaptive forest governance to ensure sustainable recreational use of natural forest ecosystems is underlined. Full article

Preeclampsia (PE) is a multifactorial hypertensive disorder unique to pregnancy and a leading cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Its pathogenesis involves placental dysfunction and an exaggerated maternal inflammatory response. Uric acid (UA), traditionally regarded as a marker of renal impairment, is increasingly recognized as an active contributor to the development of PE. Elevated UA levels are associated with oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, immune activation, and reduced renal clearance. Clinically, UA is measured in the second and third trimesters to assess disease severity and guide obstetric management, with higher levels correlating with early-onset PE and adverse perinatal outcomes. Its predictive accuracy improves when combined with other clinical and biochemical markers, particularly in low-resource settings. Mechanistically, UA and its monosodium urate crystals can activate the NLRP3 inflammasome, a cytosolic multiprotein complex of the innate immune system. This activation promotes the release of IL-1β and IL-18, exacerbating placental, vascular, and renal inflammation. NLRP3 inflammasome activation has been documented in placental tissues, immune cells, and kidneys of women with PE and is associated with hypertension, proteinuria, and endothelial injury. Experimental studies indicate that targeting UA metabolism or inhibiting NLRP3 activation, using agents such as allopurinol, metformin, or MCC950, can mitigate the clinical and histopathological features of PE. These findings support the dual role of UA as both a biomarker and a potential therapeutic target in the management of the disease. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disease that has a progressive and multisystemic course. The spectrum and frequency of mutations in the gene encoding the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) vary both in European countries and in other geographical regions. The aim of our retrospective study was to present the genetic variants identified in a group of 48 CF patients from the Moldova region (Romania), as well as to establish genotype–phenotype correlations. Methods: Genetic testing was initially performed for 38 CFTR mutations, and in heterozygous patients or those in whom no mutation was detected, CFTR gene sequencing (NGS) was performed. Results: The compound heterozygous genotype was identified in 26 (54.16%) of the patients (with one of the alleles being F508del), while 22 (45.83%) patients had the homozygous F508del genotype. The F508del variant was the most frequent (69.79%), followed by G542X (6.25%, 6/96). Several new variants were also identified that had not been reported in other studies from Romania (R1158X, K598*, R347H, c.2589_2599del, R496H, and CFTRdele2). Phenotypic manifestations in patients with CFTR class I, II, III and VII variants (homozygous and compound heterozygous) were more severe compared to those in patients with CFTR class IV, V and VI mutations, with the data obtained being consistent with those in the literature. Respiratory tract involvement was present in 77.08% of the patients, being more frequent in patients with the compound heterozygous genotype compared to the homozygous F508del genotype. Most patients had exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) (85.41%). Gastrointestinal manifestations included hepatocytolysis (66.66%) and biliary cirrhosis (0.41%). Meconium ileus was detected in 18.75% of patients, all with a compound heterozygous genotype. Conclusions: We compared the results obtained with data from the literature and correlated the detected CFTR variant (genotype) with the phenotypic manifestations, highlighting certain particularities present in some patients. Genetic testing allows for early diagnosis and adapted management, including personalized treatment for each patient. Identification of novel unclassified CFTR variants still remains a challenge for clinicians. NGS-based screening of heterozygous healthy carriers is important for both genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis. Full article

The maternal–fetal environment is influenced by multiple factors, including nutrition and environmental contaminants, which can impact long-term development. Perinatal exposure to organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) disrupts energy homeostasis and causes maladaptive behaviors in mice. Maternal obesity affects development by impairing blood–brain barrier (BBB) formation, influencing brain regions involved in energy regulation and behavior. This study examined the combined effects of maternal obesity and perinatal OPFR treatment on offspring development. Female mice were fed either a low-fat (LFD) or a high-fat diet (HFD) for 8 weeks, mated, and treated with either sesame oil or an OPFR mixture (tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl)phosphate, tricresyl phosphate, and triphenyl phosphate, 1 mg/kg each) from gestational day 7 to postnatal day 14. Results showed that both maternal diet and OPFR treatment disrupted blood–brain barrier integrity, energy balance, and reproductive gene expression in the hypothalamus of neonates. The expression of hepatic genes related to lipid and xenobiotic metabolism was also altered. In adulthood, LFD OPFR-treated female offspring exhibited increased avoidance behavior, while HFD OPFR-treated females demonstrated memory impairments. Metabolic assessments revealed decreased energy expenditure and nighttime activity in LFD OPFR-treated females. These findings suggest that maternal diet and OPFR treatment alter hypothalamic and liver gene expression in neonates, potentially leading to long-term metabolic and behavioral changes. Full article

Background: International migration is a growing global phenomenon involving diverse groups, such as labor migrants, international marriage migrants, refugees, and international students. International migrants face unique mental health challenges influenced by adversities such as social isolation and limited access to mental health services. This study employs bibliometric methods to systematically analyze the global body of literature on international migrants’ mental health. Methods: The literature on the mental health of international migrants published until October 2024 was searched using the Web of Science database. The search terms included (‘International migrants’ OR ‘migrant workers’ OR ‘international students’ OR ‘refugees’ OR ‘asylum seekers’ OR ‘smuggled migrants’) AND ‘mental health’. VOSviewer was used to conduct bibliometric analysis, focusing on co-authorship patterns, keyword co-occurrence, and citation networks. Results: Over the past four decades, research on the mental health of international migrants has grown substantially, with major migration destinations such as the United States, Europe, and Australia playing prominent roles in this field. ‘Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)’ was the most frequent keyword in publications, with strong links to ‘trauma’ and ‘depression’. In recent years, with the impact of global socioenvironmental changes and emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the research focus has gradually shifted towards social support, service accessibility, and cultural adaptation. Conclusions: International migration is a far-reaching global phenomenon, and addressing the mental health of migrant populations is essential for advancing public health, social cohesion, and sustainable development. This study provides the first bibliometric overview of research in this domain, mapping its thematic evolution and collaborative structure. The findings offer valuable insights into the field’s development and may support future interdisciplinary collaboration and the formulation of culturally informed, evidence-based approaches in migrant mental health. Full article