Search Results (3,064)

Purpose: Obesity is a chronic multifactorial disease whose increasing prevalence cannot be fully explained by excessive caloric intake and sedentary behaviour alone. This review aimed to synthesize current evidence on the role of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), particularly obesogenic EDCs, as potential environmental contributors to obesity-related phenotypes, with emphasis on their main classes, etiopathogenetic mechanisms and clinical implications. Methods: A structured literature analysis was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science and additional relevant scientific reports and governmental publications. Eligible sources included original research articles, systematic reviews, meta-analyses and authoritative reports addressing endocrine disruption, obesogens, obesity, metabolic dysfunction and related molecular mechanisms. Results: The review identified several major classes of obesogenic EDCs, including organotins, bisphenols, phthalates and persistent organic pollutants. These compounds have been linked to obesity-related phenotypes through overlapping mechanisms, including disruption of adipogenesis via estrogen receptor-dependent and independent pathways, PPARγ/RXR activation, altered adipokine signalling, neuroendocrine dysregulation across developmental stages, oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory activation, genetic and epigenetic alterations, gut microbiota-mediated effects and impaired thermoregulation through brown and beige adipose tissue dysfunction. EDC-associated obesity may contribute to metabolic, endocrine, cardiovascular, hepatic and reproductive complications. Conclusion: Obesogenic EDCs should be regarded as environmental contributors to obesity that act through interconnected molecular, cellular and systemic pathways. Their biological effects support the need for further mechanistic and epidemiological research, preventive strategies, public education and regulatory measures aimed at reducing exposure. Full article

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) and liposomes are nanoscale drug delivery systems extensively investigated in oncology for their ability to improve pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, and therapeutic efficacy of anticancer agents. Liposomes are clinically validated synthetic nanocarriers characterized by high versatility, scalable production, and established regulatory approval; however, their performance is limited by tumor heterogeneity, vascular barriers, adverse effects and inefficient intracellular drug release. EVs are naturally derived nanoparticles involved in intercellular communication and exhibit intrinsic biocompatibility, low immunogenicity, and biological targeting potential; yet their translation is constrained by heterogeneity, limited loading capacity, and manufacturing challenges. Different studies indicate complementary advantages between both systems, with EVs favoring biological targeting and immune modulation and liposomes enabling controlled formulation and pharmacokinetic optimization. These features have driven the development of hybrid EV–liposome nanovesicles, which integrate synthetic and biological properties to enhance tumor targeting, therapeutic efficacy, and payload diversity, including drugs, nucleic acids, and gene-editing systems. Despite promising preclinical results, challenges remain in scalability, standardization, and mechanistic understanding of in vivo behaviour. Overall, these hybrid strategies represent a promising platform for next-generation precision nanomedicine in cancer therapy and for advancing clinical translation by addressing key limitations of current delivery systems and improving therapeutic index and patient outcomes. Full article

Background/Objectives: Formal level of education and length of professional experience are widely thought to shape both how often nurses report adverse events and how safe they perceive their workplace to be for patients. Large multicentre data from Central and Eastern European secondary-care systems are scarce. This study examined whether educational level and length of work experience are associated with (a) the self-reported frequency of adverse-event reporting and (b) the perceived level of patient safety in a national sample of nurses working in Croatian general and county hospitals. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, multicentre survey in 2023 across all 22 general and county hospitals in the Republic of Croatia. A 99-item paper questionnaire—81 items distributed across six previously validated scales (Cronbach’s α 0.730–0.951)—was distributed proportionally to the eligible nursing workforce (N = 6661). Of the 1657 questionnaires distributed, 1518 were returned fully completed (response rate 91.6%). Two outcomes were examined in parallel: self-reported frequency of adverse-event reporting in the past 12 months and global perceived level of patient safety on the respondent’s ward. Group comparisons used Pearson’s chi-square and Kruskal–Wallis H tests; effect sizes were estimated using the phi coefficient and Cramér’s V. A multivariable logistic regression was additionally fitted to test whether the associations held after mutual adjustment. The study followed the STROBE reporting guidelines. Results: Educational level was associated with the frequency of adverse-event reporting (χ² = 32.54, df = 8, p < 0.001; Cramér’s V = 0.10) and with safety perception (χ² = 16.07, df = 8, p = 0.041; V = 0.07). Length of total work experience was associated with reporting (χ² = 23.01, df = 12, p = 0.028; V = 0.07) and safety perception (χ² = 34.84, df = 12, p < 0.001; V = 0.09). After mutual adjustment, bachelor’s (adjusted OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.10–1.81; p = 0.006) and master’s or doctoral education (adjusted OR 1.82, 95% CI 1.27–2.62; p = 0.001) remained associated with active reporting relative to secondary-level qualification. A notable finding was that 930 nurses (61.3%) had not filed any adverse-event report in the past 12 months. Conclusions: Educational level and length of work experience are associated with both the reporting of adverse events and the perception of patient safety among Croatian hospital nurses, but the two characteristics relate to the outcomes in different ways. Higher education is associated with more frequent reporting and a more favourable view of patient safety. Length of experience shows a mid-career peak in reporting but a less favourable perception of safety in late-career nurses. Continued investment in formal nursing education, together with mid- and late-career retention strategies, may strengthen both reporting behaviour and the lived safety culture in Central and Eastern European secondary-care systems. The findings inform nursing leadership, continued education planning, and national patient-safety policy in Central and Eastern European secondary-care systems. Full article

Termitomyces albuminosus is a wild edible mushroom with potential as a functional ingredient, yet its effect on tofu quality remains unclear. This study evaluated soy tofu fortified with Termitomyces albuminosus freeze-dried mushroom powder (TMP) at 1.5, 3, and 5% (w/w) using two strategies: direct addition and soybean replacement. The tofu treatments were assessed for yield, colour, texture, microstructure, molecular interactions, rheological behaviour, proximate composition, mineral profile, and antioxidant activity in fresh, cooked, and in vitro digested states. Increasing TMP progressively reduced yield, lightness, hardness, cohesiveness, and chewiness, with greater deterioration under high percentage replacement, associated with dose-dependent protein network coarsening and protein–polysaccharide phase separation; nevertheless, all samples retained viscoelastic gel behaviour (G′ > G″). The 1.5% replacement treatment largely preserved gel structure and texture, suggesting a favourable balance between enrichment and structural quality. The 5% replacement (R5) provided the greatest nutritional gain, significantly increasing calcium (2177.80 vs. 1812.43 mg/kg) and iron (27.07 vs. 20.61 mg/kg) compared to control while maintaining crude protein above 47% (dry basis). Antioxidant activity increased with TMP level and was highest in R5, with bioaccessibility peaking in the intestinal phase. TMP fortification represents a promising strategy for developing nutritionally enhanced tofu with improved mineral composition and antioxidant bioaccessibility. Full article

Domestic cats (Felis catus) are ubiquitous companion animals that provide substantial psychological and social benefits to children and adults alike, but they also serve as reservoirs and vectors for a wide range of zoonotic pathogens. Close physical contact between cats and children, frequent use of shared environments such as homes, playgrounds, and sandboxes, and still-developing hygiene behaviours increase opportunities for exposure to protozoa, helminths, bacteria, fungi, and ectoparasite-borne agents. This review synthesizes current evidence on key feline-associated zoonoses of pediatric concern—including Toxoplasma gondii, Toxocara cati, Ancylostoma spp., Dipylidium caninum, Bartonella henselae, Salmonella enterica, Campylobacter jejuni, Pasteurella multocida, Microsporum canis, flea-borne Rickettsia species, and rabies—with emphasis on transmission routes, clinical manifestations, and risk modifiers in children, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals. Within a One Health framework, we also summarize global publication trends on feline zoonoses, discuss how urban cat ecology and management (including free-ranging cats in child-frequented environments) may shape pediatric risk, and outline practical prevention strategies centred on hygiene, veterinary care, and targeted education for caregivers and children. Full article

Background: Appetite regulation is governed by a complex neuroendocrine network that integrates peripheral peptide signals with hypothalamic and brainstem circuits to coordinate energy intake and maintain energy homeostasis. Disruption of these pathways contributes to obesity and other disorders characterised by dysregulated feeding behaviour. Objective: To map and synthesise the current evidence on the role of appetite-regulating peptide hormones and central neural pathways in appetite control, obesity pathophysiology, and emerging therapeutic approaches. Methods: A scoping review of the literature was conducted to identify and synthesise evidence relating to the physiological and pathological mechanisms of appetite regulation. The review examined the actions of key peptide hormones, including ghrelin, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), peptide YY (PYY), leptin, and insulin, their interactions within the gut–brain axis, and their effects on central appetite-regulating circuits. Results The evidence highlights the central role of the arcuate nucleus in integrating peripheral hormonal signals with neural pathways controlling feeding behaviour. Appetite regulation is mediated by the balance between orexigenic neuropeptide Y/agouti-related peptide (NPY/AgRP) neurons and anorexigenic pro-opiomelanocortin/cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (POMC/CART) neurons, with further modulation by the paraventricular, lateral, and ventromedial hypothalamic nuclei. The literature identifies hormone resistance, impaired satiety signalling, and altered neuroendocrine feedback as major contributors to obesity. Evidence on therapeutic interventions demonstrates the potential of GLP-1 receptor agonists, including liraglutide and semaglutide, and the dual incretin agonist tirzepatide, while also highlighting challenges related to treatment durability, adverse effects, and weight regain following discontinuation. Conclusions: Current evidence demonstrates that appetite regulation involves highly interconnected peripheral and central signalling pathways. The reviewed literature supports the development of multi-target and precision-based therapeutic strategies for obesity and identifies important areas for future research, including mechanisms of treatment resistance, long-term efficacy, and inter-individual variability in neuroendocrine responses. Full article

Fresh flotation tailings represent an underutilized archive of mineralogical and geochemical information in which multiple strands of evidence for ore-forming processes and post-depositional modification can be preserved. Detailed characterization of tailings is also vital for assessment of their future potential as a secondary source of recoverable by-products. This study investigates residual mineral speciation and mineral distributions in size fractions of tailings from the Prominent Hill iron oxide–copper–gold (IOCG) deposit, South Australia, with emphasis on rare earth element (REE) minerals and associated phases containing uranium (U). Assemblages of REE minerals can be highly complex at the micron scale and include sequences of mineral replacement, notably monazite → florencite, and monazite → synchysite. Bastnäsite-(Ce) commonly appears paragenetically early and is frequently altered or replaced by synchysite and parisite, supporting episodes of REE remobilization and reconcentration over geological time. Uranium is closely associated with REEs, and U-mineral assemblages are similarly characterized by intricate replacement relationships between uraninite and secondary phases. Uraninite is variably replaced by coffinite and the U-carbonate wyartite, reflecting changes in redox state, silica activity, and fluid composition. Additional replacement pathways from uraninite to Cu–Fe sulphides, including bornite and chalcopyrite, are documented and indicate coupled dissolution–reprecipitation of sulphides and U-minerals during superimposed hydrothermal activity. Preservation of mineralogical relationships within tailings drawn from multiple parts of a large deposit highlights their value as an essentially untapped library of information to reconstruct deposit evolution, complementing traditional study of selected drill core samples. Systematic investigation of tailings from large deposits can improve genetic models for large copper deposits, including but not restricted to IOCGs, and provide essential insights into REE behaviour, uranium remobilization, and critical metal potential. These findings emphasize the scientific and economic value of tailings-based studies for improved resource characterization, refining metallogenic interpretations, guiding future exploration strategies, and assessing opportunities for reprocessing and metal recovery in large ore systems worldwide across diverse geological settings. Full article

Opisthorchis viverrini (OV) is a liver fluke endemic to the Lower Mekong Basin. Infections often begin in childhood and are causally linked to cholangiocarcinoma, an often-fatal bile duct cancer. Anthelmintic treatment is the primary control strategy, but infection can recur. Therefore, additional strategies are needed. This study assessed the impact of “The Magic Glasses Opisthorchiasis” (MGO), a cartoon-based intervention, on schoolchildren’s OV-related knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP). A cluster (school)-randomised controlled trial was conducted in Cambodia, Laos and Thailand. Clusters were randomised into either school health education only or with MGO. OV KAP was measured using a standardised questionnaire. FGDs and interviews were also conducted in intervention schools with schoolchildren, parents, and teachers. Cambodia intervention knowledge and attitude scores improved by 19.2 (p < 0.001) and 25.3 (p < 0.001) percentage points, respectively, relative to the control. Laos intervention knowledge and attitude scores improved by 19.0 (p < 0.001) and 14.2 (p < 0.001) percentage points. However, Thailand’s intervention knowledge and attitude scores declined by 23.3 (p < 0.001) and 15.8 percentage points (p < 0.001). There were no improvements in behaviour scores in any country, but parents and schoolchildren in Cambodia and Laos reported improved fish preparation practices, suggesting positive spillover effects from MGO. The findings support MGO as an effective tool for school-based health education. Full article

Choking in sport is both a highly researched phenomenon and a colloquial term for performance collapse, which has been at the centre of much debate. The past four decades of study continue to present challenges with its definition that have stifled progression with both research and applied intervention. This study adopted a functional contextual approach, with the aim of exploring how conceptualising choking through this lens might better serve practitioners and researchers, to build more impactful and meaningful processes for behaviour change. A purposive sample of 12 athletes, who identified as having experienced choking, took part in one of four focus groups. Thematic analysis provided four themes that explain choking from this functional contextual perspective, as a process of creating maladaptive personal narratives, responding to symbolic cues, rule-following, and strategies to alleviate the discomfort of challenging inner experiences associated with the experience. Findings provide preliminary support for functional contextualism as a worthwhile research lens for choking, with the suggestion that returning to observable definitions of choking may offer practitioners greater insight into relational processes underpinning choking. Full article

Glaucoma, the leading cause of irreversible vision loss, often goes undetected in early stages due to its asymptomatic behaviour. Early diagnosis typically involves visual analysis of the optic disc (OD) in eye fundus images. Machine and deep learning techniques have emerged as valuable tools for automating this process; however, their integration into clinical practice still faces limitations. These challenges include the presence of image regions that are not directly related to glaucoma assessment, such as retinal vasculature, the macula, and background structures, which may introduce irrelevant information and negatively affect classification performance, as well as a general lack of transparency in the decision-making process. This article proposes a methodology that enhances both the accuracy and interpretability of glaucoma detection by focusing solely on the OD region. First, a metaheuristic-based strategy is employed for precise OD detection and cropping, generating an OD-centric dataset with glaucoma-labeled images, which is composed of different public datasets. Four convolutional neural networks (CNNs), namely VGG-19, MobileNet-V2, ResNet-50, and DenseNet-161, are trained on this dataset using transfer learning. To address the need for model explainability, Grad-CAM, Score-CAM, and Eigen-CAM are applied to the trained models to generate post hoc visual explanations of their predictions. The experimental results showed that DenseNet-161 achieved the best overall performance on the assembled public dataset, using an 80%-10%-10% training, validation, and testing split, with a test accuracy of 0.9369 and an AUC of 0.9831. By isolating the OD region and incorporating explainability techniques, the methodology provides a robust and interpretable second opinion, supporting more accurate and efficient glaucoma screening. Full article

Indian metropolitan cities such as Mumbai grapple with rapid urbanisation, extreme urban density, high built-up areas, loss of green cover, and shrinking open spaces, resulting in increased impermeable surfaces, urban heat island effects, and frequent flooding occurrences. Modern stormwater management has increasingly been characterised by integrated grey-green approaches; however, cities in the Global North benefit from established policies, technical expertise, and financial resources that enable the systematic and large-scale integration of Blue-Green Infrastructure (BGI) through district-wide geospatial assessment frameworks, unlike many cities in the Global South. Despite growing interest in nature-based stormwater solutions, there remains a dearth of geospatial empirical research from India examining the placement, distribution, performance, and functionality of BGI integrated with existing stormwater management systems in cities such as Mumbai. Furthermore, hydrological modelling using tools such as the Storm Water Management Model (SWMM) for the design, planning, and implementation of BGI in Indian cities remains largely unexplored. This study explores the role of BGI strategies in improving urban stormwater management within high-density Indian cities under a 25-year return period extreme rainfall scenario. Using an integrated approach that combines QGIS-based spatial analysis with EPA-SWMM hydrologic-hydraulic modelling, the research examines runoff behaviour, identifies flooding hotspots, and evaluates the effectiveness of Low Impact Development (LID)-based BGI measures such as permeable pavements, infiltration trenches, and green roofs applied at the ward level in Mumbai’s F/North and G/North Wards. Detailed land use classification, spatial mapping, and rainfall simulation corresponding specifically to a 25-year return period rainfall event was used to assess pre- and post-intervention conditions. The findings indicate that the applied BGI measures led to a 12.6% reduction in peak runoff (137.6 m³/s to 120.2 m³/s) and a 5.5% decrease in total runoff volume (783,510 m³ to 740,410 m³). More importantly, the peak flooding flow rate decreased by 45% (94.1 m³/s to 51.7 m³/s), demonstrating that BGI measures can efficiently reduce peak flooding flows by extending runoff hydrographs during extreme rainfall events. These findings are specifically applicable to the simulated 25-year return period extreme rainfall scenario and may vary under different rainfall intensities or return periods. Less extreme events could potentially experience even greater relative reductions or prevent flooding altogether, while also easing downstream hydraulic loads. Overall, strategically placed BGI interventions can significantly reduce surface runoff and peak flow, thereby enhancing stormwater resilience within spatially constrained urban environments. This study provides a replicable, data-driven framework for catchment-scale stormwater planning in dense Indian cities under extreme rainfall conditions, offering practical insights into methods, local contextual considerations, and spatial planning strategies for policymakers and urban planners seeking to retrofit and adapt existing infrastructure under increasing hydrologic stress and climate variability. Full article

Product design strategies play a pivotal role in advancing responsible production and consumption by enabling the transition toward more sustainable industrial practices. In this context, the rapid evolution of technology and artificial intelligence is fostering the development of innovative and sustainability-oriented strategies, which are increasingly embedded in the early stages of the design process, thereby facilitating the transformation and optimisation of contemporary industrial systems. This scoping review presents advances in product design strategies that promote responsible production and consumption, along with the impacts of their implementation, the associated challenges and limitations, and future perspectives. This manuscript was prepared according to the PRISMA^® guidelines, using scientific literature from databases and repositories such as Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Taylor & Francis. Document selection was conducted by two observers, yielding a Cohen’s Kappa coefficient of 0.840. A total of 147 articles were included for reference information extraction. The product design process plays a crucial role in promoting more sustainable production and guiding responsible consumption habits, as it has proven effective in reducing resource use and waste generation from a life cycle perspective. However, its impact also depends on human-related factors such as perceptions, habits, levels of trust, and usage conditions, highlighting the interaction between product design and consumer behaviour. Full article

Soluble-boron-free designs for water-cooled small modular reactors offer advantages such as reduced corrosion and simplified systems. However, the absence of soluble boron necessitates higher total control rod worth for reactivity control and the shutdown margin, leading to excessive individual control rod worth, which can lead to severe power excursions during a rod ejection accident (REA), potentially threatening the fuel integrity and core-cooling capability. The analysis of a hypothetical REA for an equilibrium core design showed that the fuel rod cladding failed due to the high reactivity worth of the ejected control rod. To enlarge the safety margins of this design under accidental conditions, two strategies were adopted: implementing a hybrid control rod configuration to decrease the local reactivity worth within single fuel assembly and re-arranging the refuelling loading pattern to prevent fresh fuel clustering. Using an in-house CoreOptimizer tool, the CASMO5 and SIMULATE5 simulations were automatized to find out an optimized equilibrium core design. The results demonstrated that all safety parameters of the optimized equilibrium core designs are within regulatory limits during normal operation and under REA conditions. By reducing the individual control rod worth, power spikes are considerably mitigated, thereby ensuring fuel integrity during an REA. Full article

Infrared cameras used in radio telescopes often suffer image degradation in complex optical and thermal environments. Solar radiation, convergent reflected light, and thermal emission from support structures can substantially impair imaging performance. To address this problem, this paper proposes a split reflective ellipsoidal baffle for suppressing infrared imaging degradation. Unlike conventional baffles, which mainly rely on structural occlusion and surface absorption, the proposed design functions as an upstream stray light regulation unit. It also establishes a computational framework integrating ellipsoidal vane geometry, realistic edge microtopography modelling, ray-tracing simulation, and detector plane irradiance response analysis. First, the reflective properties of the ellipsoidal surface are used to construct an off-axis stray light propagation constraint model. Under this model, incident stray radiation is redirected away from the effective imaging path or guided into light-trapping regions between adjacent vanes. Second, a laser confocal microscope is used to capture the true three-dimensional edge morphology of vanes with different materials and machining angles. This strategy addresses the limitations of the conventional 0.02 mm rounded edge approximation, which cannot accurately represent real scattering behaviour. The measured morphologies are then converted into high-fidelity computational models compatible with ray-tracing analysis. Furthermore, stray light suppression performance is evaluated using point source transmittance, detector plane irradiance distribution, and grey scale response in experimental images. Simulation and darkroom experiments show that the proposed baffle suppresses residual stray light more effectively than conventional absorptive baffles. The results demonstrate a computable, manufacturable, and experimentally verifiable strategy for front-end stray light control and baffle optimisation. This strategy can also support image quality enhancement in infrared imaging systems operating under complex optical and thermal environments. Full article

High-temperature structural components are susceptible to creep deformation, which can ultimately lead to failure. In this work, an AI-based framework was developed capable of predicting the creep time of 316 austenitic stainless steel. Here, creep time refers to both the time to reach specific strain levels and the time to rupture. However, the scope of the present work is limited to rupture-time prediction, while the application of the framework to strain-level prediction will be reported in future work. The dataset consisted of creep strain curves from four heats, including both rupture and non-rupture curves. Random Forest (RF), Gradient Boosting (GB), Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB), Support Vector Regressor (SVR), Gaussian Process Regressor (GPR), and Neural Network (NN) were employed. The effects of square-root and cube-root transformations on data distribution and model learning behaviour were analysed using model learning curves. An Optuna (version 4.3.0)-based hyperparameter tuning strategy was employed. The cube-root transformation improved the learning performance of SVR, GPR, and NN, whereas RF, GB, and XGB remained unaffected. Learning curves revealed mild overfitting for RF, GB, and XGB, and very minimal overfitting for SVR, GPR, and NN. NN achieved the best predictive performance (${\mathrm{R}}^2=0.92,\mathrm{R}\mathrm{M}\mathrm{S}\mathrm{E}=0.195$, deviation factor of 1.57). The findings demonstrated that the combined useof creep strain curves, data transformation, learning curve guided model selection, and rigorous hyperparameter tuning can improve the prediction accuracy under a limited dataset. Full article