Search Results (29)

Model-based polarimetric SAR (PolSAR) algorithms for bio- and geophysical parameter estimation rely on the effective separation of the combined scattering response of vegetation canopies and the soil surface through physically based models. However, the interpretation of polarimetric features derived from physical models is still subject to some ambiguity. Another strategy for complementing the model-based approaches for scattering mechanisms characterisation deals with the separation of the polarised and depolarised contributions of the PolSAR data according to their degree of polarisation. In this paper, we propose a two-component decomposition for estimating the depolarised and polarised components within the target and their corresponding coherency matrices. The method requires the previous calculation of the backscattering powers given by the model-free three-component (MF3C) decomposition, which in turn relies on the 3-D Barakat degree of polarisation. This quantitative information allows us to construct an inversion algorithm to retrieve the proportion of the polarised and depolarised contributions for all the elements of the observed coherency matrix under the reflection symmetry assumption. In essence, the proposed decomposition can be regarded as an extension of the MF3C method and, as a consequence, it enables the exploitation of both model-free and model-based approaches by using a physical rationale driven by the capability of the 3-D Barakat degree of polarisation. Therefore, practical applications can benefit from this approach as the retrieval of target parameters could presumably be done in a more accurate way by directly applying existing scattering models to both components. Indoor multi-frequency datasets acquired over three vegetation samples from the European Microwave Signature Laboratory (EMSL) and P-, L-, and C-band AIRSAR images over a boreal forest in Germany have been employed for testing the proposed decomposition. Performance analysis was performed using different polarimetric tools applied to the outcomes of the two-component decomposition, namely, the eigendecomposition and the copolar cross-correlation analysis of polarised and depolarised components, as well as histograms and a correlation analysis among backscattering powers. Overall, it has been observed that the method outputs are consistent with the theoretical expectations for the depolarised and polarised scattering components for a wide range of scenarios and sensor frequencies. Full article

Background: Among gynecological malignancies, ovarian cancer (OC) remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide, often characterized by the highest fatality-to-case ratio due to its asymptomatic progression and late-stage detection. Despite substantial investigation, the root cause of disease development and pathology remains unknown. Early detection is critical for improving OC prognosis. Unfortunately, because of the lack of identifiable symptoms in the early stages, the disease is frequently detected late. As a result, regular check-ups, being aware of risk factors, and paying attention to unusual symptoms can all help discover OC early. Apolipoproteins (APOs) and Annexins (ANXs) have recently been linked to OC. Aim: We conducted a cutting-edge bioinformatics investigation to find novel therapeutic targets and precise biomarkers linked to OC against APO and ANX. Methods: We started by compiling the ANX and APO families via HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC) homepage. Next, we accessed GEPIA2 to compare the relative messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of all ANX and APO family members across the cancer genome atlas (TCGA)-OC cohort and matched normal and GTEx data. Prognostic analysis of all significantly expressed ANXs and APOs was performed via Kaplan–Meier (KM) plotter. cBioPortal was used for mutational analysis of prognostic ANXs and APOs. Finally, we ran functional enrichment, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation analyses. Results: Overall, the results suggest that ANXA2 and its related genetic changes represent potential focal points for precision oncology, offering a computational rationale for the development of target-driven therapeutic interventions in OC. Conclusions: Molecular docking and MD simulation analyses identified curcumin as a potential inhibitor of ANXA2, demonstrating stable binding affinity and structural conservation throughout the simulation period. These computational findings characterize curcumin as a promising candidate for targeting ANXA2 in OC, warranting further experimental validation to confirm its therapeutic efficacy. Full article

Hydrogel-based products are used in many areas of biomedicine and healthcare. Recently, the incorporation of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), a renewable and functional nanomaterial, into hydrogels has enhanced their functionality, particularly by imparting mechanical strength and structural integrity. This scoping review aims to appraise the types of biomedical models and assays that have been utilised to investigate the effects of CNC incorporation into hydrogels in tissue engineering, wound healing, medical implantation and drug delivery applications, and reports on the rationale for including these models and assays. A structured literature search was undertaken in major scientific databases (PubMed Central, PubMed, BioMed Central, ScienceDirect, Wiley and EBSCOhost), focusing on identifying primary research published between 2016 and 2024. From this process, fifteen studies providing biomedical analyses met the inclusion criteria. Most of these investigations employed in vitro cell-line models (n = 12), with a smaller number utilising in vivo experimental systems (n = 5). Across the included studies, CNC incorporation typically yielded measurable performance gains: reported compressive or storage modulus improvements of 20–40% over hydrogel-only controls, consistently high cell viability (>85%) across multiple human and murine cell types for up to 21 days, and sustained drug release profiles (days–weeks) in stent and antitumour contexts. Where quantified, functional outcomes in vivo included preserved graft volume (autologous fat grafts) and reduced intimal hyperplasia signals in vascular graft models. Critical gaps included heterogeneous CNC sources and surface chemistries, inconsistent reporting of CNC concentration and hydrogel formulation parameters, the limited duration and scope of biocompatibility testing, and minimal alignment with standard evaluation protocols, constraining reproducibility and cross-study comparability. To date, there are no human clinical trials of CNC-hydrogels. Translational readiness will require standardised ISO-compliant biocompatibility evaluations. Large-animal studies under relevant mechanical and physiological conditions, and rigorous long-term degradation and immunogenicity assessments to de-risk progression to human trials. We recommend standardised CNC sources and surface functionalisation reporting, concentration (wt%) ranges, hydrogel rheological characterisation (G′, G″, swelling), and consistent biological endpoints (viability, differentiation, inflammation panels) to enable robust meta-analyses and translational benchmarking. Distinct from prior nanocellulose reviews that emphasise material synthesis and properties, this analysis centres on the biomedical models and assays applied to CNC-incorporated hydrogels, identifying the methodological convergence and divergence that directly impact translational pathways. Full article

Objective(s): To delineate the somatic mutational landscape of follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) from a large, real-world cohort to identify molecular subtypes and actionable targets for personalized therapeutic interventions. Methods: Genomic and clinical data for 168 FTC samples were retrieved from the AACR Project GENIE^® registry via cBioPortal. This study assessed mutation frequencies, copy number alterations, and subgroup differences (primary vs. metastatic; adult vs. pediatric) using statistical tests. Results: NRAS was the most common mutation (33.9%), followed by TERT (22.6%), DICER1 (15.5%), HRAS (11.9%), and PTEN (10.7%). DICER1 mutations were significantly enriched in pediatric cases (44.4% vs. 4.6% in adults, p < 0.001), while TERT mutations were exclusive to adults (42%). NRAS mutations were more frequent in metastatic tumors (42.4%) than primary tumors (29.2%). Conclusions: FTC tumorigenesis is driven by distinct molecular pathways, with significant heterogeneity between pediatric and adult patients as well as primary and metastatic disease. These findings underscore the necessity of molecular profiling for patient stratification and provide a strong rationale for developing personalized treatment strategies to improve clinical outcomes. Full article

This study aimed to evaluate cytokine profiling in a periapical lesion to provide a rationale for future treatment strategies for periapical lesions. Thirteen samples of exudative fluid were collected from such a lesion directly through the root canal. Cytokine profiling was performed using the Bio-Plex system. CXCL10 (C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10, IP10) was found to be elevated in apical exudates of patients exhibiting favorable healing. To evaluate the role of CXCL10 in cell migration, a Transwell assay was conducted using bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells (BMMCs). Different types of cytokines were detected from the samples of periapical lesion at the initial visit. However, cytokine production varied across patient samples. Release of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IL-17, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), interferon gamma (IFN-γ), monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α, MIP-1β, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α showed differential expression. Comparison of cytokine profiles indicated that cytokine production was variable before and after root canal treatment. In vitro, CXCL10 significantly improved BMMC migration in a dose-dependent manner, supporting clinical findings that elevated CXCL10 levels are associated with favorable healing in apical lesions. Although this study was limited by the small sample size and exploratory design, the cytokine profile of periapical lesions may be useful for assessing the condition of periapical lesions and modulating the immune response to bacterial infection. Full article

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR-Cas9), an emerging gene-editing technology, has recently gained rapidly increasing attention. However, the lack of efficient delivery vectors to deliver CRISPR-Cas9 to specific cells or tissues has hindered the translation of this biotechnology into clinical applications. Chemically synthesized nanoparticles (NPs), as attractive non-viral delivery platforms for CRISPR-Cas9, have been extensively investigated because of their unique characteristics, such as controllable size, high stability, multi-functionality, bio-responsive behavior, biocompatibility, and versatility in chemistry. In this review, the key considerations for the precise design of chemically synthesized-based nanoparticles include efficient encapsulation, cellular uptake, the targeting of specific tissues and cells, endosomal escape, and controlled release. We discuss cutting-edge strategies to integrate chemical modifications into non-viral nanoparticles that guide the CRISPR-Cas9 genome-editing machinery to specific edits. We also highlighted the rationale of intelligent nanoparticle design. In particular, we have summarized promising functional groups and molecules that can effectively optimize carrier function. In addition, this review focuses on advances in the widespread application of NPs delivery in the biomedical fields to promote the development of safe, specific, and efficient NPs for delivering CRISPR-Cas9 systems, providing references for accelerating their clinical translational applications. Full article

Naked oats, a significant minor cereal crop in China popular for its nutrient richness, have experienced a surge in production in recent years, fueled by the escalating demand for wholesome healthy food. However, the dispersed and disorganized cultivation plan of naked oats poses a significant constraint on its industrial progression. Considering the dual influence of cultivation, management techniques, and global climate change on the production of naked oats, this study explores the potential impacts of climate change on the spatial distribution and yield of this cereal crop. Leveraging CMIP6 climate models (BCC-CSM2-MR, CanESM5, CNRM-ESM2-1) and an optimized MaxEnt model (RM = 0.5, FC = LQ), we simulated potential climate-suitable zones for naked oats from 1990 to 2020 and forecasted alterations under various emission scenarios from 2021 to 2100. The model achieved an average accuracy test with high value (AUC = 0.945) in predicting suitable areas; with precipitation seasonality (Coefficient of Variation) (bio15, 21.70%) and topsoil pH (H₂O) (T_PH_H₂O, 21.00%) as key factors, both climate and soil properties have a greater influence. Simulation results showed that the climatically suitable area for naked oats increased under all scenarios, with the largest increase in the optimal growing area under ssp126 in the 2030s. The increase was 3.93% with an area of 0.77 × 10⁶ km². The study also compared the data from the main producing counties of naked oats in Shanxi Province from 2020 to 2022 for statistical purposes, and found that 39 counties were in high climatic suitability zones and 39 counties were in remarkably high climatic suitability zones. The agreement rate between planting areas and climatically suitable areas was as high as 97.44%. Further, the growing area expanded westward, increasing the production intensity. This study reveals the current spatial distribution pattern of naked oats, providing a scientific rationale for addressing climate change through multi-scenario predictions. Our findings have implications for optimizing cultivation layout and identifying optimal zones, supporting sustainable agricultural development strategies in China. Full article

Rationale: Orthodontic archwires undergo chemical and structural changes in the complex intraoral environment. The present work aims to investigate the safe duration for intraoral use (related to the nickel release hypothesis) of different types of nickel-containing wires. By analyzing how the nickel content (NC) varies over time, we aim to provide practical recommendations for the optimal use of said archwires. Materials and Methods: Our analysis focuses on the following nickel-containing archwires: stainless steel, Ni-Ti superelastic, heat-activated NiTi and CuNiTi, and multi-force archwires. The studied archwires of each type were divided into three groups: group 1, as received; group 2, retrieved after intraoral exposure for less than 6 weeks; group 3, used for more than 8 weeks. To assess NC, measurements using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) were performed in multiple regions of each wire. Statistical analysis of the measured values using one-way ANOVA and multiple group comparisons showed significant differences in nickel content between groups. The dynamic behavior of the statistical results for NC was then modeled using logistic regression and fitted with cubic splines. Conclusions: The proposed behavior model, with further refinement, could enable orthodontists to make informed, patient-specific decisions regarding the safe and effective use of orthodontic floss. The overall conclusion of the study is that due to stability, SS-CrNi, HA-Ni-Ti with Cu, and TriTanium^TM are suitable for long-term use, and due to higher nickel release, Ni-Ti-Superelastic, HA-Ni-Ti without Cu, and Bio-Active^TM are better for short- to medium-term use. Full article

Millets are recognized as future foods due to their abundant nutrition and resilience, increasing their value on the global stage. Millets possess a broad spectrum of nutrients, antinutrients, and antioxidants, making it imperative to understand the effects of various processing methods on these components. Antinutritional factors interfere with the digestibility of macro-nutrients and the bioavailability and bio accessibility of minerals. This necessitates methods to reduce or eliminate antinutrients while improving nutritive and antioxidant value in food. This review aims to elucidate the rationale behind processing choices by evaluating the scientific literature and examining the mechanisms of processing methods, categorized as physiochemical, bio, thermal, novel non-thermal, and their combination techniques. Physiochemical and bioprocessing methods alter antinutrients and antioxidant profiles through mass transfer, enzyme activation, product synthesis, microbial activity, and selective removal of grain layers. Thermal methods break functional bonds, modify the chemical or physical structures, enhance kinetics, or degrade heat-labile components. Non-thermal techniques preserve heat-sensitive antioxidants while reducing antinutrients through structural modifications, oxidation by ROS, and break down the covalent and non-covalent bonds, resulting in degradation of compounds. To maximize the trade-off between retention of beneficial components and reducing detrimental ones, exploring the synergy of combination techniques is crucial. Beyond mitigating antinutrients, these processing methods also stimulate the release of bioactive compounds, including phenolics, flavonoids, and peptides, which exhibit potent health-promoting properties. This review underscores the transformative potential of processing technologies in enhancing millets as functional ingredients in modern diets, promoting health and advancing sustainable food practices. Full article

Background: On 18 June 2022, Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines were authorized under an Emergency Use Authorization by the United States Food and Drug Administration to prevent severe coronavirus disease in children six months to four years of age. Despite approval of the COVID-19 vaccinations for young children, there remain ongoing challenges reaching widespread coverage due to parental decision-making. Parental decision-making plays a pivotal, yet understudied, role governing vaccine adoption among this priority demographic. Methods: This cross-sectional analysis examined COVID-19 vaccine intentions for 320 predominately Hispanic parents of two to five-year-olds attending Miami-Dade County childcare programs in Florida USA, several months following the June 2022 emergency authorization. Parent’s self-reported survey data encompassed vaccine choices and rationales, social determinants of health, and parent immigrant status. Data analyses illustrate the associations between parent decision-making and these variables. Regression modeling and tests of independence identified predicting factors for parental vaccine decision-making. Results: Only 25% of parents intended to vaccinate their young child, while 34% resisted and 41% felt unsure, despite 70% personal vaccination rates. Household income under $25,000, identifying as a migrant, or testing COVID-19-positive significantly predicted unsure decision-making. The majority of hesitant groups expressed concerns around side effects (20%), safety (2.9%), and sufficiency of vaccine knowledge (3.3%). Conclusions: In this sample, the predominance of parents were unsure and resistant rather than accepting of having their child vaccinated despite emergency approval of the pediatric vaccine. Associations and predictive factors are examined. Full article

Ventral incisional hernias are common indications for elective repair and frequently complicated by recurrence. Surgical meshes, which may be synthetic, bio-synthetic, or biological, decrease recurrence and, resultingly, their use has become standard. While most patients are greatly benefited, mesh represents a permanently implanted foreign body. Mesh may be implanted within the intra-peritoneal, preperitoneal, retrorectus, inlay, or onlay anatomic positions. Meshes may be associated with complications that may be early or late and range from minor to severe. Long-term complications with intra-peritoneal synthetic mesh (IPSM) in apposition to the viscera are particularly at risk for adhesions and potential enteric fistula formation. The overall rate of such complications is difficult to appreciate due to poor long-term follow-up data, although it behooves surgeons to understand these risks as they are the ones who implant these devices. All surgeons need to be aware that meshes are commercial devices that are delivered into their operating room without scientific evidence of efficacy or even safety due to the unique regulatory practices that distinguish medical devices from medications. Thus, surgeons must continue to advocate for more stringent oversight and improved scientific evaluation to serve our patients properly and protect the patient–surgeon relationship as the only rationale long-term strategy to avoid ongoing complications. Full article

Plants have a remarkable position among renewable materials because of their abundance, and nearly thousands of tons are consumed worldwide every day. Most unexploited plants and agricultural waste can be a real potential resource system. With increasing environmental awareness and the growing importance of friendly agricultural waste, crops and fruit waste can be used for efficient conversion into bio-fertilizers, biocarbons, bio-polymers, biosensors and bio-fibers. Global challenges based on limited natural resources and fossil energy reserves simulated keen interest in the development of various electrochemical systems inspired by food and plant scraps, which aid in curbing pollution. The successful adoption of a renewable energy roadmap is dependent on the availability of a cheaper means of storage. In order to cut down the cost of storage units, an improvement on energy storage devices having better stability, power, and energy density with low post-maintenance cost is the vital key. Although food and plant scraps have a huge need for energy storage, it has been extended to various sensing platform fabrications, which are eco-friendly and comparable to organic molecule-based sensors. Current research proclivity has witnessed a huge surge in the development of phyto-chemical-based sensors. The state-of-the-art progresses on the subsequent use of plant-waste systems as nano-engineered electrochemical platforms for numerous environmental science and renewable energy applications. Moreover, the relevant rationale behind the use of waste in a well-developed, sustainable future device is also presented in this review. Full article

Molecules with tuneable properties are well known for their applications in the material and bio-medical fields; nevertheless, the structural and functional tunability makes them more significant in diverse applications. Herein, we designed and synthesized a novel class of star-shaped molecules via incorporating two important functional groups, i.e., triazole and dithiocarbamate (DTC). The rationale behind selecting these two key functional groups is their diverse applications, e.g., DTC having applications for therapeutics, pesticides, and vulcanizing agents, and triazole having applications for anti-cancer, fungicides, anti-microbials, inhibitors, etc. The structure of the molecules was strategically designed in such a way that their overall structures are the same (central tertiary-amine and peripheral hydroxy groups), except the key functional group (DTC and triazole) in the respective molecules was different. Following synthesis and characterization, the influence of DTC and triazole groups on their bioactivity was compared via interacting with the most abundant proteins present in the blood, including serum albumin, trypsin, haemoglobin, and ribonuclease. From both the experimental and molecular docking studies, it was confirmed that the triazole molecule has a higher binding affinity towards these proteins as compared to the DTC molecule. In summary, two star-shaped DTC- and triazole-based molecules were synthesized and their bioactivity was compared via binding with blood plasma proteins. Full article

The Multi-Action Plan (MAP) presents as an action-focused, sport-specific, mixed methods intervention model. MAP research characterized four Performance Types (PTs). Each PT operates on an affective, cognitive, behavioral, and psychophysiological level—across performance contexts. In this narrative review, we present a synthesis of our current understanding of MAP research, coupled with offering applied implications and directions for future research. We make the case for investigating the timing of transitions between PTs as our primary area of interest in expanding the MAP framework on a conceptual and applied level. Regarding pre-transition cues, we offer ideas on examining socio-environmental precursors to performance, with the aim of expanding MAP from a psycho-bio (affective, cognitive, behavioral, and psychophysiological dimensions) to a biopsychosocial concept (affective, cognitive, behavioral, psychophysiological, and socio-environmental dimensions). Regarding post-transition, we propose that investigating short- and long-term effort and reward perception will yield valuable insights into athletes’ rationales behind the selection, operationalization, and experience of specific PTs. Finally, and from a pracademic perspective, we reflect critically on the achievements of MAP research thus far and provide specific directions for future research. Full article

Lithium (Li) is a metal with critical therapeutic properties ranging from the treatment of bipolar depression to antibacterial, anticancer, antiviral and pro-regenerative effects. This element can be incorporated into the structure of various biomaterials through the inclusion of Li chloride/carbonate into polymeric matrices or being doped in bioceramics. The biocompatibility and multifunctionality of Li-doped bioceramics present many opportunities for biomedical researchers and clinicians. Li-doped bioceramics (capable of immunomodulation) have been used extensively for bone and tooth regeneration, and they have great potential for cartilage/nerve regeneration, osteochondral repair, and wound healing. The synergistic effect of Li in combination with other anticancer drugs as well as the anticancer properties of Li underline the rationale that bioceramics doped with Li may be impactful in cancer treatments. The role of Li in autophagy may explain its impact in regenerative, antiviral, and anticancer research. The combination of Li-doped bioceramics with polymers can provide new biomaterials with suitable flexibility, especially as bio-ink used in 3D printing for clinical applications of tissue engineering. Such Li-doped biomaterials have significant clinical potential in the foreseeable future. Full article