Search Results (302)

The present study explores bone healing patterns induced by orthodontic (OE) and surgical extrusion (SE) of structurally compromised teeth, where extrusion techniques are commonly used in rehabilitation. Changes in the trabecular bone were assessed by means of fractal analysis (FA) of consecutive periapical radiographs. (2) The present study is a retrospective case–control study. Pre- and post-treatment periapical radiographs from 44 adults undergoing orthodontic (OE) or surgical extrusion (SE) were retrieved. The radiographs were taken at T0 (pre-treatment), T1 (post-treatment), T2 (3-month follow-up), and T3 (6-month follow-up). Bone density (fractal dimension, FD) was analyzed in the apical and proximal bone regions (ROIs) of the extruded teeth, and both intra-group and inter-group differences were examined. (3) In all the regions of interest (ROIs), statistically significant intra-group differences in terms of bone density (FD) for both groups were found. In the OE group, the FD value increased, respectively, at T1, T2, and T3 in the apical ROI, compared to T0. For the proximal ROI, nearly the same trend was observed, respectively, at T1, T2, and T3 versus T0. As for the SE group, a statistically significant increase in the apical ROI was noted at T1, T2, and T3 when compared to T0. The same trend was registered in the proximal ROI compared to T0. However, no statistically significant inter-group differences in FD were detected between the two groups. (4) Orthodontic extrusion and surgical extrusion both resulted in an increased bone density (FD) despite the different healing patterns. Further prospective studies with a longer follow-up in this field are required. Full article

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most prevalent primary malignancy of the liver, is commonly treated with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), a locoregional therapy that combines targeted intra-arterial chemotherapy with selective embolization to induce tumor ischemia and necrosis. However, current methods for monitoring the treatment response—such as the RECIST and mRECIST—often fail to detect early or subtle biological changes, such as tumor necrosis or microstructural remodeling, and therefore may underestimate the therapeutic effects, especially in cases with minimal or delayed tumor shrinkage. Thus, there is a critical need for quantitative imaging strategies that can improve early response assessment and guide more personalized treatment decision-making. The goal of this study was to assess the changes in computed tomography (CT) perfusion parameters and radiomic features in HCC before and after TACE and to evaluate the associations of these parameters/features with the tumor burden. Methods: In this retrospective, single-center study, 32 patients with histologically confirmed HCC underwent CT perfusion and radiomic analysis prior to and following TACE. Multiple quantitative perfusion parameters (arterial flow, perfusion flow, perfusion index) and radiomic features were extracted. Statistical comparisons were performed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Spearman’s correlation. Radiomic feature extraction was performed in strict adherence to the Image Biomarker Standardization Initiative (IBSI) guidelines. Preprocessing steps included voxel resampling (1 × 1 × 1 mm), z-score normalization, and fixed bin-width discretization (bin width = 25). All tumor ROIs were manually segmented in consensus by two experienced radiologists to minimize inter-observer variability. Results: Arterial flow significantly decreased from a median of 56.5 to 47.7 mL/100 mL/min after TACE (p = 0.009), while nonsignificant increases in the perfusion flow (from 101.3 to 107.8 mL/100 mL/min, p = 0.44) and decreases in the perfusion index (from 38.6% to 35.7%, p = 0.25) were also observed. Perfusion flow was strongly and positively correlated with tumor size (ρ = 0.94, p < 0.001). Five radiomic texture feature values—especially those of ShortRunHighGrayLevelEmphasis (Δ = +2.11, p = 0.0001) and LargeAreaHighGrayLevelEmphasis (Δ = +75,706, p = 0.0006)—changed significantly after treatment. These radiomic feature value changes were more pronounced in tumors ≥50 mm in diameter. In addition, we performed a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis of the two most discriminative radiomic features (SRHGLE and LAHGLE). We further developed a multivariable logistic regression model that achieved an AUC of 0.87, supporting the potential of these features as predictive biomarkers. Conclusions: CT perfusion and radiomics offer complementary insights into the treatment response of patients with HCC. While perfusion parameters reflect macroscopic vascular changes and are correlated with tumor burden, radiomic features can indicate microstructural changes after TACE. This combined imaging approach may improve early therapeutic assessment and support precision oncology strategies. Full article

Alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) is crucial for maintaining bone and soft-tissue integrity after tooth extraction, thereby facilitating future implant placement. Among various biomaterials, platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) and freeze-dried bone allograft (FDBA) are commonly used; however, their comparative effectiveness remains unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate and compare the outcomes of PRF, FDBA, and spontaneous healing with blood clot in ARP, incorporating recent randomized controlled trials and comparative studies published up to June 2025. Electronic searches were conducted across multiple databases following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, and the risk of bias was assessed using RoB-2 and ROBINS-I tools. Primary outcomes included changes in alveolar ridge height and width, while secondary outcomes encompassed histological, radiographic, implant-related, and patient-centered measures. Twenty studies were included for qualitative synthesis and sixteen for quantitative analysis. Meta-analyses showed no significant difference between PRF and FDBA in ridge height (SMD = −0.24; 95% CI: −0.56 to 0.08; p = 0.145) or width preservation (SMD = −0.16; 95% CI: −0.73 to 0.42; p = 0.597). PRF significantly reduced ridge height loss compared to spontaneous healing (SMD = −0.79; 95% CI: −1.33 to −0.25; p = 0.004) and enhanced histologic new bone formation (SMD = 1.43; 95% CI: 0.39 to 2.47; p = 0.007), while FDBA showed a non-significant trend toward benefit (SMD = −0.37; 95% CI: −0.86 to 0.11; p = 0.129). Moderate risk-of-bias and heterogeneity were observed among included studies. In conclusion, PRF and FDBA are both effective for alveolar ridge preservation, outperforming spontaneous healing. PRF offers biologically driven benefits in bone quality and soft-tissue healing, whereas FDBA provides greater structural stability. These findings suggest a promising clinical potential for PRF in improving bone quality at the implant site. Moreover, considering cost, preparation complexity, and site-specific needs, PRF may serve as a cost-effective, clinically favorable option for ARP. Future multi-center randomized trials with standardized PRF protocols and long-term follow-up are recommended. Full article

Background: Subcrestally placed implants (SPIs) present advantages for bone preservation and soft tissue support but pose challenges in maintaining peri-implant soft tissue health. This case explores the role of Crest to Restoration Distance (CRD) in the development and resolution of peri-implant mucositis. Case Presentation: A 57-year-old woman received two SPIs—one in the upper left and one in the lower right first molar region. Despite similar implant systems and prosthetic protocols, the upper left implant developed mucositis, characterized by bleeding on probing and discomfort, while the lower right implant remained stable. Three-dimensional analysis using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) revealed excessive CRD at the affected site. Results: After prosthodontic revision to reduce the CRD, clinical signs of mucositis resolved, with probing depths reduced to less than 1 mm and no bleeding on probing. The control site remained healthy throughout the observation period. Practical Implications: This case highlights CRD as a modifiable prosthetic factor influencing soft tissue stability. A three-zone model—comprising the sulcus, transitional zone (TZ), and subcrestal zone (SZ)—is introduced to provide a biologically grounded framework for understanding soft tissue adaptation around SPIs. Full article

In nature, some tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) shapes appear to be ellipsoidal. This study aims to fit the ellipsoid tomato profile using explicit Preston’s equation (EPE), and calculate its volume (V_pred) and surface area (S) based on the estimated EPE’s parameters. This method offers low-cost and non-destructive advantages compared to three-dimensional (3D) scanning. A total of 917 tomatoes from three cultivars were photographed, and the two-dimensional (2D) boundary coordinates of each fruit profile were digitized and then fitted using EPE. The results demonstrated that the EPE effectively fitted the tomato 2D-profile, with truss tomato ranking highest, followed by cherry, and then Qianxi. A significant relationship was found between V_pred and observed volume (V_obs) at the cultivar level. The 95% confidence intervals for the slopes for cherry tomatoes include 1.0, and for Qianxi were close to 1.0, which confirmed that these two cultivars were solids of revolution. Additionally, for cherry and Qianxi tomato, S is proportional to the V_obs (i.e., S∝V_obs^0.62~0.63), V_pred is proportional to (LW²)^0.73~0.74, and S is proportional to (LW²)^0.49 (L is the length and W is the maximum width). For any isometrically scaling solid of revolution, the theoretical exponent of surface area to volume is exactly 2/3. The observed exponent of 0.62–0.63 is a biological reality, which reveals that evolution has shaped organisms not for geometric similarity, but for functional optimization. This study can be extended to a geometry study on other egg-shaped fruits and provides a potentially simple method for calculating volume and surface area based on photographed 2D fruit profiles. Full article

Background: Single implants yield predictable survival and success using various treatment protocols. Innovations in design and surface texture improved survival and ensured crestal bone stability, crucial to avoiding biological complications. This study focuses on survival and peri-implant crestal bone remodeling during healing and function of single hybrid-surface implants (Machine Surface Coronal, MSc, Southern Implants Pty Ltd., Irene, South Africa), featuring a minimally rough coronal region and moderately rough body. The specific aims were firstly to compare the clinical outcome between 3 surgical protocols and secondly to assess whether the outcome is affected by macroscopic implant design. Methods: Clinical records of 120 consecutively placed single MSc-implants in private practice were scrutinized after 12–62 months in function. Implants were placed using one of three surgical protocols as selected by the surgeon based on clinical judgment and treatment indication: flap-healed surgery with healing abutment (HA), flapless surgery with HA, or immediate implant placement (IIP) with HA. Six different implant types, albeit with the same MSc-surface feature, were utilized, based on individual clinical indications. Radiographical crestal bone level changes over time were analyzed and effect of implant design, gender, smoking status and surgical protocol was explored. Results: 101 implants was available for analysis. Six implants failed prior to loading (5%); 30% in smokers versus 3.3% in non-smokers. Initial bone remodeling, due to biologic width formation, was 0.762 mm (SD 0.940) at time of loading and 0.933 mm (SD 1.057) after 2 years (p = 0.07). Steady state bone levels at final recall (12–62 months; mean 24) were irrespective of implant type (p = 0.51), surgical protocol (p = 0.10), gender (p = 0.557) or smoking habit (p = 0.27). 54% of the implants showed bone gain between loading and final, whereas only 3% had bone loss above 3 mm. Conclusions: Under daily clinical conditions, MSc-hybrid implants yield predictable clinical outcomes in line with contemporary implant systems, irrespective of implant length and diameter. A 5.9% early failure rate was found irrespective of smoking status, with no late failures. Failure rate dropped to 3.3% when smokers were excluded. Crestal bone remodeling at the time of loading, mimicking biologic width formation, as well as bone level changes over time, is indicative of a healthy peri-implant steady state irrespective of the surgical protocol. Full article

The marine gastropod Semicassis bisulcatum, valued for its ornamental shell and edible soft tissue, lacks essential biological data for selective breeding. This study was conducted on 100 wild individuals collected from the Beibu Gulf to identify key morphological traits influencing body mass (BM) and soft body mass (SBM). Both mass traits showed high variability (SBM CV = 41.04%; BM CV = 23.88%), indicating strong breeding potential. Path analysis revealed that shell thickness (ST) exhibited the strongest direct association with body mass (path coefficient = 0.509), while shell width (SW) was most closely linked to soft body mass (path coefficient = 0.482). The combined coefficient of determination confirmed that shell thickness (ST) and shell height (SH) together were the strongest predictors for body mass. Similarly, Shell width (SW) and aperture height (AH) together had the strongest combined effect on soft body mass. These findings provide a critical morphological basis for future selective breeding programs. Full article

By imposing finite order constraints on Fibonacci anyon braid relations, we construct the finite quotient $G={\mathbb{Z}}_5⋊2I$, where $2I$ is the binary icosahedral group. The Gröbner basis decomposition of its $SL(2,\mathbb{C})$ character variety yields elliptic curves whose L-function derivatives $L^{\prime }(E,1)$ remarkably match fundamental biological structural ratios. Specifically, we demonstrate that the Birch–Swinnerton-Dyer conjecture’s central quantity: the derivative $L^{\prime }(E,1)$ of the L-function at 1 encodes critical cellular geometries: the crystalline B-DNA pitch-to-diameter ratio ($L^{\prime }(E,1)=1.730$ matching $34\AA /20\AA =1.70$), the B-DNA pitch to major groove width ($L^{\prime }=1.58$) and, additionally, the fundamental cytoskeletal scaling relationship where $L^{\prime }(E,1)=3.570\approx 25/7$, precisely matching the microtubule-to-actin diameter ratio. This pattern extends across the hierarchy ${\mathbb{Z}}_5⋊2P$ with $2P\in \{2O,2T,2I\}$ (binary octahedral, tetrahedral, icosahedral groups), where character tables of $2O$ explain genetic code degeneracies while $2T$ yields microtubule ratios. The convergence of multiple independent mathematical pathways on identical biological values suggests that evolutionary optimization operates under deep arithmetic-geometric constraints encoded in elliptic curve L-functions. Our results position the BSD conjecture not merely as abstract number theory, but as encoding fundamental organizational principles governing cellular architecture. The correspondence reveals arithmetic geometry as the mathematical blueprint underlying major biological structural systems, with Gross–Zagier theory providing the theoretical framework connecting quantum topology to the helical geometries that are essential for life. Full article

Varuna litterata is an estuarine crab species widely distributed across the Indo-Pacific region, commonly dwelling in brackish waters, mangrove forests, and tidal estuaries. In Bangladesh, while four Scylla species dominate the commercial crab market, the locally consumed V. litterata remains a biologically overlooked gem of the coastal waters. These crabs are frequently captured as a byproduct during shrimp fry collection from coastal estuaries. In this context, the current study investigates the reproductive biology, morphometric dynamics, and market potential of V. litterata collected from the Pasur River, a coastal mangrove forest-adjacent estuary of southern Bangladesh. A total of 75 individuals were collected from March to April 2023, comprising 35 males and 40 females, resulting in a sex ratio of 1:1.14 (♂:♀), with a predominance of females. A visual observation of ovary development revealed four distinct maturation stages, with Stage IV (fully mature) being the most prevalent (43%), indicating peak reproductive activity during the sampling period. Morphometric analysis revealed that the average carapace width (CW) was 31.2 ± 5.7 mm and 31.9 ± 5.8 mm and the mean carapace length (CL) was 29.3 ± 4.7 mm and 30.1 ± 4.9 mm in males and females, respectively. However, the mean body weight (BW) was 13.1 ± 4.3 g in males and 12.7 ± 3.8 g in female crabs. The dominant CW class ranges from 33 to 33.99 mm (males) and 28.99–29.99 mm (females), appear to be the most vulnerable to fishing pressure. BW-CW and CL-CW relationships demonstrated negative allometric growth, with high correlations in both sexes. Significant sexual dimorphism was observed, with males having larger cheliped dimensions, while females had broader abdomens, likely supporting reproductive functions that are essential to their conservation. The marketing of this crab remains largely informal, yet rising local demand and prices highlight its emerging commercial potential. Therefore, incorporation into aquaculture and coastal fishery development of this crab species could enhance food security, support livelihoods, and contribute to sustainable blue economy initiatives in Bangladesh. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study was designed to investigate the potential clinical, biochemical, haematological, and pathological associations of carpal tunnel syndrome through a multidisciplinary approach encompassing the fields of internal medicine, gastroenterology, and neurology. Methods: The study group (CTS-positive) comprised 265 patients who presented with dyspeptic complaints and underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, gastric antrum biopsy, electromyography, and comprehensive biochemical and haematological analyses. A control group of 265 patients with similar symptoms but without CTS was selected for comparison. A comparative analysis was conducted on clinical findings, gastric biopsy results, and biochemical and haematological parameters. Results: There were no significant differences in age, gender distribution, or gastric biopsy findings (Helicobacter pylori, intestinal metaplasia, atrophy, and dysplasia) between the CTS-positive and CTS-negative groups. However, significant biochemical differences were identified, including elevated calcium and reduced magnesium levels in CTS-positive patients. Haematological evaluations revealed higher lymphocyte, eosinophil, basophil, erythrocyte, haemoglobin, and haematocrit levels, along with reduced neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios and red blood cell distribution widths in the CTS-positive group. Further analysis in the form of correlation and logistic regression analyses provided further confirmation of the association of elevated calcium, haemoglobin, and lymphocyte levels with increased risk of CTS. Conclusions: This multidisciplinary study identifies significant associations between CTS and specific biochemical and haematological parameters, notably calcium-magnesium imbalance and erythrocyte indices. These findings suggest underlying biological interactions that may guide future diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. Full article

Maize stalk rot (MSR) is one of the most devastating fungal diseases affecting maize worldwide. In recent years, biological control agents have emerged as an environmentally friendly and highly attractive strategy for managing MSR. In this study, two Bacillus strains—B. subtilis KP3P9 and B. siamensis K13C—were shown to effectively inhibit the growth of the MSR pathogen Fusarium graminearum in vitro. Pot experiments showed that inoculation with KP3P9 significantly increased plant height, stem width, above-ground part fresh weight, and total plant fresh weight, whereas K13C significantly improved the stem width and under-ground part fresh weight of maize seedlings (p < 0.05), demonstrating their plant-growth-promoting potential. Moreover, both strains markedly reduced the disease severity indices (DSIs) of maize seedlings, indicating that they can enhance maize resistance to the pathogen. Whole-genome sequencing using Oxford Nanopore (ONT) and Illumina technologies showed that the complete genomes of KP3P9 and K13C contained biosynthetic gene clusters involved in the biosynthesis of antimicrobial secondary metabolites, including fengycin, bacillibactin, subtilin, pulcherriminic acid, subtilosin A, bacilysin, and others. Moreover, both strains exhibited strong antagonistic activity against F. solani (the causal pathogen of apple replant disease), as well as F. oxysporum f. sp. cubense race 1 (Foc1) and tropical race 4 (FocTR4) (pathogens responsible for banana wilt disease), with inhibition rates exceeding 70% in vitro. These results indicate that KP3P9 and K13C are promising biocontrol agents for MSR and other devastating Fusarium diseases. Full article

Farmland shelterbelts are vital ecological infrastructure for sustaining agriculture in arid regions, where high winds, soil erosion, and water scarcity severely constrain productivity. While their protective functions—reducing wind speed, controlling erosion, moderating microclimates, and enhancing yields—are well documented, previous studies have largely examined individual structural elements in isolation, leaving their interactive effects and trade-offs poorly understood. This review synthesizes current research on the structural optimization of shelterbelts, emphasizing the critical relationship between their physical and biological attributes and their protective functions. Key structural parameters—such as optical porosity, height, width, orientation, and species composition—are examined for their individual and interactive impacts on shelterbelt performance. Empirical and modeling studies indicate that moderate porosity maximizes wind reduction efficiency and extends the leeward protection zone, while multi-row, multi-species configurations effectively suppress soil erosion and improve microclimate conditions. Sheltered areas experience reduced evapotranspiration, increased humidity, and moderated temperatures, collectively enhancing crop water use efficiency and yielding significant improvements in crop production. Advanced methodologies, including field monitoring, wind tunnel testing, computational fluid dynamics, and remote sensing, are employed to quantify benefits and refine designs. A multi-objective optimization framework is essential to balance competing goals: maximizing wind reduction, minimizing water consumption, enhancing biodiversity, and ensuring economic viability. Future challenges involve adapting designs to climate change, integrating water-efficient and native species, leveraging artificial intelligence for predictive modeling, and addressing socio-economic barriers to implementation. Building on this evidence, we propose a multi-objective optimization framework to balance competing goals: maximizing wind protection, minimizing water use, enhancing biodiversity, and ensuring economic viability. We identify key research gaps including unresolved porosity thresholds, the climate resilience of alternative species compositions, and the limited application of optimization algorithms and outline future priorities such as region-specific design guidelines, AI-driven predictive models, and policy incentives. This review offers a novel, trade-off–aware synthesis to guide next-generation shelterbelt design in arid agriculture. Full article

This study focuses on the numerical analysis of heat transfer in biological tissue. The proposed model is formulated using the Pennes equation for a two-dimensional cylindrical domain. The tissue undergoes laser irradiation, where internal heat sources are determined based on the Beer–Lambert law. Moreover, key parameters—such as the perfusion rate and effective scattering coefficient—are modeled as functions dependent on tissue damage. In addition, a fuzzy heat source associated with magnetic nanoparticles is also incorporated into the model to account for magnetothermal effects. A novel aspect of this work is the introduction of uncertainty in selected model parameters by representing them as triangular fuzzy numbers. Consequently, the entire Finite Pointset Method (FPM) framework is extended to operate with fuzzy-valued quantities, which—to the best of our knowledge—has not been previously applied in two-dimensional thermal modeling of biological tissues. The numerical computations are carried out using the fuzzy-adapted FPM approach. All calculations are performed due to the fuzzy arithmetic rules with the application of α-cuts. This fuzzy formulation inherently captures the variability of uncertain parameters, effectively replacing the need for a traditional sensitivity analysis. As a result, the need for multiple simulations over a wide range of input values is eliminated. The findings, discussed in the final Section, demonstrate that this extended FPM formulation is a viable and effective tool for analyzing heat transfer processes under uncertainty, with an evaluation of α-cut widths and the influence of the degree of fuzziness on the results also carried out. Full article

Microrefugia can be critical in mediating biological responses to climate change, but the location and characteristics of these habitats are often poorly understood. Groundwater-dependent ecosystems (GDEs) represent critical microrefugia for species dependent on cool, moist habitats. However, knowledge of the distribution and stability of GDE microrefugia remains limited. This challenge is typified in the Pacific Northwest, where poorly studied cliff-face seeps harbor exceptional biodiversity despite their diminutive size (e.g., ~1–10 m width). To improve knowledge about these microrefugia, we regionally modeled their distribution and stability. We searched for cliff-face seeps across 1608 km of roads, trails, and watercourses in Washington and Idaho, while monitoring water availability plus air and water temperatures at selected sites. We detected 457 seeps through an iterative process of surveying, modeling, ground-truthing, and then remodeling the spatial distribution of seeps using boosted regression trees. Additionally, we used linear and generalized linear models to identify factors linked to seep thermal and hydrologic stability. Seeps were generally most concentrated in steep and low-lying areas (e.g., edges of canyon bottoms), and were also positively associated with glacial drift, basalt or graywacke bedrock types, high average slope within 300 m, and low average vapor pressure deficit. North-facing slopes were the best predictor of stable air and water temperatures and perennial seep discharge; low-lying areas also predicted stable seep water temperatures. These findings improve possibilities to manage seep microrefugia in the Pacific Northwest and safeguard their associated biodiversity under climate change. Lastly, our iterative method adapts techniques commonly used in species distribution modeling to provide an innovative framework for identifying inconspicuous microrefugia. Full article

White clover (Trifolium repens L.) is known for its ability to fix nitrogen biologically, its high nutritional value, and its adaptability to livestock systems. However, excessive fertilization with synthetic nitrogen alters its symbiosis with Rhizobium and reduces the protein content of the forage. The objective of this study was to evaluate the interaction between nitrogen fertilization (0 and 60 kg N ha⁻¹), cutting time, and post-cutting evaluation on the morphology, yield, and nutritional composition of white clover. A completely randomized block experimental design with three factors, distributed in three blocks, was used. Within each block, three replicates of each treatment were assigned (six interactions), giving a total of 54 experimental units. The data were analyzed using a three-way analysis of variance and Tukey’s multiple comparison test. Exponential models and generalized additive models (GAMs) were applied to the morphology and yield data to identify the best fit. The treatment with 60 kg N ha⁻¹ and cutting at 30 days showed significant increases in plant height (47.42%), fresh weight (59.61%), dry weight (98.41%), and leaf width (27.55%) compared to the control. It also produced the highest protein content (28.44%) compared to the other treatments with fertilization, without negatively affecting digestibility. The GAMs best fit most morphological and yield parameters (except leaf height and width). All fertilized treatments had higher fresh and dry weight yields. In conclusion, applying 60 kg N ha⁻¹ after cutting at 30 days, followed by harvesting between 54 and 60 days, improved both the quality and yield of white clover, which favored sustainable pasture management and reduced excessive nitrogen use. Full article