Search Results (7,624)

Anesthesia is the gold standard for immobilization of tumor-bearing mice before radiotherapy which potentially induces stress and distorts disease progression. Irradiation of preclinical cancer models with clinical MV linear accelerator (LINAC) beams can benefit the translation of new strategies in radiation oncology. However, logistical constraints prohibit widespread use of clinical facilities. Currently, there is no detailed protocol on how to safely introduce mice to a clinical environment to be intervened on using hospital equipment. Here, a facile and high-throughput handling method is described that eliminates anesthesia and enables fractionated radiotherapy of multiple mice simultaneously for high-throughput studies. Subcutaneous breast tumor-bearing BALB/c mice were restrained in plastic restraint cones within a containment tray and received four fractions of 4 Gy X-rays from a 6 MV LINAC source over two weeks (two fractions/week). Both short- and long-term follow-up revealed no identifiable health issues or complications associated with the restraint procedure or radiation exposure in terms of body weight loss, skin burns or body condition scores. This method not only benefits animal welfare but also data quality by reducing stress/discomfort levels and confounding effects of anesthetics. It can be applied to a broader range of studies where mice need to be immobilized before intervention. Full article

Air pollution is a major environmental health hazard. This study evaluates the health risks of air pollution exposure in the megacity Karachi, Pakistan, using the cigarette-equivalent technique developed previously for translating air pollution exposure into passive cigarette equivalents. Sampling of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and black carbon (BC) was performed at various fixed locations throughout the four seasons of the year. We evaluated the health risks of pollutants exposure using four different health endpoints including low birth weight (<2500 g at term after 37 weeks of gestation), decreased lung function (Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 s), cardiovascular mortality, and lung cancer in residents of Karachi. The average risks of low birth weight from PM_2.5, NO₂, and BC were 37.2, 14.8, and 1.01, respectively, (expressed as the equivalent number of passively smoked cigarettes, PSCs) while the average risks of decreased lung function were 93.9, 38.8, and 2.87. Risks of cardiovascular mortality were 51.9, 14.3, and 2.79, and those of lung cancer were 31.3, 6.47, and 1.32, respectively. The remarkably high risks are attributed to high concentrations of air pollutants. These results suggests that residents of Karachi may experience other adverse health effects beyond those typically attributed to air pollution. These PSC equivalent risks indicate a substantial potential health burden in Karachi and support the need for emission reduction efforts targeting traffic, industrial activity, and open burning. PM_2.5 and BC were measured in 2008–2011 and NO2 in 2008–2009, so the results should be interpreted as baseline risk estimates for that period rather than current (2025) concentrations. Full article

Background and Objectives: Vulvo-vaginal atrophy (VVA), a prevalent condition among postmenopausal women, significantly impairs quality of life through symptoms like vaginal dryness, dyspareunia, and burning. Non-hormonal treatments, such as CO₂ laser therapy, have shown promise in managing VVA symptoms with minimal side effects. The addition of adjunctive treatments may enhance efficacy and mitigate possible adverse effects. To evaluate the combined efficacy and safety of CO₂ laser therapy and a collagen-based cream in treating VVA and to explore their potential impact on the vaginal microbiome. Materials and Methods: This was a single-center, randomized, interventional. Sixty postmenopausal women diagnosed with VVA were randomized into two groups: a control group receiving laser-only treatment and a treatment group receiving laser therapy with daily collagen-based cream application. Primary outcome measures included symptom improvement on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for VVA-associated symptoms. Secondary outcomes involved microbiome composition analysis. Results: Both groups showed significant symptom improvement, with the combination therapy group demonstrating superior reductions in burning, dyspareunia, and vaginal dryness (p < 0.05). Microbiome analysis revealed increased levels of beneficial species (Lactobacillus iners and Lactobacillus crispatus) and decreased pathogenic bacteria (Gardnerella vaginalis and Atopobium vaginae) in the treatment group, though these changes were not statistically significant. Mild side effects, such as burning and swelling in the first days following the treatment, were less frequent in the combination therapy group, likely due to the anti-inflammatory effects of the collagen-based cream. Conclusions: This study provides evidence supporting the use of CO₂ laser therapy with collagen-based cream as an effective and well-tolerated treatment for VVA in postmenopausal women, achieving significant symptom relief. The combined therapy approach holds potential for enhanced efficacy and reduced side effects compared to laser-only treatment, offering a promising alternative for women ineligible for hormone-based therapies. Full article

Background: Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) is a chronic orofacial pain condition characterized by a burning sensation in the oral cavity without identifiable lesions. It predominantly affects women (especially postmenopausal) but can occur in men. BMS is considered a multifactorial neuropathic pain disorder involving both peripheral small-fiber neuropathy and central dysregulation, often accompanied by taste alterations (dysgusia) and xerostomia despite normal oral exams. Treatment is challenging, with modest responses to agents like clonazepam, tricyclic antidepressants, or gabapentinoids. Observations: We present a 67-year-old male with recalcitrant primary BMS who showed complete remission temporally associated with occipital nerve blockade, likely affecting central trigeminocervical pathways. Initial therapy with amitriptyline (25 mg) and gabapentin (900 mg/day) yielded ~30% pain relief. Given suspected central sensitization, greater and lesser occipital nerve (GON) blocks were administered in series. After the first, second, and third ON blocks, pain was reduced by ~50%, 80%, and 100%, respectively. Remission persisted at one-year follow-up under continued medications. A mild recurrence (~20% of baseline pain) responded fully to a fourth GON block, maintaining another year of pain-free status. Lessons: This case underscores the complex central mechanisms in BMS and illustrates that modulating central pain circuits via occipital nerve blockade, through trigeminocervical convergence mechanisms, without direct trigeminal intervention. We discuss the diagnostic challenges of BMS, the rationale of occipital neuromodulation, and how this novel therapeutic strategy compares with current literature, supporting the hypothesis of central sensitization in BMS. Full article

Over recent years, the intensity of forest fires has escalated, with wildfire-emitted pollutants exerting substantial impacts on the environment, ecosystems, and human well-being. This study developed a robust predictive framework to quantify wildfire-induced PM_2.5 emission factors (EFs) using seven shrub species—Corylus mandshurica, Eleutherococcus senticosus, Philadelphus schrenkii, Sorbaria sorbifolia, Syringa reticulata, Spiraea salicifolia, and Lonicera maackii. These species represent ecological cornerstones of Northeast Asian forests and hold global relevance as widely introduced or invasive taxa in North America and Europe. The novelty of this research lies in the integration of traditional statistical inference with machine learning to resolve the complex coupling between fuel traits and emissions. We conducted 1134 laboratory-controlled burns in the Liangshui National Nature Reserve, evaluating two continuous and three categorical variables. Initial screening via Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and stepwise linear regression (Step-AIC) identified the primary drivers of emissions and revealed that interspecific differences among the seven shrubs did not significantly affect the EF (p = 0.0635). To ensure statistical rigor, a log-transformation was applied to the EF data to correct for right-skewness and heteroscedasticity inherent in raw observations. Linear Mixed-effects Models (LMMs) and Gradient Boosting Machines (GBMs) were subsequently employed to quantify factor effects and capture potential nonlinearities. The LMM results consistently identified burning type and plant part as the dominant determinants: smoldering combustion and leaf components exerted strong positive effects on PM_2.5 emissions compared to flaming and branch components. Fuel load was positively correlated with emissions, while moisture content showed a significant negative effect. Notably, the model identified a significant negative quadratic effect for moisture content, indicating a non-linear inhibitory trend as moisture increases. While interspecific differences among the seven shrubs did not significantly affect EFs suggesting that physical fuel traits exert a more consistent influence than species-specific genetic backgrounds, complex interactions were captured. These include a negative synergistic effect between leaves and smoldering, and a positive interaction between moisture content and leaves that significantly amplified emissions. This research bridges the gap between physical fuel traits and chemical smoke production, providing a high-resolution tool for refining global biomass burning emission inventories and assisting international forest management in similar temperate biomes. Full article

Greenhouse gases (GHG), accumulated in the atmosphere, are the main cause of climate change. In 2017, the increase in average temperature was about 1 °C (between 0.8 °C–1.2 °C) above pre-industrial levels. Global warming refers to the increase in air surface, sea surface, and soil surface temperature and according to IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel Climate Change), since the industrial revolution, C emissions are due to land use changes like deforestation, biomass burning, conversion of natural lands, drainage of wetlands, soil cultivation, and tillage. As the world population has increased, world food production has risen too with a subsequent increase in GHG emissions and agricultural production, which is worsened by climate change. Negative consequences are well known such as the loss in water availability and in soil fertility, and pest infestations which are climate change’s effects on agriculture activity. Climate change’s main aftermath is the frequency of extreme weather events influencing crop yields. As climate change exacerbates degradation processes, land management can mitigate its impact and aid adaptation strategies for climate change. About 21–37% of GHGs have been caused by the agriculture activity, so the application of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) like sustainable agriculture could be a way to reduce GHGs worldwide. The aim of this article is to review how NbS may mitigate GHG emissions from soil, with solutions defined as an integrated approach to tackle climate change and to sustainably restore and manage ecosystems, delivering multiple benefits. NbS is a low-cost tool working within and with nature, which holds many benefits for people and the environment. Full article

This paper examines the potential for pre-play communication to shorten the duration of two-player incomplete-information wars of attrition. If players’ types constitute costlessly verifiable information, then all types of players disclose their types, resulting in the war of attrition having duration zero. However, if type constitutes unverifiable information, the results are less sanguine. Pre-play cheap-talk communication has no effect on the play of the subsequent war of attrition. Mediated cheap-talk communication is no better: No institution that relies on players’ cheap-talk reports can systematically allocate the prize to the player who values it more highly at a lower resource cost than is entailed in equilibrium play of the war of attrition. Costly signaling in the form of burning money can effectively supplant the war of attrition as a means of allocating the prize, but it requires the same expected equilibrium resource expenditures, with the same expected distribution across types, as does the war of attrition. Thus, in spite of players’ unanimous preference for a system in which types are made known, and in spite of their disclosing type in equilibrium when type is verifiable, they nonetheless expend resources to credibly communicate their types when type is not verifiable, and the resources expended are, on average, equivalent to those expended in a war of attrition. Full article

Background/Objectives: Teacher burnout represents a complex cognitive-emotional syndrome characterized by the interplay between mental exhaustion and emotional dysregulation, threatening educational sustainability during crisis periods. This study employed comprehensive behavioral data analysis to investigate burnout syndrome patterns among Greek teachers during the COVID-19 educational crisis, aiming to identify risk factors and resilience patterns through multiple analytical approaches that capture the syndrome’s multidimensional nature. Methods: A cross-sectional study examined primary and secondary school teachers in Western Greece during the autumn of 2021. Stratified random sampling ensured representativeness across school levels, geographic locations, and employment types. Participants completed the Greek-adapted Maslach Burnout Inventory for Educators, which measured emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment. Behavioral data analysis integrated traditional statistical methods with advanced pattern recognition techniques, including classification trees for non-linear relationships, association analysis for behavioral patterns, and cluster analysis for profile identification. Results: The majority of teachers experienced high stress with inadequate coping capabilities. Classification analysis achieved high accuracy in predicting burnout severity, identifying emotional exhaustion as the primary predictor. Deputy teachers demonstrated severe cognitive-emotional strain compared to permanent colleagues across all dimensions, with dramatically reduced personal accomplishment and minimal resources. Association analysis revealed that combined low support and high workload more than doubled burnout risk. Three distinct profiles emerged: Resilient teachers, characterized by older age and permanent employment; At-Risk teachers, showing early warning signs; and Burned Out teachers, predominantly young and in precarious employment. Remote teaching, exceeding half of the workload, significantly increased strain. Multiple regression confirmed emotional exhaustion as the dominant syndrome predictor. Conclusions: Behavioral data analysis revealed complex cognitive-emotional patterns constituting burnout syndrome during educational crisis. Employment precarity emerged as the fundamental vulnerability factor, with young deputy teachers facing dramatically higher syndrome probability compared to supported senior permanent teachers. The syndrome manifests through cascading processes where cognitive overload triggers emotional exhaustion, subsequently reducing personal accomplishment. These findings provide an evidence-based framework for early syndrome identification and targeted interventions addressing both cognitive and emotional dimensions of teacher burnout. Full article

Genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), which includes vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) and other bothersome genitourinary symptoms, affects over half of postmenopausal women and has a considerable impact on quality of life. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of an injectable combination of hyaluronic acid and amino acids for treating GSM-related symptoms. In this prospective, multicenter study, 84 women aged 46–60 with moderate to severe VVA confirmed by gynecological examination received three intradermal treatments at 21-day intervals, targeting the vestibule, introitus, lower vaginal wall, and labia majora. Symptom severity was assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS), while tolerability and satisfaction were evaluated via a five-point Likert scale. Quality of life was measured using the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS). Assessments were conducted at baseline, after each injection, and at 3- and 6-month follow-up visits. After three months, significant improvements were noted in vaginal dryness, itching, burning, and dyspareunia (all p < 0.001). Patient satisfaction increased from 59.0% to 80.7%, and SWLS scores rose from 4.57 ± 1.76 to 6.53 ± 1.10, reflecting enhanced quality of life. The treatment was well tolerated and demonstrated a favorable safety profile. These findings suggest that this injectable formulation may represent an effective, non-hormonal option for women with VVA, particularly those who are not candidates for hormone therapy. Full article

Background: Cutaneous wounds are common in outpatient care, but national patterns of who manages them and how antimicrobials are used remain unclear. Objectives: To characterize outpatient specialty involvement and antimicrobial use for acute and chronic cutaneous wound visits in the United States. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of 2011–2019 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) data. Cutaneous wound visits were identified using prespecified ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM codes and classified as acute (open or traumatic wounds and burns) or chronic (pressure injuries and lower-limb ulcers). Survey weights were applied to estimate national visit volumes, specialty shares, and antimicrobial utilization patterns. Results: We identified 45.1 million cutaneous wound visits, representing 0.8% of all outpatient visits, of which about two thirds were acute and one third chronic. Primary care physicians accounted for the largest share of wound visits, while dermatologists managed 3.9% of overall wound visits, 2.4% of acute visits, and 7.4% of chronic visits. Among 156.6 million medications recorded at wound visits, antimicrobials represented 13.1% overall, 14.9% in acute visits, and 10.2% in chronic visits. Cephalexin accounted for 32.1% of antimicrobial medications overall and 39.2% in acute visits, whereas chronic wound visits had a more heterogeneous antimicrobial profile that included topical mupirocin, cephalexin, trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole, and topical nystatin. Conclusions: Outpatient cutaneous wound care in the United States is delivered predominantly by primary care clinicians and relies heavily on a small set of systemic and topical antimicrobials, highlighting opportunities to strengthen antimicrobial stewardship and expand dermatology’s role in chronic wound management. Full article

Background: Cultivated oral mucosal epithelial transplantation (COMET/CAOMECS) is an autologous, immunosuppression-sparing option for ocular surface reconstruction in limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD). After two decades, indications, platforms and outcome definitions vary, and COMET’s position relative to limbal-derived epithelium remains uncertain. Methods: We conducted a PRISMA-ScR scoping review of human clinical studies (PubMed, 2000–30 December 2025) with hand-searching and regulatory sources. Eligible reports included COMET/CAOMECS series and comparative cohorts (CLET/ACLET, SLET, KLAL/CLAL). The primary outcome was anatomical success (stable epithelialised cornea without recurrent persistent epithelial defect, progressive conjunctivalisation or uncontrolled neovascularisation at last assessment). Given heterogeneity in definitions and analytic frames (fixed-time vs. Kaplan–Meier [KM]), results were synthesised narratively by indication and platform. Results: Twenty-five reports (893 eyes; 821 patients) were included. Aetiologies were predominantly burns and SJS/TEN. Across amniotic membrane-based mixed-aetiology series, 12-month anatomical success clustered around 55–70%. Aggregated descriptively across COMET eyes, 211/467 (45%) had a stable surface at last follow-up. Epithelialisation was generally rapid in quiet AM-based reconstructions and slower with severe adnexal disease or carrier-free platforms. Mean BCVA improved from 1.8 ± 0.7 to 1.4 ± 0.7 logMAR (471 eyes); ≥2-line gains occurred in 308/471 (65.4%). A matched comparison suggested better 12-month survival, less neovascularisation and better BCVA with substrate-free versus AM-carried COMET; a biomaterial-/feeder-free platform reconstructed most eyes but failed more often with four-quadrant symblepharon. Observational comparative cohorts suggested higher surface survival and average visual gain with limbal-derived epithelium, at the cost of systemic immunosuppression. Conclusions: In appropriately selected bilateral LSCD, COMET offers immunosuppression-sparing reconstruction with moderate, durable surface stability and clinically meaningful visual gains when performed on a quiet, optimised surface. Platform refinements—particularly substrate-free constructs—and prospective, indication-defined comparative studies with harmonised outcomes are needed to define COMET’s role relative to limbal-derived epithelium. Full article

Background: Burn wound repair is driven by oxidative balance and keratinocyte regeneration. Polyphenol-rich botanicals are considered promising due to combined antioxidant and pro-regenerative properties. This study compares four ethnopharmacologically relevant species—Boswellia serrata (BS), Sambucus nigra (SN), Ocimum basilicum (OB), and Galium verum (GV)—to determine how their polyphenolic class profiles relate to in vitro regenerative activity. Methods: Ethanolic (E—99.5%) and hydroalcoholic (H—70%) extracts were profiled by LC–MS, total polyphenol content (TPC), and DPPH assays. Biological effects were assessed in HaCaT keratinocytes using Alamar Blue (24/48 h) and scratch wound closure (24 h), and results were correlated with chemical profiles. Results: The H extract of OB (OB-H) and of GV (GV-H) had the highest TPC (62.6 and 63.9 mg GAE/g) and lowest DPPH IC₅₀ (18.7 and 17.1 μg/mL), aligning with the strongest biological responses—HaCaT viability up to 169.1% and wound closure up to 414%. SN extracts, dominated by rutin, promoted moderate migration with preserved viability, whereas BS produced modest viability gains. Conclusions: Polyphenolic composition—particularly the dominance of phenolic acids—correlates strongly with in vitro regenerative responses in HaCaT keratinocytes. O. basilicum and G. verum hydroalcoholic extracts displayed the most favorable profiles. Full article

The global output of organic solid residues (e.g., crop straw) is substantial, creating an urgent sustainability need for low-impact pathways that avoid open burning or disposal while recovering renewable energy. Dry anaerobic digestion (AD) offers a water-saving, high-solids valorization route for straw-rich substrates, but its deployment is often constrained by acidification that suppresses methanogenesis, reducing reliability and limiting practical adoption. Here, at laboratory scale, we formulated a co-digestion substrate dominated by wheat straw (50%) with swine manure and household organic waste, and evaluated whether co-supplementation of trace metals (Fe, Ni, Co) can enhance process stability and energy recovery, thereby strengthening the sustainability of high-solids straw treatment. System performance was assessed by pH, biogas production, volatile fatty acids (VFAs), functional genes, and microbial community profiles to elucidate micronutrient effects and microbial responses. Micronutrient addition stabilized pH (minimum 6.5) and enhanced biogas output. Specific yields in the supplemented digester were 260.64 ± 11.83 mL g⁻¹ TS and 319.89 ± 14.27 mL g⁻¹ VS, compared with 220.31 ± 9.45 mL g⁻¹ TS and 270.33 ± 11.72 mL g⁻¹ VS in the control; cumulative gas production was higher by 18.33%. Community analyses showed marked enrichment of Methanosarcina, increasing from 7.28% on day 10 to 44.00% on day 30. Molecular ecological network analysis indicated a transition from a sparse, fragmented configuration to a highly connected, centralized one: the number of nodes decreased from 74 to 70; the number of edges increased from 46 to 223 (a 4.85-fold rise); network density increased from 0.0170 to 0.0923; mean degree increased from 1.24 to 6.37; the number of modules declined from 39 to 5; and the proportion of positive versus negative links shifted from 85%/15% to 70%/30%, evidencing stronger interspecies coupling and functional robustness. Consistently, methyl-coenzyme reductase subunit A gene copy numbers were about 1.60-fold higher on day 30 and about 1.51-fold higher on day 50 than in the control. Overall, Fe-Ni-Co co-supplementation enhances methane potential and suppresses acidification in straw-rich dry anaerobic digestion, providing a low-input and practical strategy to stabilize high-solids systems. By improving microbial robustness, this approach enables efficient renewable energy recovery with reduced water demand and lower risk of process failure, thereby supporting scalable straw valorization and advancing circular bioeconomy pathways for agricultural and organic solid residues. Full article

The efficacy of oil spill response depends on the speed of detecting the oil. Detecting submerged oil is more difficult than oil on the water surface, because most conventional sensors are not effective. Oil Detection Canines (ODCs) have been reliably used to detect oil during shoreline spill surveys, and preliminary laboratory studies also showed promising results for detecting oil submerged under water. To confirm their potential, a field study was conducted in a boreal freshwater lake in Northwestern Ontario, Canada to investigate the capability of an ODC to detect submerged weathered oils at depths of 1 to 5 m. Triplicate targets at each depth used weathered diluted bitumen (dilbit), Bunker C residual fuel oil, and Maya crude oil burn residue and both the ODC and handler blinded to the location of each target. Boat-based searches were conducted and the handler identified “alerts” based on ODC behaviour changes that were compared to georeferenced oil target locations. The ODC positively identified seven (7) of the eight (8) dilbit targets at 1 to 5 m, five (5) of the six (6) Bunker C targets at 1 and 3 m, and none of the burn residue targets at 1-m depth. The ability of ODCs to detect submerged or sunken oil in shallow water was clearly demonstrated, adding another technique for submerged and sunken oil surveys with the advantages of real-time data returns, the ability to detect small oil deposits, and an operational capability in shallow waters with potential for detection in deeper water. Full article

Outside their native habitat, goldenrods (Solidago spp.) threaten ecosystem biodiversity through aggressive vegetative reproduction and by establishing dense stands. Climate-driven fire risks and illegal grassland burning increase exposure to smoke-derived compounds such as karrikins (KARs), which are known to regulate germination and development in many species but have never been studied in goldenrods. Understanding KARs’ effects on seeds and rhizomes is essential for predicting invasion dynamics and designing effective management strategies. This study aimed to determine whether karrikin 1 (KAR1) influences seed germination and rhizome bud development in Solidago gigantea, thereby affecting its invasiveness and offering a potential method of control. Two geographically isolated populations were analyzed using seeds, soil, above-ground plant biomass and rhizomes. Germination tests evaluated whether KAR mimics light and gibberellic acid (GA), a known germination stimulant. Greenhouse trials assessed rhizome response, while field experiments monitored whole-plant performance over two years. KAR stimulated seed germination comparably to light and GA and promoted seedling emergence from the seed bank, but it inhibited rhizome sprouting by about 15%. It also enhanced the emergence of other species, suggesting broad physiological activity and the potential to influence early-season plant community dynamics. These findings highlight KAR’s potential as a management tool for invasive goldenrod and provide new insights into smoke-derived compounds as ecological regulators. Full article