Search Results (12,994)

This study presents a structured evaluation framework for inter-module connections in the context of steel–concrete composite modular structures, addressing a gap in existing reviews that have focused almost exclusively on steel modular systems. The paper examines tie-rod (TR), locking mechanism (LM), and bolted inter-module connections, while introducing a new sub-classification of bolted connections into direct bolted (DB) and plug-assisted bolted (PB) types based on assembly methods. A novel four-metric, five-point rating framework is introduced to assess the Composite Compatibility Score (CCS), proposed as a new metric to evaluate the applicability of steel-oriented connections to composite modules; the Validation Evidence Score (VES), which reflects the extent of experimental and numerical validation; the Demountability and Reusability Score (DRS), which measures the ease of assembly and disassembly; and the newly developed Normalised Capacity Index (NCI), which standardises structural capacity assessment across studies reporting different load capacity types. When applied to nearly 50 inter-module connections, the framework reveals that PB connections provide the most well-rounded performance across all evaluation metrics. Overall, the framework establishes a conceptual benchmark for composite modular connection technologies, providing a basis for future research and design practice. Full article

Carbon dots (CDs) have emerged as a distinct class of fluorescent nanomaterials distinguished by their tunable physicochemical properties, ultrasmall size, exceptional photoluminescence, versatile surface chemistry, high biocompatibility, and chemical stability, positioning them as promising candidates for biomedical applications ranging from sensing and imaging to drug delivery and theranostics. As CDs increasingly transition toward biological and clinical use, a fundamental understanding of their interactions with biological membranes becomes essential, as cellular membranes govern nanoparticle uptake, intracellular transport, and therapeutic performance. Model membrane systems, such as phospholipid vesicles and liposomes, offer controllable platforms to elucidate CD-membrane interactions by isolating key physicochemical variables otherwise obscured in complex biological environments. Recent studies demonstrate that CD surface chemistry, charge, heteroatom doping, size, and hydrophobicity, together with membrane composition, packing density, and phase behavior, dictate nanoparticle adsorption, insertion, diffusion, and membrane perturbation. In addition, CD-liposome hybrid systems have gained momentum as multifunctional nanoplatforms that couple the fluorescence and traceability of CDs with the encapsulation capacity and biocompatibility of lipid vesicles, enabling imaging-guided drug delivery and responsive theranostic systems. This review consolidates current insights into the mechanistic principles governing CD interactions with model membranes and highlights advances in CD-liposome hybrid nanostructures. By bridging fundamental nanoscale interactions with translational nanomedicine strategies, this work provides a framework for the rational design of next-generation CD-based biointerfaces with optimized structural, optical, and biological performance. Full article

This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent progress in chitin-based nanomaterials and their composite engineering. Particular focus is placed on techniques for constructing self-assembled chitin nanofibers (ChNFs) with tightly bundled fibrillar structures, as well as strategies for fabricating composites in which the ChNFs serve as reinforcing components, combined with natural polymeric matrices. In addition, high-crystalline scaled-down (SD-)ChNFs were fabricated through partial deacetylation of the ChNFs, followed by electrostatic repulsive disassembly of the abovementioned bundled fibrils in aqueous acetic acid, which were further used to reinforce composites comprising the other polysaccharides. Mixing the SD-ChNFs with low-crystalline chitin substrates further enabled the fabrication of all-chitin composites (AChCs) that exploit crystallinity contrast to achieve enhanced tensile strength. Moreover, the AChC films exhibited high cell-adhesive properties and promoted the formation of three-dimensional cell-networks, highlighting their potential for biomedical applications. Full article

Both obesity and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are increasingly recognized as global epidemics. Their escalating incidence and far-reaching health implications highlight the urgent need for comprehensive prevention and management strategies. This review aims to clarify how obesity interacts with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and how to improve the management of obese patients receiving kidney replacement therapy. It also explores underlying mechanisms, current treatments, future directions, and ongoing controversies. By highlighting this intricate relationship, the review seeks to enhance clinical practice and promote further research toward more personalized care for this vulnerable population. Obesity is frequent in dialysis patients and creates challenges related to body composition, metabolism, and treatment. While higher body mass index (BMI) may appear to improve survival, this paradox does not offset the cardiovascular and functional risks of visceral and sarcopenic obesity. Obesity also increases post-transplant complications and can limit access to transplantation. Lifestyle changes rarely achieve lasting weight loss, whereas bariatric surgery—especially sleeve gastrectomy—can improve transplant eligibility with fewer complications. Weight-loss medications may be used before transplantation but remain insufficiently studied in ESKD. After transplantation, weight-reduction efforts should continue, with pharmacotherapy preferred over bariatric surgery. Comprehensive assessment strategies and individualized management approaches in ESKD patients are essential to optimize outcomes in this growing patient population. Full article

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been increasingly explored as a biologic strategy for liver repair; however, preclinical studies have evaluated not only intact PRP but also PRP related hemocomponents with distinct biological properties, complicating interpretation and translation of the evidence. A systematic review of experimental studies was conducted to assess the effects of PRP and related hemocomponents in animal models of liver injury, focusing on molecular, metabolic, biochemical, and histological outcomes, and evaluating methodological quality and risk of bias using the Cochrane ROB 2.0 framework. Fourteen eligible studies were identified across toxic, cholestatic, parasitic, radiation-induced, and surgical models. Platelet-based interventions were generally associated with hepatoprotective, antifibrotic, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and pro-regenerative effects; however, responses were highly context dependent and varied according to injury etiology, disease stage, administration route and timing, and the frequent use of combination therapies. Substantial heterogeneity in the platelet-based products evaluated—including platelet supernatants and lysates—and inconsistent reporting of key compositional parameters limited product classification, cross-study comparability, and mechanistic interpretation, while ROB 2.0 assessments revealed predominantly some concerns of bias. PRP and related hemocomponents show biologically relevant effects in experimental liver injury, but their translational potential is constrained by methodological heterogeneity and inadequate product characterization. Standardized reporting, controlled comparative designs, and clinically relevant models are required to clarify efficacy and support rational translation. Full article

Background: Differentiating hypophysitis from non-functioning pituitary macroadenomas (NFPMA) remains a clinical and radiological challenge. Both entities present as sellar masses with overlapping features but require distinct therapeutic approaches. Accurate preoperative identification is necessary to avoid unnecessary surgery in inflammatory forms. This review aims to compare the clinical, endocrine, and imaging characteristics of hypophysitis and NFPMA, incorporating recent findings and evaluating the performance of three diagnostic scoring systems currently in use. Methods: A comprehensive narrative literature review was conducted using original articles, clinical series, radiological studies, and systematic reviews retrieved from international databases. The analysis focused on demographic characteristics, clinical presentation, hormonal profiles, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features, and the comparative evaluation of the three published diagnostic scoring systems designed to differentiate hypophysitis from NFPMA. Results: Hypophysitis predominantly affects women, particularly during late pregnancy or the postpartum period, and is frequently associated with autoimmune diseases. Corticotropic deficiency and central diabetes insipidus (CDI) are disproportionately frequent in hypophysitis, whereas somatotropic deficiency is more characteristic of NFPMA. Radiologically, hypophysitis typically appears as a smaller, symmetric, and homogeneous mass with intense, uniform contrast enhancement, associated with pituitary stalk thickening and loss of the posterior pituitary bright spot. In contrast, NFPMA generally present as larger, asymmetric, and heterogeneous lesions, frequently invading the cavernous sinus and compressing the optic chiasm. Analysis of the three diagnostic scores indicates that combining clinical, hormonal, and imaging data improves accuracy compared to relying on single features. The most recent score includes hormonal markers, which significantly enhance sensitivity and specificity, emphasizing the importance of integrated assessment. Conclusions: No single clinical, hormonal, or imaging feature is pathognomonic. However, integrating clinical context, endocrine profile, imaging characteristics, and validated diagnostic scores significantly enhances preoperative diagnostic accuracy. The systematic use of composite scores may help optimize therapeutic decision-making and reduce unnecessary surgical interventions in patients with hypophysitis. Full article

The nasal microbiome represents a complex and dynamic microbial ecosystem that contributes to mucosal defense, epithelial homeostasis, immune regulation, and olfactory function. Increasing evidence indicates that this microbial community actively interacts with host physiology, while alterations in its composition are associated with chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and olfactory impairment. Such changes have been reported in conditions including chronic rhinosinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and post-viral anosmia. Beyond local effects, chronic nasal inflammation has been hypothesized to influence neuroinflammatory processes and protein aggregation pathways involving α-synuclein and tau, potentially linking nasal microbial imbalance to neurodegenerative mechanisms. However, current evidence remains largely indirect and does not support a causal relationship. This narrative review summarizes current clinical and immunological evidence on the role of the nasal microbiome in olfactory function and dysfunction, highlighting limitations of existing studies and outlining future research directions. Full article

Background/Objectives: The role of female surgeons in urology has been steadily increasing. We performed a contemporary review of American Board of Urology (ABU) case logs focused on oncologic procedures and evaluated the role of female surgeons over the past two decades. Methods: Operative logs from ABU examinees from 2003 to 2023 were analyzed. We identified open-approach (OA) and minimally invasive (MIS) radical nephrectomy (RN), partial nephrectomy (PN), radical nephroureterectomy (RNU), radical prostatectomy (RP), and adrenalectomy (RA) using CPT codes. Total case volumes as well as reported fellowship training were recorded and tabulated. The counts and proportions of OA and MIS procedures were analyzed over time and by surgeon gender. Results: From 2003 to 2023, 54,972 surgical procedures were reported to ABU with only 2.1% (1127) being performed by female surgeons. Of these, 32.5% (366) were OA and 67.5% (761) were MIS. Despite the low overall composition of female-performed procedures, the number of surgeries performed by females increased over time. Among female surgeons, the proportion of MIS surgeries increased over time, from 37.5% to 71.5% in 2003–2009 to 2017–2023, respectively. Females versus males performed comparably for OA for RN and RA; however, females performed more open PN, RNU, and RP than their male counterparts. Moreover, the number of procedures performed by oncology fellowship-trained females increased significantly. Conclusions: Our analysis of over twenty years of data submitted to the ABU indicates that the surgical volume of oncologic procedures by female urologists has been increasing. These findings demonstrate the increased contributions by female surgeons to the field urologic oncology. Full article

Accurate diagnosis of aero-engine faults and precise signal characterization are crucial to ensuring operational reliability and service life prediction. The structural complexity of engines and the variability of operating conditions pose significant challenges for fault diagnosis and identification. Based on an analysis and emphasis on the critical importance of aero-engine fault signal recognition and diagnosis, this paper comprehensively reviews and discusses the classification and evolution of aero-engine fault signal recognition techniques. The review traces this evolution along its developmental trajectory, from classical methods to emerging approaches such as quantum signal processing for weak feature extraction. It also examines characteristics of different types of aviation engine failures and the progression of diagnostic research over time. This review provides multiple tables to compare the applicability, advantages, and limitations of various signal recognition methods and deep learning diagnostic architectures. Detailed discussions synthesize the relative merits of different approaches and their selection trade-offs. Based on this overview, the paper outlines the complexity of real aero-engine faults and key research directions. Building on these developments in fault signal recognition and diagnosis, the paper addresses the complexity and the research areas receiving particular attention within real aero-engine faults. It highlights key research areas, including handling data imbalance, adapting to variable and cross-domain conditions, and advancing diagnostic and data enhancement methods for weak composite faults. Finally, the paper analyzes the multifaceted challenges in the field and identifies future trends in aero-engine fault signal recognition and intelligent diagnosis. Full article

This review provides a comprehensive overview of dental materials that promote tissue healing while exhibiting antimicrobial properties. The focus is on materials that are biocompatible, bioactive, and non-toxic to host cells, with demonstrated bacteriostatic and bactericidal activities. Current advances in natural bactericides, antimicrobial polymers, and bioactive glass/polymer composites are summarized, along with techniques employed for surface modification and the coating of dental implants. Three major categories of antimicrobial coatings were identified: antibacterial phytochemicals, synthetic antimicrobial agents (including polymers and antibiotics), and metallic nanoparticles. Bioactive coatings were further examined to identify potential antimicrobial strategies within these materials, and existing research gaps were highlighted. A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science for articles published between January 2010 and June 2025. Overall, this review underscores the growing potential of multifunctional dental materials that integrate bioactivity with antimicrobial performance, offering promising directions for the development of next-generation restorative and implant materials. Full article

Dietary bioactive compounds derived from plant-based and fermented foods act as plei-otropic modulators of human health, exerting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cardiopro-tective, neuroprotective, and metabolic effects beyond basic nutrition. Whole foods (fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts) provide synergistic mixtures of bioactives, whereas fermented foods generate a wide range of microbial-derived metabolites (peptides, organic acids) as well as probiotics that enhance nutrient bioavailability and support gut health. The gut microbiota plays a central mediating role in the biological effects of dietary bioactives through a dynamic, bidirectional interaction: dietary compounds shape microbial composition by promoting beneficial taxa and suppressing pathogens, while microbial metabolism converts these compounds into bioactive metabolites, including short-chain fatty acids, that profoundly influence host health. Despite their demonstrated health potential, the clinical translation of many dietary bioactives is limited by low bioavailability, which is influenced by digestion processes, food matrix and processing conditions, host genetics, and individual microbiota profile. Overcoming these limitations requires a deeper understanding of the synergistic interactions among dietary bioactives, probiotics, microbial metabolites, and host signaling pathways. This review provides an integrated perspective of the sources, mechanisms of action, and health effects of food-derived bioactive compounds and probiotic mediated effects, while highlighting current translational challenges and future directions for the development of effective functional foods and personalized nutrition strategies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Resveratrol is a multi-target polyphenolic stilbene widely studied for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, immunomodulatory and anticancer properties. This review summarizes current evidence on its molecular mechanisms, therapeutic potential, metabolic interactions and biological implications, with particular emphasis on bioavailability, signaling pathways and organ-specific actions. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted focusing on recent in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies evaluating resveratrol’s biochemical activity, molecular targets and physiological effects. Special attention was given to oxidative stress regulation, inflammatory signaling, mitochondrial function, metabolic pathways, gut microbiota interactions, and its influence on chronic diseases. Results: Resveratrol modulates several key signaling pathways including NF-κB, SIRT1, AMPK, MAPK, Nrf2 and PI3K/AKT/mTOR. It reduces oxidative stress, inhibits inflammatory cytokines, regulates apoptosis, improves mitochondrial performance, and activates endogenous antioxidant systems. The compound demonstrates protective effects in cardiovascular diseases, hepatic steatosis, neurodegenerative disorders, metabolic dysfunction, and various cancers through anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative and anti-fibrotic mechanisms. Additionally, resveratrol beneficially alters gut microbiota composition and microbial metabolites, contributing to improved metabolic homeostasis. Despite high intestinal absorption, systemic bioavailability remains low; however, novel nanoformulations significantly enhance its stability and plasma concentrations. Conclusions: Resveratrol exhibits broad therapeutic potential driven by its capacity to regulate oxidative, inflammatory, metabolic and apoptotic pathways at multiple levels. Its pleiotropic activity makes it a promising candidate for prevention and complementary treatment of chronic diseases. Advances in delivery systems and microbiota-derived metabolites may further enhance its clinical applicability. Full article

Soil amendments play a critical role in improving soil health and supporting sustainable crop production, especially under declining soil fertility and climate-related stress. However, their impact varies because each amendment influences the soil through different biogeochemical processes rather than a single universal mechanism. This review synthesizes current knowledge on a wide range of soil amendments, including compost, biosolids, green and animal manure, biochar, hydrochar, bagasse, humic substances, algae extracts, chitosan, and newer engineered options such as metal–organic framework (MOF) composites, highlighting their underlying principles, modes of action, and contributions to soil function, crop productivity, and soil carbon dynamics. Across the literature, three main themes emerge: improvement of soil physicochemical properties, enhancement of nutrient cycling and nutrient-use efficiency, and reinforcement of plant resilience to biotic and abiotic stresses. Organic nutrient-based amendments mainly enrich the soil and build organic matter, influencing soil carbon inputs and short- to medium-term increases in soil organic carbon stocks. Biochar, hydrochar, and related materials act mainly as soil conditioners that improve structure, water retention, and soil function. Biostimulant-type amendments, such as algae extracts and chitosan, influence plant physiological responses and stress tolerance. Humic substances exhibit multifunctional effects at the soil–root interface, contributing to improved nutrient efficiency and, in some systems, enhanced carbon retention. The review highlights that no single amendment is universally superior, with outcomes governed by soil–crop context. Its novelty lies in its mechanism-based, cross-amendment synthesis that frames both yield and carbon outcomes as context-dependent rather than universally transferable. Within this framework, humic substances and carbon-rich materials show potential for climate-smart soil management, but long-term carbon sequestration effects remain uncertain and context-dependent. Full article

Water polluted by dye colorants has been on the rise in the last decade. This is due to the over reliance on the textile industry, and it is holding a high economic value in most countries. This industry is the highest consumer of fresh water whilst also discharging several natural and synthetic pollutants to the environment. Several methods have been used for the removal of these pollutants and one of the most efficient technologies to be developed includes the photocatalysis method, via advanced oxidation processes. This review highlights the developments of green iron oxide nanoparticles as photocatalysts in the last decade. It was noted that tuning and controlling the phytochemical concentration and synthesis conditions, can assist with forming uniform and non-agglomerated materials, as this has limited the vast usage of these materials in major applications. Also, upon controlling the synthesis conditions, improved surface area and charge separation efficiency was noted. Their limitations and need for modification through forming composites are highlighted. Moreover, future perspectives are given on the use of green IONPs as photocatalysts. Full article

The increasing atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide (CO₂) poses a critical threat to global climate stability, highlighting the need for efficient carbon capture technologies. While amine-based solvents such as monoethanolamine (MEA) are widely used for industrial CO₂ capture, they are subject to limitations such as high energy requirements for regeneration, solvent degradation, and environmental concerns. This study investigates potassium carbonate/bicarbonate system as an alternative solution for CO₂ absorption. The absorption mechanism and reaction kinetics of potassium carbonate in the presence of bicarbonates were reviewed. A rate-based model was developed in Aspen Plus, using literature kinetics, to simulate CO₂ absorption using 20 wt% potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃) solution with 10% carbonate-to-bicarbonate conversion under different industrial conditions. Three flue gas compositions were evaluated: cement industry, biomass combustion, and anaerobic digestion, each at 3000 m³/h flow rate. The simulation was conducted to determine minimum column height and solvent loading requirements with a target output of 90% CO₂ removal from the gas streams. Results demonstrated that potassium carbonate systems successfully achieved the target removal efficiency across all scenarios. Column heights ranged from 18 to 25 m, with molar K₂CO₃/CO₂ ratios between 1.41 and 4.00. The biomass combustion scenario proved most favorable due to lower CO₂ concentration and effective heat integration. While requiring higher column heights (18–25 m) compared to MEA systems (6–12 m) and greater solvent mass flow rates, potassium carbonate demonstrated technical feasibility for CO₂ capture. The findings of this study provide a foundation for technoeconomic evaluation of potassium carbonate systems versus amine-based technologies for industrial carbon capture applications. Full article