Search Results (465)

Cadmium (CAD) is a prevalent environmental contaminant that poses serious cardiotoxic risks. The heart, kidney, liver, and brain are just a few of the essential organs that can sustain serious harm from CAD, a very poisonous heavy metal. The cardiotoxic mechanism of CAD is linked to oxidative damage and inflammation. A trace element with anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and antioxidant qualities, selenium (SEL) can be taken as a dietary supplement. The biotoxicity of heavy metal CAD is significantly inhibited by SEL, a mineral that is vital to human and animal nutrition. Through ROS-induced PARP-1/ADPR/TRPM2 pathways, this study seeks to assess the preventive benefits of selenium against cardiovascular damage caused by CAD. The SEL showed encouraging results in reducing inflammatory and oxidative reactions. Rats were given 0.5 mg/kg SEL and 3 mg/kg 2-Aminoethyl diphenylborinate (2-APB) intraperitoneally for five days, in addition to 25 mg/kg CAD given via gavage. Histopathological examination findings revealed that the morphologic changes in the hearts of the CAD group rats were characterised by marked necrosis and the degeneration of myocytes and congestion of vessels. Compared to the rats in the CAD group, the hearts of the SEL, 2-APB and SEL+2-APB groups showed fewer morphological alterations. Moreover, in rats given CAD, there was an increase in cardiac malondialdehyde (MDA), total oxidant (TOS), reactive oxygen species (ROS), caspase (Casp-3-9), and TNF-α, whereas glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total antioxidant (TAS) decreased. SEL improved antioxidants, avoided tissue damage, and reduced cardiac MDA, TOS, and ROS. In rats given CAD, SEL decreased cardiac PARP-1, TRPM2, TNF-α, and caspase. In summary, by reducing oxidative stress and cardiac damage and modifying the ROS/PARP-1/TRPM2 pathway, SEL protected against CAD cardiotoxicity. Full article

Geo-historical information deduced from geo-iconographical resources, derived from extensive research and the selection of cartographies and historical documents, enabled the investigation of the natural and anthropic transformations of the perifluvial area of the Po River in the Emilia-Romagna region (Italy). This territory, significant in terms of its historical, cultural, and environmental contexts, for centuries has been the scene of flood events. These have characterised the morphological and dynamic variability in the riverbed and relative floodplain. The close relationship between man and river is well documented: the interference induced by anthropic activity has alternated with the sometimes-damaging effects of river dynamics. The attention given to the fluvial region of the Po River and its main tributaries, in a peculiar lowland sector near Parma, is critical for understanding spatial–temporal changes contributing to current geo-hydrological risks. A GIS project outlined the geomorphological aspects that define the considerable variations in the course of the Po River (involving width reductions of up to 66% and length changes of up to 14%) and its confluences from the 16th to the 21st century. Knowledge of anthropic modifications is essential as a tool within land-use planning and enhancing community awareness in risk-mitigation activities and strategic management. This study highlights the importance of interdisciplinary geo-historical studies that are complementary in order to decode river dynamics in damaging flood events and latent hazards in an altered river environment. Full article

Three-dimensionally printed cement-based composites emerge as a research hotspot in the fields of construction engineering in recent years. Current research primarily focuses on the reinforcement mechanisms of individually incorporated fibres, while a significant gap remains in the synergistic effects of hybrid fibre systems. This study investigates the effects of mono-doping (0.2 wt.% and 0.4 wt.% by the mass of the cement) and hybrid-doping (0.1 wt.% + 0.1 wt.% by the mass of the cement) with 3 mm polypropylene, basalt, and carbon fibres on the fresh-state properties and mechanical behaviours. Through quantitative characterisation of the flowability and mechanical performance of short-fibre-reinforced 3D-printed cementitious composites (SFR3DPC), coupled with comprehensive testing including digital image correlation, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy, several key findings are obtained. The experimental results indicate that the addition of excess fibres reduces fluidity, which affects the mechanical performance and make the anisotropy of the composites more pronounced. While the single addition of 0.2 wt.% CF shows the most significant improvement in flexural and compressive strengths, the hybrid combination of 0.1 wt.% CF and 0.1 wt.% BF shows the greatest increase in interlayer bond strength by 26.7%. The complementary effect of the hybrid fibres contributes to the damage mode of the composites from brittle fracture to quasi-brittle behaviour at the physical level. These findings offer valuable insights into optimising the mechanical performance and improving defects of 3D-printed cementitious composites with short fibres. Full article

Today, coastal storms represent one of the most formidable environmental challenges, causing significant impacts on coastal communities. This situation underscores both the importance and urgency of studying storms and their characterization. This study proposes an innovative approach combining Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and machine learning (Classification and Regression Trees, CART) to characterize and distinguish damaging storms from non-damaging ones along the coast of Dakar, Senegal. The analysis revealed that among several hydrometeorological variables studied (wave height, period, direction, runup, wave energy, sea level anomaly, tide, etc.), the variables SLA and tide play a central role in the occurrence of damage, although they are weakly correlated with the others. By cross-analyzing these variables, critical thresholds were established, such as Tide > 0.53 m combined with SLA ≥ 0.061 m, Tide > 0.53 m and ECWL ≥ 1.3 m, as well as Runup ≤ 0.64 m associated with a high wave period (Tp), allowing accurate differentiation of potentially damaging storms. The CART method validated these results and identified three key combinations: (1) Tide–SLA, where no damage is observed if Tide < 0.53 m, and damage occurs beyond this threshold when SLA ≥ 0.061 m; (2) Tide–ECWL, where storms are damaging if Tide > 0.53 m and ECWL ≥ 1.3 m; (3) Runup–Tp, where storms are damaging if Runup ≤ 0.64 m or if Runup > 0.82 m with Tp ≥ 16 s. These results constitute the first application of machine learning for storm classification on the Senegalese coast, providing a novel quantitative foundation for better understanding the hydrodynamic conditions associated with damaging storms. The findings of this study could be valuable for risk management and the development of early warning systems Full article

Background/Objectives: Recent breakthroughs in three-dimensional (3D) printing and high-resolution imaging have opened up new possibilities in personalized medicine, surgical planning, and forensic reconstruction. This study breaks new ground by evaluating the integration of high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) with multimodal imaging and additive manufacturing to assess a chronic, infected gunshot injury in the knee joint of a red deer. This unique approach serves as a translational model for complex skeletal trauma. Methods: Multimodal imaging—including clinical CT, MRI, and HR-pQCT—was used to characterise the extent of osseous and soft tissue damage. Histopathological and molecular analyses were performed to confirm the infectious agent. HR-pQCT datasets were segmented and processed for 3D printing using PolyJet, stereolithography (SLA), and fused deposition modelling (FDM). Printed models were quantitatively benchmarked through 3D surface deviation analysis. Results: Imaging revealed comminuted fractures, cortical and trabecular degradation, and soft tissue involvement, consistent with chronic osteomyelitis. Sphingomonas sp., a bacterium that forms biofilms, was identified as the pathogen. Among the printing methods, PolyJet and SLA demonstrated the highest anatomical accuracy, whereas FDM exhibited greater geometric deviation. Conclusions: HR-pQCT-guided 3D printing provides a powerful tool for the anatomical visualisation and quantitative assessment of complex bone pathology. This approach not only enhances diagnostic precision but also supports applications in surgical rehearsal and forensic analysis. It illustrates the potential of digital imaging and additive manufacturing to advance orthopaedic and trauma care, inspiring future research and applications in the field. Full article

This study investigates the influence of cerium nitrate (Ce(NO₃)₃·6H₂O) content on the performance of Ce(III)/CF/BN/EPN coatings intended for heat exchangers. A series of Ce(III)/carbon fibre (CF)/boron nitride (BN)/epoxy phenolic (EPN) coatings are fabricated with varying concentrations of Ce(NO₃)₃·6H₂O. The results of SEM and EDS show that the dissolution of cerium nitrate in acetone due to the particulate form causes it to be distributed in a diffuse state in the coating. This diffuse distribution does not significantly alter the porosity or structural morphology of the coating. With the increase in cerium nitrate content, both the EIS test results and mechanical damage tests indicate a progressive improvement in the corrosion resistance and self-healing properties of the coatings, while the thermal conductivity (TC) remains largely unaffected. The Ce in the coating reacts with the water molecules penetrating into the coating to generate Ce₂O₃ and CeO₂ with protective properties to fill the permeable pores inside the coating or to form a passivation film at the damaged metal–coating interface, which enhances the anticorrosive and self-repairing properties of the coating. However, the incorporation of Ce(NO₃)₃·6H₂O does not change the distribution structure of the filler inside the coating. As a result, the phonon propagation path, rate, and distance remain unchanged, leading to negligible variation in the thermal conductivity. Therefore, at a cerium nitrate content of 2.5 wt%, the coating exhibits the best overall performance, characterised by a |Z|_0.1Hz value of 6.08 × 10⁹ Ω·cm² and a thermal conductivity of approximately 1.4 W/(m·K). Full article

Extraterrestrial exploration presents unique challenges for robotic systems, as traditional rigid rovers face limitations in stowage volume, traction on unpredictable terrain, and susceptibility to damage. Soft robotics offers promising solutions through bio-inspired designs that can mimic natural locomotion mechanisms. Here, we present an optimised, spider-inspired soft jumping robot for extraterrestrial exploration that addresses key challenges in soft robotics: actuation efficiency, controllability, and deployment. Drawing inspiration from spider physiology—particularly their hydraulic extension mechanism—we develop a lightweight limb capable of multi-modal behaviour with significantly reduced energy requirements. Our 3D-printed soft actuator leverages pressure-driven collapse for efficient retraction and pressure-enhanced rapid extension, achieving a power-to-weight ratio of 249 W/kg. The integration of a non-backdriveable clutch mechanism enables the system to hold positions with zero energy expenditure—a critical feature for space applications. Experimental characterisation and a subsequent optimisation methodology across various materials, dimensions, and pressures reveal that the robot can achieve jumping heights of up to 1.86 times its body length. The collapsible nature of the soft limb enables efficient stowage during spacecraft transit, while the integrated pumping system facilitates self-deployment upon arrival. This work demonstrates how biologically inspired design principles can be effectively applied to develop versatile robotic systems optimised for the unique constraints of extraterrestrial exploration. Full article

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a prevalent condition characterised by intermittent upper airway obstruction during sleep, resulting in recurrent hypoxia and sleep fragmentation. Emerging evidence highlights the significant impact of OSA on neuro-ophthalmological health, linking it to conditions such as glaucoma, optic neuropathy, papilledema, and visual field defects. These associations emphasise the importance of understanding the mechanisms connecting OSA to neuro-ophthalmological disorders to enhance early diagnosis and management. This review explores the pathophysiological pathways, including hypoxia-induced vascular dysregulation, oxidative stress, inflammation, and intracranial pressure fluctuations, that contribute to ocular and neurological impairments in OSA patients. Advanced diagnostic tools, such as optical coherence tomography and polysomnography, offer promising avenues for detecting subclinical neuro-ophthalmological changes, enabling timely intervention. Management strategies, primarily centred on continuous positive airway pressure therapy, have shown efficacy in mitigating OSA-related neuro-ophthalmological complications. However, surgical and pharmacological interventions and lifestyle modifications remain vital components of a multidisciplinary approach to care. Despite advancements, significant research gaps persist, particularly in understanding the long-term impact of OSA treatment on neuro-ophthalmological outcomes and identifying specific biomarkers for early detection. Future research should prioritise longitudinal studies, interdisciplinary collaborations, and personalised medicine approaches to address these challenges. Recognising and treating neuro-ophthalmological disorders in OSA patients is imperative for improving quality of life and preventing irreversible visual and neurological damage. Full article

Fluorescent chemosensors are increasingly becoming relevant in recognition chemistry due to their sensitivity, selectivity, fast response time, real-time detection capability, and low cost. Boronic acids have been reported for the recognition of mycolactone, the cytotoxin responsible for tissue damage in Buruli ulcer disease. A library of fluorescent arylboronic acid chemosensors with various signaling moieties with certain beneficial photophysical characteristics (i.e., aminoacridine, aminoquinoline, azo, BODIPY, coumarin, fluorescein, and rhodamine variants) and a recognition moiety (i.e., boronic acid unit) were rationally designed and synthesised using combinatorial approaches, purified, and fully characterised using a set of complementary spectrometric and spectroscopic techniques such as NMR, LC-MS, FT-IR, and X-ray crystallography. In addition, a complete set of basic photophysical quantities such as absorption maxima (λ_abs^max), emission maxima (λ_em^max), Stokes shift (∆λ), molar extinction coefficient (ε), fluorescence quantum yield (Φ_F), and brightness were determined using UV-vis absorption and fluorescence emission spectroscopy techniques. The synthesised arylboronic acid chemosensors were investigated as chemosensors for mycolactone detection using the fluorescent-thin layer chromatography (f-TLC) method. Compound 7 (with a coumarin core) emerged the best (λ_abs^max = 456 nm, λ_em^max = 590 nm, ∆λ = 134 nm, ε = 52816 M⁻¹cm⁻¹, Φ_F = 0.78, and brightness = 41,197 M⁻¹cm⁻¹). Full article

Pupil cycle time (PCT) estimates the dynamics of a biofeedback loop established between pupil size and stimulus luminance, size or colour. The PCT is useful for probing the functional integrity of the retinopupillary circuits, and is therefore potentially applicable for assessing the effects of damage due to retinopathies or neuropathies. In previous studies, PCT was measured by manually counting the number of pupil oscillations during a fixed period to calculate the PCT. This method is scarce, requires a good expertise and cannot be used to estimate several PCT parameters, such as the oscillation amplitude or variability. We have developed a computerised setup based on eye-tracking that expands the possibilities of characterising PCT along several dimensions: oscillation frequency and regularity, amplitude and variability, which can be used with a large palette of stimuli (different colours, sizes, shapes or locations), and further allows measuring blinking frequency and eye movements. We used this method to characterise the PCT in young control participants as well as in patients with several pathologies, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy (DR), retinitis pigmentosa (RP), Stargardt disease (SD), and Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON). We found that PCT is very regular and stable in young healthy participants, with little inter-individual variability. In contrast, several PCT features are altered in older healthy participants as well as in ocular diseases, including slower dynamics, irregular oscillations, and reduced oscillation amplitude. The distinction between patients and healthy participants based on the calculation of the area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristics (AUC of ROC) were dependent on the pathologies and stimuli (0.7 < AUC < 1). PCT nevertheless provides relevant complementary information to assess the physiopathology of ocular diseases and to probe the functioning of retino-pupillary circuits. Full article

Climate-induced wetting and drying (WD) cycles significantly affect the long-term performance of geotechnical structures. This study explores expansive Oxford clay’s mechanical and volumetric responses stabilised with ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and guar gum (GG) under repeated WD cycles. We prepared 108 samples in total—36 untreated, 36 treated with OPC, and 36 treated with GG. These samples were compacted to 90% of their maximum dry density and subjected to 1, 5, 10, and 15 WD cycles, with nine samples for each treatment at each cycle. During the WD cycles, we monitored volumetric strain and moisture content. Mechanical performance was assessed through unconsolidated undrained triaxial tests conducted at matric suctions of −1500 kPa, −33 kPa, and under saturated conditions. We evaluated the undrained shear strength (S_u), secant modulus of elasticity (E₅₀), and modulus of toughness (U_t). The results showed that OPC-treated samples consistently exhibited the highest S_u at −1500 kPa across all WD cycles, followed by untreated and GG-treated samples. At −33 kPa, OPC-treated samples again outperformed the others in S_u, while GG-treated samples performed better than the untreated ones. Under saturated conditions, GG-treated samples displayed a similar S_u to OPC-treated samples, significantly higher than untreated samples. Energy absorption capacity, measured through U_t, peaked for OPC-treated samples at −1500 kPa but favoured GG treatment at −33 kPa and under saturation. X-ray computed tomography (CT) revealed severe degradation in untreated samples, characterised by extensive cracking, minor cracking in OPC-treated samples, and minimal damage in GG-treated samples. This highlights the superior resilience of guar gum to wetting–drying cycles. These findings underscore the potential of guar gum as a sustainable alternative to cement for enhancing the WD resilience of expansive soils, particularly under low-suction or saturated conditions. Full article

This study presents a novel methodology for the real-time characterisation and quantitative assessment of damage in fibre-reinforced polymers (FRPs) using acoustic emission (AE) techniques. While FRPs offer superior mechanical properties for structural applications, their anisotropic nature introduces complex damage mechanisms that are challenging to detect with conventional inspection methods. Our approach advances beyond traditional peak frequency analysis by implementing a multi-variant frequency assessment that can detect and evaluate simultaneously occurring damage modes. By applying the fast Fourier transform and examining multiple frequency peaks within AE signals, we successfully identified five distinct damage mechanisms in carbon fibre composites: matrix cracking (100–200 kHz), delamination (205–265 kHz), debonding (270–320 kHz), fibre fracture (330–385 kHz), and fibre pullout (395–490 kHz). A comparative analysis with wavelet transform methods demonstrated that our approach provides earlier detection of critical damage events, with delamination identified approximately 28 s sooner than with conventional techniques. The proposed methodology enables a more accurate quantitative assessment of structural health, facilitating timely maintenance interventions for large-scale FRP structures, such as wind turbine blades, thereby enhancing reliability while reducing operational downtime and maintenance costs. Full article

Synovial inflammation is recognised as a pathological driver of osteoarthritis (OA), a degenerative joint disease involving cartilage degradation and joint pain. Since extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as key mediators of cellular cross-talk, this study characterised synovial fluid EVs (SFEVs) in OA patients with varying disease severity and determined their functional effects on OA articular chondrocytes. Synovial fluid and articular cartilage were collected from patients undergoing knee surgery. SFEVs were isolated via ultracentrifugation and characterised by nanoparticle tracking analysis, ExoView, and Luminex analysis of protein cargo. Patients were stratified into mild/moderate- and severe-OA groups based on Oxford Knee Score and EQ5D. Chondrocytes were treated with SFEVs, and transcriptomic and secretome responses were analysed using RNA sequencing, Luminex, and ELISA. SFEVs from patients with severe OA were more abundant, smaller and exhibited increased tetraspanin expression. Synovial fluid and SFEVs induced distinct transcriptomic changes in chondrocytes. SFEVs from patients with severe OA promoted a pro-inflammatory and catabolic chondrocyte phenotype, with upregulation of CRTAC1, COL6A3, TNC, and CXCL5, greater secretion of IL-6, MMP1, MMP3 and MMP13, and pro-nociceptive mediators (NGF and Substance P). These findings suggest that SFEVs may contribute to OA progression by exacerbating cartilage damage and promoting pain sensitisation. Full article

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterised by increased oxidative stress, the overproliferation of keratinocytes, the accumulation of inflammatory mediators, and skin barrier damage. Although a number of therapeutic options are available, finding long-term treatments that are well-tolerated and patient-friendly treatments remains a challenge. Tapinarof is a new type of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) modulator that has recently attracted attention as a promising non-steroidal alternative. However, its application may be limited by its poor water solubility and low degree of skin penetration. Nanotechnology-based drug carriers, specially nanogels, offer new opportunities to overcome these limitations by combining the advantages of targeted drug delivery and enhanced skin penetration. Furthermore, nanogel formulations can improve skin hydration and support the restoration of skin barrier function, which are important in the treatment of psoriasis. This review focuses on current and emerging therapeutic approaches, with particular emphasis on the potential of incorporating tapinarof into nanogel formulations as a novel alternative to topical psoriasis treatment. Full article

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterised by systemic inflammation and the progressive damage of joints, significantly impacting patients’ quality of life. Managing this condition requires a complex approach that integrates pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies, alongside psychosocial support and patient education. Aim: This study aims to highlight the importance of an interdisciplinary approach in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, focusing on the role of pharmacological therapies, monitoring treatment response, and the involvement of a multidisciplinary team in the effective management of the disease. Methods: The analysis was based on a review of the specialised literature concerning the role of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs, both conventional and biological), the use of inflammatory markers (CRP and ESR), advanced imaging techniques, and the contribution of various medical specialities to the holistic management of rheumatoid arthritis. A total of 595,900 records were identified, of which 53 studies were ultimately included in the detailed analysis. Relevant studies from fields such as rheumatology, nutrition, psychology, and physical therapy were included. Results: The findings underline that DMARDs, in combination with other pharmacological therapies, remain essential for slowing disease progression. Monitoring treatment response through inflammatory markers and imaging techniques allows for the adjustment of therapeutic strategies and the prevention of complications. An interdisciplinary approach, involving the rheumatologist, general practitioner, physiotherapist, nutritionist, and psychologist, provides significant benefits, such as reducing inflammation, improving joint function, and offering psychosocial support. Conclusions: The effective management of rheumatoid arthritis requires a personalised interdisciplinary approach. Integrating various specialities, along with patient education and psychosocial support, contributes to better disease management, the prevention of disabilities, and improved quality of life. This review is not registered. Full article