Search Results (605)

Dose-dense chemotherapy shortens the interval between chemotherapy cycles and has shown improved outcomes in high-risk breast cancer patients. We retrospectively evaluated the efficacy and safety of dose-dense chemotherapy in 80 breast cancer patients treated at our hospital from 2020 to 2024. The regimen included epirubicin and cyclophosphamide followed by paclitaxel or docetaxel, with pegfilgrastim support. The overall treatment completion rate was 82.5%. Of the 80 patients, 55 underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and the pathological complete response rate was significantly higher in triple-negative breast cancer (59.1%) compared to that in luminal-type cancer (9.1%). Common adverse events included anemia, liver dysfunction, myalgia, and peripheral neuropathy. Febrile neutropenia occurred in 8.8% of patients, with some cases linked to pegfilgrastim body pod use, particularly in individuals with low subcutaneous fat. Notably, two patients developed pneumocystis pneumonia, potentially associated with steroid administration. Despite these toxicities, most were manageable and resolved after treatment. Our findings support the efficacy of dose-dense chemotherapy, particularly in triple-negative breast cancer, while highlighting the importance of individualized supportive care and vigilance regarding hematologic and infectious complications. Full article

As a typical grain base with a dense population and high-level urbanization, the North China Plain (NCP) faces a serious threat to its sustainable development due to water shortage. Surface water area (SWA) is a key indicator for continuously measuring the trends of regional water resources and assessing their current status. Therefore, a deep understanding of its changing patterns and driving forces is essential for achieving the sustainable management of water resources. In this study, we examined the interannual variability and trends of SWA in the NCP from 1990 to 2023 using annual 30 m water body maps generated from all available Landsat imagery, a robust water mapping algorithm, and the cloud computing platform Google Earth Engine (GEE). The results showed that the SWA in the NCP has significantly increased over the past three decades. The continuous emergence of artificial reservoirs and urban lakes, along with the booming aquaculture industry, are the main factors driving the growth of SWA. Consequently, the expansion of artificial water bodies resulted in a significant increase in water evaporation (0.16 km³/yr). Moreover, the proportion of water evaporation to regional evapotranspiration (ET) gradually increased (0–0.7%/yr), indicating that the contribution of water evaporation from artificial water bodies to ET is becoming increasingly prominent. Therefore, it can be concluded that the ever-expanding artificial water bodies have become a new hidden danger affecting the water security of the NCP through evaporative loss and deserve close attention. This study not only provides us with a new perspective for deeply understanding the current status of water resources security in the NCP but also provides a typical case with great reference value for the analysis of water resources changes in other similar regions. Full article

Background and Objectives: Although cyanoacrylate–polylactic acid (CA + PLA) patches shorten the time to hemostasis after partial hepatectomy, their long-term biocompatibility remains uncertain. We compared the 5-month histopathological footprint of a novel CA + PLA patch (Study group) with a licensed fibrinogen/thrombin matrix (TachoSil^® group) and electrocautery (Control group). Methods: Thirty-three male Wistar rats underwent a 3 × 1.5 cm hepatic segment resection and were randomized to the Control (n = 5), Study (n = 14), or TachoSil^® (n = 14) group. The animals were sacrificed on postoperative day (POD) 50, 100, or 150. Blinded semiquantitative scoring (0–3) was used to capture inflammation intensity, and the number of neutrophils (PMNs), lymphocytes (Ly’s), isolated histiocytes, and foreign-body giant cells (FBGCs). Results: The proportions of animals in each group across the different sacrifice time points were homogeneous (χ² = 4.34, p = 0.36). The median inflammation remained mild (2 [IQR 1–2]) in the Control and Study groups but lower in the TachoSil^® group (1 [1–2], p = 0.47). The FBGC scores differed markedly (score ≥ 2: 64% in Study, 0% in Control, 14% in TachoSil^®; p < 0.001). Fibrosis occurred almost exclusively in the Study group (79% vs. 0%; χ² = 22.4, p < 0.001). Mature vessels were most frequently observed in the TachoSil^® group (50%, aOR = 5.1 vs. Study, p = 0.04). Abscesses only developed in the Study group (29%, p = 0.046). Within the TachoSil^® group, inflammation (ρ = −0.62, p = 0.019) and Ly infiltration (ρ = −0.76, p = 0.002) declined with time; no significant temporal trends emerged in the Study group. Conclusions: At the five-month follow-up, there was an exuberant foreign-body reaction, dense collagen deposition, and a higher abscess rate around the CA + PLA patch compared with both TachoSil^® and cautery. Conversely, TachoSil^® evolved toward a mature, well-vascularized scar with waning inflammation. These findings underscore the importance of chronic-phase evaluation before clinical adoption of new hemostatic biomaterials. Full article

This study investigates ground deformations in the southeastern Po Plain (northern Italy), focusing on the Bologna area—a densely populated region affected by natural and anthropogenic subsidence. Ground deformations in the area result from geological processes (e.g., sediment compaction and tectonic activity) and human activities (e.g., ground water production and underground gas storage—UGS). We apply a multidisciplinary approach integrating subsurface geology, ground water production, advanced differential interferometry synthetic aperture radar—DInSAR, gas storage data, and land use information to characterize and analyze the spatial and temporal variations in vertical ground deformations. Seasonal and trend decomposition using loess (STL) and cluster analysis techniques are applied to historical DInSAR vertical time series, targeting three representatives areas close to the city of Bologna. The main contribution of the study is the attempt to correlate the lateral extension of ground water bodies with seasonal ground deformations and water production data; the results are validated via knowledge of the geological characteristics of the uppermost part of the Po Plain area. Distinct seasonal patterns are identified and correlated with ground water production withdrawal and UGS operations. The results highlight the influence of superficial aquifer characteristics—particularly the geometry, lateral extent, and hydraulic properties of sedimentary bodies—on the ground movements behavior. This case study outlines an effective multidisciplinary approach for subsidence characterization providing critical insights for risk assessment and mitigation strategies, relevant for the future development of CO₂ and hydrogen storage in depleted reservoirs and saline aquifers. Full article

One of the persistent challenges in multispectral image analysis is the interference caused by dense cloud cover and its resulting shadows, which can significantly obscure surface features. This becomes especially problematic when attempting to monitor surface changes over time using satellite imagery, such as from Landsat-8. In this study, rather than simply masking visual obstructions, we aimed to investigate the role and influence of clouds within the spectral data itself. To achieve this, we employed Independent Component Analysis (ICA), a statistical method capable of decomposing mixed signals into independent source components. By applying ICA to selected Landsat-8 bands and analyzing each component individually, we assessed the extent to which cloud signatures are entangled with surface data. This process revealed that clouds contribute to multiple ICA components simultaneously, indicating their broad spectral influence. With this influence on multiple wavebands, we managed to configure a set of components that could perfectly delineate the extent and location of clouds. Moreover, because Landsat-8 lacks cloud-penetrating wavebands, such as those in the microwave range (e.g., SAR), the surface information beneath dense cloud cover is not captured at all, making it physically impossible for ICA to recover what is not sensed in the first place. Despite these limitations, ICA proved effective in isolating and delineating cloud structures, allowing us to selectively suppress them in reconstructed images. Additionally, the technique successfully highlighted features such as water bodies, vegetation, and color-based land cover differences. These findings suggest that while ICA is a powerful tool for signal separation and cloud-related artifact suppression, its performance is ultimately constrained by the spectral and spatial properties of the input data. Future improvements could be realized by integrating data from complementary sensors—especially those operating in cloud-penetrating wavelengths—or by using higher spectral resolution imagery with narrower bands. Full article

Lindane, a persistent organochlorine pesticide, exerts toxic effects on the female reproductive system, compromising oocyte quality and maturation. However, the effects of this pesticide on mammalian oocyte morphology and ultrastructure remain unknown. This study investigated the effects of Lindane on mouse oocyte ultrastructure using an in vitro model with Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) at concentrations from 1 to 100 μM. The results revealed a progressive dose-related trend of alterations: at 1 μM, mild swelling of smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) vesicles; at 10 μM, increased SER dilation and cytoplasmic disorganization; and at 100 μM, pronounced vacuolization, mitochondrial swelling, dense lamellar bodies (dlbs), and multivesicular bodies (MVBs) indicative of autophagic activity. Mitochondrial alterations increased significantly with concentration: 3.2 ± 0.8 (control), 5.7 ± 1.0 (1 μM), 9.4 ± 1.5 (10 μM), and 16.8 ± 2.3 (100 μM) altered mitochondria per oocyte (p < 0.01). Vacuole frequency was notably elevated at 100 μM (4.3 ± 1.1 vs. 0.7 ± 0.5 in controls), and mislocalization of organelles within the ooplasm was observed. In conclusion, Lindane-induced oocyte ultrastructural alterations were observed at all tested concentrations but were more pronounced at 100 μM. These results highlight its impact on female fertility and may guide the search for protective agents, as well as efforts to reduce environmental exposure to endocrine disruptors. Full article

Deadwood is essential for the forest ecosystem productivity and stability. A growing body of evidence indicates that deadwood-inhabiting microbes are effective decomposition agents, yet little is known about how changes in microbial communities during the initial deadwood decay. In a small forest area, we performed dense sampling from the top, middle, and bottom portions of two representative Pinus massoniana cultivars logs to track deadwood xylem microbiota shift during the initial deadwood decay. We found xylem mycobiota varied dramatically during the initial deadwood decay. Deadwood microbes might largely originate from the endophytic microbes of living trees during the initial deadwood decay. Notably, bark type is an important driving factor for xylem mycobiota changes during the initial deadwood decay. Ten upregulated metabolites were screened out by a univariate analysis approach. Moreover, our correlation analysis suggests that enriched microbes at class level was significantly correlated with the upregulated metabolites during the initial deadwood decay. Our work provides new insights into the process of mycobiota and metabolite changes during the initial deadwood decay. Full article

Background: As a well-known environmental hazard, ambient fine particulate matter (PM_2.5, aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 µm) has been positively correlated with an increased risk of digestive system diseases, including appendicitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and gastrointestinal cancer. Additionally, PM_2.5 exposure has been shown to alter microbiota composition and diversity in human and animal models. However, its impact on goblet cells and gut mucus barrier integrity remains unclear. Methods: To address this, 8-week-old male and female interleukin-10 knockout (IL10^−/−) mice, serving as a spontaneous colitis model, were exposed to concentrated ambient PM_2.5 or filtered air (FA) in a whole-body exposure system for 17 weeks. Colon tissues from the PM_2.5-exposed mice and LS174T goblet cells were analyzed using H&E staining, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and transcriptomic profiling. Results: The average PM_2.5 concentration in the exposure chamber was 100.20 ± 13.79 µg/m³. PM_2.5 exposure in the IL10^−/− mice led to pronounced colon shortening, increased inflammatory infiltration, ragged villi brush borders, dense goblet cells with sparse enterocytes, and lipid droplet accumulation in mitochondria. Similar ultrastructure changes were exhibited in the LS174T goblet cells after PM_2.5 exposure. Transcriptomic analysis revealed a predominantly upregulated gene expression spectrum, indicating an overall enhancement rather than suppression of metabolic activity after PM_2.5 exposure. Integrated enrichment analyses, including GO, KEGG, and GSEA, showed enrichment in pathways related to oxidative stress, xenobiotic (exogenous compound) metabolism, and energy metabolism. METAFlux, a metabolic activity analysis, further substantiated that PM_2.5 exposure induces a shift in cellular energy metabolism preference and disrupts redox homeostasis. Conclusions: The findings of exacerbated gut barrier impairment and goblet cell dysfunction following PM_2.5 exposure provide new evidence of environmental factors contributing to colitis, highlighting new perspectives on its role in the pathogenesis of colitis. Full article

We investigate the survivability of solar system-like planetary systems during close encounters in stellar associations using a suite of 1980 N-body simulations. Each system is based on one of the possible five-planet resonant configurations proposed to represent the initial solar system architecture and is systematically scaled in both planetary mass and orbital compactness to explore the parameter space of observed exoplanetary architectures. Simulations explore a range of stellar encounter scenarios drawn from four distinct cluster environments. Our results show that system survival depends critically on the interplay between planetary mass and orbital scale: compact configurations are more resistant to external perturbations, while increased planetary mass improves resilience only up to a threshold, beyond which internal instabilities dominate. No system whose planets are twice as massive as the ones in the solar system survives stellar encounters. Systems that are at least an order of magnitude more compact than the solar system remain stable under typical encounter conditions. These findings place strong constraints on the initial architectures of planetary systems that can endure stellar-dense birth environments. Full article

Cardiac tissue engineering is a promising strategy to restore cardiac function in heart failure patients. Understanding the cardiac tissue architecture including the cardiac stroma is essential for developing not only advanced cardiac tissue engineering but also novel therapeutic strategies. One of the crucial components of the cardiac stroma is the myocardial vasculature. To enhance the spatial visualization of the cardiac stromal cytoarchitecture with a particular focus on myocardial vasculature, we performed 3D reconstructions of the murine cardiac micro vessels using Serial Block-Face Scanning Electron Microscopy (SBF-SEM). These analyses revealed that pericyte cell bodies were primarily oriented lengthwise and extended several cellular protrusions towards the endothelium. At capillary branching points, some pericytes made contact with both capillaries emerging from branching. In addition to pericytes that are completely encapsulated by the common basal lamina together with capillary endothelial cells, we identified other vascular-associated cells located outside this sheath. Based on marker expression, these cells were distinguished from fibroblasts and suggested to be telocytes. The vascular-associated cells formed electron-dense contact zones with endothelial cells, suggesting functional coupling between these both cell types. In conclusion, this study provides detailed three-dimensional visualizations of the cardiac stroma with a particular focus on cardiac microvasculature, offering enhanced insight into the cardiac stromal cytoarchitecture. Full article

This study compares high-frequency mobile observation data collected in the same area of Kunming under two different meteorological conditions—15 January 2020, and 8 January 2023—to analyze changes in the micro-scale urban thermal environment. Vehicle-mounted temperature and humidity sensors, combined with GPS tracking, were used to conduct real-time, high-resolution data collection across various urban functional areas. The results show that in the two tests, the maximum temperature differences were 10.4 °C and 16.5 °C, respectively, and the maximum standard deviations were 0.34 °C and 2.43 °C, indicating a significant intensification in thermal fluctuations. Industrial and commercial zones experienced the most pronounced cooling, while green spaces and water bodies exhibited greater thermal stability. The study reveals the sensitivity of densely built-up areas to cold extremes and highlights the important role of green infrastructure in mitigating urban thermal instability. Furthermore, this research demonstrates the advantages of mobile observation over conventional remote sensing methods in capturing fine-scale, dynamic thermal distributions, offering valuable insights for climate-resilient urban planning. Full article

Rapid urbanization has exacerbated the urban heat island effect, posing a significant threat to human health and urban ecosystems. While numerous studies have demonstrated that urban morphology significantly influences land surface temperatures (LSTs), few have systematically explored the impact and contribution of urban morphology on LST across different functional zones. Therefore, this study takes Xi’an as a case and employs an interpretable CatBoost-SHAP machine learning model to evaluate the nonlinear influence of building landscape features on LST in different functional zones during summer. The results indicate the following: (1) The highest LST in the study area reached 52.68 °C, while the lowest was 21.68 °C. High-temperature areas were predominantly concentrated in the urban center and industrial zones with dense buildings, whereas areas around water bodies and green spaces exhibited relatively lower temperatures. (2) SHAP analysis revealed that landscape indicators exerted the most substantial impact across all functional zones, with green space zones contributing up to 62%. Among these, fractional vegetation coverage (FVC), as a core landscape factor, served as the primary cooling factor in all six functional zones and consistently demonstrated a negative effect. (3) Population density (POP) exhibited a generally high SHAP contribution across all functional zones, showing a positive correlation. Its effect was most pronounced in commercial zones, accounting for 16%. When POP ranged between 0 and 250 people, the warming effect was particularly prominent. (4) The mean building height (MBH) constituted a major influencing factor in most functional zones, especially in residential zones, where the SHAP value reached 0.7643. Within the range of 10–20 m, the SHAP value increased sharply, indicating a significant warming effect. (5) This study proposes targeted cooling strategies tailored to six functional zones, providing a scientific basis for formulating targeted mitigation strategies for different functional zones to alleviate the urban heat island effect. Full article

This review examines human digestive physiology and metabolic adaptations in the context of evolutionary dietary patterns, particularly those emphasizing carnivorous and scavenging behaviors. By integrating metabolomic data with archaeological, anatomical, and microbiological evidence, the study explores how early hominins adapted to intermittent but energy-dense animal-based diets. The analysis highlights the development of hepatic insulin resistance, enhanced fat and protein metabolism, and shifts in gut microbiota diversity as physiological signatures of meat consumption. Comparative evaluations of digestive enzyme profiles, intestinal morphology, and salivary composition underscore humans’ omnivorous flexibility and partial carnivorous specialization. Additionally, biomarkers such as ketone bodies, branched-chain amino acids, and trimethylamine-N-oxide are identified as metabolic indicators of habitual meat intake. These adaptations, though once evolutionarily advantageous, are discussed in relation to current metabolic disorders in modern nutritional contexts. Overall, this review presents a metabolomic framework for understanding the evolutionary trajectory of human digestion and its implications for health and dietary recommendations. Full article

Introduction: An inverse association between high mammographic breast density (MBD) and pathologic complete response (pCR) following neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for early breast cancer (EBC) has been reported. However, the relationship of MBD to relapse-free (RFS) and breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) is unexplored. This study aims to validate the relationship between MBD and NAC pCR in EBC and to assess correlations with RFS and BCSS. Materials & Methods: MBD was measured on contralateral mammograms in 127 women before NAC using Cumulus software. The percent dense area was correlated with patient and tumour characteristics, pCR, RFS and BCSS. Results: Mean MBD was higher in relapsing patients (p = 0.041) but did not vary by pCR or BC-deaths. As a dichotomous variable, no difference was seen between high and low MBD cohorts for pCR (17.5 vs. 25.0%, p = 0.15), BC relapse (38 vs. 30%, p = 0.15) or BC death (32 vs. 25%, p = 0.20). A planned analysis by body mass index (BMI) demonstrated high MBD associated with lower pCR (0% vs. 28.1%, p = 0.036) and trends for higher relapse (56% vs. 28%, p = 0.063) and BC deaths (56 vs. 28%, (p = 0.071)) in obese patients. No relationship was observed in non-obese patients. Conclusions: Obesity and high MBD may interact to cause chemoresistance. Further research in these patients is warranted. Full article

A novel bioactive glass–ceramic was developed using biogenic hydroxyapatite (BHA) synthesized from Rapana venosa (Black Sea) shells and monocalcium phosphate monohydrate [Ca(H₂PO₄)₂·H₂O] via solid-state synthesis. The prepared batches were obtained by combining BHA with SiO₂, B₂O₃, and Na₂O, melted at 1200 °C and melt-quenched in water to form glass–ceramic materials. Dense biogenic hydroxyapatite-based ceramics were successfully sintered at 1200 °C (2 h hold) using a 25 mass % sintering additive composed of 35 mass % B₂O₃, 45 mass % SiO₂, 10 mass % Al₂O₃, and 10 mass % Na₂O. Structural characterization was carried out using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The resulting materials consisted of a well-defined crystalline hydroxyapatite phase [Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂] alongside an amorphous phase. In samples with increased SiO₂ and reduced B₂O₃ content (composition 3), a finely dispersed Na₃Ca₆(PO₄)₅ crystalline phase appeared, with a reduced presence of hydroxyapatite. Bioactivity was assessed in simulated body fluid (SBF) after 10 and 20 days of immersion, confirming the material’s ability to support apatite layer formation. The main structural units SiO₄, PO₄, and BO₃ are interconnected through Si–O–Si, B–O–B, P–O–P, and mixed Si–O–Al linkages, contributing to both structural stability and bioactivity. Full article