Search Results (3,051)

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of adding antigravity treadmill training (ATT) or harness-based body-weight-supported treadmill training (BWSTT) to standard inpatient rehabilitation after primary hip or knee arthroplasty and to explore preliminary effects on osteoarthritis-related outcomes, balance, and psychological status. Methods: In this single-center, assessor-blinded pilot randomized trial, 60 adults within 3 months after primary hip or knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis were allocated 1:1:1 to ATT, BWSTT, or standard inpatient rehabilitation over 6 weeks. Feasibility outcomes included recruitment, retention, and adherence. ATT and BWSTT additionally included unloading-based treadmill gait training using lower-body positive pressure or a harness system. Exploratory clinical outcomes included WOMAC total and subscale scores, analyzed using baseline-adjusted ANCOVA estimated marginal means. Secondary exploratory outcomes were BBS, FES-I, PHQ-9, and PSS-10. Results: Post-intervention data were available for 47 participants, with differential attrition across groups. Exploratory ANCOVA suggested between-group differences for WOMAC total (p = 0.004) and WOMAC function (p < 0.001). Compared with standard rehabilitation, ATT showed lower adjusted WOMAC total and function scores (both p < 0.01). ATT versus BWSTT contrasts for WOMAC total and function were statistically significant in the primary exploratory model but attenuated after hypertension adjustment. Exploratory signals were also observed for BBS and FES-I, although FES-I was less robust in sensitivity analysis. No clear between-group differences were observed for WOMAC pain, stiffness, PHQ-9, or PSS-10. No formal multiplicity adjustment was applied across exploratory endpoints. Conclusions: In this single-center pilot randomized trial, ATT suggested preliminary function- and balance-related signals that require confirmation in adequately powered multicenter trials. Full article

Background: We previously reported that consuming a Mediterranean-style healthy dietary pattern (MED-HDP) with lower vs. higher glycemic index foods differentially changed indices of postprandial glucose control and daily glycemic variability but did not influence improvements in cardiovascular health indices. Methods: Fifty-two adults (31 females, 21 males; aged 49 ± 11 y, BMI 31 ± 3.1 kg/m², mean ± SD) with two or more features of metabolic syndrome participated for 12 weeks in the randomized, controlled trial with all foods provided. At dinner only, participants could select from protocol-approved foods, including unprocessed chicken breast, unprocessed lean beef, and unprocessed salmon and shrimp (seafood). Objective: Herein, we retrospectively assessed whether the frequency of consuming different sources of meat (i.e., the exposures) was associated with MED-HDP-induced changes in cardiovascular health indices (i.e., the outcomes). Results: Among all participants, consuming the MED-HDP foods (88% adherence) reduced fasting systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressures and serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), and HDL. More frequent consumption of chicken at dinner, in place of beef and seafood, was associated with greater reductions in SBP (p = 0.034 and p = 0.047 for replacing beef and seafood, respectively) and DBP (p = 0.021 and p = 0.043, respectively). Frequency of chicken, beef, and seafood intakes at dinner did not associate with the reductions in serum TC, TG, HDL, or LDL. Conclusions: These results support that adoption of a MED-HDP improved multiple cardiovascular risk factors among middle-aged and older adults at elevated cardiovascular risk. The observed modest associations between more frequent consumption of unprocessed chicken at dinner and greater blood pressure reductions, which do not mean that eating more chicken at dinner causes lower blood pressure, warrant independent replication. Full article

Walking is not merely locomotion but a window into the nervous system, integrating cortical, subcortical, cerebellar, spinal, and peripheral networks into a unified motor behavior. Across neurological diseases—including Parkinson’s disease, atypical parkinsonism, cerebellar ataxias, stroke, multiple sclerosis, neuropathies, neuromuscular disorders, and functional gait syndromes—gait disturbances are among the most disabling clinical features, contributing to falls, loss of independence, institutionalization, and premature mortality. Traditional bedside observation remains indispensable, but it lacks the sensitivity and reproducibility needed to capture subtle, episodic, or prodromal abnormalities. Over the past decade, advances in wearable sensors, marker-based and markerless motion capture, pressure-sensitive walkways, force plates, artificial intelligence, and machine learning have positioned digital mobility outcomes as promising, ecologically valid biomarkers of neurological function. These measures can support differential diagnosis, provide prognostic information on falls and survival, and serve as sensitive endpoints in therapeutic trials. They may also detect early abnormalities, such as increased stride-to-stride variability or prolonged double-support time, before overt clinical deterioration becomes evident. Clinical applications are increasingly evident across disorders, including distinguishing Parkinson’s disease from atypical parkinsonism, quantifying treatment response in normal-pressure hydrocephalus, tracking progression in ataxia and multiple sclerosis, predicting functional decline in motor neuron disease, and guiding rehabilitation after stroke. Integration with neuroimaging, electrophysiology, and molecular biomarkers is beginning to reveal the circuits underlying variability, instability, and freezing, positioning gait as a systems-level marker of neural integrity. Nevertheless, methodological heterogeneity, limited disease-specific validation, insufficient longitudinal data, and lack of consensus on clinically meaningful parameters continue to constrain translation. Cognitive, affective, and environmental influences also remain insufficiently represented in digital frameworks, while equity, accessibility, algorithmic bias, and privacy require careful ethical governance. Reconceptualizing gait as a “sixth vital sign” reframes mobility as a multidimensional biomarker of neural and systemic health. With harmonized protocols, robust validation, multimodal integration, and appropriate ethical frameworks, gait analysis could become a cornerstone of precision neurology. Full article

Chiang Mai, Thailand, experiences seasonal fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) pollution associated with metabolic diseases, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This prospective observational study compared plasma metabolomes of 25 healthy adults in Samoeng District, a highly affected area, between low and high PM_2.5 exposure seasons using proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H-NMR) spectroscopy. Twenty-six metabolites differentiating haze and non-haze seasons were identified using PLS-DA (VIP > 1.5). During the haze season, 11 were elevated, whereas 15 were decreased. Among the elevated metabolites, the top five—maleylacetoacetic acid, deoxyribose 5-phosphate, betaine, 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid, and 1-methyladenosine—were associated with inflammation, increased reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide inhibition, and altered amino acid metabolism. The top five decreased metabolites—deoxyguanosine, D-arabitol, glycerophosphocholine, ophthalmic acid, and oxaloacetic acid—were involved in several metabolic pathways, particularly those involved in energy metabolism. A total of 56 metabolic pathways were altered by high PM_2.5 exposure, including pathways related to amino acids, lipids, sugars, nucleotides, vitamins, and energy metabolism. High PM_2.5 exposure disrupts metabolites and pathways, inducing inflammation, oxidative stress, impaired lipid/energy metabolism, insulin resistance, and high blood pressure. These alterations may increase the risk of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, with dysregulated metabolites serving as potential biomarkers. These findings highlight the molecular impact of air pollution in affected populations and may support preventive strategies and public health policy development in affected regions. Further studies are needed to clarify these findings. Full article

Background: The management of diabetic foot disease and knee osteoarthritis (OA) with smart orthotics holds significant importance during the early stages of these conditions, given their potential consequences, including functional impairment, chronic pain, and economic burden. Real-time monitoring of plantar foot pressure enables early detection of abnormal force distribution and gait biomechanics, allowing for the redirection of forces away from affected ulcers or arthritic joints. This is the first systematic review to synthesise clinical evidence for smart orthotics technology with real-time plantar pressure sensor biofeedback across both diabetic foot ulcer prevention and knee osteoarthritis management simultaneously. A search of the PROSPERO register confirmed no existing registration covers this specific combination. Objectives: To examine the clinical evidence for the use of standard and smart orthotics in the prevention and management of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) and knee OA, and to evaluate their impact on plantar pressure redistribution, ulcer recurrence, pain, biomechanics, and economic burden. Eligibility criteria: Studies published in English involving human adult participants (≥18 years) with a clinical diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (at risk of DFU or with peripheral neuropathy) or knee OA, where the intervention involved any orthotic device or smart/intelligent insole with clinical outcomes reported, were included. Studies on healthy individuals only, those not reporting participant age, and non-weight-bearing protocols not differentiated from weight-bearing were excluded. Information sources: Five databases were searched: CINAHL (EBSCO Information Services, Ipswich, MA, USA), PubMed Advanced (National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA), Wiley Online Library (John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, NJ, USA), Cochrane Library (Cochrane Collaboration, London, UK), and Google Scholar (Google LLC, Mountain View, CA, USA). Searches were completed in May 2026. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive literature review. This review was structured and reported with reference to the PRISMA 2020 statement (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis; University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada) to guide transparency of reporting. It does not constitute a full Cochrane-style systematic review; risk of bias assessment was applied to key included studies and GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation; McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada) certainty ratings were applied informally and narratively rather than as formal per-outcome evidence profiles. Five databases were searched yielding 92,637 records. After removal of 398 duplicates by Rayyan, 92,239 records remained. A subsequent automated keyword-based relevance filter applied within Rayyan (Rayyan AI, Doha, Qatar), prior to human screening, excluded 84,572 records that did not contain any terms related to orthotics, diabetic foot, or knee osteoarthritis, yielding 7667 records for human title/abstract screening. A narrative synthesis approach was adopted owing to the heterogeneity of study designs and outcome measures across included studies, which precluded meta-analysis. This review was not prospectively registered. A complete list of all 78 included studies, including those not individually discussed in the results and discussion. Results: The available clinical studies report promising findings for orthotics and smart orthotics in pain reduction, ulcer prevention, and potential reduction in economic burden, though conclusions are limited by small sample sizes, heterogeneity, and predominantly open-label designs. Recent research found that orthotics can be used to alter the gait pattern that influences knee OA by reducing excessive force on the affected joint. A randomised controlled trial demonstrated an 80% relative risk reduction in DFU recurrence (RR = 0.20; 95% CI: 0.06–0.79; p = 0.022), with absolute event rates of 6.3% in the intervention group versus 30.8% in controls (ARR = 24.5%); a second trial reported a 71% reduction in ulcer incidence over 18 months; and a third randomised controlled trial demonstrated statistically significant plantar pressure reduction (p < 0.01) in patients with diabetic neuropathy. Conclusions: The available evidence suggests that orthotics may be associated with improved pressure redistribution, reduced ulcer incidence, and benefit in the management of knee OA. Although the number of studies directly comparing smart orthotics with standard orthotics remains limited, the limited comparative studies suggested that smart orthotics showed promising results in reducing ulcer incidence, providing the patient with real-time feedback to offload via their electronic devices. These findings, while preliminary, highlight the potential of smart orthotic technology as an adjunct to standard orthotic care in reducing the overall burden of diabetic foot disease and knee osteoarthritis. Limitations: The primary methodological limitation of this review is the open-label design of all included smart orthotic trials, which precludes participant blinding and introduces performance bias. However, this limitation is structural and inherent to the wearable technology field—analogous to surgical trials—and is substantially mitigated by the use of objective primary outcome measures (plantar pressure and ulcer recurrence) across the three included RCTs, the consistency of effect direction across independent RCTs conducted in different countries, and a narrative sensitivity analysis confirming robustness of findings (Risk of Bias Across Studies Section). Formal per-outcome GRADE evidence profiles were not produced; overall certainty of evidence was assessed narratively with reference to GRADE domains and is judged to be low to moderate for smart orthotics in DFU prevention and low for knee OA management, consistent with the Level 2–3 evidence base and open-label study designs. Future adequately powered, multi-site RCTs with standardised outcome reporting, minimum 24-month follow-up, and integrated health economic modelling are the highest priority to extend these preliminary findings. Registration: This review was not prospectively registered. Full article

Introduction: Biological invasions constitute one of the main threats to freshwater ecosystems, causing significant ecological changes through the introduction of exotic species that compete with or prey upon native species. In Portugal, the introduction and spread of exotic species in lotic and lentic ecosystems, such as pike (Esox lucius), European catfish (Silurus glanis), and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), all top predators, may have a big impact on autochthonous species. In contrast, bleak (Alburnus alburnus), European perch (Perca fluviatilis), and common carp (Cyprinus carpio) compete aggressively for food resources. In the Sousa River basin, gudgeon (Gobio lozanoi) is considered an exotic species with potential ecological impact, with the minnow (Phoxinus phoxinus) stand having been recently identified in Portugal and, so far, recorded only in this river basin, and not yet being classified as an invasive species in Portugal. Public knowledge regarding invasive aquatic biodiversity remains a significant bottleneck for conservation. Because recreational angling is a prominent dispersal vector, initiatives that directly target this community are relevant. Objective: The aim is to carry out a bibliographic review on the exotic ichthyofauna species present in the Sousa River, with special focus on the invasion potential of the minnow (P. phoxinus). Methodology: The literature review was conducted based on the ScienceDirect, Springer Nature Link, and Fauna Norvegica databases, selecting publications between 2006 and 2025 concerning relevant studies on the potentially invasive characteristics of the minnow (P. phoxinus). The methodology is based on the analysis of studies regarding the impacts caused on riparian ecosystems. Results: The species P. phoxinus presents a generalist diet and high adaptive capacity, allowing it to colonise new habitats and compete aggressively with native species for trophic resources. Its presence is associated with negative impacts on brown trout populations (Salmo trutta), reducing growth and productivity, especially in mountain ecosystems. Increased species density also causes a significant decrease in benthic macroinvertebrate biodiversity. Studies conducted in the Douro basin indicate that the arrival of minnow in Portugal resulted from human action, probably associated with its use as live bait in recreational fishing. Conservation programmes use diverse tactics to bridge the awareness gap. Recent initiatives feature electrofishing demonstrations to visually differentiate species, theatrical performances, and even culinary show-cooking events using invasive predators like the European catfish to promote harvesting. Conclusions: The potential transition of P. phoxinus into an exotic and invasive species may be associated with the ecological pressure exerted on native communities, particularly through competition for trophic resources, highlighting the need to assess its dispersion in the Sousa basin and its impacts on fish fauna and benthic macroinvertebrates. It is important to do more sampling to understand its real distribution in the Sousa Basin. Additionally is important to explain to recreational anglers and the general population the impacts of fish transfer and the adverse effects of invasive species on freshwater Portuguese ecosystems. Full article

This study develops and analyzes a four-state nonlinear policy–feedback dynamical system that couples a system stressor, an accumulated burden, a signed mitigation–response variable, and a signed policy-pressure variable. The proposed model represents governance response through a smooth threshold-centered feedback mechanism, in which the policy-pressure dynamics depend continuously on the deviation of the stressor from a prescribed reference threshold. Unlike reduced-order formulations with purely exogenous interventions, the present framework generates endogenous interactions among stress accumulation, burden evolution, mitigation response, and policy adjustment. The qualitative analysis establishes local well-posedness in the admissible phase domain, conditional nonnegativity of the accumulated burden, and boundedness of trajectories on admissible intervals. An autonomous effective system is then derived to characterize quasi-stationary mean behavior of the periodically forced dynamics. For this effective system, local stability is investigated using Gershgorin estimates and Routh–Hurwitz criteria, leading to explicit analytical conditions for local asymptotic stability and a critical policy-responsiveness threshold associated with possible Hopf-type oscillatory transitions. The analysis highlights the stabilizing role of mitigation damping and cubic saturation in regulating the feedback loop. To approximate the nonlinear system, a Physics-Informed Neural Network (PINN) surrogate is constructed by embedding the governing equations into a differentiable residual loss while enforcing the initial conditions analytically. The accumulated burden is represented through an admissible neural-network ansatz to preserve the well-definedness of the logarithmic coupling term, while the mitigation–response and policy-pressure variables remain signed in accordance with the model formulation. Numerical validation against reference ode45 solutions across two governance regimes shows maximum absolute errors of order ${10}^{-3}$, indicating that the PINN provides a reliable differentiable surrogate for the coupled policy–feedback dynamics. The resulting framework offers a foundation for future inverse modeling, parameter estimation, and data-assimilation studies involving policy responsiveness, intervention thresholds, and burden- suppression effects. Full article

With the construction of transportation networks in mountainous areas under the Western Development Strategy, double-row pile foundations on slopes have been widely applied. However, due to the distortion of the soil stress field, their load distribution mechanism under bidirectional loading is extremely complex. To investigate the internal force distribution laws and deformation and failure modes, a systematic study was conducted utilizing theoretical derivation: 60 scale indoor physical model tests, and 3D refined finite element numerical simulations. The results show that the force distribution of double-row piles in slope environments differs significantly: the upper-row piles, affected by active earth pressure and sliding thrust, bear significantly higher load than the lower-row piles; meanwhile, the lower-row piles, constrained by stronger deep soil, can more fully utilize their vertical bearing capacity. Parametric analysis indicates that the terrain slope has a nonlinear amplification effect on the displacement difference at the pile top, with 50° being the critical mutation slope that triggers the failure of connection joints. In addition, the deformation mode of double-row piles undergoes a change when the pile spacing exceeds 5 times the pile diameter. Therefore, in practical engineering design, the traditional concept of symmetrical reinforcement should be abandoned in favor of differentiated bending reinforcement targeting the shallow surface layer of the upper-row piles and the deep inflection point of the lower-row piles. For working conditions with a slope greater than 50°, additional measures such as prestressed anchor cables must be applied to reduce the sliding load. Meanwhile, the row spacing should be strictly controlled within 5 times the pile diameter to fully ensure the diaphragm effect and the overall synergistic stability of the structure. Full article

Against the backdrop of the dual-carbon strategy, China’s civil aviation industry, as a high-energy-consumption and high-carbon-emission sector, faces mounting pressure for low-carbon transformation. As the dominant airlines within China’s civil aviation system, Air China, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines play a pivotal role in guiding the industry’s high-quality development. Employing the Global Malmquist–Luenberger (GML) index model, this study constructs a global production frontier incorporating undesirable outputs to systematically measure the dynamic evolution of total factor productivity (TFP) for the three major airlines in the period 2005–2023, and further applies a combined static-dynamic regression framework to identify the firm-level heterogeneous mechanisms through which explanatory factors operate. The results reveal significant heterogeneity in TFP trajectories: China Southern Airlines exhibits the most stable efficiency with the lowest volatility; China Eastern Airlines displays the greatest volatility but the strongest post-crisis rebound; and Air China occupies an intermediate position in both efficiency level and volatility. This differentiation stems from fundamental differences in market positioning, strategic orientation, and resource allocation patterns. Market competitiveness exerts a significantly positive effect on TFP for both Air China and China Eastern Airlines. Technological innovation investment generates short-run negative effects across all three airlines, albeit with divergent magnitudes. Human capital accumulation acts as a positive driver for Air China but produces a negative effect for China Southern Airlines, attributable to a structural mismatch between aggressive talent upgrading and organizational absorptive capacity. Shifting the unit of analysis to the firm level, this study identifies three heterogeneous strategic archetypes—market-led, scale-expansion, and regional-deepening—and constructs a differentiated “one firm, one policy” framework to provide targeted policy guidance for improving airline efficiency and facilitating low-carbon transition under carbon constraints. Full article

Accurate representation of the pressure drop–flow rate (Δp–q) relationship of nozzle-type inflow control devices (ICDs) is critical for reliable reservoir–wellbore coupled simulation. Conventional ICD models in reservoir simulators rely primarily on empirical correlations or tabulated data, but commonly used formulations cannot consistently capture the linear behavior in the low-flow regime or the transition between flow regimes, which may reduce physical fidelity and numerical robustness. To overcome this limitation, this study proposes a unified characteristic-curve representation that integrates linear, transitional, and quadratic flow regimes into a single continuous and differentiable function through a physically constrained least-squares formulation, and further develops a physics-informed neural network (PINN) to learn the ICD pressure–flow relationship while enforcing physical consistency. The trained PINN model is embedded into a multi-segment well model within a reservoir–wellbore coupled simulation framework and evaluated using a mechanistic reservoir model containing permeability streaks with varying permeabilities. The results show that the proposed method improves numerical convergence and accurately reproduces ICD pressure–flow behavior across multiple flow regimes, providing a more physically consistent and robust representation of ICD performance for inflow control analysis and reservoir simulation. Full article

Prior to this study, knowledge on the evolutionary lineage of Garra remained inadequate, as previous phylogenetic investigations were primarily based on partial gene sequences. Although several mitogenomes of Garra species have been reported, their structural organization and comprehensive genomic characteristics have not been thoroughly evaluated. In this study, Garra manipurensis, endemic to the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot, was identified based on its detailed morphology and meristic counts. The circular mitogenome of G. manipurensis is 16,776 bp in length and contains the canonical set of 37 genes, along with duplicated control regions separated by tRNA-Proline. The comparative assessments across Garra species indicate predominantly conserved GTG start codons, occasional alternative ATA initiation codons, and incomplete stop codons. The selection pressure examinations within Garrini taxa reveal a purifying selection across all protein-coding genes. The control region comprises four conserved sequence blocks and species-specific tandem repeats, reflecting a balance between functional constraint and lineage-dependent evolutionary dynamics. The phylogenetic inference supports the monophyly of Garra and places G. manipurensis in close affinity with Garra flavatra, which is native to the western slope of Rakhine Yoma in Myanmar and Mizoram State in northeastern India. The genetic diversity analyses revealed haplotype differentiation, with shallow intraspecific genetic distances (0.000–0.011) observed samples between two distinct drainage systems in Manipur and Mizoram, northeastern India. The observed pattern of haplotype divergence in G. manipurensis may reflect the historical or seasonal hydrological connectivity among the western-slope drainages of the Chin Hills, with the subsequent geographic isolation potentially contributing to the emergence of distinct genetic lineages. Nevertheless, the extent and evolutionary significance of this differentiation remain uncertain and warrant further investigation through expanded geographic sampling and the incorporation of additional molecular data. Collectively, these findings provide in-depth insights into the mitogenomic architecture, comparative gene arrangements, phylogenetic patterns, and matrilineal evolutionary history of G. manipurensis and other congeners, thereby improving our understanding of the systematics and genetic diversity of this important cyprinid fish lineage. Full article

Background/Objectives: The stability of complete dentures is strongly influenced by the biomechanical properties of the oral mucosa, whose heterogeneity results in non-uniform load distribution, while its clinical evaluation remains predominantly qualitative. This article proposes a theoretical differential hypothesis aimed at providing a conceptual mathematical framework for interpreting the relationship between mucosal resilience and load distribution in complete dentures. Methods: The denture-mucosa system was represented along a one-dimensional coordinate, defining resilience R(x) and pressure P(x) as continuous functions related by a first-order differential equation, interpreted through elementary principles of differential calculus. Results: A theoretical simulation based on physiological parameters (F = 50 N, Young’s modulus 19.75 MPa, R = 2 mm) highlights that areas of thinner mucosa tend to behave as stress concentration points, while spatial variability of resilience generates deformation gradients potentially associated with prosthetic instability. Conclusions: The model, although simplified and non-predictive, provides a coherent interpretative framework and can support the integration of biomechanical parameters into clinical reasoning and prosthetic planning. No clinical recommendations should be derived from this model until experimental validation has been performed. Full article

In this work, Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) investigates the combustion behaviour of a reactive transverse lean premixed jet of an ammonia blend (10% NH₃, 11% H₂, 16% O₂ and 63% N₂ by volume) injected through a rectangular nozzle in a pre-heated non-vitiated air crossflow at a pressure of 5 bar. The configuration has been chosen from a Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) test campaign to ensure low NO and low unburned fuel, while maintaining a high temperature profile at the turbine inlet. The DNS shows that the flame stabilises on the leeward side of the rectangular jet, within and downstream of the recirculation region, while high scalar dissipation and short residence times prevent persistent anchoring on the windward side. Joint statistics reveal that the reaction does not follow a constant equivalence ratio path, since intermediate progress states are shifted towards leaner mixtures by entrainment, dilution and differential diffusion. The strongest heat-release and displacement-speed events occur in localised regions where mixture state, stretch and flame-front geometry act jointly. The displacement-speed budget is mainly controlled by the chemical source term, with diffusion reducing the net propagation speed and stratification-induced cross terms remaining small. Under intense stretch, positively curved flame elements exhibit larger displacement speeds, indicating a coupled effect of curvature, preferential diffusion and local radical transport. NO formation is dominated by fuel-nitrogen chemistry: HNO and NH₂ are the main NO-producing routes, whereas N₂ and N₂O provide the dominant NO-sink channels. The DNS predicts an outlet-averaged NO level of 400 dppm, while extended-domain RANS calculations indicate that longer residence times could reduce it below 100 dppm. Full article

Background: Pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGLs) can be metastatic in up to 30% of cases. To assess this risk, scoring systems like PASS and GAPP were developed, yet it is unclear whether these scores correlate with somatic genetic alterations. Methods: A retrospective pilot study. Twenty patients with sporadic pheochromocytoma, stratified into high- and low-risk groups based on GAPP and PASS scores. Somatic variant burden, derived from whole-exome sequencing, and clinical variables were compared between groups. Results: Six patients (30.0%) comprised the high-risk group; all had PASS scores >4 and GAPP scores indicating moderately differentiated PPGLs. Compared with the low-risk group, the high-risk group had larger tumors (4.7 vs. 3.4 cm, p = 0.03) and non-significant association with higher diastolic blood pressure (90 vs. 79 mmHg, p = 0.09), normetanephrine (8.5 vs. 2.3 X upper limit of normal [ULN], p = 0.08), and metanephrine (22.9 vs. 9.25 X ULN, p = 0.09) levels. The high-risk group also demonstrated a higher somatic variant burden, particularly for truncating variants (32 vs. 26, p = 0.04). As a continuous variable, only the GAPP score, not PASS score, showed a significant positive correlation with variant burden, observed for both non-missense (r = 0.57, p = 0.009) and frameshift (r = 0.47, p = 0.04) variants. Conclusions: Higher pathological severity scores are associated with increased rates of severe molecular somatic variants. The stronger link between GAPP score and genetic alteration rates suggests it may better reflect the genomic complexity of sporadic PPGLs. Full article

Urban aquatic ecosystems are increasingly shaped by anthropogenic pressures that alter community structure and ecological functioning. This study investigates how the functional organization of zooplankton communities reflects ecosystem stability along an urbanization gradient in the Colentina River–Lake system (Romania). Zooplankton taxa were classified into trophic guilds and size-based functional groups, and functional diversity was quantified using the FEve, FDiv, FDis, and RaoQ indices, based on functional trait structure and distribution within communities. Ecosystem stability patterns were estimated through zooplankton community resilience (RSL) and resistance (RST), indices derived from Shannon diversity and Pielou evenness. Across the system, filter feeders dominated, and their density increased toward downstream, highly urbanized sectors. Also, small-sized organisms (SMC) were consistently prevalent, representing a zooplankton component commonly associated with stress tolerance and opportunism in disturbed aquatic environments. Functional diversity patterns showed low evenness but high divergence, suggesting that although few functional strategies dominate, communities maintain internal differentiation. While filter feeders remained dominant even in disturbed sectors, the uneven distribution of other groups, especially scrapers, may reflect greater sensitivity to anthropogenic conditions. These findings suggest that functional trait composition, in addition to diversity, plays an important role in shaping structural stability patterns. These findings indicate that functional trait composition, in addition to diversity, was associated with the observed stability patterns. The study reinforces the value of zooplankton as sensitive indicators of functional integrity in anthropogenically impacted freshwater systems and provides insights relevant for sustainable urban water management. Full article