Search Results (2,568)

Cadmium (Cd) is widely dispersed in the environment and has emerged as a major environmental contaminant. Although Salix viminalis shows potential for phytoremediation of Cd pollution, the defence mechanism of its roots against heavy metals remains unclear. This study explores the adaptive response of S. viminalis roots to Cd stress from physiological, transcriptomic, and metabolomic perspectives. The results suggest that Cd stress exerts inhibitory effects on root growth and development. Compared with the control (Cd-free), the root volume and dry weight of S. viminalis exposed to Cd decreased by 26% and 29%, respectively. After exposure to Cd stress for 14 and 21 days, the Cd content in the roots increased by 117-fold and 134-fold, the hydrogen peroxide content increased by 89% and 110%, and the malondialdehyde content increased by 82% and 88%, respectively. This phenomenon can be attributed to the fact that the continuous accumulation of Cd in the roots may have aggravated the degree of lipid peroxidation. A total of 9171 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 169 differential metabolites (DIMs) were identified through transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses. Further combined analyses revealed the potential roles of several pathways in the defensive response of S. viminalis roots against Cd stress, including plant hormone signal transduction, thiamine metabolism, glycolysis, glycerophospholipid metabolism, and other pathways. Notably, the feedback regulatory effects formed by thiamine metabolism and hormone signal transduction related to auxin, jasmonic acid, and salicylic acid play a crucial role in the early stage when roots are exposed to Cd stress. These effects mobilized osmotic adjustment in roots by enhancing saccharide metabolism and activated the Cd detoxification process by altering lipid metabolism, thereby contributing positively to the defence of willow roots against Cd stress. These findings provide insights into the adaptive mechanism of S. viminalis roots in response to Cd and the application of fast-growing woody plants in heavy metal phytoremediation. Full article

Broiler respiratory rate (RR) in cage systems is a core physiological indicator of health and stress. However, real-time, non-invasive continuous RR monitoring is difficult in a high-density breeding environment, thereby limiting precise poultry health management. This study developed a feasible non-contact broiler RR measurement method to address this gap. The proposed method integrates infrared thermal imaging and phase-based video magnification (PBVM). Using cage-reared white-feathered broilers as subjects, we selected the thoracodorsal and tail regions as regions of interest (ROI), applied PBVM to amplify subtle respiratory-related body surface movements, and extracted RR features via the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). Two validation experiments were conducted under controlled laboratory conditions. One was an RR dynamic monitoring experiment covering the entire life cycle (4 to 36 days), which analyzed video data of 198 individual quiet broilers. The other was a multi-gradient heat stress experiment with temperature increases of +2 °C, +4 °C, and +5 °C, and analyzed video data of 162 individual quiet broilers. The method achieved favorable measurement accuracy: in the whole-life-stage experiment, the mean absolute error (MAE) was 0.036 Hz, the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) was 4.461%, and the coefficient of determination (R²) reached 0.961; in the heat stress experiment, the MAE was 0.042 Hz, the MAPE was 3.270%, and the R² reached 0.928. Linear regression analysis confirmed that healthy broiler RR decreased linearly with increasing age, and verified that RR showed a stepwise response to thermal challenge with a positive correlation between RR increase and temperature increment, accompanied by growth stage specificity. This study provides a feasible non-invasive approach for broiler RR monitoring, offering preliminary reference data for early heat stress detection and sustainable poultry production. Full article

Sechium edule (Cucurbitaceae), commonly known as chayote, which is a cucurbit of economic relevance, has experienced higher incidence of wilting from Phytophthora capsici in Mexican commercial fields during heavy rainfall. The infection process of this oomycete on chayote stems at the anatomical level had not been documented. This study characterized histological changes in chayote stems infected with P. capsici. Plants were inoculated at the stem base with P. capsici mycelial plugs, while controls received sterile plugs. Stem samples collected at 8, 12, 16, 22, and 30 days post-inoculation were processed and stained using safranin O–fast green. Microscopic observations showed progressive anatomical alterations. At 8 dpi, hyphae appeared in cortical parenchyma and epidermis, with phenolic compound accumulation. By 12 dpi, stromata and sporangia were visible in vascular and cortical tissues, with tyloses formation. At 16 dpi, cell wall collapse and xylem colonization became evident. These effects intensified at 22 and 30 dpi, with tissue degradation and an abundance of hyphae. Control stems maintained intact structures. Macroscopically, plants remained asymptomatic until 12 dpi, when brown lesions appeared. By 22 dpi, leaf yellowing and stem necrosis were observed, leading to plant death by 30 dpi. The results demonstrate the rapid colonization of chayote tissues by P. capsici, and its impact on vascular integrity. This study provides knowledge for future research on host resistance and disease management in chayote crops. Full article

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been extensively studied in cancer treatment research since they have special physicochemical characteristics such as facile surface functionalization with various chemical groups, low toxicity, favorable biocompatibility, and the ability to passively accumulate in tumors through the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. Prostate cancer cells exhibit an overexpression of the Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA), which therefore represents an ideal candidate for the development of nanoplatforms targeting PSMA overexpressed on these cells. Lutetium-177 (¹⁷⁷Lu) is a β-particle emitter with a half-life of 6.7 days. This radionuclide is very promising for the development of theranostic platforms as it emits β⁻ particles, which are suitable for therapy, and γ-photons, capable of SPECT imaging. The combination of ¹⁷⁷Lu with AuNPs functionalized with PSMA for targeted delivery offers a promising tool for both diagnosis and therapy of prostate cancer. In this study, we focused on the synthesis and in vitro evaluation of PSMA-targeted AuNPs radiolabeled with ¹⁷⁷Lu. The AuNPs were functionalized with the TADOTAGA chelator, which enables effective radiolabeling with the radiometal, as well as with a PSMA molecule, which comprises the PSMA targeting moiety (vehicle) of the nanoconstruct. Radiolabeling of the functionalized AuNPs with ¹⁷⁷Lu was fast and robust. Subsequent studies focused on the in vitro stability and cellular interaction with two prostate cancer cell lines with different PSMA expression levels, in both 2D and 3D cell cultures, to assess effective targeting. Results indicate that radiolabeled AuNPs exhibit selective interaction with PSMA-expressing cells and present a stronger in vitro cytotoxic effect when functionalized with the PSMA molecule, confirming their potential as theranostic agents and warranting further investigation in LNCaP tumor-bearing mice. Full article

Background: Lung cancer (LC) remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Survival outcomes are strongly stage-dependent. Many patients are diagnosed at advanced stages due to pre-clinical and diagnostic delays. While advances in imaging, bronchoscopic techniques, molecular diagnostics, and systemic therapies have improved individualized treatment, system-level delays continue to limit their impact. Aim of the study: The aim of this narrative review is a synthesis with an implementation-oriented framework proposal. Part I synthesizes the peer-reviewed literature, Part II presents an operational framework integrating a Fast Trac Clinic (FTC) and a network of Lung Cancer Units (LCUs) including proposed turnaround-time (TAT) goals. Methods: A narrative review of the literature of selected European policy documents addressing diagnostic delays, rapid-access lung cancer pathways, and coordinated care models was conducted. Results: European models demonstrate that structured referral criteria, centralized coordination, and predefined interval targets can achieve the first specialist assessment within 7–10 days and the completion of diagnostics within 21–28 days in optimized settings. Key determinants of timeliness include: direct primary care referral, parallel diagnostic processes, prioritized pathology and molecular testing, and multidisciplinary team (MDT) assessment. We propose operational TAT targets for chest CT, PET-CT, histopathology, NGS, PFTs, and MDT decision-making. Conclusions: Reducing avoidable diagnostic and therapeutic delays in LC requires a coordinated, system-level approach. A standardized FTC-LCU pathway with explicit TAT benchmarks, multidisciplinary governance, and digital support infrastructure may improve diagnostic efficiency, increase the proportion of patients treated at earlier stages, and enhance patient experience. Prospective evaluation of implementation impact on stage distribution and survival is advised. Full article

Background: Alpelisib plus fulvestrant improves outcomes in PIK3CA-mutated, hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer. However, on-target hyperglycemia often leads to dose modification or discontinuation. We aimed primarily to determine whether evening alpelisib after a ≥5 h fast with low-carbohydrate guidance reduces severe hyperglycemia versus standard morning dosing, and secondarily, to assess time to first grade 3–4 hyperglycemia, efficacy, and quality of life (QoL). Methods: ITACA was an open-label, randomized, phase IIb trial in three Croatian centers. Patients progressing on endocrine therapy were randomized 1:1 to evening alpelisib 300 mg after a ≥5 h fast with low-carbohydrate guidance or standard morning alpelisib, both with fulvestrant. The primary endpoint was the exposure-adjusted incidence rate (EAIR) of first grade 3–4 hyperglycemia within 90 days or 30 days post-discontinuation. Secondary endpoints were time to first grade 3–4 hyperglycemia, efficacy, and QoL. Results: Forty-two patients were randomized (21 per arm). Median age was 60 vs. 63 years in the evening vs. morning arms. In the safety set, EAIR of first grade 3–4 hyperglycemia was 378 vs. 742 per 100 person-years (11/21 vs. 14/20 patients with ≥1 event, unadjusted IRR 0.51, 95% CI 0.23–1.12). Adjusted Poisson models favored evening dosing. Analyses suggested delayed onset (median 73 vs. 9.5 days), with no detriment in efficacy or QoL. Conclusions: Evening alpelisib preceded by fasting and low-carbohydrate guidance may improve metabolic tolerability without compromising efficacy or QoL. These findings support evaluation in a larger trial incorporating prospective metabolic adherence and pharmacokinetic assessments. Full article

In the essay we introduce present-day systems concepts, such as resilience, tipping points, and hysteresis effects, via the concept of fast–slow dynamical systems (whether explicit in the models or implicit through bifurcation and stability behaviours). These lead naturally to ideas first propagated within catastrophe theory, fifty years ago. We discuss the historical catastrophe (the backlash) that befell such an abstract yet mathematically grounded (and thus inescapable) theory within economics and also its subsequent re-appraisal and re-adoption. Finally, we discuss some of the challenges inherent in anticipating tipping points from live systems data (observations), within systems-theoretic interpretations, and whether methods from topological data analysis might respond to them. While it is fashionable for national, governmental and policy institutions to speak of “resilience” in all manner of national systems contexts, we aver that it is foolishly inadequate to do so without an understanding and consideration of tipping points and hysteresis (sometimes termed “path dependence”), giving rise to “lock-in”. Full article

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality, and processed meat consumption has been consistently associated with adverse cardiometabolic outcomes in observational studies. However, processed meat products differ substantially in composition and processing methods, and traditional dry-cured ham presents distinct nutritional and biochemical characteristics. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize evidence from human intervention studies evaluating the effects of dry-cured ham consumption on cardiometabolic and vascular health in adults. A comprehensive search of major databases identified eligible randomized and non-randomized intervention studies. Five trials were included in the qualitative synthesis, and meta-analyses were performed for blood pressure, lipid profile, and fasting blood glucose outcomes when sufficient data were available. The pooled analyses indicated a small but statistically significant reduction in diastolic blood pressure and total cholesterol associated with dry-cured ham consumption, whereas no significant effects were observed for systolic blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, or fasting blood glucose. Substantial heterogeneity was present across most outcomes. Overall, the available intervention evidence suggests that dry-cured ham consumption at doses ranging from 40 to 120 g/day does not appear to adversely affect conventional cardiometabolic risk markers in adults. Nevertheless, the limited number and short duration of trials warrant cautious interpretation. Full article

Background and Objectives: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a major cause of global disability. The efficacy of a non-invasive treatment, pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy, remains debated. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluate PEMF’s effectiveness on KOA, exploring the influence of device parameters. Materials and Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from 2015 to 2025. Nine RCTs with a total of 457 patients were included. Primary outcomes were pain (Visual Analog Scale—VAS) and function (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index—WOMAC). Data were pooled using a random-effects model with subgroup analyses based on PEMF amplitude and frequency. Results: No significant improvement in VAS pain or total WOMAC scores was found at one month. However, time-dependent effects were observed. WOMAC-pain improved significantly at 18–21 days (MD = −1.63, 95% CI: −2.43 to −0.82, I² = 28%) but not at one month. Conversely, WOMAC-stiffness (MD = −1.11, 95% CI: −1.386 to −0.85, I² = 0%) and daily activity (MD = −3.39, 95% CI: −4.81 to −1.97, I² = 0%) improved significantly only at the one-month. Objective functional measures did not improve, and the overall risk of bias across studies was high. The efficacy of PEMF is also influenced by the amplitude and frequency. Conclusions: PEMF efficacy for KOA is nuanced, with benefits dependent on timing and device parameters. High frequency gives fast pain relief; high amplitude builds function. Though statistically significant, these improvements may not reach thresholds for clinical meaningfulness. Significant heterogeneity in treatment protocols is a major barrier to clear conclusions. Standardized, large-scale RCTs are needed to determine optimal parameters and confirm PEMF’s clinical role. Full article

Heart failure management increasingly relies on heterogeneous clinical and real-world data generated through remote monitoring technologies. However, transforming these multimodal data streams into actionable insights requires robust interoperability infrastructures. This study presents the RETENTION interoperability framework, a federated HL7 Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR)-based architecture designed to support multi-site heart failure monitoring across five independent clinical environments. A semantic reference model comprising 444 clinical and contextual variables was developed and aligned with FHIR R4 resources and internationally recognised terminology systems. The platform adopts a selective profiling strategy, extending only the Patient resource while standardising the remaining variables through example-driven Implementation Guide documentation. Identifiable data are retained locally within Clinical Site Backends, whereas anonymised datasets are periodically aggregated into a Global Insights Cloud to enable centralised analytics and controlled third-party interactions. The framework was deployed across six hospitals (with two Spanish hospitals sharing the same deployment), supporting 390 patients and over 130,000 patient-days of monitoring, with more than 3.6 million remote device data points harmonised without schema conflicts. The results demonstrate that large-scale semantic harmonisation and privacy-preserving aggregation can be achieved using a lightweight profiling approach, providing a scalable and reproducible interoperability model for multi-centre digital health research infrastructures. Full article

Background: The triglyceride glucose index (TyG-i), a biomarker of insulin resistance, has been associated with adverse vascular outcomes and risk stratification in several cardiovascular and cerebrovascular phenotypes. However, data on TyG-i as a prognostic marker in spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) remain limited. Objective: To explore the association between TyG-i and 90-day functional outcome in patients with ICH. Methods: A retrospective analysis of adult patients admitted for non-traumatic small vessel disease-related ICH at three Italian neurological institutions was conducted. TyG-i was calculated on admission as Ln[(fast triglycerides (mg/dL) × fast glucose (mg/dL))]/2. Functional outcome was measured with the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 90 days from the index event. TyG-i was analyzed as a continuous variable and categorized in quintiles (Q1 to Q5). Predictors of poor outcome (mRS 4–6) were investigated with multivariable logistic regression. Results: A total of 463 patients were included, of whom 197 (42.5%) had poor outcome at 90 days. TyG-i analyzed as a continuous variable was not associated with unfavorable prognosis. TyG-i analyzed as a categorical variable stratified by quintiles showed a non-linear U-shaped relationship with functional outcome; patients in Q4 had the lowest risk of poor outcome (Q1 reference, OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.22–0.87, p = 0.019). Discussion: We found a potential non-linear relationship between TyG-i and ICH outcome, with higher odds of good prognosis in patients with intermediate values. Conclusions: TyG-i may represent a promising, low-cost and widely available biomarker that might improve prognostication in clinical practice, but further studies are needed. Full article

Background: The back squat is a key strength and conditioning exercise used to develop lower-limb strength and power, yet little is known about how movement velocity influences its acute performance-enhancing effects, such as improvements in countermovement jump height and power. The present study examined the acute effects of slow (v_slow) versus fast (v_fast) eccentric-phase velocity during back squats performed withmaximal concentric velocity on subsequent countermovement jump (CMJ) performance, using a randomized, crossover design. Methods: Fourteen male subjects (age = 22.9 ± 1.9 years; height = 1.8 ± 0.1 m; mass = 76.4 ± 8.3 kg) visited the laboratory on two separate days and completed a comprehensive task-specific warm-up followed by three v_slow or v_fast back squats at 70% of one-repetition maximum. Three CMJs were performed before and 30 s, 4 min, 8 min, and 12 min after the interventions. Jump height, peak power, kinetic energy, maximum knee angle, and knee angular velocities in both eccentric (downward) and concentric (upward) phases were recorded. Results: No significant (p > 0.05) between-condition differences were detected in any measure. Compared to pre-intervention, significant increases (collapsed data) were detected in jump height (6.0%; d = 0.68–0.83), power (3.6–6%; r = 0.32–0.38), and kinetic energy (5.0–8.0%; d = 0.62–0.86) at 30 s and 4 min. Conclusions: Given the lack of between-condition differences, the eccentric movement velocity of moderate conditioning back squats with maximal concentric velocity exercises does not appear to influence subsequent jump performance enhancements. Thus, either conditioning activity can be used to improve subsequent jump performance. However, as performance was enhanced only at 30 s and 4 min post-intervention, the window of opportunity is narrow, and timing should be carefully considered when including such activities in pre-competition routines. Full article

Lightweight day-ahead photovoltaic (PV) forecasting models encounter a significant technical challenge: under resource-constrained deployment conditions, it is difficult to simultaneously address weather-regime heterogeneity, maintain model interpretability, and preserve adaptability as operating conditions evolve. To address this issue, we propose a multimodal short-term photovoltaic (PV) forecasting method that integrates weather-mode partitioning using the Clustering Using Representatives (CURE) algorithm with a self-updating Batch-Lasso model. First, the meteorological-PV dataset is partitioned along two dimensions by combining seasonal grouping with CURE clustering within each season, producing representative weather modes and enhancing the fidelity of weather pattern classification. Second, to extract informative predictors from high-dimensional meteorological inputs while maintaining interpretability, we formulate per-mode Lasso regression and adopt the Fast Iterative Shrinkage-Thresholding Algorithm (FISTA) to efficiently solve for the sparse regression coefficients. Third, we introduce a batch-based self-update and correction mechanism with rollback verification, enabling the mode-specific models to be refreshed as new historical data become available while preventing performance degradation. Compared with representative machine learning baselines, the proposed method maintains competitive accuracy with substantially lower computational and storage overhead, enabling high-frequency and energy-efficient inference on resource-constrained terminals, thereby reducing operational burdens and computational energy costs and better meeting the deployment needs of sustainable energy systems under heterogeneous weather conditions. Full article

Background/Objectives: Peak cough flow (PCF) is an objective measure of cough effectiveness after stroke, but biomarkers reflecting physiological vulnerability related to reduced PCF are not well established. We investigated whether bone turnover markers (BTMs)—C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX) and procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide (P1NP)—were associated with PCF in subacute ischemic stroke. Methods: In this retrospective study, 112 patients admitted within 21 days of stroke onset had fasting morning CTX and P1NP measured by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay, and PCF measured within 72 h of admission. Associations were assessed using Spearman correlation and multivariable linear regression with BTMs standardized (per 1 standard deviation increase), adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, onset-to-admission days, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, Korean version of the Modified Barthel Index, estimated glomerular filtration rate, smoking status, and brainstem lesion. Results: CTX showed an inverse correlation with PCF (rho = −0.469; p < 0.001) and remained independently associated with lower PCF after multivariable adjustment (β = −42.32 L/min; 95% confidence interval, −56.12 to −28.52; p < 0.001), whereas P1NP showed weaker associations. In secondary outcome analyses, higher CTX was associated with low PCF (PCF < 160 L/min), aspiration pneumonia, and longer length of stay. Conclusions: Higher CTX levels were independently associated with lower peak cough flow and selected respiratory-related outcomes in this retrospective cohort. These findings are hypothesis-generating, do not imply prognostic validation, and warrant confirmation in prospective multicenter studies assessing incremental predictive value. Full article

Background: Genetic causes of growth failure should be suspected in patients born small for gestational age (SGA) who fail to show postnatal catch-up growth, present with severe short stature (SS), and exhibit a poor or absent response to growth hormone (rhGH) therapy. Mutations in the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) gene are associated with impaired growth, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), low birth weight and/or length, and postnatal SS. Case Description: A 9-year-old boy, born SGA for birth length, was evaluated for severe SS. Common causes of SS were excluded. At 9 years and 7 months of age, his height was 112.6 cm (−3.99 SDS), weight 18 kg (−3.79 SDS), and BMI 14.2 kg/m² (−1.8 SDS); pubertal development was Tanner stage 1. The target height was 158 cm (−2.62 SDS). Bone age was delayed by approximately one year compared with chronological age. Serum IGF-1 levels were within the upper-normal range for age. GH therapy (0.035 mg/kg/day) was initiated due to the lack of catch-up growth in an SGA subject. After three years of treatment, the height gain was only 0.5 SDS. IGF-1 levels showed a transient treatment-related increase, followed by persistent normalization during ongoing therapy. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis identified novel heterozygous paternal nonsense variant in the IGF1R gene: c.3498C>G (p.Tyr1166Ter). At 12 years of age, impaired fasting glucose and reduced glucose tolerance were detected; consequently, it was decided to discontinue rhGH therapy, also in light of the IGF1R mutation and the lack of height recovery. Conclusions: This case underlines the critical role of genetic testing in the evaluation of patients born SGA. The coexistence of SGA status and an IGF1R gene mutation may provide a clear explanation for both the poor response to rhGH therapy and the increased risk of alterations in glucose metabolism. An extensive narrative review of the literature on growth outcomes and glucose metabolism abnormalities during GH treatment in SGA patients carrying IGF1R variants was also performed. Full article