Search Results (2,507)

Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) typically remains latent but can reactivate during immunosuppression caused by chemotherapy, potentially driving immune dysregulation. The NLRP3 inflammasome is a critical innate immune complex mediating pro-inflammatory signaling implicated in tumor progression and treatment toxicity. This study investigated the association between HHV-6 antigenemia and NLRP3 inflammasome activation in 193 chemotherapy-treated cancer patients at the Oncology Hospital in Al-Najaf, Iraq. Serological markers for HHV-6 IgG, IgM, and circulating viral antigen, along with serum NLRP3 levels, were quantified using ELISA. Active HHV-6 antigenemia was observed in over half the cohort, with 56.5% positive for IgM and 42.5% exhibiting antigenemia. Elevated serum NLRP3 levels were detected in 65.8% of patients and correlated significantly with HHV-6 antigen presence, particularly in hematological and genitourinary cancers. Viral antigenemia and inflammasome activity were more prominent in females and older patients. Host gene analysis revealed Hepcidin (HAMP) polymorphisms and altered expression compared to healthy controls, suggesting links between iron metabolism, viral antigenemia, and inflammasome activity. These findings highlight a potential mechanistic connection between HHV-6 antigenemia and inflammasome-driven inflammation, which may contribute to chemotherapy-associated immune dysregulation. Monitoring HHV-6 antigenemia and NLRP3 activation may offer valuable insight into the inflammatory status of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Full article

Background and aims: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common chronic inflammatory skin disease among children. Our study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of hypogammaglobulinemia among pediatric patients with AD and to characterize the clinical and laboratory findings of patients diagnosed with AD and hypogammaglobulinemia. Method: The electronic files of 1850 patients aged 0–18 years diagnosed with AD between 2020 and 2022 in the Pediatric Immunology and Allergy Clinic of Bursa Medical Faculty City Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. During this period, all patients newly diagnosed with atopic dermatitis at our clinic were systematically screened for their serum immunoglobulin (Ig) levels (IgG, IgA, and IgM) at the time of initial presentation. We included 200 AD patients with hypogammaglobulinemia. Disease severity was classified using the Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index. Multivariate logistic and linear regression analyses were performed to identify independent determinants of disease severity, considering age, sex, eosinophil counts, total IgE, food allergies, and baseline immunoglobulin levels. Results: The prevalence of hypogammaglobulinemia among the 1850 screened children with AD was 10.8% (200/1850). Of the 200 patients included in this study, 128 (64%) were male, and 72 (36%) were female. The median age at first clinic presentation was 8 months (interquartile range (IQR) 25–75%: 5–16). According to the Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index, AD severity was mild in 150 (75%) patients and moderate-to-severe in 50 (25%). Food allergy sensitization was present in 72 (36%) patients. Patients with moderate-to-severe AD had significantly lower IgG (300 vs. 374 mg/dL; p < 0.001; r = −0.346), IgA (10 vs. 14 mg/dL; p = 0.004), and IgM (38 vs. 51 mg/dL; p = 0.001) levels when compared with those with mild disease. Multivariate logistic regression confirmed that lower IgG was the only immunoglobulin independently associated with moderate-to-severe AD (OR = 1.97 per 100 mg/dL decrease; 95% CI: 1.15–3.39; p = 0.013), while food allergy was the strongest independent predictor of the SCORAD index (β = +11.97; p < 0.001). None of the patients received intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment. Of the 142 patients who underwent serial serum immunoglobulin measurements, 56 (39%) achieved age-appropriate normal IgG levels, while hypogammaglobulinemia persisted in 86 (61%). Conclusions: We found a higher frequency of hypogammaglobulinemia in patients with AD in our study, as compared with previously reported rates of THI in children from the general pediatric population. Although our study showed an increase in IgG levels during the follow-up period in many patients, it emphasizes the need for long-term immunological monitoring, especially in patients with moderate-to-severe AD. Full article

This study aimed to describe and compare warm-up (WU) demands of different protocols (with ball, without ball and pre-match) on female football players. Twenty-two players belonging to the same team were monitored throughout 12 training weeks using global navigation satellite system technology sampling at 10 Hz. The variables used were duration, total distance, distances covered within 0–45%, 45–60%, 60–85%, and 85–100% of individual maximum speed, maximum speed, maximum acceleration, maximum deceleration, number of accelerations of magnitudes between 1 and 2 m/s², 2 and 3 m/s², 3 and 4 m/s², and above 4 m/s², number of decelerations of magnitudes between −1 and −2 m/s², −2 and −3 m/s², −3 and −4 m/s², and below −4 m/s², Player Load, and TRIMP Edwards. A linear mixed model was carried out for each variable in order to analyze the differences between WU protocols. The main results were that pre-match WU showed higher values in the following variables: (1) duration; (2) distances covered within 60–85% and 85–100% of individual maximum speed; (3) maximum speed, acceleration and deceleration; (4) number of accelerations of magnitudes between 2 and 3 m/s² and between 3 and 4 m/s², and more decelerations of magnitudes between −2 and −3 m/s², −3 and −4 m/s² and below −4 m/s²; and, (5) TRIMP Edwards. These findings underscore the importance of WU design in preparing female football players for high-intensity match demands and contribute to the development of specific WU strategies for them. Full article

(1) Background: Gait analysis technologies have advanced; however, traditional systems like optical motion capture are lab-bound and costly, limiting rehabilitation monitoring. This cross-sectional study evaluates self-powered triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) insoles combined with IMU sensors to assess gait asymmetry, plantar pressure signatures, age effects and injury history in rehabilitation patients, aiming to enable portable, battery-free phenotyping. (2) Methods: Fifty-three patients (22 females, 31 males; age, 29 ± 26 years) from Astana clinics with trauma histories (e.g., spine, ankle, fractures) and 10 healthy references underwent a 2 min walk test (2MWT). TENG insoles captured plantar loading; ankle/knee IMUs measured spatiotemporal parameters (cadence, asymmetry). The data were normalized; the analyses used an ANOVA and correlations (Python 3.14.3). (3) Results: The TENG sensors showed force/frequency linearity (up to 10 V at 20 N). The cadence averaged 101 ± 10 steps/min, declining with age (r = −0.31, p = 0.03) and fractures (r = −0.23, p = 0.04). The asymmetry varied (−54% to +31%) without category differences. Flatfoot (55%) was linked to lateral loading shifts; condition-specific waveform signatures emerged (e.g., lateral heel in ankle issues). (4) TENG-IMU systems feasibly capture gait phenotypes in heterogeneous cohorts, supporting out-of-lab monitoring for personalized rehabilitation without batteries. Prospective validation is required for further practical implications. Full article

Monitoring performance in football often combines physical testing and GPS-derived external-load measures, although their relationships remain unclear. This study examined the relationships between physical-test outcomes and GPS-derived external-load variables during the pre-season in professional female football players and whether these measures appear to capture distinct dimensions of performance. This observational study monitored 24 outfield players from a Brazilian Women’s First Division team during a 6-week pre-season. Players performed the countermovement jump, 10 m and 30 m sprints, change-of-direction test, and 30–15 intermittent fitness test while external load was recorded across field sessions. Associations were examined using Pearson’s or Spearman’s correlations, and principal component analysis (PCA) was applied. Significant correlations were more frequent within than between domains. Total distance correlated with accelerations (ρ = 0.740, p < 0.001), decelerations (ρ = 0.684, p < 0.001), Z3 distance (ρ = 0.595, p = 0.003), and Z4 distance (ρ = 0.584, p = 0.003), while sprint count correlated with sprint distance (r = 0.950, p < 0.001). Estimated VO₂max correlated positively with CMJ (r = 0.533, p = 0.007) and negatively with 10 m (r = −0.445, p = 0.029) and 30 m sprint times (r = −0.476, p = 0.019). PCA identified two components explaining 61.4% of the total variance: external load (40.6%) and physical performance (20.8%). These findings indicate that both approaches capture distinct and complementary aspects of performance. Full article

Binge-scrolling, the consecutive viewing of digital content, may contribute to maladaptive technology use behaviors such as Problematic Smartphone Use (PSU) and Problematic Social Media Use (PSMU). Grounded in Compensatory-Internet Use Theory (CUIT), the present study examined whether Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) mediated the relationships between binge-scrolling, PSU, and PSMU. A total of 428 adults (M_age = 40.82, SD = 12.54, range = 18 to 80) who were nearly equally represented in terms of sex (Male = 213, Female = 214, Prefer not to say = 1) from the United States were recruited to participate in the research by completing validated self-report measures. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to test two hypothesized models. Results indicated that binge-scrolling was positively associated with FoMO, PSU and PSMU and that the pathway between binge-scrolling and PSU/PSMU was mediated by FoMO. FoMO may amplify monitoring-related engagement, linking binge-scrolling to PSU and PSMU. Collectively, this research suggests that FoMO may function as a potential self-regulatory monitoring mechanism within compensatory technology use. Limitations and future research directions are discussed. Full article

Background: Pregnancy following liver and kidney transplantation is rare. The presence of a rare genetic disorder and advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD) further complicates clinical management, for which evidence-based guidelines are limited. Case presentation: A 29-year-old woman with Alagille syndrome underwent combined liver and kidney transplantation in early childhood. She had stage 4 CKD, and her baseline creatinine was around 250 umol/L. Her pregnancy was unplanned and diagnosed at 19+1 weeks of gestation. After the diagnosis of pregnancy, immunosuppressive therapy was promptly adjusted, and potentially teratogenic medications were discontinued. At 21+1 weeks’ gestation, creatinine and urea levels rose despite multidisciplinary management, and she started renal replacement therapy. Despite ongoing multidisciplinary care, the pregnancy was complicated by placental abruption at 24+5 weeks, requiring a preterm cesarean section. A live-born female infant weighing 590 g was delivered. Discussion: The coexistence of CKD, long-term immunosuppression, and high obstetric risk requires early multidisciplinary assessment and individualized management. Currently, standardized protocols for monitoring and treatment are lacking in this rare population, making clinical decision-making particularly challenging, especially regarding CKD progression. Conclusion: Pregnancy in women with combined liver and kidney transplantation and advanced CKD carries a high risk of severe renal and obstetric complications. Preconception counseling and early referral to multidisciplinary teams may help improve management in similar rare clinical scenarios. Full article

Background: Christensenella minuta (C. minuta) is a promising next-generation probiotic linked to reduced body weight, inhibition of obesogenic processes, and enhanced metabolic profiles. However, the extent and persistence of these effects, particularly under varying dietary conditions, remain uncertain. Objective: This study aimed to examine the effects of intrarectal administration of C. minuta on body weight regulation in vivo under different dietary patterns, with or without antibiotic pretreatment, both during the intervention and over the long term. Particular emphasis was placed on exploring the interactions between C. minuta supplementation, dietary background, caloric intake, and body weight gain. Methods: A total of 180 CD1 mice (both sexes equally) were allocated into nine experimental groups based on diet, with and without C. minuta supplementation, and with and without antibiotic pretreatment. The bacterial suspension was administered intrarectally once a week for three consecutive weeks in the treatment groups. Body weight was monitored weekly, and food intake was recorded biweekly over the 12-week study period. Visceral fat mass was measured postmortem. Results: Groups treated with C. minuta with antibiotic pretreatment exhibited significantly lower body weight gain than the control groups during the intervention phase in both sexes, irrespective of caloric intake and dietary pattern, indicating that the reduced weight gain was attributable to the effect of C. minuta. Regarding long-term effects following the cessation of administration, sexual dimorphism was observed: while no lasting impact was found in males, the body weight gain inhibiting effect of C. minuta treatment persisted in females. Furthermore, females treated with C. minuta exhibited the lowest levels of visceral fat among all groups. Caloric intake was not significantly associated with body weight gain at any time point in this study. Conclusions: C. minuta exerts a transient, caloric intake-independent inhibitory effect on body weight gain. The absence of sustained effects highlights the necessity for continuous or optimized administration protocols to ensure the attainment of long-term benefits in the future. The results of this study support the hypothesis that C. minuta can act as a modulator of host metabolism and body composition, underscoring the significance of treatment duration in this process. Full article

The increasing demand for personalized conservative treatment of idiopathic scoliosis (IS) highlights the need for objective and continuous monitoring of corrective forces during brace therapy. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and clinical relevance of a smart orthopedic brace equipped with integrated force sensors for long-term biomechanical assessment. Three female patients with different types of idiopathic scoliosis were treated using a custom-designed thoracolumbosacral orthosis incorporating four flexible pressure sensors, enabling real-time and long-term recording of corrective forces at key anatomical locations. Sensor data were analyzed in relation to brace-wearing adherence, patient activity, and radiological outcomes assessed using Cobb angle measurements. The results demonstrated substantial variability in force distribution and wearing patterns among patients, which was associated with differences in treatment effectiveness. Higher and more stable corrective forces near curve apices were generally accompanied by improved radiological outcomes, whereas irregular brace use and uneven pressure distribution limited therapeutic effects. Long-term monitoring enabled identification of insufficient correction zones and adherence issues. In conclusion, the proposed sensor-based orthotic system provides clinically relevant information on force distribution and brace use, supporting individualized therapy optimization. These findings indicate that smart braces can enhance clinical decision-making and contribute to more effective and personalized scoliosis management. Full article

Background: Algorithm-based insulin dosing systems are increasingly used in hospitals and have shown the potential to efficiently and safely enable glycemic control. The goal of this study was to evaluate glycemic control using the ultralong-acting basal insulin degludec (IDeg) in combination with insulin aspart (IAsp) within an algorithm-driven electronic clinical decision support system (cDSS) in inpatients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Methods: In this non-controlled single-arm pilot study, an electronic, algorithm-based cDSS was applied for the management of insulin treatment in an internal general ward. Thirty hospitalized patients with T2D (18 female, age 74.1 ± 10.9 years, HbA1c 72.4 ± 22.3 mmol/mol, BMI 28.6 ± 5.6 kg/m², diabetes duration 13.2 ± 11.6 years, creatinine 1.5 ± 1.2 mg/dL, length of hospital stay 9.1 ± 4.0 days) were included in the study. Capillary blood glucose (BG) was evaluated four times daily using a point-of-care device integrated into the hospital information system. In addition, all participants received a blinded continuous glucose monitoring (CGM; Abbott Freestyle Libre Pro) system. The primary endpoint was defined as the percentage of BG measurements within the target range of 3.9–7.8 mmol/L. Results: Overall, 722 BG values and 17,242 CGM data points were available. Of those, 52.2% and 55.0% were in the specified target area (3.9–7.8 mmol/L), respectively. Mean BG prior to study start was 11.9 ± 4.4 mmol/L and improved to 7.5 ± 1.9 mmol/L and 7.4 ± 1.4 mmol/L after 6 and 10 days of treatment. BG < 3.9, <3.0 and <2.2 mmol/L was 1.25%, 0.28% and 0%, respectively. Adherence to the total daily insulin dose suggested by the cDSS was 94.2%, and 99.5% of all basal and 85.3% of all bolus insulin suggestions were accepted by the nurses in charge. Basal-bolus therapy using the cDSS covered 85% of the participants’ total hospital stay. Conclusions: Glycemic control using IDeg within an algorithm-driven cDSS could effectively and safely be achieved in the hospital and was highly accepted. Full article

The rapid development of the fintech sector has facilitated the emergence of digital multi-level marketing (MLM) schemes, raising concerns about investor protection. Despite extensive literature on MLM schemes and pyramid schemes, there remains a significant research gap regarding the psychological mechanisms and cognitive biases that drive investor participation behavior. This study investigates factors influencing Vietnamese female investors’ intention to participate in fintech MLM schemes, using Pi Network as a case study. Grounded in behavioral finance theories (Prospect Theory and Social Comparison Theory), the model empirically examines the impacts of herding bias and overconfidence bias, explaining participation intention through the mediating effect of the fear of missing out (FOMO) and perceived risk. A quantitative approach was employed using PLS-SEM analysis, with data collected from 264 female investors in Ho Chi Minh City. The results reveal that herding behavior and overconfidence significantly shape investors’ FOMO and perceived risk, with these biases significantly increasing FOMO and decreasing perceived risk. More importantly, these biases, mediated by FOMO and perceived risk, significantly shape participation intention in fintech MLM schemes. This study contributes empirical evidence showing the interaction between high social connectivity and cognitive-bias-driven vulnerabilities in a rapidly expanding and unregulated digital market such as Vietnam. This study has practical implications for policymakers and financial educators in protecting investors from financial schemes by monitoring social media to debunk “safety in numbers” narratives and prioritize the awareness of biases in financial education to mitigate impulse investments. Full article

A 14-year-old spayed female Maltese dog presented with hematuria, pollakiuria, decreased urine volume per voiding, and prolonged urination time, and was diagnosed with multifactorial urinary obstruction involving suspected trigonal neoplasia and extensive urolithiasis affecting the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Diagnosis was based on serum biochemical analysis, radiography, and ultrasonography, which revealed diffuse urolithiasis, urethral involvement, and a trigonal mass consistent with a suspected neoplastic lesion. Due to the multifocal nature of obstruction, surgical management was considered impractical. The patient underwent urethral stent placement as a minimally invasive palliative intervention. Following the procedure, rapid restoration of urine flow was achieved, and significant improvement in renal parameters, including blood urea nitrogen and creatinine, was observed within 3 days. During follow-up, the stent remained well positioned without migration. Although transient deterioration, including hydronephrosis and increased renal parameters, was noted at day 52, subsequent improvement was observed by day 64, suggesting a dynamic course of obstruction. This case demonstrates that urethral stenting can be an effective treatment option for managing complex, multifactorial lower urinary tract obstruction in dogs, providing rapid clinical improvement and sustained urinary patency. However, progressive changes in the upper urinary tract may occur, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive evaluation and continuous monitoring. Full article

Ophidiomyces ophidiicola (O. ophidiicola) causes ophidiomycosis and has deleterious effects in some North American snakes. Studies have suggested that it is endemic in some species, but most studies have been conducted on individuals of unknown age, for only a season or two. This paper fills that gap by exploring prevalence of qPCR-confirmed ophidiomycosis in known-aged Northern pine snakes (Pituophis melanoleucus melanoleucus) during a six-year testing period, followed by two years of monitoring survival. Some individuals testing positive for O. ophidiicola lived for at least 8 years following initial infection, and their O. ophidiicola status could change from positive to negative and back again in successive years, while still seeming healthy. Approximately 85% were positive in at least one year, and overall positivity was 65% in the snakes. Detection frequency was 45% for ventral swabs, and only 23% for head swabs. Of 31 snakes found at least a year after first testing positive, 71% lived at least 3 years, and 23% lived 6 or more years. Females lived longer after testing positive than males, and more females changed from positive to negative than did males. These data help understand infections, recovery and re-infection in individuals, as well as survival of marked individuals, and have implications for endemism and long-term population viability of snake populations exposed to O. ophidiicola. Full article

Pre-elite female field hockey players have a high incidence of lower extremity injury, highlighting the need for practical and reliable screening approaches. A dual assessment combining Functional Performance Tests (FPTs) with movement quality scoring (QASLS) may provide a more comprehensive evaluation; however, its reliability in this population is unclear. Fifteen pre-elite female field hockey players (16.7 ± 0.7 years) completed an FPT battery (anterior reach (AR), single leg drop vertical jump–land (DVJL), single hop for distance (SHFD), side hop (SH)) on two occasions, 28 days apart. Movement quality was assessed by three raters using QASLS. Reliability was evaluated using ICC with 95% confidence intervals (CI), alongside standard error of measurement (SEM), smallest detectable difference (SDD), and percentage exact agreement (PEA). Test–retest reliability varied across tasks (ICC_2,1 0.33–0.90), with wide confidence intervals indicating uncertainty in several estimates. AR demonstrated the most consistent reliability, supporting its use for monitoring over time. In contrast, the DVJL and SH showed the greatest variability, likely reflecting higher task complexity, while the SHFD required relatively large performance changes to exceed measurement error. Intra-rater reliability for QASLS was consistent across the FPT battery (ICC_2,k 0.79–0.90), whereas inter-rater reliability was more variable (0.38–0.82), indicating rater-dependent differences. PEA demonstrated generally high agreement (60–100%), although lower agreement was observed for pelvic alignment components. These findings support the use of a dual assessment approach as a practicable profiling approach in pre-elite female field hockey, enabling practitioners to identify movement deficits not captured by performance metrics alone. However, variability in complex tasks and between raters highlights the need to consider measurement error and implement standardised rater training when profiling or monitoring performance. Full article

Background/Objectives: Fatigue is a common symptom in adults with cerebral palsy (CP), characterized by fluctuations across the day. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, reliability, and validity of ecological momentary assessment (EMA) for capturing these temporal dynamics in adults with CP. Methods: Ten adults with CP (60% female, mean age = 44 years, Gross Motor Function Classification System levels I–III) and eight typically developed controls (62% female, mean age = 39 years) completed a 20-item EMA survey ten times daily for seven days using the SEMA³ smartphone application. Feasibility was evaluated through retention rates, response rates, and qualitative interviews. Intraindividual variability, within-person reliability, measurement reactivity, and convergent validity with the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) were examined using mixed-effects regression and multilevel measurement error autoregressive (MEAR) models. Results: No participants dropped out. Average response rates were 76% (CP) and 75% (control). The protocol was perceived as acceptable overall, though demanding by some participants. In the CP group, 61% of total variability in momentary fatigue was attributable to within-person fluctuations, and within-person reliability was 0.73 (SEM = 1.13). No evidence of reactivity to self-monitoring was found in fatigue ratings or qualitative interviews. FSS scores were positively associated with person-level average momentary fatigue, β = 0.51, p = 0.048. Conclusions: EMA is feasible in adults with CP and reveals substantial within-person fluctuations in fatigue. These findings provide initial proof-of-concept and inform methodological amendments for a future large-scale study of fatigue dynamics aiming to advance symptom management in this population. Full article