Search Results (27,765)

Background/Objectives: Elastic stable intramedullary nailing (ESIN) is widely used for the treatment of pediatric diaphyseal forearm fractures. Although fracture union is commonly achieved, restoration of physiological radial bowing is essential for optimal forearm biomechanics. Most previous studies have focused on bowing magnitude, whereas the anatomical location of maximal radial bowing has received limited attention. Methods: This retrospective observational study included pediatric patients aged 4–16 years who underwent ESIN for diaphyseal radius and ulna fractures and had a minimum follow-up of 1 year. Postoperative anteroposterior radiographs were analyzed to determine maximal radial bowing (MRB) and the location of maximal radial bowing (LMRB) using standardized radiographic methods. Simultaneous concordance with the literature-derived MRB (6–9%) and LMRB (55–75%) reference ranges was evaluated as an exploratory composite radiographic outcome. Clinical, radiological, and surgical variables were analyzed, and multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with the exploratory composite radiographic outcome. Results: A total of 61 patients were included. The mean age was 10.8 ± 2.6 years, and 86.9% were male. Mean MRB was 5.9 ± 0.9%. MRB and LMRB were within the predefined literature-derived reference ranges in 55.7% and 85.2% of patients, respectively, and simultaneous concordance with both ranges was observed in 50.8%. A significant association was identified between MRB and LMRB, indicating that increased bowing magnitude was associated with a more proximally located maximal bow. The injury-to-surgery interval was not independently associated with the exploratory composite radiographic outcome. Despite radiological variability, 95.1% of patients demonstrated excellent or good functional outcomes. Conclusions: In this retrospective cohort, combined evaluation of MRB and LMRB provided a descriptive assessment of postoperative radial alignment. Concordance with both predefined reference ranges was associated with less supination loss; however, no individual radiographic parameter showed a significant correlation with functional outcomes. Full article

Background: Congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) is a rare developmental disorder characterized by cystic lung lesions, yet its extracellular matrix (ECM) composition remains poorly understood. This study employed decellularization and data-independent acquisition (DIA) proteomics to compare ECM profiles between cystic (CPAM) and histologically normal non-diseased (ND) regions from the lungs of four patients. Results: The decellularized scaffolds retained their native architecture with minimal residual DNA (<50 ng/mg). Proteomic analysis revealed 431 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs), with 171 upregulated and 260 downregulated in CPAM. Key findings revealed CPAM-specific enrichment of collagens (COL4A6, COL4A2, COL10A1, COL21A1 and PIIINP), glycoproteins (SPP1, FRAS1, FREM1, FREM2, LTBP1 and FBLN7), ECM regulators (TENM2, ROR2 and OMD), and ECM-affiliated proteins (ANXA7), alongside downregulation of glycoproteins (VASN and ABI3BP), proteoglycans (PODN and MXRA7), ECM regulators (SCARA5, PAPPA, SAA4, CPXM1, CTSC, THY1, SERPINA6/A1/D1, BSG, LYVE1, ITIH4 and CD44), and ECM-affiliated proteins (LGALSL). Pathway analysis highlighted the dysregulation of TGF-β, PI3K–AKT, and mTOR signaling in CPAM and aberrant ECM–cell interactions in pathogenesis. We also evaluated their functional properties and investigated the impact of ECM-based hydrogels on recellularization. Conclusions: These findings provide a comprehensive proteomic atlas of CPAM ECM alterations, offering insights into disease mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets. Full article

Although traditional carbon-based supercapacitor electrode materials exhibit good cycling stability and conductivity, their specific capacitance and energy density are limited by the dual-layer capacitor storage mechanism, making it difficult to satisfy the growing demand for high-performance energy storage. Consequently, the introduction of pseudocapacitive materials with Faradaic charge transfer characteristics has become a research focus in the field of supercapacitors. Herein, Cu/Co metal-anchored carbon composites (IL-Cu@NC and IL-Co@NC) have been successfully synthesized using metal-functionalized ionic liquids as both precursors and dopants via a one-step carbonization process. The micro-morphology, crystallinity, surface chemical states, and pore structure of the prepared electrode materials have been systematically characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), chronoamperometry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, and N₂ adsorption–desorption measurements. The energy storage performance of the fabricated electrode materials has been investigated using a three-electrode system in an alkaline solution. The optimized IL-Cu@NC electrode achieves a specific capacitance of 653 F g⁻¹ at 0.5 A g⁻¹, along with stable cycling performance. This research proposed a feasible strategy for developing high-performance supercapacitor electrodes by functionalizing metals with ionic liquids, achieving enhanced specific capacitance compared with conventional carbon materials. Full article

The TP63 locus generates TAp63 and ΔNp63 isoforms through alternative promoter usage, but the cis-regulatory features that confer differential promoter responsiveness remain incompletely defined. Here, we functionally dissected distal TAp63-associated and proximal ΔNp63-associated TP63 promoter regions using reporter-based assays in A549 cells. Rabbit TP63 promoter fragments were selected from distal and proximal promoter-associated regions and analyzed by serial deletion and site-directed mutagenesis. Deletion mapping identified discrete promoter intervals that positively or negatively affected reporter activity, while motif perturbation revealed promoter-context-dependent contributions of predicted FOXA1/2, NKX2–1, SOX9, and TP63-related regulatory elements. Endogenous ChIP-qPCR at corresponding human TP63 promoter-associated regions provided local enrichment evidence for selected transcription-factor-associated signals, and FOXA2 or SOX9 depletion shifted endogenous TAp63 and ΔNp63 protein abundance. These findings identify candidate TP63 promoter intervals and transcription-factor-responsive motifs that differentially affect dual-promoter reporter output. The study provides a promoter-level framework for investigating how TP63 promoter responsiveness is influenced by promoter architecture, motif composition, and cellular regulatory background within a heterologous reporter context, while highlighting the need for future validation in more physiological human epithelial systems. Full article

Fault feature extraction for rotate vector (RV) reducers is hindered by weak impulsive components masked by noise, empirical parameter selection in conventional variational mode decomposition (VMD), and mode redundancy. To address these issues, an improved wild horse optimizer-based variational mode decomposition (IWHO-VMD) framework with effective-mode reconstruction is proposed. A two-stage search strategy and a composite fitness function integrating squared envelope spectrum (SES) negentropy, reconstruction error, and an effective-mode penalty are used to optimize the VMD mode number and penalty factor. Fault-related intrinsic mode functions are then selected using SES negentropy and normalized energy ratio, followed by effective mode reconstruction and Hilbert envelope spectrum analysis. The method is validated on two self-built RV reducer datasets involving rolling-element wear and planetary gear tooth-surface wear, together with a public crankshaft wear dataset, and compared with several optimization methods. It achieves an average characteristic-frequency identification accuracy of 98.95% across the three datasets. On the comparative dataset, IWHO-VMD achieves the lowest fitness value and reduces the number of convergence iterations by 25.0–50.0%; with effective-mode reconstruction, its average identification accuracy reaches 99.03%. The proposed framework improves VMD parameter adaptivity and enhances fault-feature representation, providing a reliable basis for RV reducer condition monitoring. Full article

This study developed and optimized a niosomal delivery system for fermented corn bran extract (FCBE) to enhance its stability and evaluate its antioxidant potential for nutritional and health applications. Niosomes were prepared using a central composite design (CCD) to assess the effects of surfactant hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) and cholesterol content on encapsulation efficiency (EE) and particle size. The optimized formulation, obtained at an HLB of 13.5 and 92 mg cholesterol, achieved an EE of approximately 56% and a mean particle size of 205 nm. Antioxidant activity assays showed that the DPPH scavenging capacity of encapsulated FCBE was comparable to that of the free extract, whereas ABTS scavenging activity was lower for the encapsulated extract (9.54%) than for the free extract (16.8%). This lower apparent ABTS activity was attributed to the restricted release of phenolic compounds from the niosomal vesicles in the aqueous assay medium, rather than to a loss of their intrinsic antioxidant capacity. In vitro release studies confirmed that niosomal encapsulation provided a more controlled and sustained release profile. Stability evaluation demonstrated good preservation under refrigerated conditions, while higher temperatures and acidic pH reduced encapsulation efficiency over time. These findings highlight the potential of niosomes as carriers of plant-derived bioactive compounds for functional food and pharmaceutical applications. Full article

Background: Bilateral nephrolithiasis is typically attributed to systemic metabolic abnormalities reflected in 24 h urine studies. Yet, some individuals form stones exclusively in one kidney over long-term follow-up, while the contralateral kidney remains unaffected. This study aimed to determine whether differences in urinary metabolites can explain persistent unilateral stone formation. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our 2011–2024 nephrolithiasis database and analyzed 24 h urine compositions obtained under regular diet and daily activity conditions. Patients were classified into three groups: bilateral stone formers (BSF), unilateral stone formers (USF), and past unilateral stone formers (PUSF)—the latter comprising patients whose stone-forming kidney was either resected or non-functioning, with urine reflecting the contralateral, stone-free kidney. Results: The study included 618 patients in the BSF group, 22 in the USF group, and eight in the PUSF group. The median follow-up duration was 83 months. After correction for multiple comparisons, the only difference between the USF and BSF groups that remained significant was higher urinary calcium in the USF group (269 vs. 184 mg/24 h; adjusted p = 0.03). The PUSF group had lower creatinine and uric acid than the other groups, and lower citrate than the USF group (adjusted p < 0.05); the differences in oxalate did not remain significant after correction. Conclusions: Standard 24 h urine parameters, which reflect combined output from both kidneys, did not account for persistent unilateral nephrolithiasis. This suggests that local renal, molecular, or genetic factors, rather than systemic metabolic differences, may underlie this phenomenon. Full article

Rubus ulmifolius Schott is an invasive bramble whose recurrently removed biomass may contain nutritionally useful leaves and young shoots. This narrative and translational review evaluates whether that biomass can be investigated as a candidate sheep supplement without encouraging its spread. Species-specific evidence shows marked seasonal and fraction-dependent variation in crude protein, fiber, lignin and tannin activity, whereas controlled sheep-feeding data remain scarce. Goat browsing observations and general studies of tannin-rich feeds support only indirect hypotheses regarding intake, rumen nitrogen metabolism, methane, microbiome composition, oxidative status, product quality and parasite resilience. Key constraints include mature-cane lignification, thorns and selective refusal, uncertain dose–response, processing effects, contamination and propagule biosecurity. We therefore define functional browse as an unvalidated, outcome-dependent designation and propose a staged evidence pathway: local biomass mapping and no-spread harvest; fraction-specific chemical and phytochemical characterization; in vitro digestibility, polyethylene-glycol and methane screening; short-term sheep acceptability and safety; controlled dose–response trials; targeted mechanistic studies; and farm-scale techno-economic and ecological validation. Current evidence supports R. ulmifolius as a candidate for structured evaluation, not as a proven practical feed. Any future use should be local, traceable, fruit-free or seed-inactivated, and contingent on maintained intake, digestibility, welfare and performance. Full article

This study evaluated the impact of varying quercetin (Q; 0.01–0.05%) incorporations on the quality, functional, structural, and bio-functional properties of CHOS-enriched (0.75%; w/w) pangasius surimi gel. Gel samples were analyzed for gel strength, texture profile, colour, water-holding capacity (WHC), protein interactions, structural changes , thermal stability, antioxidant/antimicrobial activities, and sensory parameters. Results indicated that Q significantly decreased pH while exerting a minor effect on proximate composition. Incorporation of Q up to 0.04% (Q4) remarkably improved breaking force (654.70 g), deformation (1.13 cm), gel strength (707.82 g cm), hardness, and WHC (90.66%), while reducing expressible moisture content and proteolysis. Molecular interactions, FT-IR spectra, SDS-PAGE, and SEM confirmed that Q promoted cross-linking of myosin heavy chains via hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions, creating a denser, more compact gel matrix with higher thermal stability. Additionally, Q addition significantly enhanced 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS)/2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli(E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) in a concentration-dependent manner, though lightness and whiteness indices decreased due to Q’s natural yellow pigment. Full article

Chronic musculoskeletal pain remains a leading cause of disability worldwide, driven by progressive degeneration of cartilage, bone, tendon, intervertebral discs, and peripheral nerves. Conventional interventional approaches primarily address symptoms without restoring structural integrity or tissue homeostasis. Regenerative strategies, including platelet-rich plasma, mesenchymal stem cells, and biomaterials, have demonstrated potential but are limited by variability in outcomes, poor cellular survival, and lack of standardization. Exosomes and extracellular vesicles are key mediators of intercellular communication in tissue repair, reproducing many of the paracrine effects of parent cells while offering improved safety and scalability. These nano-sized vesicles regulate inflammation, angiogenesis, extracellular matrix remodeling, and cell survival across musculoskeletal and neural tissues. Importantly, growing evidence suggests that mechanical cues such as compression, shear stress, and tensile loading not only regulate cellular behavior but also shape exosome biogenesis, cargo composition, and functional effects through mechanotransduction pathways involving integrins, ion channels, and YAP/TAZ signaling. This mechanobiology–exosome interface is particularly relevant in interventional pain medicine, where therapeutics are delivered into mechanically active environments such as joints, discs, tendons, and perineural spaces. Mechanical loading conditions may therefore modulate therapeutic efficacy by shaping both endogenous repair processes and the behavior of administered exosomes. The present investigation reviews the current literature and knowledge on mechanotransduction pathways and exosome biology, with a focus on their intersection in musculoskeletal regeneration. We further examine preclinical and clinical evidence supporting exosome-based therapies in osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease, tendon and ligament injuries, and neuropathic pain states, alongside key translational challenges including heterogeneity in exosome isolation, dosing, biodistribution, and clinical standardization. Finally, we discuss future directions in mechanobiology-guided exosome engineering and their potential integration into interventional pain practice. Full article

Background: Severe COVID-19 reflects a multi-layered host response with systemic inflammation, thrombo-inflammation, tissue damage, oxidative stress and altered antiviral interferon biology. We performed an integrated exploratory analysis of first-wave hospitalized patients to identify biomarker patterns associated with adverse clinical evolution during established admission. Methods: We analyzed 60 hospitalized COVID-19 patients and 18 healthy controls for soluble IFNAR2 (sIFNAR2) comparison. Biomarker samples were obtained during hospitalization, approximately seven days after symptom onset. Outcomes were final clinical status, severe respiratory involvement, post-sampling clinical worsening and death. Analyses included non-parametric testing, false-discovery-rate adjustment, effect-size estimation, exploratory ROC curves, parsimonious regression, penalized internal validation, composite scores and molecular-structure analyses. Results: Final status was favorable outcome in 31 patients, severe non-fatal disease in 22 and death in 7. sIFNAR2 was higher in patients than in healthy controls and highest among non-survivors, but did not distinguish favorably from severe non-fatal disease. The most consistent severity-associated signals were IL-6, D-dimer, total thiols, IL-10, LDH, ferritin, leukocytes and IL-1RA. D-dimer, IL-6 and ferritin yielded the largest exploratory univariable AUCs for severe respiratory involvement, whereas ferritin, IL-10, IL-1RA and sIFNAR2 predominated in event-limited mortality analyses, which were based on only seven deaths. Composite multi-axis scores and PLS-DA were tools requiring external validation. Conclusions: Biomarker patterns during admission were associated with adverse evolution. Conventional markers remained the most practical signals, while cytokines, redox markers and sIFNAR2 provided complementary biological information. sIFNAR2 should be interpreted as an exploratory complementary marker of the interferon receptor axis, mainly linked to mortality, not as a stand-alone clinical test or functional measure of IFNAR signaling. Full article

Biological soil crusts (BSCs) are critical components of alpine sandy land ecosystems, yet how their diazotrophic communities respond to plantation type and successional stage remains largely unknown. This study examined diazotrophic community differentiation in BSCs under four sand-fixing plantations (Salix psammophila SL, Caragana korshinskii NT, Salix cheilophila WL, Populus simonii XYY) across three successional stages in an alpine sandy land. Soil properties, microbial biomass, and enzyme activities were measured, along with nifH gene sequencing (Illumina), to characterize community composition and its relationships with environmental factors along BSCs succession. The results indicate that Skermanella, Mastigocladus, and Nostoc were the dominant diazotrophic groups in the study area. The Nostoc was the dominant genus across all plantation types, with the highest average relative abundance (37.92%) recorded in moss crusts under the XYY plantations. Diazotrophic α-diversity increased with BSCs succession, and β-diversity analysis (PCoA with ANOSIM) demonstrated significant community differentiation among plantation types (variance explanation = 50.91%, R = 0.59458, p = 0.001). Spearman’s and redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that sand-fixing plantations drive the differentiation of diazotrophic communities by regulating soil physicochemical properties and microbial metabolism. Furthermore, the diazotrophic communities in moss crusts exhibited stronger environmental responsiveness than those in algae crusts. In the COG functional categories, J (translation and ribosomal biogenesis, 7.92%), E (amino acid metabolism, 10.14%), and C (energy production, 7.11%) were identified as the core foundational functions of BSCs in the study area. The relative abundances of these functional categories showed convergence. In summary, different plantations were associated with distinct diazotrophic community compositions, and these associations were largely mediated by soil environmental factors. Concurrently, BSC succession covaried with enhanced differentiation in community structure and functional traits. These patterns are consistent with a stepwise response cascade linking vegetation and soil properties to diazotrophic communities and nitrogen metabolism functions. This study provides a theoretical basis for enhancing the stability and long-term restoration of artificial ecosystems by regulating diazotrophic communities in BSCs in alpine sandy land. Full article

Developing efficient utilization approaches for unconventional feed resources is critical for sustainable livestock production. Mulberry (Morus alba L.) is a woody forage resource with high nutritional value. However, its inherent lignocellulosic barrier hinders high-quality fermentation during natural ensiling without exogenous additives. In this study, mature mulberry was ensiled under 8 treatments: a blank control (without any exogenous additives), 6 graphene treatments (G5, G10, G20, G25, G50, G75) with final graphene concentrations of 5, 10, 20, 25, 50, and 75 mg/L respectively, and a cellulase treatment (AC, Acremonium cellulolyticus). Four biological replicates were prepared for each treatment, and fermentation quality, chemical composition, and bacterial community structure were determined after 60 days of ensiling. Low-dose graphene treatments (G5 and G10) showed no significant difference in fermentation quality compared with the control. Across the G20–G75 gradient, silage pH decreased and then increased with rising graphene dosage, while lactic acid content exhibited the opposite trend. The G50 treatment achieved optimal fermentation performance, characterized by high lactic acid accumulation (2.84% DM), a low pH (4.13), and a low ammonia nitrogen/total nitrogen ratio (15.85%). The neutral detergent fiber content of the G50 treatment was comparable to that of the AC treatment. The relative abundance of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum increased with graphene concentration, with the minimum value observed in G5 and the maximum in G50. This study demonstrated that 50 mg/L graphene alone effectively alleviated the fermentation barrier of woody forage silage, with fermentation performance comparable to or even superior to that of cellulase treatment. These findings provide new insights and a theoretical basis for the application of functional nanomaterials in the livestock industry. Full article

Nodule inception (NIN)-like proteins (NLPs) are plant-specific transcription factors regulating nutrient absorption, growth, and stress tolerance; however, their roles in stress responses remain largely uncharacterized. Cultivated strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa ‘Camarosa’) serves as an ideal model for dissecting the evolution and function of NLP genes. In this study, 37 FaNLP genes were identified genome-wide. Phylogenetic analysis classified them into three subfamilies, which are evenly distributed across seven chromosomes. Divergent exon–intron structures and conserved motif compositions suggest functional differentiation among FaNLPs. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) revealed distinct expression profiles under heat stress and Botrytis cinerea infection. Notably, FaNLPs were significantly more upregulated in the cultivar ‘Shuxing’ than in ‘Benihoppe’. Heat stress inhibited photosynthesis and altered catalase activity (CAT), superoxide dismutase activities (SOD) and peroxidase activities (POD), whereas fungal infection enhanced chitinase activity in both cultivars. Comparative genomics with Arabidopsis and rice revealed strawberry-specific evolutionary patterns of NLPs. Subcellular localization prediction indicates that FaNLP proteins primarily localize to the nucleus, implying their potential roles as transcriptional regulators. This study links FaNLP sequence characteristics with stress response phenotypes, providing a foundation for elucidating NLP-mediated regulatory networks in strawberry. Future functional assays, including overexpression and knockout analyses, will further clarify the biological roles of FaNLPs. Full article

Soy protein, apple fiber, and corn starch are widely used functional ingredients, yet their combined effects on food matrix properties remain poorly characterized. A D-optimal mixture design (16 runs) was used to evaluate how these three components, individually and in binary and ternary combinations, determine the proximate composition, CIELab color parameters, and techno-functional properties (water and oil absorption and solubility, pH, apparent density, emulsifying and foaming capacity, least gelation concentration, and foam stability over 120 min) of model blends. Response surface models were statistically significant for 19 of the 21 responses evaluated (R² = 0.70–1.00, p ≤ 0.05); water and oil absorption capacity did not reach significance (R² = 0.66–0.72, p > 0.05). Formulation was the main driver of the system’s behavior. Starch increased moisture, carbohydrate content, and lightness; protein determined ash, protein content, and water solubility; and fiber dominated crude fiber, lipid content, and red–yellow chromaticity, producing the greatest total color difference relative to pure starch. Unlike composition and color, which followed largely additive, single-ingredient-driven trends, interfacial functionality was governed by strong binary interactions: a synergistic protein–fiber interaction dominated emulsifying capacity (positive) and foaming capacity (strongly negative, almost completely suppressing foam formation even at protein levels comparable to the pure-protein vertex), while a synergistic protein–starch interaction enhanced foam stability. Water and oil absorption capacities varied within narrow, statistically non-significant ranges, indicating structural rather than compositional control. These findings show that mixture design and response surface methodology can quantitatively predict and tune the physicochemical, color, and functional performance of protein–fiber–starch blends, providing a practical framework for designing plant-based functional ingredients with targeted nutritional and technological profiles. Full article