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Search Results (226)

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33 pages, 2425 KB  
Article
Integrated Geomechanical Coupled Model for Co-Production of Tight Gas and Deep CBM and Its Parameter Sensitivity Study
by Zhongwen Sun, Yongsheng An, Guangning Yang, Guoping Yang, Yiran Kang and Zhe Wang
Energies 2026, 19(16), 3843; https://doi.org/10.3390/en19163843 - 16 Aug 2026
Viewed by 122
Abstract
Coal-bearing tight gas and deep coalbed methane (CBM) widely co-occur in China, and integrated commingled production outperforms separate development. Conventional separated simulation fails to capture coupled reservoir–wellbore gas–water flow. This study develops an integrated geomechanical coupled numerical model with multi-scale fractures and multi-phase [...] Read more.
Coal-bearing tight gas and deep coalbed methane (CBM) widely co-occur in China, and integrated commingled production outperforms separate development. Conventional separated simulation fails to capture coupled reservoir–wellbore gas–water flow. This study develops an integrated geomechanical coupled numerical model with multi-scale fractures and multi-phase wellbore flow: tight gas reservoirs use a stress-sensitive single-porosity model, deep CBM adopts a dual-porosity model for matrix desorption, and EDFM characterizes non-Darcy flow in hydraulic fractures. The Gray gas column and liquid column methods calculate layered bottomhole pressure according to reservoir vertical distribution, and matrix bordering solves the whole coupled system. Validated by field data of Well C-1 in Shanxi, the model yields average relative errors of 8.76% for daily gas output and 2.92% for daily water output. Sensitivity analysis on Well C-2 indicates vertical reservoir stacking controls interlayer pressure difference, and commingled gas curves show dual peaks with shifting dominant gas sources over production stages. A 3.9% rise in deep coalbed methane gas content significantly boosts mid-term peak production and cumulative gas output, making reservoir gas content the dominant geological factor governing commingled production performance. A 120.0% increase in tight gas saturation only delivers a slight uplift in cumulative production under low-porosity conditions. Elevated reservoir stress sensitivity triggers a cumulative gas production reduction of over 50%. Cumulative gas output varies proportionally with hydraulic fracture length, while fracture network width brings mismatched production improvement due to pressure drawdown funnel effects. Therefore, hydraulic fracturing operations should prioritize extending artificial fractures to expand the drainage area of commingled wells. Schemes with constant bottomhole flowing pressure and constant gas rate exert marginal influences on ultimate cumulative production and can be flexibly switched on site. To stabilize daily gas deliverability throughout the early, middle and late production stages, a bottomhole pressure drawdown rate of 0.05 MPa/d or a fixed daily gas rate of 4000 m3/d is recommended. This work provides theoretical support for optimizing commingled development of superimposed tight gas and deep CBM reservoirs. Full article
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25 pages, 21648 KB  
Article
A Funnel-Based Framework for Quantitative Safety Metric Construction and Safety-Metric-Driven Control Synthesis of Automatic Carrier Landing Systems
by Zhen Liu, Jianjun Luo, Yunzhao Liu and Weihua Ma
Aerospace 2026, 13(8), 716; https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace13080716 - 10 Aug 2026
Viewed by 155
Abstract
Current research on Automatic Carrier Landing Systems (ACLSs) primarily focuses on guidance and control performance metrics. However, safety metrics that quantitatively characterize the safe region of ACLSs are equally crucial for guaranteeing safe landings, since safe and precise go-around decisions can only be [...] Read more.
Current research on Automatic Carrier Landing Systems (ACLSs) primarily focuses on guidance and control performance metrics. However, safety metrics that quantitatively characterize the safe region of ACLSs are equally crucial for guaranteeing safe landings, since safe and precise go-around decisions can only be made when the safe region is explicitly known. Therefore, this paper proposes a funnel-based framework that constructs quantitative safety metrics for making go-around decisions and quantitatively evaluating the safety of ACLSs. Additionally, safety-metric-driven control synthesis can be conducted to optimize controller parameters to maximize the safe region, i.e., to improve the safety of ACLSs. Specifically, the terminal landing requirements are formulated as a terminal set. Then, under the closed-loop dynamics with actuator saturation constraints and environmental disturbances, a funnel is constructed by sum-of-squares programming. Owing to its invariance property, all closed-loop trajectories starting inside the funnel converge to the terminal set, i.e., the terminal landing requirements are satisfied, and thus, the funnel serves as the safe region throughout the landing process. Furthermore, an online go-around decision rule is derived by checking whether the current state lies inside the offline-computed funnel. Simulation results validate the capability of the proposed framework to guarantee safe landings and further confirm its effectiveness under deck motion disturbance. Moreover, the funnel can serve as a larger safe region in the multi-dimensional state space than existing approaches based on a single state dimension, while constructing quantitative safety metrics for evaluating the safety of ACLSs. Finally, safety-metric-driven control synthesis demonstrates its ability to optimize controller parameters toward maximizing the safe region. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Guidance and Control Systems of Aerospace Vehicles)
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15 pages, 2160 KB  
Article
Crystal-Growth-Controlled Exciton Funneling in BA2MAPb2I7 Ruddlesden–Popper Perovskite Thin Films
by Grace Dansoa Tabi, Diego Florio, Chiara Botta, Alexandra J. Ramadan and Tersilla Virgili
Molecules 2026, 31(15), 2636; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31152636 - 29 Jul 2026
Viewed by 883
Abstract
We investigate BA2MAPb2I7 (BAMA) quasi-2D Ruddlesden–Popper perovskite thin films prepared through single-crystal-derived and conventional polycrystalline routes. Morphological and X-ray diffraction analyses reveal significant differences in film texture, crystallinity, and phase distribution. Steady-state and time-resolved optical spectroscopies show that [...] Read more.
We investigate BA2MAPb2I7 (BAMA) quasi-2D Ruddlesden–Popper perovskite thin films prepared through single-crystal-derived and conventional polycrystalline routes. Morphological and X-ray diffraction analyses reveal significant differences in film texture, crystallinity, and phase distribution. Steady-state and time-resolved optical spectroscopies show that polycrystalline films are mainly composed of n = 2 and n = 3 phases and exhibit limited interphase energy transfer. In contrast, single-crystal-derived films display a richer excitonic landscape characterized by the presence of higher-(n) domains. Transient photoluminescence and pump–probe measurements demonstrate that the n = 2 exciton acts as the primary donor state and, uniquely in the single-crystal-derived films, undergoes two distinct transfer processes on the same timescale. The correlation between the decay of the n = 2 exciton and the population of lower-energy excitonic states provides direct evidence of hierarchical exciton funneling. These findings highlight the crucial role of phase distribution and crystallinity in governing exciton migration and energy-transfer pathways in low-dimensional perovskite heterostructures. Full article
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16 pages, 5566 KB  
Systematic Review
Comparison of VISUMAX 800 and VISUMAX 500 Femtosecond Laser Systems for Myopia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Qi Wan, Ran Wei, Li Chen and Ke Ma
J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(14), 5517; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15145517 - 14 Jul 2026
Viewed by 411
Abstract
Objectives: The VISUMAX 800 (Carl Zeiss Meditec) is the second-generation femtosecond laser for small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE), featuring faster pulse rates, automated cyclotorsion compensation (OcuLign), and automated centration (CentraLign) versus the VISUMAX 500. This systematic review and meta-analysis compared their clinical outcomes [...] Read more.
Objectives: The VISUMAX 800 (Carl Zeiss Meditec) is the second-generation femtosecond laser for small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE), featuring faster pulse rates, automated cyclotorsion compensation (OcuLign), and automated centration (CentraLign) versus the VISUMAX 500. This systematic review and meta-analysis compared their clinical outcomes in myopia correction. Methods: Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, we searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science through March 2026 for studies comparing the two platforms in myopia or myopic astigmatism with extractable data. Primary outcomes were predictability (SE ± 0.50 D) and astigmatism (CYL ≤ 0.50 D). Secondary outcomes included UDVA ≥ 20/20, safety (CDVA loss ≥ 1 line), R2 values, surgically induced astigmatism, axis alignment (±5°), and higher-order aberrations. Risk of bias was assessed using the ROBINS-I tool for all included studies, as no randomized controlled trials were available. Publication bias was evaluated via funnel plots, Egger’s test, and Begg’s test, with appropriate caution noted regarding the limited number of studies. Sensitivity analysis used the leave-one-out method. Results: Nine studies (1672 eyes: 646 VISUMAX 800, 1026 VISUMAX 500) were included. For SE ± 0.50 D, the pooled risk ratio (RR) was 1.065 (95% CI: 0.997–1.137, p = 0.061) with substantial heterogeneity (I2 = 64.7%, p = 0.004). For CYL ± 0.50 D (eight studies, 1585 eyes), the pooled RR was 1.022 (95% CI: 0.978–1.068, p = 0.333, I2 = 51.7%). Astigmatism axis within ±5° significantly favored VISUMAX 800 (RR = 1.157, 95% CI: 1.071–1.250, p = 0.0002, I2 = 0%). No statistically significant differences were observed for UDVA ≥ 20/20, safety, SEQ R2, cylinder R2, TIA, SIA, total HOAs, spherical aberration, or coma RMS. Publication bias tests showed no significant asymmetry for the primary outcomes, though these tests have limited power with fewer than 10 studies. ROBINS-I assessments classified most studies as having “serious” risk of bias due to their non-randomized designs. Conclusions: Both platforms yield comparable predictability, safety, and visual outcomes. VISUMAX 800 offers superior astigmatism axis alignment, likely due to automated compensation and centration. The borderline SE predictability warrants further randomized investigation Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advancements in Femtosecond Laser Applications)
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37 pages, 1502 KB  
Systematic Review
Sleep in Bipolar Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Case-Control Drug-Free Patients
by Giuseppe Barbato, Barbara Tondi and Dario Morra
Brain Sci. 2026, 16(7), 742; https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci16070742 - 13 Jul 2026
Viewed by 399
Abstract
Background: A systematic review and meta-analysis of polysomnographic sleep parameters in bipolar disorder was conducted using articles identified through searches of major databases from inception to 5 May 2026. Methods: One hundred and seven studies were identified in the systematic review. [...] Read more.
Background: A systematic review and meta-analysis of polysomnographic sleep parameters in bipolar disorder was conducted using articles identified through searches of major databases from inception to 5 May 2026. Methods: One hundred and seven studies were identified in the systematic review. Forty-three case-control studies with 670 bipolar patients, 520 healthy controls and 280 patients with unipolar depression were eligible for the meta-analyses. Total sleep time, sleep onset latency, sleep efficiency, wake after sleep onset, REM time and percentage, REM latency, REM density, stage 1, 2, time and percentage, slow wave sleep (DELTA) time and percentage of drug-free patients with bipolar disorder were compared with case-control data of healthy controls and drug-free patients with unipolar depression. The primary outcome was the standard mean difference. Data were fitted with a random effects model. Publication bias assessment was checked by Egger’s regression and funnel plot asymmetry Results: Total sleep time and sleep efficiency were reduced in both manic and depressive drug-free bipolar patients compared with healthy controls. Delta sleep time and percentage were reduced only in the depressive patients, whereas the manic patients showed decreased stage 2 sleep time, reduced REM sleep time, shortened REM latency and increased REM density. Drug-free patients with unipolar depression showed reduced total sleep time and increased REM density compared with drug-free patients with bipolar depression. Drug-treated bipolar patients showed no differences compared with healthy controls, except for reduced % REM, increased REM latency and increased REM density. Conclusions: The results confirm the presence of sleep alterations in bipolar disorder. Although sleep duration is reduced in both manic and depressive patients, reduced delta sleep in depressive patients and increased activity/pressure of REM in manic patients appear to characterize the two phases of the illness. Altered monoaminergic activity during the depressive phase and increased cholinergic activity during the manic phase might possibly be linked to the sleep alterations also contributing to the mood changes and switch mechanisms. Full article
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25 pages, 10158 KB  
Systematic Review
Efficacy of Expressed Breast Milk Versus Sweet Solutions for Neonatal Procedural Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Vanessa Espejo-Mansilla, Alessandra Coscia, Héctor Fuentes-Barría, Raúl Aguilera-Eguía, Lisse Angarita-Davila, Cherie Flores-Fernández and Ángel Roco-Videla
Biomedicines 2026, 14(7), 1565; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines14071565 - 13 Jul 2026
Viewed by 464
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of expressed breast milk in reducing procedural pain in neonates compared with sweet solutions and to assess differences according to type of sweetener and timing of pain assessment. Materials and Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized [...] Read more.
Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of expressed breast milk in reducing procedural pain in neonates compared with sweet solutions and to assess differences according to type of sweetener and timing of pain assessment. Materials and Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was conducted following PRISMA guidelines and registered in PROSPERO (CRD420261418093). PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar were searched through May 2026. Random-effects models using standardized mean differences (Hedges’ g) were applied. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic. Meta-analyses were conducted by pain assessment time point, with subgroup and sensitivity analyses. Risk of bias was assessed using RoB 2 and certainty of evidence (CoE) using GRADE. Results: Seventeen randomized controlled trials were included. No statistically significant differences were observed between expressed breast milk and sweet solutions during the procedure (SMD = 0.15; 95% CI −0.18 to 0.47; I2 = 82.6%; Low CoE), at 1 min post-procedure (SMD = 0.40; 95% CI −0.11 to 0.92; I2 = 84.5%; Low CoE), or at 2 min post-procedure (SMD = 0.27; 95% CI −0.14 to 0.69; I2 = 7.9%; Moderate CoE). Subgroup analyses showed no significant differences or interactions. Egger’s test detected significant funnel plot asymmetry during the procedure (intercept = −3.61; 95% CI −5.53 to −1.69; p = 0.005), but not at 1 min post-procedure (intercept = 1.84; 95% CI −3.53 to 7.20; p = 0.521). Conclusions: Current evidence suggests that expressed breast milk provides analgesia comparable to sweet solutions for neonatal procedural pain, although the certainty of the evidence is limited by substantial heterogeneity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Fetal Medicine and Neonatology)
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15 pages, 6395 KB  
Systematic Review
Bridging the Troponin Blind Window via the miAMI Standard: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Circulating MicroRNA-208 Family
by Augustin Crabbe, Andreea Laura Antohi, Gianina Dodi, Adrian Covic, Samar Abd ElHafeez, Francesco Pesce and Ionut Nistor
Medicina 2026, 62(7), 1351; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina62071351 - 13 Jul 2026
Viewed by 533
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Early diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains challenging due to the “diagnostic blind window” of conventional protein biomarkers and the limited sensitivity of electrocardiograms in non ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Cardiospecific circulating microRNAs, specifically the microRNA-208 (miR-208) [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Early diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains challenging due to the “diagnostic blind window” of conventional protein biomarkers and the limited sensitivity of electrocardiograms in non ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Cardiospecific circulating microRNAs, specifically the microRNA-208 (miR-208) family, have emerged as promising candidates to bridge this gap. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of circulating miR-208 and outlines a proposed conceptual framework to guide its clinical translation. Materials and Methods: PubMed and Embase were systematically searched up to June 24th, 2026, for clinical studies evaluating the diagnostic performance of circulating miR-208a and/or miR-208b against standard reference definitions for AMI. Risk-of-bias assessment using the QUADAS-2 tool was performed independently by two reviewers. Pooled sensitivity and specificity were estimated using bivariate random effects modeling, and sources of heterogeneity were explored via subgroup analyses. Results: Forty-one studies enrolling 6306 participants were included in the qualitative synthesis, of which 14 were eligible for meta-analysis. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of circulating miR-208 for AMI detection were 0.89 (95% CI: 0.81–0.94) and 0.90 (95% CI: 0.83–0.94), respectively. Marked between-study heterogeneity was observed. Subgroup analyses revealed significantly higher diagnostic accuracy in isolated STEMI (sensitivity: 0.95) or NSTEMI (sensitivity: 0.93) cohorts compared to mixed chest pain populations (sensitivity: 0.65; p < 0.0001). Specificity dropped from 0.90 with healthy controls to 0.80 when using non-AMI controls (p = 0.002), indicating spectrum bias. Funnel plots suggested prominent small-study effects. Conclusions: Circulating miR-208 exhibits a powerful biological signal for the early detection of cardiomyocyte injury, but its standalone clinical utility is constrained by methodological heterogeneity and publication bias. Rather than an immediate clinical tool, future prospective translation requires evaluating this biomarker within the standardized miAMI framework—conceptually prioritizing future investigation of the hyper-acute (<2 h) window, absolute quantification to resolve normalization variability, and integration into multi-marker point-of-care panels. Full article
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22 pages, 1223 KB  
Article
Adaptive Tracking Control of Nonstrict-Feedback Nonlinear Systems with Actuator Faults and Input Delay via a Fuzzy Funnel Approach
by Abdelwaheb Mhemdi, Mohamed Kharrat, Ameni Gargouri and Paolo Mercorelli
Actuators 2026, 15(7), 384; https://doi.org/10.3390/act15070384 - 8 Jul 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 376
Abstract
This article investigates an adaptive fuzzy funnel control approach for nonstrict-feedback nonlinear systems with actuator faults and input delay. Fuzzy logic systems (FLSs) are utilized to estimate unknown functions, while the Pade approximation technique is applied to address the effects of input delay. [...] Read more.
This article investigates an adaptive fuzzy funnel control approach for nonstrict-feedback nonlinear systems with actuator faults and input delay. Fuzzy logic systems (FLSs) are utilized to estimate unknown functions, while the Pade approximation technique is applied to address the effects of input delay. By leveraging the approximation capabilities of FLSs and the backstepping control technique, an adaptive funnel control scheme is developed. This scheme ensures that all closed-loop signals are semi-globally uniformly ultimately bounded (SGUUB). Utilizing funnel control, the tracking error is kept within a predefined funnel and converges to a specified interval using a funnel function. The effectiveness of the proposed controller is validated with a real-world example involving an electromechanical system. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Optimization Algorithms for Actuator Modelling and Control)
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17 pages, 9406 KB  
Article
Detection of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus in Mid- to High-Elevation Coniferous Forests of Yunnan, China, and Symptom Development in Inoculated Seedlings
by Youyan Huang, Jiaxing Li, Jiaru Ren, Lili Ren and Youqing Luo
Forests 2026, 17(7), 796; https://doi.org/10.3390/f17070796 - 5 Jul 2026
Viewed by 330
Abstract
Mid- to high-elevation coniferous forests of Yunnan are characterized by complex topography, but direct evidence remains limited regarding the occurrence of the pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, under montane forest conditions. In this study, 45 wood segment samples were collected from trees [...] Read more.
Mid- to high-elevation coniferous forests of Yunnan are characterized by complex topography, but direct evidence remains limited regarding the occurrence of the pine wood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, under montane forest conditions. In this study, 45 wood segment samples were collected from trees in three mid- to high-elevation coniferous forest sites in northwestern Yunnan whose crowns showed approximately one-third needle discoloration. Nematodes were extracted using the Baermann funnel method and identified based on the 28S rDNA D2–D3 region, phylogenetic analysis, and auxiliary morphological observations. A total of 10 molecular nematode taxa were detected. Bursaphelenchus mucronatus-like was the most frequent taxon, whereas B. xylophilus was detected as a single individual from one Pinus densata sample. In inoculation experiments with the pine wood nematode strain PNFT01, Pinus yunnanensis seedlings developed progressive needle chlorosis and wilting, P. densata showed only mild symptoms, and Picea likiangensis remained symptomless during the 45-day observation period. Sterile-water controls remained symptomless throughout the experiment. Symptom scores differed significantly among host species at 30 and 45 d after inoculation (Kruskal–Wallis test, p = 0.001), and pine wood nematodes were re-isolated from all three host species. These results provide molecular evidence for rare B. xylophilus occurrence in wood from weakened trees in mid- to high-elevation coniferous forests of Yunnan and indicate contrasting symptom development among inoculated seedlings. The findings do not demonstrate established pine wilt disease outbreaks in the region, but they support continued monitoring of the nematode, potential vector insects, and susceptible hosts under montane forest conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Forest Health)
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18 pages, 26678 KB  
Article
The Lithospheric Electrical Structure and Metallogenic Background of the Songpan-Ganzi–Eastern Kunlun Region, Northern Tibetan Plateau
by Huiyan Zhang, Letian Zhang, Sheng Jin, Wenbo Wei and Gaofeng Ye
Minerals 2026, 16(7), 702; https://doi.org/10.3390/min16070702 - 4 Jul 2026
Viewed by 658
Abstract
The Songpan-Ganzi and Eastern Kunlun region on the northern margin of the Tibetan Plateau is a key area for the evolution of the Paleo-Tethys tectonic domain and hosts abundant gold, lithium, and polymetallic mineral resources. To reveal the deep structure of this region [...] Read more.
The Songpan-Ganzi and Eastern Kunlun region on the northern margin of the Tibetan Plateau is a key area for the evolution of the Paleo-Tethys tectonic domain and hosts abundant gold, lithium, and polymetallic mineral resources. To reveal the deep structure of this region and its metallogenic background, this study constructed a lithospheric electrical structure model based on magnetotelluric (MT) data along a profile traversing tectonic units such as the Qiangtang, Songpan-Ganzi, and Eastern Kunlun blocks. Data processing, dimensionality analysis, and two-dimensional inversion were performed. The results show that a large-scale, funnel-shaped conductor, originating from the upper mantle and penetrating the middle-lower crust, exists beneath the Songpan-Ganzi and Qiangtang terranes, indicating a major channel for deep-seated thermal material upwelling. Driven by Cenozoic tectonic reactivation, the thermal materials ascended along pre-existing lithospheric weak zones formed during the closure of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean. It spread extensively within the upper-middle crust of the Songpan-Ganzi terrane and migrated to the Eastern Kunlun orogenic belt via complex fault systems, ultimately forming low-resistivity bodies that closely coincide with the locations of major shallow ore-controlling faults. This electrical model suggests the presence of a “thermal material channel” system extending from the mantle to the shallow crust. The study suggests that the migration pathways of ore-forming fluids, represented by gold deposits in the Eastern Kunlun metallogenic belt, are highly correlated with the fault-magma channel system constituted by intra-crustal conductors. In contrast, the lithium-rich granitic magmatism associated with lithium mineralization within the Songpan-Ganzi terrane may be related to the deep thermal background reflected by the large-scale conductor in the upper mantle. From the perspective of electrical structure, this study suggests that mineralization in this region may be closely linked to deep crust–mantle processes. The reactivation of pre-existing tectonic-magmatic channels by Cenozoic thermal material is key to controlling the distribution pattern of dominant shallow mineral resources. The research results provide important geophysical constraints for a deeper understanding of the tectonic–magmatic–mineralization coupling mechanism on the northern margin of the Tibetan Plateau. Full article
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18 pages, 4098 KB  
Article
Beyond the Reported Numbers: Clostridioides difficile Dominance (CDI) and Surveillance Bias in Healthcare-Associated Infections in Post-Pandemic Southeast Romania
by Alina Plesea Condratovici, Mihaela Debita, Valerian Ionut Stoian, Catalin Plesea Condratovici, Ancuta Elena Tupu and Simona Steliana Tudor
Antibiotics 2026, 15(7), 662; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics15070662 - 4 Jul 2026
Viewed by 319
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a major and preventable threat to patient safety, yet reported figures in Central and Eastern Europe are widely affected by under-reporting, which can distort both the apparent infection profile and the perceived burden of disease. Patient-level regional surveillance [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a major and preventable threat to patient safety, yet reported figures in Central and Eastern Europe are widely affected by under-reporting, which can distort both the apparent infection profile and the perceived burden of disease. Patient-level regional surveillance data were analysed to characterise the reported HAI profile, the determinants of in-hospital mortality, and between-hospital surveillance quality in post-pandemic Southeast Romania. Methods: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of 2878 HAI cases reported across a five-county, multicentre network of 32 hospitals during 2024. Infections were grouped as Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) versus non-CDI. Logistic regression was applied for in-hospital mortality, Cox and competing-risks models for time to death, negative binomial regression for length of stay, and a Spiegelhalter funnel plot for between-hospital variation. Results:Clostridioides difficile infection accounted for 56.3% of reported cases, a markedly higher proportion than that described in European point-prevalence surveys, although differences in design and denominator preclude direct comparison. CDIs and non-CDIs formed distinct clinical phenotypes. In-hospital mortality was lower in CDI than in non-CDIs (14.9% versus 26.1%) and was independently associated with intensive care admission, age, and immunosuppression, while CDI remained associated with lower mortality. The reported CDI proportion ranged from approximately 1% to 93% between hospitals, with most institutions lying outside the funnel control limits. Conclusions: The predominance of CDI among reported HAIs is best interpreted as a signal of selective ascertainment rather than as direct evidence of a genuinely higher CDI burden. Because the dataset lacked admission or patient-day denominators, the CDI-to-total ratio should be regarded as a simple screening indicator of potential surveillance imbalance, useful for identifying hospitals where non-CDIs may be under-detected. Full article
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20 pages, 6633 KB  
Systematic Review
Efficacy and Safety of IL-4Rα and IL-5/IL-5R Targeted Biologic Therapies in Type 2 Inflammatory Airway Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Zhuojun Li, Maoyu Jiang, Maiqi Chen and Yehai Liu
J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(13), 5004; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15135004 - 26 Jun 2026
Viewed by 660
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Severe asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) frequently coexist and are associated with type 2 inflammation, leading to poor symptom control and high healthcare burden. Biologic therapies targeting IL-4Rα and IL-5/IL-5R have shown efficacy in type 2 inflammatory asthma [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Severe asthma and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) frequently coexist and are associated with type 2 inflammation, leading to poor symptom control and high healthcare burden. Biologic therapies targeting IL-4Rα and IL-5/IL-5R have shown efficacy in type 2 inflammatory asthma and CRSwNP, but comprehensive evidence on their efficacy, safety, and research trends is limited. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating dupilumab, mepolizumab, benralizumab, or reslizumab in patients with type 2 inflammatory asthma and/or CRSwNP. Primary outcomes included lung function (FEV1), symptom control (ACQ, SNOT-22, nasal polyp score), and serious adverse events (SAEs). Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2.0 tool. Publication bias was evaluated with funnel plots and Trim-and-Fill analysis. Bibliometric analysis was performed to identify publication trends and emerging research directions. Results: A total of 23 RCTs involving 8758 participants were included. Biologic therapy was not associated with a significant increase in serious adverse events (RR = 1.15, 95% CI: 0.89–1.50). Compared with control treatment, biologics significantly improved FEV1 (MD = 100.67 mL, 95% CI: 65.94–135.40) and ACQ scores (MD = −0.40, 95% CI: −0.54 to −0.25). In patients with CRSwNP and comorbid asthma, biologics also improved SNOT-22 scores (MD = −13.16, 95% CI: −24.85 to −1.47) and nasal polyp scores (MD = −1.31, 95% CI: −1.95 to −0.68). Dupilumab trials showed larger reductions in nasal polyp score than IL-5/IL-5R-targeted trials, although this indirect comparison should be interpreted cautiously. Bibliometric analysis indicated increasing research attention to upstream epithelial targets such as TSLP. Conclusions: Both IL-4Rα and IL-5/IL-5R-targeted biologics are effective and well-tolerated in type 2 inflammatory airway diseases. IL-4Rα inhibition shows favorable upper-airway outcomes in CRSwNP with asthma, but head-to-head trials are needed to clarify its comparative efficacy relative to IL-5/IL-5R-targeted therapies. Emerging research directions are shifting toward upstream epithelial alarmin antibodies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Immunology & Rheumatology)
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19 pages, 1729 KB  
Review
The NLRP3 Inflammasome as a Central Driver of Mastitis Pathogenesis: A Review
by Shuaishuai Wu, Mohamed Tharwat, Ibrahim F. Halawani, Fuad M. Alzahrani, Khalid J. Alzahrani and Muhammad Zahoor Khan
Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(7), 609; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13070609 - 24 Jun 2026
Viewed by 383
Abstract
Mastitis remains the most economically damaging disease of dairy production, and recent molecular work has converged on the NLRP3 inflammasome as a key integrative node of its pathogenesis. This narrative review integrates evidence published largely between 2015 and 2026 to show how diverse [...] Read more.
Mastitis remains the most economically damaging disease of dairy production, and recent molecular work has converged on the NLRP3 inflammasome as a key integrative node of its pathogenesis. This narrative review integrates evidence published largely between 2015 and 2026 to show how diverse triggers—Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and lipoteichoic acid (LTA), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), heat stress, environmental xenobiotics including nanoplastics, and microbiota-derived signals—may funnel into a common NLRP3–ASC–caspase-1–GSDMD axis that drives pyroptosis, blood–milk barrier disruption, and clinical disease. The review examines the potential obligatory role of reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial dysfunction, and selenoprotein-mediated redox control in licensing inflammasome assembly. It further evaluates the emerging gut–mammary and rumen–mammary axes that operate upstream of local epithelial activation. We survey a structurally diverse therapeutic landscape encompassing dietary selenium, probiotics, microbial metabolites, plant-derived nanovesicles, polyphenols, ginsenosides, and small-molecule NLRP3 antagonists, identifying recurring mechanistic motifs that suggest combinatorial regimens may yield additive benefit. Importantly, much of the evidence derives from in vitro and murine models, and we highlight the translational gaps that must be bridged before clinical application in dairy cattle. Finally, we map outstanding research gaps and propose priorities for translational work aimed at sustainable, antibiotic-sparing management of bovine mastitis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mastitis in Dairy Animals)
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26 pages, 13303 KB  
Article
AI-Assisted Identification of a Putative Allosteric Ligand Targeting the CDK4/Cyclin D1 Protein–Protein Interface
by Barış Kurt
Pharmaceuticals 2026, 19(6), 970; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19060970 - 22 Jun 2026
Viewed by 529
Abstract
Background/Objectives: First-generation CDK4/6 inhibitors (palbociclib, ribociclib, abemaciclib) target the conserved ATP-binding pocket of CDK4 and, despite clinical success, are limited by acquired resistance and insufficient exploration of alternative regulatory sites. This study aimed to identify a putative allosteric small-molecule candidate at the [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: First-generation CDK4/6 inhibitors (palbociclib, ribociclib, abemaciclib) target the conserved ATP-binding pocket of CDK4 and, despite clinical success, are limited by acquired resistance and insufficient exploration of alternative regulatory sites. This study aimed to identify a putative allosteric small-molecule candidate at the CDK4 αE-helix–Cyclin D1 α1-helix protein–protein interaction (PPI) interface within the CDK4/Cyclin D1/p21 ternary complex using RapidFunnel-AI, a decision-interpretable virtual-screening pipeline. Methods: Starting from 50,000 ChEMBL 33 molecules, the pipeline sequentially applied a Q-Fold/RapidFunnel topological Tanimoto scan based on clinical CDK4/6 inhibitor motifs, fragment-level electronic-property enrichment, ADMET/PAINS filtering, dry Vina-GPU docking, hydration-mediated AutoDock-GPU (Version 1.6) docking, explicit-solvent molecular dynamics, contact-retention analysis, and MM-GBSA energy decomposition. The Q-Fold Thermo-Core surrogate model provided fragment-level enrichment, predicting the HOMO–LUMO gap (R2 = 0.93) and isotropic polarizability (R2 = 0.98) on QM9. Candidate selection did not rely on the lowest docking or MM-GBSA score alone, but on pose persistence, contact continuity, and energy-component consistency. Results: The workflow reduced the initial library to 43 topologically prioritized candidates, 25 ADMET/PAINS-filtered ligands, and 9 docking-derived complexes for MD validation. Ligand_020 emerged as the only candidate that preserved a persistent binding mode at Site 2 during a 500 ns simulation—an interface engagement reproduced across three independent 500 ns replicates with no full dissociation in any replicate—with a protein Cα RMSD of 2.88 ± 0.32 Å, a ligand heavy-atom RMSD of 3.56 ± 0.28 Å, and a van der Waals-dominated MM-GBSA profile (ΔGbind = −28.23 ± 3.57 kcal/mol). In contrast, palbociclib and ribociclib, forcibly placed at Site 2 as negative controls, lost most initial contacts within 5 ns and tended to detach despite more favorable MM-GBSA values. Conclusions: These results suggest that single-score docking or MM-GBSA ranking can generate false positives at shallow PPI interfaces. By integrating AI-assisted prioritization, multipocket docking, explicit-solvent MD, contact-retention analysis, and energy-component consistency, RapidFunnel-AI nominated Ligand_020 as an experimentally testable putative allosteric hit targeting the CDK4/Cyclin D1 interface, offering a reusable platform for PPI-focused oncological drug discovery. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section AI in Drug Development)
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21 pages, 7022 KB  
Article
Event-Triggered ESO-Based Prescribed-Time Funnel Control for Robust Trajectory Tracking of Micro Quadrotor UAVs
by Bofei Wang, Shengsheng Wei and Junqiang Wang
Micromachines 2026, 17(6), 716; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi17060716 - 12 Jun 2026
Viewed by 296
Abstract
Micro quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are highly sensitive to external disturbances and model uncertainties because of their small mass, low moment of inertia, and limited onboard computational resources. To improve the disturbance rejection and trajectory tracking performance of micro quadrotor UAVs, this [...] Read more.
Micro quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are highly sensitive to external disturbances and model uncertainties because of their small mass, low moment of inertia, and limited onboard computational resources. To improve the disturbance rejection and trajectory tracking performance of micro quadrotor UAVs, this paper proposes an event-triggered extended state observer (ET-ESO)-based prescribed-time funnel control (PTFC) method. First, a control-oriented dynamic model of the micro quadrotor is established, in which wind disturbances, unmodeled aerodynamic effects, damping uncertainties, and parameter perturbations are represented as lumped disturbances in the translational and rotational subsystems. Then, two event-triggered ESOs are designed to estimate the lumped disturbances of the velocity and angular velocity channels. Compared with conventional continuously sampled ESO schemes, the proposed event-triggered mechanism reduces the frequency of sensor-to-controller information transmission while preserving disturbance estimation capability. Furthermore, a prescribed-time funnel control law is developed to constrain the position and attitude tracking errors within predefined performance boundaries and ensure convergence to the desired accuracy region within a user-specified time. Lyapunov-based stability analysis is provided to prove the boundedness of all closed-loop signals and the validity of the prescribed funnel constraints. Finally, MATLAB/Simulink simulations based on the Parrot Mambo mini-drone parameters are conducted to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. The results demonstrate that the proposed controller achieves robust trajectory tracking, effective disturbance compensation, improved transient performance, and reduced control update frequency. Full article
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