Search Results (30,694)

The biospeckle laser (BSL) technique is recognized as a sensitive method for detecting biological activity and has been successfully applied for seed vigor testing. Given these achievements, whether the integration of BSL into automated systems can provide complementary information on the seed imbibition process remains limited. Addressing this gap represents a significant challenge with strong potential for technological innovation. This study presents an automated laser-optical system designed to monitor the imbibition process of multiple seeds over time using a mechanized carousel. The developed apparatus integrates all necessary components for the illumination and image acquisition of eight seeds across programmable time intervals, controlled by an industrial-grade programmable controller. Validation using maize seeds (Zea mays L.) over a 36-h period confirmed the system’s reliability. BSL indices enabled the characterization of internal biological activity throughout imbibition, revealing dynamic processes that remained undetected in previous discrete-time analyses. These results highlight the potential of the proposed system for more comprehensive and continuous seed monitoring. The successful automated laser-optical system with relative humidity control opens great potential in seeds research and daily industrial analysis. The test of the proposed system in other seeds is the next challenge, regarding the thick and colored coats. The design of larger carousels is a possible step forward, which will demand studies of the limits linked to the illumination and image acquisition time performed in each seed. Full article

Hypertension remains a major global health challenge, and pharmacological therapy is often constrained by tolerability issues. Adjunctive approaches targeting the nitric oxide synthase and soluble guanylate cyclase–cyclic guanosine monophosphate (sGC–cGMP) pathway may offer additional benefits. This study investigated the efficacy and safety of a nutraceutical formulation combining grape pomace extract (Taurisolo^®) and L-arginine in patients with grade 1 and grade 2 hypertension. The formulation was designed to enhance nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability and support sGC–cGMP signaling. Taurisolo^®, a polyphenol-rich extract, is known for its antioxidant and endothelial-protective properties, while L-arginine serves as the physiological substrate for endothelial NO synthase. Clinical outcomes included blood pressure changes, renal function parameters, and health-related quality of life assessed through the SF-12 questionnaire. Supplementation with Taurisolo^® plus L-arginine resulted in significant and sustained reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, with renal function remaining stable throughout the study. Participants also reported meaningful improvements in perceived health, emotional well-being, vitality, and social functioning. The intervention was well tolerated, with no major adverse effects. These findings support the potential of Taurisolo^® combined with L-arginine as a safe and effective adjunctive strategy to conventional antihypertensive therapy, warranting further mechanistic investigation. Full article

A nano-TiO₂-modified silicone-based reflective thermal insulation coating is successfully synthesized. The influence of the nano-TiO₂ content on the microstructure, adhesion strength as well as near-infrared reflectivity (NIR) of the coatings before and after heat treatment is investigated. The results demonstrate that the coating is an organic/inorganic composite coating composed of muscovite, rutile-phase titanium dioxide and an organosilicon binder before heat treatment. The addition of an appropriate amount of nano-TiO₂ helps fill the pores in the coating, resulting in a dense coating and improved adhesion. Meanwhile, due to the reduced average size of the pigment, the reflectance of the coating is maintained or enhanced. When the addition amount is 5.0 wt.%, the coating achieves the highest bonding strength of Grade 1 with a reflectivity of 0.830. After heat treatment at 1000 °C for an hour, the coating transforms into an inorganic coating composed of partially melted muscovite and rutile-phase TiO₂. The nano-TiO₂ promotes the formation of a molten phase, which further increases the coating density and makes the surface smoother. Consequently, the coating’s bonding strength and reflectance are further improved, reaching Grade 0 and 0.945 respectively. Full article

Background: Smart mining is rapidly evolving through the integration of automation, advanced sensing technologies, and Machine Learning (ML). Methods: This Systematic Literature Review (SLR), based on 99 peer-reviewed studies published between 2021 and 2025 and synthesized following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, analyzes the current role of ML algorithms in the mining sector, focusing on their applications, algorithmic prevalence, benefits, and challenges. Results: Machine Learning algorithms are primarily applied to equipment failure prediction, ore classification, grade and flotation control, transportation optimization, and environmental monitoring. The most frequently adopted algorithms include Decision Tree-based models, Artificial Neural Networks, Deep Learning architectures, Support Vector Machines, K-means clustering, and Gradient Boosting methods, reflecting different trade-offs between interpretability, computational complexity, and predictive performance. Reported benefits include improved operational efficiency, cost reduction, enhanced predictive maintenance, improved decision-making, and increased safety and environmental performance. However, widespread adoption remains constrained by limited availability of high-quality data, data heterogeneity, high implementation costs, shortages of specialized personnel, algorithm interpretability issues, and cybersecurity risks. Conclusions: Overall, ML algorithms emerge as key enablers of intelligent and sustainable mining. The review highlights the need for explainable and robust algorithms, improved multimodal data integration, and large-scale real-world validation to support the next generation of smart mining systems. Full article

To address the challenge that existing vehicle chassis coordinated control methods struggle to balance the nonlinear couplings and control conflicts among Four-Wheel Steering (4WS), Direct Yaw-moment Control (DYC), and Active Suspension Systems (ASS), this paper proposes a Cooperative Distributed Model Predictive Control (Co-DMPC) strategy. First, the 4WS, DYC, and ASS are modeled as three interacting agents that effectively mitigate inter-subsystem control conflicts through information exchange and coupling compensation. Second, a Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) is utilized to extract features from vehicle state data to enable the real-time grading of instability risks, which dynamically adjusts the control weights of the 4WS, DYC, and ASS agents. Finally, a distributed iterative optimization algorithm is designed to ensure that all agents converge to a global Pareto-optimal solution through rapid negotiation, achieving a balance between control performance and computational burden. Simulation results demonstrate that compared with No-Control and CMPC, the proposed Co-DMPC strategy significantly enhances the comprehensive performance of the vehicle. In terms of path tracking accuracy, the maximum tracking errors under high- and low-adhesion road conditions are reduced by 32.73% and 17%, respectively. Regarding roll stability, the peak roll angles of the vehicle are 0.27 rad and 0.01 rad under the respective conditions. For lateral stability, the proposed method maintains a more compact sideslip angle-yaw rate phase plane envelope, effectively achieving the coordinated optimization of chassis subsystems. Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) experiments further validate the performance and effectiveness of the controller. Full article

Background: Bacterial vaginosis and vaginal dysbiosis represent major causes of morbidity among women in sub-Saharan Africa, yet data from Madagascar remain scarce. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and determinants of vaginal bacterial infections among women in northern Madagascar and to explore how vaginal microflora composition reflects broader aspects of reproductive health. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in April 2024 among 159 women (15–80 years) attending a rural second-referral clinic in Manerinerina, Ambatoboeny District. Sociodemographic and hygiene data were obtained through structured questionnaires. Vaginal pH was measured in situ, and Gram-stained smears were evaluated using the Nugent scoring system. The presence of Trichomonas vaginalis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Candida spp. was assessed microscopically. Associations were analyzed using Chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests, with p < 0.05 considered significant. Results: Abnormal vaginal flora was observed in 68.6% of women, including 43.4% with BV (Nugent 7–10) and 25.2% with intermediate flora. Elevated vaginal pH correlated strongly with higher Nugent scores (p < 0.01). T. vaginalis and N. gonorrhoeae were detected in 10.7% and 9.4% of women, respectively, and both were significantly associated with dysbiosis (p = 0.02 and p = 0.04). Poor hygiene practices, vaginal douching (79.1% vs. 64.5%; p = 0.04), and unsafe water sources (p = 0.04) were major behavioral and environmental determinants. Conclusions: Vaginal dysbiosis is highly prevalent among women in northern Madagascar and closely linked to modifiable hygiene behaviors and environmental conditions. In resource-limited settings, Gram-stained microscopy and Nugent scoring remain cost-effective tools for surveillance and patient care. Culturally adapted education, improved water access, and integration of low-cost diagnostics are essential for reducing the burden of vaginal infections in rural Madagascar. Full article

Background/Objectives: This systematic review and meta-analysis was designed to examine the efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) and ultrasound therapy in the treatment of upper and lower limb tendinopathies. Methods: The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251113976) and conducted in accordance with PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Electronic searches were performed in the PubMed, Embase, EBSCOhost, and Ovid MEDLINE databases up to August 2025, to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Mean differences (MDs) and standardized mean differences (SMDs) were calculated with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Heterogeneity was assessed using the I² statistic, and a random-effects model was applied. Risk of bias was evaluated using the Risk of Bias (RoB 2) tool, and the certainty of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. Results: Fourteen RCTs involving 639 patients with tendinopathies were included. All studies were characterized by a high risk of bias. Very low-certainty evidence suggested that ESWT as monotherapy may reduce pain at rest compared with ultrasound therapy in patients with lateral epicondylitis (MD = −1.51; 95% CI: −2.71 to −0.31; p = 0.01), although the effect was highly heterogeneous (I² = 89.8%; p = 0.002). In patients with upper- and lower-limb tendinopathy, ESWT combined with pharmacotherapy resulted in significantly lower pain intensity compared with ultrasound therapy combined with pharmacotherapy (SMD = −0.6; 95% CI: −1.07 to −0.14; p = 0.01). No significant differences in PRTEE (Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation) scores were observed between ESWT and ultrasound monotherapy in patients with lateral epicondylitis (MD = −1.06; 95% CI: −11.06 to 8.94; p = 0.83; I² = 75.82%), or between ESWT combined with other conservative treatments and ultrasound combined with other conservative treatments (MD = 0.46; 95% CI: −10.22 to 11.15; p = 0.93; I² = 0%). Conclusions: Very low-certainty evidence suggests that ESWT may be more effective than ultrasound therapy in reducing pain when used as monotherapy in lateral epicondylitis, despite substantial heterogeneity, and when combined with pharmacotherapy in upper- and lower-limb tendinopathies. In terms of function, ESWT appears to provide improvements comparable to those of ultrasound therapy, as assessed by PRTEE scores, in patients with lateral epicondylitis, both as monotherapy and when combined with other conservative treatments. However, significant methodological limitations substantially limit confidence in these findings. Full article

In the context of rapid urban tourism expansion and the growing emphasis on equitable and sustainable transport development, understanding how transport systems support different types of attractions has become increasingly important. This study investigates how attraction hierarchy and functional type interact with public transport accessibility to shape urban tourism patterns and equity. Whereas prior work emphasizes objective metrics, the alignment between perceived accessibility and actual transport conditions remains understudied. Using Wuhan’s A-rated and popular unrated attractions as a case, we have developed an innovative “ objective–perceived coupling framework that integrates GIS network analysis, travel cost matrix, non-parametric testing, and online comment text mining methods to examine how scenic spot levels (A-level and unrated popular scenic spots) and functional types interact with the public transportation system from both objective and perceptual dimensions. Results show: (1) A-rated attractions cluster in suburbs with low accessibility, while unrated sites concentrate centrally with high rail-bus connectivity, revealing a “high-grade–low-accessibility” mismatch. (2) Accessibility varies by type: natural sites are lowest, cultural/leisure venues intermediate, and comprehensive sites highest due to multimodal hub proximity. (3) Sentiment and topic analyses based on transport-related review content suggest that some A-rated attractions receive less favorable evaluations of access conditions (e.g., transfers, waiting, last-mile walking, wayfinding, and parking), whereas many popular unrated sites are evaluated more positively in these transport-specific aspects. (4) Quadrant analysis shows many highly rated attractions fall into a “low objective–low perceived” disadvantage, while most unrated ones exhibit strong objective–perceived coupling. These findings underscore structural imbalances among administrative grading, attraction function, and transit provision, offering evidence for optimizing public transport service to tourist attractions. They help optimize the spatial structure of urban tourism, improve resource allocation efficiency, guide differentiated scenic spot development strategies, and promote sustainable and experience-oriented urban tourism governance. Full article

Background/Objectives: Periodontitis and low BMD often occur after menopause, but the role of nutritional status in the oral–skeletal link is unclear. This study examined whether nutritional biomarkers relate to periodontitis severity and modify the relationship between low BMD and periodontal destruction in postmenopausal women. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 120 postmenopausal women who underwent comprehensive periodontal measurements at six sites per tooth and were classified according to the 2017 World Workshop staging and grading framework. Areal BMD was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Objective biomarkers included serum 25(OH)D, plasma vitamin C, RBC omega-3 index, and serum ferritin. Mechanistic measures were serum CTX, P1NP, and urinary 8-OHdG/creatinine. The main periodontal outcome was the mean CAL. Results: Low BMD was associated with greater periodontal destruction (mean CAL 2.06 vs. 1.45 mm; adjusted β = 0.664 mm, 95% CI 0.465–0.863; p < 0.001). Higher 25(OH)D and omega-3 index were independently associated with lower mean CAL (β = −0.024 mm per 1 ng/mL and β = −0.107 mm per 1%, respectively), with false discovery rate control applied across nutritional biomarkers. Across the cohort, serum 25(OH)D showed a weak inverse correlation with CTX (r = −0.14; p = 0.141), and exploratory mediation analyses suggested only small indirect effects via CTX and 8-OHdG. Conclusions: In women after menopause, lower BMD is associated with greater periodontal tissue loss. Objective nutritional biomarkers, especially 25(OH)D and omega-3 levels, correlate with biologically plausible pathways involved in periodontal destruction and remodeling. This supports the idea that nutrition could be a key factor linking oral health and skeletal health. Full article

Eating disorders (EDs) are complex conditions that can significantly affect health and productivity, yet their assessment in occupational settings remains underexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Italian version of the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire—Short Form (EDE-QS) among 1912 workers undergoing health surveillance. Using an Item Response Theory framework, we tested dimensionality, reliability, and measurement invariance across gender, applying a graded response model to assess item discrimination and threshold parameters. Results supported an approximate unidimensional structure with excellent internal consistency (ω ≈ 0.95) and strong indices of factor score determinacy and construct replicability. Measurement invariance analyses indicated configural and metric invariance but not full scalar invariance, due to differential item functioning in a subset of items. Latent mean differences were small, with women scoring slightly higher than men, and associations with psychological, occupational, and health-related variables did not differ by gender. These findings indicate that the Italian EDE-QS shows promising structural validity as a brief measure of ED symptomatology in occupational samples in workplace contexts. However, gender-related item bias warrants cautious interpretation of specific behaviors, suggesting the need for tailored assessments to enhance diagnostic accuracy and inform preventive interventions. Full article

Metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), a globally prevalent chronic liver disease, has only limited pharmacological options. Both metformin and Ganwei, health supplements containing a potent inducer of glycine N-methyltransferase (GNMT), have shown great promise for the treatment of MASLD. We conducted a 4-arm, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to investigate the safety and efficacy of metformin and Ganwei for patients with MASLD. Between September 2021 and March 2023, 64 patients with MASLD were randomly assigned at a 1:1:1:1 ratio to receive metformin alone (arm A, n = 16), a combination of metformin and Ganwei (arm B, n = 16), a placebo alone (arm C, n = 16) or Ganwei alone (arm D, n = 16) for 6 months. The primary liver steatosis outcome was assessed by control attenuation parameter (CAP) and kilopascal (kPa) scores via FibroScan. The key secondary outcomes included safety, liver function and patients’ metabolic profiles. At 6 months after treatment, significant improvements in liver steatosis were observed in patients treated with Ganwei alone (repeated-measures ANOVA test, p = 0.048 and 0.048 for CAP and kPa scores, respectively) but not in patients treated with placebo and other arms. By employing a 6-point steatosis grade scale, the Ganwei alone arm exhibited a statistically significant improvement over the placebo-controlled arm (mean score 1.1 ± 1.8 vs. 0.1 ± 0.7, p = 0.036). Located in the promoter region of the GNMT gene, the SNP rs10948059 polymorphism is known to affect GNMT promoter activity. Interestingly, genotype analysis revealed that the improvement in liver steatosis in the Ganwei alone arm was restricted to patients harboring the T allele at GNMT rs10948059 (C/T and T/T vs. C/C, p < 0.05). No serious adverse events were observed in any of the treatment arms. Our study demonstrated that Ganwei may be an effective treatment option for MASLD patients. Improvement in liver steatosis by Ganwei was affected by GNMT promotor activity. Clinical trial registration: NCT06244550. Full article

Background/Objectives: Viper envenomation in Italy is uncommon but carries significant clinical and forensic implications: an average of 257 bites per year are estimated, with only one fatality. This epidemiological context necessitates careful consideration of the standard of care and professional liability The article aims to outline the clinical and medico-legal dimensions of viper bites within both national and international contexts. Methods: We report the case of a 40-year-old woman bitten by a viper in an urban environment. At the initial emergency department visit the presentation was classified as Grade 0 (“dry bite”) according to Boels and, after 21 h, was discharged in good condition. Three days later, she returned with worsening symptoms and CT imaging revealed intrafascial and subcutaneous edema. The subsequent onset of complications prompted a criminal malpractice investigation. Therefore, we performed a PubMed search which yielded 125 records; after applying eligibility criteria, 33 articles were included, supplemented by manual reference checking for a total of 60 sources reviewed. Results: Comparison with the Australian model suggests the need for more standardized care pathways in Italy, while accounting for local toxicological and epidemiological specificities. Conclusions: This case and the accompanying literature analysis highlight that, even in low-incidence settings, structured patient communication, multidisciplinary management, collaboration with Poison Control Centers, and adherence to good clinical practice are crucial for patient safety and for mitigating medico-legal risk. Full article

Background and Objectives: High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSC) is characterized by aggressive tumor behavior, frequent recurrence, and limited long-term survival. Despite the established clinicopathological prognostic factors, significant heterogeneity in clinical outcomes persists, highlighting the need for biologically relevant molecular biomarkers. HER3 and folate receptor alpha (FOLR1) have promising prognostic biomarkers in ovarian cancer; however, the combined biological and prognostic impact of these two molecules has not yet been clearly demonstrated. Materials and Methods: This retrospective observational study included 66 patients with histopathologically confirmed HGSC. The immunohistochemical expression of HER3 and FOLR1 was evaluated using a standardized immunoreactivity scoring system. Associations with clinicopathological features were analyzed, and survival outcomes were analyzed using Kaplan–Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards regression models. Results: High HER3 expression was significantly associated with distant metastasis and was identified as an independent adverse prognostic factor for both overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). FOLR1 expression was associated with OS in univariate analysis, but did not retain independent prognostic significance in multivariate models. A moderate yet statistically significant positive correlation between HER3 and FOLR1 expression was observed, suggesting a potential association between proliferative signaling and metabolic pathways that may warrant further mechanistic investigation. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that HER3 is a robust prognostic biomarker in HGSC and support a biologically relevant HER3–FOLR1 interaction contributing to tumor aggressiveness. These results provide a translational rationale for combined biomarker assessment and for the development of HER3- and FOLR1-targeted therapeutic strategies, particularly antibody–drug conjugates, for HGSC. Full article

Astrocytomas are among the most common primary tumors of the central nervous system, arising from astrocytic glial cells and encompassing a wide spectrum of histopathological grades and clinical behaviors. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is characterized by chronic immune dysregulation, neuroinflammation, and increased susceptibility to both opportunistic infections and malignancies. The management of astrocytomas in patients living with HIV presents unique clinical challenges but should, whenever feasible, follow standard neuro-oncological principles. We report the case of a 34-year-old man with well-controlled HIV infection who presented in February 2025 with progressive neurological symptoms. Brain imaging revealed a left temporo-insular lesion, and the diagnosis was confirmed by neuronavigation-guided biopsy performed on 31 March 2025. Histopathological and immunohistochemical evaluation established the diagnosis of an isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) wild-type astrocytoma, central nervous system (CNS) World Health Organization (WHO) grade 2, according to the 2021 classification of central nervous system tumors. Full article

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading global cause of mortality, with vascular calcification (VC) as a major predictor of adverse outcomes. Although vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are established contributors, the role of endothelial cells (ECs), particularly via the endothelial–mesenchymal transition (EndMT) and exosome signaling, remains less defined. Objective: This study investigated whether the gut microbiota-derived metabolite Trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) induces EndMT in ECs and whether exosomes from TMAO-treated ECs regulate the VSMC phenotype and calcification. Methods: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were exposed to TMAO at physiological and pathological levels (10–50 µM). EndMT markers were analyzed by Western blotting and qPCR. Exosomes were isolated, characterized, and applied to HAVSMCs in graded doses. Osteogenic and contractile markers, β-catenin signaling, and calcification were quantified. Exosomal miR-30 and miR-222 were studied. Results: TMAO triggered dose-dependent EndMT, decreasing CD31/VE-cadherin and increasing α-SMA, N-cadherin, and vimentin. Exosomes from TMAO-treated ECs reprogrammed VSMCs, downregulating contractile proteins and upregulating RUNX2, OPN, TNAP, and β-catenin, causing calcium accumulation. These exosomes displayed elevated miR-222 and reduced miR-30, changes that activated β-catenin signaling and promoted the osteogenic reprogramming of VSMCs. Conclusions: Pathophysiological TMAO levels induce EndMT and mediate the formation of exosomes, which drive the osteogenic reprogramming and calcification of VSMCs. Full article