Search Results (111)

Background/Objectives. The Black Death pandemic, combined with the antisemitic climate of 14th-century Europe, led to widespread violence against Jewish communities, including numerous pogroms such as the one in 1348 in Tàrrega (Catalonia, Spain). In the Roquetes necropolis of Tàrrega, six communal graves containing at least sixty-nine individuals, with signs of violence, were dated to the mid-14th century. Based on the hypothesis that Iberian medieval Jewish communities preserve genetic similarities to other ancient and modern Jewish communities, our study aims to provide genomic information on medieval Iberian communities, which to date have been unknown. Methods. We analyzed DNA from sixteen individuals from the Roquetes necropolis using Twist ancient DNA enrichment capture. Several paleogenomic analyses based on nuclear DNA and uniparental markers were conducted to determine their genetic relatedness and population origin. Results. PCA and ADMIXTURE analyses revealed genetic affinities with ancient and modern Jewish populations. Uniparental markers, which exhibited high diversity, aligned with typical patterns within the Jewish community. The qpAdm modeling suggested that the genetic composition of the Roquetes population can be explained by a mixture of Canaan individuals (0.69) and the Iberian non-Jewish non-Islamic medieval population (0.31). No close genetic kinship was detected, but RHO analyses indicated a certain level of background endogamy. Conclusions. This is the first study to report genomic data for medieval Iberian Jews. Our findings reveal genomic affinities of the Roquetes individuals with ancient and modern Jewish populations and corroborate the previous attribution of the burials to victims of the 1348 Tàrrega pogrom. Full article

Autosomal short tandem repeat (STR) markers remain the cornerstone of modern forensic genetics, providing exceptional power for individualization, kinship verification, and reconstruction of complex investigative cases. Over the last decade, the field has undergone a major technological transition from length-based capillary electrophoresis (CE) toward sequence-level characterization using massively parallel sequencing (MPS), enabling detection of internal sequence variants (isoalleles) and flanking-region polymorphisms that substantially increase discriminatory power in many forensic contexts. Although MPS is increasingly adopted in forensic laboratories, implementation remains dependent on infrastructure, cost considerations, validation requirements, and jurisdiction-specific legal frameworks. This review synthesizes the molecular mechanisms underlying STR variability, including replication slippage and mutation processes, and critically evaluates the transition to sequencing-based analysis. Particular attention is given to analytical challenges such as stochastic effects in ultra-low-template DNA and PCR inhibition in degraded samples. Special emphasis is placed on identification of skeletal remains from mass graves and historical contexts, where hierarchical analytical strategies—from mini-STR approaches to MPS-based workflows—enable recovery of highly fragmented DNA. The review also examines the evolution of probabilistic genotyping (PG), highlighting the importance of algorithmic transparency and reproducible analytical frameworks for judicial applications. By integrating technological advances with practical forensic challenges, this review outlines a comprehensive framework for implementing high-resolution STR analysis in contemporary genomic casework. As a narrative synthesis, the conclusions reflect currently available published evidence and acknowledge variability in validation status, implementation practices, and regional forensic infrastructures. Full article

Background: Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is a grave complication in patients with cancer treated with antiresorptive agents, particularly after invasive dental procedures. Identifying reliable clinical factors to assess MRONJ risk remains a clinical challenge. Methods: The retrospective observational study comprised 61 oncologic patients undergoing dental extractions during antiresorptive therapy. Preoperative serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and β-C-terminal telopeptide cross-link (β-CTx), along with relevant clinical variables, were measured. The analyses included comparative tests, multivariate logistic regression to detect independent predictors of MRONJ, and ROC curve analysis to assess the model’s predictive performance. Results: MRONJ was diagnosed in 18 patients (29.5%). Low preoperative vitamin D levels were significantly associated with MRONJ and remained an independent predictor in the multivariate analysis (OR = 8.74, p = 0.005). The mandibular extraction site was also identified as a significant risk factor (OR = 7.94, p = 0.007). In contrast, β-CTX levels, age, sex, cancer type, and the number of extracted teeth did not show a significant link to MRONJ development in this cohort. The comprehensive multivariate model demonstrated good discrimination capacity (AUC = 0.806). Conclusions: Preoperative vitamin D deficiency is an important independent predictor of MRONJ after dental extractions in patients with cancer receiving antiresorptive agents. Integrating metabolic biomarkers and clinical variables into predictive models may improve risk assessment and support the development of more effective preoperative prevention strategies. Full article

Background/Objectives: To evaluate whether a TSH-receptor antibody (TRAb)-first, one-sample diagnostic strategy improves etiologic classification of overt hyperthyroidism compared with conventional pathways, and to assess its implications for imaging use, diagnostic accuracy, and cost efficiency. Methods: In this multicentre retrospective study, 274 adults with newly diagnosed overt hyperthyroidism underwent TRAb measurement, thyroid ultrasound, and scintigraphy during a single clinical encounter. Scintigraphy served as the functional reference standard. We compared the diagnostic performance of TRAb and ultrasound, modeled TRAb-first diagnostic algorithms, and estimated the potential impact of reflex TRAb testing on diagnostic workflow and resource use. Results: Graves’ disease (GD) accounted for 65% of cases. TRAb showed excellent diagnostic accuracy for GD (sensitivity 92.0%, specificity 96.0%; κ = 0.86) and markedly outperformed ultrasound (sensitivity 66.9%, specificity 62.5%; κ = 0.43). A TRAb-first pathway in which TRAb-positive patients are directly classified as GD and TRAb-negative patients undergo scintigraphy achieved 100% sensitivity, 95.8% specificity, and the lowest overall misclassification rate. Replacing scintigraphy with ultrasound in TRAb-negative patients substantially reduced specificity (~60%) and yielded significant overdiagnosis of GD. Ultrasound identified numerous nodules but detected only one low-risk carcinoma (malignancy rate: 1.2%), suggesting limited oncologic yield. A TRAb-first strategy would have avoided two-thirds of scintigraphies and minimized unnecessary imaging. Conclusions: A TRAb-first diagnostic approach offers the most accurate, efficient, and clinically appropriate pathway for etiologic assessment of overt hyperthyroidism. Scintigraphy should be reserved for TRAb-negative patients, while ultrasound should be used selectively for structural evaluation rather than as part of routine etiologic work-up. Reflex TRAb testing may further streamline care by enabling rapid, one-sample etiologic diagnosis and reducing resource use. Full article

The indiscriminate and excessive use of antimicrobial agents in livestock production is a major driver of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), thereby posing a grave threat to global public health. Although several surveillance studies have documented antimicrobial resistance patterns of swine-derived E. coli in different regions of China, comprehensive investigations integrating multilocus sequence typing (MLST), resistance determinants, and virulence gene profiles have remained scarce for central China, particularly Hubei province, since 2018. This study investigated the prevalence of antibiotic resistance, and molecular epidemiology of E. coli isolated from swine farms in Hubei province, China, while simultaneously analyzing their clonal and genetic diversity. A total of 148 E. coli isolates were collected from porcine sources in central China, revealing distinct regional variations in genetic diversity. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) analysis identified 38 sequence types (STs) distributed across 7 clonal complexes (CCs) and several unassigned clones. ST46 emerged as the predominant sequence type (19.6% prevalence), followed by ST23 and ST10. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing demonstrated 100% resistance to lincosamides and sulfonamides, with all isolates exhibiting multidrug resistance (MDR) to antimicrobial classes. Genetic characterization detected 16 resistance determinants, with individual isolates carrying 5–7 resistance genes on average. The resistance profile included seven β-lactamase genes: blaTEM (61.5%), blaCTX-M-1G (57.4%), blaDHA (46.6%), blaSHV (39.2%), blaCTX-M-9G (24.3%), blaOXA (13.5%), and blaCMY-2 (1.4%); and eight aminoglycoside-modifying enzyme genes, including polymyxin resistance gene mcr-1 (7.4%). Virulence factor screening through PCR detected nine associated genes, with EAST1, fyuA, STa, K88, STb, Irp2, and LT-1 present in 95.3% of isolates, while K99 and 987P were absent in all specimens. This investigation documents alarmingly high antimicrobial resistance rates in swine-derived E. coli populations while elucidating their genetic diversity. The findings suggest that intensive antibiotic use in porcine production systems has driven the evolution of extensively drug-resistant bacterial isolates. These results emphasize the urgent need to implement antimicrobial stewardship programs in livestock management to mitigate AMR proliferation. Full article

Autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) exemplifies an organ-specific autoimmune disorder, including Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) and Graves’ disease (GD). HT is characterized by hypothyroidism, whereas GD primarily presents as hyperthyroidism. Immunological evidence indicates that AITD pathogenesis requires both a permissive genetic background and environmental triggers to initiate and sustain disease progression. However, the exact molecular and cellular pathways through which these elements synergize to trigger and sustain autoimmune responses remain unclear. Emerging evidence suggests that epigenetic regulation serves as the key interface decoding genetic predisposition through environmental stimuli in AITD etiology. Studies show that environmental epigenetic reprogramming initiates AITD development in genetically susceptible individuals. Epigenetic regulators, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNA activity, finely tune transcriptional outputs to influence disease trajectories. Beyond elucidating AITD pathogenesis, these epigenetic alterations offer clinical value as diagnostic biomarkers and modifiable therapeutic targets, facilitating precision medicine approaches from early detection to customized interventions. These epigenetic modifications not only elucidate AITD pathophysiology but also provide measurable markers for early diagnosis and molecular targets for personalized treatment strategies. Full article

The heavy environmental impact of the construction industry—responsible for 39% of world CO₂ emissions and consuming over 40% of natural resources—supports the need for evidence-based decision-making tools for sustainable material selection balancing environmental, economic, and social considerations. This research develops and evaluates an integrated decision support system that couples cradle-to-grave lifecycle assessment (LCA) with various multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods to optimize climate-resilient material selection for schools. The methodology is an integration of hybrid Analytic Hierarchy Process–Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (AHP-TOPSIS) and VIKOR techniques validated with eight case studies in hot-arid, hot-humid, and temperate climates. Environmental, economic, social, and technical performance indices were evaluated from primary experimental data and with the input from 22 international experts with climate change assessment expertise. Ten material options were examined, from traditional, recycled, and bio-based to advanced composite systems throughout full building lifecycles. The results indicate geopolymer–biofiber composite systems achieve 42% reduced lifecycle carbon emissions, 28% lower cost of ownership, and 35% improved overall sustainability performance compared to traditional equivalents. Three MCDM techniques’ cross-validation demonstrated a satisfactory ranking correlation (Kendall’s τ = 0.87), while Monte Carlo uncertainty analysis ensured framework stability across 95% confidence ranges. Climate-adaptive weighting detected dramatic regional optimization contrasts: thermal performance maximization in tropical climates and embodied impact emphasis in temperate climates. Three case studies on educational building projects demonstrated 95.8% accuracy in validation of environmental performance and economic payback periods between 4.2 and 6.8 years in real-world practice. Full article

Bone density is considered one of the many factors influencing bone structure and DNA preservation. For this reason, it is of interest in fields such as anthropology, palaeontology, and genetics. This study describes a method for bone density assessment by gradient centrifugation in Sodium Poly-Tungstate (SPT) solutions (from 2.1 to 2.6 g/cm³). Fifty milligrams of bone powder (size range of 20–50 µm) were used, with an average recovery of 89.9 (IC = 3.3% at 95% of probability). In the first phase of the experiment, the protocol was applied to ten femurs: three exhumed from the WWII mass grave of Ossero, three aged (43–50 years old) femurs from a museum collection and four fresh controls. In the subsequent phase, the analysis was extended to three petrous bones, three metacarpals, and three metatarsals exhumed from the WWII mass grave. The SPT density gradient profiles revealed marked differences among the three femur sample sets: more than 80% of the powder from control femurs was recovered in fractions with a density ≤ 2.2 g/cm³, whereas approximately 45% of the femurs from the mass grave showed a density > 2.6 g/cm³. The remaining three aged femurs displayed peculiar density patterns. Among the other bone types, metatarsals showed the lowest density values, followed by petrous bones and metacarpals. To detect degradation signatures, all nineteen bone powders were also analysed by ATR-FTIR. The femurs from the mass grave exhibited spectral features consistent with mineral recrystallisation and degradation of the organic phase, whereas the other three aged femurs showed peculiar spectral profiles; metacarpals, petrous bones and metatarsals showed intermediate spectra. PCA was applied to SPT and ATR-FTIR data, revealing correlations that support the SPT method as a novel tool for bone quality assessment. Although based on a limited sample size, this preliminary work demonstrates that SPT gradient analysis is an effective, low-cost, rapid and reliable method for assessing bone density, with potential applications in different disciplines studying aged bone samples. Lastly, principal component analysis (PCA) revealed a correlation between bone density and the yield of DNA recovered from the ten femoral specimens. Full article

Several approaches are currently being used by law enforcement to locate the remains of victims. Yet, traditional methods are invasive and time-consuming. Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)-based remote sensing has emerged as a potential tool to support the location of human remains and clandestine graves. While offering a non-invasive and low-cost alternative, UAV-based remote sensing needs to be tested and validated for forensic case work. To assess current knowledge, a systematic review of 19 peer-reviewed articles from four databases was conducted, focusing specifically on UAV-based remote sensing for human remains and clandestine grave location. The findings indicate that different sensors (colour, thermal, and multispectral cameras), were tested across a range of burial conditions and models (human and mammalian). While UAVs with imaging sensors can locate graves and decomposition-related anomalies, experimental designs from the reviewed studies lacked robustness in terms of replication and consistency across models. Trends also highlight the potential of automated detection of anomalies over manual inspection, potentially leading to improved predictive modelling. Overall, UAV-based remote sensing shows considerable promise for enhancing the efficiency of human remains and clandestine grave location, but methodological limitations must be addressed to ensure findings are relevant to real-world forensic cases. Full article

Background and Objectives: The pathogenesis of thyroid eye disease (TED) is driven by interactions between orbital fibroblasts and immune cells. Lymphocyte-activation gene 3 (LAG-3) is an immune checkpoint molecule with a similar structure to the T lymphocyte CD4 receptor but with higher affinity for MHC class II, and LAG-3–MHC class II interaction inhibits T lymphocyte activity. Lymphocytes shed LAG-3, generating soluble LAG-3 (sLAG-3), whose function is unclear. We investigated sLAG-3 involvement in Graves’ disease (GD) and GD-associated TED pathogenesis. Materials and Methods: Patients with GD-associated TED (n = 47) and GD without TED (n = 35) were enrolled alongside 37 healthy controls (HCs). Peripheral blood serum sLAG-3 levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and compared across the three groups. The effect of intravenous glucocorticosteroid (IVGC) treatment (12 weeks) on sLAG-3 concentrations in patients with GD-associated TED was monitored, and associations of sLAG-3 levels with clinical characteristics were analyzed. Disease activity before and after IVGC treatment was assessed using Clinical Activity Score. Results: Relative to those in HCs, serum sLAG-3 levels were significantly higher in GD patients both with (p < 0.001) and without (p = 0.0129) TED. No significant difference in sLAG-3 levels was observed between the two patient groups (p = 1.000), and no significant change in sLAG-3 levels was detected in patients with TED after IVGC therapy (p = 0.0536). Conclusions: The higher sLAG-3 levels in patients compared to HCs suggest that sLAG-3 dysregulation may contribute to GD and GD with orbitopathy development and the pathomechanisms underlying these conditions. Metalloproteinase-mediated cleavage of LAG-3 from the lymphocyte surface enables T lymphocyte proliferation and activation, while released sLAG-3 may enhance the immune response. Further studies of sLAG-3’s mechanisms of action are needed to establish clear cut-off values and to define the diagnostic role of sLAG-3 in GD diagnosis. Full article

Oil spill accidents pose a grave threat to marine ecosystems, human economy, and public health. Consequently, expeditious and efficacious oil spill detection technology is imperative for the pollution mitigation and the health preservation in the marine environment. This study proposed a marine radar oil spill detection method based on Local Binary Patterns (LBP), Histogram of Oriented Gradient (HOG), and an improved Firefly Optimization Algorithm (IFA). In the stage of image pre-processing, the oil film features were significantly enhanced through three steps. The LBP features were extracted from the preprocessed image. Then, the mean filtering was used to smooth out the LBP features. Subsequently, the HOG statistical features were extracted from the filtered LBP feature map. After the feature enhancement, the oil spill regions were accurately extracted by using K-Means clustering algorithm. Next, an IFA model was used to classify oil films. Compared with traditional Firefly Optimization Algorithm (FA) algorithm, the IFA method is suitable for oil film segmentation tasks in marine radar data. The proposed method can achieve accuracy segmentation and provide a new technical path for marine oil spill monitoring. Full article

Nitrosamines, including N-nitroso diethylamine (NDEA) have emerged as pharmaceutical impurities and carcinogenic environmental contaminants of grave public health safety concerns. This study reports on the preparation and first use of cysteine–gold nanoparticles (CysAuNPs) for colorimetric detection of NDEA in human serum albumin (HSA) under physiological conditions. Molecular docking (MD) and molecular dynamic simulation (MDS) were performed to probe the interaction between NDEA and serum albumin. UV–visible absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging were used to characterize the synthesized CysAuNPs. These CysAuNPs show a UV–visible absorbance wavelength maxima (λ_max) at 377 nm and emission λ_max at 623 nm. Results from DLS measurement revealed the CysAuNPs’ uniform size distribution and high polydispersity index of 0.8. Microscopic imaging using TEM showed that CysAuNPs have spherical to nanoplate-like morphology. The addition of NDEA to HSA in the presence of CysAuNPs resulted in a remarkable increase in the absorbance of human serum albumin. The interaction of NDEA–CysAuNPs–HSA is plausibly facilitated by hydrogen bonding, sulfur linkages, or by Cys–NDEA-induced electrostatic and van der Waal interactions. These are due to the disruption of the disulfide bond linkage in Cys–Cys upon the addition of NDEA, causing the unfolding of the serum albumin and the dispersion of CysAuNPs. The combined use of molecular dynamic simulation and colorimetric experiment provided complementary data that allows robust analysis of NDEA in serum samples. In addition, the low cost of the UV–visible spectrophotometer and the easy preparation and optical sensitivity of CysAuNPs sensors are desirable, allowing the low detection limit of the CysAuNPs sensors, which are capable of detecting as little as 0.35 µM NDEA in serum albumin samples, making the protocol an attractive sensor for rapid detection of nitrosamines in biological samples. Full article

The identification of unmarked graves is important in archaeology, forensics, and cemetery management, but invasive methods are often restricted due to ethical or cultural concerns. This necessitates the use of non-invasive geophysical techniques. Our study demonstrates the potential of induced polarization (IP) imaging as a non-invasive remote sensing technique specifically suited for detecting and characterizing unmarked graves. IP leverages changes in the electrical properties of soil and pore water, influenced by the accumulation of organic matter from decomposition processes. Measurements were conducted at an inactive cemetery using non-invasive textile electrodes to map a documented grave from the early 1990s, with a survey design optimized for high spatial resolution. The results reveal a distinct polarizable anomaly at a 0.75–1.0 m depth with phase shifts exceeding 12 mrad, attributed to organic carbon from wooden burial boxes, and a plume-shaped conductive anomaly indicating the migration of dissolved organic matter. While electrical conductivity alone yielded diffuse grave boundaries, the polarization response sharply delineated the grave, aligning with photographic documentation. These findings underscore the value of IP imaging as a non-invasive, data-driven approach for the accurate localization and characterization of graves. The methodology presented here offers a promising new tool for archaeological prospection and forensic search operations, expanding the geophysical toolkit available for remote sensing in culturally and legally sensitive contexts. Full article

Plastic pollution has been recognized as an emerging risk for the aquatic environment. Shifting from the prevailing linear “take-make-dispose” model to a “circular” economy framework is essential for mitigating the environmental impact of plastics. Microplastics (MPs) in the natural environment are formed when synthetic polymers are fragmented and micronized to a size ≤ 5 mm. MPs are a global environmental problem, particularly within aquatic ecosystems, due to their persistence, accumulation, and uncertain long-term effects. This review examines the degradation pathways of polymers that result in MP formulation, their rate and distribution across ecosystems, and their potential entry into food systems. Key challenges include a lack of standardized detection methods, specifically for nanoparticles; limited evidence of long-term toxicity; and the inefficiency of current waste management frameworks. Emphasis is placed on the cradle-to-grave lifecycle of plastic materials, highlighting how poor design, excessive packaging, and inadequate post-consumer treatment contribute to MP release. The transition from Directive 94/62/EC to the new Regulation (EU) 2025/40 marks a significant policy shift towards stronger preventive measures. In line with the waste hierarchy and reduction in unnecessary packaging and plastic use, effective recycling must be supported by appropriate collection systems, improved separation processes, and citizen education to prevent waste and improve recycling rates to minimize the accumulation of MPs in the environment and reduce health impacts. This review identifies critical gaps in current knowledge and suggests crucial approaches in order to mitigate MP pollution and protect marine biodiversity and public health. Full article

Dark ships, vessels deliberately disabling their AIS signals, constitute a grave maritime safety hazard, with detection efforts hindered by issues like over-reliance on AIS, inadequate surveillance coverage, and significant mismatch rates. This paper proposes an improved multi-feature association method that integrates satellite remote sensing and AIS data, with a focus on oriented bounding box course estimation, to improve the detection of dark ships and enhance maritime surveillance. Firstly, the oriented bounding box object detection model (YOLOv11n-OBB) is trained to break through the limitations of horizontal bounding box orientation representation. Secondly, by integrating position, dimensions (length and width), and course characteristics, we devise a joint cost function to evaluate the combined significance of multiple features. Subsequently, an advanced JVC global optimization algorithm is employed to ensure high-precision association in dense scenes. Finally, by integrating data from Gaofen-6 (optical) and Gaofen-3B (SAR) satellites, a day-and-night collaborative monitoring framework is constructed to address the blind spots of single-sensor monitoring during night-time or adverse weather conditions. Our results indicate that the detection model demonstrates a high average precision (AP50) of 0.986 on the optical dataset and 0.903 on the SAR dataset. The association accuracy of the multi-feature association algorithm is 91.74% in optical image and AIS data matching, and 91.33% in SAR image and AIS data matching. The association rate reaches 96.03% (optical) and 74.24% (SAR), respectively. This study provides an efficient technical tool for maritime safety regulation through multi-source data fusion and algorithm innovation. Full article