Search Results (143)

Uterine leiomyoma (uterine fibroids, UF) are benign myometrium tumors that affect up to 70% of the female population and may lead to severe clinical symptoms. Despite the high prevalence, pathogenesis of UF is not understood and involves cytokines, steroid hormones, and growth factors. Additionally, an increased deposition and remodelling of the extracellular matrix is characteristic for UF. Vitamin D seems to play a new role in UF. Interestingly, hypovitaminosis D correlates with a higher prevalence of myomas and the severity of the myomas. Administration of vitamin D in women with insufficiency (serum level <30 ng/mL) restored the vitamin D status and reduced the mild symptoms of myomas. In addition, inflammatory processes may play a role. In the past years, it has become clear that cessation of inflammation is an active process driven by a class of lipid mediator molecules called specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPM). Inadequate resolution of inflammation is related to several chronic inflammatory diseases and several studies have proven the crucial role of SPMs in improving these diseases. In this review, we will give an overview on processes involved in UF growth and will give an overview on the modern view regarding the concept of inflammation and the role of SPMs in resolution of inflammation, especially in chronic inflammatory diseases. Full article

Electric vehicles (EVs) have been the most dependable and feasible choice for decarbonizing road transport over the last decade. To ensure the advancement of EVs and establish them as a sustainable alternative to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, the EV sector and technological growth have largely relied on government subsidies. A significant challenge for EVs is their faster depreciation compared to ICE vehicles, primarily owing to swift technological advancements that propel the market while simultaneously rendering older EV models outdated too soon. Another factor that leads to the quicker depreciation of EVs is subsidies. The anticipated cessation of subsidies is expected to provide the required leverage to mitigate the rapid value decline in EVs, given the larger price disparity between new and used EVs. Batteries, which enable EVs to be a viable option, significantly contribute to the depreciation of EVs. In addition to the potential decline in EV battery performance, advancements in technology and reduced prices provide newer models with improved range at a more affordable cost. The used EV market accurately represents the rapid devaluation of EVs; consequently, the two topics are tightly related. Though it might not be immediately apparent, it seems evident that the pace of depreciation of EVs significantly contributes to the small size of the second-hand EV market. Depreciation is a key factor influencing the used EV market. This manuscript outlines the key aspects of depreciation and sustainability in the EV transition, especially those linked to rapid technological advancements, such as batteries, in addition to subsidies and the used EV market. The objective of this manuscript is to expose and analyze the relation between the drivers of the second-hand EV market, such as the cost of ownership, technology, and subsidies, and, on the other hand, present the interplay perspectives and challenges. Full article

A substrate–product switch model was proposed to describe ethanol fermentation from longan solid waste using Candida tropicalis at an initial glucose and xylose ratio of 2 to 1. The model incorporated multiple rate equations for cell growth, sugar uptake, and ethanol production along with ethanol consumption. It elucidated the following three-step mechanism: (I) sugar uptake, (II) sugar conversion, and (III) ethanol consumption concerning the effects of concentration factor (CF) and associated growth function. Optimal kinetic parameters were estimated and validated against experimental data. The identification of two critical xylose concentrations showed that ethanol consumption either preceded or coincided with xylose consumption cessation. The phenolics inhibitory effect of gallic acid, ellagic acid, pyrogallol, and catechol on cell growth and ethanol production was elucidated with relatively minimal effect. The highest ethanol concentration of 25.5 g/L was reached with corresponding ethanol mass yield and productivity of 0.30 g/g and 1.063 g/L/h, respectively. The proposed model and kinetics provide valuable insights for designing and optimizing ethanol fermentation, contributing to more sustainable and cost-effective ethanol production. Full article

Rice false smut, caused by Ustilaginoidea virens, is one of the three major rice diseases in China. It not only seriously affects the rice yield and quality but also endangers human and animal health. Studying the pathogenic mechanism of U. virens has important theoretical significance and application value for clarifying the infection characteristics of the pathogen and cultivating disease-resistant varieties. Plant pathogenic fungi utilize secreted effectors to suppress plant immune responses, which can function in the apoplast or within host cells and are likely glycosylated. However, the posttranslational regulation of these effectors remains unexplored. Deletion of ΔUvALG led to the cessation of secondary infection hyphae growth and a notable decrease in virulence. We observed that ΔUvALG mutants triggered a significant increase in reactive species production within host cells, akin to ALG mutants, which plays a crucial role in halting the growth of infection hyphae in the mutants. ALG functions by sequestering chitin oligosaccharides to prevent their recognition by the rice chitin elicitor, thereby inhibiting the activation of innate immune responses, including reactive species production. Our findings reveal that ALG3 possesses three N-glycosylation sites, and the simultaneous Alg-mediated N-glycosylation of each site is essential for maintaining protein stability and chitin-binding activity, both of which are critical for its effector function. These outcomes underscore the necessity of the Alg-mediated N-glycosylation of ALG to evade host innate immunity. Full article

Background/Objectives: Physical activity allows the enjoyment of personal health benefits in those who practice it, including the possibility of modifying behavioral risk factors such as tobacco and alcohol consumption. These risk factors are responsible for the development of non-communicable diseases, which are preventable and controllable. The scientific field on this object of study has grown in recent years. The main objective of this study was to perform a scientific mapping to explore the trend of annual publications, and to analyze and identify the thematic categories, the authors, countries and journals with the highest number of papers, the most referenced papers and authors, and the most used keywords in research related to physical activity and tobacco and/or alcohol consumption. Methods: Through a bibliometric analysis based on traditional bibliometric laws on the scientific documentation related to the subject and indexed in the Main Collection of the Web of Science. The DeSolla Price Law was used to analyze the trend of annual publications, using the coefficient of determination R². Lotka’s law was applied to identify prolific authors, Bradford’s law to highlight the most frequent publication sources, the h-index to identify the most cited articles and Zipf’s law to highlight the keywords most used in research. Results: A total of 538 documents were analyzed. The trend followed by annual publications is in an exponential growth phase. Adrian Taylor and Michael Ussher were identified as prolific authors. USA and Preventive Medicine were the country and journal with the highest number of publications. The most frequently used words were physical activity, smoking, exercise, alcohol, obesity, and smoking cessation. Conclusions: This bibliometric review identified an exponential growth from 1994 to date of research related to physical activity and tobacco and/or alcohol consumption. It allowed us to identify trends and guide the development of future research in these or new related areas. Full article

Background: Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) models can cause neurodevelopmental abnormalities like those observed in fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Previous studies link experimental PAE effects in the brain to impaired signaling through insulin/IGF and Notch pathways that mediate neuronal survival, growth, migration, energy metabolism, and plasticity. Importantly, concurrent administration of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor agonists or dietary soy prevented many aspects of FASD due to their insulin-sensitizing, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Objective: To determine if dietary soy interventions during pregnancy would be sufficient to normalize central nervous system structure and function, we examined the effects of maternal gestation-limited dietary soy on cerebellar postnatal development, motor function, and critical signaling pathways. Methods: Pregnant Long Evans rats were fed isocaloric liquid diets containing 0% or 26% caloric ethanol with casein or soy isolate as the protein source. The ethanol and soy feedings were discontinued upon delivery. The offspring were subjected to rotarod motor function tests, and on postnatal day 35, they were sacrificed to harvest cerebella for histological and molecular studies. Results: Despite the postnatal cessation of alcohol exposure, chronic gestational exposure reduced brain weight, caused cerebellar hypoplasia, and impaired motor performance. Gestational dietary soy prevented the ethanol-associated reduction in brain weight and largely restored the histological integrity of the cerebellum but failed to normalize motor performance. Ethanol withdrawal abolished the impairments in insulin/IGF signaling that were previously associated with ongoing ethanol exposures, but ethanol’s inhibitory effects on Notch and Wnt signaling persisted. Soy significantly increased cerebellar expression of the insulin and IGF-1 receptors and abrogated several ethanol-associated impairments in Notch and Wnt signaling. Conclusions: Although gestation-restricted dietary soy has significant positive effects on neurodevelopment, optimum prevention of FASD’s long-term effects will likely require dietary soy intervention during the critical periods of postnatal development, even after alcohol exposures have ceased. Full article

Background: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is the major cause of blindness in children. It is a biphasic disease with retinal vessel growth cessation and loss (Phase I) followed by uncontrolled retinal vessel growth (Phase II). Folate is an essential nutrient for fetal development and growth. Premature infants have a high risk for folate deficiency. However, the contribution of folate to ROP risk remains unknown. Methods: In mouse oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR), the nursing dams were fed with a folic acid-deficient or control diet after delivery until the end of hyperoxia. Alternatively, pups received direct injection of either folic acid or vehicle during Phase I hyperoxia. Genes involved in the folate cycle and angiogenic responses were examined using real-time PCR. Total retinal folate levels were measured with the Lactobacillus casei assay. Results: Maternal folic acid deficiency in early life exacerbated pathological retinal vessel growth, while supplementation with folic acid suppressed it. Genes involved in the folate cycle were downregulated in Phase I OIR retinas and were highly expressed in Müller glia. Folic acid reduced pro-angiogenic signaling in cultured rat retinal Müller glia in vitro. Conclusions: Appropriate supplementation of folic acid might be a new and safe treatment for ROP at an early stage. Full article

This paper explores the effects of the cessation of forest commodity exports and the implementation of an industrialization strategy in Gabon, drawing on traditional theories of regional growth. The creation of the Nkok Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in 2012, accompanied by its strategic location and significant infrastructure investments, illustrates the application of Rosenstein-Rodan’s “Big Push” and Douglass-North’s “export base” theories. These initiatives also led to a polarization process consistent with the work of Perroux and other theorists of unbalanced regional growth. The study assesses the impact of this SEZ on regions external to the SEZ and the macroenvironment during the period 2014–2022. It highlights the industrial and commercial mechanisms that promote agglomeration economies, technological diffusion, the creation of economic connections, and the structuring into “core-periphery” zones, in accordance with the concepts of Hirschman. The results show a strong positive correlation between industrial income, exports (excluding raw materials), and industrial production. However, the ban on the export of wood raw materials led to a negative relationship between industrial income and exports of these products. Furthermore, the local processing of forest products has promoted industrial diversification, generated new products, and gradually increased added value. The process of economic and geographical polarization is described as a transitional phase of imbalances whose long-term implications require in-depth studies, particularly in the context of countries in the South and underdeveloped environments. Full article

Icicles are elongated structures formed from water flowing over hangings and crystallizing in sub-freezing conditions. These features are ubiquitous in several parts of the world that experience severe to moderate winter seasons. It has been suggested that they could be a source of recharge to groundwater. Icicles are presumed to affect groundwater quality via incorporation of atmospheric and roof top contaminants. Relatively little attention has been paid to these wintry features, insofar as only a few theoretical models have attempted to describe their formation. Stable isotope measurements (δ¹⁸O and δ²H) of icicles that were melted stepwise into fractions are presented as support for the models that invoke the rapid formation of icicles. Icicles exhibit minimal fraction to fraction isotope variation, suggesting a lack of isotope equilibrium and that kinetic effects dominate the freezing process. Deviations from the Global Meteoric Water Line (GMWL), which is similar to the Local Meteoric Water Line (LMWL), indicate that post-depositional processes, namely sublimation, may occur throughout the freezing process. Isotopic evidence lends support to a “growth-cessation-growth” variation of the already proposed methods of rapid icicle formation, where a cessation period occurs between pulses of rapid freezing during icicle growth. Full article

Garlic (Allium sativum L.), a vital global crop, suffers significant losses from soil-borne fungal pathogens such as Fusarium proliferatum, responsible for Fusarium bulb rot, and Stromatinia cepivora, the causal agent of white rot. In May 2023, garlic fields near Makó City, Hungary, showed simultaneous yellowing and wilting symptoms of unknown fungal infestations, which appeared sporadically. The causal pathogens were later confirmed as F. proliferatum and S. cepivora through sampling of symptomatic garlic plants, incubation in humid chambers to stimulate fungal growth, and culturing on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) under sterile conditions. This was followed by hyphal tip isolation and purification. Molecular identification was performed using ITS1-2 sequencing, supported with morphological identification based on colony and microscopic features. This research aimed to elucidate pathogen interaction dynamics and assess the resistance of eleven garlic cultivars to both single and simultaneous inoculations by these pathogens, under in vitro and in planta tests. Dual culture assays of F. proliferatum and S. cepivora were studied at two time points: Day 8, marking the cessation of growth along the interacting fronts due to competitive coexistence, and Day 14, when single cultures reached full radial growth. On Day 8, inhibition percentages were 8.47% for F. proliferatum and 6.40% for S. cepivora, reflecting the initial effects of competitive interactions at the point of contact. By Day 14, inhibition rates increased to 25.39% and 28.61%, respectively, highlighting the cumulative effects of sustained competition and the growing difference between single and dual culture growth. Inoculation trials, involving placing fungal disks onto the basal areas of wounded garlic cloves, revealed considerable variability in disease incidence and severity. Cultivars such as ‘Aulxito’, ‘Sabadrome’, ‘Arno’, ‘Garcua’, and ‘Makói Tavaszi’ were highly susceptible to both pathogens, while ‘Flavor’ and ‘Sabagold’ exhibited only mild symptoms when inoculated with F. proliferatum and S. cepivora, respectively. Simultaneous inoculation resulted in more rapid and severe infections, exhibiting disease incidences above 96.00% across all cultivars. Remarkably, the cultivar ‘Elephant’ exhibited complete resistance to both pathogens, even under simultaneous inoculation, highlighting its potential for future garlic resistance breeding programs. Full article

Background: Drug-induced gingival enlargement is a commonly documented adverse effect in patients administered with calcium antagonist medications. Nifedipine is the medicine most frequently linked to instances of gingival enlargement; nevertheless, amlodipine, likewise a calcium antagonist, can elicit this adverse effect. This case report aims to detail a case of amlodipine-induced gingival hyperplasia, emphasizing the significance of a multidisciplinary approach and outlining its therapy across various surgical phases. Methods: A 48-year-old hypertensive patient using amlodipine therapy presents with aberrant gingival tissue growth in the upper arch. Intraoral examination reveals localized inflammation and tissue enlargement in the papillae areas of the upper arch gingiva, leading to partial covering of the dental crowns. The patient experienced painful sensations and episodes of spontaneous bleeding in the enlarged gingival tissue. Following an initial professional dental hygiene treatment, which included root planning in the upper quadrants, and in consultation with the referring cardiologist, it was determined to discontinue amlodipine and initiate a replacement therapy with olmesartan medoxomil. Fifteen days following the cessation of amlodipine, surgical excision of the thickened interdental gingival tissues in the anterior region was conducted to obtain biopsies for histological confirmation of the observed pathological condition. Results: Histopathological examination validated the diagnosis of drug-induced gingival enlargement, characterized by chorion fibrosis and significant lymphoplasmacytic infiltration. Specifically, parakeratotic and acanthotic characteristics were seen in the gingival epithelium. Adjacent to the inflammatory regions, fibrosis was noted, along with the presence of cytoid bodies, which are typically linked to pathological diseases driven by inflammatory processes. These histological characteristics were consistent with the diagnosis of drug-induced gingival enlargement. Conclusions: A multidisciplinary approach involving the treating physician, dentist, and hygienist, incorporating drug replacement and targeted oral hygiene sessions, is crucial for the management and resolution of calcium channel blocker-induced gingival enlargement. Full article

Maternal smoking, including both traditional cigarettes and electronic ones, is a significant modifiable risk factor associated with adverse perinatal outcomes, especially in twin pregnancies. This narrative review aims to explore the impact of maternal smoking on obstetric and neonatal outcomes in twin pregnancies, which inherently carry a higher risk of complications. A literature search was conducted using the PubMed and EMBASE databases, selecting studies published between January 1994 and October 2024. The findings demonstrate a clear association between smoking and increased risks of preterm birth and fetal growth restriction (FGR) in twin pregnancies. These risks are exacerbated when smoking is combined with other factors, such as preeclampsia and elevated body mass index (BMI). Smoking was also associated with long-term post-natal complications, including respiratory problems like asthma, as well as cognitive and behavioral disorders. However, an association with preeclampsia was not found, and further studies are needed to clarify the relationship in the fields of preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) and fetal death. The adverse effects of smoking are primarily due to reduced oxygen supply to the fetus, caused by nicotine-induced vasoconstriction and carbon monoxide exposure, leading to placental insufficiency and fetal hypoxia. These effects are amplified in twin pregnancies due to the increased physiological demands. The review highlights that smoking cessation interventions during pregnancy are crucial to mitigate these risks and improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes. Full article

Background: Assessment of skeletal maturity is a common clinical practice to investigate adolescent growth and endocrine disorders. The distal radius and ulna (DRU) maturity classification is a practical and easy-to-use scheme that was designed for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis clinical management and presents high sensitivity in predicting the growth peak and cessation among adolescents. However, time-consuming and error-prone manual assessment limits DRU in clinical application. Methods: In this study, we propose a multi-task learning framework with an attention mechanism for the joint segmentation and classification of the distal radius and ulna in hand X-ray images. The proposed framework consists of two sub-networks: an encoder–decoder structure with attention gates for segmentation and a slight convolutional network for classification. Results: With a transfer learning strategy, the proposed framework improved DRU segmentation and classification over the single task learning counterparts and previously reported methods, achieving an accuracy of 94.3% and 90.8% for radius and ulna maturity grading. Findings: Our automatic DRU assessment platform covers the whole process of growth acceleration and cessation during puberty. Upon incorporation into advanced scoliosis progression prognostic tools, clinical decision making will be potentially improved in the conservative and operative management of scoliosis patients. Full article

The aim of this review article is to highlight the consequences of COGHD after the end of linear growth on bone mass and body composition and the opposing beneficial effects of continuing GH replacement in the transition period and young adults. The role of growth hormone in the period of late adolescence and young adulthood is well established, mainly in achieving peak bone mass and a favorable body composition, characterized by muscle mass increase and fat mass reduction. Patients with childhood onset growth hormone deficiency (COGHD), after reaching the adult height, have a reduced bone mineral density and muscle mass with increased fat mass compared to healthy controls. Inadequate body composition is a predictor for cardiovascular risk, while low bone mass in early youth hallmarks the risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures in later life. Cessation of growth hormone replacement (GHr) after completion of growth will lead to delayed peak bone mass and unbalanced body composition with increased abdominal fat deposits. According to numerous clinical studies monitoring the effects of GH treatment on the physical and psychological status of patients with persistent GHD after completion of growth, we suggest continuing this treatment between 16 and 25 years of age. It is advised that GHr in the transition period be administered in intermediate doses between those for the pediatric population and those for the adult population. Usual daily GHr doses are between 0.3 and 0.5 mg but need to be individually optimized, with the aim of maintaining IGF-I in the age-specific normal range. Full article

(1) Background: Postponing orthodontic treatment in Class III malocclusion until deterioration and growth cessation to perform orthognathic surgery does not seem to be an optimal solution for every patient. This report describes short- and long-term outcomes for nonsurgical treatment of four adolescents with severe Class III malocclusion. (2) Methods: Four patients (aged 13–15 y) with skeletal Class III (Wits appraisal below 7.5 mm) started a three-stage treatment, consisting of a six-month-long phase I and involving orthopedic treatment with an individual chin-cup. Phase II involved orthopedic treatment with a bonded Haas-type expander on acrylic splints, a face-mask, a lower fixed appliance and Class III elastics; phase III involved full fixed appliance, elastics and reuse of the individual chin-cup. Pre and posttreatment cephalograms were analyzed and superimposed. (3) Results: Improved skeletal and dental relationships and facial appearance was achieved in all patients. Wits appraisal, angles ANB, ANPg and lower face height increased; an improvement of overbite was noted. (4) Conclusions: Severe skeletal Class III in adolescents may be successfully treated with combined orthopedic/camouflage treatment with a Haas-type expander on acrylic splints, Class III elastics, fixed appliance and orthopedic devices (individual chin-cup and facemask) with a very good compliance. Full article