Search Results (27,581)

Air quality management in greenhouses is critical to safeguarding plant health and occupational safety, yet conventional filtration methods often fall short in performance and sustainability. These enclosed environments are prone to the accumulation of bioaerosols, including fungi, bacteria, pollen, and dust particles, which can compromise crop productivity and pose health risks to workers. This review explores recent advancements in air filtration technologies for controlled environments such as greenhouses, where airborne particulate matter, bioaerosols, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present ongoing challenges. Special focus is given to the development of filtration media based on electrospun nanofibers, which offer high surface area, tunable porosity, and low airflow resistance. The use of biodegradable polymers in these systems to support environmental sustainability is examined, along with electrospinning techniques that enable precise control over fiber morphology and functionalization. Antimicrobial enhancements are discussed, including inorganic agents such as metal nanoparticles and bio-based options like essential oils. Essential oils, known for their broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties, are assessed for their potential in long-term, controlled-release applications through nanofiber encapsulation. Overall, this paper highlights the potential of integrating sustainable materials, innovative fiber fabrication techniques, and nature-derived antimicrobials to advance air filtration performance while meeting ecological and health-related standards. Full article

Background: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is associated with executive function deficits—such as planning, organization, and prospective memory—that impair autonomy and daily functioning, increase family stress, and create challenges in educational contexts. These consequences underscore the need for accessible and ecologically valid interventions addressing the cognitive, familial, and educational dimensions. Traditional approaches often lack ecological validity, and pharmacological treatment shows a limited impact on functional cognition. Objectives: This protocol outlines a feasibility study of DiverAcción, a web-based telerehabilitation system designed to enhance functional cognition through interactive and gamified tasks integrated into a comprehensive healthcare programme. Methods: A quasi-experimental feasibility study before and after the study will recruit 30 participants aged 9 to 17 years with ADHD. The study comprises an initial face-to-face session for instructions and baseline assessment (T0), followed by twelve supervised online sessions over six weeks. Therapeutic support is provided via integrated chat, email, and two scheduled videoconference check-ins. Feasibility outcomes: include recruitment, adherence, retention, usability (SUS), acceptability (TAM), satisfaction, user-friendly design, therapeutic alliance (WAI-I), and professionals’ attitudes toward technology (e-TAP-T). Exploratory measures: include parental self-efficacy (BPSES), parenting stress (PSI-4-SF), ADHD symptomatology (SNAP-IV), executive functioning (BRIEF-2), time management (Time-S), emotional regulation (ERQ-CA), prospective memory (PRMQ-C), and health-related quality of life (KIDSCREEN-52). Analyses emphasize descriptive statistics for feasibility metrics (recruitment, adherence, retention, dropout and fidelity). Assessments are conducted post-intervention (T1) and at three-month follow-up (T2) and analyzed relative to baseline using repeated-measures ANOVA or Friedman tests, depending on data distribution. Conclusions: This feasibility protocol will provide preliminary evidence on the usability, acceptability, and implementation of DiverAcción. Findings will guide refinements and inform the design of a subsequent randomized controlled trial. Full article

Background: As populations rapidly age, care robots have been proposed as a promising solution, supporting independent living and alleviating care burdens. However, acceptance of care robots among older adults remains limited. This study examined the relative contributions of demographic, health-related, digital competence, and technology-related psychological factors to care robot acceptance among older adults in South Korea. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 506 community-dwelling older adults. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were used to identify predictors of care robot acceptance, sequentially entering demographic characteristics, health-related factors, digital competence, and technology-related psychological variables. Results: Demographic and health-related factors were initially associated with care robot acceptance, but their effects diminished after accounting for digital competence and psychological variables. In the final model, technology-related psychological factors—particularly technology use self-efficacy and technology enthusiasm—were the strongest predictors of acceptance, while most demographic and health variables became non-significant, with the exception of instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). Conclusions: These findings indicate that psychological readiness and confidence in technology use outweigh demographic or health characteristics in shaping older adults’ acceptance of care robots. Interventions and design strategies that enhance self-efficacy, foster positive engagement, and support functional independence may be critical for promoting the effective and sustainable adoption of care robots in aging societies. Full article

Health systems face pressure to strengthen resilience against supply chain disruptions while maintaining cost-effective service delivery. This mixed-methods study describes a pilot project that integrated 3D printing services into a Canadian provincial health authority. Quantitative data were derived from internal clinical engineering work orders, where a scenario-based economic analysis compared original equipment manufacturer (OEM) procurement with modelled 3D-printed parts. Using conservative assumptions, selected non-electronic structural parts were assigned a fixed unit cost. Qualitative data were collected from two focus groups with clinical engineers and other end-users. Results from an exploratory scenario-based economic analysis suggest that substituting selected structurally simple clinical engineering parts with 3D-printed alternatives would be associated with modelled cost impacts ranging from a 67.4% net increase (OEM prices halved and 3D-printing costs doubled) to a 69.6% cost reduction (OEM prices increased by 10% and 3D-printing costs decreased by 20%). Demand changes affected absolute savings but not the percent difference (58.1% under ±50% quantity changes), and a pessimistic procurement scenario (OEM prices decreased by 30% and 3D-printing costs increased by 50%) reduced savings to 10.3%. Focus groups highlighted perceived benefits and implementation challenges associated with integrating additive manufacturing. Implementation was facilitated through an outsourcing model, which was perceived to shift certain responsibilities and risk-management functions to the vendor. Long-term adoption will require clearer communication and targeted education. This pilot study suggests that, under constrained regulatory scope and scenario-based assumptions, additive manufacturing may contribute to supply chain resilience and may be associated with modelled cost advantages for selected low-risk components. Full article

Background/Objectives: Lactic acid bacteria have long been recognized as pivotal microorganisms in food fermentation and health promotion. However, their significance has recently grown due to innovative applications in various fields, particularly at the intersection of biotechnology and nanotechnology. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of these emerging applications. Methods: The latest scientific literature was drawn from online databases and thoroughly reviewed. The new nomenclature system based on the post-2020 reclassification was used for reports. Results: The current study highlighted the evolving role of lactic acid bacteria, beyond their traditional use as starter cultures for food fermentation, in newer challenges, including the production of high-value bioactive compounds through bioprocessing under optimal conditions to enhance the yield, underlining the involved genes and pathways. Furthermore, this review addressed the beneficial effects of lactic acid bacteria as probiotics, postbiotics, and paraprobiotics in the treatment of various diseases and disorders, their application in the production of functional foods, and the encapsulation of their bioproducts to produce advanced health-promoting functional ingredients. The potential use of lactic acid bacteria to synthesize metallic nanoparticles, minicells, and carbon dots was also explored, promising significant advancements in nanomedicine. Conclusions: This review could open a new horizon for leveraging the potential of lactic acid bacteria in biotechnology, food science, and nanomedicine. The multilateral perspective offered here would provide a foundation for future research and development to exploit the capabilities of lactic acid bacteria across these innovative fields. Full article

Obesity is associated with profound metabolic, inflammatory, and neurobehavioral dysfunctions. Dietary interventions leading to weight loss are commonly employed, yet it remains unclear whether all obesity-related alterations are fully reversed upon reaching normal body weight. Poor adherence to dietary regimens often results in weight cycling, or yo-yo dieting, characterized by repeated episodes of weight gain and loss, a phenomenon linked to adverse health outcomes. Here, we investigated the consequences of weight cycling in C57BL/6J mice. The Control Group was maintained on a standard chow diet throughout the protocol, whereas the experimental group underwent two alternating cycles of high-fat diet feeding (weight gain) and standard diet reversion (weight loss), until the end of the protocol where both groups reached 80 weeks of age. Despite achieving a final body weight and glucose and lipid metabolic profile comparable to lean controls, weight-cycled mice exhibited impaired sensorimotor function, increased anxiety-like behavior (evaluated through behavioral tests), and persistent inflammation, including a peritoneal macrophage pro-inflammatory profile and adipose tissue infiltration. We define this phenomenon as “obesogenic inflammatory memory”, highlighting that obesity leaves an immunological imprint that sustains inflammation even after normalization of weight and metabolic parameters. These findings demonstrate that weight cycling is associated with chronic macrophage-mediated inflammatory states, linked to long-term behavioral and neurological manifestations, and opening new avenues for future investigation and therapeutic approaches. Full article

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a mosquito-borne zoonotic orthoflavivirus that poses a significant global health threat. It causes severe neuroinflammatory disease in humans and reproductive failure in swine. Because of the broad host range and cell tropism of JEV, identifying animal cell lines resistant to infection has been a persistent challenge. In this study, we demonstrate that Madin–Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) cells are resistant to JEV infection yet remain fully permissive to viral replication when transfected with viral genomic RNA. Using immunoblotting, immunofluorescence, and flow cytometry, we show that MDBK cells, unlike the highly susceptible baby hamster kidney (BHK-21) cells used as controls, do not support viral entry but sustain all post-entry stages of the replication cycle. Further investigation confirmed that MDBK cells possess a functional clathrin-mediated endocytic pathway, as evidenced by their susceptibility to bovine viral diarrhea virus, which relies on clathrin-dependent endocytosis for host cell entry. These findings establish MDBK cells as a nonsusceptible cell line for JEV entry despite intact endocytic function, providing a valuable platform for studying virus–host cell interactions and for identifying and validating host cell entry factors, a major challenge in JEV research. Full article

Zinc homeostasis is fundamental to metabolic health, orchestrated by the coordinated actions of two major zinc transporter families: ZIP (Zrt- and Irt-like proteins) and ZnT (zinc transporters). ZIP transporters facilitate zinc influx into the cytosol from the extracellular space or from the lumen of intracellular organelles, whereas ZnT transporters control zinc efflux from the cytosol to the extracellular space or facilitate its sequestration into intracellular vesicles and organelles, concurrently harboring the meticulous intracellular zinc homeostasis. This equilibrium is essential for all critical functions like cellular response, metabolic control, and immune pathway alteration. Disruption of this homeostasis is a driver of different pathological alterations like metabolic inflammation, a chronic low-grade inflammatory state underlying obesity; type 2 diabetes; and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Recent studies revealed that ZIP and ZnT transporters dynamically regulate metabolic and inflammatory cues, with their tissue-specific expression varying by tissue and acclimating to different physiological and pathological conditions. Recent advanced research in molecular and genetic understanding has helped to deepen our knowledge of the interplay of activity between ZIP and ZnT transporters and their crosstalk in metabolic tissues, underscoring the potential therapeutic prospect for restoring zinc balance and ameliorating metabolic inflammation. This review provides a comprehensive overview that covers the function, regulation, and interactive crosstalk of ZIP and ZnT zinc transporters in metabolic tissues and their pathological conditions. Full article

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection remains a major global health burden. Untreated HIV infection leads to CD4⁺ T-cell depletion and severe immune dysfunction, resulting in opportunistic infections, neoplastic changes, and death. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is currently the standard treatment for HIV infection, but it cannot eliminate latent reservoirs. Post-translational modifications (PTMs) regulate protein trafficking, function, and degradation, and their in-depth investigation plays a crucial role in identifying novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets. PTMs exert a central regulatory role in HIV infection by both enhancing host restriction factors and contributing to latent infection. This dual role offers novel insights into potential therapeutic targets for activating latent viruses to make them visible to the immune system. This review highlights numerous PTMs associated with HIV infection, including acetylation, phosphorylation, palmitoylation, etc., and assesses their potential for curing HIV infection. Full article

Elder abuse is an increasingly common problem in modern society, in the context of rapid population aging. Despite increasing awareness, this phenomenon remains heavily underreported, and effective interventions are yet to be made, thus leading to significant medical, social, and legal implications. The purpose of this review is to present an updated situation of the depths of elder abuse, presenting its prevalence both at the global and European level, the two main environments in which it is the most common (community and institutional settings), different forms of abuse, risk factors, and consequences for each one of them, as well as medico-legal aspects on the matter. A narrative review was conducted based on PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, in association with data presented in reports from international organizations. The review included only articles published in English, in peer-reviewed journals, addressing elder abuse in adults aged 60 years and older, and those that didn’t respect the criteria were excluded. Elder abuse comes in different forms, most of the time overlapping, with psychological abuse being the most prevalent. Each one of them has its own risk factors and specific consequences, but all of them will eventually lead to increased morbidity, accelerated cognitive impairment, and functional decline. In community settings, the elders usually experience abuse related to dependency on the family and social isolation, while in institutional settings, abuse is frequently associated with understaffing and inadequate care. From a forensic perspective, functional and cognitive decline complicate the proper documentation of the abuse. Thus, the role of the physician in providing legal support to the victim is essential. Elder abuse continues to be heavily overlooked, losing sight of the fact that its consequences extend beyond immediate physical harm, affecting the general physical and mental health of the victims. A possible solution to this problem is envisioned, with the purpose of raising awareness of this situation and contributing to a change in the perspective from which society looks at the elderly. Full article

Oxidative stress from environmental pollutants is linked to chronic degenerative diseases. Research indicates that specific phytochemicals in our diets can reduce and mitigate the harmful effects of pro-oxidant insults on health. However, limited randomized clinical trials show the protective effects of these compounds. This lack of in vivo evidence is partly due to the low bioavailability of these compounds, which can obscure their actual benefits. The present work investigates whether selected dietary phytochemicals are equally effective in activating cellular defense against oxidative stress at low doses. In a previous study, we found that Curcumin (Curc) at a concentration of 1 μM protected human myeloid cells from cytotoxicity induced by pro-oxidant species by activating the expression of Nrf2/ARE-dependent transcripts, including NADPH: quinone oxidoreductase-1 (NQO-1) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Now, we aim to extend our observation to other natural activators of the Nrf2 pathway, such as Sulforaphane (SFN) and three structurally related molecules belonging to the flavonoid family: Quercetin (Q), Catechin (C), and Fisetin (F). These compounds were applied at low concentrations (1 μM) to assess their antioxidant activity against H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress, their effects on cellular viability, and the capacity to drive the expression of NQO-1/HO-1 in various cellular models. Our findings indicate that low-dose phytochemicals differ in their cytoprotective efficacy, which depends on both dosage and intracellular uptake or metabolism. We propose that only specific natural antioxidants can protect cells from oxidative stress, underscoring the need to clarify the mechanisms behind this selectivity to better design nutraceuticals and functional foods. Full article

Age-related neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and mild cognitive impairment, represent a growing global health challenge. The present medicines offer only symptomatic alleviation with poor disease-modifying efficacy. Increasing data suggests that the gut–brain axis and dietary health are measurable contributions to cognitive impairment as we age. This review first focused on the mechanistic link between gut dysbiosis and neurodegeneration. Furthermore, the review discusses preclinical and clinical research that show how probiotics and dietary supplements improve brain function in the elderly using supplemental therapy methods. It also indicates that randomized clinical studies and meta-analyses suggest that probiotics and particular nutritional supplements provide modest but consistent cognitive advantages, which are most noticeable when patients receive therapy at the initial stage of their disease development. These advantages might originate from the combined impact of gut microbiota, immunological signaling, and neuroprotective pathways, rather than specific targeted approaches. Thus, the current review highlights the reports, suggesting that probiotics and dietary supplements might be effective and safe therapies for age-related neurodegeneration. Full article

Background: Melanoma outcomes have improved in recent years as a result of modern systemic therapies. A major molecular feature of melanoma is abnormal telomerase activation; this is most often caused by telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter mutations, which occur in 50–82% of cases and are the most common noncoding alteration in this cancer. Telomerase maintains telomere length, allowing melanoma cells to avoid senescence and continue dividing. However, how telomerase activity influences melanoma cell doubling time remains unclear, and the pathways linking TERT expression to faster cell-cycle progression require further study. Although telomerase inhibitors show promise in preclinical models, their clinical use is limited by delayed cytotoxicity and resistance. Materials and Methods: A scoping review was conducted using Scopus, ScienceDirect, MEDLINE/PubMed, and CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature). Keywords included “telomerase,” “melanoma,” “cancer,” “cell proliferation,” and “doubling time,” using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Results: Telomerase-related biomarkers were found to correlate with disease stage and survival. Suggested therapeutic strategies include enzyme inhibitors, cytotoxic nucleotide incorporation, telomere destabilization, and immunotherapies such as peptide or dendritic cell vaccines, etc. Conclusions: Understanding both telomere-dependent and -independent TERT functions is essential for developing effective biomarkers and therapies that overcome resistance and slow melanoma progression. Full article

Background: Low and middle-income countries (LMICs) such as Mexico are experiencing rapid population aging, accompanied by increasing levels of functional dependency and growing long-term care (LTC) needs. Objectives: We aimed to identify the factors associated with varying levels of functional dependency in order to assist population health planning and LTC policy in aging populations in Mexico. Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed data from the 2021 wave of the Mexican Health and Aging Study (MHAS). Functional dependency was assessed through a modified Autonomie Gérontologie Groupes Iso-Ressources (AGGIR) scale, adapted to incorporate cognitive and physical assessments suitable for the Mexican context. Socioeconomic, health-related, and psychological variables were examined using ordinal logistic regression models. Results: Among 8049 participants included in the analysis, 87.08% were classified with non-to-mild dependency, 9.13% with moderate dependency, and 3.79% with severe dependency. More severe levels of functional dependency were associated with older age, lower educational attainment, not having a partner (being single, widowed, separated or divorced), and the presence of chronic conditions such as hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Conclusions: In contrast, higher educational attainment and regular physical activity were associated with less severe levels of dependency. These associations highlight the multifactorial nature of dependency in later life. The application of a graded, multidimensional dependency classification provides a more comprehensive and differentiated understanding of care needs than binary functional measures. This population-level perspective may support the prioritization of healthy aging strategies and long-term care planning in rapidly aging middle-income settings such as Mexico. Full article

Background/Objectives: Prostate cancer (PC) is one of the most commonly diagnosed malignancies globally; depending on the treatment strategy used, erectile dysfunction (ED) is a frequently reported adverse outcome among PC patients. The current study evaluated ED prevalence among Pakistani PC patients and its effects on physical, psychological, and social well-being, aiming to address critical gaps in survivorship care for this population. Methods: A cross-sectional, multicenter, observational, questionnaire-based study was conducted in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan, from February to April 2025. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among PC patients was measured using the Short Form Health Survey 36 (SF-36), while ED prevalence and severity were assessed by the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) instrument. Results: Among N = 400 PC patients, surgical treatments predominated (radical prostatectomy: 61.0%; n = 244), while hormonal (androgen-deprivation therapy: 31.5%; n = 126) and chemotherapy (23.3%; n = 93) were also commonly utilized. ED experience was high among PC patients in the erectile function (40.8%; n = 163) and in the intercourse satisfaction (45.0%; n = 180) domains; these showed moderately strong and significant positive correlations across all SF-36 domains, particularly physical functioning (r = 0.52; p < 0.001) and social functioning (r = 0.49; p < 0.001). Regression analysis confirmed sexual function domains explained 60% of HRQoL variance (adjusted R² = 0.60). Conclusions: This study reveals high rates of treatment-related ED—and its biopsychosocial impact–among Pakistani PC patients, with significant negative impacts on HRQoL. The findings underscore the urgent need to integrate sexual health management into standard oncological care practices to improve holistic patient outcomes. Full article