Search Results (22,647)

To address the forensic diagnostic challenge of distinguishing Anaphylactic Sudden Death (ASD) from Sudden Death from Coronary Heart Disease (SD-CHD), this study established Ldlr^−/− mouse models of Atherosclerosis (AS) and ovalbumin-induced Anaphylaxis (AP). LC-MS/MS-based serum proteomic analysis of Atherosclerosis (AS) and Anaphylaxis (AP) mice identified fibronectin 1 (FN1), platelet glycoprotein Ibα chain (GP1BA), and platelet factor 4 (PF4) as candidate biomarkers. These candidates were validated by parallel reaction monitoring (PRM), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and immunohistochemistry (IHC) in a combined AS + AP mouse model and in post-mortem human cardiac and bronchiolar epithelial tissue. In mice, serum FN1, GP1BA, and PF4 levels were significantly elevated in the AS group, whereas only FN1 was markedly downregulated in AP mice. In human tissues, FN1, GP1BA, and PF4 were all upregulated in Sudden death from coronary heart disease (SD-CHD) myocardial samples, with FN1 showing the greatest increase. In airway epithelium, FN1 was upregulated in anaphylactic sudden death (ASD) and anaphylactic sudden death (ASD) with Coronary Atherosclerosis (ASD + CAS) groups, while GP1BA was downregulated. These results indicate that FN1 serves as a key differential mouse serum biomarker, while PF4 and GP1BA aid in Sudden death from coronary heart disease (SD-CHD) diagnosis. Collectively, this multimarker, multilevel framework provides a molecular diagnostic strategy for the forensic identification of complex sudden death. Full article

People’s perception of the comfort level of street landscape elements is influenced by the built environment, and improving the quality of street landscape environment is of great significance for promoting the sustainable development of cities. This study focuses on 12 sample streets in Zibo City. After obtaining panoramic images of the area through the OSM platform, the FCN framework was used for semantic segmentation. A combination of subjective and objective methods was adopted, and eye tracking indicators were collected using the D-Lab wearable eye tracker. At the same time, a questionnaire quantitative analysis was conducted to systematically investigate the impact mechanism of the combination characteristics of street elements on comfort perception preferences. Research has found that there is a significant correlation between the perceived comfort preference of street scenes and GVI, and the increase in total gaze time towards green elements also shows a significant improvement in perceived comfort preference. After entering the street interface, observers show a high degree of priority attention to street view elements such as building facades and advertising facilities. As the gaze time on the sky (a street view element) increases, people’s perceived comfort evaluation shows a downward trend. There are significant differences in the structural characteristics of different streets, and their impact on improving comfort also varies to some extent. This study links the comfort perception of street landscape elements with sustainable urban development planning. By reasonably allocating landscape elements such as green visibility, basic roads, building interfaces, and signage facilities, it provides certain reference suggestions for the sustainable development of urban street space and human-centered urban construction. Full article

The reconstruction of biological profiles from aged or degraded human skeletal remains represents a major challenge in both forensic and bioarcheological contexts, particularly when conventional identification approaches fail. Recent advances in molecular genetics, biochemical and histological analyses, and biomolecular anthropology have substantially expanded the range of information that can be recovered from compromised remains. This review synthesizes current integrative approaches combining genomic analyses, stable isotope investigations, epigenetic age estimation, proteomic sex determination, and complementary histological techniques to infer sex, ancestry, kinship, age, diet, mobility, and geographic origin. Genetic methods, including next-generation sequencing (NGS), enable increasingly robust inference even from highly degraded samples. Stable isotope analyses provide insights into dietary patterns and mobility, while DNA methylation markers improve age estimation accuracy. Tooth cementum annulation (TCA), although a histological rather than molecular method, contributes an additional chronological indicator within an integrative analytical framework. Rather than treating these approaches independently, this review proposes a multidisciplinary perspective in which complementary datasets collectively support biological profile reconstruction. Integrative interpretation enhances identification potential and provides more nuanced life-history reconstructions, demonstrating the value of combining molecular, biochemical, and histological evidence in forensic and archaeological investigations. Full article

In the era of VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity), cultivating and enhancing the resilience of SRDI (specialized, refined, distinctive, and innovative) enterprises is critical. Based on existing research, this paper defines enterprise resilience at the beginning and constructs an enterprise resilience evaluation index system that includes three segmented capabilities: recognition and resistance, adaptation and adjustment, and recovery and rebound. Taking 1422 SRDI enterprises in China between 2016 and 2023 as samples, this study conducts an empirical study on the relationship between human capital investment, ambidextrous innovation and SRDI enterprises’ resilience by comprehensively employing various econometric methods such as fixed-effects models, mediating effect tests, and threshold regression. The empirical findings demonstrate that human capital investment positively affects the resilience of SRDI enterprises, with breakthrough and progressive innovation serving as mediating factors. Further research reveals that as scale expands, human capital investment exerts an increasingly strong positive influence on enterprise resilience; concurrently, as resilience improves, the impact of human capital investment shifts from negative to positive, with its positive effect growing progressively stronger. Moreover, increased investment in human capital has a significant positive impact on the recognition and resistance capability, as well as the adaptation and adjustment capability, of SRDI enterprises, but has no significant effect on their recovery and rebound capability. Meanwhile, a heterogeneity analysis by certification type of SRDI enterprises reveals that human capital investment has no significant impact on overall enterprise resilience or on the segmented capabilities of the SRDI “Little Giants” Enterprises. However, for SRDI SMEs, it positively influences their overall enterprise resilience, recognition and resistance capability, and adaptation and adjustment capability. Additionally, for innovative SMEs, it positively impacts their overall enterprise resilience and their recognition and resistance capability. Based on the above, this paper recommends that SRDI enterprises should strengthen their strategic focus, continuously enhance investments in human capital and ambidextrous innovation, implement differentiated human capital investment strategies, and prioritize the recruitment and development of cutting-edge talents. Full article

Circular-Scan photoacoustic tomography (PAT) can provide high-resolution images of optical absorption, but its analytical reconstructions, such as delay-and-sum (DAS), are highly sensitive to scanning radius (SR) inaccuracies, which cause severe geometric distortions and artifacts. In this work, we propose a deep learning framework, termed smooth deconvolution ResNet (SD-ResNet), to correct DAS reconstruction degradation induced by SR errors. SD-ResNet uses an ImageNet-pretrained ResNet-50 encoder and a lightweight deconvolutional decoder with additional smoothing convolutions to suppress checkerboard artifacts and restore fine structural details. A paired training dataset is generated using k-Wave simulations driven by human thoracic computed tomography (CT) slices: for each phantom, radiofrequency data are simulated once, and DAS images reconstructed with the true SR serve as ground truth, whereas images reconstructed with biased SR values serve as inputs. This design provides structurally diverse training samples and enhances generalization. In silico experiments show that SD-ResNet effectively recovers image quality across a range of SR deviations. Phantom experiments with polyethylene microspheres further confirm that the proposed method can substantially reduce artifacts and recover correct source shapes under practical SR mismatches, offering a robust tool for SR-error-resilient PAT imaging. Full article

The concept of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) has emerged as a central framework for organizational sustainability, alongside employee performance and retention as critical human capital outcomes. This study addresses a notable gap in the literature by situating ESG practices within the field of sustainable human resource management and examining their role in the Lebanese cultural settings, characterized by a vulnerable institutional ecosystem and crisis-driven work environments. A quantitative method was employed using a structured questionnaire, yielding a sample of 495 respondents. The results showed that environmental and governance practices significantly influenced employee performance, whereas social responsibility initiatives did not have a statistically significant effect on performance. All ESG dimensions significantly influenced employee retention. This study advances ESG and sustainable HRM research by providing employee-level empirical evidence from a crisis-affected economy, demonstrating how ESG practices function as internal performance and retention mechanisms rather than solely as external legitimacy tools. Full article

Human remains detection (HRD) canines are a class of odor detection canines trained with training aids representative of distinctive stages of putrefaction. This is necessary for canines to detect the whole spectrum of decomposition products, which is encountered in operational deployments. Understanding the definition of the cadaveric profile can help better train canine detection teams and assist with technological developments. This study aimed to (1) monitor chemical odor profiles utilizing two containment vessels, and (2) monitor two preservation methods on chemical odor profile changes as a function of freezing to thawing cycles. Instrumental analysis used solid phase microextraction- gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (SPME-GC/MS) for identification of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from tissue/bone samples of pig carcasses at various decomposition stages. Samples were analyzed weekly for six (6) weeks to monitor chemical odor profiles as a function of time. Clear vials provided slightly better storage stability for the fresh stage compared to amber vials. However, amber vials were more suitable for the advanced decay and skeletal stages, helping to preserve the chemical odor profile. Regarding the preservation methods, a continuous preservation method portrayed better reproducibility of the original odor profile throughout the 6-week period, as depicted from higher Spearman correlation values. This study is the first to explore simulated training aids under freezing conditions, uncovering the dynamic and complex nature of odor over time. The results highlight that understanding these shifting odor profiles is essential for canine handlers aiming to optimize the realism and effectiveness of maintenance training. Full article

The mainstreaming of remote work has catalyzed the rise of the new tribe, the kinetic elite, a demographic comprising digital nomads and workationers who utilize technology to separate work from geography. Yet, this apparently free lifestyle often leads to a freedom trap, where the collapsing boundaries between work and leisure necessitate intense self-discipline within spaces originally architected for tourism. Drawing on an integrated framework of quality of destination features, service, and experience, this study investigates the antecedents of satisfaction and loyalty for this niche market of mobile workforce. Data were collected from 325 international digital nomads and workationers in Thailand using a purposive sampling approach. The proposed integrated model was empirically tested using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The analysis challenges the hardware-first paradigm of destination development. Findings indicate that while digital infrastructure (connectivity) and geoarbitrage (value) are non-negotiable baselines, they employ limited influence on ultimate satisfaction. Instead, human infrastructure, specifically the quality of staff and host–community interactions, emerges as the primary determinant in converting a location from a travel stop into a functional home base. These results advocate for a strategic plan toward precision niche marketing, moving beyond a homogenous view of the sector to target the community-seeking segment. Furthermore, the study frames community integration as a core practice of social sustainability, suggesting that for destinations to evolve into vibrant knowledge ecologies, Destination Management Organizations (DMOs) must prioritize community facilitation and smart policies that mitigate the social isolation inherent in nomadic life. Full article

Background/Objectives: Human pythiosis, caused by Pythium insidiosum, is associated with severe morbidity and high mortality when diagnosis is delayed. Culture-based diagnosis is time-consuming and may be insensitive in clinical specimens, highlighting the need for rapid point-of-care serodiagnostic tools. Here, we developed and clinically evaluated the Anti-Pin Antibody Test Strip, a whole-blood-compatible lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) for detecting anti-P. insidiosum antibodies. Methods: Secretory protein antigens of P. insidiosum were prepared and conjugated to gold nanoparticles for LFIA development. Analytical performance was assessed by determining the limit of detection (LOD) using serial dilutions of pythiosis serum and by evaluating cross-reactivity with sera from patients with other infections. Interference testing examined common anticoagulants and adverse sample conditions (hemolysis, lipidemia, and icterus). Clinical performance was evaluated using 258 serum samples, comprising 48 pythiosis-positive and 210 pythiosis-negative specimens confirmed by immunoblotting and/or culture. Test results were read at 5 min. Results: The assay LOD was a serum titer of 1:1000. No cross-reactivity was observed across the tested infectious and immunologic panels, and no interference was detected from anticoagulants or adverse sample conditions. Whole-blood testing showed no red blood cell interference. In clinical evaluation, sensitivity was 100.00% (48/48), specificity was 95.24% (200/210), and accuracy was 96.12%, with a PPV of 82.76% and an NPV of 100.00%. Conclusions: The Anti-Pin Antibody Test Strip provides rapid (5 min), operationally simple serodiagnosis and may support screening/triage of suspected pythiosis, particularly where laboratory methods are limited. Full article

The North China Plain is one of the largest plains in China, where domestic water supply, agricultural irrigation, and industrial production rely on groundwater resources. Groundwater quality is increasingly affected by the combined effects of intense human activity and geological conditions. To ensure sustainable groundwater utilization, it is crucial to investigate the hydrogeochemical processes linked to hydrogeological conditions. In this study, 85 samples were collected from cold wells and 56 samples from geothermal wells in North China. By integrating self-organizing mapping (SOM), hydrochemical and isotopic analysis, nitrate distribution, water quality index (WQI), and human health risk assessment (HHRA) methodologies, we systematically evaluated the spatial variability of groundwater quality and the associated health risks in the region. Hydrochemical analysis indicates that groundwater recharge is primarily driven by atmospheric precipitation. Shallow cold groundwater in Cluster 1 exhibited a mixed phase, whereas geothermal water in Clusters 2 and 3 and cold groundwater in Cluster 4 predominantly displayed a Na-Cl type. Cation exchange processes are the primary factors controlling ion composition. Water quality assessment studies indicate that 75.15% of the groundwater is suitable for drinking. The average water quality index of the geothermal water was higher than that of the cold water. Shallow groundwater in plains is significantly affected by agricultural activities, typically manifested as elevated NO₃⁻ concentrations. Arsenic and boron are the primary non-carcinogenic risk pollutants in geothermal water, and children are more vulnerable than adults. The non-carcinogenic risk zones for cold wells were primarily distributed in Shijiazhuang, Baoding, and the coastal areas downstream of the Yellow River. Tianjin has high-risk geothermal water. Therefore, effective strategies must be implemented to protect this valuable water resource and achieve sustainable development in the region. Full article

Sarcocystis species are apicomplexan protozoa infecting a wide range of domestic and wild animals, including cattle, in which several species are of zoonotic relevance. This study reports, for the first time, the detection and molecular identification of pathogenic and zoonotic Sarcocystis hominis in slaughtered cattle from Central Chile. A total of 200 muscle samples (100 = myocardium, 100 = diaphragm) were examined by macroscopic inspection and tissue homogenization. Selected samples were additionally analyzed by histology, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and multiplex real-time PCR targeting the 18S rDNA. No macroscopic sarcocysts were observed, nonetheless microscopic sarcocysts were detected in 56% of assessed samples, with higher infection rates in the heart (91%) than in the diaphragm (21%). SEM and TEM analyses revealed thin-walled sarcocysts with finger-like protrusions in the diaphragm, as well as flattened hair-like projections in the myocardium. Molecular analysis identified Sarcocystis cruzi in all positive samples and detected additional DNA of Sarcocystis bovifelis/Sarcocystis rommeli and for the first time the zoonotic species S. hominis. These findings confirm the coexistence of canine-, feline-, and human-transmitted Sarcocystis species in Chilean cattle and highlight potential public health implications associated with consumption of raw or undercooked S. hominis-carrying beef meat. This constitutes the first molecular evidence of S. hominis in Chile, emphasizing the need for further surveillance and control measures in the meat production chain. These novel data on human S. hominis infections in Chile confirm the importance of initiating investigations on human sarcocystosis as this enteric parasitic disease is still sparsely considered by local public health authorities. Full article

The ocular surface microbiome plays a critical role in maintaining ocular health, preventing infections, and regulating immune responses. Contact lens (CL) wear has been linked to alterations in microbial composition, potentially leading to dysbiosis and increased susceptibility to ocular infections. This review aims to summarize current evidence on the effects of CL use on the ocular microbiome and to discuss strategies to preserve microbial homeostasis. A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar for English-language human studies published between January 2005 and January 2025. We included original studies and systematic reviews evaluating the ocular surface bacterial community in contact lens (CL) wearers using either sequencing-based approaches (microbiome; e.g., 16S rRNA gene sequencing/metagenomics) or culture-based methods (microbiota). Two authors screened titles/abstracts and full texts. Overall, 12 studies met the inclusion criteria and were qualitatively synthesized. Across included studies, CL wear was associated with reproducible changes in the ocular surface bacterial community, most commonly a shift toward a skin-like profile and increased detection/relative abundance of opportunistic taxa (e.g., Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, and Staphylococcus aureus) together with reduced representation of typical ocular commensals in several sequencing-based datasets. Culture-based studies reported increased recovery of opportunistic bacteria from lenses and storage cases, supporting contamination/biofilm-related mechanisms. Lens care solutions and preservatives were reported to modulate bacterial profiles and may contribute to dysbiosis, although evidence remains heterogeneous across study designs and analytic pipelines. CL use is associated with significant alterations in the ocular microbiome, increasing the risk of microbial keratitis and corneal inflammatory events. Strategies to maintain microbial balance, including careful selection of lens care products and development of antimicrobial lenses, may improve ocular surface health in CL wearers. Future longitudinal studies with standardized sampling and analytic workflows are needed to clarify causal links between CL-associated microbial changes and clinical outcomes. Full article

A robust analytical method based on Captiva EMR-Lipid solid-phase extraction and HPLC-MS/MS was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of 19 aromatic amine antioxidants (AAs) and two p-phenylenediamine-derived quinones (PPD-Qs) in human plasma. The optimized protocol effectively removed phospholipid interferences from complex blood matrix, significantly mitigating ion suppression and improving the recovery of hydrophobic AAs compared to conventional liquid–liquid extraction. Method validation demonstrated good accuracy (spike recoveries: 73.0–96.8%), precision (RSD < 11%), and sensitivity with method detection limits ranging from 0.81 to 21 pg/mL. The method was successfully applied to plasma samples from 20 adults, in which 11 AAs were detected at total concentrations of 240–710 pg/mL. Diphenylamine derivatives, particularly bis(4-tert-butylphenyl)amine (DBDPA) and diphenylamine (DPA), were identified as the predominant compounds, contributing over 69% of the total AA burden. No PPDs or PPD-Qs were detected, which may be attributed to their biotransformation and urinary excretion, as well as the limited sample size. This study provides a comprehensive biomonitoring tool for assessing combined human exposure to multiple AAs and establishes a foundation for further investigation into their health implications. Full article

Background: Body mass index (BMI) has been widely investigated as a potential prognostic factor in breast cancer; however, its clinical relevance in patients with hormone receptor-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HR+/HER2−) metastatic breast cancer treated with CDK4/6 inhibitors remains controversial, particularly in contemporary real-world settings. This study aimed to evaluate the association between baseline BMI and clinical outcomes, including survival and treatment-related toxicity, in a real-world cohort. Methods: This single-centre retrospective observational cohort study included patients with HR+/HER2− metastatic breast cancer treated with endocrine therapy and a CDK4/6 inhibitor (palbociclib or ribociclib) in the metastatic setting between January 2018 and May 2025. Patients were categorised by baseline BMI (<25 vs. ≥25 kg/m²). Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were assessed using the Kaplan–Meier method and Cox proportional hazards models. To minimise confounding, propensity score matching (PSM) with a 1:3 nearest-neighbour algorithm was performed. Non-linear associations between continuous BMI and survival outcomes were explored using restricted cubic spline analyses. Treatment-related adverse events were evaluated according to CTCAE v5.0. Results: A total of 456 patients were included; 321 (70.4%) had a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m², and 135 (29.6%) had a BMI < 25 kg/m². Propensity score matching produced a balanced cohort of 220 patients. The reduction in sample size after matching reflects the need to achieve close baseline comparability between groups. In the matched cohort, no statistically significant differences in PFS (log-rank p = 0.55) or OS (log-rank p = 0.31) were observed across BMI categories. BMI was not an independent predictor of PFS or OS in multivariable analyses. However, restricted cubic spline modelling revealed a non-linear relationship between continuous BMI and survival outcomes, with increased risk at extreme BMI values, underscoring the limitations of dichotomous BMI categorisation. Conclusions: In this real-world cohort of patients with HR+/HER2− metastatic breast cancer treated with CDK4/6 inhibitors, dichotomised BMI categories were not independently associated with survival outcomes. However, modelling BMI as a continuous variable revealed a non-linear (U-shaped) relationship, with increased risk at both the low and high ends of the BMI distribution. These findings suggest that the prognostic impact of BMI is non-linear and may be obscured by simple dichotomous categorisation. Full article

Within industrialised and emerging industrialised economies people typically spend over 95% in industrialised and emerging industrialised economies typically spend over 95% of their time in built environments, yet the neurophysiological impact of architectural design remains poorly understood. While previous studies link visual patterning to cortical activity, the cortical-to-autonomic stress pathway remains largely unexplored—a key omission given that chronic stress contributes to allostatic overload. This study examined how architectural façade design influences neurophysiological stress through a multimodal approach combining functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to monitor occipital cortical activity with heart rate variability (HRV) as an index of autonomic regulation. Eighteen participants provided HRV data and subjective ratings for nine systematically varied façade images characterised by their deviation with respect to natural statistics, while a subset of twelve completed fNIRS recording due to signal acquisition constraints. Façade identity significantly affected discomfort, complexity, and interest ratings ($p<0.001$), and deviation from natural statistics predicted all three measures ($p<0.01$). Façade type also showed a small but significant effect on HRV ($p=0.003$), although variance was dominated by individual differences. No stimulus-specific occipital fNIRS differences were observed. However, due to the limited sample size, further research is needed to verify this observed result. Whilst global generalisations cannot be drawn due to the small sample size, these pilot research findings indicate that façades deviating from natural image statistics influence perceptual comfort and may modestly modulate autonomic balance. However, the present data does not provide clear evidence of stimulus-specific cortical effects, which, if present, likely remain below the detection thresholds of the current protocol given its methodological constraints. This study highlights methodological hurdles and establishes a scalable framework for linking computational visual metrics to physiological responses, informing future investigations into how architectural features influence human health. Full article