Search Results (2,292)

With the frequent occurrence of stuck pipe incidents during the ultra-deep well drilling operation, the hydraulic-while-drilling (HWD) jar has become a critical component of the bottom hole assembly (BHA). However, during jarring operations for stuck pipe release, the drill string experiences severe vibrations induced by the impact loads from the jar, which significantly alter the stress state and dynamic response of the threaded connections—the structurally weakest elements—under cyclic dynamic loading, often leading to fracture failures. here, a thread failure incident of a hydraulic jar in an ultra-deep well in the Tarim Basin, Xinjiang, is investigated. A drill string dynamic impact model incorporating the actual three-dimensional wellbore trajectory is established to capture the time-history characteristics of multi-axial loads at the threaded connection during up and down jarring. Meanwhile, a three-dimensional finite element model of a double-shouldered threaded connection with helix angle is developed, and the stress distribution of the joint thread is analyzed on the boundary condition acquired from the time-history characteristics of multi-axial loads. Numerical results indicate that the axial compression induces local bending of the drill string during down jarring, resulting in significantly greater bending moment fluctuations than in up jarring and a correspondingly higher amplitude of circumferential acceleration at the thread location. Among all thread positions, the first thread root at the pin end consistently experiences the highest average stress and stress variation, rendering it most susceptible to fatigue failure. This study provides theoretical and practical insights for optimizing drill string design and enhancing the reliability of threaded connections in deep and ultra-deep well drilling. Full article

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) are a group of progressive diseases affecting neuronal cells in specific areas of the brain, causing cognitive decline and movement impairment. Nowadays, NDDs play a significant role in the global burden of disease, and their incidence is increasing, particularly due to population aging. NDD onset is multi-factorial; based on the current knowledge, genetic, environmental, and cellular factors are believed to contribute to their occurrence and progression. Taking into account that at an early stage, the symptoms are not clearly defined, and diagnosis may be delayed, the development of innovative and non-invasive methodological approaches for early diagnosis of NDDs is strategic for timely and tailored disease management, as well as for the overall improvement of patients’ quality of life. The present review aims to provide, in the first part, an overview based on the current level of knowledge on the environmental risk factors that can explicate a role in the onset of the most common NDDs and on the main pathogenic mechanisms involved in disease initiation and progression. The second part aims to define the current state of the art regarding the significance of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in the volatome of different human biological matrices (exhaled breath, feces, and skin sebum) as candidate biomarkers of specific NDDs, with the aim of developing non-invasive diagnostic approaches for the early diagnosis and personalized management of the patients. A critical synthesis and discussion on the applied methodological approaches and on the relevant outcomes obtained across the studies is reported. Full article

Background: Cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) is a high-frequency congenital disease. Besides genetic background, maternal environmental factors may be involved in its incidence. We examined the effects of unbalanced diets and the intake of dietary supplements during pregnancy on the incidence of non-syndromic CL/P (NSCLP) via a case–control study design with multiple case groups. The case group diagnosed with NSCLP included 281 patients, 217 from the Japan Environment and Children’s Study (JECS) data and 64 from the Aichi Gakuin University Hospital from 2011 to 2014. The control group comprised 87,477 (excluding cases with multiple births, chromosomal abnormalities, or complications) of the 104,062 fetal records registered in JECS. Results: The results revealed a significantly increased risk of NSCLP (aOR 2.86, 95% CI 1.63–5.00) in mothers who avoided two or more food items out of the investigated five, i.e., milk and dairy products, eggs, soy, fish, and beef. No association was identified in mothers who avoided one food. Conclusions: Providing nutritional support when multiple foods are avoided in daily food habits may be effective in reducing the occurrence of NSCLP. Full article

Introduction: Concussions are a growing concern in professional football due to their potential short- and long-term neurological consequences. Despite increasing global awareness, data on the epidemiology and clinical management of concussions in Portuguese football remain scarce. This preliminary exploratory study aimed to characterize the incidence, mechanisms, symptomatology, and medical response to concussions in Portugal’s Professional Football Leagues during the 2023/2024 season, based on reported cases. Methods: A retrospective observational analysis was conducted on head injuries reported by club medical teams during official matches in Liga Portugal First and Second Leagues. Collected variables included player position, time of injury, mechanism, symptoms, medical interventions and hospital referral. Results: Only six concussions were reported during official matches, with an overall incidence of 0.60 per 1000 player-hours. Most occurred in defenders, primarily due to head-to-head collisions, followed by ball impact, falls, and maxillofacial trauma. Injuries were more frequent during the final third of matches. Common symptoms included loss of consciousness, headache, and amnesia. Half of the players were referred to hospital care and underwent cranial CT scans. Among all variables analyzed, a statistically significant association was found between mechanism of injury and occurrence of amnesia (p = 0.014), with non-head-to-head impacts more frequently associated with amnesia. However, given the extremely limited sample size, this finding should be interpreted with extreme caution and requires replication in larger cohorts. Conclusions: This preliminary study suggests that defenders face a higher risk of head injuries, particularly from head-to-head impacts occurring late in matches. The prevalence of severe symptoms and the potential association between non-head-to-head impacts and amnesia highlight the need for more robust injury surveillance systems and underscore the importance of improved sideline assessment and return-to-play protocols. The findings emphasize the urgent need for comprehensive, standardized reporting mechanisms for concussions. Further research should explore long-term neurological effects and the effectiveness of preventive measures such as rule modifications, protective measures, and enhanced concussion management protocols, supported by more extensive and systematically collected data. Full article

Background: This study investigates the incidence and radiological features of hyperechoic hepatic lesions in northern Saudi Arabia, using ultrasound (US) and computed tomography (CT). The aim is to evaluate the frequency of occurrence of these lesions and to describe the imaging characteristics of different focal hepatic lesions. Methods: A retrospective study was performed on 191 patients diagnosed with hyperechoic hepatic lesions at a single centre. Imaging data from ultrasound and CT scans were analyzed, including lesion number, segmental distribution, echogenicity, enhancement patterns, size, and type. Statistical methods included incidence calculation, variable correlation, and Pearson’s Chi-square test, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The incidence of hyperechoic hepatic lesions was 1.27%, with a higher prevalence in females (57.59%) and a median age of 40 years. Hemangiomas were the most common type of lesion (94.77%). Most lesions were solitary (87.43%) and benign (96.86%), with malignant lesions accounting for only 3.14%. A statistically significant age difference was observed between patients with benign and malignant lesions (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Focal hyperechoic hepatic lesions are relatively common in the northern Saudi population, with haemangiomas being the predominant benign entity. These lesions occur more frequently in women and are usually solitary. Ultrasound, complemented by problem-solving techniques such as contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) or triphasic CT, effectively characterizes hyperechoic hepatic lesions and guides clinical decisions regarding further evaluation or management. Full article

Background/Objectives: There is a constant increase in the incidence of food allergies. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), responsible for maintaining the intestinal barrier and immune balance, are produced by the intestinal microbiota through the fermentation of dietary fibre. The aim of this systematic literature review was to analyse the association of SCFAs with the occurrence of food allergies. Methods: The analysed data were obtained by searching the PubMed and Scopus databases with the keywords “short-chain fatty acids and allergy”, “SCFA and allergy”, “SCFA and food allergy”, and “acetic acid or propionic acid or butyric acid or 3,4-methylvaleric acid and allergy”. Exclusion criteria were as follows: retracted articles, articles not freely accessible, and incomplete/insufficient data (conference reports). Two authors independently searched the literature. Results: Patients with food allergies show lower levels of SCFAs, especially acetic, butyric and propionic acids. 3,4-methylvaleric acid may be associated with intestinal inflammation in infants and intestinal leakage. Conclusions: Based on studies, there appears to be an association between lower stool levels of SCFAs—particularly butyric, propionic, acetic, and isovaleric acids—and the occurrence of food allergies in both children and adults. A proper diet that strengthens fibre, probiotics, and prebiotics and limits antibiotics, xenobiotics, pesticides is crucial for maintaining adequate SCFA levels and thus reducing allergy-related symptoms. 3,4-Methylvaleric acid and the activation of inflammatory processes contributing to intestinal leakage may provide a new diagnostic path. Full article

Background/Objectives: Alcohol consumption can increase the risk of dyslipidemia, thereby elevating the risk of cardiovascular diseases. However, the relationship between alcohol consumption patterns and dyslipidemia remains controversial. Based on large-scale cross-sectional data from the Chinese population, this study aims to investigate the correlations between various alcohol consumption behaviors and dyslipidemia among adult residents in China. Methods: Our analysis utilized data from the 2015–2017 China Nutrition and Health Surveillance project, which provides a large, nationally representative sample (N = 52,471). We employed a binary logistic regression model specifically designed for complex sampling frameworks. This model was utilized to assess the relationship between various alcohol consumption behaviors (including daily alcohol intake levels and drinking frequency) and the incidence of hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (low HDL-C), and elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (high LDL-C). Drinking behaviors were classified into three distinct categories for analysis: China classification (never, moderate, excessive), WHO classification (never, low-risk, medium-risk, high-risk), and drinking frequency (never, <1, 1–3, 4–6, ≥7 times/week). Results: Compared with never drinkers, the risk of hypercholesterolemia was significantly higher in men who were excessive drinkers (aOR = 1.39, 95%CI: 1.24–1.57), medium-risk drinkers (aOR = 1.24, 95%CI 1.01–1.53), high-risk drinkers (aOR = 1.67, 95%CI: 1.4–1.95), and those who drank more than once a week (aOR range: 1.27–1.65), and there was no such association in women (p > 0.05). Compared with never drinkers, the risk of hypertriglyceridemia was higher in male drinkers with excessive drinking (aOR = 1.35, 95%CI: 1.24–1.47), medium-risk drinking (aOR = 1.29, 95%: 1.11–1.50), high-risk drinking (aOR = 1.52, 95%CI: 1.3–1.71), and a drinking frequency more than 1 time/week (aOR range: 1.22–1.38), while in women, it was moderate drinking (aOR = 0.85, 95%CI 0.77–0.94), low-risk drinking (aOR = 0.86, 95%CI 0.78–0.94), and a drinking frequency of more than once a week (aOR = 0.74, 95%CI 0.63–0.87) that reduced the occurrence of hypertriglyceridemia. Compared with non-drinkers, men with any drinking status had a lower risk of low HDL-C (aOR range: 0.38–0.90) and a similar association was also observed in women (aOR range: 0.26–0.84). Compared with never drinkers, male excessive drinkers (aOR = 0.86, 95%CI: 0.77–0.97), medium-risk drinkers (aOR = 0.80, 95%CI:0.65–0.99), high-risk drinkers (aOR = 0.83, 95%CI: 0.70–0.97), and those with a drinking frequency of 1–3 times/week (aOR = 0.89, 95%: 0.79–0.99) had a lower risk of high LDL-C, and there was no such association in women (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Significant gender differences were observed in the effects of alcohol consumption on lipid profiles. Men who were excessive drinkers, medium-risk drinkers, high-risk drinkers, and those who drank more than once a week had a higher risk of hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia, but a lower risk of low HDL-C and high LDL-C. In women, moderate drinking was associated with a reduced risk of hypertriglyceridemia. Any alcohol consumption and drinking frequency more than 1 time/week were associated with a lower risk of low HDL-C in women. No significant association was found between alcohol consumption and hypercholesterolemia or high LDL-C in women. Full article

Background: Cardiac catheterization may be required in the management of congenital heart diseases. The use of risk scoring or grading systems in these procedures can assist in planning the intervention and predicting potential complications. This study aimed to evaluate the use of risk scores in grading cardiac catheterization procedures in pediatric patients and to investigate their predictive value for serious adverse events (SAEs). Material and Methods: A total of 700 pediatric patients (350 male; median age 1 year [IQR 6 months–2 years]) who underwent cardiac catheterization in our catheterization laboratory between 1 January 2023 and 1 January 2025 were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic and clinical data of the patients, including procedure duration, anesthesia management, Catheterization Risk in Pediatrics Score (CRISP), and serious adverse events related to the procedure, were recorded. The results were analyzed statistically. Results: In total, 50% of the patients were male (n = 350), and 58% (n = 406) had single-ventricle physiology. Interventional procedures were performed in 72% of the cases. The median CRISP score was 8 (IQR 6–10). SAEs occurred in 7.7% of the patients (n = 54), most of which were arrhythmia-related. The incidence of SAEs was analyzed according to CRISP score categories. The rates of SAEs in patients with CRISP Categories 1 through 5 were 2.9%, 4.3%, 11%, 17.3%, and 41%, respectively. As the CRISP score and category increased, the incidence of SAEs also increased [area under the curve of 0.84 (95% confidence interval, 0.76–0.92; p < 0.05)]. Conclusions: CRISP may serve as an effective benchmarking and risk classification tool in pediatric cardiac catheterization procedures and can predict SAE occurrence. Therefore, it may have a positive impact on patient care by assisting in the planning of pre- and post-catheterization care. Full article

This study examines the impact of physicochemical and geological factors on radon concentrations in groundwater throughout the Mexican Altiplano. Geological diversity, uranium deposits, seismic zones, and geothermal areas with high heat flow are all potential factors contributing to the presence of radon in groundwater. To move beyond local-scale assessments, this research employs spatial prediction methodologies that incorporate geological and geochemical variables recognized for their role in radon transport and geogenic potential. Certain properties of radon enable it to serve as an ideal tracer, viz., short half-life, inertness, and higher incidence in groundwater than surface water. Twenty-five variables were analyzed in samples from 135 water wells. Geostatistical techniques, including inverse distance weighted interpolation and kriging, were used in conjunction with multivariate statistical analyses. Salinity and geothermal heat flow are key indicators for determining groundwater origin, revealing a dynamic interplay between geothermal activity and hydrogeochemical evolution, where high temperatures do not necessarily correlate with increased solute concentrations. The occurrence of toxic trace elements such as Cd, Cr, and Pb is primarily governed by lithogenic sources and proximity to mineralized zones. Radon levels in groundwater are mainly influenced by geological and structural features, notably rhyolitic formations and deep hydrothermal systems. These findings underscore the importance of site-specific groundwater examination, combined with spatiotemporal models, to account for uranium–radium dynamics and flow paths, thereby enhancing radiological risk assessment. Full article

Post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) is a distinct form of knee osteoarthritis characterized by accelerated joint degeneration following injury. It poses unique challenges in post-menopausal women due to hormonal changes and altered bone metabolism that create complex pathophysiological environments. This retrospective cohort study compared the effectiveness of different anti-osteoporotic medications in preventing total knee replacement (TKR) in 6155 postmenopausal women with PTOA treated between 2011 and 2021. We compared raloxifene and denosumab, with alendronate serving as the reference group. The primary outcome was TKR occurrence. Cox proportional hazards regression and inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) were performed to estimate hazard ratios, with Kaplan–Meier survival analysis for time-to-event assessment. Participants’ mean (SD) age was 69.4 (10.0) years. Given the retrospective nature and typical delayed presentation of PTOA symptoms, cohort entry was defined as the concurrent diagnosis of PTOA and osteoporosis requiring anti-resorptive therapy. Over a mean follow-up of 5.47 years, 26 patients (0.42%) underwent TKR. Raloxifene was associated with a significantly reduced TKR risk compared to alendronate (IPTW-HR 0.81, 95% CI 0.67–0.99, p = 0.040), representing a 19% relative risk reduction. Kaplan–Meier analysis demonstrated raloxifene maintained the lowest cumulative TKR incidence compared to alendronate and denosumab over time, particularly beyond 5 years. These findings suggest that raloxifene may offer superior joint protection compared with alendronate and denosumab in postmenopausal women with PTOA, supporting its potential as a disease-modifying therapeutic option for this vulnerable population. Full article

Leprosy remains a significant public health issue, particularly due to its neuropathic consequences, which affect sensory, motor, and autonomic functions, leading to severe disabilities. HIV/AIDS, another major public health concern, overlaps geographically with leprosy and is also associated with peripheral neuropathies, complicating the management of co-infected patients. Understanding how Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) is regulated in leprosy and HIV-leprosy co-infection may contribute to immunomodulatory treatments and neuroimmune response control. A cross-sectional study evaluated NGF tissue expression using immunohistochemistry in 47 HIV/leprosy co-infected patients and 61 leprosy-only patients. The co-infected group had a higher incidence of neuritis (40.4%) and a prevalence of exclusively reversal reactions. However, the occurrence of neuritis was not associated with higher expression of NGF in the tissue. Leprosy reactions were more prevalent in non-co-infected patients with multibacillary forms (50%). Multibacillary forms in both groups of patients showed higher cellular expression of NGF, with a greater tendency for higher NGF expression in non-co-infected multibacillary patients (p = 0.0021), suggesting impairment in the immune response involved in the tissue expression of neurotrophins in the co-infected group. Overall, co-infection with HIV did not influence the increase in NGF in the lesions of leprosy patients compared with patients with leprosy alone. Full article

Background/Objectives: Malignancies constitute a major cause of death among kidney transplant recipients, and their incidence is increasing globally. We aimed to estimate the frequency of de novo malignancies and identify factors associated with their occurrence among kidney transplant recipients. Methods: Data were derived from the medical records of patients who received a kidney transplant between January 1979 and December 2023 in “Laiko” University Hospital in Athens, Greece. Κidney transplant recipients with a diagnosis of de novo malignancy were compared with recipients without malignancy and were matched for age, sex and year of transplantation. Demographic and clinical characteristics, data on immunosuppression and cancer type were recorded. Multivariate logistic regression was employed to identify possible risk factors for cancer occurrence. Results: Out of 2986 recipients, 268 (8.98%) developed malignancies within a median time of 8 (interquartile range—IQR: 4–16) years after transplantation. Of them, 59.3% were males, the median age at transplantation was 48 (IQR: 39–57) years and the median dialysis vintage was 31.5 (IQR: 9.5–70) months. In addition, 17.2% had a history of rejection. The majority (66.7%) received a combination of mycophenolate and a calcineurin inhibitor with or without steroids. The most frequent malignancies were lung cancer (13%) and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (13%), followed by Kaposi sarcoma (8.2%). At diagnosis, 37% had generalized end-stage disease and 19% had aggressive disease with poor prognosis. In multivariate analysis, a history of rejection (odds ratio—OR = 1.75, 95% CI = 1.04–2.94) and glomerulonephritis as primary kidney disease (OR = 2.23, 95% CI = 1.06–4.67) were both significantly associated with malignancy development, whereas immunosuppressive medication was not. Conclusions: Cancer occurrence among kidney transplant recipients was related to the cumulative burden of immunosuppression rather than a specific immunosuppressant. Full article

Ammonia bunkering is becoming increasingly important in the maritime industry as ammonia is recognized as a viable alternative fuel for reducing carbon emissions in shipping. Bunkering by tank truck plays a crucial role in the early stages of ammonia-fueled ship development. It involves the efficient transportation of ammonia from production facilities to bunkering stations, offering flexibility in refueling vessels at ports, including those lacking extensive infrastructures like pipelines or large storage tanks. However, the safety and regulations surrounding ammonia use in bunkering are paramount to its adoption. This study focuses on analyzing the effectiveness of safeguards designed to reduce the frequency of ammonia releases and mitigate potential leak damage during bunkering operations. We examine how safeguards, such as breakaway couplings and dry disconnect couplings (DDC), can reduce leak occurrences, while excess flow valves (EFVs) and automatic emergency shut-off valves (ESVs) can limit the consequences of such incidents. If the breakaway coupling and DDC are implemented as safeguards in the flexible hose, and maintenance is performed in accordance with ANSI/CGA G-2.1, the probability of hose failure per bunkering operation will be reduced from approximately 10⁻⁵ to 10⁻⁷. Under the worst weather conditions during the day, the probit value (Pr) depends on both the amount of ammonia released and the distance from the release point, with the distance having a greater effect on fatality than the amount of ammonia. The individual risk is analyzed to determine whether the bunkering process using tank trucks is acceptable. The analysis concludes that, with these safeguards in place, the individual risk at a location 20 m from the bunker site can be reduced to the lower limit of the As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP) zone, ensuring a safe and acceptable level of risk for ammonia bunkering operations. The safety integrity level (SIL) of the automatic ESV should be at least 2 or higher, and it should be activated within a few seconds after a gas leak begins. Full article

Objective: To investigate whether polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with increased maternal and perinatal complications in in vitro fertilization (IVF) pregnancies, and to evaluate the relationship between anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) levels and adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes within the PCOS group. Methods: This retrospective cohort included 424 women with singleton IVF pregnancies delivered at Ankara Etlik City Hospital between September 2022 and June 2025. Participants were classified as PCOS (n = 106; AMH ≥ 4.5 ng/mL) or non-PCOS (n = 318; AMH 1.0–4.5 ng/mL). Maternal outcomes were gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and preeclampsia, while perinatal outcomes included preterm birth, small-for-gestational-age (SGA), large-for-gestational-age (LGA), 5-min Apgar ≤ 7, and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission. Composite adverse maternal outcomes (CAMO) and composite adverse perinatal outcomes (CAPO) were defined as the occurrence of at least one respective complication. Outcomes were compared between groups, and multivariable logistic regression identified predictors of CAMO and CAPO in the PCOS cohort. Results: Women with PCOS had significantly higher incidences of GDM and preeclampsia compared to controls (p < 0.05 for all). CAMO was more common in the PCOS group (34.0% vs. 11.9%, p < 0.001). Median gestational age at delivery was lower among women with PCOS (p = 0.026). Rates of LGA neonates, low 5-min Apgar scores, and NICU admissions were significantly higher in the PCOS group (p < 0.001 for each). CAPO rates were comparable between groups (p = 0.132). In multivariable models, AMH level remained an independent predictor of both CAMO and CAPO (p = 0.002 and p = 0.014, respectively). Conclusions: Women with PCOS and elevated preconception AMH levels are at increased risk for both maternal metabolic complications and adverse neonatal outcomes following IVF conception. These findings suggest that preconception AMH levels, when interpreted alongside a PCOS diagnosis, may help identify women at higher obstetric and perinatal risk. Full article

In this review paper, we briefly discuss the occurrence of oil spills and their behavior under natural sea conditions and clean-up methods, as well as their environmental and economic impacts. We discuss methodologies for oil spill modeling used to predict the fate of a spill under dynamic physical and chemical processes. Weathering processes such as evaporation, emulsification, spreading, dissolution, dispersion, biodegradation, and sedimentation are considered within easy-to-use modeling frameworks. We present simple models based on the principles of thermodynamics, mass transfer, and kinetics that under certain conditions can predict oil thickness, volume, area, composition, and the distribution of toxic compounds in water and air over time for various types of oil and their products. Modeling approaches for underwater oil jets, including applications related to the 2010 BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, are reviewed. The influence of sea surface velocity and wind speed on oil spill mapping, spill location, oil spill trajectory over time, areas affected by light, medium, and heavy oil, and comparisons between satellite images and model predictions are demonstrated. Finally, we introduce several recently published articles on more recent oil spill incidents and the application of predictive models in different regions. We also discuss the challenges, advantages, and disadvantages of various models and offer recommendations at the end of the paper. Full article