Search Results (932)

Background: Mini-puberty is a transient but critical postnatal activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis, essential for male gonadal maturation, penile and testicular growth, and future reproductive potential: this physiological hormonal surge is absent or blunted in congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH), often manifesting as micropenis, cryptorchidism, and impaired Sertoli cell proliferation. Objective: The aim of this review is to summarize current evidence on the impact of early gonadotropin therapy in male infants with CHH. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive literature review using PubMed, including studies reporting on male infants with confirmed or suspected CHH receiving gonadotropin therapy. Keywords included “mini-puberty and hypogonadism”, “gonadotropins and infancy,” and “gonadotropin therapy in CHH.” Eligible studies reported biochemical outcomes (luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, testosterone, inhibin B, anti-Müllerian hormone) and clinical measures (penile length, testicular volume, testicular descent). Data extraction focused on endocrine responses, genital growth, and safety. Results: Twelve studies including 95 infants were analyzed. Early gonadotropin therapy effectively restored postnatal hormonal levels, with consistent increases in testosterone, inhibin B, and anti-Müllerian hormone. Clinically, treatment induced significant penile growth, increased testicular volume and partial or complete testicular descent in the majority of cases. Both continuous infusion and intermittent injection regimens were effective, though hormone kinetics and growth responses varied. No serious adverse events were reported, and therapy was generally well tolerated. Conclusions: Early gonadotropin therapy during mini-puberty represents a safe and effective intervention to replicate the physiological postnatal hormonal surge in male infants with CHH. Prospective longitudinal studies are warranted to evaluate sustained effects on puberty, fertility, and adult reproductive function. Full article

Background/Objectives: Telemedicine has emerged as a pivotal approach to improving access to diabetic retinopathy (DR) screening, diagnosis, management, and monitoring. Over the past two decades, rapid advancements in digital imaging, mobile health technologies, and artificial intelligence have substantially expanded the role of teleophthalmology in DR, resulting in a large volume of pertinent publications. This study aimed to provide a scientific overview of telemedicine applied to DR through bibliometric analysis. Methods: A search of the Web of Science Core Collection was conducted on 15 November 2025 to identify English-language original research and review articles regarding telemedicine for DR. Bibliographic data from relevant publications were extracted and underwent quantitative analysis and visualization using the tools Bibliometrix and VOSviewer. Results: A total of 515 articles published between 1998 and 2025 were included in our analysis. During this period, the research field of telemedicine for DR exhibited an annual growth rate of 13.14%, with publication activity markedly increasing after 2010 and peaking in 2020–2021. Based on the number of publications, United States, China, and Australia were the most productive countries, while Telemedicine and e-Health, Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, and British Journal of Ophthalmology were the most relevant journals in the field. Keyword co-occurrence analysis revealed three major thematic clusters within the broader topic of telemedicine and DR, namely, public health-oriented work, telehealth service models, and applications of artificial intelligence technologies. Conclusions: The role of telemedicine in DR detection and care represents an expanding multidisciplinary field of research supported by contributions from multiple authors and institutions worldwide. As technological capabilities continue to evolve, ongoing innovation and cross-domain collaboration could further advance the applications of teleophthalmology for DR, promoting more accessible, efficient, and equitable identification and management of this condition. Full article

Procyanidins, a class of substances widely distributed in nature, have attracted the attention of the scientific community due to their bioactive properties, especially with regard to human health. This review is based on an extensive examination of peer-reviewed literature, patents, and clinical trial reports published between 2005 and 2025. From an initial pool of more than 300 documents, 283 studies were selected according to criteria of scientific rigor, methodological clarity, and relevance to the research objectives. A literature search was performed using PubMed, PubChem, Google Scholar, Scopus and ResearchGate employing keywords such as Procyanidins, chemical structure, extraction, and health effects. This article provides a comprehensive overview of current methods for obtaining these compounds, which include both natural sources and synthetic approaches. It provides a concise summary of the molecular structure of procyanidins and emphasizes the importance of understanding their conformational features for predicting biological activity. The challenges of establishing correlations between the structural features of procyanidins and their properties are described. In addition, this article explores the many potential applications of these compounds, spanning both biochemistry and the field of design and synthesis of novel materials. This review provides a comprehensive evaluation of Procyanidins, focusing on their geometrical conformation analysis through advanced NMR spectroscopy techniques including homonuclear correlation (COSY, TOCSY), heteronuclear one-bond (HSQC, HMQC), multiple-bond (HMBC) experiments, and through-space correlation (NOESY) in conjunction with various extraction methodologies. Full article

The fiberboard industry remains heavily reliant on synthetic, formaldehyde-based adhesives, which, despite their cost-effectiveness and strong bonding performance, present significant environmental and human health concerns due to volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. In response to growing sustainability imperatives and regulatory pressures, the development of non-toxic, renewable, and high-performance bio-based adhesives has emerged as a critical research frontier. This review, conducted through both narrative and systematic approaches, synthesizes current advances in green adhesive technologies with emphasis on lignin, tannin, starch, protein, and hybrid formulations, alongside innovative synthetic alternatives designed to eliminate formaldehyde. The Evidence for Policy and Practice Information and Coordinating Centre (EPPI) framework was applied to ensure a rigorous, transparent, and reproducible methodology, encompassing the identification of research questions, systematic searching, keywording, mapping, data extraction, and in-depth analysis. Results reveal that while bio-based adhesives are increasingly capable of approaching or matching the mechanical strength and durability of urea–formaldehyde adhesives, challenges persist in terms of water resistance, scalability, cost, and process compatibility. Hybrid systems and novel crosslinking strategies demonstrate particular promise in overcoming these limitations, paving the way toward industrial viability. The review also identifies critical research gaps, including the need for standardized testing protocols, techno-economic analysis, and life cycle assessment to ensure the sustainable implementation of these solutions. By integrating environmental, economic, and technological perspectives, this work highlights the transformative potential of green adhesives in transitioning the fiberboard sector toward a low-toxicity, carbon-conscious future. It provides a roadmap for research, policy, and industrial innovation. Full article

To achieve China’s carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals, it is essential to increase the market penetration of New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) and understand consumer attitudes. Based on a big data set of over 20,000 online user reviews, this study employs the Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) model to extract themes, popular brands, and focal points across different time windows. The research constructs a data-driven threshold filtering mechanism that integrates topic probability, frequency, keyword weight, and cross-temporal topic similarity to quantify consumer reviews, enabling an in-depth analysis of the dynamic evolution of attitudes in the NEV market. The findings reveal a dual shift in consumer sentiment: first, a transition in focus from basic configurations and aesthetics toward quality experience; and second, a shift in purchasing decisions toward a socially driven model dominated by word-of-mouth and family collaboration. Full article

The high accessibility and interconnectedness of social media platforms have led to their increasing exploitation as tools for criminal activity. A notable example of such digital sexual offenses is the “Nth Room” case, in which sexually exploitative content and illegal recordings were unlawfully distributed on platforms such as X, Telegram, and Discord. Despite amendments to legislations, including the Sexual Violence Punishment Act and Youth Protection Act, aimed at preventing the recurrence of incidents, these crimes continue to persist. Perpetrators employ tactics such as the repeated creation and deletion of accounts, which complicate efforts to track and apprehend them. Consequently, there is an urgent need to develop advanced cyber investigation technologies capable of effectively monitoring sexual crimes posted on social media. This study aimed to propose a novel cyber investigation technology designed to trace criminal organizations by collecting tweets related to sexual crimes from X, which is the most frequently used social media platform for such content in Korea, and subsequently constructing a knowledge graph. Slang terms commonly associated with sexual crimes on X were employed as search keywords to collect relevant tweets. The knowledge graph is then generated based on three key elements extracted from the tweets: hashtags, words, and URL/invite codes. This graph serves as a tool for tracking the criminal networks involved in the distribution of sexually exploitative content and unauthorized recordings. Furthermore, to enhance tracking efficiency, an optimization model was developed to generate knowledge graphs from various analytical perspectives. In this study, to evaluate the performance of the proposed technology, a dataset of 3387 tweets was collected using an X crawler. Knowledge graphs were generated and optimized through both single and combined analyses of the three key elements, demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed technology in tracking criminal organizations engaged in sexual crimes. Full article

Background/Objectives: “Ring-like” intracranial aneurysms—historically described as “doughnut-like” or “donut sign”—represent a rare configuration in which a central thrombus coexists with a circumferential mural flow ring. Traditionally considered a radiologic curiosity, this morphology likely reflects a shear-driven hemodynamic state rather than a stable organized thrombus. We aimed to summarize all PubMed-documented cases of ring-like aneurysms, define their morphologic and clinical spectrum, and assess their hemodynamic significance, rupture risk, and treatment outcomes. An additional aim is to formalize the use of the term “ring-like aneurysm” as a distinct morphologic subtype and to clearly differentiate it from the neuroradiologic “donut sign,” which represents an imaging appearance rather than a specific anatomic configuration. Methods: A systematic PubMed search (1996–2024) was conducted using the following combinations of keywords and Boolean operators: (“ring-like aneurysm” OR “donut aneurysm” OR “doughnut aneurysm” OR “ring-shaped aneurysm” OR “circumferential lumen” OR “central thrombus”) AND (“intracranial” OR “cerebral” OR “basilar” OR “aneurysm”). Only English-language, PubMed-indexed reports describing true ring-like (donut-shaped) aneurysms were included. Non-indexed, non-English, and serpentine or fusiform aneurysms mimicking ring-like morphology were excluded. Extracted data included aneurysm location, size, presentation (ruptured, symptomatic, or incidental), treatment strategy, and clinical outcome. Statistical proportions were analyzed using descriptive methods, Wilson 95% confidence intervals, and a binomial test to compare the observed subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) rate against the expected conservative rupture proportion. Results: The search identified 16 individual patients reported in 10 publications. All aneurysms were large or giant (14–36 mm) displaying characteristic thrombosed pattern. Ruptured presentation occurred in 6 out of 16 cases (37.5%) and symptomatic unruptured in 10 (62.5%). No incidental cases were reported. Posterior circulation involvement was present in 44%, with a female predominance of 69%. Conclusions: Ring-like aneurysms constitute a distinct, shear-maintained hemodynamic entity combining mural jet flow with central thrombosis. Their frequent symptomatic or ruptured presentation supports the concept that this morphology represents a pre-ruptural configuration rather than a chronic thrombotic residue. Early recognition and targeted endovascular exclusion of the inflow zone are essential to prevent delayed rupture. Full article

This study conducts a systematic bibliometric review of artificial intelligence (AI)-based approaches to tacit knowledge extraction and management. Drawing on data retrieved from Scopus and Web of Science, this study analyzes 126 publications published between 1985 and 2025 using VOSviewer and Biblioshiny to map citation networks, keyword co-occurrence patterns, and thematic evolution. The results identify nine major clusters spanning machine learning, natural language processing, semantic modeling, expert systems, knowledge-based decision support, and emerging hybrid techniques. Collectively, these findings indicate a field-wide shift from manual codification toward scalable, context-aware, and semantically enriched approaches that better support tacit knowing in organizational practice. Building on these insights, the paper introduces the AI–Tacit Knowledge Co-Evolution Model, which situates AI as an epistemic partner—augmenting human interpretive processes rather than merely codifying experience. The framework integrates Polanyi’s concept of tacit knowing, Nonaka’s SECI model, and sociotechnical learning theories to elucidate how human–AI interaction transforms the dynamics of knowledge creation. The review consolidates fragmented research streams and provides a conceptual foundation for guiding future methodological development in AI-enabled tacit knowledge management. Full article

Creating trust in society for new technologies, such as a new types of powertrains, and making them marketable requires transparent, neutral, and independent technical verification. This is crucial for the acceptance and success of electrified vehicles in the used car markets. A key component of electric vehicles is the traction battery, whose current and future condition, particularly regarding aging, determines its residual value and safe operation. This review aims to identify and evaluate methods for predicting the lifetime of onboard traction batteries, focusing on their applicability in technical inspections. A systematic literature and patent review was conducted using targeted keywords, yielding 22 patents and 633 publications. From these, 150 distinct lifetime prediction methods were extracted and categorized into a four-level mind map. These methods are summarized, cited, and structured in detailed tables. The relationships between approaches are explained to clarify the current research landscape. Long Short-Term Memory, Convolutional Neural Networks, and Particle Filters were identified as the most frequently used techniques. However, no methods were found suitable for predicting the lifetime of traction batteries during technical vehicle inspections, which operate under short test durations, limited data access, and diverse real-world operating conditions. Most studies focused on cell-level testing and did not address complete battery systems in operational vehicles. This gap highlights the need for applied research and the development of practical methods to support battery assessment in real-world conditions. Advancing this field is essential to foster confidence in battery systems and enable a sustainable transition to electromobility. Full article

The global production of electronic waste (e-waste) has increased due to the quick turnover of electronic devices, creating urgent problems for resource management and environmental sustainability. As a result, e-waste-derived materials (EWDMs) are being explored in pavement engineering research as sustainable substitutes in line with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and 13 (Climate Action). Therefore, to assess global research production and the effectiveness of EWDMs in asphalt applications, this review combines scientometric mapping and systematic evidence synthesis. A total of 276 relevant publications were identified via a thorough search of Web of Science, Scopus, and ScienceDirect (2010–2025). These were examined via coauthorship structures, keyword networks, and contributions at the national level. The review revealed that China, India, and the United States are prominent research hubs. Additionally, experimental studies have shown that EWDMs, such as printed circuit board powder, fluorescent lamp waste glass, high-impact polystyrene, and acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene, improve the fatigue life, Marshall stability, rutting resistance (up to 35%), and stiffness (up to 28%). However, issues with long-term field durability, microplastic release, heavy metal leaching, and chemical compatibility still exist. These restrictions highlight the necessity for standardised toxicity testing, harmonised mixed-design frameworks, and performance standards unique to EWDMs. Overall, the review shows that e-waste valorisation can lower carbon emissions, landfill build-up, and virgin material extraction, highlighting its potential in the circular pavement industry and promoting sustainable paving practices in accordance with SDGs 9, 11, 12, and 13. This review suggests that further studies on large-scale field trials, life cycles, and technoeconomic assessments are needed to guarantee the safe, long-lasting integration of EWDMs in pavements. It also advocates for coordinated research, supportive policies, and standardised methods. Full article

Background: Psychological well-being is crucial for the development and performance of young athletes. This systematic review aims to synthesize the available scientific evidence on the relationship between passion (harmonious and obsessive), basic psychological needs (BPNs), motivation, affect (positive and negative), and life satisfaction in young football (soccer) players. Methods: A systematic literature review was performed, following the PRISMA 2020 (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. The search was conducted in the Web of Science, Scopus, ERIC, and SportDiscus databases, using a comprehensive strategy that combined keywords related to football, youth, passion, motivation, and well-being. Two independent reviewers performed article screening, eligibility assessment, and data extraction. The methodological quality of the included studies was determined using two different tools. Results: Nine studies met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed in detail. The results consistently indicate that harmonious passion is associated with greater fulfillment of BPNs, positive affect, and overall life satisfaction. In contrast, obsessive passion was linked to negative outcomes such as burnout and emotional dysregulation. The available evidence suggests a positive association of harmonious passion with motivation and well-being, and an association of obsessive passion with psychological distress. Conclusions: Within the delimited scope, the evidence suggests that harmonious passion is an important construct positively associated with the well-being and motivation of young footballers, while obsessive passion is associated with adverse outcomes. Research in this area is scarce, showing methodological diversity and heterogeneous samples, which limits the generalizability of the findings. Future research should prioritize longitudinal designs and interventions to promote harmonious passion and the satisfaction of BPNs. Full article

Painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN) is a common complication of diabetes mellitus, often inadequately managed by conventional pharmacological therapies. Alternative interventions, including spinal cord stimulation (SCS), have garnered increasing attention for their potential effectiveness. This narrative review evaluates the efficacy, safety, mechanisms of action, and impact on quality of life of SCS in the management of PDN. A systematic search was conducted covering the last 15 years (from January 2010 to April 2025), using the keywords “diabetic neuropathy,” “spinal cord stimulation,” “neuropathic pain,” and “neuromodulation” with Boolean operators. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials (RCTs), observational studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses involving adult populations and published in English. Study selection and data extraction were performed independently by two authors. Multiple RCTs and observational studies (involving over 500 patients) were identified. RCTs consistently demonstrated that SCS significantly reduces neuropathic pain intensity compared to conventional medical therapy (CMT). The most recent study, with the largest sample size (216 patients), reported that high-frequency SCS achieved ≥50% pain relief in 79% of patients at 6 months, compared to only 5% in the CMT group. Observational studies confirmed sustained pain relief (≥50% reduction) in approximately 55–80% of patients over 5–10 years. Significant improvements in sleep, neurological function, and quality of life were also consistently observed. The complication rate was low, with infections requiring explantation in approximately 2–3% of cases. Rare serious adverse events, such as spinal hematoma, were reported. Current evidence underlines the efficacy and safety of SCS, particularly newer waveform paradigms, for the treatment of PDN refractory to medical management. Given its durable effects on pain relief, functional improvement, and quality of life, SCS should be considered an option within the treatment algorithm for carefully selected patients with severe, refractory PDN. Full article

Background: Childhood growth hormone deficiency (GHD) and idiopathic short stature (ISS) are endocrine disorders characterized by impaired linear growth due to insufficient or ineffective growth hormone (GH) activity. While daily recombinant human GH (rhGH) therapy effectively restores growth, treatment adherence remains suboptimal owing to the burden of daily injections. Long-acting formulations such as pegylated recombinant human GH (PEG-rhGH) have been developed to improve convenience and compliance while maintaining therapeutic efficacy. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the comparative effectiveness and safety of once-weekly PEG-rhGH versus daily rhGH and to assess dose–response outcomes between higher- and lower-dose PEG-rhGH regimens in pediatric GHD and ISS. Methods: This study followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Comprehensive searches were conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus from inception to September 2025 using MeSH terms and free-text keywords for “PEGylated recombinant human growth hormone,” “long-acting growth hormone,” and “growth hormone deficiency.” Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies evaluating PEG-rhGH in children (≤18 years) with GHD or ISS, comparing either once-weekly PEG-rhGH with daily rhGH or different PEG-rhGH doses. Data extraction included study design, participant characteristics, intervention details, and key outcomes (height SDS, height velocity, IGF-1 SDS). Meta-analysis was conducted using Review Manager with a random-effects model, and heterogeneity was quantified using the I² statistic. Results: Eight studies, comprising 2549 children, met the inclusion criteria. Once-weekly PEG-rhGH demonstrated comparable short-term growth outcomes to daily rhGH at 6 and 12 months, with modest but significant superiority in height SDS (MD = 0.10, 95% CI 0.01–0.19) and height velocity (MD = 0.74 cm/year, 95% CI 0.42–1.05) by 24 months. IGF-1 SDS did not differ significantly at 6 or 12 months. In dose comparisons, 0.2 mg/kg/week PEG-rhGH produced substantially greater gains in height SDS and IGF-1 SDS than 0.1 mg/kg/week, with a time-dependent increase in the magnitude of the effect. Safety analyses revealed no increase in adverse or serious adverse events with PEG-rhGH compared to daily rhGH; reactions were generally mild and transient. Conclusions: Once-weekly PEG-rhGH is as effective as daily rhGH for promoting growth in pediatric GHD and ISS, with possible long-term advantages in growth outcomes and similar safety. The higher PEG-rhGH dose (0.2 mg/kg/week) appears to optimize efficacy without compromising tolerability. Weekly administration may enhance adherence and quality of life, supporting PEG-rhGH as a viable alternative to daily GH therapy. Full article

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic was a traumatic experience that brought disruption to people’s lives and required intense changes to be made in a short period of time. The adversity and trauma that COVID-19 brought may have had a negative long-term impact on the lives of widows who lost their spouses during the pandemic, particularly in Africa. However, little attention has been paid to the psychosocial experiences that African widows have encountered post-COVID-19. The objective of this paper is therefore to report the findings of a scoping review that examined the psychosocial challenges that African widows experienced during COVID-19 in low-resourced communities. Eligible sources such as databases were systematically searched for articles published between 2019 and 2023 using keywords related to the challenges experienced by African widows in low-resourced communities. Initially, the database search produced 4021 records. After the screening process, exclusions were made, and the final number of articles eligible for inclusion in the study was four (n = 4). Sources were subject to quality appraisal and data were extracted in line with the review question. The findings suggest that COVID-19 disrupted the widows’ support systems, usually provided by their families, friends and fellow church congregants, which exacerbated the psychosocial challenges experienced by widows such as feelings of neglect, helplessness and stigmatization and restricted the customs and traditions that help with the healing process. This paper concludes by recommending that further research be carried out to improve interventions that enhance the healing processes associated with widowhood to address the psychosocial challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic in low-resourced communities. Full article

The Belamcanda chinensis (L.) Redouté is a perennial herb belong to the genus Belamcanda, primarily found in China, but with additional distribution in North Korea, South Korea, Japan, and India. The rhizomes of B. chinensis have a long history of use as a traditional herbal medicine in China, one that is recognized for its effects in clearing heat, in detoxifying and eliminating phlegm, and in soothing the throat. In this review, we conducted a comprehensive search across several databases, both Chinese and international, using the primary keyword Belamcanda chinensis paired with a relevant research area (e.g., chemical composition, pharmacology). The databases included Sci-Finder, ScienceDirect, PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wiley, Springer Baidu Scholar and Research Gate, as well as domestic materia medica. We illustrated the chemical structures using ChemBioDraw Ultra 22.0 software. There are more than 10 proprietary Chinese medicines already on the market that consist of or originate from B. chinensis. More than 200 natural products have been isolated and identified from B. chinensis, including iridal-type triterpenoids, flavonoids, phenolics, quinones, sesquiterpenes, and polysaccharides. Modern pharmacological studies indicate that both crude extracts and monomeric compounds exhibit anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, antioxidant, neuroprotective and anti-diabetic activities, with potential regulatory pathways. Additionally, B. chinensis demonstrates toxicity to fish, mollusks and arthropods. Clinical studies have shown that formulas containing B. chinensis as the main ingredient have a good therapeutic effect on respiratory diseases. In summary, B. chinensis presents promising prospects for application in medicine, functional food, cosmetics and agriculture. Therefore, we have reviewed the chemical composition, pharmacological activities (both in vivo and in vitro), structure–activity relationships, toxicity and clinical application of B. chinensis over the past 40 years, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for the subsequent comprehensive utilization of the plants. Full article