Search Results (13,262)

The vascular anatomy of the stomach is both complex and highly variable, with direct implications for oncologic, bariatric, esophageal, and interventional procedures. This comprehensive review combines anatomical, radiological, and surgical evidence on arterial and venous variations in the stomach. The left gastric artery, traditionally the first branch of the coeliac trunk, often shows variants such as a direct aortic origin or association with an abnormal left hepatic artery. The right gastric artery most frequently arises from the proper hepatic artery, but its origin can vary significantly. The gastroepiploic arteries exhibit diversity in their origin, size, and connection patterns, with occasional duplication or absence. Additional vessels, including the posterior gastric artery and the short gastric arteries, also contribute to variations in arterial supply. Venous drainage largely follows the arterial pattern. The left and right gastric veins and the gastroepiploic venous arcade are major routes, while variants of the left gastric vein and the gastrocolic trunk (Henle’s trunk) contribute to complexity through different convergence patterns. These vascular variations have significant clinical implications, as they impact the safety of D2 lymphadenectomy, the risk of ischemic complications during laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, the success of gastric conduit formation in esophagectomy, and the effectiveness of transarterial embolization for upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Preoperative vascular mapping with multidetector computed tomography angiography and 3D reconstruction reliably defines individual anatomy, allowing for customized surgical planning and reducing operative risks. Recognizing both common and rare gastric vascular variants is essential for safe and effective surgical and endovascular management of gastric disease. Full article

Tropospheric ozone (O₃) pollution is a major concern in urban environments because of its toxicity for both people and vegetation. This paper review provides an overview of atmospheric mechanisms, as well as the potential and best management practices of urban greening for reducing O₃ pollution in cities. Urban greening has often been proposed as a cost-effective solution to reduce O₃ pollution, but its effectiveness depends on careful species selection and integration with broader air quality management strategies. Ozone is a secondary pollutant and the volatile organic compounds emitted by vegetation (BVOCs) can play a prominent role in O₃ formation. A list of recommended and to-avoid species is given here to drive future planting at city scale. Planting low BVOC-emitting species and combining greening with reductions in anthropogenic emissions are key to maximizing benefits and minimizing unintended increases in O₃. Public and non-public institutions should carefully select plant species in consultation with expert scientists from the early stages, e.g., by considering local conditions and pollutant dynamics to design effective greening interventions. Collaborative planning among urban ecologists, atmospheric scientists, and municipalities is thus crucial to ensure that greening interventions contribute to overall air quality improvements rather than inadvertently enhancing O₃ formation. Such improvements will also translate into plant protection from O₃ stress. Therefore, future directions of research and policy integration to achieve healthier, O₃-resilient urban ecosystems are also provided. Full article

Background/Objectives: Colorectal cancer (CRC) accounts for nearly 10% of global cancer cases and is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality. While age and genetics are non-modifiable risk factors, nutrition and its impact on gut microbiota are emerging as key determinants in CRC prevention and management. We aimed to systematically evaluate recent evidence on the role of diet and microbiota-targeted interventions—including probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and postbiotics—in modulating CRC risk and therapeutic outcomes. Methods: A structured literature search was performed in PubMed, ResearchGate, Scopus, and ScienceDirect up to July of 2025. Reference lists of relevant reviews and clinical trials were also screened. A total of 36 studies were selected according to PRISMA guidelines. Data were extracted on dietary exposures, microbiota modulation, metabolite profiles, and CRC-related outcomes. Evidence quality was assessed using appropriate appraisal tools for observational and interventional designs. Results: Western-type diets were consistently associated with microbiota dysbiosis, the enrichment of pro-inflammatory and genotoxic taxa, and elevated CRC risk. Diets rich in fiber and polyphenols enhanced commensals producing short-chain fatty acids (e.g., butyrate), with anti-inflammatory and antineoplastic effects. Probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics demonstrated potential to restore microbial balance, improve epithelial integrity, and enhance tolerance to conventional therapies. Conclusions: Current evidence supports a complex interplay between nutrition, the gut microbiota, and CRC, with strong translational potential. Microbiota-modulating nutritional strategies, particularly fiber-rich diets and synbiotics, show the most consistent microbiota-related benefits in CRC prevention and represent promising adjuncts to standard therapies. However, much of the available research is still based on preclinical models. Therefore, there is a pressing need for well-designed clinical studies in human populations to validate these findings and inform evidence-based guidelines. Full article

Student classroom behavior recognition is a core research direction in intelligent education systems. Real-time analysis of students’ learning states and behavioral features through classroom monitoring provides quantitative support for teaching evaluation, classroom management, and personalized instruction, offering significant value for data-driven educational decision-making. To address the issues of low detection accuracy and severe occlusion in classroom behavior detection, this article proposes an improved YOLOv11n-based algorithm named YOLOv11-GLIDE. The model introduces a Channel Prior Convolutional Attention (CPCA) mechanism to integrate global and local feature information, enhancing feature extraction and detection performance. A scale-based dynamic loss (SD Loss) is designed to adaptively adjust the loss weights according to object scale, improving regression stability and detection accuracy. In addition, Sparse Depthwise Convolution (SPD-Conv) replaces traditional down-sampling to reduce fine-grained feature loss and computational cost. Experimental results on the SCB-Dataset3 demonstrate that YOLOv11-GLIDE achieves an excellent balance between accuracy and lightweight design. Compared with the baseline YOLOv11n, mAP@0.5 and mAP@0.5-0.95 increase by 2.5% and 7.6%, while Parameters and GFLOPS are reduced by 9.4% and 11.1%, respectively. The detection speed reaches 127.9 FPS, meeting the practical requirements of embedded classroom monitoring systems for accurate and efficient student behavior recognition. Full article

Background/Objectives: Dyslipidemia is a global health concern. It refers to increased blood levels of LDL-C, triglycerides, and total cholesterol, accompanied by decreased blood HDL-C levels. Many pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches have been designed to improve dyslipidemia management. However, nutritional therapies have gained more attention due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In this scenario, the carotenoid crocin stands out as a prominent anti-dyslipidemia phytochemical. Its unique structure permits lipid-lowering effects via various mechanisms, including the enhancement of lipid breakdown, reduction in lipid formation, bolstering of antioxidant defenses to diminish lipid toxicity, and decreased absorption of dietary fats. However, no recent systematic review or meta-analysis has addressed its anti-dyslipidemia effects with statistical power. Therefore, we aim to fill this gap with our current meta-analysis, as well as dose and time–response assessments. Methods: PubMed, SpringerLink, ScienceDirect, Cochrane, and Google Scholar databases were searched, and PRISMA guidelines were followed. Ten studies comprising eleven results were included. Results: Crocin did not improve LDL-C (0.2120, 95% CI: −0.0799 to 0.5040), HDL-C (−0.1937, 95% CI: −0.4896 to 0.1022), triglyceride (−0.2063, 95% CI: −0.5764 to 0.1638), or total cholesterol (0.1528, 95% CI: −0.1074 to 0.4129). The dose–response or time–response was also not statistically significant. Conclusions: More clinical studies with robust designs must be conducted to thoroughly assess crocin’s effectiveness in modulating lipid levels with the utmost care. Full article

Contemporary cultural tourism faces a critical digital authenticity paradox where social media engagement necessitates platform integration, yet algorithms prioritize engagement-driven content over culturally accurate heritage representations. This systematic review develops an initial framework addressing authenticity preservation challenges through systematic analysis of platform-mediated heritage representation. Following PRISMA guidelines, researchers searched Scopus and ScienceDirect databases for peer-reviewed articles published 2020–2025 using search terms: “Cultural Tourism” AND “Heritage Tourism” AND “Photograph” AND “Social media” AND “Authenticity.” Inclusion criteria encompassed English-language journal articles and conference papers in social sciences, business, management, and humanities. VOSviewer software facilitated bibliometric analysis through keyword co-occurrence mapping with minimum three-occurrence threshold. From 68 articles, analysis revealed five thematic clusters: Ecosystem Tourism, Social Media and Technology, Tourism Management, Authenticity, and Photography & Storytelling, informing an integrated Input-Process-Integration-Output framework. Input encompasses cultural contexts and authenticity evaluation criteria; Process integrates social media dynamics with tourism management strategies; Integration synthesizes authentic contexts through platform-adapted digital storytelling; Output addresses platform-mediated tourist experiences. The framework establishes systematic relationships between heritage preservation and digital platform mechanisms, providing methodological innovation while addressing algorithmic optimization conflicts with heritage preservation, offering practical guidance for tourism organizations navigating Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and emerging platforms while preserving authentic cultural representation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Oman Vision 2040, the national blueprint for socio-economic transformation, aims to elevate the Sultanate to developed nation status, with the “Health” priority committed to building a “Leading Healthcare System with International Standards” via a Health in All Policies (HiAP) approach. This paper critically reviews Oman’s strategic health directions and implementation frameworks under Vision 2040, assessing their alignment with global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and serving as a case model for health system transformation. Methods: This study employs a critical narrative synthesis based on a comprehensive literature search that included academic, official government reports, and international organization sources. The analysis is guided by the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Health Systems Framework, providing a structured interpretation of progress across its six building blocks. Results: Key interventions implemented include integrated governance (e.g., Committee for Managing and Regulating Healthcare), diversified health financing (e.g., public private partnership (PPPs), Health Endowment Foundation), and strategic digital transformation (e.g., Al-Shifa system, AI diagnostics). Performance metrics show progress, with a rise in the Legatum Prosperity Index ranking and an increase in the Community Satisfaction Rate. However, critical challenges persist, including resistance to change during governance restructuring, cybersecurity risks from digital adoption, and system fragmentation that complicates a unified Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) response. Conclusions: Oman’s integrated approach, emphasizing decentralization, quality improvement, and investment in preventive health and human capital, positions it for sustained progress. The transformation offers generalizable insights. Successfully realizing Vision 2040 demands rigorous, evidence-informed policymaking to effectively address equity implications and optimize resource allocation. Full article

In the era of digital economy, computing power centers, serving as core infrastructure that aggregates computing resources and supports digital transformation, have seen their competitiveness formation mechanism and evaluation methods become important research directions in the field of economics and management. Breaking away from fragmented analyses, this study, based on a complex systems perspective, dissects the formation mechanism of computing power center competitiveness and extracts key influencing factors. Utilizing the entropy weight-TOPSIS-gray correlation method, a fully quantifiable evaluation system for computing power center competitiveness is developed, effectively enhancing the practicality, reusability, and comparability of the evaluation approach. Through an empirical analysis of 35 computing power centers in China, the research found that computing power is the primary influencing factor of competitiveness and pointed out that due to different resource advantages, there are also significant differences in the competitiveness level and development path of computing power centers. Based on these findings, and centered on the dual-wheel drive of technology and cost, four development pathways for computing power centers are proposed: strengthening technological advantages, optimizing cost structures, implementing targeted government policies, and fostering industrial ecosystem synergy. This provides a methodological framework and policy toolkit for enhancing the competitiveness and achieving sustainable development of computing power centers in various countries and regions. Full article

The prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) is increasing and often coexists with frailty. The management of anticoagulation therapy in frail older adults with AF is especially challenging due to the high risk of bleeding complications. The aim of this narrative review is to provide a comprehensive overview of current evidence about the management of anticoagulation in frail older adults with non-valvular AF. First, frailty itself should not be considered a contraindication. A comprehensive geriatric assessment is recommended to identify and potentially address conditions that may increase the risk of bleeding, such as inappropriately prescribed medications or malnutrition. Overall, the net clinical benefit remains in favour of oral anticoagulation in frail older adults, even if it decreases with increasing frailty severity. Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs) show a better effectiveness and safety profile compared with Vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) in this population. Among DOACs, apixaban seems to be the safest. Also, edoxaban at a very low dosage (15 mg/day) could be an effective therapy in patients for whom the standard anticoagulation is contraindicated. Moreover, switching from VKAs to DOACs in frail older adults is a complex decision and should be personalized according to the stability of the ongoing anticoagulant therapy, the bleeding risk profile, and the severity of frailty. Finally, although further studies are required to confirm their effectiveness, factor XIa inhibitors are emerging as new promising alternative therapies because they have been associated with a lower bleeding risk compared with DOACs. Full article

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder of the aging brain, is associated with behavioral and cognitive issues and poses a huge burden on the global health care system. One of the key features of AD is the deposition of abnormal proteins called amyloid-beta (Aβ) in the brain, causing inflammatory changes, oxidative stress, and neuronal loss. Recent advancements in the anti-Aβ therapies have considerably improved the management of AD, resulting in better clinical outcomes for patients and caregivers. This review offers an inclusive update on current drug discovery efforts, innovative approaches, and ongoing clinical trials targeting Aβ, a key player in AD pathogenesis. We have evaluated the most recent developments in monoclonal antibodies, including aducanumab (discontinued November 2024), lecanemab, and donanemab, emerging therapeutic options, as well as emerging strategies such as tau-targeting therapies, gene therapy, and small molecule inhibitors. Moreover, we highlighted the challenges and opportunities in AD research, including the need for early diagnosis, personalized medicine, and combination therapies. Our review will offer a concise and informative overview of the current landscape and future directions in anti-Aβ therapeutics for AD, shedding light on potential treatments and prospects for improving patient outcomes. Full article

Rhizosphere hypoxia, caused by soil compaction and waterlogging, is a major constraint on agricultural productivity. It severely impairs crop growth and yield by inhibiting root aerobic respiration, disrupting energy metabolism, and altering the rhizosphere microecology. Micro-nano bubbles (MNBs) show significant potential for alleviating rhizosphere hypoxia due to their unique physicochemical properties, including large specific surface area, high oxygen dissolution efficiency, prolonged retention time, and negative surface charge. This paper systematically reviews the key characteristics of MNBs, particularly their enhanced mass transfer capacity and system stability, and outlines mainstream preparation methods such as cavitation, electrolysis, and membrane dispersion. And the multiple alleviation mechanisms of MNBs—including continuous oxygen release, improvement of soil pore structure, and regulation of rhizosphere microbial communities—are clarified. The combination of MNBs aeration and subsurface drip irrigation can increase soil aeration by 5%. When applied in soilless cultivation and conventional irrigation systems, MNBs enhance crop yield and nutrient use efficiency. For example, tomato yield can be increased by 12–44%. Furthermore, the integration of MNBs with water–fertilizer integration technology enables the synchronized supply of oxygen and nutrients, thereby optimizing the rhizosphere environment efficiently. This paper sorts out the empirical effects of MNBs in soilless cultivation and conventional irrigation, and provides directions for solving problems such as “insufficient oxygen supply to deep roots” and “reactive oxygen species (ROS) stress in sensitive crops”. Despite these significant advantages, the industrialization of MNBs still needs to overcome challenges including high equipment costs and insufficient precision in parameter control, so as to promote large-scale agricultural application and provide an innovative strategy for the management of rhizosphere hypoxia. Full article

Santa Ana winds are extreme meteorological events that strongly affect the U.S.–Mexico border region, often associated with droughts, high fire risk, and hydrological imbalance. Understanding the temporal behavior of key atmospheric variables during these events is crucial for integrated water resource management in semi-arid regions such as the Guadalupe Basin in northern Baja California. In this study, we explored the predictive capability of several hybrid deep learning architectures—Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), Convolutional Neural Network combined with LSTM (CNN–LSTM), and Bidirectional LSTM with Attention (BiLSTM–Attention)—to model the temporal evolution of wind speed, wind direction, temperature, relative humidity, and atmospheric pressure using Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications, Version 2 (MERRA-2) reanalysis data from 1980 to 2020. Model performance was evaluated using RMSE, MAE, and R² metrics and compared against persistence and climatology baselines. The BiLSTM–Attention model achieved the best overall performance, showing particularly high accuracy for temperature (R² = 0.95) and relative humidity (R² = 0.76), while maintaining angular errors below 35° for wind direction. The results demonstrate the potential of hybrid deep learning models to capture nonlinear temporal dependencies in meteorological time series and provide a methodological framework to enhance hydrometeorological understanding and water resource management in the Guadalupe Basin under Santa Ana wind conditions. Full article

Endometriosis is traditionally regarded as a condition predominantly affecting women of reproductive age, often associated with infertility and cyclical pelvic pain. As a result, a significant body of research and clinical attention has been directed toward the younger patient population. However, there is growing recognition that endometriosis can persist or even arise anew in peri-menopausal and post-menopausal women, yet the impact of the disease in this group remains underappreciated. Many women may have lived with undiagnosed or misdiagnosed endometriosis for decades, often being reassured that period pain and pelvic discomfort were normal aspects of menstruation, and therefore not subjected to appropriate investigation or intervention. This review aims to highlight the clinical significance of endometriosis in peri-menopausal and post-menopausal women. We will examine the common symptoms encountered in this population, discuss current strategies and challenges in diagnosis, and review evidence-based approaches to management. Special consideration will be given to the complex interface between endometriosis and HRT, as well as the potential risk of malignant transformation. Finally, drawing from existing guidelines and expert opinion, we propose recommendations for the diagnosis, treatment, and long-term follow-up of these patients, with the goal of improving outcomes and quality of life for this often overlooked cohort of women. Full article

Sepsis poses a significant global health burden, with millions of cases and high mortality rates annually, largely due to challenges in early diagnosis and monitoring. Traditional methods, reliant on nonspecific clinical manifestations and limited biomarkers like C-reactive protein and procalcitonin, often fail to distinguish infection from non-infectious inflammation or capture disease heterogeneity. This review synthesizes recent progress in omics technologies—genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics—for advancing sepsis management. Genomics, via metagenomic next-generation sequencing, enables rapid pathogen identification and genetic variant analysis for susceptibility and prognosis. Transcriptomics reveals molecular subtypes and immune dynamics through RNA sequencing and single-cell approaches. Proteomics and metabolomics uncover protein and metabolite profiles linked to immune imbalance, organ damage, and metabolic disorders. Multi-omics integration, enhanced by artificial intelligence and machine learning, facilitates biomarker discovery, patient stratification, and predictive modeling, bridging laboratory findings to bedside applications like rapid diagnostic tools and clinical decision support systems. Despite advancements, challenges including data heterogeneity, high costs, and ethical concerns persist. Future directions emphasize single-cell and spatial omics, AI-driven personalization, and ethical frameworks to transform sepsis care from reactive to proactive, ultimately improving outcomes. Full article

Background/Objectives: Local production is a global priority for increasing access to routine, outbreak, and pandemic vaccines and leads to a variety of direct and indirect benefits for countries. This study aimed to characterize the enabling environment for the sustainable production of influenza vaccines, including for epidemic and pandemic preparedness. Methods: National/local vaccine manufacturers were surveyed to capture data on influenza vaccine market contributions, government support for local production, and involvement in national pandemic preparedness activities. Using a conceptual framework for sustainable local production of influenza vaccines for epidemic and pandemic preparedness, manufacturers described 41 global/regional, national, and institutional sustainability factors across policy, health system, research and development (R&D), and regulatory thematic domains. In addition to the survey, key findings from country-level sustainability assessments of vaccine production in Bangladesh, Brazil, Indonesia, Serbia, and Viet Nam were analyzed to complement survey results. Results: This study included 12 participants representing 11 manufacturers from 10 countries. Of the 11 manufacturers, six reported that their countries have policies that support local production, but most manufacturers reported benefiting from some level of direct or indirect support by the government. Manufacturers considered 40/41 factors as important for sustainable production of influenza vaccines, and among the four domains, influenza prevention and control policies, influenza burden data, quality management, and regulatory filing capacity ranked highly. Additionally, manufacturers ranked factors related to cohesive policies for local production promotion and business/strategic planning at the manufacturer level as the top sustainability factors. Conclusions: Manufacturers broadly agreed on the importance of cohesive policies, evidence-based public health priorities, robust R&D and manufacturing investments, and regulatory readiness, though perceptions varied across contexts and company characteristics. Sustainable local production of influenza vaccines should be driven by the alignment of policies, investments, and demand. Full article