Search Results (3,484)

Eustachian tube dysfunction (ETD) and related pressure-mediated otologic disorders often present with fluctuating auditory, vestibular, and pressure-related symptoms that are difficult to explain using static structural or symptom-based diagnostic labels alone. This conceptual review proposes the Neuro–Vascular–Mechanical–Inflammatory–Autonomic (NVMIA) framework as a hypothesis-generating architecture for organizing such variability. Within this framework, middle ear pressure (MEP) is interpreted as a clinically measurable physiologic variable through which interacting neural, vascular, mechanical, inflammatory, and autonomic influences may become mechanically expressed and clinically observable. The framework does not present NVMIA-based patterns as validated diagnostic categories, clinical decision tools, or treatment algorithms. Rather, it proposes provisional regulatory patterns that may help generate testable hypotheses regarding pressure-regulatory instability, cross-axis coupling, symptom fluctuation, and physiologic reversibility. Mechanical impedance may function as an accessible reference plane for future empirical assessment, while neural, vascular, inflammatory, and autonomic domains are conceptualized as modulatory axes that may alter symptom expression and response variability. The review further outlines future validation needs, including dynamic MEP measurement, patient-reported outcome integration, longitudinal response assessment, and cautious computational modeling. By reframing ETD as a model of state-dependent regulatory instability, the NVMIA framework provides a conceptual basis for future studies in precision otology while emphasizing that prospective validation is required before clinical implementation. Full article

Non-invasive blood glucose estimation from exhaled breath has been proposed as a painless alternative to repeated capillary measurements; however, performance evaluation remains challenging in small-sample settings. This study investigates the estimation of blood glucose from human breath using volatile organic compound (VOC) signals acquired with an electronic nose. Responses from three metal-oxide sensor channels sensitive to CO, alcohol, and acetone were collected from 58 individuals, with one measurement per subject, and analyzed using strictly patient-level five-fold cross-validation, in which test folds comprised only real subjects. Two experimental factors were examined. First, model performance was evaluated with and without an additional interpretable alcohol–acetone log-ratio capturing relative variation between compounds. Second, model training was performed using either real data only or fold-wise tabular synthetic augmentation generated via a Gaussian copula fitted exclusively on training subjects, while evaluation remained strictly real-only. Under real-only training, classical machine learning models achieved the lowest prediction errors (approximately 6–7 mg/dL), whereas under synthetic augmentation FTTransformer was the best-performing deep learning model. This findings should be understood as a constrained proof-of-concept analysis rather than as evidence of diagnostic capability or clinical readiness. Full article

In Italy, the apple cider market is experiencing significant growth, driven by numerous small-scale artisanal producers who combine local apple varieties with traditional processes to offer complex, and diverse products. However, artisanal production based on spontaneous fermentations often encounters challenges in qualitative reproducibility, particularly related to sensory issues (stability across different vintages and high turbidity of the product). In this context, a methodology has been developed to optimize the technological process of cider production at Contrada Contro in the Monti Sibillini (MC), in Marche region, Italy. The research focused on the isolation and selection of indigenous yeasts from frozen must prepared in the 2023 vintage. Following isolation and preliminary characterization, the indigenous yeasts were used to referment the still cider, followed by 7 months of bottle aging, and a second sampling point was conducted after 14 months of aging on lees. Destructive analyses using HPLC-DAD and GC-MS were conducted to evaluate polyphenols and volatile compounds, while non-destructive analyses with a 12-quartz microbalance electronic nose and near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy allowed for a quicker assessment of production techniques. Chromatographic analysis results showed that the sensory quality of refermented products was strongly influenced by the composition of the yeast strains used. All fermentations inoculated with selected yeasts exhibited lower turbidity compared to spontaneous fermentation. These findings indicate that the selection of indigenous yeasts for cider refermentation enables the production of a high-quality product, enriched with beneficial compounds and characterized by a strong terroir identity, underscoring the importance of microbiological terroir. Full article

Background/Objectives: Orthodontic treatment induces controlled mechanical forces that alter the periodontal environment, including changes in oral microbiota composition and activation of local inflammatory pathways. Despite the widespread and growing use of orthodontic appliances across all age groups, the magnitude, timing, and multi-domain biological impact of these changes have not been comprehensively quantified in a single systematic synthesis. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize the available evidence on periodontal clinical parameters, oral microbiota composition, and local inflammatory biomarkers associated with orthodontic treatment using fixed appliances and clear aligners, and to provide a structured, GRADE-rated evidence base for clinical practice. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines. PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched from inception to March 2026. Prospective cohort studies, longitudinal clinical studies, and randomized controlled trials evaluating periodontal parameters, oral microbiota, and inflammatory biomarkers during orthodontic treatment were included. Quantitative synthesis was performed using mean differences or standardized mean differences with 95% confidence intervals, primarily assessing within-group (pre–post) changes. Results: Eighteen studies (n = 812 patients; follow-up 3–12 months) met inclusion criteria. Fixed orthodontic appliances were consistently associated with transient increases in plaque index (MD 0.45, 95% CI 0.32–0.58; I² = 62%), gingival index (MD 0.38, 95% CI 0.25–0.51; I² = 55%), and bleeding on probing (MD 15.2%, 95% CI 10.1–20.3%; I² = 48%), particularly during early treatment phases. Microbiological analyses demonstrated within-group shifts toward increased prevalence of periodontopathogenic species (Streptococcus mutans OR 2.45, 95% CI 1.89–3.18; Porphyromonas spp. OR 2.14, 95% CI 1.67–2.75) in patients treated with fixed appliances. Local inflammatory responses were characterized by elevated IL-1β (MD 1.2, 95% CI 0.8–1.6) and IL-6 (MD 0.9, 95% CI 0.6–1.2) in gingival crevicular fluid. Certainty of evidence was rated moderate for plaque and gingival indices and low for microbiological and inflammatory outcomes (GRADE). Conclusions: Orthodontic treatment—particularly with fixed appliances—is associated with transient, reversible deterioration of periodontal indices, shifts toward a more dysbiotic oral microbiome, and elevation of local inflammatory mediators in gingival crevicular fluid during active treatment phases. These changes are manageable through structured preventive protocols and regular periodontal monitoring. Future prospective studies with concurrent control groups and standardized multi-domain outcome measures are needed to better define the magnitude and reversibility of these biological responses. PROSPERO: CRD420261336117. Full article

The cribriform plate (CP) functions as a dynamic neuroimmune interface through which olfactory nerve bundles exit the brain within a specialized perineural microenvironment (cpPME). While traditionally viewed as a passive structural barrier, emerging evidence positions the CP as a central hub for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage, glymphatic–lymphatic clearance, and antigen presentation. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of recent advances in cpPME research, highlighting the adaptive remodeling of the immune landscape in response to neuroinflammation and aging. We critically evaluate the translational gap between rodent models and human physiology, discussing the implications for neurodegenerative diagnostics, neuroinflammatory conditions, infectious diseases and “nose-to-brain” therapeutic delivery. By integrating anatomical, physiological, and immunological perspectives, we offer a comprehensive framework for understanding the CP’s role in CNS homeostasis and its potential as a transformative diagnostic and therapeutic target. Full article

Real-time online monitoring of key parameters such as the ammonium nitrogen (NH₄⁺) concentration during biological fermentation is important for the optimization of a biological fermentation process. Traditional offline detection technologies like spectrophotometry need contact sampling, with drawbacks of monitoring lag, risk of contamination, etc. In this work, taking the gentamicin fermentation process as an example, we developed an intelligent electronic nose non-contact monitoring system on the basis of fermentation off-gas signals. We captured the typical signals of off-gas and established a quantitative relationship between the signals and the NH₄⁺ concentration in fermentation broth; the system then realized non-contact real-time monitoring. The whole system consists of a gas-switching module, a sensor array module, a signal-processing module, and an intelligent prediction module. The system adopts a five-phase gas switching strategy to suppress sensor drift in metal–oxide–semiconductor (MOS) sensors and a light neural network for prediction, which improve both prediction speed and accuracy. Experiments were conducted using a 5 L fermenter, and the prediction result was consistent with the offline measured value (coefficient of determination, R² = 0.9871, root mean square error, RMSE = 0.0317 g/L). This technique provides a new method for the non-contact measurement of key fermentation parameters, and it can be expanded to other fermentations. Full article

Olfactory (or odorant) receptors (ORs) were initially characterized in 1991 by Drs. Richard Axel and Linda Buck, and subsequent additional efforts have contributed to our understanding of their canonical function in odorant identification in the nasal cavity, including ligands for many of the ORs and the signaling pathways involved. More recently, OR transcripts and proteins have been identified in cells and organs outside of the nasal cavity, ranging from skin to sperm to tumors, suggesting that they have biological roles in ectopic locations other than their canonical function of odorant molecule detection in the nose. This mini narrative review discusses ectopic human ORs and their potential ligand-activated functions in the skin, lung, and sperm, as well as in diseases such as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), melanoma and prostate cancer. Full article

Precision in estimating the ripeness of fruits is critical in quality control and minimizing losses in supply chains of agricultural produce following harvesting. Conventional ripeness assessment techniques tend to be destructive, time-consuming and unsuited to monitoring in real-time. In order to avoid these drawbacks, this research suggests a cloud-integrated smart electronic nose (E-nose) system to predict fruit ripeness in a non-destructive and real-time manner. The system uses a low-priced, non-selective gas sensor array with an ESP8266-based Internet of Things (IoT) board to record volatile organic compound (VOC) signatures released at various maturation phases of fruits. The obtained sensor data will be sent to a cloud server to be preprocessed centrally and classified using machine learning, thus reducing the computational needs at the edge. There is a collection of 953 samples of the unripe, ripe, and rotten stages of banana under controlled conditions. Several supervised machine learning algorithms are tested, and methods of ensemble boosting proved to be more effective. The Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LightGBM) is the most accurate in terms of classification of 96.50% and weighted F1-score of 96.49%. The confusion matrix analysis shows that the majority of misclassifications are observed among the neighboring stages of ripeness, indicating the gradual biochemical changes. The system is practically applicable as visualization of the predicted ripeness levels occurs in real time via a mobile application. The suggested model provides a scalable, low-cost, and smart solution to precision agriculture, which can allow efficient, automated, and non-destructive measurement of fruit quality. Full article

This study explored the effects of varying levels of dietary folic acid (FA) supplementation on laying performance, egg quality, egg yolk flavor, and the deposition of four folate forms in eggs. A total of 336 Hy-Line Brown layers were randomly divided into seven groups and fed basal diets supplemented with FA at doses of 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, 5, 10 and 15 mg/kg, respectively. The results suggested that dietary FA supplementation exerted no notable effects on laying performance or egg quality. Electronic nose analysis of egg yolk flavor revealed that high FA supplementation levels (10 and 15 mg/kg) linearly decreased sensor response scores to organic sulfides, aroma constituents, alkanes, and alkane aromatic components compared to the low-dose FA groups (0 to 0.5 mg/kg). Analysis of egg yolk folates identified four folate forms with the following proportions: 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF, 79–84%), 10-formylfolic acid (10-FMF, approximately 10%), folic acid (<5%), and 5-formyltetrahydrofolic acid (5-FMTHF, <3%). Linear and quadratic relationships were observed between dietary FA supplementation levels and the content of three folate forms (5-MTHF, folic acid, and 10-FMF) in egg yolk and whole eggs. Notably, the egg highest total folate content (119.60 μg/100 g) was observed in hens fed diets containing 15 mg/kg FA at week 4, although this was not significantly different from hens fed 5 mg/kg FA at week 6. In summary, 5 mg/kg FA was the optimal dose to achieve saturated total folate content in eggs without altering egg flavor. Full article

Cobalt ferrite (CoFe₂O₄) magnetostrictive ultrasonic elliptical vibration cutting (UEVC) tools have recently emerged as a low-cost, low-eddy-loss alternative to piezoelectric and rare-earth-driven cutting heads. The structural design and resonance characterisation of such a dual-bending CoFe₂O₄ UEVC tool was reported in our previous work. The present paper builds directly on that platform and addresses a different objective: to determine how the four primary process variables—feed rate, cutting speed, cutting depth, and inter-channel phase difference—should be set to obtain the best surface quality on a representative ductile metal. Using H62 brass as the workpiece and a single-crystal diamond tool with a 0.2 mm nose radius and 60° included angle, single-factor experiments are run on a custom 5-axis precision lathe, and surface roughness is mapped in both the cutting and the feed direction with a Keyence VK-X1000 confocal microscope (Keyence, Osaka, Japan). The speed ratio K = Vc/(2πfA) is computed for every test point so that each result can be classified as belonging to the continuous-contact or to the intermittent-contact UEVC regime. The results show: (i) feed rate has a non-monotonic effect, with an optimum at 1 μm where ductile-mode separation is achieved without secondary tool-trajectory overlap, reducing the cutting direction roughness by up to 45% with respect to conventional cutting (CC); (ii) the UEVC advantage shrinks at high cutting speeds because the speed ratio approaches unity and the intermittent regime collapses, but is still 12.6%–38% over the 50–375 mm/s range tested; (iii) the relative improvement is largest at low depth and decreases as the depth grows, retaining 11.5%–49% gain over CC across 0.5–10 μm; (iv) the inter-channel phase difference, which controls the geometry of the tool-tip ellipse, is the strongest single lever—at 60°, the trajectory becomes an oblique ellipse whose major axis is tilted with respect to the cutting direction, bringing the cutting direction roughness down to 1.21 μm against 2.82 μm for CC, a 57% reduction. A simple kinematic argument links this optimum to a maximum effective separation duration per cycle and offers a design rule for analogous UEVC tools. Full article

This study aims to conduct a comparative analysis of the quality and flavor of meat from four categories of Mongolian horses (Wushen, Baicha, Barhu, and Ujimqin). Physicochemical indicators, electronic nose, electronic tongue, and lipidomics were used to characterize meat quality and flavor and to screen for differential markers. Results showed that Wushen Horses had the highest pH_45min, serine, glutamic acid, total free amino acids (∑FAA), total non-essential amino acids (∑NEAA), total amino acids (∑TAA), NEAA/TAA, W2S sensor response, umami and richness values, and had the lowest cooking loss, EAA/TAA, EAA/NEAA, sourness, bitterness and aftertaste B values (p < 0.01). In contrast, Barhu Horses had the highest b*_45min, C20:2 and saltiness values, and had the lowest W5S, W1S and W2W sensor responses (p < 0.01). Lipidomics identified 163 differential lipids (DELs) as potential markers, including LPC (18:2/0:0) and PC (16:0_16:0). Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis showed DELs were significantly enriched in glycerolipid, linoleic acid, arachidonic acid and α-linolenic acid metabolism pathways. Correlation analysis indicated 23 DELs (e.g., carnitine C20:4) correlated positively with umami, W2S and richness, but negatively with shear force and cooking loss. In summary, our data show that among the four categories of Mongolian horses, Wushen Horses exhibited the best meat quality and flavor, while Barhu Horses showed the poorest. The differences in meat quality and flavor were closely associated with changes in lipid composition. This study provides direct molecular evidence from lipids for the variation in meat quality among Mongolian horses. Full article

The demand for reliable, rapid, and low-cost tools for quality control analysis has driven the development and application of different instrumental approaches in the wine industry. Thus, this review aims to gather and discuss the most relevant analytical methodologies reported in the literature, with emphasis on spectroscopic, chromatographic, electroanalytical, and sensor-based techniques, including electronic noses and tongues, as well as the integration of these techniques with chemometric tools. The studied methods demonstrate, in varying levels of precision, the potential for determining chemical composition, detecting contaminants and adulterations, evaluating attributes related to sensory quality, and monitoring fermentation and aging processes. Advances in non-destructive methods with high analytical throughput are highlighted, as these approaches have gained relevance due to their applicability in routine analyses which is desired for process control. Despite the progress observed, challenges related to sensitivity, selectivity, matrix effects, and method standardization still persist, limiting their industrial implementation. Finally, this review identifies research gaps, therefore pointing to perspectives for the development of standardization routines for the different methodologies, and the integration of analytical methods in the decision-making framework of the winemaking industry. Full article

Background: Organ donation and transplantation are among the greatest scientific discoveries of our time, which have restored hope and life to many. However, several factors influence the global organ donation rate. It is, therefore, important to understand the Ghanaian context of facilitators and barriers to donation to dispel cultural myths and misconceptions about organ donation. This study aims to qualitatively explore the facilitators and barriers influencing organ donation in Ghana. Methods: This was a qualitative exploratory study conducted among health professionals at four major tertiary hospitals in Ghana. Participants were chosen using the purposive sampling technique. Using a structured interview guide, an in-depth interview was conducted to gather qualitative data, which was then tape-recorded and transcribed. Thematic content analysis was used to manually analyze the data. Results: Of the 25 expert participants, the majority (15, 60.0%) were female. The majority (15, 60.0%) were between 40 and 59 years. The mean age was 42.4 ± 8.0 years. The average number of years of work experience was 15.8 ± 7.1 years. Themes identified for facilitators of organ donation included increased awareness and knowledge campaign, societal influence, and legislative support. Themes for barriers were inadequate knowledge, socio-cultural influence, religious beliefs, and ethical concerns. Conclusions: Increased awareness and knowledge campaigns, societal influence, and legislative support are the significant facilitators of organ donation in Ghana, whereas inadequate knowledge, socio-cultural, and religious influence are important barriers to organ donation in Ghana. Full article

Characteristic gas-based detection technology can facilitate the warning of lithium-ion battery thermal runaway with a high accuracy at an early stage. Microelectromechanical system (MEMS) metal–oxide–semiconductor (MOS) gas sensors have advantages of a low cost, a high accuracy, and low power consumption; therefore, they are ideal candidates for the lithium-ion battery thermal-runaway warning. MEMS MOS gas sensors are composed of a micro-hotplate and gas-sensitive materials. The micro-hotplate component strongly influences the device’s mechanical and thermal properties. Initially, we used COMSOL to optimize the micro-hotplate component. Then, we fabricated the device based on the optimal micro-hotplate. Next, gas-sensitive materials made of ZnO and ZnO-Au were deposited on the micro-hotplate by radio-frequency magnetic sputtering. The self-made and commercial MEMS MOS sensors were integrated to form an electronic nose. The as-made electronic nose can classify hydrogen, ethylene, acetylene, methane, carbon monoxide, and ethanol with a maximum accuracy of 99.4% using gas response data acquired over only 20 s. The reported work can provide a solution for an early and accurate lithium-ion battery thermal runaway warning. Full article

Background/Objectives: Hearing loss is a leading cause of disability worldwide, with speech perception representing a key functional outcome of auditory rehabilitation. While hearing aids improve audibility, outcomes vary substantially across clinical subgroups. This study aimed to compare speech perception outcomes after hearing aid fitting in adults with conductive and sensorineural hearing loss and to identify determinants of variability in rehabilitation outcomes. Methods: This prospective longitudinal observational study included 250 adults with clinically confirmed bilateral conductive or sensorineural hearing loss who underwent standardized audiological assessment, bilateral hearing-aid fitting, immediate post-fitting evaluation, and 3-month follow-up in Kazakhstan between January 2023 and December 2024. Participants were classified as having conductive (n = 100) or sensorineural hearing loss (n = 150) based on audiometric criteria. Speech perception was assessed using a Kazakh-language open-set speech audiometry test. Multivariable linear regression models were used to estimate differences in 3-month aided speech perception after adjustment for the corresponding immediate post-fitting aided score and prespecified demographic, clinical, and audiometric covariates. Linear mixed-effects models were used separately to assess change in aided speech perception from immediate post-fitting to 3 months and to test whether this change differed by hearing-loss type. Propensity score matching was performed as a secondary sensitivity analysis. Results: Patients with conductive hearing loss demonstrated consistently higher speech perception scores than those with sensorineural hearing loss across all conditions. At 3 months, adjusted analyses showed no significant difference between groups for aided speech perception in quiet at 60 dB SPL, whereas sensorineural hearing loss remained associated with lower aided speech perception in noise at 60 dB SPL with SNR +3 dB (β = −1.73; 95% CI: −3.10 to −0.36; p = 0.014). In mixed-effects models assessing repeated aided scores from immediate post-fitting to 3 months, sensorineural hearing loss was associated with lower overall aided speech perception in both quiet and noise conditions. A modest improvement over time was observed only for speech perception in noise, and the group-by-time interaction was not statistically significant. Increasing age, higher tonal thresholds, advanced hearing loss stage, and living alone were independently associated with poorer outcomes. Conclusions: Aided speech perception scores were high after hearing-aid fitting in both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss; however, patients with sensorineural hearing loss showed persistently poorer outcomes, particularly in noise. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating speech-in-noise assessment and addressing clinical and social determinants to support hearing rehabilitation. Full article