Search Results (2,257)

Background: Melanoma is one of the most aggressive types of skin cancer. Its diagnosis appears to be challenging due to morphological similarities to benign melanocytic lesions. Even though histopathological evaluation is the diagnostic gold standard, immunohistochemistry (IHC) proves to be useful in challenging cases. Preferentially Expressed Antigen in Melanoma (PRAME) has emerged as a promising diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic marker in melanoma. Methods: This review critically examines the role of PRAME across clinical domains. It presents an evaluation of PRAME’s diagnostic utility in differentiating melanomas from benign nevi, its prognostic significance across melanoma subtypes, and therapeutic applications in emerging immunotherapy strategies. An extensive analysis of the current literature was conducted, with a focus on PRAME expression patterns in melanocytic lesions and various malignancies, along with its integration into IHC protocols and investigational therapies. Results: PRAME demonstrates high specificity and sensitivity in distinguishing melanoma from benign melanocytic proliferations, particularly in challenging subtypes such as acral, mucosal, and spitzoid lesions. Its overexpression correlates with poor prognosis in numerous malignancies. Therapeutically, PRAME’s HLA class I presentation enables T-cell-based targeting. Early-phase trials show promising results using PRAME-directed TCR therapies and bispecific ImmTAC agents. However, immune evasion mechanisms (i.e., heterogeneous antigen expression, immune suppression in the tumor microenvironment, and HLA downregulation) pose significant challenges to therapy. Conclusions: PRAME is a valuable biomarker for melanoma diagnosis and a promising target for immunotherapy. Its selective expression in malignancies supports its clinical utility in diagnostic precision, prognostic assessment, and precision oncology. Ongoing research aimed at overcoming immunological barriers will be essential for optimizing PRAME-directed therapies and establishing their place in the personalized management of melanoma. Full article

The male flower of the maize plant, known as the tassel, is a strong indicator of the growth, development, and reproductive stages of maize crops. Monitoring maize tassels under natural conditions is significant for maize breeding, management, and yield estimation. Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) remote sensing combined with deep learning-based semantic segmentation offers a novel approach for monitoring maize tassel phenotypic traits. The morphological and size variations in maize tassels, together with numerous similar interference factors in the farmland environment (such as leaf veins, female ears, etc.), pose significant challenges to the accurate segmentation of tassels. To address these challenges, we propose DECC-Net, a novel segmentation model designed to accurately extract maize tassels from complex farmland environments. DECC-Net integrates the Dynamic Kernel Feature Extraction (DKE) module to comprehensively capture semantic features of tassels, along with the Lightweight Channel Cross Transformer (LCCT) and Adaptive Feature Channel Enhancement (AFE) modules to guide effective fusion of multi-stage encoder features while mitigating semantic gaps. Experimental results demonstrate that DECC-Net achieves advanced performance, with IoU and Dice scores of 83.3% and 90.9%, respectively, outperforming existing segmentation models while exhibiting robust generalization across diverse scenarios. This work provides valuable insights for maize varietal selection, yield estimation, and field management operations. Full article

The geological structural complexity and microscale heterogeneity of shale reservoirs, characterized by the brittleness index and natural fracture density, exert a decisive effect on hydraulic fracturing’s effectiveness. However, the mechanisms underlying the true microscale heterogeneity of shale structures, which is neglected in conventional models and influences fracture evolution, remain unclear. Here, high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to obtain realistic distributions of mineral components and natural fractures, and hydraulic–mechanical coupled simulation models were developed within the Realistic Failure Process Analysis (RFPA) simulator using digital rock techniques. The analysis examined how the brittleness index and natural fracture density affect the fracture morphology’s complexity, mineral failure behavior, and flow conductivity. Numerical simulations show that the main fractures preferentially propagate toward areas with high local brittleness and dense natural fractures. Both the fracture’s fractal dimension and the stimulated reservoir volume increased with the brittleness index. A moderate natural fracture density promotes the fracture network’s complexity, whereas excessive densities may suppress the main fracture’s propagation. Microscopically, organic matter and silicate minerals are more prone to damage, predominantly tensile failures under external loading. These findings highlight the dominant role of microscale heterogeneity in shale fracturing and provide theoretical support for fracture control and stimulation optimization in complex reservoirs. Full article

Digital holographic microscopy (DHM) provides numerous advantages, such as noninvasive sample analysis, real-time dynamic detection, and three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction, making it a valuable tool in fields such as biomedical research, cell mechanics, and environmental monitoring. To achieve more accurate and comprehensive imaging, it is crucial to capture detailed information on the microstructure and 3D morphology of samples. Phase processing of holograms is essential for recovering phase information, thus making it a core component of DHM. Traditional phase processing techniques often face challenges, such as low accuracy, limited robustness, and poor generalization. Recently, with the ongoing advancements in deep learning, addressing phase processing challenges in DHM has become a key research focus. This paper provides an overview of the principles behind DHM and the characteristics of each phase processing step. It offers a thorough analysis of the progress and challenges of deep learning methods in areas such as phase retrieval, filtering, phase unwrapping, and distortion compensation. The paper concludes by exploring trends, such as ultrafast 3D holographic reconstruction, high-throughput holographic data analysis, multimodal data fusion, and precise quantitative phase analysis. Full article

Background and Objectives: Currently, infertility is one of the major problems affecting up to 12% of couples worldwide, with more than a quarter of cases being male-related. It is assumed that Leukocyte-poor platelet-rich plasma (LP-PRP) can improve the function of germ cells and serve as a regenerative substrate as a source of biologically active substances that play an important role in the process of spermatogenesis in infertile men. We aimed to evaluate the proliferation, apoptosis, and growth factors of germ cells after the administration of LP-PRP in patients with non-obstructive azoospermia. Materials and Methods: The study used archival material (paraffin blocks of testicular biopsies) of patients with non-obstructive azoospermia aged 21–34 years (n = 41; associated diagnosis: varicocele). We confirm that no interventions or biopsies were performed as part of the study itself. They were injected bilaterally into the spermatic cord and in the region of the lower pole of the testis under ultrasound control were injected with PRP once a week for 6 weeks. Biopsies were immunohistochemical reactions with antibodies to Ki-67, Bcl-2, caspase 3 and p53, IGF-1, TGF-β, and VEGF-A. Results: Immunohistochemical study of testicular biopsies after LP-PRP injection revealed an increase in the number of cells stained for proliferation proteins (Ki-67) and anti-apoptosis (Bcl-2), IGF-1, TGF-β, VEGF-A; decrease caspase-3- and p53-positive cells. Conclusions: In LP-PRP, platelet α-granule growth factors, which are key regulators of the cell cycle of germ cells, demonstrate restoration of the proliferative-apoptotic balance, confirmed by the expression levels of Ki-67, Bcl-2, caspase 3, and p53 in patients with non-obstructive azoospermia. In human testicular biopsies, the administration of LP-PRP led to an exponential release of numerous growth factors from platelet α-granules, which, based on their regenerative properties, improved the morphological and immunohistochemical picture of the germinal epithelium in non-obstructive azoospermia. Full article

Fully graded concrete exhibits significantly enhanced mechanical properties due to optimized aggregate gradation. However, the effects of coarse aggregate morphological characteristics at the microscale—such as axial ratio (Ar) and angularity coefficient (Ac)—on fracture behavior remain insufficiently understood and require further investigation. This study investigates the fracture behavior of fully graded concrete using a peridynamic approach. First, a multilinear constitutive model of concrete considering nonlocal effects and damage evolution is constructed. Second, aggregate modeling via the Tensile-Concave Synthesis Method in peridynamics, and different property bonds and random bond parameters are introduced to characterize the heterogeneity and initial defects of concrete. Finally, the effects of loading rate, aggregate randomness, and the parameters Ar and Ac on the uniaxial tensile properties of concrete are systematically studied. The results demonstrate that peridynamics accurately captures the entire process of crack initiation and propagation in fully graded concrete. Uniaxial tensile behavior exhibits strong rate dependence. Different random aggregate models result in variations in the peak tensile strength of concrete. With the increase in Ar, the peak tensile stress gradually decreased by 4.15%, whereas the elastic modulus increased by 14.31%. As Ac increased, the peak stress exhibited an overall trend of first increasing by 5.14%, followed by a decrease of 3.8%. Therefore, in numerical simulations, the influences of loading rate and aggregate randomness should not be overlooked. Moreover, to enhance the strength of fully graded concrete, the proportion of aggregates with large Ar and Ac values should be minimized. Full article

Drought stress can reduce agricultural production, which is a challenge considering the food demand due to the increase in world population. To face this challenge, the design of plants with a phenotype of drought stress tolerance is needed. Conventional breeding has been widely used with this goal, but it requires considerable time and resources. Drought stress response and tolerance are complex issues influenced by numerous environmental and genotypic factors. In this review, experiments involving novel biotechnological tools to improve plant breeding are described and discussed. These experiments involve the use of techniques to accelerate breeding cycles and to enhance the selection of superior genotypes. Furthermore, experiments carried out to elucidate the molecular mechanism of drought stress tolerance and to engineer crops to achieve drought stress tolerance using recombinant DNA technology are described. The main traits associated with drought-tolerant genotypes and the response to drought stress at the morphological, physiological, metabolic, and biochemical levels are analyzed. To cope with the complexity of plant drought response, conventional breeding needs to be integrated with novel tools. It is hoped that this will help to achieve sustainable agriculture development; however, the implications of the use of these biotechnological tools, both alone and coupled, need to be analyzed. Full article

Thermal analysis (TA) has been a valuable tool for controlling the carbon equivalent (CE) of cast irons. Additionally, this technique can provide enhanced control over melt quality, allowing for the avoidance of defects such as undesirable graphite morphology and the formation of carbides. To obtain the most valuable information from the TA, it is necessary to minimize the variations in the filling operation of the TA cups. However, the mass and pouring temperature of TA cups can vary in TA’s typical foundry operations. A design of experiments was performed to determine whether specific parameters of cooling curves used for quality control can distinguish the inoculation effect in the melt when the mass and the pouring temperature of TA cups are varied. The minimum temperature of the eutectic arrest proved to be a robust inoculation potential control parameter when variations in the cup’s mass were within a range of 268–390 g and were filled at any pouring temperature between 1235 and 1369 °C. Lighter cups under 268 g and poured at a low temperature are not suitable for controlling inoculation potential by TA; however, they remain helpful in controlling CE. These later cups are related to cooling times of less than 180 s, which can serve as a criterion for discarding unsuitable samples. A bimodal population of cell surfaces was revealed in the samples, with the population of small cells being proportionally more numerous in samples with lower TE_min values. Full article

In recent years, phylogenomic approaches have significantly deepened our understanding of moss diversity. These techniques have uncovered numerous previously overlooked species and provided greater clarity in resolving complex taxonomic relationships. In this context, the genus Rehubryum is particularly outstanding, because of its close morphological similarity to both Ulota and Atlantichella. The challenges posed by its segregation are addressed in this study, which integrates morphological and molecular data to reassess the circumscription of Rehubryum and its phylogenetic placement within the subtribe Lewinskyinae. Our results support the recognition of a new species, R. kiwi, and show that its inclusion within the genus further complicates the morphological delimitation of Rehubryum from Ulota, as both genera are distinguishable by only two consistent gametophytic characteristics: a submarginal leaf band of elongated cells, and the presence of geminate denticulations in the margins of the basal half of the leaf. Moreover, R. kiwi challenges the current morphological circumscription of Rehubryum itself, as it overlaps in key characteristics with its sister genus Atlantichella, rendering their morphological separation untenable. The striking interhemispheric disjunction between Rehubryum and Atlantichella raises new questions about long-distance dispersal and historical biogeography in mosses, despite these complexities at the generic level. Nevertheless, species-level distinctions remain well defined, especially in sporophytic traits and geographic distribution. These findings highlight the pervasive cryptic diversity within Orthotrichaceae, underscoring the need for integrative taxonomic frameworks that synthesize morphology, molecular phylogenetics, and biogeography to resolve evolutionary histories. Full article

Gypsum (CaSO₄·2H₂O) crystallization underpins numerous industrial processes, yet its response to chemical admixtures remains incompletely understood. This study investigates diffusion-controlled crystal growth in a coaxial test tube system to evaluate how three Sika^® ViscoCrete^® superplasticizers—430P, 111P, and 120P—affect nucleation, growth kinetics, morphology, and thermal behavior. The superplasticizers, selected for their surface-active properties, were hypothesized to influence crystallization via interfacial interactions. Ion diffusion was maintained quasi-steadily for 12 weeks, with crystal evolution tracked weekly by macro-photography; scanning electron microscopy and thermogravimetric/differential scanning were performed at the final stage. All admixtures delayed nucleation in a concentration-dependent manner. Lower dosages (0.5–1.0 wt%) yielded platy-to-prismatic morphologies and higher dehydration enthalpies, indicating more ordered lattice formation. In contrast, higher dosages (1.5–2.0 wt%) produced denser, irregular crystals and shifted dehydration to lower temperatures, suggesting structural defects or increased hydration. Among the additives, 120P showed the strongest inhibitory effect, while 111P at 0.5 wt% resulted in the most uniform crystals. These results demonstrate that ViscoCrete^® superplasticizers can modulate gypsum crystallization and thermal properties. Full article

The current work is established with the object of modifying the source of Fenton system and substituting iron source as a catalyst with magnetite/potato peels composite material (POT400-M) to be an innovative solar photocatalyst. The structural and morphological characteristics of the material are assessed through X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The technique is applied to treat oil spills that pollute seawater. The effectiveness of the operating parameters is studied, and numerical optimization is applied to optimize the most influential parameters on the system, including POT400-M catalyst (47 mg/L) and hydrogen peroxide reagent (372 mg/L) at pH 5.0, to maximize oil removal, reaching 93%. Also, the aqueous solution and wastewater temperature on the oxidation reaction is evaluated and the reaction exhibited an exothermic nature. Kinetic modeling is evaluated, and the reaction is found to follow the second-order kinetic model. Thermodynamic examination of the data exhibits negative enthalpy (ΔH′) values, confirming that the reaction is exothermic, and the system is verified to be able to perform at the minimal activation energy barrier (−51.34 kJ/mol). Full article

With the rapid growth of energy demand, the development of efficient energy-conversion technologies (e.g., water splitting, fuel cells, metal-air batteries, etc.) becomes an important way to circumvent the problems of fossil fuel depletion and environmental pollution, which motivates the pursuit of high-performance electrocatalysts with controllable compositions and morphologies. Among them, two-dimensional (2D) Pt-group metallic electrocatalysts show a series of distinctive architectural merits, including a high surface-to-volume ratio, numerous unsaturated metal atoms, an ameliorative electronic structure, and abundant electron/ion transfers channels, thus holding great potential in realizing good selectivity, rapid kinetics, and high efficiency for various energy-conversion devices. Considering that great progress on this topic has been made in recent years, here we present a panoramic review of recent advancements in 2D Pt-group metallic nanocrystals, which covers diverse synthetic methods, structural analysis, and their applications as electrode catalysts for various energy-conversion technologies. At the end, the paper also outlines the research challenges and future opportunities in this emerging area. Full article

In this study, growth mechanisms are proposed to understand how banded dendritic crystal aggregates in poly(1,4-butylene adipate) (PBA) transform into straight dendrites upon dilution with a large quantity of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) (25–90 wt.%). In growth packing, crystal plates are deformed in numerous ways, such as bending, scrolling, and twisting in self-assembly, into final aggregated morphologies of periodic bands or straight dendrites. Diluting PBA with a significant amount of PEO uncovers intricate periodic banded assemblies, facilitating better structural analysis. Both circularly banded and straight dendritic PBA aggregates have similar basic lamellar patterns. In straight dendritic PBA spherulites, crystal plates can twist from edge-on to flat-on, similar to those in ring-banded spherulites. Therefore, twists—whether continuous or discontinuous—are not limited to the conventional models proposed for classical periodic-banded spherulites. Thus, it would not be universally accurate to claim that the periodic circular bands observed in polymers or small-molecule compounds are caused by continuous lamellar helix twists. Straight dendrites, which do not exhibit optical bands, may also involve alternate crystal twists or scrolls during growth. Iridescence tests are used to compare the differences in crystal assemblies of straight dendrites vs. circularly banded PBA crystals. Full article

The architecture of rice tillers plays a pivotal role in yield potential, yet conventional phenotyping methods have struggled to capture these intricate three-dimensional (3D) structures with high fidelity. In this study, a 3D model reconstruction method was developed specifically for rice tillers to overcome the challenges posed by their slender, feature-poor morphology in multi-view stereo-based 3D reconstruction. By applying strategically designed colorful reference markers, high-resolution 3D tiller models of 231 rice landraces were reconstructed. Accurate phenotyping was achieved by introducing ScaleCalculator, a software tool that integrated depth images from a depth camera to calibrate the physical sizes of the 3D models. The high efficiency of the 3D model-based phenotyping pipeline was demonstrated by extracting the following seven key agronomic traits: flag leaf length, panicle length, first internode length below the panicle, stem length, flag leaf angle, second leaf angle from the panicle, and third leaf angle. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) performed with these 3D traits identified numerous candidate genes, nine of which had been previously confirmed in the literature. This work provides a 3D phenomics solution tailored for slender organs and offers novel insights into the genetic regulation of complex morphological traits in rice. Full article

The Paratethyan South Caspian and Mediterranean Levant basins relate to the significant hydrocarbon provinces of Eurasia. The giant hydrocarbon reserves of the SCB are well-known. Within the LB, so far, only a few commercial gas fields have been found. Both the LB and SCB contain some geological peculiarities. These basins are highly complex tectonically and structurally, requiring a careful, multi-component geological–geophysical analysis. These basins are primarily composed of oceanic crust. The oceanic crust of both the South Caspian and Levant basins formed within the complex Neotethys ocean structure. However, this crust is allochthonous in the Levant Basin (LB) and autochthonous in the South Caspian Basin (SCB). This study presents a comprehensive comparison of numerous tectonic, geodynamic, morphological, sedimentary, and geophysical aspects of these basins. The Levant Basin is located directly above the middle part of the massive, counterclockwise-rotating mantle structure and rotates accordingly in the same direction. To the north of this basin is located the critical latitude 35° of the Earth, with the vast Cyprus Bouguer gravity anomaly. The LB contains the most ancient block of oceanic crust on Earth, which is related to the Kiama paleomagnetic hyperzone. On the western boundary of the SCB, approximately 35% of the world’s mud volcanoes are located; the geological reasons for this are still unclear. The low heat flow values and thick sedimentary layers in both basins provide opportunities to discover commercial hydrocarbon deposits at great depths. The counterclockwise-rotating mantle structure creates an indirect geodynamic influence on the SCB. The lithospheric blocks situated above the eastern branch of the mantle structure trigger a north–northeastward movement of the western segment of the Iranian Plate, which exhibits a complex geometric configuration. Conversely, the movement of the Iranian Plate induced a clockwise rotation of the South Caspian Basin, which lies to the east of the plate. This geodynamic ensemble creates an unstable geodynamic situation in the region. Full article