Search Results (41,066)

BACKGROUND: Plantar fasciitis (PF)is one of the most common causes of heel pain that affecting 10 of the general population. Platelet rich plasma(PRP)has been demonstrated to be helpful in managing PF and reducing plantar facia thickness (PFT). This study objective was to know the effect and efficacy of ultrasound (USG) guided intralesional PRP in PF in relation to pain, PFT and foot function index (FFI). METHODS: A prospective interventional study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital on eighty-five diagnosed cases of unilateral PF. All patients had undergone pain intensity assessment by visual analogue scale (VAS), FFl, and USG examination of PFT after USG guided intralesional PRP injection was assessed at baseline (0 weeks), 2 weeks and 6 weeks. RESULTS: Following USG guided intralesional PRP injection,a statistically significant decrease was noted in plantar fascia thickness (PFT) from baseline 0 (week) 6. 592mm ± 0. 51mm to 5. 169mm ± 0. 39mm and reduced to 4. 07mm ± 0. 39mm at 2nd week and 6th week, respectively (P value 0. 001).A statistically significant reduction of VAS score was noted which reduced from 8. 647 ± 0. 55 to 5. 588 ± 1. 13 (2nd week) and further reduced to 1. 21 ± 1. 06 at the end of 6 weeks (p value 0. 001). Mean FFI in our study at baseline was 85. 494 ± 6. 55, at 2 weeks mean FFI was 49. 341 ± 7. 277 and the end of 6 week it reduced to 24. 235 ± 1. 608 (P value 0. 001) statistically significant decrease was noted. CONCLUSIONS: PRP injection helps in the reduction of heel pain (VAS), reduction in PFT, and improvement in all domains of FFI, leading to enhancement of quality of life. Full article

Despite their significance as forensic targets, alkyl nitrites, classified as illegal drugs, have received little attention in forensic analysis due to their high volatility and chemical instability. Here, we present a high-performance analytical approach using a pulsed dc soft plasma ionization-quadrupole mass spectrometry (pulsed dc SPI-MS) system, uniquely designed to operate using ambient air as the discharge gas. In this system, the modulation of the duty ratio functions as a “structural probe” to identify reactive isomers. Unlike conventional dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) sources that typically operate at atmospheric pressure, our SPI system utilizes a controlled pressure regime of several kPa, where the nitrogen in the ambient air effectively functions as a third-body gas to suppress excessive internal energy. The control of the duty ratio in our pulsed dc SPI source allowed for the successful manipulation of ion–molecule reaction pathways for highly reactive analytes. By optimizing several parameters, including duty ratio and discharge pressure, we achieved a unique ionization regime where the molecular-related ion [2 M − 3 H]⁺ was predominantly detected as the base peak with minimal fragmentation. Notably, by reducing the duty ratio from 50% to 5%, both the target ion occupancy and signal intensity were significantly enhanced, achieving a limit of detection (LOD) as low as 0.16 parts per million by volume (ppmv). This sensitivity is several orders of magnitude higher than previously reported thresholds, enabling rapid identification of C4–C6 alkyl nitrite isomers. This method transforms the duty ratio into a powerful diagnostic tool for identifying reactive intermediates, providing a practical and efficient approach for the onsite identification of illegal alkyl nitrites in forensic and security fields. Full article

The preservation of rooster semen quality during short-term liquid storage remains a challenge in poultry reproductive biotechnology because sperm cells rapidly lose functional competence under ambient conditions. This deterioration is largely associated with oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation of sperm membranes, which are particularly vulnerable in avian species due to their high polyunsaturated fatty acid content and limited cytoplasmic antioxidant defenses. Selenium is an essential trace element involved in cellular antioxidant protection through its incorporation into several selenoproteins that regulate redox balance and protect cellular structures from oxidative injury. The present study evaluated the effects of selenium methionine supplementation on rooster semen quality during liquid storage at 25 °C. Semen was diluted using a standard poultry semen extender composed of sodium glutamate, glucose, potassium acetate, magnesium acetate, and potassium citrate. Selenium methionine was incorporated into the semen extender at concentrations of 0.5%, 1%, and 2% (w/v) at the time of semen dilution prior to storage. Semen quality was assessed at 0, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h of storage. Functional parameters, including total sperm motility, sperm viability, and dead sperm percentage, together with kinematic variables (VSL, VCL, VAP, ALH, LIN, and STR), were analyzed using computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA). Structural integrity was evaluated through acrosome and plasma membrane integrity tests, while sperm physiological status and apoptotic progression were assessed using Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide flow cytometry. Significant effects of storage time, selenium methionine concentration, and their interaction were observed for multiple semen quality parameters (p < 0.05). Among the tested concentrations, supplementation with 0.5% selenium methionine consistently produced the most favorable results, maintaining higher sperm motility, viability, and membrane integrity while reducing dead sperm percentage and apoptotic progression during storage, with protective effects particularly evident at 8, 12, and 24 h compared with the control and higher concentrations. Polynomial contrast analysis indicated predominantly non-linear dose–response relationships, with quadratic and cubic components providing the best model fit (R² = 0.90–0.99; p < 0.0001), suggesting a hormetic antioxidant effect. Overall, these findings indicate that selenium methionine supplementation in semen extender improves the stability of rooster semen during short-term liquid storage at ambient temperature, with 0.5% showing the most consistent protective effects among the concentrations evaluated. Full article

This study implements Active Flow Control (AFC) in the form of a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma actuator to enhance aerodynamic performance during heave–pitch motions on a three-dimensional NACA 0015 airfoil at a Reynolds number of $Re=5\times {10}^5$ using the Large Eddy Simulation (LES) turbulence method. The simulation at a reduced frequency of 0.14 incorporates two-degrees-of-freedom wing motion, allowing for simultaneous pitching and heaving motions with amplitudes of ${75}^{\circ }$ and a chord length ($1c$), respectively. We evaluate the impact of localized momentum injection via a phenomenological plasma actuator model across two force intensities. A low-force configuration (Case-LF) provides marginal control, whereas a high-force configuration (Case-HF) provides greater control than the baseline without plasma. After applying DBD plasma to the airfoil, flow-field analysis revealed that the plasma treatment significantly improved the lift coefficient. It showed that the lower plasma cases achieved a 1.46% improvement only on the $C{l}_{rms}$, a 14.57% reduction in the averaged $Cd$, and a 19.11% enhancement on the $C{l}_{rms}$-to-$C{d}_{avg}$ ratio. Furthermore, the cases with higher plasma forces resulted in significant improvements when compared to the Baseline and Case-LF; it showed a 11.65% improvement in $C{l}_{rms}$, 19.87% in $C{d}_{avg}$, and 39.8% in $C{l}_{rms}$-to-$C{d}_{avg}$ ratio when compared to the baseline. These results validate the effectiveness of plasma actuators in enhancing wing aerodynamic performance during such complex motions. Full article

Background/Objectives: Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable plasma cell neoplasm in which diagnosis and prognostication rely on invasive bone marrow examinations that may not capture biological heterogeneity across different disease sites. There is a clinical need for non-invasive biomarkers that can accurately predict treatment outcomes. Methods: We performed a global proteomic profiling of bone marrow-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) from nine MM patients and ten controls. A total of 8839 proteins were identified, of which 14 met predefined selection criteria. These candidates were quantified in serum-derived EVs using targeted proteomic analysis. Prognostic relevance of selected proteins was evaluated in newly diagnosed MM (NDMM) patients treated with daratumumab-containing frontline regimens (n = 26) and healthy individuals (n = 60). Progression-free survival (PFS) was analyzed using univariable and multivariable models. Results: IL5RA (p = 0.003) and BCMA (p < 0.001) were significantly elevated in serum EVs from MM patients compared with controls. Higher serum EV-IL5RA and EV-BCMA were associated with a trend toward shorter PFS. Combined assessment of these biomarkers enabled clear stratification of MM patients into three prognostic groups, including a cohort with markedly inferior outcomes, with a 20-month PFS of 0 (p = 0.001). In multivariable analysis, the combined serum EV-IL5RA and EV-BCMA signature suggests an independent prognostic potential (HR = 38.49 [95% CI, 1.51–47.79], p = 0.015). Conclusions: Serum EV-IL5RA and EV-BCMA are novel non-invasive biomarkers, measurable through routine blood testing, with strong potential to improve risk stratification in NDMM patients in the era of daratumumab-based frontline therapy. Full article

The Jiangnan Orogenic Belt is a world-renowned metallogenic region for Au-W-Sb mineralization, with the Wangu deposit being a representative one. Previous research has demonstrated that tungsten in this Au-W-Sb deposit is sourced from the hosting metasedimentary rocks, but the specific mineral that provides tungsten is still unclear. This study evaluates the tungsten source by conducting petrographic observations and geochemical and geochronological analyses on the rutile from the host slate the Wangu deposit. The results show that rutile from wall rocks of the Wangu deposit yields an age of 955 ± 13 Ma, which is older than both the ore-forming age of the deposit and the age of the host strata. Electron microprobe analyses (EMPA) and laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) elemental analyses show that detrital rutile is enriched in elements such as Fe, Cr, V, and W, as well as high-field-strength elements (HFSE) including Nb, Ta, Zr, and Hf. The total rare earth element (ΣREE) ranges from 3.37 ppm to 156.85 ppm. The samples are generally enriched in light rare earth elements (LREEs) and exhibit distinct negative Eu anomalies. These geochemical features and a geochronological age of 955 ± 13 Ma suggest that the rutile is of detrital origin and they are possibly derived from the Grenvillian rocks. It is concluded that the detrital rutile in the metasediments could be an important source for hydrothermal tungsten enrichment. Full article

This study investigates the role of silicon (Si) addition in governing the evolution of phase symmetry and microstructural stability in a high-entropy alloy (HEA) synthesized via powder metallurgy. Mechanically alloyed powders were consolidated through conventional sintering, followed by systematic heat treatment to examine symmetry-driven phase transformations. Particular attention is given to the symmetry relationship between body-centered cubic (BCC) and face-centered cubic (FCC) crystal structures and their compositional stabilization mechanisms. X-ray diffraction and microstructural analyses reveal that Si incorporation modifies lattice symmetry, promotes controlled phase transformation, and influences the balance between competing crystallographic phases. The addition of Si contributes to symmetry stabilization by reducing heterogeneity in lattice distortion and suppressing grain coarsening during thermal exposure. These findings demonstrate that compositional tuning can regulate structural symmetry and phase equilibrium in multicomponent alloy systems. The work provides insight into symmetry-controlled material design strategies for enhancing the thermal robustness and structural reliability of HEAs for high-temperature applications. Full article

At the end of its last experimental campaign, in December 2023, the Joint European Torus (JET) became available for testing a compact and lightweight Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) system to be mounted on its robotic arm. The purpose of the test was the in situ chemical characterization of its internal walls and plasma-facing components (PFCs). Among the areas measured, special attention was devoted to the PFCs of the divertor, as this area is most affected by the re-deposition of material eroded from the first wall and unburned nuclear fuel (deuterium and tritium). In this article, we present the results of the LIBS characterization of a PFC of the High Field Gap Closure (HFGC), highly subjected to these phenomena. The in-depth distribution of several ITER-relevant chemical species is discussed through in-depth and correlation analyses, and the interpretation of the results is explained in terms of erosion and re-deposition of materials from the first wall. The study allowed us to estimate the thickness of the ablated layers by each laser shot, which is on the order of a few tens of nanometers, and to outline a mapping of the thickness of the re-deposited material. Full article

This study proposes a 300 W class Gallium Nitride (GaN) Solid-State Power Amplifier (SSPA)-based microwave plasma generator system for implementing next-generation light sources with high brightness and color rendering at 2.45 GHz. To overcome the lifetime limitations and control constraints of conventional magnetron systems, the proposed system introduces custom packaging technology utilizing GaN-on-SiC Bare-dies fabricated via the Win-semiconductor’s NP25 process. This approach minimizes parasitic components and significantly reduces thermal resistance compared to standard packages, ensuring reliability during high-power operation. A stable RF output of 300 W was achieved through two-stage power combining. For the plasma source, an Ar-InBr-Hg gas mixture was employed to optimize optical characteristics. This gas mixture is commonly used in electrodeless plasma lamps due to its high luminous efficacy and stable discharge characteristics. To analyze the rapid impedance discontinuity during gas ignition, numerical analysis based on the Drude model was performed, theoretically identifying the complex permittivity transition of the medium and the resulting resonant frequency up-shift mechanism. To mitigate system instability during this transition, an adaptive frequency tracking and feedback control loop based on real-time VSWR monitoring was implemented. Experimental results demonstrate precise tracking within a 100 MHz frequency variable range, achieving a system efficiency of over 53% and maintaining a VSWR below 1.15:1. These results validate the practical feasibility of GaN SSPA technology in electrodeless lighting and industrial plasma applications utilizing high-power RF energy. Full article

Nitridation of different materials using ion implantation is of considerable interest for many applications. As electronic components, oxynitride (SiO_xN_y) layers exhibit beneficial properties such as precise compositional variability, refractive index tunability, oxidation resistance, and low mechanical stress. In the present study we investigate nanoscale SiO_xN_y synthesized using ion implantation methods. To introduce N⁺ ions into a shallow Si subsurface region, both conventional ion beam implantation and plasma immersion ion implantation with subsequent high-temperature treatment in dry O₂ are used. The optical and morphological properties and chemical bonding of formed SiO_xN_y layers were studied by applying spectroscopic ellipsometry in the range of VIS-Near IR (SE) and IR (IR-SE), Raman spectroscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Monte Carlo modeling of implant profiles contributed to understanding physical and chemical processes and predicted different influences of the incorporated N⁺ ions on the oxidation mechanism, confirmed by the thickness dependence of SiO_xN_y/Si layers obtained from the SE data analysis. IR-SE spectral analysis established the formation of Si-O, Si-N, Si-N-O and Si-Si chemical bonds in the grown layers. The occurrence of amorphization of the Si crystal lattice due to incorporation of high-energy N⁺ ions into the Si lattice is confirmed by the Raman and ellipsometry results. The free Si atoms can congregate, forming nanocrystalline clusters. AFM imaging revealed that both implantation methods left the surface of the resulting SiO_xN_y layers considerably smooth with similar roughness parameter values. The results of the studies imply that the technological approaches used allow the production of high-quality nanoscale silicon oxynitride films with appropriate tunable composition and properties for possible application in advanced electronic devices for nanoelectronics, optoelectronics and sensor applications. Full article

Obesity is a chronic, highly prevalent disease affecting nearly one-third of the global population and represents a major independent risk factor for heart failure (HF), particularly heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Excess adiposity—especially visceral and epicardial adipose tissue (EAT)—acts as an active endocrine and immune organ, promoting chronic low-grade inflammation, oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, and adverse myocardial remodeling. Expanded EAT exerts both paracrine inflammatory effects and mechanical constraint on the myocardium, contributing to diastolic dysfunction, microvascular impairment, atrial arrhythmogenesis, and elevated filling pressures despite preserved systolic function. Evidence demonstrates a dose–response relationship between increasing body mass index and incident HF. Clinically, obesity-related HFpEF is characterized by concentric left ventricular hypertrophy, impaired relaxation, increased plasma volume, reduced exercise tolerance, and relatively low natriuretic peptide levels, complicating diagnosis. HF management includes traditional treatment with diuretics, renin-angiotensin system inhibitors, β-blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, and angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors. These agents widely remain foundational as they primarily target hemodynamic and neurohormonal pathways in HF. In contrast, sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors consistently reduce HF hospitalizations across the ejection fraction spectrum, while glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and dual incretin therapies (e.g., tirzepatide) promote substantial weight loss, improve symptoms, and demonstrate promising anti-remodeling effects in obesity-related HFpEF. Recognizing obesity-driven HF as a distinct cardiometabolic entity supports an integrated therapeutic strategy combining structured weight reduction with guideline-directed HF polypharmacotherapy to address both hemodynamic burden and upstream adiposity-related mechanisms. Full article

Introduction: Cystic fibrosis (CF) frequently presents prenatally with meconium ileus (MI), a condition associated with significant neonatal morbidity and long-term gastrointestinal complications. The advent of highly effective CFTR modulators, particularly elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (ETI), during pregnancy remains off-label, and their role as in utero therapy for affected fetuses of carrier mothers is still emerging. Methods: We conducted a narrative literature review using PubMed, Embase, and Scopus to identify published reports of in utero CFTR modulator therapy for MI between 2022 and 2026. Seven relevant studies were identified and qualitatively synthesized. Their findings were interpreted in comparison with the present case. Results: We describe the first Italian case of prenatal ETI therapy for fetal CF. At 32 weeks’ gestation, ultrasound (US) findings were suggestive of evolving MI. Both parents were carriers of F508del CFTR and subsequent testing confirmed fetal homozygosity. Following urgent multidisciplinary consultation and ethics committee approval, maternal ETI therapy was initiated at 33 weeks’ gestation. After 21 days of treatment, follow-up fetal US demonstrated improvement in bowel dilatation and hyperchogenity. The infant was delivered at 36 + 2, passed meconium spontaneously, and required no surgical intervention. Pharmacokinetic assessment showed substantial transplacental transfer of all three ETI components, with cord-to-maternal plasma ratios of 0.34 (elexacaftor), 2.48 (tezacaftor), and 0.58 (ivacaftor), and detectable concentrations in amniotic fluid. Postnatally, sweat chloride was elevated, and pancreatic function transitioned from initially preserved to pancreatic insufficiency within the first month of life. Conclusions: This case and literature review suggest that prenatal CFTR modulation may influence the early trajectory of CF, potentially by preventing MI and potentially delaying the progression to pancreatic insufficiency and potentially reducing later gastrointestinal complications. While evidence remains limited, these findings highlight a potential therapeutic window during fetal life and underscore the need for prospective data collection, structured registries, and harmonized clinical guidance in this evolving field. Full article

In view of the bottleneck problems existing in the 3D ultrasonic testing of aircraft composite laminated structures—including heavy reliance on manual operation, resulting in low detection efficiency, and the inability of traditional robotic arms to adapt to the testing of complex curved surfaces due to their dependence on predefined fixed trajectories—this paper proposes an automated 3D ultrasonic testing method based on 3D vision guidance for robotic arms. Firstly, the proposed Yolo-Mask model is adopted to realize the visual recognition and segmentation of composite component regions, after which the segmentation results are mapped to the depth map and further converted into the surface point cloud of the material. Secondly, on the basis of point cloud preprocessing and trajectory point extraction, the automatic planning of the robotic arm’s scanning trajectory is achieved, which drives the robotic arm to perform precise motion and to synchronously collect spatial pose and ultrasonic testing data. Finally, 3D reconstruction is completed via a fusion algorithm, and 3D images of the material’s internal structures are generated. Experimental verification shows that the proposed method achieves a Segm-mAP of 97.4%, a detection speed of 11.7 fps, and a 3D imaging error of less than 0.1 mm, thereby realizing fully automated detection throughout the entire process. This research provides an effective solution for the non-destructive testing of aircraft composite structures. Full article

This study delivers a comprehensive evaluation of tantalum-based coatings designed as protective surface layers for cardiovascular stents, focusing on their mechanical durability, corrosion resistance, and surface properties relevant to hemocompatibility. Coatings consisting of tantalum (Ta), tantalum oxide (Ta₂O₅), and a bilayer Ta/Ta₂O₅ system were deposited onto 316L stainless steel using plasma-assisted reactive magnetron sputtering. Structural characterization confirmed a nanocrystalline β-phase for Ta, while Ta₂O₅ exhibited an amorphous, dense, grain-boundary-free morphology that provided superior crack resistance together with enhanced corrosion protection. The bilayer configuration demonstrated the highest overall performance by combining the hardness and mechanical support of Ta with the chemical inertness and stability of Ta₂O₅. This architecture achieved the greatest hardness (861.5 HV), improved toughness proxies expressed as H/E = 0.08 and H³/E² = 0.06 GPa, and a favorable modulus gradient that effectively reduced interfacial stress and increased adhesion. Electrochemical testing in Hanks’ Body Fluid showed a dramatic 1000-fold reduction in corrosion current when compared with uncoated stainless steel, surpassing the performance of both individual monolayers. Assessments of surface properties further demonstrated that hydrophilic, oxide-rich surfaces limited protein adsorption and platelet activation, with Ta₂O₅ and Ta/Ta₂O₅ coatings performing strongly. Overall, these findings indicate that Ta/Ta₂O₅ bilayers provide a multifunctional surface solution for next-generation stents. Full article