Search Results (29,836)

Background: High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) can be subdivided into four prognostic molecular subtypes based on gene expression: C1/Mesenchymal (C1.MES), C2/Immunoreactive (C2.IMM), C4/Differentiated (C4.DIF) and C5/Proliferative (C5.PRO), each representing distinct biological characteristics with immune and stromal microenvironments. PrOTYPE enables prognosis and treatment guidance from biopsy material. Metastatic biopsies are often more accessible than primary adnexal sampling; their utility assumes stable tumor-intrinsic properties relative to the primary. Metastases may diverge due to microenvironmental pressure as well as the site-specific subtype dynamics. Methods: Treatment-naïve HGSOC specimens from 138 patients were profiled using the 55-gene nanostring PrOTYPE assay at adnexal, contralateral adnexal, and/or metastatic sites. Results: Adnexal PrOTYPE yielded expected distributions (21% C1.MES, 31% C2.IMM, 23% C4.DIF, 25% C5.PRO) with moderate reproducibility (κ = 0.49). Same-site replicate analysis showed substantial reproducibility (κ = 0.7). Non-adnexal sites were enriched for immune/mesenchymal subtypes (C1.MES/C2.IMM, 36/63 cases), most prominently at the omentum (24/32 C1.MES). C5.PRO was distinctly underrepresented at non-adnexal sites. Subtype shifts from adnexal to extra-adnexal sites were enriched for the second-place adnexal type prediction (p < 0.001). Detailed 55-gene analysis showed POSTN/CTSK were most commonly upregulated across metastatic sites. EMT pathway enrichment increased with metastatic distance (from adnexa to omentum, adj p < 0.05), paralleling—but independent of—C1.MES predominance. Conclusions: Adnexal PrOTYPE showed good stability. However, non-random subtype shifts and EMT enrichment at metastatic sites suggest dissemination selects pre-existing transcriptional plasticity rather than acquiring states de novo as HGSOC adapts to new microenvironments. Microenvironment changes may help predict metastatic potential and should be considered for precision medicine targeting. Full article

Desiccation, ionizing radiation, ultraviolet exposure, and oxidative stress impose severe physicochemical stress that threatens the integrity of both DNA and RNA. Water loss promotes molecular crowding, protein and membrane destabilization, and the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), while rehydration can intensify oxidative injury and expose lesions accumulated during metabolic suppression. As a result, stress-tolerant metazoans must do more than survive water loss: they must also protect, monitor, and restore nucleic-acid integrity. Here, we review how tardigrades, bdelloid rotifers, Artemia, nematodes, and selected insect species preserve genomic and transcriptomic integrity under extreme dehydration, oxidative stress, and radiation-related insults. We compare conserved defence systems, including antioxidant enzymes, trehalose, LEA proteins, heat shock proteins, and core DNA repair pathways. These pathways include base excision repair, nucleotide excision repair, homologous recombination, and non-homologous end joining. We then examine how these conserved mechanisms contrast with lineage-specific innovations, such as the tardigrade proteins Dsup, TDR1, and TRID1, as well as the unusual genome plasticity of bdelloid rotifers. We argue that stress biology of these organisms is best understood through a framework that distinguishes damage prevention during drying from repair and recovery during rehydration. In this framework, extremotolerant metazoans provide biologically informative models for understanding oxidative nucleic-acid damage, redox defence and the molecular logic underlying radioprotection and dry-state preservation. Full article

Properties of defects in crystals composed of soft particles, such as colloids, differ markedly from those in metals. In this work, dislocation reactions in a bundle of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are investigated using relaxational molecular dynamics. The problem is reduced to a two-dimensional model, where the strain state of the CNT bundle is fully determined by the cross-sectional shapes of the nanotubes arranged in a close-packed triangular lattice. A pair of edge dislocations with opposite topological charges is introduced into an uniaxially compressed bundle, and their relaxational dynamics are analyzed as a function of the distance d between the parallel planes along which the dislocations glide. When the dislocations move in the same plane (d = 0), they annihilate, restoring a defect-free structure. For negative distances (d < 0), their interaction results in the formation of a vacancy (d = −1), a bivacancy (d = −2), extended voidions (d = −3, −4), or dislocation dipoles (d < −4). In contrast to metals, vacancy clusters containing more than two missing particles in CNT bundles relax into extended voidions. For positive distances (d > 0), the dislocation reaction generates interstitial-type defects in the form of crowdions, which at sufficiently large separations (d > 4) can also be interpreted as dislocation dipoles. In most cases, except for d = 0 and d = 1, dislocation glide enables complete relaxation of the initial shear strain, even in the presence of defects. However, for d = 0 and d = 1, dislocation annihilation or immobilization limits plastic deformation, resulting in only partial stress relaxation. The observed effects are due to the elliptization of the cross-sections of soft carbon nanotubes in the cores of defects. These findings highlight significant differences in defect behavior between crystals of deformable particles and conventional metallic systems. Full article

Microplastic contamination is a growing environmental concern in coastal ecosystems, particularly on recreational beaches where human activities may influence plastic inputs. This study investigated microplastic abundance and particle characteristics across five recreational zones along Hatwanakorn Beach in the Gulf of Thailand, focusing on fine-scale variability within a spatially continuous beach system and across management regimes. Supratidal sediments were collected using a quadrat-based approach, and polymer types were identified using Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Fibers were the predominant particle type, followed by fragments, and most particles were classified as large microplastics (1–5 mm). Significant spatial differences in abundance were observed among recreational zones (Kruskal–Wallis test, χ² = 13.37, p = 0.0096). At the management regime scale, a negative binomial generalized linear model also indicated significant differences (χ² = 30.58, p < 0.001), with higher abundance in the Hatwanakorn Forestry Research and Student Training Station (HWK Station) and Community regimes than in the National Park regime. These results indicate that microplastic distribution can be spatially heterogeneous even within a continuous recreational beach system, underscoring the importance of accounting for fine-scale spatial variability when assessing microplastic contamination in coastal environments. Full article

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) drive therapeutic resistance and tumor relapse by exploiting redundant regulatory networks that integrate Wnt/β-catenin, Notch, and Hedgehog signaling with metabolic reprogramming, epigenetic plasticity, and tumor microenvironment crosstalk, a network architecture that renders single-pathway inhibition strategies insufficient. This review systematically examines evidence that natural compounds (curcumin, sulforaphane, resveratrol, EGCG, berberine, and quercetin) act as multitarget modulators of CSC plasticity, analyzing their molecular mechanisms of action in specific cancer models. Each compound engages distinct regulatory nodes: curcumin suppresses β-catenin nuclear translocation and STAT3 phosphorylation in lung cancer CSC models; sulforaphane represses ΔNp63α-driven stemness transcription in colorectal cancer and reduces CSC self-renewal in prostate and head and neck models; resveratrol dissociates the β-catenin–GLI-1 interaction in oral and lung CSC populations and induces Wnt/β-catenin-dependent autophagy in breast CSCs; EGCG inhibits DNMT and HDAC activity in glioblastoma and colorectal models; berberine activates AMPK-mediated suppression of mTORC1 in colorectal cancer; and quercetin suppresses PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling while downregulating EMT transcription factors in breast and colorectal systems. We critically assess persistent methodological limitations, including bulk cell-line models, supraphysiological concentrations, and the absence of functional tumor-initiating validation, that currently prevent stronger translational conclusions. Natural compounds from Latin American biodiversity are identified as an underexplored source of CSC-active molecules. We conclude by defining the experimental standards required to reposition natural compounds as clinically relevant network-level modulators of CSC plasticity. Full article

The increasing demand for sustainable materials has intensified efforts to enhance the performance of recycled polymers for engineering applications. This study investigates the effect of nanoclay reinforcement on the mechanical properties of recycled high-density polyethylene (rHDPE). Nanoclay was incorporated into rHDPE at varying loadings through melt blending, and the resulting composites were evaluated in terms of tensile, flexural, impact, and hardness properties. The tensile strength and tensile modulus improved significantly with increasing nanoclay content, reaching maximum values of 31.27 MPa and 2.39 GPa, respectively, at 1.5 wt% nanoclay, corresponding to increases of 23.11% and 47.53% relative to unreinforced rHDPE. Similarly, the flexural strength and flexural modulus attained peak values of 25.88 MPa and 1105.08 MPa at 1.5 wt% nanoclay, representing improvements of 12.57% and 15.49%, respectively. Impact strength exhibited a different trend, achieving a maximum value of 73.58 kJ/m² at 0.5 wt% nanoclay before decreasing at higher loadings, indicating a transition towards more brittle behaviour. Hardness increased progressively with nanoclay addition and reached a maximum value of 68.06 Shore D at 1.5 wt%, exceeding both unreinforced rHDPE and virgin HDPE. The overall results demonstrate that nanoclay effectively compensates for the mechanical degradation associated with recycling by enhancing stiffness, strength, and surface hardness. Among the investigated formulations, 1.5 wt% nanoclay provided the optimum balance of mechanical performance, while higher loadings led to reduced reinforcement efficiency due to particle agglomeration. These findings highlight the potential of nanoclay-reinforced rHDPE as a sustainable, high-performance material for applications in packaging, construction, and automotive components, thereby supporting circular economy initiatives and resource-efficient material development. Full article

The cold V-bending of Grade 4 titanium bone plates at room temperature is a critical forming operation that must be optimized to control strain localization and springback and to reduce the risk of surface cracking. This study proposes a combined experimental, numerical, and artificial intelligence-based approach for the analysis and optimization of this process. Tensile tests were first performed to characterize the mechanical behavior of the material and to calibrate the constitutive law used in the finite element model. The numerical model was then validated through comparison with experimental V-die bending results. A design of experiments was subsequently applied to investigate the effects of sheet thickness, die shoulder distance, punch radius, and punch displacement on two key responses: equivalent plastic strain (PEEQ) and spring back. The results show that sheet thickness and die shoulder distance are the most influential parameters. In addition, artificial neural network models were developed to predict process responses, and Bayesian regularization showed the best overall predictive performance among the tested ANN training algorithms, namely Levenberg–Marquardt, Bayesian regularization, and scaled conjugate gradient. The proposed framework provides a basis for optimizing the forming of titanium orthopedic implants. Full article

Background: Facial trauma is frequently managed by multiple surgical specialties, but department-specific case distribution within a single institution has not been well characterized. This study aimed to describe the distribution of facial trauma cases managed by Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) and Plastic Surgery (PS) from 2016 to May 2025 and to evaluate department-specific patterns according to injury type, anatomical site, demographic characteristics, and temporal changes during the COVID-19 period. Methods: This single-center retrospective observational study included facial trauma cases managed by OMFS or PS after presentation to the emergency department at Chosun University Hospital between 1 January 2016 and 31 May 2025. Aggregated count data on demographic characteristics, fracture sites, laceration sites, injury mechanisms, dental trauma diagnoses, and annual case numbers were analyzed using cross-tabulation and chi-square tests. Results: A total of 6611 facial fracture patients and 17,133 facial laceration cases were analyzed. PS managed a larger number of facial fracture and laceration cases overall, whereas OMFS-managed cases were more concentrated in mandibular fractures and dental trauma. Sex distribution did not differ significantly between departments (p = 0.126), whereas age distribution differed significantly (p < 0.001). The annual distributions of facial fracture and laceration cases also differed between departments (p = 0.003 and p < 0.001, respectively). Zygomatic arch fractures represented the largest midfacial fracture-site category managed by PS, whereas condylar and angle fractures were the two most frequently recorded mandibular fracture-site categories managed by OMFS. Conclusions: This study describes department-specific distributions of facial trauma cases in a single tertiary institution. The findings should be interpreted as reflecting institutional case routing and documentation patterns rather than intrinsic differences between specialties. These data may support local audit of department-managed case distributions and generate hypotheses for future multicenter research. Full article

The extensive use of plastics in everyday life has exerted a significant influence on the environment, with the release of micro- and nanoplastics posing even greater ecological threats. Plastic contamination, particularly in these smaller forms, has emerged as a pressing environmental concern due to its persistence, bioaccumulation, and potential hazards. Traditional treatment systems are generally ineffective at removing such micro- and nano-scale complex pollutants. Recently, micro- and nanofiber-based materials have emerged as promising candidates due to their large surface area, porous structure, and adjustable functionality, enabling efficient adsorption, filtration, and photocatalytic degradation. The term micro/nanofibers in this study encompasses both electrospun nanofibrous membranes and nanofiber-based functional layers or additives incorporated into pre-existing membrane structures for performance enhancement. The incorporation of photocatalysts enables these materials to promote photocatalytic oxidation, degrading plastics into smaller, less toxic compounds. This paper outlines recent progress in developing micro- and nanofiber systems for environmental remediation, highlighting their design approaches, removal mechanisms, and multifunctional capabilities. Ultimately, the discussion explores emerging directions, existing limitations, and future opportunities, highlighting how these advanced materials can contribute to sustainable and efficient pollution control strategies. Full article

This study investigates the dynamic response and local stability of gravity-anchored foundations constructed in layered argillaceous sandstone under the coupled effects of wet–dry cycling degradation and cyclic vehicle loads. Based on in situ direct shear tests and FLAC3D 7.0 numerical simulations, a concrete–rock interface model, a rock mass direct shear model, and a three-dimensional dynamic model of the anchored foundation were developed. The parameters of the interface model were validated using the results of the direct shear tests. Wet–dry cycling degradation was subsequently incorporated to analyze the cyclic shear response of the interface and rock mass under different numbers of cycles. Cyclic vehicle loads were modeled as increments in main cable tension with an equivalent sinusoidal waveform. The results indicate that as the number of wet–dry cycles increases, the cyclic shear hysteresis loops shift overall toward lower shear stress levels. Peak shear stress decreases by approximately 49.26–51.64% compared to the natural state, and the hysteresis loop area decreases significantly. This indicates that wet–dry cyclic degradation weakens the cyclic shear resistance and energy dissipation capacity of the contact surface and rock structural planes. Dynamic analysis results for the anchor foundation indicate that wet–dry cycling degradation significantly increases the displacement response levels of the rock mass near the front toe and rear heel. Specifically, under the n = 20 condition, the displacement at the last peak increased by approximately 109.3–123.9% compared to the undisturbed state; simultaneously, the local plastic zones in the rock mass surrounding the anchorages gradually expanded, and the local safety factors of the rock mass near the toe and heel decreased overall. This study elucidates the degradation mechanisms and dynamic behavior of gravity anchors under the combined action of environmental and operational loads, providing a basis for the design and safety assessment of foundations for long-span suspension bridges. Full article

Large-scale asymmetric doubly curved thick shells made of high-strength steel are key components in deep-sea and nuclear pressure vessels. Integral pressing is an important manufacturing method for such components, but it still faces two major challenges: excessive clamping force and poor springback predictability. To address these issues, this study conducts a combined experimental and numerical investigation on a 16 mm thick Q890 high-strength steel plate. First, the through-thickness plastic gradient and cyclic stress–strain response of the material were characterized, and a mixed hardening model incorporating through-thickness gradient plasticity was established. To suppress the lateral force induced by the asymmetric geometry, a blank positioning strategy was proposed, reducing the lateral force to below 2 t (Reduced by 65%). More critically, a striking phenomenon is revealed: during the final 1 mm of the clamping stroke, the forming force surges abruptly from approximately 680 t to 5090 t. Detailed analysis identifies the root cause as the synergistic effects of a sharp increase in contact area, a drastic rise in frictional resistance, and the onset of localized upsetting in regions already in contact with the die. To suppress the load surge while maintaining forming accuracy, a normal-direction over-compensation strategy was proposed. By deliberately increasing the normal compensation, the blank retains a bending-dominant deformation mode at the target clamping position, thereby avoiding the critical contact expansion, frictional buildup, and localized upsetting that trigger the force surge. Through iterative simulations, the optimal die surface is determined, achieving a forming force below 1000 t with a simulated shape deviation within 0.96 mm. Experimental validation using a purpose-built die on a 1000 t press successfully produces the shell with a maximum profile deviation of 1.67 mm, meeting high-accuracy requirements. This work establishes a new paradigm for low-load, high-accuracy forming of thick high-strength steel shells by actively managing contact evolution and deformation mode via normal-direction over-compensation, offering a practical pathway to one-shot tryout success for critical pressure hulls. Full article

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer death worldwide, mainly due to metastasis. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) act as the biological “seeds” of dissemination, traveling through the bloodstream to colonize distant organs. However, the blood is a hostile environment where CTCs must constantly face immune pressure. This review explores the bidirectional interactions between CTCs and immune cells in CRC, asking whether CTCs are merely vulnerable targets of immunosurveillance or can exploit the immune system for survival and metastasis. We dissect intrinsic and extrinsic immune evasion mechanisms, including MHC-I modulation, immune checkpoint expression (PD-L1, CD47, FasL), platelet cloaking, and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). Furthermore, we examine how CTCs form heterotypic clusters with monocytes, neutrophils, and lymphocytes, creating pro-metastatic niches and promoting phenotypic plasticity. The impact of CTCs on systemic immunity, including reprogramming of NK cells, T lymphocytes, and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), is discussed. Importantly, we highlight the emerging role of CTCs as dynamic biomarkers for immunotherapy, focusing on the predictive value of PD-L1+ CTCs and the potential of CTC-derived neoantigens for personalized vaccination. Despite progress, challenges remain in standardization, detection sensitivity, and clinical validation. Understanding the equilibrium between immune elimination and evasion by CTCs is crucial to develop novel interventions that interrupt the metastatic dialog and improve outcomes for CRC patients. Full article

As e-commerce expands, packaging increasingly serves as a communication interface in at-home consumer environments, where it may influence how consumers interpret sustainability. Unlike retail settings, where disposal decisions may be externally guided, consumers in e-commerce contexts rely on material cues and on-package information to interpret recyclability and brand intent. This study aims to examine how paper-based and plastic packaging influence visual attention, disposal behavior, and brand perception in apparel e-commerce. A controlled experimental study (n = 91) was conducted using mobile eye-tracking, behavioral observation, post-experience surveys, and follow-up interviews. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three packaging conditions: a low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic bag, a translucent paper bag, or a hybrid paper-based bag combining kraft and translucent materials. Results show that paper-based formats generated greater visual engagement than plastic, with translucent paper eliciting longer fixation duration and higher fixation count (p < 0.05). Recycling rates were higher for paper-based formats (70–77%) than plastic (53%), though not statistically significant. Perceived eco-friendliness differed significantly, with the hybrid paper format more strongly associated with environmental responsibility (p < 0.001). Qualitative findings indicate that material statements and disposal instructions improve confidence in interpreting recyclability. These results suggest that packaging material plays a role in shaping consumer attention and perceived eco-friendliness in e-commerce contexts. Full article

Microplastics (MPs), a type of emerging persistent pollutant, are attracting increasing attention from both scholars and governments. Agricultural soil is considered an important sink for MPs due to the use of plastic mulches and the application of sewage sludge to fields. Widely used pesticides often coexist with MPs in soils, potentially causing co-contamination that threatens the ecosystem. The interaction between pesticides and soil organic matter (SOM) influences the behavior and toxicity of pesticides in the soil environment, and MPs may participate in this interaction. Preliminary theoretical studies using a combination of molecular mechanics (MM), molecular dynamics (MD), and quantum mechanics (QM) simulations revealed that model MPs and fragments of humic substances (HS) exhibited different adsorption affinities for chlorpyrifos (CPF), a model organophosphorus pesticide, in both vacuum and water. Polypropylene (PP) MPs showed significantly higher adsorption capacity than HS in vacuum, while HS outperformed polyethylene (PE) MPs in water significantly. Furthermore, PP consistently exhibited a significantly higher adsorption capacity than PE regardless of the medium. The adsorption between HS and CPF, as well as between MPs and CPF, was attributed to physical interaction. Furthermore, van der Waals interactions contributed to the mechanism underlying the interactions of MPs/HS with CPF. These findings theoretically demonstrate that MPs can serve as important vectors for the migration of pesticides through the soil system. This work offers a new perspective on the role of MPs in the environmental behavior and toxic effects of pesticides under field-relevant conditions. Full article

Background and Objectives: Robotics training improves gait after stroke, but no prior studies have investigated whether emerging long-term gait biomechanics improvements occur after training. We assessed the temporal profile of pre-post gait biomechanics changes after 9 weeks of dorsiflexion specific adaptive control ankle robot (AMBLE™) training, and at 9 weeks post-training and 17 months later in three persons with chronic stroke to probe for ongoing locomotor plasticity versus post-training disuse decay. Materials and Methods: Three densely hemiparetic subjects (mean ± SD), age 62 ± 7 years., stroke latency 8 ± 4 years, available for repeat testing from an original N = 24 robotics training cohort study, underwent three-dimensional gait analyses pre-post 9 weeks of AMBLE training, and then 9 weeks and 17 months after all robotics training ended. Results: We found that only 47% of total improvements in heel-first strikes and 31% increased paretic step length occurred pre-post training. Unexpectedly, all other biomechanical improvements manifested progressively 17 months after training ended, including ankle peak swing angle (∆ = 7°), dorsiflexion angular velocity (∆ = 23°/s), peak knee flexion (∆ = 11.1°) and hip flexion (∆ = 6°). Robotics prescription progressions in level of assistance and dorsiflexion target angle strongly correlated to gait biomechanical outcomes at 17 months, including improved heel-first strikes and peak dorsiflexion swing angle in this small sample. Conclusions: These findings show that initial improvements in foot–ankle function across training are followed by emergent biomechanical improvements in ankle, knee and hip kinematics across 17 months post-training, with delayed outcomes related to robotics prescription progression. The temporal profile of biomechanical adaptations might suggest delayed, progressive reduction in pathological multi-joint synergies of the hemiparetic leg. However, findings are exploratory and cannot establish causality, treatment efficacy or broad generalizability. Future research is needed to determine whether ankle robotics training can catalyze improvements in long-term gait biomechanical safety and efficiency in the chronic disease management of stroke. Full article