Search Results (6,691)

Soil-transmitted helminthiases (STH) represent the most prevalent helminth infections worldwide and are closely associated with inadequate sanitation and poverty. During 2020 and 2021, a significant information gap emerged as a consequence of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Therefore, the objective of this study was to provide an updated post-pandemic overview by estimating the prevalence of STH, identifying the etiological agents involved, and analyzing the risk factors associated with these infections. The study was conducted in Ilaló, Pichincha, Ecuador, where a total of 320 individuals were examined using three diagnostic methods: Kato-Katz, McMaster, and Mini-FLOTAC. Of these, 73 participants tested positive (22.81%, 95% CI: 22.3–23.4). The most frequently identified parasite was Ascaris lumbricoides (74.73%, 95% CI: 73.7–75.8). The main risk factors identified were pig farming (OR: 4.16; 95% CI: 2.34–7.42) and vegetable and fruit cultivation (OR: 11.66; 95% CI: 4.32–41.08). These findings provide relevant epidemiological data on STH in the region, demonstrating a reduction in infection prevalence likely associated with improved prevention and control measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. Full article

Stroke often results in impaired hand motor function, making effective hand rehabilitation essential for restoring activities of daily living (ADLs). Motor rehabilitation and neurorehabilitation are two major pathways to functional recovery. Rehabilitation gloves have proven to be effective tools for motor rehabilitation, and among them, soft robotic gloves (SRGs) have emerged as a research focus due to their lightweight design and inherent safety. Functional electrical stimulation (FES), which applies electrical currents to muscles and nerves, shows promise in promoting motor neural reorganization and restoring muscle strength in the hands of stroke survivors. The technologies applied to hand rehabilitation must possess the characteristics of safety, comfort, and practicality, while overcoming critical challenges such as portability, user-friendliness, and wearability. Motivated by the rehabilitation needs of post-stroke patients, this paper reviews recent advances in SRGs, FES, and hybrid hand rehabilitation systems (HHRSs) for hand rehabilitation, systematically examining progress in actuation strategies, intention sensing, and control algorithms across these three technologies. Furthermore, the limitations and technical challenges of current HHRSs are analyzed and four key future research directions are identified to pave the way for further development in this field. Full article

Temperate fruits, mostly comprising pome, stone fruits, and berries with immense nutritional benefits and a storehouse of various therapeutic phytochemicals, are prone to several physiological disorders immediately after harvest. The etiology, symptom progression, and decay incidence are influenced by pre-harvest and post-harvest factors, causing significant economic loss with respect to both the energy and economics invested. Respiratory end products, ethylene generation, and enzymatic activities interact to influence the metabolic response and associated biochemical variation. Advanced packaging technologies have emerged as innovative solutions to curtail these post-harvest problems. The design and development of novel packaging technologies need to critically understand the respiratory behavior of the fruits and their associated metabolic functions. A desirable polymer or packaging technology should exhibit enhanced barriers to the gases while providing adequate support to the fruit matrix. In addition, it should also fulfill the role of environmental sustainability and the circular economy. The outcome of this review will highlight the importance of proper post-harvest procedure, appropriate pretreatment, packaging matrix selection, and the storage conditions for effective and enhanced shelf-life storage. Therefore, this review was structured in two phases; the first phase discusses the biochemical understanding of the fruit during storage and transit in response to stress factors. The next phase highlights the various packaging interventions (polymers, biodegradable films, edible coatings, smart packaging, nano-packaging) taken to address these issues, with a key focus on shelf-life enhancement. Further, the key limitations of each technology are appraised. Full article

Digital storytelling (DST) is an innovative pedagogical approach that integrates multimedia creation, personal narrative, and autonomy in L2 education. Yet, its influence on learner engagement remains underexplored in asynchronous delivery modes and non-conventional language learning settings, common in post-pandemic instructional practice. This study thus examines the engagement patterns of 34 student-teachers of English in an afterschool asynchronous DST task about teacher identity. The study further scrutinises their emotional engagement, given its impact on other engagement domains, and its relevance for online instructional design. Data were collected through a background information questionnaire, a validated student engagement questionnaire, and semi-structured interviews that focused on emotional engagement. Questionnaire data were analysed quantitatively using descriptive statistics and repeated measures ANOVA, and interview data were examined qualitatively using thematic analysis and specific emotional engagement-related frameworks. Results indicated participants’ higher cognitive and behavioural engagement, and lower emotional engagement. Their emotional engagement comprised positive emotions and anxiety, which emerged from specific subjective task values, autonomy, and task affordances in interaction with self-imposed personal standards and perceived digital skills. These findings challenge the common conceptualisation of emotional engagement merely as positive affect in L2 tasks and signal the importance of task- and learner-related factors in an engagement-driven online L2 pedagogy. Full article

Wild edible plants represent an underexploited resource for enhancing agrobiodiversity and promoting more sustainable food systems. Urospermum dalechampii (Asteraceae) is a traditional Mediterranean wild edible species widely used in local cuisines, yet it remains marginal in modern horticulture. This review provides an overview of the current knowledge on the nutritional composition, phytochemical profile, biological activities, and agronomic potential of U. dalechampii. Available evidence indicates that its edible tissues are characterized by a favorable nutritional profile, including appreciable levels of dietary fiber, minerals, and beneficial fatty acids. Moreover, the species is a rich source of bioactive compounds—particularly phenolic acids, flavonoids, and terpenoids—which have been associated with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities. Recent studies have demonstrated the feasibility of domesticating U. dalechampii through both soil-based and soilless cultivation systems, including baby-leaf and microgreen production, thereby enabling controlled yields and reducing harvesting pressure on wild populations. Nevertheless, research on this species remains fragmented, and several knowledge gaps persist, notably the absence of standardized agronomic protocols, limited information on post-harvest management and safety, and potential market constraints related to bitterness and variability in product quality. Overall, U. dalechampii emerges as a promising candidate for sustainable horticulture and the development of functional foods. Full article

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are increasingly integrated into Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystems for applications such as surveillance, disaster response, environmental monitoring, and logistics. These missions demand reliable and secure communication between UAVs and cloud platforms for command, control, and data storage. However, UAV communication channels are highly vulnerable to eavesdropping, spoofing, and man-in-the-middle attacks due to their wireless and often long-range nature. Traditional cryptographic schemes either impose excessive computational overhead on resource-constrained UAVs or lack sufficient robustness for cloud-level security. To address this challenge, we propose a dual-layer encryption architecture that balances lightweight efficiency with strong cryptographic guarantees. Unlike prior dual-layer approaches, the proposed framework introduces a context-aware adaptive lightweight layer for UAV-to-gateway communication and a hybrid post-quantum layer for gateway-to-cloud security, enabling dynamic cipher selection, energy-aware key scheduling, and quantum-resilient key establishment. In the first layer, UAV-to-gateway communication employs a lightweight symmetric encryption scheme optimized for low latency and minimal energy consumption. In the second layer, gateway-to-cloud communication uses post-quantum asymmetric encryption to ensure resilience against emerging quantum threats. The architecture is further reinforced with optional multi-path hardening and blockchain-assisted key lifecycle management to enhance scalability and tamper-proof auditability. Experimental evaluation using a UAV testbed and cloud integration shows that the proposed framework achieves 99.85% confidentiality preservation, reduces computational overhead on UAVs by 42%, and improves end-to-end latency by 35% compared to conventional single-layer encryption schemes. These results confirm that the proposed adaptive and hybridized dual-layer design provides a scalable, secure, and resource-aware solution for UAV-to-cloud communication, offering both present-day practicality and future-proof cryptographic resilience. Full article

Background: Pyriproxyfen (PPF), a juvenile hormone analog, is a promising chemical for autodissemination strategies, where mosquitoes aid in transferring insecticides to their breeding sites. This study evaluated the effects of sublethal PPF doses on Anopheles arabiensis fitness (fecundity, fertility, and body size) and pyrethroids susceptibility across three generations. Methods: Laboratory-reared, pyrethroid-resistant mosquito larvae were exposed once to sublethal PPF concentrations of (0.0003, 0.0006, 0.0008, and 0.001 mg a.i./L), which caused emergence inhibition rates of 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%, respectively, alongside a control group. Emerged adults were tested for susceptibility to 0.75% permethrin, 3.75% permethrin, and 0.05% deltamethrin using WHO tube bioassays. Knockdown was recorded at 1 h, mortality at 24 h post-exposure, while fecundity, fertility, and body size were measured across three generations. Results: First-generation Anopheles arabiensis emerging from PPF-treated larvae showed reduced susceptibility to 0.75% permethrin and 0.05% deltamethrin compared to controls. Mortality from permethrin dropped from 22.7% in the controls to 11% and then 3% at 0.0003 and 0.001 mg a.i./L. For deltamethrin, mortality fell from 62.7% to 36% and then 23.3% at the same concentrations. Knockdown at 60 min was also significantly reduced, with permethrin KDT₆₀ dropping from 41.3% in controls to 9.3% and 3.3%, and deltamethrin KDT₆₀ from 79.7% to 66.7% and 65%. No significant differences were observed in subsequent generations (p > 0.05). PPF exposure also induced notable fitness costs in the first generation: mean wing length decreased from 3.07 mm in controls to 2.88–2.66 mm (6–13% reduction), mean egg production dropped from 30.1 to 13.9–18.8 eggs per female (37–54% reduction), and egg hatching rate declined from 87% to 79–82% (6–9% reduction). Conclusions: These findings suggest that sublethal PPF doses can temporarily enhance insecticide resistance without leading to heritable resistance and negatively impact key mosquito fitness traits. PPF may thus be a valuable addition to integrated vector management strategies. Full article

Heavy metal contamination of seafood remains a critical challenge for public health and industrial processing. Emerging research demonstrates that post-mortem treatments can reduce toxic elements through distinct mechanistic pathways, including diffusion-driven leaching, ligand-specific chelation, thermal redistribution, and physicochemical separation. This article synthesizes recent evidence to evaluate innovative processing approaches through a mechanistic and technology-oriented lens. Acidified marinades promote proton-mediated desorption and diffusion of arsenic, achieving reductions approaching 90%. Chelation strategies using food-grade ligands such as sodium acetate or combined cysteine–EDTA systems show strong affinity for divalent metals, removing up to 88.6% of lead, 80% of nickel, and over 90% of mercury. In parallel, advanced green technologies, such as supercritical CO₂ extraction and electrocoagulation, enable 90–98% removal. Full article

Background/Objectives: Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus, GAS) is the most common cause of bacterial pharyngitis and a major contributor to morbidity and mortality worldwide. There has been an increase in invasive GAS infections and related deaths in several European countries post-COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed to assess parental knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding GAS pharyngotonsillitis, with a focus on antibiotic use and misuse. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted on a convenience sample of parents of children admitted to the Pediatric Ward or visiting the Pediatric Emergency Department of the University General Hospital of Patras, Greece (September 2024–February 2025). For knowledge assessment, the questionnaire consisted of 10 True/False questions, based on which a total knowledge score was calculated. For attitude and practice assessment, the questionnaire consisted of 10 Likert scale questions. A Negative Practice Score was calculated as a sum of the answers in five practices with a negative perspective, with higher scores indicating worse practices and lower scores indicating better practices. Results: The study enrolled 378 parents, 79% of them were aware that not all children with a sore throat need antibiotics, and 61% believed asymptomatic children with a positive strep antigen test should receive antibiotics. Concerns about GAS transmissibility were high (76%), while attitudes about severity were mixed. A median GAS total knowledge score of 6 (IQR: 4–7) indicated moderate knowledge. Multivariable analysis revealed that male parents, non-immigrants, those previously hospitalized for GAS infection, and those informed by pediatricians or reliable websites had significantly higher knowledge scores. Regarding practices, most parents (72%) disagreed with requesting antibiotics from pediatricians, and 93.9% did not administer leftover antibiotics. Additionally, 58% expressed more concerns in recent years due to the increase in invasive infections. The median GAS Negative Practice Score was 10.5 (IQR: 7.0–13.0), indicating generally good practices, as lower scores correspond to fewer negative practices. Older parents and those with higher knowledge scores were also linked to fewer negative practices in multivariable analysis. Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of targeted education on GAS pharyngotonsillitis and the need to focus on specific population groups to reduce antibiotic misuse. Full article

Background/Objectives: End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is characterized by profound and progressive microvascular dysfunction that contributes significantly to systemic morbidity. Because the retinal and renal microcirculations share structural and physiological similarities, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA) have emerged as promising tools for detecting ocular microvascular changes that may parallel systemic vascular injury. This systematic review aimed to consolidate evidence on chronic retinal and choroidal alterations in ESRD as assessed by OCT and OCTA. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed/MEDLINE (inception–June 2025) was performed using combinations of terms related to OCT, OCTA, ESRD, and hemodialysis. After removing duplicates and screening titles, abstracts, and full texts, we included clinical studies involving adults with ESRD or undergoing dialysis that reported chronic or baseline OCT/OCTA findings. Non-English publications, editorials, conference abstracts, case reports, and studies limited to acute pre-/post-dialysis changes were excluded. Seventeen studies met eligibility criteria. Acute findings were summarized narratively only when no chronic data existed for a specific parameter but were not incorporated into the primary synthesis. Results: Across eligible studies, chronic structural and perfusion abnormalities were consistently reported, including thinning of the retinal nerve fiber and ganglion cell layers, reduced macular and peripapillary vascular densities, enlarged foveal avascular zones, and decreased choroidal thickness. These alterations aligned with markers of disease severity and systemic microvascular burden. Conclusions: Retinal imaging reveals reproducible chronic microvascular changes in ESRD and may serve as an accessible adjunct for systemic vascular assessment. We highlight the potential significance of retinal vascular screening in this population and the need for more standardized imaging protocols to support the effective integration of retinal biomarkers into CKD diagnostic and monitoring strategies. Full article

Phacoemulsification is performed within a highly dynamic intraocular environment, in which fluid exchange, pressure regulation, and tissue biomechanics interact continuously. Although modern cataract surgery is considered safe and efficient, disruption of this delicate intraoperative microenvironment remains a major source of complications. Among fluidics-related events, post-occlusion break surge represents one of the most critical destabilizing factors of the anterior chamber. A surge occurs when the sudden release of an occluded aspiration port generates an abrupt pressure–volume imbalance that cannot be immediately compensated by infusion, leading to a transient collapse of the intraocular environment. This narrative review integrates current experimental and clinical evidence on the pathophysiology, quantification, and technological control of surge, framing it as a model of environmentally driven intraoperative stress. The evolution of phacoemulsification fluidics, from gravity-based systems to active, adaptive, and predictive platforms, is analyzed in relation to their ability to preserve a stable and physiologic intraocular environment. Comparative data from contemporary devices are reviewed, highlighting differences in surge volume, recovery time, and pressure restitution. Special emphasis is placed on the impact of surge on the microenvironments of both the anterior and posterior segments, including endothelial stress, capsular instability, vitreoretinal traction, and macular perfusion. Emerging strategies such as handpiece-integrated pressure sensors, predictive fluidics algorithms, intraoperative imaging, and artificial intelligence are reshaping environmental control during surgery. Despite substantial technological progress, the complete elimination of surge remains an unmet need. Continued innovation, standardized biomechanical models, and robust clinical validation will be essential to further protect the intraoperative intraocular environment and improve long-term visual outcomes. Full article

Post-disaster reconstruction requires instruments capable of ensuring procedural consistency, administrative transparency, and the systematic integration of geohazards, all of which are essential for safeguarding communities. This study presents the digital platform established under Italian Law 55/2019 for the reconstruction of the areas on Mt. Etna affected by the Mw 4.9 earthquake of 26 December 2018, emphasizing its innovative contribution to current international approaches to reconstruction governance. The platform standardizes the entire administrative workflow and is centered on the Parametric Form, which enables an objective calculation of eligible reconstruction grants based on damage indicators, vulnerability metrics, and parametric cost functions. A defining feature of the Etna model is the structural integration between administrative procedures and geohazard mitigation, achieved through updated hazard maps and protocols that incorporate geological, hydrogeological, and geomorphological conditions. This approach reframes reconstruction as an opportunity to reduce overall territorial vulnerability. The system also includes public monitoring tools (WebGIS and dashboards) that enhance traceability, compliance, and stakeholder engagement. Expected outcomes include shorter administrative timelines, improved interinstitutional coordination, and the potential transferability of the model to other emergency contexts. In comparison with international cases, the Etna experience represents an original integration of digitalization, parametric assessment, and site-specific hazard mitigation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Ovarian cancer (OC) remains one of the most lethal gynecological malignancies, mainly because it is frequently diagnosed at advanced stages due to nonspecific symptoms and the lack of effective screening strategies. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as key regulators of gene expression, and accumulating evidence implicates them in OC initiation, progression, and treatment response. This review aims to comprehensively summarize the molecular mechanisms of lncRNAs in OC, examine their clinical potential as biomarkers, and discuss emerging technologies that are about to advance lncRNA research and therapeutics in OC. Methods: A comprehensive review of published studies investigating lncRNA expression, function, and clinical relevance in OC was conducted. Mechanistic insights were integrated across multiple regulatory levels, including epigenetic, transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational control. Advances in transcriptomic technologies and RNA-targeting techniques were also examined. Results: LncRNAs influence OC through diverse mechanisms, including chromatin remodeling, transcriptional regulation, RNA splicing, mRNA stability, protein modulation, competing endogenous RNA networks, and nuclear organization. Their dysregulation is linked to tumor progression, metastasis, chemoresistance, and poor patient outcomes. Numerous lncRNAs exhibit diagnostic and prognostic value, underscoring their clinical potential. Advances in long-read sequencing have improved lncRNA annotation and isoform resolution, while CRISPR-Cas13 offers a potential approach for selective RNA-targeted therapy. Conclusions: LncRNAs are critical molecules in OC development and progression, holding potential in advancing OC diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. Continued integration of functional studies, advanced sequencing technologies, and RNA-targeting approaches can facilitate the clinical translation of lncRNAs for early OC diagnosis and management. Full article

The Eastern Adriatic Sea is biogeographically complex, yet knowledge of its hydromedusae is fragmented across two centuries of uneven sampling and shifting taxonomy. This review integrates historical faunistic records (pre-1950), mid-century programmes (1950–2000), modern quantitative time series (post-2000), and citizen science observations to compile an updated checklist of 98 non-siphonophoran hydrozoan taxa. Records are synthesised across eight sub-regions, although the most continuous research has focused on the Northern Adriatic and the open South Adriatic. The clearest long-term signal is in the Northern Adriatic, where diversity collapsed by >60% from the 1960s to the 1980s, largely through the loss of meroplanktonic taxa with benthic polyp stages under eutrophication-driven hypoxia. Since 2000, oligotrophication coincides with a partial recovery, marked by the re-emergence of meroplankton and episodic intrusions of oceanic holoplankton (including Trachymedusae) linked to circulation regimes (BiOS). For the open South Adriatic, bathymetric distributions and diel vertical migration patterns are synthesised to characterise a persistent offshore core. Taxonomic updates and information on non-indigenous and bloom-forming taxa are provided. Methodological biases and gaps, especially polyp-stage ecology and spatial sampling voids, are highlighted, and routine DNA barcoding is recommended. The checklist provides a baseline for tracking change in a shifting ecosystem. Full article

Bariatric surgery is an effective treatment for morbid obesity but is frequently complicated by anastomotic leaks, fistulas, and strictures, which can significantly impair patient outcomes. Optimal management of these complications relies on a timely and accurate diagnostic assessment; however, effective treatment strategies are central to improving clinical recovery. This review primarily focuses on the endoscopic management of post-bariatric surgery complications, while providing a concise overview of the diagnostic imaging modalities that guide therapeutic decision-making. Contrast-enhanced imaging techniques, including computed tomography (CT) and fluoroscopy, as well as endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), are briefly discussed in relation to their role in identifying complications, defining their extent, and selecting the most appropriate endoscopic intervention. The core of this review is dedicated to current endoscopic treatment approaches, including endoscopic internal drainage with double pigtail plastic stents, self-expanding metal stents (SEMSs), endoscopic vacuum therapy (EVT), and EUS-guided drainage of fluid collections. Particular emphasis is placed on indications, technical considerations, and outcomes of these therapies. Finally, this review highlights emerging endoscopic technologies that may further optimize the management of post-bariatric surgery complications and improve patient outcomes, underscoring the evolving role of minimally invasive endoscopic treatment within a multidisciplinary framework. Full article