Search Results (1,540)

Background/Objectives: Vitamin D has been implicated in lipid metabolism, but data regarding its association with atherogenic lipoproteins in elite athletes remain limited. Elite athletes represent a unique research model to investigate these associations with reduced confounding from obesity, chronic disease, smoking, and physical inactivity. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 773 male professional athletes from mixed sports disciplines (mean age 25.5 ± 5.0 years). Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations and lipid parameters, including total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides, and lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], were assessed. Associations were analyzed using correlation analyses, subgroup comparisons according to predefined 25(OH)D categories (<30, 30–50, and >50 ng/mL), and multivariable linear regression models adjusted for age, body mass index, season, and training-related variables. Results: Higher serum 25(OH)D concentrations were independently associated with lower LDL-C (p = 0.028), triglyceride (p = 0.002), and Lp(a) concentrations (p = 0.036), whereas no independent association was observed with HDL-C (p = 0.559). Athletes with 25(OH)D concentrations ≥30 ng/mL demonstrated lower LDL-C, triglyceride, and Lp(a) levels compared with athletes below this threshold (all p < 0.05). Higher vitamin D status was additionally associated with greater peak exercise performance (4.29 ± 1.15 vs. 3.36 ± 0.68 W/kg; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Higher 25(OH)D concentrations were independently associated with a more favorable lipid profile in elite athletes, including lower LDL-C, triglyceride, and Lp(a) concentrations. Prospective studies are warranted to further investigate the relationship between vitamin D status and lipid metabolism in athletic populations. Full article

Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) in cardiac surgery refers to the integration of advanced computational models, such as Large Language Models (LLMs), to automate and enhance clinical decision-making, preoperative risk assessment, and surgical education. In the context of surgical training, it functions as a personalized pedagogical tool that supports various learning activities, ranging from information acquisition and clinical inquiry to procedural practice, while requiring rigorous human oversight to ensure patient safety and clinical accuracy. (1) Background: Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) is increasingly integrated into health professions education, offering new opportunities for learning; however, its specific application and pedagogical mapping in high-stakes fields such as cardiac surgery remain underexplored. This systematic review investigates how GenAI is utilized in cardiac surgery and surgical education, aligning these uses with Laurillard’s six learning types. (2) Methods: Following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, we searched the Web of Science Core Collection for studies on GenAI in cardiac surgery, resulting in 42 studies that met the inclusion criteria. Study quality was appraised using the Medical Education Research Study Quality Instrument (MERSQI). (3) Results: GenAI applications most frequently supported clinical inquiry (93.8%) and practice (68.8%), demonstrating expanding efficiency across commercial and open-source models (including ChatGPT-4o, Gemini AI, and emerging reasoning architectures such as DeepSeek) for knowledge acquisition and medical production. While it significantly improves individualized learning and preoperative assessment workflows, its practical role in Discussion and Collaboration remains heavily underutilized, highlighting a distinct shift toward individualized solo professional workflows. (4) Conclusions: GenAI provides a transformative and scalable approach to cardiac surgical training by offering personalized and accessible knowledge retrieval. However, clinical educators and governance bodies must deliberately balance these immediate productivity benefits with long-term concerns regarding structural “hallucinations,” data verifiability, and the preservation of collaborative competencies within modern multidisciplinary Heart Teams. Full article

Introduction: Professional inland fisheries in Portugal remain poorly characterized despite their ecological, social, and territorial relevance. Objective: The objective of this study is to examine the evolution of the biomass catched by inland professional fisheries and determine its economic value. Methodology: This study examines the evolution of declared biomass between 2012 and 2024 and estimates the market relevance of this activity using official catch declarations submitted to the national licensing authority (ICNF). Records were harmonized by species and water body and subsequently aggregated at hydrographic basin level to identify long-term temporal and spatial patterns. Economic estimation was based on a gross production approach combining declared biomass with species-specific price information collected from retail channels and reports from professional fishermen. Changes in species composition were also analyzed to assess whether the observed trends reflect a broader restructuring of freshwater exploitation. Results: The results show a marked interannual variability and a strong spatial concentration of catches, with a limited number of basins (international rivers) accounting for most reported biomass. They also reveal the increasing prominence of non-native taxa in total catches; particularly, the red swamp crayfish, while native migratory species, although represented by lower volumes, maintain high unit prices and make a relevant contribution to total revenue. This contrast suggests that recent changes in freshwater catches are not merely quantitative, but also structural, with implications for ecological status, the growing dependence of the fishery on invasive species, and the territorial distribution of economic returns. Conclusions: By combining official catch declarations with market-based valuation, this study provides an updated overview of the recent evolution of professional freshwater exploitation in Portugal and offers a useful basis for fishery governance, monitoring programmes, and future discussions on conservation, licensing, and basin-scale management. Full article

Pigment implantation (semi-permanent make-up, microblading and cosmetic tattooing) introduces complex pigment mixtures into the dermis, resulting in direct exposure of keratinocytes, fibroblasts and resident immune cells to metals, organic dyes and nanoparticles. Within Somatology and Somatic therapy practice, an allied health discipline concerned with evidence-based care of the skin and body, Somatic Therapists operate at the interface of dermal intervention, molecular exposure and occupational health, underscoring the relevance of mechanistic toxicology for risk-informed professional practice. This PRISMA-guided systematic review synthesises molecular toxicology and omics-based evidence, emphasising oxidative stress generation, inflammatory signalling via NF-κB/MAPK pathways, apoptosis and genotoxicity, T-cell-mediated type IV hypersensitivity reactions associated with modern red azo pigments, and dermal-to-lymphatic transport of particulate matter. Transcriptomic and metabolomic studies consistently demonstrate pigment-specific inflammatory responses and wound-healing gene signatures, supporting mechanism-driven biocompatibility profiling. Regulatory frameworks, including EU REACH Annex XVII Entry 75 and recent FDA guidance on microbial contamination, have strengthened compliance requirements; however, surveillance continues to identify mislabelling, restricted pigments and microbial contamination in some inks. For Somatology and Somatic therapy practice, these findings highlight the importance of evidence-based pigment selection, traceable sourcing, aseptic technique, ventilation, personal protective equipment and informed consent addressing pigment migration and delayed adverse reactions. The integration of molecular outcomes with omics technologies and regulatory oversight provides a next-generation risk assessment framework to advance safe cosmetic practice and public health. Full article

Introduction: The European catfish (Silurus glanis) has expanded rapidly across Europe, significantly impacting native freshwater biodiversity. Despite its well-documented ecological and economic effects as a top predator, reproductive biology data from non-native populations remain scarce, limiting the development of effective management strategies. Objective: This study examines key reproductive traits, sex ratio, size at first maturity, spawning period, fecundity, and oocyte diameter, of an invasive European catfish population in the Lower Tagus River (LTR), Portugal, approximately 15 years after its establishment. Methodology: A total of 674 individuals were collected monthly from January 2022 to November 2023 using electrofishing, gill nets, baited hook-lines, and catches from professional fishermen. Sex and reproductive stage were assessed via gonadal analysis. Size at first maturity was estimated using logistic regression. Fecundity was determined by the gravimetric method, and oocyte stage and diameter were assessed histologically. The gonadosomatic index (GSI) was used to characterise the reproductive cycle. Results: The sex ratio was significantly female-biased (1.4:1). Size at first maturity (TL₅₀) was 72.9 cm TL for females and 68.8 cm TL for males. The spawning season extended from February to June, coinciding with water temperatures of 11–23 °C, with the highest GSI values reported to date for this species (GSI max = 22.5%). Histological analysis confirmed asynchronous oocyte development. Absolute fecundity ranged from 8364 to 319,000 oocytes per female and was positively correlated with total length and body weight. Mean mature oocyte diameter ranged from 1.50 to 3.21 mm. Conclusions: The European catfish in the LTR exhibits high reproductive plasticity, early maturity, a prolonged spawning season, and elevated fecundity, likely facilitated by warm water temperatures and abundant prey resources. Crucially, these parameters reveal earlier maturation and greater reproductive investment relative to native populations, demonstrating an extreme phenotypic plasticity characteristic of successful invasions in southern European aquatic ecosystems. These findings provide essential biological parameters for targeted management, including selective removal of large females, intensified fishing effort during the spawning season, and population monitoring to prevent compensatory reproductive responses. Full article

Background/Objectives: Teachers in educational institutions are continuously exposed to high occupational demands, which may contribute to the development of increased adiposity and comparatively unfavorable health-related quality of life (HRQoL) scores. However, there is limited evidence regarding how years of professional experience is associated with these indicators in teachers. The objective of this study is to examine the association between years of professional experience, adiposity indicators, and HRQoL among teachers in educational institutions. Methods: An observational, relational, exploratory cross-sectional study was conducted in 175 teachers from educational institutions in the city of Temuco, Chile. Body mass index (BMI), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were assessed as adiposity indicators, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was measured using the SF-12. Age, sex, and years of professional experience were recorded. Simple and multivariable linear regression models were used to analyze the association between years of experience and the study variables, adjusting for age and sex. Additionally, experience tertiles were compared using ANOVA and ANCOVA. Results: In the unadjusted analyses, greater years of professional experience were associated with higher adiposity indicators, including BMI (β = 0.071; 95% CI: 0.020 to 0.129). However, after adjustment for age and sex, these associations were attenuated and no longer statistically significant (adjusted BMI: β = −0.172; 95% CI: −0.434 to 0.053). Associations with PCS and MCS scores were also not statistically significant after adjustment. Conclusions: Teachers exhibited high levels of adiposity and HRQoL scores suggesting an unfavorable perceived health profile. The observed associations between years of professional experience and adiposity or HRQoL appear to be largely explained by age rather than by professional experience itself. Future longitudinal studies are needed to more precisely distinguish between the effects of aging and prolonged occupational exposure. However, the findings should be interpreted cautiously given the convenience sampling design and the inclusion of teachers from a single city. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study examined weight pressures and symptoms of eating disorders in professional modern dancers. Methods: Eighty-six female dancers (age: 20.7 ± 2.5 y, dancing experience: 14.2 ± 4.4 y) completed the Eating Attitudes Test 26 (EAT-26), the Weight-Pressures in Sport inventory for females (WPS-F), and provided information on their dance lessons. Results: Twenty-five dancers (29.07%) scored ≥20 in EAT-26. Positive associations were found between EAT-26 and its subscales with WPS-F and its subscales (r = 0.217 to 0.600, p ˂ 0.05). Negative associations were found between age and dancing experience with the EAT-26 score and its subscales Dieting and Bulimia and Food Preoccupation (r = −0.286 to −0.373, p ˂ 0.001) and between body weight and BMI with Oral Control (r = −0.300 to −0.372, p ˂ 0.001). Multiple regression analysis showed that Pressures regarding Appearance and Performance, age, and dancing experience accounted for 38.3% of the variance in EAT-26 (p ˂ 0.001), with age and training experience showing a negative coefficient. Moderation analysis showed that dancing experience moderates the relationship between Pressures regarding Appearance and Performance and eating disorder symptoms (interaction b = −0.329, p = 0.040). Conclusions: Professional female dancers are at elevated risk for disordered eating. Inherent pressures regarding appearance and performance were associated with and explained a significant portion of the variance in eating disorder symptom scores, while dancing experience appeared to attenuate this association, although the cross-sectional design of this study precludes conclusions regarding the direction of this effect. Full article

This study addresses the critical importance of fire safety considerations during the design phase of commercial buildings, particularly in Saudi Arabia, where urbanization and climate-specific risks pose unique challenges. Recognizing that high-risk structures often experience fire-related incidents due to inadequate safety measures, this research develops a comprehensive framework to guide design professionals in integrating effective fire safety strategies. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study combined a literature review, qualitative expert interviews, and a questionnaire survey. The final quantitative analysis was based on 86 valid survey responses, including 29 authority or regulation implementers, 28 designers, and 29 stakeholders. The survey results highlighted significant gaps in knowledge and implementation, particularly among stakeholders. Key challenges identified included cultural attitudes toward safety, lack of training, and inadequate use of fire-resistant materials. The framework proposes a structured methodology for enhancing fire safety measures across the design stages, emphasizing the importance of collaboration among architects, engineers, safety consultants, and regulatory bodies. Recommendations include regular updates to fire safety documents, fostering a culture of safety awareness, and conducting post-occupancy evaluations to assess the effectiveness of implemented measures. Ultimately, this research aims to benefit various stakeholders, including design professionals and regulatory agencies, by promoting a proactive approach to fire safety that enhances building resilience and protects lives and property in commercial environments. Full article

This article examines how young Muslim women in contemporary France live, negotiate, and recalibrate the hijab within a differentiated secular order that distributes the conditions of public visibility unequally across institutional sites. Rather than treating the headscarf as a legal controversy or as a symbolic test of the compatibility of Islam with republican secularism, the analysis asks how visible Muslim femininity is rendered institutionally legible, conditionally tolerable, or professionally problematic across the ordinary spaces of school, work, leisure, and public life, and how women respond when the continuity between faith, body, and public presence is repeatedly subjected to regulation. Drawing on a reflexive thematic analysis of seven in-depth interviews with young Muslim-background women in Paris, the article shows that hijab emerges in the core narratives as an ethical form of composure, governed self-presence, and dignity; that schools, workplaces, and recreational sites act as visibility filters that classify which forms of Muslim femininity can appear as acceptable, neutral, and professionally credible; and that these pressures are negotiated aesthetically through ongoing acts of bodily calibration and respectable self-presentation. To capture this practical labor, the article develops the concept of embodied boundary-work and situates it explicitly in dialogue with Foucauldian accounts of disciplinary normalization and feminist scholarship on the ambivalence of agency under norm-governed conditions. The argument is that the French hijab question is most productively understood through the gendered management of Muslim visibility enacted through institutional norms of fit, neutrality, and appearance, whereby the female body becomes the site where secular governance, moral selfhood, professional sorting, and public belonging concretely intersect. Full article

Evidence on the interplay between perceived stress, dietary behaviour, and weight-related psychosocial burden in Romanian young adults remains scarce. This cross-sectional study assessed associations between BMI, perceived stress, multi-system somatic symptom severity, and psychosocial burden in 117 participants aged 16 to 20 years (89.7% female; mean age 19.23 ± 0.74 years; mean BMI 22.66 ± 3.85 kg/m²), recruited by convenience sampling in Târgu Mureș, Romania, during June 2025. Non-parametric methods were used throughout. Female participants scored significantly higher than males across digestive (p < 0.001), neurological (p = 0.001), cutaneous (p = 0.014), and total symptom domains (p < 0.001), with a median total symptom score of 21.0 versus 3.0 in males. Perceived stress correlated positively with neurological (rS = 0.445), cardiovascular (rS = 0.350), digestive (rS = 0.316), and total symptom scores (rS = 0.401; all p < 0.001). BMI was not associated with somatic symptoms but correlated with weight-related stigma (rS = 0.391, p < 0.001). Emotional distress was prevalent regardless of weight status: 60.7% reported food-related guilt and 59.8% reduced self-confidence, yet only 6.0% had consulted a mental health professional. Stress management, nutritional counselling, and body image support should target young adults across all BMI categories. Full article

The multilingualism found in many countries, as well as within professional groups, complicates verbal communication, as both communicating parties are required to know all the languages used. This problem is exacerbated by the fact that languages are often mixed during communication. Avatars can be used to communicate with deaf people by simulating the behavior of sign language users. This paper presents a digital sign language avatar built on a language-agnostic, multimodal animation pipeline that decouples linguistic input from animation, combining skeletal body and hand motion with facial blendshape animation as independent modalities. It also presents a methodology for assessing its quality with the participation of experts (i.e., professional sign language interpreters) and the corresponding research results. The average quality rating of the avatar interface by the experts was 5.5 on a 7-point Likert scale, indicating its potential for practical use. At the same time, the research identified opportunities to improve the naturalness of movement and the consistency of gesture transitions. Full article

Engineering consultants and design firms are central to the success of construction projects. However, the systematic evaluation of their performance in the Saudi Arabian context remains methodologically fragmented and empirically underdeveloped. Existing prequalification frameworks rely predominantly on administrative criteria and single-method ranking approaches that cannot adequately differentiate between high- and low-performing firms. To address this gap, the study proceeds in two distinct parts. Part I—Literature Review: A PRISMA-compliant systematic literature review across five major academic databases was conducted to map the existing evidence base, identify three substantive gaps in the Saudi and GCC engineering firm evaluation literature, and derive a consensus-based set of 29 performance criteria grouped into seven dimensions. This review constitutes an independent contribution: it establishes the gap that motivates the empirical work and provides the criterion framework on which that work is built. Part II—Practical Application: A structured questionnaire was administered to 288 construction professionals in Saudi Arabia (Cronbach’s α = 0.936), and the collected data were analyzed through a hybrid RII–Shannon Entropy Weighting (EWM)–TOPSIS pipeline that produced a Composite Priority Index (CPI) for each criterion, enabling a stable and discriminating ranking that integrates subjective expert consensus with objective distributional information. The main finding revealed that five criteria attained Very High Priority status (CPI > 0.70): Supervisory Experience (CPI = 0.740), Engineers’ Capability Index (CPI = 0.717), License Class (CPI = 0.709), Client Satisfaction Index (CPI = 0.708), and Average Delay Time (CPI = 0.705). These top-ranked criteria collectively center on technical leadership, regulatory standing, client-reported outcomes, and schedule reliability, indicating that procurement decisions should prioritize demonstrable competence over structural size or geographic footprint. The consistently lower importance of physical branch networks and headquarters location further suggests that remote management capabilities and digital coordination tools are reshaping performance expectations under Saudi Vision 2030. The Quality Indicators dimension achieved the highest mean CPI across all seven dimensions. The findings provide actionable evidence for procurement authorities, regulatory bodies, and engineering firms seeking to strengthen performance-evaluation practices in the Saudi construction sector. Full article

The rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies into organizational information systems is reshaping internal audit practices and governance mechanisms. Nevertheless, notable gaps persist in both the academic literature and professional practice in integrating AI technologies within the internal audit function and in assessing its maturity level. To address these limitations, this study employs a two-stage methodological approach. First, a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) was conducted following PRISMA 2020 and PRISMA-S guidelines to synthesize existing knowledge and identify structural gaps in AI integration within the internal audit function (IAF). Second, drawing on the SLR findings, the study follows a theory-building and conceptual artifact-design approach. Three instruments are developed and assessed: the Internal Audit–Artificial Intelligence Integration Framework (IA-AIIF), the Internal Audit–AI Integration Assessment Cube (IA-AI Cube), and a Hierarchical Weighted Scoring Model (HWSM). These instruments enable the multidimensional evaluation of AI integration across technical, operational, and governance dimensions. They may offer guidance for both practitioners and researchers advancing AI-enabled approaches within the IAF. The findings suggest practical, managerial, and theoretical contributions by supporting AI integration in internal audit practice, outlining implementation-oriented recommendations for AI adoption, and advancing the body of knowledge at the intersection of internal audit and emerging AI technologies. Full article

Background/Objectives: While body dissatisfaction is frequently studied as an outcome of physical activity, less is known about how pre-existing body image perceptions shape the quality of behavioral regulation. Grounded in Self-Determination Theory, this study aimed to investigate the associations of different perceived body image discrepancy profiles with autonomous and controlled motivation for both exercise and eating, and to explore the interaction effects between these profiles and sex. Methods: The sample comprised 939 regular gym exercisers (32.99 ± 11.90 years; 55.1% female). Using the Stunkard Figure Rating Scale, participants were categorized into four discrepancy profiles: desire to increase, satisfied, mild desire to reduce, and moderate/severe desire to reduce. Data were analyzed using Two-Way ANOVAs. Results: The Satisfied group reported the highest autonomous and lowest controlled motivation across both domains (main effects: p < 0.001, η²_p = 0.019–0.046). A significant body image × sex interaction emerged for controlled eating motivation (F(3, 931) = 6.22, p < 0.001, η²_p = 0.020). Females exhibited a “U-shaped” curve, demonstrating low controlled eating motivation when satisfied (M = 1.65) but elevated levels at extremes (desire to increase: M = 2.50; moderate/severe desire to reduce: M = 2.39). Males maintained stable controlled eating motivation across all discrepancy profiles (M = 2.06–2.30). Although these main and interaction effects were statistically significant, all observed multivariate effect sizes were small (η²_p = 0.012–0.046). Conclusions: Perceived body image discrepancy acts as a significant antecedent of motivational quality. The absence of a perceptual gap is linked to highly adaptive, autonomous behavioral regulation. Furthermore, the distinct sex-based patterns in controlled eating motivation underscore the necessity for health and exercise professionals to adopt tailored, sex-specific strategies when addressing body image concerns. Full article

Resisted sprint training (RST) is widely used to enhance acceleration capacity; however, evidence concerning on long-term effects to RST in professional women’s remains limited. Methods: This study examined the chronic effects of a six-week resisted sled sprint training intervention using a single-group longitudinal pilot design in professional female soccer players. Twenty-two players were assessed at baseline (T1), with fourteen completing the post-intervention assessment (T2) and seven available at the two-month follow-up (T3). Athletes completed one weekly RST session with loading progressively increasing from 20% to 80% of body mass and total sprint volume ranging from 100 to 200 m per session. Sprint performance and kinematic variables of the first three acceleration steps for both limbs were assessed before the intervention, immediately after and at a two-month follow-up. Within-group changes across time were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc comparisons, with the level of significance set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: Sprint times significantly improved following the intervention (T1-T2), with a 2.61% improvement in acceleration performance over the 0-20 m phase. This improvement was accompanied by increases in center of mass projection angle and toe-off distance, resulting in a more forward-oriented sprint posture. At follow-up, sprint performance showed partial retention of these changes. These adaptations were accompanied by greater hip and knee extension of the ipsilateral limb at toe-off, without evidence of adverse sagittal-plane kinematic alterations during the early acceleration phase. Conclusions: The results indicate that once-weekly RST was associated with preliminary improvements in acceleration performance in professional female soccer players and induces technical adaptations that did not appear to negatively affect sprint mechanics during the initial acceleration phase. Given the absence of a control group and the substantial attrition at follow-up, these findings should be interpreted as exploratory. Full article