Search Results (22,824)

The emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Proteus mirabilis poses a significant threat in porcine farming and public health, highlighting the need for alternative biocontrol agents. This study aimed to isolate and characterize a lytic bacteriophage with therapeutic potential against MDR P. mirabilis. Using the clinical MDR P. mirabilis strain Pm 07 as host, a bacteriophage, vB_Pmc_P-07 (P-07), was successfully isolated from fecal and sewage samples via an enrichment protocol. Phage P-07 forms plaques surrounded by a distinct translucent “halo,” suggesting the production of depolymerase. It achieved high titers of up to 1.40 × 10⁸ PFU/mL and exhibited a narrow host range, high stability across a broad range of temperatures (40–60 °C) and pH (4–12), as well as considerable anti-biofilm activity. An optimal multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 0.001 was determined. Whole-genome sequencing revealed a linear double-stranded DNA genome of 58,582 bp with a GC content of 46.91%, encoding 63 open reading frames. Crucially, no virulence or antibiotic resistance genes were detected, supporting its safety profile. Phylogenetic analysis classified P-07 within the Casjensviridae family, closely related to phages PM87 and pPM01. These findings indicate that phage P-07 is a novel, safe, and effective lytic phage with strong potential as a biocontrol agent against biofilm-forming MDR P. mirabilis in swine. Full article

The increasing complexity of web-based attacks requires the development of more effective Web Application Firewall (WAF) systems. In this study, we extend previous work by evaluating and comparing the performance of seven machine learning models for multilabel classification of web traffic, using the ECML/PKDD 2007 dataset. This dataset contains eight classes: seven representing different types of attacks and one representing normal traffic. Building on prior experiments that analyzed Recurrent Neural Network (RNN), Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU), and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) models, we incorporate four additional models frequently cited in the related literature: Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Gradient Boosting (GB), and Feedforward Neural Networks (NN). Each model is trained and evaluated under consistent preprocessing and validation protocols. We analyze their performance using key metrics such as accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score, and training time. The results provide insights into the suitability of each method for WAF classification tasks, with implications for real-time intrusion detection systems and security automation. This study represents the first unified multilabel evaluation of classical and deep learning approaches on the ECML/PKDD 2007 dataset, offering guidance for practical WAF deployment. Full article

Background: Adjunctive antibiotics are frequently used alongside mechanical debridement (MD) for peri-implantitis, yet their additional clinical benefit remains uncertain. Objective: To systematically assess whether adding local or systemic antibiotics to non-surgical MD improves clinical outcomes in peri-implantitis. Methods: The review protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022380401). We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) involving peri-implantitis patients treated with MD plus local or systemic antibiotics, compared to MD alone, with at least 3 months of follow-up. Searches were conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library, LILACS, Web of Science, and Embase up to 9 April 2025. Eleven RCTs (634 patients) were included in the qualitative synthesis. The Cochrane RoB 2.0 tool evaluated the risk of bias. Random-effects meta-analyses of data from 10 studies, adjusting results to an equivalent 6-month follow-up time-frame, assessed treatment efficacy based on changes in probing pocket depth (PPD) and bleeding on probing (BoP), the primary outcomes. Meta-regressions examined the influence of mean patient age and implant-to-patient ratio on adjusted outcomes. Results: Systemic antibiotics resulted in generally greater PPD reduction and BoP reduction over MD alone or plus chlorhexidine, with the greatest benefits observed in amoxicillin-based multi-agent regimens and longer follow-up duration. Comparatively, local antimicrobial adjuncts performed less effectively on PPD reduction. No implant losses were reported, and adverse events were rare. Limitations: Some included trials had a high risk of bias and considerable heterogeneity. Follow-up was limited to the short term, and definitions of clinical “success” varied across studies. Conclusions: Adjunctive systemic antibiotics, particularly amoxicillin-based combinations, substantially improve short-term clinical outcomes of non-surgical peri-implantitis treatment compared to MD alone. Nevertheless, given the variability in study quality and potential risks associated with antibiotic use, their application should be judicious. Further long-term RCTs are warranted to confirm sustained efficacy and safety. Full article

Cervical cancer remains a major public health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where access to preventive measures is limited. Persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) types, mainly HPV16 and HPV18, is the key cause of cervical cancer. While prophylactic HPV vaccines effectively prevent new infections, they offer no therapeutic benefit for individuals with established lesions. This review evaluates the clinical evidence on therapeutic HPV vaccines, focusing on their ability to promote viral clearance. A bibliographic search was conducted in PubMed, selecting human studies reporting outcomes on HPV clearance. Seventeen clinical trials were identified, including DNA-based (VGX-3100, GX-188E), viral-vector (MVA E2, TG4001), peptide-based (Pepcan), and bacterial-vector (GLT 001) vaccines. Among them, DNA-based vaccines, particularly VGX-3100, showed the most consistent results, whereas several protein- or vector-based approaches demonstrated variable outcomes. Early therapeutic HPV vaccine trials faced setbacks due to limited efficacy, delivery approaches, and study design challenges, preventing progression to late-phase development. Recent DNA-based candidates, however, are advancing through phase II/III trials. While none have yet to be approved for commercial use, these vaccines elicit virus-specific T-cell responses and can induce regression of precancerous lesions, offering a promising addition to prophylactic vaccination and screening. Variability in study designs and endpoints underlines the need for standardized protocols and further phase III trials. Overall, therapeutic HPV vaccines represent a rapidly advancing field with the potential to complement prophylactic vaccination and screening, thereby strengthening global cervical cancer control efforts, particularly in LMICs. Full article

Efficiency in vitro regeneration is a crucial prerequisite for the application of New Nenomics Techniques (NGTs) in grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) for improving resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. This is especially true given that their management must be addressed sustainably, considering the impact of climate change. Unfortunately, in vitro plant regeneration and the establishment of embryogenic calluses are two genotype-dependent processes. Up to now, extensive research has been conducted on major international cultivars, whereas studies on the application of in vitro protocols for autochthonous cultivars remain limited. In this study, protocols for the acquisition of embryogenic calluses were applied on the most relevant Sicilian grapevine cultivars: the red-skinned ‘Frappato’, ‘Nerello mascalese’, and ‘Nero d’Avola’, and the white-skinned ‘Grillo’, ‘Carricante’, and ‘Catarratto’. Stamens and pistils were cultured in two different induction media (PIV and MSII) and at three stages (mother cells in the late premeiotic phase, tetrads, and mature pollen) to induce embryogenic calluses. Five thousand explants per cultivar were cultured, forming calluses in four selected cultivars. Plantlets were successfully generated from calluses of ‘Carricante’, ‘Frappato’, and ‘Nero d’Avola’. Moreover, protoplasts were isolated from ‘Frappato’ and ‘Nero d’Avola’. Our results establish a critical foundation for developing successful regeneration protocols for the future application of NGTs in Sicilian grapevine cultivars. Full article

Background/Objectives: This proof-of-concept study evaluated whether optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) can non-invasively capture micro-vascular alterations in non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) lesions during and after superficial orthovoltage radiotherapy (RT) using radiomics and vascular features analysis. Methods: Eight patients (13 NMSC lesions) received 36–50 Gy in 6–20 fractions. High-resolution swept-source OCTA volumes (1.1 × 10 × 10 mm³) were acquired from each lesion at three time points: pre-RT, immediately post-RT, and three months post-RT. Additionally, healthy skin baseline was scanned. After artifact suppression and region-of-interest cropping, (i) first-order and texture radiomics and (ii) skeleton-based vascular features were extracted. Selected features after LASSO (least absolute shrinkage and selection operator) were explored with principal-component analysis. An XGBoost model was trained to classify time points with 100 bootstrap out-of-bag validations. Kruskal–Wallis tests with Benjamini–Hochberg correction assessed longitudinal changes in the 20 most influential features. Results: Sixty-one OCTA volumes were analyzable. LASSO retained 47 of 103 features. The first two principal components explained 63% of the variance, revealing a visible drift of lesions from pre- to three-month post-RT clusters. XGBoost achieved a macro-averaged AUC of 0.68 ± 0.07. Six features (3 texture, 2 first order, 1 vascular) changed significantly across time points (adjusted p < 0.05), indicating dose-dependent reductions in signal heterogeneity and micro-vascular complexity as early as treatment completion, which deepened by three months. Conclusions: OCTA-derived radiomic and vascular signatures tracked RT-induced micro-vascular remodeling in NMSC. The approach is entirely non-invasive, label-free, and feasible at the point of care. As an exploratory proof-of-concept, this study helps to refine scanning and analysis protocols and generates knowledge to support future integration of OCTA into adaptive skin-cancer radiotherapy workflows. Full article

Background: The majority of injuries among older adults occur due to unexpected and sudden incidents in the home environment. This study aimed to develop a protocol for the design of the health belief model-based program for preventing unintentional home injuries in older adults and to evaluate the effectiveness of the program. Methods: The study proposed in this protocol, Safety and Home Injury Prevention for Seniors (SHIPs), is a single-blind, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial. A total of 54 Korean older adults (≥65 years) will be randomly assigned to either (1) the intervention group (n = 27), which will receive the SHIPs program, or (2) the control group (n = 27), which will attend four lecture-only sessions. The efficacy of the program will be assessed via tests performed at baseline, 1 week after program completion, and 1 month after program completion, and analyses of the changes in injury occurrences, risk factors, preventive behaviors, beliefs about safety and injury prevention, psychological health, physiological function, and health-related quality of life. Expected Results: The SHIPs intervention is expected to reduce home injuries and enhance awareness and preventive behaviors among community-dwelling older adults. It may also improve their physical and psychological health and overall quality of life. Conclusions: The SHIPs intervention may serve as an effective community-based strategy to promote injury prevention and improve the overall well-being of older adults. Full article

The exceptional physicochemical properties of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) have led to their widespread development. The function of SeNPs is significantly influenced by their shape and particle size, which are in turn determined by the applied synthesis methods. This work presents a critical and comparative analysis of physical, chemical, and biosynthetic methods. The key point is to elaborate on how different methods precisely regulate the particle size, morphology, and stability that are crucial to their functional efficacy. This work emphasizes the importance of creating standardized protocols for characterizing SeNPs in order to make meaningful comparisons between the effectiveness of various studies. We further elucidate the underlying mechanisms of SeNPs’ anti-tumor, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities. A key novelty of this work lies in its systematic construction of a bridge between the synthesis, properties, functions, applications, and translational potential and its provision of a critical assessment. Finally, the review identifies and summarizes the principal challenges hindering clinical and commercial translation, including the imperative for standardized toxicological evaluation, scalable synthesis, and regulatory alignment. Full article

Background/Objectives: In plastic surgery, the administration of tranexamic acid (TXA) has gained increasing support by current literature, highlighting its relevance in clinical practice. This study evaluates the perioperative impact of prophylactic intravenous TXA administration in abdominoplasty, focusing on surgical outcome, drainage pattern, complications, and laboratory parameters (hematocrit/hemoglobin). Methods: This retrospective, single-center cohort study analyzed 58 abdominoplasties, which were divided into two groups: patients treated perioperatively with tranexamic acid for 48 h (TXA group; n = 24) and without TXA (no-TXA group; n = 34). Results: Patients in the TXA group had a significantly shorter length of hospital stay (p = 0.008) and a lower postoperative daily drainage volume on postoperative days: 3 (p = 0.047), 4 (p = 0.011), 7 (p = 0.014), 8 (p = 0.024), and 9 (p = 0.042). The overall complication rate was also significantly reduced with TXA (25.0% vs. 52.9% in the no-TXA group; p = 0.033). Postoperative declines in hematocrit and hemoglobin were less pronounced in the TXA group (p = 0.353 and p = 0.255, respectively). Furthermore, the intravenous administration of TXA was well tolerated, and no associated thromboembolic events were observed. Conclusions: Intravenous TXA appears to reduce complications, drainage volumes, and hospital stay in abdominoplasty patients, while being safe and well tolerated. Although further studies are needed to define optimal dosing, administration protocols, and long-term safety, these findings support the potential benefits of TXA for both patients and healthcare systems, thereby enabling a standardized approach to body contouring surgery. Full article

This study provides a comprehensive quantitative comparison of three structurally distinct epoxy prepolymers—cycloaliphatic, novolac, and bis-aromatic (BADGE)—cured with a single hardener, methyl nadic anhydride (MNA), and catalyzed by 1-methylimidazole under strictly identical stoichiometric and thermal conditions. Each formulation was optimized in terms of epoxy/anhydride ratio and catalyst concentration to ensure meaningful cross-comparison under representative cure conditions. A multi-technique approach combining differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic rheometry, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was employed to jointly assess cure kinetics, network build-up, and long-term thermal stability. DSC analyses provided reaction enthalpies and glass transition temperatures (Tg) ranging from 145 °C (BADGE-MNA) to 253 °C (cycloaliphatic ECy-MNA) after stabilization of the curing reaction under the chosen thermal protocol, enabling experimental fine-tuning of stoichiometry beyond the theoretical 1:1 ratio. Isothermal rheology revealed gel times of approximately 14 s for novolac, 16 s for BADGE, and 20 s for the cycloaliphatic system at 200 °C, defining a clear hierarchy of reactivity (Novolac > BADGE > ECy). Post-cure thermomechanical performance and thermal aging resistance (100 h at 250 °C) were assessed via rheometry and TGA under both dynamic and isothermal conditions. They demonstrated that the novolac-based resin retained approximately 93.7% of its initial mass, confirming its outstanding thermo-oxidative stability. The three systems exhibited distinct trade-offs between reactivity and thermal resistance: the novolac resin showed superior thermal endurance but, owing to its highly aromatic and rigid structure, limited flowability, while the cycloaliphatic resin exhibited greater molecular mobility and longer pot life but reduced stability. Overall, this work provides a comprehensive and quantitatively consistent benchmark, consolidating stoichiometric control, DSC and rheological reactivity, Tg evolution, thermomechanical stability, and degradation behavior within a single unified experimental framework. The results offer reliable reference data for modeling, formulation, and possible use of epoxy–anhydride thermosets at temperatures above 200 °C. Full article

Over the past decade, the interest in using 3D cell culture models for studying the mammary gland in biomedical and veterinary fields has increased, but a fully functional in vitro model for domestic species is still lacking. Multiple cellular components, including epithelial cells, vascular endothelial cells, and stromal/stem cells, sustain the secretory mammary gland tissue in a well-organized 3D architecture. Considering the Göttingen Minipigs widely used for translational lactation studies, this work aimed to establish a 3D culture protocol to generate mammary heterogeneous multicellular spheroids composed of three different Göttingen Minipigs primary cells: mammary epithelial cells (mpMECs), aortic endothelial cells (mpAECs), and vascular-wall mesenchymal stem cells (mpVW-MSCs). Cells were cultured with hanging-drop (HD) and ultra-low-adherence plate (ULA) methods, evaluating aggregate formation in both monocultures and co/triple co-cultures. Brightfield area, eccentricity, viability, and cell distribution were analyzed. Results showed mpMECs formed irregular aggregates in both HD and ULA, while more compact and viable spheroids were formed when co-cultured with mpVW-MSCs and mpAECs by ULA. A well-organized cellular distribution was demonstrated by cytokeratin-18, vimentin, and e-NOS immunofluorescence analysis. In conclusion, this study established a stable 3D mammary multicellular spheroid model, representing a promising tool for future studies on hormonal modulation and mammary gland physiology. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study presents an artificial intelligence (AI)-supported incentive spirometry system designed to explore the feasibility of automating the monitoring of respiratory exercises, a critical nursing intervention for maintaining pulmonary function and reducing postoperative complications. Methods: This system uses a tablet’s camera to track a standard spirometer’s volume indicator in real-time, reducing the manual nursing workload, unlike traditional mechanical spirometers that lack feedback capabilities. Image processing techniques analyze exercise performance, while the interface provides instant feedback, data recording, and graphical display. Machine learning models (Random Forest, XGBoost, Gradient Boosting, SVM, Logistic Regression, KNN) were trained on scripted patient data, including demographics, smoking status, and spirometry measurements, to classify respiratory performance as “poor”, “good”, or “excellent”. Results: The ensemble methods demonstrated exceptional performance, achieving 100% accuracy and R² = 1.0, with cross-validation mean accuracies exceeding 99.4%. This feasibility study demonstrates the technical viability of this AI-driven approach and lays the groundwork for future clinical validation. Conclusions: This system presents a potential cost-effective, accessible solution suitable for both clinical and home settings, potentially integrating into standard respiratory care protocols. This system not only reduces nursing workload but also has the potential to improve patient adherence. This pilot study demonstrates the technical feasibility and potential of this AI-driven approach, laying the groundwork for future clinical validation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Adhesion to caries-affected dentin remains challenging due to its altered structure and composition. Remineralizing agents have been proposed to strengthen this substrate and improve bonding. This study evaluated the effect of three remineralization treatments, CPP-ACP, self-assembling peptide P11-4, and silver diamine fluoride (SDF), on the microtensile bond strength (μTBS) of universal adhesive systems applied to caries-affected dentin, using both etch-and-rinse and self-etch strategies. Methods: Seventy human molars were sectioned and artificially demineralized to simulate caries-affected dentin. Samples were divided into ten groups: four untreated and six treated with CPP-ACP (MI Paste™), P11-4 (Curodont™ Protect), or SDF (Riva Star™). Universal adhesives were applied via etch-and-rinse or self-etch mode, followed by composite restoration. Microtensile bond strength was measured using a universal testing machine, and results were statistically analyzed with ANOVA and t-tests (p < 0.05). Results: Untreated caries-affected dentin showed significantly lower μTBS than sound dentin (C3: 18.3 ± 5.4 MPa vs. C1: 41.3 ± 2.7 MPa). Remineralization agents improved μTBS considerably. CPP-ACP achieved the highest recovery (S1: 31.8 ± 2.6 MPa; S2: 29.2 ± 4.6 MPa), nearing sound dentin levels. P11-4 yielded moderate gains (S3: 24.4 ± 6.5 MPa; S4: 24.1 ± 4.7 MPa), while SDF provided the lowest, yet significant, improvements (S5: 23.7 ± 7.5 MPa; S6: 21.3 ± 5.3 MPa). Etch-and-rinse generally produced higher μTBS than self-etch, but differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Pre-treatment of caries-affected dentin with CPP-ACP, P11-4, or SDF enhances universal adhesive bond strength, with CPP-ACP showing the most pronounced effect. Remineralization protocols represent a valuable adjunct in restorative procedures involving compromised dentin. Full article

Achieving reliable implant stability in type IV (D4) bone remains a clinical challenge due to its thin cortical plates and low trabecular density, which increase the risk of early failure. Novel osteotomy techniques such as osseodensification and the OsseoShaper have been proposed, yet their effects when combined with different implant macrogeometries are not fully understood. This in vitro study evaluated forty osteotomies in standardized polyurethane foam blocks simulating D4 bone density. Three site preparation protocols—conventional osteotomy, osseodensification, and OsseoShaper—were combined with two implant macrogeometries (parallel-walled conical and tri-oval tapered designs). Insertion torque (IT) was measured using a calibrated digital torque meter, and implant stability was assessed by resonance frequency analysis (ISQ). Intraoperative thermal changes were monitored with infrared thermography under constant irrigation. Statistically significant differences were observed among groups (p < 0.05). Osseodensification with parallel-walled implants achieved the highest stability, whereas osseodensification with tri-oval implants showed the lowest. Although osseodensification produced the greatest thermal increase, all values remained below the 47 °C osteonecrosis threshold. Within the study’s limitations, both the osteotomy technique and implant macrogeometry significantly affected stability and thermal outcomes, with osseodensification plus parallel-walled implants providing the most predictable performance in D4 bone. Full article

The Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) comprises the application of traditional Internet of Things (IoT) technologies in the healthcare domain. IoMT ensures seamless data-sharing among hospitals, patients, and healthcare service providers, thereby transforming the medical environment. The adoption of IoMT technology has made it possible to provide various medical services such as chronic disease care, emergency response, and preventive treatment. However, the sensitivity of medical data and the resource limitations of IoMT devices present persistent challenges in designing authentication protocols. Our study reviews the overall architecture of the IoMT and recent studies on IoMT protocols in terms of security requirements and computational costs. In addition, this study evaluates security using formal verification tools with Scyther and SVO Logic. The security requirements include authentication, mutual authentication, confidentiality, integrity, untraceability, privacy preservation, anonymity, multi-factor authentication, session key security, forward and backward secrecy, and lightweight operation. The analysis shows that protocols satisfying a multiple security requirements tend to have higher computational costs, whereas protocols with lower computational costs often provide weaker security. This demonstrates the trade-off relationship between robust security and lightweight operation. These indicators assist in selecting protocols by balancing the allocated resources and required security for each scenario. Based on the comparative analysis and a security evaluation of the IoMT, this paper provides security guidelines for future research. Moreover, it summarizes the minimum security requirements and offers insights that practitioners can utilize in real-world settings. Full article