Search Results (104)

Fine calcium fluoride (CaF₂) particles formed during fluoride removal processes often exhibit poor aggregation and separation behavior, especially in phosphogypsum (PG) leachate with high soluble fluoride concentrations. In this study, polyferric sulfate (PFS) was employed as a coagulation aid following CaO precipitation to enhance CaF₂ aggregation and solid–liquid separation, with particular focus on the underlying molecular mechanisms. Experimental results showed that the sequential addition of CaO followed by PFS significantly improved fluoride removal compared with CaO precipitation alone. Under optimal conditions, the sequential CaO/PFS addition achieved a maximum fluoride removal efficiency of 94.1%, compared with 88.3% for the CaO-only system. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed that Fe-containing species promoted CaF₂ aggregation through electrostatic attraction and bridging interactions involving OH⁻, Ca²⁺, and F⁻. Quantitative analyses based on radial distribution functions, coordination numbers, solubility parameters, and self-diffusion coefficients further demonstrated that pH, ion concentration, and dosing sequence strongly influenced aggregate formation, with sequential dosing showing superior performance over simultaneous addition. This work provides molecular-level insight into inorganic coagulation-assisted CaF₂ aggregation and offers theoretical support and practical guidance for efficient fluoride removal and resource-oriented treatment of PG leachate. Full article

Background/Objectives: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treatment is effective but involves the use of cardiotoxic anthracyclines. Data on three-dimensional (3D) strain echocardiography utility in the monitoring of acute and early-onset cardiotoxicity in children with ALL are scarce. The aim was to assess the left ventricular function in 3D strain echocardiography in children with ALL treated with anthracyclines in reference to a healthy cohort and to assess risk factors of possible subclinical cardiotoxicity. Methods: For this study, medical records from between May 2023 and December 2024 were retrospectively analyzed, and the echocardiographic data were reassessed. The study group consisted of children diagnosed and treated for ALL for at least 6 months with the use of daunorubicin and doxorubicin (or only with daunorubicin) who underwent routine cardiological evaluation with 3D echocardiography in >6 months and <2 years from the beginning of treatment. The echocardiographic records were reassessed offline to analyze the left ventricle 3D global longitudinal (GLS 3D), circumferential (GCS 3D) and radial (GRS 3D) strain. The results were compared with the results of 24 apparently healthy peers matched by sex and age. A set of models was developed to test literature-based subclinical cardiotoxicity determinants in relation to the obtained 3D strain values. Results: The study group consisted of 42 children (22 males and 20 females) aged 2–17 years (mean 7.7 ± 4.1 years) treated for ALL. The median time from the first anthracycline dose was 0.59 (IQR1 = 0.5; IQR3 = 0.96) years with a cumulative equivalent anthracycline dose of 158.2 ± 78.0 (min. 48.0–max. 451.8) mg/m². Statistically significant differences between study and control groups were observed in terms of LVEF 3D (53.9 ± 4.4% vs. 59.1 ± 5.8%, p < 0.001), GLS 3D (−21.8 ± 4.2% vs. −25.2 ± 3.6%, p < 0.001), GCS 3D (−22.3 ± 3.8% vs. −27.3 ± 4.7%, p < 0.001) and GRS 3D (37.1 ± 5.0% vs. 44.6 ± 5.7%, p < 0.001). None of the previously described cardiotoxicity risk factors—age at the diagnosis, sex, age at treatment initiation, body surface area (BSA) at treatment initiation, time since treatment initiation, ALL subtype, total anthracycline dose and doxorubicin treatment—were statistically significant in the GLS or GCS models. Conclusions: GLS 3D, GCS 3D and GRS 3D of the left ventricle may be sensitive indicators of myocardial dysfunction in children with ALL treated with anthracyclines. The relation of the previously described cardiotoxicity risk factors to the 3D strain values and myocardial dysfunction is inconclusive; further studies are warranted. Full article

Background: Patient-specific targeted radionuclide therapy (TRT) requires consideration not only of administered activity but also of the spatial distribution of radiopharmaceutical uptake and radionuclide-specific energy deposition. This study developed a voxel-based computational workplan to compare ¹⁷⁷Lu, ¹⁶¹Tb and ⁹⁰Y, together with hybrid radionuclide models, using patient-specific PSMA PET-derived tumour activity distributions. Methods: PSMA PET/CT data from 20 patients with prostate cancer, comprising 10 ¹⁸F-PSMA and 10 ⁶⁸Ga-PSMA examinations, were processed to obtain 2285 quality-filtered lesions. Radionuclide-specific dose-point kernels (DPKs) were generated in water using OpenGATE and applied to voxel-wise lesion activity distributions to reconstruct absorbed-dose maps. Kernel characteristics were evaluated using radial energy-containment metrics, and ¹⁷⁷Lu, representing ¹⁶¹Tb simulations, was subjected to grid-convergence testing and external comparison with a published DPK. Lesion dosimetry was assessed using Dmean, D90, D95, equivalent uniform dose (EUD) and tumour control probability (TCP), with uncertainty quantified using patient-cluster bootstrap confidence intervals. Kinetic sensitivity and diagnostic tracer subgroup analyses were additionally performed. Results: The study showed that ¹⁶¹Tb produced the highest median lesion-level Dmean, D90, D95 and EUD at 182.79, 136.28, 132.07 and 148.53 Gy, respectively, with a median TCP of 0.981. Corresponding values for ¹⁷⁷Lu were 141.33, 105.42, 102.10 and 114.78 Gy (TCP 0.930), while ⁹⁰Y produced lower local dose metrics but the broadest radial dose distribution, consistent with its longer-range β-particle crossfire. ¹⁶¹Tb remained the highest-ranking radionuclide across the investigated kinetic cases and within both diagnostic tracer subgroups. Hybrid ¹⁶¹Tb/⁹⁰Y kernels provided a controllable compromise between localised energy deposition and extended crossfire; a 70:30 model increased central dose localisation while retaining an R90 and R95 of 6 and 7 mm, respectively. Grid-convergence and published-DPK comparisons supported the numerical adequacy of the kernel methodology. Radionuclide emission characteristics substantially influence the transformation of heterogeneous tumour uptake into spatial absorbed-dose distributions. Within this model, ¹⁶¹Tb provided the strongest overall lesion-level dosimetric performance, whereas the extended range of ⁹⁰Y may offer complementary crossfire for selected bulky or heterogeneous lesions. Conclusions: The findings support phenotype-informed radionuclide comparison and provide a computational basis for investigating hybrid strategies. However, the absolute dose estimates and proposed radionuclide combinations remain model-based and require validation using serial therapeutic imaging, heterogeneous patient-specific dosimetry and normal-organ dose constraints before clinical translation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Transradial access (TRA) is a standard approach in the management of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI); however, evidence on using a single catheter for both diagnostic angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is limited. This study evaluates the feasibility and clinical outcomes of using a single Judkins Left (JL) 3.5 guiding catheter via TRA in STEMI patients. Methods: A total of 1139 patients undergoing radial access PCI with a single JL 3.5 catheter were included. Procedural success was defined as completing both diagnostic coronary angiography and PCI without catheter exchange. Procedural characteristics and access-site complications were evaluated. Results: The success rate of completing diagnostic angiography and PCI using a single JL 3.5 guiding catheter without catheter exchange was 91.1%. Compared to procedures requiring multiple catheters, the single-catheter group had significantly lower total contrast volume (200 vs. 250 mL), procedure time (20 vs. 30 min), fluoroscopy time (10.3 vs. 17.6 min), radiation dose (358 vs. 545 mGy), and needle-to-balloon time (6 vs. 9 min), all with p < 0.001. Access-site complications were also lower (8.2% vs. 15.8%; p = 0.010), primarily due to reduced radial artery spasm (4.0% vs. 12.9%; p = 0.001). Conclusions: A single JL 3.5 catheter strategy via transradial access is a safe, efficient, and effective method for STEMI intervention, offering significant procedural and clinical advantages. Full article

Background/Objectives: Radial artery spasm (RAS) is an important complication during transradial coronary angiography that may negatively affect procedural success and reduce patient comfort. The aim of this study was to comparatively evaluate the effects of intravenous (IV) and intra-arterial (IA) heparin administration on the development of RAS. Methods: This prospective, observational parallel-group cohort study included a total of 223 patients undergoing transradial coronary angiography. Patients were divided into two groups, receiving either IV heparin (n = 77) or IA heparin (n = 146). All patients received a standard dose of unfractionated heparin (5000 IU) and an IA spasmolytic cocktail consisting of 2.5 mg verapamil and 100 mcg nitroglycerin. RAS was defined as pain during the procedure, resistance during catheter manipulation, or the need for crossover. Logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed. Results: RAS developed in 40 of 223 patients (17.9%). The incidence of RAS was significantly higher in the IA heparin group than in the IV heparin group (23.3% [34/146] vs. 7.8% [6/77]; p = 0.004). Crossover to femoral access due to severe spasm was observed only in the IA group (6.2% [9/146] vs. 0% [0/77]; p = 0.026). Patients who developed RAS were younger, required a greater number of catheters, had longer angiography duration, and were exposed to a higher total radiation dose (p < 0.05 for all). In ROC analysis, the number of catheters used and angiography duration showed comparable performance in predicting RAS. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, IA heparin administration and the number of catheters used were identified as independent predictors of RAS. Conclusions: During transradial coronary angiography, intravenous heparin administration is associated with a significantly lower frequency of RAS and a reduced need for femoral crossover compared with intra-arterial administration. IV heparin may represent an easily applicable strategy for RAS prevention, although causality cannot be established from this observational study. Full article

Background: Coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention are essential procedures for managing coronary artery disease but expose patients and healthcare personnel to ionizing radiation. Radiation exposure varies with procedural complexity and vascular access route, and repeated occupational exposure in catheterization laboratories (cath-labs) has been linked to serious health hazards among operators. Objectives: Given the high procedural volume and limited routine monitoring at Bangladesh Medical University (BMU), Bangladesh, this study aimed to quantify operator radiation exposure and identify factors influencing radiation dose. Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2023 to April 2024 in two cardiac cath-labs at BMU using two Siemens Axiom Artis angiography systems. Patient, operator, and procedural data, including demographics, operator experience, procedure type, vascular access route, fluoroscopic view, procedure duration, and radiation exposure, were collected from randomly selected routine procedures. Operator radiation exposure was measured at four working positions using a dosimeter, and cumulative annual exposure was estimated based on procedural workload. Descriptive, univariable, and multivariable analyses were performed to identify factors associated with radiation exposure. Results: The study analyzed 776 procedures, in which most patients were aged 46–65 years and male. The majority of procedures were coronary angiography performed via the femoral route. On average, each procedure required 14.28 fluoroscopic views and lasted 8.16 min, with a mean radiation exposure of 1034.5 mGy. Procedural complexity, radial access, and stent use were associated with higher fluoroscopic views, longer procedure time, and increased radiation exposure. Multivariable analysis showed that procedure type and stent number are primarily determinants for the number of fluoroscopic views, while procedure time was mainly driven by imaging demand and vascular access route. Radiation exposure was strongly associated with both procedure time and the number of views, and was higher among male and older patients but slightly lower with femoral access and among older operators. Direct measurements showed higher radiation levels near the operator’s X-ray beam, while estimated annual operator exposure remained low inside the lead apron (0.03–0.05 mSv) compared with outside the lead apron (0.6–1.1 mSv), which is within the limit of internationally accepted cumulative absorbed radiation. Conclusions: This study provides the first comprehensive evaluation of operator radiation exposure in a cardiac cath-lab in the country and the wider region. Procedural characteristics, particularly fluoroscopy use and procedural complexity, were the primary determinants of radiation exposure, while effective shielding and increased distance substantially reduced operator dose. These findings highlight the importance of imaging optimization and consistent implementation of the ALARA principle through structured radiation safety training and careful procedural planning to further minimize occupational exposure. Full article

Background/Objectives: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides a non-invasive means for a comprehensive assessment of the effect of radiation therapy (RT) on heart function. This study aims to determine RT induced cardiotoxicity in thoracic cancer patients using cardiac MRI. Methods: Cardiac MRI was performed at baseline and at six months post-treatment in patients undergoing standard-of-care RT for lung or esophageal cancers at a single institution. Parameters included regional myocardial strain in the longitudinal, circumferential, and radial directions as well as myocardium T1, T2, and extracellular-volume (ECV) maps. Cardiac segmental doses were extracted from the RT planning scans. The relationship between changes in segmental MRI parameters at six months and segmental heart RT dose were investigated. Results: Twelve patients underwent baseline MRI and four completed the follow-up MRI. Five of the segmental strain parameters showed notable changes between baseline and six-month follow-up. Increased doses in the heart base and apex were associated with moderate-to-large and mild deteriorations, respectively, in strain for all regions. Increased doses in the mid-ventricular regions were associated with improved strain in all regions. The segmental analysis revealed that myocardial regions nurtured by the left coronary artery are more negatively affected by radiation compared to those nurtured by the right coronary artery. Conclusions: Alterations in regional tissue and strain parameters on MRI vary according to local myocardial RT dose, suggesting there may be heterogeneity of radiation sensitivity for the heart substructures and regions. Changes in segmental strain parameters may reflect post-RT cardiac remodeling, but larger confirmatory studies are required. Full article

Background: Quality of life (QoL) after transradial access in diagnostic cerebral angiography may be shaped by procedural demands as well as by the ambulatory setting itself. This study, for the first time, prospectively explored this dimension through follow-up assessments of QoL after the procedure. Methods: In this prospective study, QoL was assessed using the 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36), including the Physical and Mental Component Summary (PCS and MCS) as well as eight domain-specific subscales. After right transradial cerebral angiography, the SF-36 questionnaire was administered at baseline (pre-procedure), as well as at 1-month and 3-month follow-up visits. Mean PCS and MCS values were analyzed over time using linear mixed-effects regression models. In post hoc analyses, univariate and multivariable models were used to assess the influence of potential confounders. For subgroup analysis, patients were classified as transient deteriorators if PCS and/or MCS worsened by more than 0.5 SD at 1 month compared with baseline but not at 3 months. Permanent deteriorators were defined as worsening by more than 0.5 SD at both 1 month and 3 months compared with baseline. Results: A total of 35 patients (62.9% female) were recruited over the 12-month study period, with a mean age of 59.1 ± 10.1 years. No significant overall time effect was observed for mean PCS and MCS (p = 0.970 and p = 0.076). MCS showed a significant increase at 1 month compared with baseline (p = 0.046), with a trend toward significance at 3 months (p = 0.053). In post hoc analyses, sex, neurosurgical status, and dose area product were associated with MCS in univariate analyses (p < 0.05), but these associations did not persist after multivariable adjustment. For PCS, only age showed a significant association in univariate analysis (p < 0.05). In subgroup analyses, transient deterioration was more frequent in PCS than in MCS (11.4% [95% CI 3.2–26.7%] vs. 5.7% [95% CI 0.7–19.2%]), and permanent deterioration was also more common in PCS at 1- and 3-month follow-up (14.3% [95% CI 4.8–30.3%] vs. 8.6% [95% CI 1.8–23.1%]). Impairment predominantly involved the bodily pain subscale (88.9% [95% CI 51.8–99.7%]) within PCS and the vitality (80.0% [95% CI 28.4–99.5%]) and mental health sub-scales (80.0% [95% CI 28.4–99.5%]) within MCS. Conclusions: This short-term follow-up assessment demonstrated preserved QoL following transradial diagnostic cerebral angiography. Transient or permanent deterioration occurred in no more than five patients per subgroup (14%). These findings support the notion that a radial-first approach can be safely considered for diagnostic cerebral angiography without compromising patient-reported outcomes. Full article

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) remains an incurable disorder with severe clinical consequences. The type 3 diabetes hypothesis posits that AD may constitute a neuroendocrine disorder driven by disrupted insulin and insulin-like growth factor signaling. Amyloid pathogenesis in AD is characterized by the accumulation of beta-amyloid (Aβ) monomers, their subsequent oligomerization, and amyloid deposition. One of the causes of Aβ accumulation is disruption of amyloid precursor protein (APP) processing due to imbalance in ADAM10 and BACE1 expression. In recent years, increasing attention has been devoted to investigating the role of environmental factors in AD pathogenesis. The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) serves as a key molecular link between environmental exposure and neuroinflammatory pathology. Formaldehyde (FA) is one of the most widespread environmental pollutants. Its involvement in amyloid plaque formation has been previously reported; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying this process remain insufficiently understood. Moreover, most available data are based on prolonged FA exposure, whereas industrial FA emissions are often short-term. The objective of this study was to determine whether brief intranasal administration of FA, modeling episodic industrial pollution, induces RAGE-mediated neuroinflammation and amyloid deposition in CD1 mice. Methods: Mice received intranasal FA at environmentally relevant 0.02 mg/day or 0.2 mg/day doses for seven days; an additional group was co-treated with insulin. Cognitive function was assessed using passive avoidance (PA) and radial arm maze (RAM) tests, and synaptic plasticity was evaluated by electrophysiology. Hippocampal tissue was analyzed for RAGE expression, ADAM10/BACE1 gene balance, Aβ42 monomer levels, and amyloid deposits using optimized Thioflavin-S (Th-S) staining. Results: We observed cognitive decline in mice receiving intranasal FA administration. Elevated blood glucose levels were also observed following intranasal FA exposure. Sustained impairment of glucose metabolism led to overexpression of the RAGE in the hippocampus. There was also an imbalance of ADAM10 and BACE1 expression in the hippocampus. This was caused by overexpression of RAGE, as the enhanced interaction of the ligand and RAGE is a key factor disrupting this balance. Finally, Th-S staining confirmed amyloid deposition in mice subjected to intranasal FA exposure. Conclusions: This study provides new insights into the RAGE-mediated mechanisms by which FA contributes to the pathogenesis of AD. Full article

Background: Structural and functional alterations resulting from radial access for cerebral diagnostic catheter angiography might contribute to impaired wrist function. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the transradial approach for diagnostic cerebral procedures on wrist function, using prospective follow-up assessments. Methods: Wrist function was prospectively assessed by using the Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) questionnaire at baseline (pre-procedural assessment), as well as at 1-month and 3-month follow-up assessments (PRWE: 0 to 100, with 0 indicating no functional impairment). Association analyses with demographic and clinical parameters were performed using univariate logistic regression models. Results: During the 12-month observation period, 35 patients were enrolled in the study. At baseline, 25 patients (71.4%) reported no wrist impairment, while 10 patients (28.6%) had PRWE scores of up to 51. At the 1-month assessment, seven participants (20%) experienced a worsening in wrist function, reflected by increased PRWE scores. Of these, five patients showed deterioration exceeding the minimum clinically important difference. Another eight participants (22.9%) showed an improvement. A worsening of wrist function between the baseline and 1-month follow-up was not significantly associated with age, sex, prior neurosurgical status, body mass index (BMI), total procedure duration, dose area product, or fluoroscopy time (p > 0.05). At the 3-month follow-up, none of the patients reported any wrist-related impairments. Conclusions: In this exploratory cohort, the use of the transradial approach for cerebral angiography resulted in no wrist-related impairment at the 3-month follow-up. Transient worsening occurred in 20%, including clinically relevant cases, underscoring the need for larger studies with objective outcome measures. Full article

This work investigates the reactive crystallization of lithium carbonate (Li₂CO₃) by rapidly mixing concentrated aqueous solutions of LiCl (3.0–4.0 M) and Na₂CO₃ (1.5–2.0 M) at 65 °C, using focused beam reflectance measurement (FBRM) for online, in situ monitoring. The effect of low concentrations of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP), and sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) on nucleation and growth dynamics was systematically analyzed. The results show that the process is dominated by an intense initial supersaturation pulse, which governs early nucleation and subsequent population restructuring through growth and aggregation. Additives significantly modify the nucleation-growth coupling: PAA exhibits concentration- and time-dependent behavior, suppressing the detectable fines population and promoting consolidation into coarse fractions under high supersaturation; SHMP acts as a strong kinetic inhibitor, markedly reducing nucleation and, to a greater extent, growth; while STPP exhibits an intermediate, dose-dependent response, maintaining nucleation but limiting effective growth at high concentrations. Scanning electron microscopy observations confirm the formation of spherulitic Li₂CO₃ aggregates in all cases, with compactness and radial organization dependent on the additive. These results demonstrate that targeted additive selection allows for precise control of population dynamics and solid properties in reactive crystallization systems, within the investigated high-supersaturation concentration window, with useful mechanistic guidance for the design and control of Li₂CO₃ precipitation processes. Full article

Hyphal systems have been essential for the morphoanatomical characterization of basidiomes and mycelia of aphyllophoroid fungi for taxonomic purposes. They have also been shown to influence the consistency of basidiomes. Recent developments in areas such as mycelium composite production as sustainable materials have redirected scientists’ attention to these structures, particularly regarding their material resistance, where complex hyphal systems enhance the properties of these composites. Compounds such as farnesol and octenol trigger growth and differentiation processes in many fungal groups, and laccases have been proposed as enzymes involved in these processes, given their roles in the synthesis of cell wall pigments and other cell wall components. Given the easily quantifiable differences in hyphal knots and dimitic mycelium between Fuscoporia torulosa and Inocutis tamaricis, we employed them as models to study their responses to these compounds, thereby helping fill the knowledge gap in the modulation of macrofungal mycelial differentiation. A variable effect was observed on laccase induction, while radial growth was reduced by octenol by up to 83% in F. torulosa and 65% in I. tamaricis, and by farnesol by up to 80% in I. tamaricis, showing slight effects on F. torulosa. Reductions of up to 100% were observed in the combination of high doses of both chemicals. Full article

Microfluidics enables precise manipulation of scarce Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) samples while accelerating analysis and enhancing sensitivity. Device-level structures explain these gains: staggered herringbone and serpentine mixers overcome low-Reynolds-number constraints to shorten diffusion distances and reduce incubation time; flow-focusing or T-junction droplet generators create one-droplet–one-reaction compartments that suppress cross-talk and support high-throughput screening; “Christmas-tree” gradient generators deliver quantitative dosing landscapes for mechanism-aware assays; micropillar/weir arrays and nanostructured capture surfaces raise surface-to-volume ratios and probe density, improving capture efficiency and limits of detection; porous-membrane, perfused organ-on-a-chip architectures recreate apical–basolateral transport and physiological shear, enabling metabolism-aware pharmacology and predictive toxicology; wax-patterned paper microfluidics (µPADs) use capillary networks for instrument-free metering in field settings; and lab-on-a-disc radial channels/valves exploit centrifugal pumping for parallelised workflows. Framed by key performance indicators—sensitivity (LOD/LOQ), reliability/reproducibility, time-to-result, throughput, sample volume, and sustainability/cost—this review synthesises how such structures translate into value across TCM quality/safety control, toxicology, pharmacology, screening, and delivery. Emphasis on structure–function relationships clarifies where microfluidics most effectively closes gaps between chemical fingerprints and biological potency and indicates practical routes for standardisation and deployment. Full article

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) affects over 55 million individuals worldwide, yet no transformative disease-modifying therapies exist. Mathematical modelling provides a powerful framework to elucidate complex disease mechanisms, predict therapeutic outcomes, and enable precision medicine—capabilities urgently needed where multiscale spatiotemporal processes defy experimental analysis alone. We developed a mechanistic spatiotemporal model coupling four AD hallmarks: β-amyloid (Aβ) accumulation, T-protein (T-p) aggregation, neuroinflammation and electrical conductivity decline. Formulated as non-linear partial differential equations (p.d.es) on a 3-dimensional biological interpretation of non-linear terms (the ellipsoidal brain domain with biologically grounded parameters), the model was solved using eigenfunction expansion, Fourier analysis and numerical methods. Therapeutic interventions were simulated through mechanistically motivated parameter modifications and validated against longitudinal biomarker data from major cohort studies. Simulations reveal Aβ-initiated spatiotemporal cascades originating in the hippocampus and spreading radially at 0.15–0.20 cm/year, with T-pathology emerging after 2–3 years. Conductivity decline accelerates upon T-onset (year 5–7), reflecting the transition to symptomatic disease. Multimodal intervention at early symptomatic stages reduces peak Aβ by 36% and inflammation by 52% and preserves 41% more conductivity than untreated controls. Sensitivity analysis identifies Aβ production and inflammatory regulation as critical therapeutic targets, with dose–response curves demonstrating linear efficacy relationships. This biologically grounded framework explicitly links molecular pathology to functional decline, enabling patient-specific trajectory prediction through parameter calibration. The model establishes a foundation for precision medicine applications including individualized prognosis, optimal treatment timing and virtual clinical trial design, advancing quantitative systems biology of neurodegeneration. Full article

Despite extensive work on FeOCl-based photocatalysts, few studies have explored rare-earth (Ce) doping to simultaneously tune bandgap, suppress charge recombination, and enhance visible light-driven persulfate (PS) activation for the degradation of emerging contaminants. This study synthesized FeOCl/Ce composite photocatalysts via a partial pyrolysis method and systematically characterized their physicochemical properties. The results show that Ce doping significantly lowers the bandgap energy of the photocatalyst, enhances its visible light absorption ability, and effectively suppresses the recombination of photogenerated electron–hole pairs, thereby markedly improving photocatalytic performance under visible light. Analyses including XRD, EDS, XPS, and FT-IR confirm that Ce is incorporated into the FeOCl matrix and modulates the radial growth behavior of FeOCl without altering its intrinsic crystal structure. Morphological observations reveal that FeOCl/Ce exhibits a uniform nanosheet layered structure, with larger particles formed by the aggregation of smaller nanosheets. The nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherm of FeOCl/Ce shows characteristics of Type IV with a relatively small BET surface area. The broadened optical absorption edge of FeOCl/Ce and the results of PL spectra and I-T curves further confirm its enhanced visible light absorption capacity and reduced electron–hole recombination compared to pure FeOCl. At an initial caffeine (CAF) concentration of 10 μM, FeOCl/Ce dose of 0.5 g/L, PS concentration of 1 mM, and initial pH of 5.06, the FeOCl/Ce-catalyzed PS system under visible light irradiation can degrade 91.2% of CAF within 30 min. An acidic environment is more favorable for CAF degradation, while the presence of SO₄²⁻, Cl⁻, and NO₃⁻ inhibits the process performance to varying degrees, possibly due to competitive adsorption on the photocatalyst surface or quenching of reactive species. Cyclic stability tests show that FeOCl/Ce maintains good catalytic performance over multiple runs. Mechanistic analysis indicates that ^•OH and holes are the dominant reactive species for CAF degradation, while PS mainly acts as an electron acceptor to suppress electron–hole recombination. Overall, the FeOCl/Ce photocatalytic system demonstrates high efficiency, good stability, and visible light responsiveness in CAF degradation, with potential applications for removing CAF and other emerging organic pollutants from aquatic environments. Full article