Search Results (2,294)

Background/Objectives: Periodontitis reflects a dysregulated inflammatory response in which impaired resolution and efferocytosis may play a central role. The TAM receptor MerTK and its ligand growth arrest-specific-6 (Gas6) are key regulators of these processes; however, their profile in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) across the periodontal disease spectrum remains unclear. This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate GCF levels of Gas6 and soluble MerTK (sMerTK) in individuals with periodontal health, gingivitis, and periodontitis, and to examine their associations with clinical periodontal parameters. Methods: Eighty-one systemically healthy adults were enrolled into three groups: periodontal health, gingivitis, and periodontitis. Full-mouth clinical periodontal measurements were recorded. Gas6 and sMerTK levels were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: sMerTK progressively decreased from periodontal health to gingivitis and periodontitis, with significant differences among all groups (p < 0.001). Gas6 total amount was higher in the diseased groups, whereas its concentration decreased. The Gas6/sMerTK ratio increased stepwise with disease severity (p < 0.001), showing positive correlations with clinical attachment loss and other clinical periodontal parameters, while sMerTK showed inverse correlations. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the local GCF Gas6/sMerTK balance is altered across periodontal states, primarily due to a marked reduction in sMerTK. The Gas6/sMerTK ratio may represent a potential exploratory indicator of periodontal inflammatory status, although longitudinal validation is required. Full article

Gender role beliefs have been found to play a role in healthcare interactions and outcomes, although research is scarce in contexts where gender-diversity trends increasingly challenge enduring traditions, as is currently the case in Romanian society. This study explored reported gender-role beliefs and behavioural patterns among fifty Romanian participants involved in medical training and practice, representing a heterogeneous socio-professional spectrum rather than a uniform academic group (aged 20–52 with different personal circumstances and clinical employment). Written and oral reflections on gender role axioms widely known in Romania were assessed using an interpretative phenomenological approach. Results indicated strong endorsement of traditional beliefs—such as male authority and female domestic responsibility—while participants also reported behaviours and life situations inconsistent with those beliefs, including women serving as primary earners, engaging in advanced studies, and balancing multiple roles, and men in caregiving professions. This apparent belief–practice gap, not recognised as such by participants, suggests limited prior reflection on gender issues and potential tensions between pressure to conform to inherited sociocultural norms and evolving personal and professional realities. These findings raise questions regarding possible implications for clinical care, as gender-role assumptions may influence communication, rapport, and preparedness for engaging with gender-diverse patients and peers. They suggest a need for gender-diversity education, reflexivity training, and cultural competence development across undergraduate curricula, continuing education, and workplace training. The key insight of the study is that traditional gender representations can persist unexamined alongside changing behavioural realities, warranting further investigation of their relevance for healthcare education and practice. Full article

Remote sensing reflectance (R_rs) in optically complex waters is controlled by the combined effects of phytoplankton, colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM), and suspended mineral particles. In the Baltic Sea, strong CDOM absorption and variable particle loads complicate the interpretation of ocean color signals and the retrieval of biogeochemical properties. In this study, we investigate the individual and combined influence of these optically significant constituents on R_rs using a set of HydroLight radiative transfer simulations representing typical Baltic Sea conditions. A wide range of chlorophyll-a (0.25–10 mg·m⁻³), CDOM absorption (0.5–15 m⁻¹), and particulate inorganic matter (0.04–4 g·m⁻³) was considered. To quantify the influence of each component, a spectral response function was applied, defined as the change in R_rs relative to a normalized perturbation of each input parameter. This approach preserves information about the magnitude of the reflectance signal and allows direct comparison of the impact of different constituents across the visible spectrum. The spectral response analysis reveals that the relative influence of each constituent varies with wavelength and environmental conditions, highlighting the limitations of single-band or ratio-based algorithms in optically complex waters. These findings provide a quantitative framework for interpreting spectral variability of R_rs in the Baltic Sea and other optically complex water basins, support the development of more robust bio-optical algorithms for Case 2 waters. Similar spectral response analysis can be conducted in other water basins in order to quantify combined constituent-specific effects on R_rs. Full article

Pharmaceutical residues are increasingly detected in aquatic environments and are recognized as contaminants of emerging concern. This systematic literature review compiled and evaluated published concentrations of pharmaceutical residues in bottled water, tap water, and surface water in Portugal, applying risk quotient (RQ) and screening-level risk quotient (RQ_screen) approaches to evaluate potential human health risks and prioritize contaminants. Assessment based on the compiled literature data across age groups showed bottled and tap water posed low risk, while surface water presented the highest concern, with compounds spanning the full risk spectrum. Key contributors to potential human health risk included hormones (17-alpha-ethinylestradiol, 17-beta-estradiol, estrone), ramipril, betamethasone, citalopram, and amoxicillin. RQ_screen highlighted compounds relevant for ongoing monitoring even in treated waters, such as carbamazepine, diclofenac, salicylic acid, warfarin, fluoxetine, and erythromycin, due to their persistence and toxicological significance. Both RQ and RQ_screen indicated higher risk values for infants and children, reflecting lower body weight and higher water intake per unit mass, underscoring the need for age-specific evaluations. The RQ_screen method proved useful for contaminant prioritization, identifying substances relevant for monitoring despite low concentrations. Overall, this systematic review highlights pharmaceutical residues as an emerging public and environmental health concern in Portugal and emphasizes the importance of targeted monitoring and risk-based management within a One Health framework. Full article

Background: Uric acid (UA) exhibits a dual role, with anti-oxidant or pro-oxidant effects determined by its concentration. However, its association with lipid metabolism across different uric acid states remains unclear. This study explored lipid abnormalities across the full uric acid spectrum in a large adult population. Methods: A total of 13,223 adults included in this analysis were classified as hypouricemic, normouricemic, or hyperuricemic based on serum uric acid levels. Lipid profiles, prevalence, associations, risk estimates, and diagnostic accuracy were evaluated using descriptive and multivariate statistical analyses. Results: The prevalence of hyperuricemia was 17.26%, while hypouricemia accounted for 2% of the population. Compared with normouricemia, hyperuricemic subjects exhibited substantially greater levels of LDL, TC, and TG and lower HDL concentrations (all p < 0.0001). Conversely, hypouricemia exhibited elevated HDL and lower LDL, TC, and TG levels, a pattern consistent across sex and age groups. Lipid abnormalities were most frequent among hyperuricemic participants, notably low HDL (45.9%), high LDL (52.8%), high TC (48.2%), and high TG (36.8%). In contrast, hypouricemia was associated with the lowest prevalence and reduced odds of each abnormality. Serum UA correlated significantly with all lipid measures. In multiple regression analysis, UA remained an independent positive predictor of LDL-C (β = 3.45), TC (β = 3.09), and TG (β = 11.33), and a negative predictor of HDL (β = −2.66) after adjusting for age, sex, glycemia status, and renal function. Conclusions: Both UA extremes reflect distinct metabolic states: hyperuricemia showed an adverse lipid profile, whereas hypouricemia was associated with a comparatively more favorable lipid profile, highlighting the association between UA levels and lipid metabolism. Full article

To develop high-performance and eco-friendly passive daytime radiative cooling (PDRC) materials, calcium carbonate (CaCO₃)/porous polylactic acid (PLA) nanofibers were fabricated via electrospinning. This fabrication utilized PLA as the matrix and 40 nm CaCO₃ nanoparticles as fillers, with ambient humidity controlled above 85%RH during electrospinning. The resulting nanofibers possessed numerous CaCO₃/PLA interfaces and porous surface structures. Experimental results demonstrated that the CaCO₃/porous PLA nanofibers achieved a solar reflectivity of ~92.3%, significantly exceeding that of PLA (~72.1%), CaCO₃/PLA (~86.0%), and porous PLA (~79.6%) nanofibers. During outdoor testing, CaCO₃/porous PLA nanofibers exhibited optimal PDRC performance with a temperature reduction of ~10.3 °C, representing a 6.1 °C improvement compared to PLA nanofibers. This enhancement is attributed to synergistic light-scattering sites generated by surface porosity and CaCO₃/PLA interfaces, which collectively strengthen solar spectrum scattering. Furthermore, significant morphological degradation was observed after 80-day soil burial, confirming biodegradability. This study proposes a facile strategy for developing high-performance eco-friendly PDRC materials. Full article

Background/Objectives: Heart failure (HF) classification based on left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) provides an incomplete representation of disease complexity, as it does not fully integrate functional impairment, structural remodeling, and clinical severity within a unified framework. Although N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is widely used for diagnosis and risk stratification, prior studies have primarily evaluated its role in isolation or within individual HF phenotypes, leaving its phenotype-specific distribution and integrative capacity across the HF spectrum insufficiently defined. This study aimed to address this gap by systematically evaluating NT-proBNP across HF phenotypes and assessing its potential as an integrative biomarker linking ventricular dysfunction, structural remodeling, and clinical severity. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted including 125 participants, comprising 65 clinically stable HF patients and 60 age- and sex-matched controls. HF patients were stratified according to LVEF into HF with reduced EF (HFrEF) (n = 28), (HFmrEF) (n = 20), and HF with preserved EF (HFpEF) (n = 17). Serum NT-proBNP concentrations were measured using a standardized electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Clinical and echocardiographic parameters, including LVEF, left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left atrial diameter (LAD), and New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class, were recorded and analyzed. Results: NT-proBNP levels were significantly higher in HF patients compared with controls (1845 ± 620 vs. 95.7 ± 40.5 pg/mL; p < 0.001) and demonstrated a clear stepwise increase across phenotypes (HFrEF: 2850.6 ± 710.4; HFmrEF: 1620.8 ± 480.2; HFpEF: 920.9 ± 310.3 pg/mL; p < 0.001). NT-proBNP showed a strong inverse correlation with LVEF (r = −0.68, p < 0.001) and significant positive correlations with LVEDD (r = 0.61, p < 0.001) and LAD (r = 0.57, p < 0.001). Higher levels were associated with more advanced NYHA functional class (III–IV vs. II: 2510 ± 680 vs. 980 ± 340 pg/mL; p < 0.001). ROC analysis demonstrated robust discriminatory performance across HF phenotypes, with the highest accuracy observed in HFrEF. Conclusions: NT-proBNP exhibits a phenotype-dependent gradient and consistently reflects ventricular dysfunction, adverse structural remodeling, and clinical severity across the HF spectrum. These findings support its role as an integrative biomarker that captures the multidimensional nature of HF, with potential implications for phenotype-based risk stratification and more precise clinical decision making. Full article

We present a transdisciplinary Teaching–Learning Sequence (TLS) for lower secondary school students that integrates climate change education with the promotion of gender equality in science. The TLS connects theoretical understanding with practical engagement through laboratory demonstrations, simulations, and accessible experiments. The sequence addresses key topics in sustainability education, including incoming and outgoing radiation, the greenhouse effect, energy transformations, and energy sources, through activities involving the electromagnetic spectrum, infrared imaging, selective transparency, absorption, and albedo. It also includes inquiry-based explorations of electromagnetic induction, miniature hydroelectric and wind power systems, Stirling engines, photovoltaic and concentrated solar technologies, and combustion-related CO₂ acidification. A distinctive feature of the TLS is the explicit integration of the social dimension of sustainability through discussion of the Matilda Effect and the historical case of Eunice Newton Foote, with the aim of challenging persistent gender stereotypes in STEM. The intervention was implemented with 12–13-year-old students and evaluated through pre- and post-tests, written explanations, closed-ended questions, drawings, and the Draw-A-Scientist Test. The results indicate a significant improvement in students’ understanding of climate-related scientific concepts and in their critical awareness of misinformation and climate denial strategies. While the sequence did not significantly increase students’ engagement in climate action, the gender-focused activities promoted strong critical reflection on stereotypes and on the role of women in science. Full article

Haze commonly degrades visible-spectrum remote sensing (RS) images by reducing contrast and distorting colors. Existing RS dehazing methods still face two limitations. Prior-driven methods rely on handcrafted assumptions that may become unreliable in complex wide-area scenes without explicit sky regions. Learning-based methods require paired training data, yet real aligned hazy/haze-free RS image pairs are difficult to collect, which limits their real-world generalization. To address these limitations, we propose a method called Remote Sensing Image Dehazing via RGB-Space Physical Constraints (RDPC). The new method revisits the atmospheric scattering model (ASM) from the perspective of RS imaging and builds the restoration process on several physical properties of hazy image formation. For atmospheric light estimation, the RGB-space line-convergence behavior of local regions with similar reflectance and slight depth variations is exploited, allowing atmospheric light to be estimated without explicit sky areas. For transmission estimation, the geometric relation between observed pixels and atmospheric light is used in RGB space, where local perpendicularity provides physically plausible haze-removal guidance and global compensation helps avoid excessive darkening and color degradation. The estimated transmission and albedo guidance are further refined by enforcing ASM consistency and variation sparsity through joint optimization. Experiments on synthetic and real-world RS image dehazing benchmarks demonstrate that RDPC achieves competitive performance against representative prior-based and learning-based methods, including Image Dehazing and Exposure (IDE), Iterative Predictor-Critic (IPC), Curvature-to-Plane Prior (C2P), Adaptive Structure-Texture Awareness (ASTA), Asymmetric U-Net (AU-Net), Efficient Multi-scale Prior Fusion (EMPF), and Lightweight Feature Dehazing (LFD), in terms of peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR), structural similarity index measure (SSIM), learned perceptual image patch similarity (LPIPS), Blind/Referenceless Image Spatial Quality Evaluator (BRISQUE), neural image assessment (NIMA), and processing time. Full article

Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni) is an important source of natural sweeteners. Since its commercial value depends on steviol glycosides, quality assessment primarily involves quantifying these compounds in leaves and shoots. While chromatography is the standard analytical method, it is labor-intensive and time-consuming; it involves multiple processing steps that may cumulatively introduce errors and remains relatively expensive. Although chromatography remains the most accurate method, this exploratory study evaluates the potential of using spectroscopy as an auxiliary method for the approximate assessment of steviol glycoside content. Leaf reflectance spectroscopy could be a simpler and more cost-effective approach. However, relationships between leaf reflectance and steviol glycoside content are indirect and mediated by physiological processes. To account for these indirect dependencies, cumulative UVB exposure was included as an additional feature because it influences both leaf optical properties and plant metabolic processes. A low-cost spectrometer was utilized as the measuring instrument. The study was conducted over a period of three months on 77 S. rebaudiana clones, divided into four groups based on their level of UVB irradiance (control without irradiation, 400, 600, and 800 μW m⁻²). Based on the collected data, linear and polynomial regression, Random Forest, XGBoost, PLSR, and ElasticNetCV models were trained. Cumulative UVB exposure was found to be the most important feature. Of the spectral features, the most informative for assessing the content of steviol glycosides were spectral indicators in the far-red and near-infrared (NIR) ranges. Our results indicate a detectable relationship, with Random Forest being the best-performing model and achieving a moderate predictive performance (R² = 0.66). Despite their limited predictive performance, the models demonstrate that leaf reflectance spectra combined with cumulative UVB exposure contain information related to steviol glycoside content. These findings support further investigation of remote sensing approaches for crop quality assessment. Full article

Background/Objectives: Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) is an increasingly prevalent and potentially life-threatening complication in women with placenta previa. Despite widespread clinical use, the inter-modality agreement between prenatal ultrasound and MRI and their comparative value for predicting perioperative hemorrhage remain poorly characterized, particularly in low-to-moderate risk populations where placenta accreta predominates. We aimed to compare inter-modality agreement between standardized ultrasound and MRI impressions and to evaluate each modality’s predictive value for perioperative hemorrhage. Methods: This prospective cohort study enrolled 47 women with placenta previa who underwent both standardized ultrasound and MRI prospectively between 28 + 0 and 32 + 6 weeks of gestation, with perioperative outcomes collected at the time of cesarean delivery. Both modalities were classified using a three-tier impression system (None/Suspected/Likely) based on standardized structural, vascular, and invasive marker composites. The primary outcome was inter-modality agreement (linearly weighted Cohen’s κ); secondary outcomes were the association of each modality’s impression with postpartum hemorrhage (PPH; estimated blood loss ≥ 1000 mL) and estimated blood loss (EBL). Results: PAS was confirmed in 18 of 47 women (38.3%), predominantly placenta accreta (83.3%). Inter-modality agreement was fair (weighted κ = 0.263), structural concordance was moderate (κ = 0.539), while vascular agreement was near-absent (κ = 0.085). Ultrasound impression demonstrated a dose-dependent association with PPH rates (38.5%, 52.9%, and 82.4% across None, Suspected, and Likely tiers; p = 0.048) and EBL (800, 1000, and 1800 mL; p = 0.003), with logistic regression confirming a 2.70-fold increase in PPH odds per tier (p = 0.018; AUC 0.657). MRI impression was not associated with PPH (p = 1.000), EBL (p = 0.743), or PAS status (p = 0.741; AUC 0.543). Serum AFP was significantly elevated in women with PPH (p = 0.005). Conclusions: In this accreta-predominant, low-to-moderate risk cohort, ultrasound—but not MRI—demonstrated a significant dose-dependent association with perioperative hemorrhage. These findings should not be interpreted as evidence of general MRI inadequacy but rather as reflecting the specific imaging context in which MRI’s strengths in deep invasion characterization are less clinically determinative. These results support ultrasound as the primary tool for hemorrhage risk stratification in this population. Full article

Tight oil reservoir quality and development effectiveness are highly dependent on microscopic pore structure characteristics and spatial heterogeneity. In this study, tight sandstones from the Chang 3, Chang 6, Chang 7, and Chang 8 members of the Triassic Yanchang Formation in the Xunyi exploration area, southern Ordos Basin, were selected as research objects. By integrating X-ray diffraction (XRD), cast thin sections, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-pressure mercury injection (HPMI) experiments, and multifractal theory, the multi-scale heterogeneity characteristics of pore structures in different layers were quantitatively characterized. The response relationships between multifractal parameters, macroscopic physical properties, and pore size distributions were discussed, and the geological control mechanisms of sedimentation and diagenesis on heterogeneity were revealed. The results indicate that the sedimentary environment plays a fundamental role in controlling reservoir physical properties. The Chang 3 and Chang 8 members, deposited in underwater distributary channels, are dominated by primary and dissolution pores, with physical properties significantly superior to the gravity flow-deposited Chang 6 and Chang 7 members. Multifractal analysis shows that the Chang 3 member has the largest singularity spectrum width (Δα =1.943 ± 0.56) and heterogeneity index (R_d = 1.782 ± 0.99), reflecting its broadest pore size distribution, strongest heterogeneity, and significant intra-layer differences; while the pore structures from Chang 6 to Chang 8 are relatively stable, with the Chang 8 member exhibiting high spatial connectivity. This study demonstrates that the quantitative evaluation method based on multifractal theory can effectively identify microscopic structural differences in tight sandstones, providing a critical supporting basis for reservoir classification characterization and favorable layer selection in the Yanchang Formation of the Ordos Basin. Full article

Background: Pericardial involvement is the most common cardiac manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), ranging from mild effusion to recurrent pericarditis and cardiac tamponade. The influence of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) on lupus-related pericardial disease remains unclear. Methods: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines and registered in PROSPERO. PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library were searched from inception to January 2026 for observational studies evaluating pericardial manifestations in adult SLE patients. APS/aPL status was considered a potential modifying factor when reported. Results: Seven observational studies were included. Pericardial involvement ranged from acute and recurrent pericarditis to large effusions and cardiac tamponade. Across studies, it was consistently associated with higher disease activity and markers of immune activation. Recurrent pericarditis emerged as a clinically relevant phenotype linked to more severe disease and worse outcomes. Cardiac tamponade, although rare, was associated with significant morbidity and mortality. APS/aPL-related data were heterogeneous and inconsistently reported across studies. No consistent APS-specific association with pericardial disease could be established, although APS or aPL-related findings were occasionally reported in selected severe or clinically complex presentations. Conclusions: Pericardial involvement in SLE reflects systemic inflammatory burden and spans a broad clinical spectrum. Current evidence regarding APS remains limited and heterogeneous, although APS may contribute to disease complexity in selected severe presentations. Importantly, isolated aPL positivity should not be interpreted as equivalent to formally classified APS. Prospective studies with standardized definitions and systematic assessment of APS are needed. Full article

Introduction: Long-term ecological changes in estuarine communities are primarily driven by anthropogenic and environmental pressures. While abundance-based indicators are commonly used to assess these shifts, they often mask underlying ecological aspects related to age and/or size dynamics that may not necessarily be reflected in the abundance-based approach. Objective: This work tested a size-based indicator approach to examine the long-term changes in the size structure of the Mondego estuarine fish community (Portugal), using a 22-year dataset (2003 to 2025). Methodology: To capture the whole size structure, eight size-based indicators were applied, including mean length (MeanL), length at the 10th percentile (L10), median length (MedianL), length at the 90th percentile (L90), mean length of the 90th percentile (Lmax), size spectrum, the Large Fish index, and the Shannon index of length classes, at community and species levels and subsequently considered these in relation with with local and large-scale environmental factors. Results: Linear models identified a sharp, consistent decline in the overall size of the community, significantly correlated with the North Atlantic Oscillation index (NAO) and increasing estuarine water temperatures. A dynamic factor analysis (DFA) further identified one common trend across species for all indicators, corroborating the decrease in the overall size of the community while also acknowledging contrasting responses from different species, suggesting a heterogenous response across the fish community. Conclusions: These results highlight the importance of size-based indicators when assessing long-term ecological changes in marine ecosystems, allowing us to better understand how size structures shift, their relationship with a changing environment, and the long-term ecological outcomes in terms of community stability, resilience, recruitment, and ecosystem functioning. Full article

Phytoplankton are primary producers in the aquatic ecosystems whose pigments, cell size, and physiological state affect how they absorb light and fix carbon. The phytoplankton absorption coefficient (ɑ_ph(λ)) in the visible spectrum is a fundamental cellular optical property that determines phytoplankton–light interactions in the marine environment. This property links biological processes to ocean color remote sensing reflectance (Rrs), enabling an assessment of environmental and biogeochemical conditions in the ocean using ocean color satellites. This study presents a multi-stage systematic review of six decades (1965–2025) of ɑ_ph(λ) research, with a focused synthesis of developments in the past decade. A bibliometric analysis empirically examines the research growth of the field and its thematic convergence into methodological divergence across six decades. Cluster analysis was used to compile influential research topics as well as emerging trends, to determine the scope and design of the systematic review. A focused systematic review of studies in the past decade (2015–2025) has been carried out to identify conceptual and theoretical advances, major observational and algorithmic improvements, and ongoing challenges. The data analyses highlight the accuracy achieved by various studies, the complexity of applications of algorithms, and product-focused developments. The ongoing challenges identified include resolving optical degeneracy, vertical structure acquisition, and scaling methods for operational use. This review concludes the centrality of ɑ_ph(λ) as a key parameter to next-generation ocean color science, biogeochemical modeling, and climate-related ecosystem monitoring. Full article