Search Results (192)

Against the dual backdrop of the rural revitalization strategy and the pursuit of high-quality, balanced urban–rural education, optimizing rural campus spaces has emerged as an important lever for addressing educational resource disparities and improving pedagogical quality. However, conventional evaluation of campus space optimization faces two systemic dilemmas. First, top-down decision-making often neglects the authentic needs of diverse stakeholders and place-based knowledge, resulting in spatial interventions that lose regional distinctiveness. Second, routine public participation is constrained by geographical barriers, time costs, and sample-size limitations, which can amplify professional cognitive bias and impede comprehensive feedback formation. The compounded effect of these challenges contributes to a disconnect between spatial optimization outcomes and perceived needs, thereby constraining the distinctive development of rural educational spaces. To address these constraints, this study proposes a novel method that integrates regional spatial feature recognition with digital media-based public perception assessment. At the data collection and ethical governance level, the study strictly adheres to platform compliance and academic ethics. A total of 12,800 preliminary comments were scraped from major social media platforms (e.g., Douyin, Dianping, and Xiaohongshu) and processed through a three-stage screening workflow—keyword screening–rule-based filtering–manual verification—to yield 8616 valid records covering diverse public groups across China. All user-identifying information was fully anonymized to ensure lawful use and privacy protection. At the analytical modeling level, we develop a Transformer-based deep learning system that leverages multi-head attention mechanisms to capture implicit spatial-sentiment features and metaphorical expressions embedded in review texts. Evaluation on an independent test set indicates a classification accuracy of 89.2%, aligning with balanced and stable scoring performance. Robustness is further strengthened by introducing an equal-weight alternative strategy and conducting stability checks to indicate the consistency of model outputs across weighting assumptions. At the scenario interpretation level, we combine grounded-theory coding with semantic network analysis to establish a three-tier spatial analysis framework—macro (landscape pattern/hydro-topological patterns), meso (architectural interface), and micro (teaching scenes/pedagogical scenarios)—and incorporate an interpretive stakeholder typology (tourists, residents, parents, and professional groups) to systematically identify and quantify key features shaping public spatial perception. Findings show that, at the macro level, naturally integrated scenarios—such as “campus–farmland integration” and “mountain–water embeddedness”—exhibit high affective association, aligning with the “mountain-water-field-village” spatial sequence logic and suggesting broad public endorsement of ecological campus concepts, whereas vernacular settlement-pattern scenarios receive relatively low attention due to cognitive discontinuities. At the meso level, innovative corridor strategies (e.g., framed vistas and expanded corridor spaces) strengthen the building–nature interaction and suggest latent value in stimulating exploratory spatial experience. At the micro level, place-based practice-oriented teaching scenes (e.g., intangible cultural heritage handcraft and creative workshops) achieve higher scores, aligning with the compatibility of vernacular education’s “differential esthetics,” while urban convergence-oriented interdisciplinary curriculum scenes suggest an interpretive gap relative to public expectations. These results indicate an embedded relationship between public perception and regional spatial features, which is further shaped by a multi-actor governance process—characterized by “Government + Influencers + Field Study”—that mediates how rural educational spaces are produced, communicated, and interpreted in digital environments. The study’s innovative value lies in integrating sociological theories (e.g., embeddedness) with deep learning techniques to fill the regional and multi-actor perspective gap in rural campus POE and to promote a methodological shift from “experience-based induction” toward a “data-theory” dual-drive model. The findings provide inferential evidence for rural campus renewal and optimization; the methodological pipeline is transferable to small-scale rural primary schools with media exposure and salient regional ecological characteristics, and it offers a new pathway for incorporating digital media-driven public perception feedback into planning and design practice. The research methodology of this study consists of four sequential stages, which are implemented in a systematic and progressive manner: First, data collection was conducted: Python and the Octopus Collector were used to crawl online comment data related to Fuwen Township Central Primary School, strictly complying with the user agreements of the Douyin, Dianping, and Xiaohongshu platforms. Second, semantic preprocessing was performed: The evaluation content was segmented to generate word frequency statistics and semantic networks; qualitative analysis was conducted using Origin software, and quantitative translation was realized via Sankey diagrams. Third, spatial scene coding was carried out: Combined with a spatial characteristic identification system, a macro–meso–micro three-tier classification system for spatial scene characteristics was constructed to encode and quantitatively express the textual content. Finally, sentiment quantification and correlation analysis was implemented: A deep learning model based on the Transformer framework was employed to perform sentiment quantification scoring for each comment; Sankey diagrams were used to quantitatively correlate spatial scenes with sentiment tendencies, thereby exploring the public’s perceptual associations with the architectural spatial environment of rural campuses. Full article

Background and Objectives: The aim of this retrospective study was to assess brachial plexus decompression throughout the sequential stages of the Roos procedure and to elucidate the role of first rib resection in the surgical management of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (T.O.S). Materials and Methods: A total of 34 patients with a mean age of 34.6 years were included in this retrospective analysis. All patients underwent transaxillary first rib resection following anterior scalenotomy, consistent with the Roos procedure. Intraoperative brachial plexus functionality was assessed using recording electrodes for sensory and motor stimulation on the deltoid, biceps, triceps brachii, and abductor digiti minimi muscles. Mixed linear models with log-transformed data were used to assess changes in muscle measurements across surgical stages, with statistical significance at p less than 0.05. Results: The electromyographic values of the deltoid, biceps brachii, triceps brachii, and abductor digiti minimi muscles were significantly higher in the final post-operative neutral position compared to both the post-anterior scalenotomy and initial preoperative neutral positions. No significant differences were observed between the initial preoperative neutral position and the post-anterior scalenotomy values for these muscles. However, the abductor digiti minimi muscle exhibited a trend toward decreased values following anterior scalenotomy in comparison to the initial neutral position. Conclusions: Intraoperative outcomes of brachial plexus decompression during the Roos procedure demonstrate that first rib resection contributes to complete decompression of the relevant anatomical structures in Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. Full article

The lack of reliable sensory input from prosthetic limbs limits transfemoral amputees’ ability to perceive limb movement without visual monitoring. This study evaluated design parameters of a proposed forearm-based vibrotactile system in a pre-clinical, design-level perceptual evaluation, conveying prosthetic joint positions through patterned vibrations to provide non-invasive proprioceptive feedback. Healthy participants completed two experiments assessing detection of tactile cues from dual-actuator bands on the wrist and elbow representing assumed ankle and knee positions. The effects of temporal structuring (sequential vs. simultaneous stimulation), actuator configuration, amplitude and frequency settings, and signal duration on response accuracy were examined. Sequential vibrations produced significantly higher recognition accuracy than simultaneous presentation (72.4% vs. 42.7%, p < 0.001) in a variety of vibration signal parameter values. Actuator placement also influenced performance: simultaneous stimulation on opposite forearm sides yielded significantly lower accuracy (p < 0.001) than same-side configurations, whereas this directional effect was not significant for sequential presentation. Accuracy did not differ significantly between equal and unequal amplitude or frequency levels across actuators. Longer stimulus durations improved accuracy, increasing from 82.3% at 60 ms to 92.5% at 240 ms, though the results indicated a saturation point, suggesting an optimal temporal window. These findings inform the design of forearm-based sensory feedback systems for improved prosthetic limb control. Full article

The rapid development and deep integration of digital technology into cultural heritage have created new experiential paradigms for tourists. However, to transform from technological application to behavioral retention, the internal mechanisms through which digital experiences are internalized into stable, sustained behavioral intentions must be elucidated. The influence of perceived value on tourists’ long-term behavioral intentions via place attachment remains largely unexplored. Using the value adoption model (VAM), this study constructs a sequential mediation model of “digital experience–perceived value–place attachment–sustained behavioral intentions” and employs structural equation modeling to examine cross-sectional survey responses from 618 tourists visiting Shandong Museum, China. Findings reveal that the functional dimensions of interactive experience and perceived ease of use significantly enhance perceived value, whereas the sensory dimensions of immersive and hedonic experiences have no significant impact on perceived value—possibly because tourists in cultural heritage contexts prioritize knowledge acquisition over sensory stimulation. Perceived value significantly and positively predicts place attachment and sustained behavioral intentions, and place attachment strongly predicts sustained behavioral intentions (including word-of-mouth recommendation, revisit intention, and sharing). This study extends the VAM to offline cultural heritage digital experience contexts, demonstrates that functional utility is more critical than sensory stimulation in driving value perception, and validates the value attachment–behavior transformation pathway, providing theoretical foundations and practical implications for cultural heritage digitalization management. Full article

Acute lung injury (ALI) pathogenesis is intricately linked to microvascular permeability. Soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) is prominently expressed in the vascular system, playing a central role in vascular function. In contrast, its expression and function diminish notably during the progression of ALI, indicating sGC’s potential significance as a pivotal modulator in the pathological processes of ALI. Nonetheless, the precise localization of sGC within lung tissue and its distinct mechanism in maintaining vascular homeostasis remain unclear. Furthermore, there is a necessity for a pharmacological agent capable of consistently activating sGC for the treatment of ALI. A novel sGC stimulator, sGC003, was engineered through structural modification of Riociguat. In a mouse model of ALI, sGC003 exhibited superior sGC activation and more potent anti-inflammatory effects relative to Riociguat. It also exhibited superior efficacy in improving respiratory function and reducing pulmonary edema. Through single-cell RNA sequencing and immunofluorescence co-localization analysis, we confirmed predominant expression of soluble guanylate cyclase in pericytes. The sGC stimulators were found to modulate the LPS-induced pericyte transcriptome reprogramming via the nitric oxide (NO)-sGC-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) pathway. Differential gene expression analysis categorized pericytes into nine distinct subgroups, which were sequentially activated during vascular development, inflammation, and myofibrosis. Pseudotime analysis revealed that sGC003 more effectively suppressed the myofibroblast differentiation of pericytes compared to Riociguat. In conclusion, sGC003 mitigates ALI-induced pulmonary inflammation by modulating pericyte differentiation, particularly in preserving microvascular integrity outstanding performance. Its exceptional efficacy suggests that it could potentially serve as a safer and more efficient option as a novel sGC stimulant in the future. Full article

Background: Optimizing pregnancy outcomes while minimizing gonadotropin exposure and treatment burden remains a major goal in ovulation induction for intrauterine insemination (IUI), particularly for patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or high ovarian reserve. Sequential protocols combining early letrozole with late-onset recombinant FSH (rFSH) have been proposed to enhance efficiency while reducing medication requirements. However, real-world comparative data adjusting for baseline differences are limited. Methods: This retrospective comparative cohort study included 764 IUI cycles performed between January 2022 and October 2025. Cycles were stimulated either with conventional rFSH (n = 372) or letrozole plus late-onset rFSH (n = 392). The primary outcome was pregnancy per cycle, defined by a positive serum β-hCG. Secondary outcomes included clinical pregnancy, total gonadotropin dose, endometrial thickness, cycle cancelation, and obstetric outcomes. Confounding was addressed using multivariable logistic regression, propensity score matching (PSM), inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW), and doubly robust estimation. Results: The crude pregnancy rate was higher in the letrozole plus late rFSH group compared with conventional rFSH (14.8% vs. 9.9%, p = 0.042). Women in the sequential stimulation group had higher AMH levels, higher antral follicle counts, and a higher prevalence of PCOS (32.4% vs. 16.3%, p = 0.001). After adjustment for age, ovarian reserve, and other baseline characteristics using regression, PSM, and IPTW, the stimulation protocol was not independently associated with pregnancy (adjusted OR 1.09, 95% CI 0.68–1.74; p = 0.657). Female age remained the strongest predictor of pregnancy (adjusted OR 0.70 per year increase; p < 0.001). The sequential protocol required a significantly lower total gonadotropin dose (median 375 IU vs. 750 IU; p < 0.001) while maintaining comparable cycle cancellation and safety outcomes. Conclusions: Sequential stimulation with letrozole plus late-onset rFSH achieves pregnancy outcomes comparable to conventional rFSH stimulation while significantly reducing gonadotropin requirements. After adjustment for PCOS status and ovarian reserve, the protocol itself did not independently influence pregnancy, suggesting that crude differences reflected baseline imbalances rather than true treatment effects. This approach represents a clinically efficient, gonadotropin-sparing option for IUI, particularly in patients at risk for excessive ovarian response. Full article

Background: Emotion processing is critical in the neuropathology of major depressive disorder (MDD), while its relationship with clinical treatment remains unclear. This study aims to indicate the associations between emotion processing and treatment effects following a sequential dual-site accelerated repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) protocol. Methods: MDD patients were recruited to receive rTMS treatment with four sessions per day for four consecutive days, with stimulation sequentially delivered to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) and the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC). Symptoms were assessed at baseline, end of treatment, and week 4 using the Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS), and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). Emotional valence and arousal were evaluated with the Affect Rating Task (ART). Results: A total of 51 participants completed the clinical assessments and ART, with two excluded due to missing baseline data in the SHAPS and FSS. The linear mixed-effects models revealed significant improvement in depressive (p < 0.001, d = −0.343) and fatigue symptoms (p = 0.010, d = −0.572) following rTMS treatment. Neutral valence was correlated with MADRS scores at baseline (R² = 0.096, p = 0.027). In addition, changes in arousal for positive images (p = 0.047, adjusted R² = 0.097) and neutral images (p = 0.019, adjusted R² = 0.160) at treatment end were significantly correlated with MADRS improvement at week 4. Conclusions: Our study highlights the association between changes in emotional arousal and improvement in MDD following accelerated dlPFC-dmPFC dual-site rTMS treatment. Full article

Biomass ashes represent a promising secondary phosphorus (P) source, yet their agronomic performance depends on feedstock origin, processing, and crop-specific interactions. This study evaluated the P fertilizer efficacy of raw and processed biomass ashes derived from cereal straw and paludiculture biomass, compared with triple superphosphate (TSP), using two sequential greenhouse pot experiments with maize, amaranth, and blue lupine. Processed ash products, particularly compacted ashes and ash–straw mixtures, increased plant biomass and P uptake to levels comparable to or exceeding those achieved with TSP. The cumulative P uptake of the three crops reached up to 250–300 mg pot⁻¹ under processed ash treatments, exceeding the uptake under TSP (≈150–180 mg pot⁻¹) and the unfertilized control (≤80 mg pot⁻¹). However, crop-specific differences were observed: amaranth benefited most from the ash products, whereas combinations of ashes with lupine were less favorable. Beside acting as a P source, processed biomass ashes also increased soil pH by about 0.5 units, improved soil aggregation by increasing macroaggregates (>2 mm) to up to 20% compared with only about 7% in TSP and the control, and promoted favorable shifts in Hedley P fractions. Soil enzyme activities were governed primarily by crop species, with amaranth stimulating phosphatase activity the most. Further research should aim to refine crop-specific application strategies for processed biomass ashes and to elucidate their impacts on soil structure and P dynamics. Full article

Background: Chronic post-stroke spasticity often limits gait despite best-practice botulinum-toxin intramuscular injections (BTIs), whose benefit is constrained by short duration, dose ceilings, and tachyphylaxis. Cryoneurolysis (CNL) induces a reversible axonotmesis with preserved endoneurium, potentially providing longer tone reduction with fewer adverse effects, but its impact on whole-gait quality and its compatibility with implanted functional electrical stimulation (FES) remain poorly documented. Case presentation: A 43-year-old man, 12 years after right middle cerebral artery stroke, walked independently with an implanted common peroneal FES system but complained of effortful gait with left-knee “locking” and drop foot without FES. Multiple BTI series to triceps surae and quadriceps yielded only transient benefit. Two ultrasound-guided CNL sessions targeted tibial (soleus, medial gastrocnemius) and femoral (rectus femoris, vastus intermedius) motor branches. Quantitative gait analysis and fine-wire electromyography (EMG) were performed at baseline, 6 weeks after each CNL, and at 6 months, with and without FES. CNL produced immediate and sustained reductions in triceps surae and quadriceps overactivity, resolution of genu recurvatum, normalization of stiff-knee gait, improved ankle dorsiflexion, and increased swing phase knee flexion (>50°). Gait Deviation Index rose from 69 to 80 and Gillette Gait Index decreased by more than 50%, with preserved strength and without adverse events. Conclusions: Targeted, sequential CNL of tibial and femoral motor branches can safely deliver durable, clinically meaningful gait improvements when BTI has reached its ceiling and can act synergistically with implanted FES. Quantitative gait analysis and EMG sharpen clinical decision-making in spasticity management. Full article

Preterm infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) experience impaired neurodevelopment and dysregulated stress responses, partly due to a lack of tactile stimulation. Although massage therapy offers proven therapeutic benefits by stimulating C-tactile afferents through (gentle) dynamic touch, existing methods are limited by clinical staff variability and resource constraints. This work presents a compact soft-pneumatic actuator array (SPAA) utilizing four nylon–TPU actuators (modules) connected in series or in parallel to perform a sequential actuation; this array is designed to deliver safe, shear-free, and massage-like normal compression tailored for preterm infants. Actuator performance was characterized using a load-cell and a pressure sensor under different preloads (10–30 g), establishing operating internal pressures of 20–50 kPa, which produced target force ranges between 0.1 and 0.3 N. Two SPAA architectures were evaluated: (i) parallel manifold with branch resistances and (ii) series chain with graded outlet resistances, using passive fluidic sequencing for controlled activation. The series configuration achieved repeatable sequential actuation with programmable delays, essential for mimicking therapeutic massage patterns. These results demonstrate that passive soft-pneumatic sequencing can reliably deliver dynamic tactile stimuli within neurophysiological and safety constraints, laying the groundwork for standardized, automated neonatal massage therapy in NICUs. Full article

Background: Post-activation potentiation (PAPE) enhances athletic performance through brief, high-intensity reactivation and holds significant application value in competitive sports. As a core offensive and defensive technique in Sanda, the side kick demands exceptional neuromuscular coordination. However, current research on PAPE applications in specialized techniques for competitive sports remains limited. There is a lack of comparative analysis on neuromuscular activation characteristics of the side kick in high-level Sanda athletes across different PAPE protocols, and the optimal adaptation scheme remains unidentified. Muscle coordination analysis based on non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) offers an objective perspective to elucidate the neuromuscular control mechanisms underlying this technique, thereby addressing this research gap. Methods: Eighteen high-level Sanda athletes (National Level 1 or above) participated in a randomized crossover design, sequentially undergoing three PAPE protocols—ESG, RBG, and SQG—with 10-day intervals between each intervention. Using the Noraxon wireless surface electromyography system, high-speed cameras, and the MY JUMP APP, we simultaneously collected vertical jump height data at different time points (6, 8, 10 min) post-intervention, along with electromyography and kinematic data of the side kick movement 6 min post-intervention. The NMF algorithm was employed to extract muscle coordination features (activation weights, activation coefficients), and repeated measures ANOVA or Friedman tests were used to assess intergroup differences. Results: Vertical jump height was significantly higher in the ESG group than in the RBG group at 6, 8, and 10 min post-intervention (p < 0.05). At 6 min post-intervention, it was also significantly higher than in the SQG group (p < 0.05). SQG showed significantly higher ESG than RBG at 8 min post-intervention (p < 0.05), with no significant differences from the other two groups at 10 min. Regarding muscle coordination, ESG and SQG exhibited significantly higher right rectus femoris activation weights than RBG (p < 0.05); ESG’s gluteus maximus and rectus femoris activation weights were significantly higher than RBG (p < 0.05), with generally longer activation durations across all synergistic modules compared to the other two groups. Although RBG’s vastus lateralis and gluteus medius activation weights were significantly higher than some groups, this did not translate into overall performance advantages. Conclusions: Different PAPE protocols exert distinct effects on vertical jump height and muscle coordination patterns during side kicks in elite Sanda athletes. The combined electrical stimulation protocol, which combines the immediate and sustained effects of PAPE, effectively enhances key muscle activation weights and prolongs coordination module activation duration. It represents the optimal solution for optimizing neuromuscular activation characteristics during sidekicks. Full article

Background and Objectives: Chronic knee pain (cKP) affects approximately 25% of adults worldwide, with prevalence increasing over recent decades. While conventional treatments have clinical limitations, several types of electrical stimulation have been suggested to improve patients’ quality of life. The electrical stimulation literature contains inadequate patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) data. Encouraging preliminary H-Wave^® device PROMs results for chronic neck, shoulder, and low back pain have previously been published. This PROMs study’s goal is to similarly assess the efficacy of H-Wave^® device stimulation (HWDS) in patients with differing knee disorders. Materials and Methods: This is an independent, retrospective, observational cohort study analyzing H-Wave^® PROMs data, prospectively and sequentially collected over 4 years. In total, 34,192 pain management patient final surveys were screened for participants who were at least 18 years old, used H-Wave^® for any knee-related disorder, reporting chronic pain from 90 to 730 days, with device treatment duration from 22 to 365 days. PROMs included effects on function, pain, sleep quality, need for medications, ability to work, and patient satisfaction; additional data includes gender, age (when injured), chronicity of pain, prior treatments, and frequency and length of device use. Results: PROMs surveys from 34,192 HWDS patients included 1143 with “all knee”, 985 “knee injury”, and 124 “knee degeneration” diagnoses. Reported improvements in function/ADL (96.51%) and work performance (84.63%) were significant (p < 0.0001), with ≥20% pain relief in 86.76% (p < 0.0001), improving 2.96 points (average 0–10 NRS). Medication use decreased (69.85%, p = 0.0008), while sleep improved (55.33%) in knee injury patients. Patient satisfaction measures exceeded 96% (p < 0.0001). Subgroup analysis suggests that longer device use and shorter pain chronicity resulted in increased (p < 0.0001) HWDS benefits. Conclusions: HWDS PROMs data analysis demonstrated similarly encouraging outcomes for cKP patients, as previously reported for several other body regions. Knee injury and degeneration subgroups had near-equivalent benefits, as observed for all knee conditions. Despite many reported methodological limitations, which limit causal inference and preclude broader recommendations, HWDS appears to potentially offer several benefits for refractory cKP patients, requiring further studies. Full article

Sensory processing differences, reported in up to 97% of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), are increasingly recognized as a defining feature of the condition, shaping perception, cognition, and adaptive behavior. Atypical sensory responsivity, ranging from hyper- to hypo-reactivity and sensory seeking, emerges early in development and contributes to the clinical and neurobiological heterogeneity of autism. Alterations in neural connectivity, the balance of excitation and inhibition, and multisensory integration are thought to underlie these sensory profiles, influencing emotional regulation, attention, and social interaction. Sensory features also interact with co-occurring conditions such as anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and sleep and feeding difficulties, thereby shaping developmental trajectories and influencing adaptive behavior. Clinically, these sensory dysfunctions have a significant impact on daily participation and quality of life, extending their effects to family functioning. Understanding individual sensory phenotypes is therefore essential for accurate assessment and personalized intervention. Current therapeutic approaches include Sensory Integration Therapy, Sensory-Based Interventions, Sequential Oral Sensory Approach, and structured physical activity programs, often complemented by behavioral and mindfulness-based techniques. Emerging neuroplasticity-oriented methods for targeted modulation of sensory processing networks include neurofeedback and non-invasive brain stimulation. Overall, current evidence highlights the central role of sensory processing in ASD and underscores the need for multidisciplinary, individualized approaches to optimize developmental trajectories and enhance adaptive functioning. This review provides an updated synthesis of sensory processing in ASD, integrating neurobiological, developmental, and clinical evidence to highlight established knowledge, unresolved questions, and priorities for future research. Full article

Background/Objectives: Orthodontic tooth movement is a biological process involving coordinated bone resorption and formation in response to mechanical stimulation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the temporal changes in C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX), procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide (PINP), and vitamin D-binding protein (VDBP) levels in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and saliva during fixed orthodontic treatment, as well as to assess the relationships among these biomarkers. Methods: The study included a total of 27 systemically and periodontally healthy individuals comprising 14 males and 13 females. Clinical periodontal parameters were assessed at three time points: before treatment (T0), at 24–48 h (T1), and on day 40 (T2). GCF and saliva samples were collected at the same time points. Levels of CTX, PINP and VDBP in GCF and saliva were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The data were analyzed using both parametric and non-parametric statistical tests. Temporal changes across the three time points were evaluated using mixed-effects models, differences between GCF and saliva biomarker levels were assessed using paired tests, and correlations were examined using Spearman correlation analysis. Results: GCF and salivary CTX levels demonstrated a significant increase from T0 to T1, while PINP levels exhibited a substantial rise from T1 to T2 (p < 0.001). Levels of VDBP in both GCF and saliva did not demonstrate significant temporal changes (p > 0.05). Higher VDBP levels in both fluids were found to be negatively associated with increases in CTX and positively associated with increases in PINP (p < 0.05). Furthermore, salivary CTX and VDBP levels exhibited a consistent increase compared to those measured in GCF at all time points (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Fixed orthodontic forces elicit sequential resorptive and formative responses in both GCF and saliva. The potential of VDBP to function as a local modulator is indicated, with the capacity to influence the balance between osteoclastic and osteoblastic activity. The evaluation of these biomarkers in non-invasive biological samples may offer a valuable approach for monitoring bone metabolism throughout orthodontic treatment. Full article

Background/Objectives: Tinnitus affects approximately 15% of the population and lacks a universally effective treatment. Tinnitus Retraining Therapy (TRT) is widely used but requires 6–8 h of daily sound exposure for 1–2 years, limiting accessibility and adherence. This study evaluated the clinical feasibility and therapeutic effectiveness of Enriched Acoustic Environment therapy (EAE), a streamlined alternative using individualized sound stimulation with a markedly reduced treatment burden, and compared its time efficiency with published TRT outcomes. Methods: 82 adults with chronic tinnitus received standardized counseling and completed one of two EAE protocols (continuous or sequential). Participants listened to their personalized stimulus for 1 h/day over four months. Tinnitus severity (THI, TFI) and time-efficiency metrics (improvement per 10 listening hours) were assessed and compared with TRT studies reporting baseline and post-treatment THI. Results: EAE produced clinically relevant and statistically significant improvements, with 51.6% THI and 49.8% TFI reduction (p < 0.001). Both stimuli achieved similar outcomes with high responder rates. EAE yielded ~2.3 THI-point improvement per 10 h (~4.3% relative gain), demonstrating substantially greater time efficiency—approximately 20 times higher than values reported for standard TRT protocols. Conclusions: EAE achieved robust symptom reduction with dramatically lower treatment burden, high adherence, and strong clinical feasibility. These findings support EAE as an accessible, time-efficient alternative to TRT. Controlled long-term studies are warranted. Full article