Search Results (1,350)

This study aimed to characterize metabolomic changes in the eye lens of senescence-accelerated OXYS rats in comparison with control Wistar rats, and to identify biochemical shifts associated with genotype, age, and cataract progression. Cataract severity was clinically graded. Rats’ lenses were analyzed using quantitative ¹H NMR spectroscopy at 3.6 and approximately 4.5 months of age. A total of 43 metabolites were quantified. We found that at 3.6 months of age, OXYS lenses exhibited a significant accumulation of 17 metabolites, primarily amino acids, compared to Wistar rats, suggesting an imbalance between amino acid uptake and crystallin biosynthesis. However, by 4.5 months, OXYS lenses exhibited rapid metabolic changes characterized by significant decreases in amino acid, glucose, and key energy/antioxidant markers, including NAD, adenylate energy charge, and hypotaurine. Clinical cataract grade (Grade 2 vs. 3) had a negligible impact on the overall metabolomic profile. Our results indicate that profound metabolic reorganization, including an initial amino acid excess followed by energy and antioxidant depletion, precedes the morphological manifestation of cataracts in OXYS rats. We suggest that a biochemical “point of no return” occurs early in cataractogenesis, while subsequent increase in lens opacification is a secondary consequence of preexisting metabolic disturbances. Full article

Background: Problematic pornography use (PPU) has emerged as a clinically significant phenomenon with severe repercussions for mental health and interpersonal relationships. Despite advances in prevalence studies, a gap remains in understanding the subjective processes of recovery and personal transformation. Objective: To describe the lived experience of individuals in recovery from PPU and compulsive sexual behavior and to analyze the perceived factors and dynamics of group support within their process of change. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted following Van Manen’s phenomenological-hermeneutical approach. In-depth semi-structured interviews were held with 27 individuals (26 men, 1 woman) engaged in structured recovery. Data analysis was performed through thematic analysis supported by ATLAS.ti Scientific Software Development GmbH, 2026. Results: A structured trajectory was identified across three phases: personal collapse, group engagement, and transformative mechanisms. Accountability emerged as a salient perceived mechanism of change, fostering sincerity (35.7%) and relapse prevention (19.1%). The "mirror effect" and "rational hope" within the support group facilitate a profound identity shift from a "spoiled identity” to a state of personal authenticity. Conclusions: For individuals engaged in structured support groups, recovery from PPU transcends mere abstinence, requiring a profound identity transformation facilitated by collective connection and honesty. These findings suggest the potential utility of integrating group-based accountability into therapeutic interventions for behavioral addictions tailored to the patient’s experiential profile. Full article

Introduction: Estuaries are among the most productive ecosystems in the world, holding great ecological and economic importance. As transitional zones between rivers and the sea, they experience abrupt abiotic changes linked to the tidal cycle, as well as seasonal changes related to greater river discharge during periods of higher rainfall. Therefore, salinity and temperature are key factors in structuring communities. These estuarine areas are recognized as nursery grounds, offering an abundance of food and shelter from predators, which creates ideal conditions for juvenile growth. Objective: Intense heatwaves were recorded in northern Spain during 2021 and 2022. This study aimed to understand how environmental factors influence the daily and seasonal dynamics of epibenthic communities and to compare these results with those obtained 40 years ago. Methodology: The epibenthic community in the Minho River estuary was assessed between September 2021 and August 2022 during spring tides at both low tide and high tide. Five trawls were carried out at each tide using a 2-meter-wide beam trawl. Several physical and chemical parameters were evaluated during the sampling process. Results: A total of 10,527 demersal fish and epibenthic crustaceans belonging to 21 species were caught in the sampling area. The structure of epibenthic assemblages was heavily influenced by tidal regimes. Assemblages at low tide had a greater number of taxa. In contrast, high-tide assemblages exhibited significantly higher diversity and evenness. Significant differences were observed between the spring/summer and winter assemblages. A SIMPER analysis revealed that Carcinus maenas contributed most to assemblage dissimilarity, both seasonally and by tide. Furthermore, Echiichthys vipera and Platichthys flesus were the species that contributed most to assemblage dissimilarity in both 1982 and 2021–2022. Conclusions: Compared with historical data, the rise in temperature and salinity, coupled with reduced water flow, has caused a profound restructuring of benthopelagic communities. This is driven by a significant increase in the marine character of the habitat. Substantial taxonomic turnover is evident, characterized by reductions in abundance and increases in the number of taxa sampled, as well as in diversity and evenness. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cochlear implantation (CI) represents a well-established intervention for the management of severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss. The co-occurrence of severe hearing loss and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) presents unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges that significantly impact post-implantation outcomes. This review aims to synthesize the current literature on cochlear implantation in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), including diagnostic, audiological, rehabilitative, and functional outcome considerations. Methods: A structured search of PubMed and Scopus was performed for English-language articles published between January 2000 and January 2026, focusing on audiological assessment, rehabilitation challenges, multidisciplinary management, and post-implant functional outcomes in this population. Results: The findings synthesized in this review suggest that cochlear implantation in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder must be interpreted within a broader communicative-ecological framework rather than through auditory metrics alone. These findings highlight a multidimensional model of post-implant outcomes, shaped by the dynamic interplay between auditory access, social engagement, family context, and language-learning environments. Conclusions: Most children with ASD and severe-to-profound hearing loss show improvements in speech perception and production after cochlear implantation, although outcomes are highly variable. A multidisciplinary approach, through coordinated collaboration among specialists, enhances family engagement, optimizes compliance with care plans, and ultimately contributes to improved clinical and developmental outcomes. ASD should not be considered a contraindication for CI; however, careful individual assessment, realistic parental counseling, and a multidisciplinary approach availability to evaluation and rehabilitation are essential. Full article

In this work, we inspected the friendship network on Twitter (recently rebranded as X), concentrating on individuals and organizations intertwined with the energy field. We particularly focus on seasoned professionals, corporate entities, and domain specialists, all connected through ‘following’ relationships. By meticulously examining these ties, we uncover several distinct groupings within the network, each defined by the unique roles its members occupy. Our analysis demonstrates that the natural emergence of such clusters on social platforms exerts a profound influence on public discourse regarding energy and other critical matters, including climate change. Furthermore, we observe that the resulting communities exhibit distinct structural properties and communication patterns, with some clusters showing lower internal engagement, which may be indicative of fragmentation dynamics in online conversations. These emergent clusters, characterized by their shared communication styles, form relatively compact communities where the exchange of information is infrequent compared to larger networks and is usually confined to accounts created for specific commercial objectives. We emphasize that our analysis focuses on a structurally coherent connected component emerging from a curated set of energy-related seed accounts, rather than attempting to reconstruct the entirety of the energy discourse on Twitter. Consequently, peripheral or weakly connected communities may be underrepresented. Additionally, by combining machine-learning-based node classification with graph-based centrality measures, we are able to characterize the roles of structurally central actors within these niche segments and analyze the connectivity patterns that define their positions. This method provides novel insights into how corporate communication unfolds on social media, offering a refreshed perspective on professional networking. Ultimately, our findings highlight the ways in which companies within the energy sector take advantage of Twitter to coordinate their initiatives, with key institutions serving as central nodes in maintaining the organization of these networks. Full article

Against the background of profound transformation within the construction industry, the construction industry ecosystem serves as a vital vehicle for regional economic development. Its resilience has become a key factor in influencing the sustainable development of industry. From an ecological perspective, this paper integrated the cusp catastrophe model and Fuzzy-Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) method, using data from Shandong Province to investigate the evolutionary state of the construction industry ecosystem and the diverse concurrent paths driving the system toward high levels of functionality. This study found that: (1) the resilient development of the construction industry ecosystem in Shandong Province presented a differentiated pattern, characterized by dual-core leadership, relative strength in the east, and weakness in the west, and localized catch-up. (2) The results from the cusp catastrophe model indicated that construction industry ecosystems in different regions were primarily undergoing stable evolution, though some cities faced the risk of functional degradation due to the combined effects of insufficient resilience and severe shocks. (3) fsQCA identified three equivalent configuration paths for achieving high system functionality: the “resilience accumulation path”, “resilience synergy path”, and “resilience transition path”, as well as three equivalent configuration paths for low system functionality: the “low resilience-low shocks dependency path”, “low-resilience, fixed-type path”, and “low resilience-high shocks imbalance path”. (4) These paths demonstrated that recovery was the key factor determining a system’s level of functionality. Full article

GM1 gangliosidosis is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder caused by a deficiency of β-galactosidase due to pathogenic variants in the GLB1 gene. Almost 300 pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants have been identified, associated with a phenotypic spectrum ranging from GM1 gangliosidosis to mucopolysaccharidosis type IVB. Disease severity is largely determined by the extent to which specific variants impair enzymatic catalytic activity, particularly through disruption of substrate recognition and binding within the active site. We report a patient with GM1 gangliosidosis type I harboring two pathogenic missense variants, c.808T>G (p.Tyr270Asp) and c.808T>C (p.Tyr270His), in a compound heterozygous state. To the best of our knowledge, this specific allelic combination has not been previously described. Both variants affect the same codon, resulting in distinct amino acid substitutions at position 270, a residue critically involved in maintaining the structural and functional integrity of the catalytic domain of β-galactosidase. Disruption at this site is expected to severely compromise enzymatic activity. Comparative analysis with previously reported cases carrying variants at the same residue, in either homozygous or compound heterozygous states, demonstrates a possible consistent association with the infantile form of GM1 gangliosidosis, characterized by a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative course and multisystem involvement. Collectively, these findings provide additional support for the hypothesis that codon 270 can be regarded as a critical functional hotspot within GLB1, where even distinct amino acid substitutions can result in profound enzymatic dysfunction and a severe early-onset phenotype. Full article

The transition to automated vehicles (AVs) introduces complex human factors and system-level challenges across Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Levels 0–5, with profound implications for the long-term viability of future transport infrastructure. Drawing on a synthesis of socio-technical, cognitive, and behavioural adaptation theories, this study develops an integrated framework to analyse the evolving relationships among driving automation, human behaviour, system risks, and urban sustainability. The findings demonstrate that human-factor risks are inherently nonlinear, meaning they do not decrease proportionally as technology advances; instead, risk profiles peak significantly at intermediate automation levels (SAE 2–3) due to supervisory fatigue and delayed takeovers, introducing severe traffic flow volatility and localised micro-congestion that directly compromise the environmental efficiency of sustainable transport systems. As these risks reconfigure into institutional and digital infrastructure dependencies at higher levels (SAE 4–5), the primary constraint shifts toward network readiness. Through an analysis of real-world AV deployment case studies and a structured narrative literature review, this paper identifies critical operational discontinuities and mixed-traffic complexities that threaten urban grid resilience. This study proposes a conceptual framework that translates these cross-level socio-technical insights into actionable deployment pathways, providing policymakers with adaptive governance models, transportation planners with mixed-traffic management strategies aimed at preserving network efficiency, infrastructure agencies with physical and digital readiness criteria for long-term asset sustainability, and AV developers with human–machine interface optimisation frameworks to secure human-centric safety within sustainable smart city networks. Full article

Garlic, a significant global specialty economic crop, is currently facing severe challenges from labor shortages and escalating production costs. Achieving full-process mechanized production is the core approach to ensuring sustainable industrial development and enhancing international competitiveness. This paper systematically reviews the research progress and application status of mechanized equipment throughout the entire crop cycle of garlic production, including seeding, field management, harvesting, and post-harvest processing and sorting. The study reveals that garlic equipment is undergoing a profound transformation from traditional mechanization to “opto-electro-mechanical integration” and intelligence. In the seeding phase, breakthroughs have been made in pneumatic precision seed-metering and machine vision-based clove bud orientation technologies, significantly improving the quality of upright planting. In field management, precise variable-rate application and targeted weeding have been preliminary realized through plant protection Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) downwash airflow field simulation (CFD) and deep learning-based image segmentation. In the harvesting phase, relying on 3D Discrete Element Method (3D-DEM) soil-cutting simulation and adaptive profile root-trimming technology, the industry is accelerating the transition from inefficient segmented harvesting to low-damage combined harvesting. In the post-harvest phase, hyperspectral imaging (HSI) and multi-label convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have been utilized to achieve high-speed non-destructive detection of internal and external quality. However, industry still faces critical bottlenecks such as the insufficient integration of machinery and agronomy, poor robustness of intelligent perception algorithms in complex environments, and high damage rates of core soil-engaging components. Future research should focus on lightweight algorithm deployment, digital twin-driven virtual prototyping, and the construction of regional standardized machinery–agronomy systems, aiming to build an efficient and universal intelligent production closed-loop for garlic. Full article

In biodiversity-rich borderlands, some humanitarian settlements are rapidly expanding. This creates a profound conflict: refugees need a place to live, and ecosystems need protection. However, how settlement growth spatially affects the ecology surrounding protected areas remains understudied. This study takes as an example the city of Teknaf in Bangladesh, one of the world’s largest refugee gathering areas, to explore how settlement expansion changes the ecological structure and function of protected area boundaries, with a focus on two questions: Are there critical spatial thresholds? What is the role of climate feedback mechanisms? We build an analysis framework that integrates several types of data: multitemporal remote sensing images, land-use changes, ecological indicators (NDVI, LST, HQ), landscape pattern indices, gradient analysis, and 2036 simulations based on the business-as-usual scenario. Through this framework, we identify the ecological threshold at the junction of settlements and forests within the Teknaf Wildlife Sanctuary. The expansion of settlements has turned the landscape, which was originally dominated by vegetation, into fragmented hard patches. At the same time, the habitat is severely degraded, and heat stress intensifies. Notably, a critical transition zone emerges at approximately 300–500 m from the protected area boundary, where landscape fragmentation intensifies, habitat quality declines, and heat stress reaches its peak, highlighting a spatial hotspot of ecological vulnerability. If there are no intervention measures, future scenario simulations show that the continued expansion of settlements will only isolate protected areas and accelerate ecological degradation. On the basis of gradient analysis for spatial diagnosis, we propose a zoning management framework and regeneration landscape strategy with the direct goal of coordinating ecological protection and humanitarian needs in crisis-prone border areas. Full article

Background and Clinical Significance: Acute compartment syndrome is a rare but limb-threatening emergency in pediatric patients. While most cases follow high-energy trauma or displaced fractures, acute compartment syndrome precipitated by initially underestimated forearm injuries is uncommon and may create a significant diagnostic challenge, particularly in young children who exhibit atypical clinical presentations, such as escalating anxiety and analgesic requirements, rather than classic ischemic signs. Case Presentation: We report the case of a 4-year-old girl who developed severe forearm and hand compartment syndrome following a delayed presentation after a fall from a height of 2–2.5 m onto the left upper extremity. Initial evaluation revealed progressive tense swelling, severe pain with passive stretch, diminished distal perfusion, and radiographic evidence of distal radius-ulna buckle fractures associated with a proximal ulna fracture. Emergent surgical decompression via extensive volar and dorsal fasciotomies revealed markedly elevated compartment pressures. Intraoperatively, deep volar muscle ischemia and necrosis were identified, requiring carpal tunnel release, serial debridements, and complex staged wound management. Multidisciplinary care and ongoing rehabilitation were essential for limb salvage and functional recovery. Conclusions: This case underscores the profound unpredictability of pediatric compartment syndrome and demonstrates that even classically stable, benign fractures can initiate a devastating ischemic cascade. A high index of suspicion, regardless of the injury mechanism, along with early recognition and prompt surgical intervention, is absolutely critical for preventing irreversible myoneural damage and optimizing management outcomes in pediatric patients. Full article

Phthalic acid esters (PAEs), ubiquitous plasticizers and recognized endocrine-disrupting chemicals, pose a protracted threat to aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity. However, current ecotoxicological assessments often focus on isolated chemicals at exceedingly high laboratory doses, failing to reflect true environmental risks. This review systematically evaluates and compares the multisystemic toxicological effects of six priority PAEs (DEHP, DBP, BBP, DNOP, DEP, and DMP) using the zebrafish biological model. The synthesized evidence reveals a distinct structure–activity relationship, where long-chain and highly hydrophobic congeners exhibit substantially higher toxicity than their short-chain counterparts. Exposure to these PAEs induces severe developmental, cardiovascular, neurobehavioral, and reproductive anomalies. Specifically, DBP and BBP display the most potent cardiotoxic and neurotoxic effects, while DEHP and DBP drive profound reproductive decline and endocrine disruption at concentrations as low as 0.5–20 μg/L. Crucially, comparative environmental relevance assessments indicate that real-world PAE concentrations in industrial hotspots frequently meet or exceed these laboratory-derived lowest observed effect concentrations. These findings underscore the severe ecological risks posed by PAE contamination and position the zebrafish as a vital biological sentinel. Future ecotoxicological evaluations must prioritize chronic, low-dose mixture exposures and transgenerational toxicity to fully characterize the protracted legacy of these pollutants on zebrafish populations. Full article

Perinatal depression (PND), encompassing both major and minor depressive episodes during pregnancy and up to one year postpartum, is a prevalent and debilitating condition with profound consequences for maternal, infant, and family well-being. Clinical screening of PND remains challenging due to obstacles in early detection, symptom overlap with normal perinatal experiences, lack of standardized screening protocols, and considerable interpatient variability. Furthermore, the complexity of treating PND arises from multiple interconnected factors, including medication safety considerations during pregnancy and lactation, information barriers resulting from the separation of mental health services from obstetric and pediatric care systems, and unique sociocultural obstacles. The absence of systematically integrated care pathways often leads to severe and potentially irreversible outcomes for both mothers and infants. Hence, this review summarizes recent advances in PND screening and treatment, emphasizing the critical transition toward integrated or collaborative care models. Notably, future efforts should focus on overcoming implementation barriers, digital health solutions, task-sharing frameworks, and personalized treatment strategies to ensure equitable access to these innovations for affected populations. Full article

Background: Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is frequently accompanied by autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction, which is closely associated with an increased incidence of cardiovascular diseases and elevated mortality risk. Heart rate variability (HRV) serves as a classic metric for evaluating sympathovagal balance; however, the specific impacts of four distinct types of respiratory events—obstructive apnea (OA), central apnea (CA), mixed apnea (MA), and hypopnea (HYP)—on HRV remain underinvestigated. Utilizing ultra-short-term HRV analysis, this study aimed to evaluate the immediate effects of different respiratory events on ANS function, while further exploring the modulatory roles of arousal, Apnea–Hypopnea Index (AHI) severity and sleep stages (non-rapid eye movement [NREM] vs. rapid eye movement [REM]). Methods: A total of 108 patients with SDB undergoing overnight polysomnography (PSG) were included. A total of 19,862 respiratory events, including obstructive apnea (OA), central apnea (CA), mixed apnea (MA), and hypopnea (HYP), were analyzed using 15 s ECG segments. Linear mixed-effects models (LMMs) and estimated marginal means (EMMs) with Sidak-adjusted pairwise comparisons were constructed to evaluate differences in ECG-derived features and to analyze differences between event types. Results: Central apnea (CA) was associated with significantly reduced HRV and heart rate indices, including Standard Deviation of Successive Differences (SDSD), Root Mean Square of the Successive (RMSSD), Standard Deviation 1 (SD1), and heart rate (HR), compared with other respiratory event types (all p < 0.05). Across all event types, HRV metrics exhibited consistent dynamic changes before, during, and after respiratory events (all p < 0.001), characterized by a decrease during the event followed by post-event recovery. In the interaction effect of sleep stage, SDSD was significantly lower in CA compared with both OA (estimate = −11.67, 95% CI −18.78 to −4.59, p < 0.001) and HYP (estimate = −11.38, 95% CI −18.55 to −4.20, p < 0.001) during NREM sleep. No significant differences in HRV parameters, heart rate, or QRS duration were observed between OA and HYP (all p > 0.05). Conclusions: This study is the first to elucidate the differential impacts of four distinct types of sleep respiratory events on ultra-short-term HRV, confirming that CA events exert the most profound effects on autonomic function. These findings suggest that the proportion of CA occurrences could serve as a more precise biomarker for identifying individuals at high risk for cardiovascular diseases within the SDB population. Full article

Background: Hearing loss is highly prevalent among older adults and represents a growing public health burden. Increasing attention has been given to the associations between hearing loss, cognitive decline, and dementia risk. Cochlear implantation is an established intervention for adults with severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss who obtain limited benefit from conventional amplification, but its potential cognitive effects remain debated. Objective: This narrative review summarizes current evidence on cognitive outcomes after cochlear implantation in adults and older adults, with particular attention to cognitive domains, long-term trajectories, methodological limitations, and clinical implications. Main findings: Available evidence suggests that cochlear implantation may be associated with improvement or stabilization of selected cognitive domains, particularly attention, executive function, working memory, and memory. However, findings are heterogeneous across studies, cognitive tools, and follow-up durations. Prospective longitudinal studies using hearing-adapted or visually presented cognitive batteries support the possibility of postoperative cognitive benefit, but the magnitude and durability of this effect vary between individuals and domains. Long-term studies suggest that cognitive improvement may be strongest during the first postoperative years and may later stabilize or attenuate, whereas auditory and quality-of-life benefits appear more consistently sustained. Conclusions: Cochlear implantation should be regarded as an established hearing rehabilitation strategy with robust benefits for auditory performance and quality of life, and as a potentially cognition-supportive intervention in selected older adults with severe-to-profound hearing loss. Current evidence does not yet prove that cochlear implantation prevents dementia. Future studies should use standardized hearing-adapted cognitive protocols, longer follow-up, adequate comparison groups, and clinically meaningful cognitive endpoints. Full article