Search Results (87)

Background: Airway stenting is an alternative therapy for patients with complicated esophagectomy. Case presentation: A 60-year-old man with clinical stage IIIA esophageal cancer underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by robot-assisted subtotal esophagectomy with cervical esophagogastrostomy and jejunostomy. During surgery, both bronchial arteries were ligated to facilitate esophageal mobilization. Bronchoscopy on the first postoperative day showed no abnormalities; however, by the second postoperative day, the patient developed pneumonia and septic shock, requiring mechanical ventilation. On the fifth postoperative day, bronchoscopy revealed extensive epithelial injury extending from the trachea to both main bronchi, indicating ischemic airway damage. He was diagnosed with airway necrosis and referred to our respiratory department. Serial bronchoscopic examinations and suctioning of the sloughed epithelium were performed, and a tracheostomy enabled weaning from mechanical ventilation. By the twenty-fourth postoperative day, bronchoscopy revealed the accumulation of large, hardened secretions within the trachea, carina, and both main bronchi, resulting in airway narrowing and a high risk of asphyxiation. A silicone Y-shaped airway stent was inserted to maintain patency. Following stent placement, airway secretions progressively decreased, and the patient was discharged on the sixty-third postoperative day. The stent was removed six months later, with no recurrence of airway or respiratory complications. Conclusion: This case illustrates a rare but severe complication of extensive airway necrosis, likely caused by intraoperative bronchial artery ligation and dissection of the tracheal membranous portion. Although preservation of the bronchial arteries and meticulous surgical technique are essential preventive strategies, such complications may be unavoidable. In cases of extensive airway necrosis, airway stenting can serve as an effective therapeutic option to prevent obstruction and support recovery. Full article

Mastitis is a common mammary gland disease in mammals that severely impairs lactation function, with Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) being the primary pathogenic bacterium. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying S. aureus-induced mastitis in sheep remain incompletely elucidated. This study employed RNA sequencing (RNA-SEq) technology to systematically analyze the dynamic transcriptomic characteristics of mammary tissue in small-tailed sheep (SHT) after S. aureus infection, aiming to clarify the molecular regulatory mechanism of the host immune response and its relationship with the occurrence of mastitis. Twelve lactating STH were selected to establish an S. aureus-induced mastitis model. Blood, milk, and tissue samples were collected at 0, 24, 48, and 72 h post-infection (hpi). The infected sheep exhibited typical mastitis symptoms, including exacerbated breast swelling, reduced milk yield, elevated udder temperature, and darker, more viscous milk. Hematoxylin–eosin (HE) staining revealed significant pathological changes over time, such as stromal hyperplasia, extensive inflammatory cell infiltration, severe necrosis and sloughing of mammary epithelial cells, and compromised tissue integrity. RNA-Seq analysis identified 1299 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), among which 75 core genes maintained stable expression throughout the infection time (24 hpi, 48 hpi, and 72 hpi). Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses indicated that these DEGs were associated with metabolic processes, protein binding, Toll-like receptor signaling, and the NF-κB pathway. The PPI network analysis identified core hub genes including PTK2B, STAT3, and JAK1/3, providing critical evidence for therapeutic target screening. Furthermore, qPCR verification indicated that the expressions of innate immune receptors TLR2, TLR4, TLR7, and TLR10, as well as pro-inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-16, TNF-α, type I interferon (IFN-α), and nuclear transcription factor NF-κB were significantly upregulated in a time-dependent manner (p < 0.05). In conclusion, this study delineated the dynamic response of ovine mammary tissue to S. aureus infection, systematically elucidated temporal gene expression patterns, and revealed the molecular mechanisms underlying the tissue’s initial defense against inflammatory challenges. Full article

With the global climate warming, the temperature conditions in permafrost regions have changed significantly, and the stability of permafrost slopes is facing serious threats. This paper focuses on the construction of the instability mechanism and prediction model of permafrost slopes considering the influence of temperature. By analyzing the thermokarst collapse process of permafrost slopes, the characteristics and causes of stages such as the soil loosening period and the surface sloughing period were studied. Based on the Mohr–Coulomb strength criterion, combined with the simplified Bishop method and the Morgenstern–Price method, a mechanical analysis of the critical state was carried out, and a safety factor formula applicable to the critical state of permafrost slopes was derived. From the curves of the total cohesion and effective internal friction angle of the experimental soil changing with temperature, an influence model of temperature on the strength parameters was fitted. Considering the factor of freeze–thaw cycles, a safety factor model for permafrost slopes was constructed. Through a large amount of data calculation and analysis of the model, the reliability of the model was verified. This model can be used to predict slope states in practical assessments and optimize slope support structure design parameters in cold regions, providing important references for ensuring engineering safety, reducing geological disasters, and promoting sustainability in cold regions. Finally, potential mitigation measures for frozen soil slope instability based on the findings are briefly discussed. Full article

Background: Detailed assessments, documentation, and evaluation of the wound characteristics in hard-to-heal wounds are essential for optimizing and individualizing wound care. However, the remaining challenge in clinical care includes the lack of high accuracy and precision tools for automated wound size (surface area and depth assessment) and a wound bed evaluation, i.e., a qualitative and quantification assessment of slough and necrosis. Objective/Methods: This study evaluates the accuracy and precision of the AI-powered technique, SeeWound© 2, compared to digital planimetry for a wound surface area and a wound bed characterization (slough and necrosis) in “in vitro” models and in patients, and a probe for depth, including diabetic foot ulcers, venous ulcers, pressure ulcers, and ischemic ulcers. Results: The data show that accuracy and precision (SeeWound© 2) for the wound surface area, the depth, and the wound bed characterization (slough and necrosis) were accuracy 96.28% and 90.00%, (CV 5.56%), respectively (wound size); 90.75% and 89.55%, (CV 3.07%), respectively (wound depth); 80.30% (slough) and 84.73% (necrosis) and 93.51% (slough) (CV 4.15%) and 82.35% (CV 8.34%) (necrosis). The precision for the digital planimetry was 88.61% (CV 7.00%) (slough) 85.74% (CV 7.54%) (necrosis). Conclusions: The overall accuracy and precision of the AI model in identifying wound size and depth were close to 90%, except for the accuracy and precision for slough and necrosis, where levels around 80% were achieved when compared to digital planimetry. The findings for the wound surface area and depth assessments, together with quantification of slough and necrosis, suggest that the SeeWound© 2 model can offer significant clinical benefits by improving documentation and supporting decision-making in wound management. Full article

Background: Doxorubicin (DOX) is a potent anti-cancer agent that is widely described in cancer treatment. However, its administration is often limited by its adverse effects, particularly its testicular toxicity, which can induce infertility in male patients. DOX-induced testicular damage is due to oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammation. Nanocurcumin (NCR) is a nano-formulated edition of curcumin with a higher therapeutic potential. NCR has demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Methods: This study is designed to inspect the potential validity of NCR on DOX-induced testicular damage in male rats. We used thirty-two Wistar albino rats (150–200 g) and divided them into four groups. NCR (80 mg/kg/ dissolved in 1% CMC) was given orally by oral gavage for 14 days. A single dose of DOX (15 mg/kg) (i.p.) was injected on the 7th day of the experiment. Results: DOX treatment reduced the sperm viability and motility rate, cellular antioxidants, and gonadal hormones; it led to higher levels of inflammatory mediators, necrosis, and sloughing in seminiferous tubules. Conversely, NCR treatment significantly alleviated these side effects by improving sperm count/motility and reducing sperm abnormalities. The testicular function recovery was likely driven by stimulating the cytoprotective SIRT1/NF-κB pathway, depressing the testicular level of oxidative indicators such as MDA, TNF-α, iNOS, IL-1β, and NO, and increasing levels of antioxidants such as GSH and SOD. In addition, NCR contradicted the apoptotic changes by downregulating the pro-apoptotic signals Bax and caspase-3, while inducing Bcl-2 upregulation. Moreover, NCR increased levels of gonadal hormones, attenuated histological abnormalities, and preserved testicular structure when compared with the DOX group. Conclusions: NCR treatment can effectively ameliorate DOX-induced testicular toxicity. Full article

Unplanned dilution is a critical challenge in underground mining, directly affecting operating costs, resource recovery, stope stability and operational safety. This study presents an empirical–statistical framework that integrates the Mathews–Potvin stability graph, the Equivalent Linear Overbreak/Slough (ELOS) metric, and a site-specific linear calibration to improve dilution prediction in sublevel stoping operations. A database of more than 65 stopes from a Brazilian underground zinc mine was analyzed and classified as cable-bolted, non-cable-bolted, or self-supported. Planned dilution derived from the Potvin graph was compared with actual ELOS measured by cavity-monitoring surveys. Results show a strong correlation between cable-bolted/supported stopes (r = 0.918), whereas non-cabled/unsupported and self-supported stopes display lower correlations (r = 0.755 and 0.767). Applying a site-specific linear calibration lowered the mean absolute dilution error from 0.126 m to 0.101 m (≈20%), with the largest improvement (≈29%) occurring in self-supported stopes where the unadjusted graph is least reliable. Because the equation can be embedded in routine stability calculations, mines can obtain more realistic forecasts without abandoning established empirical workflows. Beyond geotechnical accuracy, the calibrated forecasts improve grade-control decisions, reduce unnecessary waste haulage, and extend resource life—thereby enhancing both the efficiency and the accessibility of mineral resources. This research delivers the first Brazilian case study that couples Potvin analysis with ELOS back-analysis to generate an operational calibration tool, offering a practical pathway for other sites to refine dilution estimates while retaining the simplicity of empirical design. Full article

Background: Chronic diabetic foot ulcers are a global health challenge, affecting approximately 18.6 million individuals each year. The timely and accurate prediction of wound healing paths is crucial for improving treatment outcomes and reducing complications. Methods: In this study, we apply predictive modeling to the case study of diabetic foot ulcers, analyzing and comparing multiple models based on Deep Neural Networks (DNNs) and Machine Learning (ML) algorithms to enhance wound prognosis and clinical decision making. Our approach leverages a dataset of 1766 diabetic foot wounds, each monitored for at least three visits, incorporating key clinical wound features such as WBP scores, wound area, depth, and tissue status. Results: Among the 12 models evaluated, the highest accuracy (80%) was achieved using a three-layer LSTM recurrent DNN trained on wound instances with four visits. The model performance was assessed through AUC (0.85), recall (0.80), precision (0.79), and F1-score (0.80). Our findings indicate that the wound depth and area at the first visit followed by the wound area and granulated tissue percentage at the second visit are the most influential factors in predicting the wound status. Conclusions: As future developments, we started building a weakly supervised semantic segmentation model that classifies wound tissues into necrosis, slough, and granulation, using tissue color proportions to further improve model performance. This research underscores the potential of predictive modeling in chronic wound management, specifically in the case of diabetic foot ulcers, offering a tool that can be seamlessly integrated into routine clinical practice. Full article

This study evaluates the potential water availability in Barka Slough and the effects of changing hydrological conditions on the aquatic habitat of five protected species. Barka Slough is a historically perennial wetland at the downstream western end of the San Antonio Creek Valley watershed (SACVW). A previously published hydrologic model of the SACVW for 1948–2018 was extended to include 2019–2021 and then modified to simulate the future years of 2022–2051. Two models simulating the future years of 2022–2051 were constructed, each with different climate inputs: (1) a repeated historical climate and (2) a 2070-centered Drier Extreme Warming climate (2070 DEW). The model with the 2070 DEW climate had warmer temperatures and an increase in average annual precipitation driven by larger, albeit more infrequent, precipitation events than the model with the historical climate. Simulated groundwater pumpage resulted in cumulative groundwater storage depletion and groundwater-level decline in Barka Slough in both future models. The simulations indicate that Barka Slough may transition from a perennial to an ephemeral wetland. Streamflow, stream disconnection, and depth to groundwater are key habitat metrics for federally listed species in Barka Slough. Future seasonal conditions for each metric are more likely to affect federally listed species’ habitats under 2070 DEW climatic conditions. Future seasonal streamflow volume may negatively impact unarmored threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus williamsoni) and tidewater goby (Eucyclogobis newberryi) habitats. Future seasonal stream disconnection may negatively impact the unarmored threespine stickleback habitat. Future groundwater-level decline may negatively impact Gambel’s watercress (Nasturtium gambelii) and La Graciosa thistle (Cirsium scariosum var. loncholepis) habitats and could influence the ability to use Barka Slough as a restoration or reintroduction site for these species. Results from this study can be used to inform water management decisions to sustain future groundwater availability in the SACVW. Full article

One hazardous material that occurs naturally in the environment and induces oxidative stress is cadmium (Cd). Epidemiological data revealed that exposure to cadmium in the workplace and environment might be linked to many illnesses and serious testicular injuries. Aims: It is taught that antioxidants can protect different organs against environmental toxic compounds. Therefore, the current investigation aims to show the role of antioxidants (gallic acid and selenium) in the protection against cadmium toxicity, including the architecture of the testes, semen properties, steroid hormones, protein expression of cytochrome P450 [CYP 19 and 11A1] contributing to the production of steroid hormones, and antioxidant enzyme activities, in male rabbits. Methods: Male rabbits were given cadmium orally three times/week [1 mg/kg BW] for twelve weeks. In addition, gallic acid (20 mg/kg) or selenium (1 mg/kg BW) was administered two hours before cadmium treatment. This investigation included a spectrophotometer, histopathology, and Western immunoblotting techniques. Results: Cadmium treatment significantly reduced sperm counts, testosterone, and estrogen levels after four, eight, and twelve weeks of treatment. In addition, after a 12-week treatment of rabbits with cadmium, the activity of 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and antioxidant enzymes, including catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione S-transferase, as well as the glutathione levels, were inhibited in the testes tissue. On the other hand, following cadmium treatment, rabbit’s testes showed a discernible increase in free radical levels. Interestingly, the activity of antioxidant enzymes and level of free radicals were recovered in rabbits treated with gallic acid or selenium before cadmium treatment. In addition, after 12 weeks of cadmium treatment, the steroidogenic protein expressions of CYP 11A1 and CYP 19 were upregulated and downregulated in the testes, respectively. Interestingly, after pretreatment of rabbits with either gallic acid or selenium for two hours before cadmium administration, the downregulated CYP11A1 was restored to normal levels. In the histopathological investigation, immature spermatozoids and sloughed spermatogonium cells were observed in cadmium-treated rabbits’ testes. On the other hand, pretreatments of rabbits with gallic acid or selenium mitigated and alleviated the adverse effects of cadmium on testes architecture and increased the production of healthy sperm. Conclusions: The lower levels of steroid hormones could be due to the downregulation of CYP11A1, inhibition of 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, antioxidant enzyme activities, and the induction of free radical levels. Furthermore, the pretreatment of rabbits with gallic acid or selenium mitigated the adverse effects of cadmium on the tissue architecture of testes and steroid hormone levels. Full article

Background/Objectives: Chronic wounds represent a growing challenge for the aging population, significantly impairing their quality of life, increasing the frequency of medical consultations, and imposing substantial healthcare costs. Chronic wounds are prone to complications, including local and systemic infections, and in severe cases, amputations. The therapeutic use of live larvae from the blowfly Lucilia sericata (biological debridement) has regained attention for its ability to debride necrotic tissue and stimulate granulation. Despite its benefits, this therapy is constrained by the logistical challenges of producing and delivering live larvae and by patient adherence issues. Objectives: This study aimed to develop a lyophilized extract of Lucilia sericata larvae and evaluate its efficacy in treating chronic wounds. Methods: A lyophilized maggot extract (Larveel^®, Alpha-Biocare GmbH, Neuss, Germany) of the larvae of Lucilia sericata was produced under GMP conditions. In a total of ten patients with chronic refractory wounds, the extract was used in individual therapeutic trials and its effect on bacterial colonization and wound healing was investigated. Wound healing was documented photographically and measured visually in terms of a reduction in the wound slough, an increase in the granulation tissue, and a reduction in the wound area. Results: Of the ten patients, three discontinued their treatment due to P. aeruginosa colonization. In seven patients, significant fibrin reduction, granulation, and wound healing occurred, with two achieving complete closure and four showing advanced epithelialization. Conclusions: In 7 of the 10 patients, the application of the extract led to a marked reduction in wound slough, and improved granulation and the progression of wound healing. These effects are likely attributable to the extract’s ability to disrupt bacterial biofilm formation. The findings suggest that this novel therapeutic approach may provide a practical and effective alternative to live larval therapy for managing chronic wounds. Full article

Eschar and slough in wounds serve as a reservoir for microorganisms and biofilms, damaged/devitalised cells, and inflammatory chemokines/cytokines, which work to initiate and prolong persistent inflammation and increase the risk of infection. Biofilm-related inflammation and infections are considered to be highly prevalent in acute wounds and chronic wounds. As slough is known to harbour biofilms, measuring the efficacy of antimicrobials in killing microbes both within and under slough is warranted. This highlights the need for more clinically relevant wound biofilm models to address this significant clinical need. Consequently, in this study, we developed an in vitro artificial wound slough (AWS) biofilm model produced by forming a biofilm below a layer of AWS, the latter of which was composed of the main protein components reported in wound eschar and slough, namely collagen, elastin, and fibrin. The model was employed to investigate the antibiofilm and antibacterial efficacy of a new patented smart next-generation antibiofilm technology composed of silver–zinc EDTA complexes and designed as a family of multifunctional metal complexes referred to as MMCs, in a liquid format, and to determine both the performance and penetration through AWS to control and manage biofilms. The results demonstrated the ability of the AWS–biofilm model to be employed for the evaluation of the efficacy of a new antibiofilm and antimicrobial next-generation smart technology. The results also demonstrated the potential for the proprietary EDTA multifunctional metal complexes to be used for the disruption of biofilms, such as those that form in chronic wounds. Full article

Iron redistribution in the intestine after total body irradiation is an established phenomenon. However, in the literature, there are no reports about the use of X-ray fluorescence microscopy or equivalent techniques to generate semi-quantitative 2D maps of iron in sectioned intestine samples from irradiated mice. In this work, we used X-ray fluorescence microscopy (XFM) to map the elemental content of iron as well as phosphorus, sulfur, calcium, copper and zinc in tissue sections of the small intestine from eight-week-old BALB/c male mice that developed gastrointestinal acute radiation syndrome (GI-ARS) in response to exposure to 8 Gray of gamma rays. Seven days after irradiation, we found that the majority of the iron is localized as hot spots in the intercellular regions of the area surrounding crypts and stretching between the outer perimeter of the intestine and the surface cell layer of villi. In addition, this study represents our current efforts to develop elemental cell classifiers that could be used for the automated generation of regions of interest for analyses of X-ray fluorescence maps. Once developed, such a tool will be instrumental for studies of effects of radiation and other toxicants on the elemental content in cells and tissues. While XFM studies cannot be conducted on living organisms, it is possible to envision future scenarios where XFM imaging of single cells sloughed from the human (or rodent) intestine could be used to follow up on the progression of GI-ARS. Full article

The backwater lowland habitats of large rivers, like the Mississippi River in North America, present complex and often inaccessible environments for traditional capture-based fish biodiversity sampling. Our knowledge of the assemblages of the fishes that occupy such habitats is often incomplete, and this can compromise management efforts. We employed environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding methods to sample a Mississippi River bottom wetland system to assess the ichthyofaunal diversity and the assemblage structure across habitat types, and we compared our results with capture-based survey records for the same habitats. We collected water samples in the spring and fall of 2022 from slough, ditch, shallow lake, and bayou habitats that varied in depth, vegetation, seasonal variability, and connectivity to the Mississippi River channel. We detected a diverse array of fish species that included 51 taxa. Nearly all the species previously documented in the habitats were detected using eDNA metabarcoding, and we increased the number of documented species by more than a third. Most of the species were ubiquitous across the range of habitats, but there was also a substantial assemblage structure, with some species exhibiting clear habitat specificity. Fall sampling was limited to the deeper bayou habitats where seasonal variation between the spring and fall was minimal. eDNA metabarcode sampling was demonstrated to be effective at detecting invasive species as well as uncommon species, which included several species of conservation concern. Full article

Vacuolar (H⁺)-ATPases (V-ATPases) are ATP-driven proton pumps that play multifaceted roles across various organisms. Despite their widespread significance, the functional implications of V-ATPase genes in Hyphantria cunea, an invasive forest pest with a global presence, have yet to be elucidated. In this study, two specific V-ATPase genes from H. cunea were identified and analyzed, namely HcV-ATPase A (accession number: OR217451) and HcV-ATPase C (accession number: OR217452). Phylogenetic analysis and multiple sequence alignment reveal that HcV-ATPase A shares the highest amino acid sequence similarity with SfV-ATPase A, while HcV-ATPase C is most similar to HaV-ATPase C. Spatiotemporal expression profiles, determined via RT-qPCR, demonstrate that both HcV-ATPase A and HcV-ATPase C are expressed throughout all larval developmental stages, with HcV-ATPase A predominantly expressed in the midgut and HcV-ATPase C showing high expression in the epidermis. RNA interference (RNAi) targeting of these genes significantly suppressed their expression by 62.7% and 71.0% 120 h post-injection, leading to halted larval growth and increased mortality rates of 61.7% and 46.7%, respectively. Further investigations using immunohistochemistry, hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that gene silencing induced vesiculation and subsequent losses or sloughing of intestinal parietal cells, alongside an increase in the number of autophagic cells. Additionally, the silencing of HcV-ATPase A and C genes resulted in a reduced gut epidermal cell layer thickness and further increases in goblet cell numbers. Importantly, RNAi of HcV-ATPase A and C did not affect the expression levels of one another, suggesting independent functional pathways. This study provides foundational insights into the role of V-ATPase in H. cunea and identifies potential targets for the biocontrol of its larvae, contributing to the understanding of V-ATPase mechanisms and their application in pest management strategies. Full article

In September 2023, several hatcheries in Latin America experienced significant mortality rates, up to 90%, in zoea stage 2 of Penaeus vannamei. Observations of fresh mounts revealed structures resembling lipid droplets, similar to those seen in a condition known as “las bolitas syndrome”. Routine histopathological examinations identified detached cells and tissues in the digestive tracts of affected zoea, contrasting with the typical algal cell contents seen in healthy zoea. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for over 20 known shrimp pathogens indicated minimal differences between diseased and healthy batches. Both groups tested negative for acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) but positive for Vibrio species and Rickettsia-like bacteria in the diseased samples. Histological analyses of the affected zoea revealed characteristic tissue degeneration in the hepatopancreas, forming spheres that eventually migrated into the upper gut, midgut, and midgut caeca, a pathology identified as bolitas syndrome (BS). Microbiological assessments revealed Vibrio species at concentrations of 10⁶ CFU zoea/g in affected zoea, approximately two orders of magnitude higher than in healthy zoea. Bacterial isolation from both healthy and BS-affected zoea on thiosulphate–citrate–bile salts–sucrose (TCBS) agar and CHROMagar™ (Paris, France), followed by identification using API 20E, identified six strains of Vibrio alginolyticus. Despite similarities to “las bolitas syndrome” in fresh mounts, distinct histopathological differences were noted, particularly the presence of sloughed cells in the intestines and variations in hepatopancreatic lobes. This study highlights the critical need for further research to fully understand the etiology and pathology of bolitas syndrome in zoea stage 2 of P. vannamei to develop effective mitigation strategies for hatchery operations. Full article